The idea of becoming a Dao Cultivator was something he could never tell Liu Yanzhen. Liu Baijian dared not speak of it, fearing Liu Yanzhen would beat him to death.

Thus, Liu Baijian could only entertain the thought privately, mentally declaring Liu Yanzhen the greatest stumbling block obstructing his path to pursuing his dream!

But opportunity soon arrived, and this stumbling block would no longer be a hindrance!

Liu Yanzhen was about to ascend.

As the foremost Artifact Dao Master in the Guiyuan Realm, Liu Yanzhen had grasped the opportunity for ascension many years ago. Yet, solely because of Liu Baijian, he had suppressed his cultivation and refrained from ascending to the Upper Realm. But now, Liu Yanzhen’s cultivation could no longer be restrained.

“All good things must come to an end. There’s no need for sorrow. Though we part now, we shall meet again someday. I will wait for you in the Upper Realm,” Liu Yanzhen said to Liu Baijian. He feared the young man might be too young to accept the separation from his loved one, so he offered this comfort.

Seeing his grandfather’s unease, Liu Baijian responded with unwavering confidence: “I understand all this, Grandfather. Rest assured, you go ahead. I’ll follow soon! I won’t keep you waiting long.”

Hearing this, Liu Yanzhen’s mouth twitched. Watching him, he thought inwardly: Is this kid just carefree, or is he overconfident? Ascending to immortality isn’t that easy, yet from his mouth, it sounded as simple as eating or drinking.

Yet seeing his bright, confident expression, Liu Yanzhen felt his own worries ease. He’d feared the sudden separation caused by his own ascension might leave Liu Baijian emotionally unsettled. Seeing the boy take it so calmly was a relief.

Liu Baijian watched the relaxation spread across his grandfather’s face and silently breathed a sigh of relief himself. He thought to himself: Grandpa really is something. With the ascension lightning tribulation looming tomorrow, he was still fretting over so many things today, worrying about this and that. Didn’t he fear that overthinking would breed a heart demon, jeopardizing tomorrow’s ordeal? How many cultivators had perished at the very threshold of the heart demon tribulation?

That was precisely why Liu Baijian feigned nonchalance, wearing a completely unconcerned expression as he spoke lighthearted words, telling him not to worry.

Sigh!

At this thought, Liu Baijian’s heart grew heavy with worry for Liu Yanzhen’s ascension thunder tribulation tomorrow. Was his grandfather truly fine?

Liu Yanzhen remained utterly oblivious to the hidden concern in his grandson’s heart. As they parted, he imparted earnest advice to his grandson, like any grandfather in the world: “As an Artifact Dao Cultivator, you must never slack off or treat it half-heartedly. Even if you dislike it, you must cultivate. Should you encounter a suitable disciple in the future, you may pass down the Artifact Dao.”

The meaning was clear: it was fine if he disliked being an Artifact Dao Master, but he had to learn. He was the sole heir of the Liu family’s lineage. However, once he mastered it, he could take disciples and pass it on to them, letting them shoulder the responsibility.

Liu Baijian instantly grasped his meaning, a pang of sorrow stinging his heart. He realized his grandfather still cherished him, never forcing him despite all these years. Liu Yanzhen had never once eased his demands in the cultivation of Artifact Dao, never hinted at such leniency. Yet now, as he prepared to ascend and face the tribulation, he finally relented.

What else could this be but love?

Liu Baijian blinked back the stinging tears and said to him, “Grandfather, rest assured. I understand. I won’t let the Artifact Dao of our Liu family die with me.”

Finishing, he feigned playfulness, his tone mischievous: “I’m scared the ancient patriarch of the Liu family will come down from heaven to beat me. I am terrified.”

“Mischievous,” Liu Yanzhen said, tapping his head lightly as he scolded, “Daring to make fun of the ancient patriarch.”

Yet, hearing Liu Baijian’s words, Liu Yanzhen felt a genuine sense of relief. His gaze fell upon the youthful, handsome Liu Baijian before him, and he silently acknowledged: Though this child appears clever and mischievous beyond measure—indeed, he is quite the rascal—he possesses a clear understanding of his path. He acts with discretion and restraint, never causing undue worry. He is trustworthy.

Liu Yanzhen lifted his eyes, gazing at the dark, silent courtyard ahead. Tomorrow’s ascension trial and the thunder tribulation—regardless of the outcome—meant that seeing this child again would be difficult. Their parting was imminent.

━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

The Next Day

Liu Yanzhen faced the tribulation.

The thunder tribulation descended with overwhelming force, its might darkening the heavens and earth in an instant, leaving not a speck of light. Then, a bolt of lightning flashed across the pitch-black sky, followed by a deafening “BOOM” that shook the entire world.

The earth trembled; the sky roared.

Tormenting bolts of lightning, like the harshest of punishments, descended from the heavens, striking Liu Yanzhen’s body.

Liu Baijian watched from afar. Standing in a distant, safe zone far from Liu Yanzhen, his gaze held worry mixed with a hint of fear as he watched Liu Yanzhen undergo the tribulation. His heart was filled with awe, reverence, and profound emotion.

Not everyone had the privilege of witnessing a Mahayana cultivator endure the tribulation of ascending to immortality. Across the entire Guiyuan Realm, only a handful of Mahayana cultivators could achieve ascension. Yet Liu Baijian, merely a teenager, now bore witness to this earth-shaking, world-altering ascension tribulation. It was both an immense honor and an extraordinary opportunity.

The tribulation was perilous, fraught with danger, yet also rich with opportunity. Even as a mere observer, one could glean much insight.

As Liu Yanzhen underwent his ascension tribulation, Mahayana cultivators across the Guiyuan Realm watched intently, scrutinizing the scene in hopes of glimpsing the mysteries of the Law of the Dao and the patterns of cosmic laws. Those of lesser cultivation, such as Huatian cultivators, focused their gaze on the direction of the descending thunder tribulation. Though they dared not peer directly like the Mahayana cultivators, their minds remained intensely focused.

Liu Baijian enjoyed pure family privilege. Though his cultivation was low, Liu Yanzhen had designated a safe zone for him. As long as Liu Baijian remained within this zone, he would be untouched by the tribulation’s lightning. This zone wasn’t far from where Liu Yanzhen was undergoing the tribulation, allowing Liu Baijian to clearly witness the entire scene.

It was precisely because he witnessed this scene with his own eyes, experiencing its overwhelming power firsthand, that Liu Baijian felt genuine awe and wonder. The might of heaven and earth was vast and majestic. Thunder and lightning were the very expressions of Heaven’s might. Beneath this divine power, humans and cultivators were as insignificant as dust or ants, fragile and utterly defenseless, seemingly capable of being crushed and obliterated by a single bolt of lightning.

Yet, these very insignificant, fragile ants dared to defy Heaven and Earth. Unwilling to accept their weakness, unwilling to stop here, they challenged the heavens. With the resolve of burning their boats, fearless of success or failure, of shattering their bodies to pieces, they threw themselves into the divine wrath.

How profoundly shocking, how dazzlingly beautiful!

This scene struck deep into Liu Baijian’s soul.

Liu Yanzhen’s defiant stance against the heavenly wrath, battling the thunder tribulation, etched itself profoundly into his mind.

Until—

The thunder ceased, the dark clouds dispersed, and light returned to the world. A golden beam pierced through the clouds, descending upon Liu Yanzhen. His robes were torn, his hair disheveled, his face pale and battered, yet his eyes shone brightly. His expression radiated the steadfast brilliance of the rising sun.

He now resembled a blazing fire—an unquenchable, eternal flame.

Burning fiercely, radiating unparalleled brilliance and beauty.

Celestial music drifted from afar, accompanied by the cry of a phoenix. Instantly, auspicious light surged forth, radiating dazzling rays of brilliant light.

Golden lotuses surged from the earth, ethereal divine energy drifting about.

Above the heavens, countless scenes unfolded: azure lotuses bloomed, ancient trees blossomed, phoenixes soared through the nine heavens, dragons roamed the Eastern Sea, qilin bestowed auspiciousness, and the White Tiger roared at the azure sky.

Then, myriad stars surged forth, coalescing into a vast celestial map of the heavens.

Liu Baijian watched these scenes unfold, dazzled by the spectacle. He seemed to see everything yet perceive nothing, to grasp profound truths yet remain unmoved. The mystery was profound beyond comprehension.

Auspicious signs had manifested—the very essence of ascension.

Liu Yanzhen had successfully weathered the tribulation; he was about to ascend to the higher realms.

Heaven sent down sweet dew—a dew imbued with Daoist principles and immortal energy. This was the nourishing rain that cultivators, upon becoming immortals, returned to the world, bringing vitality and prosperity to an entire realm.

Liu Baijian stood in the rain, drenched by this divine dew. He felt an indescribable comfort and exhilaration throughout his entire being.

His body felt as though it were being nourished and reborn, with an unending stream of vitality surging into him, enhancing his physical constitution and innate talent. His cultivation, which had long stagnated at the sixth layer of Qi Refining, instantly broke through to the seventh layer.

As the person closest to Liu Yanzhen, Liu Baijian received an abundance of immortal energy and was imbued with the essence of Daoist principles—a bounty that would make any cultivator envious!

In that instant, Liu Baijian understood.

Why Liu Yanzhen had made him stand here, why he had not sent him away but instead kept him to witness his tribulation—it was all for this moment!

A sudden realization struck Liu Baijian’s heart. He grasped Liu Yanzhen’s profound intention. Lifting his gaze, he looked toward Liu Yanzhen ahead.

Bathed in golden light, Liu Yanzhen’s spiritual energy transformed into immortal energy. He had attained immortality and was about to ascend.

Catching Liu Baijian’s gaze, Liu Yanzhen offered him a faint smile before vanishing into the radiance.

“…”

This was the last time Liu Baijian would ever see him.

Liu Yanzhen had ascended.

He was gone.

━━ 🐈‍⬛ ━━

Liu Baijian stood there alone, dazed, for a long, long, long time…

So long that he lost track of time before finally snapping back to reality. He tried to move his legs, only to discover they had gone completely numb. Dragging his legs, heavy as if filled with lead, Liu Baijian turned and walked step by step toward the distant house. Where once had been his home, now only he remained.

“From now on, it’s just me…” Liu Baijian murmured softly, “Starting today, I have to learn to adapt to living alone.”

A long silence followed.

“Sigh!” After a long while, Liu Baijian let out a deep sigh, his voice echoing faintly, “Even if I’m alone, I must live well.”

“I can’t let Grandfather worry. I can’t let him rest in peace. I feel… I miss him a little.” Liu Baijian pressed his lips together and whispered to himself, “I’ll train diligently. I’ll ascend to the upper realms as soon as possible.”

Once he ascended to the upper realms, he would see him again.