Bai Wenshan stood on the observation deck, gazing at the fleet, filled with a sense of pride.
He had every right to be proud, because he built all this from scratch, little by little.
As a man successful in both the Immortal Dao and commerce, and considered quite a charming figure, Bai Wenshan was quite popular in the northern region, having been listed on the Divine Beingâs Ranking at the impressive twenty-first position many years ago.
Standing tall on the observation deck, he became a sight to behold, attracting the attention of many female cultivators, and even some male cultivators.
Bai Wenshan always thought of himself as quite ordinary, but as a Tribulation Immortal, he surprisingly enjoyed this kind of attention.
However, it was precisely this attitude that allowed Moon-piercing Hall to flourish more and more.
"Dad, youâre showing off again!"
Behind him, a burst of blinding light, like a falling meteor, struck Bai Wenshan.
His incredibly resilient Martial God body was pushed forward, nearly pierced through.
A mouthful of old blood surged upwards, almost spurting out, making him dizzy.
Once he regained some clarity, he turned around and said with great effort,
"Huan, canât you ease up next time?"
Bai Yihuan beamed brighter than the sun,
"Itâs a hug full of love!"
Bai Wenshan rubbed his back, troubled, "Huan, a few more of those and your dad might have to retire early."
"Dad, youâre too weak!" Bai Yihuan said disdainfully.
Bai Wenshan wasnât angry at all, his eyes full of affection and pride as he looked at his daughter,
"You, child, donât have the slightest ladylike demeanor. Learn from your good friend, sheâs so much more lady-like."
Bai Yihuan leaned against the railing, "I am learning, see, my hairâs as long as hers now!" She swept her long hair, dancing in the ocean breeze.
"Your demeanor, the way you speak, the way you actâ"
Bai Yihuan waved impatiently, "Oh, Iâm not going to become another Sister Fu, why bother learning so much?"
"You will have to marry someday, you know."
Bai Yihuan scoffed, "Father, come on, youâre a Tribulation Immortal, yet you think like a mortal. Get married? Why should I get married? Do you want me to carry on the Bai Family name? If you really want a successor, you and mom should just have a little brother for me to play with."
"Having children isnât as easy as you think... Forget it, you young folks have your own ideas." Bai Wenshan stroked his beard, "By the way, did you get leave for your return this time?"
Bai Yihuan closed her eyes, enjoying the sea breeze, and replied happily,
"I told Sister Guan Xin, sheâll help me take care of it."
"Itâs best to handle your own affairs, donât always trouble others."
"I really donât want to talk to those old men, they always have stern faces, and constantly tell me Iâm not refined, not scholarly." Bai Yihuan puffed her cheeks, "How am I not refined! I really donât want to study anymore!"
Bai Wenshan chuckled, "You were the one who insisted on studying, what, regretting it now? Should I help you with the withdrawal formalities some other day?"
Bai Yihuan sniffled, reluctantly, "Letâs forget about that."
"I never asked you before, why did you suddenly want to study?" Bai Wenshan looked at Bai Yihuan gently.
Bai Yihuan fell silent for a moment, then turned around, leaning her elbows on the railing, tilting her upper body outward,
"Because I realized, in many things, Iâm really like a fool. I donât understand what destiny is, nor do I understand what Heavenly Dao is... I donât want to be someone whoâs only good with my fists and nothing else."
Bai Wenshan keenly caught the keywords "destiny" and "Heavenly Dao."
No one knows their daughter better than a father. He immediately understood that Fan Wubingâs death, which caused such a stir over twenty years ago, left a deep, indelible mark on his daughter.
Bai Yihuan had never mentioned Fan Wubing in front of him.
But he had previously learned from Fu Manman that his daughter Bai Yihuan considered Fan Wubing a friend.
"So, have you gained anything now?" Bai Wenshan asked.
Bai Yihuan said, troubled, "Itâs so hard! Even Sister Guan Xin has only learned a bit of the basics, let alone me."
"Hahaha."
"What are you laughing at?" Bai Yihuan said discontentedly.
"Laughing at my daughter, whoâs punches can tear a hole in space, yet scratches her head in frustration with a pen."
"You annoying dad!" Bai Yihuan ground her teeth, very dissatisfied, but she indeed often scratched her head in frustration with a pen.
At this moment, a beam of scholarly aura sliced through the sky, landing before them.
"Bai Yihuan!" Guan Xin emerged from the beam, looking exasperated. Upon seeing Bai Wenshan, she restrained herself a bit and respectfully greeted, "Guan Xin greets Hall Master Bai."
Bai Wenshan smiled, "No need for formalities."
Guan Xin glared at Bai Yihuan, tossing her a leave request filled with scholarly energy,
"Look at what reason you wrote for your leave! I got scolded by Mr. Wang because of you!"
Bai Yihuan looked at her leave request, "âSea of Eternal Life is open, studentâs family business is busy, father sent student home to helpâ... No problem with that!"
Beside her, Bai Wenshan stiffened, "When did I ask you to come home to help?"
Bai Yihuan straightened her back,
"A daughter coming home to help her dad manage the household, does that need instructions?"
Guan Xin fumed, "I think youâre just being lazy!" She gritted her teeth, "In the past five years at Wenxin Academy, there were nineteen leave requests in total, and you were responsible for fifteen of them! Look at your reasons: âHands itchy, wanting to fightâ, âCraving foodâ, âEyes tired, wanting to see the sceneryâ, âMissing dadâ, âMissing momâ, âMissing Sister Fuâ... Whatâs all this about! And each time you throw the leave request at me, letting me take the blame for you."