As we approached the herb gardens, I spotted Lin Mei kneeling among the plants, her hands glowing faintly as she tended to a row of luminous blue flowers. Perfect timing.

"Lin Mei!" I called out.

She looked up, surprise flickering across her face before her expression warmed into a welcoming smile. Setting down her gardening tools, she dusted off her robes and approached us.

"Ke Yin," she greeted, then turned a curious gaze to my companions. "And these must be your parents! I've heard so much about you."

"This is Lin Mei," I told my parents. "She's part of my tournament team and oversees the outer sect's herb gardens."

"It's a pleasure to meet you," Mother said warmly. "Our son mentioned you when he visited."

Lin Mei raised an eyebrow at me, clearly amused that I'd spoken about her. "All good things, I hope."

"He said you know more about spiritual herbs than most inner disciples," Father replied.

Lin Mei laughed. "Your son exaggerates. But I do take my work seriously." She gestured to the gardens around us. "Would you like to see some of what we grow here? There are several varieties that are quite beautiful, even to those without cultivation."

Mother's face lit up. "I would love that. I've always had a small kitchen garden, but nothing like this."

"You grow herbs?" Lin Mei asked, immediately engaged. "Which kinds?"

As they fell into an animated discussion about gardening, Father leaned toward me. "She seems nice," he said quietly, a familiar tone in his voice that made me suppress a groan. Mother wasn't the only one with matchmaking tendencies, it seemed.

"She's a good friend and teammate," I emphasized.

"Of course," he replied, not looking convinced.

Lin Mei led us through the garden, pointing out rare spiritual herbs and explaining their properties in simplified terms my parents could understand. I watched her interaction with them, touched by how she adjusted her explanations without condescension, finding analogies to everyday plants they would recognize.

"This one," she said, indicating a delicate white blossom that swayed despite the absence of wind, "is a Moon Whisper flower. It absorbs moonlight and releases it slowly throughout the day, helping stabilize cultivation for disciples with yin-aligned techniques."

"It's beautiful," Mother breathed, clearly enchanted.

"And this," Lin Mei continued, moving to a section of small crimson sprouts, "will eventually grow into Flame Heart vines. We use them to make medicines that treat conditions no mortal doctor could cure."

As the tour continued, I noticed my parents relaxing, their earlier nervousness giving way to genuine curiosity. Lin Mei's gentle manner was putting them at ease, showing them that not all cultivators were aloof or intimidating.

After we finished in the gardens, I suggested we find a quiet place for refreshments before continuing our tour. Lin Mei recommended a small pavilion overlooking one of the sect's decorative lakes, where disciples often went for meditation or quiet study.

As Lin Mei excused herself to fetch tea from a nearby kitchen, my mother leaned toward me with a gleam in her eye that I recognized all too well. It was the same look she'd had when introducing me to the village girls during the festival.

"Lin Mei is absolutely lovely," she said in a tone that attempted casual observation but failed entirely. "So knowledgeable, and such a gentle nature. And quite pretty too."

I sighed internally. I should have anticipated this. "Mother..."

"I'm just saying," she continued innocently, "that she seems like someone who would make a wonderful partner. For a cultivator, I mean."

Father, catching my expression, chuckled. "Your mother's been worried about you being lonely here."

"I'm not lonely," I assured them. "And Lin Mei is..." I paused, wondering how to phrase this delicately. "Lin Mei already has a relationship with Wei Lin. They're quite close."

Mother's expression fell slightly, then brightened. "Oh! Well, that's nice for them. Is Wei Lin the merchant's son you mentioned?"

"Yes. You'll meet him soon," I replied, relieved that she'd accepted this information without pressing further.

But my relief was short-lived.

"Well," Mother continued, undeterred, "surely there are other suitable young ladies in the sect? After all, when we suggested matches in the village, you told us it wouldn't work because cultivators and mortals age so differently. But here, surrounded by other cultivators, that shouldn't be an issue."

"Mother, cultivation partnerships are... complicated," I began carefully. "Many cultivators don't form attachments until they've reached a certain level of stability in their cultivation base."

"But surely some do?" she pressed. "Liu Chang and Su Yue, for instance, they seem quite close. Are they partners?"

Azure's voice rippled through my mind, clearly amused. "Your mother is more perceptive than you give her credit for."

"They're... close," I replied carefully. "There's definitely something between them, but I don't know if they've made anything official. Cultivators can be private about these matters." I shrugged slightly. "I've never asked, and they've never said."

My mother nodded knowingly, as if my uncertainty had confirmed rather than denied her suspicions.

"The thing is," I continued, searching for words that would satisfy her without dismissing her concern, "right now I need to focus on my cultivation. The tournament, my formation studies with Elder Chen Yong, these require my full attention."

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Mother's expression softened slightly. "I understand the importance of your studies, Yin. But life is about balance. Even the most dedicated craftsman needs a family to come home to."

"I'm not opposed to finding someone," I clarified, wanting to be honest with her. "Someday. When it happens naturally. But forcing it, actively seeking it out, that's not my way." I took her hand gently. "I promise, when I meet someone who makes sense for the path I'm walking, I won't hesitate because of some misguided dedication to solitary cultivation."

This seemed to satisfy her. "That's all I wanted to hear," she said, patting my hand. "That you're open to the possibility. The rest will happen when it happens."

Father cleared his throat. "Your mother just wants grandchildren while she's still young enough to enjoy them," he added with a teasing smile that made Mother swat his arm playfully.

"My younger sibling will give you plenty of baby time," I reminded them, grateful for the lighter turn in the conversation.

"True," Mother agreed, one hand resting on her growing bump. "But this one will be so much younger than you. And different. You're our firstborn, our cultivator son."

Something in her voice suggested a simple maternal wish to see her child's future secure in all ways, not just in cultivation power. For all her understanding of the cultivation world's differences, she still approached life with a village mother's perspective: family first, achievements second.

Lin Mei returned then with a tray of steaming tea cups, sparing me from having to formulate a response. The conversation shifted to safer topics, but I caught my mother's thoughtful glances whenever I interacted with any female disciples passing by the pavilion.

After our tea, we continued our tour, making our way toward the area where Wei Lin would be finishing his morning training. I used the opportunity to warn my parents, especially Mother, not to mention their matchmaking concerns to my friends.

"Wei Lin would never let me hear the end of it," I explained.

"We'll behave," Father promised with a wink.

The training field came into view, a flat expanse of reinforced stone where disciples practiced their combat techniques. In the center, Wei Lin was engaged in a practice match with another disciple, his movements a blur as he executed a complex martial sequence.

Even from a distance, I could see my parents' awe at witnessing cultivators in action. Wei Lin moved with inhuman speed, qi visibly crackling around his limbs as he unleashed technique after technique against his increasingly desperate opponent.

When his opponent finally yielded, Wei Lin gave a satisfied nod before noticing our approach. He dismissed the practice match with a respectful bow and strode over to meet us, not a hair out of place despite the intense exertion.

"Ke Yin," he greeted, then turned a curious gaze toward my parents. "And these must be the famous parents I've heard about."

"Wei Lin, this is my father Hong and my mother Lixue," I introduced. "Mother, Father, this is Wei Lin, the final member of our tournament team."

Wei Lin bowed with perfect formality, the gesture showing respect without condescension. "It's an honor to meet the people who raised such a talented cultivator."

My father returned the bow, clearly uncertain of the proper etiquette but making a good effort. "The honor is ours. Thank you for being a good friend to our son."

"Has he been giving you a proper tour?" Wei Lin asked. "Or just the sanitized version for parents?"

"Wei Lin," I warned, but my mother laughed.

"Probably the sanitized version," she admitted. "What are we missing?"

Wei Lin's eyes twinkled mischievously. "Well, he probably hasn't shown you the Punishment Grounds where disciples who break rules get disciplined, or the Beast Pens where the sect keeps some rather interesting specimens for training purposes."

"Those aren't appropriate for visitors," I protested.

"Of course not," Wei Lin agreed smoothly. "Just like I'm sure he hasn't mentioned the time he faced a City Lord, or how he's become something of a legend among the juniors."

My parents turned to me with matching expressions of surprise and pride. "You didn't tell us that," Father said.

I shot Wei Lin an exasperated look, which he returned with an innocent smile. "It sounds more exciting than it was," I shrugged.

"Always so modest," Wei Lin sighed dramatically. "Your son has a talent for understatement, especially regarding his own achievements."

"Well, we still have more of the sect to see," I said, trying to move things along, not wanting my parents worrying more than they already did. "Wei Lin, I’ll see at the tournament tomorrow?”

"Of course." He bowed again to my parents. "It truly was a pleasure meeting you both. I look forward to showing you how well our team works together tomorrow."

As we walked away, I could feel my parents' curious gazes on me. "He seems... confident," Father observed diplomatically.

"That's one word for it," I agreed, unable to suppress a smile. "Wei Lin is absolutely convinced of his own brilliance, but to be fair, he's usually right."

"Are all your friends so accomplished?" Mother asked.

I considered this. "In different ways, yes. The sect only accepts those with potential, and competition to advance is fierce."

"But you've done well," Father said, his voice tinged with quiet pride. "Better than we could have imagined when you left our little village."

The simple statement touched me more deeply than any elaborate praise could have. "I've been fortunate," I replied. "And had good guidance."

We continued our tour, making our way toward the area where Core disciples resided. I had sent a message to Liu Chen earlier, hoping to introduce my parents to him and Rocky. As we approached the imposing gates that separated the Core Disciple area from the rest of the sect, I saw Liu Chen waiting, his small frame dwarfed by the ornate entrance.

"Brother Ke!" he called out, waving enthusiastically. Then, seeming to remember his status, he straightened his posture and adopted a more dignified expression that looked out of place on his young face.

"Liu Chen," I greeted warmly, genuinely happy to see him. "I'd like you to meet my parents, Hong and Lixue."

The boy bowed formally, displaying the manners Elder Song had clearly been drilling into him. "It's an honor to meet Brother Ke's family. He speaks of you often."

"This is Liu Chen," I told my parents. "One of the youngest Core disciples in the sect's history."

My parents looked suitably impressed, though I could tell they were trying to reconcile the child before them with the prestigious title.

"Core disciple?" Father asked. "That's... higher than outer disciple, isn't it?"

Liu Chen nodded solemnly. "Yes, sir. There are many outer disciples, fewer inner disciples, and very few core disciples."

"And at such a young age," Mother marveled. "You must be very talented."

A flush of pride colored Liu Chen's cheeks. "I have good teachers. And a special friend." He glanced at me, a question in his eyes.

I nodded encouragingly. "They'd love to meet Rocky too."

Liu Chen's face brightened. "He's just inside. Follow me!"

He led us through the Core disciple gates, past manicured gardens and elegant pavilions that made the Outer disciple quarters look shabby by comparison. My parents' eyes widened as they took in the luxury: flowing fountains, exotic spiritual plants, elaborate architecture designed to enhance qi circulation.

"This is where you live?" Mother asked Liu Chen, clearly impressed.

"Yes, ma'am. Though my quarters are specially modified because of Rocky's size."

"Rocky's size?" Father echoed, looking curious and slightly concerned.

We rounded a corner into a spacious private courtyard where a massive figure sat contemplatively by a pond. My parents froze, gasps escaping them as they beheld Rocky for the first time.

The stone guardian was in a relaxed position, cross-legged on the ground, his massive stone form at least fifteen feet tall even while seated. Sunlight played across his rugged surface, highlighting the patterns in his stone "skin."

"That's—" Father began, his voice failing him.

"Rocky!" Liu Chen called out cheerfully. "Come meet Brother Ke's parents!"

The giant stone entity turned his featureless face toward us, then rose with surprising grace for something so massive. Each footstep as he approached created small tremors in the ground.

My parents instinctively stepped back, Father moving protectively in front of Mother. Their reactions were perfectly understandable, even cultivators were often intimidated by their first sight of a stone guardian.