SMACK!The slap came before Luo Yi had the chance to explain anything.“You ungrateful brat!” Luo Yang roared, his face burning red with fury. “How many times have I told you not to leave the house? All you do is bring shame to this family!”“But, Father—”SMACK!Another vicious slap landed across Luo Yi’s cheek, but that was not what hurt the most.“Don’t call me father! I refuse to have a cripple like you as my son!” His father’s words were sharper than the edge of a blade.Luo Yi felt unbearable pain. Not because of the hard slap across his face, but because of those cutting words that sliced straight into his heart like a sword.Meanwhile, in the kitchen, Luo Yin—Luo Yi’s mother—was cooking when she heard the commotion between her husband and son. She immediately rushed toward the main hall.The moment she arrived, she was startled when her son suddenly ran into her arms, hugging her tightly as he cried. As a mother, she could naturally feel the pain her child was experiencing.Ho

“Alright, Master. I’m ready!” Luo Yi replied enthusiastically. Inwardly, he murmured, 'I will restore my family’s honor, and I will become strong enough that everyone will acknowledge me!'Hua Lianyi gently held both of Luo Yi’s arms. “Sit in the lotus position,” she said calmly as she guided him into a perfect cross-legged posture.“Now close your eyes!” Hua Lianyi instructed.Luo Yi immediately obeyed and shut his eyes.Hua Lianyi continued, “The first thing you must learn is tranquility. Cast away all your emotions and strive to remain calm at all times, because becoming one with nature requires an exceptionally high level of tranquility.”“Yes, Master!” Luo Yi replied. He now understood why the woman who had become his master was always so calm.The fourteen-year-old youth tried to calm himself, attempting to cast aside all his emotions. However, it was far more difficult than he expected. Memories of the people who had mocked him at the Sky Sword Sect, along with his father’s cru

“Lianhua Forest?” Luo Yin's eyes widened at those words, her expression clouded with concern. “But that forest...”“There is no need to worry,” Hua Lianyi interrupted calmly. “I can assure you that your son is safe. I came here only on Luo Yi's behalf to bid you farewell, because he told me he left for Lianhua Forest without informing you. He also asked me to apologize to you for leaving home without saying goodbye.”Hearing those words, Luo Yin's eyes gradually became misty. Lowering her head, she murmured inwardly, 'Luo Yi, Mother is proud of you. You're proving to me through your unwavering determination that even the impossible can be made possible.'She wiped away the tears that had begun to fall, then cupped her fist before her chest and bowed respectfully to Hua Lianyi. “Please forgive me for greeting you so rudely earlier. I believe you now. Please... take good care of my son!”Hua Lianyi gave a slight nod. “I will protect your son and train him until he becomes as strong as I

“Luo Yi... is that really you?”The gentle yet disbelieving voice brought Luo Yi's steps to a halt. He slowly turned toward its source.About seven zhang away, a young woman stood near the entrance of the Qiao Clan. She wore an ivory-white robe that shimmered faintly beneath the afternoon sun, embroidered with golden threads along the collar and sleeves. Her black hair was neatly tied behind her head with a light purple ribbon.The moment their eyes met, Luo Yi recognized that gaze. It was the same gaze he had seen when he was humiliated before the crowd at the Sky Sword Sect. While everyone else looked upon him with contempt, only one person had regarded him with silent sympathy. Now, that same gaze met his once again. It had not changed, though this time it was filled with astonishment.“Yes, it's me, Miss Qiao,” Luo Yi replied calmly.Qiao Yu stood frozen. Her eyes traced Luo Yi's now more mature face, his upright posture, and the calm, profound gaze that seemed capable of soothing

Luo Lian took out a dark crimson pill, the color of thick blood, from his storage ring. It was the reward he had received for winning last year's Zhi Kingdom Tournament.The pill had been refined by a high-ranking alchemist using the blood of a Knight Realm cultivator as its main ingredient.In other words, the Zhi Kingdom was ruled by King Zhi Yuan, who himself was a Knight Realm cultivator. The pill had been created using the king's own blood and awarded as the grand prize in the kingdom's annual competition.The pill's effect was to temporarily elevate the consumer's cultivation to the Knight Realm.Without hesitation, Luo Lian swallowed the Knight's Blood Pill. Instantly, a terrifying surge of energy erupted violently from his body, splitting the lake beneath him apart as though it had been struck by a colossal war hammer.Luo Lian's black hair turned white, his muscles swelled, and a horrifying aura radiated from his entire body.Meanwhile, Luo Yi remained standing calmly, as tho