Ye Siblings

"Duyi?" The name escaped Ye Huian's lips in a breathless whisper, her fierce demeanor melting away as her eyes locked onto the young man approaching from the treeline. The killing intent that had moments ago crackled around her like a storm dissipated. 

Ming Ren recognized the young man as the one he had rescued from the insect lair, his face etched with the lingering trauma of his ordeal.

"Big sister, he saved me!" Duyi cried out, his voice filled with urgency. "Don't harm him!"

A wave of relief washed over Ye Huian as she dropped her weapons, the heavy blades clattering to the ground. She rushed forward and embraced her brother tightly, her voice thick with emotion. "I'm so glad you're alive." 

Ming Ren lowered his guard, a sense of calm settling over him as he witnessed the reunion. 

"Where were you?" Ye Huian asked, her voice trembling slightly. "We searched everywhere for you. I thought those cursed Noble Clan bastards had killed you..."

Duyi recounted his harrowing experience, describing the mysterious man, the terrifying beast, and the unexpected arrival of Ming Ren, who had slain the creature and freed them from captivity.

Ye Huian turned towards Ming Ren, her eyes filled with gratitude. She clasped her hands together and bowed deeply. "I, Ye Huian, offer my sincerest thanks for saving my brother," she declared, her voice filled with newfound respect. "I will never forget this debt... UGH!"

Suddenly, a sharp pain ripped through her body, sending her crumpling to her knees. Her Qi flow became erratic, surging uncontrollably through her meridians as if seeking an escape from its confines. The veins on her arms and neck bulged ominously, threatening to burst under the pressure.

"Sister!" Duyi cried out in alarm.

"Young mistress!" Old Lai rushed to her side, his weathered face etched with concern.

Ye Huian gritted her teeth, her body trembling as waves of agony washed over her. It felt as if her very being was being torn apart from the inside out.

"Do not move," Ming Ren instructed calmly. He swiftly retrieved several acupuncture needles from his spatial ring, his movements fluid and precise. With a flick of his wrist, he sent the needles flying towards Ye Huian, guiding them with his spiritual sense and the subtle manipulation of his Qi.

[Ming Ren Style Needle Arts - Meridian Cleansing And Pain Numbing Art]

The needles pierced her skin at specific points along her meridians, each one precisely placed to address the chaotic flow of energy within her body. The [Meridian Cleansing and Pain Numbing Art] took effect instantly, soothing her pain and guiding the rampaging Qi back into a controlled flow, preventing further damage to her internal channels.

Within moments, Ye Huian's ragged breathing calmed, and the color returned to her face. 

"Sister, are you alright?" Ye Duyi asked anxiously.

"Much better," she replied, her voice weak but steady. She looked up at Ming Ren, her eyes filled with gratitude and a newfound respect.

"Young lady, you were reckless," Old Lai scolded gently. "I warned you about using that power before your body was ready."

"Do you understand the nature of that power?" Ming Ren inquired, his gaze fixed on the old man.

Old Lai seemed startled by the question, hesitation flickering across his features. "I have never encountered such a force before," he admitted, "but I knew it was beyond the young mistress's current capabilities."

"Indeed," Ming Ren agreed, his voice grave. "It truly is."

"Young master, do you know what it is?" Old Lai asked, his voice filled with a mix of curiosity and apprehension.

"The Strength Principle," Ming Ren answered.

Confusion clouded the faces of Ye Huian and Old Lai, but Bao Shi reacted with a jolt of surprise. 

"That's impossible!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing through the clearing.

How could he not be astonished? The Strength Principle, a power reserved for those at the Spirit Gate Realm and beyond, manifesting within a mere Spirit Sea cultivator? It defied all logic and understanding.

"Principle...?" Ye Huian echoed weakly, still recovering from her ordeal.

"Principles are forces that transcend the limitations of true elements and rare energies," Bao Shi explained, his voice laced with awe. "They are mysterious powers from the comprehension of the world. Are you saying that this young woman can wield such power, my lord?"

Ming Ren nodded, his expression serious. "A Body of Natural Strength," he confirmed, "a blessed physique with an innate connection to the primordial chaos. To think I would encounter such a rarity here on Mount Ironclaw..."

A wave of astonishment washed over Ye Huian and Old Lai.

"But..." Bao Shi stammered, struggling to comprehend the implications.

"By utilizing the Strength Principle at her current cultivation level, her body should have been torn apart," Ming Ren revealed, his words sending a chill down their spines. "It is a force that even Spirit Gate cultivators struggle to contain. How could someone at the Spirit Sea Realm possibly withstand its might?"

The world of cultivation was filled with mysteries, hidden truths that even the most seasoned cultivators spent lifetimes seeking to unravel. But Ming Ren, with his vast knowledge and experience gleaned from the Bright Scripture, possessed an understanding that surpassed the limitations of the lower realms.

"Then how did she survive?" Bao Shi inquired, a pang of envy tugging at his heart.

"Her physique is unique," Ming Ren explained, his gaze fixed on Ye Huian. "She possesses not only a Natural Body of Strength but also a Metal Innate Physique. Here on Mount Ironclaw, a land infused with potent Metal Qi, she couldn't have asked for a more suitable constitution."

Mount Ironclaw was renowned for its abundance of Metal Qi, a spiritual energy that strengthened the body and enhanced physical prowess. In recent times, the metal Qi had grown even more potent, generating the strange pulses that Ming Ren had sensed earlier. These pulses served to further strengthen Ye Huian's physique, allowing her to withstand the immense strain of the Strength Principle.

"That explains her seemingly endless reserves of Qi," Bao Shi realized, a hint of admiration creeping into his voice.

"Indeed," Ming Ren confirmed. "Within this mountain, few would be her match." 

Who could face a cultivator constantly supplied by his natural Qi affinity?

He paused, his gaze thoughtful as he considered the implications of Ye Huian's unique combination of abilities. 'Not only that, but the spirit bugs seem to avoid her body despite its affinity for Metal Qi. Perhaps the Strength Principle possesses a purifying effect, crushing the parasites before they can take hold.'

"Is this... is this truly possible?" Ye Huian stammered, her eyes shining with a mix of hope and trepidation.

"Young lady, the heavens have blessed you!" Old Lai exclaimed, bowing his head in reverence.

"A blessing... or a curse," Ming Ren interjected, his voice grave.

"Young master, what do you mean?" Old Lai inquired, his brow furrowed with concern.

"A blessed body such as hers offers limitless potential on the path of cultivation," Ming Ren explained. "However, it also makes her a target, a prize to be coveted by those who seek to exploit such power for their own gain. Some ancient cultivators would find her a living treasure."

"A cultivation furnace..." Old Lai whispered, his voice heavy with the weight of a dark past. "Young lady, you must never use that power in front of others!"

Ming Ren nodded in agreement. A cultivator with a Metal Innate Physique and a connection to the Strength Principle would be viewed as a living treasure by those who sought to enhance their own cultivation through nefarious means. An ancient cultivator with a Fire Physique or that Comprehended the Law of Strength would go to any lengths to have her.

A flicker of killing intent momentarily crossed Old Lai's face, but it vanished as quickly as it appeared. He bowed deeply before Ming Ren, his voice filled with a mix of respect and desperation."The old man kowtowed to Ming Ren, "Young Master."

"Old Lai, what are you doing…?" The bandit leader asked in surprise.

"If I had the power, I would have killed both of you to hide the young lady's secret," the old man said truthfully, "However, I am aware the Young Master is not someone I can defeat. By going against you, I would have definitely died here."

Ming Ren was pleasantly surprised, listening with interest.

"Young master," he pleaded, "I beg of you, keep this secret safe. This old man is willing to offer his life in exchange for your silence."

"Old Lai!" Ye Huian exclaimed, surprised by the old man's sudden declaration.

'My lord,' Bao Shi's voice echoed in Ming Ren's mind through a sound transmission, 'why not take this girl as a concubine? Her cultivation and unique physique would be invaluable assets to you.'

Ming Ren dismissed the suggestion without hesitation. Such matters held little interest for him. While others might have been tempted, to Ming Ren her blessed physique was but a trivial thing, "Old Man, there is no need for you to worry. We will not spread a word about it. Her metal innate physique alone is not enough for Ancient Cultivators to lust after her, and not many will be able to sense the strength principle even if she uses it again. As long as she reaches the Spirit Gate Realm before using it again, no one will find out."

Relief washed over Old Lai's features. "Thank the heavens..."

"However," Ming Ren continued, his tone turning serious once more, "should the young lady utilize the principle again before her body is prepared, the consequences could be dire."

"Young mistress, you mustn't..." Old Lai pleaded, his voice filled with concern.

Ye Huian's gaze remained fixed on Ming Ren, her eyes burning with a fierce determination. "How strong must I become to wield this power safely?" she inquired, her voice unwavering.

"Within the confines of this mountain, with its abundance of Metal Qi, you could likely survive using the Strength Principle at the Spirit Gate Realm, though not without some risk," Ming Ren explained. "However, outside of Mount Ironclaw, with your current cultivation law, it would be unwise to attempt it before reaching the peak of the Spirit Gate Realm."

Ye Huian gritted her teeth, frustration warring with the desire to protect her people and exact revenge upon those who had wronged them. "Is there truly no other way?" 

"Do you desire power that much?" Ming Ren questioned, his gaze searching hers.

"You said it yourself," she retorted, her voice rising with indignation. "I need strength to crush those clan bastards who treat us like insects! They kidnapped my brother, slaughtered our people, and even spread diseases! They treat anyone but cultivators as bugs!"

Ming Ren sighed, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "Such is the way of this world, I'm afraid. Power dictates the rules, and those without it are often trampled upon."

"That's why I need strength to change it!" she declared, her fists clenched tightly.

"A noble ambition," Ming Ren acknowledged, "but it will be an arduous journey. To achieve such a feat, you would need to join one of the Peak Sects, those who stand at the pinnacle of the cultivation world."

"Never!" Ye Huian spat. "Join those hypocrites? I would rather die!"

"I am no stranger to the evil deeds of the clans and sects," Ming Ren confessed, his voice laced with a deep sorrow that resonated with Ye Huian's own pain and anger. "Yet your wrath is misguided in this. The clans of the Cloud Province are not the ones responsible for the plague or the kidnappings."

"What?" Ye Huian stared at him in disbelief. "What are you talking about? We heard everything from the clan members we captured. They wanted to kill all mortals by spreading diseases!"

"That is but false information. There is a hidden hand at play," Ming Ren revealed, his gaze turning towards the mountain peak, "a force that seeks to sow chaos and weaken the country. The creature I slew at the insect lair was merely a pawn, a tool used to achieve their nefarious goals. Your brother and the others were kidnapped to incite conflict between the clans and the mountain folk."

"Is... is that true?" Ye Huian stammered, her mind struggling to process this new information.

"The plague has reached Big Ox Village," Ming Ren continued, his voice grave. "I came here following a lead, seeking the source of the outbreak. They intend to use mortals as vectors to spread the disease to cultivators, weakening the entire region. The mountain folk, the clans, the mortals… they were all bait."

Fury burned in Ye Huian's eyes. "Those bastards... who are they?"

"That remains a mystery, but I intend to uncover the truth," Ming Ren declared, his eyes flashing with determination. "Something is about to happen on this mountain, something that will reveal the answers we seek."

"Young master," Old Lai interjected, his voice tinged with desperation, "you mentioned the plague... is there a cure? Many of our people have fallen ill."

"Great Doctor Xu Tian has discovered a solution," Ming Ren revealed, explaining the nature of the spirit bugs and the antidote he had developed. He also shared the grim reality that everyone in the vicinity was likely infected, even those without symptoms.

Bao Shi's face paled as the implications sunk in. "My daughter... could she be infected as well?" he asked, his voice trembling with fear.

"It is a possibility," Ming Ren admitted, "but as the spirit bugs are no longer reproducing, she should recover with the aid of detoxifying pills. However, for those closer to the mountain, time is of the essence. We must deal with the host of the infestation before it's too late."

"Those bastards!" Ye Huian looked about to explode, "I will kill them all!"

Before Ming Ren could respond, a deep rumble shook the ground beneath their feet, followed by the earsplitting screech of massive stone doors grinding open. The sound echoed through the mountain, reverberating through the very air they breathed.

Ming Ren's eyes narrowed. This was it, the event that the cloaked figure had foretold. The time for answers had arrived.