Qing Xuanzi smiled and said, "They are doing well. Not only do I visit them often, but Jun Yuangui, Lin Xiaoman, and Qi Lan also visit them from time to time."

"However, they are already over seventy years old and have long since retired. They are now recuperating at the Bing City Military Officers' Sanatorium."

"How are my brother and the others?"

“They are all doing well. Your eldest brother has one daughter and two sons. I haven’t met them, but your father said they all practice martial arts and are all quite good.”

"As for your second brother, it seems he settled down in the south and had a son and a daughter. Your father didn't say much, so he probably doesn't know much about it either."

Rong Jiaojiao nodded: "You'll know when we get back."

At this moment, the three people's communication jade slips vibrated.

When I opened the link, I saw messages from people I knew about the spiritual veins in various places.

It turned out that shortly after they left the Demon-Suppressing Stele, good news came from various sects and aristocratic families—the selection of a master for the spiritual vein had caused an unprecedented shock in the cultivation world.

Qi Lan's Blue Nether Sword Sect has its spiritual veins directly descending into the depths of the Sword Tomb, where sword energy soars into the sky for three days without ceasing, attracting countless sword cultivators to make pilgrimages.

Lin Xiaoman's spiritual veins took root in the Zhao family's ancestral home, forming a rare spiritual land in the mortal world, attracting many rogue cultivators to seek refuge there.

Jun Yuangui's spiritual veins were even more peculiar, with half of them falling into the Xuanji Sect and the other half returning to the Jun family's ancestral land, drawing gasps of amazement from everyone.

The ancestral land of the Mo family was also experiencing a series of strange phenomena. Mo Bai's spiritual vein merged with the original dragon vein of the ancestral land, transforming into a phantom of a giant purple-gold dragon that coiled above Mo City, attracting cultivators from all directions to come and pay homage.

Zi Ling carried the three of them through the clouds, while the mountains and rivers below rushed past.

As Rong Jiaojiao gazed at the increasingly close outline of the ice city, her heart began to race.

"arrive."

Zi Ling swooped down and landed steadily in the woods behind the sanatorium.

Once the three of them were standing still, Zi Ling transformed into a purple-haired girl who looked to be about four years old.

When Qing Xuanzi first saw Zi Ling in human form, her purple hair and eyes, and her charming and adorable appearance captivated him.

Seeing Qing Xuanzi staring at her, Zi Ling tilted her head and asked in a childish voice, "Master, why are you looking at me like that?"

Qing Xuanzi coughed lightly to cover his embarrassment: "Cough, I just didn't expect you to be so cute after you transformed."

If it weren't for its purple hair and eyes, it would be a spitting image of its owner as a child.

Mo Bai chuckled: "Zi Ling is originally of the bloodline of the ancient Thunder Sable, so her transformation is naturally perfect."

Rong Jiaojiao rubbed Ziling's head: "Let's go home first."

The four of them left the woods and made several turns before finally arriving at the retirement home.

Before he even reached the door, he was stopped by the soldiers on guard. Qing Xuanzi showed them his identification and asked them to call Rong Lianhu's house to say that Qing Xuanzi was visiting.

They were quickly allowed in, but were required to register.

Rong Jiaojiao produced a certificate she had obtained from the 56th Division more than ten years ago. The soldiers on guard looked at the certificate and then at Rong Jiaojiao's appearance, and then they were asked to wait in place.

Before long, a string of elderly men and women followed behind the gray-haired couple. Rong Jiaojiao immediately recognized the two in front as her parents. Looking at their no longer upright bodies, Rong Jiaojiao burst into tears.

Rong Jiaojiao stood there, looking at her parents' familiar yet much older faces, her throat tightened, and she couldn't speak for a moment.

Fu Ya took a few trembling steps forward, cupped her daughter's face in her hands, and tears streamed down her face: "Jiaojiao...is it really you?"

“Mom…” Rong Jiaojiao could no longer hold back and hugged her mother tightly, her voice choked with sobs, “It’s me, I’m back.”

Fu Ya couldn't speak, she just kept hugging her daughter tightly.

I'm sorry to have worried you!

Rong Lianhu stood to the side, his eyes slightly red, but he still maintained his dignity and snorted: "You brat, you've been gone for more than ten years without even a word!"

Fu Ya took a while to let go of Rong Jiaojiao. Rong Jiaojiao turned around and hugged her father, saying in a muffled voice, "Dad, I'm sorry."

Rong Lianhu stiffened, then finally sighed and patted her back hard: "It's good that you're back."

The surrounding old neighbors all sighed with emotion—

"Old Rong, is this your daughter?"

"Oh, I'm so glad you're back! Your mom's been nagging you about it every day!"

"How come this girl hasn't aged at all?"

After Fu Ya released Rong Jiaojiao, she noticed Qing Xuanzi, Mo Bai, and Zi Ling standing to the side. She was especially taken aback when she saw the little girl with purple hair and purple eyes: "This is..."

Fu Ya's eyes widened as her gaze lingered on Zi Ling, Mo Bai, and Rong Jiaojiao.

Zi Ling blinked her big eyes and obediently bowed, "Hello, Master, Daddy and Mommy, I am Zi Ling!"

"Ziling?" Rong's mother was extremely shocked. She almost blurted out "that little ferret," but fortunately she remembered that they were in public.

I crouched down and picked it up. I thought it would be quite heavy, but it was surprisingly light.

Holding Ziling in one arm and Rong Jiaojiao by the other, she turned to Qing Xuanzi and Mo Bai and said, "Brother Qing Xuan, Mo Bai, let's go inside and talk."

Fu Ya still remembered what Mo Bai looked like when she first met him more than ten years ago. She never expected that after so long, his appearance hadn't changed at all, but his temperament had become even more composed.

Rong Lianhu also snapped out of his shock and nodded repeatedly: "Yes, let's go inside and talk!"

Many neighbors greeted Qing Xuanzi, saying, "Master Qing Xuan, you must come to our house for a visit this time. Our chef has developed some new dishes."

"Hey, Lao He, that's not right of you. You should have gone to my house first..."

After Rong Jiaojiao reached out and hugged Ziling, she asked Fu Ya, "Mom, why is Master so popular?"

Zi Ling struggled to get down, holding Fu Ya's hand in one hand and her master's hand in the other, with a bright smile.

Fu Ya looked at Zi Ling with affection before explaining, "Every time Brother Qingxuan comes, he treats the neighbors' illnesses. Minor ailments are cured on the spot, and for major ailments, he either prescribes medicine or gives it away for free. The medicine is remarkably effective."

"Nowadays, he's the 'miracle doctor' of our retirement home, and everyone looks forward to his visits."

Zi Ling skipped along, occasionally looking up to give Rong Jiaojiao and Fu Ya a sweet smile.

Looking at the little one's lively appearance, Fu Ya couldn't help but reach out and ruffle her soft purple hair.

“This child is so lovable.” Fu Ya said, then suddenly lowered her voice, “Jiaojiao, are you married to Mo Bai?”

Rong Jiaojiao's ears burned, and she shook her head, saying, "Mom, we definitely need your and Dad's approval to get married."

She pursed her lips and said, "We just got back from a mission and came home. This trip was also to get your and Dad's opinions."

Mo Bai, who was walking behind, paused slightly, and the corners of his lips unconsciously turned up.

Qing Xuanzi stroked his beard and gave him a displeased look.

The group chatted and laughed until they reached their doorstep. The others, knowing how rare it was for them to get together, said their goodbyes and left.

Before Rong Lianhu retired, he had only been promoted to deputy division commander, so the house in the retirement home was a small two-story building, only slightly larger than the one he had lived in at the original garrison.

Rong Lianhu opened the door, and everyone filed in.

The living room was clean and tidy, with the furniture arranged in an orderly manner. Some old photos hung on the wall, recording the little things in this family's life.