Volume One: The Dawn of Immortality Chapter Sixteen: Returning Home

"Practitioner of the Dao seeks the truth—of all things, what do you believe is the truest?" Master Zhou Yue's teacher inquired.

"I do not know, Master," Zhou Yue replied.

"It is, of course, the Dao that is most true."

"To cultivate the Dao is to pursue truth itself. The transitions from the fourth to the fifth layer of Qi Refinement, the eighth to the ninth, and the thirteenth to the fourteenth—all are thresholds. Whoever can surpass them shall have boundless prospects," Elder Chu explained.

"Then how does one break through?" Zhou Yue asked.

"By forging a true heart, a heart in tune with the Dao. When the heart of Dao is born, heaven and earth transform, winds and clouds stir, dragons roar and tigers thunder, and none in the world can compare," Elder Chu replied.

"But how can one forge such a heart?" Zhou Yue pressed on.

"By gathering your faith and conviction, and deepening your understanding of the Dao. Ultimately, as legends say, one must... attain... enlightenment of the Dao itself." Elder Chu enunciated these final words with deliberate gravity, making their importance unmistakable.

"Then—" Zhou Yue wished to continue his questions, but—

"Enough. I've told you plenty. More words are useless; you must seek out the path on your own," Elder Chu said.

"Yes, Master." Zhou Yue realized he might have overstepped.

"Besides, you should return home for a while. The mortal realm is the best place under heaven for comprehending the Dao."

"You may return whenever you wish." Elder Chu, with kindness in his eyes, uttered this, and a weight in his heart seemed to lift.

"Understood." Zhou Yue then left Elder Chu’s cave, returned to his own, and began to gather his belongings for his journey home. The possessions were so numerous that he even spent a thousand contribution points on a low-grade storage pouch.

He was finally going home. It had been a full year since he’d seen his grandfather and uncles. This was the longest Zhou Yue had ever been away from home—even school had not kept him away so long.

"Grandfather, I’m coming home," Zhou Yue murmured in his heart.

He had now mastered sword flight, and his speed surpassed even that of Li Yun, who had once escorted him to the Hundred Arts Sect.

Yet, after flying for three hours straight, Zhou Yue still saw no sign of his home. He was, quite simply, lost.

He wasn’t very familiar with the roads around the Hundred Arts Sect to begin with, and flying above the clouds made it even more confusing—the world from the sky looked nothing like it did from the ground, making it hard to recognize landmarks.

Fortunately, Zhou Yue occasionally landed to ask directions from local villagers. At last, on the third day, he found his way home.

"Second Uncle, where is Grandfather?" Zhou Yue asked his second uncle, Zhou Lin.

"Zhou Yue! Zhou Yue’s back! Oh heavens, it’s a cultivator! Nephew, did you learn any marvels in the immortal sect?" Zhou Lin exclaimed.

"Let’s talk about that later. Where’s Grandfather?"

"He’s at your eldest uncle’s house. Grandfather’s been ill lately—his health’s been failing day by day. I fear..." Zhou Lin’s voice faltered.

"Second Uncle, please don’t say such things," Zhou Yue interrupted softly.

"Alright, as you wish," his uncle conceded.

"Take me to see Grandfather," Zhou Yue said.

His eldest uncle’s home was modest, though by village standards, already considered decent: mud walls, thatched roof, warm in winter and cool in summer. The space was small, just enough for the five of them and Grandfather to live together.

"Father, your grandson has returned," Zhou Lin announced.

"Who’s come back?" Zhou Shan stepped out from the house.

"It’s me, Zhou Yue, Grandfather," Zhou Yue called out.

"Ah, so it’s you, Zhou Yue! Good, good, you’re home at last," Zhou Shan greeted him warmly.

"How has your health been, Grandfather?" Zhou Yue asked gently.

"My health? It’s alright, I suppose. But in another couple of years, I may not last much longer," Zhou Shan replied.

"Let me check on you, Grandfather," Zhou Yue offered.

He activated his spiritual sense to examine his grandfather. Within Zhou Shan’s body, he detected at least seven or eight ailments, and even two or three serious conditions yet to manifest. If left untreated, Grandfather might truly be bedridden in a few years.

But now, Zhou Yue was not the same as before. He had learned much in the Hundred Arts Sect and had become an alchemist.

It was now a simple matter for him to refine several Youth-retaining Pills, though he had no desire to make pills openly and draw undue attention.

Fortunately, he still had over a dozen Lotus Seeds from the Spirit Pool. Giving just one to his grandfather would purge most of the illnesses from his body.

"Grandfather, I have several lotus seeds for you to try," Zhou Yue said.

"Very well, very well," Zhou Shan replied, delighted at his grandson’s offering.

"My, what a large lotus seed! Surely that must be food for immortals—it’s almost as big as a green jujube," Zhou Shan marveled.

"Eat it, Grandfather. I have plenty more," Zhou Yue assured him.

"This... this..." Zhou Shan hesitated, knowing the lotus seed must be extremely valuable and unwilling to accept such a precious gift.

"Please, Grandfather, I truly do have many. Look," Zhou Yue said, showing the remaining seeds to prove they weren’t as rare as they seemed. In truth, they were still a considerable fortune for him, but it was worth it for his grandfather’s sake.

"Alright, I’ll eat it," Zhou Shan said, beaming as he took a bite, gesturing as if to show he was really eating it.

"How does it taste, Grandfather?" Zhou Yue asked.

"Delicious. I’ve never eaten lotus seeds so fine. They must be worth a fortune," Zhou Shan replied, but even as he ate, he took only three or four small bites, instinctively cherishing something so valuable.

Zhou Yue felt a wave of comfort. At last, he could repay his grandfather for the years of care and devotion—a happiness words could not express.

With this lotus seed, most of Zhou Shan’s illnesses would be cured, and he would even gain five more years of life. Some restorative herbs would be needed for full recovery, but as an alchemist, Zhou Yue’s herbal knowledge was already at a physician’s level.

"Grandfather, if you don’t finish the lotus seed today, its nutrients will be lost," Zhou Yue reminded him.

"Alright, I’m eating," Zhou Shan said, and after a moment’s hesitation, he finished the lotus seed in one mouthful.

"Father, what does it taste like? Is there much difference from ordinary lotus seeds?" Zhou Lin asked from the side.

"What does it taste like? Much like a regular lotus seed, I suppose, but juicier, with a remarkably good flavor and a hint of sweetness," Zhou Shan described.

"Well, if there’s another, may I try one too?" Zhou Lin asked hopefully, unable to resist after watching his father savor something so extraordinary.