Yuan Supreme descended swiftly from the sky with Lin Qian, landing within the city where Lin Qian's grandfather was temporarily residing.
The streets of the city were bustling with a mix of people, with shops lining both sides. In front of these shops, many vendors were selling their goods, and among them were both soul cultivators and ordinary citizens.
Compared to the Southern Domain, the Central Domain, with its naturally richer spiritual energy, allowed even ordinary citizens to reach the Xinyuan stage, just one step away from Nirvana. However, despite their efforts, they couldn't cross that final threshold.
Soul cultivators rode on domesticated soul beasts or were pulled by soul beasts in carriages, moving along the crowded streets. It wasn't uncommon for ordinary citizens to get injured in collisions, or for soul cultivators to crash into one another, making Lin Qian frown.
"What's troubling you?" Yuan Supreme asked, noticing Lin Qian's frown as he observed the surroundings.
Shaking his head slightly, Lin Qian replied, "It's too backward. Neither the citizens nor the soul cultivators are able to enjoy the comfort and convenience that a city should offer."
"Backward? Comfort and convenience?" Yuan Supreme looked at Lin Qian with a mixture of curiosity and confusion. "A city is merely a large gathering place for people. With so many people, it will naturally be busy and crowded. What do you mean by comfort and convenience?"
Lin Qian smiled slightly, understanding the elder's confusion. "It's hard to explain with just words, Yuan Lao. Perhaps one day you can visit the Hua Xia Empire, and you'll see what I mean."
Yuan Supreme's puzzlement didn't surprise Lin Qian. Coming from a modern society in his previous life, Lin Qian's perspective on cities and their functions was entirely different from those of this world, where such concepts were virtually unknown.
They approached the center of the city, where the lord's mansion stood—an expansive estate resembling a city within the city. As Lin Qian gazed at the grand entrance, he felt certain that his grandfather was inside.
Yuan Supreme led the way, and Lin Qian followed, the two of them conversing about various matters related to the Central Domain as they walked.
Oddly enough, the guards stationed at the mansion, as well as anyone walking within the estate, seemed completely oblivious to Yuan Supreme and Lin Qian's presence, as if they were invisible.
Lin Qian wasn't surprised by this. It was clear that Yuan Supreme had used his soul force to warp the surroundings, rendering them unnoticed and avoiding any unnecessary trouble.
They reached a spacious courtyard at the back of the mansion, where several guards were stationed outside. Inside the courtyard, however, it was eerily quiet, with no one in sight.
Entering the main house within the courtyard, Lin Qian followed Yuan Supreme into the interior.
The room was spacious, and Lin Qian immediately noticed an elderly man with white hair lying on a large bed, his chest rising and falling steadily.
Beside the bed sat an elderly woman, her face lined with wrinkles that hinted at a once stunning beauty. Her wrist bore a wound from which a strong, vital energy flowed, channeling into the old man on the bed.
Even Yuan Supreme, who had seen much in his time, was moved by the sight. "Using one's own vital energy to maintain another's failing life force... It's a noble method, but it takes a heavy toll. If this continues, they might both die."
As Yuan Supreme spoke, the soul force that had concealed them slowly dissipated, revealing their presence in the room.
The moment they became visible, the elderly woman looked up sharply, her voice filled with alarm. "Who is it?"
In that instant, a figure rushed in from outside. "Who dares intrude?"
But when this figure saw Yuan Supreme, his face turned pale, and he immediately knelt. "Old Ancestor, why have you come?"
"Hmph, the Yuan family no longer needs a gatekeeper. I found myself with time to spare, so I brought someone to visit," Yuan Supreme replied with a gentle smile. "Rise, no need for such formality."
"Yes, Old Ancestor!" The man, named Yuan Hu, stood up after receiving the command.
Yuan Hu was a powerful member of the Yuan family and a skilled alchemist. It was his elixirs that had kept Lin Qian's grandfather's condition from deteriorating further and had provided protection for them.
"Old Ancestor, the bloodline curse has been growing more severe. We had been taking turns infusing life energy, but Lady Yun insisted on bearing the burden herself, saying that they would face this hardship together and that we shouldn't make unnecessary sacrifices," Yuan Hu explained, his voice tinged with helplessness as he glanced at the bed.
The elderly woman, Yun Rong, also greeted Yuan Supreme, recognizing him as the Yuan family's supreme elder. "Junior Yun Rong greets the Yuan Old Ancestor."
"No need for such formalities. From now on, the Yuan family and your family will be as one," Yuan Supreme said with a warm smile. "I believe things will get much better for you soon."
Meanwhile, Lin Qian quickly approached and, without a word, took out a pill, crushed it into powder with his soul force, and applied it to the wound on the old woman's wrist.
His actions startled Yun Rong, who looked at the young man before her with confusion. But when she saw the wound healing rapidly, she froze, her body trembling as she stared at the young man's face, which bore a striking resemblance to Lin Di.
"You..." Yun Rong's voice shook as tears welled up in her eyes.
Lin Qian's own eyes grew misty as he stepped forward and embraced her. "Grandmother, your grandson is here now. You don't have to worry about anything anymore."
"Qian'er, it's you, Qian'er!" Overcome with joy, Yun Rong grasped Lin Qian's shoulders, pulling him back slightly to get a better look at him. "You look so much like your father, but your eyes—they're just like your mother's."
Her tear-streaked face radiated happiness. The trials of recent days had left her exhausted, but Lin Qian's arrival was like a drop of water on parched earth, reviving her spirit.
Seeing his grandmother's frail state, Lin Qian felt both joy and sorrow. He could sense how much her body had weakened, her vital energy nearly depleted.
Just as Yuan Hu had said, if this continued, both his grandfather and grandmother would soon meet their end.
Turning his gaze to the bed, Lin Qian saw his grandfather, emaciated and gaunt, with deep-set eyes and ashen skin. His breathing was shallow, and his body exuded a strong medicinal scent, evidence of the potent elixirs keeping his condition stable.
His grandfather's condition was far worse than Lin Qian had imagined. He was grateful he had decided to come here first. If he had delayed any longer, both his grandparents might not have survived.