HPMC Chapter 5

This forest was located on the back mountain near the Nine Suns Sect, covering a vast area with many demon beasts—practically a sea of trees.  

On the other side of this forest were other sects, but they were far enough from the Nine Suns Sect that neither disturbed the other. However, disciples from all sects were free to enter the forest for training. 

The closer one got to the center of the forest, the greater the danger. Not only were there rare natural treasures, but there were also powerful demon beasts comparable to Nascent Soul and Spirit Transformation cultivators. These beasts rarely showed themselves, spending their time absorbing the essence of the sun and moon. Generally, as long as no one provoked them, they wouldn’t trouble ordinary cultivators—an unspoken agreement between the powerful figures of the sects and the beasts.  

Yu Tianze had found the selection assembly rather boring, but after essentially setting Ming Yan up, his mood improved significantly. With nothing else to do, he decided to come to this forest to cleanse his mind.  

Even if it was useless, it was still a form of relaxation.  

Yu Tianze didn’t venture deep into the forest. He simply followed a straight path forward, much like his own path of thunder and fire—any obstacle in his way would be destroyed.  

No foolish demon beast dared to cross him along the way. The aura of a Nascent Soul expert, even when not intentionally released, was enough to suppress and scare them off.  

Thus, Yu Tianze walked quite far, leisurely admiring the flowers and trees, no longer feeling stifled.  

However, as Yu Tianze casually glanced around, he suddenly noticed a wisp of white smoke rising in the distance. At the source of the smoke, there seemed to be a small figure crouching.  

Seeing this, he frowned.  

What reckless child had come alone to fool around in this forest?  

Without much hesitation, Yu Tianze strode toward the spot.  

While he held no fondness for the Nine Suns Sect, he couldn’t ignore a clueless child. Such a brat deserved a good spanking before being tossed to those neglectful disciples for supervision.  

Within a few breaths, Yu Tianze was near the child.  

A campfire burned there, flanked by crude wooden frames. A skinned wild rabbit was skewered on a hardwood branch, being turned back and forth by a thin, bony hand. Golden oil dripped slowly…  

Beside the fire was a child who looked only five or six years old. However, with Yu Tianze’s sharp eyes, he immediately discerned the child’s bone age—likely nine years old. Who knew how the disciples tasked with caring for young children did their jobs? This brat was as scrawny as a chick, with barely any meat on his bones, a pitiful sight.  

Yu Tianze swept his gaze over the child, his frown deepening.  The boy seemed highly perceptive, turning his head abruptly.  When Yu Tianze saw the child’s face clearly, his expression changed, his gaze turning complicated.  Why was it… him?  

As mentioned earlier, in his past life, Yu Tianze was an unlucky fool who was both betrayed by his master and undone by his own stupidity. The final scene was him being besieged by over a dozen Nascent Soul cultivators and one Spirit Transformation expert. It was said that he nearly escaped despite severe injuries but was tripped up by demon spirits, leading to his miserable end. Logically, no matter how powerful he was or how desperately he fought, achieving “near escape” under such circumstances seemed impossible. So how did he manage it? This was related to one person.  

That person was also one of the Nascent Soul cultivators besieging him but was the one who let him go at the last moment.  

Yu Tianze silently studied the child again…  

This was a face he would never forget, even in death.  

Back then, though Yu Tianze fought fiercely, he was already somewhat desperate. Moreover, the Nascent Soul cultivators were setting up a grand formation. Once completed, even if he self-destructed, his primordial spirit would be captured, and his celestial palace would truly fall into the hands of those villains. How could Yu Tianze accept that?  

Suddenly, someone transmitted a message to him: “Break through from my position.”  

Yu Tianze glanced over and saw a Nascent Soul cultivator whose expression showed no change.  He only vaguely recognized this person, having had no interaction with him before… but at that time, Yu Tianze had no other choice. Even if he didn’t fully trust it, he had to gamble. As it turned out, when he charged over, the Nascent Soul cultivator exchanged a few moves with him before pretending to be struck, coughing up blood and retreating.  

Thanks to this, Yu Tianze instantly fled far away, almost escaping. Unfortunately, a few demon spirits leaped out from ahead and, using some kind of magical treasure, stalled him for a brief moment.  

That brief moment was enough for his pursuers to catch up.  Yu Tianze chose to self-destruct.  

Yes, after his self-destruction, the celestial palace would be exposed. If his primordial spirit were captured, the contract could be broken, and the palace seized. However, Yu Tianze used that fleeting opportunity to shatter himself into countless pieces, spraying all the approaching cultivators with blood and flesh.  The celestial palace transformed into a tiny particle, hidden within a fragment of flesh, and stuck to the Nascent Soul cultivator who had let him go. Just before dying, Yu Tianze smoothly transmitted the method to transfer the celestial palace.  

Yu Tianze found it bitterly ironic.  The master and sect he had devoted himself to had plotted his death, while a fellow disciple he’d never interacted with or benefited from had shown him a sliver of compassion.  Regardless of the other’s reasons, Yu Tianze gifted the celestial palace to him for that single act of kindness.  As for Ming Yan, Chen Yiheng, and their ilk… they wouldn’t get a single spirit stone from him!  

Mu Zirun was somewhat puzzled.  The person before him… had been staring at him for a long time.  As someone who had grown up alone, struggling to survive, later building his own career, and even having the luck to transmigrate after dying from an incurable disease, he had keen observational skills.  

For instance, the luxurious purple robe, the striking and sharp beauty of the face, the cold expression, and the terrifying aura that made one’s heart tremble—all clearly told him that this seemingly young man was the rumored most talented Nascent Soul expert in the inner sect.  

If he were an ordinary nine-year-old child, he certainly wouldn’t remain this calm. But before dying of his illness, he had been over forty years old. Having transmigrated a month ago, facing such a “young” cultivator who looked flawless from head to toe, he truly felt no fear. Observing more carefully, he quickly identified the other’s status.  

However, though Mu Zirun recognized him, he realized he couldn’t discern the young powerhouse’s emotions.  

He didn’t seem angry or pleased… so what was he doing just standing there?  

Despite the whirlwind of thoughts in his mind, Mu Zirun’s expression remained unchanged. He thought for a moment, then respectfully stood up and bowed. Then, he revealed the sincere and warm smile he had practiced in front of a mirror in his previous life: “This lowly one is Mu Zirun. Greetings, Senior. Does Senior have any instructions?”  

Silence followed.  

Mu Zirun’s eyes flickered briefly, and he couldn’t help but freeze.  

Because he noticed that the other’s expression seemed… somewhat conflicted.  

Then, he heard the other speak hesitantly: “What you’re roasting… seems quite good.”  

Mu Zirun immediately snapped back to attention, took the nearly cooked wild rabbit off the fire, and presented it with both hands.  

He smiled, his eyes curving: “If it pleases Senior, this lowly one is deeply honored. Might Senior grace this humble offering with a taste?”  

Yu Tianze never imagined he would do something like this one day.  Now, he sat on the ground by an ordinary campfire, holding an ordinary roasted wild rabbit skewered on an ordinary branch, and took a bite.  Honestly, it tasted pretty good.  

However, for cultivators, eating the meat of ordinary beasts offered no benefits. Only demon beast meat, spirit rice, and spirit vegetables, all brimming with energy, were beneficial. As for this wild rabbit… he could only savor the flavor.  

Just now, Yu Tianze actually felt a bit embarrassed.  Lost in memories of the past, snapped back to reality by someone who didn’t know him yet, and then, his mind blank, he actually asked this brat for meat—even if he was a future acquaintance, right now, he was just a brat.  

No matter how you looked at it, it was somewhat shameful.  Especially since he had taken the entire roasted rabbit, forgetting to share any in his shock.  It was practically like robbery…  

Yu Tianze stiffly ate slowly, pondering what to do next. Unconsciously, he ate most of the rabbit.  Meanwhile, Mu Zirun continued observing Yu Tianze.  He really likes eating that much? One bite after another.  But if that’s the case, this young powerhouse likely meant him no harm, and he wouldn’t offend him.  Only when Yu Tianze bit into the branch did he realize he had finished eating.  Instantly, he stiffened even more.  

Mu Zirun smiled warmly: “Senior, shall this lowly one roast another for you?”  

Yu Tianze paused, slowly turning to look at him: “…No need.” Remembering he had taken the other’s food, he added, “Roast one for yourself.”  

Hearing this, a hint of a smile appeared in Mu Zirun’s eyes. 

Currently, he was merely the lowest-ranked miscellaneous duty disciple in the outer sect. Each month, he received only a meager bag of low-grade spirit rice, and every three months, a pitiful single low-grade spirit stone. On top of that, he had to work from dawn to dusk on assigned tasks. Because his original body was so young, his spirit stones were often embezzled by the overseers, and his spirit rice was frequently withheld.  

So, he was often hungry… Otherwise, why would he risk coming here to set traps and catch wild rabbits?  Unexpectedly, after encountering many “seniors” who bullied others with their status, this young Nascent Soul expert actually showed such consideration. Involuntarily, his impression of Yu Tianze improved slightly.  At that moment, Yu Tianze finally recalled some things he had heard about Mu Zirun in his past life.