Han Xuan suddenly remembered something and slapped his thigh lightly, "I should inform Brother Gu about Xing'er's current situation. While I'm at it, I can ask him to inquire about Star Soul Stones as well."
He took out a sheet of paper and quickly wrote a letter, carefully sealing it after finishing.
Then he handed it to Baobao.
"Baobao, send this to your clone who's with Brother Gu."
Baobao croaked softly, opened its mouth, and swallowed the letter in one gulp.
In the next instant, the paper vanished without the slightest fluctuation of spiritual energy.
This was one of Baobao's innate abilities—Myriad-Gate Clone.
Through a shared spatial core, Baobao could split itself into multiple gate-linked clones, each connected to the main body across space.
These clones served two primary functions.
First, they acted as access points to Baobao's main dimension, allowing items to be stored or retrieved regardless of distance.
Second, they could transfer objects directly between clones or back to the main body, enabling instantaneous delivery across vast distances.
In theory, Baobao could create many clones.
However, the price was extremely steep.
Each clone required one drop of blood essence.
Meanwhile, blood essence was the lifeline of any living being. Damaging it recklessly would not only weaken the body but also harm one's foundation and future potential.
To recover even a single drop of blood essence, Baobao needed an entire year of recuperation.
Because of this, Han Xuan only dared to ask Baobao to create a clone when it was absolutely necessary.
He had given Gu Jiuye one of Baobao's clones to facilitate long-distance communication.
Han Xuan and Gu Jiuye had been friends for many years, having endured life-and-death situations together.
It can be said that their trust in one another ran deep.
More importantly, Gu Jiuye was not the kind of person who pried into others' secrets. Even if he felt curious about Baobao's clone, he would never ask about its origin.
In truth, possessing such a clone was nothing short of a treasure. He would definitely never expose such a treasure.
After all, means of long-distance communication were exceedingly rare, even in large cities, and were practically unheard of among casual cultivators.
The only regret was that this clone could only serve as a one-way link.
Through it, Gu Jiuye could communicate only with Han Xuan.
After sending the letter, Han Xuan turned his attention to the final reward.
[Heaven-Pushing Pill: A pill that allows a Qi Refining cultivator to temporarily increase their cultivation by one minor realm for one hour. After the effect ends, the cultivator will enter a period of weakness lasting several hours.]
Han Xuan fell silent for a moment. He muttered, "These three rewards were clearly designed for my son."
He felt both amused and slightly helpless.
As Han Qixing's father, he couldn't help but feel a bit dissatisfied. The system seemed far too considerate toward his son, while barely sparing him a glance.
'It could at least leave something tailored for me,' Han Xuan thought wryly.
Although the Soul-Star Binding Method could technically be used by him or even other family members, it required Star Soul Stones to cultivate. And at present, he had none.
In practical terms, it was still unusable.
Han Xuan let out a quiet sigh and gave the command anyway, "System, extract."
In the next instant, an exquisitely crafted jade bottle appeared in midair and gently descended into his palm.
He uncorked it.
Inside, five Heaven-Pushing Pills lay neatly arranged, each one radiating a faint, restrained medicinal aura.
Han Xuan's expression eased slightly, "…Good. At least there are five."
He carefully sealed the bottle again.
Three pills would naturally be reserved for his son. As for the remaining two, one would be kept for himself, and the last one… as a safeguard.
In the cultivation world, an extra trump card often meant the difference between life and death.
After finishing his inspection of the three rewards, Han Xuan turned his head and called out softly, "Baobao."
Perched lazily nearby, Baobao opened one eye.
"Go fetch Xing'er," Han Xuan said, "Tell him to come here!"
Baobao croaked once in response, then vanished in a faint ripple of space.
While waiting for his son, Han Xuan took the opportunity to extract some of the rewards he had obtained earlier.
"System, extract."
A gentle glow flashed before him.
The first item to appear was the Pure Qi Spirit Peach.
It hovered in the air, about the size of an adult's fist. Its skin was pale jade-green, smooth and flawless, with faint strands of milky-white spiritual qi drifting from its surface. The peach emitted a pure, refreshing aura, as if it had condensed the essence of heaven and earth within itself.
Just one glance was enough to tell its value.
Han Xuan's expression tightened. Without hesitation, he retrieved a jade box, carefully placed the Pure Qi Spirit Peach inside, and sealed it with a restriction talisman.
Only then did he relax slightly.
The second item soon appeared—the Damage Transferring Talisman.
It was a thin, dark-gold talisman, inscribed with complex, interlocking runes.
The moment it manifested, Han Xuan felt a faint sense of distortion around it, as if the talisman itself rejected harm and redirected it elsewhere.
"This is truly a life-saving item…" Han Xuan murmured.
He stored it away with equal care.
Not long after, footsteps sounded outside the cultivation room.
"Father?"
Han Qixing's voice came from beyond the door.
Han Xuan smiled faintly, "Come in."
After receiving permission, Han Qixing pushed open the door and entered. He stood straight, hands clasped, his expression calm but tinged with confusion.
It was already quite late.
He couldn't help but wonder why his father had summoned him at this hour.
Han Xuan turned to look at his son, his gaze gentle yet serious. He said, "Sit."
Han Qixing sat down obediently on the cushion, his back straight and his hands resting neatly on his knees.
Han Xuan's gaze fell naturally onto his son's hands.
The boy's palms were rough, faintly reddened, with thin calluses layered over one another—clear signs of repeated sword practice.
Han Xuan raised an eyebrow, "You were practicing the sword again instead of resting?"
Han Qixing shook his head lightly, "Father, I'm not tired."
Han Xuan snorted softly, "Not tired? You haven't slept properly for days because of the competition. How could you not be tired?"
He leaned back slightly and continued in a calm but firm tone, "Cultivation isn't just about pushing yourself. You need a balance between rest, cultivation, and practice. Especially at your age. Otherwise…"
He paused deliberately.
"…it will affect your height."
Han Qixing's body stiffened instantly. His eyes widened just a fraction, "…My height?"
Han Xuan caught the reaction and couldn't help but chuckle, "Now you're scared?"
Han Qixing pursed his lips, clearly troubled.
Han Xuan waved his hand lightly, "It's not too late. After we're done here, you'll go back and sleep properly."
Han Qixing nodded without hesitation, "Yes, Father."
No excuses.
No resistance.
No matter how calm and mature he tried to act, when it came to something like 'not growing taller', he was still very much a child.
Han Xuan watched him and smiled faintly.
'Hmph. Still a kid after all,' He thought with satisfaction.
"Alright," Han Xuan said, his tone turning serious, "I called you here to give you a few things. But… where's Baobao? Didn't it come back with you?"
Han Qixing tilted his head slightly, "Baobao is outside with Qingfeng, Father."
Han Xuan nodded. Since Baobao was with Qingfeng, there was nothing to worry about.
He then took out a jade box and placed it into Han Qixing's hands, "Inside is a Pure Qi Spirit Peach. It can help you directly advance one minor realm."
"Pure Qi Spirit Peach?" Han Qixing's eyes widened slightly as he looked down at the jade box.
He opened it carefully. Inside lay a peach the size of a fist, its skin translucent like warm jade, faint spiritual mist drifting from its surface. Gentle waves of pure qi pulsed rhythmically, making one's dantian feel warm just by standing nearby.
"You can eat it now," Han Xuan said calmly, "I'll watch over you."
Han Qixing hesitated for a brief moment, doubt flickering in his eyes. A treasure capable of advancing a realm so easily felt almost unreal.
But he trusted his father.
He closed the jade box lid briefly, took a breath, then opened it again and consumed the spirit peach.
The moment it entered his body, Han Qixing sat down cross-legged and closed his eyes, instinctively entering a state of concentration as pure, gentle spiritual energy surged through his meridians.
The moment Han Qixing circulated his qi, the spiritual energy released by the Pure Qi Spirit Peach spread throughout his body like a warm tide.
Unlike violent medicinal power, the energy was gentle and orderly.
It flowed along his meridians naturally, dissolving bottlenecks one after another without resistance. His dantian expanded subtly, spiritual qi compressing and refining itself as if guided by an invisible hand.
A faint humming sound echoed within his body.
Moments later, a clear sensation surged upward—light, smooth, and complete.
The barrier of the Fourth Stage of Qi Refining shattered quietly.
Han Qixing's aura rose and then stabilized.
He slowly opened his eyes.
Fifth Stage of Qi Refining!
There was no pain, no backlash, not even fatigue—only a refreshing clarity, as if his entire body had been washed clean.
Han Qixing jumped to his feet, unable to hide his excitement, "Father! I broke through!"
Han Xuan nodded calmly, though his eyes carried a trace of satisfaction. "Good. Your foundation is stable."
Han Qixing clenched his fists, feeling the stronger flow of spiritual energy within his body. Then, he suddenly realized that he had been a little too excited.
He quickly suppressed the surge of emotion in his chest, steadied his breathing, and sat back down properly.
Then he cupped his hands toward Han Xuan and bowed solemnly.
"Thank you, Father, for the treasure."
His voice was calm, but the gratitude in it was genuine.
Han Xuan looked at his son and nodded faintly, clearly satisfied.
Seeing Han Qixing able to rein in his emotions so quickly was far more pleasing to him than the breakthrough itself.