Chapter 8: Qin Zhen Returns Home

“Mother!”

“Father! Grandfather, Grandmother, Uncle!”

Familiar voices came from outside the courtyard. They drew closer and closer, accompanied by a burst of light, hurried footsteps. Liu Zhen, who was clearing away the dishes in the kitchen, trembled from head to toe. The coarse pottery bowl in her hand nearly slipped to the floor, and she looked up in disbelief.

“Zhenzhen?”

Qin Ye and the others in the courtyard stopped what they were doing at the same time. In the next moment, a small figure dashed through the courtyard gate and raced toward them.

“I’m home!”

“It’s Zhen’er!”

Liu Zhen’s eyes reddened at once. She did not even have time to leave the kitchen before Qin Zhen had already thrown herself into her arms.

“Zhen’er, my Zhen’er...”

Liu Zhen held her long-lost daughter tightly, her palm stroking Qin Zhen’s back again and again as tears streamed down her face. Qin Zhen buried her face against her mother’s chest, her voice muffled.

“Mother, I’m sorry I made you worry.”

“Your daughter is home.”

“As long as you’re home.”

Liu Zhen hugged her without the slightest intention of letting go, repeating over and over:

“As long as you came back safely. As long as you came back safely...”

Qin Ye stood to one side. His lips moved several times, but he could not bring himself to speak. Only after confirming that his daughter was uninjured did he finally let out a long breath and raise his hand to vigorously ruffle Qin Zhen’s hair.

“Why didn’t you call out in advance when you got back? You nearly made your mother drop the bowls.”

Though he said this, his eyes were red as well. Qin Wen was already circling Qin Zhen excitedly.

“My niece is finally back!”

“If you’d stayed away any longer, your father would have taken me to force our way through the barrier.”

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

Qin Ye glared at his younger brother, though he did not deny it. Looking at the family gathered around her, the tension that had kept Qin Zhen on edge finally melted away completely.

“Let the child come inside first,” Qin Huai said. “You can talk after we’ve eaten.”

Wang Sumei hurriedly wiped the corners of her eyes.

“That’s right. Zhenzhen has been traveling for so long—she must be starving. Grandmother will fry a couple more dishes for you.”

The whole family escorted Qin Zhen inside. At the dinner table, Liu Zhen kept piling food into her daughter’s bowl, as though she wished she could heap everything on the table in front of her.

While eating, Qin Zhen slowly recounted everything that had happened over the past few months.

She told them about wandering through the mountains and forests for more than a month, about how the plants and trees had shown her the way, and about meeting Su Qingqing, the proprietor of Fragrant Elegance Residence, after entering Nanfu City. Su Qingqing had taken her in, and Qin Zhen had helped care for the spirit vegetables there.

The members of the Qin family grew tense at times and marveled at others. When they heard that Qin Zhen had encountered wild beasts in the mountains, Liu Zhen’s face turned deathly pale. She gripped her daughter’s hand and refused to let go for a long while.

It was not until Qin Zhen brought up Qin Jia that the atmosphere in the room finally settled.

“I met an outer disciple of Cold Jade Peak at Fragrant Elegance Residence.”

Qin Zhen set down her chopsticks.

“She said Jiajia is currently in closed-door cultivation, attempting a breakthrough. She hasn’t come back these past few years not because she encountered any danger, but because she cannot leave during her seclusion.”

Liu Zhen quickly asked, “Is Jiajia safe?”

“She’s safe.”

Qin Zhen nodded.

“The Heartbound Jade hasn’t gone out, and nothing major has happened at Cold Jade Peak. Once she succeeds in her breakthrough, she’ll naturally come out of seclusion.”

The tension that had weighed on Qin Ye’s shoulders for five years finally eased.

“As long as she’s safe.”

Wang Sumei clasped her hands together and murmured softly, “Thank Heaven. Thank Heaven.”

Qin Huai said nothing. He merely lifted his bowl and took a sip of soup. The wrinkles on his face relaxed, and the relief in his eyes was unmistakable. After five years of waiting in anguish, the enormous stone suspended over the Qin family’s hearts had finally fallen.

The atmosphere at the dinner table gradually grew livelier. Qin Wen pestered Qin Zhen with questions about what the cultivation world was like, while Wang Sumei kept asking about food, clothing, housing, and transportation in Nanfu City. Even Qin Ye, who was usually quiet, could not help asking several questions about whether flying on a sword was truly possible.

After everyone had eaten their fill, Qin Zhen slowly set down her bowl and chopsticks. She looked at the family members around the table, and her expression gradually turned solemn.

“Grandfather, Grandmother, there’s one more thing I’d like to discuss with everyone.”

Noticing the change in her tone, everyone fell silent. Qin Zhen took a deep breath.

“I think our whole family could move into the cultivation world.”

The moment she finished speaking, the room fell utterly silent. Qin Wen still had half a mouthful of rice in his mouth. After staring blankly for a moment, he finally managed to swallow it.

“Move into the cultivation world?”

Wang Sumei looked uneasy as well.

“Zhenzhen, didn’t Master Chen say that mortals can’t withstand the spiritual energy in the cultivation world? If they enter recklessly, they’ll die.”

“That was true before.”

Qin Zhen explained, “But our family has been eating spirit rice and spirit vegetables for several years now. Grandfather and Grandmother are much healthier than they used to be, and the old injuries Father and Uncle suffered when they were young have disappeared as well. Our meridians have already been nourished by spirit food, so we may not be as unable to withstand spiritual energy as ordinary mortals.”

“At the very least, when I passed through the barrier, I felt uncomfortable at first, but I wasn’t actually injured.”

Qin Huai’s eyes flickered.

“You want us to try passing through the barrier as well?”

“Mm.”

Qin Zhen nodded seriously.

“The cities in the cultivation world aren’t actually that different from those in the mortal world. They have shops, inns, restaurants, and ordinary people too. The only difference is that there are cultivators, along with many methods unique to immortals. We don’t necessarily have to live inside the city. There are mountains and forests outside Nanfu City, as well as land that can be cultivated.”

“We can find a place outside the city and settle down just as we have here. Father and Uncle can hunt, Grandfather can make bows and arrows, and Mother and Grandmother can grow vegetables and cook.”

When she spoke of farming, Qin Zhen’s tone became more confident.

“I worked at Fragrant Elegance Residence for two months. They hired spirit plant masters to care for the spirit vegetables, but what they grew may not have been as good as what our family can grow. Our spirit rice and spirit vegetables not only grow faster, their spiritual energy is also gentler and purer.”

“In the cultivation world, spirit rice and spirit vegetables are very expensive. Cultivators use them to prepare spirit food and refine fasting pills. Even ordinary mortals living in the cities can rarely afford to eat spirit rice every day. Most of them still eat ordinary grains, though because those grains are nourished by the spiritual energy there, they’re better than the food in the mortal world.”

Wang Sumei stared at her in a daze.

“So you’re saying that the things we grow can really be sold for money there? Spirit stones?”

“They can.”

Qin Zhen nodded.

“As long as we can grow spirit rice, we won’t have to worry about making a living. Besides, the spiritual energy in the cultivation world is abundant, so even ordinary mortals live longer there. Sister Su said that as long as they’re healthy, it isn’t unusual for someone who cannot cultivate to live to a hundred.”

She looked down at the Heartbound Jade hanging against her chest.

“Most importantly, once we move into the cultivation world, we’ll be closer to Jiajia. When she comes out of seclusion, we won’t have to wait bitterly for her to return just once a year.”

Silence fell over the room once more. The Qin family had only arrived in Neighboring Immortal City a few years ago, and they had finally managed to settle down. Now they would have to move again—to a completely unfamiliar place.

This was by no means a decision that could be made lightly. Qin Zhen was usually a woman of few words, but now that she had said so much in one breath, she was so nervous that her fingers unconsciously clenched the hem of her clothes.

Qin Huai pondered for a long while, his palm slowly rubbing the wooden cane beside him. Ever since he had begun eating spiritual food every day, his health had steadily improved. The cane that had once never left his side had long since become unnecessary.

“Are you certain we can pass through the barrier?” Qin Huai asked solemnly.

“I can’t be completely certain.”

Qin Zhen did not try to conceal the truth.

“But I think it’s worth a try. The first time, Father and Uncle can go through. If they feel unwell, they can immediately come back. Once we’re sure there’s no danger, Grandfather, Grandmother, and Mother can cross over as well.”

Qin Huai slowly nodded. Although this plan still carried some risk, it was far safer than having the entire family charge in recklessly.

After hesitating for a moment, Qin Zhen continued, “Also, I think Father, Mother, and Uncle might be able to try cultivating.”

“What?”

Qin Wen abruptly raised his head. His face was filled with disbelief, but his eyes suddenly lit up.

“Big Niece, I’m already this old. Can your Uncle still cultivate immortality?”

Liu Zhen was stunned as well.

“Zhenzhen, you mean your mother might be able to, too?”

“I can’t be sure.”

Qin Zhen shook her head.

“Back then, Master Chen only tested Jiajia and me for spiritual roots. She never tested Father, Mother, or Uncle.”

“She said that children under ten were more likely to draw qi into their bodies. But she only said that younger children had an easier time. She never said adults absolutely couldn’t cultivate.”

“All these years, our entire family has eaten spiritual rice and spiritual vegetables every day. The hidden injuries Father and Uncle suffered when they were young have already healed, and Mother’s health is also much stronger than before.”

“Spiritual food doesn’t merely improve the body. It also nourishes the meridians over time.”

She thought carefully for a moment before continuing.

“Father, Mother, and Uncle are all still fairly young. If you had spiritual roots all along but simply never had the chance to have them tested as children, then it may not be impossible for you to try drawing qi into your bodies now.”

Qin Ye’s breathing immediately quickened.

“Zhenzhen, is that really true?”

“I only think it’s possible.”

Qin Zhen did not make any firm promises.

“Whether you can cultivate or not, we’ll first have to find a way to test for spiritual roots. Even if you do have them, your cultivation speed will probably be inferior to Jiajia’s because of your age. But as long as you can draw qi into your body, you’ll have truly set foot on the path of immortality.”

Liu Zhen lowered her head and stared at her hands, her expression dazed. She had never imagined that one day the words “cultivate immortality” might apply to her as well.

In the past, all she had hoped for was that her two daughters would remain safe and healthy. Qin Jia possessed an exceptional ice spiritual root, and Liu Zhen had been delighted for her. When Qin Zhen was found to have no spiritual roots, Liu Zhen could not help but feel heartbroken for her. As for whether she herself could cultivate, she had never once considered it.

Qin Wen was already grinning from ear to ear.

“If I really do have spiritual roots, will I be able to fly on a sword someday?”

Qin ​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‍Huai glared at him.

“They haven’t even tested your spiritual roots yet, and you’re already thinking about flying.”

Qin Wen scratched his head.

“There’s no harm in imagining it.”

The atmosphere in the room relaxed slightly, but Qin Ye soon noticed something else.

“Zhenzhen, you said that your mother, your uncle, and I might have spiritual roots. What about you?”

Everyone’s eyes immediately turned back to Qin Zhen. She was silent for a moment.

“I may be different from you. I don’t have spiritual roots, so I can’t absorb the spiritual energy of Heaven and Earth directly like Jiajia can. But whenever I tend to spiritual plants, a warm current appears inside my body. It helps the spiritual plants grow, and it can also use the spiritual energy within them to drive a sword.”

“After entering the cultivation world, that power has become increasingly distinct, and my connection with plants and trees has grown much clearer than before.”

She lowered her head and looked at her palm.

“So I suspect that I may already be cultivating, only I’m walking a different path from ordinary cultivators. I have no cultivation method, and I don’t know how to proceed.”

Qin Ye shot to his feet.

“You can really cultivate?”

His voice was so loud that the bowls and chopsticks on the table trembled slightly. Qin Zhen could not help turning her head away.

“Father, keep your voice down.”

“Right, right.”

Qin Ye hurriedly lowered his voice, but there was no hiding the excitement on his face. Liu Zhen stared blankly at her daughter, her eyes gradually reddening. When she had heard that she herself might possess spiritual roots, she had been surprised, but she had not immediately thought about entering the cultivation world. Now, upon learning that Qin Zhen might already have embarked on a special path of cultivation, the last of her hesitation vanished.

“We’re going.”

Liu Zhen reached out and pulled her daughter into her arms.

“We’re going to the cultivation world. Even if there’s only the slightest possibility, we can’t hold you back.”

Qin Zhen was slightly taken aback.

“Mother, you might be able to cultivate, too.”

“Whether your mother can cultivate isn’t important.”

Liu Zhen gently stroked her hair.

“If I can cultivate, that will naturally be a blessing. If I can’t, I won’t feel regret. But you have clearly found your own path. As your parents, we can’t let fear of change force you to spend the rest of your life fumbling around here.”

Qin Ye nodded firmly.

“When your sister gained her immortal opportunity, our entire family moved to Neighboring Immortal City. Now that you may also be embarking on the path of immortality, of course we’ll support you in the same way.”

“As for whether your mother, your uncle, and I can cultivate, we’ll find a place to test our spiritual roots after entering the cultivation world.”

Qin Huai remained silent for a moment before finally making his decision.

“Then we’ll go. We moved once for Jiajia. Now we’ll move again for Zhenzhen—what of it? Besides, if Ye’er, Zhen’er, and Wen’er truly possess spiritual roots, it will be an immense opportunity for the Qin family.”

Qin Wen excitedly jumped to his feet.

“I’ll go pack our things right now!”

“Stay where you are.”

Qin Huai immediately stopped him.

“Entering the cultivation world isn’t the same as going to the market. How can you leave the moment you say you will?”

“Tomorrow, Ye’er, Zhen’er, and Wen’er will each try passing through the barrier. If all three of them can cross safely, then we’ll pack up our belongings and move there as a family.”

Liu Zhen nodded.

“Good.”

“We’ll try together as a family, and we’ll leave together as a family.”