Chapter 45

Lei Xing came not only because the matter of the demons required caution but also because he wanted to grow closer to Han Luo.

With Han Luo’s talent, he was destined for greatness. Establishing a good relationship now would benefit not only himself but also his son.

In cultivation, what mattered most?

Resources.

The Eastern Region was rich, and even the Demon Race had spent a thousand years trying to break through its defenses. But as the number of cultivators increased, the competition for resources grew fiercer.

To secure resources, one needed true strength.

Han Luo had the potential to become such a powerhouse. Investing in him now might one day ensure that both he and Lei Jiu could ride his coattails to the Immortal Realm.

Of course—

He was merely cultivating a connection, not lowering himself to flattery.

“Uncle.”

“Uncle.”

Han Luo and Jiu Li’er greeted him respectfully.

“I’ve heard everything. Let’s go—show me where you sensed the demonic energy.”

Lei Xing had received a brief account of the situation from Lei Jiu.

Lei Xing and Lei Jiu began walking ahead, ready to set off.

“Uh… Uncle,” Han Luo suddenly spoke, but he made no move to follow.

“What now?”

Lei Jiu frowned, already annoyed. What’s this guy up to now?

Lei Xing also turned back with a questioning look.

“Uncle, I was thinking…” Han Luo glanced between the two of them and said carefully, “Maybe… I should just stay behind.”

His tone was firm.

This thought had been on his mind from the start.

When it came to demon incursions, the best course of action was not to get involved.

The Demon Race was infamous for their cunning and bizarre tactics. If they had the nerve to infiltrate Luoxian Sect, they were undoubtedly well-prepared.

Even with a Core Formation stage cultivator like Lei Xing leading the way, Han Luo still felt that the situation was too dangerous.

Staying out of it was the safest option.

Caution was never wrong.

The only reason he had insisted that Lei Xing come was to ensure that the demons wouldn’t escape. If they slipped away, he wouldn’t be able to sleep peacefully.

Lei Jiu’s brow furrowed deeper. Lei Xing, though he said nothing, was clearly displeased.

As the future hope of Luoxian Sect, Han Luo’s actions would one day represent the sect. Just as Lu Danchen and Ye Qingqing embodied Luoxian Sect’s current prestige, Han Luo was expected to do the same in the future.

His reluctance to act now made Lei Xing worry for the sect’s future.

Among those present, only Jiu Li’er seemed to understand why Han Luo was being so cautious.

She had long noticed that her senior brother was meticulous in everything he did. If something didn’t feel right, he would stop immediately and not move forward until every detail was clear.

Perhaps… this was why her senior brother was so exceptional.

Han Luo noticed Lei Xing’s displeasure but didn’t care. He knew Lei Xing admired bold, fearless disciples, but he wasn’t going to change his principles to win approval.

“Uncle, please rest assured. I am absolutely certain that there’s demonic energy within Luoxian Sect,” Han Luo said, offering his guarantee.

Lei Xing said nothing, his expression unreadable.

“Junior brother,” Lei Jiu spoke with obvious disdain. “With Uncle Lei Xing here, what are you afraid of? Do you think he can’t protect you? Don’t forget—my father… no, I mean, Uncle Lei Xing is already at the late stage of Core Formation. Within a hundred years, he will surely break through to the Nascent Soul stage. A powerhouse like that, and you’re still worried?”

Lei Jiu had initially started to admire Han Luo.

Despite his flaws, Han Luo had shown genuine care for Luoxian Sect’s disciples. Lei Jiu could sense that his concern came from the heart, and that sincerity had earned his respect.

But now, seeing Han Luo acting so cowardly made Lei Jiu feel nothing but disappointment.

In cultivation, you can’t hide forever.

Once a disciple reached the Qi Sea stage, they would inevitably be sent to serve on the Golden Battlefield and fight the Demon Race head-on.

Would Han Luo hide behind others when that time came?

A real man should be like Lei Jiu himself—heading to the Golden Battlefield as early as the Foundation Establishment stage to temper oneself in blood and battle.

Han Luo had no idea what Lei Jiu was thinking.

And even if he did, he wouldn’t care.

When Lei Xing still didn’t speak, Han Luo sighed and added, “Uncle, it was the ancient bronze mirror that detected the demonic energy. You should go investigate. I’ll stay out of it.”

Mentioning the ancient bronze mirror was a reminder to Lei Xing—if we keep wasting time here, the demons might already be gone.

“Very well. You two can return. I’ll handle this. But remember—this matter must not be disclosed to anyone. Do you understand?”

Lei Xing finally spoke after some thought.

He could hardly blame Han Luo.

Cultivators are only human.

Fear of death was natural, and in fact, cultivators were often more fearful than mortals because they had the means to avoid death.

Han Luo was simply making the logical decision any sensible person would make.

But still—

Lei Xing had always believed that supreme geniuses should be fearless, willing to charge ahead even when no danger was present, just to prove their talent.

Only such individuals could showcase their exceptional gifts and command respect.

But geniuses like that often died young.

Ironically, it was the cautious ones—like Han Luo—who tended to live the longest.

Upon realizing this, Lei Xing found himself respecting Han Luo even more.

This kid is truly one in a million.

He knows how to stay low and avoid danger before he rises to power.

The future of Luoxian Sect truly looks promising.

“Understood, Uncle,” Han Luo replied and left with Jiu Li’er.

“Father, Han Luo is such a coward. How did he even get accepted into the sect?” Lei Jiu couldn’t hide his frustration.

Lei Xing looked at his son.

How did he get accepted?

If only you knew.

The competition to recruit Han Luo had been so fierce that several peak masters had nearly come to blows. In the end, they had to settle the matter through a formal contest.

“Jiu’er, Han Luo is no ordinary person,” Lei Xing said, his tone unusually warm as he patted his son’s shoulder.

“You may be stronger than him now, but there are many things you can learn from him.”

Lei Jiu was stunned.

His father had never spoken to him like this before.

“Back then, I was just like you,” Lei Xing continued, his voice softer than usual. “I rushed to the Golden Battlefield, believing that a man’s greatest honor was to die on the battlefield. I thought shouting the loudest was the highest form of valor.

“But after hundreds of years, I’ve come to understand something.

“Sometimes… silence holds more power than shouting.

“Jiu’er, remember—true strength doesn’t come from reckless anger. It comes from silent determination.

“And I believe you’re someone who understands that.”

Lei Jiu felt as if his body was floating.

Am I dreaming?

From childhood, his father had been a man of few words.

The phrase he heard most often was simply: “Cultivate.”

Yet in this moment, Lei Xing had said more than he had in twenty-eight years combined.

“Understood,” Lei Jiu nodded firmly, his gaze now steadier.

But as his mind calmed, his thoughts drifted back to Han Luo.

When he had been pressing Han Luo earlier, the guy had remained composed, unshaken, and unmoved.

Father’s right. Who exactly is Han Luo?

After parting ways with Jiu Li’er, Han Luo immediately returned to Luoxian Mountain.

“Phew…”

Only when he was finally seated on the stone bench under the parasol tree did he truly relax.

That was terrifying.

Demons were too dangerous. Nothing beat the safety of home.

Under the tree, he took out the ancient bronze mirror.

In the reflection, he could see everything from Lei Jiu’s perspective.

During their earlier confrontation, Han Luo had secretly planted a trace of ancient bronze spirit patterns on Lei Jiu, allowing him to monitor everything.

So he had heard every word of Lei Xing’s lecture to Lei Jiu.

A faint, amused smile spread across Han Luo’s face.

When did I become so exceptional?

Why didn’t I notice?

I’ve actually become the model child that other parents compare their kids to.

Even someone as talented as Lei Jiu was being told to learn from him.

Caution is always the right path.

Han Luo nodded to himself.

His obsession with caution only grew stronger.

As he composed himself, he watched through the ancient bronze mirror as Lei Xing and Lei Jiu approached a desolate mountain.