Seeing that the insect kings were about to devour the corpse of the small man, Ye Shu exerted his spiritual power again and lit a fire there.
Under the siege, the restrained venomous insects couldn’t escape immediately; the flames were infused with a bit of spiritual power, making it difficult for these ordinary venomous insects to cope.
In just half an incense stick’s time, the corpse of the small man and the venomous insects all turned into dust, and the surrounding vegetation was burnt to a crisp.
Ye Shu waved his hand, a gust of wind blew, scattering the bone ash, insect ash, and vegetation ash away, but the ground still needed some covering. After a moment’s thought, he took out a bucket of Hunyuan Water from the Hunyuan Pearl and poured it all onto the ground.
After about a moment, many plants sprouted, and soon became lush.
By now, who could tell that someone had died here? Everything had been covered up.
With these matters resolved, Ye Shu’s gaze fell on an egg pushed out by the growing vegetation.
Under the blaze from earlier, everything belonging to the small man had been burned, yet this egg remained, which was quite strange.
Ye Shu felt a hint of curiosity.
Could it be some kind of mutant?
He walked over and began to observe.
The egg was about the size of a pigeon egg, completely black, devoid of any light. If it hadn’t been for the fact that it didn’t burn in the fire, Ye Shu might have mistaken it for an ordinary stone. Even with Ye Shu’s knowledge, he couldn’t identify it, indicating its extreme peculiarity.
Ye Shu frowned slightly.
He hadn’t paid attention to the identity of the small man before, nor did he know where he obtained this egg. But given his opportunistic nature, he wouldn’t have kept it unless he truly valued it.
Unable to recognize it, he didn’t dwell on it and simply stored the egg in the Hunyuan Pearl.
Given time, he believed he would eventually figure it out.
Afterward, Ye Shu returned to the thatched hut.
Yan Changlan was still lying on the bed. Ye Shu sensed his breath and knew he was about to wake up, so he sat by the bedside, quietly waiting.
Sure enough, not long after, Yan Changlan’s eyelids twitched, and he opened his eyes.
A sudden wave of hatred flashed in his eyes. He opened his mouth as if to speak the name of his enemy but restrained himself, not uttering a single word.
Immediately, Yan Changlan heard a familiar voice—
“Brother Yan, you’re awake.”
Yan Changlan abruptly turned his head and saw the calm-looking youth sitting by the bedside. At this moment, as he looked over, there was a hint of concern in the youth’s eyes. His breath caught, and he hesitantly spoke, “Brother Ye?” Then he suddenly remembered something, “Brother Ye, did you save me? You must leave quickly. My enemy is too terrifying, beyond what you and I can handle!”
Seeing Yan Changlan like this, Ye Shu felt a warmth in his heart.
He spoke calmly, “Brother Yan, don’t worry. There’s a formation outside. That cultivator has long gone and won’t be able to trace our whereabouts.”
As Yan Changlan listened, he felt a dull thud in his mind. “Formation… Cultivator?”
Ye Shu looked steadily at Yan Changlan and sighed after a while, “That’s right. Brother Yan, I live in these wild mountains. I haven’t practiced martial arts to strengthen my body or protect myself. Instead, I’m a cultivator who needs to refine the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to enhance myself.”
Yan Changlan’s fingers tightened, gripping the blanket covering him tightly.
Ye Shu said slowly: “During the time brother Yan was unconscious, I went to the city and deduced that there were two individuals involved in these matters. One was able to control venomous creatures, but he was just an ordinary person. I had already killed him when he searched for you in the mountains. The other is a cultivator at the second level of Qi Refining, who has now gone to other cities to find you.”
Yan Changlan’s throat moved slightly. “Brother Ye, you…”
Knowing that Yan Changlan’s mind was currently complicated, Ye continued, “The other day, I had a sudden urge and felt uneasy, so I went to the city overnight and found you in a dark alley. You were seriously injured at the time, so I brought you back for treatment before going to inquire about the situation in the city. Now…” He paused, “The Lord’s Mansion has been wiped out, except for you, brother Yan. All members of the Yan family have perished.”
Yan Changlan trembled, “Wiped out?”
Ye sighed, “Yes.”
There seemed to be a mixture of hatred and an indescribable emotion on Yan Changlan’s face. “Did Yan Xi also die?” He usually respected his elders, but now he referred to him by name.
Ye replied, “Yes. It seems those two individuals couldn’t find what they were looking for, so they killed him to silence him.” He added with some reassurance, “He brought about his own downfall.”
Yan Changlan’s breathing became slightly erratic. “So now, the enemy of my Lord’s Mansion is just one cultivator? Brother Ye, do you know his strength? Why would he do such a thing to my Lord’s Mansion?”
Ye Shu saw him like this and replied softly, “From what I know, the only remaining person who harmed the Lord’s Mansion is a cultivator. I learned from the person who controls the venomous creatures that this cultivator’s surname is Li, and he is at the second level of Qi Refining. He targeted your Yan family because there is something in your family that is useful to him. I do not know what this thing is, but if Lord Yan has given any instructions, brother Yan, you must remember to hide it well and not reveal it easily.”
There was a hint of bitterness on Yan Changlan’s face. “Is a cultivator so unscrupulous in his actions? Can just a mere object cause the destruction of a family?”
Ye Shu’s gaze lowered slightly. “Cultivators seek longevity through their practice, which goes against the natural order. Whenever there is an opportunity, they will fight to the death. Brother Yan, where we are now is the realm of mortals, with scarce spiritual energy and limited resources. Although I do not know why this cultivator named Li came here, killing dozens of people for the sake of one object is not commendable…”
Yan Changlan fell silent.
He was once youthful and spirited, kind-hearted and righteous. Although he knew there were people in the world who would do anything for their own interests, he never imagined someone could be so ruthless, let alone that his beloved family member would betray him for power and status.
Fortunately, he had a friend willing to intervene and save him, preventing him from feeling utterly desolate.
After a long silence, Yan Changlan closed his eyes slightly. “Brother Ye, I have a question, if I may.”
Ye Shu replied, “Please, feel free to ask.”
Yan Changlan then inquired, “I wonder, what are the requirements for this cultivation… path?”
As he asked this, he felt ashamed and embarrassed.
On the night of the incident at the Lord’s Mansion, the person who harmed his father conjured flames out of thin air, breaking through his father’s protective inner energy with just one strike, almost like the work of an immortal. To cultivate such abilities, there must be hidden techniques involved. Although Ye Shu was also a cultivator, he never mentioned it during their interactions, perhaps for reasons related to the “distinction between immortals and mortals.”
Brother Ye saving his life was already a great kindness, so his inquiry might not be appropriate. But as a son, seeking vengeance for his father is just, and as a mere mortal, how could he seek revenge without attaining similar abilities through cultivation? If he doesn’t ask, he wouldn’t be worthy of being a son, even if it means he’d owe brother Ye a great deal.
Ye Shu didn’t answer him immediately but said, “The path of cultivation is arduous, requiring great determination and perseverance. Without great resolve, there can be no achievement. Cultivators below the third level of Qi Refining, aside from their techniques, are not necessarily stronger than top experts in the mortal realm. If a top mortal expert is fast enough, it’s not difficult to counterattack against a cultivator. Moreover, the secret techniques of the mortal realm are easily attainable.” Seeing that Yan Changlan was listening attentively, Ye Shu continued in more detail, “However, cultivation is a long and perilous journey, with the risk of death at any moment. Many lack the aptitude and achieve nothing even after years or decades of effort. As for my current level, I’m only at the first level of Qi Refining. Breaking through to the second level will require many days of arduous practice.”
Listening to Ye Shu’s explanation, Yan Changlan knew his intentions were sincere and felt deeply grateful. He replied earnestly, “To reach the pinnacle of martial arts requires not only years but also might not guarantee victory against cultivators. If I become a cultivator, despite the hardships, I’m willing to endure it all, hoping to prolong my life and increase my strength. Regardless of how many years it takes, I will seek out that cultivator named Li and avenge my father!”
Ye Shu looked at Yan Changlan for a long time, seeing his determination to cultivate. He nodded slightly.
His gaze softened, and his tone became gentle, “To be honest, brother Yan, when I rebuilt your meridians, your spiritual roots underwent a change. Despite the severe injuries, you gained a blessing in disguise, manifesting as the dual spiritual roots of wind and thunder. If you cultivate, your aptitude would surpass mine.” As he spoke, he handed over the scroll he had written earlier, “This is a technique I chanced upon, perfectly suited for cultivating the wind and thunder dual spiritual roots. It seems destined for you, brother Yan.”
Yan Changlan could never have imagined such a stroke of good fortune!
And this fortune was all thanks to Ye Shu… At that moment, he tried to rise to his feet to bow to Ye Shu.
—Such kindness could not be repaid in full without such a gesture!
However, Ye Shu waved his hand, preventing him from bowing.
Then he said, “Brother Yan, there’s no need for such formality. As friends, we should support each other. If the roles were reversed and it was I who needed help, knowing your character, I’m sure you would risk everything to come to my aid.”
Just as Ye Shu said, if the situation were reversed, Yan Changlan would undoubtedly spare no effort to help him. But this time, it was Ye Shu who helped him, and he couldn’t feel right about it.
Ye Shu waved his hand again, “If you truly bow, how can we interact as equals in the future?”
Yan Changlan stopped upon hearing this, merely keeping the gratitude in his heart.
Then Ye Shu continued, “This technique is not ordinary. Brother Yan, please memorize it as soon as possible and then destroy it. It must not fall into anyone else’s hands. If you have any questions about cultivation in the future, you can also ask me.”
Yan Changlan made a mental note to remember this. He thanked Ye Shu once again.
Afterward, he took out a jade pendant from his clothes and handed it to Ye Shu.
Ye Shu was slightly surprised.
Yan Changlan’s voice was heavy, his expression solemn, “Before my father passed away, he pushed me out of the window with one hand and only then did I realize that he had given me this jade pendant. I sensed something was amiss, so I kept it hidden in my clothes. Now, I believe this item may be what the cultivator sought.” He sighed, “This object caused my father’s death, and to me, it’s nothing but a painful reminder. Brother Ye, for saving and aiding me, and for passing on your techniques, I offer you this item… I hope it may be of some use to you.”