Announcing the Return

Chapter 7: Announcing the Return

Back at his residence, Bi Fan began cultivating on the flat ground outside his bamboo house.

He didn't care whether he was a prodigy or a genius; he only believed that diligence was king.

The path of cultivation was like sailing against the current; not advancing meant falling behind.

These were Yu Si Yan's earnest words to Bi Fan, and they were like a sudden enlightenment, profoundly influencing his future cultivation.

During the day, he practiced the Myriad Ancestor Fist, and at night, Bi Fan began to study the Blood Demon Technique.

The Blood Demon Technique encompassed cultivation methods for Inner Breath, movement techniques, various exquisite martial skills, and methods for tempering physical strength—it had everything.

However, as the name Blood Demon Technique suggested, it was a Demonic Dao cultivation method. Since ancient times, the righteous and demonic paths were irreconcilable, and cultivators of the righteous path were eager to eliminate those of the demonic path.

Bi Fan had heard many stories of eradicating demons and upholding righteousness at the Qingyang Sect, so he naturally dared not try to cultivate the methods within the Blood Demon Technique lightly.

Although Bi Fan had only recently become a cultivator, he could tell that the Blood Demon Technique was no ordinary method, and it would be a shame to abandon its cultivation.

Therefore, he decided to study it for a period first and then see if he could cultivate it.

After several nights of research, Bi Fan discovered that many aspects of the Blood Demon Technique were indeed cultivable. As long as he didn't cultivate the Inner Breath aspect, it wouldn't be apparent that it was a Demonic Dao cultivation method.

Many of the moves in the Blood Demon Technique were insidious and vicious, possessing immense power. Cultivating them could save his life at critical moments.

Ultimately, Bi Fan decided to learn the Blood Demon Technique, but he scheduled his practice time for it for the dead of night to avoid being seen.

Bi Fan had come to a realization: what was righteous, what was demonic, was irrelevant to him; strength was the most important thing.

He hadn't been brainwashed by the orthodox sects and didn't have the idea of eradicating demons and upholding righteousness. He only wanted to improve his strength and protect himself.

Bi Fan had considered it; as long as he didn't easily reveal the martial skills from the Blood Demon Technique, he wouldn't be exposed.

The Blood Demon Technique was indeed extraordinary. Bi Fan had only cultivated the methods for tempering physical strength for now, and he could clearly feel that his progress with the Blood Demon Technique was much faster than with the Myriad Ancestor Fist.

Having tasted the benefits, Bi Fan was even less willing to give up cultivating the Blood Demon Technique.

Ten days passed in the blink of an eye, and Bi Fan's progress was astonishing. His fist strength had reached 999 jin, just one step away from breaking through to the Martial Force Realm.

Without a breakthrough, he couldn't increase his strength any further, no matter how he cultivated.

Thus, Bi Fan began to choose movement techniques and martial skills from the Blood Demon Technique to cultivate.

Without Inner Breath, he couldn't unleash the full power of the martial and movement techniques, but this didn't prevent Bi Fan from familiarizing himself with them first.

Moreover, cultivating the movement and martial skills wasn't without any benefit; they would definitely be helpful in combat.

Most cultivators, before reaching the Inner Breath Realm, did not receive instruction in martial skills and could only practice moves that tempered their physical strength.

One day, after Bi Fan had finished tending to the spiritual herbs in the medicine garden and returned to his residence, he found Yu Xiao Feng, dressed in white, standing there gracefully.

Yu Xiao Feng was not old but possessed outstanding grace and was quite mature, especially her proud chest, which invited fantasies.

Although Bi Fan was young, he knew a little about male-female matters and couldn't help but glance at her a couple more times.

"Sister Xiao Feng, is there something you need me for?" Bi Fan bowed.

Yu Xiao Feng noticed the significant change in Bi Fan and couldn't help but look at him a few more times. "Bi Fan, is your work for today finished?"

"It's already completed."

"Then could you help me go down the mountain to collect supplies for the next few days? The old Liu who is responsible for delivering supplies to our Jade Maiden Peak has fallen ill, and Jade Maiden Peak is all women, so I have to trouble you."

Yu Xiao Feng spoke naturally, without any pretense.

"Of course, no problem." Bi Fan agreed readily.

The place to collect supplies was one Bi Fan was most familiar with: Bai Ping. There were many houses around Bai Ping where servants and laborers lived; the medicine boys also lived in Bai Ping.

Just as Bi Fan was thinking of heading down the mountain to see some old "acquaintances," he couldn't help but think of the medicine garden steward Zhu San, and the medicine boys Da Niu and Er Gou.

They had left an indelible impression on Bi Fan, and he hadn't forgotten them for a moment.

Yu Xiao Feng looked at Bi Fan and said, "Bi Fan, get a few more sets of clothes for yourself. You're growing, so you'll need larger clothes."

Yu Xiao Feng might have said it casually, but it warmed Bi Fan's heart. It was the first time he had experienced being cared for.

"Sister Xiao Feng, thank you."

Bi Fan went down the mountain. He had been at Jade Maiden Peak for a month and a half, and this was his first time descending.

His mood had been heavy when he ascended the mountain, but as he descended, he was full of spirit.

"Da Niu, Er Gou, old dog Zhu San, just you wait. I will repay the humiliation I suffered tenfold!"

Bi Fan shouted inwardly as he walked.

Bai Ping was on the outermost edge of Qingyang Mountain. Various supplies transported into Qingyang Mountain were stored in Bai Ping.

It was always lively here every day, with people from various peaks coming and going to collect supplies.

Upon arriving at Bai Ping, Bi Fan didn't rush to collect the supplies.

He strolled leisurely and soon reached the medicine garden area.

Returning to the place where he had lived for over a decade, Bi Fan's mood was terrible.

This was a place of his sorrow; he didn't want to come back, nor did he wish to remember it.

But there were people here he cared about, so he had to come.

What Da Niu, Er Gou, and the others had done to Bi Fan was too much, and Bi Fan couldn't let it go.

Bi Fan decided to go see his "old friend" and announce his return.

Da Niu, with a body as strong as an ox, was at the Strong Realm even without cultivation.

In the past, Da Niu often beat and scolded Bi Fan, making him take care of his spirit herbs.

Bi Fan soon arrived at the herb garden Da Niu was tending and saw him. Da Niu was feasting and enjoying himself immensely.

"Da Niu, I'm back!" Bi Fan shouted.

Da Niu looked up, his ox-like eyes wide, staring at Bi Fan. He couldn't recall knowing anyone like him at all.

"Kid, who are you? Can't you see your Uncle Niu is eating? If you annoy me, I'll kick you to death."

Da Niu hated being interrupted while eating the most, and anger flared up instantly.

"Bi Fan, you don't recognize me, do you?" Bi Fan said with a smile.

Da Niu mumbled, "Bi Fan? I don't know anyone named Bi Fan. Are you looking for trouble on purpose?"

In the past, people like Da Niu used to call Bi Fan "idiot." His real name had even been forgotten.

"Oh, you don't recognize me? I'm the 'idiot' you guys used to bully all the time. You shouldn't forget that, right?"

"Impossible, how could you be him? You don't look alike at all, and... the idiot is already dead." Da Niu shook his head.

Bi Fan said, "Da Niu, do you remember that day two years ago when you broke my arm just to test your strength? And also..."

He casually mentioned a few of the things Da Niu had done to bully him, things he would never forget in his lifetime.

"You really are the idiot!" Da Niu's mouth fell open in shock, looking as if he had seen a ghost.