The next day, everyone woke up as usual and did their early morning training. Before sitting at the dining table for breakfast.
Steam rose from the dishes in wisps, mingling with the morning light. The aroma of mung bean porridge, pan-fried dumplings, and spirit pickled greens filled the air as Li Jain and his seven sons.
Li Jain moved between them, topping off bowls with a faint smile on his lips. "Eat more, everyone. There's a busy day ahead."
Li Zhang, always first to dig in, grinned as he reached for his second bun. "Is today a special occasion, Father? You even made my favorite bean paste cakes for breakfast."
Li Yuhan answered before Li Jain could, twirling his chopsticks with practiced ease. "You're always celebrating your own appetite, Zhang."
"Let him eat," Li Cheng said with a light smile: "He'll need the energy to talk through breakfast."
That earned a round of giggles, even from the reserved Li Jingsheng, who quickly covered his smile with his sleeve.
When the table had settled, they all started to eat. Some were rushing and eating too fast.
"Xiao Zhang, chew properly," Li Jain said patiently, reaching out to gently pat his back as Li Zhang inhaled another stuffed dumpling. "No one is trying to steal your food."
Li Zhang grinned with puffed cheeks. "It's training! Speed chewing equals faster survival in emergencies. Besides, I have plans today."
"If that's training then I should be immortal by now," Li Jingxuan mumbled, already halfway through his second bowl, constantly moving his chopsticks in and out: "Daddy's stir fry meats is a divine artifact."
Jingsheng, sitting beside him, neatly folded a napkin before he spoke. "You said that yesterday about the steamed buns."
"They were a divine weapon," Jingxuan corrected. "This is a divine artifact. Can't you tell the difference?" He sighed murmuring: "And they say you're smart…"
"What did you say? See how your mouth is full of grease. You're seven, not a wild pig. People who don't know would think Dad is not feeding you." Li Jingsheng said dabbing Jingxuan's chin clean with a napkin.
Jingxuan suddenly stood up and slammed the table. "Li Jing Sheng! I dare you to say that again!!!"
Luckily the furniture wasn't made of ordinary wood otherwise, the table would've broken.
Jingsheng wasn't threatened by him and just stared with calmed eyes: "What can you do if I say it again?"
He knew that Jingxuan wasn't able to beat him.
Li Jain cleared his throat: "Boys, where are your manners?"
The two brothers realized they were misbehaving and quickly apologized.
Li Jain said gently, setting down his teacup: "Eat properly. I have a few things to announce."
That quieted them. Even Fluffy, Juanxin's fox beast, stopped staring threatenedly at Shiny, the so-called legendary beast, and sat upright beside its master.
Shiny was too lazy to pay attention to the unknown pitiful fox and ate its own breakfast in silence.
Li Jain looked at his youngest son with a soft smile. "Juanxin will be leaving with Liu Xiong today, they're going on a very important mission."
Everyone turned to the baby of the family, pretending to be surprised.
"Huh?" Zhang blinked. "You're so lucky."
"Congratulations."
"What kind of mission is it?"
Li Jain chuckled, then explained. "Do you all remember the big mess that happened when Xiao Jian awakened?"
They nodded heavily. That's one of the wakenings they'll probably never forget. That was a huge mess. Random people almost broke through their house when they thought a treasure had appeared in their backyard.
Now looking at Shiny sitting there, they all have mixed expressions.
Li Yuhan smirked. "You mean when the entire town thought a treasure ascended in our backyard?"
Li Jain cleared his throat. "Yes, That one."
At the time, Li Jain had told the panicked neighbors and wandering cultivators that he'd been experimenting with Blood Lotus Fruit. An herb notorious for its blood scented qi and fiery aura.
It had been a convenient lie at the time. But now, he has to make up for it.
"Word spread fast. Some sect elders even sent letters asking about the result. So to preserve the lie, I told Liu Xiong to bring back the real Blood Lotus Fruit... and we're short on hands. Moreover, only those with light spirit roots stand a chance in finding it." He looked at Juanxin with a smile: "Luckily for us, we have a top grade light spirit root."
Juanxin perked up proudly. "Uncle Liu said I have good spiritual sense and soft footsteps. I can help him track it!"
"Blood Lotus Fruit is hard to find," Cheng added. "I read that not because it's rarity, but because of its illusion."
"That's right," Li Jain nods in agreement: "Its advanced camouflage can mimic almost any spirit plant. It even emits false qi trails. Master spirit master cannot locate it easily."
"Good luck Xin, be careful along the way." Yujian said with a faint smile.
"I'll be fine," Juanxin said earnestly. "I'll be extra careful, and Fluffy will protect me too."
Fluffy barked softly as if in agreement, its tails fluffing up behind its back.
Li Jain smiled but sighed inwardly. "Alright, second announcement: Ding Weiyuan is going on an expedition to the Wind Spirit Mountains and agreed to take two of you."
Instantly, the table lit up. It's not often they would come across opportunities like this. Not to mention their age, Li Jain would never let them wander around in the forest without supervision. This was a rare opportunity to gain real hands-on experience.
"Can I go?" Jingxuan asked, voice loud and eager. "I've been stuck on my cultivation for months. I want to see something real. I promise I'll take it seriously."
Li Jain raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure?"
"Yes! I mean it!"
Jingsheng also straightened beside him. "Then I'll go too. He needs supervision."
"You make it sound like I'm a bomb. You are not much older than me. How can you be considered a supervisor when our older brothers are here?" Jingxuan grumbled.
"You have explosive behavior and get excited easily. Besides, with no competition how can you make real progress? I'm coming along to keep you on edge." Jingsheng said dryly.
Li Zhang grinned. "I would love to go, but I'm not in the mood to climb any mountains without a decent bath."
Li Yuhan pokes his arm: "I thought you said mountain food makes you a man?"
"I also said I'm already a man," Zhang replied smugly.
Yuhan leaned back and glanced at Yujian. "We'll let the little ones have this one."
Li Jain gave the others a warm nod. "Good. Then it's settled."
They have a relaxing breakfast.
…
Soon the courtyard was filled with rustling cloth, clinking satchels, and scattered talismans. Li Jain personally packed each child's bag carefully. For Juanxin, he made sure to include warming pills, light-root boosting herbs, and two packets of soft peach jelly strips—his favorite.
"You'll be traveling far," Li Jain murmured as he adjusted the strap on the tiny satchel. "But don't worry, I've parked everything you'll need."
He held Juanxin's face and said seriously: "Remember, if you feel tired and don't want to continue, you should tell Liu Xiong to bring you back. It doesn't matter whether you don't find the blood lotus fruit. There's still a long way ahead and there will be more opportunities to grow. So don't push yourself too hard, ok?"
"Got it." Juanxin nods seriously and then smiles: "I'll still try my best for Daddy."
"That's my good boy." Li Jain hugged his son's little body and was reluctant to let go.
Liu Xiong who was waiting at the gate and listening to their conversation couldn't help rolling his eyes several times.
Liu Xiong was still making plans to make the journey fruitful and eliminate one of Li Jain's worries when saw Juanxin approaching with Fluffy waddling by his side.
"Ready?" He asks gently
Juanxin nodded. "Yes, Uncle!"
The other children gathered behind Li Jain, waving wildly.
"Have a good trip and come back stronger!" Zhang shouted.
"Don't forget to bring back your limbs!" Yuhan added ith laughter.
Li Jain bent down and hugged Juanxin tightly. "Be good, and be brave. Don't worry about causing trouble for your uncle, that's his job."
"I will, Daddy."
As they watched the little figure walk away with Liu Xiong, Li Jain didn't say anything. His eyes stayed on the path long after they disappeared.
Then he turned back to the two remaining satchels. "Now... for the second farewell."
Jingsheng and Jingxuan stood proudly…well, mostly proudly. Jingxuan kept trying to peek inside the satchel for more snacks.
"Is this enough jerky?" he asked.
"You have cookies, jerky, dried pears, two jars of pickled lotus root, cakes, and jams." Li Jain listed. "If you're still hungry, eat your sleeves."
Jingxuan thought about the scene of him eating his sleeve and shook his head: "But sleeves aren't sweet."
Jingsheng nudged him. "Dad's teasing you."
"Am I?" Li Jain smiled.
As Ding Weiyuan was ready to depart, Li Jain gave both boys a long look.
"The two of you have to look out for each other, don't give Weiyuan a hard time."
"We will," they promised.
As they left, the house felt just a little too quiet.
Li Jain went back in and saw Yuhan lying across the table again, and sighed. "Put your feet down."
"Daddy," Yuhan stood up and said with a lazy grin, "you still have four buns left. Count your blessings."
"I'm counting," Li Jain said, walking into the kitchen. "One… two… and half of you is a dumpling."
"I'll take that as a compliment." Li Zhang laughed, "Don't worry, Father," Zhang said, patting Li Jain's arm. "With them gone, I'll be the cutest now."
Among the brothers that remain, he was the youngest so he automatically regards himself as the cutest.
Li Jain chuckled, but his gaze lingered on the road long after the others began their own preparations.
Today, the buns really were leaving the basket. Now, he needs to find something for the rest to do.