On the plaza of the Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect.
Many disciples passing by, looking at the weak figure still kneeling, couldn't help but shake their heads and sigh.
"How pitiful, she was the favored daughter of the Lin family not too long ago, yet she has ended up in such a state."
"What can be done now? It all depends on how the Sect Master arranges it."
"Alas, what arrangement can there be? I doubt any elder in the sect would be willing to take in someone like her, who is half-crippled."
…
For three full days and nights, Lin Xueyan knelt without eating or drinking, showing her sincerity.
Every elder or disciple who passed by felt uneasy, yet helpless.
In her current condition, without substantial resources, she couldn't even cultivate. Apart from the sect's chief elders, who could afford it?
However, the Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect had been declining in recent years, and resources were already scarce. It was impossible for anyone to be willing to pour resources into her.
Lin Xueyan naturally understood this, but she had exhausted all her options.
Now, all she could do was place her hope in an elder of the Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect taking pity on her.
Yet, after three days and nights, Lin Xueyan's legs had gone numb, and her lips were pale and dry.
She already had injuries, and her cultivation was lost. Coupled with not having a drop of water for so long, she was relying entirely on her will to stay standing.
But no matter how strong her will, her body, severely weakened, began to sway precariously.
"No, I haven't avenged my parents yet, I can't end it like this..."
Lin Xueyan's voice was as faint as a thread, her consciousness growing increasingly hazy. She wanted to bite her tongue to stay awake, but she lacked the strength.
Flickering images of her past life with her parents in their family home appeared before her eyes, all so beautiful.
But then a chill ran through her body, jolting her back to reality. She could no longer control herself and collapsed straight down.
"No... I can't fall..."
Her body rapidly lost strength, filling Lin Xueyan with despair. It seemed everything was truly over.
Just as she hit the ground, she saw a white figure descend before her, and then felt herself being embraced.
"You..."
Seeing someone approach, Lin Xueyan wondered if it was a hallucination before death.
At this moment, the person said softly.
"Don't speak, just lie still."
In fact, Lin Xueyan no longer had the strength to speak.
Soon after, she felt a stream of warmth flow into her body.
A gentle power coursed through her meridians to her limbs and bones, gradually restoring her weakened body.
Around the plaza, many disciples, seeing the man in white holding Lin Xueyan, wore expressions of surprise.
"It's Elder Ye! Why is he here?"
"Can't you see? Judging by the situation, he might be planning to take Lin Xueyan in!"
"But he himself is heavily injured and needs resources for healing. Can he afford to take in another disciple with a damaged foundation?"
"Who knows? But if Elder Ye truly takes her in, I'll admire him for life for such righteousness!"
…
A few minutes later, after Ye Yun channeled some vital energy to Lin Xueyan, her consciousness and senses quickly recovered.
The intense weakness and the severe soreness in her limbs caused Lin Xueyan great pain.
But when she clearly saw Ye Yun before her, all pain was cast aside. She struggled to her knees before him.
"Elder Ye, please take me as your disciple!"
Her hands tightly gripped Ye Yun's arm, like a drowning person grasping the last straw.
"If you agree, Xueyan will dedicate everything to you from now on!"
Seeing that she was about to kowtow, Ye Yun frowned and said sternly.
"Lift your head. Otherwise, I will leave right now."
His words made Lin Xueyan's delicate body tremble. She quickly looked up at Ye Yun, her eyes filled with panic.
Ye Yun then said softly, "Remember this, besides your parents, you need not kneel to anyone!"
His words silenced Lin Xueyan. She pursed her lips and said.
"But I..."
"You wish to become my disciple, right? That's precisely what I was about to say."
Ye Yun smiled at her and said, "I am one of the chief elders of the Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect, the master of Qingyun Peak, Ye Yun. Lin Xueyan, are you willing to join my lineage?"
He then extended his hand to Lin Xueyan, his meaning clear.
Lin Xueyan was stunned. The despair she had felt for the past three days vanished the moment Ye Yun extended his hand, replaced by tears of excitement that uncontrollably streamed down her cheeks.
For the man who had extended his hand to her in her most desperate moment, Lin Xueyan had a thousand words to say, but she was too overwhelmed with emotion to speak, only nodding repeatedly with tears in her eyes.
Seeing this, Ye Yun smiled and said.
"Very well, from now on, you will be the senior disciple of Qingyun Peak."
"I am a rather casual person. We'll skip the disciple initiation ceremony, and you don't need to adhere to any strict rules. There's only one condition: never betray the sect, nor become a rebellious disciple who defies their master, do you understand?"
Lin Xueyan nodded again, saying with great conviction.
"Disciple swears never to become a rebellious disciple who defies their master! Nor will I betray the sect. If I do, may I die a horrible death, be cast into the Nine Nether Purgatory, and never be reborn for eternity!"
Perhaps wanting to show Ye Yun her sincerity, she was about to make another vow when Ye Yun interrupted her.
"Stop, stop. Rather than words, it's better to see your performance in the future."
Lin Xueyan agreed. At this moment, a voice sounded in Ye Yun's mind.
[Hint: Disciple Lin Xueyan has been successfully bound!]
Ye Yun's heart was filled with excitement. This meant he could attempt the reward system!
Impatiently, he glanced at Lin Xueyan. Seeing that her injuries were not minor, he cleared his throat and said.
"Disciple, looking at your internal injuries, come, eat this Grade Five Returning Yang Pill first!"
He took out the pill from his spatial ring and directly offered it to Lin Xueyan.
This action stunned the surrounding disciples, and even some outer sect elders.
"Holy cow, a Grade Five pill! Elder Ye is too generous!"
"Such a high-grade pill is rare even in the sect!"
"This Lin Xueyan is truly blessed. I'm so envious!"
…
In the Ancient Dao Heavenly Sect, the highest grade of pills was Grade Six, while Grade Five pills, slightly inferior, were also very precious. Each elder likely possessed only a few.
Ye Yun, who had just accepted Lin Xueyan, produced such a rare item, leaving everyone in awe.
Even Lin Xueyan herself was dumbfounded.
"A... a Grade Five pill? Master, for my internal injuries alone, isn't this precious healing pill a bit of overkill?"
Her primary issue was a damaged foundation, and pure healing pills would have limited effect. As for internal injuries, Grade Two pills would suffice for slow recuperation. A Grade Five pill would be a waste of heavenly resources.
Ye Yun said nonchalantly, "Just eat it if I tell you to. What's a Grade Five pill? It's nothing compared to your health!"
These domineering words warmed Lin Xueyan's heart, leaving her deeply touched. In this life, to have met such a good master, she had no regrets even if she were to die!
She accepted the pill and said gratefully, "Thank you for your grace, Master!"
Finally, at Ye Yun's signal, Lin Xueyan swallowed the Returning Yang Pill.
Under the potent medicinal effects of the Grade Five Returning Yang Pill, her external and internal injuries recovered at a speed visible to the naked eye.
"As expected of a Grade Five pill, it's so powerful!"
Lin Xueyan marveled at the potent effect of the Returning Yang Pill, while Ye Yun beside her heard the system prompt.
[Host gifted disciple a Returning Yang Pill, do you wish to initiate a return?]
Ye Yun had long been impatient. He silently thought.
"Return!"
[Return successful. Congratulations on activating the Thousandfold Return, you have obtained a Grade Eight Nirvana Pill!]
Ye Yun was overjoyed. He had obtained a Grade Eight Nirvana Pill right at the start. Now he had nothing to fear from the Ghost Flame poison!
Even in the entire Eastern Region, it would be hard to find a single Nirvana Pill. Its effects were incredibly heaven-defying; it could not only revive the dead and mend flesh but also rebuild foundations and even make one stronger!
As Ye Yun's excitement grew, a strange idea, or perhaps a system bug, occurred to him.
"Since I can get a return again, if I were to have Lin Xueyan consume this Grade Eight Nirvana Pill, what kind of divine pill would emerge then!"