C10 Six Days

Ye Feilong remained silent, committing the faces of Ye Yihan and his cohort to memory. He was determined to settle the score today. Yet, he was aware that despite his recent breakthrough to the sixth level of the Qi Martial Stage, he was still significantly outmatched by Ye Yihan.

"Great Elder, have you no patience to wait for the Granduncle's return?" Ye Yishan interjected. "Do you truly believe that seizing power while my brother is gravely injured will win over the clan?"

Ye Yihai's gaze pierced through the cracks to rest on Ye Yinian, who remained with eyes closed, his expression fluctuating. The timing was ripe for a power grab, but Ye Yishan's point was valid. Seizing leadership under such circumstances would undoubtedly breed resentment among the clan members.

"He's lost an arm and his vitality has been severely compromised. It's unlikely he'll return to his prime any time soon, much less advance to the Martial Soul Stage," whispered an elder standing beside Ye Yihai.

"You are now the preeminent martial expert in our clan. Given your rapport with Li Zhaode, the Granduncle will have no better option upon his return but to endorse you as Patriarch."

Ye Yihai's eyes gleamed with resolve. "Very well, we shall discuss all matters upon the Granduncle's return."

With that, he cast a piercing look at Ye Feilong but refrained from speaking. He then carried the unconscious Ye Feiling and made his way to the doorway.

Watching Ye Yihai's retreating figure, Ye Feilong's eyes glinted with an icy resolve. Sharing quarters with those who harbored no fraternal affection and sought his and his father's demise was far from ideal. Should an opportunity arise, he would not hesitate to show them the same courtesy.

Whoever seeks my life shall forfeit their own!

Ye Yishan and Ye Yishan let out a soft sigh. They were well aware that the elder's words to Ye Yihai were a predictable outcome. Granduncle Ye Shihong had always shown favoritism toward Ye Yihai's branch of the family, even when there were murmurs of dissent regarding the succession. Now, with Ye Yinian's capabilities drastically diminished, he no longer wielded any leverage over Ye Shihong. In this moment, it was almost certain that Ye Shihong would back Ye Yihai for the role of Patriarch.

If Ye Shihong were to openly support Ye Yihai at the Clan Assembly, he would undoubtedly garner the support of many fellow clanspeople. Ye Yihai's ascension to the position of Patriarch would be all but guaranteed.

Ye Yishan had reluctantly invoked Ye Shihong's name earlier, hoping to buy a few more days' time.

"Six days..."

Ye Feilong pondered in silence.

The only solution to this predicament was for someone on their side to defeat both Ye Yihai and Ye Shihong, as well as to overcome the impending threat from the Lee family. The optimal strategy was to defeat Lee Zhaande.

"Reach the Martial Soul Stage in six days..."

A spark of determination ignited in Ye Feilong's eyes.

He glanced at his phone, which displayed the training room interface.

The progress bar above Ye Feilong's head indicated that he was at "23% into the sixth level of the Martial Soul Stage."

This meant that since his breakthrough to the sixth level of the Martial Soul Stage, his Genuine Qi had increased by 23%. Particularly after he started practicing all the family's cultivation techniques from the Martial Hall, the rate at which his Genuine Qi increased had accelerated. By tomorrow, he was likely to reach the seventh level of the Martial Soul Stage. With this rate of growth, and with additional aids, reaching the Martial Soul Stage within six days wasn't out of the question.

If Ye Yishan and the rest were aware of his current thoughts, they would surely think he was out of his mind.

Six days to progress from the sixth level of the Martial Soul Stage to the Martial Soul Stage itself?

That seemed utterly impossible.

Yet, Ye Feilong was filled with confidence.

What kind of aid would he use?

Pills!

After all, he had become an alchemist.

He turned to look at his father, who lay with eyes closed and a pallid complexion, the resolve in his own eyes growing even more intense.

No matter what, he had to reach the Martial Soul Stage within six days.

With the power of the Martial Soul Stage, neither the Lee family nor Ye Yihai and his cronies would be able to stir up any trouble.

"Father, I will take over the protection of our family from now on!"

Ye Feilong silently vowed to his father before resolutely turning and striding away.

Ye Yinian's eyes suddenly flickered open, watching the retreating figure of Ye Feilong.

Ye Yishan and the others felt the same way.

They had all noticed a significant change in Ye Feilong.

"What a shame his dantian is destroyed..."

Ye Yishan let out a sigh after Ye Feilong had walked away.

Ye Feilong had just put on a dazzling display, easily besting Ye Feiling. Yet, since no one could detect any Genuine Qi fluctuations, they concluded that he had won using his combat experience and physical strength alone. While this approach might be effective now, it would become futile as Ye Feiling's mastery of Genuine Qi continued to grow. Ye Feilong, having lost his dantian, had also lost the potential for further advancement. As one rose and the other fell, it seemed inevitable that Ye Feilong would eventually be outmatched by Ye Feiling.

Reluctantly, Ye Yishan and the rest, including Ye Feilong's father, had to face this harsh reality, prompting a collective sigh of resignation.

Only the brothers, Ye Feihua and Ye Feihui, remained fixated on the doorway, convinced that Ye Feilong's dantian was intact. They were puzzled as to why there were no Genuine Qi fluctuations when Ye Feilong made his move.

Could it be a Secret Art that conceals one's aura?

...

Stepping out of the medical hall, Ye Feilong moved forward with determined strides, a steely resolve in his eyes, his demeanor icy.

"A true man has his principles and his responsibilities. Now that I am one with Ye Feilong, it's my duty to protect the Ye family!"

He exited the gates of the Ye residence.

Turning right, he headed towards the market.

His mission was to purchase pill-refining materials.

He needed the aid of Pills to reach the Martial Soul Stage within six days.

Without access to the Pill Room, he wouldn't dare be so bold. Pills were prohibitively expensive. Even if the Ye family were to spend their entire fortune, it might not be enough to elevate him from the Fourth Level of the Qi Martial Stage to the Martial Soul Stage in just six days.

But purchasing materials for pill refining was a different matter.

Though the materials were costly, the exorbitant price of Pills was not solely due to the ingredients but also the scarcity of alchemists and the high failure rate in the refining process.

Ye Feilong was supremely confident in the Pill Room's refining capabilities, anticipating an extraordinary success rate, perhaps even reaching a perfect one hundred percent.

"Brother Wang, my trust in you is unwavering. Disappointment isn't even in the picture, right?"

Ye Feilong strode forward with resolute steps.