Chapter 45: 1 Year Later

I spent an entire year practicing and refining my abilities, combining my new skills with the ones I'd already mastered. The Devil Spider Summoning ability changed my fighting style dramatically. Having the capacity to call forth spiders made my combat strategies more versatile and, honestly, much more fun.

Grandpa became my sparring partner, and while I couldn't defeat him yet, our battles were no longer one-sided. When he held back, we could spar for hours testing my limits.

After every session, I'd head to the kitchen. Cooking had become my unofficial role in the household, and I'd perfected a variety of dishes. Grandpa often teased me about it, calling me the "designated cook" of our family, but the way he devoured my meals made it clear he didn't mind it at all.

Over the year, my cultivation advanced steadily, though not as quickly as I'd hoped. I reached rank 66, and I could feel that rank 67 was within reach. Still, progress was progress, and I'd learned to appreciate the steady climb. However, the thing that improved the most was my control over my abilities and my understanding of combat deepened significantly.

My daily routine settled into a satisfying rhythm. Mornings were reserved for meditation and cultivation, the quiet hours allowing me to focus on refining my soul power. Afternoons were spent sparring with Grandpa, his experience and skills pushing me to adapt and improve. Evenings were a mix of study and experimentation, testing new ways to integrate my abilities into combat scenarios. Occasionally, I'd take time to venture into the nearby forest, practicing my summoning ability in different environments.

The Devil Spider Summoning technique was a game-changer. Summoning hundreds of spiders with a fraction of my power was perfect for overwhelming enemies or scouting dangerous areas. On the other hand, summoning two spiders at full strength provided me with formidable allies in combat. I experimented with different combinations, trying to find the most efficient uses of the ability. It was exhilarating to see how much my fighting style evolved with this new ability.

During this year, I also sensed that I was about to awaken a new ability, but I couldn't quite understand what it was. Originally I thought it had to do with the Dragon Slaying Saber giving its unpredictable nature. But that didn't seem to be the case as I summoned it and tried to focus on this weird sensation inside me hoping to find out what this new ability was, however, the saber didn't even react. So at the end, I decided to postpone figuring out what this dormant power was, for now. I was happy enough with my new summoning ability.

The year wasn't without its worries, though. Grandpa's concern for Uncle Xin had been growing more apparent with each passing month. Even as we trained or shared meals, his eyes would occasionally drift toward the horizon, his thoughts clearly elsewhere. I tried to reassure him whenever I could, reminding him of Uncle Xin's strength and sharp mind.

"Uncle Xin is smart," I'd say during our quiet moments. "He knows how to take care of himself. He'll come back when he's ready."

Grandpa would nod, but the worry never fully left his face. I shared his hope that Uncle Xin would return soon, especially since we were planning to move to the site Grandpa had chosen for the academy in Heaven Dou City. I wanted the three of us to go together as a family to our new home.

One Month Later

One quiet afternoon, as the sun dipped low in the sky, a cloaked figure approached our house. Grandpa and I paused what we were doing, sensing a familiar aura long before we saw his face.

It was Uncle Xin.

Relief flooded through me as I realized he was finally home. But that relief quickly gave way to surprise as I noticed what, or rather who, he was carrying in his arms. The figure in his embrace was small, wrapped in tattered cloth, and clearly unconscious. My mind raced with questions as Grandpa and I hurried to meet him at the gate.

"Uncle Xin!" I called. My voice echoing with both joy and concern. "You're back! But… who is that?"

Uncle Xin's face was tired, but there was a quiet determination in his eyes as he shifted the baby in his arms. "We need to talk," he said, his tone heavy with unspoken weight.

Grandpa exchanged a look with me before nodding. "Come inside," he said, his voice calm but laced with curiosity. "I'm sure we have a lot to talk about, but first come give your dad and nephew a hug." We approached to hug him as he had his hands full and his expression seemed to soften a little.

After the hug, we stepped into the house. I had a clear idea of who this child might be. But that only made me wonder, why is uncle's face so sad? And where is the baby's mum?