C8 Rainbow Fart

Ye Han sat cross-legged within the cultivation magic array, utterly still, his eyes tightly shut. Within him, Spiritual Energy circulated through newly opened meridians. After an hour of focused breathing exercises, the amount of Spiritual Energy in Ye Han's Qi Sea had more than doubled. Once his Qi Sea was full, he could take another Vein Rushing Pill and advance to Level Two of the Pulse Opening Stage.

Most warriors would be ecstatic to double their Spiritual Energy in such a short time, but Ye Han was not content with his progress. He was practicing the Ancient Monarch Dao Scripture, which allowed him to absorb Spiritual Energy much faster than those who studied lesser techniques. His current rate of cultivation was unsatisfactory to him.

"With this rate of cultivation, reaching Level Five of the Pulse Opening Stage in three months will be challenging. I need to consider purchasing some Spirit Gathering Pills; I can't afford to waste too much time on Qi accumulation," Ye Han mused.

The Spirit Gathering Pill, a Grade One Pill, could significantly increase a warrior's Spiritual Energy in the Qi Sea, saving considerable cultivation time. However, the pill required ten different herbs to make, making it extremely costly and thus prohibitively expensive for many.

Ye Han slowly opened his eyes, surprised to find Wen Yun in the courtyard. She stood there in an elegant light purple robe, her fair complexion and alluring features resembling a painting, her lips curled into a satisfied smile.

"When did Wen Yun arrive? I didn't notice her at all. I must have been too absorbed in my practice, and being in the Cloud Facing Pavilion, I let my guard down," Ye Han reflected.

"Master, is there something you need?" Ye Han inquired.

"Goodness, Ye Han, you've finally had a breakthrough. I was starting to think you were as unresponsive as deadwood," Wen Yun teased.

Wen Yun's demeanor was far from the sternness she exhibited in the classroom; her stunning face now radiated approval.

Ye Han responded with a modest smile, "You're too kind, Master. Finding the right method makes opening the meridians a natural process. It's hardly an achievement worth boasting about."

Observing his humble demeanor, Wen Yun nodded in approval and remarked, "There are only three months left until the sect examination. It might be a bit late to start opening your meridians now, but with diligent practice moving forward, you can still achieve impressive results."

Ye Han responded, "Master, today feels different!"

"What's different?" Wen Yun inquired with a curious glance.

Ye Han offered a slight smile and replied, "Today, Master Wen Yun seems more like a friendly big sister, far more beautiful than usual. In fact, you're the most beautiful person I've ever seen."

Delighted by the compliment, Wen Yun couldn't help but beam with joy. She reached out to gently pinch Ye Han's cheek, laughing softly, "I never realized how sweetly you could talk."

Ye Han's face flushed with embarrassment. Despite being a formidable figure, he was playfully teased by this little girl, which made him somewhat uneasy. He stepped back and asked, "Master, what brings you here?"

Wen Yun answered, "Nothing in particular. I noticed you missed class yesterday, so I came to check on what you were up to."

The progress Ye Han had shown the day before reignited her expectations for her disciple. She had intended to find him and give him a stern talking-to, but seeing that he had successfully opened his meridians, her anger dissipated.

"What could I possibly be up to that would escape my teacher's discerning eye?" Ye Han said with a chuckle.

Wen Yun saw right through him and playfully chided, "Enough with the flattery. I'm not so petty as to hold grudges. Seeing your cultivation improve is far more satisfying than any sweet talk."

Ye Han wasn't the least bit embarrassed by her candidness.

"Oh, by the way," Wen Yun added, "Elder Qian's herb garden was robbed last night. You wouldn't happen to know anything about that, would you?"

At her words, Ye Han felt a sudden chill. He scrutinized Wen Yun's expression but detected no signs of suspicion. Still, he remained cautious and replied, "Elder Qian's herb garden was robbed? Who would be so bold? I was busy opening my meridians in the courtyard the entire time and never left."

Wen Yun posed the question offhandedly, not really believing that Ye Han would dare such a thing. With a smile, she said, "I'm relieved you're not involved. Elder Qian is known for his odd temper; he certainly won't let the culprit off easily. It's best you stay clear of this mess and not jeopardize your future."

Ye Han was inwardly distressed, thinking, "If it weren't for the time crunch, who would dare meddle with that madman's herbs? I just hope he doesn't discover it."

Noticing Ye Han's contemplative silence, Wen Yun inquired, "What's on your mind?"

"Hehe, it's nothing. Mentor, I've successfully opened my meridians this time, and I'd like to request a few days off to visit home," Ye Han replied. The thought of returning home had occurred to him the day before. Having been reborn after a millennium, his first impulse was to see his parents. Yet, the stringent regulations of the Cloud Facing Pavilion meant that without a valid reason, he would have to wait another three months.

Now it was Wen Yun who found herself in a quandary. Normally, students were expected to remain cut off from the outside world after ascending the mountain, to keep their focus on cultivation undisturbed. But considering Ye Han hadn't opened his meridians in three years and had finally made some progress, desiring to share the good news at home was only natural. With this in mind, she pulled a jade-green waist tag from her belt and said, "Alright, I'll grant you three days' leave. Make it a quick trip."

Ye Han accepted the waist tag, his face breaking into a grin. "Mentor, I've only now realized how understanding and incomparably beautiful you are."

Wen Yun chuckled, "Oh, stop sweet-talking me. Remember, if you haven't reached Level Five of the Pulse Opening Stage in three months, you'll still face expulsion from the sect."

"Don't worry, Mentor. I won't disappoint you," Ye Han assured her.

"Good! I'm off then! Make sure you go and return promptly." With that, Wen Yun waved her hand and departed the courtyard.

"Now everything's settled. I'll get to see my parents and take a short break. It's the best of both worlds," Ye Han mused, clutching the waist tag, his heart swelling with excitement.

"Really, Ye? You opened up your meridians and didn't even think to tell me right away? You had me worried sick all morning." Peng Wei emerged suddenly after Wen Yun had left.

Peng Wei had actually arrived at Ye Han's courtyard earlier but didn't dare to enter when he saw Wen Yun. Instead, he hid to the side and listened in secret.

Ye Han said, "Peng Wei, I need to head back home. Be careful while I'm gone, okay?"

"Hehe, Ye, great minds think alike! Look at this!" Peng Wei said, pulling out a red waist tag from his belt. It was a pass issued by the Discipline Hall.

Ye Han, intrigued, asked, "I've heard it's tough to get a pass from the Discipline Hall. How did you manage it?"

Peng Wei replied, "I told them my mother was seriously ill and that I needed to visit her. They were hesitant at first, but I wouldn't stop pestering them. Maybe my persistence moved them, and they finally gave me the pass."

"More like they couldn't stand your nagging any longer," Ye Han said with a mix of amusement and exasperation. "Well, that works out. Go get ready, and we'll meet up at the entrance."

Peng Wei nodded and went back to his courtyard to pack his belongings.

Ye Han quickly packed a few items of clothing and headed to the front gate of the Cloud Facing Pavilion.

Upon showing Wen Yun's waist tag, the guards at the gate looked at him enviously. It was unclear whether they envied his ability to leave the mountain or were impressed by the name "Wen Yun" on the green tag.

"Young master, where might you be headed? Is it a long journey? My carriage has safely transported the elders of your courtyard before, and I offer a fair and honest price," a middle-aged man, oozing the air of a shrewd merchant, approached Ye Han with an ingratiating grin as he stepped out of the gate.

Ye Han scanned the area and saw only a couple of carriages. He inquired, "I'm heading to Ridge South Town. How much are you charging?"

The middle-aged man's eyes darted around, sizing up Ye Han's financial capacity. After a brief pause, he smiled and said, "Young Master, it's an honor to have someone of your stature ride in my carriage. Tell you what, I'm feeling lucky today, so I'll give you a special rate—how does two hundred silver coins sound?"

"Two hundred silver coins? Are you trying to rob me?"

Ye Han couldn't hide his frustration upon hearing the price. "Ridge South Town is right at the base of Cloud Facing Pavilion, barely fifty miles away. You've got some nerve asking for such an exorbitant amount."

He had braced himself to be overcharged, but he hadn't expected such a lack of courtesy, with the starting demand being two hundred silver coins.

In his past life, he would have dismissed this sum without a second thought. But now, with nothing to his name, where was he supposed to come up with two hundred silver coins?

"Ah, young master, you can't just say anything. I wouldn't dare to call out random prices. The price I've quoted is absolutely fair. Others wouldn't bother moving for less than three hundred coins," the middle-aged man retorted, clearly having rehearsed his spiel.

Just then, Peng Wei arrived, laden with bags, looking as if he were moving house. He too winced at the quote, suggesting, "Let's all compromise a bit. How about fifty silver coins?"

The middle-aged man replied, "Young masters, you can't just slash the price like that. I've got a family to support, and taking on a job isn't easy for me!"

After a heated back-and-forth, Ye Han and Peng Wei reluctantly accepted their bad luck, pinched their noses, and scraped together seventy silver coins. They boarded the carriage, which was pulled not by a typical horse but by a barbaric bull, a Rank One Fierce Beast. Though not the fastest among its kind, it was the most docile, running at speeds more than tenfold that of a human.

The journey was silent, but Ye Han's mind was anything but calm.

Returning from his travels years ago, Ye Han found only a desolate grave, having missed the chance to see his parents one last time, a regret that weighed heavily on him.

It was the memory of his parents that had driven him to be so unforgiving towards Han Qiuxue the day before.

It had been centuries since he last saw his parents, their faces nearly forgotten.

Were they still well?

Could they be overworking themselves?

And were they content with their lives back home?