Chapter Nine: A Narrow Escape Brings Future Blessings

Li Yunfeng said, "Yuan'er’s mother, our Yuan’er’s spirit root has been extinguished, but that is no matter. In this way, he will not be drawn into the strife of this cruel world. Living here is fine, and he will not be targeted by *him*, nor will *he* be able to find us."

Jiang Jingyi said with concern, "If Yuan’er’s spirit root never reignites, how will he live in this world? Whether this small village can remain peaceful forever is hard to say."

Li Yunfeng comforted her, "The future is hard to predict, even for the supreme Lords of Darkness and Light, let alone others. We can only adapt and adjust to whatever happens; have we not always done so? Come, give this Heart of the Vast Sea to Yue’er. In the future, let Yue’er protect Yuan’er for us."

Jiang Jingyi sighed, "The Lord of the Vast Sea had no grudge against us, yet we killed him."

Li Yunfeng said in a deep voice, "Though he possessed the springs of the entire Canglan Continent, he did not nourish all things. Instead, he colluded with the Heavenly Dao, causing the continent to become what it is today. It was his own undoing. It seems the Heavenly Dao has changed; was it his heart that changed, or was it something else? Sigh, let us not speak of this anymore. Let us begin."

Jiang Jingyi continued, "This *Water Mastery of the Universe* manual belonged to the Lord of the Vast Sea. If we give it to Yue’er, we should change its name, or it will bring her harm. Let us call it the *Water Mastery Art*."

Li Yunfeng said to eight-year-old Yue’er, "Yue’er, you are eight years old this year. Would you like to play with water with your mother? This water is truly magical; it can take any shape."

Li Yue’er exclaimed, "This water is so strange! Can it turn into anything?"

When Li Yue’er was fifteen, her mother exhorted her repeatedly, "Yue’er, your mastery of water has become increasingly proficient over these past five years. Remember, whenever you ascend to a major realm, you may rename your technique as you please, but you must never, ever include the words 'Universe' in the title! Otherwise, you will invite unnecessary trouble."

Li Yue’er replied obediently, "Yes, Mother, I will keep that in mind."

***

Li Ziyuan’s journey home after his rebirth officially begins. Can this strange world, washed by rain, soothe the wounds in Li Ziyuan’s heart?

After the rain stopped, a youth dressed in coarse linen walked through the ink-black night. He appeared to be no more than fifteen or sixteen years old and possessed a handsome face, yet his eyes held a depth inconsistent with his age. He was Li Ziyuan, who had been brutally murdered by a group of ruthless bandits. He only remembered being dragged into an abyss by a strange black iron chain; when he awoke, he had miraculously been resurrected, and fragments of memories surged into his mind like a tide.

After organizing his thoughts, he realized he had truly been reborn, occupying the body of a youth named Li Yuan. From the memories of this body, he learned that Li Yuan lived in a small village called Qingyan Village. Surrounded by green hills and craggy cliffs, with murmuring streams beside the village and the fragrance of rice stalks in the fields, the rustic dwellings hidden among the greenery looked like a painting of a paradise.

Li Yuan had almost never stepped outside this village, and few outsiders ever visited. The original owner of this body was timid and fearful, often bullied by the village children, while his sister, Li Yue’er, always protected him.

Li Ziyuan groped his way forward in the night. In the village, a dozen people were carrying torches, searching for someone beneath the cliffs. They called out Li Yuan’s name, looking everywhere. Many felt that falling from such a high cliff meant certain death, but his parents and sister firmly believed he was still alive—they wanted to see him in the flesh if he lived, or find his remains if he had perished.

His father was the first to rush with a torch toward the direction where the boy had fallen, for he knew what lay there. Soaked to the bone, Li Ziyuan felt no cold despite the biting wind; he did not notice the extraordinary nature of this body.

The dark clouds gradually dispersed, and the bright moon acted as a lamp, illuminating the path for the youth. In the moonlight, a shadow five or six meters long coiled on a giant tree. It sensed the scent of prey and was closing in silently.

At this moment, Li Ziyuan was like a walking corpse, his heart filled with thoughts of Yu Tian and whether she had also been murdered by those demons. The obsession with revenge burned within him, and he did not notice the impending danger.

Just as he was lost in thought, a large green snake leaped from the giant tree, attempting to bite Li Ziyuan’s head and then coil its body around him so tightly that his bones would creak.

This scene was witnessed by his father. His father’s mind stirred, and he executed the "Lingyun Step." His speed was as fast as lightning, leaving behind only trails of afterimages; the torch in his hand extinguished instantly due to the velocity.

Just as the great green snake thought it was about to have a feast, it felt a heavy blow and was smashed hard against the ground.

When the snake saw the man’s face, it was terrified and fled the scene instantly. It turned out that fifteen years ago, it had been beaten by this man, and since then, it had never dared to set foot in Qingyan Village again.

The man quickly checked on his son, asking with concern, "Are you hurt?"

Li Ziyuan was dumbfounded by what he saw. A snake over five meters long had been sent flying by this man—how was that possible? And how did he appear so suddenly?

In the moonlight, he saw the man’s face. His eyes were deep and held a trace of panic; his hair was tied back casually with a cloth strip, yet it did not look messy. His facial contours were sharp, his thick brows like ink, and he looked somewhat majestic, though at this moment, he only showed kindness.

His attire was that of a farmer—coarse linen clothes—which seemed at odds with his agile movements, making one wonder who he really was.

Through the memory fragments of this body, Li Ziyuan knew this was his father, Li Jingchuan. "Jing" reflected the tranquil state of mind he had adopted since his seclusion, and "Chuan" gave a sense of breadth and peace, symbolizing the simple yet stable life he led in the valley.

But he had another name—Li Yunfeng. This name had once known great glory, but for various reasons, he had been forced to live under an assumed name in this small Qingyan Village.

"I’m fine. Let’s go home; I’m a little hungry," Li Ziyuan said casually.

Having been an orphan in his past life, the sudden appearance of a father made him feel uncomfortable, and he could not yet sense that unique paternal love.

"Let’s go home. You little rascal, you’re soaked through. Go home and change into clean clothes, and I’ll have your mother make your favorite two-headed chicken," his father said, patting his shoulder. Li Ziyuan nodded and walked toward Qingyan Village.

Watching Li Ziyuan’s retreating figure, his father smiled bitterly, "To survive such a disaster, there must be a blessing to follow." Through Yue’er, he had learned that Li Yuan had fallen off the cliff while trying to pick an orchid bell flower for his mother. What a foolish child.