The scene was dead silent!
All of the younger members of the Ye family were filled with shock and fear!
Everyone in the Ye family knew how much Ye Xuan treasured his sister. It could be said that Ye Xuan was an overprotective brother to an extreme degree!
However, they had never expected Ye Xuan would go this far!
Ye Feng was the Great Elder's direct grandson and Ye Lang's cousin! Yet, Ye Xuan killed him without hesitation!
Ye Xuan didn't bother dealing with the Ye family members around him. He went straight to the Ye Mansion's medicine hall. As he arrived, an elder stepped out.
This was Elder Ye Qing, the person in charge of the Ye family's medicine hall.
When Ye Qing saw Ye Xuan, he frowned. "Ye Xuan, what are you doing here?"
Ye Xuan went straight to the medicine cabinet, scanning its shelves. His eyes quickly landed on a particular compartment, and he pulled it open, only to find it empty!
Seeing this, Ye Xuan's expression turned cold. He turned to Ye Qing. "The Mind Nourishing Pills."
Ye Qing narrowed his eyes. "I have already hidden them. Ye Xuan, the family has stopped providing your sister with medicine. You..."
Before he could finish, Ye Xuan suddenly grabbed a large weight from the nearby medicine table and threw it at Ye Qing.
Ye Qing's face changed drastically. He quickly sidestepped, dodging the projectile, but his expression turned even grimmer—because Ye Xuan had already closed the distance between them!
Ye Xuan swung a powerful punch straight at Ye Qing's head!
Simple and direct!
Ye Qing was horrified. He curled his right hand and threw a punch back at Ye Xuan.
Fist met fist!
Bang!
A muffled sound of an energy explosion echoed!
Ye Qing was forced back by Ye Xuan's punch, retreating repeatedly until he hit the wall behind him. Ye Xuan appeared in front of him again, swinging another punch towards his head!
Ye Qing's pupils contracted sharply, and he quickly shouted, "I'll give it to you! I'll give it to you!"
Ye Xuan stopped his fist just inches from Ye Qing's face.
Ye Qing looked at Ye Xuan in terror. He was an actual Qi Transformation Realm cultivator. Though he rarely fought, he knew that Ye Xuan was only at the fifth rank of the Unbroken Realm. Yet, in a single exchange, he had lost!
Ye Xuan's strength was terrifying!
Ye Xuan extended his hand, and Ye Qing, his face slightly pale, dared not play any tricks. He hurriedly handed over a white jade bottle.
Ye Xuan opened the bottle and looked inside. There were only fifteen Mind Nourishing Pills!
Ye Xuan frowned. Ye Qing quickly explained, "Ye Xuan, these pills are extremely precious. We have none left in Qing City—these were all brought in from outside, and this is what was left from the last batch."
Ye Xuan was silent for a moment. He finally put away the jade bottle and said, "I have fought for this family for years. Taking some medicine for my sister isn't asking too much, is it?"
Ye Qing glanced at Ye Xuan but said nothing.
Ye Xuan said nothing more either. He turned to leave, but outside, the Great Elder had already arrived with a group of elders.
Clearly, they had heard about Ye Xuan's violent actions.
The Great Elder stared at Ye Xuan. "My grandson only said a few words to you, and you killed him?"
Ye Xuan stepped forward until he was right in front of the Great Elder. "He is your grandson. If you won't discipline him, then I will."
The Great Elder's hands slowly clenched into fists, and Ye Xuan looked at him, expressionless, with killing intent already flickering in his eyes.
Suddenly, the Great Elder snarled, "Beat him to death!"
At his command, several Ye family guards rushed towards Ye Xuan.
Ye Xuan's lips twisted into a grim smile. In the next moment, he pushed off lightly with his toes, his entire body gliding forward. Before anyone could react, the lead guard was sent flying several meters!
Ye Xuan didn't stop. He spun and delivered a powerful kick to another guard charging at him.
Bang!
That guard was also sent flying!
Then, Ye Xuan charged directly at the Great Elder!
Seeing this, the Great Elder's face twisted in fury. He stepped forward and struck towards Ye Xuan with his palm!
Ye Xuan clenched his right hand into a fist and punched towards the Great Elder's palm!
Bang!
The moment their attacks met, the Great Elder was forced back over ten steps, but Ye Xuan didn't budge!
The Great Elder stared at Ye Xuan in shock. "How is this possible? Your dantian is shattered! How can you still have such power?!"
In the distance, Ye Xuan narrowed his eyes. "How do you know my dantian is shattered?!"
The Great Elder stared at Ye Xuan without answering.
However, Ye Xuan already understood!
There was no need for further explanation. The mysterious assailant who had ambushed him must have been sent by the Great Elder!
Realizing this, killing intent surged in Ye Xuan's eyes. At that moment, a voice suddenly rang out, "Ye Xuan, leave now!"
Everyone turned towards the voice. It was none other than Ye Lang!
Ye Xuan shot a cold glance at Ye Lang before turning and walking away without a word.
The surrounding guards didn't try to stop him; they only looked to Ye Lang.
Beside Ye Lang, the Great Elder spoke in confusion, "Ye Lang, even if you have a life-and-death duel with him, he killed your cousin! This cannot go unavenged..."
Ye Lang interrupted the Great Elder, "Don't worry, in two days, I'll settle this score for you!"
The Great Elder clenched his fists, his face livid, but he said nothing.
Ye Lang smiled. "I know he is arrogant and deserves to die. But now is not the time. In two days, spread the word to everyone in Qing City. I want to fight him in a grand duel and make my name known!"
Hearing this, the Great Elder frowned slightly. "What do you mean?"
Ye Lang smiled. "To attract the attention of those secluded sects, I first need to make a name for myself. Ye Xuan will be the first person I step on. Once I crush him, I will be famous throughout Qing City, and that will give me a chance to catch the eye of the greater powers."
The Great Elder's expression relaxed a little. "True, those powers are high and mighty. Without making some noise, it's hard to draw their attention."
Ye Lang nodded. "Rest assured, Great Elder. In two days, I'll make sure he dies in disgrace on the stage, satisfying your anger."
The Great Elder nodded, but then he added seriously, "Though his dantian is shattered, his combat strength is formidable. You must not be careless!"
Ye Lang glanced at the Great Elder and smiled without saying anything, but in his heart, he was filled with disdain.
He had seen the exchange between Ye Xuan and the Great Elder. In his mind, it wasn't that Ye Xuan was too strong—it was that the Great Elder was too weak!
A man who had grown complacent in comfort, even if he was a martial artist, was still just an old man if he hadn't reached a level beyond physical limitations.
To Ye Lang, the Great Elder was nothing but an old man. In fact, the same could be said for all the elders of the Ye Mansion.
Ye Lang looked in the direction where Ye Xuan had left and sneered. "Becoming my stepping stone is your greatest honor."
...
Back in his room, Ye Xuan quickly took out a Mind Nourishing Pill and gave it to Ye Ling.
Ye Xuan watched Ye Ling closely, his heart in turmoil, blaming himself for forgetting about her medicine.
Soon, under Ye Xuan's anxious gaze, Ye Ling slowly opened her eyes. When she saw Ye Xuan, she gave a sweet smile. "Brother, it's so good to see you."
Ye Xuan smiled faintly and held Ye Ling's hand tightly. "Feeling better?"
Ye Ling nodded slightly. "Not as cold anymore."
Ye Xuan said softly, "It's my fault. I promise you there will never be a next time. Never again!"
Ye Ling looked at Ye Xuan, and suddenly tears streamed down her face. "Brother, there were times when I wanted to die because I didn't want to be a burden to you. But just now, I was so afraid of dying because I feared that if I died, you would be all alone. I... I want to always be with you!"
Ye Xuan's eyes turned moist, and he smiled. "Ling'er, nothing will happen to you. Nothing will happen to either of us."
Ye Ling wiped her tears. "I'll do my best to live. I want to stay with you forever!"
Ye Xuan hooked his finger with hers and smiled. "We have a deal. Neither of us can die first!"
Ye Ling gave him a sideways glance. "Brother, pinky promises are for kids!"
Ye Xuan laughed heartily. "In my heart, you'll always be a child!"
A bright smile spread across Ye Ling's face, and her heart felt sweet.
This time, Ye Xuan didn't immediately return to cultivation. Instead, he took Ye Ling out for a walk. She had been stuck in the Ye Mansion for a long time and hadn't had much chance to enjoy herself. Ye Xuan felt guilty about it. Now that he had some free time, he wanted to spend it with her.
To Ye Xuan, nothing was more important than his sister!
Qing City was a small town with a population of less than two hundred thousand. Among the many cities of Jiang Country, it was near the bottom in terms of size and importance.
Though the population was small, Qing City was still bustling, with street performers, vendors, and everything one could wish for.
As soon as Ye Xuan and his sister left the Ye Mansion, a group of people from the Ye family followed them from a distance, clearly to ensure Ye Xuan didn't try to escape. Naturally, the Great Elder had no intention of letting Ye Xuan go.
Ye Xuan ignored the people following him, allowing them to tag along, as long as they didn't cause trouble.
"Brother, I can walk by myself!"
"Nonsense, you're still so weak. Let me carry you a bit longer."
"Ugh, alright..."
Ye Xuan took Ye Ling around half of Qing City, and as the sun began to set, they were about to return to the Ye Mansion when a woman on horseback rode swiftly through the city gate.
The woman wore a spotless white robe and held a silver spear in her right hand. The spearhead gleamed like a cold star.
The woman was stunningly beautiful, with an oval face and phoenix eyes, her features exquisitely perfect. Ye Xuan had never seen such a beautiful woman before—she was someone unforgettable from just a single glance.
As the woman entered the city, all eyes turned to her.
She was, indeed, a breathtaking sight.
The woman stopped her horse beside Ye Xuan and Ye Ling. Her gaze fell on Ye Xuan, and after sizing him up, her eyes flashed with surprise. "The Hidden Realm!"
Hearing this, Ye Xuan's expression changed slightly. This woman could recognize the Hidden Realm?
More importantly, she could see through his Hidden Realm. Until now, even the Great Elder couldn't discern his cultivation level because it was concealed by the mysterious woman. Yet, this woman could see it.
Suddenly, the woman pointed her spear at Ye Xuan. "You must be Ye Lang, the one who triggered the heavenly omen. To cultivate the Hidden Realm, your foundation must be solid. Very well, you are worthy of me using my spear. My name is An Lanxiu. Come, face my spear!"
"An Lanxiu!"
Nearby, someone gasped. "Heavens, she's An Lanxiu, the once-in-a-millennium genius of Jiang Country!"
"It really is her! She's the one personally honored as a National Hero by our country's ruler... An eighteen-year-old National Hero—not even in the previous dynasty did such a person appear!"
"I heard she's challenging all the geniuses in Jiang Country. She has already challenged thirty-six cities, and no one has ever withstood a single spear strike from her... She must be here for Ye Lang... If she praises him, the Ye family's fame will be unstoppable!"