Chapter 2: The Heart of the Strong

Slowly opening his eyes, Han Zifeng saw the nervous expression on the young boy's face, and his heart tightened. "I was too anxious just now. When I learned of Xi'er’s identity back then, I was also taken aback and stood there in shock. Moreover, Yu'er is now just a child who has not yet turned sixteen"

As the cellular skeleton within his body continuously absorbed the refined essence of energy, Han Yu felt an indescribable sense of comfort throughout his entire being, with a surge of power within him. "Father was indeed correct; when the skeletal cells in the body are in a state of complete thirst for refinement, the flesh will undergo the best tempering!"

The fierce wind cut across Han Yu's face like a blade, piercing to the bone. The flesh on his face twitched slightly. Seeing the sudden attack of the demon wolf, Han Yu did not panic; instead, his eyes narrowed slightly as he focused intently on every movement of the demon wolf's body.

Han Zifeng's expression was one of gloom. In those years, he was the pride of Taiyan Town, yet under such powerful figures, he felt like an ant. Moreover, it was an immensely large force. Now, without the support of his family, could Han Yu still reach such a level?

I must become stronger! Seeing his father's sorrowful expression, Han Yu secretly made up his mind that no matter how powerful the forces were, they would not be able to stop his progress

Are you really so cowardly? Are you so quick to give up the opportunity to reunite with your mother without even trying?

Han Yu felt curious and quickly flipped through a few pages, but the subsequent pages remained blank. What surprised him was that the text clearly showed signs of having been torn.

This is not only to fulfill his father's wish; how many times in his dreams has he imagined his mother's appearance and figure? Now that he learns that his mother is still alive and that he has this opportunity, how could he possibly let it slip away?

After leaving Han Family Village, Han Yu skillfully navigated through a dense forest. A gentle breeze swept by, causing the lush green sea of trees to ripple like waves. The warm sunlight penetrated the clouds and cascaded down, making the verdant forest shimmer with brilliance

He knows that this is a road filled with thorns, but he will never back down. He believes that as long as he remains steadfast in his convictions, he will ultimately be able to overcome numerous difficulties and fulfill his father's wishes

Watching his father endure the torment of his injuries, Han Yu clenched his small hand tightly, leaving marks on the ancient text in his palm, biting his lip, "In the future, I must expel the cold poison from my father's body, so that he may be spared from the suffering caused by its onset"

"Did you not see the mystery within?" Observing Han Yu's puzzled expression, a hint of disappointment flickered in Han Zifeng's eyes

The next day, as the last star in the void had yet to fade, Han Yu rose early to prepare breakfast, and then hurriedly left the dwelling.

Although Han Yu's cultivation is low, he often ventures into the back mountain to search for medicinal herbs that can dispel cold and strengthen the body for his father to consume. Three months ago, he fortuitously found an immature Fire Flame Fruit in a valley.

On ordinary days, he would certainly be the first to head to the training ground in the inner courtyard of the Han family to exercise his physical abilities. However, today he was running towards the back mountain not far from the Han family village.

It seemed that the young man before him was lacking in strength. The Crimson Flame Demon Wolf let out a muffled grunt, exhaling two streams of scorching air from its nostrils. With its front claws scraping the ground, it suddenly emitted a howl and shot forward like a rocket, its red fur dancing and producing a resounding friction with the air currents in the canyon

Perhaps it was due to the father's anxiety. Glancing at his son, whose face bore an expression of maturity that belied his age, Han Zifeng felt a stir in his heart. Even if his wishes could not be fulfilled, at least he had such a well-behaved and understanding son, and that was more than enough

Only after Han Fu gradually fell asleep did Han Yu leave, tightly gripping the classic texts in his hand, his eyes revealing a resolute expression. "Even if I cannot uncover the secrets of these texts, I will rely on my own efforts to reach the realm of Yin and Yang, so that our family can be reunited"

Meanwhile, Han Zifeng's internal true energy was in operation, with streams of light flickering through his meridians, beginning to sweep towards the cold poison within his body. After a short while, the cold air emanating from his body was finally suppressed.

Father, do not be anxious; perhaps in the days to come, I will be able to glimpse the secrets within. Han Yu repeatedly patted his father's back to help him breathe more easily. As he glanced at the ancient text in his hand, a glimmer of determination flashed in his eyes. No matter what, I must uncover the mysteries of this text and fulfill my father's wishes

Call!

Since this was left by my mother, why is there not a single word? Moreover, this paper feels smooth and soft to the touch, indicating that it must be made from extremely precious animal skin. Such a valuable item, as a classic, could not possibly be useless

It seems that neither you nor I are destined to cultivate the techniques in this classic text

With both hands tightening, Han Yu immediately focused his gaze on the ancient book in his palms. The book, with its archaic style, had not a single word on its pages. Why is this?

At this moment, it has been three months since the last time I entered the valley. I believe the Fire Flame Fruit has already ripened. If my father can refine this fruit, even if he cannot completely expel the cold poison from his body, it will still alleviate it significantly. Remembering the Fire Flame Fruit in my mouth, a smile involuntarily appeared on Han Yu's slightly youthful face

Hearing Han Yu's words, Han Zifeng furrowed his brows slightly, paused, and said, "This is a peerless cultivation technique left by your mother, one that ordinary people cannot practice. Back then, due to the obstruction of the elders in the sect, only half of this technique was left behind. If you have the opportunity, perhaps you could use this to reach the pinnacle of cultivation and reunite with your mother."

It seems that unraveling the mysteries within is not as simple as one might imagine. Shaking his head, Han Yu immediately tucked the book in his arms, seated himself cross-legged on a bamboo couch, and formed a peculiar hand seal with both hands. As he breathed in and out, one could observe streams of energy within the room converging towards the top of his head

"Father, who is it that left the cold poison in your body?" Han Yu gritted his teeth, his fists clenched tightly. In the future, he not only had to help his father expel the cold poison from his body, but he also would not let go of the culprit who had caused his father to suffer from the cold poison for over a decade.

At a distance of about ten zhang in front of Han Yu, a giant wolf, standing five feet tall and approximately nine feet long, was exuding a fierce and violent aura. Its entire body was covered in crimson fur, and its fierce eyes were fixed on the young man before it, flashing with a bloodthirsty intent that sent chills down one's spine.

The cultivation method practiced by Han Yu is called "Transformation of Essence" and is classified as a profound-level technique. For those with exceptional talent, practicing such a method would yield results that are twice as effective with half the effort. However, the density of the essence energy that Han Yu has refined has not yet reached that level of effectiveness. This indicates that he has not inherited the extraordinary talent of his father; nonetheless, he possesses a determination and perseverance that his peers do not have. However, the density of the essence energy that Han Yu has refined has not yet reached that level of effectiveness. This indicates that he has not inherited the extraordinary talent of his father; nonetheless, he possesses a determination and perseverance that his peers do not have.

The fine streams, visible to the naked eye, were absorbed into Han Yu's body with his inhalation and exhalation. As the cultivation technique operated, the absorbed essence energy was refined into strands of essence power, accumulating within the meridians. Han Yu could feel that the cells and bones within his body were beginning to crazily absorb this essence power.

After a moment, as the true energy circulated, Han Zifeng's pale face flushed with a hint of color, the cold crystal between his brows gradually transformed into mist that dispersed into the air, and the bone-chilling coldness in the room also dissipated.

This individual is indeed Han Yu, who has entered the back mountain. However, at this moment, his legs are slightly bent, and the veins on his long palms are protruding. He appears like a tightly wound spring, adopting a posture that suggests he is ready to confront any challenge at any moment, his eyes flickering with a cautious demeanor

Is it really impossible to fulfill this wish of a family reunion?

Father, I will definitely find Mother and bring our family together!" Han Yu said with a determined look in his eyes, gritting his teeth. Although the realm of Yin and Yang is ethereal and elusive, it has now become Han Yu's goal in his heart

Knowing that he could not win, the thought of his father's painful appearance during his cold episodes immediately dispelled Han Yu's desire to retreat.

Back in the bedroom, Han Yu carefully examined the classic texts in his hands countless times, yet he still had not discovered any peculiarities.

Call!

Seeing Han Yu's face turn pale with fright, Han's father felt a surge of blood and energy within him, his complexion taking on a sickly shade of red. This was soon followed by a violent coughing fit, during which a mouthful of fresh blood was spat out, causing his face to appear even more ashen than before. At that moment, his body trembled violently, a chill spreading through his pores, instantly forming frost crystals between his brows.

Those individuals are beyond your reach; for now, it is best for you to focus on your cultivation. When the time is right, your father will certainly inform you. Han Zifeng nodded slightly, and a hint of helplessness flashed in his eyes.

There, one can find numerous Ganoderma and savage beasts, which ordinary cultivators would never dare to enter lightly. Three months ago, a cultivator at the ninth level of body refinement from the Han family ventured deep inside to gather medicinal herbs, only to meet his demise at the jaws of a savage beast. Ordinary cultivators speak of this place with fear, yet for those with higher cultivation levels, it represents an endless treasure

Cough, cough! In a fit of emotion, Han Zifeng coughed repeatedly, once again spitting out a mouthful of fresh blood. His eyes dimmed and lost their luster, and in that moment, the hope he had clung to seemed to age him by ten years.

"Is it the person who prevents mother from being with us?" Han Yu pondered slightly, faintly sensing that the two must be related

After a day of devilish training, the energy of the cellular skeletons within the body has been completely exhausted, leaving them in a state of extreme thirst. With the replenishment of the essence power, these cellular skeletons will certainly not let such an opportunity slip by

Clearly, under the influence of heightened emotions, Han Zifeng's internal injuries have consequently flared up

The back mountain of Hanjiazhuang is connected to the renowned Taiyan Mountain range in Taiyan Town. Although there are no towering high-level spirit beasts, low-level spirit beasts and savage beasts are not uncommon. As for those spiritual herbs and extraordinary fruits, they can be fortuitously found with careful searching.

Gazing at the giant wolf before him, Han Yu could not help but swallow hard. "The Crimson Flame Demon Wolf, judging by its aura, is likely comparable to a cultivator at the sixth level of body refinement. With this wolf present, it is simply impossible to obtain the Fire Flame Fruit. However, the cold energy within my father's body..."

Han Zifeng nodded slightly, indicating his acquiescence. He had not informed his son of this matter back then, as he did not wish to affect his growth. However, at this moment, Han Yu was nearly sixteen and should be aware of his own origins

In front of a cliff in a valley deep within the dense forest, a slender young boy furrowed his brows, his pair of pitch-black eyes fixed intently on the cliff. A fruit, the size of a chicken egg, glistening red and seemingly dripping with juice, radiated a fiery light from his gaze

"My father has pondered for over ten years yet has never glimpsed the secrets within. I did not expect that at this moment, you too lack this opportunity. Is it the will of heaven to extinguish the hopes of father and son?" Han Zifeng sighed as he looked up to the sky

Now his injuries are becoming increasingly severe, and there are subtle signs of an uncontrollable cold poison within him. He has already placed all his hopes on Han Yu, but Han Yu's talent is mediocre. He originally hoped that Han Yu could glimpse the secrets of this classic text and soar to great heights, but unfortunately, things did not go as planned. The mysteries contained in this text are beyond the comprehension of the father and son. How will Han Yu step into the ranks of high-level cultivators in the future, embark on his journey, and reunite with his family?

Han Zifeng's eyes were closed, his pale face showed slight muscle spasms, and blood oozed from his tightly clenched teeth. One can only imagine the excruciating pain he was enduring

There are no written words or patterns on this scripture, yet it bears signs of tearing. What could be the reason for this?" Han Yu nodded and said