Chapter 52: Cultivation, First Meeting with Ye Zhilan
The turmoil in Dragon City gradually subsided following the destruction of the Black Flame Flood Dragon Clan and the handling of its remnant forces. With an iron-fisted yet relatively 'lenient' (at least on the surface) approach, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan established an unshakable hegemony in the southeastern part of the Empire, its prestige unmatched for a time. With Family affairs being managed by his grandfather, Yu Boxuan, and the various clan Elders, Yu Yuanchen was happy to be free of such burdens, refocusing all his attention on his own Cultivation.
Deep within the Family's grounds, inside a cultivation chamber exclusive to him, Yu Yuanchen sat cross-legged. His aura was restrained, save for a purple-gold thunder rune faintly appearing on his brow, emitting profound fluctuations.
The benefits of resisting the Heavenly Tribulation alongside the Thunder Hell Vine and absorbing its sacrifice were immense. Not only did it allow him to leap to the Rank of Soul Saint, gaining a hundred-thousand-year Soul Ring and an External Soul Bone, but it also caused a leap in his level of Life. However, opportunities often come with new challenges. The gift from his Thunder God Bloodline allowed the 'marrow tempering' step—which would normally require a vast amount of time, effort, and extreme danger—to be completed almost as naturally as water flowing into a channel. While this saved him countless years of hard work, it also meant his understanding of the subtle changes and the mysteries of energy flow during the marrow tempering process was far less profound than his understanding of his flesh, bones, and internal organs. The bone marrow is the source of essence and blood; any lack of understanding here could bury hidden dangers for his future integration of 'essence, qi, and spirit,' or even for attempting more advanced physical secret techniques like 'blood replacement rebirth.'
Meanwhile, on the way back to Dragon City, taking advantage of the moment when his Breakthrough to Soul Saint and his Bloodline evolution resonated with the vitality of heaven and earth, he had preliminarily tempered his skull. This established an initial bridge for a cycle between his Spiritual Power, essence-blood, and Soul Power. However, time was pressing then, and he had relied more on the leap in his Life level to force the Breakthrough. The skull tempering was not perfect, with several subtle areas lacking smoothness and clarity. Like a flaw in a fine jade, it required patient polishing.
Therefore, over the past month, Yu Yuanchen did not rush to increase his Soul Power Rank. Instead, he calmed his mind, using his powerful Spiritual Power and minute control over his body to repeatedly sense and organize the state of his bone marrow and skull. He sought to identify and fix any gaps, striving for a perfect Foundation. On the other hand, he began attempting to practice the 'Thunder True Essence' conversion he had long envisioned.
The preliminary Fusion of 'essence, qi, and spirit' provided him with a solid Foundation. He carefully guided the massive Soul Power, the dragon-like essence-blood, and the condensed Spiritual Power within his body. Using his self-condensed Thunder Law Imprint and a trace of Thunder God Bloodline as a guide, he attempted to melt the three into one furnace. This process was extremely slow and delicate. The violent nature of Soul Power, the scorching heat of essence-blood, and the ethereal void of Spiritual Power—merging three such distinct power attributes was no easy task. Any slight mistake could cause an energy conflict and injure himself. Like the most patient craftsman, he used the 'Thunder God Power' as a hammer and his own will as the fire, tempering and refining them bit by bit. This caused the Soul Power in his Dantian and Meridians to gradually take on a hint of the thickness of essence-blood and the agility of Spiritual Power, its color transitioning from a deep blue to a more restrained and mysterious purple-gold. Although the 'Thunder True Essence' converted was still extremely faint, its essence was so high that it far surpassed ordinary Soul Power, allowing him to see the broad prospects of this path.
Just as Yu Yuanchen was immersed in his Cultivation, there was a light knock on the door of the silent room.
Yu Yuanchen slowly withdrew his power and opened his eyes, a flash of purple lightning passing through them. 'Please, come in.'
The one who entered was his father, Yu Mingfeng. Nowadays, Yu Mingfeng had a few less traces of his past gravity and worry, replaced by the composure and gratification of being the father of a powerful clan's leader. Looking at his son, whose aura was becoming increasingly unfathomable, his eyes were full of pride. But at this moment, they also carried an indiscernible hint of... embarrassment and concern.
'Chener, I didn't disturb your Cultivation, did I?' Yu Mingfeng walked closer, his tone gentle.
'It's fine, Father. I just finished a session.' Yu Yuanchen stood up and poured a cup of clear tea for his father. 'Are the Family affairs going smoothly?'
'With your grandfather and the Elders overseeing things, all is well.' Yu Mingfeng took the tea cup but didn't drink immediately. Instead, he rubbed the rim of the cup, seemingly finding it difficult to speak.
Yu Yuanchen, being very sharp, immediately sensed that his father had something on his mind that wasn't related to major Family matters. He took the initiative to ask, 'Father, is there something you've come to see me about?'
Yu Mingfeng coughed lightly, a rare look of awkwardness appearing on his face. He sighed and said, 'Chener, you know that your mother... passed away early. Over the years, I've been busy with Family affairs, and my concern for you... especially regarding your personal Life, has been quite lacking.'
Yu Yuanchen was slightly taken aback. He hadn't expected his father to bring this up. A warm current surged in his heart as he shook his head. 'Father, you're being too hard on yourself. I've always kept the upbringing you and Grandfather provided in my heart. The path of Cultivation requires one to be focused and free from distractions.'
'That may be so, but as a father, there are always things I've overlooked.' Yu Mingfeng waved his hand and finally got to the point. 'Now that your cultivation is successful and the Family's crisis is resolved, you are nearly twenty... this... well... it's time to consider your lifelong events.'
'Lifelong events?' Yu Yuanchen was stunned, then quickly realized what he meant, his face turning slightly warm. Having lived two lives, his thoughts were mostly on Cultivation and dealing with crises. He had truly never given any thought to the opposite sex. Being suddenly confronted with this by his father, even with his firm resolve, he couldn't help but be caught off guard.
Seeing his son's expression, Yu Mingfeng knew he hadn't considered the matter. He continued, 'I know you're devoted to Cultivation, but precisely because your talent is extraordinary and your progress is rapid, you should plan ahead. It's common knowledge in the Spirit Master's world that the higher your cultivation and the more your Life level leaps, the harder it becomes to leave behind offspring. Your Martial Soul has evolved, and your Bloodline is the strongest the Family has seen in centuries. If you can produce an heir early, it would be a great blessing for the Family's future. Several Elders have also been whispering about this in my ear lately...'
Hearing this, Yu Yuanchen didn't know whether to laugh or cry. It turned out it wasn't just his father's concern, but the Elders were also 'pushing' from behind. His subconscious reaction was to refuse, but the words died in his throat. Thinking carefully, he was indeed no longer a youth. Interacting with the opposite sex didn't seem entirely out of the question. The path of Cultivation was long; if he could truly find a like-minded wife to support each other, it might be a different kind of scenery.
However, the term 'blind date' was truly unfamiliar and embarrassing to him. Even in his previous Life, as an orphan with no close relatives, no one had ever pushed him to marry. He hadn't expected to be arranged for a blind date after coming to the Douluo Continent.
Looking at the complex mix of concern, expectation, and even a hint of guilt in his father's eyes, his heart softened. After a moment of silence, he said, 'Father, I understand your meaning. However, these things depend on fate and cannot be forced. If it's just meeting and getting to know someone, I... can give it a try. But as for what kind of person I like...'
Yu Yuanchen thought about it carefully. In his past and present lives, the number of women he had contacted could be counted on one hand. For a moment, he couldn't even conjure a specific image, only able to rely on a vague feeling. 'Probably... someone with a clean background and a gentle personality would be good. After all, I Cultivate year-round and don't like too much disturbance.' In his subconscious, perhaps he needed a harbor where his tightened mind could relax.
Seeing that his son didn't directly refuse, Yu Mingfeng was overjoyed. He quickly said, 'Of course, of course! Fate is the most important thing! As for background, our Yu Family doesn't need to rely on marriage alliances to consolidate our status anymore, as long as the girl herself is excellent. Rest assured, your grandfather and I will keep an eye out for you. We won't arrange things randomly; we will definitely find someone truly outstanding in both appearance and character who is a good match for you.'
After chatting for a few more minutes, Yu Mingfeng left satisfied, leaving Yu Yuanchen alone in the silent room with a subtle mood. He shook his head, suppressing the ripple in his heart, and refocused his mind to continue his Cultivation. However, the words 'blind date' were like a stone thrown into a heart-lake, spreading circles of tiny ripples.
A few days later, Yu Mingfeng visited again, this time with a mysterious smile on his face.
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"Chener, the weather is nice today. An old friend of mine is visiting with his daughter. If you are free, why not accompany me to meet them? Just consider it an opportunity to get to know a young talent; don't just shut yourself in the quiet room all day."
Yu Yuanchen immediately understood his father's intention. It seemed this "blind date" had been arranged quite swiftly. Since he had already agreed, he no longer felt awkward and nodded. "Very well, I will accompany you, Father."
The reception hall was decorated elegantly and warmly, lacking the solemnity of the Family and possessing more of a lived-in atmosphere. When Yu Yuanchen stepped into the hall with his father, his gaze naturally fell upon the unfamiliar young girl in the room.
At just a single glance, Yu Yuanchen, who had seen his fair share of storms and possessed a will as firm as a rock, felt his heart stir slightly.
The young girl appeared to be about seventeen or eighteen years old, wearing a water-blue floor-length dress embroidered with delicate silver cloud patterns on the hem—simple yet elegant. Her figure was tall and slender; even while sitting quietly in the chair, one could see her graceful posture and exquisite curves, like a newly bloomed magnolia, pure and refined. Her jet-black, lustrous hair cascaded down to her waist like a waterfall, with only a few strands loosely pinned up by a simple white jade hairpin, revealing a graceful, jade-white neck.
Her skin was as delicate as porcelain, glowing with a warm luster under the soft light of the hall. Her features were as exquisite as a Fairy in a painting; her eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in dark green, and her eyes were like the rippling waves of an autumn lake. Her clear eyes held a trace of natural gentleness and serenity, as if they could soothe all the anxieties of the world.
Her nose was straight and delicate, and her lips were a natural crimson, red without the need for makeup. They were slightly pursed at the moment, carrying the shyness and reserve a young girl should have when meeting a stranger. Her temperament was extremely unique—not the kind of dazzling, aggressive beauty, but a gentle, quiet, and healing aura that radiated from within. It was like a murmuring stream in spring or a tranquil lotus pond under the moonlight, making one feel peaceful and favorably inclined toward her without even realizing it.
Beside the girl sat a dignified, smiling middle-aged woman. Her features bore a resemblance to the girl's, so she must be her mother. On the other side was a middle-aged man with a refined appearance and a steady, deep aura. Although he did not deliberately release his Soul Power, Yu Yuanchen could perceive that his cultivation was at least at the Soul Douluo Rank. It seemed this was his father's "old friend."
"Yuanchen, come and meet your Uncle Ye, Aunt Ye, and this is their beloved daughter, Ye Zhilan," Yu Mingfeng introduced with a smile.
Yu Yuanchen collected himself, stepped forward, and greeted them according to etiquette: "Junior Yu Yuanchen greets Uncle Ye, Aunt Ye, and Miss Ye." His voice was calm and gentle, his demeanor composed and measured—neither lacking in courtesy nor showing any hint of arrogance.
Hearing this, Ye Zhilan lifted her eyelids and glanced quickly at Yu Yuanchen, meeting his deep, azure eyes that were like a sea of stars, yet held a hint of inquiry. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she hurriedly stood up to return the greeting. Her voice was soft and melodious, like pearls falling onto a jade plate: "Zhilan greets Young Master Yu."
After the Elders exchanged a few pleasantries, they intended to let the two young people spend some time alone. Yu Mingfeng smiled and said, "We old folks are talking here, and you young people must be feeling bored. Yuanchen, take Zhilan for a walk in the garden and show her the scenery of our estate."
Yu Yuanchen agreed and made a gesture of invitation to Ye Zhilan: "Miss Ye, please follow me."
The two walked out of the reception hall one after the other and entered the garden of the Family estate, which covered a vast area and was adorned with pavilions, towers, small bridges, and flowing water. The early summer sunlight filtered through the lush branches and leaves, casting mottled light and shadows, and the air was filled with the fresh fragrance of flowers and plants.
At first, both were somewhat silent. It was in Yu Yuanchen's nature, and he was indeed not adept at conversing with unfamiliar women; Ye Zhilan was even more shy by nature, simply following half a step behind Yu Yuanchen, her eyes lowered, occasionally stealing a glance at the figure in front of her—tall and straight like a pine, with a profound aura.
After walking for a while, they passed a garden plot filled with various rare flowers. Yu Yuanchen slowed his pace and took the initiative to break the silence. Pointing to a plant with seven-colored glazed petals that shimmered in the sunlight, he introduced, "This is the 'Phantom Light Orchid.' It is an exotic species my grandfather brought back from a ruin in his early years. Although it is not a Spirit Medicine, when it blooms, it can gather light-attribute energy, which is slightly beneficial for the meditation of light-attribute Soul Masters."
His voice broke the tranquility and dispelled some of the awkwardness.
Ye Zhilan looked in the direction he pointed, her eyes revealing a trace of curiosity and appreciation. She said softly, "It's truly beautiful... To think such a unique flower exists in the world." Her voice was soft, carrying a natural healing power that made one feel at ease just listening to it.
Seeing her respond, Yu Yuanchen took the opportunity to introduce several other relatively rare plants in the garden. Ye Zhilan seemed quite fond of flowers and plants; she listened attentively and occasionally asked a question or two. Her voice remained soft, but she was no longer as reserved as she had been at the beginning.
Through this brief exchange, Yu Yuanchen learned that Ye Zhilan came from a reclusive support system Soul Master Family. Their Family Martial Soul was called the "Nine Heart Begonia," an extremely rare and powerful healing-type Martial Soul. However, it seemed that because the healing ability was too powerful, it had been cursed, and there could only be two people in each generation.
She herself had remarkable talent; at a young age, her Soul Power had already reached the Spirit Ancestor Rank. Ye Zhilan also sensed from Yu Yuanchen's concise yet graceful conversation that he was not as aloof and unapproachable as she had imagined. Although his aura was powerful enough to be captivating, he was quite peaceful in his conduct.
Unknowingly, the atmosphere between them had eased significantly. They strolled along the garden path; although they did not talk much, it was no longer an awkward silence. The sunlight, tree shadows, fragrance of flowers, occasional bird calls, and the faint, sweet scent emanating from the young girl beside him formed a peaceful and beautiful picture.
Yu Yuanchen occasionally glanced sideways and could see the slightly upturned corners of Ye Zhilan's lips and the specks of light reflected in her clear eyes. He had to admit that spending time with Miss Ye did indeed allow his mind, which was always tense from years of Cultivation and slaughter, to feel a rare sense of peace and relief. She was like a clear spring, quietly moistening his heart, which had been like scorched earth.
As for Ye Zhilan, although she remained shy, she had gained a new understanding of this Young Lord of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, who was famous across the continent. He was not the cold-blooded fighting machine that only knew how to Cultivate as rumored; instead, he possessed profound knowledge and a steady, introverted temperament. Especially when he occasionally looked at her, his gaze did not hold the astonishment or eagerness common in ordinary men, but rather a calm, equal, and slightly appreciative look, which made her feel at ease.
Of course, this was merely a good first impression; it was still far from what could be called "the budding of affection" or "establishing a relationship." Both Yu Yuanchen and Ye Zhilan were well aware of this. It was more like a seed that had been quietly planted; whether it would sprout and grow in the future would depend on their fate and time spent together.
After strolling in the garden for about half an hour, the two returned to the reception hall. When the Elders on both sides saw their calm expressions and that they seemed to be getting along well, they all revealed knowing smiles.
When the Ye Family parents bid farewell and left, Ye Zhilan looked back at Yu Yuanchen before boarding the carriage, and it just so happened that Yu Yuanchen was also seeing them off. Their gazes met briefly in the air; Ye Zhilan's cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly lowered her head and ducked into the carriage.
Yu Yuanchen stood where he was until the carriage disappeared at the end of his line of sight before slowly withdrawing his gaze. He touched the slightly warm thunder rune between his eyebrows. His heart was calm, yet it seemed that something had quietly changed.
On the way back to the quiet room, Yu Yuanchen thought: "Ye Zhilan... Nine Heart Begonia... Perhaps the proposal from Father and the Family Elders is not entirely a troublesome matter."
He knew that his path of Cultivation would not change because of this, but in his Life, perhaps there could be one more touch of gentle brightness. As for what the future would hold, he would leave it to time.
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