Chu Qingyun was immersed in the profound essence of the Heaven Devouring Art, losing track of time.

By the time he comprehended the meaning of the first three hundred characters and grasped the first level of the technique, two hours had already passed.

He attempted to practice the first level of the technique, and a mysterious sensation arose in his heart, as if forming an invisible connection with the black vortex in his dantian.

Not only could he sense the vast amount of spiritual power stored within the black vortex, but he could also actively absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, converting it into spiritual power and storing it in the vortex.

Moreover, under the manipulation of his mind, the immense spiritual power within the black vortex began to surge, as if it were about to erupt.

This result delighted him greatly and filled him with anticipation.

"Just as I expected!

I must practice the Heaven Devouring Art to harness that black vortex.

Even though I've lost my dantian, that vortex can replace it, storing even more spiritual power!

My current state should be restored to the Hualing Realm 1st Stage, and I can continue to cultivate.

However, the spiritual power stored within me is comparable to the Linghai Realm 1st Stage!

Doesn't this mean... my true strength is many times greater than that of warriors in the same realm?

Perhaps, this is a blessing in disguise?"

With these thoughts flashing through his mind, Chu Qingyun felt invigorated, regaining his former vitality.

He glanced out the window and realized it was already noon, deciding to bid farewell to Jiang Yueling.

He needed to hurry back to the Chu Family, enter the secret chamber for closed-door cultivation, and thoroughly study the Heaven Devouring Art and the mysterious vortex, striving to restore himself to the Spirit Sea Realm as soon as possible.

So he ended his cultivation and walked out of the room.

Jiang Yueling was waiting outside the door. Seeing him emerge, she quickly approached with eyes full of expectation and asked, "Brother Qingyun, have you finished healing?

How effective was the Bone Refining Elixir? Have your injuries healed?"

Chu Qingyun held her delicate jade-like hand, revealing a sincere smile, and spoke gently, "Ling'er, my injuries are no longer a problem. I truly have to thank you this time!

I will remember today's kindness for the rest of my life, never to forget.

Aren't you leaving Lingjiang City in a month to join the Qiushui Sect?

Wait for me, I'll give you a big surprise then!"

Seeing him restored to his former spirited state, Jiang Yueling felt both relieved and expectant.

At the same time, a trace of doubt flashed in her mind as she pondered.

"Could it be that Brother Qingyun's dantian has been restored, allowing him to cultivate again?

But the Bone Refining Elixir doesn't seem to have such effects?"

...

Chu Qingyun left the Jiang Family alone, stepping out of the main gate.

Jiang Yueling wanted to see him off, but Xu Fengyi forcibly pulled her back.

Outside the Jiang Residence, a crowd of onlookers had gathered, all staring at a tall, thin young man dressed in luxurious clothes, whispering among themselves.

The young man, about twenty years old, had an air of arrogance and self-satisfaction.

He, along with a few attendants, arrived at the Jiang Residence's entrance, just in time to encounter Chu Qingyun.

The two met face to face, and the tall, thin young man blocked Chu Qingyun's path, revealing a mocking sneer.

"I just heard from the servants that the great genius of the Chu Family came to discuss marriage at the Jiang Residence.

I couldn't believe it. How could there be such a shameless person in the world, dreaming of marrying the most beautiful woman in Lingjiang City despite becoming a cripple?

I didn't expect you to be so brazen, making me see you in a new light!"

The tall, thin young man's tone was full of disdain, and after speaking, he and his attendants burst into laughter, their laughter piercing.

Hearing the mockery, Chu Qingyun shot back with a contemptuous sneer, "Ling Zifeng, have you forgotten how I beat you like a dog last year? You were on your knees begging for mercy in front of everyone. That pathetic scene is still vivid in my mind."

If you've forgotten, I can help you remember."

Ling Zifeng was the second young master of the Ling Family.

The Ling Family, being the foremost of the four great families in Lingjiang City, was wealthier and more powerful than both the Chu and Jiang families.

This man was notorious for his misdeeds, using his status and family background to bully and oppress others, infamous throughout Lingjiang City.

Last spring, Ling Zifeng was caught bullying a pair of civilian father and daughter in the street, intending to abduct the girl for his pleasure, leaving her father severely beaten.

Chu Qingyun happened to witness this and saved the father and daughter on the spot, giving Ling Zifeng a harsh lesson.

At that time, Ling Zifeng was so frightened that he knelt on the ground, crying and begging for mercy, witnessed by all the townspeople.

However, it wasn't long before Ling Zifeng reverted to his old ways, continuing his misdeeds in Lingjiang City.

Being hit where it hurt, Ling Zifeng was instantly enraged, his face turning livid as he cursed, "Chu Qingyun! You're no longer the first genius of Lingjiang City.

You're now a well-known cripple, the laughingstock of all Lingjiang City!

Things are different now. I could kill you with a single slap!"

As he said this, Ling Zifeng's expression grew increasingly ferocious, his eyes filled with a menacing light.

"I'm here today to seek revenge and wash away my shame!

I want to break your limbs, make you kneel like a dog, and beg me for mercy!

Moreover, tomorrow I'll bring a betrothal gift to propose to the Jiang Family.

You, a worthless dog, are not worthy of Ling'er. I'll make you watch her marry me!"

Chu Qingyun, who had always maintained a calm demeanor, couldn't help but sneer at Ling Zifeng's words.

"Look at you, like a toad dreaming of eating swan meat!"

The onlookers burst into laughter upon hearing this, pointing and whispering about Ling Zifeng.

Though dressed in luxury, Ling Zifeng had a rat-like face and a sharp chin, indeed quite ugly.

In contrast, Chu Qingyun was handsome and noble, recognized as the most handsome man in Lingjiang City.

Being publicly humiliated for his appearance, Ling Zifeng couldn't argue back, and his anger reached a boiling point, almost exploding.

"Chu Qingyun, you're courting death!"

In a fit of rage, Ling Zifeng roared ferociously, swinging his fist with all his might towards Chu Qingyun's face.

With the strength of the Hualing Realm 6th Stage, he activated his spiritual power in his fury, causing his entire fist to glow with a green light, forming a fist beam the size of a vinegar bowl.

The force of this punch exceeded a thousand pounds, capable of smashing a stone tablet into pieces.

Everyone believed that Chu Qingyun, whose strength had fallen to the Qi Condensation Realm, couldn't possibly withstand this punch.

Even if he wasn't killed by Ling Zifeng's punch, he would be severely injured and disfigured.

However, Chu Qingyun remained unfazed, showing no intention of retreating.

He calmly raised his palm, effortlessly blocking Ling Zifeng's fist.

Then, he intended to activate the spiritual power within the black vortex to break Ling Zifeng's arm and send him flying.

This was his instinctive reaction, the simplest and most effective counterattack honed through countless battles.

But something unexpected happened to Chu Qingyun.

Instead of releasing spiritual power, the black vortex unleashed a terrifying devouring force, absorbing Ling Zifeng's spiritual power through his palm.

In the blink of an eye, Ling Zifeng's spiritual power was completely devoured by the black vortex.

As if unsatisfied with his spiritual power, the black vortex continued to devour his vitality and energy!

Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, Ling Zifeng's body rapidly shriveled, becoming withered and emaciated, like a hunchbacked old man.

Not only did his meridians collapse and his vitality dry up, but even his dantian shrank into a ball, almost disappearing.

Fortunately, Chu Qingyun sensed something was wrong and quickly released his grip.

Otherwise, Ling Zifeng would have been reduced to a dried corpse!

"Ahhh!"

Ling Zifeng collapsed to the ground, curling up like a shrimp, convulsing in pain and letting out hoarse screams.

His attendants and the dozens of onlookers outside the gate were stunned by his bizarre and tragic state.

The area outside the gate fell into a dead silence, everyone staring at Chu Qingyun in terror, as if they had seen a terrifying demon.

Soon, someone came to their senses, letting out screams of fear and shouts.

"Oh my god! Second Young Master Ling was sucked dry by Chu Qingyun!"

"Isn't Chu Qingyun a cripple who can't cultivate? What's going on?"

"He can absorb people's power and vitality? This is demonic!"

"Chu Qingyun, after being crippled, actually practiced an evil demonic art!"

Among the onlookers were many martial artists, some of whom were knowledgeable and immediately revealed the truth.

Upon learning that Chu Qingyun had practiced an evil demonic art, everyone instinctively backed away, fearing they would be targeted by him.

Ling Zifeng's attendants didn't dare to attack Chu Qingyun either.

They quickly dragged the shriveled, wailing Ling Zifeng away in a hurry.

Chu Qingyun stared at his palm in a daze, his expression somewhat grim, his emotions complex.

He could clearly sense that after the black vortex devoured Ling Zifeng's spiritual power and vitality, its power had increased slightly.

But this method of seizing others' power and absorbing their vitality was too evil and bizarre.

Such martial techniques and skills were labeled as demonic arts by the world and were strictly prohibited from being practiced by all nations.

Today, in full view of the public, he had sucked Ling Zifeng dry.

The Ling Family would not let this go and would surely seek revenge for Ling Zifeng.

Within a day, news would spread throughout Lingjiang City, inciting the anger and condemnation of countless martial artists.

With this in mind, Chu Qingyun didn't linger any longer, quickly turning to leave, heading towards the Chu Family in the west of the city.

...

In the west of the city lay a massive estate spanning thousands of feet, where a myriad of pavilions and grand halls stood amidst winding emerald waters and lush greenery.

This was the Chu Family residence.

At the entrance of the Chu Residence.

Several strong guards were pushing a thirteen or fourteen-year-old girl in a green dress, driving her out of the gate.

They then threw out two bundles, dropping them at the girl's feet.

"You and that cripple Chu Qingyun have been expelled from the Chu Family. Are you still trying to stay?"

"Take your things and get lost! If you don't leave, don't blame us for being rude!"

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The girl in the green dress, her face streaked with tears, questioned the guards angrily, "My brother is the Young Master of the Chu Family. What right do you have to drive him away?"

The guards laughed disdainfully.

At this moment, a tall, well-dressed young man walked out from inside the residence.

He stood under the vermilion gate, looking down at the girl in the green dress with contempt, and said, "You sickly girl, how dare you question the Family Head's decision?

Chu Qingyun is already a cripple, staying in the Chu Family would only waste cultivation resources.

The Chu Family has raised him for over ten years, expending so many resources on him, and has treated your illness with countless spiritual medicines!

The Chu Family has already been more than generous to you siblings!

Stripping him of the Young Master title and expelling you from the Chu Family to the Abandoned Garden to reflect... this is the decision of the Family Head and several elders!

Also, remember this.

The position of Young Master of the Chu Family is destined to be mine, Chu Changfeng's!"

"Impossible!" The girl in the green dress shook her head repeatedly, retorting, "The Second Elder is my and my brother's grandfather, how could he agree to this decision?"

Chu Changfeng sneered, "The Second Elder is in seclusion, the Family Head and the four elders have all agreed, his opinion doesn't matter."

The girl in the green dress was instantly filled with despair, forcing herself to hold back tears as she pleaded with Chu Changfeng.

"Brother Changfeng, you've always been close to my brother, and he has helped you many times before.

Please, help us, plead with the Family Head to let my brother stay in the Chu Family!"

Chu Changfeng's sneer deepened, his eyes filled with disdain as he looked the girl in the green dress up and down.

"That cripple Chu Qingyun is destined to be expelled from the Chu Family, no amount of pleading will help.

But this young master is merciful and willing to pity you.

Kneel down, crawl over, and lick this young master's boots clean, and I'll let you stay in the Chu Family as my maid!"