Ye Xuan had no idea what was happening in the Niu family.
At this moment, he swallowed an entire stalk of Moon Spirit Grass.
The Moon Spirit Grass contained a boundless amount of energy. This energy was instantly absorbed by his Dantian and the Hidden Veins throughout his body. In just a few breaths, Ye Xuan’s Dantian and Hidden Veins shimmered with a golden light.
Guided by this energy, his Spiritual Qi surged toward a specific location in his body—the location of his eighth Twin Vein. The vigorous energy and Spiritual Qi merged, crashing into the barrier of the Twin Vein.
After striking the barrier about three thousand five hundred times and consuming three whole stalks of Moon Spirit Grass, the hidden blockage was finally broken. Frenzied energy and Spiritual Qi swarmed inside. The eighth glowing Twin Vein manifested within his body.
The Twin Veins flowed in a continuous cycle. They crisscrossed, connecting every part of his body.
Once the eighth Twin Vein was opened, the space within his body seemed to expand. In reality, he had merely unlocked another micro-world. Every Hidden Vein was its own microscopic universe. The human body was truly profound and mysterious.
"I’ve finally reached the 8th Layer. Even though this is my second time cultivating, I should still consolidate my foundation before consuming more Moon Spirit Grass," Ye Xuan murmured to himself.
As a former disciple of a major sect, Ye Xuan knew that after using Elixirs or Spirit Medicines to elevate one’s cultivation, it was necessary to spend a few days consolidating the breakthrough. Otherwise, an unstable foundation would negatively affect his natural talent.
Three days later.
Ye Xuan resumed consuming the Moon Spirit Grass. This time, it took nine whole stalks of Moon Spirit Grass to break through the barrier of his ninth Hidden Vein. The reason he needed so much was that the later Hidden Veins were far more resilient.
"The 9th Layer of the Strong Spirit Realm."
Ye Xuan opened his eyes, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Within his body, nine Twin Veins emitted a dazzling light. Once he consolidated his cultivation, he could attempt to break through to the Frenzy Spirit Realm. As long as he entered the Frenzy Spirit Realm, he would be absolutely confident in standing against the Niu family. After all, Patriarch Niu was merely at the 4th Layer of the Frenzy Spirit Realm. What was there to fear?
Just as Ye Xuan was about to circulate his Cultivation Technique to solidify his realm, Hua Xiaoyu’s voice rang out from outside. "Patriarch... this is bad! Ling’Er fainted again!"
The stone door swung open instantly. Ye Xuan exchanged a few quick words with Hua Xiaoyu before rushing to the ice cave.
Five minutes later.
Inside the ice cave, looking at his sister, who was drenched in sweat and whose skin was burning a bright red, Ye Xuan felt a pang of agony.
"Dad, why did she relapse again?" Ye Xuan asked Ye Yizhou, who had been keeping watch by her side.
"I don’t know either, but this might be the peak phase of her illness that the physicians warned us about."
"The peak phase?"
"Yes. The physicians said that as Ling’Er grew older, this illness would reach its peak phase. The heat disease that used to flare up only once every half a year or year will now trigger frequently. It will continue until her body can no longer bear it, and her life comes to an end. Xuan’Er, you cannot let Ling’Er die from this illness."
Ye Xuan furrowed his brows tightly before saying, "Dad, look after her for me. I need to go find Grandpa."
Eight minutes later.
Ye Xuan found Ye Zeyun at the martial arts training ground. Ye Zeyun stood with his hands behind his back, staring intently at Tang Long. Since arriving at the Ye family, Tang Long hadn’t been idling away his time. During his free moments, he would come to the training ground to guide the younger generation of the Ye family in their cultivation.
"Ye Xuan, are you looking for me?"
"Grandpa, how is the search going for the medicinal herbs I asked you to find recently?"
"So it’s about the herbs. A few days ago, the shopkeeper’s assistant from the apothecary did come looking for me. However, since you were in secluded cultivation, I didn’t inform you."
"Does that mean they found them?"
Joy flashed in Ye Xuan’s eyes.
"Yes, but they didn’t find all of them. We are still missing one stalk."
"Which one?"
Hearing this, Ye Zeyun pulled a drawing out from his robes. "This one."
Ye Xuan immediately frowned. The herb depicted in the drawing was the Hidden Green Grass—the main ingredient he needed the most. This meant that the Ye family had only managed to find the auxiliary herbs. Without the primary ingredient, having any amount of auxiliary herbs was useless.
"Ye Xuan, what exactly are you using these herbs for? I’ve carefully examined them, and they don’t seem to have any medicinal properties," Ye Zeyun said.
"These herbs are to treat Ling’Er’s heat disease," Ye Xuan replied with a solemn expression.
"Treat her heat disease?"
Ye Zeyun was utterly astonished. He had seen all of these herbs before, and some could barely even be classified as medicinal materials. Could these things really treat her heat disease? It was unheard of. He wondered when Ye Xuan had learned about medicinal properties and medical arts.
"It’s a pity we’re missing one primary herb. Grandpa, is this herb really not available anywhere in Hongtu Town?"
"No. I’ve asked the Shopkeepers of every apothecary, and they all said they had never seen this plant before. Some didn’t even know it was a medicinal herb."
Ye Xuan remained silent. If his ancestor hadn’t passed down the Medicine Scripture to him, he wouldn’t have known that these things, which looked like common weeds, actually possessed special effects either. Hidden Green Grass wasn’t much different from ordinary weeds, aside from having some obscure and difficult-to-understand patterns on its leaves.
What should he do? Ling’Er’s heat disease seemed to have entered its high-frequency phase. If this continued, how much longer could she live? Thirty years? Or twenty-five? Perhaps even shorter! No, he couldn’t delay this any longer! He had to find the Hidden Green Grass. But where could he find it?
Just as Ye Xuan was burning with anxiety, Tang Long’s voice drifted over from the side.
"I think I’ve seen this grass before."
Tang Long’s words caused Ye Xuan’s pupils to shrink rapidly. He subconsciously grabbed Tang Long’s shoulders. "Really?"
"Yes, but I can’t recall where I saw it off the top of my head. Still, isn’t this just a weed with strange patterns? Does it actually have some use?"
Ye Xuan was in no mood to explain. He pressed on, "Tang Long, please think carefully. Where did you see it?"
"Give me a moment, let me think..."
Tang Long was an Independent Practitioner and a Ranger; he had traveled to countless places. After pondering for a moment, he spoke up. "Right, I remember now. The Asura Forest."
"The Asura Forest..."
Although Ye Xuan had left the Ye family at a young age and was unfamiliar with the hazardous zones in the vicinity, he had still heard of the Asura Forest. It was the most dangerous place within a radius of a thousand miles. Not only was it swarming with poisonous insects and venomous creatures, but powerful Beasts also roamed within. When adults wanted to frighten disobedient children, they would threaten to throw them into the Asura Forest. Entering the Asura Forest without being in the Strong Spirit Realm was tantamount to suicide.
"Tang Long, do you remember exactly where it was in the Asura Forest?"
"I can’t describe the exact location to you. However, if I go there again, I can still find the way."
"Then take me there!" Ye Xuan had made his decision: he was heading to the Asura Forest immediately.
"To think you care so much about a mere weed. Does it really have a special purpose?"
"Yes, it can cure my sister’s illness. Let’s go."
As soon as Ye Xuan finished speaking, he turned to leave.
Ye Zeyun voiced his concern. "Ye Xuan, are you really going to the Asura Forest? It’s incredibly dangerous there! What if something happens to you..."
Ye Xuan replied solemnly, "For my sister’s sake, I have to go. Don’t worry, I won’t die."
"But..."
"Elder Ye, don’t worry," Tang Long interjected to comfort him. "Although the Asura Forest is dangerous, it isn’t certain death. After all, I went in and came out alive, didn’t I? Rest assured, I will bring Ye Xuan back safely."
Tang Long offered these words of comfort before leaving the Ye family alongside Ye Xuan.
Ye Xuan swore to himself, "I will definitely get the Hidden Green Grass! Sister, wait for my return."