With a composed expression, Xiao Yan slowly made his way out of the hall, his mind still scattered. As per his usual habit, he climbed steadily up the family's back mountain and settled on the wall, gazing calmly at the rugged peaks across the misty landscape—there, the renowned Monster Mountains of the Gamma Empire stretched majestically. "Ha ha," he murmured, a low chuckle rising from deep within him, tinged with both scorn and resentment. "Strength... strength in this world? Without it, I'm nothing. At best, I’m just some pile of dog dung—someone hasn’t even dared to step on me yet!" Gently shaking his shoulders, the boy’s voice floated gently over the mountain top, echoing softly. He pushed his fingers into his black hair and clenched his lips tightly, letting a thin streak of blood trace along his lower lip. Though he had maintained composure in the hall, the words spoken by Nan Lan Yanran cut through him like blades—each one striking deep, causing his body to tremble. "Today’s humiliation? I won’t endure it a second time!" With his left hand now open, revealing a clear crimson streak, Xiao Yan's voice was hoarse but resolute. "Hmm, little lad—you’re clearly in need of assistance," came a sudden, aged laugh from behind. His face brightened as Xiao Yan turned sharply around. His sharp, eagle-like gaze swept across the mountain slope—but there was no figure to be found. "Ha! Don’t search—right on your finger!" The odd laughter rang out again, though this time it seemed to come from nowhere in particular. Xiao Yan’s eyes narrowed. Then, they snapped to his right hand—where a dark, ancient ring rested. "Are you speaking?" Xiao Yan tried to steady himself, forcing calm into his voice despite the rising fear. "Good spirit," came the playful chuckle from within the ring. "You didn’t jump off the cliff after all." "Who are you? How did you end up inside my ring? What do you want?" After a brief pause, Xiao Yan asked with clear, precise words. "I’ll tell you about myself later," the voice replied. "As long as I don't harm you—that’s all. After so many years, finally meeting someone with strong soul energy is truly fortunate! Hah—though I must admit, thank you for your three years of steady offerings. Otherwise, I’d still be asleep." "Offerings?" Xiao Yan blinked in confusion. Then his face darkened dramatically; cold words struggled to emerge from between his teeth: "The mysterious disappearance of my Qi energy—I’m starting to think that was your doing?" "Hmm," came the chuckle. "I didn’t have a choice, little lad—don’t blame me." "By the gods!" Usually so composed and level-headed, Xiao Yan now erupted into wild fury, his face flushed with anger. He didn’t care whether it was a cherished heirloom from his mother—he simply tore off the ring from his finger without hesitation and hurled it forcefully toward the steep edge below. As soon as the ring left his hand, he felt a sudden clarity in his mind and reached out to grab it. But by then, the ring had already plunged directly into the chasm. Staring blankly at the ring vanishing into the misty haze, Xiao Yan stood there for a long moment, his expression gradually settling. With a frustrated gesture, he patted his forehead: "A fool! So impetuous! So impetuous!" Now that he understood the real cause of his three years of humiliation—the very ring he had worn—his outburst made perfect sense. After sitting on the cliff’s edge for some time, Xiao Yan finally sighed and shook his head, then rose to his feet. His eyes widened suddenly as he pointed sharply at what lay before him. Now floating in front of him was a dark, ancient ring. What stunned him most was that hovering above it—an ethereal, translucent figure of an old man drifted gently through the air. "Hah!" the transparent elder smiled warmly at Xiao Yan’s wide-eyed astonishment. "Don’t you need to be this furious? It's only absorbed three years’ worth of your Qi energy after all." His voice trembled slightly as Xiao Yan tried to suppress his anger: "Then, since you've been hidden inside my ring—shouldn't you know that by absorbing my Qi, you’ve earned me a series of insults?" "But during these past three years," the elder replied with a gentle smile, "haven’t you grown? Do you think you could have held such composure and strength just three years ago?" Xiao Yan’s brows furrowed. As his anger settled, a quiet sense of calm grew within him. Now that he knew the source of his Qi's disappearance, he felt certain—his innate talent had returned! The thought of finally shedding the label of "waste" gave him an extraordinary sense of renewal. And now, this once-unkind old man didn’t seem so bad after all. Sometimes, it’s only when something is lost that we truly appreciate its value. When regained, it becomes even more cherished. With a slow stretch of his wrist, Xiao Yan took a deep breath and looked up: "I don’t know who you are yet—so I’d like to ask: will you continue living within my ring and drawing from my Qi energy? If so, then I suggest you find another host. I simply can’t afford to keep feeding you." "Hmm," the elder chuckled, stroking his mustache. "Others don’t possess your powerful soul sensitivity." "Since I’ve chosen to appear now," he continued, "I shall no longer absorb any of your Qi energy unless you specifically allow me to." Xiao Yan rolled his eyes and said nothing—having already decided that no matter how eloquent the old man became, he would never let him stay by his side. "Little lad," the elder added, though in his heart he had now settled Xiao Yan as someone not to be disturbed, "do you wish to grow stronger? To earn the respect of others?" Now that he’d spoken these words, Xiao Yan’s heart fluttered—though he still didn’t fully believe it. "I’ve now uncovered the mystery behind my Qi energy's disappearance," he said calmly, breathing deeply. "With my natural talent, do I really need you to help me grow?" He understood well—the world offered no free lunches. Accepting unexplained favors from a stranger wasn't the most wise decision. "Your talents are indeed strong," the elder continued with a wrinkled face now resembling a blooming chrysanthemum. "Yet—you’re fifteen years old, and your Qi energy is only at the third stage. I recall—your coming-of-age ceremony should take place next year. Do you think, in just one year, you could rise from third to seventh stage through diligent training alone? And don’t forget—the girl you’ve been competing against for three years! Her talent isn’t inferior to yours, either. Can you possibly catch up and surpass her?" "Without your constant siphoning of my Qi energy," Xiao Yan snapped, his face darkening again, "how could I have stood such humiliation? You old fool!" After a series of fierce complaints, Xiao Yan’s own spirits sagged. With all this said, even the most passionate outbursts fell short—because the foundation of Qi cultivation remained vital. When he was just four years old, he had begun training and poured six solid years into it to reach the ninth stage. Even now, with his talent restored, climbing to seventh stage within a year seemed utterly impossible. Sighing deeply, Xiao Yan glanced at the elder—who wore an air of practiced mystery—and said with a frown: "Do you have any plan?" "Perhaps," came the elderly man’s vague reply. "If I help you reach seventh stage of Qi energy in one year," Xiao Yan proposed, "then I’ll cancel your three years’ absorption of my Qi. How does that sound?" "Hmm," the elder smiled with genuine approval. "You’re quite shrewd." "If you don’t bring me any real benefit," Xiao Yan added dryly, "then why keep me around? I think you’d be better off finding another unfortunate soul to serve!" After a while of conversation, he realized that the transparent old man did not absorb Qi energy from others casually. "Are you really such a fifteen-year-old?" the elder remarked, surprised. Then, with a gentle shake of his head, he couldn’t help but smile at Xiao Yan’s sharpness. Xiao Yan simply shrugged and said: "If you wish me to continue offering my support, then you’ll have to show some real sincerity." "Such a sharp-tongued little lad," the elder admitted, nodding reluctantly. "Well—what can I say? I still have something to ask of you." With that, he stepped down from the air and examined Xiao Yan carefully. A moment later, a hint of satisfied triumph flickered across his face before fading. After hesitating slightly, as though reluctant, he finally said: "Would you like to become a master of medicinal herbs?"