Courtyard House: Time Traveler Not Yet a Ghost

In the spring of 2000, the air in Hong Kong still carried a hint of chill, but the sun on Victoria Peak already had a warm glow. He Damin stood on the balcony of his second-floor villa, holding a cup of freshly brewed Longjing tea. The tea leaves unfurled in the boiling water, releasing a delicate fragrance that mingled with the sweet scent of pomegranate blossoms in the courtyard, creating a unique and delightful aroma.

His gaze swept across the courtyard to the distant Victoria Harbour. On the water, boats of all sizes darted to and fro like a swarm of busy beetles. On the opposite shore, skyscrapers stood in rows, gleaming in the sunlight. Thirty years had passed since he came from the mainland, from having nothing to now possessing a vast fortune; time truly waits for no one.

The pomegranate tree in the yard is blooming again. Fiery red flowers adorn the branches, like clusters of tiny, burning flames. He remembers that when they first moved in, this tree was already quite sturdy; now, thirty years later, it appears even more vigorous, its branches and leaves abundant, its dense canopy almost completely covering the yard. In the summer, sitting in its shade, listening to the children playing, was He Damin's most pleasant time.

But now, the yard is much quieter. The six children have all grown up, like fledglings with fully grown wings, and one by one they have left home and flown into their own skies.

The eldest son, Yuanping, is the most composed and is now a professor at a university in England. His research interests are not well understood by He Damin, who only knows they pertain to history and culture. The second son, Yuanan, inherited his business acumen and is now the head of the family's technology company, constantly busy. The eldest daughter, Yuanning, and the second daughter, Yuanjing, are the closest sisters and work together at Asia Television, helping He Yushui manage affairs. The youngest sons, Yuanqing and Yuankang, are the most ambitious and restless, having gone to the United States to start their own business, which is reportedly doing quite well.

At home, only he, Chen Xueru, and the pomegranate tree that grows older year by year remain.

He Damin took a small sip of tea, the warm liquid sliding down his throat with a soothing sensation. He narrowed his eyes slightly, feeling the surging power within him.

Last night, right here in this study, he broke through.

Peak of the Nascent Soul stage.

He had been stuck at this level for a full ten years. Now that he had finally succeeded, the feeling of being reborn was indescribable. He could clearly "see" his primordial spirit sitting cross-legged on a lotus platform deep within his Purple Mansion, surrounded by dense purple energy. This purple energy was no longer an ethereal mist, but so thick that it was almost solidified. He could feel that he was only one step away from the legendary "Refining Emptiness and Uniting with the Dao" realm.

But this one step was like an insurmountable chasm. He could sense that the higher realm was separated by an invisible barrier. It required opportunity, enlightenment, and even more so... stepping out. Staying on Earth forever, he feared he would never be able to cross that threshold in his lifetime.

"Brother Damin, what are you thinking about? You've been standing here for ages." Chen Xueru's voice came from behind, tinged with a hint of reproach. She walked over carrying a plate of freshly cut fruit, still wearing an apron, clearly having just come from the kitchen. Time seemed to have been exceptionally kind to her; although she was almost fifty, she still looked like she was in her thirties, with fair skin and gentle eyes.

He Damin turned around, took the fruit plate, placed it on the small table beside him, and took her hand in his. Her hand was still so soft, carrying the scent of cooking from the kitchen. "It's nothing, I was just looking at this pomegranate tree and it reminded me of when the children were little."

Chen Xueru followed his gaze to the pomegranate tree in the yard and smiled, "That's right, Yuanqing used to climb this tree when he was little. He fell down and scraped his knees, and cried for a long time."

"Yes," He Damin laughed, "It's hard to believe how much we've grown up." He paused, looked into Chen Xueru's eyes, and said seriously, "Xueru, I'm thinking we should go out for a walk."

Chen Xueru paused for a moment, then laughed and said, "Where are you going? Which country do you want to travel to this time? You went to Europe last year and Australia the year before. Haven't you had enough fun yet?"

"It's not tourism," He Damin shook his head, "it's a trip to a very far place."

Chen Xueru chuckled and tapped his forehead with her finger: "You, saying things like that again. Last time you said you'd take me to the moon, and you've been saying that for over ten years, and the moon is still hanging in the sky perfectly fine."

He Damin smiled, reached out and pulled her into his arms, resting his chin on the top of her head, inhaling the familiar scent of shampoo in her hair. "This time it's for real."

He didn't tell Chen Xueru what happened last night.

At three in the morning, all was quiet except for the occasional sound of a car passing by outside the window. He Damin sat cross-legged on a futon in his study, his eyes closed, his mind sinking into his sea of ​​consciousness. With a thought, his primordial spirit left his body, transforming into a stream of light that pierced through the roof and soared into the sky.

A Nascent Soul at the Nascent Soul stage already possesses all sorts of incredible supernatural abilities. He wanted to try and see if, with his current cultivation level, he could fly to the moon. He always remembered that many years ago, he had jokingly told Chen Xueru that he would take her to the moon. It was a joke then, but now, he felt that perhaps it could come true.

His primordial spirit moved with incredible speed, breaking through the clouds in an instant and arriving at the edge of the atmosphere. Below was the blue Earth, and above was the deep universe. He could see countless stars twinkling in the darkness, seemingly within reach. The moon was not far away, radiating a cool, clear light.

He was overjoyed and sped up, flying towards the moon.

However, just as his primordial spirit was about to break through the atmosphere and enter space, he felt as if he had crashed into an invisible wall in front of him.

"Buzz—"

A gentle yet incredibly powerful force surged forth, violently repelling his primordial spirit.

He Damin was taken aback; he hadn't expected this. He steadied his spirit and tried again, but the result was the same: the invisible barrier was like a net, unbreakable.

He tried three times, and each time he was bounced back. On the last try, he concentrated and carefully observed the barrier. This time, he saw it clearly. The barrier wasn't a physical entity, but rather an energy field with countless intricate runes flowing across it. These runes were ancient and profound, emanating a faint aura of the Dao.

He Damin was deeply shaken; he recognized the origin of some of the runes. They were the marks left behind from the legendary hundred-year pact between the Purple Star Emperor and the Human Emperor. The pact had long since expired, yet this barrier still remained for some unknown reason. Its function seemed not to imprison Earth's creatures, but rather to provide protection. It protected mortals on Earth from the interference of powerful supernatural forces from the outside world, and it also protected cultivators on Earth from impulsively venturing into the perilous cosmos.

He Damin withdrew his primordial spirit and sat in his study, remaining silent for a long time. His primordial spirit couldn't leave his body and fly away from Earth, but his physical body could. He thought of the flying saucer he had collected for many years. It was an extraterrestrial technological artifact he had acquired by chance in his early years, which he had always kept in his own little world. Perhaps, that flying saucer was the key to passing through this barrier.

What he needed to do was not to force his way in with his primordial spirit, but to pilot the flying saucer, carrying his physical body and Chen Xueru, and fly together into the starry sky.

Once this thought takes hold, it can never be stopped.

He Damin walked to his desk, picked up the phone, and dialed his second son Yuan An's number. It was a little after seven in the morning in Hong Kong; Yuan An should already be at the company.

"Hey? Dad?" Yuan An's slightly surprised voice came from the other end of the phone. "Why are you calling so early today? Is something wrong?" Yuan An knew that his father was not a person who liked to get up early.

"Go home tonight," He Damin said calmly. "I have something to tell you."

"What's wrong? Can't you tell me over the phone? I have a very important meeting this morning." Yuan An hesitated.

"It must be said in person." He Damin's tone left no room for argument. "Have Yuanping, Yuanning, Yuanjing, Yuanqing, and Yuankang all come back as well."

Yuan An's heart skipped a beat. His father was so serious and had all his brothers and sisters come back. Had something serious happened? "Dad, what is it? Please tell me so I can be prepared."

"We'll talk when you get back." He Damin didn't explain further and hung up the phone.

Then, he called the other children. Yuan Ping was in England, it must have been late at night, but hearing his father's tone, he agreed without hesitation. Yuan Ning and Yuan Jing worked at Asia TV, which was closest to them, and they readily agreed. Yuan Qing and Yuan Kang were in the United States, it was still afternoon there, and they were somewhat surprised to receive the call, but they also said they would come back immediately.

The six children, living in three different time zones, all promised to return that evening. They knew their father; He Damin never called everyone together without a reason. There must be something very important.

As evening approached, the villa gradually became lively.

Yuanping was the first to arrive. He had taken the earliest flight back from England, looking exhausted and jet-lagged, with dark circles under his eyes, but he seemed to be in good spirits. He wore a simple casual suit and glasses, and had a refined and scholarly air.

Next was Yuan An, who came directly from the company, still wearing a sharp suit and tie, carrying a briefcase, clearly intending to return to the company after finishing his business.

The sisters Yuan Ning and Yuan Jing arrived together, having just come from the TV station, carrying several documents. Yuan Ning was dressed in a smart business suit, while Yuan Jing was dressed more casually. The two sisters looked very alike, but Yuan Ning was more composed, while Yuan Jing was more lively.

Finally, Yuanqing and Yuankang arrived. They had flown back from the United States and went straight home after getting off the plane. They looked obviously travel-worn, but their eyes were full of curiosity and a hint of unease. Yuanqing was wearing a floral shirt and jeans, while Yuankang was wearing a tracksuit. Both brothers had inherited some of He Damin's dashing air.

The family sat around the large sofa in the living room, and Chen Xueru poured everyone a cup of hot tea. The atmosphere in the living room was somewhat heavy, and the children all looked at He Damin, wondering what important matter it was.

"Dad, what's wrong? Why are you being so mysterious and calling us all back?" Yuan An, being the most impatient, couldn't help but ask first.

He Damin looked at the six children before him. They had all grown up, with their own careers and families, their own worries and pursuits. Time flies so fast; it seemed like only yesterday they were chasing and playing around the pomegranate tree in the yard. These children were the apple of his and Chen Xueru's eye. Now, what he was about to tell them might be hard for them to accept.

He remained silent for a long time before slowly saying, "Your mother and I are going on a long trip."

"A long trip?" Yuan Ping adjusted his glasses and asked, "Where are you going? Are you going on a trip?"

"It's a very far place," He Damin said, looking at them. "It might be... a long time before we can come back."

"How long is 'a long time'?" Yuan Jing asked nervously, she had a bad feeling.

He Damin thought for a moment and said, "Maybe a few years, maybe decades."

The living room fell silent instantly; you could hear a pin drop. The children looked at each other, their faces filled with shock and confusion.

"Dad, you...you must be joking." Yuan Jing's eyes immediately reddened, her voice trembling with tears. "What do you mean by going on a long trip for decades? You and Mom are both so old..."

He Damin didn't answer her question, but instead turned to look at Chen Xueru. Chen Xueru grasped his hand and nodded firmly. With her support, He Damin felt more at ease.

He took a deep breath and spoke again, his voice lower than before: "You know, your mother and I... are not ordinary people."

The children fell silent. They certainly knew something was amiss. Their father and mother both looked much younger than their actual age, and their father had taught them meditation and breathing exercises since they were little, methods to strengthen their bodies and prolong their lives. They had always assumed these were just traditional health practices their father had brought from the mainland and hadn't taken them too seriously.

"What your father taught you wasn't just simple health preservation methods; it was spiritual cultivation," He Damin continued. "Your mother and I have been cultivating ourselves. When you reach a certain level of cultivation, your lifespan will be much longer than that of ordinary people, and your body will remain young."

Yuan An opened his mouth, as if to say something, but ultimately swallowed it back. Yuan Ping, on the other hand, appeared calmer, seemingly trying to process the information.

"Having cultivated to my current level, I can leave Earth and go to the vast starry sky." He Damin looked at the children's shocked eyes and continued, "Your mother and I have already reached this level."

"Dad...you mean...you and Mom are going...to space?" Yuan Ping pushed up his glasses, his voice a little hoarse as he asked. This conclusion was too outrageous, beyond his comprehension.

"Yes." He Damin nodded.

"Then...where should we sit?" Yuan Kang couldn't help but ask. He was a science fiction fan and found these things both absurd and vaguely exciting.

"UFO," He Damin uttered.

A deathly silence fell over the living room once more. Yuan Qing and Yuan Kang exchanged a glance, both seeing disbelief in each other's eyes. The Yuan sisters, Yuan Ning and Yuan Jing, immediately embraced, tears streaming down their faces. Yuan An leaned back on the sofa, rubbing his temples, looking as if he were struggling to process this unbelievable news.

"Dad," Yuanping took a deep breath, trying to remain calm, "the flying saucer you're talking about, is it... one of those legendary UFOs?"

"Yes," He Damin answered confidently, "I have one. I acquired it many years ago and have kept it ever since."

Yuan Ping was silent for a moment, then asked, "So when do you plan to leave?"

"I'll take care of things at home these next few days, and then I'll leave," He Damin said.

"What about the family businesses?" Yuan An finally spoke up. As the main manager of the family businesses, he was most concerned about this issue.

"Here's the distribution for you." He Damin took out a pre-prepared document from under the coffee table and pushed it in front of Yuan An. "Global Bank, Spark Technology, Asia Satellite Television, Ocean Shipping... and some other industries and shares, are all here. You can discuss how to divide them yourselves. If you don't agree to it evenly, or if you have any objections, come to me."