Nine Transformations of the True Spirit

After Qinglan left, Chen Yuan lay quietly on the bed. It was getting darker outside the window until the moon rose to the middle of the sky. The watery moonlight shone through the mottled window paper and sprinkled into the house.

The pleasant sound of insects rang in Chen Yuan's ears. At some point, a faint smell of burning mugwort came, and there was no mosquito in the house.

The window paper was too old, and the moonlight shining into the house was very dim, but Chen Yuan could see it clearly.

He sat up gently, turned over and got out of bed. Every movement would cause a sharp pain in the meridians of his whole body. Chen Yuan's forehead was covered with sweat, and he clenched his teeth and said nothing.

There was a pair of straw sandals on the ground. Chen Yuan didn't wear them. He stepped directly on the ground full of yellow soil, but his feet were not stained with a trace of dust.

He picked up the brocade bag containing the jade, held it in his hand, and slowly moved out of the house.

He gently lifted the bamboo curtain without making a sound. There was a square table in the middle of the outer room, with a few wooden stools and some sundries scattered around.

There was a bamboo bed in the corner. Qinglan curled up on it, wearing a linen dress, with half of her forearm resting on the bamboo bed. Her slender fingers naturally drooped, her expression was peaceful, her long eyelashes trembled slightly, and she had already fallen asleep.

There was a wooden basin next to the door, with a bunch of burning mugwort in it. There was no open fire, only a wisp of light smoke slowly rising and spreading, driving away the annoying mosquitoes on summer nights.

Chen Yuan looked at Qinglan, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth, slowly moved to the door, carefully lifted the bamboo curtain, and walked out.

The courtyard was silent, but the sound of insects in the distance became much more real.

Chen Yuan looked around. In addition to the thatched house he just walked out of, there were two more thatched houses, one in the north and the other in the east.

There was a toilet in the corner, surrounded by a tightly tied fence, with a sharp top, about the height of two people, and a heavy wooden door on the north.

There was also a row of wooden racks in the yard, full of meat, and I don't know what was smeared on them, but they were shiny and didn't attract mosquitoes.

A locust tree stood in the yard, with a trunk as thick as a man's embrace, lush and green.

A yellow dog was lying by the door. When he saw Chen Yuan walk out, he immediately got up and opened his mouth to shout.

Chen Yuan glanced at it, and a murderous aura naturally emanated from it. The yellow dog stiffened, stretched out its two front legs, and lay on the ground, sticking out its tongue, shaking its tail wildly, not daring to make a sound.

Although Chen Yuan's cultivation was gone, he had killed countless cultivators and monsters, and his murderous aura was so strong that even tigers and lions would not dare to act rashly if they were looked at by him.

Chen Yuan retracted his gaze, walked to the center of the yard, and took out the jade from the brocade bag.

It was midnight at this time, the moon was bright and the stars were numerous, a river across the sky, and the stars were as numerous as river sand, floating and sinking, and sprinkled the sky with starlight.

When the jade was illuminated by the starlight, it immediately glowed with green light. The stars in the sky shone together, merging into a brilliant silver light, crossing the endless void, falling from the sky, and landing on Chen Yuan.

Chen Yuan smiled slightly, closed his eyes, and a sense of coolness surged from the bottom of his heart.

The severe pain from all over his body suddenly eased, and the torn and broken meridian walls slowly repaired, as if the head that was stirred by the sharp cone all the time also became much calmer, and the exhausted blood began to recover bit by bit.

Chen Yuan was immersed in this comfortable feeling. After thirty breaths, the brilliant silver light slowly dissipated, the jade returned to its original state, and the true essence filled in his dantian also dissipated.

During the period of coma, Chen Yuan had been instinctively absorbing the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Although the speed was extremely slow, after a long time, the true essence was fully restored, but because the meridians were severely injured, it was always confined in the dantian.

But the starlight didn't require Chen Yuan to circulate his true essence. Once the starlight fell, his true essence would continue to be consumed.

Chen Yuan opened his eyes and clenched his left hand. He was no longer as weak as he was at dusk. With one punch, he had at least several thousand pounds of force.

The severe pain in his body was relieved by most, and his soul, meridians, and blood essence were all restored.

But because of the previous serious injuries, even if the meridians were repaired a little, he still couldn't mobilize his true essence.

However, his consciousness was the least injured, and it was now able to leave the body and cover a radius of 100 meters.

Chen Yuan spread his consciousness and took in the scene of 100 meters around him. Li Tiezhu lived in the thatched cottage to the east and fell into a deep sleep, while Li Dalong and his wife slept in the main house to the north.

Outside the courtyard was a gentle hillside, and there was a village at the bottom of the mountain. Chen Yuan could only see the edge, peaceful and quiet, without a trace of fire.

After a while, Chen Yuan's head began to ache slightly, and he withdrew his consciousness, and then he felt better.

The injury to his soul is still there, and it will take time to recover slowly. He cannot disperse his consciousness for too long.

Chen Yuan put the jade pendant back into the brocade bag, turned around and walked back into the house, his steps were much lighter.

He went back to the bed and lay down, looking inward at himself. A faint silver light attached to the wall of the meridians, repairing the injuries of the meridians. His heart was also wrapped in silver light, and his blood condensed bit by bit.

This time, the starlight infusion did not strengthen Chen Yuan's body. All the power of the stars in the sky was used to repair the body and recover from the injuries. Even after the starlight infusion ended, it continued to play a role, but the speed was extremely slow.

But Chen Yuan was not in a hurry. In half a month, he could activate the starlight infusion again.

At the current speed, after the next starlight infusion, he will be able to mobilize his true essence, open the mustard ring, take out the healing pill, and quickly recover from the injuries.

Chen Yuan hid the jade pendant in his arms, closed his eyes, and fell asleep for the first time in decades.

He slept very deeply. It had been a long time since he had slept so carefree.

When Chen Yuan opened his eyes, he saw a bright light in front of him. Even though the window hole was narrow and the hemp paper was yellow and old, the sunlight shining into the room was still quite dazzling.

Chen Yuan got up from the bed, stepped on the ground with his feet, paused for a moment, and put on his straw sandals.

Only then did he realize that the black magic boots he had worn before were placed in the corner. They were also obtained from the mustard ring of an unknown monk. They were comparable to top-grade spiritual tools. Like the white robes, they could avoid water, fire, wind and dust, and could be stretched as desired.

Chen Yuan smiled, but did not change back to his boots. He wore straw sandals, lifted the bamboo curtain, and walked to the outer room.

The square table had disappeared, and Qinglan was no longer on the bamboo bed.

Crash.

At this moment, the bamboo curtain moved slightly, and Qinglan walked into the house from the yard, holding an earthenware bowl in her right hand.

When she saw Chen Yuan, she widened her eyes, opened her mouth slightly, and subconsciously loosened her right hand, and the earthenware bowl fell down.

Chen Yuan was quick-witted and stepped forward quickly. He bent down slightly and reached out to catch the ceramic bowl. He looked down and saw that it was a large bowl of meat porridge mixed with a few slices of green vegetables.

Qinglan then reacted and took two steps back. She leaned on the bamboo curtain, blinked hard, and hesitated: "You...you are Mr. Chen?"

Chen Yuan stood up and wondered: "Of course, why did Miss Qinglan say that?"

Qinglan was even more surprised. She stared at him without blinking, and her cheeks suddenly flushed.

She turned around, lifted the bamboo curtain in a panic, walked out of the thatched cottage, and suddenly stopped, turned around, and whispered through the bamboo curtain: "Mr. Chen, I just made that bowl of meat porridge. Drink it while it's hot."

After that, she turned around and walked out quickly.

Chen Yuan was puzzled, lifted the bamboo curtain, and walked into the yard.

The square table was placed under the shade of the locust tree. Li Dalong and his wife, Li Tiezhu and Qinglan were sitting at the table, holding ceramic bowls in their hands and eating.

When they heard the sound of the bamboo curtain, except for Qinglan, the other three turned their heads and were all stunned.

Li Dalong stood up suddenly: "Are you...Mr. Chen?"

Snap.

Li Tiezhu's chopsticks fell on the table and looked at Chen Yuan in disbelief: "Mr. Chen, why have you changed your appearance?"

Chen Yuan's heart moved, walked to the water tank under the eaves, and looked down.

A handsome young face with sword eyebrows and starry eyes was reflected in the water. The pale and hideous face like a zombie yesterday was gone.

Chen Yuan thought about it for a while and understood that this must be the effect of the starlight infusion.

All the power of the Zhoutian stars was used to recover from injuries, and the blood essence was continuously generated, which also completely restored his body to its original state.

Looking at his body again, the skinny arms were restored to their original state, with white skin and smooth jade.

Physical training does not necessarily mean a strong body with distinct muscles. The powerful strength is hidden in every inch of Chen Yuan's body. Only when fighting, will he show the earth-shattering strength.

Of course, now his punch only has a force of several thousand pounds, and it is still far from full recovery.

Chen Yuan raised his head and smiled: "After I woke up yesterday, the snake venom was gone, and my appearance returned to its original state. I frightened Uncle Li, Auntie and Tiezhu, please forgive me."

Li Dalong's expression eased a little, and he smiled: "Mr. Chen, what are you talking about? This is a good thing! Come on, Mr. Chen, please sit down and eat together."

Li Tiezhu stared at Chen Yuan and said in amazement: "Mr. Chen, you are so handsome!"

Li Dalong frowned and said: "Tiezhu, why are you talking to Mr. Chen? Eat quickly!"

Li Tiezhu grinned, picked up the chopsticks on the table, and shoveled rice into his mouth, his eyes still not leaving Chen Yuan.

Chen Yuan smiled and came to the table and sat down.

The middle-aged woman got up and walked into the main house in the north. She came back with a pair of chopsticks and handed them to Chen Yuan. She smiled very reservedly: "Mr. Chen, we are a poor family and don't have much to eat."

"Thanks to Tiezhu's father who went up the mountain with Tiezhu and killed a wild boar. You can make do with it and try the stewed pork."

"It's okay, thank you, Auntie. I'll just have a bowl of meat porridge." Chen Yuan took the chopsticks with a smile. There were still some stains on them that couldn't be washed off.

But he didn't care. He held the bowl in his left hand and the chopsticks in his right hand, scooping the meat porridge into his mouth.

This bowl of meat porridge didn't taste very good. The rice was a little dry and hard, probably made from inferior rice. The meat was a little fishy. It was obviously lacking a few spices when it was put into the pot. Only a few pieces of green vegetables made it quite refreshing.

Chen Yuan had tasted countless kinds of spiritual teas. In the mortal world, all of them could be called the best taste in the world.

But this bowl of meat porridge, which didn't taste very good, made him return to the days in Chenjia Village in a trance, and he ate it very sweetly.

At that time, he could only eat a few times a year, but he had his younger sister by his side, his parents were also very harmonious, and his elder brother would bring back some leftovers from the host family from time to time. Although they lived in poverty, they were quite happy.

Unconsciously, a bowl of meat porridge was eaten, Chen Yuan put down his bowl and chopsticks, and praised: "It tastes good."

Qinglan had been lowering her head and slowly putting the food into her mouth. Hearing this, her head lowered even more, but the corners of her mouth slightly raised, and she put a chopstick of food into her mouth and chewed faster.

Li Dalong smiled and said: "It's good for Mr. Chen to eat. This wild boar king is a bully in the mountains. The meat is excellent and it is difficult to eat outside. Mr. Chen, please eat two more bowls."

Chen Yuan said: "Mr. Chen has a small appetite, and one bowl is enough. Uncle Li, I am weak and have not fully recovered. I need to stay for a while. I wonder if it's okay?"

Li Dalong was overjoyed: "No problem, Mr. Chen can stay as long as he wants."

Chen Yuan's appearance has recovered today, and he is handsome and extraordinary. Even if he is wearing a linen shirt and straw sandals, it is difficult to hide his extraordinary temperament, which makes him more certain that Chen Yuan is a rich man, and he wishes he could stay in his home for a few more days.

Li Tiezhu grinned, Qinglan lowered her head, and the blush on her face became deeper.

Chen Yuan smiled slightly, got up and walked back to the house.

There is no place where you can't recover from your injuries. Staying at Li Dalong's house, Chen Yuan found some of the feelings of Chenjia Village in the past, and his mind became calmer, which was more beneficial to the recovery of his injuries.

He returned to the inner room, sat cross-legged, calmed his mind, entered into a state of meditation, and the speed of his recovery from injuries quietly accelerated a bit.

But just after a while, a burst of hurried footsteps came into Chen Yuan's ears.

He was already nine points in a state of meditation and one point on guard, and he woke up from the state of meditation immediately, but the footsteps also slowed down.

Crash.

The bamboo curtain was gently lifted, and Li Tiezhu poked his head in, just in time to meet Chen Yuan's deep gaze. He was startled and trembled all over.

He lifted the bamboo curtain, stepped in, patted his chest hard, and let out a long breath: "Huh...Mr. Chen, how did you know I was coming in? I was scared to death."

Chen Yuan said lightly: "Next time, remember to knock on the door and ask when entering someone else's house."

Li Tiezhu nodded seriously: "Yes, I remember."

Chen Yuan said: "Tiezhu, what do you want to see me for?"

"Uh..." Li Tiezhu hesitated for a moment, "Mr. Chen, can you teach me to read and write?"

Chen Yuan was startled, then smiled and said: "Why do you want to learn to read and write?"

Li Tiezhu gritted his teeth and said: "In order not to be bullied, in the Daren Dynasty, only scholars can not be bullied!"

"Someone bullied you?" Chen Yuan's smile disappeared, and a hint of coldness flashed in his eyes.

Li Tiezhu opened his mouth and shook his head again: "I can't say it. Dad said that this is my family's business and I can't cause trouble for you."

Chen Yuan's eyes flashed and he smiled: "Okay, come with me, I'll teach you to read and write."

After that, he got up from the bed and walked out of the house.

"Thank you, sir!" Li Tiezhu laughed happily, took two quick steps, and lifted the curtain for Chen Yuan.

But when he came to the outer room, he seemed to remember something and said embarrassedly: "Mr. Chen, my family doesn't have paper and pen, can I still learn to read and write?"

"It doesn't matter." Chen Yuan smiled slightly and walked without stopping.

Li Tiezhu laughed again, took the lead to lift the bamboo curtain of the outer room for Chen Yuan, followed Chen Yuan, and came to the courtyard.

Li Dalong and his wife were cleaning the pork on the wooden rack and applying a light yellow viscous liquid on the meat.

Qinglan tied an apron and carried the dishes and chopsticks that had just been washed, and walked into the main room on the north side of the courtyard.

Li Dalong saw Li Tiezhu and Chen Yuan walking out of the house together, frowned and said: "Tiezhu, don't disturb Master Chen's rest, come and help!"

Li Tiezhu said happily: "Dad, Master Chen just promised to teach me to read and write!"

"Really?" Li Dalong exclaimed, put the wild boar meat in his hand aside, walked quickly to Chen Yuan, clasped his fists and bowed, "Master Chen is so kind, Li Dalong will never forget it!"

For hunters like them, their ancestors were illiterate and they had no money to send their children to private schools. It was a great fortune for them to learn to read and write, which might change their life's destiny.

Chen Yuan smiled: "It's a small matter, no need to be polite."

Li Dalong turned to look at Li Tiezhu and said: "Tiezhu, follow Master Chen and learn well. Master's injury will soon be healed. You won't be able to learn for many days, so be diligent!"

Li Tiezhu said: "Don't worry, Dad, I will definitely study hard!"

Li Dalong laughed, and the middle-aged woman also smiled, and the movements of her hands were faster.

At this time, Qinglan came out of the main room, leaning against the door frame, and saw that Chen Yuan was willing to teach Li Tiezhu to read and write. She wiped the water stains on her apron with both hands, raised the corners of her mouth, and curved her eyebrows.

But the next moment, she stopped moving, looked down at the apron on her body, and then looked at Chen Yuan, and the smile on her face slowly disappeared.

Suddenly, Chen Yuan turned to look at Qinglan and smiled: "Miss Qinglan, do you want to learn to read and write?" (End of this chapter)