Upon returning home, Zhong Yun was pleasantly surprised to find his parents had finally returned—both of their cars were parked in the courtyard. Unlocking the door, he saw his parents and Yang Siqing chatting in the living room.

“Xiao Yun is back.” Seeing her beloved son return, Yun Rong was overjoyed.

“What have you two been so busy with these past few days? Not even coming home to sleep. If you hadn't returned soon, I was about to call the police,” Zhong Yun grumbled, dropping his backpack.

“We have a guest, mind your manners,” Zhong Pingjiang admonished him.

Zhong Yun made a face. “Mom, I’m heading upstairs.” With that, he clattered up the stairs.

“This child.” Yun Rong’s face was full of indulgent affection.

“Zhong Yun is a good kid,” Yang Siqing commented at the opportune moment, which made Yun Rong beam even wider.

Just as they were speaking, Zhong Yun clattered back down the stairs, holding a round box in his hands. “Dad, Mom, I brought you something nice.”

He then picked up the teapot from the table, poured out the old leaves, and opened the round box he’d brought.

In the past, seeing his son behave so rudely in front of a guest, Zhong Pingjiang would surely have scolded him.

But ever since learning that his son had cultivated the “Nine Stars Accompanying the Moon,” his perception of Zhong Yun had changed dramatically. He no longer saw him as a good-for-nothing son who needed his constant care.

So, this time, he remained silent.

After the box was opened, Yang Siqing’s eyelids twitched several times, and he exclaimed happily, “‘Heart-Cleansing Decoction’? I didn't expect you to have such a marvelous item.”

Zhong Yun smiled without answering, scooping two teaspoons into the teapot and pouring in hot water. Amidst the rising steam, a pure fragrance spread throughout the room.

He poured a cup for each of the three and made a gesture inviting them to drink.

Yang Siqing lifted his cup first, downed it in one go, and then closed his eyes, savoring the taste.

Seeing his exaggerated reaction, Zhong Yun couldn’t help but find it amusing.

Zhong Pingjiang and Yun Rong also raised their cups, took a small sip, and their eyes immediately lit up. They too finished their drinks in one gulp.

“Dad, Mom, what have you been busy with lately?” Zhong Yun asked while refilling the teapot.

“We were just about to tell you,” Zhong Pingjiang set down his teacup. “Your mother and I have resigned from our old company.”

Zhong Yun froze, his hand shaking so much that the boiling water nearly scalded him. Both his parents valued their careers more than their son; how could they quit? Still, he knew his father surely had more to say.

As expected, Zhong Pingjiang continued, “Your mother and I have started our own company. We’ll be extremely busy from now on, which means we might have even less time to come home and spend with you.”

“You started a company?” Zhong Yun was slightly surprised, but it didn’t bother him much. He laughed, “Do you think I’m a three-year-old who still needs someone to keep me company?”

“Go ahead and focus on your work. I can take care of myself.”

Seeing his son so understanding, Zhong Pingjiang was filled with relief. “Xiao Yun has grown up.”

“Xiao Yun, we’ve made things hard for you,” Yun Rong felt a pang of guilt. Work was important, but to her, her son was more important.

“Once the company gets on track, won’t you have more time to be with our son?” Zhong Pingjiang consoled his wife.

“Oh, please.” Zhong Yun put on a look of exasperation. “I’m seventeen years old! Do you think I still need you to change my diapers?”

“Go ahead and focus on your work; your son has grown up. Remember, I will always be your solid support.”

The Zhong Pingjiang couple only managed to steal some time to see their son; there was a pile of matters awaiting attention at the company. After seeing him, they had to return immediately.

Before leaving, Zhong Yun handed over the entire box of “Heart-Cleansing Decoction,” instructing them to drink it daily.

After they left, Yang Siqing looked Zhong Yun up and down, a strange light flickering in his eyes. “It’s only been one night, but you seem to have improved again.”

Zhong Yun shot him a look of disdain. “Haven’t you ever seen a prodigy?” He turned and headed upstairs. “Call me when the food arrives.”

“Hey, do you have any more ‘Heart-Cleansing Decoction’? Throw a box my way too,” Yang Siqing called out from behind him.

Zhong Yun spread his hands. “Nope, I gave it all to my parents.”

“Stingy!” the old man muttered a couple of times behind him.

Zhong Yun pretended not to hear. Back in his room, he connected to the computer, and a familiar, cold voice announced, “Combat simulation training commencing.”

It was like a faint electrical current passing through his entire body. Zhong Yun became as alert as a cheetah hunting prey; his senses sharpened exquisitely. Ahead of him, the tall figure materialized.

First strike, best strike.

For the first time, Zhong Yun initiated the attack...

Ten minutes later, battered and bruised all over, Zhong Yun collapsed in defeat, unwilling to accept it.

Challenge failed. Score: Ninety.

Just a little more, Zhong Yun lay on the ground, clenching his fists tightly. Just a little more, and he could have won. If he could have held on just a moment longer, just a little longer...

“Again...”

By now, he and his opponent were trading blows fiercely, evenly matched. Although Zhong Yun’s attacks still lacked proper form—every move was a mutual destruction tactic.

The virtual opponent, on the other hand, seemed utterly immune to pain. The two exchanged punch for kick, a contest of whose body was tougher, who could endure more blows.

After a few more minutes, Zhong Yun was already swaying precariously. One eye had been struck and swelled alarmingly high, constantly streaming tears, causing him to see everything in double vision.

His opponent wasn't faring well either; the price for hitting Zhong Yun’s eye was having his wrist dislocated.

The two faced off, neither daring to make a sudden move.

A tide of intense pain washed over Zhong Yun. He fought to control his ragged breathing, synchronizing his rhythm with Jialan’s breathing technique, feeling strength accumulating drop by drop within him.

He moved, stepping forward, his fist aimed squarely at the opponent’s cheek, carrying an unstoppable momentum.

Thud.

The two fists collided, emitting a dull, fleshy impact. Both arms went limp, hanging uselessly.

“Hah!”

Zhong Yun roared, pushing forward instead of retreating, raising his left hand and slamming it viciously toward the opponent’s neck. Even with only one functioning hand, he would defeat you.

Crack!

It sounded like snapping a cane, a brittle sound. Under Zhong Yun’s full-force punch, the internal bone structure in the **’s neck shattered completely, leaving only a layer of skin. His head drooped backward, the bone fragments pushing up the skin of his neck.

Zhong Yun was not unaffected. The **’s dying counterattack sent a kick into his thigh, sending him tumbling several meters across the ground.

After a while, he fought through the agony racking his entire body and struggled to stand up.

Bang.

Across from him, the seemingly invincible ** collapsed heavily to the ground.

“Challenge successful. Score: 10.”

In the blink of an eye, the pain vanished without a trace. Zhong Yun tilted his head back, gazing at the sky, an unparalleled feeling swelling in his chest.

I did it.

In that moment, Zhong Yun felt capable of conquering any obstacle.