Chapter 448: Ascending Again

For the past five years, Xu Lei hadn’t interfered with his parents.

He lived like a normal child, growing up in the mansion, attended to by servants and doted on by his parents.

In private, he would secretly absorb Spiritual Liquid to cultivate.

However, his Cultivation speed was indeed no match for that in the Celestial Palace.

It was only thanks to the Spiritual Liquid that he could barely make any progress at all.

But advancing even one Small Realm was extremely difficult; it was impossible to know how many years it would take.

So, Xu Lei wasn’t actually very diligent with his Cultivation at the moment.

He would just cultivate secretly for a bit at night.

‘Maybe I should just directly ascend and be done with it?’

Sometimes Xu Lei would think, ‘Staying in the mortal world like this feels like I’m wasting my time. My Power is making basically no progress!’

But ascending at such a young age would be a little too dramatic.

“It’s time, we should be on our way.”

Just then, Xu Lei’s father’s voice drifted over. “When we get to the Minister’s Mansion in a little while, you must be on your best behavior. No rudeness, understand?”

“Don’t worry, Father.”

Xu Lei nodded. “I’ll remember.”

By now, the carriage at the mansion entrance was ready.

His mother was also dressed and ready, holding a baby boy in her arms—Xu Lei’s younger brother.

Five years had passed, so of course his parents had had another child.

After all, in an ancient world like this, there was no such thing as family planning.

Having only one more child after five years was a testament to his father’s consideration for his mother’s health.

After that, Xu Lei got into the carriage with his parents.

Today, his family was going to the residence of the Minister of the Ministry of Rites as guests.

The elderly mother of the Minister of the Ministry of Rites was celebrating her birthday.

Xu Lei just wanted to go out for a change of pace.

After all, since his Cultivation wasn’t progressing, he thought he might as well go see what was happening.

He hadn’t expected that upon arriving, he would actually sense the faint presence of Demonic Qi at the banquet.

However, he couldn’t tell where it was coming from.

‘A little interesting,’ Xu Lei couldn’t help but smile faintly.

Of course, now that Xu Lei had cultivated to the Bodhisattva Realm, the Demon Cores of ordinary demons were of no use to him.

Therefore, Xu Lei wasn’t paying it much mind.

“Ah, Xu, you’re here?”

Just then, a man about his father’s age came over and patted his father on the shoulder. “This must be your son, right? I can’t believe he’s gotten so big!”

“Yes, Sir.”

Xu Lei’s father chuckled. “He’s a healthy lad, and growing up well. It’s just that he doesn’t seem to have a knack for studying. At this point, I can only pin my hopes on his younger brother.”

It was true; Xu Lei hadn’t shown any particular talent for his studies.

The imperial examinations in this world tested on things similar to the “eight-legged essays” of ancient Earth, and Xu Lei, of course, couldn’t be bothered to learn such things.

He had no intention of taking the imperial examinations anyway, so he simply decided not to reveal his scholarly aptitude.

Otherwise, even at about six years old, he could have easily passed himself off as a child prodigy.

But it was better to avoid giving his parents high expectations from the start than to let them down when he was older.

After his father chatted with the man for a while, they each found their seats.

Just then, Xu Lei overheard his father say to his mother, “My dear, I’m sorry you have to be wronged like this along with me.”

“No, I’m the one who has wronged you,” his mother replied. “His scholarly talents are inferior to yours. The only way he’s better off is that he has a wife with connections. You both entered service at the same time, yet he’s been promoted while you remain in your post. I’m the one who’s holding you back.”

His father simply squeezed his mother’s hand and smiled, as if to say it didn’t matter.

Watching this, Xu Lei sighed internally. ‘My father in this life really has an excellent mindset.’

However, Xu Lei didn’t meddle in court politics. He currently had no ties to the Great Kang Royal Family, so he hadn’t intended to interfere in his father’s career.

Of course, after a little while, Xu Lei’s expression flickered.

When the Minister of the Ministry of Rites, a man of about fifty, appeared, Xu Lei noticed a trace of Demonic Qi on him. Of course, Xu Lei could quickly tell that the Minister himself wasn’t a Demon, but it was possible a Demon was close to him.

At the moment, however, Xu Lei couldn’t tell which person near the Lord Minister of the Ministry of Rites was the Demon.

After all, a demon’s ability to disguise itself was still very strong.

Even for someone who had cultivated to the Bodhisattva Realm, it wasn’t something that could be seen with the naked eye.

So, after some thought, Xu Lei found an opportunity during a lull in the banquet to approach the Minister of the Ministry of Rites and exchange a few words.

“Whose son are you, again?” The Lord Minister of the Ministry of Rites didn’t recognize Xu Lei.

He had dozens of Assistant Ministers under him, and each of those subordinates had several children of their own.

Xu Lei smiled and stated his father’s name.

“You’re a bold one, boy. Most of the other children don’t dare approach me.”

The Minister of the Ministry of Rites stroked his beard. “You actually made a point of coming over to speak with me. Did your father or mother put you up to it? Hoping you’ll make an impression on me? Paving the way for your future career?”

Hearing this, Xu Lei shook his head, momentarily speechless before breaking into a laugh.

“Lord Minister, you’re overthinking things,” Xu Lei said. “I only came over because I saw you were plagued by Demonic Qi, and I thought I might save your life.”

The Lord Minister of the Ministry of Rites was taken aback.

“Have you been feeling listless and drained of energy lately?”

Xu Lei continued, “Aching back and waist, and you get tired easily? Has even intimacy become a… perfunctory affair? You probably think it’s just because you’re getting older, right? But that’s not it. It’s because there is a Demon by your side. A Demon has been feeding on your Essence Qi.”