Courtyard Check-in: Starting with a Small World of Cultivation

January 25th, evening.

When the gate to the front courtyard was pushed open, Qin Huairu was collecting clothes in the yard. Hearing the noise, she turned around and almost dropped the clothes in her hands—

Chen Yu stood at the door, soaking wet, with seaweed still clinging to his hair, but his smile remained bright.

"Chen Yu!" Qin Huairu threw down her clothes and rushed over. "What...what happened to you?"

"It came straight from the sea, I didn't have time to change it," Chen Yu said with a smile. "I got the water droplets."

Qin Huairu's eyes reddened, and she hugged him tightly. He still smelled of the salty sea, but to her, it was the most comforting scent.

"Come inside quickly, take a hot shower, and change into clean clothes." Qin Huairu pulled him inside. "Qiu Nan is here too, she's cooking."

In the kitchen, Ding Qiunan peeked out when she heard the noise. Seeing Chen Yu's appearance, she was first taken aback, then laughed: "Brother Chen, did you go pearl diving in the sea?"

"Pretty much," Chen Yu said with a smile. "I caught a big one."

After taking a bath and changing into clean clothes, Chen Yu sat in the main room and recounted everything about the East Sea Dragon Palace. When he talked about the old dragon's three trials and his final request, Qin Huairu and Ding Qiunan listened intently.

"That old dragon is quite interesting," Ding Qiunan said. "He asked you to be the guardian of the Dragon Palace, and you agreed?"

"I agree." Chen Yu nodded. "I will fulfill my promise after I repair the seal and break through to the Nascent Soul stage."

"Nascent Soul?" Qin Huairu asked softly, "How long will that take?"

"I don't know." Chen Yu shook his head. "Maybe a few years, maybe decades. The path of cultivation cannot be rushed."

Qin Huairu nodded and didn't ask any more questions. She only cared about his safety and was willing to wait however long it took.

After the meal, Chen Yu asked about the situation during this period.

"Business is pretty good at the shop," Qin Huairu said. "Aunt Zhang can't manage it all by herself now, so she's hired another helper. Qiu Nan helps with the accounts during the day and reads the medical books you left behind at night."

Ding Qiunan blushed slightly: "I remember everything Brother Chen taught me."

"Not bad." Chen Yu nodded approvingly. "After I'm done with this busy period, I'll teach you some new things."

Just then, there was a knock on the courtyard gate.

Chen Yu scanned the area with his spiritual sense and his expression changed slightly—it was the gray-robed old man.

He got up and opened the door. The old man in the gray robe stood outside, his expression solemn.

"Elder, what's wrong?"

"Benefactor Chen, there is news of Hua Tianxiong," said the gray-robed old man.

Chen Yu's heart skipped a beat: "Where is he?"

"Henan, Mount Song," the gray-robed old man said. "Three days ago, someone saw him near the Shaolin Temple. He seemed to be looking for something."

Mount Song? The Zhongyue Temple is located on Mount Song!

"Could he also be looking for the Earth Bead?" Chen Yu wondered to himself.

"And another thing," the gray-robed elder continued, "that white-haired elder has also appeared. Someone sensed his presence near the Zhongyue Temple."

The white-haired old man! That powerful expert at the ninth level of the Golden Core stage!

Chen Yu's heart sank. If he also went to the Zhongyue Temple, then Tu Zhu would be in danger.

"I must go to Mount Song immediately." He stood up.

"Leave now?" Qin Huairu's face turned pale.

"Let's go now." Chen Yu grasped her hand. "The Earth Bead can't fall into that white-haired old man's hands. Don't worry, I'll be careful."

Qin Huairu looked at him for a long time, then nodded: "I'll wait for you."

Chen Yu turned to the gray-robed elder: "Elder, please continue to look after them for me."

"Don't worry," said the gray-robed old man. "Even if it costs me my life, I will protect them."

Chen Yu nodded and went inside to pack his things. He carefully kept the pills, talismans, magic tools, and three spirit beads—a wooden bead, a gold bead, and a water bead—close to his body.

With everything ready, he stepped out of the house.

In the courtyard, Qin Huairu and Ding Qiunan stood in the moonlight, quietly watching him.

Chen Yu walked over, gently hugged Qin Huairu, and whispered in her ear, "Wait for me to come back."

"Um."

He then looked at Ding Qiunan: "Study medicine well, I'll test you when I get back."

Ding Qiunan smiled through her tears: "Okay."

Chen Yu released them, turned around, and strode away.

Behind them, the moonlight, like water, shone on the two figures who stood silently.

January 27th, early morning.

At the foot of Mount Song lies Dengfeng County.

Chen Yu stood in front of a breakfast stall and ordered a bowl of spicy soup and two sesame seed cakes. As he ate, he used his spiritual sense to scan his surroundings—he didn't detect Hua Tianxiong's presence, nor did he find the white-haired old man.

"Maybe they haven't arrived yet," he thought to himself.

After finishing his meal, he headed towards Mount Song.

Zhongyue Temple is located at the southern foot of Mount Song, and it was the place where emperors of past dynasties worshipped the god of Zhongyue. When Chen Yu arrived at the temple, it was already broad daylight. The temple gates were wide open, and tourists were coming and going; the incense was burning brightly.

He followed the flow of people into the temple, his spiritual awareness quietly spreading out, searching every inch of the place.

Suddenly, he sensed a familiar presence—Hua Tianxiong!

It's in a secluded corner behind the temple!

Chen Yu remained calm and walked in that direction. After passing several palaces, he arrived at a bamboo forest. Deep within the bamboo forest, Hua Tianxiong was sitting cross-legged on a blue stone, meditating with his eyes closed.

"Palace Master Hua," Chen Yu called softly.

Hua Tianxiong opened his eyes, saw him, was taken aback at first, then smiled: "Chen Yu? What brings you here?"

"Looking for the Earth Beads," Chen Yu said directly. "What about you?"

"Same here." Hua Tianxiong stood up. "The Huo Lingzi's legacy says that the Earth Bead is in the Zhongyue Temple. I've been searching for three days and still haven't found it."

"Where is that white-haired old man? Some people say they sensed his presence."

Hua Tianxiong's expression changed: "He's here too?"

"Yes. So we must find the soil bead as soon as possible."

The two exchanged a glance, both understanding the urgency of the situation.

"Separate teams to search," Hua Tianxiong said. "Send a signal once you find it."

Chen Yu nodded, and the two went their separate ways.

Chen Yu continued deeper into the bamboo forest. At the end of the bamboo forest, there was an inconspicuous little temple with its door tightly locked. The words "Earth God Temple" were engraved on the lintel.

He was overjoyed and pushed open the temple door.

The temple was empty except for a yellowish-brown statue standing in the center. The statue held a jade tablet and had an ancient face; it was the God of Zhongyue.

On the stone platform at the feet of the statue, there is an earthen-yellow jade box.

Chen Yu approached and reached out to open the jade box—

Inside lay a yellowish-brown bead, about the size of an egg, with countless tiny particles flowing across its surface, as if containing the weight of the earth.

Earth beads!

The moment he picked up the earthen bead, the entire small temple shook violently!

Suddenly, the statue's eyes lit up, and two beams of yellow light shot out!

Chen Yu dodged to the side, the yellow light striking the ground, instantly splitting it open into a deep, bottomless crack. Then, the statue actually moved—

It slowly walked down the stone platform, each step causing the ground to tremble.

"Anyone who dares to disturb the earthen pearl shall die!" the statue spoke, its voice rolling like muffled thunder.

Chen Yu unleashed the Four Symbols Ritual Vessels, preparing for battle.

But just then, another voice rang out—

"Chen Yu, I'm here to help you!"

Hua Tianxiong rushed into the temple, the Fire Pearl in his hand blazing fiercely!

The two stood side by side, facing the statue of the earth god.

The earth god statue struck down with a palm, the force of which was like a mountain!

Chen Yu activated the Azure Dragon Cauldron with all his might to withstand the palm strike; Hua Tianxiong's Fire Pearl erupted with raging flames, heading straight for the statue's face.

"boom!"

The statue was struck by the flames and froze. Chen Yu seized the opportunity to close in, using the White Tiger Cong to enhance his power, and punched the statue in the chest.

"Snap!"

A crack appeared in the statue's chest, but it still didn't fall. It raised its hand again and struck Hua Tianxiong with a palm.

Hua Tianxiong was unable to dodge in time and was struck by the palm wind, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"Lord Hua!"

"I'm fine!" Hua Tianxiong gritted his teeth. "Continue!"

The two attacked again, engaging the earth god statue in battle.

After fifty moves, the cracks on the statue increased.

After a hundred moves, the statue's movements began to slow down.

After one hundred and fifty moves, Chen Yu punched the statue between the eyebrows—

"boom!"

The statue collapsed with a crash, turning into a pile of earth and stones.

Chen Yu and Hua Tianxiong collapsed to the ground, panting heavily.

After a long while, Chen Yu stood up, walked to the stone platform, and picked up the soil bead.

As soon as he held the Earth Bead, a profound sense of weight surged into his body, merging with his own spiritual power. Now, all five beads were gathered—wood, metal, water, and earth were in his hands, while fire was in Hua Tianxiong's.

"The Fire Pearl..." He looked at Hua Tianxiong.

Hua Tianxiong remained silent for a moment, then took out the Fire Pearl from his robes and handed it to him.

"for you."

Chen Yu was taken aback: "You..."

"I told you, you need it more than I do," Hua Tianxiong said. "Besides, I also want to see if gathering all five beads can actually repair the seal."

Chen Yu accepted the Fire Pearl and said solemnly, "Thank you."

Hua Tianxiong waved his hand: "Don't thank me. Let's go quickly, that white-haired old man might come at any time."

The words had barely left his mouth when a terrifying aura descended from the sky—

The white-haired old man has arrived!