Within the courtyard, with another year of cultivation, Zhang Tian's cultivation smoothly broke through to the Inner Core stage.
Of course, this breakthrough was largely due to Zhang Tian's hard work and countless elixirs.
After entering the Inner Core stage, Zhang Tian found that the world seemed to have changed.
He became extremely sensitive to sounds and even certain smells.
Furthermore, his dantian had doubled in size.
Previously, Zhang Tian could glide in the air for a period of time, but now he estimated he could even remain suspended in the air for a while.
And, as his cultivation increased, the power of his techniques also multiplied.
In one year, Zhang Tian's Qimen Dunjia had advanced another step.
His understanding had become even more profound.
Zhang Tian's cultivation was now stuck in the early stage of the Inner Core realm, and further advancement was essentially unrealistic.
Without rare heavenly treasures, it would be extremely difficult for Zhang Tian to break through.
"I have mastered the Maoshan Taoist arts. To advance further, I need to learn other techniques."
Zhang Tian thought, when his ears twitched slightly.
"Someone's coming!"
From the faint sounds, Zhang Tian could tell that someone had arrived outside the courtyard.
"Hmm? What's going on? Is no one living here?"
Looking at the closed door before her, Shirley Yang couldn't help but frown slightly.
The iron knockers on the door were rusted, clearly indicating that no one had lived there for a long time.
"Are they not home? Or are they out tomb raiding elsewhere?"
"But I heard they returned from Fuji country a year ago."
Shirley Yang thought, and her hand fell onto the tiger-head knocker.
"Clang clang clang."
The tiger-head knocker struck the iron door, producing a crisp sound.
Zhang Tian slowly rose, his steps light.
Zhang Tian felt that his body was more than twice as light as before.
He arrived in the courtyard, where fallen leaves from the willow tree were scattered all over the ground.
And the entire courtyard showed no signs of being tidied, clearly indicating that over the past year, apart from eating, no one seemed to have left the house.
Arriving at the door, Zhang Tian gently opened it.
The next moment, a familiar figure appeared.
"Hmm? Miss Yang, what brings you here?"
Zhang Tian was somewhat surprised.
Shirley Yang had returned now, which saved him the trouble of finding her.
"I heard that a group had risen in Fuji country, and I learned that you had returned to Beili."
"I hope I'm not disturbing you."
Shirley Yang was thoughtful and immediately thought of something, her tone carrying a hint of apology.
Zhang Tian waved his hand.
"It's nothing. Come in, you can help tidy up the yard."
Zhang Tian said, not treating Shirley Yang as an outsider.
After all, she was his brother's woman, not a complete stranger.
"Mmm."
Shirley Yang nodded and followed Zhang Tian into the courtyard.
Upon seeing the somewhat cluttered yard, Shirley Yang glanced at Zhang Tian with confusion.
In her memory, Zhang Tian was not only meticulous but also kept his clothes and everything else very neat.
Why was the courtyard so messy?
"Forgive my untidiness. We haven't left the house for a year."
Zhang Tian chuckled dryly.
Shirley Yang nodded slightly.
"Congratulations, Brother Zhang, on your cultivation reaching another level."
Shirley Yang said earnestly.
Seeing Zhang Tian emerge, and recalling his words, it was clear that Zhang Tian had broken through.
"Yes, but I'm surprised that you've also cultivated so quickly, already being a Grandmaster."
Zhang Tian nodded slightly, also offering a slight bow of respect to Shirley Yang.
"Compared to you, I'm still far behind."
Shirley Yang said, and the two began to tidy up.
Soon, the courtyard was restored to its original state, and Zhang Tian also set up some new formations in the yard.
These were formations Zhang Tian had conceived over the past year.
When the two had basically finished organizing the surrounding杂物 (miscellaneous items), Hu Bayi finally walked out of the house.
He appeared unhurried.
He even seemed to still be emerging from a state of enlightenment.
"Hu!"
Seeing Hu Bayi, Shirley Yang's face broke into a smile, and she softly called out his name.
Hu Bayi, who had been in a daze, instantly woke up.
His hazy gaze looked forward.
When he saw Shirley Yang rushing towards him, a smile also appeared on his face.
Zhang Tian shook his head and consciously walked towards the kitchen.
"Why are you here?"
Hu Bayi's hoarse voice came.
His happiness was visible.
"I finished my business over there, so I came naturally. Hu, have you been well lately?"
Shirley Yang said softly.
Neither of them was good at expressing their affection, but they could generally feel it.
"Yes, I'm very well. Come in quickly, I'm eager to hear about abroad and your matters."
Hu Bayi said, pulling Shirley Yang into the house.
"What's all the noise? Fatty finally broke through, can't Fatty cultivate in peace?"
"Eh, Boss, you're awake, then never mind."
Seeing Zhang Tian cooking in the kitchen, Fatty's previously worried face instantly bloomed into a smile.
"Ah, it's so good to see Boss right after finishing my cultivation."
Zhang Tian rolled his eyes at the babbling Fatty.
"Fatty, your progress is excellent. You're already a peak Grandmaster realm expert."
Zhang Tian merely glanced at Fatty briefly, and already knew his realm.
"Damn, Fatty was planning to give Boss a surprise. Looks like that's out. But Fatty has been diligently cultivating for a year, and my physical body has also become much stronger."
"Boss, do you want to see?"
Fatty said, intending to unbutton his collar.
"Not interested."
Zhang Tian didn't even look, still cooking.
Fatty showed a hint of disappointment.
"Alas, it seems my perfect physique can only be admired by Feifei alone."
Fatty grumbled, and he looked at Hu Bayi's room.
Through the window, he could see two figures inside Hu Bayi's room.
"Boss, did Old Hu... you know, and why is there someone else in the room?"
Fatty asked in a low voice.
"Miss Yang has arrived."
Zhang Tian said softly.
Fatty smiled meaningfully, his lips curling up unconsciously.
"Looks like Fatty will soon be holding a little baby."
Fatty showed a slight anticipation.
Zhang Tian glanced at him, not realizing that Fatty had a peculiar hobby of wanting to hold children.
Soon, Hu Bayi and Shirley Yang finished their reunion.
Zhang Tian also prepared some food. As it approached noon, Zhang Tian and the others gathered around the table, eating and discussing their next steps.
"Brother Zhang, I heard you're going to Nanyun this time?"
Shirley Yang expertly used her chopsticks.
"Yes, I'll be departing in a few days. Miss Yang, would you like to join?"
Zhang Tian inquired.
Shirley Yang nodded.
"I returned this time specifically for the matter of the curse. My affairs over there have been settled, and now I must focus on resolving the curse."
Shirley Yang's clear voice rang out.
Zhang Tian nodded and slowly looked at the group.
"As far as I know, there's a high probability that the whereabouts of the Mu Chen Bead are in Nanyun. Once we find the Mu Chen Bead, the curse can naturally be broken."
Zhang Tian said softly.
This made everyone's eyes light up.
"Boss, then what are we waiting for? Let's set off tomorrow!"
Fatty was somewhat impatient.
Shirley Yang's delicate body trembled, unexpectedly learning that Zhang Tian had found news of the Mu Chen Bead.
Indeed, her return this time was the right decision. Would the curse on her family finally be lifted?