Chapter Seven, Endless Vitality

Chang Yanwu was taken aback and said, "Aren't you the one who can't even remember? How can you be so sure that they didn't deceive you the moment you turned around?"

Little Dan endured the excruciating pain piercing through his back, gritting his teeth and smiling as he said, "No... it doesn't hurt!" His head suddenly felt heavy, and he collapsed onto Luo Yushan, fainting.

Luo Yushan nodded slightly and slowly smiled, saying: "In any case, you must heal your injury before you can leave. Moreover, my father still wants to pass on to you the 'Volume Two of the Way of Heaven.' Perhaps we can really celebrate our birthdays together next month"

He was both surprised and delighted, suddenly having a moment of clarity as he realized: "Indeed, this situation is just like the scene of fireworks in that star map titled 'Endless Life.' But how did these fireworks end up inside my body?"

Luo Yushan encouraged, "It’s alright, where there is a will, there is a way. I believe in you"

"I am not hungry," Xiao Dan replied. In fact, his stomach had long been staging a performance of emptiness, but he was unwilling to let Luo Yushan leave, even if it was just to the kitchen for a short while.

Chang Yanwu muttered, "Is it you who decides or me? This matter is a bit strange; it would be better for us to deliberate further."

Puff! The flesh on Duan Feng's sides flipped over, having been pierced by the Golden Pen. Fortunately, at the critical moment, his muscles instinctively contracted and he managed to channel his energy to defend himself, preventing a more fatal injury. He was both shocked and furious, slapping his palm towards Chang Yanwu and shouting, "Old ghost, what do you mean by this?"

Little Dan let out a low grunt as he fell, yet he did not forget to protect Luo Yushan in his arms. He landed on his back just before hitting the ground, rolling several times on the grass to dissipate the fierce momentum of Duan Feng.

It cannot be counted! Chang Yanwu's relentless pursuit is closing in step by step, yet the latter phrase, "If the roots of the grass are not removed, calamities will be endless," cannot be told to this foolish son of mine in front of Luo Yushan.

Over there, Duan Feng was pierced in the vest by Chang Yanwu's magical pen, crying out in pain. Luo Yushan, in a state of panic, seemed to hear nothing. As her hand slipped behind the little egg, it accidentally touched the wound from which blood was gushing out. Instantly, the black face above changed color and twisted, but the little egg still gritted its teeth and remained silent.

Her family is extremely strict, and being the daughter of a prominent figure, she is held in high esteem, with everyone treating her with great respect and adhering to proper etiquette. Not to mention, no man would dare to approach her; even playful banter is completely absent. Yet now, she is holding tightly onto a young man of similar age, entangled in a way that cannot be overlooked. What kind of decorum is this

In any case, Luo Yushan is dead, and there is still Huzi. Moreover, what could be more important to him than his own safety? At this moment, disregarding Luo Yushan's life hanging by a thread, the Golden Pen of Destiny, like poison, aimed at Duan Feng's back.

Xiao Dan felt quite guilty; in his view, he had merely endured a bit of hardship from Duan Feng, yet Chang Yanwu wanted the other party to risk his life in return. The deep affection and loyalty that his godfather showed him were indeed as vast as mountains and seas; how could he ever repay such kindness in his lifetime? However, he had no real enmity with Duan Feng, and he did not wish for Chang Yanwu to end up in a mutually destructive conflict with him. Thus, he said: "Godfather, let it go!"

Xiao Dan let out a sigh of relief, realizing that during the two days he had been unconscious, Chang Yanwu had not caused any trouble, and the people of the Luo family should still be unaware of the unfortunate miscarriage of the "kidnapping plan". Hopefully, his godfather would cease his actions; otherwise, he would bear the burden of this hook in vain.

Xiao Dan's face turned red, and he hurriedly interrupted his godfather's nonsensical ramblings, saying: "No, no!"

Little Dan also inhaled quite a bit of "bewildering smoke," feeling nauseous and retching out two mouthfuls of congealed blood, his head spinning and his vision going dark. Strangely, a star map of "endless life" suddenly appeared in his mind, like a fleeting glimpse that vanished just as quickly. Before he could make sense of it, he felt two dull thuds in his chest, as if his vital energy was experiencing a slight explosion.

Where is my godfather?" Seeing her in a daze, Xiao Dan suddenly broke the awkward silence and asked

Duan Feng did not actually intend to take Luo Yushan's life; he merely wanted to force Chang Yanwu to intervene and thus create a path for his escape before Gu Zhi's arrival.

"Still not admitting it?" Chang Yanwu transformed his anger into joy, smiling broadly as he said, "Can your little schemes really deceive your godfather's discerning eyes? Unfortunately, he is not one of us. Given her father's status, it is even less likely that he would consider you, a worthless son-in-law. According to your godfather's idea, why not just go all the way and take her? Once the deed is done, you won't have to worry about not being welcomed by Luo Niu. If you truly become his son-in-law, heh heh—wouldn't you be afraid he wouldn't share his insights on the second volume of 'Tian Dao'?" According to your godfather's idea, why not just go all the way and take her? Once the deed is done, you won't have to worry about not being welcomed by Luo Niu. If you truly become his son-in-law, heh heh—wouldn't you be afraid he wouldn't share his insights on the second volume of 'Tian Dao'?"

Luo Niu slapped his forehead and laughed, saying: "That's right! Xiao Dan, you should take good care of yourself. I will come to see you again tomorrow morning. Chang Xiong, I entrust Xiao Dan to your attentive care." With that, he exited the room with Gu Zhi and Luo Yushan.

Uncle Chang Wu and my father have both been invited by Master Lei to a gathering," Luo Yushan clearly unaware of Chang Yanwu's ulterior motives, regarded him as another benefactor of hers, smiling as she said, "In the past few days, he has been getting along exceptionally well with Master Lei, often chatting until late before returning home.

"Do you know?" Luo Yushan said, "The speed at which your injuries are healing far exceeds my father's imagination. Although you have been in bed for a full two days, the true energy within your body has been continuously circulating to heal your wounds. What is even more astonishing is that my father noticed that the true energy in the meridians on your back actually burst and dispersed automatically at the onset of your injury, as if a pile of boulders that had collapsed and caused a blockage were completely shattered, and then the energy was re-gathered and flowed smoothly through the meridians. Therefore, despite the severity of your external injuries, your internal injuries are recovering remarkably fast"

Like a chain reaction, in an instant, the block of true energy that had been lodged in the chest erupted in a series of explosions, completely breaking free from the control of the small egg. Strangely enough, although the shock to the meridians caused the small egg to experience waves of piercing pain, the suffocating sensation pressing against the heart rapidly diminished.

His heart was filled with joy as he secretly reached out his hand, wanting only to hold it, just a gentle grasp. Slowly, he drew closer... Nervously, like a child about to do something wrong, his heart raced fiercely.

Duan Fengyun tightened the injured meridians to stop the bleeding and, after a moment of surprise, said: "Well, it turns out you have allied with Luo Niu and are happily acting as the guard dog of Tianlei Mountain Villa!"

Xiao Dan was beaten in confusion, staring blankly at Chang Yanwu without saying a word. He only heard Chang Yanwu scold, "Fool, is that little girl worth you risking your life for? Do you think your life belongs only to you? If you really end up in trouble, wouldn't all my efforts over the past ten years be in vain?"

After a long time, the starry sea and fireworks vanished completely. It was as if he had returned to the clear and tranquil stream by Baishi Valley, where he saw Luo Yushan in a light blue garment, her beauty akin to jade, with cherry-red lips smiling as she sat barefoot on a lush green grass mat. Her delicate calves, resembling lotus stems, attracted small fish that swam playfully in the clear stream, while the golden afternoon sunlight sparkled throughout the water.

Little Egg was filled with disappointment, yet in a dazed state, he distinctly felt his hand tightly gripping a soft, warm object, an indescribable comfort. The candlelight was blinding, and a searing pain radiated from his back, causing him to involuntarily let out a low groan and open his eyes.

Xiao Dan steeled his heart and said in a low voice: "If you continue to act recklessly, I will bid farewell to Uncle Luo first thing tomorrow morning"

Duan Feng pushed and pulled with his left hand, using the jade hook to create a crack with the "Jade Edge" that ensnared the immortal sword. His right hand thrust directly towards Luo Yushan's chest. This lethal move left Luo Yushan with no way to evade; by the time she attempted to withdraw her sword for defense, it was already too late. Lacking experience in combat, she was at a loss as to how to respond in the face of such sudden danger

The first thing that caught my eye was a pair of enchanting starry eyes filled with shyness and concern, more dazzling than all the fireworks blooming simultaneously in the celestial map. His hand was also grasping a delicate jade-like finger, conveying a gentle warmth and fragrance.

Upon hearing this news, Xiao Dan truly smiled inwardly: "It is as it should be."

As soon as Luo Niu and the others went far away, Chang Yanwu, who had been smiling broadly, suddenly changed his expression. With a swift motion, he struck Xiao Dan's face with two resounding slaps, left and right. Perhaps due to his experience, he was remarkably precise in his control, never worrying that Xiao Dan would have a swollen cheek the next day, leading Luo Niu and the others to suspect anything.

The yellow mist released by Duan Feng is actually his life-saving skill, "Soul-Dizzying Smoke." Although the name sounds pleasant, it is merely a refined essence of turbid energy from within him. He was originally a weasel that had cultivated for over six hundred years in the mountains of Liaozhou, having attained a level of spiritual refinement. Due to his disdain for his origins, he has deliberately concealed this fact, even from his three disciples.

Luo Yushan believed that death was inevitable. Suddenly, a figure flashed before her eyes, and she felt herself being embraced. After a moment of dizziness, she regained her senses and realized that she was being firmly pinned down by Xiaodan.

Chang Yanwu was suddenly enraged, glaring at Xiao Dan for a long time but noticing his unusually resolute expression, showing no signs of submission. He couldn't help but sigh and chuckle bitterly, saying: "Still claiming you haven't taken a liking to that girl? Forget it, forget it. You should first focus on healing your injury, and we can discuss the other matters slowly later."

He simply felt that being able to quietly be with her was truly wonderful! Every moment spent together was a gift from the heavens. He wished to firmly engrave each moment in his heart. Even though he would have to wander the world again after healing, and there might never be another chance to meet, this precious memory would be enough for him to cherish for a lifetime

In the darkness, he was having a strange dream. He dreamed that he had transformed into a star, drifting and wandering in the vast and boundless sea of stars, surrounded by countless celestial bodies that seemed to celebrate his arrival by igniting fireworks once again. ... In the end, Xiao Dan vaguely felt that he had also become a brilliant firework, continuously blooming and fading, just like the ceaseless cycle of the sun and moon in the void

Little Egg, Luo Yushan suddenly asked softly: "Your godfather has already arrived, will you be leaving soon?"

Without mentioning that Xiaodan was bewilderedly studying the sudden fireworks blooming within him, on the other side, Luo Yushan, sensing the unfavorable situation, had already launched an attack, joining forces with Chang Yanwu to engage in a fierce struggle against Duan Feng, resulting once again in a stalemate.

Have I already returned home? Seeing the familiar furnishings in the room, Xiao Dan said. However, as soon as the words left his mouth, he was taken aback: since when had he come to regard this place as his own home

Xiao Dan was startled awake, thinking to himself: "This is not a dream!" He opened his mouth but didn't know what to say, quickly letting go of Luo Yushan's small hand

After a series of low thuds, the dispersed vital energy surprisingly exploded again with a faint crackling sound, swirling like ethereal threads circulating through the various meridians in the chest, reminiscent of the continuous firecrackers during the New Year celebrations

Luo Niu solemnly stated: "Brother Chang, Little Dan, great kindness does not require thanks. From now on, if you have any needs, just feel free to speak to me. As long as it is within my capabilities, I will comply with your requests!"

Moreover, Xiao Dan has been saying that he couldn't find Chang Yanwu, yet unexpectedly, Chang Yanwu suddenly emerged from the remote Baishi Valley. He claims to be the "Divine Machine Master," but this so-called divine calculation seems rather absurd.

At this moment, from five or six miles across the stream, Gu Zhi's anxious whistle came drifting closer. Duan Feng gritted his teeth and launched three consecutive attacks at Luo Yushan, forcing her to become distracted and reveal a narrow gap in her defense.

Thousands of tiny streams of true energy revolved several times, and the little egg felt as if a small furnace had been placed in its chest. Not only did the previously numb and blocked sensation completely dissipate, but a warm and comforting heat also enveloped its entire body

Chang Yanwu found himself in a situation that was both laughable and tragic. He had originally focused all his efforts on plotting against Luo Niu's children, but unexpectedly, circumstances took a turn for the worse. Not only did he fail in his plans, but he and Xiao Dan also became the great benefactors who saved Luo Yushan's life, earning Luo Niu's deep gratitude and a promise worth a fortune.

Duan Feng, severely injured, had lost nearly half of his cultivation. How could he possibly contend with the cunning Chang Yanwu, who was full of tricks? In just six or seven exchanges, he found himself in perilous situations. Although he intended to escape, he was ensnared within a three-zhang radius by Chang Yanwu's magical pen. Originally, he had come to capture Luo Niu's daughter, yet inexplicably, he was entangled in an endless confrontation with a godfather who was merely supporting his godson. What kind of situation was this?

He spoke with righteous indignation, causing Xiaodan to feel a chill run down his spine. He simply closed his eyes and pretended not to hear anything.

In a state of confusion, the sound of Luo Niu's laughter came from outside the door: "Xiao Dan, are you awake?" As the door curtain was lifted, Chang Yanwu and Gu Zhiyu entered in succession.

Chang Yanwu was caught off guard and had a mouthful of air sucked in, immediately feeling dizzy and nauseous, as if he were about to vomit. Following that, his hands became weak and powerless, resembling the effects of poisoning. He hurriedly held his breath to expel the poison, but Duan Feng had already seized the opportunity to switch from defense to offense, launching a relentless assault with the jade hook, and in the blink of an eye, had reduced Chang Yanwu to merely defending himself.

Luo Niu Xian first checked Xiao Dan's pulse, then smiled and said: "This time, I must thank you for saving Yu Shan. Fortunately, you are safe and sound; otherwise, how could Uncle Luo face Brother Chang again"

Luo Yushan woke up, opened her eyes, and asked with concern: "Xiao Dan, does it hurt? If it hurts, just call out!"

It was Uncle Gu and Uncle Chang Wu who brought you back. You were seriously injured this time, causing everyone great concern ... ... " Luo Yushan's starry eyes flickered, and she lowered her head again

Xiao Dan found that Chang Yanwu was becoming increasingly unreasonable, and not daring to refute him, could only shift the topic by saying: "Godfather, I believe that the star map Uncle Luo showed me is real and not fake"

Luo Yushan was taken aback, not expecting Xiaodan's answer to be so simple. Should it be this way? Wasn't he almost sacrificing his life to save himself? Shouldn't he cherish his own life?

A strange atmosphere permeated the room, and Xiao Dan finally stammered, "I am sorry, I did not mean to offend you."

However, upon further reflection, this matter is deeply intertwined with the secrets of the sect. As the saying goes: "People die for wealth, and birds perish for food." It is difficult to guarantee that Luo Niu, upon learning of this, would not harbor ulterior motives, and at that time, inviting a wolf into the house would leave Chang Lao Wu with nothing but to drink the northwestern wind. Considering this, he decisively declared with great generosity: "Brother Luo, are you implying that I, Chang, am someone to be looked down upon? Although I, Chang Yanwu, am merely a small figure, I am certainly not a petty person who seeks to repay kindness with malice!"

Little Dan recounted the magical encounter of "setting off fireworks" to Chang Yanwu, and finally said: "Godfather, with this, we no longer need to think about Miss Luo and Tiger, right?"

Luo Yushan, understanding and considerate, smiled and said: "Father, Uncle Changwu and Xiaodan must have a lot to talk about after their long separation. It's getting late; we should head back inside to rest."

He was still pondering this issue, while the unusual sounds within his body gradually subsided. Streams of true energy swiftly re-integrated, coalescing into a robust flow of heat that slowly infused his dantian, and his injuries surprisingly healed significantly in an instant

Xiao Dan took a while to respond: "I don't know, it depends on what my godfather thinks."

"Fart!" Chang Yanwu exclaimed angrily, "I have always been free-spirited and independent, living life on my own terms. What is Luo Niu to me? You, with the surname Duan, next year on this day will be your death date!" A dance of the golden brush surged forward.

Seeing Xiao Dan nodding vigorously at himself, Luo Yushan suddenly reproached herself, saying: "By the way, are you hungry? I was so busy talking to you that I forgot this important matter."

It turns out that I really set off fireworks in my dreams. Little Egg raised his hand to scratch his head and couldn't help but wonder: "What is the reasoning behind this? If in the future, every time I get injured, my true energy could explode like this, wouldn't I be able to recover quickly? Just like when I took a kick to the chest earlier, in the past I would have taken a long time to get up, but this time not only could I stand up in an instant, I could also use the Cloud-Transforming Technique to save someone. But why is it completely beyond my control? It comes and goes as it pleases, and it may not always be so fortuitous."

He endured a blow from Uncle Chang Wu and was struck down by Uncle Gu, losing his life. Despite the fact that Duan Feng nearly caused Luo Yushan to perish, her tone still unconsciously revealed a hint of compassion as she continued: "Huzi is doing well, protected by Uncle Gu, not a single hair on his head has been harmed. As for me... thank you for risking your life to save me"

Chang Yanwu struck successfully and immediately withdrew his pen, evading Duan Feng's palm wind. He spat fiercely, saying: "What are you? You think you are worthy to play with Master Chang Wu?"

Luo Yushan hurriedly stood up to offer his chair to Chang Yanwu, and also moved a chair for Luo Niu. Standing shoulder to shoulder with Gu Zhi behind their father, they felt uneasy under his gaze

"Where is Uncle Duan, and where is Huzi?" Xiao Dan, not noticing Luo Yushan's grammatical error, asked.

Suddenly, a muffled sound of "pop" was heard in the venue, and a burst of orange-yellow smoke emanated from Duan Feng, rapidly expanding in the wind, accompanied by an exceptionally pungent and unpleasant odor that assaulted the nostrils

He turned his eyes and lowered his voice to ask, "Is it possible that... you have fallen for that girl? Not bad, not bad. If I, Old Chang, had met her twenty years earlier, I would have..."

Little Egg sighed: "I am very foolish, and I fear I will waste Uncle Luo's good intentions. Those star maps always slip my mind; in the end, they become a muddled mess in my head."

Xiang Nalu not only has a renowned name throughout Tianlu, but he also shares a deep bond with prominent figures from both the righteous and demonic paths. Although he has retreated to Tianlei Mountain Villa and seldom concerns himself with worldly affairs, a mere stamp of his foot can still shake half of Tianlu. If he could lend his assistance, dealing with those few troublesome fellow disciples would be as easy as pie.

This completely took everyone by surprise, including Chang Yanwu, who did not expect that his foolish son could foresee that Luo Yushan would fall into this trap. However, he did not understand that Xiaodan had been with him day and night for over ten years and truly understood his character too well. The moment he saw Luo Yushan in danger, he knew that his godfather would never miss the opportunity to kill Duan Feng and would withdraw his pen to save her. In a moment of urgency, he had no choice but to step forward and rescue Luo Yushan from the deadly calamity

Gathering his courage, he finally grasped it! Yet, he suddenly heard Luo Yushan's startled exclamation, like a small pebble thrown into a stream, creating ripples that made everything in the shimmering water vanish

Unfortunately, he miscalculated a step; Chang Yanwu did not care at all about Luo Yushan's life or death! In a flash, he gritted his teeth and pondered: "Old Duan has always been vengeful; having suffered a great loss at my hands this time, how could he possibly let it go in the future? If I do not leave his life in Baishi Valley today, who knows how he will stab me in the back later!"

Xiao Dan smiled, while Chang Yanwu was even more infuriated. He raised his hand and twisted Xiao Dan's ear fiercely, angrily saying: "Xiao, all you do is grin foolishly! This time you were lucky to escape with your life; otherwise, you would be foolishly grinning at King Yama. Do you think he would let you come back... ?"

At the critical moment, a sudden shadow swept across, wrapping its arms around Luo Yushan and shielding her with its own back as it flew out at an angle. "Sizzle—" the jade hook carved a blood channel over two feet long and visible to the bone along his spine.

Xiao Dan gently caressed her hot cheeks, feeling a warmth in her heart, and then she heard Chang Yanwu continue to scold: "As the saying goes, if one does not care for oneself, heaven and earth will punish them. Whether Luo Yushan is dead or alive, why are you so concerned?"

A strong sense of shame surged within me, and I instinctively closed my eyes, unable to look at the face of the little egg, which was so close. My jade-like cheeks flushed crimson, yet I could still hear the "thump-thump" of my own heartbeat.

Gu Zhi stood behind Luo Niu, a faint sneer on his lips, with a hint of mockery hidden between his brows. He was filled with doubts about the process of Xiao Dan rescuing Luo Yushan, especially since Chang Yanwu's moves clearly indicated a reckless intent solely to kill Duan Feng, without any regard for Luo Yushan's life.

He did not know where he was, but he was fortunate enough to quietly gaze at this beautiful scene. Suddenly, he longed to transform into a small fish in the stream, able to freely approach her lotus-like feet. Thus, his wish was granted—he unexpectedly became an ugly little black fish, happily swimming around her.

Xiao Dan initially thought he would be met with a scolding from Chang Yanwu, but to his surprise, he passed the test so easily. Instead, he felt a bit uneasy, watching his godfather's eyes rolling around and his little mustache twitching, genuinely unclear about what the old man was secretly planning.

Chang Yanwu had long cultivated a thick skin that was impervious to knives and guns and resistant to oil and rice through decades of conflict among his peers. Upon hearing this, he laughed heartily and said: "Brother Luo, you are being too modest. It is our duty to draw our swords in aid of those who are wronged. Moreover, the teachings you imparted to Xiao Dan regarding the Celestial Star Map are indeed a heavy favor, and saving Miss Luo is something he ought to do."

Upon seeing Chang Yanwu gaining the upper hand in the situation, Xiao Dan felt a sense of relief. However, as his tension slightly eased, he immediately sensed a blockage in his chest, as if a cotton ball were lodged there, causing him discomfort. His true energy, upon reaching the vicinity of the Dan Zhong acupoint, suddenly stagnated, and despite several attempts to push through, he found himself returning in defeat.

Luo Yushan's face was still flushed, and she gently comforted, "It's my fault; I clumsily tried to tuck the blanket around you just now, not realizing that I accidentally woke you up."