The next day, Yun Qu went out to deliver food, and Yun He followed him downstairs, taking his hand as he said, "Brother, don't deliver food today. Come with me."
"If I don't deliver food, what will we eat?" Yun Qu chuckled honestly. "My sister's cultivation resources still depend on this."
"You don't need to worry about cultivation resources. I've already prepared everything. Come on, let's get you some top-quality ceremonial robes. Seeing you treated with disrespect yesterday made me quite unhappy. My brother is so handsome; with just a little dressing up, you'll be the center of attention in the cultivation world."
The two of them went out.
Before leaving, Yun He played it safe by setting up a defensive array at the door. If any dangerous intruders broke in, he would be the first to know.
Only Yun Huan remained inside the house, studying ancient texts.
Yun He led his older brother to the market and selected plenty of clothes for both of them—magical garments, Taoist robes, spirit sashes, flying boots, and talisman belts. Whatever a cultivator needed, he prepared it all, sparing no expense and picking only what caught his eye.
Back when the Yun Family was at the height of its power, Yun He was always this generous with his spending. Now that he had wealth in his hands, he couldn't wait to lavish it all on his family.
Next, he picked out clothes for his sister. Since he didn't understand women's fashion, he asked about the latest popular styles, chose the right sizes for her, and also bought her alchemy notes, spiritual accessories, and a precious storage pouch.
Fortunately, it was Yun Qu, who had no idea how many spirit stones these items cost, so he didn't question where Yun He got such a massive fortune.
If it had been Yun Huan, she probably would have interrogated him about the suspicious origin of his money.
With all the items packed up, the two of them carried numerous bags as they prepared to leave. Suddenly, a spirit carriage drove past them and came to an abrupt halt, blocking their path.
The carriage window slowly rolled down, revealing two familiar faces.
Yun He took a look—weren't these his high school classmates, Ning Jia and Ren Bei?
Back in the day, Ren Bei had been his desk-mate, quite fond of him and constantly showing him favor.
At that time, Yun He was from a wealthy background, while Ning Jia was just a poor relative of the Ning Family, newly arrived and utterly rustic. The Ning Family favored Ren Bei, while Ren Bei fancied Yun He, creating a delicate triangle among the three of them.
Actually, Yun He didn't care much for Ren Bei; he just humored her for a few days before they went their separate ways after graduation.
Yun He had been admitted to the Ningcheng Cultivation Academy, while he heard Ren Bei went to the Elixir Academy for further studies, and they had never crossed paths since.
Never had he expected to run into them here today.
When Ning Jia saw his former classmate and old rival suddenly appear, a flash of smugness and surprise crossed his eyes.
Naturally, he knew the Yun Family had fallen into decline and that Yun He had vanished for a full ten years.
Looking at his outdated, rustic clothing and the numerous packages in his hands, it was obvious Yun He was just doing manual labor—probably an errand boy. Meanwhile, even though he was only a minor leader in a branch of the Ning Family, he had made a small fortune over the years.
He instantly felt vindicated, especially seeing his former rival reduced to such a low state.
The taste of this life turnaround was truly exhilarating.
He smugly glanced at Ren Bei beside him and said to Yun He, "Yun He, what a coincidence! It's been ten years. Where have you been hiding to make such a fortune?"
Seeing Ning Jia's arrogant demeanor, Yun He immediately realized he was just here to show off. Frowning slightly, he replied indifferently, "No fortune to speak of. I just returned from afar."
"You vanish for a decade, and now you show up. Did you commit some capital crime out there and only just get released?"
"Believe whatever you like. I have things to do, so I'll take my leave."
"Don't go, don't be like that."
How could Ning Jia let go of such a chance to show off?
Yun Jia hurriedly hopped down from the carriage and smiled. "Old friends reuniting—how can you rush off? I know you run errands for people, but how could copper coins in the cultivation world ever keep you fed? Oh, I heard you haven't married yet, and you haven't even found a cave dwelling. Who would have thought a scion of the Yun Family would fall to such destitution? Nowadays, Biyao is already my cultivation partner, but you're all alone. Heh, how about this? Why don't you come and cultivate under my banner? You carry a stained reputation, so major sects naturally won't take you in, but my humble sect has over a hundred people. If you're willing to work for me, I certainly won't treat you poorly. Oh right, we happen to lack a gate-guarding disciple." He looked mockingly at Yun Jia, but suddenly his heart tightened as a dangerous aura filled the air.
*Damn it*, the casually deployed defensive array had actually been triggered!
Who dared to trespass in his residence?
Consumed by anger, he grabbed his brother, leaped onto the carriage, and sped away without a word. In truth, he had wanted to fly on his sword, but the streets were too crowded. Fortunately, he wasn't far from home, and they would arrive in a moment.
Seeing him flee in a carriage, Yun Jia smugly smiled at Biyao. "This guy was putting on airs in front of me, yet he took a carriage. I bet all the spirit stones he earned today went toward the fare. Good thing you had such sharp vision back then and chose the right cultivation partner!" With that, he affectionately planted a series of pecks on Biyao's cheek. Suddenly stopping, he grabbed her delicate neck and demanded, "Did you and him have a thing back then? I'm no fool to take another man's leftovers."
Biyao brushed his hand away and said displeased, "What are you babbling about? Yun Jia and I never had half an ounce of affection between us. Back then, he pestered me, but I didn't think much of him at all."
The carriage quickly stopped in front of the residence. Yun Jia said to Yun Qu, "Brother, hold onto these things for now and go rest for a bit at the grocery store. I have something to discuss with Sister alone."
Yun Qu, still simple-minded, completely obeyed his younger brother's arrangements and sat in the grocery store holding the items. Once Yun Jia had settled his brother, he strode quickly toward the front door.
The door wasn't tightly shut; it was slightly ajar, but Yun Jia could sense the murderous intent lying behind it. Unfazed, he pushed the door open and walked right in. Sure enough, a chilling wind struck from behind the door. Without looking back, Yun Jia casually flicked his elbow. The attacker's jaw instantly shattered, and the 1.9-meter-tall brute collapsed forward in agony, holding back his screams.
Yun Jia glanced over and saw a thin cultivator sitting on the sofa, along with two thugs, making four people in total counting the one with the broken jaw. Meanwhile, his sister Yun Huan was lying flat on the floor, though she still had a pulse.
Zuo Tian's gaze was gloomy. "So you really are a cultivator. But what of it? Speak! What happened to the First Hall of the Black Tiger Hall? Was it your doing?"