THE NEXT MORNING
Under the willow tree just outside, Li Hao sat in his mother's lap. The cool breeze passed through his ears as the radiant sun shone through the willow tree's gaps.
Li Hao looked at his mother—the young woman who looked to be in her early twenties, yet already had a child.
"Little one, do you like the fresh breeze out here? It's cooler than inside that cramped room," his mother said with a smile.
"Here, you can feel the fresh air and bright sun better." Closing her bright blue eyes, she felt the eastern wind passing by.
His mother's name was Lu Ru-yue, a gentle and elegant woman, and faithful wife to his father, Li Han.
She was a housewife and took care of him and the home while his father was gone.
Li Hao sat in her lap as she held him tightly so he wouldn't fall. He felt the love and warmth of her embrace—but in his heart, this was all but rustling leaves and passing clouds.
He looked at the sky as he remembered how his mother used to hold him.
She used to lift him up as she took him to the park bench to feel the fresh breeze.
He loved the fresh air and went there with her many times after.
"Several years... it's been several years since I last went to that park," he slowly exhaled.
"I wonder, is it still the same as back then?" His shoulders slumped.
His lips parted slightly as he exhaled slowly. "But no matter." He gazed at the clouds. "Mother, I will show you how strong I am."
Back inside the house, in the bedroom, Li Hao sat in lotus position.
Yesterday, he had practiced hard to refine his intent.
Now, his intent was as sharp as a blade—not as strong as those cultivators whose intent was like swords and spears—but just enough to gather a small amount of spiritual power.
Li Hao focused as he felt the spiritual Qi in the air. He honed his intent and pulled one of those spiritual strands toward him.
His will was ferm. He pulled the spiritual Qi into his body and used the Spiritual Essence Nourishing Art.
He felt his body improve rapidly, as though that one strand of spiritual Qi had done far more than expected.
He focused harder, pulling more and more spiritual Qi into his body, constantly training his mind, will, and body.
His body improved in strength, his will in control, and his mind in multitasking.
His arms, the first to receive spiritual enhancement, grew stronger by the second.
Li Hao opened his eyes, raised his right hand, and looked at it—his face calm and serene, unmoved.
Crick, crick, crick.
The door to the room opened slowly. A young-looking man in his late twenties entered.
He had blonde hair and sky-blue eyes—unlike his mother's, which resembled frozen northern lakes.
Li Hao's eyes were more like this man's.
He wore a blacksmith's work outfit, and his presence carried the heat of iron.
Li Hao stared at him for a moment, then turned his head back without another glance.
"Hey, kiddo, how are you doing today?" Li Han picked up Li Hao and hugged his little boy.
But his warmth wasn't received—Li Hao didn't smile or show any emotional connection.
He remained neutral, stoic in expression.
"Why is he not hugging back? Is something wrong…? He should be happy by now," Li Han felt a void where affection should be—but no answers came.
He looked into Li Hao's eyes. As their gazes met, he saw the intent behind them—he felt as if he were standing in darkness, in an abyss of emptiness.
As if his soul could be pulled out of his body at any moment and trapped there.
Still, he kept his composure and put Li Hao down. "I'll be leaving now, kiddo. I'll come back to check on you."
Once placed down, Li Hao resumed cultivation without a second thought. His realm was what mattered to him.
Out in the living room, Li Han asked, "Ru-yue'er, have you seen Hao's gaze? It doesn't seem normal. Should we take him to the Alchemist Master for a check-up?"
"No. He's fine. The Alchemist Master would take a portion of our wealth just to look—let alone help," she said, looking at him with a stoic expression.
"But… I feel like something's wrong," he said, shifting his feet anxiously.
"There's nothing wrong. I'm telling you. Maybe it's something he just needs to get used to. He'll come around," she said as she prepared food.
"Okay. I trust you," Li Han replied, still skeptical.
BACK IN THE ROOM
Li Hao felt his body strength rise. His skin was growing tougher, and his body improved by leaps and bounds.
He thought, "It seems that in one week, I'll have completed skin refinement—then I can start on flesh."
He flexed his arms, feeling his skin tighten. It felt as smooth as jade.
Li Hao closed his eyes once again and focused on cultivation.
The Immortal Path is the path he must walk—the path of eternity.
ONE WEEK PASSED
In the quiet room, the sun pierced through the windows as the darkness was chased away by light.
On the bed sat Li Hao. His body reflected the rays, illuminating the entire room.
His skin gleamed like metal, displaying extremely high durability.
"It seems I've completed my skin refinement—even though I was disturbed several times," he exhaled slowly.
"But in life, there are things you can't control. It looks like it'll take more time to advance to flesh refinement."
"It's better to focus. Time is of the essence—I can't keep delaying like this."
Li Hao focused as spiritual Qi poured into his body.