C14 First Meeting

Yang Dingshan watched as Yang Xiao departed, his heart growing heavier with frustration. He had always been preoccupied with the minor affairs of the clan, neglecting to invest enough time in Yang Xiao. Now, as Yang Xiao had taken a troubling turn, Dingshan couldn't shake off the feeling that he bore the brunt of the blame.

The Yang, Bai, and Lau families were esteemed lineages in Qingzhou City, with a legacy spanning a century. Recently, the Bai and Lau families seemed to be inching toward an alliance, escalating tensions with the Yangs. The Yang family's standing in Qingzhou City had been declining, and the younger generation of the Bai and Lau families, with their superior talents in cultivation, had begun to outshine the Yangs. If things continued this way, the Yang family was at risk of being relegated to second-tier status.

In a bid to spur his family members to greater heights, Dingshan had increasingly emphasized the importance of their cultivation. However, he now questioned his approach. If someone chose to pursue a crooked path, their level of cultivation would be irrelevant.

It was clear to him that he needed to keep a closer watch on Yang Xiao; he couldn't allow his kinsman to stray into misdeeds.

Beyond Yang Xiao's situation, the issue with Yang Xuan left him at a loss. Dingshan moved silently to the window, gazing toward Yang Xuan's courtyard, his thoughts inevitably drifting to his Second Brother.

His Second Brother had wished for Yang Xuan to live an ordinary, mortal life, but fate had other plans—Yang Xuan had set foot on the journey of Immortal Cultivation.

Dingshan had managed to detach himself from Yang Xuan for sixteen years, comforted by the knowledge that Yang Qianxue occasionally looked in on the boy. He had concealed the truth about Yang Xuan's parents, fearing that his Second Brother's enemies might discover that Yang Xuan was alive. He had even forbidden Yang Xuan from pursuing cultivation, all to protect him from those same foes.

Amidst these reflections, Dingshan's inner turmoil deepened. Was he expected to destroy Yang Xuan's cultivation? He had watched over Yang Xuan's growth, coming to love him as his own child. With Yang Xuan's father missing and his only son now walking the path of cultivation, Dingshan wrestled with the notion of committing such a cruel act. Could he truly bring himself to do something so against his nature?

He couldn't do that!

He hadn't avenged his Second Brother yet, and with his current strength, it was utterly impossible! His only option was to entrust this hope to the next generation.

Lost in memories of the past, Yang Dingshan was unaware of Yang Xuan, who sat in quiet meditation on the bed within the crumbling courtyard. Spirit Aura surged wildly into Yang Xuan's dantian. He channeled the Spiritual Force there, following the mantra etched in his mind. Behind him, a fiery phoenix stood in silent vigil. As more Spirit Aura swirled into Yang Xuan, the veins on his forehead stood out starkly, and sweat cascaded down like rain. The phoenix's eyes snapped open, and the unruly Spirit Aura began to circulate spontaneously within him. Yang Xuan thought he could hear a sound of something breaking.

Engulfed by the Spirit Aura within him, Yang Xuan was slowly consumed by the vast ocean of cultivation. Unbeknownst to him, a girl was making her way toward his room, step by step.

Yuh Qingcheng, newly arrived in Qingzhou City, found everything wondrously new. She longed for her father to take her out exploring, but he was deep in conversation with the Yang family and couldn't break away. Left to her own devices, she slipped out alone.

Perhaps she should explore Qingzhou City's night market, or pay a visit to the Old City Lord at the City Lord's Mansion? As Yuh Qingcheng was about to leave, a fiery red light caught her eye, flashing briefly before vanishing. Then, a torrent of Spirit Aura rushed toward the source of the light.

With eyes wide in amazement, Yuh Qingcheng marveled at the sight. Who could possibly gather such an immense amount of Spirit Aura?

Driven by intense curiosity, she followed the direction of the light. Soon, a decrepit courtyard came into view.

Judging by the thick concentration of Spirit Aura, the cultivator inside must be at least as powerful as she was. But why would he reside in such a rundown place? How could the Yang family allow this? Her curiosity piqued, Yuh Qingcheng was determined to find out what was happening inside.

Channeling her own Spirit Aura, Yuh Qingcheng stepped into the courtyard and made her way to the room aglow with red light. She stooped slightly and gently nudged the door open, only to be greeted by a sight that took her breath away.

She spotted a bed.

On it lay a young man.

He appeared to be her age, with lustrous black hair, pale skin, and a prominent nose.

Yet, what halted Yuh Qingcheng in her tracks was not his appearance, but the extraordinary vision unfolding behind him!

A phoenix!

How could this be?

Typically, no cultivator would manifest such phenomena during their practice, not even her own master. She had never witnessed anything like it. Who was this young man, and why couldn't she discern his level of cultivation? Could it be that his skills surpassed even hers?

She resolved to inquire once he awoke.

With that decision, Yuh Qingcheng propped her head with her hands and crouched down, intently watching Yang Xuan. Time slipped by, and drowsiness crept over her. She yawned and, before she knew it, drifted off to sleep.

Yang Xuan, feeling rejuvenated after his cultivation session, opened his eyes to find a girl resting against his bed.

Who was she?

How did she end up in his courtyard?

He considered waking her, but instead, she shifted and stretched out on his bed.

Uncertain how to proceed, Yang Xuan decided to let her stay and sleep.

He rose, gently repositioning the girl to the center of the bed. As he was about to lay her down, her hand inadvertently found his neck. Drawn by his warmth, she nestled her head against his chest, and soon settled into a peaceful slumber, finding the perfect spot to rest.

At that moment, Yang Xuan's face flushed with heat. It was likely the first time he had been this close to a girl his age. She looked so young, her soft cheeks tinged with a delicate pink, enhancing her beauty.

His heart raced. He carefully placed her on the bed, tucked her in with the blanket, and hurried out of the room.

Standing in the courtyard, Yang Xuan touched his burning ears and cheeks, trying to cool down.

He splashed his face with cold water, which helped settle his nerves.

He resolved to wait for her to wake, then he would ask her to leave.

Yang Xuan leapt gracefully onto the rooftop. Cradling his head in his hands, he lay back and gazed up at the night sky, lost in its beauty.