C9 Ye Xiaoyun's Background

Everyone in the Ye family was aware that Ye Xiaoyun was not the biological child of Ye Shenglin.

One evening, fifteen years ago, Ye Shenglin was dining with his wife Zhao Wanxue and their son Ye Xiaotian when a shimmering golden light caught their attention outside the window. Curious, Ye Shenglin went to investigate.

To his surprise, he discovered an infant, seemingly about two months old, enveloped in a golden aura that radiated dazzling light.

As the glow faded, Ye Shenglin brought the child inside and named him Ye Xiaoyun. He raised him as his own, and when Ye Xiaoyun turned ten, Ye Shenglin shared the truth with him. Despite knowing he was not their flesh and blood, Ye Xiaoyun felt no urge to seek out his biological parents. The world was vast, and he had been abandoned as an infant. Ye Shenglin had been the one to nurture him, and Ye Xiaoyun wished only to remain by his side in gratitude.

Over the years, Ye Xiaoyun faced scorn and bullying from his peers, especially after it became known that he was unable to cultivate martial arts. However, Ye Xiaoxuan, Ye Xiaotian, Ye Shenglin, Ye Xiaoxia, and Zhao Wanxue always treated him as true family.

Ye Xiaoyun had long since recognized who his real family was and who his adversaries were.

"I'm sorry, Young Master. I shouldn't have mentioned it," Ye Xiaoxia said, noticing Ye Xiaoyun's somber expression and realizing her mistake.

"It's okay, there's no need to apologize. You didn't do anything wrong," Ye Xiaoyun replied with a gentle smile.

"Xiaoxia, if there's nothing else, please go ahead and leave. I need to focus on my cultivation," Ye Xiaoyun told her.

"Of course, Young Master. I'll step out now. Just call if you need anything. I won't interrupt your cultivation," Ye Xiaoxia responded, then exited.

Ye Xiaoyun then took out the spirit medicine Ye Xiaoxuan had given him, consisting of three stalks of Spirit Gathering Grass and one pill. The grass was particularly beneficial for those at the Martial Cultivator Stage.

The pill in question was a Spirit Gathering Pill, crafted from Spirit Gathering Grass, and it held significant benefits for those at the Martial Master Stage.

"First, I'll refine these three stalks of Spirit Gathering Grass. Coupled with the residual medicinal power within me, I should manage to advance to Martial Cultivator Rank Seven. The demands of this bloodline are immense. For an average person, they might even reach the Martial Master Stage," Ye Xiaoyun mused, shaking his head. He had a love-hate relationship with his bloodline, a potent legacy that could very well have been bequeathed by his ancestors.

Upon ingesting the three stalks, his Dantian voraciously drew in the spiritual energy from the Spirit Gathering Grass, far quicker than a typical martial cultivator.

Once he had fully assimilated the spiritual energy, the essence within his Dantian thickened considerably, propelling him directly to Martial Cultivator Rank Seven.

"I'm nearly done mastering this martial technique. Time to get the basics from my father," Ye Xiaoyun decided, then made his way to Ye Shenglin's quarters.

Entering the room, he found his mother, Zhao Suoxue, deep in conversation with his father.

"Yun, you've arrived," Zhao Suoxue greeted with a warm smile upon noticing Ye Xiaoyun.

"Mother, when did you return?" Just days before, Ye Xiaoyun's mother had been visiting his older brother, Ye Xiaotian, at the Martial Saint Sect.

"I've only just returned. I was about to send someone to inform you," Zhao Suoxue replied with a chuckle.

"By the way, Yun, your father mentioned you've started martial cultivation?" she inquired.

"Yes, Mother, I've begun my martial cultivation," confirmed Ye Xiaoyun.

"That's wonderful news! The Ye Family has gained another martial artist," Zhao Suoxue exclaimed joyfully, her own hopes for Ye Xiaoyun's cultivation journey shining through.

"Yun, what brings you here?" Ye Shenglin interjected.

"Father, I'm in need of a few more martial arts techniques. Do you have any to spare?" Ye Xiaoyun inquired.

"Martial arts techniques? I do have some, but have you mastered the Dorje Fist I gave you?" Ye Shenglin questioned.

"The Dorje Fist is nearly perfected, which is why I've come to request a few more texts," Ye Xiaoyun explained.

"Already finished? It's only been a few days; how could you have cultivated it so quickly?" Ye Shenglin remarked.

"Martial skills aren't that hard to cultivate, are they?" Ye Xiaoyun replied, genuinely not finding the process challenging. He had learned the Dorje Fist in just a few days and was executing it flawlessly.

"Easy to cultivate? It took me nearly a month to master the Dorje Fist. How did you manage to perfect it so quickly?" Ye Shenglin was skeptical.

"Want me to demonstrate?" Ye Xiaoyun offered.

"Haha, sure, show me just how well you've mastered the Dorje Fist," Ye Shenglin chuckled.

In an instant, Ye Xiaoyun radiated the aura of a Martial Cultivator at Rank Seven.

"Yun, you... you've advanced again?" Ye Shenglin was astonished to realize his son had ascended two more ranks.

"I've just broken through to Rank Seven today."

"Impressive, truly impressive. With such speed, you're undoubtedly a genius," Ye Shenglin praised.

Ye Xiaoyun then executed the Dorje Fist sequence, delivering five punches, each more powerful and ferocious than the last.

When he finished, Ye Shenglin stood there, stunned and motionless as if petrified.

"Father, what's the matter?" Ye Xiaoyun inquired.

"How... How is this possible? You've mastered the Dorje Fist to such a degree!" Ye Shenglin was astounded by his son's prowess.

"A genius... A true genius, hahaha!" Ye Shenglin burst into laughter.

"Xiaoyun, remember, don't reveal your full strength outside. It could bring unwanted trouble," Ye Shenglin cautioned.

"I understand, Father," Ye Xiaoyun nodded, fully aware of his father's concern.

"Alright, Xiaoyun, I have two more martial arts techniques for you." Ye Shenglin handed over two manuals to Ye Xiaoyun: the Wind Shattering Kick and the Earth Shattering Palm.

"Thank you, Father," Ye Xiaoyun said with joy.

"Yun, to celebrate your martial achievements, we'll have a feast tonight," Zhao Suoxue announced.

"I'll go and invite Xiaoxia to join us," Ye Xiaoyun said.

"Xiaoxia? Isn't she one of the maids? Doesn't she dine with the other servants?" Ye Shenglin inquired.

"I haven't made any friends in the Ye family. Xiaoxia has been looking after me since I was ten. She's like family to me, which is why she's been sharing meals with me these past few days," Ye Xiaoyun explained.

"Alright then," Ye Shenglin agreed with a nod.

"Yun, are you fond of Xiaoxia?" Zhao Suoxue probed.

"This..."

"I haven't noticed Xiaoxia around. If you're fond of her, you have my blessing," Zhao Suoxue teased, seeing Ye Xiaoyun's shy reaction and smiling.

"I... I'm going to look for her," Ye Xiaoyun stammered before hurrying out.

Watching Ye Xiaoyun dash off, Zhao Suoxue chuckled to herself, "Oh, this child."

Approaching his living quarters, Ye Xiaoyun could hear Ye Xiaoxia's voice.

"Back off! I've already told you, the Young Master isn't here," Ye Xiaoxia was saying.

"Hmph! Not here? I bet he's just too scared to show his face! Stand up!"

"You won't stand up? Fine then!"

The voice belonged to a man. Ye Xiaoyun moved closer and recognized him as Ye Han's brother, Ye Yan.