Upon hearing this, Zhang Yuan felt a sense of serenity in his heart, calm as a lake without wind or waves, undisturbed by the slightest ripple. Although he had not left Xiaozhu Peak for an entire year, he had still heard bits and pieces of the rumors circulating outside.
They were nothing more than calling him a blind man, or at best, a waste who couldn't cultivate, the very bottom of the Jade Essence Sect. But what did it matter?
He had never taken any of it to heart.
Only the weak would haggle over every detail or engage in wars of words with others. The truly strong would disdain such petty squabbles; even if you won the argument, what of it? It would bring you no benefit, serving only to make you appear childish.
Rumors stop with the wise.
If one wants others to hold their tongues, the only way is to become truly powerful.
Then, no one will ever dare to speak ill of you again.
"It is of no consequence," Zhang Yuan said with a smile toward Zhang Xiaofan, waving his hand dismissively. Right now, his mind was entirely occupied with how to obtain the Blood-Devouring Bead from Zhang Xiaofan, and then head to the secluded valley to retrieve the Soul-Devouring Staff.
After all, those two sinister items would eventually bring harm to Zhang Xiaofan.
I absolutely will not allow Zhang Xiaofan to be hurt.
Zhang Xiaofan, just keep cutting your bamboo at Dazhu Peak; I will shoulder all these calamities for you.
"They say such things about you, yet you aren't the least bit angry?" Zhang Xiaofan was stunned, never having expected such a reaction from Zhang Yuan. As a child of just over ten, he asked himself if he would be able to laugh such things off should they happen to him, and he knew he could not.
"Why should I be angry? Their mouths belong to them; let them say what they want. It’s not like I’ll lose a piece of flesh over it."
"Brother Zhang Yuan..." Zhang Xiaofan stopped there, his face flushing red, unable to continue.
Compared to Brother Zhang Yuan, I truly am as childish as a toddler.
Just then...Suddenly, a piercing sound cut through the air as a girl in a red dress flew in, standing upon the Amber Zhu Silk. The red dress contrasted sharply with her porcelain skin, making her appear even fairer.
Zhang Yuan did not raise his head, but his Mind's Eye had already taken in the girl in red entirely. The newcomer was none of the less than the princess of Dazhu Peak, the daughter of the Peak Master Tian Buyi.
Back then, the honest and loyal Zhang Xiaofan had developed a deep bond with Tian Ling'er, especially after they tracked Little Grey and went through hardships together.
Tian Ling'er's personality matched her attire: she was a bold, outspoken girl who loved and hated with a fierce passion. The moment she landed on the ground, she spoke up brashly.
"Xiaofan, didn't you say yesterday that there was a grey monkey in the bamboo grove bullying you every day? Well, Senior Sister is going to take you to teach it a lesson right now."
Tian Ling'er placed her hands on her hips, acting as though she hadn't noticed Zhang Yuan at all—or perhaps she had seen him, but simply didn't care.
"Senior Sister..."
"How about another day? A brother of mine from Caomiao Village came to see me today, and I'd like to share a couple of drinks with him first." Zhang Xiaofan smiled with his usual honest and simple charm.
"Oh?" Hearing this, Tian Ling'er finally turned her head to look at Zhang Yuan.
Zhang Yuan was stylishly dressed, standing over a meter and eighty centimeters tall—a head taller than Zhang Xiaofan even. His face had the standard sharp features of a heartthrob, naturally exuding an irresistible charm. Only his eyes lacked pupils and focus.
If the fellow hadn't been blind, he would have been an absolute catch, the kind of handsome man that girls would willingly let break their hearts.
He was far better-looking than Zhang Xiaofan.
"You are Zhang Yuan?" Tian Ling'er gazed at him indifferently. She didn't look down on Zhang Yuan the way others in the Jade Essence Sect did; instead, she felt a trace of pity for him.
"Yes."Zhang Yuan nodded, then as if remembering something else, he continued, "Since Xiaofan has already agreed with Senior Sister Tian Ling'er to go together and teach that gray monkey a lesson, it wouldn't be right to ruin the fun because of me. How about the three of us go together to teach that gray monkey a lesson?"
The timing was just right.
As soon as he arrived at Dazhu Peak, the plot involving the Fire-Cooking Stick had begun.
Zhang Yuan gave a secret smile inwardly. He knew that the gray monkey was no ordinary animal, but a rare exotic beast known as the Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey.
The Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey was a top-tier spirit pet. While usually a bit mischievous, it was extremely reliable at critical moments. Ever since Zhang Xiaofan's paths crossed with the gray monkey, it had helped him a great deal. Zhang Yuan had no intention of stealing Zhang Xiaofan's future spirit pet; he only wanted the Three-Eyed Spirit Monkey to willingly follow him of its own accord. After all, he was a good person, and he would never do something like snatching another's belongings.
"No way."
Hearing this, Zhang Xiaofan grew anxious and hurriedly shook his head. He did want to teach that monkey a lesson, but he only wanted to go alone with Tian Ling'er, without a third wheel tagging along.
"Why not?" Zhang Yuan asked with a smile.
"Big Brother Zhang, you're blind and it's inconvenient for you to walk. Besides, that gray monkey is very mischievous; it wouldn't be good if it hurt you." After thinking for a moment, Zhang Xiaofan came up with a clumsy excuse.
"Oh!"
"That'll be fine!"
"I heard that Senior Sister Tian Ling'er of Dazhu Peak has remarkable cultivation and is a seeded contender for the upcoming Seven Meridians Martial Gathering. With Senior Sister Tian Ling'er protecting me, my safety shouldn't be an issue at all!"
Zhang Yuan knew that Tian Ling'er was just a young girl in her teens with a strong competitive streak. Provoked by his words, she would definitely bring him along.
Sure enough.
As soon as Zhang Yuan's voice trailed off, Tian Ling'er's calm voice came through.
"Of course there's no problem."
"With Senior Sister here protecting you, that gray monkey won't be able to hurt you."
Protect me?
I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it.
Even that milky Lu Xueqi would be able to protect me.
Zhang Yuan chuckled dryly to himself, glanced at Tian Ling'er's chest, and managed to refrain from using his perspective vision.
Hearing this, Zhang Xiaofan's eyes dimmed. Originally, he had wanted to spend some alone time with Senior Sister Tian Ling'er, but now it seemed his plan had fallen through.
However.
Since Senior Sister Tian Ling'er had already said so.
What other choice did he have?
The three of them continued deeper into the bamboo forest. The surroundings were lush and verdant, with every single dark-jointed bamboo towering toward the sky, tall and imposing—far more luxuriant than the weeping bamboo of Xiaozhu Peak.
When they reached the center of the bamboo forest.
Tian Ling'er stopped first, her gaze fixed on Zhang Xiaofan.
"Xiaofan, go on ahead and lure that gray monkey out. Zhang Yuan and I will follow you in secret. Once that monkey shows up, I'll help you teach it a good lesson."
"Alright." Zhang Xiaofan nodded, then proceeded forward, his mood thoroughly ruined by the addition of Zhang Yuan as a third wheel.
"Zhang Yuan, step up..." Tian Ling'er summoned the Amber Zhu Silk, which floated suspended in the air right in front of Zhang Yuan. Since Zhang Yuan was blind and had trouble moving around, she decided to let him get on the Amber Zhu Silk.
"Oh. Alright."
Zhang Yuan feigned fumbling around, instantly grabbing Tian Ling'er's soft, boneless hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. Then, leveraging the momentum, he took a hop and landed right at the front of the Amber Zhu Silk, stepping unsteadily and taking the opportunity to stroke Tian Ling'er's hand a couple more times.
Zhang Xiaofan, who had been preparing to move forward, nearly coughed up blood when he saw Zhang Yuan's actions. This was supposed to be his chance for some alone time with Senior Sister Tian Ling'er, so why did it now feel like he had invited a wolf into the house?
He didn't suspect that Zhang Yuan was intentionally taking advantage of her.
After all, Zhang Yuan was blind.
He simply couldn't see.
What kind of malicious thoughts could he possibly have?
Chapter 8: Soul-Devouring Staff
Chapter 8: Soul-Devouring StaffAlthough Zhang Xiaofan was so angry he could spit blood, he had no choice but to swallow his bitter pill. After all, Zhang Yuan was blind! He was naturally entitled to more leniency and care.
Zhang Xiaofan gritted his teeth and pressed deeper into the bamboo sea.
A gentle breeze swept past, leaving the vast sea of bamboo tranquil and serene.
After walking quietly for a short while, they reached their destination.
The surrounding bamboo forest grew dense and lush, blotting out the sun and sky. However, that grey monkey which so often bullied him was nowhere to be seen.
Zhang Xiaofan muttered to himself inwardly, "Could it be that this monkey has already gained spiritual sentience and figured out I've brought backup, so it doesn't dare show its face?"
Zhang Xiaofan looked around for a moment without catching sight of the grey monkey. Following his usual routine, he pulled out his knife and made a slashing motion toward a dark-jointed bamboo.
This was deep inside the bamboo sea.
He had only come here to chop bamboo a few times. Every single time he did, that grey monkey would pop out to torment him, which was why he rarely came here anymore to harvest bamboo.
The blade struck the dark-jointed bamboo with a crisp, ringing sound.
"Squeak, squeak, squeak..."
Suddenly, a familiar sound came from overhead. A grey monkey stood atop a dark-jointed bamboo stalk, holding two pine nuts, and hurled them straight at Zhang Xiaofan.
Caught completely off guard, Zhang Xiaofan took a hit to the back of his head. A sharp pain flared, and two swollen bumps instantly sprouted on his scalp.
"You brute."
Zhang Xiaofan felt a flicker of anger. He could not fly yet and couldn't reach the grey monkey perched high in the bamboo, so he could only resort to shouting curses to vent his frustration.
At that moment, Tian Ling'er was riding atop the Amber Zhu Silk, soaring over with Zhang Yuan. With a wave of her right hand, her five fingers curled into a claw and lunged at the grey monkey.
Because Tian Ling'er was attacking the grey monkey, the Amber Zhu Silk grew somewhat unsteady, swaying from side to side. Seizing the opportunity, Zhang Xiaofan grabbed hold of Tian Ling'er's small hand.
Tian Ling'er, usually so bold and carefree, suddenly felt her cheeks flush, and a misstep slipped into her attack.
The grey monkey slipped from his grasp, dove straight into the bamboo grove, grabbed at the leaves with both hands, and bounded away in leaps and bounds, vanishing into the distance.
"After it!"
Tian Ling'er steered the Amber Zhu Silk, picked up Zhang Xiaofan, and gave chase to the grey monkey.
Zhang Yuan held tightly onto Tian Ling'er's small hand. Although he had already reached Jade Purity Realm Layer 4, he had no intention whatsoever of interfering with the plot. In the original story, it was this very grey monkey that led Zhang Xiaofan to the secluded valley, where he obtained the Soul-Devouring Staff.
If he were to meddle and disrupt the plot, and that grey monkey failed to lead Zhang Xiaofan to the valley, it would spell trouble.
If they were out in the open, Tian Ling'er could easily fly through the air and capture that beast in no time. But this was the bamboo sea—a dense maze of towering dark-jointed bamboo stalks that blotted out the sun. The environment served as a natural sanctuary for the monkey.
After chasing for a while, Tian Ling'er still failed to catch the grey monkey.
Zhang Yuan played the obedient passenger. With his left hand gripping Tian Ling'er's small hand and his right arm around her waist, he stood motionless on the Amber Zhu Silk while blooming with joy inside.
I haven't even held Lu Xueqi's little hand yet, yet I never expected to be holding Tian Ling'er's little hand so soon.
So soft and smooth.
It really feels amazing.
...
Zhang Xiaofan stared at Zhang Yuan, his eyes burning red. To be honest, he was feeling a bit jealous. He clearly harbored affection for Senior Sister Tian Ling'er, yet here he was watching another guy holding her hand. A deeply sour and bitter feeling twisted inside his chest.
After a moment, he could no longer hold it in and spoke up with a trace of anger, "Zhang Yuan, could you stop holding my senior sister's hand?"
Zhang Yuan raised his head and glanced at Zhang Xiaofan. He knew the boy was jealous, but his eyes weren't red yet, he wasn't baring his teeth, and he wasn't angry enough! Should I wrap my arm around Tian Ling'er's waist as well?
If I did that, Zhang Xiaofan might just completely snap.
Still... on second thought, he decided against it.
Though he was blind and naturally entitled to special treatment, holding Tian Ling'er's hand out of fear of falling from the sky was at least somewhat justifiable. But wrapping his arm around her waist would be going too far.
Pausing for a moment, Zhang Yuan replied, "Xiaofan, I'm blind, and I haven't even started cultivating yet. I can't stand steadily on the Amber Zhu Silk, and I feel completely insecure. I'm just holding Senior Sister Tian Ling'er's hand—why are you being so petty?"
"..."
Hearing this, Zhang Xiaofan flushed a deep red. You're clearly taking advantage of my senior sister, so how did I become the petty one? But...
At this stage, Zhang Xiaofan was still an honest, simple-minded boy. When it came to verbal sparring, how could he possibly be a match for Zhang Yuan? Defeated in just a few rounds, he was left choking with mortification.
And Tian Ling'er's next sentence delivered a devastating second blow to Zhang Xiaofan.
"That's right."
"Xiaofan, Zhang Yuan is just afraid of falling, which is why he's holding my hand. We're all cultivators here, so we should be understanding toward Zhang Yuan instead of being so petty."
In truth, Tian Ling'er had long since felt deeply embarrassed. This was the first time she had ever held hands with an unfamiliar man, and she had felt awkward from the very beginning. But Zhang Yuan's words gave her a convenient excuse to comfort herself, and she simply went along with it.
Fine!
I'm petty! Zhang Xiaofan fumed in frustration. Hearing the senior sister he secretly adored say such things, a film of moisture welled up in the corners of his eyes. I've been wronged... I'm miserable... I'm so sad...
Zhang Yuan glanced at Zhang Xiaofan, suddenly finding the boy quite amusing. The Zhang Xiaofan of today was still a carefree youth whose heart was as innocent as a fool's, completely at his mercy.
If it were his future persona, Ghost Li, the guy would have already drawn a blade and hacked him to pieces.
"Hold on tight, you two. That grey monkey has fled down into the valley below. I'm going to guide us down at an angle."
Zhang Xiaofan let out a cold snort and stayed silent, still apparently holding a grudge over what had just happened.
Catching sight of the valley ahead, Zhang Yuan's heart skipped a beat with excitement. They had reached the secluded valley now, and very soon, they would find that Soul-Devouring Staff!
When that time came, the Soul-Devouring Staff would fuse with the Blood-Drinking Bead in Zhang Xiaofan's possession, creating his destined natal weapon: the Soul-Devouring Staff.
Such a weapon ought to belong to me.
Zhang Yuan muttered under his breath.
Heh heh!
Tian Ling'er kept pursuing the grey monkey. Who knew what kind of strange beast that monkey was? After running for so long, it didn't show the slightest trace of fatigue.
Now, crossing through the bamboo grove, they arrived at the secluded valley below.
They had reached a rather remote area in the back mountains of the Jade Essence Sect. Far removed from the rest of the sect, the danger level here multiplied exponentially. Rumor had it that this place was a forbidden zone; several senior apprentices had wandered in here and never found their way out.
Tian Ling'er furrowed her brow. Carrying two dead weight passengers, she wondered whether she should continue the chase. Pushing onward could easily plunge them into danger, but giving up would mean losing face.
And it was precisely this moment of distraction that sealed it.
Tian Ling'er had unwittingly flown Zhang Xiaofan and Zhang Yuan straight into a small, emerald-green pool. This very pool was the resting place of the Soul-Devouring Staff.
Knowing the dangers lurking within, Zhang Yuan jumped down in advance.
He was here to loot gear, not to take risks.
Plunging straight into the emerald pool was bound to trigger unexpected complications. All he needed to do was let the plot unfold according to the original text, allowing the Blood-Drinking Bead and the Soul-Devouring Staff to merge on their own.
Then he would simply step out at the end to reap the rewards.