...Little Yao, who was drooping over Sister Acheron's shoulder, suddenly lifted her head, her voice filled with surprise.
"Did Sister Xi just break through to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment?"
"Mhm, she should have."
The commotion from Mo Xi's breakthrough naturally couldn't escape Sister Acheron's perception. She remained silent for a moment before giving an affirmative answer.
Hearing this, Little Yao froze for a second before turning to look at Mo Xi in surprise. A very human-like expression of wonder quietly surfaced on her cute face.
"In this world so barren of spiritual energy, Sister Mo Xi was actually able to break through within a month... Mother said that with talent like this, she could definitely rank among the Chosen!"
Little Yao's eyes sparkled as she shouted excitedly, "Sister Acheron's little sister is just too amazing!"
Before the words had even fully landed, Sister Acheron's footsteps paused for an imperceptible instant.
She narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly and glanced thoughtfully at Little Yao on her shoulder.
If she remembered correctly... after a month of eating, drinking, and fooling around all day, this little creature had suddenly broken through a few days ago without any warning.
It happened so quietly that even she had almost failed to notice.
According to Little Yao's "realm classification," that would be the middle stage of Golden Core.
In that case, compared to her sister who had broken through to the middle stage of Foundation Establishment within a month, the auspicious beast on her shoulder who spent all day lazing around and playing seemed even more monstrously absurd than Mo Xi.
Sister Acheron shook her head helplessly.
If she hadn't already known Little Yao's simple-minded nature...
...Mo Xi's heart would probably shatter on the spot if she heard those words.
"Are you going out to buy peaches again?"
"Just taking a walk."
The two of them heading downstairs happened to run into Ye Guizhou(Father) and Mo Qing(Mother), who were watching the news in the living room.
After noticing Sister Acheron, Ye Guizhou subconsciously asked a question.
Then his gaze shifted toward his daughter, who was a step behind, his tone carrying concern.
"Where's Little Xi going?"
"Same as Sister Acheron. I just want to go out for a casual stroll."
Mo Qing (^▽^): "Mhm, going out more is good for your health. Don't stay cooped up at home all the time. You should learn a bit from your Sister Acheron in that regard—even though she gets lost all the time, she still insists on going out every day."
Mo Xi ("▔□▔"): "That... really isn't necessary."
Although Mo Xi usually stayed at home, she always made a conscious effort to maintain a normal daily routine.
But to others, her long periods of secluded cultivation probably made her seem no different from a shut-in.
Still, her parents never pressed her about why she always stayed in her room, only offering simple words of concern from time to time.
Mo Xi nodded slightly, a faint smile tugging at the corners of her lips, her eyes carrying a sense of relief.
After spending time together, she had gradually integrated into this family and felt a long-lost warmth.
The resentment buried deep within her heart toward her parents—from both her childhood and her previous life—was like a reef weathered by time; its sharp edges had slowly been smoothed away, almost disappearing entirely.
She had also gained a general understanding of her biological parents.
Her father, Ye Guizhou, had a calm and steady personality. Like Sister Acheron, he was a man of few words with a cold expression, but he cared for his family in meticulous detail.
He seemed to have founded a company in Muyun City called "Qingzhou Innovations."
Although she hadn't investigated it deeply, the proud tone in her mother's voice whenever she mentioned it made it sound like the company was already one of the city's leading enterprises.
However, unlike the stereotypical overworked CEO, her father always returned home on time to spend time with the family.
Her mother, Mo Qing, on the other hand, was as lively as spring itself.
She called herself a "full-time housewife," but in reality, her clumsy hands often turned housework into a disaster, and in the end, it was always Sister Acheron silently cleaning up after her.
Her personality was the complete opposite of her father's. Just like her youthful and beautiful appearance, she resembled an innocent and carefree young girl.
With all her hopping and skipping around, she and Mo Xin had somehow become "best friends" who shared everything with each other.
"Since you're going out, daughter, do you need Mommy to give you some pocket money?"
"It's enough... Mom, there's still quite a bit left from what you transferred to me last time."
"Oh, alright then. But before you go, let Mommy give you a hug."
Feeling her mother's warm embrace, Mo Xi was no longer stiff and resistant like she had been at the beginning. Instead, she gently hugged her back.
This simple and ordinary family atmosphere was like the warmth of spring sunlight—a kind of warmth that had rarely existed within the cold memories of her previous life.
Because of that, she felt an even stronger need to become powerful.
Not only to protect her sister, but also this family that now loved her.
Thinking of this, Mo Xi said her goodbyes and prepared to head out.
Just as Sister Acheron was about to leave as well—
Her father, still in the living room, suddenly called out to her.
"Wait a moment, Acheron."
His gaze settled on her, carrying a trace of imperceptible solemnity.
"Would you mind coming to the kitchen for a moment? There are some things I want to discuss with you privately."
Hearing this, Sister Acheron turned back, her flat gaze sweeping over her father's face.
Her eyes flickered slightly before she gave a gentle nod.
Although Ye Guizhou looked no different than usual on the surface, Sister Acheron keenly sensed the tension in his heart... as well as a trace of unease.
Mo Qing, meanwhile, seemed completely oblivious to the subtle shift in atmosphere between father and daughter. She cheerfully stood up as well.
"Perfect timing! The cola chicken wings Acheron makes are Little Xi's favorite! You two go ahead and chat—I'm heading out right now to buy ingredients!"
"Actually, I usually—"
The words reached Mo Xi's lips, but she swallowed them back down and smiled helplessly instead.
"Forget it, Mom. As long as you're happy."
Seeing her mother's face full of smiles, Mo Xi could only silently accept the situation.
Then she pushed open the door and left first.
As for Mo Qing, she directly grabbed Sister Acheron's arm without another word and "escorted" her back toward the bedroom, leaving Ye Guizhou waiting quietly in the living room.
A moment later—
Mo Qing, dressed in loose and ordinary casual wear, and Sister Acheron, clad in a floor-length crimson dress paired with thin-heeled red shoes, walked out side by side like a vividly colored painting.
"Even though Acheron looks beautiful in anything, Mommy still likes this red dress the most. It suits your temperament so well, like a beauty from a classical painting—so beautiful people can't look away!"
Although Sister Acheron didn't understand why she had to wear something so eye-catching just to go for a walk, she still nodded slightly in agreement.
"Alright then, you two have a good chat. I'm heading out too!"
With a muffled thud, the door closed, leaving only Sister Acheron and Ye Guizhou inside the villa.
After a long silence, he finally let out a slow sigh.