"And you? When I was at my most difficult, did you ever help me?"
"How much money have I given you all these years? Everything you eat, live in, use, and spend, I provided. Without me, could you have such a comfortable life?"
Liu Yilin shouted at them.
Her outburst made her family members cower. Everything she said was the truth, and they had no grounds to argue.
"Without Ning Beichen, you would all be begging for scraps."
Following Liu Yilin, she recounted all the help she had received over the years, including solving funding issues, obtaining equipment from overseas, and sourcing raw materials.
Her family members listened in stunned silence, as their daughter had never told them about these things.
What shocked them even more was the realization of how much money their so-called bodyguard possessed, and that Ning Beichen's role was far more than just her bodyguard.
Although Liu Yilin's outburst helped clarify Ning Beichen's situation, the visit concluded in an awkward atmosphere.
However, it wasn't entirely without purpose. At least they no longer objected to Ning Beichen being with their daughter, which resolved a concern for both Ning Beichen and Liu Yilin.
Following this, Ning Beichen also visited Miao Village. By the time he returned, it was Lunar New Year's Eve.
Ning Beichen celebrated a joyous New Year with them. After the fifteenth day of the lunar new year, Ning Beichen had accomplished all he had set out to do. Feeling that nothing was overlooked, on the sixteenth day, he departed with Liu Yilin, Luo Yingying, Haitang, Jin Yuehe, and Ya Daier.
However, Ning Beichen did not head directly to the Path of Heaven. Instead, he first visited the Mortal Shedding Realm to pay respects to his master.
Upon seeing that Ning Beichen had become a Celestial Venerable, Chen Xingyun was so shocked that he pulled out his own beard, sighing inwardly at his disciple's extraordinary talent.
However, upon learning that he was going to the Path of Heaven, he expressed some concern.
"Master, don't worry. I am a very cautious person and will not act rashly," Ning Beichen reassured him.
"Alright. I knew you would one day surpass me, but I didn't expect it to happen so quickly. I should have gone with you, but your mistress and I have been through so much and finally settled down. We both desire a peaceful life..." Chen Xingyun said to Ning Beichen.
"Master, you don't need to say more. I understand, and I have grown up," Ning Beichen replied.
Chen Xingyun punched Ning Beichen on the shoulder and remained silent for a long time.
Yes, his disciple had grown up, becoming a Celestial Venerable. Although the master and disciple had never sparred, Chen Xingyun felt he was no longer Ning Beichen's match.
"Travel safely," Chen Xingyun finally said to him, uttering only four words.
"You too, Master," Ning Beichen nodded.
Not long after, Ning Beichen left the Mortal Shedding Realm and arrived at the Path of Heaven.
"Senior, I am ready," Ning Beichen said to Shen Ling.
Shen Ling remained silent, merely stepping aside.
Soon, Ning Beichen's flying craft disappeared at the end of the Path of Heaven, heading toward an unknown destination.
The craft was initially stable, but as they flew, it suddenly began to jolt violently, as if it were about to fall apart.
Fortunately, the craft did not disintegrate. After a long period of turbulence, it gradually stabilized. When Ning Beichen and the others looked out the window, they found themselves in an incredibly dark place, devoid of any starlight.
"Where is this place?" Liu Yilin and the others asked curiously.
Ning Beichen shook his head. The Path of Heaven led to the unknown, perhaps to a higher realm. The most important thing now was to find signs of civilization or traces left by previous pioneers.
"Hey, look! There seems to be a temple ahead."
Ning Beichen and the others immediately looked out and saw that, in the dim environment, a temple-like structure was indeed floating.
"Let's go take a look."
Ning Beichen's interest was piqued. He and his companions left the flying craft and flew on their swords towards the structure.
Soon, they landed at the building, confirming it was a temple with a door.
As Ning Beichen and the others approached, the temple door opened automatically, but the interior was empty.
Ning Beichen and the others entered the temple and found a stone statue inside.
However, this stone statue had no face, meaning it lacked any facial features, giving it a chilling aura.
Just then, Jin Yuehe walked in from outside and informed Ning Beichen and the others,
"I saw something heading this way. I'm not sure if it's human."
"Those who come may not have good intentions. Everyone, be careful. If there's a fight later, you should return to the flying craft first," Ning Beichen instructed them immediately.
The women nodded. Like Ning Beichen, this was their first time venturing out, so they were somewhat tense, unsure of what to expect in the outside world.
Not long after, they heard voices from outside the temple.
"Brother, there's a temple here. Let's go in and rest for a while."
"Alright." A deep voice responded.
Following this, two men walked in from the temple entrance.
When they saw people inside the temple, they were momentarily stunned. Then, they noticed that besides one man, the others were all women, and all exceptionally beautiful. Their gazes were immediately fixed upon them.
"Cough..."
"Hello, may I ask, what place is this?" Ning Beichen deliberately cleared his throat, interrupting them, and then inquired.
The two men snapped back to attention. Seeing that Ning Beichen was the only man, they gave him a lecherous smile and said,
"This is a smuggling channel to Bei Du Heaven. You must be smugglers. What nerve you have! We are law enforcement officers, and we are taking you back for interrogation!"
Ning Beichen saw through their petty trick at a glance. Law enforcement officers? It would be foolish of him to believe them.
"What if I refuse to go?" Ning Beichen's face darkened. Even Luo Yingying and the others could tell these two had malicious intentions.
"If you refuse, don't blame us for being impolite." One of them instantly attacked Ning Beichen, bringing his palm towards him.
Ning Beichen flicked his finger, blocking the man's palm. Then, Ning Beichen landed a punch, "Wu Ji Da Beng Mie," to his face.
*Crack!*
A crisp sound echoed from the man's skull.
Before the other man could react, Ning Beichen had already moved beside him, grabbing his neck with one hand while repeatedly striking his abdomen with the other.
Effortlessly, Ning Beichen subdued the two unknown men.