Chapter Two: Twelve Years Ago

Human World, Ye Family Residence.

At the heart of the estate stood an imposing, spacious hall, its presence both commanding and severe. Guards lined its entrance, exuding a silent aura of solemnity. This was the Council Hall, where the Ye family convened to deliberate on all important matters.

At this moment, a dense crowd had gathered before the hall, murmuring and pointing, their excitement reminiscent of onlookers at a spectacle.

Within the grand hall, three middle-aged men clad in brocade robes sat with dignified composure.

To the left sat Ye Ao Zhan, the second master of the Ye family. His eyes were closed in apparent indifference, as if the proceedings below held no interest for him.

On the right, a gaunt man with a stern face and a vicious scar at the corner of his eye—Ye Ao Jian, the third master—watched the scene below with a frown creasing his brow.

At the center sat a man of formidable build, his gaze sweeping steadily across those gathered below. His eyes radiated an unrestrained dominance; those who met his gaze felt an involuntary chill, as if their very souls had been stripped bare and rendered powerless to resist.

This was the current head of the Ye family, a figure of renown throughout the Human World—Ye Ao Tian.

Standing at the center of the hall was a youth in white. His features were fair and handsome, though there was a trace of effeminate sharpness in his gaze. His white robes were stained and disheveled, and a deep bite mark marred his neck, edged with thin lines of crimson blood. He glared fiercely at the person beside him, teeth clenched in rage.

Beside him, another youth knelt on the ground. His coarse linen tunic was torn and dirty, hair and clothes in disarray. His head hung low, exposing bruised and bloodied limbs, marked by the unmistakable traces of having been clawed. Supporting himself on trembling hands, he looked as though he might collapse at any moment.

A soft cough broke the tense atmosphere, silencing the crowd at once—a testament to the speaker’s authority and esteem within the Ye family.

“Enough. Ye Xiang, tell us exactly what happened,” Ye Ao Tian said, quieting the murmurs below.

“Yes, Father and Master,” replied the youth in white, bowing respectfully before continuing, “This morning, I was on my way to the training grounds to practice. Passing by Ye Zihan’s quarters, I saw him playing alone. I called out to him, inviting him to join me in training, hoping he could improve his strength and bring future honor to our family.”

Here, Ye Xiang paused, hesitating. “But instead of accepting, he—”

“What did he say?” Ye Ao Tian interjected, raising an eyebrow.

“He said that no matter how hard we train, we’ll never surpass the disciples of the other four clans. If we could, the Ye family wouldn’t be last among the five.”

“Outrageous!” Ye Ao Tian shot to his feet, fury blazing in his eyes. For him, the Ye family’s decline from the foremost of the five clans to the lowest was an unhealed wound. Ever since taking the helm, the family’s bloodline seemed to have stagnated; new disciples were mostly mediocre, their cultivation slow to advance. With so few peak talents emerging over the years, the Ye family had been steadily overshadowed by the others. Yet for all his efforts, Ye Ao Tian could do little besides urging his kin to train harder.

“Since you know our family has fallen to the bottom, why do you show no ambition? With your abilities, it’s one thing to lack drive, but what right have you to spout such brazen words? A worthless child without even the elemental source energy, bringing nothing but shame to the family—what use are you, except to be the butt of ridicule? And yet you dare to voice your opinions here!”

Ye Ao Tian’s outburst rendered the entire hall silent as the grave, none daring to breathe too loudly for fear of inviting his wrath.

Only Ye Xiang seized the moment to interject, “Exactly so. I felt Ye Zihan’s words were excessive. If he’d only insulted me, I would have borne it, knowing my own shortcomings. But to insult the entire family is unforgivable. That’s why I lost my temper and taught him a lesson—a bit too harshly, I admit. I hope the family head will forgive me.”

Ye Ao Tian waved a hand dismissively. “You are not to blame. He brought this on himself. Besides, those of base birth rarely perish so easily.”

He paused, then continued, “I had been considering whether to let you participate in the family trial ten days from now. Since you are so confident, you shall join.”

At these words, a murmur rippled through the gathered disciples, who whispered among themselves in surprise.

On the dais, Ye Ao Zhan, seated to the left, opened his eyes for a moment before closing them again. On the right, Ye Ao Jian frowned deeply. “Elder brother, is this not too much? The family trial is perilous. Given Zihan’s abilities, it’s all but certain death for him!”

Ye Ao Tian waved him off. “The family rules are clear: all disciples aged twelve or above must participate in the trial. Exceptional or not, Ye Zihan is no exception. The rules must not be broken.”

He then turned to Ye Ao Zhan. “Second brother, do you have any objections?”

Ye Ao Zhan remained unmoved, eyes still closed as if he hadn’t heard a word.

Ye Ao Jian’s lips parted as if to speak, but he said nothing. He knew Ye Zihan would never utter such blasphemous words; surely Ye Xiang had fabricated the accusation. Yet Ye Xiang was a talented cultivator, admired by both peers and elders, and the son of Ye Ao Zhan, who was notorious for shielding his own. This web of alliances made Ye Xiang arrogant and untouchable within the clan. Now, after his self-righteous statement, even those who harbored doubts dared not voice them.

Ye Ao Zhan, ever the protective father, asked no questions and passed judgment on Ye Zihan without a word. Though Ye Ao Jian wished to intervene, with the rules cited and even Zihan’s father indifferent, he could only shake his head helplessly.

Ye Zihan, for all his intelligence, lacked the elemental source energy—a regrettable fate. At his birth, strange omens filled the sky: storms, wind, and thunder, leading many to believe a prodigy had been born. Ye Ao Tian himself had declared Zihan’s birth the sign of the family’s renewal.

But at five, when Zihan’s hands were laid upon the elemental stone, hope was dashed. The stone remained dark and lifeless, confirming that Zihan was no genius, but a cultivator without the vital source energy—a complete failure.

The news spread, and the Ye family was thrown into turmoil. Zihan became the object of scorn, ridicule, and even violence—a pariah among his own kin.

And so it had remained to this day.

“So be it. The matter is settled,” Ye Ao Tian declared, turning to address the assembled disciples with a frosty gaze. “Ye Zihan has already been punished and bears heavy injuries. Let this serve as his retribution. From now on, I will hear no more such disloyal words! Our decline demands that you all work harder, train with greater diligence, and strive to surpass the other four clans. Remember, the blood of the Ye family is in no way inferior. With effort, you will achieve greatness equal to any rival!”

“Yes, Family Head!” the disciples chorused, faces flushed with renewed resolve, fists clenched in inspiration.

Ye Ao Tian nodded. “Furthermore, the family trial will take place in ten days. All disciples aged twelve and above must participate. Prepare yourselves well, for if you find yourself in peril, you will have no one but yourself to blame. Do you understand?”

“We understand!” came the resounding reply.

“Good. Then you are dismissed.”

The crowd bowed and dispersed, though many still whispered as they left, “That Ye Zihan is really overestimating himself, daring to challenge Brother Ye Xiang and utter such rebellious words. He must have a death wish.”

“Exactly. Brother Ye Xiang is already an early-stage Duality Summoner—one of the most outstanding among us.”

“Ye Zihan doesn’t even have elemental source energy. And to think he’s the second master’s son! He’s not half the talent his sister is.”

“Of course not. His sister’s a rare genius, possessing two elemental energies, and excels in both summoning and sealing. She’s probably reached the late Duality stage by now—Brother Ye Xiang can’t even compare, let alone that useless Zihan.”

“Sigh, you’re worried about others? I’ve heard the family trial in ten days is deadly—people have died before.”

“What’s there to fear? Elders will be watching in secret. Besides, with Ye Zihan around to take the fall, who else needs to worry?”

“Haha, true enough.”

Within the hall, Ye Xiang bowed to the three elders and departed, throwing Ye Zihan a cold, mocking smile as he turned.

Ye Zihan slowly lifted his head. His delicate face was marred with bruises and blood, but his gaze toward Ye Ao Zhan was icy—filled with deep, unspoken resentment.

That man called “father” had not once embraced him since the age of five, after discovering he possessed no elemental source energy. He hadn’t spared him a single glance; whenever Zihan was bullied, he turned a blind eye, never once speaking up in his defense. So much for blood ties, so much for kinship.

In this land, only strength commands respect.

After a long, cold stare at Ye Ao Zhan, Ye Zihan finally struggled to his feet, swaying as he staggered from the hall.

The three elders on the dais said nothing as they watched him leave. Only Ye Ao Jian, seated at the right, let out a long, weary sigh.