“Hello, father, mother, and you too, brother Mingjian.” Mingwei bowed, as his mother, father and brother, Mingjian walked into his room. “Welcome to my humble little room.”

His mother beamed and patted him on the shoulder. “Who would’ve thought my little Wei has a talent for alchemy! So, so, tell me about about it! What have you been hiding?”

Mingjian smiled too, he was already a 4-star cultivator. Mingwei was only a middle 3-star. “Indeed, young brother. I wouldn’t have believed it if Elder Qing didn’t vouch for you. In fact, I was almost convinced somebody kidnapped my younger brother and replaced him with someone else.”

Mingwei’s face paled and he nodded. He already had a pot of tea ready and he was quick to serve it to the rest of his family. Somehow, family still made him nervous. “Ah... I would say.. It’s a string of fortunate encounters.” He pulled out his brush. “There was a spirit and will inside this brush, and that spirit now lives inside me.”

His mother’s face twisted, a mix of shock and worry. She was quick to take the brush and examined it for herself, and then looked at her son again. “What does the spirit want? What’s the contract?”

“Uh... none, mother.” Mingwei nodded. “It’s... probably hard to believe, but it just wanted to share it’s knowledge with me.”

Father was just having a cup of tea. He seemed rather pleased. Mingjian looked around, while the mother examined him for a good 10 to 15 minutes. Mingwei was pretty sure she was using some kind of technique, but he wasn’t sure what.

It was an awkward silence, one that made Mingwei uncomfortable, so he continued talking. “So... it taught me how to write runes, and alchemy... and how to process raw materials...”

Mother eventually nodded. “Alright. I don’t feel any strange Qi from you, I suppose you should be fine. So, son... how’ve you been?”

Mingwei paused, and he smiled at his mother. “I’ve been good, mother. I’m middle 3-star now, and I’ve learned how to make a lot of pills.”

Mother patted him on the head. “I see. Is there any girl that you like?”

Mingjian immediately cut in, “Mother, I believe Mingwei is too young for that.” Mingwei gave Mingjian a thankful look, and he nodded back.

“On the contrary, I think both of you should start looking for a partner. The journey of cultivation is long and lonely without a partner.”

They both didn’t say much. Father was still sipping his tea. There were some things they didn’t reply to, and that’s on mother and father’s relationship.

“So, if there is a girl you like, get to know her. Maybe in 10-20 years, both of you can get something more formal arranged. You must learn how to get along with the opposite sex, young Mingwei.”

Mingwei decided the best thing to do is let mom continue nagging. “Yes, mother. I will try.”

“Good.” Mother pat him on the back again. “So, is the Sect treating you well? It’s quite a small sect compared to the Green Insect Blade Sect.”

“It is adequate, mother. It’s close to materials and resources for my pills. I plan to give some of my pills to the merchants in Northstar City and build some relationships.”

Strangely, it was Father who spoke. “If you want an introduction to the merchants in Northstar City, do let me know. I’ll help you write a recommendation letter.”

Mother clapped her hands. “Yes, yes. Your father knows almost all the merchants in Northstar city. It is best if you do get his contacts.”

Mingwei paused, and thought for a moment. He decided, true, it is best he leveraged on his connections. “Thank you father. I will have to trouble you to introduce me to some of the pills and cultivation resource merchants.”

“Sure. After this, bring some of your pills and we can all head to Northstar city together.”