Zhang Lie nodded at the young girl in greeting before his attention turned back to his transceiver, which had begun to beep. As expected, the first caller was Zhang Hong. The two of them exchanged a few quick words; what Zhang Hong had to report to him was exactly what Zhang Lie was already prepared to deal with.

First was Zhang Hanxiang. According to Zhang Hong, his sister had done admirably for herself within the first realm. Almost without relying on the members of Team Zenith, she, Jun Jiuxiao, and Ye Xianchen had finished capping out their mutated gene fragments, and they were more than halfway through with their superior gene fragments already.

However, Zhang Hanxiang had grown a little ill-tempered because of his prolonged absence. She had thought that she would finally be able to be by his side after becoming a genetic hunter, but now… One day, after finding out that Zhang Lie still hadn't returned from the second ralm, she announced that she would remain on Earth and stop her excursions in the first realm of the dimensional world until Zhang Lie returned.

Within the Zhang family home, still preserved in the interior of the Zenith Dojo, was a crowded mess of ancient furniture and peeling wood. From Zhang Hanxiang's perspective, however, this was a far more lavish place than even the grand dojo that lay just outside its doors— because this was where she had developed countless memories with her brother, where she had stayed up the whole night waiting for him the day he entered the dimensional world for the first time.

Back then, she was her brother's world, and he was hers. Now, however, the times had changed, and her brother as well. The moment she received news of his return, Zhang Hanxiang wanted to rush out and welcome him home, but she forced herself against it.

She wanted to see if her brother would rush over to find her.

Zhang Lie hadn't known about what was going on with his sister, but after his brief communication with Zhang Hong, he realized that he would have to put her at the top of his agenda.

Just as Zhang Hanxiang finished her bath, Zhang Lie rushed into their old house.

"Hanxiang, are you inside? I'm back!" Zhang Lie shouted, only to see his sister running toward him, her lips pursed, barely suppressing a smile.

She was, at that moment, a paradox of emotion, unhappy that her brother had deserted her, but overjoyed that he had gone to find her first. This meant that she was still important to her brother, after all.

"Are you angry, Hanxiang?" Zhang Lie sat down by her side.

"Brother, it's been so long since I've seen you!" Zhang Hanxiang murmured.

Zhang Lie smiled. "Did you miss me? I heard you were doing very well for yourself in the first realm, and I thought you'd grown up! Perhaps Zhang Hong was mistaken..."

Zhang Hanxiang folded her arms and pouted at her brother, but he suddenly turned severe. "Hanxiang, you must understand this: the road to cultivation is harsh, severe, and lonely. As we hunters acquire more and more power, we'll need to spend a commensurate amount of time developing, harnessing, practicing, and assimilating that power—months, even years. This is something you have to get used to.

"Even if we were in the same realm, there's no guarantee that I'll always be able to make time for you, so you need to learn to take care of yourself when I'm gone. Remember that the reason you enter the dimensional world is to develop and harness your own strength. Of course, I'll do my best to accompany you along your journey, but I can't be with you for good. You need to learn how to grow stronger, as do I. The dimensional world is dangerous, and sometimes, all you can count on is your own strength.

"Do you understand?"

Eventually, Zhang Hanxiang would have to learn how to live without him, and he had to impress upon her the importance of her independent growth. Zhang Hanxiang had to acclimate to this as soon as possible in case anything were to happen.

Zhang Lie was strong, and his strength would give him influence in any realm he reached. This strength alone was largely sufficient to protect Zhang Hanxiang, but it likewise posed a danger. Just as there were those who idolized Zhang Lie, there were those who plotted against him at any juncture.

Since Zhang Hanxiang wanted to become a genetic hunter in her own right, he couldn't coddle her and indulge in her every whim any longer. She had to learn to get used to loneliness, to derive strength from independence, to protect herself and her friends.

Zhang Hanxiang sat back, leaning against the weathered sofa, and slumped. She understood what her brother was saying, but it was simply so difficult! After entering the dimensional world, she had heard quite a lot of legends about her brother. Whenever she heard those tales, she was proud that her brother was so strong, but she hadn't carefully considered the source of his strength—not until the conversation he had had with her today.

His strength hadn't been a coincidence; it had been the result of long years of concentrated effort. If she were to continue her past behavior, she would be hard-pressed to excel in the first realm, let alone follow in her brother's footsteps.

She couldn't help but recall how Zhang Lie had entered the dangerous dimensional world in order to eke out a living for both of them, then how he had struggled through the depths of the Blacksteel settlement until finally he broke free, soared, and became the champion of the Void Cup all to get her the ability to stand once again.

All those opportunities for her, squandered in a fit of pique. 

Zhang Hanxiang lowered her head. "I understand, Brother."