"Four years here in the Ascending Plateau Realm," Li Hua explained, laying out her strategy. "We need ti to heal properly, to build our foundations without strain. The sects here can help deepen our knowledge in our cultivation paths."
She traced the familiar progression in the air. "Then three years in the Profound Valley Realm, followed by three in the Grand Eternal Realm." Her brothers nodded in understanding.
Li Wei's scholarly eyes lit up with appreciation for the structured approach, while Li Hao practically bounced in his seat at the ntion of the higher realms, despite his injuries. Each realm would bring its own challenges and opportunities, perfect for their steady advancent toward whatever awaited them in ten years.
"How would we enroll?" Li Hao asked, suddenly thinking of sothing.
"I'll take care of that." A voice interrupted the siblings.
Li Hua was on her feet in an instant, her body shifting automatically into a defensive stance between the voice and her injured brothers. But as her eyes found the figure standing in the doorway, her tension lted into shocked recognition.
"Hua'er." The man smiled, his familiar weathered face the sa as the day they t.
"Grandpa?" Li Hua whispered in disbelief, then as joy overtook her caution, she shouted, "Grandpa Yu!"
Her brothers looked slightly confused for a mont before their hands instinctively reached for the jade pendants hanging at their necks. The mont their fingers touched the cool stone, understanding blood in their eyes—
But Li Hua's joy quickly tempered itself with cautious assessnt, her instincts refusing to be completely silenced. Her slight shift in stance didn't go unnoticed. She had to be—with both brothers still recovering from their injuries, they were at their most vulnerable. She couldn't truly trust anyone right now except her imdiate family, no matter how genuine they might seem. The false elder had taught her that lesson well.
"I felt the arrays disappear," he said quietly, his weathered face showing the weight of his concern. "I rushed to your ho—four days of continuous travel without rest—but I still wasn't fast enough. None of you were there." His eyes carried wisdom and fresh worry, understanding her protective stance even as he continued. "I helped your father create those rings, you know. When I couldn't find you at ho, I waited at all the sanctuary locations in each realm for three days, hoping you three would make it to one of them safely."
Li Hua's hands clenched into fists, her jaw tightening as guilt and frustration fought for space in her heart. "We were separated," she said, her voice low. "I didn't know where my brothers were. I thought... I thought I'd lost them too."
Grandmaster Yu's expression softened. "You acted as best you could under the circumstances, Hua'er. Survival cos first. That's what your parents wanted for you."
"My parents...they were taken," she whispered.
"I know, Hua'er. But I promise you, your parents will be fine." His eyes held absolute certainty. "I was more worried about you three, especially since you all have..." He paused, his gaze sweeping over each sibling.
"Are they suffering?" Li Hua asked, her voice cracking slightly as she forced the words out.
Grandmaster Yu remained silent for a long mont, his eyes carrying a weight that made the siblings' hearts clench. Finally, he spoke with careful asure, "Your parents are stronger than you know. They've prepared for this possibility their entire lives." He paused, choosing his words with precision. "Focus instead on what they wanted—your safety, your growth. The ti will co when you're strong enough to see them again."
Li Wei, stepped closer, his fists clenched. "Then tell us what to do. How do we get strong enough? How do we find them?"
Grandmaster Yu placed a steady hand on Wei's shoulder. "All in good ti. For now, stay together, train hard, and trust in the bonds you share. Don't let them down."
Li Hua exhaled a shaky breath, her resolve hardening. She glanced at her brothers, who nodded in silent agreent. "We'll make them proud," she said, her voice steady now despite the storm raging in her chest.
She moved to Grandmaster Yu, and hugged his arm. "It's good to see you again, grandpa," she said softly. "And to know you're with us."
Her brothers stepped forward, their jade pendants glowing with recognition. Despite their injuries, they managed respectful bows. "Grandpa Yu," Li Wei spoke first, his composure carrying gratitude. "It's an honor and thank you for these jade pendants."
"Definitely an honor, and thank you," Li Hao echoed sincerely, touching the jade at his neck.
Grandmaster Yu stepped forward, patting each of their shoulders with grandfatherly affection. "It's nice to finally et you as well." A proud smile graced his weathered face as he looked at all three siblings.
His warm laughter then filled the room, dispelling so of the earlier tension. "I overheard your strategy, little one. Three months of intensive training, then enrollnt in the sects?" His eyes twinkled with approval. "Though I suggest spending a year in the sixth realm first—it would be wise to learn how to conceal your cores before entering the sects. So talents are better kept hidden until the right mont.
Li Hua nodded thoughtfully. She'd already started learning the Thousand Veils technique Mo Xing had taught her to hide her soul signature—though she still struggled with maintaining it perfectly. But Grandmaster Yu was right—they should all learn to conceal their inner cores completely.
It would be safer that way, she thought, rembering the false elder.
Until then, she would perfect both techniques—Mo Xing's Thousand Veils to hide her soul and their mother's art of changing outer appearances—until disguising their true nature beca as natural as breathing.
Grandmaster Yu stroked his long beard, wisdom gleaming in his eyes. "Train hard. I'll return in three months."
"Thank you, Grandpa!" The siblings said in unison.
"Go on, finish your al and rest." He stepped forward one last ti, patting Li Wei and Li Hao's shoulders before gently squeezing Li Hua's cheeks with grandfatherly affection. As he walked toward the door, his form began to fade, his smile the last thing to disappear. The siblings were left with the comfort of knowing they had at least one powerful ally in their corner.
Li Hua turned back to her brothers, both of whom were trying to hide their exhaustion. "He's right. Let's finish eating, then you both need proper rest." Her tone softened as she saw them fighting to keep their eyes open. "Tomorrow, we can start planning our training properly."
The steam had long since stopped rising from their bowls, but sohow the simple al tasted all the better for knowing they weren't completely alone in their journey.
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