Chapter Sixty-Six: Consecutive Breakthroughs

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“Mid-stage Four Symbols?!” Yan Chen and Mo You exclaimed in unison, their eyes meeting as shock and delight shone in each other's gaze.

After worrying for a whole day and night, they had only hoped Ye Zihan would wake up; never had they expected that upon awakening, he would break through again and again, advancing straight to the mid-stage of the Four Symbols realm! It was simply unbelievable. Even Mo You, a Blood Phantom Dragon of exalted lineage, could hardly achieve such a feat. Though his advancement was swift, it was impossible to break through three bottlenecks and even cross into a new realm in just three days of meditation!

“This… this is just too much…” Yan Chen muttered. He felt no envy, only heartfelt amazement. Seeing Ye Zihan break through, he was truly happy.

As for Mo You, he laughed heartily, “Big Brother has reached the mid-stage Four Symbols realm so quickly—he’s about to catch up with me! This is wonderful!”

Inside the room, Ye Zihan still sat with his eyes tightly closed, unaware that the sight he had created had already left his two companions in utter shock. At that moment, his entire body glowed with a radiant aura, wisps of starlight from the air gathering around him, endlessly converging into his form. The source energy within him, now fully awakened, continued to surge, though its speed had slowed.

“Damn! Is he about to break through again?” Yan Chen, sensing the undulating source energy, couldn’t help but let out a curse.

Mo You’s dragon eyes widened, waves of shock churning in his heart.

The fluctuations in source energy grew ever so slowly, as did the momentum. Ye Zihan frowned, a trace of pain appearing on his brow, sweat beading on his forehead. He could feel the pace of his progression slowing after so many breakthroughs, but he refused to give up, striving to push himself further and see if he could break through once more.

Time ticked by. Ye Zihan persisted for the length of an incense stick before finally conceding defeat; he could not manage another breakthrough and felt a pang of disappointment.

If Yan Chen knew about his disappointment, who knows how much blood he might spit out in indignation—a triple breakthrough, crossing an entire realm, and still not satisfied? Disappointed, even?

Outside the door, man and dragon stared with bulging eyes, feeling the source energy’s surging waves from within. At last, the energy stabilized and went no further, and both let out a sigh of relief.

Ye Zihan’s progress had already dealt them a heavy blow; both man and dragon found it hard to believe such consecutive breakthroughs were possible. Their feelings were all the more intense given the sharp contrast with their earlier worry. After three days of Ye Zihan's motionless meditation, his presence growing ever fainter, Yan Chen and Mo You had believed he’d run into a deadly bottleneck and only hoped he would wake up at all. Now, seeing his successive breakthroughs, their joy was beyond words.

“Hoo…” Ye Zihan withdrew his aura and exhaled a deep breath. He lowered his legs from the bench, stood up, and stretched. His joints crackled and popped, as if newly forged, his whole being brimming with strength.

“This meditation was unlike any before. The results are truly extraordinary,” he muttered, preparing to open the door—only to have it flung open first.

Yan Chen kicked open the door, strode forward, and without warning, hammered Ye Zihan’s chest with several heavy punches, growling, “You scared the life out of us! Three days without a single movement—if you ever do that again, I’ll break your bones myself.”

For once, Mo You didn’t come to his big brother’s defense. He too scolded in mock anger, “Big Brother, you really know how to give us a fright.”

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Ye Zihan was baffled, but seeing the serious expressions on both faces, he couldn’t help but laugh. “What’s the matter with you two? Did something happen?”

Yan Chen rolled his eyes at Ye Zihan’s innocent look, about to recount his worries, but thought better of it—this guy was always so sentimental, and another round of thanks would be too much to bear. He forced a smile and shook his head, saying, “Three breakthroughs in one meditation, crossing a whole realm—impressive. You’re something else.”

Though his face showed envy and mock resentment, there was no real jealousy in his heart, only genuine happiness. It also inspired him to push forward himself.

Mo You grinned foolishly, too happy to find words.

Ye Zihan frowned at the pair, but when he noticed the bloodshot veins in Yan Chen’s eyes, realization dawned.

“Enough. Save your sappy words. It’s enough that you’re awake. I’ll fetch you something to eat—fill your belly before your duel with the chief.” Yan Chen made an excuse and hurried out; he didn’t want to hear any heartfelt thanks from his companion again.

Mo You shrunk down to palm-size, whirled a few laps around the room in delight, and then settled into Ye Zihan’s arms.

“Mo You, I’ve made you both worry these past days. It’s my fault for not warning you in advance.”

“Big Brother, as long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters. Later, go tear that Song guy apart. Break his bones, rename the Liuguang Stronghold after you—that’ll be enough for me. Don’t let me down.”

Ye Zihan only chuckled in response. Just then Yan Chen returned with breakfast. After three days and nights of closed-door cultivation, Ye Zihan’s stomach was empty, and he didn’t hold back, gulping down the porridge and biting into steamed buns with relish.

After a brief chat, when they saw the sun had climbed above the mountain, they set out for Shui Jian’ao.

The scars of the recent battle were still visible: some trees charred by fire, the ground pitted and uneven, blood now dried and mixed with the earth, hard to distinguish, with no severed limbs left behind.

Shui Jian’ao lay between Qingshui Mountain and its branching ridge, a vital area between two peaks. The hills were not high, but the land was broad, home to some low-level beasts. Ye Zihan thought, if this area were planned well, it would make a fine place to raise beasts and train less experienced fighters.

As he walked, he surveyed the surroundings, already planning how best to use the land.

Yan Chen was anxious at his side. Even with Ye Zihan’s new strength at the mid-stage Four Symbols realm, he saw little hope in a duel against a mid-stage Five Elements cultivator. Yet seeing Ye Zihan’s calm confidence, he was somewhat reassured.

Mo You had meant to offer his help, but seeing Ye Zihan’s expression, swallowed his words. He decided: if Big Brother lost, and the other leaders refused to hand over the stronghold, he would act—none would survive the wrath of his dragon claws.

On the hillside at Shui Jian’ao, the chief stood tall and imposing, his broad, muscular frame like a mountain. The two massive maces in his hands gleamed menacingly in the dawn sunlight.

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The other two chiefs and ten squad leaders stood aside, clearing the ground. Their faces were grave; this contest clearly mattered to them.

They had agreed: if Ye Zihan could withstand ten strikes from the chief, he would become the new leader. Some had wanted to ask the chief to go easy, but when Song Tielin, who had originally proposed making Ye Zihan the leader, heard this, he flew into a rage, scolding them all.

It was a strange contradiction: the chief himself had offered to step down, so why fight so hard? The others could not fathom it, nor could Mo You and Yan Chen. Only Ye Zihan understood.

The chief respected him, treating him as a true opponent—not with the intent to hold back, but to battle with all his might. Pride was no sin, but some dignity was essential. The more serious the chief was, the more motivated Ye Zihan became. Only by earning the others’ respect in true combat could he win their trust.

This duel was more than a contest for leadership; it was Ye Zihan’s battle to win their hearts. Win or lose, he had to show his greatest strength, to leave no doubt—even in defeat, to convince them all, rather than win by default.

Ye Zihan climbed the slope, sunlight spilling over his unremarkable face, lending him an air of unique charm. He smiled slightly and said, “Brother Song, good morning.”

“Good morning, Brother Ye. You’re positively glowing—seems you have a surprise in store for us?” the chief replied, already guessing that Ye Zihan had broken through to the late-stage Three Talents realm after three days of seclusion. For someone his age to reach such power, if not a prodigy, was surely a dragon among men.

“Brother Song jests. No matter how I progress, I can’t compare to you. But my combat strength isn’t measured by cultivation alone,” Ye Zihan replied with utter confidence—this was not arrogance, but genuine self-assurance, without a trace of fear.

“In that case, let’s begin.”

“Very well, let’s begin.”

With those words, the duel commenced. This was Ye Zihan’s first true battle to establish his own force!

At the side, Yan Chen’s eyes shone with excitement, his fists unconsciously clenching as the blood in his veins began to boil. When he heard Ye Zihan calmly say, “Let’s begin,” an unprecedented surge of confidence swept through him, washing away all doubt. No longer did he believe Ye Zihan would lose—he was filled, instead, with boundless confidence.

Mo You felt the same; he threw back his head and howled, unable to contain his excitement, then opened his dragon jaws and shouted in human tongue, “Go, Boss! Tear that guy’s bones apart! Don’t let me down!”

Ye Zihan smiled, and in that instant, his aura erupted, source energy surging forth like a dam bursting. All present, save for the already-prepared Yan Chen and Mo You, stared wide-eyed and open-mouthed, so shocked they could have fit a whole egg inside.