Chapter 654

Chapter 654: Casual Chat

After a night’s rest, Ye Yun glanced at the still-sleeping Golden Ling’er in the distance and sighed. Though the current relaxation felt pleasant, he couldn’t neglect his cultivation.

When Ye Yun focused his qi in his dantian and tried circulating true qi, he felt a faint stabbing pain within him—the fire poison remained. Smiling wryly, he rubbed his nose and stopped forcing his cultivation.

"Heh, did you think you were fully recovered? Be grateful. If I were you, I’d hurry to the Extreme Northern Frost Land to find treasures and purge that fire poison completely."

The Ancestor of the Sword Path’s spirit perception roamed Ye Yun’s body. Noticing the increasingly violent fire poison, his expression darkened. Soul power surged again to cleanse Ye Yun’s meridians, subjecting him to razor-sharp pain at dawn.

"Ugh! Could you be gentler? Feels like you’re doing this on purpose!" Ye Yun grumbled, enduring agony worse than the fire poison’s burning.

"Another portion removed. But stay cautious—if you fight Nascent Soul stage opponents now, the suppressed fire poison might flare up." The Ancestor’s hand held a black droplet identical to the poison in Ye Yun.

A faint smile crossed Ye Yun’s lips. "Lucky to have your help, Ancestor. Until the poison’s gone, I’ll keep relying on you."

"Stop pretending toughness. This poison regenerates. Flee if you meet unbeatable foes. If escape fails, I’ll intervene using soul power to wield the Purple Shadow Divine Sword," the Ancestor said gravely.

"I know. But remember this—if treasure falls into my hands, I, Ye Yun, won’t hesitate to claim it!" Ye Yun declared with unshakable confidence, meeting the Ancestor’s gaze in their shared consciousness.

The Ancestor sighed deeply. "What gives you such confidence? You’re practically on death’s door, yet still so bold."

"Hah! I learned from the best—you," Ye Yun chuckled.

"Call me when truly desperate. Though restricted in the Xumi Treasure, my remaining soul power can aid you once or twice," the Ancestor conceded.

Ye Yun nodded, opening eyes that gleamed with starlike sword intent.

"Senior Brother, your swordplay looks so clumsy! How can slow swings hit anyone?" Golden Ling’er giggled, watching Jin An practice at dawn.

Jin An swung his wooden sword sluggishly with the wind’s direction, too slow to harm even a fly.

Rubbing sleep from her eyes, Ling’er teased, "Focus on your Golden Mountain Technique first! You haven’t mastered our sect’s basics yet. Don’t bite off more than you can chew!"

As she rose to dissuade him, Jin An’s sword suddenly released sharp energy that sliced through breeze and boulder alike, leaving a clear mark.

Ling’er gaped. As a Nascent Soul cultivator, she recognized the wisp of true sword intent. Staring at her panting brother, she fell speechless.

"Finally grasped the first stance?" Ye Yun approached, tossing a low-grade Immortal Spirit Stone to the exhausted Jin An. "Recover quickly. Seize this epiphany before it fades."

"Yes, Senior!" Jin An absorbed the stone’s pure spiritual energy, relief washing over him.

"Wasting a stone! Should’ve traded it for treasures at the Xumi market," Ling’er pouted theatrically.

Jin An laughed weakly from the ground. "Harsh words when I’m like this? We’ve spoiled you rotten."

Noticing Ling’er’s puffed cheeks, he added, "Ask Senior Ye cultivation questions while I recover. He’ll guide you if you’re serious."

"No! I’m already Nascent Soul! Why work harder?" She shoved him playfully before marching to Ye Yun. "Senior, can I ask… about your cultivation?"

"Since when did you care?" Ye Yun chuckled at her faux-serious face. "Ask away. Jin An needs rest after overexerting himself."

"Okay!" She brightened. "What’s your beloved’s name? Or is she just some unrequited crush?"

"Ling’er!" Jin An hissed. "We agreed—cultivation questions only!"

Ye Yun waved dismissively. "I’m barely older than you. ‘Beloved’ is nonsense—I prefer solitude."

"Twenty years old? Reaching the Nascent Soul stage’s pinnacle… as a wandering cultivator?" Jin An marveled. At twenty-four himself, Ye Yun’s feat dwarfed his.

"An extraordinary genius indeed. Ling’er never stood a chance," Jin An muttered.

"Enough. We’ll hasten to the Extreme Northern Frost Land—I’ve urgent matters." Ye Yun avoided Ling’er’s starry-eyed gaze, subtly signaling Jin An to restrain her.

"Stop pestering Senior Ye! He’s here for greater purposes, not childish games," Jin An scolded.

"Hmph! I wasn’t being childish!" She glared but fell silent.

"Retrieving the jade tablet’s treasure might please Master," Jin An coaxed.

"Who cares? That old man sent me here post-breakthrough! Finally meet someone interesting, and he ignores me!" Ling’er fumed.

Jin An sighed. "When will she mature? I can’t shield her forever…" Channeling true qi, he sped after her.

Ye Yun frowned suddenly, gaze sharpening.

"Trouble? See something ominous?" the Ancestor asked.

"Probably nothing…" Ye Yun’s spatial law senses tingled. A distant dark shadow loomed, sapping his strength inexplicably.

White light flashed as Ye Yun darted across terrain, unease growing.

"Ling’er, realize the gap between you and Senior Ye? Charm him through effort, not antics. This isn’t home," Jin An lectured as her sulk eased.

Before he finished, a land-rending black tornado surged toward them.