Chapter 65: Aren

Xuanjian City Third Middle School.

Under the watchful eyes of numerous Soul Transformation cultivators, Return-to-Void Elders, and Li Qingyang, Yu Ming slowly opened his eyes.

A bright spiritual light flashed and vanished.

Amid the astonished gazes of the Soul Transformation cultivators.

Yu Ming’s wrinkles and age spots began to fade bit by bit; his sagging skin tightened, and his waxen, ashen face visibly reddened.

His once cloudy, lifeless eyes were now clear and bright.

His white hair receded, and his withered, emaciated body gradually filled out.

All of this happened in the span of an instant.

The once decrepit old man vanished, replaced by a vigorous man with swordlike brows and starlit eyes, his posture upright as a spear.

“I’ve succeeded—my foundation is fully restored.” Yu Ming tried to suppress it, but his joy still came through.

Do you have to say that? Everyone felt that vibrant, harmonious aura.

“Is this the reward for passing the second trial?” the principal asked.

“No, everyone who participated in the second trial received it.”

Everyone? Three thousand people? The Soul Transformation cultivators froze—how immense a gesture! The deputy head of the Discipline Hall, in his old man’s form, stared at the vibrant Yu Ming, his eyes flickering as if pondering something.

“When does the third trial begin?” Li Qingyang asked in a low voice.

“I don’t know. The elder who organized this trial didn’t reveal anything—but the third trial will take place in the real world.”

In the real world?

Even the mayor, hearing this, had grown numb—he’d only wanted a smooth landing, yet one incident kept following another.

He truly couldn’t grasp such a massive opportunity!

Could you please change locations?

“I’ll keep a close eye on this matter—you needn’t worry too much,” Li Qingyang said.

This is most likely the work of some uncle or aunt who just emerged from seclusion—I must take responsibility for it first.

“Let’s go.”

With that, he slapped the shoulder of the Return-to-Void Elder beside him—but it wasn’t just the two of them who left; the Soul Transformation cultivators vanished with them.

I’d intended to lend a hand anyway; better not let them stay behind and make a spectacle. I might as well take them all.

Yu Ming stared at the empty meditation chamber, momentarily stunned, then sighed after a long while.

“Senior Li truly has thought of everything.”

Then he closed his eyes and focused, observing his current state.

Having wasted years as a Nascent Soul, his foundation is now fully restored—Soul Transformation is but a thought away.

But he won’t do it.

If he ascends to Soul Transformation now, he’ll lose eligibility for the third trial.

…………

At the hospital, Xiao Fan arrived very late.

In his hand was a black ring, simple in design, resembling nothing more than a black circular band.

『The Pastoral Spirit-Nourishing Scripture…』

This was a cultivation technique that came with the ring—the extraordinary encounter he had sensed.

Pasture all living beings, take their spirits, nourish my own divine essence.

Once cultivated, it allows one to seize the spiritual essence of living creatures—and even all things—to strengthen one’s foundation and accelerate one’s cultivation.

The beings from whom spiritual essence is taken show no outward signs of change; they may even continue cultivating normally.

But they will obey the technique’s cultivator unconditionally, and ninety percent of their cultivation gains will belong to the cultivator.

An extremely domineering and sinister technique.

In ancient times, when the Cang Clan ruled heaven and earth, some of their mighty beings used this scripture to enslave stars themselves.

Once, the twinkling stars were but cattle and sheep bleating under the Cang Clan’s pasturing.

“You’re here, Xiao Fan.”

A sudden voice interrupted his thoughts—he snapped back to awareness and realized he had somehow walked into the ward.

His parents sat nearby, their faces filled with joy.

His older brother stood beside the bed, his complexion ruddy, moving his body freely.

The loose hospital gown strained against his bulging muscles; faintly, one could almost hear the thunderous rush of his blood.

Huh~ He exhaled sharply—a trace of terrifying blood qi leaked out, raising the ward’s temperature slightly! Xiao Fan’s senses were now sharp—he struggled to breathe as the unmasked, overwhelming aura spread. “Ah Ming, you’ve just recovered—rest properly.”

Xiao Ming smiled: “Don’t worry, Mom—I’m a body cultivator; I know my own body.”

Then Xiao Ming turned to Xiao Fan, standing by the door.

Meeting his brother’s gaze, Xiao Fan’s heart tightened.

If he fought his brother—even with the Xuantian Battle Art’s spiritual power boost and every technique he had—he still couldn’t block a single punch.

No!

Even if he’d woken up, how could his brother recover so fast! “Let’s go for a walk, little brother—I have something to tell you.” His voice was calm, neither loud nor soft.

Then Xiao Ming turned to his parents.

“Dad, Mom, Xiao Fan and I will be back soon.”

He’d always been decisive; seeing his serious expression, they didn’t refuse.

But they still warned: “Remember to come back early—it’s very late.”

“Mm.”

Xiao Ming nodded and walked toward the door.

Tap! Tap! His slippers echoed crisply against the bright floor.

As Xiao Fan watched his brother draw nearer, an inexplicable unease rose in him.

When Xiao Ming reached him, Xiao Fan remained motionless.

“Let’s go,” Xiao Ming said gravely.

A large hand settled on his shoulder—Xiao Fan trembled.

Could his brother have… figured something out? “Okay.”

Xiao Fan dared not refuse.

The two brothers walked out of the ward.

The night was deep, so few people remained—but the lights were bright, turning the corridor blindingly white.

They walked in silence; only the sound of footsteps echoed and overlapped.

The distance took less than a minute, yet Xiao Fan felt suffocatingly oppressed.

What did his brother intend? After agonizing over half a minute, they finally reached the end of the corridor.

Pushing open the door revealed a modest balcony; the evening breeze carried a chill.

Xiao Ming stepped inside, leaning back, staring at Xiao Fan, who stood frozen.

The two brothers locked eyes for a moment—then Xiao Ming suddenly smiled.

“What’s wrong with you, kid? Why are you so distant with me?”

His expression and tone were identical to how they’d always been.

Could his brother have noticed nothing?

Xiao Fan relaxed somewhat and smiled back: “I didn’t expect you to recover so well—I just haven’t caught up yet.”

“Hmm… Normally, I should still be lying in bed.”

“Normally?”

“That trial—it’s been all over the place, right?”

Xiao Fan’s heart jolted.

“Brother, did you join too?”

Wasn’t your brother in a coma?

“Yes, I joined,” Xiao Ming nodded, grumbling, “I thought the trial picked people from everywhere—but when I woke up, everyone participating was from Xuanjian City.”

“So you’re…”

“Just as you thought—after passing the second trial, I recovered.”

Otherwise, I’d have needed months more to heal.

“Don’t worry—I’ll get you another Dragon-Elephant Pill when I return to the sect!”

Xiao Fan lowered his gaze: “No need, brother—I took the Barrier-Breaking Spirit Elixir—I’m already…”

“What are you talking about?” Xiao Ming frowned. “Aren’t you still at Qi Refining Ninth Layer?”

Xiao Fan snapped his head up—and saw a pair of deep violet eyes.

Please collect and follow!! (End of Chapter)