C11 Agree to a Condition.

Ye Mei's smile was tinged with a myriad of complex emotions that her eyes couldn't hide.

Ye Chenxi, still green in years and lacking Ye Mei's guile, cut to the chase. "Third Aunt, I need to see my mother now, please."

"Your mother is quite well," Ye Mei replied. "But why bring a stranger here? Our Ye family doesn't just let any strange man wander in."

With a flick of her fan, Ye Mei shielded her face, her expression one of scorn, as she gestured toward Chu Qing, who stood to the side.

Chu Qing's brow creased. Clearly, Ye Mei was determined to bar their entry into the Ye family home today.

"He's none of your concern. He's a doctor I've brought," Ye Chenxi asserted.

"A doctor? Since when are men doctors? Why bring an unfamiliar male doctor to the Ye family? Have we no physicians of our own?" Ye Mei peppered her with questions, her intent to provoke Ye Chenxi into an attack clear.

Ye Chenxi's patience was wearing thin; her mother was the one lying ill in bed, after all.

Chu Qing stepped forward, shielding Ye Chenxi, and said with a calm smile, "I am not only a doctor, but also her friend."

"Friend?" Ye Mei spat out venomously. "You and your mother are nothing but harlots. A few days away and you've already lured a man."

Anger flushed Ye Chenxi's cheeks, but she held back, aware of the dire consequences of striking Ye Mei.

"He is simply a friend. May we enter now?"

Taking a deep breath, Ye Chenxi forced herself to remain composed in the face of Ye Mei's taunts. She was uncertain of her subordinates' whereabouts; they could be inside, safeguarding her mother. Forcing entry seemed futile. Her hope now rested with Chu Qing.

"To marry into the Ye family, one must be exceptional, a true cultivator at the very least. Brother, you hardly seem the part," Ye Mei said, eyeing Chu Qing.

Unruffled, Chu Qing offered a knowing smile. He was aware that Ye Mei had just tested for the presence of Genuine Qi in him and found none.

"Mrs. Ye, I assure you, I am indeed a cultivator," he replied with confidence.

Ye Mei was in no position to gauge his true power; the disparity in their strengths and the vast gulf between their Spiritual Energies were insurmountable.

"Claiming to be a cultivator, then? Let Ye Meier assess your mettle. I'm curious to see the prowess of Ye Chenxi's man," Ye Mei said, signaling to the woman beside her.

"As you wish, Mother," Ye Meier responded, clad in a red dress that swayed, hinting at the thighs beneath as she moved.

"Chenxi, I'm not trying to bully you. If your man can best Meier, you'll be granted entry," Ye Mei declared.

Surprise flickered across Ye Chenxi's face, followed by relief. She herself was unaware of the extent of Chu Qing's cultivation, much less Ye Mei.

"Very well. Let's have this contest," Ye Mei said with a sneer, thinking to herself, "If I incapacitate Chu Qing today, Ye Chenxi will erupt in fury. Should she strike me, she'll breach our family's code. Not even her mother, Ye Qingmei, could shield her then."

Ye Meier exuded allure, yet Chu Qing remained unaffected. Having lived two lifetimes, he was not one to be drawn to overly flirtatious women.

"Men should just stay quietly behind women. If you lose this time, you'll have to agree to a condition of mine," Ye Meier stated.

"What's the condition?" inquired Chu Qing.

Although Chu Qing was all smiles, the Spiritual Energy within him surged throughout his body. In a flash, he was ready to burst forth and take down this woman in one fell swoop!

"If I win, you're going to spend the night with me," Ye Meier declared.

"Ye Meier, that's crossing the line!" Ye Chenxi exclaimed in anger.

Chu Qing let out a soft sigh. In comparison to Ye Meier and Ye Mei, Ye Chenxi was far too naive. It was no surprise that her mother had been reluctant to grant her significant authority.

Should Ye Chenxi become the heir to the Ye family, it wouldn't take long for Ye Meier and Ye Mei to usurp her power.

"I accept your terms. Let's begin," Chu Qing responded.

No sooner had Chu Qing spoken than Ye Meier launched an attack, aiming to catch him off guard!

Her palm was already gathering a faint green glow of fist energy. Should Chu Qing actually be struck, he would certainly sustain injuries, potentially even to his internal organs.

Chu Qing thought to himself, "Such a malicious woman. Her earlier words were just a ploy to distract me!"

With a smirk still playing on his lips, Chu Qing stood his ground. Across from him, a look of delight emerged on Ye Mei's face. She had great faith in her daughter! If only the Ye family hadn't bestowed their finest martial arts legacy upon Ye Chenxi, Ye Meier's accomplishments would surely have outshone her cousin's by far.