"Sigh."
Inside the grand hall of Hengjian Peak, a long and heavy sigh drifted out.
The old man furrowed his brows, a gloomy shadow casting over his face. He gazed at Ye Feng before him, his eyes filled with deep concern and reluctance, and slowly spoke:
"Ye Feng, your spiritual root is now damaged, and less than one-tenth of your cultivation remains within you, your foundation completely destroyed. How will you cultivate in the future?"
Upon hearing this, a bright, carefree smile bloomed on Ye Feng's face: "Master, then I simply won't cultivate."
Faced with his master's caring gaze, a faint trace of guilt welled up in Ye Feng's heart. He lowered his head slightly and continued: "This disciple plans to go open a noodle shop. I imagine life should be quite pleasant."
Hearing this, Li Muyang's expression instantly turned complex and unreadable. He looked at the exceptionally talented young man before him, his eyes brimming with sorrow and pity, and could not help raising his volume: "Do you realize how many people in this world yearn for a talent as brilliant as yours, yet can never attain it? And you're going to open a noodle shop?"
Though Li Muyang was somewhat exasperated, it was driven far more by regret over Ye Feng's wasted talent. Ye Feng wore a respectful expression, standing with his fists cupped, but said nothing more. He understood his master's heartache and appreciated this deep regard for his talent, yet he had no regrets about the choice he had made.
Gradually, the old man's anger receded like the tide, replaced by a trace of acceptance in his heart.
If the young man before him did nothing at all, or found some excuse to leave the sect only to return after a year or two, would he really praise him for doing the right thing? All of this was simply the trickery of fate, heaven envying the brilliant.
"Enough, enough. Seeing you just makes me angry," the old man waved his hand helplessly. "What brings you to see me this time? Has Youning woken up?"
Ye Feng shook his head slightly and said, "Not yet. However, this disciple has already examined her; her body is gradually recovering, and returning to normal is only a matter of time."
"Then you..." Li Muyang wore a puzzled expression, his gaze full of inquiry.
"Master," Ye Feng said with a solemn expression, "I hope you can keep the matter of the curse-breaking a secret for this disciple."
"You don't want to tell her?" Li Muyang was slightly startled, then realization dawned on him.
Given Youning's personality, she would likely find it impossible to accept such a thing no matter what. If told abruptly, it would surely burden the young girl with lifelong guilt. Thinking of this, Li Muyang slowly nodded and agreed to Ye Feng's request.
Ye Feng continued, "Master, there is one more matter: please do not let Youning participate in the sect's master-disciple initiation ceremony or other activities for now. He already knew I took the scroll, so he will definitely keep an eye out for related news. If he finds out Youning has truly fully recovered, I'm afraid that Shen Wanqian might come looking for us again."
Looking at the young man before him, Li Muyang could not help inwardly letting out another silent sigh.
This disciple of his possessed both the courage to venture into the demon's lair alone and such deep forethought. Had he not suffered this twist of fate, he surely would have carved out a world of his own in this Immortal Realm in the future. What a pity... The sect master did not remain silent for long before finally agreeing to Ye Feng's request.
"This disciple takes his leave." The old man before him had helped Ye Feng immensely and tolerated a great deal of his willful behavior; Ye Feng was truly deeply grateful to him, though he might never be able to repay it.
Watching the figure of Ye Feng turn and leave, the sect master's lips moved, but the words stopped at the tip of his tongue. In recent years, this youth had indeed endured far too many hardships and obstacles; he had truly been put through a difficult trial.
***
Surrounded by emerald bamboo, the bamboo house stood amidst rustling leaves swept by a gentle breeze, as if whispering tales of the passing years.
Time seemed to quietly stand still, until a soft, gentle voice inside the bamboo hut softly pierced the tranquility: "Ye Feng, what on earth... has happened to me?"
Ye Youning's eyelids slowly opened like curtains parting in the morning light, revealing a daze of fresh awakening. To her astonishment, she sensed that her body seemed to have shaken off an invisible, heavy burden, becoming lighter than ever before—as if she had been reborn and granted a new lease on life.
Hearing the voice, Ye Feng hurriedly strode into the room and came to Ye Youning's bedside, his eyes filled with concern and tenderness.
He gently helped the young girl up and said softly, "You came down with a severe illness, but don't be afraid, you're all better now. How do you feel?"
"Much better. My body feels so light, and I even feel as if something is flowing all around," Ye Youning felt the wondrous changes in her body closely, her eyes flashing with curiosity and surprise.
"That's good." A gratified smile bloomed on Ye Feng's face. For so many years, that seal had been like a heavy stone pressing down on the shoulders of both siblings.
Now that the stone had finally been removed, he too felt a long-lost sense of relief, as if all the heavy burdens on his body had been lifted at once.
"Why is your complexion so terrible? Are you injured?" Ye Youning keenly noticed the paleness of Ye Feng's face, and a wave of worry surged in her heart. She gently pulled on Ye Feng's hand; her small hand was soft and warm, yet tinged with a hint of tension.
After all, Ye Feng was a cultivator and rarely fell ill on ordinary days, yet at this moment his face was as pale as a sheet of paper, making it truly impossible for Ye Youning to set her mind at ease.
"I suffered a minor injury completing a task a few days ago, it will be fine in a couple of days." Ye Feng nonchalantly withdrew his hand and slowly stood up, trying to mask his weakness.
Not wanting his sister to worry about him, he changed the subject: "Alright, let me tell you some good news."
"What good news?" Ye Youning was indeed hooked by Ye Feng's words, temporarily setting aside her worries, her eyes filled with anticipation.
"Starting tomorrow, I'll teach you cultivation." Ye Feng's words were like a clap of spring thunder, causing Ye Youning to cover her small mouth in astonishment.
"Really? Why can I suddenly..." Ye Youning asked in disbelief.
Ye Feng nodded affirmatively and patiently explained, "Before, I was worried your body wasn't well enough to bear the burden of cultivation. Now that your illness has fully healed, naturally you can cultivate. Besides, before you woke up, I already tested you—your talent is quite good!"
"Good? Calling it the finest in the world wouldn't be an exaggeration," Ye Feng muttered inwardly to himself.
Ye Youning smiled happily, her smile as brilliant and radiant as blooming spring flowers. Her eyes shone with a yearning light as she asked, "Then will I be able to become as powerful as you?"
"Of course. Before long, you'll probably surpass me," Ye Feng replied with a smile, as if foreseeing his sister's glorious future.
"Then when the time comes, it will be my turn to protect you." Ye Youning lowered her head and said softly, her voice small yet carrying a steadfast determination, like a solemn oath.
Feigning ignorance, Ye Feng said, "I'm going outside for a moment. You get up and wash up—after all, you haven't been up and moving around for so long."
A blush crept onto Ye Youning's face. She grabbed a pillow and threw it at him, scolding playfully, "You're making fun of me!"
Ye Feng easily caught the pillow and walked out of the room with a smile.
Listening to Ye Feng's footsteps gradually fade away, Ye Youning took a deep breath.
"It's wonderful. I can cultivate too, and I won't have to leave him," Ye Youning told herself, gently placing both hands over her chest to feel the vibrant heartbeat.
Yet, for some reason, she felt a vague sense that something was missing. "But... why isn't it as joyful as I imagined?"
Subconsciously, the young girl looked out the window. Two birds were perched on a branch, leaning against each other and chirping merrily. Suddenly, one of the birds spread its wings and soared straight up into the sky, vanishing into the vast horizon...