A passing traveler through the heavens

"Third sister, third sister, where are you?"

The next morning, the Yang residence at the mouth of the Guanjiang River was shrouded in a thin layer of morning mist. In the stillness, a sudden, urgent shout rang out.

The sound pierced through the courtyard, startling the birds perched under the eaves, and echoed in the empty corridor.

The voice belonged to Yang Jian, who suddenly awoke from his coma, but seemed still trapped in the nightmare of the previous night.

In his memory, the tiger demon's claws gleamed coldly, he was struck down heavily, and the image of his third sister, Yang Chan, being kidnapped by that evil demon was branded into his mind, impossible to erase.

Just then, hurried footsteps approached, and Yang Chan rushed into Yang Jian's room.

Her hair was slightly disheveled, but her eyes sparkled with surprise: "Second Brother, you're finally awake!"

"Third sister!"

The moment Yang Jian saw Yang Chan, his eyes instantly reddened, as if filled with surging emotions.

He strode forward and hugged Yang Chan tightly with both arms, as if to confirm her existence and that she was truly safe and sound.

However, he quickly released her and eagerly placed his hands on Yang Chan's shoulders, his eyes sharp as he carefully examined her for any injuries, not missing a single trace.

Suddenly, Yang Jian's gaze was drawn to a man following behind Yang Chan.

His expression instantly hardened, and he went into a state of alert. He instinctively pulled Yang Chan behind him, his aura tense, and he stared at the newcomer warily, his eyes filled with scrutiny and defensiveness.

Yang Chan noticed her second brother's wariness and quickly explained, "Second brother, don't misunderstand. This is Young Master Ji Lin. He's the one who saved us."

Afterwards, Yang Chan told Yang Jian about her experience from the previous night in detail.

How did Ji Lin appear at the critical moment, defeat the tiger demon with his powerful magic, and take good care of the unconscious Yang Jian, properly settling the brother and sister in the Yang family mansion?

Upon hearing this, Yang Jian's tense body slowly relaxed, and the wariness in his eyes was replaced by gratitude.

He stepped forward, clasped his hands in a fist salute, lowered his body, and bowed deeply to Ji Lin, saying sincerely, "Thank you, Brother Ji, for saving my life. I, Yang Jian, will never forget this kindness! If there is any need for your service in the future, I, Yang Jian, will gladly die for you."

Ji Lin waved his hand, a gentle smile on his face, and said humbly, "Brother Yang, you flatter me. It was just a small thing for me to help when I saw injustice."

Only then did Ji Lin truly understand Yang Jian. Looking closely at Yang Jian and his face, Ji Lin felt as if he were seeing the same person he had seen in the Magic Mobile World.

After all, the current Yang Jian and the former You Suowei look remarkably alike.

After exchanging pleasantries, the group went to the front hall for breakfast. At the table, the atmosphere gradually warmed up, and Yang Jian and Yang Chan felt even more grateful to Ji Lin.

After the meal, Ji Lin went to the market. He wandered through the bustling crowds, selecting from shop to shop, and finally carefully chose two excellent coffins.

Upon returning, he tirelessly helped Yang Jian and his sister transport the remains of Yang Tianyou and Yang Jiao to the outskirts of Guanjiangkou.

The three remained silent throughout the journey, accompanied only by the heavy sound of their footsteps and the occasional whistling of the wind.

On the outskirts of Guanjiang Estuary, a gentle breeze carrying a hint of chill caressed the newly risen earth.

Yang Jian and Yang Chan knelt side by side before their father's and brother's tombstones. The surrounding trees seemed to mourn the sorrowful atmosphere, their branches drooping and remaining motionless.

The sky was overcast, as if it too was weeping for this tragic event.

Yang Jian's eyes were bloodshot, a testament to the mingling of sorrow and exhaustion.

He stared intently at the name engraved on the tombstone, his lips trembling slightly, his throat feeling as if something was choking him, and he couldn't speak for a long time.

Memories of his time with his father and brother flashed through his mind like a revolving lantern.

Yang Chan was already sobbing uncontrollably, tears streaming down her face like a burst dam, soaking the ground in front of her.

Her shoulders were trembling violently, and she seemed to have lost all her strength, only able to barely support herself by relying on her second brother.

"Father, elder brother..." Yang Jian finally spoke, his voice hoarse as if sandpaper were being scraped, each word seeming to be squeezed from the deepest part of his heart, carrying endless pain and self-reproach.

"Although I don't know why our Yang family has to suffer such a calamity of extermination, Erlang vows to do his best to master his skills, protect his third sister, and rescue their mother."

Yang Jian clenched his fists tightly, his knuckles turning white from the force, his nails digging deep into his palms, yet he felt no pain whatsoever.

His eyes burned with the flames of revenge, a flame that blazed fiercely amidst the ashes of sorrow.

Yang Chan cried even more bitterly. She rushed forward and hugged the tombstone tightly with both hands, as if she could keep her departed loved ones with her: "Father, elder brother, you're gone, what will Chan'er do now..."

Her voice, filled with endless despair and helplessness, echoed across the empty countryside, heartbreaking.

Yang Jian slowly reached out and gently patted Yang Chan's back, trying to comfort her, but at that moment his own tears also welled up uncontrollably.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm himself down, and a determined look gradually appeared in his eyes: "Father, Mother, elder brother, rest assured, if I don't avenge this, I, Yang Jian, swear I will not be a man!"

His voice was deep yet powerful, each word like a heavy vow nail, deeply driven into this land.

Yang Chan raised her tear-streaked face, nodded forcefully, her voice choked with emotion yet resolute.

"Second brother, I'm with you. No matter what difficulties we encounter, we will rescue Mother and avenge Father and eldest brother!"

The two kowtowed three times heavily before the tombstone, their foreheads touching the cold earth, as if making the most solemn promise to their deceased loved ones.

Their foreheads were covered in mud, but they were oblivious to it; at that moment, their conviction was as firm as a rock.

Ji Lin stood aside and watched this scene silently. The so-called separation of life and death seemed to have no effect on Ji Lin's heart.

He looked quietly at Yang Jian and his sister, a hint of emotion in his eyes.

When Yang Jian and his sister stood up, the grief they had just felt was gone from their eyes; instead, there was a chilling determination and resolve in them.

They knew that from this moment on, the belief in avenging their loved ones would become their sole motivation to move forward, and they would never back down, no matter how thorny and full of difficulties lay ahead.

Yang Jian and Yang Chan slowly stood up. Although there was still some lingering sorrow on their faces, their eyes now held a hint of determination and gratitude.

They turned to face Ji Lin, clasped their hands in a respectful bow, and Yang Jian spoke first, his voice full of sincerity: "Brother Ji, my sister and I will remember this great kindness forever, and we have no way to repay it."

Yang Chan chimed in, "Yes, Young Master Ji, if it weren't for you, my brother and I would be in a terrible state now."

After saying this, Yang Jian suddenly knelt on one knee and solemnly said, "Brother Ji, I see that you have great supernatural powers and profound magical abilities. I earnestly request that you take me as your disciple and teach me the methods of cultivation."

Upon seeing this, Ji Lin quickly stepped forward, helped Yang Jian up with both hands, and said with a sincere yet humble expression, "Brother Yang, please don't do this. I really can't accept your apprenticeship ceremony."

"To be honest, I am just a newcomer who has just embarked on the path of cultivation. My cultivation is still shallow, so how can I be qualified to be your master?"

"However, I can recommend a renowned teacher to you."

Yang Jian and Yang Chan exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with anticipation. Their fates seemed to take a turn for the better at that moment, and new hope welled up in their hearts.

Ji Lin continued, "My master is Yu Ding Zhenren, one of the twelve Golden Immortals under the Yuanshi Tianzun. He has profound cultivation and great supernatural powers."

"If you can get his guidance, Brother Yang, your cultivation path will be much smoother, and you will be more confident in rescuing your mother."

"And I am fortunate enough to be a disciple of Master Yuding."

Upon hearing this, Yang Jian and Yang Chan were overjoyed. Yang Chan couldn't help but clap her hands and say, "That's wonderful! I wonder where this Jade Cauldron Immortal is now?"

Ji Lin smiled and replied, "It's at Jinxia Cave on Yuquan Mountain."