’That makes sense.’

His father had been enfeoffed as the Marquis of Qingshi County, with the entire county as his fiefdom.

As the eldest son, Gu Zheng had always been the first in line for succession, so naturally, he was the "Young Master."

"Where? Where’s Big Brother?"

A clear, childish voice rang out as Gu Wan’Er vaulted over a courtyard wall, flying through the air and landing inside.

"Ha, Big Brother’s over there!"

The moment she landed, Gu Wan’Er broke into a sprint, kicking up a WHOOSH of wind as she charged toward Gu Zheng.

While still halfway there, she leaped straight up into the air, reaching her hands out for him.

"...You little monkey."

The corner of Gu Zheng’s mouth twitched. He reached out, caught the little girl, and smoothly swung her onto his back.

"Haha, Big Brother, aren’t I amazing?"

Gu Wan’Er exclaimed excitedly from her perch on Gu Zheng’s back, "Big Brother, let me tell you, I’m even stronger than Gu Xue now! She’s no match for me at all, but she never gives up and always wants to spar. Last time, I even made her cry! She’s so old, but she was still sniffling. Big Brother, don’t you think she’s pathetic?"

"Gu! Wan! Er!"

A furious, teeth-grinding voice erupted. Gu Xue, who had just rounded the corner, glared at Gu Wan’Er. "You little brat, what do you know?" she huffed. "I was obviously letting you win last time, okay? If I didn’t go easy on you every time, do you really think you could beat me?"

"Hmph."

Gu Wan’Er snorted dismissively. "Easy for you to say. Since Big Brother’s here, let’s have a match right now and see who’s really stronger!"

As she spoke, she patted Gu Zheng’s shoulder and slid off his back.

"..." Gu Xue’s eyelid twitched. "Who wants to fight you? We practice martial arts to build a Strong Body and protect ourselves and our family. Do you think everyone is as pugnacious as you?"

"Haha, Big Brother, look! See? She’s scared!"

Gu Wan’Er put her hands on her hips, jutted her chin at Gu Xue, then looked back at Gu Zheng with a teasing gaze. "I told you Gu Xue was pathetic. See, Big Brother? Now you’ve seen it for yourself, right?"

"...I see." Gu Zheng reached out, ruffled the little girl’s hair, and chuckled. "Wan’Er is indeed a little stronger than Xue."

"Hahaha!" Hearing this, Gu Wan’Er burst into a triumphant laugh.

Gu Xue, however, grew exasperated. She stomped her foot and whined, "Big Brother! You’re playing favorites!"

"I’m just telling the truth." Gu Zheng continued to ruffle Gu Wan’Er’s hair as he walked toward Gu Xue. "Judging from your Divine Wondrous fluctuations, Wan’Er is indeed a bit stronger."

Gu Xue was speechless.

Gu Wan’Er gloated, "Hahaha!"

"Hmph, what’s so funny? No matter how strong you are, are you stronger than Dingding?" Gu Xue couldn’t stand it anymore and reached out to pinch Gu Wan’Er’s cheek.

Gu Wan’Er dodged it easily with a slight sway. The smug look on her face vanished as she stuck out her tongue. "Dingding is different. She’s not human!"

"What are you talking about?" Gu Zheng patted the little girl’s head.

"Big Brother, you don’t know what Dingding is doing right now." Gu Wan’Er scratched her head.

"Secluded cultivation!" Gu Xue explained. "Big Brother, Dingding said she was about to have a breakthrough. She went into seclusion five days ago."

"A breakthrough?" Gu Zheng’s sharp brows rose. "Is Dingding breaking through to the third stage of the Alien Body?"

"No." Gu Xue shook her head. "She’s breaking through to Super Body!"

"Hm?"

Gu Zheng was a little surprised. "Dingding is already attempting to reach Super Body? Is she fully prepared?"

"She said she’s thoroughly prepared," Gu Xue explained. "As for the specifics, none of us know besides her, and we wouldn’t dare offer any advice. After all, besides you, Big Brother, none of us understand what becoming a Super Body entails."

"I see." Gu Zheng nodded. "Take me to her. By the way, where’s Dad?"

"Okay, Big Brother. This way." Gu Xue turned and led the way.

Gu Wan’Er grabbed Gu Zheng’s hand and skipped along behind them. "Dad went out of the city, and Eldest Sister is outside the city too, inspecting the grain harvest. That idiot Gu Feng has been going out to fool around every day again instead of practicing his martial arts."

"What’s going on with him?" Gu Zheng asked, puzzled.

"He’s given up on himself," Gu Xue said with contempt. "Dingding is about to break through to Super Body, but Gu Feng is still in the first stage of the Alien Body. He wanted revenge, to beat Dingding... he can forget about that for the rest of his life. Once he realized the gap between them, his motivation just vanished. So naturally, he’s reverted to his old ways, loafing around, wining and dining."

Gu Zheng was silent.

"But don’t worry, Big Brother. Eldest Sister has people keeping an eye on him, so he won’t do anything reckless," Gu Xue reassured him. "Dad also said that if he dares to cause trouble, bully people, or use your name to do whatever he wants, he’ll break his legs!"

"Break his legs!" Gu Wan’Er echoed, making a fist and grumbling under her breath.

"...That’s good, then." Gu Zheng managed a smile.

’Gu Feng isn’t like me, after all. I awakened my past life’s memories and matured mentally at a very young age.’

’A young man’s spirit can rise to the challenge after a temporary setback.’

’But when the gap becomes visibly wider and wider, that spirit is drained away, and it’s easy to just give up.’ 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

’Things like this depend on the person themselves—when they’ll have their awakening and get back on their feet.’

’They also depend on guidance from a respected elder or a high-status, knowledgeable scholar.’

’My own power is sufficient, but I’m not good at educating people. I have no experience with it.’

’If Gu Feng is to get back on his feet, I’ll have to find someone else to help.’

’I’ll mention this to Gu Sihai tonight.’

「...」

The three siblings walked slowly on.

They chatted and laughed until they arrived outside the room where Zhou Dingding was staying.

Signaling for Gu Wan’Er and Gu Xue to be quiet, Gu Zheng used his "Shadow" ability to perceive the situation inside the room.

He sensed Zhou Dingding’s vital energy, her aura, her Divine Wondrous fluctuations, her emotional state, and more.

After a moment of sensing, he nodded. He beckoned for Gu Wan’Er and Gu Xue to back away with him.

Once they were out of the courtyard, he spoke in a low voice, "Dingding is indeed in the middle of her breakthrough, and her condition is very stable. She should succeed in about two or three days and advance to the Super Body Realm."

"Really?"