Blossoming Path

Neither of them had ever expressed the slightest interest in cultivation before. I could hardly wrap my mind around the sight of them practicing martial arts so diligently, especially not in Elder Ming’s courtyard.

This wasn’t the return I had imagined, and yet, it was just another reminder of how much things had changed while I was away.

And clearly, I wasn’t the only one who had been changing.

“What the hell?” I blurted out.

Both of them turned toward me, their faces lighting up in unison. In a flash, they rushed at me with surprising speed, faster than I could react. Lan-Yin reached me first, her arms wrapping around me in a tight hug.

“Kai! You’re back!” she exclaimed, her voice brimming with joy.

The force of her hug almost knocked me off balance, and I quickly noticed how much stronger she felt. Gone was the delicate, refined aura she used to carry. Now, her hair was tied in a practical bun, her shoulders broad and defined, and her grip was strong—far more than I remembered.

Before I could comment, Wang Jun barreled into me next, laughing as he tackled me to the ground. “Kai, you bastard! You didn’t even tell us you were coming!”

I grunted under his weight. Wang Jun had always been big, but now he was even more robust, his frame solid as a mountain. The roundness that used to soften his features was gone, replaced by hard lines and a square jaw. He looked like a completely different man.

“Okay, okay! You two are gonna crush me at this rate!” I gasped, trying to wiggle free from their combined weight.

They both scrambled to their feet, helping me up with wide smiles plastered on their faces. As I stood, brushing off the dirt from my robes, I couldn’t help but take a moment to admire how much they’d changed. Wang Jun’s physique had sharpened into something more than just raw muscle—he moved with a deliberate grace that hadn’t been there before. And Lan-Yin, who had once carried herself with a delicate air, now exuded strength and confidence, her muscles toned and firm.

“You two look... different,” I said, still catching my breath. “When did this happen?”

Before either of them could answer, a familiar voice spoke up behind me.

“Kai, it’s been some time.”

I turned quickly to see Elder Ming standing at the threshold of the courtyard, watching us with a warm, knowing smile. His presence was the same as I remembered—calm, steady, and wise—but there was something about seeing him now, after all I’d been through, that stirred something deep within me.

Elder Ming wasn’t just the village head to me; he was my first mentor, the one who had put me on the right path when I didn’t know where to turn. Without his guidance, I wasn’t sure I’d be standing here today.

Without thinking, I stepped forward and bowed deeply, my voice quiet but filled with emotion. “Elder Ming... I’m back.”

There was a long pause, and when I finally straightened, I found Elder Ming’s eyes had softened, his gaze resting on me with a mixture of pride and affection. “It’s good to see you’ve returned safely, Kai. You’ve come a long way since you left, but I can see that your journey isn’t finished yet.”

I smiled. “No, it’s not. But I owe much of it to you.”

Elder Ming’s expression didn’t change, but his eyes twinkled with quiet amusement. “I simply pointed you in the right direction. The rest was up to you.”

He stepped closer, placing a hand on my shoulder, and I felt a sense of peace settle over me. This was the man who had given me my start, and standing before him now, I realized just how far I had come.

Wang Jun’s voice broke the moment, full of playful energy. “You’re not the only one who’s changed, Kai. I mean, look at you!”

Lan-Yin nodded in agreement, her eyes wide with amazement. “You look different too. Stronger. It’s like... you carry yourself differently now.”

I blinked, caught off guard by their words. I hadn’t really thought about how much I had changed since I left. Hard to notice when I saw myself everyday.

“I don’t know,” I said, rubbing the back of my neck awkwardly. “I think you two have changed more than I have.”

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Wang Jun laughed, shaking his head. “Not a chance, Kai. You’re not the same guy who left the village. We can see it.”

Lan-Yin smiled warmly. “It’s true. You’ve grown, in more ways than one.”

I glanced down at myself, suddenly aware of the lean muscle I’d developed from the training, the callouses on my hands, the way I stood a little taller, a little straighter. They were right—I wasn’t the same.

Elder Ming looked between the three of us, a small, satisfied smile on his face. “Now, I think that’s enough training for today. You two can resume tomorrow.”

Wang Jun and Lan-Yin both bowed to him, and as they straightened, the blacksmith grinned. “Guess that means we can catch up with Kai now.”

I couldn’t help but smile back, still processing everything. “You’ll have to explain to me how this all started,” I said, glancing between the two of them. “The last time I left, you were both still... well, you.”

He chuckled, looking at his betrothed with an amused smile. “It started after that conversation we had. Remember? About using qi for things other than cultivation?”

I did remember. After learning the Crimson Lotus Purification technique, I had gone on rambling about the potential of the Heavenly interface; how it could help them in their respective careers. I didn't think it would unfold like this.

Lan-Yin nodded, her eyes bright. “That’s when it clicked for us. We realized we didn’t have to give up everything to cultivate. We did it just like you, doing it side by side with our regular lives. Elder Ming's help was crucial, and we started training, bit by bit. It certainly wasn't easy, the first month or so."

I winced. I still remember the first time I trained with him. I thought I was going to die.

She continued, “But it’s worth it. I’ve never felt better! I can run your shop, help at the Soaring Swallow, and still have the energy to train without feeling completely drained. It's like my body’s finally caught up with everything my mind wanted to do.”

“How about you both come to the shop later? I’ll introduce you to a friend of mine, Lan Sheng. He’s waiting there now. But…” I trailed off, trying to hide my amusement, “I’ll save the other introductions as a surprise.”

Lan-Yin raised an eyebrow. “A surprise?”

I nodded. “You’ll see.”

As we began walking back toward the village center, they pelted me with questions, most of them revolving around the Gauntlet and my travels.

“Come on, Kai,” Wang Jun prodded. “Tell us how the Grand Alchemy Gauntlet went. Did you win?”

I paused, taking a breath. The Gauntlet was a subject that had once made my chest tighten with frustration, but now... well, it still stung, but I’d come to terms with it. Somewhat.

“No,” I said, though this time I allowed a small, comfortable smile to appear on my face. “I didn’t win. I lost in the final round.”

Wang Jun and Lan-Yin exchanged glances, surprised by how casually I said it.

“But,” I continued, puffing up my chest and flipping my hair back, “I only lost by a razor-thin margin. The heavens themselves wept at the injustice of it all!” I flourished my hands dramatically, trying to get a rise out of them.

Wang Jun laughed out loud, shaking his head. “There it is. The Kai we know.”

Lan-Yin chuckled, her eyes twinkling. “So close, huh?”

I dropped the act with a chuckle of my own. “Still, I learned a lot. It wasn’t the victory I wanted, but it was the loss I needed, I think.” As I said the words, I realized I was more at peace with it than I’d ever been. Even if a small part of me still ached at the memory, I was moving past it, slowly but surely.

The blacksmith clapped me on the back. “Well, win or lose, you’ve done more than we could’ve imagined. We’re proud of you, Kai.”

Lan-Yin nodded in agreement. “And we’re even prouder that you’re back.”

The warmth in their words caught me off guard. I had spent so long pushing myself to be stronger, to prove something, that I hadn’t realized how much support I had from the people I cared about. It was a grounding feeling.

“I missed you both,” I said softly. “It’s good to be back.”

We continued down the path together, and I couldn’t help but feel like, despite everything, this was exactly where I was meant to be right now—home, with the people who had helped shape me.

And soon enough, they were going to meet the rest of my family. Windy was sure to leave an impression.

As we walked, I couldn’t help but notice the little things—Wang Jun’s hand finding its way to the small of Lan-Yin’s back, the soft smile she gave him in return.

I suppose I'd have to prepare to be called 'Uncle Kai' soon.

When we arrived, Lan Sheng was already outside, leaning against the cart with his usual easygoing demeanor. He straightened up when he saw us, smiling. "These your friends?"

The two immediately noticed him and exchanged respectful bows. “Greetings, senior,” Wang Jun said, his tone polite and formal.

Lan Sheng waved them off with a chuckle. “No need for all that. I’m just a friend of Kai’s.”

As they relaxed, I couldn’t help but grin, holding back the surprise I had in store. Before I could say more, a distinct hissing filled the air, and Windy slithered up from behind the second-class disciple. His white scales gleamed in the light as he flicked his tongue, surveying the newcomers.

They jumped back, eyes wide with shock. “What in the—?!”

I held up a hand, suppressing a laugh. “Relax, relax! That’s Windy. He’s... well, technically my spirit beast now.”

Lan-Yin's eyes narrowed as she took a step forward, staring at the serpent. “That’s your pet?!”

"Not a pet, my companion!"

At that moment, Tianyi fluttered out from the cart, her shimmering wings glowing faintly as she perched on my shoulder. Lan-Yin smiled at the butterfly, obviously more comfortable with her.

“Tianyi,” She greeted softly. “Good to see you again.”

Wang Jun, however, was still eyeing Windy with skepticism. “You brought back a snake? It's not gonna swallow up one of the kids in the village, right?”

I couldn’t help but laugh this time. “He won’t. Windy’s harmless... mostly. Found him as an egg after a spirit beast attack in Qingmu. Been taking care of him ever since.”

He crossed his arms, still looking uncertain but curious. “You really come back with all sorts of surprises.”

“You’ve got no idea,” I said, amusement in my voice. I wasn't even getting started.

As their initial shock faded, their gazes softened. Lan-Yin still gave Windy a cautious glance, but Tianyi’s presence reassured them, especially since they’d met her before. I turned my attention to the garden, catching sight of the plants that had thrived in my absence. The Moonlit Grace Lily I’d planted was blooming beautifully, its petals glowing under the light. Seeing it alive and well brought a sense of calm over me.

The sight reminded me of the Golden Bamboo seeds I had tucked away, waiting for the right time to plant. I’d need to expand the garden for them, and now that I had the funds from the Azure Silk Trading Company’s advance, I could finally afford to expand and add a greenhouse!

I turned back to my friends, smiling. “Seems like the garden’s been doing well without me. Thank you for taking care of them.”

Lan-Yin closed her eyes, waving me off. “It was no trouble at all. The guide you left us made it easy. Elder Ming and I worked on it together, and everything’s been thriving.”

I nodded, feeling a strange sense of nostalgia wash over me as I gazed at my small shop. The air inside was warm, filled with the faint scent of herbs and dried flowers.

For a moment, I stood there in the quiet, letting it sink in. I was finally back home.

The nostalgia hit harder than I expected, memories flooding back from my idle days here, keeping up my shop. This was where I found my footing.

Lan Sheng’s voice brought me out of my reverie. “Well, now that you’re back, what’s the plan?”

"How about we all sit down for a grand meal together? You’ll all be graced with the privilege of hearing about my many glorious exploits in Crescent Bay City."

The second-class disciple leaned casually against the door frame, clearly amused. "Oh? You mean the tales of you narrowly avoiding getting yourself in trouble every other day? Poor Feng Wu had a headache telling me of all you did."

"Nonsense!"

"Alright, alright," Wang Jun said, clapping me on the back. "You’ve convinced me. Let’s go eat and hear about your ‘legendary’ trip."

With everyone in good spirits, we made our way out of the shop, the laughter lingering in the air. As we headed towards a meal together, the warmth of home and the joy of being surrounded by my closest friends settled into my heart.