Back at Chen Chao's mountain peak…
Inside the grand hall of his mansion, silence lingered for just a moment after the heavy doors shut.
Then—
"BROTHER!" Feng Yumo practically shouted as he rushed in behind Chen Chao. "What the fudge was that?!"
He grabbed Chen Chao's shoulders like he was shaking the truth out of him.
"You awakened the second-ranked physique?! And I'm not trash either?! What the hell is going on with us?!"
Chen Chao blinked at him.
Yumo let go and sighed dramatically, collapsing onto one of the cushions like he'd aged ten years. "Damn… now I kinda regret training so hard with Uncle Hei. That old man tortured us. Look at my hands!" He lifted them pitifully. "They used to be soft and fair, perfect for caressing delicate maiden bottoms. Now? They're like bricks! What am I supposed to do with these thick-ass hands?!"
Chen Chao stared at him speechlessly.
A long pause. Then a scoff.
"Do you really think just because we're talented, we can afford to slack off?" he asked, sitting opposite Yumo and folding his arms. "So what if I have a divine root and some second-ranked physique? Without hard work and determination, how can I surpass the world?"
His eyes sharpened, gleaming with something fierce, something endless. "I've read about the Immortal Realm. I've read about worlds beyond this one, immortal cities floating through the void, emperors who command galaxies. I don't want to just live comfortably here. I want more. I want to fly to the heavens. I want to become an immortal. I want it all!"
Yumo stared at him, mouth slightly open.
"…Bro, you look a little scary right now," he muttered, leaning away. "You've got that same crazy look the Yun Clan's bulky patriarch gets when he visits my dad and starts rambling about treasures and money…"
Chen Chao blinked, then coughed and rubbed the back of his head. "Ahem. Sorry. Got a bit carried away."
"A bit?" Yumo said, still staring at him warily.
"Anyway," Chen Chao continued, changing the subject, "What are you going to do now?"
"My father summoned me to the family for a meeting," Yumo said, tone a bit more serious. "Probably wants to know how the 'trash' son he forgot about ended up with a ranked physique. I'll go, but I'll be back here after."
Chen Chao nodded. "Good. I'm having dinner with my mom and dad tonight anyway. We'll meet up when we're back."
That evening, in a cozy dining hall lit with warm golden lamps…
Chen Chao sat at the large wooden table, surrounded by dishes that steamed and sizzled—spirit beast roast, lotus root soup, fragrant rice with cloud mushrooms.
Sitting beside him, Granny chuckled as she ruffled his hair with her withered yet gentle hand.
"I always knew my little lion was talented," she said with a smile full of pride. "But not this talented! That display today… Heavens above, you nearly gave your poor granny a heart attack. But you made me proud, little lad. Very proud. Just don't get complacent—keep training hard, you hear me?"
Chen Chao grinned wide.
Then his grin turned sharp. His eyes darkened with that same intense gleam from before.
"I know, Granny. I'll train even harder. I want to rise above everyone. Reach the peak. I want it all."
His voice was quiet but dangerous, like a vow carved into steel.
Across the table, his mother, froze mid-bite. "…Ah-Chao…?" she murmured, a little worried by that wild look in his eyes.
His father, only laughed heartily.
"Hahaha! That's the spirit of a true Chen! My boy's finally showing his ambition! Good! GOOD!"
Granny blinked, then pinched his cheek lightly. "Don't scare your poor mother, child. There's a difference between ambition and obsession."
Chen Chao blinked, snapped out of it again, and rubbed his face sheepishly. "Right, sorry."
His mother gave him a wary glance, but his father just poured another drink, clearly in a great mood.
Dinner continued with warm conversation, laughter, and the scent of home—while deep in Chen Chao's heart, a fire had begun to burn brighter than ever before.