For the entire night, Xiao Long stayed in the same spot, gazing into the horizon without blinking as though he was a stone statue.
When the sun began peeking from the horizon, Xiao Long blinked for the first time.
He stood and stretched, and the Spiritual Essence within his body danced with joy.
Just as he was about to turn around, a clear voice spoke with surprise, "Junior brother Long?"
Xiao Long turned to look at the one who called him.
Standing a few meters behind him was an elegant young lady in blue Hanfu robes, her small and delicate face dripping with sweat; it was his elder sister, Xiao Lan.
She jogged to him with a wide smile on her face. "You're finally awake! Does Mother know? She has been worrying to no ends because of you!"
The first thing she mentioned was his mother. It was clear that Xiao Mo Li's love for him was widespread within the family and not something unnoticeable.
"She has been aware since last night."
Despite noticing Xiao Lan's presence behind him for a while now, he acted as though he wasn't aware.
"Is that so? Then it's all good," she said, sounding relieved.
"I was also worried when I heard that you had collapsed out in the blue," she continued, her voice sweet-sounding.
"I apologize for the worries I have caused, and thank you…" Xiao Long smiled.
"Un! Your beautiful sister accepts your apology!" she also smiled.
"Right, what are you doing out here so early in the morning? Surely you aren't out here practicing martial arts like me, right?" Knowing that he doesn't cultivate, she joked with him.
"I woke up early and decided to take a stroll."
"Are you sure your body is in the condition to do that? I don't want you to collapse again."
"I am fine."
"Long'er! Long'er?! Where are you, Long'er!"
Loud shouting filled with worry suddenly resounded from within the residence, catching the sibling's attention.
"That's mother's voice. Look, you are making her worry again," Xiao Lan shook her head at him. "Quickly go see her, we can talk later."
"Un."
Xiao Long proceeds to walk back into the residence, and the shouting stopped shortly after.
Xiao Lan sighed in relieved. "Thank the heavens that it was nothing serious," she mumbled before walking away.
—
Within the building, Xiao Long stood before Xiao Mo Li who seemed to have sweat quite a bit after running around the residence while shouting.
"Disappearing so suddenly, where did you go so early in the morning? You nearly scared me to death!" Xiao Mo Li sighed after seeing his face from the distance.
"I saw elder sister Lan training outside, so I went to speak with her for a moment," he said.
"Ah, Lan'er is the most diligent amongst you four siblings when it comes to martial arts," she said with a smile, "not to mention she also cares a lot for you. Since you just started cultivation, I'd suggest you go to her for advice instead of the other two meatheads despite their talent being superior."
Xiao Long nodded at her suggestion.
"Right, about your body. How is it? Do you feel anything out of the ordinary? Does it hurt anywhere? Can you recall what happened during that moment before you collapsed?"
Xiao Mo Li began asking him many questions regarding his body, hoping to figure out why he had collapsed.
"My body is fine, but I do not know why I had collapsed. I only remember my mind being muddled for a moment before everything went black."
"Is that so…" Xiao Mo Li was disheartened that they couldn't find the reason.
"Even the best doctor within the city was unable to diagnose why you had collapsed," she said, "It worries me knowing that we cannot properly heal you and that it might happen again."
The atmosphere suddenly turned solemn, and tears could be seen by the edge of her eyes.
Feeling the overwhelming motherly love from her, something he never had, Xiao Long could feel warmth in his heart, making him feel more 'human'.
"Don't worry mother," he said, "It will never happen again; I can promise you that."
Xiao Mo Li looks at his handsome face that was filled with confidence, calming down the next second as though his face has wondering effects.
"Alright, Mother will believe your words." She wipes the tears from her eyes.
"Since you were able to walk outside without any problems, you shouldn't have any problems going with us to the Li Family for the ceremony, right? You don't have to force yourself, though."
Xiao Long replies to her instantly, "I will go."
Since he is finally a human and has a family, he will live his life to the fullest with them — something he could only watch others do as the Calamity God in the past.
If anything or anyone dares to cause trouble for him or his family, like whoever tried to take away his life before he could even enjoy it — be it Gods or Immortals — only death awaits them.
"Good! Then it is settled! We will head for the Li City when the sun peaks."
Xiao Mo Li stayed in his room for some more time before leaving to prepare for the trip.
Meanwhile, Xiao Long pondered about the person who had poisoned him.
"Whoever poisoned me does not wish for their identity to be revealed, but I already have a lead. To dare try to take away my life before I can even live it, you deserve a brutal death!"
He closed his eyes and his conscious began probing his own body.
Not even a minute later, he was able to determine the type of poison used on him.
Although he does not know the name of this poison, he will be able to recognize it if he sees it again.
"This trash poison that cannot even kill a mere Seventh Level Profound Qi Realm was used on me, who still has my Calamity God Soul that surpasses even gods? How laughable!"
However, in order for him to protect himself and this peaceful life of his, he needed power — something that could be easily obtained with his knowledge and experience.
"I have a few hours before leaving for this ceremony, there is plenty of time."
Xiao Long closes his eyes once again, and he begins cultivating.
"In my previous life as the Calamity God, I cultivated by consuming stars and anything with Spiritual Essence in this Universe. It was a technique unique to my soul since birth. Since I still have my Calamity God soul and memories, I can still use this technique, hence why I didn't die when poisoned and instead consumed it, achieving First Level Profound Qi Realm. If I want to cultivate successfully, I will have to consume things with Spiritual Essence, and paired with the techniques that I couldn't use in my previous life because it was meant for humans, I should, in theory, achieve even greater strength than before!"
Xiao Long's eyes shone with a bright radiance, and a cultivation technique that he had learned from his previous life appeared inside his mind.
"I have obtained the Chaotic God's Legacy during my explorations in the Primordial Temple of Chaotic Void; it is definitely the best cultivation technique I have ever seen for humans since the ancient times and not even the Seven Heavenly Arts from the Heavenly Emperor's Palace can compare to this in terms of cultivating one's Spiritual Essence."
Xiao Long takes a deep breath and begins reciting the Chaotic God's Legacy within his head, causing the Spiritual Essence around him to be sucked into his body.
It was as though his body had turned into the void, consuming everything that dared to challenge it by getting close.
His body began illuminating with a golden glow, giving the impression that he was bathing in holy light, and his cultivation base soared as the Spiritual Essence in his body scream with excitement.
Not even half an hour later, Xiao Long could feel his body explode with Spiritual Essence from every pore, spreading a refreshing feeling around every inch of his body.
"Second Level Profound Qi Realm achieved."