It seemed that the heart demon of the Yuan family ancestor could potentially be completely eradicated...
The thought made Yuan Bi feel a surge of excitement.
He couldn't help but speed up the spirit boat, eager to return Lin Daoyou and his companions to the inn quickly so he could hurry back and check on the ancestor's condition.
Though Yuanling City was large, Yuan Bi's spirit boat was fast. It didn't take long before they arrived at the inn where Lin Xiao and Jiang Youfu were staying. Yuan Bi turned to Yuan Qing and said:
"Qing'er, stay here and look after Lin Daoyou. If there's anything they need, don't hesitate to let the family know."
Yuan Qing, though concerned about the ancestor, was also worried about Lin Xiao. Since he couldn't be of much help back at the family estate, he nodded and replied:
"Don't worry, Uncle. I'll stay here and take good care of Lin Daoyou."
Satisfied, Yuan Bi hurriedly made his way back home.
When he arrived at the entrance to the cave where the ancestor was in seclusion, he was greeted by the sound of the ancestor's voice—something he hadn't heard in years due to the battle with the heart demon:
"Patriarch, come in."
The ancestor's voice was weak and tired.
Despite this, hearing the voice after so many years filled Yuan Bi with overwhelming emotion.
"Ancestor!"
He immediately opened the stone door and entered the cave. The black mist surrounding the ancestor had significantly dissipated, and although the elder's body was still covered in sores and wounds, his eyes were clear.
Yuan Bi stepped forward, his emotions surging, and bowed respectfully:
"Yuan Bi greets the ancestor!"
The Yuan family ancestor gave him a weak smile and said:
"No need for such formalities. The path of cultivation is fraught with peril. As the head of the Yuan family, even if I were to succumb, you must never reveal even a hint of weakness."
Yuan Bi quickly lowered his head and said:
"Ancestor, your teachings are correct. But, are you feeling better now?"
The Yuan family ancestor shook his head slightly, smiling:
"I'm not fully recovered, but I can now suppress the heart demon myself. For this, we must thank the one who purified my mind. Where is this benefactor? I'd like to express my gratitude personally."
Though the ancestor had been deeply engaged in his battle with the heart demon, he had been vaguely aware of a different spiritual force helping to purify his mind and dispel the demon.
Yuan Bi replied:
"That benefactor exhausted his spiritual energy to save you, ancestor. He's resting at an inn in the city."
"Why let him rest at an inn? We have plenty of guest rooms..."
As he spoke, the ancestor realized that if Yuan Bi hadn't invited the benefactor to stay at their residence, it was likely because they weren't particularly close. Under normal circumstances, inviting someone to stay after they'd depleted their energy could be seen as an attempt to take advantage of them—especially someone who possessed such a rare ability to dispel heart demons.
Understanding this, the ancestor nodded, sighing softly.
Yuan Bi then asked:
"Ancestor, how severe is the heart demon now?"
Though still weak, the Yuan family ancestor knew his family had been worried about him for a long time, so he forced himself to respond:
"It's no longer an issue. I can now suppress it on my own and gradually wear it down over time."
Previously, when the heart demon first invaded, the ancestor had been overwhelmed, and as his strength waned, the demon had grown stronger. But now, with much of the demon's power erased, the ancestor could suppress it on his own.
Hearing this, Yuan Bi breathed a sigh of relief. Noticing the fatigue on the ancestor's face, he wisely excused himself to allow the elder to rest.
The cave where the ancestor resided was the place with the densest spiritual energy in the Yuan family estate. He would need to recuperate here for some time to recover from the years of battling the heart demon.
Yuan Bi did not immediately announce the ancestor's recovery, not even to his family. For now, he kept the news to himself.
Meanwhile, back at the inn, Jiang Youfu, under Liao Pantou's guidance, thoroughly examined Lin Xiao to confirm that he had indeed just overexerted himself. Relieved, Jiang Youfu let him rest.
Thanks to the Origin Heart Sutra, Lin Xiao's recovery was swift, and after about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, he woke up.
Everyone was overjoyed to see him awake. Yuan Qing quickly bowed in gratitude:
"Lin Daoyou, I, Yuan Qing, am forever in your debt! If you ever need anything, I will stop at nothing to repay your kindness!"
While Yuan Qing couldn't speak for the entire Yuan family, he was sincere in his personal gratitude. As for the Yuan family's formal thanks, that would depend on Yuan Bi's decision.
Surprisingly, before evening, Yuan Bi himself arrived at the inn, dressed in a discreet manner to avoid drawing attention.
It was Liu Chun who answered the door. When Yuan Bi introduced himself, Liu Chun hesitated for a moment before calling Yuan Qing over. After confirming the man's identity, they allowed him into the room.
Upon entering, Yuan Bi saw Lin Xiao and Jiang Youfu sitting at the table, having dinner. He paused briefly before stepping forward and bowing to Lin Xiao:
"On behalf of the entire Yuan family, I thank Lin Daoyou for your tremendous help."
Lin Xiao hadn't expected the Yuan family head to arrive so quickly. He put down his chopsticks, stood up, and returned the bow with a smile:
"Yuan Family Head, you're too kind. I'm glad I could be of help to the Yuan family ancestor."
Seeing that Lin Xiao appeared to be in good health, Yuan Bi was visibly relieved. He then continued:
"Lin Daoyou, you are truly righteous. From now on, consider me, Yuan Bi, your friend. If there is ever anything you need, you have but to ask."
While Yuan Bi didn't extend this promise on behalf of the entire Yuan family, this was understandable. Lin Xiao and his companions had asked to keep the matter discreet, so Yuan Bi couldn't publicly announce their assistance or offer the family's collective gratitude.
Still, for Yuan Bi, the head of the family, to make such a personal offer was no small gesture.
Just as Lin Xiao was about to respond, a notification popped up in his mind regarding the Building Connections task. The number of connections had increased from 3/5 to 4/5.