The moment Qingfeng appeared, Baobao, who had been quietly resting on Han Xuan's shoulder, suddenly let out a croak in greeting toward the falcon.
Qingfeng replied with a crisp chirp.
"Alright, that's enough. A toad and a bird are watching!" Shui Lanyue exclaimed, flustered, quickly pulling herself out of Han Xuan's embrace.
'Mother… I'm also here!' Han Qixing thought, speechless.
Han Xuan nodded seriously, "You're right. We should restrain ourselves in front of the children."
'That includes me… right?' Han Qixing looked at his father uncertainly, unsure if he had been acknowledged or forgotten entirely.
Han Xuan glanced at the small falcon and immediately noticed that its aura had already surpassed Han Qixing's by one whole realm.
Qingfeng, like Baobao, was a True Spirit—specifically, a Starcrest Sword Falcon. It was one of the rewards Han Xuan had received when Han Qixing was born. Later, he named it Qingfeng.
However, unlike Baobao, who hatched merely three days after Han Xuan obtained it, Qingfeng had taken five full years to emerge from its egg, hatching precisely when Han Qixing turned five and first began guiding Qi into his body.
Because of this, Baobao's cultivation was naturally much higher than Qingfeng's.
Even so, Qingfeng's cultivation still surpassed that of Han Qixing, despite Han Qixing possessing a Rank 3 spiritual root. Moreover, the little falcon had never consumed any special resources since its hatching. It had simply eaten whatever common pills the family provided—just like Baobao. Had it been nurtured properly with tailored resources, its progress would have been far more frightening.
Still, resources were not essential for either Baobao or Qingfeng.
As True Spirits, they could advance naturally without the aid of special treasures—unlike humans bound by their spiritual roots, cultivation techniques, or breakthrough pills, or demon beasts limited by their bloodline.
For True Spirits, advancement was merely a matter of time.
The only drawback of True Spirits was the same flaw shared by most demon beasts—they possessed extraordinarily long lifespans, even longer than common demon beasts. As a result, their cultivation speed was naturally slower.
The only reason Baobao and Qingfeng were progressing so quickly now was that they were still in Rank 1. Once they advanced to Rank 2 or higher, their cultivation would slow dramatically, far more so than humans—unless they were provided with special treasures uniquely suited to their innate talents.
Qingfeng was a True Spirit possessing three attributes: wind, metal, and star—making it a perfect match for Han Qixing, who bore the Seven Star Sword Body.
Han Xuan wasn't sure whether the system had intentionally designed Qingfeng for his son, but if it had, then it was certainly a fortunate arrangement.
Because they shared similar attributes, Han Qixing and Qingfeng got along exceptionally well. Not only did they play together, but they also trained side by side every single day.
Yet Han Xuan couldn't help harboring a small doubt.
According to the records he had read, True Spirits were inherently proud creatures—their arrogance was etched into their bones, flowing through their noble blood from the moment of birth. Even when tamed, they never truly shed their innate pride.
But Baobao and Qingfeng… were completely off-track.
Although they were a little mischievous, they were nowhere near arrogant. If anything, they were more silly than prideful.
Just look at them—one looked like a perfectly ordinary toad, the other like a small falcon barely different from common avians.
If they had even a trace of typical True Spirit nature, they would have resisted Han Xuan's unreasonable demand to disguise themselves as ordinary demon beasts.
Han Xuan suspected that perhaps their inherited memories, which passed down from their powerful ancestors, had been wiped clean by the system before they became his rewards.
But since this was beneficial for him and his family, Han Xuan had no complaints. If anything, he felt grateful to the system.
Han Qixing returned to his training with Qingfeng perched on his shoulder.
Meanwhile, Shui Lanyue turned to Han Xuan with a curious expression, "Husband, why didn't you tell me that Huoyan is pregnant?"
Han Xuan raised a brow and teased, "Who was it that ran away in the middle of our conversation last night? I didn't even have the chance to tell you."
Recalling that conversation from the previous night, Shui Lanyue's cheeks flushed slightly, though she quickly regained her composure.
Han Xuan slipped an arm around her again, "Did Huoyan tell you herself?"
"She told me this morning," Shui Lanyue replied softly. Joy surfaced in her eyes.
Shui Lanyue grew emotional, "Huoyan always looked happy when caring for Xing'er, treating him like her own child. But deep down, I knew she longed for a child of her own. After decades of waiting, she had almost given up and dedicated herself completely to raising Xing'er. But now, not only is she finally pregnant… she's carrying twins. All her efforts have finally been rewarded…"
Han Xuan nodded, "Mhm. Our efforts to make children all these years are finally bearing fruit."
Shui Lanyue immediately pinched his waist, embarrassed by his implicit wording.
"She has been pushing herself too hard lately," Han Xuan said, tone turning serious, "Lanyue, I hope you can look after her, just in case anything happens to her womb."
Shui Lanyue nodded solemnly, "Don't worry, husband. I'll take care of her."
"Thank you, Lanyue." Han Xuan paused before adding, "By the way, Xing'er agreed to participate in the Hundred Sects Recruitment. In a month, he'll start competing with the other children in Blueleaf County. If he's lucky, he might enter the main competition in Starfall City."
Shui Lanyue glanced at her son practicing in the courtyard with his spirit beast, and a soft sigh escaped her lips, "I just hope everything goes well."
"Don't worry," Han Xuan murmured, kissing the top of her head, "I will protect him from any danger… even if it comes from the Chen Family."
A cold glint flickered in his eyes.
"Speaking of the Chen Family," Shui Lanyue said, brows furrowing, "How are you planning to resolve that matter, husband? We can't rely solely on Xing'er entering a sect. What if he fails to pass the recruitment?"
Han Xuan was silent for a moment before he let out a quiet sigh, "I will go to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion."
Shui Lanyue's eyes widened as she snapped her head toward him, "You… you're finally willing to see her?"
Han Xuan's expression turned complicated, "…That is the only way."
✽ ✽ ✽
Approaching noon, Han Xuan made his way to Blueleaf Market and opened the Hollow Tavern as he did every day.
Business had grown quiet lately, but a handful of regulars still came by—people like Gu Jiuye, who wasn't afraid of offending Chen Wuye. Most of them were casual cultivators who simply couldn't live without good wine.
The tavern's wooden sign creaked softly as a gentle breeze passed through the market street. Inside, the aroma of warm spirit wine drifted through the air, mingling with the faint scent of aged wood.
Gu Jiuye raised a hand lazily from his usual seat near the counter, "Morning, Brother Han. Slow day again?"
Han Xuan gave a faint smile as he wiped the counter, "When has it not been slow lately?"
Another customer, Wang Dazhu, snorted and chimmed in, "That Chen Wuye is getting more and more unbearable. Just because he's the fifth young master of the Chen Family, he thinks he can dictate which wine he likes and which taverns others can't enter. Truly shameless."
Han Xuan didn't respond immediately. He simply poured a cup of Hollow Spirit Wine and placed it in front of him.
"Careful," Han Xuan said quietly. "The Chen Family has ears everywhere."
"Bah." Wang Dazhu raised the cup, "If they want to play petty games over wine, let them. But suppressing your tavern just because you refused to water down their order? That's beyond petty. It's disgusting."
Several other regulars nodded in agreement.
"Chen Wuye always had a narrow heart."
"Brother Han, you're too soft. You should've slapped him with the wine jar!"
Han Xuan chuckled, "If I slapped him, the tavern wouldn't be standing today."
The comment earned a round of laughter, though it quickly faded—because everyone knew it was true.
Business had dropped drastically since the Chen Family started causing trouble. Suppliers backed away, merchants became cautious, and many customers avoided the tavern altogether for fear of becoming targets.
Gu Jiuye leaned forward, lowering his voice, "Brother Han… have you thought about going to them? Maybe lowering your head just once?"
Han Xuan paused his cleaning.
A complicated emotion flashed behind his calm eyes. He said, "I will handle it."
Gu Jiuye noticed the shift and didn't push further, "If you need help, just say the word."
Han Xuan smiled faintly, "I appreciate it, Brother Gu."
Just then, a shadow flickered past the window—swift and deliberate.
Han Xuan's brows knitted together.
A man stepped into the tavern, cloaked in a long dark robe, a faint, oppressive aura pressuring the room ever so slightly. His eyes swept over the interior before settling on Han Xuan.
The tavern suddenly grew quiet.
Even Gu Jiuye sat up straight.
The man cupped his hands slightly, "Owner Han. My young master invites you for a discussion."
Han Xuan's expression didn't change, but his heart sank ever so slightly. He asked evenly, "Which young master?"
The man smiled thinly, "Young Master Chen Wuye."
The air froze for a moment.
"I see," Han Xuan calmly set down the cup he had been polishing. He looked at the man, "Tell your young master that I will meet him soon… but not today."
A ripple of surprise crossed the man's eyes—he hadn't expected refusal.
"Young Master Chen does not like waiting."
Han Xuan's gaze hardened, "Then he must learn patience."
Gu Jiuye almost choked on his wine.
The robed messenger stared at Han Xuan for a long moment before finally turning around, "Very well. I will convey your words."
As he left the tavern, the tension in the air slowly dissipated.
Gu Jiuye whistled, "Brother Han… you're courting death."
Han Xuan shrugged simply.