Chapter 5: The Awe of Spirit and Vitality

“So you’re saying my brother’s injuries are almost completely healed?” Xu Huilan’s face brimmed with joy; mother and daughter both looked excited.

“Not only that, I’ve noticed his vital energy channels seem stronger than before—quite unusually so,” the old apothecary said, his brows tightly knit, clearly puzzled. After examining the patient, he took his leave without delay, unwilling to linger another moment. When Xu Xuan stood before him, lively and full of vigor, it felt to the old man like a blatant mockery. Fortunately, he was merely a provincial apothecary, relying on experience to handle most ailments; otherwise, he might have noticed something amiss.

Xu Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. First, because the old apothecary hadn’t discovered anything suspicious; second, because he finally no longer needed to stay bedridden. Once the apothecary was sent off, the whole house burst into joy.

The three of them sat down to breakfast. The meal was simple and plain, yet the atmosphere was warm and harmonious.

“My, what a cozy and happy family meal,” came a sharp, mocking male voice.

Xu Xuan’s brows furrowed; he knew the owner of that voice all too well.

Two men walked in from outside. The speaker was a young man with a horse-like face, broad and burly, two years older than Xu Xuan, strutting arrogantly with squinted eyes.

“Xu Xiaohu, are you here to collect debts again?” Xu Huilan snorted coldly.

Xu Xiaohu was the son of Xu Dahuhu, the overseer of the mines—a man just as tall and fierce. Not yet eighteen, he had already reached the second stage of body refinement, making him one of the village’s more accomplished youths.

Since childhood, Xu Xuan had suffered Xu Xiaohu’s bullying in the village school. Being the son of Xu Dahuhu only increased his arrogance. Now, seeing Xu Xiaohu, Xu Xuan felt a deep aversion. Yet, with the memories of his past life now awakened, his perspective had broadened, and he faced Xu Xiaohu calmly, without panic.

“Little girl, this time our ‘Master Xu Yuan’ is out inspecting, and happened to drop by your house,” Xu Xiaohu said, raising his hand in deference to the young man beside him, dressed in green.

Everyone in the village knew each other; Xu Xuan naturally recognized Master Xu Yuan. This modestly sized Yangmu Village was dominated by three surnames: Yang, Xu, and Zou.

These three great families formed the main factions: the Yangs, the Xus, and the Zous. Only these families possessed wealth and influence exceeding that of ordinary prosperous households.

Xu Yuan was the scion of the mighty Xu family.

Xu Xuan’s keen gaze noted the fine, smooth material of Xu Yuan’s green robe—it was a magical garment. Even the lowest tier of such robes cost at least a thousand spiritual coins, equivalent to several months of Xu Xuan’s family income. Such garments could ward off cold and heat, and, according to legend, higher-grade ones were impervious to water, fire, blades, and even enhanced cultivation.

Xu Yuan smiled kindly. “Huilan, I’m inspecting this area on behalf of my father and thought I’d check in on you. As for the debt your family owes, there’s no rush. If you can repay it with interest within six months, that will do.”

Yet as his gaze lingered on Xu Huilan’s pure and lovely face, a flicker of greed appeared—quickly suppressed.

“Six months? Didn’t your family demand it be paid within half a month?” Xu Huilan’s eyes were cool and clear; she despised Xu Yuan, but dared not offend him. She knew better than to believe he’d show kindness without ulterior motive.

“Huilan, your brother was injured. Xu Yuan pleaded your case to his father so you could borrow money for medicine, and pushed the repayment deadline to six months,” Xu Xiaohu chimed in, wearing a fawning smile.

Xu Yuan’s smile was gentle, his fair face making him seem harmless. “It was nothing. By the way, Huilan, the day after tomorrow is my birthday. Will you come?”

Birthday?

Xu Xuan’s heart chilled; he cursed inwardly. Xu Yuan, the hypocrite, inviting Huilan to his house on his birthday—his intentions were clear as day.

“No, a wealthy family’s celebration is beyond a poor girl’s reach,” Huilan replied, quick-witted and sharp, refusing him at once.

“Very well,” Xu Yuan showed only a faint hint of disappointment as he turned to leave.

“You ungrateful girl, you’ve angered the master. If your family can’t repay the debt in half a month—hmph…” Xu Xiaohu’s face twisted in menace, glaring fiercely at the family of three, his tone full of threat.

Mother Xu was frightened pale.

Huilan, too, felt a twinge of fear; she knew all too well the consequences if the debt was not repaid in time.

“Tsk tsk, your brother seems to have recovered earlier than expected. It’s been a while since we ‘sparred’,” Xu Xiaohu sneered at Xu Xuan, his eyes flashing with malice.

In the past, Xu Xuan would have quailed under such bullying, perhaps panicking in this situation. But things had changed.

“In half a month, I’ll pay back what we owe in spiritual coins. You, servant of the mighty Xu family—get out!” Xu Xuan crossed his arms, his voice cold and resolute.

“What!” Xu Xiaohu was stunned, his face darkening. Never had he imagined the boy he’d bullied for so long would dare defy him now.

When had this youth ever shown such presence?

“Out!” Xu Xuan’s voice was icy and unwavering.

With the strange breathing technique he practiced, his inner energy surged, lending his voice power and clarity, his eyes shining with a steely light. For a moment, he seemed to transform into the man from his dreams, standing in the starlit void like a god.

Out!

A single word—sharp as a blade in winter, radiating endless cold and indifference.

“You… you…” Xu Xiaohu’s face flushed red, momentarily cowed by the force of Xu Xuan’s presence.

He was inwardly shocked: What’s happening? How could I be intimidated by this boy?

Was this still the weakling he used to bully?

“Xiaohu, let’s go,” came Xu Yuan’s voice from outside.

“Just wait, brat. Next time we meet, I’ll make you beg on your knees…” Xu Xiaohu shot a murderous glare at the family and left in frustration.

Even after leaving the Xu household, he couldn’t fathom why the boy had unsettled him so.

At his level, he could never grasp the mysteries of the ancient body refinement technique—the Nine Transformations of Dragon and Snake. When Xu Xuan spoke, his energy and spirit combined to produce a presence that would move even third-stage cultivators.

…

“Is this… really my brother?” Xu Huilan looked at Xu Xuan in astonishment. In that moment, she realized the stubborn, bullied brother she remembered had undergone a transformation she could scarcely describe.

Recalling how Xu Xuan had faced down their tormentors with cold eyes and powerful words, Huilan could hardly believe it. Her brother’s image in her heart seemed taller and stronger than ever before.

“Repaying this debt in half a month is nearly impossible… and now you’ve offended Master Xu Yuan,” Mother Wang Yu said with a bitter smile.

“Mother, Huilan, don’t worry. Since I dared to stand up to them, I have the means to clear our debt within half a month,” Xu Xuan replied calmly.

Last night, as he absorbed memories from his past life, he had already glimpsed a way to earn money.

That day, after helping his mother with chores, Xu Xuan went to the backyard.

“In reality, I’ve only practiced the auxiliary breathing technique, yet already achieved such results. What if I try the main body refinement method?”

Suppressing his excitement, Xu Xuan began the breathing technique anew.

Once he entered the state, his mind became clear and tranquil, his spirit soared, and his breath followed a peculiar rhythm, causing his energy to flow like a spring.

Yet the breathing technique was only a supplement in the Nine Transformations of Dragon and Snake. The true essence lay in the nine transformation forms.

(Today’s first chapter.)