"Sis, what's going on? I just got back and you're already telling me to chase after a girl, and from the slums no less. Is it really necessary?"
Yang Yuntao had just returned from his break at Shanggudu Martial Arts Academy when his sister, Yang Li, called him over. He arrived with a woman in his arms.
Seeing this, Yang Li immediately put on a stern face and said, "When I tell you to chase a girl, you do it. It's rare for me to ask you for something, can't you make us proud for once? This is our family's chance to shine in the clan! How's your cultivation going?"
Yang Yuntao pursed his lips and said, "2nd-rank Initial-Stage. Sis, I've really been training hard at the Martial Arts Academy this year. I'm sure I can reach the level of a 3rd-Rank Martial Artist before graduation."
Yang Li was somewhat dissatisfied. "Too weak. Do you know Yang Feichen? He just awakened this year, and the Patriarch directly taught him the Yang Family's best technique, the Earthly Kun Thick Earth Formula. Plus, he has an A-Rank Talent, Thousand Dust Flying Sand. Did you know?
He just awakened successfully yesterday and immediately became a Mid-stage 1st-rank Martial Artist. He's consuming top-grade medicinal pills like they're free. In the Martial Exam a month from now, he'll definitely become a Late-stage 1st-rank Martial Artist and charge through the gates of the Imperial Capital Martial Arts Academy! Look at him, then look at yourself! Aren't you anxious?"
"He has good resources! He took medicinal baths and consumed pills to build his foundation since he was a child. How can our resources compare to his?"
"So you can't compete with him, but your son can. This genius from the slums has a one-in-a-million Mystic Physique Aptitude! If you win her over, Yang Feichen's present will be your son's future. If I had what you have, I'd go myself!"
Hearing this, Yang Yuntao's face lost some of its usual nonchalance. The disparity in resources and treatment between collateral and direct-line disciples often made him envious, but he was helpless.
Now, his sister was giving him a chance, a chance to change his child's future. With a son, he might even gain the family's full support.
Thinking about becoming a core member of the family made his breath quicken. "Sis, are you serious?"
"Of course! That old guy Yang Chen told me, but he wants to give this woman to Yang Feichen. I won't let him have his way. As long as you win this woman over, even if it's arranged by the family, Yang Feichen won't want a woman who's been tainted, right? To keep this woman in the Yang Family, we can only rely on you, little brother!"
Yang Li was confident in her plan. The bigger reason was her little brother was a playboy, always surrounded by women, often ending up in bed with women he'd just met.
Hearing this, Yang Yuntao, who had been thinking of coasting by on the family's background, suddenly felt a surge of desire for power.
"Sis, you're my savior! Where is this woman?"
"At the Remnant Scroll Tower! But don't be too careless, that slum genius isn't our vassal."
Yang Yuntao was puzzled. "What do you mean?" You are reading on g.com, the official source.
"She doesn't have a five million loan and hasn't joined our family. Her talent awakened at the Black Market."
Yang Yuntao's eyes widened. "Damn, is this woman crazy?"
"So it's going to be tough to win her over. You have a month to do it, or after the Martial Exam, Yang Feichen will step in."
Yang Yuntao couldn't help but grin. "Sis, leave it to me!"
...
After spending a day in the Remnant Scroll Tower, Lin Ye gained a lot. He had completely learned Mad Blood Lament and even found a Mystic-rank Low-level technique, Ghost Blood Record, and a Yellow-rank High-level martial technique, Bone-Shattering Fist.
Although this martial technique was Yellow-rank High-level, its explosive power could rival Mystic-rank Low-level because Bone-Shattering Fist involved shattering one's own arm bones to unleash an ultimate punch. The power was unimaginable, and if not for its severe side effects, it wouldn't be classified as a Yellow-rank technique.
Compared to Lin Ye, Lin Xi found only ice-attribute techniques, but unfortunately, there were very few ice-attribute techniques, mostly Yellow-rank High-level and Mid-level. There were no Mystic-rank techniques at all.
After finishing their martial technique studies, Lin Xi walked over to Lin Ye and asked, "Did you find anything good?"
"Two Mystic-rank Low-level, one Yellow-rank High-level, suitable for my talent. Didn't bother with the rest, too much junk."
"Why do you get an extra Mystic-rank technique? Besides a Mystic-rank Low-level Frost Condensation Formula, I only found these three Yellow-rank High-level ones: Icebreak Seal, Frozen Ice Seal, and Form of Ice."
"Not bad, at least they match your talent well. If you're not satisfied, you can practice my techniques too."
"Really? Let me see!"
Lin Xi eagerly snatched the techniques from Lin Ye's hands and glanced at them, then couldn't help but complain.
"The person who wrote this technique must have been a masochist!"
"You can practice it as a trump card."
"...When will I ever use this move? Oh well, it's better than nothing."
In just one day, the two had explored the entire Remnant Scroll Tower. Honestly, they thought they were entering a treasure trove, but it was more like panning for gold in a pile of junk.
However, the few Mystic-rank techniques they found made the trip worthwhile.
"Sir, we have tough lives, but unfortunately, there's really nothing good inside!"
The old man rolled his eyes. "Did you expect to find some world-class techniques among this trash? Dream on. The Yang Family is just one of the eight families in Yuncheng, and Yuncheng is just a small city in Huaguo. Even the family's best technique is only Mystic-rank Mid Level."
Hearing this, Lin Ye smiled. "Old man, who are you?"
"Me? I'm just an old dog with hidden injuries, not long for this world, wasting away here. Call me Old Liu."
Only then did Lin Ye notice the slightly faded badge on Old Liu's chest, engraved with the character "Yang."
So that's how it is?
"Sir, see you around."
As Lin Ye turned to leave, Old Liu couldn't help but reminisce. If he had had the courage when he was young, and awakened by chance in the Black Market, would his life have been less bleak?
Watching the two free-spirited youths, Old Liu's once completely dormant heart began to stir.
"You two, listen to this old man's advice. If your talent is average, ignore me. But if it's good, remember, stay away from the Yang Family."
Lin Xi glanced back at Old Liu, frowning, but her years of experience being deceived made her look to Lin Ye, who was a bit sharper than her.
"Can we trust him?"
"...We can. If I were the Yang Family, I wouldn't let us go either. We've been preparing for the worst since two years ago, haven't we?"
"Yeah, true! Just right, I want to go home and train my technique well. Mystic-rank Low-level technique, just thinking about it feels great!"
However, just as they stepped out the door, a flamboyant man in a lavish suit approached them with a bouquet of flowers, then directly handed them to Lin Xi...
"Beautiful lady, may I invite you to dinner? Allow me to introduce myself, I'm Yang Yuntao from the Yang Family in Yuncheng."