Celestial Beast Taming

Chapter 248: Chapter 157: The Star Emperor Returns

Such a soul injury prevented Tao En from even using his soul to activate his Beast Pattern.

Tao En’s eyes had grown progressively cloudier due to the waste excreted by the Life forms that had latched onto his soul and were devouring it.

A single Core of Resurgence was nowhere near enough to heal Tao En’s injuries.

Tao En’s injuries were so severe that even if Zhong Yi wanted to treat him, he couldn’t heal him completely in a few hours like he had with the Cloud-Stepping Immortal Leopard.

Zhong Yi would need to treat Tao En’s condition gradually.

For now, Zhong Yi only chose to use three Cores of Resurgence, having the Resurrection Celestial Lord activate its Exclusive Trait, Celestial Praise.

This cleared some of the waste from Tao En’s soul and restored his sight.

With Tao En able to see clearly, it would be much easier for Zhong Yi to communicate with him.

Zhong Yi’s treatment of Tao En via the Resurrection Celestial Lord just now was also to show him that he possessed the means to heal a soul.

Moreover, Tao En had now received a tangible benefit.

If he didn’t demonstrate his Ability and show Tao En the tangible benefits he could gain, anything else Zhong Yi said would just be empty promises, not nearly enough to convince Tao En to pledge his allegiance.

Watching Tao En’s eyes turn from cloudy to clear, Zhong Yi smiled at him.

”Master Tao En, this is our first time meeting, but I have long heard of your great reputation.”

”I don’t know when your eyes failed you, but I imagine it’s been many years since you’ve seen what your granddaughter looks like.”

”You two should catch up for a bit. Afterward, I’d like to talk to you about something concerning your future.”

With that, Zhong Yi walked over to the wooden table that hadn’t been smashed and pulled out chairs for Cui Heng, Wen Tao, and Sun Yushi, who had followed him into the shop.

Zhong Yi sat down and quietly waited for Tao En.

Zhong Yi knew very well what must be going through Tao En’s mind right now. ’It’s like a raging thunderstorm, a whirlwind of thoughts.’

Tao En’s voice trembled slightly as he first thanked Zhong Yi.

Then, he looked down at his granddaughter, who was standing in front of him, still tugging on his sleeve with one hand.

Tao En softly called out, ”Niannian.” As the girl turned her head, he was struck by the realization that her face was no longer the chubby, innocent one he remembered.

She had grown up. Her eyes and nose resembled his son’s, while her eyebrows, mouth, and the shape of her face were just like his daughter-in-law’s.

At that moment, Tao En whispered ”Niannian” again, and the girl threw herself into his arms like a fledgling returning to its nest.

Tao En wrapped his arms around Tao Niannian, holding her tight.

Tao Niannian was far too thin; he could feel it even more clearly in their embrace.

’Remembering the dark circles under Tao Niannian’s eyes and the mixture of worry, terror, and joy on her face, Tao En felt a wave of immense guilt wash over him!’

’He was responsible for the life she was living now. He had once been a Five-finger Peak Creator, yet Tao Niannian had never known a day of comfort with him.’

’Even if she had been born into an ordinary family, she would have been a hundred times happier than she was now.’

”Grandpa, your eyes... can you see now?”

”I just looked, and your eyes are clear now! They’re not like before, when it looked like they were covered in a white film.”

Tao Niannian and Tao En depended on each other for everything. Even the slightest improvement in Tao En’s condition was the best news in the world for Tao Niannian.

Just as Tao Niannian was Tao En’s whole world, he was hers as well.

”Niannian, Grandpa can see!”

”Go to the back and boil some water. Use the tea in the iron box on the top shelf by the stove to make some for our honored guests.”

”Grandpa needs to discuss some important matters with them.”

With that, Tao En walked to the table, pulled out a chair for himself, and sat down. His voice was raspy and hesitant as he spoke.

”Thank you for allowing me to see Niannian again, to see the world again.”

”You said earlier you wanted to discuss something concerning my future. What is it?”

Tao En was a man who rarely showed his emotions.

But now, Zhong Yi, Wen Tao, and the others could all see the hesitation in his expression, born from nervousness.

Zhong Yi looked at Tao En with sincere eyes and said with a smile.

”Master Tao En, ever since your soul was injured, I’m sure you’ve had no shortage of visitors.”

”I presume some faction or another has offered to heal you, on the condition that you serve them or join their ranks.”

”My purpose is similar to those who came before me, only I have come in good faith.”

”And I believe, Master Tao En, you have already felt my sincerity.”

”Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Zhong Yi. I am from Starlight City, and I am a Celestial Destiny Seeker.”

Tao En listened with rapt attention to every word Zhong Yi said.

’In the early years, right after his injury, his residence had been constantly bustling with visitors.’

’The heads of countless factions had come to see him, practically wearing a path to his door.’

’But after it was determined that his injuries were incurable, and after Cao Xing’an became a Five-finger Peak Creator, fewer and fewer factions came to visit.’

’His grudge with Cao Xing’an was well known, and the factions in Longya City understood that getting close to him was the same as offending Cao Xing’an.’

When Zhong Yi had just been treating him, Tao En had sensed the Power of Rules emanating from the Resurrection Celestial Lord.

’If this young man before him was from Starlight City, then everything made sense.’

”You must be the newly awakened Healing-type Celestial Destiny Seeker from Starlight City. No wonder you were able to restore my sight.”

”After everything that’s happened, my son has been avenged.”