Nine years had passed. Wu Zheng opened his eyes slowly, the familiar stillness of the cave surrounding him. He sat up from the mat, taking a deep breath as the cool air brushed his skin. He closed the independent space, feeling a sense of renewal after such an extended period of cultivation.
The cave, lit by soft streams of sunlight filtering through cracks in the rock, remained unchanged. Wu Zheng moved with precision as he cleaned the cave, each movement methodical. The dust stirred briefly, shimmering in the sunlight before settling again.
He walked toward the cave entrance, the soft crunch of his footsteps against the cave floor fading as he reached the open air. Before him lay the calm lake, its glass-like surface reflecting the cloudless sky above. Wu Zheng stood still for a moment, taking in the serenity of the scene—the gentle ripple of water as a fish broke the surface, the distant sound of wind rustling through the trees.
Nine years of seclusion had been fruitful. After his breakthrough to the Golden Core Realm, Wu Zheng had convinced his mother to allow him another two years in isolation. It hadn't been easy, but eventually, Wu Hua saw that her son was no longer a child; she understood that this was his path. Now, his abilities had reached their peak. He had honed his mastery of Moon Step, Song of Inferno, and Spirit Wall, with his Sunfire Blade enhancing his fire techniques. Wu Zheng was now a balanced force—swift, powerful, and durable.
As he stood there, the energy within him surged briefly before he suppressed it. His cultivation was now at the late 5th stage of the Golden Core Realm, but he had mastered 2nd and 3rd part of Qi Limit technique, enabling him to mask his true strength, even if he reached the Nascent Soul Realm. His aura dipped to the early 9th stage of the Foundation Establishment Realm, an unassuming presence.
With ease, Wu Zheng climbed the steep cliffside, each step swift and light. His movements were so fluid that in less than five minutes, he stood at the top, the Wu Manor in view. He walked the familiar path leading to his mother's house, but something felt different this time. The usual bustle of cultivators around the manor was absent. He glanced around, noting the unusually quiet grounds. Fewer cultivators than he remembered, despite the clan's growth. The Wu Clan had been developing rapidly over the past few years, with every member contributing, yet today it seemed strangely empty.
Wu Zheng soon reached his mother's residence. As the wooden door creaked open, Wu Hua stepped out, her aura calm yet powerful. Wu Zheng instinctively bowed, and through the use of his Spirit Lens, he noticed his mother's cultivation had soared. She had reached the 9th stage of the Golden Core Realm. Despite his practiced stoicism, a flicker of happiness stirred within him, though it quickly faded, leaving only his usual calm.
"Mother," he greeted.
Wu Hua smiled warmly, her eyes soft as she regarded her son. "Zheng'er, you've grown stronger," she said, her voice as calm as always. She didn't seem surprised by his advancement—it was expected—but when she told him of her own breakthrough, Wu Zheng's eyes lit up ever so briefly, a rare spark of excitement escaping his usual composure.
"That's wonderful," he replied, his voice steady, though the happiness was evident in his tone. Wu Hua chuckled softly, clearly pleased by his reaction.
After their conversation, Wu Zheng stood to leave. "I shall take my leave now, Mother."
Wu Hua nodded. "You should also meet with the other family members."
As Wu Zheng stepped out of the house, his mother's voice suddenly stopped him. "Oh, I forgot to mention something."
He turned, raising an eyebrow. "What is it?"
Wu Hua sighed lightly. "The clan introduced a new rule while you were in seclusion. To increase combat abilities and gain experience, every clan member must complete missions outside the clan. Each year, members must earn contribution points based on their cultivation level. For you, in the Foundation Establishment Realm, it's 200 points."
Wu Zheng's brow furrowed slightly. "And you tried to convince Father?"
"I did," Wu Hua replied, shaking her head. "But he's firm on this. He says you cannot rely on cultivation alone. You need experience, especially with war on the horizon."
Wu Zheng gave his mother a look, silently pleading with her to do something. But Wu Hua simply smiled, raising her hands in defeat. "I've done my best. There's no changing his mind."
With that, she turned and went back inside, leaving Wu Zheng standing in the courtyard, resigned. His gaze shifted to the distant horizon, where the sky seemed endless. Experience, it seemed, was the next step.