The boy’s face appeared especially pale under the moonlight, but his smile was genuine and carefree.

At that moment, Ye Feng returned, carrying an armful of storage bags, his face unable to hide his ecstatic joy.

“Boss! Look, we found all of this, and Yu Kai even had a storage ring on him!”

Cao Yan, who had barely managed to sit up, widened his eyes in disbelief.

“You killed Yu Kai, the leader of the Dark Blood Alliance?”

“Then we need to leave, now!”

“Besides him, the Dark Blood Alliance still has five Golden Elixir experts!”

Ye Feng took a half-step back and pointed at Cao Yan.

“Big head, I’m telling you, stop glaring at people like that, it’s scary!”

After saying that, he started counting on his fingers and then sat down beside Li Guanqi, looking puzzled.

“Boss, counting Yu Kai, that’s six people. Did we kill them all?”

Hearing this, Cao Yan suddenly knelt in front of them, tears streaming down his face.

“I, Cao Yan, thank you both for saving my life!”

Both Ye Feng and Li Guanqi were startled by his sudden gesture.

They hurriedly helped him up, and Ye Feng, feeling a bit embarrassed, wiped the blood off Cao Yan’s forehead with his sleeve.

As he wiped, he said, “You big head, you just knelt down like that, almost blew your head off…”

“What’s the big deal… I didn’t even kneel this hard when bowing to my father.”

Cao Yan grinned at his words.

Li Guanqi, looking puzzled, said, “If I’m not mistaken… you’re at the late Foundation Establishment stage?”

As soon as he said this, Cao Yan’s eyes dimmed, but he nodded truthfully.

In a low, dejected voice, he said, “Yes, I reached the late Foundation Establishment stage when I was ten.”

Ye Feng’s eyes widened even more than Cao Yan’s had earlier, and he exclaimed, “Ten years old! Late Foundation Establishment stage!”

Cao Yan glanced at him, and Li Guanqi signaled him to stay quiet.

“Yes… but later, some changes happened in my family, and I ended up like this.”

“I can’t cultivate or absorb spiritual energy, my head keeps getting bigger, and my realm keeps weakening.”

Li Guanqi sighed. It seemed like no one could help with such matters; every family has its own troubles.

The reason he saved Cao Yan was because the moment he was thrown out the back door, it struck a chord with him.

That scene… was too similar to when his sister was thrown out of the Li family back then!

Back then, he had no ability to save his sister, not even his grandfather could help.

But now, he had the power to save Cao Yan!

He didn’t want the past tragedy to repeat itself. Despite Cao Yan’s ugly and strange appearance, he had a kind heart and might have been beaten for warning them.

Just as Li Guanqi was about to ask Cao Yan about his future plans, the sleeping Sword Spirit suddenly let out a soft “hmm” in his mind!

Then, she appeared directly from the Sword Coffin, though only Li Guanqi could see her.

The Sword Spirit, with her stunning beauty, still maintained her cold demeanor, which Li Guanqi was used to.

But he never grew tired of her exquisite appearance.

The Sword Spirit leaned down to examine Cao Yan, clicking her tongue in wonder.

“To think you’d encounter someone like this.”

Li Guanqi frowned and asked in his mind, “What do you mean?”

The Sword Spirit slowly walked towards Li Guanqi, glanced at Ye Feng, and said softly, “I’ll give you two choices.”

Li Guanqi shrugged; he didn’t like it when the Sword Spirit made him choose.

“Let’s hear it.”

The Sword Spirit pointed at Cao Yan and said, “This guy’s talent is much stronger than that big idiot beside you, and he will become a great help to you in the future!”

“Go on.”

“But… he has been cursed with a very malicious technique.”

Saying this, the Sword Spirit stood up.

Li Guanqi felt a sense of loss as the dazzling sight before him vanished, replaced by a beam of Spirit Light from the Sword Spirit entering his eyes.

He suddenly noticed a Spirit Light mark, flickering with blue flames, on the burn mark on Cao Yan’s forehead!

The Sword Spirit continued, “You can use the Spirit Ruin Sword to cut the restriction on his spiritual platform.”

“But in doing so, you will also be entangled in his karma, which is very heavy for you!”

“It might even cost you your life in the future!”

“How you choose is up to you.”

Li Guanqi felt conflicted upon hearing this, but he had no reason to doubt the Sword Spirit.

In terms of insight, he believed only his grandfather could compare to her among everyone he knew.

Since the Sword Spirit said so, there must be a reason.

After pondering for a long time, Li Guanqi stood up and interrupted Ye Feng and Cao Yan’s conversation.

He stared at Cao Yan for a long time.

Cao Yan, sensing that Li Guanqi had something to say to him, looked back without any hesitation.

Cao Yan felt immense gratitude towards Li Guanqi and Ye Feng.

To him, his saviors were like reborn parents.

After a long while, Li Guanqi looked at Ye Feng and sent a voice transmission.

“I want to take him as a little brother. Do you agree?”

Ye Feng was surprised that Li Guanqi would seek his opinion on such a matter!

This feeling of being valued made Ye Feng’s heart warm.

With his carefree personality, Ye Feng didn’t mind such things. In fact, he was happy to have another little brother.

Moreover, he had a good impression of Cao Yan, who had risked his life to warn them about the pill.

Seeing Ye Feng nod, Li Guanqi took a deep breath and stood up, speaking in a solemn tone.

“Cao Yan, my name is Li Guanqi, and this is my brother, Ye Feng.”

“Today, if I help you break the restriction in your body, would you be willing to follow me and call me brother?”

Cao Yan’s pupils trembled upon hearing the last sentence.

After a moment of determination, he struggled to stand up!

Ye Feng wanted to help him, but Cao Yan stopped him, using great effort to stand on his own.

Despite his twisted features, Ye Feng felt that Cao Yan was extremely solemn at this moment!

With one eye higher than the other, Cao Yan looked at Li Guanqi, placed a hand on his chest, and said in a deep voice.

“To be honest, my background is quite complicated…”

“Calling me brother might not be a good thing for you.”

Li Guanqi laughed heartily; he knew he hadn’t misjudged him.

Cao Yan had taken the initiative to voice his concerns.

But before saying this, Li Guanqi had already made up his mind.

“Just answer whether you’re willing or not. I’ve already prepared for the rest!”

Cao Yan took a deep breath and bowed deeply, saying in a firm voice.

“I, Cao Yan, swear on the honor of my ancestors!”

“From today onwards, I am willing to follow you!”

“I will do my utmost to assist you!!”

His voice was powerful and resonant, moving even Ye Feng beside him!