Daughter's First Birthday, Dragon Elephant Vajra

After finishing his work, Old Chen carried Xi Xi in his arms, braving the wind and snow as he walked home alongside Li Che and Zhang Ya. To shield Xi Xi from the biting wind and swirling snow, Old Chen channeled his inner energy to dispel the cold, ensuring not a single snowflake touched the little girl. His care and vigilance painted a poignant picture as the group trudged through the storm.

Back at the modest earthen house they had scrounged up, Zhang Ya and Li Che busied themselves preparing for their guest. Since Old Chen had agreed to stay and keep watch, they naturally wanted to host him properly. The couple laid out a meal of good food and fine wine, and soon they all gathered for a hearty dinner.

"Little Ya, your cooking is pretty good! Not bad at all," Old Chen remarked, squinting his eyes in satisfaction as he sipped his wine. "If Old Chen decides to freeload here in the future, I'll be looking forward to more delicious meals like this."

Xi Xi, seated in the wooden baby chair Li Che had carefully crafted, waved her tiny hands, her curious gaze fixed on Old Chen's gourd of wine as though she wanted a taste herself. The sight drew a chuckle from Old Chen, his usually stern demeanor softening in her presence.

Li Che shared a few drinks with Old Chen but refrained from overindulging. He knew he had to remain vigilant that night in case the Spirit Infant Cult disciples decided to retaliate in desperation. The thought weighed heavily on his mind as the storm raged outside.

After dinner, Old Chen entertained Xi Xi while Li Che, as was his habit, sat by the oil lamp. He took out a piece of wood he had brought back from the workshop and began carving, refining his skills and experimenting with mechanisms. Despite the warmth and camaraderie of the evening, the undercurrent of tension was unmistakable.

Perhaps it was because their relationship had grown closer, but Old Chen, between swigs of wine, suddenly declared, "A-Che, you don't need to pay me anymore for borrowing The "Ancient Manual of Mechanisms".

Li Che, now a certified woodcarving craftsman, wasn't particularly concerned about the fifty wen. However, Old Chen's gesture carried significant weight. Grateful, Li Che raised his cup and toasted in acknowledgment of the kindness.

With the sleeve crossbow completed, Li Che didn't stop there. He planned to craft two more—one to conceal in the sleeve of his other arm and another for his wife, Zhang Ya, just in case. Yet, as he had already crafted the sleeve crossbow once, no further maturation of his Dao Fruit could be extracted from repeating the process. To further ripen his Dao Fruit, he knew he had to create different mechanisms, pushing the boundaries of his ingenuity.

Outside, the wind and snow howled with unrelenting ferocity. Inside, the flame of the oil lamp flickered and danced, casting shifting shadows on the walls. The air was thick with an uneasy calm.

In the dead of night, Old Chen, who had been keeping watch over Xi Xi as she slept, suddenly narrowed his eyes. Alert to the slightest disturbance, he slipped out of the house without making a sound and, with a single leap, landed silently on the roof. His powerful qi and blood roared within him, a formidable presence against the storm.

In the distance, several shadows approached, their movements deliberate. Yet, as they sensed Old Chen's overwhelming aura, they hesitated and quickly retreated into the night. Old Chen's face darkened, his expression cold and severe.

"One Muscle-Strengthening expert and four skin-Tempering practitioners," he murmured, his voice low. "With this lineup, if Old Chen weren't here tonight, that kid A-Che might not have been able to protect Xi Xi."

He uncorked his gourd and took a long swig of wine, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes.

"Damned Spirit Infant Cult," he muttered, his tone laced with disdain. "They've turned Feilei City into a cesspool."

Back inside the house, Old Chen nodded at Li Che, signaling that the threat had been averted, before returning to Xi Xi's side to continue watching over her as she slept. Meanwhile, Li Che's hand gripped the carving knife tightly, veins bulging like coiled dragons. After a long moment, he exhaled slowly, calming his turbulent emotions before resuming his carving.

He would remember Old Chen's kindness tonight.

The next day, the snowstorm had passed, leaving the world blanketed in a pristine layer of white. The sunlight glinted off the snow, bringing a sense of clarity and renewal.

Zhang Ya rose early to pack their belongings, preparing for the move. Though Li Che had said little to her about the events of the previous night, Zhang Ya was perceptive enough to understand the gravity of their situation. She knew danger loomed over their small family, and Master Chen's presence only reinforced the urgency to leave.

Their modest home contained little—just a few household items stacked together. They hired a donkey cart to transport their belongings to Xu family's Woodcarving Shop. As they prepared to leave, curious neighbors peered out from their homes, their expressions a mixture of surprise and envy.

"Moving out, huh? This family's about to make it big and leave this rundown corner behind," one neighbor remarked.

"I heard Brother Che went from being a laborer at one of Xu family's woodcarving shops to becoming an official woodcarving craftsman," another added. "He's going to make real money now!"

"You could tell Brother Che was destined for greatness!" someone else chimed in. "Now he's a craftsman, and I heard just one of their carvings can sell for ten taels of silver!"

"Not the same anymore," another voice concluded. "They're not people from our world now."

The murmurs followed the family as the donkey cart's wheels crushed the snow, carrying their belongings and dreams to a new chapter.

Arriving at the woodcarving shop, they were greeted not by the third manager but by an elderly man in fine clothes, his demeanor polished and refined. He held a ring of keys in his hand, his smile courteous.

"Master Li," the steward said warmly, "the shopkeeper asked me to wait for you and accompany you to pick a courtyard." His gaze shifted to Old Chen, who was holding Xi Xi. "Oh, Master Chen is here too?"

Old Chen chuckled heartily. "Old Sun, just take A-Che to the two-part courtyard opposite my place. We'll be neighbors from now on!"

The steward, Old Sun, grinned widely. "That's excellent! This way, please."

The group followed him into the shop's courtyard. Narrow alleys flanked by high walls stretched before them, leading to the residential area where courtyards were neatly arranged on both sides. The sound of their footsteps echoed softly, blending with the tranquil aftermath of the storm.

The Xu Family's woodcarving workshop was massive, occupying a vast expanse of land. This was only fitting for a family as wealthy, influential, and deeply rooted in martial arts as the Xu Family. For over two centuries, they had flourished in Feilei City, establishing profound foundations. More than just landlords, their wealth and holdings rivaled even the grandest of estate owners, encompassing extensive properties and untold riches.

The butler, Old Sun, approached the heavy wooden gate with a brass key in hand. With a click, he turned the lock and pushed the gate open. Snow that had accumulated on the roof tumbled down in a soft cascade, revealing a spacious courtyard blanketed in a thick layer of pristine white.

"Master Li, take a look. If this doesn't suit you, we have other courtyards you can consider," Old Sun said, his tone polite and respectful.

Rising from a laborer to a master wood carver required exceptional talent, and Old Sun was no fool. He understood the Xu Family's reliance on skilled artisans and knew better than to slight someone of Li Che's caliber. Such individuals held promise and were crucial to the family's success.

Li Che, his wife Zhang Ya's hand resting lightly in his, stepped into the courtyard. His gaze roamed over the space, taking in the details. Gradually, the tension in his expression melted away, replaced by a warm smile.

"This is good. Very good," he said.

Zhang Ya's eyes widened as she looked around in awe. The courtyard, bright and elegant even under the snow, was a stark contrast to the tiny, dilapidated mud hut they had once called home.

"In a few days, let's invite Uncle and his family over for a housewarming meal," she said softly, her voice trembling with emotion. Leaning into Li Che's embrace, her eyes glimmered with unshed tears. "Now we can truly settle down."

Her husband had promised her a better life, and now that promise had been fulfilled. Their days were steadily improving, step by step.

"I'll leave you two to tidy up the courtyard and settle in," called Chen Dabao, a friendly neighbor, as he carried their daughter, Xi Xi, away in his arms. "I'll take Little Xi to my house for a bit. Once you're done, come over for a meal. I'll order a feast from Chunfeng Pavilion, just across the way."

Though Chen Dabao had only gone next door, the sound of Xi Xi's giggles carried back clearly, mingling with the soft crunch of snow underfoot.

Li Che's smile deepened. "I didn't expect Old Chen to get along so well with Xi Xi."

"Chen Master is truly kind. With Xi Xi in his care, we can focus on cleaning up," Zhang Ya said, her own smile reflecting her husband's warmth.

The couple exchanged a glance and began their work, bustling about to prepare their new home. The chill in the air was no deterrent to their enthusiasm as they cleaned and organized with vigor.

Time flowed steadily, unhurried and unstoppable, much like the wood shavings scattering from a carver's blade. Before they knew it, Xi Xi's first birthday had arrived.

In the courtyard, autumn's chill had barely faded when the heavy snows of early winter began to fall. The ground lay cloaked in a soft, white blanket that glistened under the pale light of day. Inside, Li Che and Old Chen sat by a brazier, warming a pot of aged yellow wine. Plates of spiced beef and pork ears, garnished with cilantro and garlic, adorned the table, filling the air with tantalizing aromas.

Little Xi Xi, now celebrating her first year of life, toddled around the courtyard with the help of a wooden walker her father had crafted. She chased after falling snowflakes, her laughter ringing like a melody through the cold air.

Old Chen watched her with indulgent eyes, a warm chuckle escaping his lips. "Hey, little rascal Xi! It's snowing outside, and it's freezing. Come back inside and play."

"Uncle Chen, let her run around a bit longer," Zhang Ya called from the kitchen, emerging with a plate of steaming stir-fried soybeans. She smiled as she approached. "She'll wear herself out, and it'll be easier to get her to sleep tonight. Otherwise, she'll stay up wide-eyed like a little owl."

"Hey now," Old Chen said, popping a soybean into his mouth. "Xi Xi is a year old today, and you didn't even think about throwing her a proper birthday banquet? I've already invited a few of my old friends! You can't skip it. You've got to host a feast and let Xi Xi receive some gifts."

Li Che hesitated. He had been reluctant to make a grand celebration out of Xi Xi's first birthday. Though nearly a year had passed since their move to the Xu Family courtyard, and the Spirit Infant Cult had been eerily silent, his vigilance never wavered. As Xi Xi's birthday approached, his unease had grown stronger.

After all, it was on a child's first birthday that Lei Chunlan had struck before.

Yet, after much discussion with Zhang Ya, they had ultimately decided on a modest banquet. The courtyard was spacious and secure, and hosting the event at home seemed a reasonable compromise.

As the wine warmed, Li Che poured a cup for Old Chen and one for himself. Taking a small sip, he let the fragrant warmth seep through him, driving away the winter's chill. He relaxed slightly, allowing the festive atmosphere to sink in.

Suddenly, a subtle vibration rippled through his heart, pulling him into an extraordinary vision. In his mind's eye, he saw a vast, desolate plain where a towering tree stretched toward the heavens. Its branches, laden with dense leaves, bore a resplendent, seven-colored fruit at their tip. The fruit shimmered with radiant light, and within its glow, fleeting fragments of Xi Xi's growth over the past year played out like cherished memories.

Li Che's eyes lit up with a long-awaited sense of anticipation. A deep joy blossomed within him as he realized what was happening.

Xi Xi's first birthday had arrived, and with it, his second Dao Fruit.

It had come.

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[Your daughter has safely reached her first birthday. You have obtained a Dao Fruit: "Dragon-Elephant Vajra."]

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