The patriarch gave a small nod after hearing Xian Tiandi's reply.
"Good." The Patriarch seemed satisfied.
"I'll arrange for some resources to support your journey. Spirit stones, healing pills, travel supplies. I'll also assign a couple of protectors to shadow you from a distance. They won't interfere unless your life is in serious danger."
Xian Tiandi nodded his acceptance. "Thank you, Father."
'Golden Core Realm protectors,' Xian Tiandi thought.
'That's reasonable given my apparent cultivation level. They'll be useful if truly dangerous situations arise, but I'll need to be careful not to reveal too much of my true capabilities in front of them.'
'They'll report everything back to the Patriarch. Especially my dual cultivation path and my breakthrough beyond the nine stage limit. Those secrets must remain hidden for now.'
Xian Chen studied him for a moment longer, his eyes sharp and assessing. Then he spoke, his tone shifting to something more contemplative. "Before we conclude, there is something I'm curious about."
Xian Tiandi waited patiently.
"During your match with Zhou Kang, I sensed you had reached the mid-stages of the Qi Refinement Realm," Xian Chen said carefully.
"However, now that you're sitting before me, I can sense it's more than that. Your aura is... deeper. More refined. Yet you keep it concealed well."
Xian Tiandi met his father's gaze steadily, saying nothing.
The Patriarch continued, a slight smile touching his lips. "You have also not told me what Beast Spirit you awakened. Nor have you revealed the full extent of your capabilities."
"Your performance against Zhou Kang suggests power beyond what a typical Qi Refinement cultivator possesses."
He paused, taking another sip of tea. "It seems you have learned how to conceal your edges. This is wise. In the cultivation world, revealing all your cards invites danger. Even within one's own clan, discretion has value."
'The Patriarch is sharper than I gave him credit for,' Xian Tiandi thought with approval.
'He senses something but doesn't press. That shows wisdom. In my past life, too many cultivators demanded answers and created enemies through their nosiness.'
Xian Chen set down his cup. "I will not inquire about your secrets, Tiandi. Every cultivator is entitled to their own mysteries."
"However, I do hope that you still have enough trust in our family going forward. Know that whatever power you possess, whatever advantages you've gained, this family will support you rather than covet what is yours."
He leaned forward slightly. "You were found at our doorstep as a baby, wrapped in simple cloth with nothing to identify your origins. My wife insisted we raise you as our own despite the elders' objections. For sixteen years, you've been my son in all but blood. That will not change regardless of what power you achieve."
Xian Tiandi felt a genuine warmth at those words. In his past life, he had learned the hard way that trust was a rare commodity in the cultivation world.
But Xian Chen had always been fair to him, even when he appeared to be worthless. The Patriarch's wife, Lady Su Mei, had shown him kindness before her mysterious disappearance years ago.
"I trust you, Father," Xian Tiandi said sincerely. "And I trust the family. My discretion isn't born from suspicion of you, but from caution toward the world beyond our walls. When the time is right, I will share what I can."
'Though I can never reveal the full truth,' he added internally.
'That I'm a regressor who lived thousands of years in my previous life. That I was once the Dao Sovereign of the Origin Universe. That I'm walking a cultivation path no one has successfully completed before. These secrets would invite disaster if exposed.'
Xian Chen nodded, satisfied with that answer. "That's all I needed to hear. Now then, is there anything else you wish to discuss?"
Xian Tiandi considered briefly. "No, Father. Your guidance has been clear. I'll prepare to depart within two days."
"Excellent." Xian Chen stood, signaling the meeting's end. "Come see me before you leave. I'll have everything ready by then."
Xian Tiandi rose as well and bowed respectfully. "Thank you, Father. I won't disappoint you."
"I know you won't." There was genuine warmth in Xian Chen's voice now. "You've already surprised me greatly with your awakening and your progress. I look forward to seeing how much further you can go."
With that, Xian Tiandi took his leave. Steward Han was waiting outside to escort him back, but Xian Tiandi politely declined.
"I can find my way back, Steward Han. Thank you."
The elderly steward bowed and departed.
Xian Tiandi walked slowly through the Patriarch's residence gardens, his mind organizing everything he had learned.
'The pieces are moving into place,' he thought.
'The sect selection in two months gives me a clear timeline. Xian Yu's mission in the Crimson Lotus region provides a reason to head in that direction. The Patriarch's suggestion to gain experience gives me freedom to act.'
He considered his cultivation needs. 'I'm currently at Stage 10 of Qi Refinement Realm and Stage 9 of Body Refinement Realm.'
'Breaking the nine stage limit on the body cultivation side should happen within the next few days if I focus properly. Once I reach Stage 10 of Body Refinement, I can begin working toward the Qi Condensation Realm and Force Condensation Realm simultaneously.'
His thoughts became more strategic. 'The dual breakthrough is crucial. Most cultivators can only walk one path, but with my Chaos Spirit Root and Chaos Divine Physique, I can cultivate both.'
'The Chaos Dao Cultivation Technique requires this balance. If I breakthrough to Qi Condensation without reaching Force Condensation, my foundation will be lopsided. I need both at their peaks before attempting Foundation Establishment.'
He calculated timelines. 'Two months should be sufficient if I'm efficient. Reaching peak Qi Condensation and peak Force Condensation is ambitious but achievable with the resources I have access to and the techniques I know.'
'The Chaos Body Refinement Pills I can create will accelerate the martial path. The Jade Bed's cultivation effects will boost the immortal path. And the journey itself will provide combat tempering.'
His mind turned to the various threads. 'Bai Xueyao is hunting the Moon God Cult. Yu'er is hunting an evil sect member. If they're the same target, their paths will cross. Liu Qian is also with Yu'er's group as her senior brother, and I know he'll betray her during the Ancient Elemental Ruins expedition.'
Xian Tiandi's expression grew colder as he thought about Liu Qian. 'That traitor. In my past life, I was still a weakling when it all happened. She died protecting that Azure Phoenix Pendant, never knowing her trusted senior brother had orchestrated everything. This time will be different. I'll be strong enough to intervene directly.'
He also considered the gift he had received yesterday from the Zhou Clan. 'The Ruins Locator Compass. That jade compass they dismissed as a worthless trinket is actually one of the most valuable treasures in existence.'
'The Zhou Clan added it to the gift as per my request , but thinking it was barely worth mentioning, they included extra spirit stones and pills to make up for its perceived inadequacy.'
A slight smile crossed his face. 'Their ignorance is my fortune. With the Ruins Locator Compass, I can detect hidden realms and secret dimensions within a certain range.'
'It will be invaluable for finding cultivation resources and opportunities during my journey. The irony is perfect. They thought they were being generous by adding extra items. In reality, that "worthless" compass is worth more than everything else combined.'
He made his way back to his courtyard, where Ying Yue would be waiting.
'I need to continue building her capabilities as well. She's loyal and talented. In my past life, she became the Alchemist Leader of the Origin Universe.'
'If I can accelerate her growth now, she'll become an invaluable asset much sooner. Getting her to Stage 5 tonight is just the first step.'
His mind was already planning the next steps. 'Tomorrow, obtain the Alchemy Association badge. That will establish my cover as a legitimate alchemist and provide access to resources in other cities.'
'The day after, depart for the journey with Ying Yue, Xiao Ming, and eventually Zhou Kang if he acts as I have predicted. Use the travel time to push toward Stage 10 Body Refinement and begin the breakthrough to the condensation realms.'
The path forward was becoming clearer with each step. Everything was falling into place.
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