Destroyer of the Dao

: The Debt of Yan Saotian

Yan Saotian's pressure spread. Jhi Chen, who was still small, felt a bone-chilling cold. He frowned and stared at Yan Saotian with a pout. "Senior, after I helped you, are you going to kill me?" he asked with a displeased tone.

That simple sentence cut through the killing aura like a knife. Yan Saotian snapped out of his own anger. He retracted his pressure as quickly as possible, then nodded apologetically. "Kid, forgive this old man. I was too excited to escape death. I didn't mean to hurt you. Thank you for reminding me."

That sincerity made Jhi Chen nod briefly. "Okay. I just can't stand your uncontrollable killing aura. Senior, with your strength, why were you injured by river monsters?"

"I wasn't injured by that monster," Yan Saotian replied, his breath now more stable. "I was ambushed by despicable people. There were many of them. When they combined their strength, I was thrown far away. I fell on the riverbank and before I had time to recover, those water monsters swarmed me. If you hadn't come, I might have died there. You saved my life and healed my wounds. This old man owes you a debt, Kid."

Although not fully recovered, Yan Saotian's energy had returned to envelop his body. He stared at Jhi Chen, this time with a different curiosity. He activated a secret eye technique that was stronger than when he first checked. His gaze pierced the surface of the boy's body, observing the flow of energy. He was startled when he saw that all twelve meridian points on Jhi Chen's body were perfectly open. That meant his physical body possessed unusual strength for a child his age.

Wanting to know more, he tried to dive deeper. But as soon as his consciousness moved, a thick fog obscured his vision. There was an unspoken warning, felt sharply at the edge of reason: do not cross this line. If forced, the coming punishment could not be prevented by anyone. Yan Saotian stopped his efforts. Cold sweat broke out on his temples. He no longer dared to investigate this boy's body.

He stared at Jhi Chen in amazement. "Kid, you surprised me. Only three years old, but all twelve of your meridian points are open. Your body is stronger than many Heaven-ranked cultivators. You also managed to get two thousand year old Krisik Grass. In my place, that plant is very rare. Usually guarded by rank seven or eight wild beasts. How did you take it?"

Krisik Ape, who was sitting on Jhi Chen's shoulder, held back laughter. He wanted to sneer, but he knew his place. He chose to remain silent and only looked up proudly. Jhi Chen did not show arrogance. He replied flatly, "Senior, it just so happened that when I came, the guard was not there. So I took it. As for how to use it, I learned from my mother. She is a physician in the kingdom. She is often called to the dynasty palace to treat soldiers. I often followed. That's why I know how to use this plant without having to distill it into pills."

"Did your mother often use Krisik Grass when treating?" Yan Saotian asked.

"No," Jhi Chen replied. "Only once, when the ruler of the dynasty almost died from severe injuries. Krisik Grass is very rare in this area. I just happened to find it."

Yan Saotian nodded. He stared at Jhi Chen with sincere respect. In his eyes, this boy spoke like an adult. There was no impression of exaggeration, no impatience, and no unwarranted fear. If he hadn't checked the age of his bones, he would have found it difficult to believe that Jhi Chen was only three years old.

"Since you have saved me, this old man should not be empty-handed," Yan Saotian said. He rummaged through his robe, took out a book whose cover was worn but well-maintained. "This is a technique manual. It's called Lion Dominating the Forest Fist Technique. I don't keep many treasures. I even gave my eternal ring to my brother when I was chased by the Feng Clan. But I never let go of this manual. This technique is not ordinary. It can be cultivated from the Heaven Realm, breaking through level after level, until reaching the Grand Exalted Realm. Many techniques only last up to three realms, even that is very extraordinary. This manual is different. Keep it. With your potential, this technique will be useful in the future."

Jhi Chen's eyes lit up. He received the manual with both hands, then nodded. After that, his face turned confused, as if he didn't understand the mention of realms that had appeared in Yan Saotian's speech. In his heart, he maintained his role. He looked at Yan Saotian and asked, "Senior, thank you for your gift. But I am a little confused about the levels that Senior mentioned. If Senior is willing, can you explain them so that I don't misunderstand?"

Yan Saotian had thought this boy didn't like his gift. Hearing that question, he instead chuckled with relief. "So that's it. Alright, listen carefully. The path of a cultivator is long and layered. The first is Qi Gathering, from rank one to rank nine. After that the Profound Realm, also nine ranks. Then the Heaven Realm, then the Martial Realm. After that the Martial King Realm, Martial Emperor Realm, and Martial Ancestor Realm. Above it there is the Immortal Realm, Martial Immortal, then Celestial Martial Immortal. Furthermore the High-Level Realm, the Exalted Realm, Grand Realm, and Grand Exalted Realm. There are still subsequent levels that you don't need to know now. With your current age and the twelve meridians that are already open, your future has no limits."

He took out a small medal from the inner pocket of his robe. On the surface of the medal was engraved a totem resembling a Qilin head. "Keep this. If one day you explore the world and arrive in my galaxy, show this medal. My name is Yan Saotian, I am one of the elders of the Yan Clan. My galaxy is called Qilin Totem Galaxy. With this medal, people there will not make it difficult for you. Consider this as a bond between us."

Jhi Chen received the medal respectfully. He gripped it tightly, then put it in a safe place. "Thank you, Senior Yan. I will remember it. If one day I arrive in the Qilin Totem Galaxy, I will visit."

Yan Saotian nodded in satisfaction. "That's what I expect. Today I owe you my life. If one day you need help, bring that medal. I will come as much as I can."

Krisik Ape looked back and forth between Jhi Chen and Yan Saotian. He almost whistled if he hadn't restrained himself. For him, today was an unusual day. He became a follower of a boy whom even rank eight beasts didn't dare to look at for long. He also witnessed an elder from a large clan declare a debt of gratitude. He patted his chest lightly and whispered softly, "Lord, Krisik Ape will be useful. Krisik Ape will learn and not be ashamed."

Jhi Chen turned slightly, smiled faintly, then patted the little ape's head gently. "Stay quiet and watch around. We're not done here."

The forest returned to calm. The wind blew carrying the scent of damp soil. In the distance, the sound of the river flowing could be heard, reminding that Jhi Chen's journey had just begun. The old man who had been on the verge of death now sat leaning with a breath that was starting to regulate. On the other hand, a small ape with sapphire blue fur straightened his small body, ready to follow wherever his master stepped.

That day, a bond was formed. Not because of coercion, but because each saw value in the other. A boy with unlimited future prospects, a clan elder who had been ambushed and would not forget the debt, and an ape who had been a guardian of spirit plants but now accepted a new name. In a place that was not often visited by people, a new chapter was neatly arranged without needing magnificent witnesses. Enough with the sky, the trees, and the stream that kept the story.

"Senior," Jhi Chen said, breaking the silence, "are you still strong enough to walk? If not, I will take you to a safe place. After that, I have to go back."

"I can walk," Yan Saotian replied. "Not as strong as usual, but my feet have started to feel the ground again." He stood up slowly, testing his balance, then nodded. "Thank you."

"We part ways here," Jhi Chen said. "Remember my words. Don't spread the killing aura uncontrollably. It could hurt those who shouldn't."

Yan Saotian bowed respectfully. "I remember it. And I remember your name. If fate brings us together in the Qilin Totem Galaxy, the door of the Yan Clan will be open for you."

Jhi Chen didn't add anything. He turned around. His steps were light, but sure. Krisik Ape looked once more at the old man, then jumped close to Jhi Chen's neck. With a simple movement, the boy darted between the trees, leaving a gust of wind that quickly recovered as before. The forest closed again, as if nothing had happened. But for those who went through it, today changed many things.