Runes

Zhou Yuan remained motionless in his room, his focus deep within his soul sea. Suddenly, his body began to tremble, flames flickering around him. 

At the same time, dark veins spread across his chest and throughout his body, emanating a cold and sinister aura. The conflicting energies clashed within him.

Opening his eyes, Zhou Yuan's blind gaze seemed to possess an otherworldly glow. He coughed up a mouthful of black blood, his face turning pale. 

Gradually, the flames and dark veins receded, leaving Zhou Yuan with a pale yet excited expression.

"Three years... It has been three years. I have finally found a way," he whispered, his voice filled with joy. 

Throughout the night, Zhou Yuan had meticulously examined his own body, initially finding nothing new. However, his determination led him to delve deeper.

To his surprise, beneath his bones, eroded by the Extreme Yin Bone-Chilling Poison, he discovered a pattern of symbols he had never seen before. These runes were cleverly concealed, but his strengthened soul power allowed him to uncover them. They held a familiar connection to his Seamless Flame Heavenly Body.

Attempting to access his Seamless Flame Heavenly Body, Zhou Yuan encountered resistance from the Extreme Yin Bone-Chilling Poison. 

However, at a crucial juncture, the runes beneath the erosion illuminated, enabling him to suppress the poison eruption with his soul power and expel some of the poison itself.

He wanted to continue but decided against it. Doing so in the Capital, where he might be constantly monitored was not a wise choice. 

He needed to return to the Zhou Clan's main territory first. Although the Zhou Clan wasn't peaceful either it was much safer than being in the Capital.

Stepping out of his room, he unexpectedly bumped into Qing'er, who wore a worried expression. This morning she had gone to the market where several people were talking about Zhou Yuan. Qing'er's heart sank as she listened to the conversations around her in the market. 

The news of Zhou Yuan's humiliation at the hands of the Saintess of the Purple Cloud Palace had spread like wildfire. The worry for her young master intensified, especially considering his strange behavior when he returned the previous night.

She quickly finished her errand, gathering the ingredients Lan Xin had requested, and hurried back to the Duke's residence. Since then, she had been waiting outside Zhou Yuan's room, anxious to check on his well-being.

"Young Master," Qing'er softly called out, her voice filled with concern. "I heard about what happened to you at the market. Are you okay?"

Zhou Yuan turned towards her, his response calm and composed. "Qing'er, I appreciate your concern, but I assure you, I'm fine. It was just a setback, and I won't let it discourage me."

Qing'er stepped closer, her worry evident in her eyes. "Young Master, you don't have to face this alone. You have people who care about you, including the patriarch and myself."

However, Qing'er quickly regretted her words, feeling a sense of embarrassment. Expressing her feelings was not something she often did. A faint blush appeared on her face, and her heart raced with anxiety.

"Young master, I still have some tasks to attend to," Qing'er stammered, quickly excusing herself and leaving Zhou Yuan stunned. 

He chuckled softly, realizing that Qing'er seemed to have developed feelings for him. Unlike the protagonists in the fantasy novels he often read, he wasn't oblivious to such matters. He acknowledged the temptation of a romantic relationship with Qing'er, considering her beauty and caring nature.

However, he shook his head, reminding himself of the importance of focusing on resolving his own issues before considering such matters, not to mention he didn't know whether or not he was ever going to be ready for another relationship ever again.

Regarding his potential relationship with Qing'er, Zhou Yuan decided to adopt a patient approach. 

He believed that allowing time to unfold naturally would be the best course of action, as it would determine what was truly best for both of them.

Zhou Yuan sought out Lan Xin to share his plans with her. Lan Xin was taken aback by his decision to return so soon. 

She had expected him to stay in the Capital for a longer duration. However, she was aware of his current circumstances and understood that it was no longer suitable for him to remain there.

Lan Xin nodded in understanding and began making the necessary arrangements for his departure. By afternoon, everything was prepared, and Zhou Yuan embarked on his journey back to the Zhou Clan, ready to face the challenges that awaited him there.