Chapter 329: Not a Big Deal

Wang Sheng lay on the sofa, looking exhausted.

Mu Wanxuan adjusted her skirt and sat beside him. She gently massaged her junior brother's forehead with her delicate hands, strands of cool aura flowing from her fingertips.

Wang Xiaomiao, who was in pajamas with little monster patterns, shifted awkwardly nearby. She didn't quite know how to ease the embarrassment from just now.

"Little Sheng, what's wrong with you? Are you hurt?" their father asked with worry.

Wang Sheng smiled. "I just used a little too much spirit. It's nothing serious."

Mu Wanxuan just kept quietly working to ease his fatigue.

His mother lowered her voice. "Those things on the news... did you do all those?"

Before Wang Sheng could downplay it, Mu Wanxuan nodded solemnly. "

Mm!

"

She looked full of pride, as if she felt glory in her junior brother's feats.

Wang Sheng's family fell silent.

Thirteen years ago, Wang Sheng had supposedly died a heroic death. Now, just a few days after he returned, he had gone to the Saros Empire and covered one of its cities with heavenly tribulation. He then moved to Sakura Island, where he destroyed one of Dami's military bases, shaking the world with yet another storm. He even exposed the Jialington Group's dark secrets through the research facility that was under the base.

Now, seeing him lying on the sofa, his head resting on the slender legs of the fairy-like beauty who massaged him with tender care, his parents could not help but think,

This brat is clearly just pretending to be worn out so he can enjoy the benefits!

Somehow, they felt as though their son wasn't quite the same as before, leaving them with a faint sense of unfamiliarity. The night before, they had already discussed the matter in private and agreed that he had not truly changed; the unfamiliar feeling was likely just the result of being apart for so long.

In truth, as long as a cultivator's Dao Heart remained steady, his nature would not shift easily.

Wang Xiaomiao clasped her hands behind her back and walked over. Forgetting her earlier embarrassment, she sat obediently near Wang Sheng. "Big Brother, you're back already?"

"I've already finished my mission, so there was no harm in returning," Wang Sheng answered as he opened his eyes a little. He then smiled. "Senior Sister, Huai Jing, and Shi Qianzhang will handle the rest. That reminds me, they'll be coming over this afternoon. Dad, can we have some food delivered?"

"Of course! I'll do that now!" His father left with his phone to call a familiar restaurant.

Wang Xiaomiao smacked her lips and began firing one question after another. Amused, Wang Sheng did his best to answer in detail. Most of her questions were not the kind that a young girl ought to be asking, though.

"Big Brother, what made you suspicious of that military base? If you hadn't uncovered those dark secrets, wouldn't this incident have risked sparking a full-scale war between the Hua Republic and the Dami Empire?

"Big Brother, that technique that made seven swords fall at once was incredible! Why didn't you just use that move from the very beginning, though? Did you really have to exchange blows with the enemy first before delivering such a powerful strike?

"Now that Sakura Island is under public pressure, they'll have no choice but to put pressure on the Dami Empire. What you've done will likely result in protests across Sakura Island, followed by waves of cultivators attacking every Dami military base in its territory, forcing them to withdraw.

"Our nation will temporarily benefit from that, but if Sakura Island is freed from the Dami Empire's grip, some of their people may eventually gain access to our cultivation techniques. Won't they one day become a hidden threat to us, Big Brother... Big Brother?"

Several pairs of eyes stared at Wang Xiaomiao. She shrank and weakly muttered, "What...? Did I say something wrong?"

Wang Sheng groaned and flopped back down, pretending to be out cold. Meanwhile, Mu Wanxuan gave Wang Xiaomiao an approving look. She pressed one hand on her junior brother's brow and summoned her phone with the other. A few lines appeared on the screen.

We didn't consider so many consequences when we acted. You're really thoughtful, Xiaomiao. That's what Mistress and the others are here for, though. We carried out this operation on their orders, so this shouldn't cause any major problems.

"That's right," Wang Sheng murmured faintly, "Mistress said we can keep fighting."

"Xiaomiao, why are you spending your time worrying about world affairs instead of studying properly at school?" their mother scolded. "You're still a child! Why aren't your grades in politics excellent if you care so much?"

"What's wrong with us young people caring about international matters, Mom?" Xiaomiao retorted indignantly. She then laughed awkwardly and waved her phone. "The people posting comments online are basically all experts. I just repeated what they said."

The room broke into laughter, and Xiaomiao secretly rolled her eyes.

Even at home, the conversation naturally circled back to the events that had transpired on Sakura Island at dawn. Their mother brought out some fruit and, as if remembering something, carried over a pile of Xiaomiao's snacks as well.

A little past noon, the rest of their party arrived, and the house became lively.

Qing Yanzi, Jingyun, and Xi Lian accompanied Zhou Yinglong, Hao Ling, Shi Qianzhang, and Huai Jing, who had all returned safely. Mou Yue was also with them, radiating a motherly presence.

The living room was quickly filled. Naturally, Qing Yanzi, Jingyun, and Xi Lian took the main seats.

As guests, no one should be left standing. Hence, even Wang Sheng, who had been lounging on Mu Wanxuan's legs like a lord, was forced to squeeze into a corner with her. They were each perched on a small stool, sitting obediently without a word.

"Regardless of how things develop, you all did well this time," Qing Yanzi commended.

𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Wang Sheng finally felt his heart relax. The censure of the world was nothing compared to a few words of reproach from his master.

Qing Yanzi then frowned. "Still, you were too soft, Little Sheng. You should have immediately killed the researchers who were conducting human experiments. As long as they live, their work will continue, and more innocents will suffer."

Wang Sheng thought carefully. With a serious expression, he slowly nodded.

Jingyun asked, "Little Sheng, the lightning you called down those two times from your heavenly tribulation didn't look like an ordinary lightning technique. What's the story behind that?"

Wang Sheng smiled bitterly. "I'd tell you everything about it if I could, Martial Aunt, but all I'm allowed to share is that it stemmed from a sudden comprehension. The moment I had an insight, the heavens warned me that I cannot share it with others. If I do, heavenly might will descend, and I'll be forbidden from exploring it further. Before Princess Yaoyun died, she told me that if I were to receive three heavenly warnings, the Great Dao would abandon me."

"

Before I died?!

" Yaoyun telepathically exclaimed.

The sword case behind Wang Sheng trembled twice. A corner struck the back of his head, drawing everyone's gaze.

Qing Yanzi coughed lightly, redirecting their attention. "

Ahem.

Mou Yue, report the latest news."

"Got it." Mou Yue took out her phone and did as instructed. She then shared intelligence that hadn't been released to the public yet.

Though still at the peak of the Heavenly Abode Realm, Wang Sheng had shown power that rivaled an Ascension Realm cultivator. It was a pleasant surprise that had shocked everyone.

Sakura Island had lodged a stern protest with the Dami Empire. Public outrage was growing, and crowds were surrounding Dami's military bases. The four great hidden villages of Sakura Island had even issued a global summons, calling shadow dwellers back home clearly to prepare for a major upheaval.

These developments were exactly as a certain "comment-section genius" had predicted, making Wang Sheng regard his younger sister with newfound astonishment.

In a gentle tone, Mou Yue added, "Most nations have condemned the Dami Empire, which claims that the Jialington Group deceived them and that they weren't aware of the research. They'll use the usual tactics: the military will push out a few scapegoats and make a public show of cutting away the so-called "cancer." They'll then shift their support for Jialington into the shadows.

"Dami's hatred toward us now runs deep, but you shouldn't worry. We stand on the side of justice, and we are ready to defend our nation's territory at any time."

Everyone nodded in agreement.

"Little Sheng, what are your plans now?" Qing Yanzi asked. "As your master, I think you should focus on cultivation for now. The two heavenly tribulations you've summoned should be enough to intimidate the petty troublemakers around us. Now, staying out of sight will be even more effective than showing yourself."

Wang Sheng pondered for a moment. "Master, I can't help but worry about the Blood-Dissolving Divine Swords. Speaking of, did we manage to retrieve the two swords in the underground laboratory?"

"Yes, we did. They were given to Big Sister," Shi Qianzhang replied.

Xi Lian frowned slightly and looked away.

"Two swords? Wasn't there only one?" Mou Yue asked softly.

"The broadcast clearly showed two," Xiaomiao chimed in.

All eyes turned to Xi Lian, making a corner of the half-immortal fox's mouth twitch. She straightened her back and put on a fearless air, seemingly showing that she would not flinch even before boiling water.

"Don't look at me. I don't have it. I gave it away."

Wang Sheng was puzzled. "You gave it away? To whom?"

"Well, I came across the Sakura Island cultivator who looked pretty miserable again... You know, the guy named Akiu Masayo or something." Xi Lian smiled slyly. "Since I just so happen to know a little artifact crafting, I altered the sword's properties to make it feed on the wielder's soul. That way, he can draw out its power temporarily. He can't unleash power beyond the sword's limit, though. At most, he'll become as strong as a peak Golden Core Realm cultivator. It won't cause too much trouble, so don't worry."

Wang Sheng frowned. "Master, does Sakura Island have cultivators who are as strong as peak Golden Core Realm cultivators?"

Qing Yanzi shook his head. "Never heard of any."

Wang Sheng could not help recalling Akiu Masayo's face, filled with despair. He rubbed his brow in silence, then sighed. "This may become troublesome. If he uses that weapon to spark some upheaval, it could result in rivers of blood."

"

Pfft.

" Xi Lian sneered. "Why worry so much? Let them fight among themselves."

Wang Sheng shook his head. "You're right."

He then dropped the matter. After all, raising dogs could never produce tigers. It wasn’t that big of a deal.