bullyxtreme Chapter 160 The Star Elder
Chapter 160 The Star Elder
As Zhang Yifan struggled to open his heavy eyelids, his consciousness gradually awoke from its hazy state. Before him lay a somewhat dilapidated thatched hut. The room was dimly lit, with only a few rays of sunlight filtering through the cracks, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air. He endured the aches and pains throughout his body, slightly turning his neck to look around. He saw that the walls were plastered with coarse yellow mud, some sections peeling away to reveal the straw underneath; a few worn-out tables and chairs were haphazardly placed, their uneven surfaces seemingly telling tales of bygone years.
Just then, with a creak, a little girl with two cute braids pushed open the door and entered. The little girl looked about seven or eight years old, with rosy cheeks and eyes like clear springs, sparkling with the pure innocence unique to children. Seeing that Zhang Yifan, who had been lying in bed for three whole days, was now sitting up, her mouth instantly opened into an "O" shape, and then she excitedly shouted, "Grandpa, Uncle's awake!" Her clear, childlike voice echoed in the small space, breaking the previous silence.
Accompanied by the little girl's call, an elderly man who appeared to be over eighty years old slowly entered with steady steps. The old man was hunched over, his face etched with wrinkles like deep furrows of time, his sparse, disheveled white hair not at all unkempt, but rather exuding a composure born of experience. Zhang Yifan's gaze fell upon the old man, and he instantly understood—this was the senior who had saved his life at the crucial moment. Recalling that thrilling battle, if it hadn't been for the old man's timely appearance, he would likely have perished at the hands of the mysterious man. In the urgency of the situation, he hadn't had time to examine him closely; now, calming down, he discovered that the old man showed no signs of cultivation, appearing no different from an ordinary mortal. However, Zhang Yifan dared not underestimate him. To be able to so easily separate himself from the mysterious man, and to make the mysterious man, whose cultivation was at least at the Refinement Realm, flee in terror, meant that the old man's true cultivation was undoubtedly unfathomable, no less than that of the mysterious man.
"This humble one, Zhang Yifan, kowtows to thank the senior for saving my life!" Zhang Yifan said, struggling to climb off the bed so he could kowtow to the old man as an apology. As soon as he moved, waves of pain washed over him, and he couldn't help but groan and sway a few times.
Seeing this, the old man quickly stepped forward, gently raised his hand, and a soft force steadily supported Zhang Yifan, allowing him to lie back down. He stroked his beard and smiled, "Young friend, there's no need to be so polite. It was just a casual gesture, nothing to mention." His voice was gentle and mellow, with a touch of nonchalance, making one feel as if bathed in a spring breeze.
"Young friend, you've already reached the Nascent Soul stage at such a young age, and with your mid-Nascent Soul cultivation, you fought my wicked disciple Xingchenzi for so long before finally being defeated. If you were to cultivate to my level, your future in this cultivation world would be limitless!" The old man's eyes were full of admiration as he shook his head and sighed.
Upon hearing this, Zhang Yifan was startled. It turned out that the mysterious man was actually the old man's disciple, named Xingchenzi. He quickly said humbly, "Senior, you flatter me. I was just lucky." Although he said this, he secretly wondered what level the old man, who was his master, must be at if Xingchenzi was already so powerful. He must be a figure who could stir up a storm in the cultivation world with a stomp of his foot.
The old man seemed to see through his thoughts, smiled gently, sat down on a chair by the bed, and said slowly, "Young friend, there's no need to be so modest. I have witnessed your talent and perseverance. Did you come to Starry Cliff this time for the Starry Grass?"
Zhang Yifan's heart skipped a beat. After hesitating for a moment, he answered truthfully, "To be honest, senior, I did come for the Star Radiance Grass. My loved one is on the verge of death and urgently needs the Seven Treasures Rejuvenation Pill to save him, and the Star Radiance Grass is one of the key ingredients for refining this pill." When he mentioned his loved one, a trace of pain and determination flashed in his eyes.
The old man nodded slightly, gazing out the window into deep thought. After a moment, he said, "The Starry Grass is a spiritual treasure of heaven and earth, growing atop Starry Cliff, nourished by the power of the stars, taking a thousand years to mature. My wicked disciple, Starry Son, coveted its powerful spiritual energy and attempted to monopolize it, setting up a restriction here to prevent others from picking it. Little did he know that spiritual treasures possess their own spirit; if one harbors ill intentions and forcibly seizes it, it will only bring disaster."
Zhang Yifan secretly agreed, recalling Xingchenzi's actions that day—so fierce and domineering, he certainly didn't seem like someone who could control the Star Radiance Grass. He couldn't help but ask, "Senior, why has Xingchenzi become like this? As your disciple, he should be able to distinguish right from wrong."
Upon hearing this, the old man sighed softly, a look of heartache appearing on his face: "Xingchenzi was exceptionally talented and intelligent from a young age, deeply pleasing to my eye. I meticulously guided him, hoping he would achieve something on the path of cultivation and contribute to the righteous path. However, as his cultivation improved, he gradually became controlled by his inner demons, coveting power and treasures, and went astray. I tried to persuade him many times, but he remained obstinate, and in the end, master and disciple turned against each other." At this point, the old man's eyes were filled with helplessness and regret.
Listening to the old man's story, Zhang Yifan felt a deep sense of sorrow for Xingchenzi's actions. He knew all too well that the path of cultivation was long and arduous, and a single misstep could lead to being consumed by inner demons and losing oneself. At the same time, he felt profound sympathy for the old man's plight; nurturing a disciple was no easy feat, and watching him descend into depravity must have caused the old man immense pain.
"Senior, since you know what Xingchenzi has done, why don't you restrain him?" Zhang Yifan asked in confusion.
The old man gave a bitter smile: "How could I not want to? But his cultivation is growing ever more profound, and his inner demons are becoming increasingly stubborn. If I were to forcibly restrain him, I fear it would only lead to an even greater disaster. Besides, everyone has their own path to walk, and I can only try my best to stop him before he commits a grave mistake. If I hadn't arrived just in time, you probably..."
A surge of gratitude welled up in Zhang Yifan's heart, and he quickly said, "Thank you so much for saving me again, senior. I will never forget your great kindness. However, although I have escaped this calamity, I still have not obtained the Star Radiance Grass, and my loved ones are still struggling on the brink of life and death. What should I do?" As he spoke, his eyes couldn't help but redden slightly.
The old man stared intently at Zhang Yifan, a resolute glint in his eyes: "Young friend, you possess both filial piety and remarkable talent, so I will lend you a hand. Take the Star Radiance Grass, and I only hope that in the future you will refine the Seven Treasures Resurrection Pill to save your loved ones, and that you will uphold the righteous path and not repeat the mistakes of Xingchenzi."
Zhang Yifan could hardly believe his ears. His eyes widened as he looked at the old man with surprise and gratitude: "Senior, is this true? You are really willing to give me the Star Radiance Grass?"
The old man smiled and nodded: "Of course it is true. However, although the Starshine Grass is mature, it is not easy to pick. It requires specific tools and techniques, otherwise its spiritual essence can be easily damaged. Once your injuries have healed, I will take you to Starshine Cliff and pick it for you myself."
Zhang Yifan was so moved that tears welled up in his eyes. He struggled to get out of bed again to express his gratitude, but the old man stopped him once more: "Young friend, there's no need for that. Just focus on recovering. Saving a life is better than taking seven elixirs of immortality. I also hope to see you achieve your wish."
Under the old man's meticulous care, Zhang Yifan's injuries gradually healed. Over the past few days, he grew increasingly close to the old man and the little girl, experiencing the long-lost warmth of home. The little girl constantly chattered around him, telling him amusing stories from the mountain, making him laugh heartily; the old man often discussed the path of cultivation with him, imparting unique insights and experiences that greatly benefited him.