In the evening, in the cave residence:
"Yan Ge, I prepared foot-washing water for you. Come, let me help you wash your feet."
"Yan Ge, let me wash your socks. Want me to wash your underwear too?"
"Yan Ge, do you need a warm blanket tonight? My body is strong, with plenty of fat. Feel free to lean on me..."
Those attendants who used to flatter Yang Shan now surround Yan Yuchen, wearing flattering smiles.
Meanwhile, Yang Shan lies alone on the bed, silent like a mouse, frightened by the events of the day.
The scene from earlier, where his brother beat him in front of everyone and warned him to serve Yan Yuchen like a master, haunts him.
Feeling life has turned dark, he thinks death might be preferable.
*Sob...*
Yang Shan lies on the bed, crying in sadness and despair.
Xiao Yuan, returning from a mission, is shocked by the scene in the cave.
He didn't witness Yang Wen's arrival but saw Yan Yuchen effortlessly defeat Yang Shan and others, assuming they now fear him.
"Yan Ge is really amazing."
He inwardly admires and quickly joins in flattering.
Yan Yuchen, lost in thought, ignores them after washing his feet and lies on the bed, staring at the cave ceiling.
Tonight, he doesn't plan to cultivate; he wants a good night's rest as he has tasks to attend to tomorrow.
As the night passes swiftly, Yan Yuchen rises early, cleans up, and sits cross-legged at the cliff's edge, waiting for sunrise.
Before sunrise, when Yin energy retreats and Yang energy rises, a special gas is produced during the exchange.
According to the "Soul Cultivation Technique," absorbing it revitalizes the spirit, making one energetic and tireless throughout the day, akin to consuming a magical elixir.
As the bright morning sun gradually rises from behind the green hills below the cliff, a golden radiance envelops Yan Yuchen. Inhaling deeply, he absorbs a warm glow, revitalizing him.
His abdomen warms, eyes open, radiating vitality.
This is the most yang energy at the start of a new day, capable of dispelling any impurity or negativity.
If consumed for an extended period, it can lead to a rebirth, transforming the body and emanating a sunny fragrance in every move, making people feel warm and refreshed at a glance.
Though his body is a wandering spirit outside, here it's a tangible entity, allowing him to consume this aura.
After a short cultivation session, hunger dissipates, leaving a comfortable warmth in his abdomen.
He doesn't compete with the attendants for breakfast but heads directly to the prison to begin his work.
Entering the first cell, Yan Yuchen sees an infant pale and feeble in the corner, barely clinging to life.
With a hint of pity, he asks softly, "Hey, can you still hold on?"
The infant's cracked lips move, but no words come out.
Frowning, Yan Yuchen hesitates, then suddenly discards the broom, locks the cell, and strides out.
"The spirit demon in the first cell seems to be dying. Shouldn't we give it some spiritual water?" he asks the guard captain.
The captain hesitates, saying, "There's nothing we can do. Not everyone is eligible for spiritual water, and it's not time to distribute it to spirit demons yet."
"Should we just watch it die?" Yan Yuchen furrows his brows.
The captain shrugs, "That's all we can do. Don't worry, you just clean up the trash in the cell; if the spirit demon dies, it's not your concern. I'll report to the steward."
With that, he walks away.
Yan Yuchen sighs inwardly, realizing the infant won't survive the day.
As he turns to continue cleaning, Zhou Zhiqi suddenly approaches, waving, "Yan...little handyman, didn't you say you wanted to visit your family? According to the rules, you have leave days every month. I happen to be going out today, and I can take you part of the way."
She glances at the peculiar-looking guards, feigning a cold and aloof expression.
Yan Yuchen is delighted at her offer and quickly descends the steps to follow her. However, he suddenly remembers the infant in the first cell.
He taps Zhou Zhiqi's arm, wearing a pleasing smile, "Senior Sister Zhou, about the spiritual water I mentioned yesterday, have you thought about it? As a talented disciple like you, you must have spiritual water, right?"
Zhou Zhiqi pushes his hand away, looks back, and says with embarrassment, "Don't touch me! Keep your distance! Be mindful of your status!"
Yan Yuchen reluctantly steps a few paces to the left, still trying to please, "Senior Sister Zhou, can you give me some spiritual water? The infant in the first cell is about to die. Without spiritual water, it may not survive the day."
Zhou Zhiqi, upon hearing this, pauses, turns to him strangely, and says, "You want spiritual water not for cultivation or to exchange for treasures with those spirit demons in the cell but to save that infant? Do you know how precious spiritual water is, Yan Yuchen?"
Without explaining, Yan Yuchen extends his hand, boldly saying, "Please, Senior Sister Zhou, give me some."
Zhou Zhiqi coldly snorts, scrutinizes him, and asks, "Then tell me, what will you do to convince me?"
Yan Yuchen silently mocks the stinginess, thinking she still wants treasures from him!
"Senior Sister Zhou, I'm willing to offer myself, to be your servant, to be at your beck and call—oh no, to obey your every command," Yan Yuchen declares with righteousness.
Zhou Zhiqi gives him a glare and is about to mock him when she suddenly remembers something.
After staring at him for a moment, she takes out a jade bottle from her pocket, saying, "There are only two drops left in the bottle. I only have these. Spiritual water is not a common substance; it forms naturally from the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Only a few disciples within the sect have the qualifications to obtain it. If these demons weren't somewhat useful, the sect wouldn't waste it on them."
Yan Yuchen is pleased, reaching out to take it, but she quickly pulls it back, coldly saying, "Yan Yuchen, remember what you just said—serving me, being my servant, not resisting. Got it?"
Yan Yuchen, with a bitter face, corrects, "Senior Sister Zhou, I said obeying your commands."
Zhou Zhiqi remains silent, tucks the jade bottle back into her pocket, turns around, and says, "Let's go, we're leaving the mountain."
Yan Yuchen can only yield and says, "Alright, Senior Sister Zhou, my mistake. I'm at your service, willing to be at your beck and call..."
Zhou Zhiqi smirks, takes out the jade bottle again, hands it to him, and says, "I'll remember your words forever, unless I die, or you die."
Yan Yuchen takes the bottle, forces a wry smile, doesn't dare to respond, and hurries back into the prison.
Watching his retreating figure, Zhou Zhiqi's eyes reveal a hint of triumph.
No matter how extraordinary you become, whether you're a dragon or a tiger in the future, you'll obediently submit to my whims, hmph!
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