C17 Little Awkwardness!

"Are you still placing your hopes in the healing power of that elixir?" Ling Han asked with a subdued voice, "It's futile. No matter how much you increase your strength, you can't close the gap between us."

Ling Han's tone took on an air of superiority. Initially, he hadn't planned to directly confront this elder at the tenth level of Awakening.

Yet, if he didn't act, Faang Yi would be in real danger. Given her character, she'd likely choose death over marrying a petty thief.

If Faang Yi were to take her own life, Ling Han would be filled with irreparable regret, with no time to seek solace from others. Furthermore, he would carry the stigma of ingratitude on his path of cultivation.

For cultivators, the most dreaded thing on their journey is the psychological shadow that can form. At first, it may seem manageable, but as one advances, the shadow can grow, potentially becoming a demon that consumes the cultivator. This is known as succumbing to madness.

"Boy, I despise you! I won't forgive you, even in death!" Realizing there was no hope left, the old man withdrew all his genuine energy, creating a barrier that enveloped both Faang Yi and Ling Han.

"My son, go quickly. Avenge me in the future!" With those final words, the elder stamped his feet and passed away.

His death was simple to explain; his life was nearing its end, sustained only by the genuine energy of Tenth Level Perfection.

Now, having released all his genuine energy, he was left defenseless, and even the residual effects were enough to shatter his frail body. One could recall Chu Qing's fate for a similar understanding.

Faang Yi was astounded. The elder who had nearly driven her to death's door was now dead himself.

Ling Han, however, was unfazed.

He realized the elder had expended his last ounce of strength to ensnare him, all to give his son a fighting chance.

"No!" The shirtless man's eyes bulged with rage, seemingly on the brink of an outburst.

Yet, after wiping his eyes, he shot Ling Han a venomous glare and stormed off.

Within the confines of the barrier, Ling Han found himself unable to intervene and prevent the man's departure.

He had a healthy respect for the Tenth Level Perfection cultivator's barrier, fully powered by genuine energy. Ling Han's victory had hinged on his relentless offensive and the fact that his opponent was already weakened by age.

Now, not only had Ling Han allowed a potential threat to escape, but he also faced a significant dilemma.

"Ling Han, heed my instructions. Direct the genuine energy from your organs into your palms, and with both hands, inscribe a formation talisman to create a protective barrier," Zhou urgently advised, recognizing the gravity of Ling Han's predicament.

"Having such a fresh and powerful system is truly a blessing!" Ling Han mused, though his hands never ceased their meticulous work.

Streams of purple genuine energy converged in Ling Han's palms. His face set in concentration, he was intent on crafting a genuine energy barrier substantial enough to envelop both himself and Faang Yi.

Constructing a barrier solely for himself would have been a swift task for Ling Han, and he could have reinforced it with several additional layers in no time.

However, that would leave Faang Yi unprotected. Given her less robust state, lacking the ten layers of Perfection genuine energy, she could suffer grave injuries or worse. Ling Han was determined to prevent that at all costs.

His genuine energy, with its gel-like consistency, offered far superior protection compared to Faang Yi's.

"Excellent! Ling Han, I'm so grateful you're here with me," Faang Yi expressed, finally overcoming the shock of witnessing Ling Han's formidable strength.

"Be alert! The barrier is about to burst. Its force is overwhelming, and my barrier won't hold," Ling Han warned, too preoccupied to notice Faang Yi's flushed cheeks. He focused all his energy on solidifying the genuine energy into a quasi-solid state.

"Boom!" A massive surge of genuine energy unleashed countless shockwaves, wreaking havoc throughout the village. The bamboo house instantly fell apart, scattering wood shavings in all directions.

Ling Han's protective barrier was shattered, and the force of the impact made him cough up blood. The blast left him with minor injuries, but thankfully, his robust genuine energy absorbed most of the harm, a testament to the defensive techniques taught by Zhou.

Faang Yi fared worse, her clothing torn in several places, exposing swathes of her fair skin. Naturally alluring, the state of her attire now made her even more so, enough to turn any man's head.

Emerging from the debris, Ling Han caught sight of Faang Yi and hesitated for a moment. "Ling Han, are you okay?" she asked, her concern evident despite her own injuries, especially after witnessing him spit blood.

"Uh..." Ling Han's expression grew solemn. "Miss Faang, I'm alright. Would you like me to offer you some clothing?"

Dressed as a scholar, Ling Han had several layers on, so providing Faang Yi with an extra piece was no trouble at all.

"Me? Clothes?" Until now, Faang Yi had been too preoccupied with the shockwaves to notice her disheveled state. Ling Han's reminder brought a flush to her cheeks.

"This..." For the first time, Faang Yi seemed shy in Ling Han's presence.

Seeing her discomfort, Ling Han quickly removed one of his garments and handed it to her. Faang Yi accepted it, draping it over herself. She seemed to want to say something but held back, her pride getting the better of her.

"Miss Faang Yi, you should return these boxes to Lunar Crest Keep promptly to prevent any further issues," Ling Han suggested, breaking the awkward silence.

"Alright! Let's meet at the Outer Pavilion of Lunar Crest Keep tomorrow at noon," Faang Yi replied, stealing a quick glance at Ling Han before grabbing the box and dashing off.

"Mmm, this lady must be feeling shy," Zhou joked. "Ling Han, your allure is quite powerful."

"Not at all, it's just serendipity," Ling Han replied, not particularly enjoying the situation despite the romantic setting that had unfolded.

At that moment, Ling Han found himself alone, seated on a plank of wood in the vast expanse of a dilapidated village.

In his mind, Ling Han was rapidly reviewing every detail of his recent skirmish with the elder, identifying areas where his performance had fallen short. This self-reflection was one of Ling Han's strategies for strengthening himself, especially since his real-world combat experience had been quite limited until now.

​