On a summer night in Jiangcheng, the evening breeze carries the chirping of cicadas through the courtyard.
Li Qingshan stood under the old locust tree in the courtyard, a Divine Markings condensing on his fingertips, slowly combing through the aura around him.
Divine Markings flowed and coiled in his palm, as if they were alive.
Two years have passed in the blink of an eye.
Since returning from Kunlun, he has never set foot outside Jiangcheng again.
Aside from teaching his parents how to cultivate and spending time with Xiaobai, he spends the rest of his time pondering the laws of the Great Dao.
Although the essence of heaven and earth on Earth was as thin as a veil, it was not enough to help him break through the shackles of the Dragon Transformation Fifth Layer.
This gave him ample time to reflect on the Sun True Scripture and the Zhoutian Star Array Formula he had previously learned in Kunlun.
With the help of his Innate Dao Embryo and his understanding of the Dao, he has integrated and mastered them in the past two years, making his understanding as clear as the Milky Way.
" Qingshan, take a break. The lotus seed soup I just made won't taste good if it gets cold."
Su Wan came out of the house carrying a white porcelain bowl, her steps much lighter than two years ago.
After opening up the Bitter Sea, her vital energy and blood became even more abundant.
As Li Qingshan withdrew his Divine Markings and turned around, Su Wan's gaze fell on his head, and she couldn't help but laugh:
"You've been wearing that Daoist crown for three days now, without even taking it off while eating. Are you really planning to wear it indefinitely?"
The Azure Lotus Dao Crown on his head was carved from warm jade brought back from Kunlun three months ago.
The same Daoist crown that was found in the Kunlun ruins had already been reduced to ashes by the lightning tribulation.
The crown is pale blue, with clear petal patterns, and at the top is a jade bead the size of a lotus seed, faintly gleaming.
His long hair, reaching his waist, was tied within his Daoist crown, which made his already handsome face appear even more refined.
His sword-like eyebrows slanted upwards towards his temples, his eyes were deep and unfathomable, as if a river of stars flowed within them as he opened and closed them, and a Daoist aura emanated from his entire being.
He was no longer a youth of this world, but rather like Exiled Immortal who had stepped out of a painting.
"Wearing it naturally can also soothe the mind and spirit."
Li Qingshan took the porcelain bowl, his fingertips touching the rim. A faint Divine Markings swept across it, adjusting the temperature of the lotus seed soup to just right.
In the past two years, my parents' cultivation progress has not been fast, but they have steadily entered the Life Spring Realm.
Every morning, the family of three, plus Xiaobai, would practice basic techniques in the courtyard for half an hour.
They became a unique sight in Jiangcheng Community, but outsiders didn't know that they were not practicing ordinary Taiji.
Rather, it is a cultivation method that can draw upon the vital energy of life.
"By the way, your dad just said that you look more mature and composed with your hair tied up and wearing a crown."
Su Wan sat on the stone bench, watching her son drink his porridge. Her eyes were full of relief, but also concealed a hint of worry. "I just don't know how much longer we can live like this."
Li Qingshan paused in his porridge-drinking motion.
He knew his mother had already suspected something.
In the past two years, although he has not said it outright, he often deduces the Heavenly Dao in the dead of night, and his divine sense occasionally unconsciously explores the starry sky.
There lay the opportunity he awaited, and the destiny he was destined to follow.
"Mom,"
He put down the porcelain bowl, his tone calm yet solemn, "There's something I want to tell you and Dad."
Su Wan's heart sank, but she still nodded:
"Go ahead, I'm listening."
"In a while, it will be time for me to leave."
"Leave? Where to?"
Su Wan's voice tightened instantly, "Are we going back to Kunlun?"
"Not Kunlun."
Li Qingshan shook his head, looked up at the night sky. There was no moon tonight, but the stars were exceptionally bright, as if foreshadowing something. "It's about going to a more distant place, another star region, called the North."
"Starfield, Big Dipper?"
Su Wan was stunned. "That's... a place where immortals cultivate?"
I guess so.
Li Qingshan tried his best to explain in terms she could understand, "The path of cultivation is not limited to Earth."
The Big Dipper Star Domain is rich in the essence of heaven and earth, offering a wider world and opportunities to break through realms.
I'm currently stuck at the Dragon Transformation Fifth Layer. Staying on Earth any longer will make it difficult to make any progress.
Su Wan fell silent.
She didn't understand what the Dragon Transformation Fifth Layer meant or how high a cultivation level it was, but she did understand the phrase "breakthrough opportunity".
She has also been cultivating for the past two years Dao Realm.
However, the thought of her son going to "heaven" made her heart clench.
"Then, will you come back?"
Her voice trembled, and she dared not look Li Qingshan in the eye.
"Meeting."
Li Qingshan said confidently, "I've calculated it. I'll be back in at most twenty years from here to Big Dipper."
"At that time, I will take you and Dad with me. The world there will allow you to live longer and advance your spiritual cultivation."
More than twenty years.
This number brought tears to Su Wan's eyes instantly.
For ordinary people, more than twenty years is too long; long enough for black hair to turn white.
But for cultivators, it might just be a period of seclusion.
She wiped away her tears and forced a smile:
"Okay, Mom will wait for you. Twenty-odd years isn't a long time."
At this moment, Li Guoqiang came out of the house, carrying a cloth bag in his hand.
He had clearly overheard their conversation; his face showed little surprise, only a calm acceptance of what he had expected.
"I knew it, you'd do it sooner or later."
He handed the cloth bag to Li Qingshan, "Inside are some things from your childhood, and a few pieces of clothing that your mother and I sewed for you in the past two years."
You're going somewhere far, take it with you, it'll be a keepsake.
Li Qingshan took the cloth bag; it felt heavy in his hand.
Inside are his elementary school award certificates, a sweater knitted by his mother, and a wooden sword made by his father.
It was made by his father over half a month for his tenth birthday, and it is still intact.
"Dad,"
His voice was a little hoarse, "I'm sorry to have worried you and Mom."
What's the use of worrying?
Li Guoqiang patted his shoulder, with much more force than two years ago, "You are our son, but not a son trapped in Jiangcheng."
You have your own path to follow, all we can do is wait for you to come home.
He paused, then said:
"Just remember, no matter where you go or what level you reach in your cultivation, you must take good care of yourself."
Don't disappear without a word for three years like you did in Kunlun. My wife and I, being an old couple, can't afford to wait a second time."
"I've got it."
Li Qingshan nodded emphatically.
Just then, a white figure darted out of the house and pounced on Li Qingshan's lap—it was Xiaobai.
In the past two years, Xiaobai has grown up a lot and is no longer a three-year-old child.
She had grown into a five- or six-year-old girl with shoulder-length silver hair and jade-like horns hidden among her hair, only revealed when she was excited.
She was wearing the pink dress Su Wan had bought for her, and looked no different from any other little girl.
"Brother, do you want it?"
Xiaobai's eyes were red. She had overheard the conversation inside the house. "Are you going to that place called Big Dipper?"
"Yes."
Li Qingshan bent down and picked her up, his fingertips brushing against her silver hair. "Bai, I can't take you this time. The North is very dangerous, ten times more dangerous Kunlun. I'm afraid I can't protect you."
Xiaobai's tears fell instantly:
"I'm not afraid of danger! I can fight for Brother Qingshan! I know the Heaven-Devouring Profound Yin Art, and I can also become invisible!"
I know Bai is very capable.
Li Qingshan wiped away her tears, his tone gentle yet firm, "But this time, you have to stay and help me take care of Grandpa and Grandma, okay?"
"Taking care of grandparents?"
Xiaobai was stunned.
"Right."
Li Qingshan looked at Su Wan and Li Guoqiang, "Although Earth is safe, there are still people who don't know their place."
Xiaobai is now at the Divine Bridge Realm; with her here, I can rest assured.
Besides, when I'm not around, Xiaobai will keep you company and help you pass the time."
Su Wan immediately understood what he meant and quickly picked up Xiaobai:
" Xiaobai, stay with Grandma, okay? Grandma will make you a new dress and teach you how to sew dolls."
Xiaobai glanced at Su Wan, then at Li Qingshan, tears still streaming down her face, but slowly nodded:
"Okay. I will take care of my grandparents and help them with their cultivation."
When Brother Qingshan comes back, I'll teach Grandpa and Grandma to become powerful cultivators!
Li Qingshan smiled and patted her head:
"Okay, I'll be waiting."
For the next few days, Li Qingshan stayed with his parents.
Besides comprehending the laws of heaven and earth, Li Qingshan would spend two hours every day practicing his supernatural powers.
" The Dragon Transformation Fifth Layer might not seem like much in the late stages of the Big Dipper, but at this point, it represents a significant force within a major sect or holy land."
Li Qingshan put away the battle flags and thought to himself.
On the morning of the seventh day, before dawn.
Li Qingshan had finished getting ready and was standing at the gate of the courtyard.
Su Wan and Li Guoqiang had already gotten up, their eyes red-rimmed, but they didn't cry anymore.
They knew that separation was inevitable, and no amount of tears would make their son worry.
Xiaobai was wearing a new dress and holding a rag doll with four people drawn on it: Li Qingshan, Su Wan, Li Guoqiang, and herself.
"Brother Qing, this is for you."
Xiaobai handed him the plush toy, saying, "Look at it when you miss us."
Li Qingshan took the doll; it felt soft to the touch.
He carefully placed it into the cloth bag:
"Okay, I'll keep it with me."
"Okay, or it'll be dawn."
Li Guoqiang patted him on the back, "Remember, we'll wait for you to come back."
"Um."
Li Qingshan nodded, took one last look at his parents and Xiaobai, and turned to walk towards the east of the city.
He didn't fly; he walked step by step.
He walked the streets of Jiangcheng for more than 20 years, from childhood to youth, from ordinary person to spiritual practitioner.
Every road and every lamp here holds his memories.