"Triple-Fist Punch!"
Boom!
Followed by a resounding boom, a boy crashed into the ground, coughing out a mouthful of blood.
"D-Damn you! How did a trash like you become so strong?" He grunted in shame, expressing anger in denial, unable to get up as he could feel a couple of his rib bones had cracked.
He had long flaxen hair that was covered by soil now, painting a muddy feeling. His originally cyan dress was shaded brown, covered by traces of dark crimson.
As he struggled to get up, a similarly aged boy, wearing dark green clothes with tattered sleeves approached him, standing before him as a proud voice resounded, "Trash this, trash that, trash whatnot! Who's on the ground now, beaten like a dog? Which of us is the real trash?"
"Y-You trashy bastard!" The boy with flaxen hair stared in anger as a couple of his men quickly propped him up. Glaring at the other party, he snorted in disdain, "Just you wait, I'll be back for revenge, Xiaoan!"
"Heh, you wish." The dark green clothed boy, Xiaoan smirked derisively, watching the flaxen-haired boy limp his way out.
"Xiaoan, you've offended him now. Yanyuan has a vengeful personality." A melodious voice resounded as the scent of lilies wafted into his nostrils, causing Xiaoan to relax automatically.
He turned around, flashing a cheerful smile at the jade beauty that had arrived, "Are you concerned on my behalf, Cheur?"
"Who's concerned about a pervert like you?" Cheur snapped back as she walked away, stopping after taking a couple of steps as she said in all seriousness, "You've offended Yanyuan now. Be careful."
"You needn't worry about a mere Yanyuan." Xiaoan clenched his hand tightly, stating confidently, "He can never hope to be my opponent ever again."
'The old Xiaoan has returned.' Cheur smiled subtly upon staring at the confident and clear-willed gaze Xiaoan showed, walking away with a brighter mood.
"Strange, since when did she start treating me this well again?" Xiaoan scratched his cheek in confusion, able to sense Cheur's pleasant mood. He then shook his head, muttering in focus, "This is only the beginning. I'll become the fabled genius once again."
"And this time, none would ever be able to bully me again." He announced solemnly, clutching the ring that his late parents had left behind for him.
It was why he was able to make a comeback despite losing his Mystic Roots due to an accident in the past.
In the mansion of the Yan Clan, the two guards brought in an injured Yanyuan, placing him on a berth carefully.
"Argh!" Yanyuan screamed in pain, clutching the hems of his clothes.
"My child! What happened to you?" A middle-aged man arrived before him in a hurry, looking at his wounds in concern as his face convulsed in anger, glaring at the two guards, observing their uninjured state as he coughed vehemently, "Why the heck are the both of you alive while my son alone is injured."
"M-My Lord!" One of the guards stated in fear, "Young Master had challenged Xiaoan as usual. So, we didn't interfere. But shockingly, Xiaoan erupted with terrifying strength and wounded the young master."
"As if a trash can become a genius overnight. Are you high? Did nonstop cultivation muddle your remaining two braincells?" The middle-aged man snapped back, "Became a genius overnight my ass. Even if he did, how the heck did he skip six stages of cultivation? No wondrous herb is capable of causing this."
"It happened, dad." Yanyuan gasped for air as he said in anger, "But, I'll take revenge on that trash!"
"I'll definitely do it."
"You will, my child." The middle-aged man said, taking out a pill that he popped in Yanyuan's mouth, "Take some rest. This Recovery Pill will heal your wounds."
"Yeah..." Yanyuan was just about to say something when his eyes shot to the side, noticing one of their guards rushing inside in a hurry.
The guard kneeled on the ground, cupping his fists to state aloud, "Granny Kiyo has arrived!"
"Granny Kiyo?" The middle-aged man's face brightened in response as he hurriedly patted Yanyuan, "Quick, get up and change your clothes. You must be presentable."
"If you manage to get into her good books, our Yan Clan would soar!"
"Yes, dad" Yanyuan nodded as he suppressed his injuries and hurriedly washed himself within a minute, changing into a set of luxurious clothes as he tried his best to assume a normal gait, unwilling to hint at his injuries.
Through the entrance, following the announcement, an old lady sauntered in, sporting a mild hunch. Her skin was mildly wrinkled, but her eyes were clear, her wide facial features making her face rememberable, hinting that when young, she would have swept the hearts of every man.
"I greet you to my humble Clan, Granny Kiyo!" The middle-aged man bowed respectfully as Yanyuan followed suit.
"Clan Leader Yan, you're too humble." Granny Kiyo smiled amicably as her eyes darted toward Yanyuan, "Is this your youngest child?"
"Yes." The middle-aged man nodded, patting his son's back, "Yanyuan, greet Granny Kiyo."
"I've looked up to you all along, Granny Kiyo." Yanyuan bowed respectfully, controlling his best to prevent his face from contorting due to the pain.
"You're injured?" Her eyes arched as Granny Kiyo observed Yanyuan, beckoning for him to come closer as she gently touched his chest, probing his arms following that as suddenly, a mystical glow flowed into his body.
"Ahh!" Yanyuan exclaimed in surprise to see that all his injuries were treated instantly. Moreover, his Mystic Roots seemed to have been upgraded mildly, shocking him at the depth of strength Granny Kiyo had attained.
'Even though Granny Kiyo is only a Spirit Retainer, her depth of knowledge is vast.' Yanyuan understood now, 'So, this is why dad's treating her with such respect.'
"Granny Kiyo, please allow me to express gratitude for treating my son." The middle-aged man bowed respectfully.
"That won't be necessary." Granny Kiyo waved her hands, gently patting Yanyuan on the head, "This child is pleasing to the eye. So, I just treated him a little."
Her eyes curled up as she observed the evident expression of jubilation from the father and son pair.
