bookpower Chapter 107 AN ALLY APPEARS
Chapter 107 AN ALLY APPEARS
"Four years here in the Ascending Plateau Realm," Li Hua explained, laying out her strategy. "We need time to heal properly, to build our foundations without strain. The sects here can help deepen our knowledge in our cultivation paths."
She traced the familiar progression in the air. "Then three years in the Profound Valley Realm, followed by three in the Grand Eternal Realm." Her brothers nodded in understanding.
Li Wei's scholarly eyes lit up with appreciation for the structured approach, while Li Hao practically bounced in his seat at the mention of the higher realms, despite his injuries. Each realm would bring its own challenges and opportunities, perfect for their steady advancement toward whatever awaited them in ten years.
"How would we enroll?" Li Hao asked, suddenly thinking of something.
"I'll take care of that." A voice interrupted the siblings.
Li Hua was on her feet in an instant, her body shifting automatically into a defensive stance between the voice and her injured brothers. But as her eyes found the figure standing in the doorway, her tension melted into shocked recognition.
"Hua'er." The man smiled, his familiar weathered face the same as the day they met.
"Grandpa?" Li Hua whispered in disbelief, then as joy overtook her caution, she shouted, "Grandpa Yu!"
Her brothers looked slightly confused for a moment before their hands instinctively reached for the jade pendants hanging at their necks. The moment their fingers touched the cool stone, understanding bloomed in their eyes—
But Li Hua's joy quickly tempered itself with cautious assessment, her instincts refusing to be completely silenced. Her slight shift in stance didn't go unnoticed. She had to be—with both brothers still recovering from their injuries, they were at their most vulnerable. She couldn't truly trust anyone right now except her immediate family, no matter how genuine they might seem. The false elder had taught her that lesson well.
"I felt the arrays disappear," he said quietly, his weathered face showing the weight of his concern. "I rushed to your home—four days of continuous travel without rest—but I still wasn't fast enough. None of you were there." His eyes carried wisdom and fresh worry, understanding her protective stance even as he continued. "I helped your father create those rings, you know. When I couldn't find you at home, I waited at all the sanctuary locations in each realm for three days, hoping you three would make it to one of them safely."
"Definitely an honor, and thank you," Li Hao echoed sincerely, touching the jade at his neck.
Grandmaster Yu stepped forward, patting each of their shoulders with grandfatherly affection. "It's nice to finally meet you as well." A proud smile graced his weathered face as he looked at all three siblings.
His warm laughter then filled the room, dispelling some of the earlier tension. "I overheard your strategy, little one. Three months of intensive training, then enrollment in the sects?" His eyes twinkled with approval. "Though I suggest spending a year in the sixth realm first—it would be wise to learn how to conceal your cores before entering the sects. Some talents are better kept hidden until the right moment.
Li Hua nodded thoughtfully. She'd already started learning the Thousand Veils technique Mo Xing had taught her to hide her soul signature—though she still struggled with maintaining it perfectly. But Grandmaster Yu was right—they should all learn to conceal their inner cores completely.
It would be safer that way, she thought, remembering the false elder.
Until then, she would perfect both techniques—Mo Xing's Thousand Veils to hide her soul and their mother's art of changing outer appearances—until disguising their true nature became as natural as breathing.
Grandmaster Yu stroked his long beard, wisdom gleaming in his eyes. "Train hard. I'll return in three months."
"Thank you, Grandpa!" The siblings said in unison.
"Go on, finish your meal and rest." He stepped forward one last time, patting Li Wei and Li Hao's shoulders before gently squeezing Li Hua's cheeks with grandfatherly affection. As he walked toward the door, his form began to fade, his smile the last thing to disappear. The siblings were left with the comfort of knowing they had at least one powerful ally in their corner.
Li Hua turned back to her brothers, both of whom were trying to hide their exhaustion. "He's right. Let's finish eating, then you both need proper rest." Her tone softened as she saw them fighting to keep their eyes open. "Tomorrow, we can start planning our training properly."
The steam had long since stopped rising from their bowls, but somehow the simple meal tasted all the better for knowing they weren't completely alone in their journey.