Chapter 1

In the scorching June, in the Blackwater Kingdom, there was the Qi Yun Sect.

The Qi Yun Sect, as one of the most ancient cultivation sects in the Blackwater Kingdom, had a vast square in front of its mountain gate, measuring over a kilometer in length and width.

At this moment, the square in front of the Qi Yun Sect was densely packed with people.

Those gathered here all looked toward the small path inside the mountain gate. Whenever a young man dressed in the gray robes of a miscellaneous disciple ran out, one or two middle-aged people would rush out in surprise and embrace each other.

The Qi Yun Sect had strict rules for its miscellaneous disciples, and no miscellaneous disciple could leave the mountain unless it was for a major family event.

However, while the miscellaneous disciples could not leave the mountain, their relatives were allowed to visit once a year.

June was the only month when the Qi Yun Sect allowed relatives to visit the miscellaneous disciples. Therefore, from the beginning of June, the square in front of the mountain gate was filled with relatives coming to visit their children.

Even though it was now the end of June, the relatives of the Qi Yun Sect's miscellaneous disciples continued to come in a steady stream.

The Ye Tiancheng couple was among them.

When the mountain gate opened in the morning, they had already handed in their letter. It was now close to noon, but they still hadn't seen their son Ye Zhen.

Ye Tiancheng was still fine, but his wife, Mi Jiangxue, who carried a long sword and exuded a mix of gentleness and heroism, was sweating profusely with worry.

If it weren't for the strict rules of the Qi Yun Sect, Mi Jiangxue would have already rushed in to find her son Ye Zhen.

Suddenly, Mi Jiangxue grabbed Ye Tiancheng's arm tightly, and Ye Tiancheng's eyes lit up with surprise.

"It's Zhen, it's Zhen!"

Inside the mountain gate of the Qi Yun Sect, a young man dressed in gray robes, tall and slender with arched eyebrows, was running with sweat streaming down his face.

The peaks within the Qi Yun Sect were numerous and the area vast. After receiving the message from the manager, Ye Zhen had rushed without stopping, but it still took him over two hours to reach the mountain gate.

"Father! Mother!"

From a distance, Ye Zhen saw his anxious parents waiting there. With a voice filled with surprise and a hint of tears, he ran over.

While Ye Zhen was still hesitating, Mi Jiangxue had already pulled her son into her arms.

At the age of fifteen, Ye Zhen left home to become a miscellaneous disciple at the Qi Yun Sect, a decision he had made on his own.

But the nearly year-long separation still made Ye Zhen miss his parents greatly, and his nose tingled with emotion upon seeing them.

"Zhen, you've lost weight and gotten darker."

The family moved to a pavilion by the path, sharing their longing for each other. Especially Mi Jiangxue, who touched and examined her son, finding him thinner and more worn out everywhere.

As for the muscles that had formed on Ye Zhen's arms and the solid chest, she pretended not to see them.

"Zhen, you've been in the sect for a year now. How has your cultivation been?" After some casual conversation, Ye Tiancheng asked.

At this, Ye Zhen's face darkened.

In the past year, Ye Zhen was confident that he had put in no less effort than others, but his cultivation progress was slow.

"Father, I have just broken through to the late stage of the first level of Blood Cultivation, with my strength fluctuating around a thousand pounds, barely reaching the point where blood qi fills the meridians." Ye Zhen's voice was weak.

Ye Tiancheng and Mi Jiangxue frowned simultaneously, with Ye Tiancheng's frown deepening.

"That shouldn't be the case. Even though your bloodline talent is only medium-grade, with eleven months, you should have reached the peak of the first level of Blood Cultivation, with your strength approaching two thousand pounds."

Ye Zhen remained silent.

"When I was in the Qi Yun Sect, my bloodline talent was even lower, only low-grade. But in one year, I smoothly reached the peak of the first level of Blood Cultivation and passed the sect's first annual assessment. Now, with the year coming to an end, have you been slacking off..."

As Ye Tiancheng scolded, Mi Jiangxue elbowed him and glared, "What are you saying?"

"I admit my son's talent is average. But his bloodline talent is something he was born with, and it's not his fault. But if anyone says my son doesn't work hard or isn't dedicated, I'll fight them."

Seeing Mi Jiangxue's glare, Ye Tiancheng smiled bitterly, "The Qi Yun Sect has an annual assessment. If a miscellaneous disciple's cultivation doesn't reach the peak of the first level of Blood Cultivation after one year, they will be expelled from the sect. I'm just worried..."

Miscellaneous disciples enter the Qi Yun Sect at the age of fifteen, with an annual assessment and a three-year advancement.

If they can break through to the peak of the third level of Blood Cultivation by the age of eighteen, they can become outer sect disciples with a promising future.

The outer sect disciples of the Qi Yun Sect are the cradle of military officers in the Blackwater Kingdom.

As long as one can become an outer sect disciple of the Qi Yun Sect, even if their cultivation doesn't advance further, they can at least become a battalion commander in the Blackwater Kingdom's army.

A battalion commander is considered a mid-level position in the Blackwater Kingdom's military.

For most people, the position of battalion commander is a step towards a bright future, and with a little development, they can establish a family and clan.

However, if one's cultivation doesn't break through to the fourth level of Blood Cultivation by the age of eighteen, they don't even qualify as a miscellaneous disciple, let alone receive a recommendation from the Qi Yun Sect to serve in the Blackwater Kingdom's military.

More importantly, the Qi Yun Sect has an annual assessment. If a miscellaneous disciple's cultivation doesn't reach the peak of the first level of Blood Cultivation after one year, they will be directly expelled from the sect.

Now, in just a month, Ye Zhen will face the annual assessment for miscellaneous disciples.

Ye Tiancheng's worry stemmed from this.

Looking at his worried father and his protective mother, Ye Zhen's face was filled with bitterness.

His father's doubts were also his own.

In the eleven months since entering the sect, Ye Zhen's cultivation had not been lacking in effort, but his progress was particularly slow.

Fellow disciples who entered the sect at the same time, even those with only a second-grade bloodline talent, had already broken through to the late stage of the first level of Blood Cultivation two or three months ago, with at least 1,400 to 1,500 pounds of strength.

Fellow disciples with a bloodline talent similar to his had already reached the peak of the first level of Blood Cultivation.

This situation left Ye Zhen extremely puzzled.

Sometimes, Ye Zhen even suspected that his bloodline talent had been measured incorrectly.

But the three and a half bloodline shadows that appeared on his chest during the initial test were something he had seen with his own eyes.

With this, the atmosphere became somewhat heavy.

Suddenly, Ye Tiancheng took a deep breath, "Son, why don't you come home with me? Staying in the Qi Yun Sect has no future, and you'll just suffer for a few years. Come home with me, and we won't lack food or clothing. Why suffer like this?"

"Right, Zhen, our family may not be wealthy, but with your strength, if you work hard, I can find you five or six wives in town, no problem," Mi Jiangxue said, patting her chest.

"Five or six wives?" Ye Tiancheng was taken aback, seemingly surprised by Mi Jiangxue's words.

Mi Jiangxue glared at Ye Tiancheng, "What, you want them too?" Her fierce expression was clear, waiting for Ye Tiancheng to respond.

Ye Tiancheng quickly shook his head, afraid that a slow denial would mean trouble.

This scene made Ye Zhen laugh.

After the family laughed, Mi Jiangxue's expression became serious, "Zhen, I'm serious. Why not come home with me? Why suffer like this? I just hope you have a peaceful life."

Ye Zhen's expression changed, and he looked up at the clear blue sky.

The scene of a girl flying past like a fairy, which he had once glimpsed, reappeared in his mind.

That moment gave Ye Zhen an intense desire—he wanted to soar through the blue sky, to be free and easy.

This impulse became Ye Zhen's lifelong or current dream and determination.

Seeing his son's expression, Ye Tiancheng, though somewhat reluctant, still spoke, "Son, even if you don't leave now, in a month, it will be the annual assessment for miscellaneous disciples. At that time..."

Ye Tiancheng's meaning was clear: if he didn't leave now, he would be expelled from the sect in a month.

Ye Zhen saw clearly that when Ye Tiancheng said this, his eyes were filled with disappointment.

Ye Tiancheng had once entered the Qi Yun Sect, but his cultivation did not break through to the fourth level of Blood Cultivation within three years, and he was expelled from the sect. Even though he later cultivated to the fourth level of Blood Cultivation, it was in vain.

This had always been a regret for Ye Tiancheng.

Ye Tiancheng had寄托 this wish on his son Ye Zhen, but now...

Ye Zhen's face became resolute and serious, "Father, Mother, I won't go back. I swear, I will become an outer sect disciple of the Qi Yun Sect."

"Swear again?"

Ye Tiancheng's eyes immediately widened, "Not to mention whether you can break through to the fourth level of Blood Cultivation in three years, just think about how you will pass the sect's annual assessment in a month?"

Ye Tiancheng couldn't bear to say any harsher words.

"Father, Mother, trust me, I can do it!" As he said this with determination, Ye Zhen recalled a small secret he had discovered recently, and his eyes became resolute.

Whether for his childhood dream or his own aspirations, he had to persevere!

As Ye Tiancheng was about to say something, he was elbowed by Mi Jiangxue again, and the atmosphere became heavy once more.

"Fine, if you want to stay, then stay." With a cold snort, Ye Tiancheng turned away with a stern face.

Mi Jiangxue, however, pulled Ye Zhen aside and handed him several packages, "Your father knows the ins and outs of the Qi Yun Sect. Many things inside require extra money.

Here, this is a hundred silver taels your father earned this year. Keep it well. If you need anything, buy it..."

"In this package, there are several pairs of shoes I made for you, some new clothes, and the roasted chicken and cured meat you like..."

Hearing Mi Jiangxue's words, Ye Zhen's eyes instantly blurred.

He knew their family's situation well. Though they had a few acres of land, it was easy to eat but hard to be wealthy, and they had to endure the exploitation of the clan. If it weren't for his father's cultivation at the fourth level of Blood Cultivation, which allowed him to do hard labor and earn some silver, they wouldn't have the life they have now.

After a year of separation, his father's temples had already turned gray, a sign of hard work.

At this moment, Ye Zhen almost had the impulse to go home with his parents.

"Here, take it." Seeing the moisture in his son's eyes, Mi Jiangxue forcefully pushed the package into Ye Zhen's hands.

"Wait!"

Just as Mi Jiangxue pushed the package into Ye Zhen's hands, Ye Tiancheng suddenly stepped forward and took the package.

Then, in front of the surprised looks of Mi Jiangxue and Ye Zhen, he fumbled in his pocket, took out two large silver ingots, and put them in the package.

Seeing Ye Tiancheng's actions, Mi Jiangxue was stunned, "Tiancheng, why are you putting the money for our return trip in there..."

Halfway through her words, Mi Jiangxue suddenly covered her mouth.

Ye Tiancheng ignored his wife and pushed the package back into Ye Zhen's hands, "Zhen, I remember that a Blood Essence Pill costs two hundred silver taels in the Qi Yun Sect?

I've gathered two hundred silver taels for you. Remember to buy one when you return.

With this Blood Essence Pill to boost your cultivation, it will be enough to help you pass the annual assessment of the Qi Yun Sect."

After saying this, Ye Tiancheng slapped Ye Zhen's shoulder hard, as he usually did, "Good boy, don't let your father down!"

Feeling the reduced strength in that slap and seeing his father's haggard face, Ye Zhen's expression changed. He grabbed his father's wrist and suddenly exclaimed, "Father, your cultivation?"

In the past, the surging blood qi in his father's body and the strong pulse at his wrist would make Ye Zhen's fingers hurt, a game he loved to play with his father when he was young.

But now, the strength of that pulse...

"Making a fuss over nothing. Your father's cultivation hasn't broken through to the Essence Realm. As one gets older, blood qi declines, and so does cultivation..."

Ye Tiancheng forcefully pulled his hand away from his son, trying to hide the bitterness on his face.

"Son, we're leaving. I believe in you!"

Waving his hand, Ye Tiancheng pulled Mi Jiangxue, who wanted to say something, and walked down the mountain, leaving Ye Zhen standing there, tears blurring his eyes.

His father was not yet forty, in the prime of his life.

With proper nourishment, how could his blood qi decline?

Clearly, his father had worked hard to save money and hadn't eaten well...

Watching his parents' figures disappear into the mountains, Ye Zhen waved his hand fiercely, the package in his hand feeling heavier.

Walking on the mountain path, Ye Zhen, with his tears dried, had a resolute expression.

"I must become an outer sect disciple. Only by becoming an outer sect disciple can I reduce my parents' burden and fulfill my father's wish."

Ye Zhen knew his determination was stubborn.

But Ye Zhen was not the type to be stubborn and inflexible.

Ye Zhen was very clear that with his current cultivation speed, it was not just difficult to break through to the fourth level of Blood Cultivation and become an outer sect disciple, but even passing the annual assessment of the Qi Yun Sect was problematic.

Ye Zhen was very clear about this.

The reason Ye Zhen was still so determined was that he had a secret that no one knew.

A secret that filled Ye Zhen with hope.

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