His eyes were bright, his back was ramrod straight, and his entire being radiated a renewed vigor.
Presumably, resuming his practice of the Imperial Body Refining Technique these past few years, coupled with the nourishment of Spiritual Energy, had greatly improved his body, which had been depleted by years of hard labor.
"Ah Feng!"
Upon seeing Qin Feng’s figure, a brilliant, heartfelt smile instantly bloomed on Qin Dahai’s face.
It was a complex emotion, a mixture of pride, longing, and relief.
"Dad."
Qin Feng smiled too. As he looked at his father’s familiar face on the screen, he felt the string in his heart, taut from years of arduous training, quietly loosen.
"You kid, so you do remember how to call home!"
Qin Dahai’s tone carried a hint of feigned reproach. "Is everything alright over there in Canaan? I hear the competition is fierce. You’re all alone there, so don’t push yourself too hard. If you’re short on money, just tell us. I have some..."
"Dad, I’m doing great."
Qin Feng chuckled, interrupting his father’s rambling. "Don’t worry, I’ve already established myself in Canaan. My life force index has reached 110."
"One hundred and ten?!"
Qin Dahai’s voice shot up as he stared in disbelief, his eyes wide. He scrutinized Qin Feng on the screen as if trying to find a trick. "Good! Great kid! Worthy of being my, Qin Dahai’s, son! It’s only been three years, and... and you’re already at one hundred and ten!"
He was so excited he was nearly incoherent, his pride and joy practically bursting from the screen.
Qin Feng quietly waited for his father to calm down before continuing, "Dad, I’m calling you this time about something important."
"What is it? Go on."
"I bought you two vials of [T-3 Gene Regeneration Liquid] on the Imperial Trading House."
Qin Feng’s tone became extremely serious. "Later, use the family’s savings to go to our Morning Star’s trading house and purchase two high-grade Spiritual Energy Potions and one Subordinate Recovery Potion. I’ve had my Intelligent Assistant send the detailed instructions and precautions to your personal terminal. If you follow the steps and take the potions together, your arm will grow back, and it will be restored to perfect condition."
As soon as he finished speaking, the smile on Qin Dahai’s face on the other side of the screen instantly froze.
He stared blankly at Qin Feng for several long seconds before snapping back to his senses, waving his hand dismissively.
"No... no way! Ah Feng, absolutely not! I don’t need that stuff! It’s been so many years, I’m already used to it! You... you return that Potion! Keep the Contribution Points for yourself! You need money for everything while you’re training in Canaan. I don’t need it here!"
His reaction was exactly what Qin Feng had expected.
"Dad."
Qin Feng’s tone became harder than ever before. "This isn’t up for discussion. I’ve already bought the Potion, and I put our home address in directly. They’ve probably already shipped, so they can’t be returned."
"You... you kid!"
Qin Dahai grew anxious.
"You have to use it."
Qin Feng’s attitude was unyielding. "Only when your arm is restored can you better practice the Martial Dao and live longer. Haven’t you always wanted to see me become a pillar of the Empire? How can you see that if you’re not in good health?"
"I..."
Qin Dahai was rendered speechless by Qin Feng’s words.
He looked at his son’s eyes on the screen, filled with determination and resolve, and in the end, he couldn’t bring himself to say no again.
Finally, he let out a heavy sigh, but his eyes reddened uncontrollably.
"Alright... Dad will listen to you."
The father and son chatted for a little while longer, catching up on daily life.
Qin Feng urged his father to take care of his health and train on schedule, while Qin Dahai repeatedly told Qin Feng to stay safe out there and not to be reckless.
After hanging up, Qin Feng immediately went on the Imperial Trading House and exchanged 200 Contribution Points for two vials of [T-3 Gene Regeneration Liquid], setting the delivery address to the precise coordinates of their familiar residential complex on Morning Star.
Only after seeing the confirmation that the order was successful did he finally feel at ease.
「Meanwhile, on the distant Morning Star.」
Qin Dahai stared at the now-dark holographic screen, sitting motionless on the sofa for a long, long time.
In the end, this iron-willed man, a veteran who shed blood but not tears on the battlefield, could no longer contain his emotions. He raised his remaining right hand and covered his face.
Scalding hot tears slipped silently through the gaps between his fingers.
T-3 Gene Regeneration Liquid!
Countless times, he had silently stared at that item on the virtual shelves of the Imperial Trading House, watching its enticing glow.
And countless times, he had seen the astronomical price listed beside it, only to give a self-deprecating laugh and quietly close the window.
Contribution Points!
As someone who had personally experienced the Empire’s wars, he knew better than anyone what that number represented.
It wasn’t just a cold set of data. It was one bloody battle after another, one life-or-death struggle after another, snatching his own life back from the Death God’s scythe time and again!
It was earned with his life!
"My son... he’s grown up..."
Qin Dahai’s shoulders trembled violently as muffled, broken sobs escaped his lips.
...
After resolving this great worry for his father, Qin Feng’s mood became unprecedentedly light and clear.
He refocused all of his attention on his own training plan.