Chapter 1045: A Family Reunion

On the Eastern Sea, as the void trembled, Xiao Nanfeng and the three Qing Grandmasters emerged from his world of the heart.

"Nanfeng!" the women exclaimed joyfully, rushing toward him.

Xiao Hongye and Tan Xianzhi also breathed sighs of relief.

"We greet the Heavenly Emperor!" The officials of Dazheng bowed with delight.

Xiao Nanfeng comforted the women and nodded to the officials. Then, he turned to his parents and said, "Father, Mother, we've won. Let's talk more once we return home."

Xiao Hongye and Tan Xianzhi smiled and nodded.

"Greetings, Grandmasters," Xia Yu'er, Zhang Lingjun, and Lan Yaoguang bowed to the three Qing Grandmasters.

The three Qing Grandmasters nodded but said nothing. With a flicker, they vanished from sight.

Having just obtained half of the golden tree, they urgently needed to find a place to meditate and comprehend its secrets.

Xiao Nanfeng exhaled in relief as he watched the grandmasters leave. He turned to the crowd and said, "Alright, let's head back."

"Got it!" Everyone nodded in agreement.

Before long, they arrived at Yongding.

Within the imperial palace of Yongding was a plot of land that was preserved exactly as it had been when it was still part of the Xiao family residence. It was meticulously maintained and cleaned daily.

Xiao Hongye and Tan Xianzhi glanced at their old home with a wave of nostalgia.

"It hasn't been easy for you all these years, has it?" Xiao Hongye sighed.

Tan Xianzhi's eyes were also filled with heartache.'

While others envied Xiao Nanfeng's glorious achievements—the fact that he had become the Heavenly Emperor in little more than a decade—his parents focused on the hardships he must have endured.

"It was tough, but I made it through. And I've found my other half—or rather, halves—along the way. It's all been worth it," Xiao Nanfeng said with a smile.

Xiao Hongye and Tan Xianzhi glanced at the six women, their expressions slightly awkward. Their son certainly had quite a lot of halves, didn't he?

The women blushed under their in-laws' gaze and shot Xiao Nanfeng annoyed looks.

Everyone laughed. Xiao Hongye and Tan Xianzhi gathered the women around and shared many stories about Xiao Nanfeng's childhood with them.

Xiao Nanfeng said, "Father, Mother, you'll likely have to restart your spiritual cultivation from scratch. Although we've severed the Superior's soul, there might still be lingering issues with Body of Yin. You can't continue practicing it. I've collected countless cultivation techniques from across the world within Dazheng's treasure. You can choose from any of them."

Xiao Hongye nodded. "Got it. Your mother and I will select new techniques to cultivate."

Tan Xianzhi added, "Now that you've established yourself, your father and I don't need to worry about you anymore. I've always dreamed of traveling the world and experiencing its wonders. Now, I finally have the chance to do so. Once we've laid a solid foundation, we'll set out on our journey."

Xiao Nanfeng nodded. "That's a good idea. When you're tired from traveling, you can always come back. Though, in a few years, you might not have as much freedom."

"Oh?"

Xiao Nanfeng smiled. "In a few years, I'll surely have children of my own. By then, I'll need your help to look after them. And when my children are older, if you want to travel, you'll have to take them with you. How much free time will you really have?"

Tan Xianzhi and Xiao Hongye burst into laughter. "You rascal."

The women, however, blushed furiously and glared at Xiao Nanfeng. Only the presence of their in-laws kept them from having a stronger reaction.

Xiao Nanfeng suddenly turned to Zhang Lingjun and asked, "By the way, did you find it?"

Zhang Lingjun nodded. She extended her hand, and a glowing sphere appeared in her palm. With a gentle push, a red-furred monster was extracted from the sphere. The monster was unconscious, seemingly sealed by some mysterious technique.

Xiao Nanfeng's expression turned serious as he stepped forward. With a wave of his hand, red light shot toward the red-furred monster.

Xiao Hongye asked curiously, "Are you removing the curse from this red-furred lifeform?"

Xiao Nanfeng nodded. "It's one of the secret techniques I obtained from the Taiqing Grandmaster earlier. I've already studied it, and it's not difficult."

Xiao Hongye frowned. "Who is this?"

Xiao Nanfeng smiled. "Father, you'll find out soon enough."

Xiao Hongye, still puzzled, watched along with everyone else as the red-furred monster slowly transformed into an old man. The old man was none other than Xiao Nanfeng's master, Ku Jiang.

Ku Jiang trembled slightly, as if waking from a deep sleep, and slowly opened his eyes.

"Master!" Xia Xiaoyu exclaimed in excitement as she rushed forward.

"Master!" Xiao Nanfeng also stepped forward with a smile.

Xiao Hongye and Tan Xianzhi, seeing their old friend, also brightened up.

Upon waking, Ku Jiang looked around at everyone for long moments, thinking he was dreaming. It took long moments for him to realize that it was reality.

"Nanfeng, Yu'er? And... Zhang Lingjun?" Ku Jiang exclaimed.

Zhang Lingjun bowed. "Greetings, Master Ku."

"Greetings, Master Ku." The other women also bowed.

Although Madam Rouge, the Divine Emperor, and Liu Miaoyin were beyond Ku Jiang in status, they knew he was Xiao Nanfeng's master. Xiao Nanfeng had been under Ku Jiang's care in his formative years, which had led to his current success. Naturally, they followed Xiao Nanfeng's lead in showing respect to him.

Ku Jiang nodded curiously at the women.

Tan Xianzhi smiled and said, "Senior Brother Ku, these are all my daughters-in-law."

Ku Jiang gaped. He shot Xiao Nanfeng a look. He recognized some of the women—Yu'er was his disciple, Lan Yaoguang was Lan Jiguang's daughter, Zhang Lingjun was Yu Fuli's granddaughter, and the Divine Emperor was a former cursed king. Although he hadn't met Madam Rouge and Liu Miaoyin, it didn't stop him from giving Xiao Nanfeng a look that clearly intimated, "This disciple of mine is really something."

Xiao Hongye laughed. "Senior Brother Ku, my son is impressive, isn't he?"

"Just like you, he certainly has a lot going on," Ku Jiang said.

Xiao Hongye noticed Tan Xianzhi's cold glare and quickly stiffened. "Senior Brother Ku, don't talk nonsense!"

Ku Jiang ignored Xiao Hongye and asked, "I was suddenly knocked out by someone. Can someone tell me what happened? And how did I turn back?"

Zhang Lingjun blushed and apologized, "Master Ku, I'm sorry for knocking you out in the past. I did it because—"

Xiao Nanfeng smiled. "Master, I asked Lingjun to find you. The situation was delicate, so I didn't wake you up."

Ku Jiang frowned. He could guess roughly what had happened. Xiao Nanfeng must not have been entirely respectful while negotiating with the Taiqing Grandmaster. To avoid putting Ku Jiang in an awkward position, Xiao Nanfeng had chosen to knock him out.

Then, everyone recounted the events of the past few years to Ku Jiang.

When Ku Jiang heard that Xiao Nanfeng had become the Heavenly Emperor, he was utterly stunned. How had his disciple achieved such heights in just a few years? He had thought Xiao Nanfeng would have a bright future in the Imperial Court, but becoming the Heavenly Emperor was far beyond his imagination.

Xiao Hongye laughed. "Senior Brother Ku, my son really is impressive, isn't he?"

Ku Jiang quickly recovered and smiled. "He's also my disciple. What's so surprising about that?"

Xiao Hongye laughed. "Haha, are you sure? Your eyes were as wide as saucers just now."

Ku Jiang retorted, "You're just full of nonsense. I don't believe you weren't shocked when you found out about Nanfeng's achievements."

Xiao Hongye said smugly, "No matter what, he's my son. If you're so capable, why don't you have one of your own?"

Ku Jiang rolled his eyes at Xiao Hongye, stating that having a disciple was just as good.

Everyone laughed. They all understood that this was just how Xiao Hongye and Ku Jiang interacted. They constantly bickered, but shared a deep bond.

After chatting for a while, Xiao Hongye said to Ku Jiang, "The things Nanfeng has to deal with are beyond us for now. Let's just enjoy our lives as carefree old men. When the time comes, you can join us on our travels."

Ku Jiang glared at Xiao Hongye. "Do I need you to tell me that? Do I look like someone who causes trouble?"

Xiao Nanfeng quickly said, "Master, you and my parents should stay here for a while and restore your cultivation for now."

Ku Jiang shook his head. "No need. Staying in your palace would attract too much attention, and I wouldn't feel comfortable. I prefer my old home. Is Taiqing Island still there?"

Xiao Nanfeng nodded. "Yes, of course! The Taiqing Immortal Sect is now under the control of my senior brother. The residence where you and I lived is still intact, and there are strong experts from Dazheng stationed there."

Ku Jiang nodded. "That's good. In a couple of days, have someone take me back to Taiqing Island."

Xiao Nanfeng smiled. "Of course, Master. I've also taken the liberty of preparing a cultivation space for you, right next to my parents' residence. You're welcome to stay here and visit Taiqing Island in your free time."

Ku Jiang nodded. "You've thought of everything. I'll come stay here sometime in the future. For now, have someone take me back to Taiqing Island in a couple of days."

"Very well!" Xiao Nanfeng nodded.

Ku Jiang nodded, then turned to Xiao Hongye and Tan Xianzhi. "When are you two coming to visit me? It's been a long time. We should have a drink together."

Xiao Hongye rolled his eyes. "We haven't even had much time for ourselves as a couple. Why would we go drink with an old bachelor like you? Do I look like I have nothing better to do?"

Ku Jiang glared at Xiao Hongye, while Tan Xianzhi blushed and pinched her husband.

Xiao Hongye relented with a sigh. "Alright, alright. I'll come find you soon enough."

"I've changed my mind. You're not welcome!" Ku Jiang said grumpily.

Xiao Nanfeng smiled but said nothing. His father and master were always bickering, but they were as close as sworn brothers.

A few days later, Ku Jiang returned to Taiqing Island. Xiao Hongye and Tan Xianzhi retrieved their original bodies, which they had hidden away, and began cultivating new techniques. They then set out on their journey to explore the world. Xiao Nanfeng had arranged for strong cultivators to accompany them, and the three of them didn't refuse his kindness. They knew that some people might target Xiao Nanfeng through them, and they didn't want to cause him any trouble.

With the resources provided by Dazheng and the generous gifts from Xiao Nanfeng and the women, the three had no need to worry about their cultivation.

After they left, Xiao Nanfeng threw himself into his duties. He first dealt with the state affairs that were piling up, then went into secluded cultivation with the women.

In his world of the heart, he retrieved his remaining half of the golden tree and let Madam Rouge, Liu Miaoyin, and the Divine Emperor study it while he focused on helping Xia Yu'er, Zhang Lingjun, and Lan Yaoguang break through. The nine-colored tree had refined a large amount of the Superior's spiritual power from the white-furred monsters, allowing him to help the three women subdue their moons.