Chapter 603 - 603: All Good Things Must Come to an End

"You can be a little rougher," Yuan said, her face beet red.

"Alright," Jiang Xinghai replied with a gentle smile.

The next instant, he and Yuan stepped through the gates of a new world, embarking on a deep exploration of its treasures…

A short while later, in the banquet hall.

Jiang Wendong and his wife, Ji Qingya, were just finishing their meal, accompanied by Tang Zhen, Zhong Yunman, and the others.

However, they hadn't seen their son, Jiang Xinghai, for some time, and as parents, they couldn't help but feel uneasy.

After all, they had only just been reunited with their son.

"Elder Tang, what exactly is my son Xinghai busy with?"

Eventually, Jiang Wendong glanced at the time and couldn't hold back his question.

Ji Qingya chimed in, "Yes, Elder Tang. You said our son had important business to attend to. What business might that be?"

"Ah, he's speaking with a very important person. I'd rather not say any more than that."

Tang Zhen, slightly tipsy from the wine, gave everyone a knowing look.

At his words, everyone's expression turned serious.

'There can't be many people whom Tang Zhen would call a 'very important person'.'

"Could it be… *the one* from the Imperial City?" As soon as Jiang Wendong spoke, realization dawned on the others.

Everyone's eyes widened in astonishment.

Tang Zhen just smiled. "Come on, let's keep drinking."

As he raised his glass, he glanced at the time and couldn't help but secretly admire the young man's vigor.

'He figured Jiang Xinghai's video call with the dignitary must have ended a while ago.'

'But Jiang Xinghai still hadn't shown up, which could only mean one thing.'

'He must be engaged in a… *thorough discussion* with Yuan.'

Just as the group was winding down with some tea, Jiang Xinghai returned, looking completely refreshed.

"Has everyone finished eating?"

Jiang Xinghai had absorbed a great deal of Primordial Yin Power from Yuan's body, consolidating his cultivation at the peak of the Human Emperor Realm's Middle Stage.

He was now on the verge of breaking through to the Late Stage of the Human Emperor Realm.

The *Dragon Locking Secret Technique* he practiced was an incredibly profound, heaven-defying Dual Cultivation Skill. The more women he was with, the stronger he would become.

'In the next ten days,' he decided, 'before the Guiyuan Realm expert from the Celestial Profound Realm's Shadow Sect arrives, I need to be with as many women as possible. I'll absorb their Primordial Yin Power to push my cultivation to the next level!'

Seeing his son's beaming face, Jiang Wendong couldn't help but smile. "Xinghai, you look so energized. You two must have had a pleasant chat. Quick, sit down and eat. We're all finished."

"Alright, Dad." Jiang Xinghai had expended quite a bit of energy and was genuinely hungry.

"Jiang, was the meal to your liking?" Elder Tang asked, his tone full of meaning.

Jiang Xinghai looked up and met Elder Tang's gaze. He understood the old man wasn't just talking about the food, but also the "dish" that was Yuan. He nodded. "You're too kind, Elder Tang. The meal was indeed excellent."

"Hahaha, excellent! When you come to the Imperial City, there will be all sorts of delicacies waiting for your appraisal."

Tang Zhen raised his glass, toasting Jiang Xinghai from across the table before downing it in one go. His eyes, however, held a profound, knowing smile.

"Thank you for your generosity, Elder Tang. It would be rude of me to refuse."

Jiang Xinghai was no fool. He understood the unspoken offer perfectly and took a large swig of his drink.

Today was undoubtedly the most extraordinary day of his life!

Infiltrating Mirror Lake Manor, dueling Tan Yuan—a cultivator at the Great Perfection of the Late Stage Human Emperor Realm—and rescuing his parents marked a major turning point in his life.

「Midnight.」

Everyone was still sitting around the dining table.

"Dad, Mom, tomorrow I'm going to Kunlun to ask my Master how to remove the seal on your Dantian. I'll be back in three days at most," Jiang Xinghai revealed the plan he had already decided on.

"Son, you've gone to too much trouble for my sake," Jiang Wendong said, a look of shame on his face.

"Why are you two being so formal?"

Ji Qingya teased from the side, "You've only been apart for five years, haven't you? There's no need to be so distant."

"Mom's right. Dad's being too formal," Jiang Xinghai chimed in with a smile.

Jiang Wendong just smiled and said nothing.

'I was once the recognized genius of the Imperial City, and now I've fallen so far that I have to rely on my own son to set foot on the path of Martial Arts again.' The thought left a bitter taste in his mouth.

Still, he had to admit his behavior had been a bit stiff.

"You're right, my mistake. Why am I being so formal with my own son?" Jiang Wendong said with a self-deprecating smile.

Jiang Xinghai nodded, then turned to Zhong Yunman. "Second Senior Sister, you'll come with me tomorrow, right?"

"Tomorrow… I can't."

Zhong Yunman shook her head lightly. "I have a mission. I must depart for the Frontier immediately."

"Why so sudden?"

Jiang Xinghai didn't understand. "But you said you'd come with me."

"Jiang, your senior sister was planning to retire," Elder Tang explained. "But with the Shadow Sect about to make its return, she volunteered to be stationed at the Frontier. In a way, she'll be watching over the Celestial Profound Realm's 'Divine Retribution.' If anyone from the Shadow Sect appears, she'll be the first to notice."

Jiang Xinghai decisively shook his head. "No, it's too dangerous."

"Don't worry. The Frontier isn't far from Kunlun. If I'm in any danger, Master will protect me," Zhong Yunman said, gazing at Jiang Xinghai with a gentle, enchanting smile.

"But Senior Sister, if the Shadow Sect returns, they're bound to go on a killing spree! You…" Jiang Xinghai's mind reeled with the danger.

"Little Junior Brother, you seem to be forgetting that you're the one who stirred up trouble, not me."

Zhong Yunman pursed her lips in a smile. "Besides, I'll just be doing my duty at the Frontier, not actively trying to stop their arrival. Even if they do want to start a massacre, they'll investigate the situation before making a move. They have no reason to antagonize the person responsible for guarding the Frontier, right?"

"Alright, fine. The moment I see Master tomorrow, I'm telling her about this," Jiang Xinghai said, reluctantly giving in.

A short while later, Zhong Yunman left the hotel with Nightingale.

Jiang Xinghai escorted the two women out alone. Thinking back on the… *blissful* time he'd spent with them, he felt a pang of reluctance.

However, all good things must come to an end.

"Take care, Senior Sister. You too, Nightingale." Jiang Xinghai returned their smiles.

"Alright, Little Junior Brother, go back and be with your parents."

Zhong Yunman stepped into the car. "Oh, right. When you get to the Imperial City, ask Third Senior Sister when Eldest Senior Sister is coming back from overseas."

"Got it. I'll remember," Jiang Xinghai said with a nod.

A few minutes later, Zhong Yunman and Nightingale left by car.

Jiang Xinghai gazed up at the starry night sky, took a deep breath, and headed back into the hotel.

His trip to Shanghai was coming to an end.

Though his time here was brief, his gains had been immense.

First, he had rescued his parents.

Second, he was awarded four stars.

Finally, he had befriended people like Elder Tang and the Prince of the East, significantly expanding his network of contacts.

"Young Master Jiang, you're leaving Shanghai tomorrow and will be back in three days, correct?"

Cao Qing, the Prince of the East, approached him, his face plastered with a smile.

"You want to ask about your grandson's illness, right?"

Jiang Xinghai hadn't forgotten, of course. He asked with a meaningful smile, "Has it been three days since the entire Cao Family started kneeling?"

"Uh…"

Cao Qing's old face flushed. It had only been two days.

He had assumed that after going through hell and high water for Jiang Xinghai, even if he hadn't earned merit, he'd at least earned credit for his efforts. He'd thought they could forget about the whole "kneeling for three days" business.