It was already 6 p.m., and turmoil rippled through the Jin household.
Haoran paced back and forth, muttering under his breath, while Lianhua's hands trembled as she adjusted her robe for the fifth time. Both wore the same uneasy tension in their eyes.
Tonight was the night of the family gathering—yet instead of excitement, an invisible weight hung in the air.
Jin Chi stood ready long before them, quietly observing the storm that brewed inside his home.
It was time to set forth.
His parents drew their swords, which shimmered faintly under the silver moonlight. With a swift, fluid motion, they stepped onto their blades—and lifted into the night sky.
Jin Chi grabbed his father's arm, heart pounding as the wind roared past him.
The stars stretched endlessly above, the glowing city below shrinking into a blur of light.
For the first time, he was flying—really flying—and every beat of his heart echoed with awe.
"Father," Jin Chi shouted over the wind, "is this safe?"
"Of course," Haoran replied confidently. Then, after a pause, he muttered, "Well… probably."
"WHAT?!"
Lianhua laughed softly. "Don't scare him."
Jin Chi clung tighter to his father's sleeve.
They landed at 7:40 p.m., their feet touching the soft, glowing grass of a mystical garden. The air shimmered faintly, filled with the scent of blooming spirit flowers.
At the center stood a grand, round table, empty except for the three of them.
"It seems no one else has arrived yet," Lianhua said with a gentle smile.
They exchanged glances and began guessing who might show up first—Haoran betting on his elder brother, Lianhua insisting it'd be the talkative aunt who never stopped bragging about her son's cultivation rank.
Before long, glowing silhouettes appeared at the garden's edge—a man, a woman, and a child.
"Haoran, Lianhua! It's been far too long," the man greeted warmly, though his aura carried the steady confidence of a seasoned cultivator.
Lianhua's eyes softened. "Yes… and this must be your little tempest, Jin! How he's grown!"
Haoran chuckled, pride swelling in his chest. "Indeed. Jin Chi, greet your uncle and aunt."
He turned to his son, his tone both gentle and firm. "Chi, this is their son. He's a year older than you. Be polite—and don't start any duels."
Jin Chi blinked. "...That was one time."
The parents exchanged amused smiles as the boys slipped away toward the garden.
Lanterns swayed gently in the evening breeze, casting playful shadows over mossy paths. The boys wandered deeper, laughter mingling with the rustle of leaves.
"Wow… this place is amazing," Jin Chi whispered.
The older boy grinned. "It's even better when you know all the secret paths. Come on—I'll show you!"
They dashed through glowing flowers and over tiny bridges, Jin Chi's laughter echoing in the still air. When his fingertips brushed a radiant petal, a faint pulse of energy tingled through him—alive, mysterious, and thrilling.
For Jin Chi, this wasn't just play. It was a taste of freedom, of wonder—and perhaps the first whisper of destiny.
"I'm a year older than you," the boy said proudly. "So, if you've got questions, ask away."
Jin Chi's eyes sparkled. "How many tiers are there in cultivation manuals?"
The boy straightened, glad to show off. "Three main ones—Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced. Each has smaller stages. Our teacher says you'll learn the details next year."
"Next year?" Jin Chi pouted. "That's so far away!"
"Yeah, patience isn't really your thing, is it?"
Before Jin Chi could respond, a sharp voice cut through the air.
"Boys! Come back!"
They returned reluctantly, the older boy whispering, "Next time, I'll show you the hidden pond. Just don't tell the adults—it's way cooler."
By the time they got back, more guests had arrived. The garden buzzed with conversation and laughter, warm light flickering off polished jade cups and silk robes.
The grandparents doted on them endlessly, their smiles full of love. "Look at you, Chi! Taller already! Eat more spirit dumplings!"
"Yes, Grandma," Jin Chi said, cheeks puffed as she piled his plate again and again.
Laughter filled the night. For Jin Chi, it was the first time he truly understood what "family warmth" meant.
When it was time to leave, hugs were exchanged, and blessings whispered.
"Take care, Chi," his grandparents said softly. "Come back soon."
Jin Chi nodded, heart full.
---
The next week passed in a blur of classes and cultivation practice. Soon came the day of the report cards.
Jin Chi's score: 99.9%.
His classmates gawked.
His teacher nearly fainted from pride.
Jin Chi, however, only scratched his head. "Hmm… guess I made a small mistake."
Later that day, his homeroom teacher approached him.
"Jin Chi, the Cultivation Instructor wants to meet you—ground floor, room 12F. Immediately."
Haoran and Lianhua were called in as well.
Both were nervous, walking down the hall with stiff smiles.
They knocked gently.
"Ah, there you are—Haoran, Lianhua. Please, come in," the cultivation teacher greeted, eyes sharp yet kind.
Jin Chi blinked. Wait… do they already know each other?
Haoran and Lianhua bowed respectfully, their composure unusually formal.
The teacher sighed, waving his hand. "Why so stiff? It's not like I'm the Emperor."
Lianhua laughed nervously. "So… what did you want to discuss?"
The teacher's expression softened as he looked at Jin Chi. "It's about your son. His performance is extraordinary. We've decided to advance him directly to Grade Four. If his progress continues, he might even skip Grade Five."
Lianhua gasped. Haoran's proud smile nearly split his face.
Jin Chi's jaw dropped. "Wait… really?! I didn't even get to enjoy Grade Three snacks yet!"
The teacher chuckled. "You'll survive. I'll inform the principal—you may go now."
As they turned to leave, he called out, "Haoran, Lianhua—let's catch up sometime. It's been a while, hasn't it?"
The couple exchanged smiles. "Indeed, it has," Haoran said.
The three began reminiscing, their laughter fading as Jin Chi was sent outside to wait by the front gate.
The evening breeze brushed against his face as he stood there, lost in thought.
On the way home, he finally asked, "Father, Mother… how do you know my cultivation teacher?"
Haoran's lips curled into a mysterious smile. "That," he said, "is a story for another day."
Jin Chi frowned. "That's what people always say before something dramatic happens…"
Lianhua only laughed softly. "Then maybe something will."
As the lanterns flickered and the night deepened, Jin Chi gazed up at the moon, feeling the faint stirring of destiny once again.
His parents' past, his own gift, and the unseen threads of fate—all quietly weaving together.
And he knew—this was only the beginning.
---
Next Chapter: Advancing and Friends