Hao Ren and Hao Xinyuan stood facing each other in the garden of the Han Mansion. The young man said, "Wait for a minute. Xiao Mei check the surroundings, is anyone keeping an eye on us?"
The AI replied after a few minutes, "No, it is all clear."
Hao Xinyuan asked, "Are you done, can we begin?"
Hao Ren nodded and then he saw his father vanish from his initial position and he was overwhelmed with a great sense of danger. Hao Ren ducked and rolled on the side, and sure enough, the old man had appeared behind him with a spear stabbing where Hao Ren was standing.
The young man understood that his father was serious and this was not going to be a fair fight. He got back on his feet and wanted to take out his sword but Hao Xinyuan did not seem to be in the mood to let him do that.
Hao Ren was overwhelmed by the strong attacks coming his way. The elders were present on the side. They were watching how things were and Han Lingshi asked anxiously, "What is Dad doing?"
Old Man Han replied, "He is trying to have Hao Ren understand the difference between a true cultivator. You two have no exposure with the things in the Spirit Shimmer Continent, this is why you do not know that even a teenager is more powerful than the two of you.
It is not in the terms of spirit energy quality but the battle experience. If you were to enter that world as you are now, you will be nothing but mere canon fodder."
Han Lingshi asked, "Why must dad handle Ren this way? I will also enter the place, so why am I not being put through the same?"
Tang Zen sighed and replied, "You still have some time before you will go in that world, but Ren must enter the world before you to improve his foundation. He was born with blocked meridians, and only when he can find a spirit energy rich environment can he get rid of the ailment."
Han Lingshi still asked, "Why can't I go with him?"
Yue Shi replied, "For the next two years, you will consolidate the yin energy that you have lost in the consummation in seclusion. Only then you will be able to go there and walk through the Forbidden Zone of the imperial family to awaken the fate of the nation. Before that you will be too weak to fend for yourself."
Han Lingshi clenched her fist and said, "That means I will have to stay away from him for two years. How is this even fair?"
Yue Shi smiled helplessly and patted her shoulder as she said, "Child, only when you two are stronger can you rely on each other. To gain control of the lost kingdom, you need him by your side. Only when he is totally fit will he be able to stand firm beside you."
...
Han Lingshi asked when she heard Tang Zen guiding Hao Ren, "Ma, why did you test him then?"
Tang Zen shook her head and did not reply until a few seconds later, she said, "Old Hao is a good appetizer, I will be his main course later."
Han Lingshi was shocked, when Yue Shenlong come closer to her and he said, "Madam Hao beat Grandpa once yesterday night. He wanted to be your instructor. Aunty took control."
Yue Chilong looked at his grandson and snorted at him. Han Lingshi was shocked by things. She did not expect such a story. Yue Chilong said, "I sought Senior's guidance."
Han Lingshi did not say much, she knew that Tang Zen was the strongest of them all here, and if someone who could guide them to become stronger then it was her.
Hao Ren did a roll on the ground to dodge the spear thrust and he picked up a few pebbles with his left hand. Hao Xinyuan was a tad bit slow to turn around and attack him and the young man pinched a small pebble between his fingers and shot it at the old man's joints.
Hao Xinyuan was surprised by this and was caught unprepared. The stone hit his joint. Although he was not super strong, but his joint still ached slightly from the impact. He was sure that Hao Ren did not use spiritual energy, so how could he generate so much strength, this surprised him.
The old man was occupied with his thoughts and Hao Ren shot multiple stones landing on different spots but just when the annoyed Hao Xinyuan wanted to charge forward he found he could not move.
He opened his eyes in surprise when Hao Ren erupted with explosive force and came to his side, and he felt a cold blade resting against his nape. The young man said, "Old boy, you lost."
Hao Xinyuan nodded and said, "I did, good presence of mind and usage of hidden weapon handling skills. You are not cultivating in vain at least. Now, unlock my movement."
Hao Ren replied, "Five minutes, and it will unlock on its own."
Hao Xinyuan knew this guy was very vengeful and said, "After your honeymoon, you will be sparing with your mother daily and learning closely. Do not reject, use her skills, it will be good for your future path."
Hao Ren hesitated for a bit but nodded before he headed to the family. At this moment, a notification went off in his mind, *Ding: Host, your wife is upset and it is your duty to coax her. While the relationship grows when two people are close, it thrives when they survive the challenge of distance.
Task objective: Away but never gone.*