At night, the lights in the Big Ruins had completely dissipated. Even in the Jiang family's excellent position, no starlights fell. It was as if they were blocked by a massive barrier.

He Jian did not rest in the courtyard as Jiang Yingrong had said. Instead, he walked along the sandalwood path and arrived in front of a well-guarded study in the Jiang Residence. He held the badge in his hand, so no one dared to stop him. Everyone was respectful to him, and their expressions showed it.

"You're here?" There were no emotions in the voice, but it sounded old and seemed to lack Qi and blood.

"After wandering around for so many years, it's time to come back," He Jian responded.

"Yes. After carving wood sculptures for so many years, the arrogance on your body has disappeared, leaving you with a body full of pride. After washing away all the superficialities, you still have a chance to break out of the cocoon and become a butterfly," Jiang Xiaoxu said softly.

"Back then, if it wasn't for your words of help, I'm afraid that I would've died under the Heavenly Thunder Hammer."He Jian looked calm and indifferent.

"No matter what, you're also the Jiang family's Guardian Elder. How could the Jiang family just let things be? Back then, if you had listened to my advice, things wouldn't have gone to such an extent. Only when you break through from being a Spiritualist and become a Venerable One, who among your peers could block your sword? When the god of swords draws his sword, they've already lost." Jiang Xiaoxu's voice was filled with deep regret. As soon as he finished, he flicked his sleeve lightly, and the door of the study opened with a creak.

He Jian shook his head and sighed. "I wasn't frivolous when I was young, so how can I reminisce about my youth?" As he spoke, he walked in.

"Stubborn!" Jiang Xiaoxu cursed with a smile. It was evident that the relationship between them was very good—unusually good.

"What do you want to drink?" Jiang Xiaoxu asked.

"Liquor—I know you have a lot of good liquor." He Jian winked, which was rare.

"Well, my liquor isn't something that ordinary people can drink."Jiang Xiaoxu gently patted his interspatial bag with his wrist, and a white light spread out. He had taken out 2 pots of liquor.

The two of them sat opposite each other and drank. Back then, He Jian had been highly regarded by Jiang Xiaoxu and joined the ranks of the Guardian Elders. At that time, Jiang Xiaoxu had not become a top-grade Venerable One and was only an ordinary Venerable One. He had taken care of He Jian very much. They were a teacher and a student, but they were also friends—close friends.

Sure enough, the liquor was good, and it was fragrant and pure. After drinking for a while...

Jiang Xiaoxu wiped the liquor stains from the corner of his mouth, and his expression became serious. He asked, "Why did you come back this time?" He did not believe that He Jian would return to the Jiang Residence for no reason.

He Jian did not hesitate and sat up straight like an unsheathed sharp sword. He answered in a low voice, "To accompany a young friend on a trip."

"Young friend? Is It Yu Tianrui?" Jiang Xiaoxu's deep eyes became lively and revealed a strange expression.

"You know him?" He Jian was surprised.

"Big Brother mentioned him in the letter. He obtained a medicinal pill from the young fellow and prolonged his vitality for 50 years." When Jiang Xiaoxu said this, he also looked shocked. To any living being, gaining life was tempting. Especially to the cultivators whose life force was about to be cut off, not to mention 50 years, even 3 to 6 years were precious. After all, as long as one did not die, it meant that one still had a chance to break through and explore the heavenly path for an opportunity to live forever.

Hearing these words, He Jian's face also revealed a look of pleasant surprise. He said in surprise, "Is this true?" At that time, he knew Ou Yangming had been summoned by the governor to refine medicinal pills, but he never received any news about what kind of pills were refined. If this was true, he would have more confidence in the young fellow in being able to restore his foundation. After all, this was the key to him becoming a Venerable One!

"Of course, it's true!" Jiang Xiaoxu nodded. His fingers lightly tapped on the table and made tapping sounds

As soon as he finished, he continued, "Given that you're guarding him, I guess he must be extraordinary?"

He Jian pondered for a moment, took a deep breath, and answered, "He's broad-minded, his field of vision is extraordinary, and he's so profound that I can't see where his limit is."

Upon hearing this answer, even Jiang Xiaoxu's pupils contracted imperceptibly, and a strong interest rose in his heart. Very few people could make He Jian give such an evaluation.

After all, He Jian was once a heaven's pride that suppressed a generation. He was proud and arrogant, and yet he was willing to give such an evaluation. One could imagine how remarkable Ou Yangming's talent was.

The pot of liquor was quickly finished.

After a long while, He Jian shook his case and said softly, "I've seen you and drank liquor, so I should go now."

Jiang Xiaoxu sat still and did not say anything.

He Jian did not care and carried the case on his back and left.

Looking at He Jian's back, Jiang Xiaoxu chuckled. "Is Yu Tianrui really worth it?" He knew He Jian had not just come to reminisce about the past but to express his attitude.

Of course, He Jian could not be blamed for thinking that way. There were too many dirty things in the family.

He just wanted to tell the Jiang family that he was on Ou Yangming's side. Even if there were any schemes or exchanges, they should not plot against him. He had a sword—one that could kill people.

At this point, He Jian did not know that Ou Yangming and Jiang Yingrong had also reached an agreement.

※※※※

Ou Yangming slowly returned to the small courtyard. His fingers caressed the porcelain bottle. There was a light-colored pill in the bottle, and it emitted a majestic life force.

Just one glance was enough to tell that it was not an ordinary item. He chuckled and said, "This pill will surely be able to replenish Senior He's foundation. Given his strength and state of mind, even without the help of the Earthly Formation Boards and the Thunderbolt-resistant Suit, he has a high chance of surviving the Heavenly Thunderbolts."

He put away the pill and began to visualize the snow mountain in his spiritual world.

The snow mountain was already 33 kilometers tall. Even Ou Yangming was looking forward to it. If his spear was activated by the true path intent, given how magnanimous the Big Avalanche was becoming, how powerful would it be? The young fellow did not know how forceful the attack would be, but he was sure that the instant explosion of this attack would be so powerful that it would be difficult to describe it.

While candlelights flickered, and the night quietly passed.

Early in the morning, Ou Yangming opened his eyes, and a ray of bright light burst forth.

Numerous spear shadows suddenly appeared in front of him. They were complicated and mottled, one after another. Some sought victory in the face of danger and were incredibly dangerous; some were solid and simple, and they pointed straight at the great path; some were unpredictable and difficult to fathom...

What was even stranger was that there was not a single trace of spiritual power fluctuation as though they were illusory.

Ou Yangming gathered his Qi and exhaled a mouthful of green air. In an instant, the endless shadows shattered.

A satisfied look appeared in his eyes as he slowly stood up. This was his mastery of spear techniques at the moment. He had reached the state where he could control his movements freely.

As soon as he stepped out of the door, Jiang Qingcheng walked over with a smile on her face. She held a cucumber in her hand and nibbled on it gently. She deliberately put on a straight face and said, "Ah, the sun's already shining brightly. Some people are just so lazy!" The girl turned to look and continued to put on an act. "It's said that in a cultivator's life, there's no escape from the principle that diligence can make up for weakness. Uncle Yu, how can you be like this? How can you pry into the great path?" She shook her head with a hint of disappointment in her voice.

Ou Yangming looked at her coldly and mocked, "You should first become a Spiritualist before saying such things."

Jiang Qingcheng did not say anything. She rolled her eyes and looked at the sky.

Ou Yangming rolled his eyes and said gently, "Qingcheng, I want to discuss something with you."

Jiang Qingcheng looked at the sky and ignored him. She did not say anything either.

Ou Yangming shouted a few more times, but she was still unmoved. Occasionally, she would take a bite of the cucumber.

"It seems that you don't want this Body-tempering Pill, Lil' Qingcheng. Ah, forget it, forget it..." Ou Yangming shook his head. A porcelain bottle in his hand shone brightly.

"How can that be! Tell me, what's the matter?" Jiang Qingcheng looked graceful, and she had a boastful look on her face. Nonetheless, she kept looking at the porcelain bottle.

'This is the true meaning of one not acting until one's given some incentive…' Ou Yangming cursed internally. His gaze became solemn as he said, "Bring me to Senior He's courtyard." Since He Jian was the Jiang family's Guardian Elder, he had his courtyard and did not live together with the others.

Seeing the grave expression on Ou Yangming's face, Jiang Qingcheng also cast away her thoughts. She took the porcelain bottle and led the way. Her clothes fluttered in the wind, and she looked as brilliant as a summer flower.

The Jiang Residence's location was unique. The courtyard was filled with spring and was incomparably beautiful.

Not long after, they arrived in front of a small courtyard. The courtyard was fenced. It was not big and a little dilapidated, but it was very clean.

Jiang Qingcheng smiled and gently knocked on the door. She looked obedient and said in a pleasant voice, "Grandpa He, open the door. Lil' Qingcheng is here to see you."

Following that, He Jian carried his sword case on his back and walked out with a piece of wood and a carving knife in his hand.

A kind smile appeared on his face. It would be fine if he did not smile but once he did, the wrinkles on his face were squeezed together. He cupped his hands and asked, "Brother Yu, why are you looking for me?" Though he asked this question, he had a guess in his heart. Nevertheless, he refused to believe that happiness would come so suddenly. Even his hands were slightly trembling at this time.

Ou Yangming saw his expression and felt that this favor was worth it.

He smiled and answered, "Senior He, I promised to help you restore your foundation but was delayed by Lil' Man's matter. Now, I'm here to fulfill my promise."

As soon as he finished, his right hand tapped his interspatial bag. Subsequently, an exquisite porcelain bottle was lying in his palm, and a majestic life force rippled out.

Without the slightest hesitation, he handed it over.

At this moment, Old Man He, who had lived for hundreds of years, was somewhat at a loss.

He Jian forcefully suppressed the excitement in his heart, then he raised his hand to receive the pill. He expressed with a solemn face, "Brother Yu, regardless of whether my foundation will be replenished, from this point onward, half of my old life is yours! Whatever your heart desires, my sword will follow!" He was a person who remembered favors. If there was a ruler in his heart, he could tell good or bad with one measure. Furthermore, Ou Yangming truly had an indescribable charisma that could get people together. It was like that when he was in the Longevity Alley, and it was the same when he was on the Black Fog Mountain.

Of course, the most important thing was that He Jian knew Ou Yangming's potential and just how terrifying his powers were.

This was something that even Ou Yangming did not understand as well as He Jian.