Chapter 3

"Second Brother, these herbs are just there for the taking. Let's go soak in a medicinal bath." Younger brother Ye Jun cheerfully gathered the herbs that Ye Handong had left behind on the ground.

"Throw them out, they're too 'dirty.'" Ye Juntian's face turned stern, and he snorted.

"Dirty?" Ye Jun was taken aback. Then, he waved his hands and threw all the herbs outside, muttering, "Almost got myself dirty from them."

Ye Qingshao secretly nodded, feeling that his son seemed to have changed a bit.

The next morning, the training ground of the Ye Family was bustling with activity, with over a thousand family members already gathered.

"I heard that over a hundred disciples are preparing to challenge for promotion to various ranks. The competition is fierce," Ye Jun said with a smile.

"Yeah, that waste of space, Ye Juntian, actually refused to give his spot to Ye Xin. There are actually such foolish people in the world," Ye He laughed.

"Indeed, instead of fighting for a bit of face and getting beaten up, it would be better to exchange for a bowl of Wolf King's essence. Ye Qingshao must have lost his mind, following his son in this foolishness," Ye Jun sneered, then paused and turned his head, saying, "Well, that waste of space is really here."

"Ye Juntian, are you planning to challenge for promotion to the Bronze or Iron rank this time?" Old rival Ye Hua laughed.

"The Bronze rank is better. Being in the same tier as Brother Ye Feng and Sister Qinglian is quite impressive. When the family makes an appearance, it's always the Bronze rank disciples who are put forward, representing the face of the family," Ye Jun said with a smug look.

"Let's skip the Bronze rank and go for the Wood rank first," Ye Juntian said calmly.

"Ha! You, want to enter the Wood rank? Garbage!" Ye Jun spat on the ground, his face full of disdain.

"Garbage? Who are you calling garbage? Your mouth is too foul," Ye Juntian said coolly, almost making Ye Jun's nose twist in anger.

"Fine, Ye Waste, I'm also going for the Wood rank. We'll see each other on the arena," Ye Jun said fiercely.

"With me here, a waste of space won't be able to enter the Wood rank. Because, I, Ye Xin, will challenge this waste of space. He will never become a true disciple of the Ye Family. He will always be a waste of space, he will always be despised, and he will always live at the bottom of this world," Ye Xin sneered as he strutted over, using four parallel phrases, showing just how much he hated Ye Juntian.

At his words, everyone's attention was drawn to him.

"Alas, even if Ye Juntian has some brute strength, it's useless once he's targeted by Ye Xin," someone sighed, because in the past, there have been people with zero bloodline test results who defeated 'Pulse Activation' bloodline users with their brute strength and physical strength alone.

Such people often have outstanding talent in physical training. Because they lack bloodline energy, they don't produce blood qi in their bodies. Therefore, they can only rely on their bodies and brute strength to win. Of course, this phenomenon is extremely rare, with not even one in a million, and it is considered a mutation.

"Brute strength? He's not that great either. Otherwise, he would have already advanced to the Wood rank," another elder said.

"Indeed, I heard that Ye Juntian has been unable to activate his bloodline ability for years. Ye Qingshao even tried to focus on physical training. He spent a lot of money to buy some specialized physical training techniques for his son to practice. However, the results weren't very good. He failed to advance to the Wood rank three times," a fat-faced elder sighed.

"If Ye Juntian fails to become a Wood rank disciple this time, it will be a good show. Then, Ye Qingshao will become the target of attack for many elders who want to advance to the committee. Ye Handong has already made it clear that he will challenge Ye Qingshao. And most of the committee members have also become more flexible, meaning they will see if Ye Juntian can become a Wood rank disciple."

"Otherwise, the council won't be able to save face in Qingmu City. Ye Family producing such a waste of space is a permanent pain for the Ye Family," a thin-faced elder said, turning his head and noticing someone, surprised, "Strange, why is he here?"

"It seems to be Liu Yan from the 'Liu Family' in Qingzhou. What is he doing here?" The fat-faced elder was also taken aback and scratched his beard in confusion.

"Didn't you two know? The Liu Family has some plans," Ye Haodong, an elder of the Ye Family, said with a smile.

"Plans? What plans?" The fat-faced elder Ye Quan asked, and the thin-faced elder Ye Shan also perked up his ears. It seems everyone is interested in gossip.

"Liu Yan is the chief steward of the Liu Family, which is a top family in Qingzhou City. Liu Yichan and Ye Juntian were betrothed as children because of Ye Juntian's godfather, the Qingzhou King 'Gai Tianhao.'

Back then, the Gai Family was the top family in Qingzhou, with even 'Heavenly Martial Realm' experts. Unfortunately, after the new king of the Zhao Kingdom came to power, he deliberately suppressed the Gai Family. Since the ancestor of the 'Heavenly Martial Realm' passed away and Gai Tianhao disappeared, and with the combined efforts of several enemies, the Gai Family's status plummeted. In just a few years, the Gai Family was removed from the list of top families in Qingzhou City, and even the title of 'Iron Hat King' was taken back by the Zhao royal family.

Now, they don't even qualify as a third-rate family. It's said that the Gai Family doesn't even have a 'Earth Martial Realm' expert. The once mighty Gai Family has become a part of Qingzhou's history," Ye Haodong sighed.

"I see, the Liu Family used to be wary of the Gai Family, fearing that a dying camel is still bigger than a horse. Now that the Gai Family is completely finished, there's no need to be wary anymore. So, they want to kick Ye Juntian out, right?" Ye Quan said.

"Anyone would do the same. Ye Juntian is a waste of space, unable to activate his bloodline ability, not even a martial artist.

And Liu Yichan of the Liu Family is one of the six great talents in Qingzhou. She possesses the 'Fire Sparrow' bloodline, which, when awakened, manifests as a fiery sparrow with a burning aura, scorching the grass and trees within ten meters.

The 'Fire Sparrow' may not be an ancient divine bird, but it is a very powerful and dominant creature. Liu Yichan is only fourteen years old, a year younger than Ye Juntian. She has already awakened her bloodline, becoming a 'Lower Rank Martial Artist,' and can simultaneously activate eight bloodlines to absorb the essence of heaven and earth.

Compared to her, Ye Juntian is just a pile of stinky dog shit, a toad gazing at a swan. It's said that the Liu Family had contact with Ye Qingshao half a year ago, probably with the intention of breaking the engagement.

However, Ye Qingshao has always refused. I heard that the Liu Family has even had arguments with Ye Qingshao in his house several times. This time, with Liu Yan, the chief steward of the Liu Family, coming, we'll see what happens," Ye Haodong said.

When a bloodline practitioner reaches the 'Pulse Activation' realm, they must advance to the 'Human Martial Realm.' At this point, only those who have awakened their 'Bloodline Thought' can enter. Otherwise, they will remain in the Pulse Activation realm for life.

'Bloodline Thought' is a vague notion, not a physical entity. It looks like a shadowy, ethereal form. However, it is precisely because of the 'Bloodline Thought' that one can activate their bloodline ability, accelerating the absorption, purification, mutation, transformation, and storage of bloodline energy, and finally using martial techniques to attack.

'Bloodline Thought' acts like a catalyst for the bloodline, enhancing the bloodline's power, making it easier for the body's owner to control.

Soon, the Ye Family patriarch Ye Tianhao arrived with several core elders. Ye Qingshao, being a committee member, also walked straight to the main stage.

"Ye Qingshao, do you still have the face to sit on the main stage?" At this moment, a discordant and piercing voice rang out, audible to everyone.

"As a committee member, I have the right to sit here. Do you, Ye Handong, a waste of space who can't even become a committee member, have the right to sit here?" Ye Qingshao glanced at him and sneered.

"You still have the nerve to say that. Look, all the committee members on the main stage have children or grandchildren who are 'Wood Rank' or higher martial artists. Even we ordinary elders have children or grandchildren who have become martial artists. You, on the other hand, have disgraced the Ye Family of Qingmu City. Your son is a waste of space, and you are not much better, like maggots from the same dung pit," Ye Handong's voice was loud and coarse.

(Note: The last part about updates and ads is not translated as it is not part of the main narrative.)