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**
The group returned to the mansion.
Qing Lin, along with the two little ones, Zi Yan, Du Jiao, and Tian Huo Zun Zhe, were already standing at the gates waiting. Naturally, after reuniting, another round of conversation began.
During this time, Wei Yang's two children, having not seen their father for nearly a year, felt a faint sense of strangeness toward him. This wasn't surprising. To children, a separation of almost a year was an awfully long time.
Only under Qing Lin's gentle encouragement did they timidly call out "Father" in small voices, though they still clung tightly to Qing Lin's legs, big black eyes sneaking glances at him, too shy to come closer.
Seeing this, Wei Yang couldn't help but feel both amused and touched, a mix of guilt and heartache. He softened his expression, squatted down, and pulled the two little ones into his arms, speaking softly: "Don't be afraid, I'm your father. Don't you remember me?"
The two children nestled in their father's arms. Perhaps it was the blood bond, or perhaps the familiar aura, but they felt reassured, and at the same time, fragments of memory stirred within them.
Their gazes shifted, the initial fear and slight rejection gradually fading, replaced by acceptance and curiosity.
The two jade-carved little cuties lifted their heads to look at Wei Yang's face. The older brother, Wei Ye, whispered: "Daddy, why did you leave us for so long?"
"Daddy, do you… not want us anymore?" the little sister, Wei Shuo, asked cautiously.
Looking down at them, Wei Yang's eyes grew even softer. He said: "Nonsense, Daddy only went into seclusion to cultivate. How could I not want you?"
"Really! I knew Daddy wouldn't abandon us!" the two little ones cried out happily. But right after, their eyes reddened, and they burst into loud, wronged sobs.
Wei Yang found it both funny and painful. His nose stung as he gently soothed them, wiping away their big teardrops and little runny noses. Then he carried them in his arms, striding into the mansion, leaving behind one line: "I'll coax the children. Whatever it is, we'll talk tomorrow."
"Haha~"
Xiao Yan, Tian Huo Zun Zhe, and the others all laughed heartily. They too followed inside. Behind them, the bronze gates slowly closed.
The next day.
On the grassy garden lawn.
A soft beastskin rug of unknown origin was laid out, with several low tables arranged upon it. Everyone sat casually around the tables, drinking tea.
The warm sunlight spilled down, covering their bodies, bringing a comfortable laziness. Not far away, Zi Yan was playing with the two little ones. Xiong Zhan and Du Jiao were lying on the grass, serving as "horses."
The group sipped their tea, smiling as they watched, chatting idly.
"Days like this… if they could last forever, it wouldn't be bad at all." Tian Huo Zun Zhe stroked his beard with a hearty laugh.
His eyes were full of kindness and affection as he looked at the two children, and his voice carried a hint of emotion. Now, after consuming the Fuling Azure Pill, Tian Huo Zun Zhe's strength had recovered to peak Three-Star Dou Zun.
Although he had not returned to his peak of old, it was still quite good. At least, for him, it was enough. At his age, after surviving death and having been trapped for centuries in the sunless depths of magma, watching his soul weaken day by day while awaiting oblivion—
If not for the fortunate encounter with Xiao Yan, he would have perished within a few years, dissipating quietly into nothingness. But now, how could he not feel content?
After such experiences, he had learned to let go of many things. His mindset was peaceful. From here on, he had no more ambitions, only the wish to live out his days in stability, like retirement.
Looking at Wei Yang and Xiao Yan, then turning his gaze to Xian'er, Tian Huo Zun Zhe sighed: "This old man owes the three of you young people a great debt. Words cannot express it. I can only keep this gratitude within my heart."
Now, he was alone in the world. His strength, even at peak Three-Star Dou Zun, was limited. Even if he wished to repay them, he didn't know how.
Wei Yang and the others, so young yet already Dou Zun, would only grow stronger. Perhaps in just a few years, they would reach a level far beyond his reach. Thus, this favor, he could only remember in his heart.
So, Tian Huo Zun Zhe opened his mouth, but after some polite words circled in his throat, he swallowed them back down, and in the end simply gave a hearty laugh.
Wei Yang chuckled, while Xian'er softly said that the senior need not be so polite.
Xiao Yan also waved his hand and said: "On this journey, Elder Yao has helped me so much. Now, this can be considered a little compensation for you, it's nothing at all."
"Hehe, then I won't be polite with you youngsters. Anyway, I've nowhere else to go. I might as well stick around with you. If you ever need me, just say the word." Tian Huo Zun Zhe said.
He was shrewd. With such sturdy thighs to hold onto, of course he wasn't about to let go. That was far better than wandering alone outside, 'eating wind and sleeping under the dew.'
Being a lone Dou Zun might look good on the surface, free and unrestrained, but in truth, most of them lived bitter, shabby lives.
With three Tier 8 Alchemy Grandmasters here, unless his brain had gone faulty, Tian Huo Zun Zhe would never go play lone wanderer.
At that moment, Zi Yan came bouncing over, smiling cheekily at Xiao Yan: "Hehe, Xiao Yan, that Dragon Seal I gave you was useful, right?"
"It was." Xiao Yan nodded with a smile.
"Hehe, then that pill you promised me, you can't go back on it." Zi Yan stretched out her little hand.
Everyone was dumbfounded.
Xiao Yan gave a helpless wry smile. Alright then, this little lass only ever keeps an eye on the herbs in my hand.
"Alright, alright, I won't forget your share. I'll refine it for you later." Xiao Yan said.
"That's more like it." Zi Yan lifted her chin proudly, looking extremely satisfied.
Everyone burst out laughing. When it came to Zi Yan, everyone felt genuine fondness. Don't look at how this little girl only ever remembered her pills, but this was her only small demand. Compared to what she had done, just asking for a few pills really wasn't much at all.
After a while.
Wei Yang stretched lazily and said: "Tomorrow I'll head out to refine a First Start Pill."
"A First Start Pill, hmm? Good. The sooner it's refined, the sooner the two nephews can take it. It'll give them a solid foundation." Xiao Yan smiled.
"These two little brats' luck is really something. Even I can't help but feel a bit jealous!" Tian Huo Zun Zhe shook his head, unable to stop himself from sighing: "To use a First Start Pill just to build a foundation—across the entire continent, there can't be many children who could enjoy such treatment."
The First Start Pill was of five-color Tier 8. This level of pill, even for many Dou Zun experts, was something rare and unattainable. So, when Tian Huo Zun Zhe said these two kids were lucky, it was not the slightest exaggeration.
Their father and mother were both Tier 8 Alchemy Grandmasters, and even their uncle Xiao Yan was also Tier 8.
With three Tier 8 Alchemy Grandmasters backing them, such family foundation and heritage was something others could only envy. It was already not far behind the so-called core descendants of the Ancient Clans.
Born right at the peak.
Xiao Yan and Wei Yang both smiled, feeling some emotion in their hearts. Thinking back to themselves back then, living bitter, scraping lives—how could they have ever had this kind of treatment?
But, since they had fought so hard, wasn't it right that their descendants should enjoy some comfort?
If one wasn't born a rich second generation, then one would strive to become the rich first generation, so that one's children could be rich second generation.
Xiao Yan's gaze quietly drifted toward the direction of the Jia Ma Empire, a trace of anticipation in his heart. His daughter… should be born by now, right?
Thinking of this, he decided he must also refine a First Start Pill for his daughter, then find time to bring it back.
With the Heaven Soul Blood Bone Pill as the base, then a First Start Pill to strengthen it, his daughter's talent would surely not be inferior to this brat Wei Ye.
Thinking of this, Xiao Yan's gaze fell on Wei Ye, and his face darkened.
Damn it, this lucky brat!
His heart felt very displeased.
My precious daughter!
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