73: Chapter 73 There's a Problem with the Bloodline

Emerging from the training room, Ling Yichen and Tian Yingying walked out of the Research Institute together and ran straight into the old man returning from the Discipline Hall.

Upon seeing Ling Yichen, the old man immediately asked with a mix of joy and concern, "Kid, are you alright?"

Ling Yichen smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, Master. I'm fine, just a bit of excessive depletion of my Mental Energy."

After hearing this, the old man was even more impressed.

"Hmm, not bad. Young people need to have drive. Don't be like your senior brother, who is inconsistent in his efforts."

"I'm looking forward to you condensing your first star within two months!"

Ling Yichen was dumbfounded upon hearing this.

What the hell?

Condense the first star in two months?

Do you look down on me that much?

However, he didn't say anything on the surface, only humbly replying, "Uh... I'll do my best!"

Hearing this, the old man praised him again, "I know asking you to condense your first star within two months is indeed a bit demanding, but I will assist you. Starting today, I will give you one seven-leaf lotus heart every day to restore your Mental Energy, so you can train without any worries."

Hearing this, Ling Yichen was slightly taken aback.

One seven-leaf lotus heart a day, that's 30 a month, which equals 6000 points.

That's quite a lot.

Although for him, it was far from enough.

But he still said gratefully, "Master, the seven-leaf lotus heart is too expensive. This is a significant burden for you as well. I will find a way myself."

Ling Yichen refused.

But the old man glared and raised his pipe to strike him.

Ling Yichen could have dodged, but ultimately stood obediently in place, letting the old man tap the back of his head. It didn't hurt; it was just a light tap.

"What's the meaning of this? You looking down on me? Take it when I give it to you. You don't need to worry about me; I'll naturally find a way to get them."

Hearing the old man's firm attitude, Ling Yichen had no choice but to accept it gladly.

"Thank you, Master!" he said from the bottom of his heart.

The old man nodded in satisfaction, but immediately shifted his gaze to Tian Yingying. After looking her up and down, he praised, "Hmm, this young girl is quite good—diligent, steady, and able to endure hardship. She's more than a match for you, kid."

"However, don't have sex too early; it's not good for your cultivation!"

Ling Yichen was instantly mortified.

Tian Yingying's eyes widened instantly, and her small face turned red like a lantern.

"Master, what are you talking about? We are just neighbors and friends, not what you think!"

The old man chuckled and waved his hand, saying, "Alright, I don't understand you young people. Today you might be neighbors and teammates, tomorrow you might be brother and sister, and the day after you might be father and daughter. Sigh~ I can't keep up with the times."

Ling Yichen and Tian Yingying were instantly petrified.

The old man ignored them, puffing on his pipe as he strolled leisurely toward the Research Institute.

He left, but Ling Yichen and Tian Yingying were left in extreme awkwardness, neither daring to look at the other.

After a long while, Tian Yingying finally spoke up, "Sir, can I ask a question?"

Ling Yichen immediately replied, "Speak!"

"I understand 'brother and sister'; those are affectionate terms between couples. But... what does 'father and daughter' mean?"

Ah, this...

Ling Yichen really wanted to dig a hole and hide in it.

"Ahem, it's nothing. It's better if you don't understand!"

He cleared his throat and strode forward, not caring whether Tian Yingying kept up.

However, after walking only a few steps, his path was blocked by a senior student.

He nervously handed a note to Ling Yichen.

"Um... Senior Lin Hao asked me to give this to you!"

Ling Yichen immediately took it. On it was a string of numbers, followed by two characters: "Let's talk!"

He immediately understood that this was Lin Hao's exclusive communication ID. After adding it, they could contact each other, similar to a social media account.

Ling Yichen nodded slightly without saying anything. The senior student let out a long sigh of relief and walked quickly toward the corner in the distance.

Ling Yichen watched his back, first closing his eyes, then opening them again.

Instantly, the wall and structure at the corner in his left field of vision became blurred.

He saw Lin Hao standing at the corner with his arms crossed, watching them.

Ling Yichen smiled slightly and withdrew his gaze.

At this moment, Tian Yingying caught up and asked, "Who was that? What did he want?"

Ling Yichen shook his head, offering no further explanation, and simply led her quickly out of the school to meet up with Ye Qingzhu and W, then they went home together.

...

Returning home, Ling Yichen went to his own house first, training while waiting for dinner.

About an hour later, dinner was ready.

Everyone sat down together to eat dinner, the atmosphere very pleasant.

Although Ye Songtao had left, things hadn't changed much overall.

Thinking of Ye Songtao, Ling Yichen couldn't help but ask, "Has Uncle Ye arrived at the army unit?"

Upon hearing this, Tang Juan stiffened, then shook her head gently, "I don't know. We haven't been able to contact him yet."

Ling Yichen immediately frowned.

Ye Songtao left yesterday morning. It's been nearly 40 hours. Normally, they shouldn't be unable to contact him.

Of course, this was no problem for Ling Yichen.

Because he had placed a Spirit Worm inside Ye Songtao's body.

Immediately, while eating, he silently began to establish a connection with the Spirit Worm inside Ye Songtao.

Soon, he had a visual.

He could clearly perceive the perspective Ye Songtao was experiencing at that moment.

He was surprised to find that Ye Songtao was still in a vehicle, surrounded by young men in their early 20s, but their faces were full of exhaustion and anxiety.

Suddenly, a terrifying roar of a beast rang out, causing everyone in the vehicle to tremble in unison. A few of the timid ones couldn't help but hug those around them, crying out, "I want to go home, I want to go home!"

But immediately, a deep, angry shout rang out.

"Shut up! If you dare to speak again, I'll shoot you, you bunch of cowards!"

Those who were crying about going home immediately dared not say anything else, but the fear in their eyes became even more obvious.

Ling Yichen could also clearly feel Ye Songtao's state at that moment.

He was also afraid and trembling slightly.

After all, they had been in the vehicle for nearly 40 hours. Not to mention the bumpy ride, they couldn't eat or sleep well, and from time to time, the roars of beasts would ring out.

They even stopped once midway, and a battle occurred. They didn't participate, just ordered to hide in the dark carriage.

But after the battle ended, they smelled a strong scent of blood.

There were originally ten soldiers accompanying their vehicle, but only two returned.

This made them realize the seriousness of the situation.

The army... seemed not to be in the city, but outside it.

They faced the possibility of death at any moment, and might not even reach the army's main camp.

Therefore, everyone was filled with fear.

Fear of the unknown regarding their own lives and deaths, and fear of the unknown regarding their upcoming fate.

Ling Yichen silently cut the connection and said calmly, "Don't worry too much. They might still be on the road, so they can't be contacted."

Tang Juan sighed, "I suppose so!"

"Don't worry, Auntie. Uncle is very strong; average people can't hurt him!"

Ling Yichen comforted her.

At this time, W spoke up, "Auntie, you really don't need to worry. I've already asked someone to look after Uncle Ye. As long as he can arrive safely at the military camp, the person I entrusted will take good care of him and definitely won't let him go to any dangerous places."

Hearing this, Tang Juan finally showed joy.

"Really? Then thank you so much."

Ye Qingzhu also looked at her with gratitude in her eyes and said softly, "Thank you!"

"Oh, we're all family, why be so polite? I really like Uncle Ye too, and I definitely don't want anything to happen to him."

With that, the atmosphere was restored.

Ling Yichen smiled, quickly finished the food in his bowl, and then said to everyone, "I'm done. I'm going back to my room to train."

Seeing this, W also immediately put down her bowl and chopsticks, saying, "I'm going back to my room to train too."

Watching the two so eagerly wanting to train, a trace of sorrow slowly gathered between Ye Qingzhu's brows.

Ling Yichen has a master and cultivation techniques, and now trains almost every day.

W has a strong background, entered the Genius Student Class, and also has her own cultivation techniques.

Tian Yingying was also taken to the Research Institute by Ling Yichen and has her own things to do.

Only she, every day, is attending classes by the book, learning a pile of theoretical knowledge.

She actually also longs to train, longs for an increase in strength.

Tang Juan looked at her daughter's furrowed brows and patted her back gently, "It's okay, don't worry. Laying a solid foundation is also very important."

"After you've laid a solid foundation, I'll go with you to choose a cultivation technique. Before your father left, he left behind most of his points, enough for you to choose a beginner cultivation technique."

Hearing this, Ye Qingzhu's eyes regained their sparkle.

"Mom, why don't we go buy it this weekend? I don't want to be left behind by everyone, and I especially don't want to be a drag."

Tang Juan heard this and immediately nodded in agreement, "Okay!"

-

Ling Yichen naturally heard the mother and daughter's conversation.

He also frowned and thought for a moment, then muttered to himself, "It seems it's time for her to undergo the Second Awakening."

These days, Ling Yichen had actually been letting the Spirit Worm inside Ye Qingzhu's body help her purify her bloodline, with remarkable results. It had already reached a critical value.

As long as he chose a suitable time, she could undergo the Second Awakening.

After thinking for a moment, Ling Yichen decided to let Ye Qingzhu undergo the Second Awakening immediately.

With a thought, the Spirit Worm inside Ye Qingzhu's body immediately became more active. Ye Qingzhu, who was eating, suddenly stiffened, and the bowl in her hand was instantly crushed by her.

She immediately looked at Tang Juan and cried out softly, "Mom, I feel... something is wrong!"

As she spoke, the black and white wings behind her were instantly released, and she rushed directly toward the window, leapt out, and flew up into the high sky.

At this moment, Ling Yichen heard Tang Juan's cry, "Yichen, come quickly, something happened to Qingzhu."

Ling Yichen heard this, but pursed his lips in a smile, and then stepped outside.

But after just two steps, his smile stopped abruptly. His expression instantly became serious, and he whispered, "No... there's something wrong with her bloodline!"