Chapter 353

Chapter 353: Mismatched Through Missed Connections

Thinking of the Han family’s weapon techniques, Lou Yun further recalled that when Han Rui used book mountain to trap him, he had clearly stated it was a Kun-level weapon technique. Furthermore, Chang Xiang had elaborated that the reason Kun-level techniques were so powerful was because, besides their inherent might, they could connect with the energies between heaven and earth. When deploying a Kun-level weapon technique, one was actually harnessing this cosmic energy, capable of locking onto an enemy’s aura; ordinary people simply couldn’t escape!

Lou Yun nodded to himself. No wonder, no wonder! How could he have forgotten something so crucial? Kun-level weapon techniques could draw upon the energies between heaven and earth, making them incredibly formidable. Now that he himself could perceive and manipulate this cosmic energy, wouldn’t the Kun-level techniques he unleashed become even more powerful?

Thus, Lou Yun resolved that if the opportunity ever arose in the future, he must find a way to secretly study the Han family’s weapon techniques.

He let out a long exhalation. A pure stream of cosmic energy streamed from Lou Yun’s mouth as he promptly opened his eyes. The extended period had fully replenished the cosmic energy within his body.

Hearing Lou Yun’s exhalation, Yi Xuan and Yi Ru hurried to his side. Seeing his expression, they knew he had recovered and exclaimed joyfully, “Teacher, you’re alright?”

Lou Yun nodded with a smile. Glancing at Chang Feng and Mo Bingju, who were still meditating with closed eyes, he said, “I’m fine. But I need you both to stand guard a little longer. Your teacher must now help these uncle and aunt heal their injuries!”

“Nn, nn!” The two children nodded vigorously, suppressing their excitement and joy, then took positions on either side of Lou Yun, vigilantly watching their surroundings.

Lou Yun first walked over and sat down beside Chang Feng. He transmitted his voice directly into Chang Feng’s ear: “Brother Chang, let me assist you.”

Truthfully, Chang Feng and Mo Bingju’s injuries weren’t too severe. The main issue was their severely depleted spiritual energy. Within Ghostly Valley, only evil energy permeated the air, and they couldn’t absorb evil energy to replenish themselves like Lou Yun could, hence their extreme weakness.

Given enough time to absorb ample spiritual energy, both would naturally recover their strength.

However, Lou Yun considered their proximity – just over a hundred kilometers from Ghostly Valley. If Tang Qianqiu’s master pursued them, Lou Yun wasn’t sure he could win. Therefore, he wanted to lend them a hand quickly so they could leave this place and reach safety sooner.

Chang Feng opened his eyes upon hearing Lou Yun’s voice, a flicker of wary hesitation on his face. Seeing this, Lou Yun felt a pang of displeasure.

Healing Chang Feng would necessarily mean channeling his own cosmic energy into Chang Feng’s body. While this was a major taboo among cultivators, Lou Yun thought to himself: I went to considerable trouble to rescue you both, and now I’m offering goodwill to heal you, yet you wear this expression, as if fearing I’d harm you? Truly, kindness is paid with ingratitude.

Chang Feng naturally noticed Lou Yun’s displeasure. Before Lou Yun could say "Forget it," Chang Feng quickly spoke up: “Brother Lou, please don’t misunderstand. It’s not that I doubt your intentions. But our constitutions are unique. As you likely know, every member of the Tianjiao possesses a powerful force within them – one we cannot control. Your spiritual energy entering my body will undoubtedly provoke rejection from this internal force. I worry that perhaps it might injure you…”

Chang Feng trailed off, fearing he might wound Lou Yun’s pride. He knew the potency of the force within him; even though Lou Yun was strong, he couldn’t match it yet.

Upon hearing this, Lou Yun suddenly understood – he had misjudged the man! Chang Feng was actually acting out of concern.

Naturally, though Lou Yun guessed what Chang Feng hesitated to say, he harbored no resentment now. After a brief pause, he said apologetically, “My apologies, Brother Chang, I misunderstood. How about this: I’ll only treat your external injuries. That shouldn’t trigger your internal force, right?”

Both Chang Feng and Mo Bingju still had broken chain links embedded in their bodies. Lou Yun was referring to the wounds sustained from these chains.

Though deeply curious about whether Lou Yun possessed medical skills, Chang Feng readily agreed. “Then I’d be grateful for your help, Brother Lou!”

Lou Yun, of course, had no medical skills. But within him burned the Fusang Fire, capable of healing! It could even repair magical weapons; mere flesh wounds were nothing!

“Endure the pain.”

As he spoke, Lou Yun extended two fingers, pinched the chain protruding from Chang Feng’s side, and yanked it out.

Chang Feng proved his mettle, gritting his teeth without a single groan.

Lou Yun gave him a thumbs-up. Simultaneously, a small ball of crimson Fusang Fire shot onto Chang Feng’s wound.

Compared to when he had healed his father’s magical weapon, the current Lou Yun was far stronger, and so was the potency of his Fusang Fire. Before long, all four of Chang Feng’s wounds were completely repaired. His skin was flawlessly smooth, without even a trace of scarring left.

Chang Feng stared in astonishment at this miraculous scene. His curiosity about Lou Yun felt ready to burst out of his chest. Just how many more astonishing abilities does this Lou Yun possess?

“Brother Chang, continue resting. I need to help Lady Mo now too.”

Lou Yun patted Chang Feng’s shoulder and approached Mo Bingju.

In similarly short order, Lou Yun healed Mo Bingju’s wounds. After a while longer spent meditating to replenish their strength, both Chang Feng and Mo Bingju felt they had regained about half their spiritual energy and rose to their feet.

Without needing words, all three tacitly summoned their magical weapons.

Lou Yun held Yi Xuan and Yi Ru with one arm each.

The trio soared into the air on their levitating weapons.

Lou Yun now noted that both Mo Bingju’s and Chang Feng’s magical weapons were quite unusual, bordering on extremely rare.

Mo Bingju’s magical weapon was actually a flower basket containing a few brightly colored blooms. Without the flowers, Lou Yun might have doubted his eyes!

Chang Feng’s magical weapon was a small, ancient-looking bell, resembling the handbell a schoolteacher might use in a private academy.

Lou Yun couldn’t help but study the two weapons. Chang Feng’s bell weapon particularly caught his attention; during flight, it occasionally emitted clear, crisp chimes, pleasant to the ear. This reminded him of the Huangfu Family’s zither. He guessed, probably correctly, that Chang Feng specialized in sound attack.

Curious as he was, Lou Yun didn’t ask. Knowing the magical weapon was fundamental to a cultivator’s power, often concealing secret abilities, inquiring about its function was a major taboo.

The three flew straight on for another four to five hundred kilometers.

They even passed the small village where Lou Yun had once stopped to ask directions on his way to Ghostly Valley, before finally landing again.

Lou Yun reckoned the distance was now sufficient; even if Tang Qianqiu’s master chased them, he shouldn’t be able to find them here.

The flight had further depleted the limited spiritual energy Chang Feng and Mo Bingju had just absorbed. Lou Yun urged them to continue meditating to recover while he stood guard.

Seizing this time, Lou Yun finally turned to Yi Xuan and Yi Ru. The two children clung to his arms, one on each side, unwilling to let go.

Lou Yun understood their reaction stemmed from a deep-seated fear and lack of security. A wave of guilt and pain washed over him. If it weren’t for me insisting Yi Jin Guan go to the Lou Family back then, perhaps these children wouldn’t be in such a state. He also burned with curiosity: How had they become Tang Qianqiu’s disciples?

“Yi Xuan, Yi Ru,” he said gently, “Tell me what happened after we parted.”

The children exchanged a look. Yi Ru’s eyes instantly reddened, tears pattering down her cheeks. Yi Xuan fared slightly better, but his eyes also rimmed red – a clear sign their experiences held no happy memories.

Lou Yun exerted his strength, lifting each child onto one of his knees. Then, freeing a hand, he tenderly wiped the tears from Yi Ru’s face, soothing her softly, “Ru, don’t cry. Tell Teacher your troubles. Teacher will make things right for you.”

Yi Ru obediently stopped crying. Then, the two children began narrating, sentence by sentence, what they had been through all these years.

After parting from Lou Yun, Zuo Mingyang and Yi Jin Guan had taken them to the Lou Family’s home. Arriving to find it abandoned, Zuo Mingyang and Yi Jin Guan, seasoned as they were, deduced the Lou Family must have faced trouble. Instead of leaving, they decided to see if they could help.

After gathering information, the group headed straight for the capital, seeking a way to rescue the Lou Family members. Upon arriving, they realized their own strength was insufficient. After discussion, Yi Jin Guan decided to seek help from others but, worried about Zuo Mingyang’s temper, took everyone with him.

During this period of their absence, Lou Yun returned, rescued his family, and brought them back to Lingjiang City. Afterwards, fate seemed determined to play tricks on them. By the time Yi Jin Guan’s group returned to the capital, Lou Yun had already left with the Lou Family for Yulu Mountain Manor.

In short, through a series of mismatches and mis-timings, the two groups missed each other again and again.

Learning that the Lou Family was safe, Yi Jin Guan’s group began traveling widely, searching for Lou Yun – a search lasting several years.

Just as they were about to give up the hunt, one night, a group of people descended from the sky: Tang Qianqiu and his men.

As fate would have it, Tang Qianqiu’s group was returning in defeat after failing to capture the Disaster Dou Beast at the Ancient Weapon Academy. Spotting Yi Xuan and Yi Ru by chance, they saw the two children were perfect candidates for cultivating an evil weapon. They attacked Yi Jin Guan and his companions, ultimately seizing the two children.

Fortunately for Zuo Mingyang and Yi Jin Guan, Tang Qianqiu’s group was themselves fleeing at that moment. They merely took Yi Xuan and Yi Ru, killing no one.