The next two days blurred into a haze of preparations.
Well, preparations for Aunt Lan.
For Yuan, it mostly meant lounging on his bed, pretending to meditate while the mature woman stormed through his room like a general packing for war. She stuffed clothes, medicines, talismans, dried rations—enough to supply a sect expedition.
"Aunt Lan," Yuan groaned, watching her drop yet another pouch of spirit stones into his luggage, "are we moving south or fleeing the continent? At this rate, we'll need ten carriages and a crane spirit to haul it all."
Her hands never slowed. "You'll thank me when you're starving, Little Yuan. And since you've never been able to use your space ring properly, I'll be carrying most of it."
Yuan muttered under his breath, "Right, because you still think I'm a mortal who can only drip blood into a ring. Joke's on you—I can wield qi now."
She didn't hear him.
Before leaving, Yuan wandered the clan grounds aimlessly. His steps carried him to his parents' courtyard, where an azure pond shimmered in the morning light.
The Spirit Pond.
He stopped at the edge, tucking his hands into his sleeves. "Well, well. Haven't been here in a while."
Memories rose without asking. Him splashing around with Xuan Jian, pretending to command ships. Xuan Yue smashing his wooden boats to pieces and calling it "training." The time he nearly drowned, only to be fished out by Aunt Lan like a soggy radish.
He chuckled. "Good times. Humiliating times, but good."
Now the pond was still. No laughter, no chaos. Just him.
"Guess it's just you and me now, old puddle. You watched me fail at cultivation for fifteen years… at least you didn't laugh out loud."
The Codex pulsed.
Daily Sign-In Location: Spirit Pond — Confirm?
"Almost forgot… claim!"
Reward: Peak Heaven-Grade Bow Technique — Starfall Lock.
Yuan blinked. Then grinned wide. "…Peak Heaven-grade? Codex, you're insane. I love it."
Knowledge slammed into him. He saw constellations unravel into arrows, stars bent into bowstrings, arrows flying across realms.
Starfall Lock — Peak Heaven-grade. Once locked, an arrow pursues the target's qi signature until impact. Almost impossible to evade. Fatal if executed properly. Fully mastered, its range spans continents. Warning: High qi consumption.
Yuan whistled low. "So basically: aim once, bully forever. Can't wait to pull this out while some genius is monologuing about destiny."
He looked towards the pond once more, "See you soon!"
Then he turned on his heel, striding off without noticing the faint hum stirring from the pond's depths.
When Yuan returned, Aunt Lan eyed his smug grin. "What's with that look?"
"Nothing," Yuan said smoothly. "Just feeling nostalgic. Fifteen years of trashhood, gone in a puff of sentimentality."
She raised a brow but didn't press further. She was already packed and waiting.
At the clan gates, Yuan froze. His father stood there in casual robes, no battle gear in sight. Beside him was Xuan Yue, fiery red hair spilling down her back, hand on her sword hilt.
"Father? Sister? Weren't you at the borders?"
Xuan Han's voice was calm. "The front is quiet for now. I asked for leave."
Xuan Yue's eyes narrowed on him, sharp as drawn steel and blunt as ever. "Don't slack off, brat. But if anyone dares mock you—tell me. I'll cut them down, whoever they are."
Yuan scratched his cheek. "There's the sister I know. Half threat, half hug."
His gaze darted around. "Brother? Mother?"
His father smiled faintly, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Your brother is in an academy secret realm. As for your mother, she's having issues with the youngest at the Liang estate. But she sent a letter—and this space ring. Take it."
Yuan slipped both into his robe, eyes glinting.
"Remember," Xuan Han said softly, "don't push yourself. Do your best, but stay safe. We are all here, no matter what happens."
"Yes, Father."
Around them, clan elders and cousins gathered for the farewell. Most came out of respect for Xuan Han and Xuan Yue, but Yuan noticed a few genuine gazes of concern especially a certain nagging elder. Even Elder Bei was there, beard trembling as he prepared a lecture. Yuan quickly darted away before the old man could begin.
The farewells were short, but they lingered. The world might call it "exile," but in his family's eyes, there was no scorn. Only care.
.....
By noon, the caravan rolled out—two sturdy carriages drawn by spirit horses with glowing golden manes, symbol of golden core realm. Aunt Lan sat upright, eyes closed, aura hidden. Yuan leaned lazily against the window, humming.
The Eastern Spiritual Lands stretched wide ahead—mountains, rivers, scattered towns. Passing cultivators eyed the carriages curiously, but one glance at Aunt Lan's presence sent them hurrying on. The leading carriage separated out after certain distance leaving them alone.
"Not bad," Yuan mused, letting the wind whip his hair. "Fresh air, no nagging elders, no cousins flexing. If this is exile, I'll take it."
"Don't get too comfortable," Aunt Lan said, eyes still shut. "The South is weaker, but chaotic. Beasts, bandits, sect rivalries. You'll learn quickly."
Yuan smirked. "Perfect. Maybe I'll get to test my 'running boat'—I mean, flying boat."
That night, they camped by a river. Spirit lamps glowed, casting ripples of light. Yuan sat by the fire, pretending to poke fish with a stick, while inside, the Codex pulsed.
Daily Sign-In Complete. Reward: Earth-grade Healing Pills ×3.
He tucked the jade bottle into his robe with a grin. "Backup secured."
It must be noted that earth grade is akin to divine grade for all below golden core realm. Even some initial and mid stages of nascent soul realm cultivstors use only yellow grade pills. Only someone at high nascent soul or divine transformation stage use earth grade pills.
Aunt Lan cracked an eye open. "You seem lighter, Little Yuan. Almost like you've grown overnight."
"Me? Grown up? Nah." Yuan leaned back, grin lazy. "I'm just enjoying the ride. For once, life's interesting."
She shook her head, amusement tugging at her lips. "Strange child." If not for the soul signature being the same, she might have thought he'd been replaced.
The fire crackled. The river whispered. Somewhere in the forest, a beast howled low.
Yuan closed his eyes. Southbound, a secret realm, hidden trials. All meant to give him a chance at rebirth. But he'd already been reborn.
Now he wanted to see what else fate thought it could throw his way.
The Codex pulsed softly, like a heartbeat in agreement.
And far behind them, cloaked in shadows, a pair of eyes followed the caravan into the night.