Chapter 26: Millennium Profound Ice

Nanrong Zhan stared at Tong Jin as if he had just discovered a priceless treasure. "Do not be anxious, young one. I represent the Nanrong Clan in extending a formal invitation for you to be our guest." Realizing his tone had just been somewhat commanding, he softened his voice immediately.

Tong Jin frowned, a result he had not anticipated. Given that Nanrong Zhan was his savior, he should not have refused such a formal invitation. However, with his deep grievances yet to be avenged and urgent matters awaiting him in the south, he gave an awkward smile. "Senior Zhan, it is not that I, Tong Jin, am unwilling to be your guest, but I truly have pressing matters that require me to head south first," Tong Jin said, scratching his head. "How about this: once I have finished my business, I will come to visit the Nanrong Clan. At that time, I shall follow whatever arrangements you deem fit, Senior."

Nanrong Zhan was momentarily stunned by the refusal. Nan Rongyao then interjected, "Uncle Zhan, you know that Brother Tong has a great vendetta to settle; how could he possibly return with us to the Nanrong estate right now? I think this matter should be discussed in the future."

Nanrong Zhan turned to look at Nan Rongyao, his eyes filled with a hint of dissatisfaction, causing the head of the family to close his mouth instantly. "Sigh!" Nanrong Zhan pondered for a long while before finally sighing. "Very well, young one. Perhaps I was being too greedy. So be it. You go and complete what you must, and I shall wait for you at the Nanrong estate."

This remark left Nan Rongyao stunned. The tone was highly unusual, as if Nanrong Zhan were not inviting a younger brother, but rather trying to win over a powerful ally who could be of great service to the Nanrong family.

Tong Jin understood the underlying reason and nodded earnestly. "Rest assured, Senior Zhan, no matter what happens in my future, I will never forget the kindness shown by the Nanrong family! One day, I will surely pay you a visit in grand style."

"Cough, cough!" Just then, Nanrong Zhan suffered a violent fit of coughing, and a mouthful of fresh blood sprayed out.

"Uncle Zhan!"

"Senior Zhan!"

Nanrong Zhan stumbled and was caught by Nan Rongyao, who helped him back to the bed. Nanrong Zhan sat cross-legged immediately, and after some time, he finally managed to suppress the surging blood in his body.

"Senior Zhan, your internal injuries?" Tong Jin asked, his face full of anxiety; after all, these injuries were caused by him.

Nanrong Zhan waved his hand. "Young Tong, do not blame yourself. It was my oversight. My profound Yin energy entered your body and triggered a rejection from the profound Yang energy within you. I never expected that the Yin-Yang hybrid constitution would be so formidable." He paused before continuing, "The profound Yin and Yang energies naturally restrain each other. Because of this, my internal injuries will not be easy to recover from, unless..."

"Unless what?" Tong Jin and Nan Rongyao asked in unison.

"Unless young Tong reaches the peak of the Qi-Refining Realm, only then can you manipulate the profound Yin energy within your body to help me heal."

Tong Jin and Nan Rongyao both sighed simultaneously; this was clearly an impossible feat.

"There is one other way to completely cure my internal injuries," Nanrong Zhan said.

The two men, who had been frowning in distress, immediately looked up with renewed hope, staring intently at Nanrong Zhan.

"That is to find the Millennium Profound Ice! I can use it to completely heal my internal wounds." Nanrong Zhan looked up at the ceiling beams, his gaze seemingly piercing through them to look into the distance.

"Senior, where can this Millennium Profound Ice be found?" Tong Jin asked, his eyes gleaming with firm resolve.

"The Highland Snow Mountains," Nanrong Zhan murmured.

"Rest assured, Senior. Once I finish my task in the south, I will immediately set out for the highlands to find the Millennium Profound Ice."

Nanrong Zhan did not answer, merely staring blankly into space. After a long while, he withdrew his gaze and said, "Yao'er, I must return to the estate early. Although I have forcibly suppressed my injuries, I only have three years left. If I am forced to exert my internal energy within this time, the consequences will be unimaginable."

Nan Rongyao frowned slightly. "Don't worry, Uncle Zhan. I will make arrangements immediately to have you escorted back first."

"Only three years..." Tong Jin secretly made up his mind.

In the evening, Tong Jin sat on the stone steps in front of the inn with the two young girls, watching the crowds coming and going on the street.

"Brother Tong Jin, don't be sad. Grandpa Zhan is the second most powerful person in our family; he will definitely be fine," Feng Yue said, looking up at the troubled Tong Jin to comfort him.

"That's right, Brother Tong Jin! Every time I scraped my knees when I was little, Grandpa Zhan would just blow on them, and the wounds would disappear. He's better than the best doctor in the world, so don't you worry!" Qing Lan added, leaning in.

Tong Jin forced himself to cheer up and managed a smile, which made the two girls beam with joy.

Just then, a figure caught Tong Jin’s eye. His body stiffened instantly, and within a breath, he darted back into the inn. Beside that figure was a man with a livid complexion—it was Yin Sha and that Azure-Faced Pavilion Master.

The two seemed not to have noticed Tong Jin; they walked slowly toward the inn, passing by the two girls on the steps and entering the building.

The girls clearly sensed something, got up, and scurried up to the second-floor room.

At that moment, Tong Jin was already in Nanrong Zhan’s room, where Nan Rongyao happened to be as well.

"Brother Tong, why are you so flustered?" Nan Rongyao, who was sitting on a wooden chair drinking tea with Nanrong Zhan, asked.

"Family Head, Senior Zhan, I think I must leave early."

"Oh?" Nanrong Zhan and Nan Rongyao asked in surprise. At that moment, Feng Yue and Qing Lan ran into the room and cleverly closed the door behind them.

"My enemies have tracked me to this place. I fear that if they discover I am with you, it will only bring you unexpected trouble," Tong Jin said, frowning.

"I have heard something about the enemies you face, young one. Who has come?" Nanrong Zhan asked in a low voice.

Tong Jin sighed. "From what I saw, at least one of them is at the peak of the Qi-Refining Realm."

The room fell into silence, with only the sound of Nanrong Zhan’s fingers tapping on the armrest of his chair. After a long while, he looked up at Tong Jin and said, "Very well. If we provide cover, it will be easier for you to escape alone."

Nan Rongyao could not think of a better plan, so he nodded in agreement.

"Brother Tong Jin, are you leaving us?" Qing Lan asked, looking aggrieved.

Tong Jin reached out and ruffled Qing Lan’s hair. "You must listen to the Family Head. I believe we will meet again very soon."

The two girls clearly understood that this was no time to be willful. "Pinky swear!" They both extended their little fingers.

"Alright, pinky swear." Tong Jin extended both hands and hooked his little fingers with theirs.

The sun set behind the mountains, and night descended. The large lanterns in front of the inn were lit and hung high.

Near the back door of the inn, several figures were faintly discernible—it was Tong Jin and the members of the Nanrong family.

"I bid you farewell!" Tong Jin bowed deeply to them all. He then turned sharply and darted out, disappearing into the pitch-black night in a few breaths.

After a long time, Nanrong Zhan sighed, "This child is certainly no ordinary man. The Nanrong family must cultivate a relationship with him." A night breeze blew, and his murmurs were carried away by the wind as the chirping of insects filled the air.