Chapter 62: Before Leaving (Part 2)

(Transition chapter, mainly to depict the protagonist's change of heart; not sure if it'll suit the old iron buddies' taste—if you find it boring, feel free to skip~)

Earth, Jiangnan Base City, beside an exquisitely beautiful lakeside, a massive castle over a hundred meters in length and width towers majestically.

"Whoosh!"

Zhou Yang's figure fell from the sky, entering the castle directly.

He had previously custom‑made two C6‑level small survival bases capable of withstanding attacks from Universe‑Level sixth‑tier strongmen.

One was placed at the Super God Training Camp, and the remaining one was set up here as his parents' new residence.

"Master!"

As Zhou Yang's figure just landed, two young men and women swiftly appeared before him.

Both were handsome, with physiques and appearances strikingly similar to Earthlings, except for a rhombus‑shaped Scale mark on their foreheads.

They were the two White Feather Tribe slaves he bought on Qiu Long Star last time; both had reached Stellar Level eighth tier and were assigned as the castle's guards.

Under their command each led a Stellar Level guard squad of sixteen members, all members being at least Stellar Level fifth tier.

Such a formation is already enough to sweep low‑level life planets, so protecting his parents poses no difficulty.

"Hmm, aren't my parents here?"

Zhou Yang's Spiritual Thought Power enveloped the whole castle, yet he found no sign of his parents, raising his eyebrows slightly.

Seeing his expression, the two White Feather Tribe guards looked a bit nervous, quickly bowed and replied:

"Returning, Master, the lord and lady went to Mingyue Community; they wouldn't let us follow, but we've already arranged four Stellar Level seventh‑tier tribe members to covertly guard them."

"Mingyue Community."

Zhou Yang heard the familiar name and felt a slight startle in his heart.

After a moment, he came back to himself.

"Alright, you continue the guard duty."

He tossed the line casually, yet his figure shot upward.

Moments later, a flash of light vanished straight into Mingyue Community of Yangzhou City.

Walking again on the familiar community streets, Zhou Yang couldn't help feeling nostalgic.

He has been in this world for a total of three years and a bit.

The happiest and most fulfilling period of those three years was the first six‑plus months living in Mingyue Community.

At that time he had just escaped the loneliness of his previous life, and here he gained warm parental affection, making the once dark, cramped world bright.

Back then, to catch up with Luo Feng, the child of destiny, he crazily trained in the underground martial hall of Villa No. 186, over‑exerting himself countless times—exhausted yet fulfilled.

Later, he became a Warrior, entered the Elite Training Camp not long after, and eventually secured the Yunmo Star Inheritance.

His strength progressed rapidly, even leaving the original protagonist Luo Feng far behind.

Yet his heart felt inexplicably hollow.

The stronger he grew, the less time he spent at home.

Sometimes he wondered, what is the point of continuing cultivation?

He slowed his pace, strolling along the community road, his mind drifting into a haze.

"Eh? Zhou Yang?"

At that moment, a call snapped Zhou Yang out of his reverie.

He looked up and saw a somewhat simple‑minded middle‑aged man hurrying toward him.

Beside him walked a gentle‑looking woman, both carrying large bags of vegetables and meat, clearly just back from the supermarket.

"Liu Shu!"

Zhou Yang also broke into a smile.

This was his teammate from the Wind‑Chasing Squad, Liu Cheng'an, Liu Shu.

Liu Shu also lived in Mingyue Community, a longtime friend of his father Zhou Yong, having almost watched Zhou Yang grow up.

Therefore, although he knew Zhou Yang's current status was unusual, he was not overly formal.

"You kid hardly ever come back, but you timed it right this time; my aunt and I just bought some groceries—how about you come over for lunch?"

Liu Cheng'an warmly grasped Zhou Yang's hand, and the woman beside him smiled gently, inviting together.

Seeing the friendly smiles on their faces, Zhou Yang felt a subtle stir within.

For some reason, he suddenly became eager to see his parents.

He smiled at Liu Cheng'an and the woman:

"No, Liu Shu, I'll go home first to check on my dad and mom, then I'll visit you and your aunt later."

"Alright, drop by when you have time; by the way, Meng Ping is now treating you like an idol, constantly asking for your autograph!"

"Haha, okay, I'll definitely come! Uncle, aunt, I'm off now~"

Zhou Yang exchanged a few more polite words with Liu Cheng'an, then could no longer contain his urgency and hurried toward Villa No. 186, his own home.

"Beep!"

After the access system scanned Zhou Yang's face, the villa's main gate slowly opened, and the familiar scene reappeared in his view.

In a corner of the courtyard, a flowerbed burst with colorful blossoms.

A gentle woman wearing a sun hat and a white chiffon dress held a small flower trowel, loosening the soil around the seedlings.

Beside her, a muscular middle‑aged man in a tight sleeveless vest helped prune the branches.

The two busied themselves while chatting casually; everything seemed calm and warm.

"Dad, Mom!"

He whispered softly.

"Hm? Yangyang's back?"

"Aren't you eating? Quickly go with your dad into the house; Mom will cook for you!"

"Come on, go inside, haha, I tell you, kid, the commotion you've been making lately isn't small."

After a moment of surprise, the middle‑aged strong man Zhou Yong laughed and embraced Zhou Yang as they entered the house, while mother Wang Shumei went into the kitchen to start bustling about.

Soon, a table of simple yet delicately tasty dishes was placed before Zhou Yang.

Zhou Yong even uncorked a bottle of fine wine he had treasured for years.

In fact, after reaching Planet Level, the body can automatically absorb Cosmic energy, so ordinary food is no longer needed.

Yet tasting that long‑missed flavor again, Zhou Yang just couldn't bring himself to put down his chopsticks.

After the meal, he curiously asked the two elders why they were unwilling to live in the spacious and safe new house over there.

But the elders' answer moved him involuntarily.

"Yangyang, all the relatives and friends I know with your dad are here, and my plants that I've tended for years—I can't trust others with them. This heart is always lingering, I just can't let go."

"Always lingering, can't let go."

Zhou Yang silently chewed on the elders' words, and the fog over his bewildered soul seemed to gradually dissipate.

"Perhaps... I was mistaken."

"I think that in the near future I'll leave Earth, so I always think about making all arrangements, trying as much as possible to have no worries behind me."

"But how could that be possible?"

"No matter where I go, however strong I become, however many arrangements I make, this place will always be my lingering concern."

"A kite needs a string to soar freely in the sky."

"If the string breaks, the kite meets its fall to the ground."

"And parents, relatives, Earth are the 'string' that ties me; as long as this string exists, I can fly farther, higher, without fearing losing direction."

"So why speak of having no worries behind? It should be having worries behind!"

"This 'worry' is the string that pulls me, the driving force and direction of my progress!"

At that moment, he felt his mind suddenly clear.

His spirit seemed to be swiftly rinsed, the dust covering it washed away quickly, becoming crystal clear.

At the same time, the Meteor Tear in his chest also radiated great brilliance.

In this state, Zhou Yang's five senses rapidly expanded, and a vague wave appeared in his perception.

These transitional chapters might be a bit bland; dear readers, please be tolerant~~

Starting tomorrow, the official Universe adventure journey begins~~

Please, dear readers, keep following and collecting; data is very important for newcomers, bowing thanks here~~~

(End of chapter)