Wang Chang opened his eyes.
The room around him was still the same, but he faintly sensed the flow of spiritual energy near his right hand. It was so faint he would not be able to feel it if he didn't stop moving.
He could tell that once he filled his right hand, he would be able to interact with the spiritual energy in the air. It confirmed what Su Zihao taught him about using internal spiritual energy to control external spiritual energy.
Su Zihao raised his hand and patted Jin Jiayi's head. He sported a wide grin as he felt proud due to his student's achievement.
"You learned so fast. Good job, Crown Prince. Now that you can do it on your own, come back to me only whenever you have questions."
Su Zihao was inwardly relieved that he could relax again. Teaching from morning till evening mentally exhausted him.
Wang Chang didn't know that, but he was likewise happy. Spending too much time with Su Zihao might reveal the truth that he was reincarnated. He would like to stay away from him as much as possible.
In the middle of the afternoon, Wang Chang left Su Zihao's room with Anatolia following beside him. She curiously looked at his right hand and didn't say anything.
Wang Chang repeatedly opened and closed his right fist. The sensation of the spiritual energy in his right hand was a special experience. It was akin to applying a thin layer of medicinal paste on his skin.
The spiritual energy provided him with a cool feeling and greater stamina.
After having his first taste of cultivation, Wang Chang spent the next few weeks cultivating on his own. Anatolia would visit him to feed him and nothing else.
With the Empress gone, Wang Chang had a lot of free time for himself.
. . .
A few days before his mother's promised arrival, Wang Chang sat in a lotus position on his bed. The back of his hands were resting on both his left and right knees.
A faint fog gathered in front of Wang Chang's nose as he inhaled the spiritual energy in the room. A few minutes later, it slowly faded and Wang Chang opened his eyes.
His mouth opened in a gasp. He lifted his right hand and stared at it. Spiritual energy filled it to the brim.
Without concentrating on it, he could sense the internal spiritual energy as well as easily interact with the external spiritual energy around his hand.
Wang Chang, who was a mortal in his past life, had finally taken the first step in the path of cultivation.
He laid back and used his hands to support himself as he stared at the ceiling. A feeling of incredulity spread through his whole body.
A mixture of complex emotions welled up in his heart.
Ying'er, I hope I can find you. And… Mother, I will make you proud.
He closed his eyes and imagined the faces of the two women in his heart. One was especially close, and he previously tried to seal her away, but she stubbornly resisted and was etched deeply into his heart.
The other was his mother. She was a stranger at first, but her warm feelings melted his heart. He was grateful for her. Otherwise, he wouldn't have gotten over the events before his death.
When Wang Chang opened his eyes, a determination sparked within them. He was a stranger to cultivation, but he would try his best.
. . .
Time passed without care for the feelings of anyone. The day for the Empress' return had arrived.
Wang Chang stood beside Anatolia in front of the palace's majestic entrance. They stared into the end of the main road up until the horizon.
They had received confirmation that the Empress was returning today.
As the morning sun rose higher and higher, Wang Chang saw a dot appear in the distance. It was different from the carriages that had been moving through and fro.
A tall pole with a flag of the Jin Empire appeared on the horizon, behind it was a large group of horse riders. They stirred up dust on their way, and they carried with them an impressive aura.
Without a shadow of a doubt, that was the imperial entourage on their way back.
"Mama!"
Wang Chang couldn't hide his joy. His heart thumped with excitement. He momentarily forgot about everything as the anticipation for her grew.
They waited for a few minutes, and the group grew near and stopped in front of the palace's steps. They were like a never-ending locust swarm as they stretched far back.
Two figures were particularly eye-catching in the entourage.
The empress wore a slim armor that covered her from head to toe and beside her was Jin Yang who wore a thick set of armor. From their appearances, the surrounding civilians watched with great awe.
Behind them was Qian Gang holding the flag pole and a hundred thousand soldiers.
The impressive army of the Jin Empire had returned.
"The Wen Kingdom is no more!" the Empress declared, her voice echoing far away.
"HAHHHHH!!!" x 100000
The soldiers behind her released a deafening battle cry. Their murderous aura shot through the roof and a couple of citizens fell to their butt and peed.
It was an intimidating force.
Wang Chang stared at the massive force under his family's command. For the first time ever, he got a glimpse of the full power they had under their feet.
He was moved.
Additionally, he sensed spiritual energy emanating from them. He couldn't exactly tell, but he surmised they must be Spiritual Gathering cultivators.
The Empress debarked from her steed and removed her helmet. She swished her long hair, appearing dazzling.
She looked at Jin Jiayi and smiled.
"I'm back, my son."
Beside her, Jin Yang likewise removed his helmet and smiled at his son.
Wang Chang's legs moved on their own, and he ran down the stairs to Anatolia's shock. She couldn't catch him as he rapidly sprinted down the steps with his small stature.
The two imperial parents were alarmed as well, but before they could try to catch him, Jin Jiayi had already arrived in front of them.
Wang Chang jumped and embraced his mother, who had lowered herself.