News About Parents
News About Parents
Su Kang, however, caught her wrist before she could fully pull away. His grip was firm yet gentle, filled with silent warmth.
"You worry too much," he murmured, guiding her palm to rest over his chest, where his heartbeat thudded steadily beneath the layers of fabric.
"I'm here, aren't I?"
Bai Yunxi's fingers curled slightly against the fabric of his robe, feeling the solid warmth radiating from him. Still, she instinctively felt some unease lingering in her heart after seeing him.
"Husband, that's not an answer," she chided softly, though her touch remained against him.
He let out a low chuckle. "Some things don't need to be said, Xi'er. They can only be felt."
She narrowed her eyes at him, but there was no real anger there—only a soft exasperation that he found strangely comforting.
For a moment, they simply sat in silence, the unspoken words dissolving into quiet understanding. Then, letting go of her wrist, he leaned forward, his gaze softening as he gently cupped her cheek, pulling her into his arms. He pressed a slow, deliberate kiss against her lips.
Her thin rosy lips felt warm and soft against his. Her lips parted slightly, accepting and responding with a tentative pressure of her own.
Her hand, which had rested on his chest, slid up to his shoulder, fingers tightening unconsciously on the fabric as his free arm wrapped securely around her waist, drawing her closer until there was no space left between them.
"Thank you," he whispered against her lips, the words imbued with relief and gratitude for her presence.
Bai Yunxi blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the simple intensity of his words. Then, slowly, a genuine smile spread across her face, reaching her emerald eyes.
That night, as they practiced the Heartfire Symphony together under the moonlight, Su Kang noticed something unusual. Turning his awareness inward, he examined his soul foundation.
The spiderweb cracks were mending at a pace far exceeding his expectations. He had anticipated months of slow, painstaking recovery, but the process was clearly accelerating during their intimate dual cultivation.
His gaze drifted back to Bai Yunxi, her emerald eyes closed in concentration, her face flushed with exertion and pleasure. Yet, despite her tremors, her presence carried an almost ethereal pull. His hands were supporting her hips as she moved above him in a slow, deliberate rhythm. Her breath came in quick, sharp gasps, her body trembling slightly as she struggled to contain the overwhelming sensations of pleasure and circulating Qi.
Is it her unique physique… or the technique itself? Or perhaps the combination? he wondered.
While his primary goal in practicing the Heartfire Symphony was to aid her cultivation, this unexpected benefit to his damaged soul foundation was more than welcome.
The following days passed in a blur of cultivation and quiet companionship. Bai Yunxi’s progress was nothing short of remarkable. Her cultivation speed now far outpaced what even her talented son had achieved at this stage.
Whether it was due to her re-cultivating familiar stages or the effects of her transformed Spiritual Body, Su Kang was not sure. But in just over two months, she had risen from the 5th to the 7th stage of the Qi Refining Realm—a speed he had never seen before.
He had also spent time probing the strange blue star imprint on his soul foundation, yet no matter how long he observed or probed it, the imprint stayed silent, offering no hint or reaction. With no immediate danger and no clear way to act, he eventually chose to set the worry aside for now.
While Bai Yunxi's training progressed smoothly and gently, Su Kang took a completely different approach with Su Ting. It wasn't merely training; it was brutal conditioning.
Each morning, Su Ting arrived at the training grounds full of energy. But by noon, he was often barely standing, his breathing heavy, his body sore and covered in sweat.
The endless drills and harsh, controlled strikes from Su Kang left him completely drained. Every strike, every forced block, had meaning. Su Kang was carving reflexes into his brother's body, shaping his battle instincts.
“Faster,” Su Kang said calmly, pushing Su Ting back with a firm palm after blocking a strike. “Don’t just react to what you see. Feel my movement, then predict it.”
Su Ting gritted his teeth. His hands trembled around his training weapon, but he refused to back down. Pushing off the ground, he charged again, eyes fixed on his brother.
This cycle of tough training repeated for weeks, unrelenting.
The pain, the exhaustion, the bruises—all of it was worth it. Su Ting's reflexes sharpened, his movements became more instinctive, and his ability to read an opponent's attacks improved significantly. After each brutal session, he would collapse onto the ground, gasping for breath, yet his eyes would burn with determination.
One evening, as Su Kang was preparing to leave after training, a servant approached, bowing respectfully.
"Young Master," the servant said, his voice deferential, "the Family Head has requested your presence in his study room."
Su Kang nodded, a flicker of anticipation in his eyes. "Tell him I will be there shortly."
The study chamber of the family head was brightly lit, the warm glow of spirit lamps painting the deep brown furniture of the room and the dark floor with a slight golden hue. Scrolls and jade slips were neatly stacked on the polished wooden table, their contents detailing the affairs of the clan.
Seated at the desk was Su Jinhai, the family head. He was a warm-skinned man with average features and brown eyes. His body had a muscular build hinting at his physical strength, and his expression was calm yet carried the weight of leadership. He was wearing a gray robe, with a golden lion face engraved on the robe's left chest part. It was the symbol of the Su family.
As Su Kang stepped inside, Su Jinhai looked up, his sharp eyes studying his nephew for a moment longer than usual.
"You've come," Su Jinhai said, a faint smile crossing his lips. "It seems your seclusion in the mountains was fruitful."
Su Kang nodded. "I've made some progress."
"Well, that's good," Su Jinhai finally said, setting aside the jade slip he was holding. Though Su Jinhai himself was at the peak of the Foundation Building Realm, he had keen instincts when it came to judging people. He didn't know what had changed in his nephew, but he could sense something had shifted in his aura and demeanor.
"We'll need all the strength we can get now that your parents are coming back." Su Jinhai set aside the jade slip, his expression turning serious. "I have news regarding your parents."
Su Kang's gaze sharpened. "They sent a transmission?"
Su Jinhai nodded, folding his arms. "They did. If nothing unexpected happens, they should return within two weeks."
"The mission was successful. They collected a large number of spiritual herbs and plants, many of which will benefit the family's future."
Su Kang exhaled in relief. He had worried that his parents would ignore his repeated warnings and venture deeper into the hidden realm, risking dangers beyond their capabilities. But it seemed they had exercised caution. That alone made him truly glad.
"It's good that they didn't take unnecessary risks," Su Kang said, his tone lighter than before.
His uncle chuckled. "Second brother might have tried to, but your mother likely kept him in check."
Su Jinhai leaned back slightly, his gaze sweeping over the scrolls and talismans on the table before settling on Su Kang.
"The Su family is in a good position, better than before. The younger generation is strong. With you, Su Hua, Su Ting, and Su Feng all showing great promise, the family's future is brighter than it has been in decades."
Su Jinhai sighed, rubbing his temple. "But we still lack resources."
Su Kang understood the unspoken meaning. Talent alone was not enough—cultivation required vast amounts of spiritual resources, pills, weapons, and techniques. Without those, even the most gifted would be limited in their growth.
"I'll do what I can," Su Kang said, his mind already calculating ways to secure more resources.
Su Jinhai studied him again, then let out a short huff of laughter.
"You're quick to take responsibility," he said. "But don't forget, you're still young. Don't bear the weight of the family alone."
His uncle's gaze softened briefly before shifting to something more amused.
"Speaking of family matters," Su Jinhai said, his smirk returning. "I heard a rumor."
Su Kang raised a brow. "What kind of rumor?"
Su Jinhai's expression shifted, amusement flickering in his gaze.
"There's a rumor going around… about Su Ting and a certain young lady."
Su Kang sighed inwardly, immediately thinking of Yue Mei. He wasn't sure what to say, so he feigned ignorance.
"You haven't heard?" Su Jinhai's smirk deepened. "The people say he's been spending quite a bit of time with this certain young lady. I was wondering if you knew anything about her."
Su Kang shook his head. "I haven't asked him. But I'm sure he will tell me when he's ready."
Su Jinhai chuckled.
"That boy is too lively for his own good. Let's hope he doesn't bring trouble back home."
They spoke a while longer, discussing other family matters regarding his cousins who were outside. Eventually, Su Kang excused himself, thinking about his parents' arrival and his next steps.
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(Do you guys want a prologue? I'm thinking about adding some information about Fate might help.
Share your thoughts in the comments.)