Returning to the Other Residence

As Zhou Yan left, he couldn't help letting out a faint sigh.

He had lived at the very bottom of society, after all, and didn't have a clear understanding of many things in the world. Some things, he didn't know about at all.

The same went for Ma Yan.

Once his cultivation had advanced, he couldn't stay in Shen City forever. He would need to go out and see the world.

This wasn't the online society of a later age, where you could learn about everything happening in the world without ever leaving your home.

For cultivators to achieve success, they needed more than just arduous training. Once they reached a certain level, they had to go out and see more of the world.

That way, both their ambition and their horizons would expand, which would help them make greater progress in their cultivation. They wouldn't be shut away, trying to invent something from scratch...

Zhou Yan let out a long breath, and his eyes cleared once more.

The six thousand-year-old families and things like that were too far removed from him.

All Zhou Yan wanted now was to find an internal martial arts technique to make up for his body's lack of vital energy and blood.

Even if he couldn't find a Buddhist internal martial arts technique, he could make do with one from another school.

Unfortunately, internal martial arts techniques were far more precious than he'd imagined.

Just as Zhou Yan was about to head back, a carriage pulled up in front of him.

He frowned slightly and was about to step aside.

At that moment, the carriage curtain was lifted, and Steward Yue smiled at Zhou Yan. "Young Master Zhou, please come aboard. I'd like to have a word with you."

Zhou Yan was a little surprised to see Steward Yue.

After learning the man's identity, he'd assumed they would never meet again.

But now Steward Yue had come looking for him of his own accord. This confirmed Zhou Yan's suspicions: the earlier invitation to come to the other residence and exorcise a demon had been deliberate.

He just didn't know how much poison was mixed into this tempting piece of meat.

He didn't want to be someone who quenched his thirst with poison...

"What a coincidence, Steward Yue. I have something to take care of, so I won't trouble you."

Zhou Yan smiled as he spoke, then turned to leave.

There was no end to the messes in wealthy households. The shows and movies he'd watched in his previous life had always made his hair stand on end. Actually getting involved was another matter entirely.

Those places were dens of wolves and tigers. One could end up dead without a trace, or die without even knowing why.

As Zhou Yan turned, Steward Yue's words reached his ears.

"Young Master Zhou, I heard you're looking for a Buddhist internal martial arts technique. As it happens, I have one here. Why not take a look?"

Those words struck right at the heart of Zhou Yan's concerns, and he stopped in his tracks before he could help himself.

Zhou Yan had underestimated the drawbacks of the Yakshas Meditation Method. Even though he hadn't been making Yaksha Ghost-Swallowing lately, those faint whispers kept sounding in his ears, and they were getting worse.

They appeared whenever he practiced the Yakshas Meditation Method.

Like a fly buzzing endlessly by his ear.

They couldn't affect his mind, but the constant buzzing was maddening.

More importantly, practicing a meditation method required absolute concentration. This drawback made it easy for his focus to waver, greatly reducing the method's effectiveness.

That was why Zhou Yan had stopped.

If this continued, not only would his body hinder his progress in cultivation, but his soul would also run into trouble.

Sometimes, it wasn't that one's willpower was lacking. The temptation was simply too great!

Zhou Yan fell silent for a moment, then turned around with a smile. "Since an elder has invited me, I'll accept your kind offer."

"Excellent."

Steward Yue's face showed his appreciation as he spoke.

He had met a great many people, including no shortage of exceptionally gifted individuals.

But what the world had no shortage of was talent. The more gifted people were, the more likely they were to become arrogant and conceited. Most of them either faded into obscurity or disappeared without a trace in the end.

By contrast, some people with only average abilities could steadily make their way to the end.

That was because they were humble, cautious, and knew when to yield and when to stand firm.

The world wouldn't stop turning for anyone. No matter how powerful an individual was, they couldn't stand against the entire world.

At least, there had never been anyone like that before.

If Zhou Yan had refused, Steward Yue wouldn't have said another word. He would simply have left at once.

In the end, Zhou Yan himself would be the one to lose out.

Zhou Yan had no idea what Steward Yue was thinking, but he understood that even the system wasn't omnipotent.

Once they were in the carriage, Zhou Yan didn't know what to say. Steward Yue only smiled, without speaking either.

Before long, the carriage arrived back at the other residence.

"Please."

Steward Yue extended a hand, just as he had before.

Zhou Yan took a light breath and walked over, his expression calm.

Since he was here, there was no point in hesitating.

This time, the two of them didn't head to the rear courtyard. Instead, they went to the inner courtyard.

Zhou Yan immediately understood. He was being taken to meet the true master of the other residence.

A short while later, Steward Yue led Zhou Yan into the main hall.

"Please wait here for a moment, Young Master Zhou. I'll go inform my young lady." Steward Yue stopped and turned to speak to Zhou Yan politely.

Zhou Yan nodded.

After Steward Yue left, a maid soon arrived with a teacup and some pastries.

Zhou Yan only glanced at them to see that the pastries were exquisitely made and worth a great deal.

He didn't stand on ceremony. He picked up the teacup and lifted the lid, and a fresh, fragrant aroma immediately wafted toward him.

"Excellent tea!"

Zhou Yan's eyes lit up.

He took a sip, and his mouth filled with moisture. A sweet aftertaste lingered on his tongue, leaving him wanting more.

Zhou Yan didn't care much about food or clothing, but he had always liked tea.

He didn't know anything about the art of tea. He simply liked its flavor: that hint of sweetness that lingered beneath the faint bitterness.

As expected of a great family. Even the smallest details show their skill.

Zhou Yan couldn't help sighing inwardly.

This single cup of tea and a few plates of pastries probably cost as much as his family's expenses for a year, or even several years.

This could be a powerful backer, but I'll have to see how things go.

Zhou Yan's eyes flickered as he considered the matter.

If he could avoid suffering for no reason, he would.

Suffer too much, and in the end all you'd have was more suffering to come.

But he didn't want to sell himself off lightly either. If he really was going to sell himself, he first had to choose a good family to serve.

He couldn't have them enjoying a few years of sweetness before he was gone, leaving him unable to savor anything at all.

Second, he had to get a good price for himself.

This wasn't just about the benefits. He also wanted to raise his own value.

For most people, the cheaper and easier something was to obtain, the less they treasured it.

So even if he was going to sell himself, he'd have to sell himself for a higher price. That way, he wouldn't be discarded so easily.

What Zhou Yan needed most right now was time. As long as he was given enough of it, he could keep improving his strength until he had enough power to protect himself—and even take complete control of his own fate...