Little Yu Xin saw that with his parents stood a couple and a child. The man and woman were tall and muscular, with skin like burnished bronze. While people of the southern region typically had slightly darker skin from constant sun exposure, this couple looked as if they had been cast from metal itself. They both had strong, V-shaped frames and radiated robust health.
The child behind them was also sturdy for a five-year-old. It was Jiang Dali.
Little Yu Xin immediately stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
"Greetings,Uncle and Aunt Jiang."
Aunt Jiang looked at him and smiled slightly.
"Isn't that Xin'er?You've grown so much taller in the blink of an eye." Her eyes softened with recognition. "And you've started cultivating? Congratulations."
Uncle Jiang and Aunt Jiang didn't think much of it, assuming Yu Xin had prepared for Qi Refining over several days and studied the basic cultivation manual thoroughly. Yu Jin and Liu Hua didn't correct the assumption. In the cultivation world, it wasn't always wise to stand out.
Little Yu Xin felt a little embarrassed—not about his cultivation, but about his height. He was indeed taller than his peers, but he still couldn't compare to that brute, Jiang Dali.
Aunt Jiang didn't linger on it. She patted Little Yu Xin's head before heading toward the kitchen with Liu Hua.
This wasn't the first time Uncle and Aunt Jiang had visited. They came occasionally, and Aunt Jiang and Liu Hua would usually cook together while chatting. Yu Jin and Uncle Jiang would sit on the sofa, discussing the latest news over wine.
The wine was usually a first-rank, medium-grade Fire Origin Wine. It didn't boost their cultivation much—it was just for relaxation and good company.
Yu Jin brought up a piece of news he'd read in the newspaper.
"Hey,did you hear about that mayor in the Oreheart Kingdom in the Western Region?"
Jiang Shan replied idly, "What, the one who was caught… harming children?"
Yu Jin looked puzzled.
"Yeah.I mean, why do those Western nobles always get caught doing that? With so many crimes to commit, why does it always seem to be… that?"
Jiang Shan was equally baffled.
"Yeah,and nobody ever seems to do anything about it either. Those nobles are really…"
He trailed off, suddenly sobering up as he noticed the two little boys staring at him with wide, curious eyes. He froze, unsure what to say.
Yu Jin also saw the children and winced. They both knew they'd be in trouble if their wives found out what they'd been discussing in front of the kids.
Just as Jiang Dali opened his mouth to ask a question, Yu Jin quickly cut him off.
"So!What kind of spirit toy do you like?"
Thankfully, Jiang Dali wasn't the cleverest. He was immediately distracted.
"I like bears the most!They're giant and powerful!"
Little Yu Xin also opened his mouth to ask about the previous topic, but Jiang Shan swiftly intercepted.
"And you,Xin'er? What do you like?"
Little Yu Xin had no choice but to answer.
"I like flying birds."
Jiang Shan immediately promised, "I'll definitely get you a flying spirit toy."
Yu Jin mirrored him, speaking to Jiang Dali.
"And I'll get you a bear spirit puppet.Now, why don't you two go upstairs and play?"
Jiang Shan nodded.
"Go play in Xin'er's room.We'll call you when dinner is ready."
Spirit toys were essentially puppet artifacts at the quasi-first-rank level. They had the strength of a Qi Refining Level 1 cultivator or an Acquired Level 1 martial artist, but their movements were clumsy compared to a living fighter. They were mainly used by cultivators' children for play.
Little Yu Xin and Jiang Dali were thrilled about the promised toys. Yu Jin and Jiang Shan, however, shared a look of quiet resignation before silently refilling their cups.
Once inside the room, Jiang Dali's expression collapsed. He looked as if he might cry.
Little Yu Xin asked, "Dali, what's wrong?"
Jiang Dali silently pulled out his Profound Yellow Sect entry token. His voice was thick.
"This sect…it's in the Central Region. Basically in the center, right next to the Imperial Capital."
Little Yu Xin suddenly understood. Flame City was in the Southern State Realm—geographically part of the Southern Region, even if it was near the border. The distance to the Imperial Capital was immense. Jiang Dali had been putting on a brave face for his parents.
Jiang Dali said bitterly, "What am I going to do? I'll be away from everyone. Away from Mom and Dad, away from your family… and away from you."
His eyes were growing watery.
This wasn't Earth. There was no instant communication. Only powerful cultivators could span such distances with ease. For everyone else, sending letters was slow, and you could never truly see or speak to someone far away. There was no telling when—or if—they would meet again.
Little Yu Xin felt a pang of sadness, but he knew he had to stay calm. They couldn't both start crying.
He thought for a moment before asking gently, "Do you truly not want to go to the Profound Yellow Sect?"
Jiang Dali hesitated.
Seeing his reaction, Little Yu Xin said with certainty, "You do want to go. After all, who doesn't want to succeed in cultivation and take care of their parents? Who wouldn't want to see the vast Central Plains and the magnificent Imperial Capital?"
He paused,then added softly, "You're just afraid of being alone there—without friends or family."
Jiang Dali looked down, ashamed, as if his deepest fears had been laid bare.
Little Yu Xin understood then. Fear was the root of so many struggles. Many people give up on their dreams not because they can't accept failure, but because they fear being mocked as failures. They're too afraid to try. Many wish to travel but fear being forgotten by those they leave behind.
Fear was the anchor that held dreams down. Only by conquering it could one truly begin to live.
Understanding this, Little Yu Xin led Jiang Dali to the window. He pointed toward a constellation that resembled a great bear.
"Do you see that?The Great Bear constellation."
Jiang Dali nodded, confused.
Yu Xin pointed to two stars that formed the bear's front paw.
"Do you think those stars are friends?"
Jiang Dali nodded with certainty.
"How far apart do you think they are?"
"They look close together," Jiang Dali said uncertainly.
Little Yu Xin smiled and shook his head.
"With my current cultivation,I couldn't travel from one to the other even if I walked for ten thousand years."
Jiang Dali was stunned. He hadn't realized the distance was so vast.
Little Yu Xin continued, "You see, friends who forget each other over a little distance were never truly friends to begin with. Real friends don't hold you back from your dreams." He placed a hand on Jiang Dali's shoulder. "You'll always be my friend, even if we meet again many years from now, even if we've both changed. We'll just get to know each other again."
He smiled warmly."And your parents will always love you, no matter what. So you should move forward without fear."
Jiang Dali felt as if a weight had been lifted. His thoughts flowed more freely.
Little Yu Xin changed the subject. "When do you leave for the Profound Yellow Sect?"
Jiang Dali, though still sad, answered softly, "Tomorrow at sunset."
Little Yu Xin was startled. He hadn't realized it would be so soon. He didn't say more, just patted his friend's shoulder.
"Let's go.Dinner's probably ready."
They went downstairs and took their seats at the table. Jiang Dali's mood was visibly lighter, and he immediately reached for a chicken leg.
Jiang Shan and Aunt Jiang noticed the change and glanced at Little Yu Xin with silent gratitude, storing the moment in their hearts.
After dinner, the Jiang family left without much ceremony. After all, they would see each other again tomorrow at sunset to say their goodbyes.