C3 The Awakening of the Dragon Soul!

Ye Xiaoyun gazed at the spirit medicine in his grasp, musing to himself, 'Five years have passed, and despite trying all sorts of herbs and spirit medicines, there's been no effect. It's pointless to waste it—I'll save it for Ms. Xiaoxuan or my elder brother.'

He set the spirit medicine on the nightstand and reached for the medicinal wine to treat his wounds, carefully rubbing it onto his shoulder. Once he finished, Ye Xiaoyun lay back on the bed and closed his eyes for a rest.

As evening approached, a knock at the door roused him.

"Dinner's ready, Young Master," called a young girl's voice from outside.

"Come in," Ye Xiaoyun replied, stirring from his rest and sitting up.

The door swung open, and in walked a young girl named Ye Xiaoxia. With her hair neatly tied into a bun and her fair, delicate skin complementing her charming face, she was the picture of innocence. As Ye Xiaoyun's maid for five years, their bond had grown strong.

"Young Master, did you just wake up?" she inquired.

"Yes, just now. Have you eaten yet, Xiaoxia?" he asked.

"Not yet," she replied, shaking her head.

"Then join me. There's plenty, and I won't be able to finish it all. It'd be a shame to waste it," Ye Xiaoyun suggested, glancing at the spread of food and inviting Ye Xiaoxia to share the meal.

"Is that alright?" Although they shared a close relationship, the master-servant dynamic had kept them from dining together over the past five years.

"Of course, it's alright. Come, sit down and let's eat together," Ye Xiaoyun gestured to the chair across from him.

"Okay," Ye Xiaoxia agreed with a smile, taking a seat and beginning to enjoy dinner with Ye Xiaoyun.

"Young Master, can't you manage your chopsticks?" she chuckled, watching Ye Xiaoyun fumble with his utensils.

"Wait, why are you using your left hand? You usually eat with your right, don't you?" Ye Xiaoxia noticed the oddity and questioned him.

"Ah, I was just practicing with my left hand," Ye Xiaoyun explained.

"Really? Something seems off to me," Ye Xiaoxia said, still sensing that something was amiss. She gave Ye Xiaoyun's right shoulder a gentle pat.

"Ouch!"

"Young Master, what's the matter? Is your right shoulder hurt?" Ye Xiaoxia inquired with concern.

"It's nothing, really. Just a minor injury," Ye Xiaoyun reassured her.

"Let me see," Ye Xiaoxia insisted, moving to examine his wound.

"No need to look, it's nothing serious. Just a scratch," Ye Xiaoyun protested, not wanting Xiaoxia to find out that Ye Han was responsible for his injury.

Ye Xiaoxia wouldn't have it, though. She pulled back the clothes from Ye Xiaoyun's shoulder, revealing the wound beneath.

"Who did this to you?!" she exclaimed, shocked at the sight of his injury.

"It's nothing. I just took a fall," Ye Xiaoyun tried to downplay it, still reluctant to admit that Ye Han had caused the injury.

"You're lying! That's clearly a scratch, and it's turning purple," Ye Xiaoxia accused, her voice tinged with a cry, her heart clearly aching for Ye Xiaoyun.

"Xiaoxia, please don't cry. I'll tell you, okay?" Ye Xiaoyun said, quickly trying to comfort her.

"Out with it, who did this?"

"It was Ye Han."

"Ye Han? That jerk! Why would he bully you like this?" Ye Xiaoxia fumed with anger.

"He just uses his martial cultivation to push people around," Ye Xiaoyun sighed.

"What's so special about martial cultivation anyway? Young Master, you're capable too! Xiaoxia believes in you," she said, her big, watery eyes filled with unwavering faith as she looked at him.

"Sigh, five years. Five whole years and not a shred of progress," Ye Xiaoyun lamented, the thought alone making him deeply uncomfortable.

"Don't lose hope. You will succeed," Ye Xiaoxia encouraged, urging Ye Xiaoyun not to give up.

"I've lost confidence in myself. I'm not even at the first level of martial cultivation. Even if I could cultivate, I'd still be worthless," Ye Xiaoyun confessed, his self-assurance completely eroded.

"Don't talk like that, you're going to make it."

"Hopefully. Thanks for the support."

"What are you thanking me for?"

"Heh."

"What's so funny?"

"Nothing, really."

"Master, you should get some rest. I'll head back now, but call if you need anything," Ye Xiaoxia offered.

"Okay." Ye Xiaoyun gave a casual wave. Once Ye Xiaoxia had tidied everything up, she left the room.

Ye Xiaoyun sighed and shook his head, his attention caught by a glimmering object on the bedside table.

"What's this?" he wondered aloud, approaching it with curiosity. It was the spirit medicine his father, Ye Han, had given him earlier that day.

"How odd, it's still glowing. I've never seen it do that before. Could it be a rare type of spirit medicine?" Ye Xiaoyun pondered, picking up the medicine to examine it more closely.

Upon closer inspection, the spirit medicine was strikingly beautiful, with its snow-white branches and translucent blue leaves casting a serene blue glow.

As Ye Xiaoyun admired the medicine, he felt an urge from deep within his soul to refine it.

"This sensation is so peculiar. Why do I feel such a strong desire to consume this spirit medicine?" he questioned, bewildered.

"Maybe it really can aid me. Well, no harm in trying!" With that, Ye Xiaoyun swallowed the spirit medicine.

"This medicine is incredible." As soon as the spirit medicine entered his mouth, it transformed into a flow of energy that merged with his being.

"This feels amazing," Ye Xiaoyun savored the sensation of the energy coursing through him.

When the energy converged at his Dantian, Ye Xiaoyun's brow furrowed with concern. He sensed a powerful force within his Dantian, threatening to burst forth.

"What in the world is happening? Could it be... could I actually have the potential to practice martial arts?" Ye Xiaoyun mused, then promptly sat down cross-legged, focusing his hands on his Dantian to channel the energy flow.

Amidst this, Ye Xiaoyun's mind was flooded with a wealth of information.

The bloodline of the Nine-clawed Silver Holy Dragon

The Holy Dragon Battle Technique

In that moment, Ye Xiaoyun began to practice the Heart Arts associated with the Holy Dragon Battle Technique, harnessing it to absorb the spiritual energy of the heavens and the earth.

"Ha!" Ye Xiaoyun's eyes snapped open as he flung his arms wide, and a wild aura began to swirl around him!

"I can't believe it, I can actually practice martial arts now! This is fantastic! Absolutely fantastic! Hahaha!" Ye Xiaoyun was overjoyed to find that his cultivation level had reached the fifth stage of the Martial Cultivator Realm.

"Young Master, Young Master! What's happened?" Ye Xiaoxia was startled by Ye Xiaoyun's commotion and quickly knocked on his room's door.

Ye Xiaoyun hastened to open the door and welcomed Ye Xiaoxia inside.

"Xiaoxia! I've got some great news!" Ye Xiaoyun could hardly contain his excitement.

"What's the good news? You seem thrilled!" Ye Xiaoxia inquired, her curiosity piqued.

"Guess what! I can practice martial arts now!" Ye Xiaoyun exclaimed with glee.

"Really? That's fantastic! I always believed you could do it, Young Master!" Ye Xiaoxia shared in Ye Xiaoyun's happiness.

"So, which stage have you reached?" Ye Xiaoxia asked.

"The fifth stage of the Martial Cultivator Realm," Ye Xiaoyun replied.

"Wow, that's impressive. Haha," Ye Xiaoxia said with a laugh.

"Just remember, don't tell anyone else, alright?" Ye Xiaoyun cautioned.

"Oh, understood," Ye Xiaoxia nodded, grasping the importance of Ye Xiaoyun's request.