Ah Yin Turns Dark
"But this is Tang Hao and Tang San's plan," Yan Zu said calmly. "Tang Hao needs Tang San to become stronger, and awakening the Blue Silver Emperor Bloodline is the fastest way. As for the Blue Silver King's life or death, would he care?"
The light of the Blue Silver Grass grew brighter and brighter, but its color began to change. Dark red patterns gradually seeped into the originally pure blue-gold color. It was anger, hatred, and determination!
"Tang Hao — Tang San— " Ah Yin's voice turned cold and ferocious, "You—how cruel you are—"
Yan Zu could sense that Ah Yin's soul was undergoing some kind of transformation.
The originally gentle and kind Blue Silver Emperor, after experiencing the pain of being deceived, used, and losing his child, finally began to turn evil.
"Senior Ah Yin, you can't give up now," Yan Zu continued. "You must recover, you must become stronger, you must stop their plans. You are the Blue Silver Emperor, you have a responsibility to protect your people, and you cannot let the Blue Silver King follow in your footsteps!"
The Blue Silver Grass fully unfurled, and the three-foot-tall plant quickly grew to five feet. The dark red veins on the leaves became increasingly clear, and the flower bud at the top slowly bloomed—not blue-gold, but a strange color that was a mixture of dark red and blue-gold!
"You're right—" Ah Yin's voice became firm and cold, "I can't give up—I can't let the Blue Silver King also—I can't let the Blue Silver Grass Clan completely decline—"
She paused, her voice filled with deep-seated hatred. "Tang Hao —you deceived me, used me, imprisoned me for twelve years—and now you want to harm my people—if I don't avenge this, I Ah Yin, swear I will not be human!"
"And Tang San," Ah Yin's voice grew even colder, "Although your soul isn't my son's, you've taken over his body and enjoyed the 'motherly love' I paid for with my life—you won't get away with it either!"
Sure enough, being whitewashed weakens one by three points, while being corrupted strengthens one by ten.
Although Ah Yin's cultivation has only recovered to over eight thousand years old, her resolute will and icy hatred have made her aura several times stronger than before.
Xiao Wu tugged at Yan Zu's sleeve with some concern.
Ah Yin's change frightened her; that cold hatred was completely unlike the gentle and kind Aunt Ah Yin she remembered.
Yan Zu gently patted Xiao Wu's hand, indicating that she shouldn't worry. Then he said to Ah Yin, "Senior Ah Yin, what you need now is to recover and become stronger. I will continue to help you, but you also need to work hard on your own. Also, regarding the matter of Tang San and Tang Hao, I hope you can handle it calmly."
Ah Yin's leaves swayed gently, the dark red veins slowly fading away, restoring its original blue-gold color, but its cold aura remained unchanged.
"I understand." Ah Yin's voice was much calmer. "I won't act impulsively. Tang Hao is now Titled Douluo, and I'm still too weak; I need time to recover. As for Tang San —I will prove it myself. If it's true, I'll find a suitable opportunity to make him pay the price."
Although Yan Zu's analysis of Tang San was logical and well-founded, Ah Yin still held a sliver of hope—what if Yan Zu was wrong?
Yan Zu nodded. "It's good that you think that way. Also, Senior Ah Yin, do you need me to send you back to the Blue Silver Forest?"
Ah Yin was shocked. "No, don't take me back to the Blue Silver Forest. In my current state, if I go back, the Blue Silver King will definitely sacrifice himself to help me recover. I've already let them down so much, I can't let the Blue Silver King sacrifice himself."
Yan Zu said, "Then how about I take you to a place—a place full of life, with plenty of sunshine, and very suitable for plant growth?" Yan Zu was referring to the Ice and Fire Yin Yang Spring.
"Yan Zu, may I stay by your side? I've found that being with you has greatly helped my recovery," Ah Yin pleaded.
Ah Yin wanted to stay by Yan Zu's side for three reasons.
Being by Yan Zu's side was indeed very beneficial to her recovery;
In addition, Ah Yin wanted to stay by Yan Zu's side to observe his character. On the one hand, she didn't want Xiao Wu to follow in her footsteps, and on the other hand, she wanted to see if Yan Zu had ulterior motives for helping her.
Finally, Ah Yin has had enough of being all alone (or like a blade of grass). She has been trapped in the cave for twelve years, and now Ah Yin is truly terrified of loneliness.
Xiao Wu also chimed in, "Little Brother A-Zu, why don't you let Aunt Ah Yin stay with you? I don't want to be separated from Aunt Ah Yin either." As a transformed Soul Beast, Xiao Wu rarely had a fellow being by her side, so naturally she didn't want to be separated.
Yan Zu thought for a moment, "Alright then, Senior Ah Yin, since you trust me, then stay by my side for now. I estimate that Tang San will need to reach level 50 to withstand bloodline awakening, and he should be around level 31 now, so we still have time."
Upon hearing the name of her former son, Ah Yin paused for a moment before replying, "Alright. Also, Yan Zu, from now on, don't call me 'senior' anymore. Just call me 'Auntie' like Xiao Wu does. I'll call you A-Zu."
"Okay, Aunt Ah Yin," Yan Zu replied.
Xiao Wu happily hugged Blue Silver Emperor gently, "That's wonderful, Aunt Ah Yin, we can be together again."
Yan Zu paused, then said to Xiao Wu, "Sister Xiao Wu, you must also remember that the malice this world harbors towards Soul Beast is far deeper than we imagine. Tang Hao's incident has served as a wake-up call for all of us—never easily reveal your identity to others."
Xiao Wu nodded vigorously. "I remember! A-Zu, don't worry, I only trust you, and the people in our team!"
Yan Zu ruffled her hair. "That's right. Alright, it's getting late, we should get ready to go back to the Blue Tyrant Academy. I'll go talk to our parents."
The two stepped out of the room; the sun had completely set, and night had fallen.
But Yan Zu knew that for Ah Yin, the true night had only just begun, and dawn was still a long way off. However, what kind of "surprise" would the corrupted Blue Silver Emperor bring to Tang Hao and Tang San?
Yan Zu was very much looking forward to it.
As dawn broke, the first rays of sunlight pierced through the clouds and spilled into the Yan family's courtyard, dispelling the chill of the night.
Yan Zu got up early, his crisp blue outfit making him look tall and straight. His eyes and brows showed a youthful handsomeness, yet also a maturity beyond his years.
He raised his hand and gently stroked a light blue sachet hanging at his waist. The sachet was made by Su Qing overnight at Yan Zu's request. The stitches were fine and dense, and it was embroidered with several lifelike Blue Silver Grass, emitting a faint fragrance. Ah Yin's true form was quietly hidden in this sachet, enjoying the nourishment of the gentle Soul Power emanating from Yan Zu's body.
"Aunt Ah Yin, did you sleep well last night?" Yan Zu lowered his voice and spoke gently. "We're returning to the Blue Tyrant Academy today. Although it's not as quiet as home, it's safer there."
The sachet trembled slightly, and a gentle thought entered Yan Zu's mind, carrying a hint of gratitude. "A-Zu, Ancestor. I'm fine. With your Soul Power nourishing me, I feel my cultivation has become more stable. I believe it won't be long before I recover to the 20,000-year level of cultivation."
Yan Zu smiled faintly and nodded gently, "That's good. As long as you recover well, we'll have enough time to prepare for the rest. As for Tang Hao and Tang San, we don't need to rush. We'll take it slow, and one day, they'll pay the price they deserve."
Just then, Xiao Wu, dressed in a pink dress, skipped over, a bright smile on her face, though a hint of sleepiness lingered in her eyes; she had clearly just gotten up. "Little Brother A-Zu, why are you up so early?" Xiao Wu ran to Yan Zu's side, her gaze falling on the sachet at his waist, a hint of curiosity flashing in her eyes. "Is Aunt Ah Yin in there?"
"Yes," Yan Zu nodded, "Mom made these sachets overnight; they're both breathable and safe, perfect for Aunt Ah Yin to stay in."
The sachet trembled slightly again, conveying a greeting to Xiao Wu. Xiao Wu's smile widened, and she carefully reached out to gently touch the sachet, her voice soft. "Aunt Ah Yin, we're going back to the academy today. When we get there, I'll tell you about the fun things that happened there, and about my friends, okay?"
As the two were talking, Su Qing and Yan Hu also came over. Su Qing was wearing an elegant long dress, her eyes filled with reluctance, and she was carrying a package. She walked up to Yan Zu and Xiao Wu and handed the package to them. "A-Zu, Xiao Wu, this is some dry food and snacks I prepared for you. Take them with you. When you get to the academy, be sure to take good care of yourselves, cultivate on time, and don't overwork yourselves."
Yan Hu stood to the side, not good with words, but his eyes were full of concern. He patted Yan Zu on the shoulder and said in a heavy but firm tone, "A-Zu, you have grown up. You know how to do things properly. I believe in you."
But remember, no matter what difficulties you encounter, don't try to be strong. If you really can't solve it, write back home. Your father and mother will always be your strongest support. Also, protect Xiao Wu and don't let her get hurt.
Yan Zu took the package, hugged it tightly to his chest, and felt a warmth in his heart. He bowed deeply to Su Qing and Yan Hu: "Father, Mother, don't worry, I will take good care of myself and Xiao Wu, and I won't let you worry. We will write home regularly to report our situation, and we will come back to visit you when we have a holiday."
Xiao Wu quickly stepped forward, took Su Qing's arm, and said sweetly, "Aunt Su, Uncle Yan, don't worry, I'll help Little Brother A-Zu take good care of myself, and I'll keep an eye on Little Brother A-Zu so he won't overexert himself. We'll definitely be fine and come back to be with you soon."
Su Qing patted Xiao Wu's head, her eyes filled with even more reluctance, and sighed softly, "Good child, be careful on the road."
"We understand, Aunt Su Qing." Xiao Wu nodded obediently.
After bidding farewell to his parents, Yan Zu summoned Little Jade. Holding Yan Zu Xiao Wu lightly leaped onto the back of the Qilin, waved goodbye to his parents one last time, and Little Jade let out a long howl, transforming into a jade-colored stream of light and speeding towards Heaven Dou City.