A flash of purple light flickered, and on Nángōu Jièmíng's shoulder, a bulge appeared, slowly moving toward the wound. It successfully forced the worm out.

A blood-red worm fell onto the table, still wriggling, its plump body indicating it had feasted well on Nángōu Jièmíng's spirit energy.

Nángōu Jièmíng's expression darkened as he swiftly slapped the worm, crushing it instantly!

No wonder his cultivation had stagnated over the years, even showing signs of regression. No matter how many condensing spirit potions he took, his internal energy always dissipated easily! This had to be Shen Yéyáo's doing!

“Shen Yéyáo, you are heartless, and I won’t be merciful!” Nángōu Jièmíng furrowed his brows, darkness filling his eyes.

However, his gaze quickly brightened; his granddaughter was still beside him, and he didn't want to frighten her.

“Huan'er, what about your face?” Nángōu Jièmíng reached out to touch Nángōu Huàn's face, noticing that the dark spots had faded significantly.

“My face will gradually return to normal, Grandpa. You don’t need to seek help from others,” Nángōu Huàn pointed at the letter on the table, feeling the urge to tear it up right then and there.

Nángōu Jièmíng chuckled, relieved that Nángōu Huàn had come early; otherwise, he would have been considering negotiating with someone.

“What you say makes sense,” he replied readily, tearing the letter into pieces.

“By the way, Huan'er, today is your birthday, but I’ve been busy these past few days and can’t celebrate with you. I can only give you your birthday gift now and make it up to you later. Open it and see if you like it.” Nángōu Jièmíng smiled as he presented a brocade box in front of Nángōu Huàn.

Birthday gift! Nángōu Huàn's eyes lit up, eagerly opening the box to find a finely crafted dagger named "Radiant Gold Blade."

The hilt was black, with wind patterns engraved on the side, and the base was inlaid with a precious wind-type spirit crystal from a Seven Spirit Level Skywind Eagle. The blade was adorned with dark golden engravings, which Nángōu Huàn recognized as a type of engraving that could enhance the dagger's power. Such a dagger could only be crafted by a seventh-tier weapon master!

Nángōu Huàn cherished the hilt, swinging it a few times. The sharp sound echoed, and the blade glinted with a cold light, feeling incredibly light in her hand!

Top quality!

“Thank you, Grandpa! I love it!” Nángōu Huàn's eyes sparkled as she waved the dagger several times, finding it very comfortable to wield.

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

“I’m glad you like it; it’s for your self-defense,” Nángōu Jièmíng nodded with a smile. Now that Huan'er could cultivate, this dagger would serve her well.

After playing with the dagger for a while, Nángōu Huàn remembered the important matter.

“By the way, Grandpa, here’s something for you.” She placed a potion bottle on the table. “Your body has been weakened by the worm; this will help you recover.”

She had specially added the Nine Leaf Precious Ginseng Fruit into the potion. If her grandfather was lucky enough, it might not only repair his previous injuries but also help him break through to the Seven Spirit Level!

Looking at the transparent potion in the bottle, Nángōu Jièmíng curiously asked, “Where did you get this potion?”

“Grandpa, do you believe me if I say I made it?” Nángōu Huàn flashed an innocent smile, knowing that even a three-year-old wouldn’t believe her.

But Nángōu Jièmíng laughed heartily, “I believe you! Grandpa trusts you!”

Saying that, he uncorked the bottle and drank the potion, which had a slightly sweet taste.

Seeing her grandfather drink it, Nángōu Huàn felt relieved.

After consuming the potion, Nángōu Jièmíng felt his internal energy begin to surge, a warmth spreading through him—a sensation he hadn't felt in ages, almost like he was transported back to over a decade ago!

“Grandpa, I’m going to rest now. You should get some rest too,” Nángōu Huàn noticed that Nángōu Jièmíng's energy was about to explode and used it as an excuse to slip away.

“Go ahead,” Nángōu Jièmíng nodded, his face glowing with health.

Nángōu Huàn quickly pulled Dōng Yàncuò away.

With the guidance of Yànjī and Xuèjī, the two arrived outside a dilapidated courtyard on East Street.

The narrow alley was dim, with paths extending into the darkness, carrying a chill.

“Master, Shen Yéyáo’s death soldiers are all kept here. Most of them are at the Second and Third Spirit Levels, with one at the Fifth Spirit Level. Be careful,” Yànjī whispered.

Nángōu Huàn quietly released her spiritual energy into her eyes, using it to probe the area and locate the resting death soldiers inside the building.

These death soldiers rested differently from normal people, standing in orderly rows, about forty in total.

There were also two hidden on the roof, keeping watch.

Most of them were at the Second Spirit Level, with four at the Third Spirit Level, but she didn’t see the Fifth Spirit Level death soldier that Xuèjī mentioned; it must not be here.

“There are two on the roof outside,” Nángōu Huàn glanced at Yànjī and Xuèjī, who were eager to show their skills.

“Leave it to us, Master!” Yànjī and Xuèjī replied excitedly, ready to demonstrate their worth!

“Go ahead,” Nángōu Huàn nodded. Soul entities could injure other soul entities, and once their souls were gone, they would be nothing but corpses.

Yànjī and Xuèjī flew toward the death soldiers, approaching from behind without them noticing. With a powerful slap to their backs, the souls of the two death soldiers were instantly forced out, and Yànjī and Xuèjī quickly wrapped their soul energy around the souls, sucking them into their own!

Fighting with souls was that simple and brutal: it was either you eat me, or I eat you.

Their soul energy grew slightly stronger.

With their souls gone, the two death soldiers’ bodies toppled forward. Yànjī and Xuèjī quickly took control, one flying back to stand before Nángōu Huàn.

In simpler terms, this was also a form of possession.

Nángōu Huàn then peeked over the wall to observe the situation in the courtyard.

Dōng Yàncuò followed suit, peeking in as well. Hmm, there was nothing to eat here—not even wild vegetables.

The courtyard was small but clean, devoid of clutter, making it a suitable place to showcase their skills.

However, there were too many opponents, and once a fight broke out, it would be easy to alert others.