Imperial Scepter

As the first rays of light spread across the sky, a new day quietly dawned.

Gao Chun slowly opened his eyes. The morning sun was already high in the sky outside the window, dyeing the windowpane a warm crimson.

The pain throughout my body was still clearly audible, but the previous excruciating burning sensation had faded, transforming into a slight tingling and itching sensation as the wounds slowly healed.

He gently raised his arm, his fingertips trembling slightly. The bandage around his wound was still tightly wrapped, but the weakness he had felt from struggling on the edge of life and death had largely dissipated.

"After several days of rest, I've finally recovered quite a bit."

Gao Chun muttered to himself in a low voice.

His twelve-and-a-half-year-old face still carried the immaturity of a teenager, but his eyes were far more composed than those of an adult Xuan master from an ordinary family.

A near-death experience in the dense forest, a helpless struggle under despair, and the relief of being pulled back from the brink of death by loved ones...

His experiences have silently refined his character.

In the past few days, Gao Chun has gradually recovered his spirits. Whenever he is lucid, he repeatedly recalls the various events of his trip to Lijia Village, summarizes his experiences, and analyzes his gains and losses.

After much reflection, he finally recognized several fatal oversights in himself.

"The biggest mistake was that when facing the black-robed youth from the Puppet Sect, I was too straightforward and told him to retreat, which directly angered him and drew his merciless magical attack."

"The safest course of action at the time would have been to feign compliance and take the opportunity to gather more information about the Puppet Sect."

In this way, one will avoid making subsequent mistakes and will not forget the common knowledge that all the sect's prodigies have protectors, thus preventing the attraction of the other party's protectors and nearly resulting in death.

"Besides that, I also lacked a lot in terms of interpersonal skills on this trip."

"When he tried to slap Li Tianjiao in the face, he didn't handle the situation very well, which caused the other party to hold a grudge and launch a second ambush."

"During the second encounter, my counterattack was somewhat frivolous, which angered Li Tianjiao again and led to his deadly ambush on the way back."

"If I hadn't had a trump card up my sleeve, I would have been doomed to die from the combined attack of two Bronze Realm Six-Star Xuan Masters."

These oversights are areas that must be addressed and improved upon in the future.

Then, recalling how her brother-in-law Gao Qingfeng had appeared at the critical moment, Gao Chun, combining her father's usual teachings with her own judgment, understood the situation.

"Brother-in-law Gao Qingfeng should have been secretly following and silently protecting the five members of the team."

Just like the protector of the black-robed youth from the Puppet Sect, he would never easily reveal himself unless faced with a life-or-death situation, lest he ruin the meaning of the training.

As Gao Chun was pondering to himself, a very light footstep suddenly came from outside the door.

Her steps were steady, her breathing even; she was neither an older sister nor a niece.

Gao Chun's heart stirred slightly, and he slowly raised his eyes.

The door was gently pushed open, and a figure in blue slowly walked in.

The person who came was none other than his brother-in-law, Gao Qingfeng.

My brother-in-law was holding a bowl of warm spiritual porridge, the aroma of which wafted over me, clearly prepared especially for him.

Gao Qingfeng walked to the bedside, gently placed the porridge down, and then looked at Gao Chun with a gentle gaze.

"How are you feeling?" he asked, his voice still gentle and calm.

Gao Chun nodded gently: "Much better, thank you, brother-in-law."

Gao Qingfeng nodded slightly, saying nothing, but handed the spirit porridge to him and said softly, "It's not good to have too much nourishment right after waking up. This bowl of spirit porridge is mild and can nourish your qi and blood. Your sister has gone out on business, so I will bring you food today."

A moment of silence.

Gao Qingfeng spoke slowly again, lowering his voice slightly: "There's already some movement coming from Li Family Village."

Gao Chun paused slightly in his grip on the bowl, then looked up at Gao Qingfeng.

He was not surprised. Li Tianjiao was a collateral descendant of the Li family, a powerful clan in Jiuyang Town. It would be illogical for the Li family to remain silent in order to save face for the clan.

Gao Qingfeng remained calm and spoke in a nonchalant tone, as if he were recounting a trivial matter:

"Li Tianjiao's father, Li Wanshan, was furious and has sent people to search for information in the surrounding area, vowing to find the murderer who killed his son at all costs."

"But you can rest assured that with their methods, there is absolutely no way they can trace it back to you; even if they do suspect you, they wouldn't dare to trespass into Gaojia Village and act recklessly."

"But their resentment is hard to quell. If you encounter any cultivators from Li Family Village or the powerful Li Family in the future, you will inevitably be deliberately harassed. Be extra careful and vigilant when you travel in the future."

"Of course, if they dare to bully the weak, we will stand up for you and seek justice."

Gao Qingfeng's words were resounding and powerful.

The warm sunlight fell on his gentle profile, his expression unwavering, yet beneath that calm lay a strength as steady and reliable as a mountain.

On the surface, his brother-in-law was just a Silver Realm cultivator, but Gao Chun knew in his heart that his brother-in-law's true strength was far more than what appeared to be.

The fact that he was able to safely rescue him and his five companions from the hands of the King-level protectors of the Human Puppet Sect suggests that even with the help of external aids, his own cultivation level must be unfathomable.

Gao Chun was filled with curiosity about how his brother-in-law had saved someone from the clutches of a King Realm expert.

But he was already a Xuanzhe who had experienced life and death and had been taught by his father, so he naturally wouldn't be as unrestrained as his young niece, Gao Chengyao, and ask questions rashly.

He knew that a cultivator's cultivation level and secrets were the foundation of their livelihood and should never be inquired about casually.

Similarly, one should not easily reveal one's own secrets and information to others, not even one's closest blood relatives.

This is not due to distrust, but rather because the cultivation world is full of secret techniques and supernatural abilities that are difficult to guard against. A single word uttered could be secretly spied upon, adding an extra layer of danger.

Gao Qingfeng continued, "Back at the Human Puppet Sect, that young prodigy will still be watching you and Chengzhi. You are his training targets, and he will definitely attack you again. Be careful when you go out in the future."

"As for that King Realm protector, you don't need to worry too much. The protector's duty is to provide covert protection, ensuring that the prodigies can train without worry. They will never easily reveal themselves unless their lives are in danger."

Upon hearing this, Gao Chun finally felt a huge weight lifted from his heart. Compared to the powerful Li family, the Human Puppet Sect was the deepest shadow in his heart.

Gao Chun gazed intently at Gao Qingfeng's calm and composed demeanor, and his respect for his brother-in-law deepened even further.

"Your most important task right now is to focus on recovering from your injuries and consolidating your cultivation level."

Gao Qingfeng looked at him, his eyes gentle, yet concealing a deeper meaning.

"Your talent is too outstanding and your growth rate is too fast. At this moment, it is best not to show off your talents."

"Heal your injuries, keep a low profile, and wait until you truly have the strength to stand on your own before you make your move."

Gao Chun suddenly felt enlightened.

Tibetan.

endure.

stable.

These three words are precisely the principles he needs to adhere to most at this moment.

He nodded solemnly, his voice steady and strong: "I understand, brother-in-law."

Gao Qingfeng smiled with satisfaction, said no more, and turned to leave slowly.

Gao Chun lay quietly on the bed, repeatedly reflecting on his brother-in-law's words of advice, while silently planning his future path.

Time passed slowly, and before he knew it, the sun was setting outside the window, the night was getting dark, and a sense of fatigue swept over him. Gao Chun fell into a deep sleep again.

The next day, the sun rose and then set, and another day quietly passed.

Day after day, from sunrise to sunset, Gao Chun quietly focused on recovering from his injuries.

With the loving and gentle care of her sister's family, and the occasional visit of her lively and clever niece Gao Chengyao, who is like a bird in the forest, her days were peaceful and stable.

Although neighbors from the village came to visit one after another, most of them were kept outside by the sister and brother-in-law, who said that the focus should be on recuperating from their injuries, and did not come to disturb them.

Time passed silently, and Gao Chun rested quietly at his sister Gao Xuemei's home for a whole month.

The leaves of the locust trees outside the window turned from light green to dark blue, and the wildflowers in the corner of the yard bloomed and faded.

The severe injuries he sustained from being struck by the King-level protector of the Puppet Sect have completely healed. His meridians are now unobstructed, and all the bandages on his body have been removed. He is now able to get out of bed and walk freely.

Gao Chun slowly got out of bed, walked slowly to the window, and gently stretched his limbs in the cool evening breeze.

He looked up at the twilight deepening on the horizon, his heart now free of any anxiety or confusion.

This month of rest and recuperation has not only healed the physical wounds, but also calmed the restless mind; this brush with death has not only taught me how to fight, but also how to conduct myself in life.

He knew clearly how he should proceed in the future: conceal his talents, maintain composure, cultivate profound arts, and strengthen himself.

No longer will I act rashly out of youthful arrogance, no longer will I let temporary victories or defeats cloud my judgment, and I will not let the protection of my loved ones become the basis for my unrestrained arrogance.

The warmth of Gaojia Village, the comfort of his family, his father's teachings, and his brother-in-law's protection will all become the deepest strength in his heart, rather than a sharp edge that he displays outwards.

From now on, what he needs to do is not to rush to prove himself, but to quietly take root and grow, so that when the storm truly comes, he can hold up his own sky and protect the people he wants to protect.

The boy's eyes were bright and resolute. As the night deepened and the road ahead stretched on, his steps were as steady as a newly born mountain.