Chapter 441

Chapter 441: Herbal Bath for Body Refinement

The voice carried a mocking, yin-and-yang tone.

Ye Yun furrowed his brows slightly. Before he could speak, Zheng Tong said coldly, "Jiang Feiyang, are you here to stir trouble again?"

A blue-robed youth of about twenty-six or twenty-seven approached leisurely. His handsome features held an air of arrogance, with sharp brows that gave him both a wild and shadowy appearance.

Zheng Tong sneered, "Every time a new Registered Disciple appears, you spout nonsense. Did last time’s beating teach you nothing?"

Jiang Feiyang laughed mockingly. "Senior Brother Zheng, are you comparing this third-level Foundation Establishment novice to Senior Brother Feng Huaying? You overestimate him."

Zheng Tong remained silent, his icy demeanor revealing clear disdain. Obvious tension lingered between the two.

Ye Yun narrowed his eyes at Jiang Feiyang and suddenly chuckled. "Jiang Feiyang? Does ‘Feiyang’ mean ‘arrogant and domineering’?"

Jiang Feiyang stiffened, caught off guard by the retort. His face darkened. "A mere third-level Foundation Establishment rookie becoming a Registered Disciple? If you linger here, we disciples of Absolute Heart Peak’s Master will become laughingstocks!"

Ye Yun smiled lazily. "Unhappy? Go whine to Tian Yunzi—oh, I mean our revered Master. Let’s see if he bothers with you."

Jiang Feiyang’s eyes widened. Previous Registered Disciples had been defiant but none so brazenly sarcastic. "Good! I hope your fists match your tongue. Don’t come crawling for mercy later." He added venomously, "Remember—the disciple assessments sometimes turn into life-and-death battles. Watch your back."

Ye Yun shrugged dramatically. "How terrifying! I’ll tread carefully, Senior Brother Jiang." His mocking grin contradicted his words.

Jiang Feiyang’s fists clenched, but he dared not fight in the Registered Disciples’ quarters under Zheng Tong’s watch. "We’ll meet again soon. Oh, the other Senior Brothers are…eager to see you too." He turned to leave but paused, throwing a venomous glance over his shoulder.

Ye Yun clasped his hands in exaggerated gratitude. "So many Senior Brothers care about me! I’ll work hard to become Master’s fourth official disciple. Won’t let you down!"

Jiang Feiyang nearly choked on his rage. The audacity! Tian Yunzi’s brutal selection process meant most aspirants died or were crippled during assessments. Claiming fourth official disciple status mocked all others’ chances.

"Excellent. I’ll await you." Jiang Feiyang stormed off, sleeves flapping angrily.

Zheng Tong observed silently, a flicker of interest in his eyes.

"Thank you for gathering the herbs, Senior Brother Zheng. When I become an official disciple, you’ll be rewarded." Ye Yun bowed slightly before heading to his Small Courtyard.

Zheng Tong watched him leave, murmuring, "This year’s assessment will be…entertaining."

Ye Yun dismissed Jiang Feiyang’s threats. His mental intent had already probed the man’s cultivation—barely at Foundation Establishment’s pinnacle. Even with rare talents, Jiang Feiyang might only rival a mediocre Golden Core stage novice. Against Ye Yun’s current strength? Unlikely.

The Registered Disciple assessments were merciless. In decades, only Zhuge Chong had succeeded. Most participants died or lost their cultivation entirely.

Collaboration between candidates was impossible. Jiang Feiyang’s "concerned Senior Brothers" were empty threats, unworthy of attention.

"These ingredients will push your limits. Your physique should improve by one tier." The Ancestor of the Sword Path’s voice vibrated with anticipation. Sealed for a millennium with his soul split into One-third, he couldn’t cultivate himself. All hopes rested on Ye Yun’s growth.

Beside a half-height wooden tub filled with water, Ye Yun waved his hand. Dozens of herbs floated midair.

"First ingredient: half portion of Rock Bamboo Grass."

The Ancestor’s command echoed. Ye Yun split the herb with a finger-flick, dropping it into the tub.

Sizzzzle!

The water erupted like oil meeting flame, bubbling violently.

"Second: two portions of Spirit Petal."

In an instant, the purple flower before Ye Yun silently crumbled into powder, falling into the churning clear water.

The water’s surface calmed as if covered by a lid, yet hidden currents raged beneath, slowly tinting the water pale purple.

Guided by the Ancestor of the Sword Path’s commands, medicinal ingredients dropped into the wooden tub one after another. The clear water darkened to deep purple, its surface still while violent currents churned below.

"Add the final half-portion of Rock Bamboo Grass now."

The Ancestor’s voice held slight tremors, heavy with solemnity yet edged with anticipation.

Ye Yun flicked his fingers. The remaining half-portion of Rock Bamboo Grass dissolved into dust upon touching the water’s surface.

Boom!

The purple water erupted into a ten-foot column, whirling fiercely to form a towering whirlpool.

"Enter!" the Ancestor barked sharply.

Without hesitation, Ye Yun plunged into the roaring water column, disappearing into the whirlpool’s core.

His body spun wildly with the vortex until only a blurred shadow remained visible. The whirlpool churned ceaselessly for seven full days.

On the seventh day, the purple hue gradually faded until the water regained its original clarity.

CRACK!

The spinning water pillar suddenly exploded. Countless droplets pierced through the Small Courtyard’s walls like shrapnel, riddling them with holes.

Ye Yun stood bare-chested, muscles rippling with surging power.

"Remarkable!" The Ancestor’s eyes blazed with excitement. "You’ve fully absorbed the medicinal essence into your flesh! Truly exceptional!"

Ignoring the praise, Ye Yun focused inward. His mental intent swept through every fiber of his strengthened body. Ordinary attacks from First Level Golden Core cultivators would now feel like mosquito bites. He suspected he could withstand Second Level opponents, and perhaps even challenge Third Level Golden Core experts.

"Feel that torrent of strength?" the Ancestor crowed.

Ye Yun’s roaring laughter would have echoed for miles if not for the courtyard’s restrictions. Even so, the pierced walls attracted attention.

Overseer Zheng Tong stood rigidly at attention before an Old Man in White observing the ravaged courtyard.

"Elder Feng… honor us with your guidance?" Zheng Tong ventured meekly.

The white-robed elder chuckled. "Merely passing by before Tian Yunzi’s disciple trials. But this Third Level Foundation Establishment aura…" His eyes gleamed at the shattered walls. "Such destructive power from a foundation cultivator? Most intriguing."

Zheng Tong glanced at Ye Yun’s quarters, face tightening with unease.