Parting Instructions and Family Arrangements

Realization dawned on Luo Feng again and again, and he gained a great deal. He hurriedly bowed deeply to Qin Yuan and said with respect and gratitude, "Thank you for your guidance, Teacher! If not for you, I don't know how much longer I would have spent groping my way through the fog!"

Qin Yuan waved a hand and thought little of it. For him, casually guiding his disciple was no more trouble than lifting a finger.

He looked at Luo Feng and gave him a solemn instruction. "The journey to the Universe Ocean is long, and the Universe Ocean is fraught with unpredictable dangers. We won't be back in a short while. It could be a few months, several years, or even longer."

"Earth is your home, and you still have family and friends here. Before we leave, go back and put your family affairs in order. Say goodbye to your family, and make sure they don't worry."

"The path of cultivation isn't only about killing and growing stronger. Protecting the people you hold dear is also part of cultivation."

Warmth filled Luo Feng's heart. His teacher not only guided his cultivation but also always thought of him and took his family and friends into consideration. He nodded firmly and said with conviction, "I understand. I'll go back now, make sure my family is settled, and take care of everything here. I won't delay our journey to the Universe Ocean."

"Good." Qin Yuan nodded slightly. "I'll give you three days. Three days from now, meet me here in the early morning, and we'll set out for the Universe Ocean together."

"Yes! I'll do as you say!"

Luo Feng bowed respectfully once more, his heart full of anticipation. Three days were enough for him to put everything in order, say goodbye to his family, and follow his teacher on a new journey to the Universe Ocean.

Without wasting a moment, he turned and hurried out of the Dojo of Limits training ground, making his way home.

Qin Yuan stood in the training ground, watching Luo Feng's departing figure with a calm gaze as he pondered in silence.

Luo Feng's talent and character were beyond question. Taking him to the Universe Ocean this time, putting him through trials of life and death, and using the opportunities there to strengthen the foundation of his soul and master the Nine Tribulations Secret Manual would surely allow him to shed his old self and be reborn, his strength rising by leaps and bounds. In the future, he would surely become Qin Yuan's most capable aide and carve out a path of his own in the vast Universe Ocean.

As for Qin Yuan himself, he was going to the Universe Ocean first to use the King of Jin Token to mobilize the resources left behind by the Jin Kingdom and seek an opportunity to break through to Void True God; second, to venture deep into the Universe Ocean and uncover more of the secrets left by Sitting Mountain Guest and Void God King. Besides those, he had an even more important matter to accomplish in the Universe Ocean.

At that thought, a profound light flashed in Qin Yuan's eyes. The aura around him grew ever more restrained as he stood quietly in the training ground, waiting for the appointed day three days hence.

Meanwhile, after leaving the Dojo of Limits, Luo Feng called upon the strength in his entire body and raced through the streets of Yangzhou City. Peak Star Level power surged through him, and the ground beneath his feet trembled slightly with every step. But he deliberately held back his speed rather than unleashing it in full-in this ordinary city, his full speed was enough to cause a panic.

Along the way, the evening breeze swept against his face, carrying the dampness peculiar to a Jiangnan summer night. The streetlights glowed dimly yellow, stretching and shrinking his shadow. Two utterly different emotions churned together in Luo Feng's heart, like opposing ocean currents surging ceaselessly within his chest.

He was excited because he was about to follow his teacher on a journey to the Universe Ocean. That boundless sea of legend, where chaos surged and opportunities lay everywhere, was a battlefield where peerless experts above the True God level roamed freely. And he, a mere Star Level junior, was fortunate enough to accompany his teacher there. What an opportunity, what an honor! Luo Feng could almost imagine the magnificent sights he would see in that sea of stars, the heart-stopping battles he would experience, and the growth that would remake him from the inside out.

Yet his reluctance to leave also weighed heavily on his heart. He had grown up in this city; every street, every building, and every roadside tree bore the marks of his childhood. More importantly, his parents were here, as was his younger brother Luo Hua-the blood relatives he could least bear to part from in this world. The Universe Ocean was full of unpredictable dangers and lay countless hundreds of millions of light-years from Earth. This journey could last a few months or several years. There was no knowing when he would return, or whether he would live or die. Though he had absolute faith in his teacher, the universe was vast and its uncertainties endless. Who could guarantee that nothing would go wrong?

The two emotions tugged at his heart, unconsciously making his steps quicken and slow by turns. He hurried because of his yearning for the sea of stars; he slowed because of his lingering attachment to his homeland.

But every road had an end. The familiar apartment building came into view, and Luo Feng took a deep breath, suppressed his churning emotions, and pushed open the door.

The apartment was brightly lit. His mother, Gong Xinlan, was busy in the kitchen, the sound of her spatula stirring the food drifting out along with its aroma. His father, Luo Hongguo, sat on the living room sofa watching the news, while his younger brother, Luo Hua, was in his room. Through the half-open door, Luo Feng could see him frowning thoughtfully over a thick book. It was a scene Luo Feng had known better than any other over the past three years, as ordinary as could be, yet at this moment it felt incomparably precious.

"Dad, Mom, Xiao Hua, I have something to tell you." Luo Feng stood in the middle of the living room. His voice was quiet, but everyone in the apartment stopped what they were doing.

Gong Xinlan poked her head out of the kitchen, spatula still in hand. When she saw her son's solemn expression, the smile on her face stiffened slightly. Luo Hongguo put down the remote and sat up straight. Luo Hua closed his book and came out of his room.

Luo Feng hid nothing. He told his family the truth about Qin Yuan's return, his plan to go to the Universe Ocean for training, and the fact that the journey might take months or even years.

As soon as he finished speaking, Gong Xinlan's eyes reddened.

"The Universe Ocean... what kind of place is it? How long will it take you to come back? Is it dangerous?" she asked in quick succession, her voice already thick with tears. As far as she understood it, the "Universe Ocean" her son spoke of was an unknown place utterly beyond her imagination, and the unknown itself meant fear.

Luo Hongguo remained silent. He did not question Luo Feng as urgently as his wife did, but his tightly furrowed brow and clenched fists betrayed the turmoil in his heart. He was only an ordinary retired Martial Artist of little strength, and all he knew of the universe came from scraps of news. But he knew that his son was walking a path they could not understand and facing a world they could not imagine.

Luo Feng crouched down in front of his parents and took his mother's hand. It was rough and warm, covered in calluses left by decades of toil. He explained patiently, "Mom, the Universe Ocean is far away, but I'm not going alone. Teacher will be with me. He's a peerless expert, and there are only a handful of people in the entire universe who can match him. With Teacher there, I won't be in any danger."

He paused and raised a hand. A wisp of golden light appeared in his palm-the Law of Metal made manifest. Though small, the golden light was incomparably sharp, cutting through the air with a faint hiss. "Besides, look. I'm long past being that kid from three years ago who couldn't even beat a monster. I can protect myself."

Luo Hua had been standing quietly to one side. Now he suddenly spoke. "Brother, go."

Everyone's eyes fell on Luo Hua. The young man had no talent as a Martial Artist, yet his gaze was the calmest in the family at that moment. Looking at Luo Feng, he said earnestly, "Brother, your path is different from mine. I'm an ordinary person, and I can stay home with Mom and Dad. But you're going to become a powerful expert. Your stage is the sea of stars, not this tiny corner of the world. The stronger you become, the better you can protect us. So go. I'll take care of things at home."

Luo Hua's words eased the atmosphere in the room somewhat. Gong Xinlan's tears were still flowing, but her sobs had quieted considerably. She reached out to touch Luo Feng's face, as though caressing a child about to set off on a long journey. In her eyes, no matter how strong Luo Feng became, he would always be her son.

"Teacher Qin... is he really a peerless expert?" Gong Xinlan asked hoarsely.

"Yes." Luo Feng nodded emphatically. "Teacher's strength is unfathomable. In the entire Milky Way Galaxy-no, the entire Primal Universe-there are probably only a handful of people who could defeat him. With Teacher looking after me, you can put your mind completely at ease."

Luo Hongguo finally spoke. His voice was deep and steady, like a silent mountain. "Feng'er, you've grown up. Your path is yours to choose. Since you've made up your mind, your mother and I won't stop you. Be careful in everything you do while you're away, listen to Teacher Qin, and don't disappoint your honored teacher."

His words were brief, yet they expressed the hearts of fathers everywhere-reluctance to let go, but respect; worry, but support.

Gong Xinlan wiped away her tears and stood up. "When are you leaving? Mom will make you something good to take on the road." She headed back toward the kitchen as she spoke, then looked back after two steps. "Has Teacher Qin eaten? Should we invite him over for a meal? He seemed to like the red-braised pork I made last time..."

Luo Feng watched his mother's busy figure, his father's silent expression, and his younger brother's calm, steadfast gaze, and a warm current welled up in his heart. His whole family was gathered here; ordinary though they were, they were his strongest support as he ventured through the sea of stars. No matter how far he flew, as long as he had these bonds, he would never lose his way.

In the end, though his family was deeply reluctant to see him leave, they fully supported Luo Feng's choice. They knew this young eagle had spread his wings and was about to fly toward a higher, more distant sky. All they could do was take care of their home and wait for his return.

Over the next three days, Luo Feng stayed by his family's side, keeping his parents company with care and making arrangements for everything at home. He left his family some of the ordinary resources Qin Yuan had left behind that were suitable for mortals to cultivate with and nourish their bodies, to keep them safe and healthy.

At the same time, he also went to the Dojo of Limits, took care of his affairs there, and bid farewell to its senior leadership.

When the senior leaders of the Dojo of Limits learned that Luo Feng was leaving to train alongside a peerless expert like Qin Yuan, they all expressed their support and offered him their blessings, not daring to stand in his way in the slightest.

The three days passed in the blink of an eye.

Luo Feng had put everything in order and had no lingering worries.

He knew that this journey to the Universe Ocean was the most important opportunity of his life, as well as an unprecedented challenge. He had to give it his all, temper himself in the Universe Ocean, and grow stronger and stronger. He would never disappoint his teacher's expectations or betray his family's trust.