C2 The Mysterious Little Cauldron!

The echo of Hairy's warning lingered in his ears.

Ye Xiangyang's expression was grim. They were of the same lineage, the same blood. Yet, simply because his father was not a Martial Warrior, he was subjected to their torment.

"I will have my revenge. No one in this world can halt my journey to become a Martial Cultivator, nor can anyone strip away my resolve to give my parents a better life! I swear it."

Ye Xiangyang rose to his feet, pain throbbing through every inch of his body.

Their cruelty was unyielding; otherwise, he wouldn't have been unconscious for a solid half-hour before coming to.

Gazing at the sun perched high in the sky, Ye Xiangyang confirmed he had been out for at least that long.

He hurried to clean himself up, erasing any signs of the altercation; he couldn't bear the thought of his parents worrying.

A short distance ahead lay the Black Tortoise Spring.

Named for the dark stone resembling a turtle where the water bubbled forth, atop which sat a stone shaped like a twisted Profound Snake, spewing forth a stream of glistening water.

The spring was modest, its waters flowing continuously.

Ye Xiangyang hastily washed his face and smoothed his disheveled hair, catching his reflection in the water.

There, he spotted a black turtle, no larger than an egg, gazing at him with an oddly comforting stare.

He was fond of the little turtle and reached into the spring to scoop it up.

In his grasp, the turtle's limbs flailed.

But as he was about to lift the turtle from the water, it vanished from his hand.

A searing heat surged through his right hand, spreading up his arm and towards his head.

"The turtle is venomous, it bit me!" Ye Xiangyang exclaimed.

Inspecting his palm, he found a small black cauldron, with no bite marks to be seen.

The little turtle had transformed into a small black cauldron, its tortoise shell pattern distinct and clear.

"How has this little turtle become a tattoo on me?"

With fervor, Ye Xiangyang scratched at his left hand, nearly tearing the skin on his palm, yet the black cauldron's hue remained unchanged.

At that moment, the pain was the least of his concerns.

The small black cauldron was etched onto his right hand like a true tattoo.

He found a spot to tidy up his clothes and decided to leave the tattoo be for now.

But as he turned around, he froze in shock.

Ye Wentian was standing close by, his gaze fixed on the myriad of scars marring his son's flesh.

Ye Wentian quickly closed the distance and embraced his son. "Who did this to you? I swear I'll get justice for you."

Ye Xiangyang felt a surge of warmth flood his body at his father's words.

No matter his own strength, he would always rise to defend his son in the face of harm.

"Father, did you know? I possess a Grade 2 martial talent," Ye Xiangyang revealed, "I have the potential to become a Martial Master."

Ye Wentian nodded, affectionately ruffling his son's hair. "I've heard, and I couldn't be prouder."

"Dad, with my Grade 2 talent, I can cultivate much faster than others. I want to avenge myself with my own hands!"

Ye Wentian's heart ached as he looked into his son's earnest eyes, knowing he lacked the power to avenge him.

He was even barred from entering the Ye's Compound.

In Zhenhai City, where martial prowess was everything, those without the ability to cultivate were nothing.

Ye Wentian was filled with self-reproach, sighing deeply within: "Alright, my boy, you must strive to be strong. I promise you that."

Ye Xiangyang nodded firmly: "Father, rest assured. In one month, once I'm an Inner Courtyard disciple, you won't have to toil so hard anymore."

Upon Ye Xiangyang's return home, he found the place bustling with visitors. The extended members of the Ye family had heard of his Grade 2 martial talent and had come to offer their congratulations to Ye Wentian.

Seeing Ye Wentian arrive with Ye Xiangyang, they greeted them warmly: "Mr. Ye, what took you so long? We've been waiting for ages."

"To have a child as gifted as Ye Xiangyang is a blessing indeed."

"I always knew he was extraordinary. Was I right or what?"

Ye Xiangyang exchanged brief pleasantries before stepping into the room.

At the Ye family's grand compound, Ye Yongqing watched Ye Xingyue and his sons, Ye Xiangxiao and Ye Xiangti, pacing back and forth. His complexion was dark and dull, a subtle indication of either ill health or poisoning.

Pointing at Ye Xingyue and his sons, he accused, "Look at the fine example you've set. Today, no sooner had Ye Xiangyang been assessed with a Grade 2 martial talent than he was left unconscious by your sons' beating. The incident has spread; you've brought shame upon the Ye family."

"These are all children of the Ye lineage. Your sons extorted him before he received a single resource from the clan. Is this your idea of upbringing?"

"Have them reflect in seclusion for a month. They are to be confined for the duration. Otherwise, I'm warning you, the family will expel them and strike their names from our records for good."

"They are all children of the Ye family," he reiterated.

Ye Xingyue cast a cold glance at his sons, sighing inwardly. He bowed his head and assured, "Father, rest assured, I will deal with these two appropriately."

Watching them leave, Ye Yongqing let out a sigh. "With your temperament, how can I entrust the Ye family to you?"

A prestigious visitor had come to Ye Xiangyang's home.

The visitor was none other than Ye Xiangzhong, the family head's eldest grandson and Ye Xingyun's firstborn.

Upon arriving at Ye Xiangyang's abode, he found it nearly empty: just three dilapidated thatched huts, a broken pot beneath the grapevines, and a pile of firewood.

Inside, Ye Xiangzhong's gaze fell upon the scant furnishings: two worn beds, a rickety wardrobe, a battered table, and several old stools. He was moved to a profound sigh.

He presented Ye Xiangyang with an assortment of gifts: healing medicines, an ointment for bruises, cultivation drugs, and Profound Qi Pills.

"Brother, don't dwell on today's troubles. Ye Xiangxiao will be confined for a month. Once you become a Martial Warrior for our clan, your family will be well cared for," Ye Xiangzhong reassured him.

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