"You reached the Fourth Tier???"
"Mm."
"When did you reach the Fourth Tier? How did I not know??"
"Because I kept it from you."
"Well, I'll be..."
Chen Banxia stared blankly, her mind racing as many things from before clicked into place. "So this time last year, you were already at the Third Tier? Did you have something to do with that business with Li Jiatu?"
"I was at the Second Tier then."
"I don't believe you!"
"It's true."
"I still don't believe you!"
"Why would I lie to you, my dear sister?" Chen Shu spread his hands. "I'm just your honest, hardworking little brother."
"I don't trust you anymore." Chen Banxia eyed him suspiciously. "So you didn't want me to help you buy the potion because you needed one to break through from the Second Tier to the Third, not from the First to the Second?"
"Yes."
"See? Nothing but lies."
"I was afraid my brilliance would put too much pressure on you to sleep soundly... Wouldn't that be the death of you?"
"..."
Chen Banxia silently ate a couple of bites of Pork Skin Skewers. Boiled, they were soft and springy, with a wonderful texture, but they did nothing to ease her worry. "You've reached the Fourth Tier so quickly, and you're majoring in Ancient Cultivation. Are you set on following that path?"
"Hm?" Chen Shu stared at her. "What are you worried about?"
"How could I not worry? I'm counting on you to support me when I'm old." Chen Banxia even put down her chopsticks. "You can follow the Ancient Cultivator path, but aren't you charging ahead a little too recklessly? These days, pursuing some personal strength is fine, but what's the point of taking it so far? Do you want to go to war?"
"Can't I