Chapter Fifty-Four: Return to Cloud Valley

The next day, Liu Junhuai appeared outside the Pavilion of Myriad Phenomena. He stepped onto his silver broad sword and sped off in a random direction.

It wasn’t long before he encountered a few cultivators on their journey. After a brief inquiry about his location, he corrected his course and headed toward the Cloud Valley.

The previous night’s drinking and conversation had been a rare moment of relaxation for Liu Junhuai. The old steward’s millennia of experience left him full of admiration, and his bond with Mo Sitong grew ever closer. At that moment, Liu Junhuai even felt that, distanced from the cultivation world, his heart was remarkably calm and serene.

Yet, after that fleeting ease, he resumed his pursuit of the pinnacle, driven by the persistence in his heart.

Seven or eight hours later, Liu Junhuai arrived outside the Treasured Hall at Cloud Valley.

He exchanged a few words with Wu Yaohan, and the two returned together to Liu Junhuai’s courtyard.

Shen Duoduo and the others were all present. Upon seeing Liu Junhuai return safely, they rushed forward in delight.

A jar of mulberry sweetfruit wine was brought out, and everyone gathered around it for a lively conversation.

The aroma of the wine caught Wu Yaohan’s eye; before the cups could be set on the table, he eagerly grabbed the jar and took a deep swig, his intoxicated expression prompting laughter among the group.

Seeing Wu Yaohan’s pleading gaze, Liu Junhuai shook his head with a smile and produced two more jars of the fruit wine. The speed at which Wu Yaohan stashed them away only elicited more laughter from the younger ones.

“Brother Junhuai, what treasures did you bring back for Duoduo?” Shen Duoduo finally seized a chance to speak.

Liu Junhuai affectionately stroked Shen Duoduo’s hair, teasing, “So, what does our Duoduo want?”

“You bring them all out, and Ni Ni and I will pick together. Only what’s left can go to Brother Shaoyuan,” Shen Duoduo replied seriously.

With a flourish, Liu Junhuai filled the table with jade bottles and boxes of varying sizes.

The first thing Shen Duoduo opened was a jade bottle containing spirit liquid. As a rich wave of spiritual energy wafted from the mouth, everyone’s expression turned dumbfounded.

Wu Yaohan hurried to re-seal the bottle and shut the hall’s redwood doors.

Liu Junhuai silently praised Wu Yaohan’s prudence. He himself was still too young; with so many experts in Cloud Valley, even a hint of spirit liquid would draw them in droves.

He rose to set up a simple barrier, only then feeling at ease.

Knowing everyone was waiting to hear about his recent experiences, Liu Junhuai first explained the rarity of the gifts, uneasy about leaving them out in the open.

Each person received several jade bottles of spirit liquid. Seeing everyone carefully stow them away, Liu Junhuai felt a genuine happiness.

Yes—happiness. Bringing cherished gifts to his loved ones, seeing their satisfied expressions, was pure happiness.

“These are pills from level five to nine. Anyone who needs them, take what you wish; I have plenty, so don’t be shy. There are also cultivation techniques—find what suits you best.” Liu Junhuai had acquired hundreds of techniques this time, most of which were useless to him.

Faced with the mountain of pills and techniques, the two young girls managed to stay composed, but Wu Yaohan and Wu Shaoyuan stared in stunned disbelief.

“Brother, did you clear out that Nascent Soul cultivator’s mansion? How can there be so much?” Wu Shaoyuan exclaimed anxiously.

“No, I just happened upon an ancient relic,” Liu Junhuai replied, knowing well what could be said and what must remain secret. “This time, I reached the ninth floor and obtained spirit liquid there—almost lost my life, too.”

Wu Bini voiced her concern, “Brother Junhuai, please don’t risk yourself like that anymore. Treasures are important, but a lost life would be an irreparable loss. Besides, Duoduo would be heartbroken.”

Shen Duoduo shot her a look, “Is Duoduo the only one who’d be upset? Some people call ‘brother’ all day long, but now that brother’s here, why so shy?”

Wu Bini glanced at Wu Yaohan and whispered to Shen Duoduo, “You’re older, I’m younger, so I’ll let you go first!”

Everyone present was a cultivator, their ears exceptionally sharp. Their expressions turned peculiar, then a burst of laughter erupted, leaving Liu Junhuai quite embarrassed.

Liu Junhuai picked out a small jade bottle and said to Wu Shaoyuan, “This is an auxiliary pill made from crevice purple and crystal water. Used with Foundation Establishment pills, it works wonders. Shaoyuan, you should advance to Foundation Establishment soon—I see you’re at the peak of the ninth stage. When the time comes, drink a drop of spirit liquid.”

“I’ve been training in the time array you left behind, but the spirit gathering array’s energy is running low. Tomorrow, brother, you should replace the spirit stones,” Wu Shaoyuan replied.

Liu Junhuai turned to Wu Yaohan. “Grandfather Wu, you’ve been stuck at the late Foundation stage for a long time. This is Pure Yang Pill—it’s invaluable when forming your Golden Core. It can greatly enhance your true essence, and if taken as the core forms, it will speed up the process and prevent dangerous deviation. For safety, I’ll take you and Shaoyuan to a secluded space where you can advance together.” He handed over a jade bottle.

Wu Yaohan looked gratefully at Liu Junhuai, sighing, “The Wu family has changed so much since meeting you. I won’t stand on ceremony—once I form my Golden Core, I plan to travel. The sibling pair will rely on you for care.”

Liu Junhuai replied, “Grandfather Wu, there’s no need to say that. I’ve long considered the Wu family my own; Shaoyuan and Ni Ni are family to me.”

Shen Duoduo chimed in, “Brother Junhuai, when will you bring Father here? Duoduo misses him.”

Liu Junhuai took her hand. “Once Grandfather Wu and Shaoyuan advance, I’ll fetch him. I’ve found him a wonderful place—even if Uncle Huan doesn’t wish to cultivate, I can ensure he lives for centuries more.”

“Really? Where is it? Duoduo wants to see!” she pleaded.

“All right, once these things are sorted, we’ll go together,” Liu Junhuai promised.

Wu Yaohan suggested, “I think we shouldn’t divide them now. Let you keep everything—whoever needs something can come to you.”

Liu Junhuai agreed and put everything away.

He took out the Mountains and Rivers Gourd, enveloped everyone with his spiritual sense, and entered the chaotic space within.

The moment their feet touched the ground, they all stood frozen in shock—even Wu Yaohan, who had lived over a century, looked as if he’d seen a ghost.

“Is this primordial chaos?” Wu Yaohan asked, trembling.

“It’s the most primal chaos; there’s no spiritual energy here. If you wish to cultivate, head over there.” Liu Junhuai pointed to a patch of pale blue sky not far away.

They followed Liu Junhuai’s footsteps, legs moving mechanically, toward a small lake.

Shen Duoduo greedily absorbed the energy above the lake, exclaiming, “Such dense spiritual energy—so comfortable! Brother Junhuai, I wish I could stay here forever.”

Wu Bini, carefree as ever, clamored to live here too, paying no mind to her grandfather and brother still in a daze.

“All this is spirit liquid? Junhuai, you’re too extraordinary—have you gathered all the world’s spirit liquid?” Wu Shaoyuan was incredulous.

Wu Yaohan was even more astonished. In the cultivation world, a single drop of spirit liquid was rare, and his future grandson-in-law had a whole lake.

And this Mountains and Rivers Gourd—before Liu Junhuai obtained it, he had recommended it himself, never realizing it was such a treasure.

He felt all the more fortunate to befriend Liu Junhuai, and sensed the vast future that awaited him.

“Shaoyuan, you and Grandfather can advance here. Tomorrow I’ll set up a spirit array and build a courtyard,” Liu Junhuai said.

Wu Shaoyuan nodded, gazing at the grayish void. “If chaos has no use for cultivation, what is it good for?”

Liu Junhuai explained, “This primordial chaos is the source of life energy for all original creatures. While it’s not much use for cultivation, it’s ideal for growth. Divine beasts and plants thrive here, becoming stronger and more resilient.

Humans, like demon beasts and spirit beasts, enter and exit at the same level, but gain longevity.”

He turned to Shen Duoduo. “Wouldn’t it be good to bring Uncle Huan here? I’ll clear a medicinal field for him—he loves growing herbs.”

Shen Duoduo was thrilled. “Brother, bring some little animals too; Duoduo will care for them, Father will tend the herbs, and you’ll protect us. What about Ni Ni?”

The little girl tilted her head, squinting at Wu Bini. “Ni Ni, you can give Brother Junhuai children, all right?”

With that, she and Wu Bini started to playfully quarrel again.

Watching the younger ones full of joy, Wu Yaohan felt deeply comforted. He knew, with Liu Junhuai’s care, his deceased son and daughter-in-law would rest in peace.

Thinking thus, tears welled up in his eyes—a mix of sorrow and happiness.