The sun climbed over the eastern horizon as I crouched among the rubble of Listening Wave Pavilion, packing my things. My canvas bag held a change of clothes and the half-jar of Blood-Nourishing Pills that Elder Kai had insisted on stuffing in — the ceramic jar smooth and warm to the touch, carrying the mingled scent of seaweed and pearl.

Beside the ruins of the jade-stone pool, Elder Kai leaned on his dragon-headed staff, gazing at the churning sea, still as a weathered reef.

"Kid, you've really made up your mind to go?" He didn't turn around. The sea wind tore his words to shreds.

I wrapped the meteoric iron chopping board carefully in waterproofed oilcloth. "Elder Kai, my family's waiting for me."

Elder Kai turned. Sand from last night's battle was caught in the creases of his wrinkles. "Victor Jin let you go this time, but the White Tiger Hall's claws reach far. You walk back into that city, and you're walking into the tiger's mouth."

I patted the Wave-Breaker Blade at my hip. The water-ripple engravings on the scabbard shimmered faintly in the morning light. "The tiger's mouth? The way things stand now, they'd better think twice before they bare their teeth." The spiritual energy of the eighth level of Qi Cultivation flowed through my meridians. Every breath resonated with the moisture between heaven and earth, and that feeling of power gave me a solid confidence.

Elder Kai laughed suddenly, showing the gap where half a front tooth used to be. "All right. You've got the same ruthless edge your Uncle Zhang had back in the day." He fished an oilcloth bundle from his breast pocket. "Take this. Coral fragments I picked up on the beach — something for your boy to play with."

I took the bundle. It was hard to the touch, holding what felt like several jagged branches of red coral. The system chimed in my mind: Ding! Obtained low-grade spirit material: Crimson Coral.

"Thank you, Elder Kai." I clasped my hands in farewell. "I'll bring River to visit you when I get the chance."

Elder Kai waved me off, his staff dragging a deep furrow through the sand. "Get lost already. Don't keep me from my fishing."

When I left Listening Wave Pavilion, I made no use of the Concealment Art. My silhouette stood clear and sharp against the rocks in the full light of the sun — deliberately so, letting those faint ripples of spiritual energy hovering at the distant horizon catch sight of me. Baozheng Pavilion and the White Tiger Hall had dared to lay down a Sea-Locking Formation, so they had better understand that Ethan Lu was not a soft persimmon to be squeezed. I bought a high-speed rail ticket this time, though I still slipped past security the usual way, and deliberately chose a window seat.

"Rookie, are you trying to make sure every last person knows you're back?" The old man of the system's voice crackled with contempt inside my head.

I watched the coastline streak past the window, a cold smile pulling at the corner of my mouth. "And what if they do? Would they dare make a move on a high-speed train?"

"Ha." The old man scoffed. "A Core Formation cultivator who wanted you dead could sink this entire train to the bottom of the sea in a single move. Though..." His tone shifted. "Victor Jin just broke through using a corrupted elixir — his foundation is unstable. He can't afford to cause a big scene right now. The White Tiger Hall also has to consider the Azure Dragon Hall's stance."

"There's another reason," I added. "The cultivation world can't afford to create too much disturbance — the fear of causing panic among ordinary people. Elder Kai mentioned it when he was telling me stories yesterday. Two sea flood dragons once fought above the water and sank several fishing boats. The Xuanmen Management Bureau handled the aftermath, and the official media announced a military maritime exercise to keep fishing vessels away from the restricted area."

"Not bad," the little old man said, offering a rare trace of approval. "You're starting to get a feel for how things work."

The train pushed inland. The endless coastline gradually gave way to the familiar skyline of high-rises. I called Jade Lin. Her voice came through the receiver with a slight huskiness: "Lao Lu? When are you getting in? River asks about his dad every single day."

"Soon." I rubbed the bridge of my nose, which had begun to ache. "I'll be home by the afternoon. Save me a hot meal."

"I know," Jade Lin said, then paused, her voice dropping lower. "Uncle Zhang has been coming over every day this past week. Keeps asking when you're coming back."

I hung up and looked out at the familiar streets scrolling past, my heartbeat quickening without my permission.

When the train reached the station, I deliberately slowed my pace, letting the security cameras get a clear look at my face. The Baozheng Pavilion and White Tiger Hall's informants were no doubt already scattered throughout the station. I wanted to see if they had the nerve to act in broad daylight.

I stepped out of the station and drew in a deep breath. The air carried the particular smell of home — cooking oil and smoke — and it settled my heart more than any sea breeze ever could.

I had barely entered the residential compound when I spotted Uncle Zhang standing beneath the old locust tree, leaning on his cane, a ring of old men playing chess around him.

"Ethan!" Uncle Zhang's eyes lit up. "You're finally back!"

The surrounding old men all looked up. Their eyes carried a measuring weight. I knew what they were — veterans of the Monster-Demon Demon Suppression Bureau, every one of them. They understood better than anyone what my return meant.

"Uncle Zhang." I stepped forward and clasped my hands in greeting. "Sorry to have made you worry."

Uncle Zhang looked me up and down, his gaze sharp as a blade. "Eighth level of Qi Cultivation? Not bad. You haven't embarrassed me." He lowered his voice. "Baozheng Pavilion has had people lurking around the compound these past few days. Watch yourself."

"Understood, Uncle." I nodded. "Let's talk inside."

As I approached the building entrance, I felt several subtle threads of spiritual energy sweep across me from different directions, carrying a cold, murderous intent. I paid them no mind and quickened my steps.

The door to our third-floor home stood slightly ajar. River's laughter drifted through from inside.

"Daddy!" The moment I pushed the door open a crack, River burst out like a little cannonball and wrapped himself around my leg. "Mama said you went to the sea to find glowing fish!"

I bent down and scooped him up. The little one seemed to have gotten heavier. "That's right. Daddy brought you some coral from the seaside."

Jade Lin stuck her head out from the kitchen, a apron tied around her waist. Her eyes were slightly red. "Just glad you're back. Go wash your hands and eat." Her gaze settled on the canvas bag on my shoulder. She asked nothing. But I knew — she understood everything.

End of Chapter 37: The Rising Sun