The screen rippled, and the sea undulated.
Suddenly, a shimmering light appeared in the painting, and a leaping wave transformed into a majestic blue bird.
With a cry, the bird flew out of the painting, circled around Yan Yuchen, and landed in his palm, turning into a pool of blue water.
The water stuck to his palm, not slipping through his fingers, emitting a fresh and sweet fragrance.
While Yan Yuchen was mesmerized by the water in his hand, a vortex appeared in the painted sea. A strong pulling force emerged, unexpectedly pulling him into the painting!
Suddenly, the scene changed.
The salty sea air enveloped him as the vast and turbulent ocean appeared before his eyes.
Descending from the sky, the splashing waves turned into a small boat, gently catching him. Above, the sky was azure with fluffy white clouds.
Surrounded by an endless deep blue sea, he felt small and isolated like an ant, anxiously surveying his surroundings.
After drifting in the boat for a while, he scooped up a handful of sea water—icy and fragrant, incredibly real.
However, this sea water was not ordinary; its scent caused the crystal of spiritual power in his dantian to tremble.
Attempting to absorb from the spiritual veins, a pure stream of spiritual energy entered his body, clearing the crystal instantly.
"Such pure spiritual energy!"
The boundless sea contained more refined spiritual energy than the outside world, leaving Yan Yuchen shocked and excited.
As he considered cultivating on the boat, he remembered the situation outside.
Realizing he entered the painting, he worried that it might be left unattended on the ground for someone to find.
In a hurry, he wanted to leave but found it challenging amidst the vast sea.
After some thought, he had an idea—since it was a treasure, it should recognize its master with a blood bond.
He bit his finger, letting a drop of blood fall into the sea.
Indeed, a connected feeling surged through him immediately.
With a mental command, he activated the sea in the painting to transport him out. A vortex appeared in the air, and he was swiftly drawn back.
When he reappeared, he found himself back in the outside world.
Excitement filled him as he quickly stowed the painting in his storage ring.
Ancient cultivators indeed possessed formidable treasures. This item was truly extraordinary. For a cultivator, having such a vast sea of spiritual energy meant no longer fearing a shortage in the world's spiritual energy.
While others needed to absorb energy from the heavens, earth, or spirit stones, he could now simply draw from the painting, with its purer spiritual energy.
"This soul has connected with the painting. I must hurry back to the outside world, allowing another soul to enter and continue cultivating. When all three souls are connected, merging them will result in a physique unparalleled in both the outer and inner worlds."
The thought excited him.
A smile appeared on Yan Yuchen's lips. Glancing at the sky, he realized that time had passed unnoticed, and the sun had set.
Despite not eating all day, he felt spiritually fulfilled, unaffected by hunger or fatigue—spiritual energy served as sustenance.
Returning to his cave, finding it empty, he assumed those with injured knees were seeking treatment.
He refrained from inflicting severe harm; otherwise, they would have become invalids, incapable of seeking medical help.
As he was about to inspect the cells for new prisoners, Zhou Zhiqi entered with a sword, her face icy. Without a greeting, she unsheathed her sword, pointing it at his chest angrily, "You not only physically attacked but also spread false rumors, claiming to be my fiancé. Do you think I won't dare to kill you?"
Yan Yuchen chuckled, "Sorry, Senior Sister Zhou, I was just joking. No one would believe those words."
Her anger intensified upon hearing this, "You think you can casually utter such words? What do you take me for? Do you think I'll tolerate insults?"
Yan Yuchen apologized repeatedly and took out a small sword from his storage ring, offering it to her, "Senior Sister Zhou, this is compensation for you. Are you satisfied?"
She snorted, "Just a flying sword. Do you think I don't have one?" Despite the disdain in her tone, her eyes gleamed as she accepted the sword.
After channeling spiritual energy to examine the sword, Zhou Zhiqi's hands trembled, and the long sword in her hand vibrated before slipping to the ground.
Unaware, she cradled the small sword, saying, "This isn't a magical tool; it's a magic treasure! And it's a mid-grade magic treasure!"
Her eyes sparkled as she focused on Yan Yuchen, asking, "Where did you get this? Is it really a gift for me?"
"A mid-grade magic treasure? Is it powerful?" Yan Yuchen, regretting his actions, extended his hand, saying, "Senior Sister Zhou, actually... this treasure wasn't meant for you. I have another one for you. Please give it back to me."
"No way!" Zhou Zhiqi moved aside, immediately securing the treasure, fearing he might try to snatch it.
But she happily picked up the fallen long sword, sheathed it, and patted his shoulder with a grin, "Not bad, kid. Quite sensible. If you have more treasures like this, feel free to use me as a shield. As long as you compensate me, you know?"
"..."
Damn, a woman's mood changes like summer weather—ice-cold to friendly in an instant.
From threatening to kill him just moments ago, now she was smiling and talking about cooperation.
Yan Yuchen silently cursed in his mind but put on a pleasing smile, saying, "Senior Sister Zhou, since our relationship is so good now, can I ask you for a favor?"
"Our relationship?" Zhou Zhiqi glanced at him, in a pleasant mood, "We don't have any special relationship, but considering you gave me a treasure, I'll allow you to make a request. Do you want an easier job, or do you want a girl to accompany you? Just ask. I'm easy to talk to."
Yan Yuchen hesitated for a moment, then shook his head, "Neither. I want Senior Sister Zhou to take me back to where you initially captured me. My relatives are there, and I want to see them."
Zhou Zhiqi's smile faded as she stared into his eyes, "Yan Yuchen, are you sure you're not trying to escape?"
Yan Yuchen raised his hand and swore, "I absolutely won't escape!"
After some thought, Zhou Zhiqi didn't immediately agree, asking, "Just this request?"
Glancing at her slender waist, Yan Yuchen awkwardly added, "And another thing, it's not really a request, just a suggestion. I feel the compensation I gave you for the treasure is quite valuable. Senior Sister Zhou, can you give me a little more compensation?"
Zhou Zhiqi, her face reddening, glared at him, "Outrageous! What do you want me to compensate you for? Let me tell you, don't harbor any delusions! If you're trying to take advantage of me, I'll kill you now!"
Yan Yuchen, mouth agape, looked dumbfounded, "Senior Sister Zhou, who said anything about taking advantage? I just want some spiritual water."
"Spiritual... Spiritual water?" Zhou Zhiqi was initially surprised, then her face turned completely red, feeling embarrassed.
Outside the cave, Yang Shan and others, limping, were escorting a black-robed young man toward the cave.
The black-robed youth, with a proud and disdainful demeanor, walked at the front as if standing out from the crowd, filled with satisfaction and contempt for those around him.
Yang Shan followed beside him, wearing a mournful expression, "Brother, today you must skin and dismember that kid, torment him to death, or I won't be able to vent my anger."
The black-robed youth was Yang Wen, Yang Shan's older brother who had become an outer disciple. He had some free time today, so he came over when his brother called.
Yang Wen snorted, a bit dissatisfied, glancing at him, "Just a mere handyman, and you let him beat you like this. You're truly useless, embarrassing our Yang family."
Yang Shan didn't dare to argue, bowing his head and apologizing, "Younger brother knows his mistake. Please, brother, help me."
After arriving at the entrance of the cave, Yang Wen waved his hand, saying coldly, "Alright, you guys wait outside. After I go in, I'll peel that kid's skin and bring him out for you to see. I don't want you bunch of useless people to be frightened during the skinning process. Hmph."
With that said, he walked arrogantly into the cave with his hands behind his back.
At this moment, Zhou Zhiqi was angrily pulling on Yan Yuchen's ear, scolding, "What do you mean by this, kid? Are you saying my favor isn't worth taking advantage of, or that you disdain taking advantage of it? Explain yourself!"
Just as Yang Wen entered the cave, he witnessed this scene—what looked like a couple bickering. Moreover, he could clearly see the inner disciple Zhou Senior Sister's blushing and angry appearance.
An inner disciple, a prideful woman of heaven, and a lowly miscellaneous servant were now intimately bickering like this, with her pinching his ear and scolding!
What kind of relationship was this? Even a fool could see.
He shook violently, his face changing drastically, hastily retreating, his legs beginning to tremble.
Outside the cave, Yang Shan was still proudly saying, "Look at my brother, so mighty! He's a true cultivator now, able to crush a stone with just one finger! Hmph, no matter how formidable that kid is, he's going to die today!"
"Brother Wen is mighty! Brother Wen is awesome!"
The handyman disciples, holding their knees, all flattered him.
Yang Shan chuckled, "Just wait until that kid is skinned. Let's see if he can still be arrogant then. Hahaha..."
At this moment, Yang Shan noticed that his older brother, who had just entered the cave not long ago, was walking out briskly.
Yang Shan was slightly stunned, then exclaimed, "Brother, did you really skin that kid so quickly? Your skills are incredible! Where is he? Did the pain kill him directly?"
Yang Wen walked over with a pale face, glanced at him, and before he could rebuke, Yan Yuchen suddenly appeared at the cave entrance, shouting behind him, "Hey, were you peeking just now? Look and leave?"
Yang Wen's body trembled, quickly turned around, and immediately put on a flattering smile, saying, "Senior Brother Yan, I sincerely apologize. I didn't know there was someone in the cave, let alone that you and Senior Sister Zhou were... hehe, I'm really sorry. I apologize to you."
Yang Shan listened, dumbfounded, hobbled over, grabbed his brother's arm, and said, "Brother, have you gone mad? That kid has no relationship with Senior Sister Zhou at all. He's just a despicable liar! He ruined me. Hurry up and kill him!"
Before he could finish his words, Yang Wen suddenly turned around, slapped him hard on the face, then kicked him in the chest, ruthlessly knocking him to the ground. He gritted his teeth and angrily said, "You useless trash! If you dare to oppose Senior Brother Yan again, I'll be the first one not to spare your dog's life!"
After saying that, he looked coldly at the other handyman disciples behind him and sneered, "Remember this well. From now on, Senior Brother Yan is your master. Serve him carefully. Anyone who makes him unhappy, I won't let them off!"
At this moment, Zhou Zhiqi walked out of the cave with a cold face, a hint of blush still on her cheeks.
She snorted, cast a glance at the group, and walked away quickly.
Yang Wen immediately smiled ingratiatingly at her retreating figure, "Senior Sister Zhou, rest assured. Senior Brother Yan has me here to cover him. Absolutely nothing will happen. If anyone dares to bully him in the future, I'll be the first to fight! Hehe, take care..."
Yang Shan and the others were left stunned in their spots.
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