CHAPTER 389: CHAPTER 354 BOTH SIDES_3

Hong Yuan listened to the various sounds and felt the myriad "blood energy meridians," his lips involuntarily curving upward as a smile spread across his face.

Through this, he gained a deeper understanding of the battle between the Heavenly Horned Ant and the Azure Lotus Heaven Lord.

Suddenly, Hong Yuan’s eyes focused, and he halted.

He had just walked up to a bustling inn, and the voices of the people inside reached his ears without him needing to listen intently.

"Rumor has it that Mr. Zhang Xiaohua was once a mere laborer. Who would have thought that after he passed away, so many important figures would attend his funeral!"

"Yes, even the Prefecture Governor sent people to offer condolences."

"Hehe, haven’t you thought about what Giant Whale Gang Leader Zhang Yinghe means to him? A nephew is like half a son; it’s obvious when you think about it."

These second and third-tier Martial Artists were quite animated as they discussed Zhang Yinghe’s achievements and various exploits.

Hong Yuan listened silently, a glint of relief in his eyes. You’ve done it. You’ve successfully sheltered your family.

He reminisced about the stubborn young boy who had been determined to walk the Blood Tao.

Back then, Zhang Yinghe had been bullied and humiliated by his peers in Pengcheng because his sister, Zhang Yingyu, had to make a living in a place of ill repute.

During his time in Pengcheng, disguised as "Niu Yezi," Hong Yuan hadn’t shunned the Zhang siblings as others did. He had also been quite guileless and honest.

Therefore, during that period, whenever Zhang Yinghe felt he could bear it no longer, he would seek Hong Yuan out for a heart-to-heart talk.

Hong Yuan had never expected that the young boy who once sought his protection would grow into such an influential figure!

Truly a Heavenly Talent, favored by the Book Mountain within the Heaven Earth Secret Realm and recipient of the Human Tao’s spiritual legacy. It’s just that... the old laborer has also passed away. Life is indeed fragile—

Hong Yuan sighed softly, deeply feeling the fragility of life.

From the Martial Artists’ conversation, Hong Yuan learned not only of Zhang Yinghe’s recent circumstances but also of Zhang Yingyu’s current situation.

When Hong Yuan learned that Zhang Yingyu had a son named "Yezi" with mediocre aptitude, he fell silent.

In the past, as "Niu Yezi," he had entered the lives of the Zhang siblings and offered them some assistance.

Clearly, the name "Yezi" was in remembrance of him.

Hong Yuan hadn’t expected that even after decades, the Zhang siblings still remembered him.

This inevitably brought to mind his years as "Bo Qing," when he had rampaged through Green Sun Prefecture and Nanyang Government, killing recklessly.

Only in old age does one dwell on the past... Hong Yuan sighed softly and headed towards the Giant Whale Gang.

He decided to offer the Zhang siblings a small gift, such as improving Yezi’s aptitude.

After achieving sainthood in Power Tao and benefiting from the enhancement of the Human Strength Equilibrium Flow, Hong Yuan’s understanding of the human body had reached a pinnacle, enabling him to forge a genius with a mere gesture.

Not to mention, his Power Tao mastery was at the Grandmaster Level, allowing him to mimic Refining Tao methods with Power Tao techniques.

It was known that Refining Tao could directly improve a Desolate Beast’s bloodline, thereby enhancing its potential.

Whether using Power Tao techniques or Refining Tao techniques, for the current Hong Yuan, making a mediocre person into a minor genius was by no means a difficult feat.

「At this moment.」

The Giant Whale Gang’s headquarters.

Yezi, whom Zhang Yingyu had spirited away and raised amidst the chaos of war, was training under the scorching sun, meticulously practicing Cultivation Technique routines.

Yezi was broad-waisted and powerfully built, with a rugged musculature—the very image of a strapping young man!

A promising youngster. It’s a shame he isn’t forging iron in my Refining Equipment Hall.

Hidden in the shadows, Hong Yuan’s eyes lit up.

As someone who hailed from the Refining Equipment Hall, Hong Yuan instantly discerned the intrinsic quality of Yezi’s constitution.

In terms of cultivation, Yezi might seem somewhat mediocre. However, in the craft of Artifact Refining, he was undoubtedly a natural.

With five or six years of training, he could definitely complete his apprenticeship and become a master in his own right!

Hong Yuan dismissed his somewhat whimsical thought, chuckled softly, and flicked a finger towards Yezi.

Then, Hong Yuan turned and departed, heading towards Yong State, the location of the Phoenix Creek Sect.

He came and went like the wind, with the subtle air of an Immortal God frolicking in the mortal realm.

What I bestow upon you has nothing to do with you...

「That night.」

The moonlight was as cool and clear as water.

Yezi nervously took a second-tier Essence Pill from the porcelain white bottle.

After swallowing it, he quickly closed his eyes, eager to make the most of his time refining the pill.

Suddenly, he snapped his eyes open, incredulously observing the speed at which his body refined the pill and his Essence Qi surged.

Can I really match Brother Hai’s cultivation speed now?

Yezi could hardly believe it. He took out another Essence Pill and began to absorb it.

A short while later, he rushed ecstatically to the east wing to share the good news with his mother, Zhang Yingyu!

Meanwhile, Hong Yuan, the architect of all this, had already returned to Phoenix River Town, where members of the Phoenix Creek Sect were staying.