Yan Wuxin did not respond. She merely closed her eyes slightly, focusing intently as she channeled the Lingqi from her Dantian into her palms.
Watching her actions, Yan Nantian was filled with concern. It seemed he already knew everything, and instead of excitement, he worried about how she would face the future.
“She actually went to test herself. It seems that although Yan Wuxin’s face has healed, her foolishness remains. She truly doesn’t know her limits.”
However, just as everyone covered their mouths to mock her, a dazzling light burst forth from one of the crystal pillars in the center, so brilliant it was blinding.
Before anyone could react, the light came to a stop, precisely at the Spirit Master Intermediate Grade.
“Wood Attribute Spirit Master Junior Grade… How is that possible?”
“Impossible! She was clearly a waste. How could she cultivate overnight and even reach Spirit Master Junior Grade?”
“No way, this absolutely cannot be. Someone must have tampered with it.”
The disciples, having recovered from their shock, refused to accept this reality. They insisted that the crystal pillar had been tampered with; otherwise, how could a well-known waste suddenly cultivate overnight?
Yan Heng stood frozen for a long time, unable to process what had happened. The disgrace of Yan Jia was not only not foolish but could now cultivate. How terrifying was this?
Below the stage, Yan Qingyu, who had been preparing to strike Yan Wuxin, stiffened. Wood Attribute? How could it be Wood Attribute? She was clearly Fire Attribute. Unless… she possessed Dual Attribute!
Realizing this, jealousy and hatred nearly drove Yan Qingyu mad. Suppressing the twisted emotions in her heart, she put on the guise of someone in the know.
“Little sister, Fourth Sister, how… how could you be so foolish? That… will harm you.”
Her words were vague, leaving hidden implications that sparked endless speculation.
In Mingtian Dalu, for those unable to cultivate who wished to rebuild their bones and tendons to cultivate, aside from the Xisui Dan, there was another method: making a deal with demons. Legend said that by selling one’s soul to a demon and becoming a Mopu, one could cultivate. However, this was merely a legend.
But the ability to cultivate overnight made them believe the legends were true.
As for Yan Wuhan and his son, they only understood after hearing Yan Qingyu’s words and glared coldly at Yan Wuxin.
“Yan Wuxin, how dare you!” Before Yan Wuhan and his son could speak, Yan Beifeng took the initiative to attack.
‘Sister, your Second Uncle is really strange. It’s as if he’s afraid you won’t die.’ Xiao Li pouted, grumbling inwardly.
“You couldn’t cultivate, and Father never looked down on you. No one in the family discriminated against you. Yet you had the audacity to make a deal with demons. Today, Yan Jia will not tolerate you, no matter what.”
“Enough noise.” Yan Wuxin gently raised her eyes and spoke calmly.
Yan Beifeng was instantly enraged. “How dare you act so recklessly! You’ve committed such a heaven-defying act, shaming Father, and still show no remorse. Worse, you disrespect your elders. Kneel down!”
Hearing this, Yan Nantian looked coldly at Yan Beifeng, this Second Brother who had once bowed and scraped before him, flattering him in every way.
“Second Brother, if you want us to leave, just say so. There’s no need to slander us like this. No one can insult my Xin’er, not even Father.” Yan Nantian’s eyes were icy. Though he could not cultivate, the kingly aura he exuded was not to be underestimated.
“She was always a waste, someone who couldn’t even take care of herself. Oh, I see—it must be you who became the Mopu.”
Yan Wuxin stared coldly at Yan Beifeng, her eyes devoid of any emotion. Yan Wuhan, standing beside her, felt a jolt of alarm at the sight.
Xiao Li instinctively swallowed hard, knowing that his sister was enraged.
Yan Beifeng had repeatedly tried to force her to admit using illicit means, and now he was insulting her father. That his sister had endured this long was already her limit.
“Guards, bind her and administer family punishment on my orders.” Though displeased with Yan Beifeng’s interference, the Head of the Yan Family was more than happy to drive Yan Wuxin and her family away. His face darkened, eyes sharpening with a piercing light.
Yan Wuxin clenched her fists, her expression unchanged, but the chill in her eyes deepened.
Yan Heng had remained silent all along. After years on the battlefield, the aura Yan Wuxin now exuded sent a cold shiver down his spine. This granddaughter he had once despised, even considered a disgrace, was now making him feel fear.
Was this calm, indifferent young girl truly the same waste who had once been mad, foolish, and incapable of cultivation?
Yan Wuhan pursed his lips, maneuvering his wheelchair with effort to shield Yan Wuxin. “Head of the Family, General Yan, I believe Xin’er would never make a deal with demons. General Yan, having fought on the battlefield for years, is known for his impartiality. Would you really allow this without even an investigation?”
Not “Grandfather,” but “General Yan”—these two terms stirred thinly veiled anger among the Yan family members.
“Do you have anything to say?” Yan Heng’s expression turned solicitous. These two siblings, this once-beloved son of his, were now challenging his authority, daring to show such disrespect before everyone. If he did not punish them, by tomorrow it would be confirmed that he had neglected his waste of a son’s family.
“When a crime is fabricated, excuses are never lacking,” Yan Heng said coldly, showing no trace of fear.
With that, he turned and gave his daughter a comforting smile.
No words were spoken, yet the message was clear. For the first time, Yan Wuxin felt the warmth of familial affection, her nose tingling with emotion.
“You… fine, very well. Guards, seize these three unfilial descendants and take them away for family punishment together.” The murmurs from below grew louder, and Yan Heng’s anger flared visibly.
The Yan family guards finally snapped to attention, rushing forward to bind the three.
Yan Nantian shielded his children behind him. Watching the guards advance, he pursed his lips, ready to take the punishment for all three. Just then, a streak of white light shot toward Yan Nantian. Yan Wuhan, horrified, threw himself in front of his father.
Thwack!
A barbed whip infused with Lingli struck Yan Wuhan’s back. His white robes tore instantly, the wound on his spine splitting open, flesh torn and blood spurting out, staining his clothes crimson.
Hiss…
Yan Wuhan sucked in a sharp breath, his face pale and beads of sweat dripping down. Yet, he still managed a reassuring smile.
The scene unfolded too quickly, leaving everyone stunned.
No one had expected Yan Wuhan to struggle up and block the whip. Originally meant for Yan Nantian, it had been intercepted by Yan Wuhan.
A waste who had lost his Linggen and could no longer cultivate had taken this blow—surviving it on the spot was already a miracle.
Yan Wuxin froze. She raised her eyes to meet Yan Wuhan’s pained yet comforting smile, which overlapped with memories in her mind. Instinctively, she took a few steps back.
It was this scene, ten years ago, on that very day, her brother became disabled, unable to move.