Chapter 9: Moving Again

"Zhenzhen, are you awake? Mother has cooked congee for you, and also made the plum cake you love the most. Get up quickly and come eat."

The moment day broke, Liu Zhen's voice drifted in from outside the house.

"Coming, Mother."

Qin Zhen called back, quickly dressed herself, pushed the door open and stepped out.

After a whole night to settle their thoughts, the news they brought back the day before still had not calmed the Qin family down. Entering the cultivation world and trying to practice cultivation—every single part of that felt like an unimaginable dream to them.

The whole family sat around the small table, their faces showing both anticipation and unease. No one had taken the initiative to speak, yet all their eyes turned to Qin Zhen at the same time. Holding her congee bowl, Qin Zhen felt so fidgety that she could barely sit still. She lowered her head and took a sip of the congee, and when she looked up again, everyone was still staring at her.

She simply lifted her bowl, drained the rest of the congee in one breath, then picked up a whole piece of plum cake and stuffed it into her mouth. With her cheeks puffed out like a little squirrel, she said, "I'm done eating. Let's set off now."

Liu Zhen was so amused by her look that she burst into a giggle. "What's the rush? Eat slowly, don't choke yourself."

Qin Zhen swallowed the plum cake with difficulty, then stood up immediately. "I'm really finished. Let's go, let's go try it right now."

The tense mood that had hung over the Qin family was eased a little by her antics. Qin Huai put down his bowl and stood up slowly. "Since everyone is ready, let's go."

Before long, the whole family stood in perfect order outside the formation deep in the mountains. The scene before them looked no different from an ordinary forest—ancient trees, tangled vines, and wild grass, all clearly in view. But as soon as they reached out, they could touch an invisible barrier.

None of the Qin family stepped forward right away. When they had talked about moving the day before back in the house, everyone had been excited. But now that they were actually standing here, thinking that the other side of the barrier was the legendary cultivation world, it was only natural that they felt nervous.

Qin Wen swallowed hard. "Big niece, this is the spot you walked through before?"

"Yes, it is." Qin Zhen nodded. The moment her voice fell, she took a step forward without the slightest hesitation, and walked straight through the formation.

The rest of the Qin family were startled by her sudden move. Liu Zhen instinctively reached out her hand. "Zhenzhen!" But after a second, they realized that Qin Zhen had already gone through the barrier alone, and had even lived in the cultivation world for several months.

The moment she passed through the formation, rich spiritual energy surged toward Qin Zhen again. But this time, she did not feel chest tightness or swollen meridians. The cool, thick spiritual energy wrapped around her from all directions, seeping into her body with every breath. Every pore on her body seemed to open at once, and a hard-to-describe sense of comfort spread through every limb and bone.

Compared to the city of Nanfu, the plants in this forest were far more lush. The scents of countless different plants tangled together, like a warm, vast current that gently held her up. The branches and leaves nearby moved without any wind, and the low grass all bent their blades in her direction, sending out feelings of closeness and joy.

Qin Zhen could not help closing her eyes. Every part of her body seemed to be cheering. She loved this place—or rather, the plant-related power inside her loved this place. On the other side of the formation, the Qin family could no longer see Qin Zhen's figure. Liu Zhen's heart tightened. Even though she knew her daughter was safe, seeing her vanish right in front of her eyes still made her feel a little flustered.

She gritted her teeth and walked forward first. "I'll go try it."

"Zhen!"

Wang Sumei had no time to stop her before Liu Zhen had already passed through the formation. A wave of thick spiritual energy hit her face, and Liu Zhen staggered, as if a heavy stone had been pressed onto her chest all of a sudden, making it hard to breathe. She quickly grabbed hold of a nearby tree trunk to steady herself.

"Mother!" Qin Zhen hurried over to support her. "How do you feel?"

Liu Zhen closed her eyes to steady herself for a moment. That oppressive feeling did not get any worse. After the spiritual energy flowed into her body, even though it made her meridians throb faintly, it did not do any real harm. After a while, she opened her eyes slowly. "It's a little uncomfortable, but I can bear it."

Once he was sure his wife was in no danger, Qin Ye immediately stepped through the formation next, followed by Qin Wen. The moment the two of them came in, their faces also turned pale and they breathed heavily, but after standing still for a moment to adjust, they both gradually felt better.

Qin Wen moved his arms around, surprised. "When I first came in, it felt like someone had put a stone on my chest, but now I feel much better." Qin Ye nodded in agreement. "My body feels a little swollen, but there's no pain at all."

Qin Zhen watched the three of their expressions carefully. The reactions of her mother, father, and uncle were very similar to what she had experienced the first time she entered the cultivation world—uncomfortable, but well within the range they could tolerate.

This proved that all the years of eating spiritual rice and spiritual vegetables had truly worked. On the other side of the formation, Qin Huai and Wang Sumei were still waiting. Qin Ye walked back through the barrier again to tell the two elders what had happened inside.

After listening, Qin Huai thought for a moment. "Since the three of you can all bear it, that means Zhenzhen's guess was right. All the spiritual food we have eaten over the years has truly changed our bodies and meridians."

"Father, you and Mother shouldn't try to go in today," Qin Ye said. "You two are older. Tomorrow, when we officially move in, Wen and I will stay right by your sides and go in with you slowly."

Qin Huai did not try to be brave, and nodded in agreement. "I'm an old man, of course I won't risk my own health. Now that we've confirmed we can get in, we might as well go back and pack our things today, and set off properly early tomorrow morning."

Wang Sumei was still a little worried. She looked at Qin Zhen and asked, "Zhen'er, the cultivation world is so big. Once we're in, where are we going to settle down? We can't just wander around the forests aimlessly with the whole family."

"Grandmother, don't worry, I've already thought it through," Qin Zhen replied. "The first time I walked through the formation, I walked for a very long time in the forest. On the way, I found a valley. The plants there once led me to a water source. The land there is flat, sheltered from the wind and facing the sun, and there's a stream right next to it. I didn't find any traces of large wild beasts nearby. After we clear the land, we should be able to grow spiritual rice and spiritual vegetables there. I even left marks on the trees, so we should be able to find it."

Wang Sumei felt a little more at ease after hearing that. "How far is it from the cities?"

"It takes about a month to walk from that valley to Nanfu. It's a bit far from the city, but we don't have enough spirit stones to buy a house in the city right now. We'll live in the mountains first, farm just like we do now, and after we save up enough spirit stones, we can think about moving closer to a city later."

Qin Huai nodded approvingly. "That's the best plan. Our Qin family has always lived off the mountains. We're new to the cultivation world and don't know anyone here. Living in the city would make us spend spirit stones for everything all the time. We'll settle down in the mountains first, harvest our first crop of spiritual rice, and then slowly find out more about everything else."

With their new destination confirmed, the Qin family no longer hesitated. That very day after returning to their log cabin, the whole family immediately set to packing their belongings. Qin Ye and Qin Wen sorted through bows, machetes, axes, and farm tools one by one, while Liu Zhen and Wang Sumei tidied up their clothes, bedding, cookware, and the remaining grain.

Qin Huai sat in the courtyard, carefully dividing the spirit rice seeds he had saved over the years into separate containers, fearing they might get damp and spoiled along the way. There were so many things they could bring with them, but when the time actually came to move, they realized some possessions simply could not be taken along. The log cabin they had built with their own hands, the fields they had cleared and cultivated, the tables and chairs they had used for years, and the fruit trees they had planted in the courtyard—all of these had to be left behind.

Wang Sumei stood in the courtyard gazing at the scene for a long time, a hint of reluctance in her eyes. They had trekked for a whole year from Big Tree Village to arrive near Immortal Neighbor City, then lived in this mountain forest for several years, transforming the wasteland into what it was now with their own labor.

Now they had to leave all of it behind. Qin Huai walked over to her side. "Reluctant to go?"

"More than a little," Wang Sumei sighed. "But as long as the whole family is together, it doesn't matter where we move to."

Qin Huai looked toward his busy sons, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren, nodding slowly. "That's right. Wherever our family is, that's home."

The next day, before dawn even broke, the entire Qin family was already up. Several simple wooden carts were parked outside the courtyard gate, loaded with clothes, grain, farm tools, and spirit seeds—almost all the family's belongings they could take away.

Qin Ye and Qin Wen walked at the very front, pulling the carts, while Qin Huai and Wang Sumei sat in one of the carts. Liu Zhen followed beside it carrying a bundle on her back, and Qin Zhen stood at the courtyard gate, taking one last look at the log cabin that had been their home for years.

Morning mist draped the mountain forest. The spirit fields behind the house had already been harvested, leaving only neat rows of ridges. This place had once been where the Qin family waited for Qin Jia's return, and where Qin Zhen had grown her first spirit plant, discovering for the first time that she was different from others.

Now they were setting off once more. Their last move was for Qin Jia's immortal destiny, but this one was for the entire Qin family's future.

"Zhenzhen, it's time to go."

Liu Zhen's call came from up ahead.

"Coming."

Qin Zhen pulled her gaze away and quickly caught up with her family. The carts piled high with their belongings rumbled slowly into the forest. By the time they reached the barrier, the sky had already fully brightened. The several wooden carts came to a stop among the trees, carrying every last possession the Qin family had accumulated over the years.

Qin Ye steadied his cart, then turned back to his parents. "Father, Mother, don't rush. Wen and I will take some of the things across first, then come back for you two."

Qin Huai waved his hand. "We already tested it yesterday. There's no danger on the other side of the barrier—it's just a single step across. There's no need to be so overly cautious."

He spoke casually, but his hand gripping his wooden cane tightened unconsciously. Standing beside him, Wang Sumei stared at the invisible barrier, her face also showing clear nervousness. Yesterday, when Qin Ye and the other two had walked through the barrier, their figures had vanished from sight in an instant. Even though she knew they were right on the other side, the feeling had still been deeply unsettling.

Qin Zhen walked over to her grandfather and grandmother. "Grandfather, Grandmother, I'll go across with you two. When you first step in, your chest might feel a little tight, and your meridians will swell. Don't rush to walk, just breathe slowly. Once your body adjusts, you'll feel much better."

Qin Huai nodded. "Grandfather remembers." But Wang Sumei could not help asking, "What if I can't bear the feeling?"

"Then we'll come right back out," Qin Zhen said earnestly. "The barrier is right behind us. As long as you don't go deep further in, you can turn back any time."

Hearing those words, Wang Sumei felt a little more at ease. Qin Ye and Qin Wen had already stepped through the barrier first, moving some of the belongings off the carts to the other side. Liu Zhen waited on the far side of the barrier, looking toward her parents with worry. Even though the people on either side could not see each other, she did not leave her spot for a single moment.

"Let's go," Qin Huai took a deep breath and stepped forward first. The moment he crossed the barrier, rich spiritual energy surged toward him. His body suddenly felt heavy, as if the air around him had turned into invisible water, pressing down on his chest with a thick weight. Icy cool breath flowed into his body as he breathed, and his previously calm meridians began to ache and swell.

His steps staggered.

"Father!" Qin Ye hurried forward to support him, and Qin Zhen also immediately grabbed her grandfather's arm. "Grandfather, don't try to circulate your qi, and don't hold your breath. Breathe slowly just like you normally do."

Qin Huai closed his eyes, adjusting his breathing as she instructed. The initial oppressive feeling remained strong, as if a huge boulder was sitting on his chest, and even the spaces between his bones throbbed faintly. But after a few breaths, the pain did not get any worse.

The spiritual energy pouring into his body flowed slowly along his meridians, before finally sinking into his flesh and blood. Over the years, the spirit rice and spirit vegetables they had eaten had long nourished his body without him noticing. His meridians, though far less tough than a cultivator's, were already capable of withstanding the scouring of spiritual energy.

Qin Huai opened his eyes slowly. His face was a little pale, but his gaze was clear.

"Father, how do you feel?" Qin Ye asked anxiously.

Qin Huai tried moving his arm. "My chest is a little tight, and my bones are a bit swollen, but I can bear it."

After saying that, he looked up at his surroundings. The forest on the other side of the barrier was nothing like the mortal world. Towering trees blocked out the sky, and even the grass and leaves grew exceptionally lush, brimming with vibrant life. Even with every breath he took, he could feel that cool, refreshing quality in the air.

"So this is the Cultivation World," Qin Huai murmured in awe.

Confirming that his father was unharmed, Qin Ye finally relaxed a little. On the other side of the barrier, Wang Sumei was still waiting. Qin Zhen stepped back through to join her. "Grandmother, Grandfather made it across safely."

Wang Sumei asked quickly, "Is he feeling unwell at all?"

"He ​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​‌​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​​​​​​‌‌​​​​‍felt a little tight in the chest at first, but he's already recovered," Qin Zhen took her grandmother's hand again. "Grandmother, don't be afraid. I'll stay right by your side."

Wang Sumei looked at her granddaughter and nodded slowly. "Fine, Grandmother isn't scared." Even so, the moment she stepped across the barrier, she closed her eyes instinctively. The instant the spiritual energy washed over her, Wang Sumei's face drained of all color. Her body was less robust than Qin Huai's, so the oppression hit her even harder. It felt as if a tight hand had suddenly wrapped around her chest, and her legs went weak, nearly making her fall to her knees.

"Mother!" Liu Zhen had been waiting on the other side, and caught her shoulders to support her at once. Qin Zhen also held her grandmother's hand firmly. "Grandmother, breathe slowly, don't be afraid—we're all here with you."

Wang Sumei tried to reply, but could not speak at once. The voices around her sounded as if they were separated by a layer of water, and her body trembled uncontrollably. Qin Zhen placed one hand on the tree trunk beside her, and pressed the other against her grandmother's hand. A faint, warm current flowed from where their hands touched into Wang Sumei's body, and the grass and leaves nearby swayed gently.

Strands of gentle, herb-scented spiritual energy gathered around them, not rushing directly into Wang Sumei's meridians, but lingering softly around her, easing the oppressive weight the spiritual energy had brought.

"Grandma, look at me," Qin Zhen said softly. "Breathe in, slow down, then breathe out slowly again."

Wang Sumei forced her eyes open, following her granddaughter's voice to adjust her breathing.

One time, two times, three times. The suffocating tightness in her chest finally faded slowly. The soreness and swelling in her meridians were still there, but it was no longer unbearable. After a long while, Wang Sumei finally let out a long, slow breath.

"Mother, how do you feel?" Liu Zhen's voice was thick with worry.

Wang Sumei leaned against her daughter-in-law to rest for a moment, then shook her head. "I'm fine. It was just that first moment when we stepped in, it was really hard to take."

She lifted her head and saw the whole family huddled around her, and could not help but smile. "This old woman has lived such a long life, and I never thought I'd get to step into the Cultivation World one day."

Seeing that she was well enough to joke, Qin Wen finally relaxed. "Mother, you might even get to live over a hundred years from now on."

"Nonsense," Wang Sumei shot him a glare. "I don't know if I'll live that long, but that mouth of yours keeps running, and you'll give your father a fit of anger before I get there."

Everyone could not help but laugh, and the previously tense atmosphere melted away. Qin Huai stood to the side, looking at his wife, then at the sons, grandsons and the rest of the family gathered around him. He held the wooden cane that he no longer needed to support his weight, and tapped it lightly once on the ground. "Everyone made it here safe. Then let's go."

Qin Huai turned his gaze toward the deep woods, his voice steady and resolute.

"Starting today, our Qin family will build our new home right here."