Volume 1 Chapter 40 Destroying the Evidence
The next morning.
The first rays of sunlight gently pierced through the gaps in the window, casting golden threads of light across Xu Ziyao’s face and bringing a touch of warmth. She quickly rose and bundled up the bedsheets and quilt cover. After reflecting on the previous night, she had discovered a horrifying truth: she had left a small "map" on the sheets. The realization made her want to bang her head against the wall in mortification! She had tossed and turned for half the night, waiting only for dawn to destroy the incriminating evidence before Ye Tian could discover it.
Peering through the door crack, she saw no sign of Ye Tian. Only then did she venture out to survey her surroundings. Finding everything calm, she quickly found a wooden basin, filled it with water, tossed the bedding inside, and scrubbed it vigorously. Once the laundry was hung out to dry, Xu Ziyao finally let out a sigh of relief. She would not be dying of social embarrassment after all.
Seeing the sun rising in the sky and still hearing no movement from Ye Tian, a flicker of curiosity stirred in her. Was he still outside meditating? She hurried out of the cottage to look for him. The cottage was surrounded by lush green hills and rolling mountains. The continuous peaks, like the spine of the earth, etched majestic and magnificent silhouettes against the morning glow. Xu Ziyao nodded to herself; the scenery here was breathtaking—it was no wonder Ye Tian had chosen it as a place for seclusion and cultivation.
Circling behind the cottage, she looked up by chance and finally spotted him. Ye Tian was sitting cross-legged on a cliff, positioned in a meditative pose with his palms turned upward. His eyes were tightly closed, his expression as calm and still as water, devoid of any ripples or distractions, as if he had transcended the noise and chaos of the mundane world. He seemed to have merged with the rugged, towering cliff behind him, becoming an inseparable part of the landscape. As the morning light bathed him, he possessed a beauty that felt both peerless and detached. Xu Ziyao was deeply captivated.
After watching for a moment, her gaze sharpened. She noticed that Ye Tian’s chest was rising and falling in a rhythmic, measured cadence, each breath appearing long and profound. As he inhaled and exhaled, the surrounding air seemed to undergo subtle and magical changes. It felt as if the air around him had become tangible, with an elusive, flowing energy circulating near him. Upon closer inspection, under the sunlight, she could see tiny wisps of white vapor gathering from all directions like threads, flowing toward his mouth and nose, then trailing into his body with each breath.
These currents appeared gentle and weak, yet Xu Ziyao could faintly sense an indescribable power within them. It was as if the most primal and pure energy of the heavens and earth was being slowly absorbed and harnessed by Ye Tian. Her eyes widened in astonishment, her heart filled with shock and confusion. The Xu family was a martial arts lineage, and she had practiced their ancestral techniques since childhood, so she was well-versed in the current state of the martial arts world.
In this era, most people practiced external martial arts—fist and foot techniques. They focused on physical strength and tactical maneuvers, tempering their muscles, bones, and reflexes to become stronger and faster to gain an edge in combat. However, the limitations of these external arts were obvious; once faced with a true master or in a protracted battle, practitioners often fell into dire straits due to exhaustion or a lack of internal support. Only the most elite martial artists understood methods of refining "Qi." By using specific breathing techniques, they could mobilize the energy within to form a powerful internal force, enhancing their offensive and defensive capabilities.
Yet, even these so-called elite practitioners possessed mediocre techniques that offered limited growth. Furthermore, those capable of developing internal energy were as rare as phoenix feathers and unicorn horns. Those who truly understood "Qi cultivation" were even fewer. Such a practice required immense talent, profound insight, long years of grueling training, and specific techniques paired with serendipity. Ordinary people could exhaust their entire lives and never reach the stage of Qi cultivation, let alone gain access to the methods.
And yet, was Ye Tian practicing Qi cultivation right now? Xu Ziyao could hardly believe her eyes. He was so young, looking to be only in his twenties... How could he have reached the stage of Qi cultivation? It was utterly inconceivable, completely transcending her range of understanding. She stood rooted to the spot, staring unblinkingly at him, trying to find a flaw or an explanation in his process. But the longer she watched, the more she felt how unfathomable he was. His aura grew increasingly steady, and the white vapor gathering around him became denser. His body seemed to have become a massive vortex, incessantly absorbing the essence of the world.
His skin began to emit a faint, subtle luster, as if the power within was surging and refining, undergoing a profound transformation. At that moment, Xu Ziyao was stunned.
It was not until the chirping of birds from beneath the cliff broke her trance that she snapped back from her shock. She rubbed her eyes, trying to confirm if she was seeing things. The reality proved she was wide awake and not dreaming. Everything before her was real. Her eyes still held traces of astonishment, and her curiosity regarding Ye Tian’s identity and origin deepened. At the same time, she felt an inexplicable sense of reverence and longing for the power and potential he possessed.
Various complex thoughts weighed heavily upon her heart like invisible mountains. She knew that the man before her was no mere pond creature; he was destined to be someone she could never hope to reach! This trip to Dragon Head Mountain had been well worth it. She had originally come to verify Ye Tian’s medical skills, but that no longer seemed necessary. Her only goal now was to find a way to invite this great master back to the Xu family—not just to treat her grandfather’s illness, but to forge a connection with this mysterious and powerful man.
As the sun climbed high and the heat intensified, Ye Tian slowly opened his eyes, a sharp gleam flashing through them. He had sensed Xu Ziyao’s presence. This was the enhancement of consciousness brought by the Qi Cultivation stage, allowing him to easily detect any movement within tens of meters. Looking up and seeing her watching him, he curled his lips into a faint smile.
"Weren't you in such a rush to descend the mountain?" he asked. "Why are you still here? Don't tell me... you're planning to stay for another meal?"