C12 Immortal Cultivation

After parting ways with the City Lord, Yang Xuan clutched the book so tightly that his hand shook uncontrollably the entire journey home. It was the first tome on cultivation he had received in sixteen years.

Upon leaving the City Lord's Mansion guards behind, Yang Xuan made a beeline for the Yang family estate.

The Yang family guards were taken aback at the sight of him. Earlier that day, he had been escorted away by the City Lord's Mansion guards, and rumors had quickly spread that Yang Xuan had vandalized a genuine piece by prime minister Xu and pilfered the City Lord's prized possession.

Given Yang Xuan's frail constitution, no one could believe he was capable of theft. Yet, the evidence of his vandalism was undeniable. With the City Lord's well-known passion for calligraphy, the question on everyone's mind was why he would release Yang Xuan.

Ignoring the astonished stares of the guards, Yang Xuan strode through the gates with a composed demeanor and headed straight for the courtyard.

Once in his room, he settled into a chair, took a deep breath, and with hands still quivering, he turned to the first page.

The opening page detailed the classification of cultivators' innate talents—ranging from low-grade to high-grade. At that moment, Yang Xuan was consumed with an urgent desire to discover his own level of talent.

The book went on to describe the Leap Test and the various levels of Immortal Cultivators, ranking them from the Three Qi Stage to the Projection Stage and up to the Blessed Stage, with a particular focus on the distinctive features of the initial stages.

The more Yang Xuan read, the more exhilarated he became. According to the book, he had already reached the Three Qi Stage by the age of twelve or thirteen! Since then, he had been impervious to extreme heat or cold, his appetite had diminished, and his energy seemed boundless, never succumbing to fatigue.

He had been an Immortal Cultivator all along without even realizing it!

Now, he was eager to ascertain his current level.

Deep into his engrossed reading, Yang Xuan was abruptly startled by a series of aggressive knocks at the courtyard door.

Quickly stashing the book in his sleeve, he dashed out and flung open the door, only to be met by the ashen face of Yang Xiao standing before him.

Yang Xiao didn't give Yang Xuan a chance to step aside; he thrust his hand forward and shoved him, his voice seething with rage. "Yang Xuan, you've actually hidden a precious treasure. Don't you realize you could bring disaster upon the Yang family? And why, if you possess such a treasure, haven't you handed it over to me?"

Upon laying eyes on Yang Xuan, Yang Xiao was so furious he felt like striking him dead with a single punch. If not for Yang Xuan, Yu Xuezhong wouldn't have had the chance to ridicule him! Had Yang Xuan passed the treasure to him to present to the City Lord, he would have earned the City Lord's favor!

Yang Xuan regarded Yang Xiao with surprise; he had never pegged him for such a schemer.

With a level tone, Yang Xuan clarified, "The City Lord's treasure isn't in my possession. Should I have been the one to present it, the City Lord would surely have taken action against our family."

Momentarily at a loss for words, Yang Xiao's recent irritability had been exacerbated by this very issue. If Yang Xuan had indeed surrendered the treasure to the City Lord, it would only cast suspicion on the Yang family's intentions.

Could it be that the thief, unable to endure the Immortal Cultivation Hall's interrogation, had confessed to hiding the treasure within the City Lord's Mansion?

"You ruined Prime Minister Xu's creation. Has the City Lord not held you accountable?"

With a hint of resignation, Yang Xuan responded, "Brother, as I've said before, that was my own writing. I was merely imitating Prime Minister Xu's style out of boredom. I've explained the entire situation to the City Lord. Rest assured."

"What? You're claiming you wrote that piece?" Yang Xiao's anger turned to astonishment. "You're not lying?"

"Just ask the City Lord," Yang Xuan replied, standing his ground with quiet dignity.

"Go on and indulge in your delusions! As if you could produce such fine calligraphy. You're deceiving me! Whatever trick you've pulled to avoid the City Lord's wrath, know this—if your actions ever threaten the Yang family, I will show you no mercy!"

With those final words, Yang Xiao spun on his heel to leave. But as he turned, something caught his eye—the book in Yang Xuan's hand, which appeared to bear the words "Immortal Cultivation."

A chill ran through Yang Xiao. Instinctively, he channeled his Spiritual Force and reached out to snatch the book.

Yang Xuan sensed danger and instinctively retreated with haste.

In a fury, Yang Xiao confronted him, "Yang Xuan, you've had the audacity to defy our father's commands and pursue cultivation on your own! Who revealed to you the secrets of immortality? And that book on cultivation—who gave it to you? Was it your aunt?"

Yang Xuan let out a silent sigh. He hadn't anticipated his cultivation would be discovered so soon.

But no matter!

"The City Lord himself presented me with this book on the fundamentals of cultivation. Why would my aunt go against the Eldest Uncle's wishes? Do not cast aspersions on her."

The City Lord had given it to him!

Yang Xiao was staggered by the revelation.

Did this mean the City Lord favored him?

Impossible! The future of the Yang family was his destiny. He was the sole heir apparent! He would brook no rivals!

There was only one recourse: to destroy Yang Xuan's cultivation, bind him, and await their father's return for judgment!

With venomous intent, Yang Xiao clenched his fist, channeling his Spiritual Force for a direct assault on Yang Xuan.

Yang Xuan perceived his cousin's motive. He had no desire to engage in combat. Once again, he infused his feet with Spiritual Force, dodging the onslaught of fists with nimble agility.

The battle raged on, yet Yang Xiao couldn't land a single blow on Yang Xuan!

Desperate to subdue him, Yang Xiao drew several blades from his clothing, launching them at Yang Xuan. Mid-flight, the blades were swept aside by a gust of wind!

A furious voice echoed from beyond the courtyard.

"Enough! Since when is infighting permitted in the Yang family?"

Both men turned to see Yang Qianxue standing there.

Yang Xiao reluctantly ceased his attack, bowing respectfully, "Aunt, Yang Xuan has been cultivating in secret. I intend to detain him until our father can deal with him."

Yang Qianxue fixed her gaze on Yang Xiao. "You thought I wouldn't recognize your lethal intent? Are you prepared to violate the Yang family's code? I will discuss Yang Xuan's actions with your father upon his return."

Before Yang Xiao could utter a word, she pivoted to face Yang Xuan and commanded, "Starting today, you're to remain within this courtyard. You're not to take even half a step outside."

Yang Xuan, already averse to clashing with Yang Xiao, realized his aunt was safeguarding him and promptly responded, "Understood."

Yang Xiao clenched his jaw in frustration, yet he had no choice but to comply with her wishes.