Chapter 1843

The spring days at House House Luolan Mansion always arrive with unusual gentleness.

The morning mist had not yet fully dispersed, and the spiritual bamboo in the courtyard was laden with crystal-clear dewdrops that rustled down with a breath of wind, dampening the bluestone path. Li Jingshi stood with hands clasped behind his back in the garden, the hem of his grey robe fluttering in the breeze. Morning light filtered through the gaps in the bamboo leaves, falling upon his aged yet spirited face, illuminating the warmth in his deep eyes. On the stone table before him rested a small purple clay teapot, from which thin wisps of warm steam rose, mingling with the faint fragrance of orchids from the corner of the courtyard, spreading an air of tranquil serenity.

This was the fifteenth year since his rebirth through thunder tribulation, and the Outer Shenzhou had long since emerged from the fires of war into an age of prosperous peace. Cooking smoke curled gently across the forty provinces, children's laughter replaced the cries of battle, and the apocalyptic shadow that once loomed overhead now remained only as a few scattered lines in the histories. And he, Li Jingshi, who had endured two "falls" and witnessed three generations grow, as the venerable patriarch of the Longya Pulse, had finally laid down the immense burden on his shoulders, able to enjoy the long-delayed joys of family life within this modest House House Luolan Mansion.

"Father, the morning dew is heavy—why don't you sleep a little longer?"

A familiar voice came from behind; Li Jingshi turned to see Li Taixuan approaching in a plain long robe, a few strands of frost in his temples, yet his gaze calm and warm. This was the once rebellious and unrestrained younger son who had left home for love, now become a steady and reliable pillar of the household, his brows still bearing traces of youthful vigor, now tempered with the composure of years.

Li Jingshi gestured for him to sit, then lifted the purple clay pot to pour him a cup of tea: "As one grows old, sleep becomes lighter. But you—now that affairs at House House Luolan Mansion are numerous and complex, why not rest a while more?"

The teacup lightly touched the stone table, emitting a clear chime. Li Taixuan lifted his cup, the warm sensation at his fingertips stirring a tenderness in his heart. He knew his father's words carried a belated concern. Years ago, when he had refused marriage and departed far away, he had caused his father to lose face in the clan, and even to shield him and his wife, had abstained from participating in pulse chief meetings for many years. The estrangement and guilt of those years had been like fine needles, forever pricking the hearts of father and son. Until his father's rebirth through thunderbathing, when the family reunited at House House Luolan Mansion, this knot began to slowly untie.

"Matters in the mansion are handled by Qinge and Luo'er, so I am at leisure." Li Taixuan took a light sip of tea, his gaze falling on his father, "But father, yesterday I saw you refining thunder qi in the courtyard—have you encountered an obstacle in your cultivation?"

Li Jingshi heard this and chuckled, raising his hand to stroke his beard: "Rest assured, your father is not yet so old as to be unable to master this bit of thunder qi. I merely thought to condense the excess heavenly thunder power within my body into talismans, to give the children an added layer of protection."

As he spoke, his fingertip twitched slightly, and a strand of pale golden thunder light seeped from his palm, condensing in the air into a small thunder talisman, its surface engraved with fine dragon patterns—indeed a simplified version of his innate divine ability, the "Nine Dragon Fire Sword Canopy." This talisman bore no killing intent, but instead exuded a warm, protective force, clearly crafted specifically for the children's refinement.

Li Taixuan gazed at the thunder talisman, his eye sockets slightly warm: "Father, the children have Luo'er and Qinge protecting them—you need not trouble yourself so."

"A parent's protective heart knows no age." Li Jingshi handed the talisman to him, his voice low and gentle: "Back then, I failed to protect you and Lan'er, letting you wander in exile—this is my lifelong regret. Now that the children are safe and joyful, I always wish to do more, so I may set my heart at ease." These words were like a warm piece of jade, gently tapping against Li Taixuan's heart. He recalled how, when pursued by the Qin Tianwang lineage, his father had alone stormed the Abyss City, shattering Qin Lian's body and bones with a single palm, never yielding even to the provocations of Qin Nine Tribulations. He recalled the River Boundary Calamity, when his father burned the King's Crown, sacrificing his own fall to shield Luo'er and Qinge. This man, whose life had been forged in strength, harbored deep within his heart nothing but the profoundest love for his family.

"Father, the past is past." Li Taixuan clasped his father's hand, rough and strong, etched with the marks of time and war: "Now that our family is reunited, nothing could be better."

Li Jingshi gazed into his son's eyes, seeing the release within, and a warm current rose in his own heart. He lightly patted the back of his son's hand, saying nothing more. Some words need not be spoken—the unspoken understanding between father and son had long dissolved all estrangement. The spiritual bamboo in the courtyard rustled softly, the morning mist gradually dispersed, and sunlight bathed the garden, warm enough to intoxicate.

"Grandfather! Great-grandfather!"

A clear, childish voice shattered the courtyard's tranquility as two small figures stumbled in running. The boy in front was about five years old, wearing a tiny brocade robe, his brows and eyes resembling Li Luo's, with a faint thunder-light mark on his forehead—indeed Li Ning'an, the eldest son of Li Luo and Jiang Qinge. Behind him, the little girl wore her hair in two sheep-horn buns, delicately carved like jade, the very image of Jiang Qinge—she was their daughter, Li Ningxi.

The two children flung themselves against Li Jingshi's side, tiny hands gripping his robe, lifting their innocent, cherubic faces, eyes bright and sparkling.

"Great-grandfather, you said yesterday you'd show us the thunder bamboo shoots—when will they appear?" Li Ning'an shook Li Jingshi's robe corner, his voice brimming with anticipation.

Li Jingshi's smile grew ever more benevolent; he bent down and lifted the two children, one sitting on his left leg, the other on his right. His aura softened remarkably, even the faint thunder qi coiling around him drawing inward, lest he frighten the children.

"Don't rush—wait until great-grandfather finishes this cup of tea, then I'll show you." Li Jingshi tweaked Li Ning'an's little nose, then pinched Li Ningxi's soft cheek: "But you must promise great-grandfather not to misuse thunder power for mischief, understand?"

"We understand!" the two children replied in unison, their little heads bobbing like rattles.

Li Taixuan sat to the side, watching his father play with the children, a smile unconsciously lifting his lips. He recalled how, when Luo'er was young, his father had doted on him just so—even amid the busyness of Longya Pulse affairs, he would always carve out time to secure cultivation resources for Luo'er, to back him and cheer him on. Now, as time flowed, his father's affection had extended to the great-grandchildren.

Li Jingshi finished the tea in his cup, set down the teacup, and his body's light stirred slightly. In the next moment, his originally tall figure gradually shrank, transforming into a plump, golden bamboo shoot the size of a palm, topped with a tender green sprout, its surface etched with ancient dragon patterns, trembling with faint thunder light—utterly adorable. "Wow!" the two children stared wide-eyed, cautiously extending their small hands to lightly touch the thunder bamboo shoot. The thunder light fell upon their palms, warm and gentle, not the least bit dazzling, instead making them feel utterly refreshed and at ease.

"Great-grandfather is so amazing!" Li Ningxi hugged the bamboo shoot, pressing her soft cheek against it, speaking in a tender voice.

The thunder bamboo shoot trembled slightly, its tip gently brushing her cheek, as if responding to her affection. Li Taixuan watched this scene, his heart full of emotion. Who could have imagined that the one who, on the battlefield, had slain the God Tiger King with a single sword, burned his crown to defy the Great Demon King, and stood as the Heavenly King of the Longya Pulse, would in private transform into such an adorable form to play with his great-grandchildren?

Just then, footsteps sounded from outside the courtyard—Li Luo and Jiang Qinge walked in side by side. Li Luo wore ordinary attire, his aura deep and unfathomable yet warm and inwardly restrained; Jiang Qinge wore a simple, elegant long dress, her golden eyes full of tenderness, her presence exuding a sacred yet approachable aura.

"Father, your child pays respects to father." Li Luo bowed to Li Taixuan, then turned to the thunder bamboo shoot, smiling: "Grandfather, you're playing with Ning'an and Ningxi again?"

The thunder bamboo shoot trembled, then reshaped into Li Jingshi's form. He held the two children, smiling: "The children like it, so I'll keep them company. Why do you have time to return today?"

"The fusion of the Dark World and the God State World is nearing completion, all affairs settled, so we've come back to visit." Jiang Qinge stepped forward, gently stroking her daughter's head: "Ningxi, have you been pestering great-grandfather?"

"No!" Li Ningxi shook her head, clinging tightly to Li Jingshi's neck: "Great-grandfather is the best—he still turns into bamboo shoots for us to see!"

Everyone laughed at this, the courtyard atmosphere growing ever warmer. Li Luo gazed at his grandfather's smiling face, his heart full of relief. He still remembered how, at the River Boundary Region, when his grandfather burned his crown and fell, he had felt despair and anguish. Later, after his grandfather's thunderbathing rebirth and ascension to Heavenly King, he had finally laid down the stone in his heart. Now, seeing his grandfather enjoy family bliss, he felt that nothing in this world could be more beautiful than this.

"Grandfather, in the Dark World, Lingjing Hall's elder sister says the malicious thoughts have mostly dispersed, and soon they will fully merge into the God State." Li Luo reported the current situation: "The arrangements you left behind in the Dark State back then have also played a great role."

Li Jingshi nodded, a flicker of relief in his eyes: "Lingjing—this child, her nature is not bad; she was merely trapped by malicious thoughts back then. Now that she can bear this responsibility, it is also a good thing." He paused, then added: "But you must also not let your guard down, for the evil in human hearts is endless; even with merit-based laws to constrain it, one must remain ever vigilant."

"Grandfather, rest assured, I understand." Li Luo replied respectfully: "Nowadays, cultivators everywhere cultivate merit-based power, and the arising of inner demons has greatly diminished. In a few years, the God State World will surely become ever clearer." Li Jingshi gazed at his grandson before him, his heart surging with myriad emotions. He recalled how, that earnest youth who had first shown promise at the South Wind Academy, had now become the co-ruler of the world, upholding a vast expanse of clear sky. He remembered how, to secure the "Nine-Pattern Sacred Heart Lotus" for Luo'er, he had argued fiercely with the Dragon Blood Pulse and the other pulse chiefs; how, outside the Spirit Phase Cave Heaven, to protect Luo'er, he had clashed with the Tiger King of the Zhao Tianwang lineage; how, when Luo'er won the Dragon Chief Contest, he had felt pride and comfort in his heart. Time had flown—those youths had grown, and he, at last, could entrust this world to Luo'er with peace of mind.

"Ning'an, Ningxi, come here so father can see you." Li Luo beckoned to the two children.

Li Ning'an leapt from Li Jingshi's embrace, ran to Li Luo's side, and looked up: "Father, great-grandfather taught me to cultivate thunder power! I can still condense a small thunder talisman!"

As he spoke, he raised his hand, and his fingertip gathered a faint thread of thunder light, shaping it into a tiny thunder talisman. Though weak in power, it was neatly formed, clearly the result of effort.

Li Luo's eyes flashed with approval: "Not bad—worthy of great-grandfather's stature. But cultivation must not be rushed; it requires gradual progress."

"Understood, father!" Li Ning'an nodded firmly.

Li Ningxi also descended from Li Jingshi's embrace, ran to Jiang Qinge's side, and tugged at her sleeve, coquettish: "Mother, I also want to cultivate—I want to be as powerful as you!"

Jiang Qinge smiled warmly, lifting her: "Very well—when you grow a little older, mother will teach you the cultivation method of the Light Aspect."