200: Chapter 200 Horror

"The one on the left is from the Yunmeng Ruins Loose Cultivator Alliance, has Mixed Spiritual Root Aptitude, is at the third level of Qi Refining, is humble and polite, never looks for trouble, but never goes soft when trouble arises."

Qin Jiangmei's voice was soft as she pointed to another portrait, "The youth on the right has a rather special situation; he comes from a Martial Artist Family in an outer county. Although he is of a branch Bloodline, he is already an Innate Realm Martial Artist, and his experiences have been far more convoluted."

She focused on telling the story of the second youth.

Su Yang was quite surprised that a Mortal could be included on Qin Jiangmei's consideration list, yet he listened with extra focus.

The more he listened, the more he felt it was just right!

The youth's name was Chu Yebai, born into a branch of a Martial Artist Family. His parents had both died hunting monsters years ago, leaving only him and his young sister to depend on each other.

To support his sister, he traveled everywhere from a very young age, taking odd jobs and doing menial labor, tasting every hardship.

By chance, he saved a severely injured and down-and-out Martial Artist. The other party was grateful for the kindness and taught him martial arts, helping him step onto the path of martial arts.

Chu Yebai had excellent talent and progressed rapidly in his Cultivation, yet fate did not treat him kindly because of it.

Provocations from local ruffians, exclusion and suppression by the direct descendants of his main Family, bullying and schemes from other families... countless hardships followed one after another.

But none of this could break him; instead, it made him more courageous with every setback. Relying on sheer ruthlessness and resilience, he became the youngest Innate Martial Artist in his Family.

A few years ago, he completely broke ties with his Family, took his sister, and followed a caravan to reach Qingyuan Market.

The reason Qin Jiangmei knew him was that this youth had taken the initiative to come to their door, hoping his sister could receive the Su Family's acceptance and protection to find a stable home.

"It sounds like the story of a protagonist in a novel." Su Yang subconsciously whispered to himself.

"You're not being serious again!" Qin Jiangmei couldn't help but roll her eyes at him with a coquettish look upon hearing this, then her voice softened, "I have accepted his sister; the little girl is well-behaved and sensible, looking a bit like Xiao Mei did back then."

"What about Chu Yebai himself?" Su Yang asked further.

"I sent him to be an instructor at the Su Clan Martial Arts Hall." Qin Jiangmei asked with a knowing smile in her eyes, "Husband, you seem particularly interested in this child?"

Su Yang nodded slightly.

This kid is definitely a person of great Luck; just the fact that he was able to come to the Su Family is enough to prove that this kid's Luck is extraordinary!

Su Yang decided to go observe this kid personally.

...

Qingyuan, Su Clan Martial Arts Hall.

Chu Yebai, who had just finished guiding the apprentices at the Martial Arts Hall, was drenched in sweat.

His figure was upright, and his muscle lines were clearly visible under his sweat-drenched clothes, revealing a solid sense of power honed over a long time; just standing there gave off a silent sense of oppression.

Watching the last apprentice leave, Chu Yebai did not rush home. He remained alone in the empty Martial Arts Hall, lowered his stance, and suddenly threw a punch.

His punch was like a spear thrusting rapidly, his leg like a battle axe sweeping horizontally.

His fist wind and leg shadows were extremely fast, tearing trails in the air, and his trouser legs were billowed by the strong wind, making a flapping sound.

His speed grew faster and faster, his muscles tensed like iron, already approaching the limit his body could withstand.

Just at the moment when that taut string was about to snap.

A cooling sensation quietly emerged from where he kept it pressed against his chest.

That feeling was like a clear spring instantly washing over his entire body, gently smoothing out the soreness and fatigue in every inch of his muscles, causing his spirit to perk up.

Chu Yebai's movements did not have the slightest hesitation; on the contrary, they became even more swift and fierce.

He gritted his teeth, punch by punch and kick by kick, continuing to squeeze out the last of his body's potential.

Boom!

It was as if some barrier within his body had suddenly been broken through, and an aura far more vigorous and domineering than before burst forth from his body!

Chu Yebai finally stopped his movements, slowly exhaling a long breath of stale air.

Feeling the brand-new power surging within him, a genuine smile appeared on his resolute face.

"Martial Arts Grandmaster Realm... I've made it!"

The joy lasted only for a fleeting moment before his raised lips quickly flattened.

A Grandmaster is the end of the martial path; although he could contend with a Mid-stage Qi Refining Cultivator, the road ahead was severed here.

And he had no Spiritual Root; his twenty-year-old life seemed to be seen to the end at a glance, the future of infinite possibilities sealed tightly by an invisible high wall.

A trace of confusion flashed in Chu Yebai's eyes.

He subconsciously reached into his robes and took out the purple jade stone that was pressed against his chest, holding it in his palm while staring blankly.

The cooling sensation that had just cleared his fatigue originated from this mysterious stone; relying on this object, he was able to Breakthrough to the Grandmaster Realm in just a few short years.

But the martial path had reached its Peak, and for him, this strange stone seemed to only have the use of healing.

"I heard that the Clan Chief of the Qingyuan Su Clan once consumed a type of Heaven And Earth Treasure in his early years that could allow his offspring to be born with a Spiritual Root."

A faint light suddenly ignited in Chu Yebai's eyes; it was the hope of a drowning person grabbing a piece of driftwood.

"Since such divine objects exist in the world, perhaps there are also Heaven And Earth Treasures that can allow a Mortal to grow a Spiritual Root?"

In the entire Qingyuan Market, if one were to say who is most likely to know such secrets, it would have to be Patriarch Su!

"If I present this treasure to the Su Family... could I trade it for that kind of Heaven And Earth Treasure, or learn information about the treasure?"

Once this thought emerged, it churned repeatedly in his heart, followed by conflict and a chill.

He had seen too much of the world's darkness and knew the cruelty of the cultivation world deeply; perhaps the second he presented the treasure, the Su Family might eliminate him like crushing an ant to prevent future trouble.

The life of a Martial Arts Grandmaster was no different from an ant in the eyes of a Cultivator.

Chu Yebai took a deep breath and hid the purple jade stone back in his robes, as if hiding a choice that would determine his fate.

He checked the doors and windows of the Martial Arts Hall as usual, then stepped into the night, walking in the direction of his home.

On the way, he stopped his footsteps involuntarily several times, looking toward the magnificent and imposing Su Residence in the distance.

Every time he paused, his eyes were full of struggle, but in the end, the fear of an unknown outcome outweighed the desire in his heart, keeping him from ever taking that step.

"What are you thinking about?"

A calm voice sounded in his ear without any warning.

The hair on Chu Yebai's entire body stood on end instantly!

Without thinking, his figure retreated violently, instantly pulling away by several yards, and the Grandmaster Protective Aura he had just broken through to instinctively began to circulate.

Looking closely, he saw a handsome young man dressed in a simple, elegant green shirt standing where he had been moments ago, observing him with great interest, a playful smile on his lips.

"Who are you!?"

Chu Yebai's back was already soaked with cold sweat.

How did the other party get so close? He hadn't noticed at all! Had he been following him since the Martial Arts Hall? The secret of the purple jade stone...

Thinking of this, his face suddenly darkened, and thoughts raced through his mind.

The only path to survival might be to rush to the Su Residence immediately, offer the treasure voluntarily, and state that he was being coveted by others; perhaps he could borrow the Su Family's power to find a glimmer of life!

"Looking at your expression, you have many thoughts."

The young man seemed to see through his mind, his smile deepening, "Are you thinking of going to the Su Residence for help? Because of that purple jade stone in your robes?"

Boom!

The young man's words were like a thunderclap, exploding in Chu Yebai's mind and making his face instantly turn pale.

Before he could react, the young man spoke again leisurely, his tone carrying a hint of mockery: "You aren't actually planning to foolishly present such a treasure to the Su Family, are you?"

An extreme sense of crisis actually spurred his quick wit.

Chu Yebai suppressed his pounding heart, his voice unexpectedly becoming calm: "I found this item by chance near the Su Family and was just about to return it to its owner. If Your Excellency wishes to seize it by force, I fear it will be difficult for you to escape once the Su Family investigates."

"Heh..."

Upon hearing this, the young man couldn't help but chuckle and shook his head.

"Do not lie; I know that is your item." His gaze was clear, as if he could see through the human heart, "I am just curious, why did you get the idea to present it to the Su Family?"

"Just now, outside the Martial Arts Hall, I saw you hesitating; you were already wavering about this matter then, weren't you?"