Supreme of the Heavenly Realm

25: Chapter 22 The Aristocratic Family’s Autumn Hunt 25: Chapter 22 The Aristocratic Family’s Autumn Hunt “”This arranged marriage was decreed by the Monarch of the Great Xia Kingdom, Xia Tianyou.

Although times have changed and the Ye family has declined, a royal decree is not child’s play that can be whimsically retracted.

Moreover, Xia Tianyou is someone who holds onto past relations.

Without the protection of the Royal Family, the Ye family would have long been exterminated by the Jun family.”

Therefore, Ye Tianxiong placed great importance on the marriage between Ye Xuan and Princess Xia Xun.

However, he was unaware that Ye Xuan paid no heed to this marriage arrangement.

Even though the woman looked down on him now, from Ye Xuan’s perspective, if they really came to blows, he wouldn’t look favorably upon her either; Princess Xia Xun, no matter her prestige, was just an ordinary princess of the secular world.”

Ye Xuan didn’t dwell on this matter for too long and returned to the issue of the autumn hunt, giving Ye Tianxiong a salute with folded hands, “For this autumn hunt, I shall give it my all.”

The autumn hunt represented the glory of the family, and naturally, Ye Xuan would take it seriously.

At that time, the gathering of talents from various noble families promised a level of intensity in their clashes that could hardly be compared with the internal competition of the Ye family…”

“Hmm.”

Ye Tianxiong nodded in satisfaction and said, “If the Ye family wants to return to its former status, there is still a long way to go.

We have been suppressed severely over the years.

For this noble family’s autumn hunt, I do not expect you to perform exceptionally well, just achieve a result that is not too embarrassing will be enough.”

Within the hunt, there would be an assembly of young masters from the southern nine provinces of the Great Xia Kingdom.

There would be hidden dragons and crouching tigers among them, not lacking those of astonishing talent.

Therefore, Ye Tianxiong didn’t harbor too much hope, only wishing for Ye Xuan to attain a moderately above-average result.

Upon hearing this, Ye Xuan nodded again.

He understood the significance of this autumn hunt; after all, the Ye family had been dormant for far too long.

If they didn’t make a good showing this time, they were at risk of being forgotten by the world as one of the once-glorious great nobles.

“Alright, it’s getting late, go back and rest for now.

There’s still over two months before the autumn hunt; use this time to prepare well,” Ye Tianxiong said, having more or less finished speaking, waving his hand.

“Hmm.”

Ye Xuan nodded.

He had originally planned to travel after the family competition, but Ye Tianxiong had suddenly shared this secret past with him, and the heavy task of avenging his father seemed to fall on his shoulders once again.

Some things, it seems, could not be avoided.

However, after today’s conversation, Ye Xuan’s heart grew heavy with much yet to be ascertained regarding his mysterious parentage.

He learned from Ye Tianxiong that his mother had not perished, though her whereabouts were unknown.

Upon learning this, Ye Xuan felt somewhat consoled—at least he still had a mother alive, not entirely without kin.

“It seems to unravel the events of that year, I must start with the Jun family.”

Having left the great hall, Ye Xuan was already planning ahead.

To avenge his father and find his mother, the Jun family was his first target.

…

In the elegant and serene courtyard, Ye Xuan was practicing his saber skill.

No matter how advanced his cultivation was, he couldn’t allow his martial arts to fall behind.

This courtyard had now been assigned to Ye Xuan as his new residence by Ye Tianxiong.

His status had changed, and it wouldn’t do to live in the same dilapidated dwelling as before, and no one dared to object.

Compared to his past environment, this courtyard was undoubtedly much better, indeed a good place conducive to cultivation.

Now that Ye Xuan had mastered the three moves of the Thunder Blade Skill, all he needed was to practice until they became second nature, which would significantly enhance their power.

Since his return from speaking with Ye Tianxiong, Ye Xuan knew he could hardly afford to relax.

Although Ye Xiao had been glorious in his day, he had also offended many powerful figures; the Jun family was just one of the strongest among them.

As Ye Xiao’s son, it wouldn’t be surprising if those individuals turned their hostility towards him, so it wasn’t only the Ye family’s situation that was dire—his own was not much better.

Furthermore, the situation was complicated by involvement from the Demon Clan.

If those demons remembered the events of the past and intervened, the outcome would be even worse.

With one issue after another laid out before him, Ye Xuan had no choice but to hasten his cultivation.

“Relying solely on one saber skill to face enemies is rather lacking; it seems I need to cultivate another martial art.

Otherwise, it would be too easy for others to discern and exploit a pattern,” he thought.

What Ye Xuan’s mind was full of was martial arts, but he did not wish to proceed with his training haphazardly.

Even if he were to cultivate, it needed to form a cohesive system, to complement each other, rather than randomly grabbing one to learn.

Besides, there were many types of martial arts, including the more common ones like saber skill, swordsmanship, fist skill, and palm skill, as well as the less mainstream ones like finger skill, footwork, and body refinement, which often served to enhance the former.

Unless one could cultivate these niche martial arts to the pinnacle, they would be exceptions.

Generally speaking, it was a combination of both that was cultivated.

“The three moves of the Thunder Blade Skill emphasize swift and decisive action; if there were a set of stepping techniques that complemented it well, the combination would enhance each other’s strength, likely increasing its power considerably.”

Ye Xuan pondered this.

Although his cultivation was still shallow, when it came to an understanding of martial arts, perhaps no one could match him, the Martial God.

“Brother Ye Xuan.”

Just as he was considering which step skill to cultivate, a voice clear as a silver bell reached him, and Ye Xuan followed the sound to see, by the courtyard entrance, a stunning figure in a light yellow dress with alluring curves approaching.

“Yaoer, what brings you here?”

Today’s Nangong Yao had left behind her usual attire and seemed to have dressed up on purpose, shedding the sickly aura she often had for a more vibrant one.

Her dress ended at her knees, revealing her long, shapely legs with their alluring contours.

The Nangong Yao that Ye Xuan saw now brightened his eyes.

This pure and charming young girl was something he had never seen before, and she was quite a beautiful sight.

Looking at the girl who was about half a head shorter than himself, Ye Xuan couldn’t help but feel reflective.

He never would have thought that the messy little chubby girl from the past could turn out to be so sprightly…

“Brother Ye Xuan is my lifesaver after all, and I should at least come to visit and say thanks, shouldn’t I?” Nangong Yao said with a small pout and a playful smile.

“I thought you had already thanked me before.

Besides, the Nangong family head even lent me his treasured blade, considering it as precious as his own life.

That thank you gift wasn’t light,” Ye Xuan responded with a smile and shook the Star-cutting Saber he was holding.

“Fine then, I won’t repeat those boring formalities.

But Brother Ye Xuan, I remember when you were sealing my Xuanyin Body, you forcibly absorbed a good amount of my Xuanyin Power.

I hope it didn’t cause any problems with your body?” The smile on Nangong Yao’s face faded a bit, replaced with a slightly grave expression as she asked.

“Don’t worry, it has been completely taken care of.”

Ye Xuan nodded.

Little did anyone know that not only did the Xuanyin Power cause him no harm, but it was completely absorbed and refined, helping to enhance his cultivation—a true case of a blessing in disguise.

“That’s a relief.”

Nangong Yao patted her still undeveloped chest and let out a sigh of relief.

She had been a bit worried that she might have become a burden to Ye Xuan, but now that he said it was fine, she too felt at ease.

“Even though the Xuanyin Body won’t act up for now, your body hasn’t fully recovered.

You should head back and rest early instead of wandering around aimlessly outside.” Ye Xuan patted the girl’s shoulder lightly.

“I don’t want to.

I’ve been cooped up in the house the whole time and it’s suffocating.

Instead, how about I accompany Brother Ye Xuan for some martial arts practice?” Nangong Yao’s eyes sparkled with a sudden brightness, then she stepped back from Ye Xuan, assuming a stance as if ready to make a move.

Seeing this, even though Nangong Yao’s initial stance looked decent, Ye Xuan found it somewhat amusing when performed by the young girl, and he just waved his hand,

“Let’s not, I don’t want to bully you.”

“Don’t underestimate me.

I’m a Second Grade martial master, which is a bit higher than you, Brother Ye Xuan,” Nangong Yao said with a cheeky smile on her pretty face, hinting that when they spar, it might not be clear who would be bullying whom.

“There’s no need for that.

Since you want to get some fresh air, let’s go to the city market and look around.”

Ye Xuan, who had improved in strength since the clan meeting, knew that even if Nangong Yao was a Second Grade martial master, sparring with him was unlikely to be a fair match and would not serve the purpose of training.

However, what puzzled Ye Xuan was that, as far as he remembered, Nangong Yao had never been into martial arts cultivation.

When did she unexpectedly reach the cultivation level of a Second Grade martial master?

“Okay!”

Hearing that Ye Xuan was going to take her to the city market, Nangong Yao’s eyes instantly shone like bright pearls, and her excitement was obvious.

Who would want to practice martial arts when they could play at the market?

She was not fond of fighting and conflict.