When Ryan took a closer look, his expression immediately changed.
Neither of his parents had a clean spot on them.
Their clothes were covered in mud and white ash, and even their hair had been practically "dyed white."
"Dad, Mom..." Ryan frowned slightly as he looked at their disheveled appearances.
"Why are you back so late again? Are you alright?"
He had already calculated the time..His parents were nearly half an hour later than usual today, and seeing them covered in dirt and ash only made him more concerned.
In truth, Ryan already knew the likely reason.
For some time now, the prices of various necessities had been rising continuously. In order to earn a little more money, his parents had been working longer hours almost every day.
Ryan’s question was simple, but the concern in his voice was genuine.
Nearby, Ethan was sitting in his wooden wheelchair, quietly watching their parents with concern.
He didn’t say anything.
Toby, however, immediately ran over and wrapped both arms around Sarah’s leg.
"Mom... hug..." He looked up at her with an adorable expression, acting spoiled.
"Hey, it’s nothing. Don’t worry."
Daniel laughed heartily. "There was simply more work than usual today, so your mother and I came back a little late."
Daniel was already in his fifties. He was tall and lean, with skin that had been darkened slightly by years of exposure to the wind and sun.
His features were rugged, and despite his worn work clothes and unshaven stubble, there was a certain roguish charm about him.
If not for his somewhat thinning and graying hair, he would have possessed an especially striking appearance.
"Yes. We even managed to buy a little meat today."
Sarah smiled warmly. "We’ll make you some Fish-Fragrant Shredded Pork."
As she spoke, she nodded toward Ryan and Ethan before gently patting Toby’s head.
Then she turned around and began preparing the ingredients in the kitchen.
Sarah was in her forties. Although she wore an old yellow cloth outfit, her figure remained well-proportioned, and her delicate features gave her a gentle beauty.
Her thick, dark hair was tied into a ponytail, and paired with her relatively fair complexion, she looked considerably younger than her actual age.
There was a natural, feminine softness about her that made her seem especially warm and approachable.
"Really?!" Toby’s eyes immediately lit up.
"We get to eat meat today! And it’s my favorite Fish-Fragrant Shredded Pork!" He jumped excitedly and clapped his hands.
Seeing their younger brother’s happiness, Ryan and Ethan couldn’t help but smile as well.
All three brothers loved their mother’s Fish-Fragrant Shredded Pork.
However, the truth was that they hadn’t eaten meat in seven or eight days.
Life in the slums was already difficult, and for some unknown reason, prices had risen sharply recently. Meat had become increasingly expensive, forcing the family to save money wherever they could.
Even a simple meal containing meat had become something worth celebrating.
"Alright, you three sit down for now." Daniel nodded toward his sons. "I feel uncomfortable all over. I need to take a shower first."
After working all day, his entire body was covered in sweat, dirt, and ash.
He quickly headed toward the bathroom, leaving behind the unmistakable scent of a hardworking middle-aged man.
"Okay." Ryan nodded. For once, he didn’t return to his own room.
Instead, he sat down with his two younger brothers and began casually chatting and playing with them.
For the moment, the secrets of the Creation Furnace could wait.
Right now, he simply wanted to enjoy this rare moment of warmth with his family.
Night soon fell, and gentle moonlight spilled over the slum.
Daniel had already finished showering. He took over the cooking from Sarah and prepared two more dishes while she went to wash up.
Not long after, Sarah also finished showering, changed into a clean coarse-cloth outfit, and walked out of the bathroom.
"Dinner’s ready!"
The moment Toby saw his mother emerge, he shouted excitedly before dashing toward the small dining table and taking the first seat.
Ryan, Ethan, and their parents exchanged smiles before following him.
The meal was simple. A plate of Fish-Fragrant Shredded Pork. A serving of scrambled eggs with tomatoes. A plate of stir-fried cabbage. And a bowl of clear white radish soup.
The dining table was small, but it was just large enough to accommodate the family of five without feeling cramped.
Instead, the close quarters created a warm and intimate atmosphere.
The dishes were nothing extravagant, merely simple home-cooked food and clear soup, but everyone ate happily amid laughter and casual conversation.
However, throughout the meal, Daniel and Sarah barely touched the only meat dish on the table.
Whenever Ryan or one of his brothers tried to put some Fish-Fragrant Shredded Pork into their parents’ bowls, they would immediately refuse.
"We’re not hungry. You boys are still growing, so eat more."
"That’s right. There’s plenty for you. Don’t worry about us."
In the end, most of the Fish-Fragrant Shredded Pork found its way into the bowls and mouths of the three brothers.
Ryan simply watched his parents in silence. He didn’t know what to say. He already knew that even if he tried to refuse, he wouldn’t win against them.
His parents would simply find another excuse to make him eat.
After all, to them, their children were always more important than themselves.
Ryan lowered his head and continued eating, but deep within his heart, something was quietly burning.
The desire to change his family’s fate had never been stronger.
Now that he had awakened his Bloodline and obtained the Creation Furnace, he finally had a chance to break free from the life of poverty that had bound their family for generations.
He clenched his spoon slightly. He would not let his parents continue living like this.
After dinner, the family lingered for a while before Daniel suggested that they all go outside for a walk.
Ethan and Toby immediately agreed. Sarah also smiled and nodded.
Ryan, however, shook his head. "I promised a friend I’d meet him tonight. You guys go ahead."
He casually made up an excuse before standing.
After exchanging a few words with his family, Ryan waved goodbye and walked out of the house.
The moment he left the warm glow of his home behind, the smile on his face gradually faded.
He quickened his pace. His destination was the edge of the slum.
There were some things he needed to do tonight.
And they were things he couldn’t let his family know about.
...
Ashfall City was a medium-sized city located in the southern region of the Crimson Expanse.
It was also an important transportation hub connecting several surrounding cities.
Although Ashfall City’s overall strength was not particularly impressive, its advantageous location made it exceptionally prosperous.
Even though evening had already fallen, the city’s main streets remained brightly illuminated by dazzling neon lights. Streams of vehicles flowed continuously through the streets, resembling a never-ending river.
The shops lining both sides of the main road were equally lively.
Some people were drinking and laughing, others were shopping or traveling, while merchants loudly advertised their goods and customers haggled over prices.
Everywhere Ryan looked, there were people coming and going, creating a scene of bustling prosperity.
Ryan moved quickly through the crowds.
Yet unlike before, his steps were light and energetic, and his entire body radiated vitality.
After awakening his Bloodline, his Origin Energy Sea had begun continuously nourishing his body. Combined with the transformation brought about by the Burning Blood Pill, his physical strength had increased dramatically.
Ryan couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. He had already been walking for quite some time, yet he didn’t feel even the slightest trace of fatigue.
If this had been before, he would have already been panting heavily, with his legs weak and his body exhausted.
But now, he felt as though he could continue walking for several more hours without any problem.
"This feeling is really amazing." Ryan smiled faintly.
After passing through the seemingly endless crowds for a while longer, he finally arrived at his destination.
The southern side of Ashfall City; Treasure Tower Street.
This was one of the city’s most prosperous commercial streets, where various shops specializing in treasures, pills, weapons, and cultivation resources gathered.
Ryan’s purpose for coming here was simple.
He intended to sell the remaining three First-Tier Top Grade Pills he had obtained from the Creation Furnace and exchange them for the funds he needed.
With enough money, he could purchase cultivation resources, help his family improve their living conditions, and, most importantly, begin preparing for his own path of cultivation.