Cultivation Daddy

Chapter 199: Chapter 198: Li Jingxuan’s Dignity is on the Line (1)

The fog in South River City was exceptionally thick this morning. As the first pale rays of sunlight tried to pierce the gray mist, a figure was already standing by Li Jain’s courtyard gate, shivering and wrapping her violet silk robes tighter around herself.

It was Li Meirong. Her teeth chattered as she glared at the locked doors. Her mother’s threat of being sent to the reflection cave for a month had successfully driven any desire to sleep right out of her. She had been standing here since before five in the morning, her feet were aching even her face was a little red from the cold: ’Why do I have to wait here like some common servant while Chenglei gets to sleep in?’ she grumbled inwardly with resentment.

She and Chenglei are twins, so why were they treated differently? The more she thought about it, the more unwilling she became.

Just as she was about to stomp her feet in frustration, the heavy gate creaked open. Li Jain stepped out, dressed in his simple white robes with jade-green embroidery. He looked very fresh, completely unaffected by the early morning chill. In his hands, he carried a beautifully crafted, dark wooden sealed box sealed in his hands.

Li Jain paused in slight surprise when he saw her. He wasn’t sure she was going to show up: "Cousin Meirong, you are indeed early." He greeted her with a smile.

Meirong swallowed her anger, forcing a stiff nod: "Mother sent me... to collect the dish for Chenglei."

"I see," Li Jain replied, handing over the box: "This is the Instant Breakthrough dish. I have personally sealed it with a spirit-preservation formation to keep the medicinal spiritual energy from dissipating. Make sure Chenglei consumes it within an hour of opening. Good luck to him on his breakthrough."

Meirong took the box uncertainly. She had originally thought Li Jain would say something else to her. Maybe he would mention yesterday’s matter, to lecture her on her behavior. Or that cold-eyed son of his would say something irritating again. But they were silent, as if they had forgotten the previous incident.

This made her embarrassed: "Thank you, Cousin Jain." She muttered, keeping her words to an absolute minimum to avoid sounding like a beggar.

"You’re welcome."

Only a few words were exchanged between them before Li Jain passed her and headed toward the awaiting carriage with his children.

Once in the carriage, he said to the children: "Let’s go. Today is the first day back after the break."

At the mention of school, the children’s expressions changed differently.

Li Juanxin asked: "Daddy, will you pick us up later?"

Li Jain nodded: "I will send you all to school first, then go to the tavern. Either me, or Fu Seng would pick you up."

Because it was no longer the weekend, the Spiritual Tavern could not have all seven little buns running around inside. Li Jain had already prepared most of the dishes before leaving the residence, and the rest could be made after he returned from dropping them off.

They took the carriage toward District Seven.

Meirong watched them leave with a mixture of envy and frustration, clutching the box tightly before turning back toward the North Branch’s residence.

Once the family arrived at the lively streets of District Seven, the morning was already busy with activity. Before opening the doors of the Spiritual Tavern, Li Jain gathered the children in their private dining room for breakfast. He had prepared steaming bowls of spirit veined congee and soft, warm meat buns stuffed with veggies that sent a mouth-watering fragrance throughout the room.

After the children had eaten their fill, Li Jain gave the prepared dishes to Bai Lian.

Bai Lian accepted the storage ring from Li Jain and said: "Master, most early orders can be handled. The dishes that require immediate cooking will wait until you return."

Li Jain nodded: "If guests ask, tell them to wait for an hour."

Hou Mingyu smiled. "We will."

Li Jain looked around at the others who were already busy and said: "I will be back after taking the children to school."

Bai Lian bowed lightly: "Master can go without worry."

The children returned to the carriage. The first stop was Azure Cloud Academy. Li Yujian and Li Jingsheng got down first.

Before leaving, Jingsheng turned back and said seriously: "Father, do not forget to rest."

Li Jain smiled: "I know."

Li Yujian looked at him silently.

Li Jain paused, then added: "I will really rest."

Only then did Li Yujian nod.

Li Yuhan leaned out of the carriage and laughed. "Elder brother, you are becoming Father’s supervisor."

Li Yujian looked at him: "Someone has to."

Li Jain felt a little wronged but could not refute it. He wasn’t really tired, with his cultivation, he can stay up for months without rest. But he was trying to live a normal life, therefore occasional rest was necessary.

After Azure Cloud, they went to Moonstone Scholars’ Institute. Li Cheng and Li Juanxin got off next. Li Jain gave them some advice and left.

Finally, the carriage arrived at Vermillion Sword Hall. Li Yuhan, Li Zhang, and Li Jingxuan got off together.

The atmosphere of Vermillion was always livelier than the other two schools. Students were already running across the training grounds, some carrying wooden swords, some arguing loudly, and some practicing movement techniques so early in the morning that dust rose beneath their feet.

Li Zhang took one look and became excited: "This place really suits me."

Li Yuhan said: "That is not necessarily praise."

"It’s left to you to judge."

Li Jingxuan, however, seemed distracted. He had a bad feeling and just wanted to turn around and go home.

Li Jain noticed and asked: "Xiao Xuan, what’s wrong?"

Li Jingxuan quickly shook his head: "Nothing, Daddy. Have a safe trip back."

Li Jain told them to behave well and left.

The moment Li Jingxuan entered his classroom, he understood why he had felt uneasy. The crafting challenge that had been postponed before had returned.

The morning classes had barely begun when Instructor Zhuang made an announcement that sent excitement through the students... well, some students.

"The crafting challenge will resume in three days," Instructor Zhuan announced: "This time, the reward has been upgraded. The winner will receive one bottle of Flame Tempering Liquid, one piece of low-grade Flame Pattern Iron, and the chance to study for half a day in the outer forging pavilion."

The students immediately became excited:

"Flame Tempering Liquid?"

"And Flame Pattern Iron too?"

"The reward is much better than before."

"Half a day in the forging pavilion is the best part. Just thinking about all those refining books makes my blood boil."

Li Jingxuan’s eyes moved. He remembered this challenge. At first, he was interested. After all, weapon craftsmanship sounded fun.

But after trying it properly, he realized one painful truth. Craftsmanship was a lot of work. Not to mention, his finished products were never pleasing to the eyes.

It was not just smashing metal with a hammer. It needed patience, control, material understanding, flame balance, spiritual energy timing, and steady hands. If the flame was too strong, the material became damaged. If the flame was too weak, it would not soften. If his spiritual energy entered too quickly, the internal structure would scatter.

Li Jingxuan had thought fighting was tiring. Crafting was way worse.

Fighting at least allowed him to move around. Crafting made him stand there and focus until his head hurt.

Instructor Zhuan saw him in the crowd and called: "Li Jingxuan."

Li Jingxuan straightened immediately. "Teacher."

"You are still registered for the challenge. Do not forget. Three days from now. Are you excited? After the break, I’m sure your skills must have improved."

Li Jingxuan sighed and hesitated: "Teacher, can I ask something?"

Instructor Zhuan looked at him: "Ask away."

"If someone realizes craftsmanship is very difficult, is it too late to regret?"

The nearby students immediately laughed.

Instructor Zhuan’s mouth twitched: "What do you think?"

Li Jingxuan sighed deeply: "I think it is probably too late."

Instructor Zhuan pointed at him: "You already passed the first selection before the postponement. Do not waste that chance. You have talent in flame control, but your patience is poor. These three days, practice properly."

Li Jingxuan lowered his head: "Yes, Teacher."

He was not very confident. He liked winning, and being praised. He liked the idea of creating something with his own hands. But when he thought about three days of serious forging practice, his excitement dropped by half.

The students whispered excitedly, but Li Jingxuan only let out a miserable sigh, slumping over his wooden desk. Although he had fire as his main spiritual root and an innate talent for refining, he loved playing and eating far more than hard labor.

"Three days?" Jingxuan grumbled to himself, puffing out his cheeks: "Craftsmanship is so much work. My arms are going to fall off from all that hammering. Maybe I should just pretend to have a stomachache, I’m sure Dad will let me rest."

At this moment, a familiar voice came from behind him: "Jingxuan!"

A bright, enthusiastic voice cut through his lazy thoughts. Li Jingxuan looked up to see Shen Yang running toward him, his eyes sparkling with admiration. Shen Yang was his close friend, and when he heard the news, he couldn’t contain his excitement.

"I heard the crafting challenge is back on! You’re definitely going to participate, right?" Shen Yang asked, gripping Jingxuan’s shoulders: "You have to win! I told everyone that you’re the most amazing refiner in our age group. I’ll be there cheering for you the whole time!"

Li Jingxuan scratched his cheek: "I am not sure. Forging is harder than I thought."

Shen Yang immediately said: "But you can control fire well. Last time, Teacher Zhuan praised you."

"That was only once."

"Once is still praise." Shen Yang looked at him seriously: "I think you can do it. Even if you do n’t win first place, you will definitely do better than most people."

Looking at Shen Yang’s face, which was full of absolute trust and unshakeable belief in his abilities, Li Jingxuan’s lazy attitude vanished in an instant. His Heavenly Refining Bloodline seemed to boil with a sudden surge of pride. His chest swelled, and a bright grin spread across his face.

"Of course I’m participating!" Jingxuan said, flexing his small arm: "Just watch, Yang Yang! I’ll forge the best weapon this academy has ever seen and sweep the competition! Nobody can beat me!"

"I know you can do it." Shen Yang cheered.

Li Jingxuan’s back slowly straightened. The tiredness in his heart disappeared almost instantly. If Shen Yang believed he could do it, then how could he look lazy?

Li Jingxuan clenched his small fist. He must win the competition for Yang Yang!

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