You sped all the way back to Youtong County.

Because you deliberately avoided Yan Zhixue’s flight path, you didn’t run into Yan Zhixue and Deng Rusong, who had set off earlier than you.

You returned to the manor.

Old Wang, beaming with a full spirit, walked straight up to you: “Young Master…”

You didn’t stop walking: “Old Wang, say it if there’s something. If not, shut up.”

“Then there’s nothing.” Old Wang put away his smile and brushed past you.

You went back to your bedroom, took out the treasured bronze mirror you had kept for years, and began to paste flower yellow makeup in front of it.

You combed your hair into a mature style and put on a handsome suit.

Just as you finished dressing up, Old Wang gently knocked on the door: “Young Master!”

“Speak.”

“There’s a guest requesting to see you!”

“No meeting.”

“She’s a beautiful female guest.”

“Send her in.”

“All right!”

Old Wang turned and went to the door to greet her.

You were slightly puzzled: “A woman? It must be Sister Wanshu, or maybe He Yingchun, or perhaps Widow Zhang next door.”

You calmly walked out of the room and went to the main hall.

You quickly ran to the main hall.

Yan Zhixue was sitting there, quietly sipping tea with a serene expression.

You immediately pretended not to recognize her: “Sister, who are you looking for?”

Your form of address made Yan Zhixue smile softly. She put down her teacup and asked, “You’re He Yu, Young Master He, right?”

“Yes, Sister.”

Yan Zhixue’s smile was gentle as she stood up.

“Sect Leader Deng has been immersed in cultivation and hasn’t come yet. I’m here on his behalf to thank you, because it was your recommendation that made the Palace Leader Shangguan grant Sect Leader Deng the Mind Evolution Art.”

“Sister, are you thanking me empty-handed?”

Yan Zhixue smiled gracefully: “Isn’t this enough?”

You said, “It’s a bit lacking.”

Yan Zhixue was about to respond when a cheerful voice sounded behind you.

“Leader, I’m here!”

That familiar voice made the corner of your mouth lift, your eyes brightening slightly.

You turned and saw Wan Qingluan in a pure white long dress, a faint smile playing on her cold and exquisite face.

Her steps were light and elegant, like a deer in the forest.

As you turned, she cast her gaze at you.

Seeing you silent, she tilted her head slightly and said on her own initiative, “Hello, my name is Wan Qingluan!”

“Hello.”

Wan Qingluan paused, seemingly waiting for your next sentence, but it never came.

Her small nose wrinkled: “You’re rude. You should say your name too!”

“My surname is Good, and I’m called Friend.”

“Good friend?”

“Yes.”

“Your name is strange.”

“That’s my nickname. My full name is He Yu.”

“Which name should I call you from now on?”

“Either one, I’ll respond.”

“He Yu!”

“I’m here!”

“Good friend!”

“Here!”

“Little He classmate!”

“I’m here~”

Wan Qingluan laughed happily. She thought you were quite amusing, like a fool.

Yan Zhixue watched you two with a kind smile, as if seeing her younger self and Deng Rusong.

Feeling joyful, you said to Wan Qingluan and Yan Zhixue, “Both of you are visiting my manor for the first time. Tonight I’ve prepared some simple wine. Would you honor me with your presence?”

Yan Zhixue smiled and said, “Young Master He’s gracious invitation, how could we refuse?”

Wan Qingluan thought that the leader’s reputation was huge; wherever she went, people invited her to eat.

At night, the three of you ate, drank, and chatted, relaxed and happy.

During this time, you told Yan Zhixue to tell Deng Rusong not to reveal your relationship with Shangguan Gousheng to outsiders, because you preferred to keep a low profile.

Yan Zhixue naturally agreed.

You specifically mentioned this because you knew the name Shangguan Gousheng would definitely make many enemies, and you didn’t want to implicate others.

Soon, you were full of food and drink, all of you talking smoothly and lively.

Yan Zhixue was about to leave with Wan Qingluan to return to the Extermination Sect.

You warmly urged, “Leader Yan, it’s so late, don’t drive through the night!”

Yan Zhixue smiled teasingly, “Young Master He, night and day make no difference to me.”

“In that case, Leader Yan, you walk alone then.”

Yan Zhixue: “?”

You looked at Wan Qingluan: “Qingluan, you don’t have to go. I’ve prepared a double bed for you.”

Wan Qingluan: “That feels a bit weird.”

Yan Zhixue smiled lightly: “Young Master He, we’re leaving. No need to see us off!”

Yan Zhixue led Wan Qingluan directly into the starry night sky.

You made a last effort to persuade them: “Leader Yan, no drinking while driving!”

Wan Qingluan waved enthusiastically at you with a bright smile: “I’ll come find you again to play~ Good friend!!”

You stood still for a moment, watching the direction they disappeared, then returned to your room.

Old Wang and the servants were cleaning up the aftermath. He looked at your back and muttered, “The double bed was wasted.”

The next day, you got up early.

You went to the zoo.

Using the Beast Taming Sect’s beast taming manual, the animals you had raised for a year had many physical improvements, but like those five sea swallows, there was no essential change.

This result was expected. You planned to observe for a few more years.

You extracted vital blood from 186 types of beasts.

These beasts, from which you extracted the vital blood, were the batch raised with Blood Essence Pills. You wouldn’t fuse with beasts raised by the beast taming manual for now.

Only with a reliable blood source can one drink with peace of mind.

You refined the vital blood from all 186 species in an instant.

But it was useless; your Guarding Gate Body Technique was still at the early Marrow Washing stage, with no breakthroughs.

Frowning in the training room, you recalled how three drops of blood from three Emberhawks broke through three minor realms in succession. The beast blood you raised was truly useless.

Your eyes flickered. You realized that just feeding the animals well wasn’t enough; the quality of vital blood would never meet the standard.

You planned to select the strongest few for focused training. The selection method was the most primitive—let them fight.

Just like raising Gu worms, cultivate the strongest Gu King.

“Only the strongest little beasts deserve to be absorbed by me!”

But you didn’t want to set up an arena now. Your most important task was to increase your strength. In four months, you were determined to claim the Earth Source in the East Sea.

You dove headfirst into the training room and began to focus on comprehending the Heavenly Mist Blade.

You had a strong premonition that this time’s insight would definitely bear fruit.

Time flew with the turning of the sun and moon.

In the blink of an eye, two months later.

That day, Old Wang was leading the servants in morning exercise in the courtyard.

Suddenly, a violent fluctuation erupted in your training room.

The training room door was instantly shattered into fragments. Looking through the empty doorframe.

You sat cross-legged calmly, a terrifyingly fierce fluctuation radiating from your body.

Your eyes slowly opened. Within the cold, dark pupils, infinite starlight seemed to swirl, captivating the soul.

Old Wang was so frightened he ran over, leaning against the doorframe panting heavily: “Young Master! Are you all right?!!”

You twisted your mouth into a smile. Your voice was uncontrollably excited: “I’m fine. I’m great! I’ve never been better!!”

“That’s good, that’s good!” Old Wang, although confused, still agreed.

You suddenly looked at Old Wang, your tone arrogant and mad: “Old Wang, from now on, just call me the best in the world!”

Old Wang’s face turned pale but he didn’t dare provoke you further: “Young Master, as long as you’re happy.”