The Hearts of Parents Are Full of Pity

“Cough cough…”

Xu Jinghuai coughed lightly. Although there were many things he wanted to complain about regarding Xia Jin’s family, it was best to return to the main topic for now.

“Since your wife is pregnant and unable to attend, it’s an unavoidable matter.”

“Fine, this Venerable will speak with you alone then.”

Xia Dongyan nodded heavily, nervously saying, “Immortal Venerable, please speak.”

Even without deliberately releasing his aura, Xu Jinghuai, with his immortal demeanor, always exerted immense pressure with his unintentional words and actions.

Just like now, Xu Jinghuai placed his hand on the dining table, his index finger gently tapping. This had no meaning in itself; it was merely a habitual gesture Xu Jinghuai used to remember important things.

However, to Xia Dongyan, it became a prosecutor’s interrogation technique, and with each fall of that finger, it would slowly wear down his spirit.

Time was also infinitely stretched…

Gulp…

Xia Dongyan swallowed with difficulty, feeling as if he was about to suffocate.

Of course, it wasn’t actually that exaggerated.

The external flow of time was perfectly normal, and Xu Jinghuai wasn’t being deliberately mysterious. Instead, he spoke directly: “Firstly, Xia Jin has today become this Venerable’s disciple, my first disciple. You need to be aware of this matter.”

Xia Dongyan nodded repeatedly, indicating his understanding.

“Secondly, according to our sect rules, in order not to hinder cultivation, Xia Jin will remain in the Wuling Immortal Sect year-round to study the immortal path. As for whether she will have the opportunity to return for a family reunion in the future, this Venerable cannot give you a definite answer.”

Xu Jinghuai paused, then continued, “Cultivation knows no years. It might be ten, twenty, or even a hundred years before she might have a chance to return. This depends on Xia Jin’s cultivation progress; she can only descend the mountain when the time is right. You must be aware of this…”

After all, the minimum cultivation required by Wuling Immortal Sect to descend the mountain for experience was to reach the early Golden Core stage.

Taking a common dual-spirit-root cultivator in the Cangnan Realm as an example, their cultivation speed, starting from no cultivation, generally takes about a hundred years to reach the Golden Core stage, not including the time for breakthroughs.

Of course, there were exceptions, such as now, with peak masters or elders leading them down the mountain, in which case the restrictions were not as strict.

At this moment, Xia Dongyan instinctively looked at Xia Jin beside him upon hearing this, and found Xia Jin was also looking at him, with reluctance in her sparkling eyes.

‘Indeed.’

‘Mortals, throughout their lives, only have a lifespan of about a hundred years.’

‘And cultivators?’

‘As their cultivation steadily advances, they become increasingly long-lived.’

‘A hundred years later, the once-mortal has turned to dust, while the cultivator remains as they were. How deeply moving.’

Xu Jinghuai’s words were subtly telling him that Xia Jin might never be seen again after going up the mountain.

In truth, Xia Dongyan already knew these principles without Xu Jinghuai having to tell him.

Although Xia Dongyan was also very reluctant to part with his sensible and obedient daughter, he could not let Xia Jin abandon the path of cultivation because of his reluctance.

To sever someone’s immortal destiny was an evil act that defied heavenly principles!

So, even if it was his own daughter, it couldn’t be helped!

Initially, upon learning that Xia Jin had an immortal destiny, and after the initial overwhelming joy had subsided, Xia Dongyan and his wife regained their composure and had discussed this matter.

They had resolutely decided to send Xia Jin to cultivate; they had already come to terms with it.

Xia Jin’s small hand gripped Xia Dongyan’s clothes. Although still young, she was not ignorant of everything, and precisely because of her youth, a child’s mind was always exceptionally sharp.

Although Xu Jinghuai hadn’t mentioned separation in his words, Xia Jin still vaguely sensed it.

Looking up with her small face, Xia Jin softly and weakly asked, “Daddy… does Immortal Master mean Jin’er might never see Daddy again…?”

Xia Dongyan was silent for a moment, then burst into laughter, and rubbed Xia Jin’s head vigorously: “How could that be? Silly girl, didn’t Immortal Master say it? Whether you can meet or not depends on whether you, Jin’er, work hard in your cultivation!”

“But… but…”

Xia Jin’s eyes reddened, looking as if she was about to cry: “What if Jin’er cultivates very hard, but still, still…”

‘What if I can’t see Daddy and Mommy again?’

Xia Jin didn’t speak the last sentence, because such words were always inauspicious and no one liked to hear them.

But the truth was indeed so; everyone present knew it well.

Xia Dongyan was already forty years old, having lived almost half of a mortal’s lifespan. Was there truly enough time left for Xia Jin?

Xia Dongyan squatted down, hugged Xia Jin in his arms, and gently patted Xia Jin’s back: “Jin’er, listen to Daddy. Our Xia family ancestors were all humble, hardworking farmers. In the past, farm work meant facing the yellow earth and having our backs to the sky every day, earning just enough food to fill our bellies and a few copper coins. Back then, Daddy suffered a lot with Grandpa.”

“But the landlord’s son, of Daddy’s generation, never worried about food or drink, and even had his own toys.”

“At that time, Daddy wondered, why should a landlord’s child be born to enjoy wealth and prosperity?”

“Daddy was unwilling. Defying Grandpa’s objections, he went out alone to make his own way and struggle.”

“As a result, he suffered even more, often so tired he wanted to give up. But Daddy thought, if he went back, wouldn’t his next generation, and the generation after that, become old, struggling farmers again, never having a chance to rise up?”

“So Daddy gritted his teeth and persevered, which is why we have what we have today.”

“Daddy has a dream: he hopes that one day, our Xia family can reach greater heights, become a renowned family, no longer suffer hardships, no longer be looked down upon. He hopes that when everyone sees our Xia family’s future descendants, their first thought will be, ‘Look, that’s the Xia family’s young lady or young master, you must not disrespect them!'”

Unconsciously, Xia Dongyan’s voice began to tremble, and his hands on Xia Jin’s shoulders shook uncontrollably.

Xia Jin was also affected by this emotion, hugging Xia Dongyan’s arm. Although there was still reluctance in her eyes, it was mostly replaced by an emotion called determination.

“Jin’er… understands! Jin’er will definitely live up to Daddy’s expectations and become an immortal!”

A still slightly childish voice made the firmest vow.

Xia Dongyan could no longer hold back; father and daughter embraced again.

“Jin’er! My good daughter!”

“Daddy…”

Xu Jinghuai, sitting on the side, quietly watched the emotional scene unfold. His heart was also touched, and a memory of his parents accompanying him to the station when he left home for college in his previous life flashed through his mind.

He couldn’t help but sigh.

‘All parents in the world are the same, hoping their children will succeed, yet at the very end, they are the most reluctant to let go, thus entangled and contradictory.’

‘Poor parents throughout the world.’