Chapter 61

When Ye Wei returned with the water, the two of them had already returned to their usual selves, tacitly not mentioning anything further.

For two consecutive days, Ye Wei stayed by Lin Ziyuan's bedside, taking care of her.

Although Lin Ziyuan was deeply moved and had developed a faint affection for Ye Wei, she still treated him coldly, not wanting him to get too deeply involved.

After two days, Lin Ziyuan's strength had almost fully recovered, and her cultivation had far surpassed what it was before.

"Ziyuan, I'm leaving first!" Seeing Lin Ziyuan recover, Ye Wei bid her farewell and got up to leave.

Watching Ye Wei's silent departure, Lin Ziyuan several times wanted to call him back, but her mouth opened and closed without a word. As Ye Wei walked out of the small building, she felt as if her heart was being cut by a knife, and she wept silently.

Why am I from that family? Why can't I decide anything for myself? I wish I were just a girl from an ordinary family! Ye Wei, I hope you are well. One day, you will achieve something that will make everyone look up to you. I wonder if I can see that day before I return to my family!

Ye Wei walked out of the small building, feeling very distressed. But after a moment, he seemed to have made a decision, his steps becoming faster and more determined as he strode toward the Qianlong Academy.

No matter how many difficulties lie ahead, they cannot stop my steps. I will break through everything until I achieve my dream!

Ye Wei had many dreams, some about himself, some about his family, and some about Lin Ziyuan.

Looking up, Ye Wei saw the red sun piercing through the layers of dark clouds, casting millions of rays of light upon the earth.

The red sun shines universally!

Ignoring the gazes of the girls in the Qingluan Academy, Ye Wei walked through a small path and returned to the Qianlong Academy, continuing his secluded cultivation.

Recently, many things had happened at Nansheng Academy. The news that Ye Wei had been taken as a personal disciple by Master Yi spread like the wind throughout the entire Nansheng Academy, causing all the students to be in a frenzy.

Being a personal disciple of Master Yi was such a noble and glorious honor! They heard that Ye Wei was actually a one-star martial arts apprentice in the初级班 (beginner class), which deeply inspired them, making those who were almost ready to give up on martial arts reinvigorate their spirits.

Apart from this, the most unfortunate one was Xiao Qi. It was well-known that Xiao Qi and Ye Wei had a poor relationship. Now that Ye Wei had become a personal disciple of Master Yi, the people around him immediately distanced themselves from Xiao Qi. Some young nobles even secretly caused trouble for Xiao Qi to curry favor with Ye Wei.

When Ye Wei was still a one-star apprentice, Xiao Qi always found various reasons to bully him. Now, he was reaping what he sowed.

As for Du Mingze, after the news of him vandalizing Ye Wei's dormitory spread, the Du family was terrified. The one million silver taels in compensation had greatly weakened the Du family, leaving them in a tight spot. They were now avoiding the Ye family, especially Ye Wei, at all costs. If they provoked Ye Wei again, it would be self-inflicted suffering.

To deal with this matter, the Du family hastily arranged for Du Mingze to withdraw from the academy. It was said that after returning home, Du Mingze was severely punished by the Du family. Of course, this was done for Ye Wei to see! Du Mingze's vandalism of Ye Wei's dormitory happened before Master Yi took Ye Wei as a disciple, so it wasn't entirely his fault. However, Du Mingze was still beaten very badly and remained bedridden.

The Du family was terrified of Master Yi. Originally, others thought that Master Mu would intercede, but unexpectedly, there was no news from Master Mu. The major families of Qingyue City immediately understood that although both were Divine Pattern Masters, Master Mu was a step below Master Yi.

Ye Wei was focused on his cultivation, and these pieces of news were later told to him by Cao Ning. Thanks to Ye Wei, Cao Ning, who had a good relationship with Ye Wei, was now treated like a lord by the young nobles of the major families. People would often send Cao Ning some medicinal pills, and his cultivation had improved, though it was still far behind Ye Wei's.

For several days, Ye Wei stayed in his small building, dedicating himself to cultivating martial arts.

"I wonder if Master Yi can find the Heavenly Soul Grass!" Thinking of Ye Zhong, Ye Wei couldn't help but feel sad again.

Knock, knock, knock!

Just as Ye Wei finished his cultivation and got up, a knock came from downstairs. When he opened the door and saw who it was, he was surprised.

"Ziyuan... Sister?!" Ye Wei was taken aback, feeling a bit awkward upon seeing Lin Ziyuan.

"What, don't you welcome me?" Lin Ziyuan stood there, smiling, as if she had completely forgotten what had happened before.

"Of course not, why would I not?" Ye Wei quickly shook his head, feeling a bit pleased that Lin Ziyuan had come to see him.

Lin Ziyuan looked at Ye Wei, who had a slightly weary expression, and thought that he must have been working hard these past few days. She felt a bit moved and said, "Xiao Wei, there's news about the Heavenly Soul Grass!"

"Really? There's news about the Heavenly Soul Grass? Where is it?" Hearing the words "Heavenly Soul Grass," Ye Wei's eyes widened, his gaze sharp and his expression excited.

The Heavenly Soul Grass was the only hope to awaken his cousin Ye Zhong. How could Ye Wei not be excited?

"Blood Mist Valley!" Lin Ziyuan quickly said, seeing Ye Wei's excited and tense expression.

"Blood Mist Valley? Where is it?" Ye Wei frowned, as the name "Blood Mist Valley" was unfamiliar to him.

"It's in the northern part of Hanyang City, in the Red Wolf Mountains!" Lin Ziyuan explained, "About half a month ago, a few outstanding young members of the Li family from Hanyang City found a Heavenly Soul Grass in Blood Mist Valley while training in the Red Wolf Mountains."

"Then what happened to that Heavenly Soul Grass?" Ye Wei couldn't help but ask.

"That Heavenly Soul Grass was sold by the Li family to a mysterious Divine Pattern Master for 1.8 million silver taels. The Divine Pattern Master has since disappeared..." Lin Ziyuan's eyebrows furrowed slightly as she looked at Ye Wei, her tone serious.

"Hmm..." Ye Wei nodded thoughtfully. It seemed impossible to retrieve that Heavenly Soul Grass. Since the Divine Pattern Master had paid such a high price, he wouldn't sell it under normal circumstances, and with the master now missing, it was impossible to find him. So, the only option was...

"I'm going to Blood Mist Valley!" Ye Wei took a deep breath, looking straight at Lin Ziyuan, his voice firm and resolute.

The Heavenly Soul Grass was the only hope to awaken his cousin Ye Zhong. To obtain it, Ye Wei would not hesitate, even if it meant facing a mountain of blades or a sea of fire!

"I've already prepared the beast-drawn carriage." Lin Ziyuan seemed to have anticipated Ye Wei's decision, her eyes twinkling as she smiled.

"Ziyuan Sister... you can't come!" Ye Wei looked at the smiling Lin Ziyuan, frowning slightly and shaking his head firmly. After all, this was his matter, and he couldn't drag Lin Ziyuan into it.

He was doing this for his cousin Ye Zhong, and Lin Ziyuan was not related to him. How could he let her take such a risk?

"If I don't go, you won't be able to find Blood Mist Valley!" Lin Ziyuan smiled, a blush appearing on her cheeks, "Consider it as a way to repay you."

Ye Wei paused, involuntarily recalling the scenes from before. He couldn't figure out what Lin Ziyuan's attitude toward him was. Indeed, a girl's heart was the hardest to fathom. He nodded woodenly, "Alright!"

"Get ready, let's go!" Lin Ziyuan smiled, leading Ye Wei out of the small building and onto the beast-drawn carriage.

The long-horned giant elephant let out a long cry and dragged the carriage away at a gallop.

Hanyang City was a city to the west of Qingyue City, much larger and more prosperous.

In the northern part of Hanyang City, in the Red Wolf Mountains, at the edge of Blood Mist Valley.

Amidst the vast mountains, a blood-red mist spread, like rolling waves, constantly changing shape, resembling a monstrous beast.

A strong, bloody smell could be felt from a distance.

Deep within the blood mist lay the legendary and mysterious Blood Mist Valley.

The beast-drawn carriage slowly came to a stop, and two figures stepped out, one after the other. They were Ye Wei and Lin Ziyuan. To avoid drawing too much attention, they had not come in a Daoist carriage.

Ye Wei looked up and saw a vast plain in the distance, dotted with numerous tents, stretching as far as the eye could see.

The area was bustling with people.

Are all these people preparing to enter Blood Mist Valley?

"Blood Mist Valley is a very mysterious place. It is said to have been a place where a super-strong cultivator once trained. It is filled with treasures, but also with mysterious restrictions. The stronger one's cultivation, the greater the suppression. Apprentices and martial artists are the most suitable to enter!" Lin Ziyuan explained, holding a sheepskin scroll with a map of winding paths.

The edge of Blood Mist Valley had already gathered over a hundred forces, and the number was still increasing. They were all preparing to enter Blood Mist Valley.

The three major families of Hanyang City, several forces from Qingyue City, and some from even more remote cities.

Most of these people were martial artists. Condensation Realm experts would face significant suppression if they entered Blood Mist Valley, so they generally did not come.

Every so often, the dense blood mist would thin, making it the perfect time to enter Blood Mist Valley. Many people had found extremely rare treasures inside, becoming rich after leaving, while others had never returned.

As soon as Lin Ziyuan appeared, her stunning beauty caught the attention of the surrounding people. They had seen many beautiful women, but a girl as beautiful, charming, and elegant as Lin Ziyuan was rare.

However, although they cast their gazes upon her, they did not come to harass her. A girl with such noble bearing, arriving at a place like Blood Mist Valley in a beast-drawn carriage, must be of high status.

Their gazes then fell on Ye Wei, their eyes filled with envy, assuming that Lin Ziyuan was Ye Wei's girlfriend.

"So many people!" Seeing the numerous tents, Ye Wei was taken aback, his heart tightening. So many people were here to seek treasures. If they discovered the Heavenly Soul Grass, they would surely fight over it!

But no matter what, I must find a Heavenly Soul Grass for my cousin Ye Zhong. Ye Wei clenched his fist, determined.