C16 Yang Xuan's Father

After Yuh Ting'en departed, Yang Dingshan furrowed his brow and addressed the remaining people in the courtyard, "You're all free to go now."

Soon, only Yang Xiao and Yang Xuan remained. Dingshan turned to Yang Xiao with a piercing gaze and reminded him, "Remember what I told you last night, Yang Xiao. You are to transcribe the clan's rules fifty times once you return."

Yang Xiao opened his mouth to speak, but the sight of Dingshan's stern expression silenced him. With a heart full of bitterness, he left.

"Yang Xuan, come inside with me," Dingshan beckoned, heading toward the house. Seated in a chair, he looked intently at Yang Xuan and inquired, "Who has been teaching you the ways of cultivation? When did you begin your practice?"

Yang Xuan let out a silent sigh. Since Yang Xiao had discovered his secret cultivation, he knew it was only a matter of time before this confrontation. Eldest Uncle had cared for him for sixteen years; he couldn't bring himself to deceive him. Moreover, claiming that someone had covertly passed on the techniques would only lead to more questions he couldn't answer. Honesty was his only option.

"Eldest Uncle, no one has taught me these techniques. It was only after perusing the books from the City Lord that I realized I had reached the Three Qi Stage at the age of thirteen. I've also been sensing an uncontrollable power within me that grows stronger with age, and the intervals between its surges are becoming increasingly frequent."

Before Yang Xuan could continue, Dingshan interjected with concern, "You have an untamed power inside you? The episodes are happening more often; does it harm you in any way?"

A surge of warmth filled Yang Xuan, touched by his uncle's concern. He hurriedly reassured him, "Eldest Uncle, I've tried to master this energy during my cultivation. So far, it hasn't harmed me, but it does compel my body to perform extraordinary feats, like suddenly gaining immense strength or leaping from the ground to the rooftop."

Clearly, Yang Xuan was struggling to control the Spiritual Force within him.

Upon hearing this, Yang Dingshan was deeply moved. Yang Xuan truly lived up to being the son of his Second Brother. To think he could absorb Spirit Aura into his body from such a young age and cultivate independently—calling him a genius hardly seemed like an overstatement.

Yang Xuan went on to say, "A month ago, someone murmured a mantra to me. It was a technique for immortal cultivation. Once I began practicing it, I was able to gradually get the energy inside me under control."

"I need to check if the Spiritual Force within you is circulating properly," Yang Dingshan said, concerned that the individual who had imparted the technique to Yang Xuan might have had ulterior motives. Taking Yang Xuan's hand, he carefully guided his own Spiritual Force into the young man's body, ensuring it flowed through every part without issue before finally breathing a sigh of relief. Sweat beaded on his forehead and his hands shook uncontrollably.

The revelation that someone had taught Yang Xuan a cultivation technique had initially made Yang Dingshan fear for his nephew's safety. He meticulously inspected Yang Xuan's body and, finding no cause for concern, he allowed himself to relax. He surmised that the mysterious benefactor must be a reclusive master, perhaps one who recognized Yang Xuan's exceptional talent for cultivation. As long as their intentions were pure, that was all that mattered.

But what truly preoccupied him now was Yang Xuan's current level of mastery.

Yang Dingshan watched Yang Xuan, fists clenched. His trembling was not just from the excessive expenditure of Spiritual Force; it was also from the shock of discovering Yang Xuan's current realm. He could hardly believe that at just sixteen, Yang Xuan's cultivation had soared to the Late Period of the Second Stage.

Yang Xuan's Spiritual Force had likely leaked out because he had just achieved a breakthrough to the Late Period of the Second Stage the previous night.

Yang Xuan was rapidly approaching Yang Dingshan's own level, and he had even surpassed Yuh Qingcheng—who possessed a top grade level 1 talent—by two minor realms.

Most importantly, they were peers.

This suggested that Yang Xuan's talent surpassed even that of Yuh Qingcheng.

With that thought, Yang Dingshan fell silent.

It took a while for him to regain his composure, his emotions a mix of shock and excitement. He pondered whether he should share the truth about the Second Brother with Yang Xuan.

Given Yang Xuan's prodigious talent, it was inevitable that he would one day venture beyond the borders of Great Wei in search of his father's whereabouts.

If he were to tell him, Yang Xuan would undoubtedly redouble his efforts in cultivation, aiming for that very purpose. However, it could also distract him, potentially causing his progress to plateau.

Yang Dingshan found himself unable to decide.

He resolved to let Yang Xuan make his own choice.

He refrained from influencing Yang Xuan's thoughts, curious to see whether he would settle for a life of mediocrity or aspire to explore the vast world.

"Xuan, you once asked me as a child how your parents died. Do you still wish to know?"

Yang Xuan remained composed.

The question, however, sparked a subtle shift in his gaze and demeanor.

He had already discussed his cultivation with his Eldest Uncle, who held the power to either cripple his Spiritual Force or let it be. It seemed prudent to seek clarity now. Should his Eldest Uncle choose to strip him of his powers and confine him, Yang Xuan was determined to one day break free from the Yang family. He refused to live a life devoid of purpose. Above all, he needed to unravel the mystery behind his parents' demise.

If his Eldest Uncle chose not to impair his cultivation, all the better.

Yang Xuan looked up resolutely and declared, "Eldest Uncle, I need to know. There hasn't been a moment when I haven't."

Relieved by Yang Xuan's response, Yang Dingshan's eyes welled with emotion.

"Your father was Yang Wuqi, my Second Brother, whose cultivation talent incited envy in Qingzhou City. He was the second individual in Great Wei to attain a fifth-grade Upper-Level talent, second only to Xu Ruxian. In his youth, your father joined prime minister Xu in battle, but he later devoted himself to the pursuit of cultivation. He resigned from his court duties and traveled with your mother. A year later, he returned in a dire state, bloodied and carrying you in his arms. Pursued by enemies and with your mother gone, he entrusted you to my care. The following day, he vanished without a trace."

Reaching this point in his explanation, Yang Dingshan let out a heavy sigh. "I kept these things from you because your father instructed me not to disclose them. The adversaries pursuing your father are immensely powerful. He would rather have you live an ordinary life than risk you losing yours."

Yang Xuan stood frozen, his mind racing.

What of his mother? Where had she gone?

Was it true that she had died? Had his father vanished in pursuit of vengeance for her?

Tears filled Yang Xuan's usually placid eyes, and anger surged within him. "Eldest Uncle, who is my father's enemy?"

Yang Dingshan offered a reassuring pat on Yang Xuan's shoulder. "Asking me now will yield no answers. Your father's foe is so formidable that not even the full might of the Yang family could make a dent. Once you top the Leaderboard, come to me with your questions, and I'll lay it all out for you."

The Leaderboard!

The Leap Test assessed the cultivation talents of sixteen-year-old youths. Those with exceptional talents would join various sects to learn the arts of immortality. A year after the Leap Test, the Wei Kingdom's capital would host a martial examination, with the top 100 combatants earning a spot on the Leaderboard.

The Leaderboard kept records up until the age of twenty-five.

After that, one's name was automatically struck off.

Yang Xuan's fists tightened with resolve. He had made up his mind: within a year, he would claim the top spot on the Leaderboard. With his father's whereabouts unknown, he couldn't afford to waste a single moment.

"If your father were here, he'd be proud," Yang Dingshan mused, his thoughts lingering on his Second Brother. "Always remember, to everyone else, you are my son. Never reveal your true heritage."

"Yes, Eldest Uncle," Yang Xuan acknowledged, understanding his uncle's protective intent.

"And what about the theft at the City Lord's Mansion and the authentic work of Prime Minister Xu?" Yang Dingshan asked, regaining his composure as he recalled Yang Xiao's earlier conversation.

"The City Lord's Mansion should have recovered their treasures by now," Yang Xuan replied, hesitating slightly, betraying a hint of guilt. He continued, "As for Prime Minister Xu's authentic work, I had been practicing his calligraphy and one day realized how similar my writing had become to his. So, I decided to create a copy, never anticipating it would lead to a misunderstanding with the Immortal Cultivation Hall."

"Your aptitude for cultivation is so remarkable that it's no surprise you could emulate Prime Minister Xu's handwriting to such a convincing degree. Should you ever find yourself with questions about your cultivation journey, don't hesitate to seek my guidance," Yang Dingshan said, peering into Yang Xuan's clear eyes. He had intended to encourage Yang Xuan to show more leniency toward Yang Xiao, but the words wouldn't come. Gazing at the youthful innocence on Yang Xuan's face, he turned and left the courtyard.