"You..." Grandpa Chen stopped speaking.
Ye Yan knew what he had done earlier was not in line with Ye Mu's personality. But he couldn't just stand by and watch the villagers try to kill him.
"Are you okay, Grandpa?" Ye Yan asked worriedly.
Although he still looked hesitant, Grandpa Chen replied, "Yes, I'm fine. Go to your room. You haven't rested properly since you came back."
"Mm." Ye Yan nodded and walked into her room.
Her steps stopped at the doorway. She glanced at Ye Mu over her shoulder and whispered, "Ye Mu, tell me when your grandfather leaves."
The sparrow nodded slowly, perching on the small table beside her room. Its body was still stiff, the fear of what had just happened still lingering.
Grandpa Chen sighed in relief, his wrinkled face showing signs of anxiety about something. He muttered softly as he walked away. "That child looked different just now."
Making sure Grandpa Chen was really gone, before flying into the room. Ye Mu stopped in front of Ye Yan, watching him close his eyes again.
"Your sleeping habit is so strange," he muttered.
Ye Mu landed on Ye Yan's lap, glanced up briefly, then posed like the man behind him and closed his eyes. His small head moved up and down, and the bird let out a faint chirp. "Mm mm..."
Ye Yan had been aware of this stupid bird's presence since he entered the room. However, he didn't care, and Ye Yan resumed his meditation until the sun slowly set before he opened his eyes again.
The corners of Ye Yan's lips twitched, his desire to throw this stupid bird away growing stronger. Without hesitation, Ye Yan stood up. Ye Mu was thrown forward and his face hit the floor.
"Ouch..." The bird blinked dazedly, not understanding what had happened.
Its eyes widened as it watched Ye Yan walk away. "W-wait, brother!"
Ye Yan ignored it. The door to the hut was already tightly closed and it was getting dark. Ye Yan didn't waste any time. He slipped out through a small window at the back of the hut and moved quietly towards the dense forest.
On his shoulder, Ye Mu, who had finally managed to catch up, chirped frantically. "Brother, don't leave me alone. I'm scared, what if they... they want to kill me again?"
"We'll see who dares to do that in front of this King," replied Ye Yan, his voice low and full of scorn.
Relief radiated from the bird, and he quickly nodded. "That's right! Brother is so great, who would dare to do that in front of Brother."
Ye Yan rolled his eyes, and with a faint smile, he whispered softly. "You suck-up."
"Where are we going, brother?" he asked confusedly.
"The forest. Show me where you saw the Cold Star Flower," replied Ye Yan.
Ye Yan's heart burned. The intimidation earlier was just a shallow act. In order to truly protect Grandfather Chen and begin his revenge, he had to obtain true strength as quickly as possible. The blocked meridians in his body were the biggest obstacle.
After about half an hour of walking, guided by Ye Mu, they arrived at the riverbank. The cold smell of water and rotting leaves was strong. Night had taken over, and a thin fog began to cover the surface of the water.
"There! There, sis!" Ye Mu pointed with his beak at a group of large rocks on the riverbank.
Ye Yan narrowed his eyes. Among the damp crevices of the rocks, under the dim moonlight, grew a flower with thick green leaves. Its newly bloomed petals emitted a faint pale blue light, as if made of ice and stars.
Cold Star Flower.
This flower was a low-grade miracle cure in the Nine Heavens Realm, used to clear blocked beginner meridians.
It was fortunate to find this flower in this forest, saving Ye Yan the time of searching for other ingredients that were much easier to obtain but had effects far inferior to Cold Star Flower.
Ye Yan did not approach immediately. He surveyed his surroundings, sensing the energy in the air. Although the flower was not protected by a formation, its presence in such a remote place would surely attract the attention of other spiritual beings.
"Brother, hurry up and take it. Mumu is hungry," whispered Ye Mu, curled up on Ye Yan's shoulder.
Ye Yan only snorted, then channeled the last remnants of Qi from his dantian into the tips of his fingers. He couldn't use his bare hands.
With swift and precise movements, Ye Yan cut a broad leaf from a nearby bush. He used it as an emergency glove, then carefully pulled the Cold Star Flower from its roots.
As the flower rested in his hand, its light grew brighter. Ye Yan could feel a gentle wave of promising energy entering his body.
"Perfect," he murmured.
Ye Yan brought the flower back to the hut. He had no alchemy furnace, no pills, no additional potions. He had to do it the most raw and dangerous way: direct consumption.
Inside the dark hut, Ye Yan sat cross-legged again. He placed the Cold Star Flower on the straw mat in front of him.
"Ye Mu," he called.
"Yes, Brother?" Ye Mu, now curious again, perched on Ye Yan's knee.
"Whatever happens, don't make a sound. And don't let anyone come near. If I find out you've disobeyed my orders..." Ye Yan's eyes flashed seriously, causing Ye Mu to immediately fall silent and nod obediently.
Ye Yan closed his eyes and focused his mind. He took the flower and, without hesitation, put it in his mouth.
A bitter coldness immediately spread, followed by an explosion of raw energy in his stomach.
BOOM!
Ye Yan felt as if his meridians had been struck by a giant hammer. The energy of the Cold Star Flower rushed through his blocked Qi channels, trying to break through the barriers. The pain in every inch of his body did not make Ye Yan give up.
Cold sweat poured down Ye Yan's forehead, his body trembling violently. His teeth were clenched tightly, and the veins on his neck bulged. He made no sound, but the entire hut felt the pressure of his internal struggle.
At his knees, Ye Mu stared in horror. He could see a faint blue light emanating from Ye Yan's skin, as if his body was being boiled from within.
Ye Mu, though terrified, remembered Ye Yan's orders. He remained silent, only occasionally flapping his wings in agitation.
This was only the beginning. To reach the peak, I must go through this hell!
Ye Yan forced the Qi from the flower to swirl, attacking each blockage one by one. The process was slow, brutal, and painful.
Slowly, one by one, Ye Yan felt the small blockages release, and the dirty Qi came out in the form of a thin black mist from his pores.
Dawn was breaking when Ye Yan finally opened his eyes. The straw mat beneath him was soaked with sweat, and his body felt utterly exhausted.
However, the results were extraordinary. His meridians weren't completely clean, but now there were two main Qi pathways wide open, allowing the Qi of this world to flow more easily.
A heavy sigh was clearly audible. Ye Yan smiled, a weary yet triumphant smile. "The main obstacle is gone, now cultivation can begin."
He clenched his fist, a cold aura and killing intent erupting instantly. He lowered his voice, his eyes sharpening as he said, "Zhen Wu, wait for me."
"Brother?" Ye Mu whispered softly, her large eyes staring warily.
Ye Yan took a breath, forcing himself to calm down. He reached out his hand and gently stroked the bird's feathers. "Good job."
Ye Mu's eyes narrowed, a soft purr escaping from his small beak as he enjoyed Ye Yan's gentle caress. "Mm, I am indeed the best."
Ye Yan chuckled. "Yes, you are the best."
Ye Yan watched the sun rise through the cracks in the hut; a new day had begun. His journey for revenge had already started. But now, there was something far more important to do.
"Let's go, we need to find food," he said.