Everything is fine.

The Yusheng Sect truly lived up to its reputation as the leader of the "Three Sects and Six Schools." Every blade of grass, tree, mountain, and pool within its boundaries radiated spirituality, and all could be considered treasures.

The demonic energy brought into their bodies by the Ice Soul was entirely cleared after Bai Ke and the others meditated in the spiritual spring Pool on Wangchen Peak several times, leaving no lingering effects.

Meanwhile, the new disciples, after a month and a half of adjustment, gradually adapted to the lifestyle and pace of the Yusheng Sect and began dedicating themselves earnestly to cultivation.

Shen Han, reincarnated and brought back to Yusheng Mountain, had already spent half a month in the sect. With Aunt Pang’s attentive care, a group of semi-immortal senior masters, teachers, and elder disciples entertaining her, and the lingering spiritual energy of the Yusheng Sect, the little girl grew noticeably faster than an ordinary child.

Her large, bright eyes resembled black grapes, clear and lively. She looked at everyone with an earnest yet spirited expression, like a curious kitten.

Wu Nan, in particular, would hold her and wander around the sect whenever he had free time, nearly covering every corner of the mountains and rivers of the Yusheng Sect.

Since he spent the most time with Shen Han, she was quickest to recognize him. Every time he held her, the little girl would stare fixedly at him for a while before suddenly breaking into a toothless, goofy grin. She would even stretch out her soft little hands and grab one of Wu Nan’s fingers.

While the disciples and juniors were often distracted from their proper duties, Yu Xian took more interest in the progress of the new disciples, occasionally offering guidance.

Though he always maintained a lazy, carefree demeanor—lounging on rooftops with a wine jug in hand while watching people practice swordplay—the new disciples all respected and feared him. Even the usually playful Lin Jie, who had already warmed up to them, maintained a layer of reverence toward Yu Xian.

After all, disciples like Junxiao, Wu Nan, and Shen Han, who had dared to prank their grandmaster in the past, were a rare breed unlikely to be encountered again.

Sometimes, as Yu Xian sipped his wine and reclined on the roof, watching the new disciples practice swordsmanship, he couldn’t help but reminisce about a thousand years ago. Yet when he looked at the present, with his disciples and juniors bustling about under his watchful eye—albeit often indulging in antics he could barely stand—he felt a profound sense of fulfillment.

For someone like him, who considered himself an old soul, life couldn’t be more complete.

As for Bai Ke and Junxiao, these past few days, they had frequently visited Wufang Cave.

Wufang Cave, one of the most significant spiritual caves of the Yusheng Sect, was located atop the second-highest peak, second only to Yunfu Mountain. The cave remained cold year-round, and inside lay a natural ice bed, making it a prime location for practicing cultivation, healing, and regulating inner energy.

Currently residing in this cave was Bai Ke’s father in this life—Bai Zixu—a man known for his erratic and irreverent behavior.

If under normal circumstances, Bai Ke had known that one of his scattered soul fragments resided in Bai Zixu’s body, he would never have retrieved it.

However, during the chaotic battle a month and a half ago, the disorderly reversal of the Ice Soul caused their misplaced soul fragments to return to their proper places while both were in a state of unconsciousness.

By coincidence, the myriad wandering souls trapped in the Ice Soul happened to include a compatible fragment that perfectly filled the gap in Bai Zixu’s incomplete soul.

It could be considered a stroke of fortune.

However, Bai Zixu’s foundation was far weaker than Bai Ke or Junxiao's, so both the demonic energy from the Ice Soul and the discomfort caused by the soul's return had a significant impact on him.

Ever since Aunt Pang and the others carried him back from the Hengtian Sect, he had been unconscious and hadn’t woken up.

To help him recover as quickly as possible, Bai Ke placed him in Wufang Cave. It would take 49 days before he regained consciousness.

This day marked exactly 49 days since Bai Zixu had been placed in Wufang Cave—it was the day he should awaken.

Even though Bai Ke had regained his thousand-year memories, Bai Zixu was still the man who had raised and cared for him for over a decade. Bai Ke’s affection and concern for him were no less than what he felt for Yu Xian and the others.

As Bai Zixu was about to wake up, Bai Ke couldn’t help but feel a tinge of nervousness in his heart.

After all, with one soul fragment replaced, there was no telling how much his temperament might have changed.

Multiple layers of enchantments sealed the entrance to Wufang Cave, preventing just anyone from entering.

But when Bai Ke and Junxiao came to wait for him, they brought Aunt Pang and the others along, as they had been deeply worried about Bai Zixu’s condition.

Around noon, the man who had been lying on the ice bed, pale and lifeless as though devoid of vitality, finally opened his eyes. Under everyone’s watchful gaze, he stared blankly at the cave ceiling for a long while before sitting up with a dazed expression.

Bai Ke was at his bedside, reaching out to support him.

To his surprise, Bai Zixu instinctively shrank back and looked at Bai Ke with a somewhat bewildered expression.

Bai Ke’s heart sank—Could it be that with the new soul fragment, he doesn’t even recognize his son anymore?

The others were also visibly worried. Aunt Pang couldn’t help but speak up: “Hey—Old Bai, how could you not recognize—”

Before she could finish saying “Ke,” Bai Zixu suddenly shook his head, as though snapping out of his daze. He glanced up at Bai Ke and immediately latched onto his arm, wailing, “Oh, Xiao Ke—my son! Your dad just had a long, terrifying series of dreams. I couldn’t escape no matter what—scarier than the heavenly tribulation! It almost scared me to death!”

Bai Zixu had always been clingy with Bai Ke. In the past, he was no stranger to clutching his son’s arm and wailing like this. However, after their time in Junxiao’s secret realm, the spiritual energy disturbance had caused Bai Zixu’s body to resonate with Bai Ke’s soul fragment. This led him to frequently experience inexplicable memories and fall into long periods of silence, becoming less talkative over time.

Now, his sudden return to his old self from a few months ago caught Bai Ke off guard. After a few moments of adjustment, he even felt a hint of nostalgia.

He sighed, helplessly patting Bai Zixu on the back as he had always done, and asked, “What did you dream about?”

Bai Zixu paused mid-wail, blinked as he pondered for about half a minute, and then declared, “Oh, your father can’t remember anymore.”

Bai Ke: “...”

Hearing this nonsensical self-reference and his carefree reply, Bai Ke realized he didn’t need to worry—Bai Zixu was still the same person, not changed a bit, even with the new soul fragment!

Aunt Pang, who knew Bai Zixu well, also breathed a sigh of relief when she saw his familiar demeanor.

Although Bai Zixu was still physically weak after waking up, Bai Ke and Junxiao took turns channeling energy to stabilize him after they left Wufang Cave. After a week of effort, the newly integrated soul fragment was fully settled within him.

Once Bai Zixu was back to his lively self, he resumed dreaming of passing the tribulation and ascending to immortality.

In the past, Bai Ke had to constantly keep an eye on him to prevent him from sneaking outside during thunderstorms. But now, that concern was no longer necessary.

In the Yusheng Sect, lightning never struck indiscriminately. Even when it rained, it was a soft, drizzling rain—and snowfall was much more common. Moreover, this was a sacred place for cultivation. Bai Zixu, in this environment, would sometimes practice a few flashy but ineffective sword techniques on a whim. Most of the time, however, he lounged around with Yu Xian, drinking wine and reminiscing about life, enjoying himself immensely.

He was living far more happily than he had in the past decade.

Seeing him so carefree, Bai Ke finally felt at ease.

Everyone he cherished had been placed in the most comfortable and secure circumstances.

Could there be a greater source of contentment?

 

Translator : DarNan