Chapter 9: Is There Really No Way to Restore It?

"Brother Ye, where did I get them? Of course I saved them up over the years. Did you think I stole them?"

"Ye Chuan, stop talking nonsense. The Origin-Nurturing Pills the clan gives out each year are barely enough for your own cultivation—how could you possibly save up so many?"

"Ye Chuan, be honest. Where did these Origin-Nurturing Pills come from?" Ye Junlin asked with a serious expression.

"Sigh, Brother Ye, I knew I couldn't fool you. Just take these ten Origin-Nurturing Pills," Ye Chuan said, pushing the pills into Ye Junlin’s hands. "You killed Ye Xinyun, and He Yidao from the Iron Sword Gang will never let you off. Even though Shen Aoxue from the Dragon-Tiger Academy will be staying at the Ye residence for a month, and Ye Nantian, Ye Jingyue, and Ye Xuanyi wouldn’t dare touch you openly, who can say what they might try in the dark? Take these ten pills; every bit of strength is a bit more protection for you. To tell you the truth, I bought them at the Danbao Pavilion for ten thousand silver coins. If you refuse, you’ll be letting down my good intentions."

Seeing Ye Chuan so insistent, Ye Junlin stopped refusing. Ten thousand silver coins—enough to let an ordinary family live in comfort for a lifetime.

"Ye Chuan, thank you, my brother. When I make it big one day, I’ll give you a Spirit Gathering Pill." Ye Junlin’s heart was warm with gratitude.

"Haha, Brother Ye, you said it! A single Spirit Gathering Pill is worth a hundred Origin-Nurturing Pills. If you really give me one, I’ll have struck it rich!" Ye Chuan burst out laughing, teasing Ye Junlin.

Meanwhile, standing by, Uncle Fu was lost in worry over the crisis Ye Junlin faced.

"Uncle Fu, what’s wrong?" Noticing his unease, Ye Junlin asked with concern.

"Sigh, young master, it’s all because I’m useless—a cripple. If I still had my strength at its peak, would Ye Nantian dare treat you this way? Would the Iron Sword Gang dare to threaten you?" Uncle Fu sighed deeply.

"Uncle Fu, is there really no way to restore your strength?" Ye Junlin asked, his heart aching.

"It’s useless, young master. The Nightshade Orchid’s poison has taken over my dantian completely. My cultivation can never recover." Uncle Fu’s words weighed heavily on Ye Junlin’s heart, and he sighed inwardly.

Just then, as Ye Junlin was distracted, the cheerful expression on Ye Chuan’s face twisted in pain.

Suddenly, Ye Chuan spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Ye Chuan, what’s wrong? Are you hurt? Who did this to you?" Alarmed, Ye Junlin rushed to support him.

"Brother Ye, it was Ye Haoyu, the fifth elder’s son. He caught me buying Origin-Nurturing Pills at the Danbao Pavilion and demanded I give him five. When I refused, he beat me like this." Ye Chuan’s face was full of indignation as he spoke, and Ye Junlin’s expression grew cold.

"So it was that bastard Ye Haoyu? Ye Chuan, wait here. I’ll go avenge you right now!" Ye Junlin’s anger flared, and he moved to seek revenge.

"Brother Ye, calm down. Don’t! Ye Haoyu is already a seventh-level Vein-Opening expert. And he’s mastered the third stage of the clan’s most domineering martial art—the Ninefold Savage Bull Fist. We can’t afford to provoke him now. You know how arrogant he is. After beating me today, he even threatened to cripple my legs tomorrow!" Ye Chuan grabbed Ye Junlin anxiously.

"He dares?" Ye Junlin’s fury was uncontrollable. "Ye Chuan, stay here and recover. If Ye Haoyu dares come looking for trouble, I, Ye Junlin, will cut him down myself!"

His rage finally burst forth, and Ye Junlin was more determined than ever to strengthen himself. After arranging for Uncle Fu to care for Ye Chuan, Ye Junlin returned to his room. With a thought, he entered the inner space of the Heaven-Slaying Demon Ape Tower, where countless stars sparkled above.

As soon as he arrived, the spirit of the tower appeared before him.

"Master, you’ve come at the perfect time. Yingying will take you to see your second gift."

"Oh? My second gift?"

Ye Junlin’s interest was instantly piqued, and he could hardly contain his excitement. He was desperate to become stronger, and naturally, he was eager to discover what kind of miraculous opportunity this second gift would bring him.