While I was chanting a curse, the system said I was Xiao Yan?

"He doesn't seem to be my godfather either."

Besides Tianyan stroking his chin and thinking carefully in the training ground, he also had another goal: Zen-in-Yuan Shenyi.

In the Zenin family, a rigid and twisted clan, Zenin Shinichi is a unique individual.

As the nephew of the current head of the family, Naobi, and the nominal uncle of Tenyan, Shinichi possesses extremely oppressive techniques.

Unlike his adoptive father Zenin Sen's cold and gloomy style, which pursued the ultimate in swordsmanship, Shinichi was more like a walking humanoid beast.

Perhaps because of the similar violent genes flowing in their blood, Shinichi and Zenji, the man regarded as a "stain" by their family, have countless connections.

In Tianyan's memory, Shen'er was the only "monster" in this family.

The man who possessed "Heaven and Curse" had no magical power whatsoever, yet he could surpass everyone else with his physical strength alone!

If he hadn't shown mercy, this Zen family would have been wiped out of the magic world long ago!

Tianyan passed through the deep bamboo forest and arrived at the execution ground and special training ground on the back mountain of the family.

Even before getting close, one could smell a strong stench of blood and hear the dull sound of whipping.

In the center of the site, several thick stone pillars rise from the ground.

A member of the Corps was bound to a punishment rack with thick hemp ropes, his face pale and his whole body trembling.

"To be held back by fear during a mission is a disgrace to the name of the Zen Monastery."

Zen-in Shinichi's imposing figure, as large as a small mountain, stood to the side, holding a specially made black-scaled whip in his hand.

His long, needle-like hair was casually disheveled, and there was a cross-shaped scar on his forehead.

His expression was cold, but his eyes revealed a primal wildness as he prepared to unleash a punitive whip.

"Uncle Shenyi, please wait a moment." Tianyan strode into the arena, his voice clear and bright.

As soon as Shen Yi stopped and turned around, the pressure, like a torrent of water, instantly locked onto Tian Yan.

He raised an eyebrow, his voice rough: "Tianyan? Why aren't you in your room dealing with your weakened magical power? What are you doing at the execution ground?"

Tianyan looked at the teammate who was about to faint from fright, then at the long whip in Shen Yi's hand, and a hint of excitement that only he himself knew flashed in his eyes!

"Uncle, I heard that this brother has made a mistake."

Tianyan stepped forward, his tone sincere: "Are you going to teach him a lesson?"

Shen Yi snorted coldly and swung his long whip through the air with a loud crack: "Slacking off and being cunning, according to the law, you deserve fifty lashes."

"Then, I'll do it!"

Shen was taken aback, knowing that Tianyan never participated in such matters of punishment, but something strange had happened today.

Then, with a casual flick of his wrist, he handed the handle of the whip to Tianyan: "Alright, this job is yours."

Tianyan stared at the long whip being handed to him, paused for a moment, and then chuckled to himself.

He gently pushed aside the whip handle and, amidst the puzzled gazes of the crowd, walked to the punishment rack.

"Uncle, I think you've misunderstood."

Tianyan smiled gently at the team member who had narrowly escaped death, and then personally untied the ropes binding him.

"What I mean is, let me take the punishment!"

The entire venue fell into a deathly silence!

The team member was stunned, tears welling in his eyes: "Lord Tianyan? This is absolutely impossible! I made a mistake..."

The surrounding members of the Quju team were also deeply moved. Their initial doubts about Tianyan's strength were now replaced by deep admiration and respect.

Tianyan patted his teammate on the shoulder, then turned around in full view of everyone, opened his arms, leaned against the cold stone pillar, and signaled his colleagues to tie him up tightly.

"For punishment to truly resonate with people, it must cause them visceral pain!"

Tianyan stared directly at Shenyi, his eyes resolute: "Today I will take his punishment in his place; he will remember it for the rest of his life! Uncle, please proceed!"

Shen Yi was taken aback at first, then burst into wild laughter: "Good! What a brilliant idea to take the punishment in someone else's place!"

"Since you insist, I will grant your request!"

"Crack!" The first lash, accompanied by a howling storm of magical power, struck Tianyan hard on the back!

The onlookers gasped in unison, and some even closed their eyes in distress.

The clothes on Tianyan's back instantly ripped apart, leaving a deep red mark that revealed the bone.

However, the expected screams did not occur.

Tianyan had been intentionally training his physical body since he was a child, since his techniques were more suited to close combat.

What's more, there's a 'tyrant' in the family who's known for his physical prowess!

As a time traveler, he had always known of Shen'er's strength. To encourage himself, he wore the same style of black short-sleeved shirt as Shen'er!

These minor cuts and bruises are nothing to him now!

[The old apothecary's training is underway...]

After the wound appeared, his magical energy vortex instantly sensed the danger and flowed towards his back.

The burning pain, in the instant the incantation flowed, miraculously transformed into a strange coolness!

It's like a sudden icy spring flowing through a dried-up riverbed under the scorching summer sun!

That feeling was tingling and numb, with an indescribable sense of clarity, as if every cell was cheering and reborn from destruction.

"Slap! Slap! Slap!"

Shen Yi became more and more skilled as he fought, putting full force into every whip!

Tianyan's back quickly became a bloody mess, looking horribly gruesome!

But only Tianyan knew that he was so happy he felt like he could fly!

This feels... so damn good!

Thanks to the nourishing effects of the medicine and the transformation of the system, the pain was reduced to a minimum, replaced by a feeling of fullness as strength steadily increased.

He had to clench his teeth tightly, his whole body tense, and his face turned red.

"Lord Tianyan... hasn't uttered a single word!"

"Is this the perseverance of a true champion? To go to such lengths for an ordinary team member!"

"Judging from his flushed face, he must be enduring unimaginable pain, yet he didn't even flinch!"

The surrounding team members were completely stunned!

In their eyes, Tianyan is now a family hero who bears the sins of his colleagues and would rather die than submit!

In reality...

Tianyan: Holy crap, hold it in! I can't scream! This feels so good, if I groan out, all the carefully cultivated persona I've built will crumble! I'm a cool and aloof genius, I can't show any enjoyment at a time like this!

"Huff... huff..."

Tianyan was panting heavily, his eyes glazed over but with a hint of "resoluteness".

Even after delivering fifty lashes, he was still a little out of breath.

He looked at the young man before him, whose back was covered in blood, yet whose breathing was becoming increasingly steady and even radiated a jade-like luster, and a hint of undisguised admiration flashed in his eyes.

"it's over."

[Task completed, reward issued.]

Tianyan slowly exhaled a breath of turbid air and, with the help of the crowd, stepped down from the punishment rack.

He turned around, nodded slightly to Shen Yi, and smiled at the teammate who was already crying his eyes out.

"Remember how you felt today."

Tianyan said softly, "Don't let my blood be shed in vain!"

After saying that, he left behind a "lonely yet powerful" figure and slowly walked towards his villa.

Actually, he was in a hurry to go back and drink that bottle of Foundation Building Elixir.