Reunion

 After leaving the West Lucozia King’s Residence, Dustin returned to Yanjing.

The trip to Penglai Island had not been without gain.

The lifetime cultivation, life essence, and soul fire of Xuan Chengzi and his companion had all been passed on to him.

He had even inherited part of Xuan Chengzi’s memories.

As it turned out, aside from the path of martial arts, this world also had cultivators.

But such people were extremely rare, living in seclusion for years, seldom seen.

People like Ao Kun of Penglai Island were actually cultivators too—only ones who had strayed from the righteous path, essentially becoming demonic cultivators.

As for the “Land Immortal Realm” in martial arts, in a cultivator’s terms, it was the Core Formation Realm.

Dustin was already at Core Formation peak—only a step away from breaking through, forming a Nascent Soul.

This step was neither difficult nor easy.

He could already sense it—somewhere in the unseen, the threshold of Nascent Soul had become clear to him.

But it was not merely a matter of accumulating spiritual power.

He had to return to the mortal state—a breakthrough of the heart.

Only with a complete soul, free of lingering regrets, could he truly step into Nascent Soul.

After returning to Yanjing, Dustin moved back into his previous villa.

The spiritual energy here was thin, filled with mundane air—exactly the environment for experiencing the mortal world and tempering his Dao heart.

The villa remained unchanged, though the garden plants had grown desolate from lack of care.

He closed the door, shutting out the world.

He did not cultivate.
Instead, he emptied his mind completely—like a true scholar with no strength to bind a chicken.
He spent his days reading, drinking tea, sweeping the courtyard, watching the sun rise and set, and listening to wind and rain.

He no longer used even the slightest divine sense.
He stopped absorbing spirit energy.
He even deliberately forgot his own world-shaking powers.

Seven days passed in a blink.

On the morning of the seventh day, when the rising sunlight fell upon Dustin sitting silently on his mat—

The vast spiritual aura that had rested quietly around him, like a silent ocean, receded like a tide.

Not hidden.
Truly gone.

He slowly opened his eyes.
No longer deep, no longer able to pierce illusion and reality.

Just… ordinary.
Clear, with a hint of mortal confusion.

Standing up, he stretched and felt a long-lost heaviness and fatigue.

Hunger, thirst, the morning chill—sensations long forgotten—returned vividly.

“Return to the mortal… so this is returning to the mortal state?” he murmured, smiling in quiet realization.

He could feel that his dantian was veiled in a layer of hazy fog.

His spiritual sea was silent—unable to extend his senses at all.

At this moment, he was physically and mentally no different from an ordinary man.

Invulnerability, poison immunity—gone.

Dustin understood well: this was the “sealed mortal stage” before forming a Nascent Soul.

He had to experience life as a mortal—its emotions, desires, joys and sorrows, birth and death.

One day, when the opportunity arrived, he could then shatter the core and form the soul, returning to the pinnacle.

Until then, he must not break the seal or use true essence—else his foundation would be damaged, his breakthrough ruined.

“After running around so long, it’s time to live like a normal person for a while.”

He smiled, pushed open the villa door.

The sunlight was bright—too bright.
He reflexively raised his hand to shield his eyes.

Thinking of that lively, fiery, enchanting woman brought warmth and longing to his chest.

“Natasha…”

He habitually tried to take to the air—
Realized instantly—
And laughed at himself.

He was just a mortal now.

Shaking his head, he walked to the roadside and hailed a taxi.

“Mister driver, to Chenfei Group.”

…

Chenfei Group, President’s Office.

Natasha wore a sharp white suit-skirt, outlining curves breathtaking enough to make one’s heart tremble. She sat behind her large desk reviewing documents.

Sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, outlining her flawless profile with a soft glow, though the slight crease between her brows showed lingering fatigue and longing.

Months had passed.
That troublesome man vanished without a word—no message, no trace.

She knew he was capable beyond imagination, likely dealing with something critical.

But worry and resentment only grew with each day.

Knock knock knock.

“Come in.”

She didn’t lift her head.

The secretary entered, looking troubled.
“President Harmon, that Young Master Zhao from the capital is here again. He brought a huge bouquet of roses and insists on seeing you.”

Natasha’s brows tightened instantly; disgust flashed openly in her eyes.

“Tell him I’m in a meeting. I’m busy. And tell him to stop coming!”

“B-But Young Master Zhao…” The secretary clearly feared his background.

“Do as I said.” Her tone was sharp and final.

“Yes, President Harmon.” The secretary retreated quickly.

Moments later, noise rose outside the office.

“Meeting? What meeting! Natasha, I know you’re inside! My feelings are sincere—why keep turning me away?!”

His voice faded as security escorted him off.

Natasha rubbed her temples, exhausted.

These flies… impossible to get rid of.

She stood and walked to the window, looking down at the bustling traffic.

Softly, she sighed,
“Husband… where are you? If you don’t come back soon, these flies will drive me crazy.”

At that moment, the office door was gently pushed open again.

“I said I’m not seeing anyone! Are you deaf?!”

She spun around, anger moments from erupting—

But when she saw the figure in the doorway, everything froze: anger, irritation, exhaustion.

Then, like melting snow—

Gone.

Sunlight fell behind him, outlining his tall frame and the familiar silhouette she had longed for night and day.

A simple casual outfit.
Dust and travel on his face.
And that gentle smile she had missed for so long.

Who else could it be—

If not Dustin? - Marinien