C6 I Am Yu Yuan!

In the journey of cultivation, resources are everything. Talent, esteemed mentors, medicinal pills, advanced spiritual spells, and the richness of spiritual energy in the training environment all play crucial roles in a cultivator's ability to advance swiftly.

Pulse Opening marks the initial stage of this journey. On the Heavenly Source and Quietus Continents, children are often nurtured from a young age by their sects and parents to begin their cultivation. Most manage to cross the Pulse Opening threshold by the time they are seven or eight years old. The exceptionally gifted might achieve this feat as early as four or five.

In contrast, the Profound Sky Continent's sparse spiritual energy imposes limitations on its youth. Here, talented individuals, with guidance from master teachers and the support of their family's resources, typically attain the Pulse Opening Stage around the ages of thirteen or fourteen.

Those who have not succeeded in Pulse Opening by fifteen are deemed to have mediocre potential, with slim chances of advancing to the higher realms. For them, reaching the Yin God Stage is often the pinnacle of their abilities.

This is why, on the Profound Sky Continent, a failure to break through Pulse Opening by fifteen can lead to abandonment by one's family or sect, with no further investment in their cultivation.

Lim Zhuyun, under the devoted cultivation of the Lim family and the Cold Yin Sect, surpassed the Pulse Opening Stage at the tender age of ten—a feat that marks her as a true prodigy on the Profound Sky Continent.

Such innate talent is on par with that of children from the Heavenly Source and Quietus Continents who break through Pulse Opening at four or five years old. The Cold Yin Sect and the Lim family cherish her because she has already demonstrated her exceptional capabilities.

It is well-known that the Cold Yin Sect regards her as a gem of the sect, ensuring she is well-protected and assisted in her smooth transition through the Profound Break. Upon achieving this milestone, the Great Elder will personally welcome her into the Cold Yin Sect to be nurtured as a direct disciple.

At the tender age of ten, I mastered the Pulse Opening, and by fourteen, I had conquered the Spirit Accumulating Stage, ascending to the Yellow Court Stage. Now, three years later, I wonder which phase of the Yellow Court Stage my betrothed has reached."

"Is she in the Middle Period? Or perhaps the Late Period?"

Following yet another attempt to unblock the ninth meridian, Yu Yuan opened his eyes, ravenous with hunger. He paused his relentless cultivation and pondered with a furrowed brow.

Having practiced the "Glorious Heavenly Wheel" for some time, I've managed to clear one-tenth of the ninth meridian.

He was confident that with persistent cultivation, even in a place with scant spiritual energy, he would swiftly clear the ninth meridian.

Still, progress seemed agonizingly slow.

"In my past life, I was the revered sect master of the Medicine God Sect! The Yu family, though humble practitioners of alchemy, cultivate spiritual herbs and plants. Would I not dishonor the illustrious name I once held and the potential of this life's body if I failed to fully utilize the resources at my disposal?"

"Is it truly remarkable to have crossed the Pulse Opening Stage at ten?" he scoffed quietly. "Had my Earth Soul and Heavenly Soul been intact at birth, I would have been her equal without relying on my past life's alchemical skills."

"And if I were to combine my alchemical knowledge with the Glorious Heavenly Wheel Spiritual Spell, the name Yu Yuan would likely be renowned across the Profound Sky Continent, and even the Heavenly Source and Quietus Continents by now!"

With this realization, Yu Yuan abruptly rose, concluding his first session of intentional cultivation.

"Young Master, you've emerged!"

Outside, the purple-clad maid, Ann Ziqing, snapped out of her stupor at the sight of the open door, chattering excitedly like a sparrow.

"The old master's fever has broken, and he's come out of his coma. He credits Mr. Ning's medical expertise for his recovery."

"They say you've fully awakened and can now communicate normally. The old master was so overjoyed he wept. He wanted to see you right away, but Mr. Ning, sensing you were in the midst of cultivation, suggested he wait. The old master has decreed that he will see you the moment you step out."

The news that you were still alive swept through Darkmoon City. Now that you're able to speak, there's a buzz of people seeking information about you."

"And..."

Ann Ziqing spilled everything, meticulously recounting the events that transpired at the Yu family and in Darkmoon City during your time of cultivation.

Yu Yuan realized that two days and nights had slipped by unnoticed.

He had been so engrossed in using the "Glorious Heavenly Wheel" for his cultivation that he neglected sleep and food, which explained why hunger had jolted him awake.

"Take me to Grandfather."

"Of course, I will show you the way."

...

At the Yu family's Hundred Herb Garden.

"Grandfather, I pay my respects!"

Upon arrival, Yu Yuan saw Yu Cann seated in his wheelchair, feigning composure. He knelt down, beaming, "Thanks to your devoted care over the past seventeen years, Grandfather, I've been spared many hardships and have passed through life unscathed."

Having heard the maid's lengthy account, Yu Yuan understood that his beloved grandfather was the most cherished by the Yu family.

Old Master Yu Cann scrutinized his grandson with a complex mix of emotions, struggling to find the words.

"What is it, Grandfather? Aren't you pleased to see me truly awake?" Yu Yuan inquired, puzzled.

"Mister Ning explained that my coma was due to a Blood Worm. Yet, it was you, not him, who eradicated the creature. Could you explain exactly what happened?"

At this point, a look of unbearable sorrow crossed Yu Cann's eyes. "Be honest with me, is my grandson... no longer of this world? Are you merely an evil spirit, accidentally summoned into my grandson's body by a Soul Summoning Formation?"

The weight of his grief was like chains, heavy as mountains, nearly suffocating him.

It was no wonder he harbored such thoughts; the wisdom and the methods Yu Yuan displayed upon awakening, especially in dealing with the Blood Worm, were too peculiar and astounding.

This inevitably led him to suspect that his grandson had perished, and now another occupied his body.

Even if his grandson had been slow-witted and obtuse, he was still his flesh and blood.

Should another soul have usurped his grandson's place, no matter how clever or wise, that being would not be his grandson.

"Grandfather, it's me, Yu Yuan!"

Yu Yuan declared with certainty before kneeling before his grandfather's wheelchair. As the old man looked on in astonishment, Yu Yuan gently grasped his hand resting on the armrest and earnestly explained, "Your grandson has been confused and unenlightened since childhood, but there's a good reason for that."

"What reason?"

"In truth, a master took an interest in me long ago and imparted the ways of cultivation in secret. His methods were unique, and he didn't reside on our Profound Sky Continent, which is why I remained in a state of turmoil. It was necessary to transcend spatial boundaries so that he could teach me his extraordinary Soul Arts and the knowledge of cultivation."

With a plan already in his heart, Yu Yuan spoke with feigned sincerity, fabricating a tale about a non-existent master.

"What? There's such an unusual method of imparting cultivation in the world?" Yu Cann was visibly moved.

"The paths to cultivation are manifold, including Soul Arts that can overcome the spatial constraints of the three continents. It's quite possible," Yu Yuan boasted. "As for my master, he never disclosed his origins or sect, and I'm unaware of the extent of his cultivation. But I gather he's been in seclusion somewhere on the Quietus Continent for many years."

"His three souls—Heaven, Earth, and Man—each possess their own intelligent consciousness, allowing him to instruct me in various cultivation techniques and the art of potion-making even while in deep meditation."

"The reason I've suddenly come to, with all three souls intact, is that my master sensed someone was plotting against me. He paused his teachings, allowing me to awaken from seventeen years of cultivation to address the immediate trouble."

Yu Yuan laid out the story he had concocted prior to his arrival to the elder.

"The Quietus Continent, with its bizarre Soul Arts... Could your master be from..." Yu Cann shuddered involuntarily, his mind racing to the practitioners of the Devil Palace and Demon Palace in the northern Horror Land—a region so perilous that not even the three upper sects of the Heavenly Source Continent dared to tread lightly.

The most fearsome and malevolent cultivators in all the Boundless Land hailed from that place.

Yu Yuan gave a slight nod. "Though my master never specified, I suspect he's connected to that very place."

"Ah!" Yu Cann exclaimed in alarm, quickly adding, "You must never speak of this to another soul! The practitioners from Horror Land are the most vile and malevolent beings in the world. It's imperative that no one discovers your master hails from that place!"

"I'm well aware," Yu Yuan replied with a wry smile, before continuing, "Grandfather, I require some medicinal herbs from our family stocks to concoct pills that will assist in my cultivation."

"Forget just what we have in the family; if we lack anything, I'll procure it from elsewhere!" Yu Cann declared emphatically.

"Thank you, Grandfather!" Yu Yuan said, his laughter breaking through.

"You're my grandson; there's no need for thanks," Yu Cann said, his voice warm with reassurance. He clasped Yu Yuan's arm, pausing briefly before revealing, "Yesterday, your betrothed paid a visit. She informed me that members of the Cold Yin Sect have stealthily made their way to Darkmoon City. She wishes for me to end the engagement, promising to clarify matters with the Cold Yin Sect herself."

"I had suspected the Cold Yin Sect was lurking in the shadows!" Yu Yuan said with a cold huff. "Grandfather, did you consent to her proposal?"

"I told her I would think it over," Yu Cann replied, his brow furrowed with concern. "The Cold Yin Sect wields great power. I fear that if we don't acquiesce to her demands, they'll persist in their vendetta against you. Our Yu family is already outmatched by the Huangs within the city; confronting the Cold Yin Sect is out of the question."

For the Yu family, even the Cold Yin Sect, merely one of the seven major lower sects of the Heavenly Source Continent, loomed like a colossus.

"Don't yield to her," Yu Yuan said, the corners of his mouth pulling into a grimace. "Yinn Jue not only seeks my demise but also attempted to assassinate you with the Blood Worm. If she's complicit, she owes us an explanation! Besides, Grandfather, there's no need for excessive worry. I suspect the Cold Yin Sect's envoy is also under duress."

"Very well," Yu Cann nodded, a hint of relief in his gesture.

His grandson was no longer naive and now possessed the teachings of a great master from the Quietus Continent. Perhaps in time, he could break free from the confines of the Profound Sky Continent and restore the Yu family's glory!

Such a grandson, he believed, was indeed a match for the Miss of the Lim family.

With renewed hope in his heart, he said, "List every spirit herb and plant you need. I will personally see to their collection for you!"

The Spiritual Spell, a mystical incantation, was essential for cultivators on the Quietus Continent. Those who sought to refine pills, a cornerstone of their practice, often pursued the Pulse Opening technique to enhance their abilities. As disciples progressed through the Spirit Accumulating Stage, they aspired to reach the exalted Heavenly Source Continent, where the art of Spirit Accumulating was revered.