But instead of another arrogant disciple looking for trouble, I found myself face to face with Liu Chang's broad smile.

"Ke Yin! I thought that was you," he boomed, his voice carrying through the hall.

I relaxed, returning his smile and letting the gathered qi dissipate harmlessly. "Liu Chang. Su Yue." I nodded to the flame cultivator who stood just behind him. "What brings you here?"

Liu Chang held up a mission scroll. "Just picked up a little task. Some troublesome spirit beasts harassing merchants along the northern road." He shrugged as if it were nothing more significant than sweeping a courtyard. "Standard work for us."

"Another mission already?" I asked, surprised. "We just got back."

They both laughed, though I detected a hint of resignation beneath Su Yue's amusement.

"That's the life of a cultivator without a wealthy family backing them," she explained. "Mission after mission, just to afford cultivation resources."

I nodded, understanding their situation better now.

While certain privileged disciples who received regular stipends from influential clans, most cultivators at Azure Peak had to earn their keep through missions, teaching, or other services to the sect. And unlike me, cultivators at our level couldn't generate resources from their inner worlds; that ability typically developed at the Life Realm or higher.

"What about you?" Liu Chang asked, gesturing to the mission scroll Senior Disciple Zhang was still filling out. "Taking on something new already?"

"Actually, I'm posting a mission," I explained. "My parents have decided to move closer to the sect. They're ready to leave Floating Reed Village, and I need reliable escorts to ensure they arrive safely."

Liu Chang and Su Yue exchanged a quick glance that spoke volumes, the kind of silent communication that comes from not only years of working together, but something deeper.

"Where are they headed?" Su Yue asked.

"Three Rivers Village," I replied. "It's about—"

"Two days' journey from Floating Reed," Liu Chang finished, nodding. "And our mission takes us just north of there." He turned to Su Yue. "What do you think? A small detour on the way back?"

Su Yue smiled. "I was thinking the same thing."

I caught their meaning immediately. "Wait, you don't have to—"

"We'll escort your parents," Liu Chang stated matter-of-factly, as if it were already decided. "No need to post a mission."

I shook my head. "I appreciate the offer, truly. But you've already done so much for me. The herb mission nearly got us all killed by Elemental and Stellar Realm cultivators, and you didn't even get a share of the reward."

"We did it for a friend then, and we're doing it for a friend now," Liu Chang replied firmly.

"Besides," Su Yue added, "we're going to be in the area anyway. Our mission is to clear out some Dark Thorn Wolves that have been attacking merchant caravans along the northern trade road. Floating Reed Village is barely a day's detour from our return route."

I hesitated, weighing their offer against my conscience. On one hand, having Liu Chang and Su Yue escort my parents would be ideal, they were powerful, trustworthy, and already familiar to my parents from the beast wave mission. On the other hand, I disliked the idea of taking advantage of their friendship.

"Are you sure?" I asked finally. "It would mean extending your mission time."

"Absolutely sure," Liu Chang replied firmly. "We'll bring your parents safely to Three Rivers Village, I give you my word."

I turned to Senior Disciple Zhang. "I’m sorry, it seems I won't need to post that mission after all."

She nodded, setting the half-completed scroll aside with a slightly annoyed expression. I ignored her annoyance.

"I'll still pay you the mission rate when you return," I told my friends. "One thousand spirit stones each, it's what I would have paid through official channels anyway."

They both began to protest, but I held up a hand. "It's not negotiable. Consider it a down payment on future favors I'll inevitably need from two powerful cultivators."

Liu Chang laughed at that. "Put that way, it sounds like we're getting the better end of the deal." He extended his hand, and we clasped forearms in the traditional manner of sect brothers. "We'll keep your parents safe, Ke Yin. You have my word."

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"When do you leave?" I asked.

"In a few hours," Su Yue replied. "We should reach Floating Reed Village in about four days, depending on how quickly we deal with the Dark Thorn Wolves."

"Then you'll probably return with my parents just before the tournament begins," I calculated aloud.

Liu Chang's eyes lit up. "Perfect timing! Perhaps they'd like to watch you compete? Many disciples invite their families to observe the tournament, it's quite the spectacle."

The thought hadn't occurred to me. "I... hadn't considered that."

"You should," Su Yue encouraged. "It would mean a lot to them, I'm sure."

We wrapped up our conversation, with Liu Chang promising to send word once they reached Floating Reed Village. After providing them with a letter for my parents confirming the arrangement, we parted ways, them to prepare for their mission, and me to compose a proper response to my father's message.

Finding a quiet corner in one of the sect's meditation gardens, I carefully wrote:

"Dear Father and Mother,

I was overjoyed to receive your letter. The news that you've decided to relocate to Three Rivers Village brings me great happiness, and I've already arranged for your safe transport.

My friends Liu Chang and Su Yue, the cultivators who fought alongside me during the beast wave, will be passing near Floating Reed Village on a mission. They have graciously offered to escort you to your new home. You can trust them completely; they are among the strongest and most honorable disciples I know at Azure Peak.

They should arrive within a few days of this letter. Please be ready to depart when they arrive, as they may need to move quickly. Pack only what is essential, your safety is more important than possessions.

I look forward to seeing you once you're settled in Three Rivers Village. The sect tournament will be starting soon after your arrival. Perhaps, if you wish, you could attend? Many families come to watch their children compete.

Give my love to the little one growing inside Mother. Tell him or her that their older brother is working hard to make them proud.

With deepest affection,

Your son, Yin"

I read over the letter twice, sealed it with a small application of qi, and returned to the Message Pavilion to arrange for its delivery. The sect maintained a network of swift-footed messenger disciples who could cover great distances in remarkably short time. For an additional fee of ten spirit stones, I ensured my letter would reach Floating Reed Village by the following evening, well ahead of Liu Chang and Su Yue.

As I walked back toward my quarters, my mind turned to the upcoming tournament. The revelation about Wu Kangming and his new friend Luo Yichen had complicated my expectations significantly. I had been confident in my ability to secure at least a respectable showing, perhaps even reaching the finals. Now, with two ninth-stage cultivators potentially in my path, the challenge seemed far more daunting.

And if my parents attended... what would they think, watching me battle other disciples? Most tournament matches didn't end in death, but serious injuries were common. How would my mother react, seeing her son either inflict or receive such wounds?

Mortals often struggled to understand the cultivator's path, the necessity of combat, the different relationship we had with physical pain and injury. What seemed brutal or even horrifying to them was simply part of the cultivation journey to us. I didn't want my parents looking at me with fear or revulsion, seeing me as some kind of monster rather than their son.

"You're borrowing trouble again," Azure observed. "Your parents raised a cultivator son. They understand more than you give them credit for."

"Perhaps," I conceded, kicking another small stone along the path. "But understanding in theory is different from watching it happen before your eyes."

"True," Azure agreed. "But consider this, they're proud of you. Seeing you compete might actually help them better understand the world you inhabit now."

I mulled over his words as I approached my quarters. The small courtyard I shared with three other outer disciples was mercifully empty, everyone likely at dinner or training. I welcomed the solitude as I entered my room and settled onto my meditation mat.

The sun had nearly set, painting the sky in deepening shades of purple and orange. Soon I would need to light the spirit lamp, but for now, I enjoyed the fading natural light as I tried to organize my thoughts.

My parents were moving closer, that was good. They would be safer away from Floating Reed Village, especially after what happened with Ke Jun. Liu Chang and Su Yue would ensure they arrived safely, also good. But now I had to consider whether to actively encourage them to attend the tournament, knowing they might witness violence they weren't prepared for.

"Perhaps I should focus on my preparations first," I thought. "Whether they attend or not, I need to be ready."

"Speaking of preparations," Azure said, breaking into my reverie, "the technique is ready."

I straightened, instantly alert. "The Root Traversal modification? You've completed it?"

"Yes," Azure confirmed, a note of satisfaction in his voice. "I've integrated elements from similar techniques we encountered in the Starhaven Realm, particularly the Quickseed Transit method. The fundamentals of Root Traversal are solid, but with our adjustments, you should be able to teleport to any plant matter containing your qi signature, not just natural root systems."

"That's perfect," I said, already visualizing the applications. "In forest terrain, I'd have nearly unlimited mobility. Even in barren areas, I could scatter seeds during battle, creating my own network of teleportation points."

"Precisely," Azure agreed. "And with your World Tree Sutra as a foundation, the energy requirements will be significantly lower than for other cultivators using similar techniques."

I rose to my feet, unable to contain my excitement. "Let's test it."

"Now?" Azure asked, though I could tell he was just as eager as I was. "It's getting dark."

"All the better," I replied, moving toward the door. "Fewer disciples to observe us. Besides, a movement technique that only works in optimal conditions isn't much use, is it?"

As I stepped back into the courtyard, now cast in deepening shadows, I felt a surge of anticipation. The tournament was approaching rapidly, Wu Kangming had apparently gained a powerful ally, and my parents were about to enter my life in a more permanent way than I had ever anticipated.

But right now, none of that mattered. Right now, there was only the technique, the challenge, and the chance to grow stronger.

"Let's begin," I whispered, sending a pulse of qi into a small seed in my palm before flicking it into the darkness.