Clarifying Key Points for Resolution and Subsequent Treatment Arrangements

Yi Hongchen had remained silent, not interrupting once. What mattered most now was not how he felt, but finding a solution. Since Yan Hongchen had an idea, he had to do his part as well!

"Xiao Yan." He spoke, his voice somewhat hoarse. "What exactly have you determined? Is there a solution?"

Yan Hongchen nodded, his gaze turning serious. "Let's discuss the situation first. The layer of ice Mom created wasn't merely meant to freeze things. I've reached two conclusions."

He raised one finger. "The first layer is suppression. The essence of burning spiritual power is using one's own spiritual origin as fuel to unleash power far beyond normal. Once this process begins, it becomes extremely difficult to stop—like water spilled or an arrow loosed. There's no taking it back."

Yan Hongchen looked at Liu Yueming. "When Mom absorbed the head soul bone, she used her final moment of clarity to mobilize the ice-element power within her body. Combined with the head soul bone skill—Soul Freezing—she built this layer of ice within her sea of spirit."

His fingers curled slightly, as though tracing the shape of that ice layer. "It was like a gigantic palm descending from the heavens, forcefully pressing down on that burning flame of spiritual power and forcing it into the depths of the sea, preventing it from devouring any more spiritual origin."

Yan Hongchen raised a second finger. "The second layer is preservation. After the sea of spirit was covered in ice, the spiritual origin beneath it that had not yet been completely burned away was preserved intact. Like putting food into a soul tool refrigerator—it can't be used for the moment, but it won't keep spoiling either."

He finally concluded, "Mom used ice as a shield and ice as a prison, locking both her sea of spirit and that burning flame of spiritual power inside."

He looked at Liu Yueming, his eyes filled with heartfelt admiration. "This method required the right time, place, and circumstances. Mom just happened to meet all those conditions. The price she paid was that her spiritual power could no longer circulate normally. What she gained in return was her life."

The dining room was so quiet that they could hear the rustling of wind through the bamboo leaves outside.

Liu Yueming had not expected Yan Hongchen to understand things so clearly. This had been her final act of self-rescue. She had not thought so far ahead, but saving herself for the moment only to remain trapped for life was not an outcome she could accept.

Yan Hongchen's voice rang out again, every word clear and firm. "As long as the flame of spiritual power remains unextinguished, the layer of spiritual ice unbroken, and the sea of spirit undestroyed."

"That is my final conclusion. Understand that first. I'll explain the solution in a moment..."

Before he could finish, Yi Hongchen had already leaned forward impatiently, his voice brimming with barely contained anxiety. "Xiao Yan, stop taking your time!"

His voice tightened, as though he were suppressing something. "Hurry up and tell us. Whatever you need to do, just say it. If your mother truly can't make it... then Dad feels there's not much meaning left for him either..."

Those words were too heavy. So heavy that Jing Hongchen's fingers, which had been tapping on the table, paused. So heavy that Xiao Hongchen's fist suddenly clenched, his nails nearly digging into his palm. So heavy that Meng Hongchen's eyelashes trembled, and a tear silently slid down to land on the back of her hand.

Yan Hongchen looked at Yi Hongchen. For an instant, there was helplessness in his gaze—and tenderness as well.

He was already used to it. These two truly were deeply in love. The three of them children... were probably really just accidents.

He did not point out whom that flame of spiritual power had been burning for. Some words were too heavy when spoken aloud. Better not make Yi Hongchen any sadder.

After all, ever since the three of them were born, Yi Hongchen's standing in Liu Yueming's heart had plummeted. If the three children ranked first, Yi Hongchen could only settle for second place.

Sometimes, Yan Hongchen felt that his father had been put under some kind of spell by his mother. He was even more lovestruck than she was.

He admitted that his mother was outstanding—beautiful, resilient, and extraordinarily talented.

But then again, wasn't it usually women on Douluo Continent who were more prone to being lovestruck? Why was it the opposite in their family? Why was his father like this while his mother remained so calm?

The thought passed through his mind briefly before he suppressed it.

He cleared his throat and sat up straight. "I'll explain the solution."

He raised one finger. "Breaking the ice layer isn't difficult. In fact, Mom could do that herself."

Everyone was stunned. Yi Hongchen asked, "What's the price?"

Yan Hongchen's tone was calm. "She'd probably end up demented."

Xiao Hongchen sucked in a sharp breath, while Meng Hongchen covered her mouth with one hand.

"So we can't do that." Yan Hongchen lowered his finger and folded his hands on the table. "There are two things we need to do now."

He looked at Liu Yueming. "First, Mom needs to reinforce her own sea of spirit. On top of the existing ice layer, replenish and gather more spiritual power—treat it as a second sea of spirit."

He paused, his gaze earnest. "Don't act rashly. While this will make treatment harder for me, the gap between Mom's cultivation and mine is far too large. One of us is a Great Soul Master, the other a Soul Sage, separated by five major ranks. Our cultivation levels need to be close before I can treat her, so a little extra difficulty won't make much difference."

The concept of a second sea of spirit was not particularly prominent at present, but Yan Hongchen knew that the Gold of Life, after being purified by the Spirit Devouring Carving Knife, could accomplish this.

Though there was no spiritual power outside the ice layer, replenishing and gathering it there could indeed count as such. That was why he dared propose this idea.

As Yi Hongchen listened, his brows furrowed slightly before gradually relaxing. The gulf between a Great Soul Master and a Soul Sage... was five entire ranks.

Even for treatment, the difference in cultivation had to be reduced as much as possible before it could work. He did not understand it for now, but since Yan Hongchen said it could be done, he believed him.

Liu Yueming listened quietly, lowering her eyes to ponder for a moment. A second sea of spirit... If the ice layer was considered to have divided the sea of spirit into two, and new spiritual power could be replenished and gathered above it, then it was indeed feasible.

She raised her head to look at Yan Hongchen, the corners of her lips lifting in a faint curve. "I'm willing to support Xiao Yan's idea."

Her voice was soft, yet resolute. "Mom believes in you. I'll use the soul beast feed Snow Empress gave me to properly replenish and nourish my spiritual power."

Yan Hongchen nodded, then turned to Yi Hongchen and Jing Hongchen. "As for my cultivation, I'll do everything I can to improve it myself. I'll also research treatment methods on my own."

He paused. "But I need Grandpa and Dad to help me prepare some things."

Jing Hongchen was the first to emerge from his silence. His gaze crossed the table and settled on Yan Hongchen's face.

In those eyes, which had weathered so many storms, there was now only a pure, undisguised gravity.

"Xiao Yan." His voice was steady, as though he had made some decision. "Take whatever resources you need. As long as they can solve your mother's problem, use them."

He paused, his tone growing firmer. "No matter how difficult it is, Grandpa will handle it with you."

Warmth rose in Yan Hongchen's heart as he listened. He knew that Jing Hongchen valued Liu Yueming for many reasons: family, talent, and the future of the clan. But having that sentiment was enough.

"Alright, Grandpa." His voice steadied. "Then I'll have to trouble you with a few things. You'll need to use your connections and resources to find medicinal herbs or similar items that can replenish and gather spiritual power for Mom. We can't keep troubling Snow Empress..."

At present, Yan Hongchen could only think of a few things that could replenish spiritual power. They already had a head soul bone, and they also had soul beast feed. For now, they could only seek out medicinal herbs and similar things to make do.

In a few years, he would have to become a bandit—rob people of their spiritual origin!

Jing Hongchen nodded and agreed immediately. "As long as it can help our family improve, then use whatever you need."

His voice lowered, carrying a gravity that only those who had lived through the vicissitudes of life could understand. "To be honest, I also need you all to improve as quickly as possible. The future... may grow chaotic."