After Wei Xi and Meng Xiao left, Yan Jin decided to retreat to his favorite spot on the roof. The night was cold, the air sharp with the bite of impending winter. From his perch, he could see Pine City stretched out below him. The city was alive, lanterns creating intricate patterns that illuminated the streets. The soft glow of the lights and the distant murmur of the city's night life were soothing to him. He poured himself a cup of tea and exhaled, feeling the weight of the past days slowly lift.
"Welcome, sir. Have a seat," Yan Jin said suddenly, his voice cutting through the silence as if he had been expecting someone all along.
There was a pause before an old voice replied from the void, "You have amazing perception for a junior." Slowly, Old Man Wei emerged from the shadows, stepping out as if he had materialized from thin air. His eyes twinkled with amusement, clearly impressed that Yan Jin had sensed him despite the concealment of his powerful martial spirit.
"Thank you for the compliment, Senior," Yan Jin responded respectfully, masking his surprise. He continued sipping his tea, trying to act calm even though his heart had quickened at the unexpected visit.
Old Man Wei gazed out at the view, humming softly to himself as the city lights danced below. After a few moments of silence, he spoke again, "What do you think about my grandson?"
Yan Jin nearly choked on his tea. Was the old man seriously trying to promote his grandson? The thought was absurd, and for a moment, he didn't know how to respond. Collecting himself, he replied with a cautious smile, "He seems nice, very well-mannered, and talented. He's someone worth befriending."
Old Man Wei chuckled softly. "Ah, that rascal. I've spent so much time cultivating his martial prowess that I've neglected to let him experience the world for himself. He's still very naïve when it comes to dealing with people."
The old man leaned back slightly, his eyes distant as he mused, "But he's a good-looking and loyal young man. Perhaps too sheltered, though. He lacks the roughness of someone who has truly faced the world."
Yan Jin nodded politely, uncertain of where this conversation was heading. He wasn't keen on delving into Wei Xi's character, but he could sense the old man's fondness for his grandson.
"You're different from him," Old Man Wei continued. "You're more cautious. Yan Bei Shan, for all his clumsiness, gathers people around him easily. He has a kind heart. You, on the other hand... you remind me more of my son."
Yan Jin's brow furrowed slightly. "You knew my uncle?"
Old Man Wei's eyes darkened slightly as he nodded. "Yes. He was very close to Wei Xi's father. They practically grew up together. Had it not been for that incident 14 years ago, their names would have resonated across the northern region."
Yan Jin's curiosity piqued. "What happened 14 years ago?"
The old man's face hardened as he took a slow sip of his tea. "That night, someone tried to steal the Celestial Beast Vein that protected the city. Nearly succeeded, too. I lost my cultivation and my son that day. Your uncle... he lost his arm and his cultivation as well. He had to make great sacrifices to protect Pine City from the beast wave invasion."
"Beast wave?" Yan Jin echoed, his stomach twisting at the mention of it.
"Yes. Humans have three natural enemies in the northern region: blood beasts, and the greed of other humans." Old Man Wei's voice grew cold as he spoke, the weight of his words settling heavily between them.
"You said three," Yan Jin pointed out cautiously. "But you've only mentioned two."
The old man's gaze sharpened, and his tone became deadly serious. "If you ever encounter the third... consider yourself dead."
A tense silence followed as Yan Jin absorbed the cryptic warning. Old Man Wei's expression softened slightly as he reached into his robes and pulled out a small case, handing it to Yan Jin. "I came here tonight to give you this, and to ask for a favor."
Yan Jin accepted the case with both hands, his mind still swirling with questions. "What is it, Senior?"
The old man leaned in, his eyes twinkling with something that looked like hope. "Do you know what the most important thing in the purification realm is?"
Yan Jin shook his head.
"The number of blood refinements," Old Man Wei said, his voice low but filled with conviction. "The purification realm is also called the foundation realm. Each refinement is a pillar that supports your future cultivation. Most people can manage three refinements. The highest recorded was twelve—the perfect atavism. The more you refine your blood, the stronger your atavistic resonance."
He paused to let that sink in before continuing, "But each refinement cycle requires exponentially more resources. That's why clans and lineages are so important for the growth of geniuses. Pine City is built on a Celestial Beast Vein, and every thirty years, the vein produces enough Iron Blood Cells to aid in the refinement process."
Yan Jin's attention sharpened. He had heard rumors of the Iron Blood Cell trials, but to hear it confirmed from the City Lord himself made it real.
"In a few months, during winter, the trials will be held. The top three candidates will gain access to the Red Blood Cell Pool for their refinement. I am old, and my time is running out. I have no illusions about my position as City Lord—many are vying for it. I just want you to protect Wei Xi during the trials. In exchange, I will give you a token to participate."
Yan Jin's eyes widened slightly at the offer. "City Lord, I can't promise I'll be able to save him, but I will protect him to the best of my ability."
Old Man Wei smiled faintly, a look of relief crossing his features. "That is all I can ask for."
As the old man prepared to leave, he gave Yan Jin one final warning. "Be careful in this city, boy. Your origin has already been figured out by many. The shadows are closing in."
And with that, Old Man Wei vanished into the night, leaving Yan Jin alone with the chill air, the weight of new knowledge, and the promise of danger yet to come.