15: Energy Acquisition, Nie Li's Shock

The collective transformation of the Yun Family's core members was like a silent tsunami, sweeping through the upper circles of the entire City of Radiance. Although Yun Feng strictly ordered the sealing of specific details, the news of Yun Fengs Grandfather's Breakthrough to Gold Rank, and the great increase in strength of many disciples, still could not be completely concealed.

Inside the Ye Family manor, Family Head's face was so gloomy it looked like it could drip water. The jade table in front of him had already turned into dust, showing his inner rage and... a trace of fear that was hard to detect.

“Investigate! Find out clearly for me! What Opportunity did the Yun Family actually obtain?!” He roared, his voice hoarse. He did not believe that Yun Feng could create such a situation in a short time relying on his power alone; there must be an astonishing fortuitous encounter or a mysterious force supporting him.

“Family Head, the Yun Family is heavily guarded now, and their Formation is strange. Our people cannot even get close to the core area,” an Elder reported with a strained voice.

“Useless!” Family Head’s chest heaved violently, his eyes bloodshot. A direct confrontation? Yun Feng's mysterious and unpredictable strength made him tremble with fear. Reconciliation? The blood feud was already established; it was absolutely impossible. He felt as if he was trapped in a net that was constantly tightening.

“Pass down the order, use all resources to monitor all movements of the Yun Family, especially that Yun Feng! At the same time, contact the Dark Guild. The price... can be increased by another thirty percent!” Family Head gritted his teeth. He decided to take a risk and rely on darker forces... Yun Family, core secret chamber.

Yun Feng sat cross-legged, his mind sinking into the System interface. The increase in the Family's strength pleased him, but it also exposed a problem—the consumption of Rule Energy was enormous.

[Current Available Rule Energy: 350 / 1000]

Elevating his grandfather, Yun Hao, Yun Qiao, and others, plus the previous purification of the demon spirit, consumed a full 650 points of energy. Although the energy would slowly recover over time, the speed was far from meeting his needs.

“System, besides natural recovery, are there other ways to acquire Rule Energy?” Yun Feng asked in his mind.

[Core Acquisition Methods for Rule Energy: Natural Absorption: Accelerates with the increase in the host's strength and expanding influence over the world's rules. Interfering with Destiny: Significantly changing the destiny trajectory of important characters (such as the Son of Destiny, Nie Li, and his key companions) can yield a large amount of energy. Reversing the Trend: Changing the outcome of major events (such as the survival of a city or the destruction of a force) can yield a huge amount of energy. Absorbing Origin: Absorbing the Origin power within high-quality Heaven And Earth Treasure, Yao Beast crystal cores, and Spiritual Vein for conversion (low efficiency).]

“Interfering with Destiny... Reversing the Trend...” A sharp light flashed in Yun Feng's eyes. This coincided perfectly with his plan to "invest" in Nie Li and change the Yun Family's destiny!

“It seems I need to participate more actively in the main storyline,” Yun Feng mused.

Just then, his Divine Sense stirred, sensing that Nie Li was heading towards the Yun Family. Accompanying him were Lu Piao and several other young disciples of the Tianhen Aristocratic Family, who seemed to have encountered some trouble.

Yun Feng's figure flashed, and he vanished from the secret chamber.

Outside the Yun Family compound, Nie Li and his group were stopped. It wasn't the Yun Family guards blocking them, but their own poor condition. Lu Piao’s face was pale, his aura weak, and the other two Tianhen Aristocratic Family disciples were also injured, clearly having just gone through a battle.

“Nie Li, what happened to you?” Yun Feng appeared, his gaze sweeping over the group. He instantly saw that Lu Piao had been struck by some kind of sinister cold attack, injuring his Meridians.

“Brother Yun Feng!” Nie Li sighed in relief upon seeing Yun Feng, a trace of indignation on his face. “We just returned from outside the city and were ambushed by people from the Dark Guild. Lu Piao took their 'Profound Yin Palm' attack while covering us!”

The Dark Guild? Yun Feng narrowed his eyes slightly. This was an Opportunity for "Interfering with Destiny" delivered right to his doorstep. Lu Piao was Nie Li's important brother, and saving him would definitely alter his destiny trajectory.

“Let me see.” Yun Feng stepped forward, placed his fingers on Lu Piao’s wrist, and extended his Divine Sense. At the same time, he silently chanted in his mind: “System, scan the target, analyze the injury, and formulate the best treatment plan.”

[Scan Complete: Target Lu Piao, struck by Profound Yin Palm power, cold poison has invaded the Meridians, damaging the Foundation.]

[Treatment Plan: a) Conventional Medicinal Pill conditioning: Requires Silver Rank 'Red Sun Pill', takes half a month, Foundation damage difficult to fully recover. Rule Energy consumption: 0. b) Life Enhancement Toxin Expulsion: Instantly dispels the cold poison, repairs the Meridians, and slightly strengthens the Physical Body. Rule Energy consumption: 30 points.]

[Prompt: Successful treatment will significantly change the character's destiny trajectory, estimated energy feedback: 50 points.]

A net gain of 20 points of energy, plus he could earn Nie Li a favor. Two birds with one stone.

“It’s not a major issue,” Yun Feng said to Nie Li. Immediately, he pressed his palm against Lu Piao’s back, “Bear with it.”

A warm, vast power surged into Lu Piao's body. The stubborn Profound Yin cold poison rapidly melted and disintegrated like snow meeting the sun. His damaged Meridians were quickly repaired under the nourishment of the Rule Energy, even becoming tougher and wider!

Lu Piao let out a muffled groan, his face quickly regaining color. He felt warm all over, and his condition was even better than before the injury!

“He’s cured?!” Nie Li was both surprised and delighted. He knew how troublesome the Profound Yin Palm was, yet Yun Feng had solved it with a mere lift of his hand? This method was simply miraculous!

[Successfully changed the destiny trajectory of important supporting character Lu Piao, obtaining Rule Energy feedback of 50 points. Current energy: 400 / 1000.]

Hearing the System's prompt, Yun Feng smiled slightly.

“Brother Yun Feng, words cannot express my gratitude!” Lu Piao stretched his limbs, excitedly cupping his fists.

“It was nothing,” Yun Feng waved his hand, looking at Nie Li. “The Dark Guild is becoming increasingly rampant. It seems the City of Radiance is heading for trouble. Brother Nie Li, you must also be careful.”

Nie Li nodded solemnly, the gratitude and awe he felt for Yun Feng deepening. He increasingly felt that befriending Yun Feng might be the most important decision of his life.

After sending off Nie Li and his group, who were full of thanks, Yun Feng returned to the Family and began working on his next plan. The energy acquisition methods were now clear; he needed to plan more proactively.

He summoned Yun Hao, Yun Qiao, and other core disciples.

“The Family’s strength is beginning to take shape, but the outside world is full of crises, so we cannot be complacent,” Yun Feng said sternly. “I have a combined attack Formation called the ‘Minor Heavenly Starlight Array.’ You must practice diligently, as it can greatly enhance your group combat power.”

He passed down a set of battle Formations that had been simplified and refined by the System. This Formation was incomparably profound. If successfully mastered, several Silver Rank disciples working together could even temporarily contend against a Gold Rank expert.

At the same time, he entered the treasury again and performed mass enhancement on a batch of ordinary Medicinal Pill ingredients and Ore prepared for trade, increasing their value so the Family could exchange them for more conventional resources and intelligence.

Having finished all this, Yun Feng felt the energy slowly recovering and growing within him, and his gaze turned towards the distance.

“The Ye Family... the Dark Guild... your actions had better be quick. My Rule Energy is already getting a bit hungry.”

He was like a patient fisherman who had already cast his net, just waiting for the fish (energy points) and larger prey (opportunities to change the major trend) to come knocking. And Nie Li's main storyline was undoubtedly his biggest fish pond.