Chapter 907: Wei Ru Yan Awakens

For Zhang Xuan, this was truly a predicament. Taming a few Saint Beasts would have significantly boosted his strength and foundation, so having this many spirit beasts was completely unnecessary. Yet, these creatures stubbornly insisted on acknowledging him as their master, one after another, relentless in their demand. Refusing them would undoubtedly cause an even greater commotion, and after finally bringing peace to Cloud Mist Ridge, he knew more trouble would ensue! So, he was truly forced into this! He felt utterly wronged! What a situation!

Apart from everything else, absorbing the souls of so many spirit beasts was an immense burden. Had his Witch Soul not been incredibly powerful, extending over ten meters, he would likely have suffered a mental breakdown and gone completely mad long ago. Even so, he felt profoundly dizzy, and his eyes were bloodshot. Tears streamed down his face; he was too choked up to speak. "I truly just wanted to give a lecture; I never intended to tame you all…" "Please, just leave me alone…"

It took him almost five or six hours of struggle to completely absorb all the souls sacrificed by the spirit beasts. Zhang Xuan was so exhausted he felt he might pass out. However, he knew it wasn't time to rest. Wei Ruyan's soul had been recuperating in the Saint Domain Bodhi Tree for over a day, and she should be waking up soon. It was time to check on her. Otherwise, if anything unforeseen happened, the Bodhi Tree he had just revived might face problems again. The Innate Poison Soul Physique was incredibly powerful; even he dared not underestimate it.

Leaving Cloud Mist Ridge, he swiftly flew towards the imperial palace. Although it was deep into the night, the commotion at Cloud Mist Ridge had been so significant that Yu Shenqing hadn't rested. Upon hearing of his arrival, Yu Shenqing quickly came out to greet him.

"There haven't been any further issues with the Bodhi Tree, have there?" Zhang Xuan immediately asked Yu Shenqing.

"No…" Yu Shenqing replied, looking puzzled.

"Let's go see!" Without further explanation, he quickly walked deeper into the imperial palace, led by the emperor.

They soon arrived. Looking up, Zhang Xuan saw the Bodhi Tree was vibrantly green and showed no signs of poisoning, and he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

"Master Zhang, we will take our leave now. Should you have any instructions, just inform us, and I will dispatch someone immediately…" Knowing Zhang Xuan had matters to attend to, Yu Shenqing tactfully cupped his fists and departed.

Once the courtyard was empty again, Zhang Xuan’s spirit stirred. His Witch Soul left his body and flew directly towards the Bodhi Tree. Wei Ruyan's soul had become extraordinarily strong after being nourished by the Bodhi Tree. With a gentle grasp, he released her physical body and guided her soul to slowly merge with it. The merging of soul and body was not easy. Fortunately, Zhang Xuan cultivated the Heaven's Path Witch Soul, meaning his soul wouldn't face much repulsion even when entering another person's body. Even with this advantage, it still took him nearly half an hour to perfectly integrate Wei Ruyan's soul with her physical body.

"Awaken!" After completing these steps, he gently touched her forehead with his finger. With a crisp sound, Wei Ruyan, who had been unconscious, slowly opened her eyes.

It must be said that despite her years of grave illness, Wei Ruyan’s beauty was exceptional, no less stunning than Wang Ying's. Her eyes, especially, untainted by the world’s impurities, appeared innocent, bright, and dazzling, like those of an infant.

"You are…?" Wei Ruyan looked at the young man before her with a puzzled expression. Zhang Xuan had only seen her while she was unconscious. Although he had done much for her, this was, in fact, the first time the young woman was truly seeing the benefactor who had brought her back to consciousness.

"I am Zhang Xuan, a Master Teacher. I have completely cured your illness!" Zhang Xuan nodded.

"My illness is cured?" Wei Ruyan asked, somewhat disbelieving. From childhood, she had been plagued by illness, and countless physicians and Master Teachers had been unable to help. Deep down, she had already given up hope. The last time she fell unconscious, she thought she would never wake up. She never expected to not only regain consciousness but also be told that her illness was completely cured. It was truly… unbelievable.

"Try to stand up; you'll see!" Zhang Xuan smiled faintly, offering no further explanation.

"Stand up?" She looked at him quizzically, then gently placed her palm on the ground, intending to push herself up. Suddenly, her body moved, and she shot seven or eight meters into the air, nearly crashing into a nearby tree.

"Ah…" She shrieked in fright, expecting to fall straight to the ground. To her surprise, a wave of her arm generated a powerful whirlwind that gently lifted her, slowly bringing her back down.

"This… this…" Her eyes wide, Wei Ruyan was utterly dumbfounded. For years she had been gravely ill, and though her father was a Saint Domain expert, she had never cultivated herself. A gentle push of her palm sent her flying, and she could land with ease… She clearly possessed considerable strength. What exactly had happened?

"You were gravely ill since childhood and consumed a large number of treasures and rare medicinal ingredients. Although they didn't work before, now that your body has fully recovered, the medicinal effects have integrated, granting you the strength of a pinnacle Silkworm Seal Realm expert!" Seeing her bewildered expression, Zhang Xuan smiled. To save his daughter, Wei Changfeng had given her countless treasures. Coupled with the Continuance Pill, which was comparable to an eighth-grade medicinal pill, Wei Ruyan, even without any prior cultivation, possessed internal power as profound as that of a pinnacle Silkworm Seal Realm expert! She was even stronger than some Half-Saints! She simply lacked cultivation methods and martial techniques, so she didn't know how to utilize it.

"Pinnacle Silkworm Seal Realm strength?" Wei Ruyan stared blankly. Having been gravely ill since childhood, her greatest hope was to live a normal life. She had never imagined she could cultivate and possess such formidable combat power. But now… it had already come true!

"Thank you, Master Zhang, for saving my life…" Knowing it was all thanks to the young man before her, she didn't hesitate and immediately knelt to the ground.

"Please rise!" Zhang Xuan helped her to her feet.

"Yes!" Standing up, Wei Ruyan looked around and couldn't help but ask, "Master Zhang, where is my father? Does he know I've regained consciousness?" She had always seen everything her father had done for her. Now that she had fully recovered, the first person she wanted to share the news with was naturally him. Once her father knew she was awake and could even cultivate, he would probably be overjoyed to the point of madness. A faint smile touched her lips. Imagining her father’s reaction upon hearing the news, Wei Ruyan’s eyes curved like crescent moons, filled with sweetness. Father and daughter had relied on each other for so many years, developing an exceptionally deep bond.

"Wei Changfeng, he…" Seeing her face alight with smiles and anticipation, Zhang Xuan wanted to say something but found himself unable to begin.

"What happened to my father?" Noticing Master Zhang's unusual expression, Wei Ruyan felt a bad premonition and quickly asked.

"He… to save you… has already passed away," Zhang Xuan said, shaking his head. Though it was cruel, it was the truth, and he had no choice but to tell her.

"Passed away…" Her beautiful face turned pale, and Wei Ruyan’s delicate body swayed twice, filled with disbelief. From childhood, her father had always been by her side, telling her stories, accompanying her through treatments, and fulfilling her every request without fail. She had thought that this time, she would be the one to pass away in her unconsciousness, but she never imagined… that the first news she would hear upon waking up would be this!

"Ruyan, you must survive. No matter the cost, Daddy will find a way to save you!""Take this medicine, and your condition will improve…""You are my strongest daughter. For you, I can sacrifice anything, even my life…"Her father's words still seemed to echo in her ears, yet he was gone… Time and again, he had taken her to physicians for diagnoses; time and again, he had searched for spirit medicines… Countless memories flooded back: her father carrying her, searching everywhere, begging people for help, all with the ultimate goal of her recovery. And now she had recovered… but her father would never see it…

"Daddy…" Her eyes reddened, and tears streamed down her face. Wei Ruyan gritted her teeth and looked up, asking, "How did my father die?"

"He died to save you…" Holding nothing back, Zhang Xuan recounted everything that had happened. He explained how the Ten-Leaf Flower could cure her, how You Xu had given false information, and how Wei Changfeng had ventured into Cloud Mist Ridge alone to save her… Hearing that her father had been beaten until he could barely walk, yet still insisted on obtaining the Cloud Mist Flower to save her, Wei Ruyan clenched her fists, her slender body trembling uncontrollably.

"Father…" She murmured softly. A father's love is like a mountain, his kindness like the sea. This was her father…

Taking a deep breath, Wei Ruyan seemed to make a decision, her knees buckling as she knelt to the ground. "Master Zhang, please accept me as your disciple!" Her father had sacrificed his life for her; she had to live a better life to comfort his spirit in heaven.

"Perform the disciple-acknowledging ceremony," Zhang Xuan nodded. Having promised Wei Changfeng to care for his daughter, he had already decided to accept Wei Ruyan as his disciple. Now that she had made the request herself, he didn't need to add any unnecessary words.

"Your student, Wei Ruyan, greets Master!" Kneeling on the ground, she solemnly kowtowed several times, performing the disciple-acknowledging ceremony. Knowing this was the custom, Zhang Xuan accepted it calmly.

"Master, where is You Xu, who caused my father's death?" After the ceremony, Wei Ruyan stood up, her teeth clenched. Having battled illness for so many years, though young, her mental fortitude was no weaker than Lu Chong’s, perhaps even surpassing it. Since You Xu had caused her father’s death, then regardless of whether he was a Master Teacher or a Vice Principal, he would have to pay a price!

"I know you want to exact revenge yourself. The person has already been prepared for you…" Understanding her feelings, Zhang Xuan nodded and said, "Come with me!" With that, Zhang Xuan summoned the Purple Sun Beast. The two stepped onto its back, and after Zhang Xuan sent a voice transmission to Yu Shenqing, they flew straight towards his residence.

Back at the residence, he had Sun Qiang bring You Xu, who was being held captive. You Xu, whose cultivation had been continuously sealed, no longer possessed the imposing demeanor of a Vice Principal. In just over half a month, he had become emaciated, reduced to skin and bones, and appeared to have aged at least a decade.

"This is the culprit who caused your father's death. How to deal with him is now up to you!" Understanding the resentment in her heart, Zhang Xuan said no more, waved his hand, and turned to leave. Avenge her father herself. If she couldn't handle even this and had to rely on others, he would seriously reconsider accepting her as his disciple!