He fell off a cliff but unexpectedly gained a cultivation inheritance.

As dawn broke, with the first hint of light appearing on the eastern horizon and the mountain mists not yet fully dissipated, a cool breeze drifted into the room through the window cracks, and Zhang Bufan quietly awoke. He had slept exceptionally soundly that night, free from the strife and vigilance of the cultivation world, and the pressures and worries of the mortal realm, enveloped only in the warmth of home. Upon waking, he clearly sensed that his state of mind was much calmer than before, with a faint sign of a breakthrough. He believed it was the peace of returning to his homeland and reuniting with his parents that had dispelled the last trace of restlessness from his wandering, making his Dao heart even more steadfast.

Zhang Bufan didn't get up immediately. Instead, he sat cross-legged on the bed and took out a palm-sized mid-grade spirit stone from his storage ring. The spirit stone was light blue, with a faint aura of spiritual energy flowing across its surface. It felt warm to the touch, and a pure spiritual energy slowly seeped into his body through his fingertips. He closed his eyes, formed hand seals, and the "Mysterious Purity Dao Inquiry Technique" circulated slowly within his body. The spiritual energy in the spirit stone flowed like a rushing stream, along his meridians, into his dantian, and then transformed into his own spiritual power, circulating endlessly and nourishing his limbs and bones.

The path of cultivation is like rowing against the current; if you don't advance, you fall behind. Even now, in the mortal realm, Zhang Bufan has never slacked off in his cultivation. Especially after experiencing the inheritance of the Xuanqing Secret Realm, he understands the importance of strength even more. Only by being strong enough can he truly protect those around him and gain a foothold in the cruel world of cultivation. The spiritual energy of mid-grade spirit stones is far purer than the thin spiritual energy of the mortal realm, making it twice as effective when refining them through cultivation techniques. In the blink of an eye, two hours have quietly passed, and the sun in the east has risen, its golden sunlight streaming through the window and filling the room warm and bright.

Zhang Bufan slowly finished his cultivation, exhaling a breath of turbid air. The air contained a faint trace of black impurities, clearly the lingering effects of his internal ailments expelled during the cultivation process. He opened his eyes, a flash of brilliance in them, and felt the increasingly abundant spiritual energy within him, a satisfied smile appearing on his lips. After these two hours of cultivation, not only had his spiritual energy improved, but the stabilization of his mental state had also deepened his understanding of the early Foundation Establishment stage.

He got up and pushed open the door, and a familiar sweeping sound came from the yard. Zhang Bufan looked up and saw his father, Zhang Guoqiang, holding a bamboo broom, bending over to sweep the fallen leaves and dust in the yard. His father's movements were steady and powerful, no longer as slow and hunched as yesterday; the sweeping rhythm was even, and he looked relaxed and at ease. From the direction of the kitchen, wisps of smoke were already rising, and the faint sound of his mother, Liu Fenglian, chopping vegetables could be heard, and the air was filled with the faint aroma of food.

Zhang Bufan strode into the courtyard, his gaze fixed on his father, scrutinizing him closely. Upon seeing him, an indescribable joy welled up within him. Yesterday's completely white hair was now streaked with fine black at the roots, the once snow-white strands now a mix of gray and white, making him appear much more energetic. The wrinkles on his face had also lessened, especially the deep lines around his eyes and forehead, which were no longer as pronounced as before. His skin had gained a healthy rosy glow, no longer the sickly pallor of yesterday. Now, his father looked like a normal, healthy man in his sixties, vigorous and full of life.

"Dad, why are you up so early?" Zhang Bufan stepped forward, his voice tinged with excitement.

Hearing his son's voice, Zhang Guoqiang stopped what he was doing, straightened up, turned around, and gave a gentle smile: "You child, you didn't get up late either. I feel very comfortable now. If I can't sleep, I get up to sweep the yard and stretch my muscles." He spoke with confidence and a loud voice, completely without the hoarseness and fatigue of yesterday.

Just then, Liu Fenglian came out of the kitchen carrying a basin of washed vegetables. Seeing Zhang Bufan in the yard, she smiled and said, "Fan'er, you're up? Come inside and rest for a while, breakfast will be ready soon."

Zhang Bufan's gaze immediately shifted to his mother, his joy intensifying. His mother's transformation was no less remarkable than his father's; her once-white hair had sprouted black roots, the wrinkles on her face had smoothed out, her complexion was rosy, her eyes bright, and her previously hunched back had straightened considerably. She walked with a steady, energetic gait. Seeing such obvious changes in his parents, Zhang Bufan finally felt completely relieved. The effects of the immortal peach and the silver fish were far more significant than he had anticipated.

"Mom, how are you and Dad feeling? Is there anything wrong?" Zhang Bufan quickly stepped forward, took his mother's arm, and asked with concern.

Liu Fenglian patted her son's hand, beaming from ear to ear: "So comfortable! So comfortable! I've lived for over sixty years and have never felt so relaxed! I slept so soundly last night and didn't wake up at all. When I woke up this morning, my back didn't ache, my legs didn't hurt, and I felt like I had endless energy!" As she spoke, she deliberately moved her arms and waist, her movements agile, showing no signs of the pain she had previously suffered from.

Zhang Guoqiang joined in, smiling and agreeing, "Yes, Fan'er, me too! I used to get backaches and pains after just a little work, especially on rainy days. For the past year or so, worrying about you has made it impossible to do any farm work. But after eating the fish and peaches you brought back yesterday, I slept exceptionally well last night. This morning, all my old ailments are gone! My back doesn't hurt at all, and I feel like I could work in the fields all day without a problem!"

At this point, Zhang Guoqiang's tone was tinged with emotion: "For the past year or so, if it weren't for your cousin Xiaoshan helping us manage those few acres of land, my wife and I really don't know how we would have survived. After you disappeared, we were both exhausted, and our health deteriorated day by day. Let alone working in the fields, even taking care of ourselves became difficult. Xiaoshan is a sensible boy; he knows how hard it is for us. Every day after finishing his own work, he comes to help us manage the fields, watering, fertilizing, and harvesting—he does it all by himself. During holidays, he often brings us gifts, talks to us, and comforts us."

Liu Fenglian's eyes also reddened, and she nodded, saying, "Yes, Xiaoshan is such a good boy. If it weren't for him, our few acres of land would have been abandoned long ago, and we, the old couple, wouldn't have survived until you came back. Fan'er, when you come back this time, you must thank your cousin properly and repay him."

A warm feeling welled up in Zhang Bufan's heart. His cousin, Zhang Xiaoshan, was a few years older than him, and the two had grown up together and always had a good relationship. He hadn't expected that during the year or so he had been missing, his cousin's family would take such good care of his parents. He would remember this kindness. "Dad, Mom, don't worry, I understand. After breakfast, I'll go to my cousin's house to thank them properly," Zhang Bufan said solemnly.

As they spoke, the three of them went inside together. Liu Fenglian continued working in the kitchen, while Zhang Guoqiang sat on the sofa and chatted with Zhang Bufan. After a moment's thought, Zhang Bufan felt it was time to briefly discuss cultivation with his parents, since he would need to use spiritual objects to regulate their bodies regularly in the future, and keeping it a secret indefinitely wasn't a solution.

"Dad, Mom, there's something I want to tell you." Zhang Bufan's tone became more serious. "What I told you yesterday about meeting a reclusive master and cultivating under his guidance is all true. The fish and peaches we ate yesterday weren't ordinary fish and peaches, but rather celestial treasures from the cultivation world, containing special energy, which is why your bodies recovered so quickly."

Although Liu Fenglian and Zhang Guoqiang had already guessed, they couldn't help but pause in shock upon hearing the words "divine object," their eyes filled with astonishment. Although they were ordinary farmers, they had heard many myths and legends and knew of the wonders of divine objects.

"Fan'er, do you mean those fish and peaches are things that immortals eat?" Liu Fenglian subconsciously lowered her voice, afraid that outsiders would hear.

Zhang Bufan nodded: "That's roughly the idea. These magical items are extremely precious and special. So, you must remember, you absolutely must not tell outsiders about these fish and peaches, nor can you tell anyone about my cultivation. Otherwise, it might not only attract the covetous eyes of bad people and bring danger to our family, but it might also bring trouble to me."

Zhang Guoqiang and Liu Fenglian's expressions hardened, and they immediately understood the seriousness of the situation. Although they were simple and honest, they knew the saying "possessing a treasure invites trouble," and they quickly nodded solemnly: "Fan'er, don't worry, we know! We absolutely won't tell anyone! We'll just tell outsiders that you came back safely, our worries have been resolved, our wishes have been fulfilled, our health has naturally improved, and we even look younger."

"Yes, we will definitely keep quiet!" Liu Fenglian said firmly.

Seeing his parents' concern, Zhang Bufan felt very gratified: "Thank you, Dad, thank you, Mom. There's one more thing. Junior Sister Ling'er is still in seclusion in the guest room. Cultivators are different from ordinary people. We don't need to eat every day. Sometimes when we go into seclusion, we might not come out for days and nights. You don't need to disturb her or prepare meals for her. She will come out on her own when she finishes her cultivation."

"Okay, we understand. We definitely won't disturb her cultivation," Zhang Guoqiang said. "Cultivation is a serious matter, we understand."

"Also, I'm going to Pengcheng today," Zhang Bufan continued. "As I mentioned before, my ex-wife, Ye Qingxue, has run into some trouble and wants me to go help her. I'll probably be back in a day or two, so you can rest assured and wait for me at home. With Junior Sister Ling'er here, she can help even if anything happens."

Liu Fenglian said with some concern, "Fan'er, won't it be dangerous to go to Pengcheng? Should we wait until Ling'er finishes her cultivation and have her go with you?"

Zhang Bufan smiled and reassured her, "Mom, don't worry, there won't be any danger. The trouble Ye Qingxue encountered is nothing to me. Junior Sister Ling'er just broke through her cultivation realm and needs time to consolidate her power, so we can't disturb her. I can go alone and will be back soon."

Seeing their son's confidence, Liu Fenglian and Zhang Guoqiang didn't ask any more questions, but simply reminded him, "Then you must be careful on the road and pay attention to safety."

"I understand, Dad, Mom."

Soon, Liu Fenglian had prepared breakfast. Simple millet porridge, boiled eggs, and a few pickled vegetables—simple yet full of the taste of home. The three of them sat around the table and happily ate. During the meal, Zhang Bufan carefully reminded his parents of some things to keep in mind, such as eating on time, not overworking themselves, and waiting for him to come home to handle anything.

After finishing breakfast, Zhang Bufan got up and returned to his room. He took out a dozen plump, round peaches from the secret space of his storage ring, along with a silver fish weighing over fifty pounds. The peaches emitted a rich, sweet fragrance, while the silver fish was pure white with tender flesh. He placed these items in a clean bamboo basket, carried it to the kitchen, and handed it to his mother: "Mom, keep these peaches and fish safe. Eat them slowly over the next couple of days. The peaches can be eaten directly, and the fish can be steamed or used in soup; both are delicious."

Liu Fenglian quickly took the bamboo basket and carefully placed it in the cupboard: "Okay, Mom understands. Don't worry, we'll take good care of ourselves."

Afterwards, Zhang Bufan took out several immortal peaches and a silver fish weighing over ten kilograms from the secret realm space and put them in another small bamboo basket. These were intended for his cousin Zhang Xiaoshan's family, to thank them for taking care of his parents over the past year. "Dad, Mom, I'm going to my cousin's house. I'll be back soon and head to Pengcheng."

"Okay, go ahead. Give our regards to your cousin and sister-in-law," Zhang Guoqiang and Liu Fenglian said in unison.

Zhang Bufan nodded, picked up his bamboo basket, and turned to leave his house. The village wasn't big; it was only a few hundred meters from his house to his cousin Zhang Xiaoshan's. Just as he reached the village entrance, he encountered several early-rising neighbors. Seeing Zhang Bufan, the neighbors greeted him warmly, and noticing the changes in his parents, they all came forward to inquire. Following the explanation he had previously discussed with his parents, Zhang Bufan smiled and said, "Thank you all for your concern. I'm back safely. My parents' worries have been resolved, and their health has naturally improved; they even look younger now."

Upon hearing this, the neighbors expressed their relief and chatted with Zhang Bufan for a few more minutes before leaving. Zhang Bufan quickly walked to his cousin Zhang Xiaoshan's house. The gate was open, and Zhang Xiaoshan was repairing farm tools in the yard, while his wife, Wang Xiulan, was hanging clothes to dry.

"Cousin, sister-in-law," Zhang Bufan said with a smile as he walked in.

Hearing the voice, Zhang Xiaoshan looked up and saw Zhang Bufan. His face instantly lit up with a joyful smile: "Bufan? You're back! When did you get back?" He quickly put down his farm tools, strode forward, grabbed Zhang Bufan's hand, and his eyes were filled with excitement.

Wang Xiulan turned around and saw Zhang Bufan, equally overjoyed: "Bufan's back! That's wonderful! Come in and sit down!"

"I came back yesterday, cousin and sister-in-law. Thank you for taking care of my parents over the past year. You've worked so hard." Zhang Bufan bowed deeply to the two of them, his voice filled with gratitude.

Zhang Xiaoshan quickly helped him up, waving his hand: "Bufan, what are you doing? We're family, it's only right that we take care of each other. Your parents are getting old, and you're not around, so it's only right that I take care of them. It's good that you're back safe and sound, that's more important than anything else."

Wang Xiulan added, "Yes, Bufan, we're all family. Your uncle and aunt have had a tough time while you were missing for over a year, and we were just doing our little bit. We're so happy for your parents that you're back safe and sound."

Zhang Bufan handed over the bamboo basket in his hand: "Cousin, sister-in-law, this is some stuff I brought back, peaches and fish, they taste pretty good, you should try them."

Zhang Xiaoshan initially wanted to decline, but seeing the peaches in the bamboo basket emitting a rich, sweet fragrance and the silver fish looking exceptionally fresh, he knew they were good things and decided not to refuse: "Then I won't be polite, thank you, Bufan."

The group entered the house, and Zhang Xiaoshan poured Zhang Bufan a glass of water, then inquired about his situation over the past year. Zhang Bufan briefly recounted his encounter with a reclusive master, and then asked about his parents' specific circumstances over the past year. Zhang Xiaoshan recounted in detail, from his parents' devastating grief upon learning of his fall from the cliff, to their exhaustion after searching in vain, and then to how Zhang Xiaoshan had helped care for them as their health deteriorated.

Listening to his cousin's story, Zhang Bufan felt even more grateful and heartbroken for his parents. He chatted with his cousin and his wife for a while, telling them to come to him if they ever had any difficulties in the future, before getting up to say goodbye.

Back home, Zhang Bufan gave his parents a few more instructions, and after confirming they were alright, he turned and left the house, heading towards the poplar grove at the edge of the village. The poplar grove was dense and secluded, an ideal spot for concealing himself and using his sword. He quickly walked into the depths of the grove, and after confirming no one was around, he immediately began to cast a spell, circulating his spiritual energy and enveloping his entire body. The next second, his figure vanished from the spot, entering a state of invisibility.

With a thought, Zhang Bufan summoned the Xuan Iron Giant Sword from his storage ring, which hovered in front of him. He leaped onto the sword, steadily mounting it, adjusted his direction, and, facing Pengcheng, slowly steered it into the air. Although he was invisible, he dared not fly too fast, lest he cause spatial disturbances and alert the people of the mortal realm. Even so, the flying sword's speed far surpassed any means of transportation in the mortal world; the villages, fields, and rivers below receded rapidly as it sped away into the distance.

Zhang Bufan stood on his flying sword, facing the morning breeze, his gaze fixed firmly on the direction of Pengcheng. What trouble was Ye Qingxue facing? What could possibly trouble a woman from a family of cultivators? Though his heart was filled with doubt, he was not afraid. Now, he was a Foundation Establishment cultivator in the early stages, possessing the inheritance of Xuanqing Daoist and the status of a core disciple of the Immortal Sword Sect. Ordinary troubles were no match for him.

The flying sword sped through the sky, sunlight falling on the invisible figure without leaving a trace. A new storm awaited Zhang Bufan in Pengcheng. And he was fully prepared to meet the impending challenge.