Wu Yuting stood stunned for a long while before finally murmuring, "My son broke through... my son isn't useless. He can cultivate now..."
She slowly stroked her son's hair, her gaze suddenly growing very, very complicated.
When she turned to look at Zuo Changlu, she saw that his gaze, too, had become extraordinarily complicated in that instant.
There was joy in it, and relief, but more than anything, there was worry and melancholy.
Yes, he was no longer useless. He could cultivate now. He had become a Martial Warrior, and the path of cultivation had opened before him...
This was a good thing...
But it also meant that risks would have to be faced, that future dangers would come one after another. The road ahead was unpredictable, no longer the untroubled waters of an ordinary person's life.
Being unable to cultivate, living peacefully in the city, and passing one's whole life free of worry could be a blessing, too.
Because once someone became a martial cultivator-a martial cultivator with accomplishments in cultivation-they had to venture out! Venture out to face enemies and dangers that ordinary people could not confront, had no way of confronting, or could not even imagine.
There was a saying on the Star Soul Continent: "An ordinary person can easily live to seventy. But out of ten martial cultivators, at most two will live past eighty."
Above Martial Master and before Core Origin lay the most dangerous stretch of a martial cultivator's road!
Martial Warriors and Martial Disciples faced little danger, because they did not need to go on missions. But once someone became a Martial Master, everything changed!
The risks they faced were millions upon millions of times greater than those faced by ordinary people!!
This was an utterly brutal reality!
Zuo Changlu's gaze gradually grew deep.
Chapter 24: About That Money...
Zuo Xiaoduo finally let out the excitement in his heart, only to discover that his parents were not nearly as overjoyed by this earth-shaking good news as he had imagined.
Their attitude could best be described as... preoccupied and weighed down with worries, even somewhat... apprehensive.
Something's wrong, Zuo Xiaoduo thought. He could not help putting away his smile and asking cautiously, "Dad, Mom, aren't you... happy?"
"Hahahaha..."
Zuo Changlu let out a long string of laughter, his face wreathed in smiles. "Happy? We're absolutely delighted! You just stunned your dad speechless! Hahaha, my son can finally cultivate! From today onward, who would dare call my son useless? Hahaha..."
His face brimming with pride, Dad Zuo secretly gave Wu Yuting a meaningful look.
Wu Yuting put on a smile as well and quickly wiped her eyes. "Yes, we're truly so happy. Doggy making progress in cultivation really is wonderful news for our family. Doggy's dad-oh, oh, our Xiaoduo will be a cultivator from now on... dear, go buy some good wine and food. Let's celebrate tonight."
Zuo Changlu roared with laughter. "Exactly, exactly! We absolutely must celebrate!"
He stood up, ready to open the door and leave.
Suddenly, Zuo Xiaoduo felt a sour ache in his heart, an unpleasant feeling. He could not help remembering how, back then, although Zuo Xiaonian had been very unhappy with the name Niannian Kitty, she had felt so lost when he suddenly stopped calling her that...
So this was what it felt like... it felt as though Mom and Dad had suddenly started treating him with polite formality...
He could not help murmuring, "Just keep calling me Doggy... I'm not used to you suddenly calling me something else..."
"Hahaha..."
The three of them laughed together.
Then Zuo Xiaoduo added with a cheeky grin, "If you could... change it gradually, though, and give me time to adjust mentally, that would be best."
"In your dreams!"
Wu Yuting and Zuo Xiaonian spoke in unison.
Zuo Xiaonian bared her teeth and brandished her claws. "You're Doggy! You'll always be a doggy, always Dog Egg!"
Zuo Xiaoduo put on a vicious dog's expression and let out a low, rumbling growl.
Laughing heartily, Zuo Changlu opened the door and left to buy wine and food.
Wu Yuting pushed Zuo Xiaoduo out of her arms and said gently, "Go on, go play with your sister. I'll see what's left in the fridge and pick out a few dishes to stir-fry. Just eating food bought outside never feels quite right. How about I pan-fry a salted fish for you in a bit?"
"Yes, yes!"
Zuo Xiaoduo grew excited.
Then Zuo Xiaonian pulled him over. "Come here, Doggy. Let me ask you something. How did you manage to break through? You really made your big sister's glasses shatter in surprise..."
As Zuo Xiaonian pulled him away, their voices grew fainter and fainter, until the sound of a closing door finally cut them off entirely.
Zuo Xiaonian's voice had grown thoroughly excited, to the point that she could barely contain herself. Just listening to her speak, one could tell that the girl was already beside herself with joy.
Wu Yuting stopped chopping and stood there in a daze instead.
Only after a long while did her nose sting and her eyes redden.
How had he become able to cultivate...
The road ahead... how hard it would be...
The sky slowly darkened.
At some point, Zuo Changlu returned carrying several substantial dishes. He entered the kitchen and quietly stood behind his wife.
He rested his hands on his wife's delicate shoulders, slowly gathered her into his arms, and said softly, "Don't worry. Don't forget, Xiao Nian is there to watch over him, too. There's no need to worry too much."
He said quietly, "Actually... Xiao Nian is even more concerned about him than we are."
Wu Yuting nodded silently. She seemed to want to say something, but did not.
Yes, having his older sister watch over him was good, of course. But... ultimately, it could never be as reassuring as seeing with her own eyes that he was safe and sound!
"I regret it," Wu Yuting said in a low voice.
"...It'll be all right," Zuo Changlu said after a moment's silence.
Then his tone lightened. "Hurry and get cooking. Those two will be clamoring for dinner soon."
"All right."
The chop-chop-chop of the kitchen knife rang out.
Zuo Changlu walked out steadily and set the table. He seemed no different from usual, yet also seemed utterly different.
Once a lavish spread of food and wine had been served, the family of four sat around the table, all smiling, basking in warm familial happiness.
"Today is a day of great celebration."
Beaming, Zuo Changlu said, "You two have special permission to drink a little, too."