Chapter Fifty-One: Yi Zhen

Yuan Chengtian, spent and at the end of his strength, struggled to raise his left arm to block Shi Qi’s ice spear.

With a scrape, the spear glanced off his arm, its trajectory veering aside. Instead of piercing Yuan Chengtian’s heart, it stabbed into his shoulder.

Shi Qi was about to press the attack when Yuan Chengtian’s right hand flashed through a spell gesture. Suddenly, his internal energy surged with explosive force.

With a thunderous bang, Shi Qi was hurled backward by the force of Yuan Chengtian’s energy. Yuan Chengtian himself transformed into a ball of golden light, flying backward. He had expended his vital essence, resorting to a secret technique of last resort to preserve his life.

“A Nascent Soul cultivator truly is hard to kill,” Shi Qi murmured as he landed, then glanced back at the other three.

Su Xiaomu and Yuan Feixue sat cross-legged on the ground, slowly recovering their internal energy.

Over on Yan Yu’s side, the Seven-Broken Banner had clearly gained the upper hand. After devouring the last of the spell power from the “Myriad Rays Golden Army,” Yan Yu stowed the banner away. Sweat poured from him, but he still sauntered to the ground, fanning himself as he said, “Hmph, mere spellwork—easily broken.”

Shi Qi was embarrassed: Big brother, could you at least stand steady before trying to look cool? Your legs are still shaking.

None of them had expected that, the four of them together, they had nearly slain a Nascent Soul cultivator of the mid-stage.

Though Yuan Chengtian had been somewhat careless, whatever the reason, the fighting strength of Shi Qi’s group was extraordinary.

They were certain Yuan Chengtian was gravely wounded and unlikely to cause trouble again soon, so they chose to rest and fully replenish their energy before continuing on.

At the same time—

Yuan Chengtian, burning his life force, fled the battlefield, blood pouring from his mouth, consumed by rage.

Never in his wildest dreams had he imagined he would fall at the hands of a few juniors. If word of this got out, how could he ever show his face again?

Choking on his fury, he spat out more blood.

Enough—he would first return to his secret chamber to heal, and deal with Shi Qi and his companions later!

As Yuan Chengtian flew toward Dianxing Manor, a flash of golden light appeared ahead, and a familiar figure materialized—it was his younger brother, Yuan Chenglu.

“Brother!” Yuan Chenglu rushed over, alarmed by Yuan Chengtian’s condition.

“How did you get so grievously injured?” Yuan Chenglu asked.

With a cold snort, Yuan Chengtian replied, “Ambushed by a few juniors. Just a scratch—it’s nothing. Escort me back to the manor, and not a word of this to anyone, you hear?”

“Brother, your wounds look very serious!” Yuan Chenglu protested.

Yuan Chengtian glared at him fiercely and snapped, “Don’t bring it up again!”

A faint smirk played at the corner of Yuan Chenglu’s lips as he said, “Brother, there’s something very important I need to tell you.”

Yuan Chengtian frowned. “What is it?”

Yuan Chenglu leaned close and whispered in his ear, “What I want to say is… today is the day you die.”

“What?! You dare—” Yuan Chengtian’s words froze as a sharp pain lanced through his chest, blood filling his mouth. He looked down to see a longsword thrust through him from behind.

“You…” Yuan Chengtian collapsed, pointing a trembling finger at Yuan Chenglu.

“My dear elder brother! Hahahaha!” Yuan Chenglu leapt to the ground, gazing at Yuan Chengtian’s ruined form with wild laughter. “All my life, you’ve suppressed me, looked down on me. Yes, you’re the eldest, and your cultivation surpasses mine, but in your eyes, am I not even human?!” Yuan Chenglu grew more agitated as he spoke, yanking the sword free and stabbing it down again, pinning Yuan Chengtian to the ground through the lung.

Coughing blood, Yuan Chengtian’s body grew colder and colder.

“Let me give you one more piece of explosive news.” Yuan Chenglu released the sword and knelt beside Yuan Chengtian, whispering in his ear, “Your wife, your child—they’re both mine! Yuan He is my son!”

Hearing this, Yuan Chengtian’s eyes bulged wide, but no words emerged. Clenching his fists, he slowly reached out toward Yuan Chenglu.

Yuan Chenglu didn’t flinch, letting Yuan Chengtian’s bloody hand touch his face.

Suddenly, Yuan Chenglu’s right hand flashed gold as he drew a dagger and slashed it hard in front of him.

Yuan Chengtian’s right hand was severed, falling to the ground. His eyes froze wide open in rage—he was dead.

“Trying to attack me even as you die!” Yuan Chenglu wiped the blood from his face, staring intently at Yuan Chengtian’s corpse, lost in thought.

After a moment, Yuan Chenglu picked up his brother’s severed hand, removed the spatial ring, pocketed it, and tossed the hand aside.

His tasks done, Yuan Chenglu fell to his knees with a thud, pounding on the corpse as he wailed, “Brother! Oh, Brother, what’s happened to you?! You died so horribly!”

When his cries subsided, Yuan Chenglu gathered up Yuan Chengtian’s corpse and flew toward Dianxing Manor.

“Don’t worry, Brother! I’ll avenge you! I’ll tear Shi Qi to pieces!” As he flew, a faint, barely perceptible smile curled at the corner of his mouth.

...

An incense stick’s time later, beside the severed hand, a short, squat figure emerged from the earth—it was Shi Cai.

Shi Cai shivered as he looked at the hand, then at the direction of Dianxing Manor, swallowing nervously.

It turned out that while Yuan Chengtian had been fighting Shi Qi’s group, Shi Cai had hidden himself underground with an earth-escape technique, hoping to profit somehow.

Never in his life did he expect the lord of Dianxing Manor, Yuan Chengtian, would be defeated by four juniors.

As Yuan Chengtian fled, Shi Cai had crept away, moving rapidly through the earth toward the manor. He’d seen the gravely wounded Yuan Chengtian escaping, and was just about to come out and greet him when he witnessed the whole shocking scene. Terrified, Shi Cai stayed hidden, afraid Yuan Chenglu would kill him to silence him.

Only after Yuan Chenglu flew far away did Shi Cai dare show himself.

“Ah, Dianxing Manor is in utter chaos,” he muttered, picking up the severed hand. He figured it might come in handy someday. With that, he vanished into the earth once more, destination unknown.

-------------------------------------

A day later, Shi Qi and his companions arrived safely at Mount Jiazi.

Yuan Feixue took a celestial jade from her pouch and handed it to Yan Yu. “Daoist Wang, thank you for accompanying us. This celestial jade—”

Yan Yu seemed to know what she was about to say. Taking the jade, he replied, “No need, sister. I’ve made plenty of bad deals in my life. I’m not in it for profit, just for the fun of it.”

With that, Yan Yu turned to Shi Qi. “Aren’t you leaving, kid?”

Shi Qi smiled. “I’ll keep your sister company a while longer.”

Yan Yu rolled his eyes at Shi Qi and prepared to leave.

“Wait,” Shi Qi called out.

“Hm?” Yan Yu turned back, pausing mid-step.

Shi Qi said, “According to reliable sources, things aren’t peaceful in eastern Zhou lately. There are reports of rampaging beasts. You might find some tasks there that interest you.”

Yan Yu’s eyes lit up. “Alright, I’ll be on my way then.”

With that, Yan Yu trod upward on air, slowly flying away.

“Thanks, you rascal!” Shi Qi called after him.

“Such noise,” Yan Yu muttered, a faint smile at his lips as he flew into the distance.

“That rascal is actually kind of interesting,” Shi Qi remarked as he watched Yan Yu disappear.

“All right.” Shi Qi turned to Yuan Feixue. “I’ll be leaving now as well.”

Yuan Feixue hurriedly said, “Wait, Brother Shi, please come meet my master before you go.”

Shi Qi hesitated, then agreed. “...Very well.”

Yuan Feixue led Shi Qi and Su Xiaomu, the three of them flying toward Mount Jiazi.

The main peak was not particularly high, but there were many secondary peaks, crisscrossing and layered—an excellent place to hide.

Following Yuan Feixue, Shi Qi and the others wound their way through the peaks, finally stopping at the mouth of a cave on a cliffside.

“My master is inside,” Yuan Feixue said.

Shi Qi nodded. “This place is well hidden. That you stumbled upon it back then must have been fate.”

Yuan Feixue seemed lost in memory, sighing. “Yes…”

The three entered the cave, which was small, barely able to hold a dozen people. Looking ahead, Shi Qi saw a white-haired old man sitting cross-legged on a stone bed, eyes closed, his face deeply lined with age. This must be Yi Zhen.

“Master!” Yuan Feixue called.

Yi Zhen slowly opened his eyes, his gaze passing over Shi Qi before settling on Yuan Feixue. “Feixue, you’ve returned,” he said gently.

Yuan Feixue nodded, taking a porcelain vial from her robes. She approached Yi Zhen happily. “Master, I’ve brought the medicine back. Your wounds can be healed!”

Yi Zhen smiled faintly at the vial in her hand.

Then he looked up at Shi Qi and Su Xiaomu. “Feixue, are these your friends?”

Yuan Feixue was caught off guard by the question, but quickly replied, “Yes, they’re friends I just made.”

“Hahaha… Wonderful!” Yi Zhen suddenly laughed, more excited by their presence than the sacred medicine.

Shi Qi hurriedly brought Su Xiaomu forward to bow. “Senior Yi, I am Shi Qi, and this is my sister, Su Xiaomu.”

Yi Zhen replied, “At my age, there’s no need for such formalities.”

Yuan Feixue protested, “Master, don’t say that. The sacred medicine is here—you’ll soon recover!”

Without another word, Yi Zhen lifted his hand. Yuan Feixue placed the vial in his palm.

Yi Zhen opened the vial, pouring a single pill into his hand. Instantly, the small cave was filled with a rich fragrance.

“It is indeed the one,” Yi Zhen said.

“Yes, Master, please take it quickly! Restore your strength!” Yuan Feixue urged.

Yi Zhen nodded, then suddenly asked, “Feixue, how old were you when you became my disciple?”

Without hesitation, she replied, “Master, I—”

In a flash, Yi Zhen’s withered hand moved with lightning speed, forcing the pill into Yuan Feixue’s mouth.

“Mm!”

The pill slid down her throat and melted instantly…