23: Do you know where that ghost is?

"Aren't I fine?" Tie Zhu shook his head and chuckled softly. "Don't overthink it. This was a classic hero saving the beauty moment!"

"Now, who in the village doesn't know how good your relationship with Zhang Yan is? I reckon in another two years, she'll definitely marry you. Just enjoy it."

Chu Yuan shook his head and smiled. "Don't talk nonsense, kid. Spreading rumors like this—if Uncle Zhang hears it, see if he doesn't chew you out!"

Tie Zhu scratched his head and laughed. "Don't stand outside. Come on, come inside and sit!"

Having said that, he pulled Chu Yuan, intending to go inside.

Chu Yuan spread his hands. "I'm completely broke. Although I came to see you, I didn't bring a gift, so I won't go in."

"Wait until I have a gift to give. Then I'll come over again to thank you for taking care of me the past few days and make up for today's gift."

"What are you talking about?" Tie Zhu widened his eyes, which were full of disbelief. "Do you and I need to worry about things like that?"

"Haha, I was just kidding!" Chu Yuan smiled as well, then said seriously, "When I came out, Aunt Xu and the others were preparing to move back. I need to go help them. How about I come see you another day?"

"Oh, is that so?" Tie Zhu nodded slightly. "Then remember to come another day!"

"Of course!" Chu Yuan nodded, patted him on the shoulder immediately, and turned to leave.

Back home, Xu Jing and the other person were still packing up.

They hadn't moved many things over initially, but they were scattered, requiring a moment to tidy up.

"Chu Yuan, why are you back so soon? Didn't you stay and chat for a while?" Seeing Chu Yuan return, Xu Jing asked with a smile.

Chu Yuan smiled and said, "Seeing that Tie Zhu was fine, I came back. Don't you still need me to help you move things?"

The three chatted and laughed, and soon finished packing their belongings.

Seeing that the drizzle had stopped, they quickly moved the items over.

Actually, since Chu Yuan was well now, he didn't need to stay at Zhang Xiangwen's house.

Although he didn't have any paternal uncles, he did have one cousin-uncle, and if worst came to worst, he could go to the Medical Hall.

But having previously promised Zhang Xiangwen to protect Xu Jing and her daughter, he hadn't suggested leaving.

Moreover, Xu Jing and the others tacitly avoided mentioning the matter, as if Chu Yuan had truly become a member of their family.

Time passed slowly.

After six consecutive days of light rain, the rice in the fields was truly ruined.

What was worse was that the Ghostly Creature in the village still hadn't appeared.

For a time, the entire Xiao Huang Village was in a state of panic, unable to sleep peacefully.

Chu Yuan, however, was not very flustered.

Over the past few days, he had occasionally wandered around the village, and relying on his strong senses, he already had some suspicions.

After that, he just needed to wait for the right time to let his cultivation advance further, and then strike proactively.

As for these few days, all he did was practice his saber, and practice his saber!

Swords? He would keep that hidden for now!

Three days later, the Ghostly Creature still hadn't appeared, as if it had already left.

Early morning. Chu Yuan practiced the Chaotic Star Saber Technique once, then sheathed his saber and stopped. He felt that the time was ripe; he could continue his Breakthrough.

After greeting Zhang Yan, Chu Yuan returned to the inner room and began to Cultivate using the red jujube.

He circulated his Cultivation Technique, refining the scorching energy contained within the red jujube again and again, while simultaneously drawing in some Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi to temper his bone marrow.

Time quietly flowed, and in the blink of an eye, it was afternoon.

At a certain moment, Chu Yuan's body suddenly emitted faint strands of light, and countless mysterious purple-gold runes appeared and circulated.

Immediately after, those purple-gold runes flashed and vanished.

Chu Yuan gently exhaled a mouthful of stale air, slowly opened his eyes, and a sharp glint flashed and disappeared within them.

He chuckled softly, "I finally achieved a Breakthrough!"

He felt that after achieving the Breakthrough to Spiritual Enlightenment Realm Perfection, his strength was at least eight or nine times greater than that of an ordinary person, which made him very happy.

Chu Yuan got up, stretched a bit, and walked out of the inner room.

But after coming out, he didn't see Zhang Yan, which made him slightly puzzled.

"Where did that girl go?"

Chu Yuan muttered softly, but didn't dwell on it. He went outside the courtyard and casually practiced his saber technique once.

The purpose, naturally, was to familiarize himself with his newly increased strength!

Just as Chu Yuan sheathed his saber, he saw Zhang Xiangwen walk in from outside.

"Chu Yuan, have you finished Cultivating?"

"Just finished!" Chu Yuan replied. "Uncle Zhang, where are Sister Yaner and the others?"

"They went to the village entrance to dry the rice." Zhang Xiangwen said, "We've checked; it shouldn't rain for the next few days, so we plan to thresh the rice and distribute it first."

Hearing this, Chu Yuan nodded slightly, a faint light flashing in his eyes.

Regarding how to solve the village's food problem, he might have a solution.

However, this matter was not urgent. The current top priority was eliminating the Ghostly Creature hiding in the village!

Thinking of this, he looked at Zhang Xiangwen and asked, "Uncle Zhang, are all the villagers at the village entrance?"

"They are all there!" Zhang Xiangwen nodded. "The weather is nice today, so even the small children were taken to the village entrance to bask in the sun."

"I see!" Chu Yuan narrowed his eyes, a cold light flickering within them.

"Uncle Zhang, is there a way to inform Grandpa Zhao without alarming anyone else, asking him to bring people to protect the villagers and ensure no one goes anywhere or leaves?"

"Hm?" Zhang Xiangwen exclaimed in surprise. "Chu Yuan, what are you planning to do, kid?"

Chu Yuan smiled and said, "Uncle Zhang, I just had a Breakthrough, and I want to go with you to see that Ghostly Creature that harmed me before."

"You had another Breakthrough?" Zhang Xiangwen exclaimed in astonishment, but then suddenly realized something.

"Wait a minute!" "You know where that Ghostly Creature is?"

He couldn't help but step forward and press down on Chu Yuan's shoulder, looking at Chu Yuan with anticipation in his eyes.

"I don't know!" Chu Yuan shook his head.

Zhang Xiangwen frowned. "Then why did you say that?"

Chu Yuan gave a cold laugh. "Uncle Zhang, don't forget, it harmed me before, and I am still quite sensitive to its Qi."

"Now that my senses have improved, I have a vague suspicion of its location. We just need to go and check!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiangwen's eyes widened again. How could he have forgotten that detail?

"Let's go!" Zhang Xiangwen didn't hesitate at all. He grabbed his saber, pulled Chu Yuan, and started walking. "Let's go wander around the village. If you can find it, the two of us must work together to eliminate it today!"

Chu Yuan followed him out, but reminded him, "Uncle Zhang, you haven't informed Grandpa Zhao yet. The villagers need protection!"

Zhang Xiangwen paused, recalled Chu Yuan's previous words, and turned to look at him suspiciously.

"Are you suspecting someone in the village is causing trouble?"

Chu Yuan shook his head and whispered, "Uncle Zhang, I checked a few days ago, and that Qi was located inside a certain villager's home. Regardless of whether this person is a ghost or not, it's better to take precautions first."

"What do you think, Uncle Zhang?"

Hearing this, Zhang Xiangwen nodded thoughtfully. "Alright, I understand."

"Wait for me here. I'll be right back." Having said that, he turned and ran toward the village entrance.

Chu Yuan stood quietly in place, his gaze drifting toward the distance.

"You dog, you nearly killed me back then. You've lived long enough. It's time to pay with your life!"

He murmured softly, his voice imbued with a chilling coldness.