When Yang Jian reappeared before everyone after his bath and change of clothing, his transformation left the entire group utterly speechless with amazement.
Although he still appeared to be a teenager in terms of age, the combination of his pristine white robes, tall and elegant bearing, and absolutely perfect facial features embodied the ancient saying: "This refined young gentleman is unparalleled throughout the world, inspiring both admiration and envy." How could such a flawless existence possibly walk among mortals? If they didn't already know the identity of Yang Jian's divine mother, they might have assumed he had been personally sculpted by the goddess herself.
"Thank you for providing these clothes" Yang Jian said with deep sincerity as he approached Gustave. "If it weren't for you and your miraculous treasures, I would have certainly perished at the hands of the Great Golden Crow today. Please accept my most heartfelt gratitude."
After descending to the main floor, Yang Jian performed a formal bow to Gustave to express his profound appreciation for the life-saving assistance.
"You don't need to be so formal with me," Gustave protested, hurrying forward to help Yang Jian rise from his bow. "You and I are fellow disciples now. I simply did what any brother should do under such circumstances. There's absolutely no need for such gratitude."
Gustave attempted to physically support Yang Jian and encourage him to stand, but found himself completely unable to budge the young man from his position.
This development was entirely natural and expected. Yang Jian originated from a high-level mythological world and carried the bloodline of divinity. Even without any formal martial arts training or combat techniques, his inherent physical capabilities and natural talents placed him at the absolute pinnacle compared to inhabitants of ordinary worlds.
"Yang Jian, please rise," the Moral Lord commanded gently, observing that Gustave was unable to lift his new senior disciple. "You need only remember your brother's kindness and assistance today."
"I understand completely, Master," Yang Jian replied, finally rising to his feet upon hearing his teacher's instruction. "I will definitely find ways to repay my brother for his tremendous kindness today."
"Brother, you don't need to concern yourself with repaying any favors," Gustave said with genuine warmth. "As long as you focus on diligent cultivation and serve as strong support for me in the future, that will be more than sufficient."
"Serve as your support?" Yang Jian asked with obvious confusion, not quite understanding what Gustave meant by this particular phrase.
Meanwhile, when the Moral Lord heard Gustave's words, he burst into delighted laughter at his registered disciple's refreshingly honest and practical approach to relationships.
Yang Jian felt even more puzzled when he witnessed Moral Lord laughing with such obvious amusement. Shouldn't a master of his cosmic stature always maintain dignified composure? Why was he laughing with the carefree joy of an ordinary elderly man?
However, Yang Jian could not possibly understand the answer to this question at his current level of spiritual development. When he eventually reached sufficient enlightenment to comprehend such matters, perhaps he would react with the same natural humor as the Moral Lord.
After paying his final respects to the Moral Lord, Yang Jian prepared to begin his cultivation practice immediately. However, when he attempted to channel the Method of Love and Hate, he encountered an unexpected sense of spiritual stagnation and found himself completely unable to progress no matter what approach he tried. But hadn't the Moral Lord clearly explained that the Method of Love and Hate could be practiced simply by drawing upon the love and hatred already burning in one's heart?
Confused and concerned, Yang Jian sought out the Moral Lord, who was currently engaged in a peaceful fishing session alongside Tom at the ship's railing.
After spending some quality time together, Tom had discovered that this cosmic master—who initially seemed more terrifying than even God himself—possessed absolutely no pretentious airs and displayed the same warm approachability as any kindly neighborhood grandfather. Consequently, Tom had gradually begun acting with much more natural freedom and comfort.
"Master, why did I experience such a strong sense of stagnation when I attempted to begin cultivation just now?" Yang Jian approached the Moral Lord with his troubling question.
When Moral Lord—who had been thoroughly enjoying his fishing expedition with Tom—heard this inquiry, he suddenly remembered that he had been having so much fun that he had completely forgotten to provide Yang Jian with crucial cultivation guidance.
"Yang Jian, the world where your brother currently resides is fundamentally an ordinary mortal realm," the Moral Lord explained, pointing out the core issue affecting his new disciple. "Although the Method of Love and Hate draws its foundation from the emotions burning in your heart, if you wish to actually cultivate magical power, you must practice in a world with higher levels of spiritual energy and cosmic law."
The Moral Lord had identified Yang Jian's current cultivation obstacle with typical divine insight.
"Master, does this mean I must return to my original world?" Yang Jian asked, finding it difficult to accept this explanation from the Moral Lord.
After all, he had genuinely hoped to cultivate successfully in this peaceful sanctuary before returning to rescue his mother from her imprisonment.
Yang Jian understood that his master possessed tremendous status and authority in his home world. Upon his return, simply declaring himself a disciple of the Moral Lord would certainly prevent the Great Golden Crow from acting with impunity. However, such protection would inevitably cause considerable trouble for his master, and Yang Jian was reluctant to burden him with such complications.
"Yang Jian, you don't need to worry about creating difficulties for me," the Moral Lord assured him with paternal understanding. "Since you have become my disciple, I will naturally provide appropriate protection."
"While you were receiving instruction here, I concluded an agreement with the Emperor of Heaven. For the next three years, the forces of the Heavenly Court will cease their pursuit of you entirely. However, after those three years have passed, you will need to rely upon your own cultivated strength."
The Moral Lord revealed the protective agreement he had negotiated with the Emperor of Heaven immediately upon accepting Yang Jian as his disciple.
"Master, when did you have the opportunity to make this agreement with the Emperor of Heaven?" Yang Jian asked with genuine curiosity, remembering that the Moral Lord should not have left this location to return to their world.
"My dear disciple, for a master who has reached such an advanced state of existence, do I truly lack the simple technique of dividing myself into multiple forms?" the Moral Lord replied with an amused smile.
The entity who had forcibly breached the Gate of All Worlds was actually the self-corpse, one of the three distinct corpses comprising the Moral Lord's complete being, while his original body remained in their chaotic home world. If the Moral Lord's true form were to leave that realm, it would cause tremendous cosmic disturbances throughout multiple dimensions.
However, blessed with the supreme technique of One Qi Transformed into Three Pure Ones, although this was merely one of his corpse manifestations, its power remained identical to that of his original body. This represented the true might of the Moral Lord—the strength of each of his three severed corpses equaled that of his primary form.
"I understand, Master," Yang Jian replied with newfound clarity. "I will return to begin cultivation after my sister awakens."
Yang Jian recognized that he had no choice but to return to his world, as remaining here would prevent any improvement in his abilities. However, he planned to leave his sister Yang Chan in Gustave's protective care. As for the matter of seeking revenge, he would undertake that dangerous journey alone!
"Stubborn boy, stubborn boy!" the Moral Lord muttered with fond exasperation, seeing that Yang Jian had made his firm decision and choosing not to argue further.
Time passed swiftly, and soon the dinner hour arrived. At precisely this moment, Yang Chan finally awakened from her long, exhausted sleep.
Yang Chan possessed the same extraordinary beauty as her elder brother. Although she was only four or five years old, she was already a delicate and exquisitely pretty little girl. Dressed in her pink and blue traditional gown, she appeared even more adorable and precious. Anyone who laid eyes upon her would immediately feel an overwhelming protective instinct.
When Yang Chan first awakened, she found herself lying upon an unfamiliar bed in a strange room, with her beloved brother nowhere to be seen.
Although the guest room had been decorated with warm, welcoming touches, the poor child Yang Chan couldn't help but burst into heartbroken tears when she failed to find her brother immediately upon waking.
Hearing the sound of crying from the upper floor, Yang Jian immediately abandoned whatever he was doing and rushed to the guest room on the third floor.
"Little Chan'er, everything's all right! Your brother is here!" Yang Jian called out reassuringly as he entered the room, immediately embracing Yang Chan and gently patting her back to provide comfort.
"Brother, Second Brother, I thought you didn't want Xiaochan anymore!" Yang Chan sobbed while clinging tightly to Yang Jian with desperate relief.
Yang Chan, this tragically unfortunate child, had lost both parents and her eldest brother in a single devastating night. Now her second brother represented her final source of security and support, and she couldn't bear the thought of losing Yang Jian as well.
"It's all right, Little Chan'er. Brother is here, always here. We are completely safe now," Yang Jian whispered gently as he continued comforting his sister.
"Really? You promise, Second Brother?" Yang Chan looked up at Yang Jian with pitiful, hope-filled eyes.
"Really and truly, Little Chan'er. Your second brother has become the disciple of an incredibly powerful master. My teacher has already instructed me in very potent martial arts. It won't be long before I possess the strength to rescue our mother, and then we can be reunited as a complete family once again."
Yang Jian made this solemn promise to his sister with absolute conviction.
"Really? Second Brother, you're not allowed to lie to me!" Yang Chan insisted with childish seriousness.
Hearing that it wouldn't take long to rescue their mother, Yang Chan gradually began to calm down and regain her composure.
"Really, Little Chan'er. Brother will definitely rescue mother successfully. Let's make a pinky promise to seal this agreement," Yang Jian suggested.
As he spoke, Yang Jian extended his little finger toward Yang Chan to formalize their pact, but suddenly his expression grew more serious as he continued:
"Little Chan'er, if you truly want to help save our mother, you'll need to cultivate diligently as well. During the period when I must focus on intensive training, I won't be able to properly care for you. Therefore, you'll need to stay with another kind brother—he's actually my fellow disciple under our master."
Upon hearing this explanation, Yang Chan's eyes immediately filled with tears as she asked with a trembling, pursed mouth:
"Second Brother, don't you want Xiaochan anymore? Xiaochan wants to stay with you always!"
Yang Jian gently grasped Yang Chan's small shoulders, looked directly into her eyes with loving seriousness, and said:
"Little Chan'er, do you want to help rescue our mother? If you truly want to save mother, then you must listen to your second brother's guidance!"
Yang Chan finally understood that her second brother was absolutely determined to leave her in this safe place, but she couldn't possibly refuse the opportunity to help rescue their beloved mother. Therefore, she embraced Yang Jian tightly and cried for several minutes before finally agreeing to remain behind and allow Gustave and the others to care for her during his absence.