Chapter 13: A Father and Son Talk . . .
Stepping into the herbal bath, Ye Yuan, despite feeling a bit embarrassed, endeavored to gather his thoughts. He then initiated the circulation of essence energy to absorb the medicinal efficacy of the water, purging the residual toxins lingering within his body.
The herbs used in the bath were commonplace, falling into the categories of Tier 1 and Tier 2, devoid of any extraordinary effects. Nevertheless, Ye Yuan skillfully extracted the medicinal efficacy from these seemingly humble materials, maximizing their potential.
Contrary to conventional wisdom that esteemed higher-tier medicinal herbs for their superior effects, Ye Yuan dismissed such notions. In his perspective, foundational skills held paramount importance, whether in cultivation or alchemy. A robust foundation laid the groundwork for future advancements, while a weak one limited potential.
Recalling his past life, Qingyun Zi dedicated over a decade to the exhaustive study of Tier 3 and below medicinal herbs and pills. This investment of time was pivotal to the extensive proficiency he acquired in Alchemy Dao. It proved instrumental in his eventual ascent to becoming the youngest Alchemy Emperor.
Within the Divine Realm, few rivaled his comprehension of medicinal properties, earning him the distinction of being the most likely candidate from the younger generation to become an Alchemy God.
Even if Ye Yuan harbored the intention to employ higher-tier ingredients, his current weakness rendered him incapable of doing so. Hence, he had challenged the Drunken Star Manor with only a Tier 1 pill, the maximum his current skills could refine. While he doubted Wan Donghai's ability to cure the Heart Inch Fissure poison, the move carried inherent risks. If Wan Donghai possessed a remedy, Ye Yuan risked harming himself with his own actions.
Wan Donghai had indeed heard of the Heart Inch Fissure poison but lacked sufficient knowledge about it. The incident's outcome might have been unpredictable had he been more familiar with this obscure ailment.
Strength!
As Ye Yuan completed the absorption of the herbal bath's medicinal efficacy, he sighed deeply. Strengthening himself had become an urgent priority. Devoid of strength, aspirations of revenge remained mere rhetoric. He needed the power to safeguard his loved ones.
Considering Ye Yuan's current state, not to mention Wan Donghai, even Wan Yuan's presence would overpower him. Ye Yuan anticipated that, following today's confrontation, Wan Donghai would perceive him as a threat. Eager to eliminate him swiftly, Wan Donghai, driven by his unyielding temperament, would resort to any means necessary.
To mitigate the potential dangers, Ye Yuan recognized the paramount importance of augmenting his strength.
"Young Master, Old Master has been waiting outside for quite some time," Lu-er informed, interrupting Ye Yuan's contemplation.
"Why didn't you inform me earlier that Father was here? It's just an herbal bath, not a secluded life-and-death training," Ye Yuan remarked.
Ye Yuan presumed correctly; Father had likely come to caution him about Wan Donghai's possible schemes. Despite this, Ye Yuan retained great respect for his overprotective father.
Having been occupied with his thoughts, Ye Yuan failed to notice Father's arrival, making him grateful for Lu-er's update. He swiftly expressed his apologies to Lu-er, acknowledging his fault.
Outside, in Ye Hang's study room, the father-son duo engaged in a close conversation. Ye Hang expressed his satisfaction with Ye Yuan's actions at the Drunken Star Manor, relishing the frustration Wan Donghai experienced. He had endured years of Wan Donghai's harsh treatment, and this act of retribution was a source of immense joy.
Ye Yuan, pleased to witness his father's mirth, attributed the success to Master's teachings in his dreams, refusing to claim undue credit.
Ye Hang, dismissing Ye Yuan's modesty, chuckled, "No need for such formality with your father. I'm delighted with your display of prowess today. However, let me remind you once more; Wan Donghai is cunning. Having suffered a loss, he won't idly accept defeat. Who knows what underhanded methods he might employ? While I can guarantee your safety at home, my influence doesn't extend to the Dan Wu Academy. Yuan-er, consider abandoning the academy and staying home."
Ye Yuan, aware of his predecessor's past as a sheltered individual, felt the weight of his father's excessive protectiveness. He, however, harbored no intention of becoming a confined figure. The Dan Wu Academy represented an essential step in his journey, and he was determined to pursue it.
"Father, I must return to the Dan Wu Academy. Even if I remain at home, avoiding the outside world is unsustainable. While I can elude the spotlight temporarily, permanent seclusion is impractical. Moreover, remaining at home without venturing out would be a waste of this life. Skill acquisition from Master needs validation and competition with peers to thrive and evolve. Do you not agree?"
In Ye Yuan's eyes, Wan Donghai hardly posed a significant challenge. If he couldn't overcome this obstacle, how could he navigate the formidable adversaries in the path to the Divine Realm? Competing with fellow geniuses at the Dan Wu Academy was imperative for his rapid growth. Additionally, a high cultivation realm didn't necessarily translate to formidable combat prowess. The cultivation world witnessed numerous instances of the weak prevailing over the strong. To Ye Yuan, sheltered growth akin to a greenhouse flower was unacceptable.
In his previous life, Qingyun Zi exemplified the pitfalls of such a sheltered existence. Despite achieving a high cultivation realm, his combat abilities were lacking due to limited exposure to actual conflicts. In this life, driven by a blood feud, Ye Yuan was determined to pursue rigorous training, unwilling to be confined by his predecessor's shortcomings.
"This... Yuan-er does make sense. It is Father who was too protective. It's just that you have to be careful outside there no matter what. If you encounter any problems, don't be stubborn. Remember to come back and ask Father for assistance. Something like being poisoned to death, Father just doesn't want to witness it for the second time."
In response, Ye Yuan reassured his father, saying, "Relax Father. Since I didn't die in this disaster, in the future, no one will be able to bully me anymore." A wave of powerful self-confidence emanated from Ye Yuan, marking a noticeable maturation in his demeanor that Ye Hang couldn't help but observe.
"Good! My good son! Since when have the two of us feared anyone? Isn't it just Wan Donghai? In the future, Father will definitely have him under these feet." Inspired by Ye Yuan's resilience, Ye Hang felt a surge of confidence swelling within him.
Ye Yuan, however, silently chuckled in his heart. While he acknowledged that there might come a day where he could surpass Wan Donghai, he understood the realistic limitations. Trampling Wan Donghai underfoot was a metaphorical expression rather than a literal possibility, especially given Ye Hang's standards. Yet, he appreciated his father's unwavering support and shared sentiment.
As Ye Yuan prepared to depart, Ye Hang halted him with a sudden query, "Oh right. What pill did you let that person eat today? To think it was so powerful. You are just at the First Level Essence Qi Realm. How did you manage to refine such a high-tier pill?"
Ye Hang's inquiry revealed his passion for alchemy. He was visibly eager to unravel the mystery that had puzzled him throughout the day. It was evident that the question had occupied his thoughts.
Ye Yuan, recognizing his father's keen interest in alchemy, didn't hesitate to share the details. With a grin, he explained, "Father, that pill is called Heart Inch Fissure. It's not a high-tier pill, but merely a Tier 1 pill. With my current standards, refining this pill is already at the limit."
Ye Hang's smile froze momentarily. A Tier 1 pill? The disbelief painted across his face betrayed the incongruity of such a revelation. Had these words not come directly from his son, Ye Hang might have dismissed them outright.
"Ti-tier 1 pill?" Ye Hang inquired, still grappling with disbelief. "How could a Tier 1 pill be this amazing?"
In response, Ye Yuan fetched a brush and paper, meticulously transcribing the pill formula for Heart Inch Fissure. He included the refining method and pertinent details before passing the document to Ye Hang.
Ye Hang, treating the information as a precious treasure, received the pill formula with great care. The complexity of emotions on his face suggested a mixture of astonishment and gratitude.
Ye Yuan sensed that he might not see his father for a few days, knowing that the newfound knowledge would captivate Ye Hang's attention and provide him with an engrossing study.