The May Day holiday has brought Peak City, this coastal city, back to life.

Both workers and students are on vacation. Coastal attractions are packed, social media forums are flooded with photos of scenery and food, the commercial streets bustle with crowds, lively music fills the air, men stroll in and out of bathhouses or internet cafés arm-in-arm, and girls in cool summer outfits wander through malls.

Su Youzhu, however, had fallen sick.

Fortunately, the illness wasn't too serious. Her parents dragged her to the hospital for a check-up, and the verdict was just a common cold.

"A normal cold like this? Let Xiao Lin drag her out for a few laps, that'll do the trick. And drink more hot water."

Uncle Su, true to his military background, had a sharp and no-nonsense way of thinking.

"Step aside! She's so frail right now, and you're talking about running laps?"

Shi Jing glared at him. "Go brew some herbal medicine for Zhuzhu! Hey, Zhuzhu? Zhuzhu?"

"She's mad again, isn't she?" Uncle Su muttered.

Shi Jing grumbled, "My big sister's family is getting more annoying every time. Next time, I'm not letting them visit."

The family had just finished dinner and bid farewell to a round of visiting relatives.

Most of them were from Mom's side, bringing their spoiled brat of a kid, causing chaos as usual.

Neither Gu Jianlin nor Su Youzhu, given their blended family dynamics, could ever expect harmony with such extended relatives. They hated mingling with those distant aunts and cousins, and detested their kids even more.

Take for example that aunt who just brought her dim-witted son who recently qualified to study abroad. She practically wore "showing off" on her face, going on about foreign systems and international affairs in every other sentence.

The implication was clear: no matter how good Gu Jianlin's grades were, they were useless if he couldn't study abroad.

As for Su Youzhu, her poor grades and lack of focus were apparently unforgivable. Aside from her looks, she had nothing going for her, and should just get married early.

That wasn't all. Auntie's clueless son, as if he'd never seen such a beautiful girl before, immediately had his teenage hormones raging. He kept attempting to strike up a conversation, even asking for her WeChat.

But knowing Su Youzhu's personality, she simply went back to her room with a cold expression. Talking to him? Not a chance in hell.

Gu Jianlin gave him just the right look.

The stare of the Qilin Venerable.

Though he was a modern Supreme, still in his formative years, the number of lives he'd claimed over the past month was beyond count. His aura of killing intent was genuinely honed.

Not only could it stop kids from crying at night, but it was perfect for shutting relatives down when they tried to act smug.

Auntie and her spoiled kids were practically scared stiff and left in a hurry.

"This is no longer the era when clans stuck together for support. Everyone lives their own lives now. Where's the family bond? That superficial blood tie is worthless," Gu Jianlin muttered as he lounged on the sofa, fiddling with his tablet, which displayed the Deep Space Official Website's database.

On the table were mom's homemade fried chicken wings and a chilled cola.

Nothing beats the feeling of being at home.

Ever since the mission at the Qilin Immortal Palace ended, he'd been relaxing at home.

Taking the time to catalogue and review his recent gains.

Studying up on Transcendent knowledge.

And most importantly, staying home to take care of Youzhu.

"Makes sense."

Mom said indignantly, "Your cousin still has the nerve to pine for Zhuzhu? He should take a look in the mirror first. This year, we're not visiting them for New Year's. We'll celebrate at home ourselves."

"Works for me! As long as Xiao Lin is here this year, and when Xia gets back, it'll be lively enough,"

Uncle Su cheerfully agreed. "Besides, there's been enough natural disasters and man-made calamities this year. We're better off staying put. Didn't the news say there's major trouble in the west?"

Gu Jianlin glanced at the LCD TV on the wall, where a rare natural catastrophe was being reported.

According to reports, meteor showers were falling over the westernmost Pamir Plateau of the country. Flames were igniting in the sky, massive tornadoes wreaked havoc, and so far, no modern technology could pinpoint the cause. Even teams of adventuring scientists who dared venture in had mysteriously vanished.

Local residents even claimed to see broken stone pillars in the heavens.

Some said they could hear dragon roars in their dreams.

"Old monster."

Gu Jianlin murmured softly.

He vaguely guessed it could be related to the Dragon Bone being devoured.

The Ancient Supreme likely sensed it and flew into a rage.

Of course, as the culprit, he wouldn't feel the least bit guilty about it.

If the old monster reclaimed the Dragon Bone, the consequences would be even more frightening.

"True, there was even a gas explosion in Southern City the other day. So terrifying."

"Don't remind me. The office building next to mine actually collapsed because of it."

"Not to mention the reports of illicit yachts appearing off the coast recently. What's going on?"

"Who knows. By the way, Xiao Lin's parrot looks pretty interesting. Let's find some time to take it out."

This time around, the family had acquired an exquisite birdcage.

The Parrot Emperor stood inside it with a proud posture, eyes glinting like copper bells, radiating sharp wit like bolts of lightning.

The couple was both fascinated by the bird and attempted to get it to speak.

But only Gu Jianlin knew that whenever it spoke, chaos ensued. He had already ordered the parrot to stay silent.

Otherwise, tomorrow morning's breakfast might just end up being carrot stew with parrot.

"Why doesn't it talk? Doesn't seem very bright."

"Maybe its intelligence hasn't been awakened."

The couple whispered to each other before heading to their bedroom to rest.