DING! Congratulations, Host, for successfully completing the task. You have received the following reward: Secret Manual: Longevity Formula.

Chen Zheng had deeply engraved everything about the Longevity Formula in his mind. He tried following its instructions to guide the flow of True Qi within his body and found the process as smooth as a flowing stream.

Although both the Longevity Formula and the Golden Bell Shield were ancient martial arts, one was a method of cultivation while the other was a technique for combat. Their inherent natures were as different as night and day.

After circulating it for one cycle, he discovered that the True Qi in his body had increased by a sliver. Though faint, it was like a spring rain nourishing the earth—silent yet powerful.

This method's effect is extraordinary. I wonder if others can cultivate it the way I can.

Chen Zheng fell into deep thought. The day's events had set off an alarm in his heart, and he decided to weave a protective barrier for the people around him.

National arts seemed impractical to him, as they required endless hard work and years of training. Although he possessed Pei Yuan Pills, which could accelerate the training of national arts, they could only help his friends and family start on the path of cultivation faster than others if they lacked a foundation.

Time slipped by silently, like water droplets.

However, this mysterious Longevity Formula was like a ray of dawn, illuminating the path of cultivation. It was a shortcut. If one could successfully master it, they could bypass the painful tempering that came with the national arts.

Ripples formed in Chen Zheng's heart. If I supplement it with Pei Yuan Pills, maybe I can infuse a trace of True Qi into Mom, Dad, and Zi Xuan. That would grant them a power that transcends ordinary people.

He etched this idea in his mind, intending to try it upon his return to Yun City.

Shaking off his thoughts, he turned to chat with Li Yitong and Yan Lili. The conversation was light and pleasant until the takeout delivery arrived. Yan Lili, tired from her long day, chose a room to rest. Chen Zheng and Li Yitong then went into the bedroom.

「The next morning.」

The three of them arrived at the airport. Despite their reluctance to part, at Chen Zheng's insistence, neither the Li family nor the Liu family came to see them off.

「Hours later.」

The plane landed in Yun City.

"Lily, are you planning to go home?" Chen Zheng asked.

"Yes, I want to go see my parents first. In two days, I'll be back in the city for work. Brother, I've decided to work at Gourmet City!" Yan Lili answered.

"Good. I'll arrange for a driver to take you home later," Chen Zheng replied.

"That's great! Thank you, Brother!" Yan Lili's eyes twinkled with joy as she nodded, as if accepting an invaluable gift.

"Chen Zheng, I have to go," Li Yitong said, her gaze filled with a deep reluctance as she looked at him, her heart full of concern.

"Okay. Come over tonight; I have something to tell you. I need to go to Mumu Village now and bring my mom and dad over."

Li Yitong frowned, her curiosity piqued by Chen Zheng's secret. "Oh? What is it?" she asked.

"I'll tell you tonight. For now, it's a secret," Chen Zheng said with a mischievous chuckle, the corners of his mouth lifting.

Then, Chen Zheng called Li Hao, asking him to bring Zhao Gao to the villa in the evening. He followed up with a call to Da Hong and also notified Wei Zixuan and Liu Qianqian. Afterward, he drove the Mercedes, speeding toward Mumu Village.

「A few hours later.」

Chen Zheng entered the villa with his father and mother.

"Housekeeper, remember my parents' information. Open the door for them directly when they arrive," Chen Zheng said casually.

"Yes!"

The voice of the smart AI suddenly piped up like a cool breeze, startling his parents.

"Ah, how much did all this cost?" His parents looked around like they were in a fairyland, curious about every detail.

"Hmm… around tens of millions," Chen Zheng answered vaguely, chuckling to himself.

"Tens of millions?! How can you be so wasteful?" his dad's face changed dramatically, as if doused with cold water.

Chen Zheng sighed helplessly. He had anticipated this reaction but couldn't explain that the villa was a gift from the system.

"What are you talking about? Look at our son! He's worth billions and living in a mansion worth tens of millions. If that's not success, what is? I asked you to come live in the city, but you refused!" his mother said, comforting her husband.

Hearing this, his dad was speechless. He thought for a moment and realized his wife had a point.

"Feel free to look around. I'm going out to buy groceries. Qian Qian and Zi Xuan will be over for dinner soon," Chen Zheng said, leaving nonchalantly in his car.

「When he returned.」

Liu Qianqian and Wei Zixuan had already arrived. As he stepped into the living room, he was met with an accusing look from his mother. His father, on the other hand, was beaming with pride.

What happened?! Chen Zheng wondered, feeling like a startled deer. He quickly escaped into the kitchen and threw himself into cooking.

While he was busy, however, Li Yitong walked elegantly into the kitchen. When she emerged with the dishes, three pairs of eyes, filled with deep resentment, landed on him at the same time as his mother's stern gaze.

Meanwhile, his father's admiration for him was now as endless as a torrential river.

"Why is everyone staring at me? Come on, try the food!" Chen Zheng felt uneasy being the center of attention and eagerly invited everyone to eat.

The dinner concluded in a cheerful atmosphere, filled with the laughter of his mother and the three young women. Throughout the meal, however, Chen Zheng and his father remained silent, both sensing an indescribably heavy atmosphere.

The suffocating silence was finally broken by the arrival of Li Hao and Zhao Gao.

"Brother Zheng, what's this all about? Why did you want us to come over?" Li Hao asked as he walked in. The constant demands of Gourmet City were exhausting, but he enjoyed every day and felt fulfilled.

"I have something to tell you. What I'm about to say might overturn everything you think you know, so you need to be prepared," Chen Zheng said, his expression turning serious.

Everyone was stunned. Only Li Yitong's eyes held a subtle glint, as if she had already figured everything out.

"Brother Zheng, what's wrong with you? I've never seen you like this," Li Hao couldn't help but say, reaching out to touch Chen Zheng's forehead.

"Get lost!" Chen Zheng reacted fiercely, shoving Li Hao away with a kick.

"Son, can you tell us what in the world has happened?" his dad asked, captivated by Chen Zheng's intensely serious gaze. His curiosity burned like a wildfire.

"Dad, have you ever heard of 'Wu'? Not ancient martial arts or modern national arts, but a power that's closer to life itself..." Chen Zheng began his explanation.

"You mean like the superpowers in TV shows? The kind that can split mountains and snatch objects out of thin air?" his dad asked with a frown, beginning to grasp what Chen Zheng was getting at.

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