The Ancestor’s thick brow furrowed. "You know we should not risk our strength, yet you wish to go believing in yourself. Your words contradict themselves."

"I have my reasons," Su Kang explained. "I believe I can acquire something of great value there, and I will not take any risk that puts my life in danger. I am also curious. I wish to witness how true experts solve ancient traps and navigate an unexplored realm. I want to broaden my horizons in this way."

He wanted to see Zhu Zhihao's power firsthand. He wanted to gauge her methods. This was his first time entering a truly unexplored realm. If he could learn from her, the experience would be invaluable. If he could get something from the realm, that was a bonus. And if she could provide help with his soul injury, it would be a blessing.

The Ancestor considered this, his gaze deep. "Every person has their own opportunities. Their own destiny. I believe you have found yours." He paused.

"Your father reached Core Formation at sixty. I reached it after my hundredth year. You," he said, turning fully to Su Kang, "did it at twenty-four. Our family is producing greater talents with each generation, but we still lack the deep resources to truly support them."

Su Kang nodded. After seeing the casual wealth of the Central Plains' disciples, he knew that with enough resources, he could raise several more Core Formation experts in his clan.

The Ancestor gestured to the pond, its surface a dark, placid mirror. "This, Su Kang, is Jiang State. A tranquil pond, yes, but a pond nonetheless. We are but small fish within it." His gaze lifted, seeming to look beyond the courtyard walls, beyond the horizon itself.

“But the world is not a single pond. It is a network of rushing rivers, deep lakes, and vast, unknowable seas. I want your generation to explore them."

His voice was filled with a profound, weary desire. "Old people like us will support your journey. You should not stay here. You will be left behind by your sect brothers who are seeing a broader world. Go. See it for yourself. Leave the matter of gathering resources to us."

Su Kang remained silent. The weight of the Ancestor's words settled in his heart. It was both a burden of expectation and a gift of freedom.

"As for this realm," the Ancestor continued, "you may do what you think is correct. I will not stop you. But I want you to leave Jiang State soon after. At your age, you need to see the broader world."

Su Kang bowed his head, a wave of gratitude washing over him. "Thank you, Ancestor."

As Su Kang prepared to leave, the Ancestor spoke again. His tone shifted. The air grew heavy once more. "Now, let us move to the next topic. You chose to go through the Seal Engraving Ceremony. Show me the seal.”

Su Kang froze for a heartbeat. He slowly rolled up the sleeve of his left forearm. He revealed the dark, horned lion totem.

The Ancestor’s aura changed. The calm stillness around him sharpened into something heavier, powerful. His deep brown eyes held a flicker of unreadable emotions—disappointment, sorrow, and a rising anger.

"So," he murmured, his gaze returning to the pond. His voice rose slightly, questioning. "You chose to go through this ceremony for the mother of your friend?"

Su Kang was stunned. He stood motionless. How? How did he know? His mind raced, his face tense. Did my parents tell him? Or did he find out some other way?

Fear, cold and sharp, tightened in his chest. He was afraid. Afraid that the Ancestor would order him to sever his relationship with Yunxi, a command that no one in the clan could defy.

The Ancestor watched his stunned expression. "Did you truly think I would not find out?" he asked, a hint of wryness in his voice. "The higher-ups of the Qingyun Sect know you took the Li family under your care. They know Li Fang's mother left the sect with you."

He continued,"You arrived at the manor. Soon, rumors of you and a certain lady appeared. You disappeared again, but we could not find Li Fang's mother anywhere in our estate. We have information on every member of the Li family, except for one. You have only brought one woman into this manor. Therefore, she is either your claimed lover, or she is Li Fang's mother."

The Ancestor paused, his gaze piercing, now devoid of any warmth. "Did you forget that I am the supreme authority of this clan? Your hidden actions are not hidden from me."

Panic flared in Su Kang's heart. Beads of sweat formed on his forehead. Everything had been going so smoothly. Now, his carefully laid plans were crumbling under the Ancestor's all-seeing gaze.

"Su Kang, did you take our most sacred ritual as some kind of joke?" the Ancestor asked. His voice grew louder, each word a physical weight pressing down on him. "Tell me. What were you thinking when you decided to do this?"

"No, Ancestor. I have thought about it deeply before doing it. You might not believe me, but…" Su Kang began, forcing the words out. The situation was spiraling. He was not aware the Ancestor had been tracking his movements. It was completely unexpected. He could not let him think of Bai Yunxi as a woman who would bring disaster to the clan.

But the Ancestor interrupted, his voice sharp with anger. “You chose to go through the Seal Engraving Ceremony, knowing its importance… just to hide that woman as your lover? Why would you do it?”

The words struck Su Kang with a strange, jarring force. He became confused. He became stunned. The Ancestor's anger was real, but its source… it was not what he had feared.

“Hide her as my lover?” Su Kang repeated, the phrase echoing in his mind. He didn't understand the words for a moment. He didn't know what to say.

He replayed the Ancestor's sentences, the pieces slowly clicking into place. The Ancestor isn't angry that I'm with her? A new thought surfaced. He's angry because he thinks I'm using our clan's sacred ritual as a mere cover story to hide her identity...

The Ancestor looked at Su Kang's confused reaction and finally frowned. The boy’s shock seemed genuine. It was not the expression of someone caught in a lie. There was something here that was not quite right.

A heavy silence descended between them. Both were lost in thought. Su Kang was processing the profound misunderstanding. The Ancestor was re-evaluating his own conclusion.

As the silence stretched, it became heavy. The Ancestor’s mind churned. Why would he do it? a thought appeared. Why go through such length, just to provide a cover story for her?

At first, he hadn't considered any other possibility, because the alternative made even less sense. But now, thinking about it, hiding a woman as a "lover" was going too far when she was already safe within the manor's walls.

Then, did he hide Li Fang's mother somewhere else and bring his lover into the clan? he mused. But both are surnamed Bai…. Having the same surname might be a coincidence and doesn't mean anything.

“Su Kang,” the Ancestor finally spoke, his voice cold again. “You were told about the seal and its importance, were you not? Were you serious when you underwent the rituals, or was it insignificant in your eyes?”

A heavy pressure emerged from his body. It pressed down on Su Kang, a tangible weight that tested his will.

Su Kang lowered his head and bowed. “This junior knows the importance of the ritual. I did not take it lightly. I am serious about it.”

The pressure vanished as quickly as it had come. He heard a light sigh from the Ancestor. “That’s good then. You can rise.”

Su Kang raised his head. He looked at the Ancestor and saw his expression had returned to its usual calm neutrality.

“What is the name of the girl?” the Ancestor asked with a hint of curiosity in his voice.

Su Kang knew what was coming next. There was no avoiding this. A wry smile touched his lips. “Ancestor, her name is Bai Yunxi.”

“Hmm?” A small frown appeared on the Ancestor’s wide forehead. He looked at Su Kang, a strange expression on his face. He connected the name to the information he had. His eyes widened slightly.

“Su Kang,” he asked, his voice now a mixture of disbelief and something else, something almost incredulous. “Did you… seriously take the mother of Li Fang as your own woman?” His eyes locked onto Su Kang's, demanding the truth.

Su Kang just nodded.

The Ancestor was stunned for a beat. He stared at his descendant. Then, he nodded as well. His expression was strange. “Ohh,” he finally breathed out. “So it's like that.”

Another silence fell. This time, it was not heavy with pressure, but thick with a profound awkwardness. Su Kang was surprised by the Ancestor’s reaction. There was no scolding for his actions, no berating for his choice. He had just broken one of the most fundamental taboos of their society—a taboo that even cultivators respected. Taking the mother of one's own sect brother, a friend, was an act that invited scorn and ridicule. It was a scandal. Yet, the Ancestor was… calm.

Then he heard the Ancestor’s voice again. It was lighter now, with an unmistakable trace of amusement. “Su Kang, can you tell me about it?”

Su Kang nodded, a wave of relief washing over him. The Ancestor finds this amusing? Impossible… His thoughts churned in disbelief, yet his heart steadied. So long as the Ancestor did not command him to cut ties with Bai Yunxi, nothing else mattered.

The Ancestor took out a gourd of wine. He uncorked it with a flick of his thumb, his eyes twinkling above the edge of his thick beard. He was clearly amused by this whole ridiculous situation.

---

Hey everyone!

Lately, I’ve been quite busy with work and studies, so my writing pace has slowed down a little. There’s a chance the story might go on a hiatus soon..

Still, I’m really happy to see that many of you are enjoying the story — your comments and support mean a lot to me! ❤️

Thanks again for reading and supporting this journey!