Chapter 45: I Became the "Golden Child" of Someone Else's Family

Lei Xing was coming not only because he had to treat matters involving the Demon Race with caution, but also because he wanted to get closer to Zheng Tuo.

With Zheng Tuo's talent, his future achievements would inevitably be extraordinary. He would be an asset to Lei Xing, and to his son as well.

In the pursuit of cultivation and the Dao, what is most important?

Resources, of course.

Despite the richness of the Eastern Region, it would still take the Demon Race a thousand years to launch an invasion. In reality, as the number of cultivators gradually increased, the struggle for resources had become increasingly fierce. And to seize those resources, one required true powerhouses.

Zheng Tuo had the potential to become a true powerhouse; he was worth the investment. If he treated Zheng Tuo well now, and Zheng Tuo achieved greatness later, a bit of casual guidance might even allow the father and son to ascend to the Immortal Realm and become immortals themselves.

Of course, closeness was merely closeness; it had not yet reached the level of sycophancy.

"Uncle Martial," "Uncle Senior," Zheng Tuo and Jiu Li'er greeted them respectfully.

"I am already aware of the situation. Let's go. Lead me to where the demonic aura was discovered."

Having received the message from Lei Jiu, which briefly described the events, Lei Xing began to walk forward, intending to proceed.

"Um... Uncle Martial."

Zheng Tuo showed no intention of moving at all.

"What is it? Is there something else?" Seeing Zheng Tuo's expression, which looked like he was suffering from constipation, Lei Jiu wondered what the fellow was up to now. Lei Xing also wore a questioning expression.

"Uncle Martial, what I wanted to say is..." Zheng Tuo looked at the two of them. "I mean, I think I won't be going."

Zheng Tuo spoke thus, having harbored this thought for some time.

When it came to matters like a Demon Race invasion, it was best not to get involved if possible. The methods of the Demon Race were notorious for being bizarre and unpredictable. Since they dared to invade the Falling Immortal Sect, they must be one hundred percent prepared. Although he had a Golden Core stage Peak Master like Lei Xing accompanying him, he still felt there was danger. Not going was the best choice. Being cautious was never a mistake.

The only reason he had insisted on Peak Master Lei Xing coming was because he was afraid the demons would escape. If they fled, he wouldn't be able to sleep or eat in peace.

Zheng Tuo's cowardly behavior made Lei Jiu frown, and while Lei Xing said nothing, he felt somewhat unsettled in his heart. As the future face of the Falling Immortal Sect, Zheng Tuo's every move would represent the sect, much like how Lyu Danchen and Ye Qingqing represented the sect today. Zheng Tuo's attitude made him worry about the future of the Falling Immortal Sect.

Among those present, only Jiu Li'er seemed to understand why Zheng Tuo was so cautious. The observant girl noticed that no matter what Zheng Tuo did, he was extremely prudent; he would not act without complete certainty. For instance, when studying array formations, even if there was the slightest error, her Senior Brother would stop and research until he understood the mistake completely before continuing. Perhaps that was why her Senior Brother was so excellent.

Seeing Lei Xing's displeased expression, Zheng Tuo knew the man preferred disciples who were decisive and unafraid of danger. *But I have no need to change my principles just to please you.*

"Uncle Martial Lei Xing, please rest assured. I can be one hundred percent certain that demonic aura has appeared within the Falling Immortal Sect. There is no mistake," Zheng Tuo gave his guarantee.

Lei Xing remained silent, his thoughts unreadable.

"Junior Brother, with Peak Master Lei Xing here, what are you afraid of? Are you afraid the Peak Master won't be able to protect you? You should know that my fa... no, Peak Master Lei Xing's strength has reached the late Golden Core stage, and he will surely break through to the Nascent Soul stage within the next hundred years. Could such a powerhouse not protect you?"

Lei Jiu had originally developed a high opinion of Zheng Tuo. He felt that although Zheng Tuo had flaws, his concern for the disciples of the Falling Immortal Sect was palpable and sincere. Such sincerity commanded his respect. Lei Jiu viewed the Falling Immortal Sect as his home and hoped for its prosperity, so anyone who acted for its benefit earned his recognition.

But now, Zheng Tuo's timid behavior filled him with contempt. On the path of cultivation, one cannot hide in the back forever. Once you reach the Qi Sea stage, you must serve in the Great Golden Region and fight the Demon Race head-on. On that cruel battlefield, would you still hide and let your brothers charge ahead? A real man should be like himself, heading to the Golden Battlefield during the Foundation Establishment stage to temper himself.

Zheng Tuo did not know how Lei Jiu viewed him. Even if he did, he would not change his way of doing things. Seeing that Lei Xing still remained silent, he could only say helplessly, "Uncle Martial Lei Xing, it was the Ancient Bronze Mirror that detected the demonic aura. You may go and investigate as you wish."

Zheng Tuo mentioned the Ancient Bronze Mirror to make Lei Xing understand: *If you keep stalling with me, the demons will have long since vanished.*

"Fine. You two go back. Leave this matter to me. But you two must know—this matter must not be leaked. Do you understand what I mean?"

Lei Xing thought for a moment and decided that Zheng Tuo's behavior was not without merit. Cultivators were human too; who wouldn't cherish their lives? In fact, once a cultivator possessed the supernatural ability to fly and traverse lands, they were often even more cautious than ordinary people. Zheng Tuo was simply making a decision any normal person would make.

It was just that the boy was a super genius. In Lei Xing's preconceived notions, a super genius should be unafraid of risk, or even create risk to charge forward. Only then could they demonstrate talent beyond the ordinary and earn admiration. However, such people often died halfway through their journey. Conversely, someone like Zheng Tuo—cautious, taking things one step at a time, and retreating immediately when things were wrong—was the type who could survive to the end.

Having come to terms with this, Lei Xing looked at Zheng Tuo with a growing sense of admiration. *Truly a one-in-a-million super genius, knowing he must remain low-profile and avoid all danger before his rise. The future of our Falling Immortal Sect is indeed extraordinary.*

"We understand, Uncle Martial," Zheng Tuo replied, leading Jiu Li'er away.

"Father, this Zheng Tuo is too cowardly. With such a personality, how was he even recruited into the sect?" Lei Jiu felt disgruntled.

Lei Xing looked at his son. *How was he recruited? Do you think I can tell you that back then, they almost came to blows just to recruit him, and eventually had to settle it through an examination?*

"Jiu'er, Zheng Tuo is not an ordinary person. Although your strength is greater than his, there are many things about him worth learning from."

In a rare moment, Lei Xing patted his son's shoulder and said warmly, "Years ago, I was just like you. I entered the Golden Battlefield early, believing that the best end for a man was to be wrapped in horsehide and die on the battlefield. I thought a man's life was only truly sublimated when he roared loudly. But after these several hundred years, I have learned a truth: sometimes, silence holds more power than a roar. Jiu'er, remember this: a true powerhouse is never one who rages with fury, but one who remains silent. I believe you are that silent person."

Lei Jiu felt as if he were floating, as if in a dream. Since childhood, his father had always been a man of few words in his eyes. The most his father ever said to him was about cultivation. The words spoken this moment were more than everything he had heard in his twenty-eight years combined.

"Mhm." Lei Jiu nodded vigorously, a hint of determination appearing in his eyes. In silence, he thought of Zheng Tuo just now. Facing his aggressive questioning, Zheng Tuo had remained silent and steady as a mountain, without a trace of anger. He trusted his father's judgment. *Zheng Tuo, just what kind of person are you?*

***

After parting with Jiu Li'er, Zheng Tuo immediately returned to Falling Immortal Mountain.

"Phew..."

Only when his buttocks finally hit the stone stool did Zheng Tuo breathe a sigh of relief. That was terrifying. The Demon Race was too dangerous; his own home was much safer.

Under the parasol tree, he took out the Ancient Bronze Mirror. Within the mirror, Lei Jiu's first-person perspective emerged. During the argument just now, he had secretly placed an Ancient Bronze Spirit Pattern on Senior Brother Lei Jiu. Therefore, he had heard every word of Lei Xing's teaching to his son.

A meaningful smile crept onto his face. *When did I become so excellent? I didn't even realize it myself. In the blink of an eye, I've become the "model child" that others look up to. Even a gifted person like Lei Jiu has to learn from me.*

As expected, being cautious was the right move. Zheng Tuo nodded; his obsession with caution had been vindicated.

Composing himself, he used the Ancient Bronze Mirror to watch as the father and son arrived before a withered mountain.