The turmoil in Dragon City gradually subsided following the destruction of the Black Flame Demon Flood Dragon Family and the disposal of their remaining forces. With iron-fisted tactics and a relatively "lenient" (at least on the surface) approach, the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family established an unshakable position as the overlord in the southeast of the empire, their prestige reaching an unparalleled height. With family affairs handled by his grandfather Yu Boxuan and the various elders, Yu Yuanchen was happy to be idle, pouring all his focus back into his own cultivation.
Deep within the family estate, inside his exclusive meditation room, Yu Yuanchen sat cross-legged. His aura was restrained, save for the purple-gold Thunder Runes at the center of his brow, which flickered vaguely, emitting mysterious fluctuations.
Resisting the Heavenly Tribulation alongside the Thunderclap Nethervine and absorbing the benefits of its sacrifice had been immense. It not only propelled him to become a Soul Sage, granting him a Hundred Thousand Year Soul Ring and an External Soul Bone, but also triggered a Leap in Life Level. However, opportunities are often accompanied by new challenges. The gift originating from his Thunder God Bloodline allowed him to bypass the perilous "Marrow Tempering" stage—a process that would normally require vast amounts of time and effort—as if it were a natural progression. While this saved him countless hardships, it also meant his understanding of the subtle changes and the mysteries of energy flow during marrow tempering was far less profound than his grasp of his flesh, bones, and internal organs. Marrow is the source of qi and blood; if there were gaps in his knowledge here, it might plant imperceptible hidden dangers for his future attempts to integrate "essence, qi, and spirit," or even more advanced physical secret arts like "Blood Replacement Rebirth."
At the same time, while returning to Dragon City, he had utilized the opportunity of his breakthrough to Soul Sage and the resonance between his evolving bloodline and the world to perform an initial tempering of his skull. This had built a preliminary bridge between his spiritual power, qi and blood, and soul power. However, the time had been rushed, and he had relied more on the force of his life level leap to break through. The skull tempering was not perfect, with a few subtle areas lacking complete harmony and transparency—like a slight flaw in a piece of fine jade—requiring patient polishing.
Therefore, for the past month, Yu Yuanchen did not rush to increase his soul power level. Instead, he settled his mind to, on one hand, use his powerful spiritual power and meticulous control over his body to repeatedly sense and organize the state of his marrow and skull, filling in the gaps to ensure a flawless foundation. On the other hand, he began to practice the "Thunder True Essence" transformation he had been conceptualizing for a long time.
The initial fusion of "essence, qi, and spirit" provided him with a solid foundation. He cautiously guided the vast soul power within his body, the vigorous qi and blood, and his refined spiritual power, using the self-condensed Thunder Law imprint and a trace of Thunder God Power as a catalyst to attempt to melt all three into one furnace. This process was extremely slow and delicate. The violence of soul power, the scorching heat of qi and blood, and the ethereal nature of spiritual power—three distinct energy attributes—were not easy to fuse perfectly. The slightest carelessness could trigger 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 fire, tempering and grinding bit by bit. The soul power in his Dantian and meridians began to gradually take on a hint of the richness of qi and blood and the agility of spiritual power, its color transitioning from deep blue toward a more restrained, mysterious purple-gold. Although the "Thunder True Essence" converted so far was still extremely faint, its high essence far exceeded ordinary soul power, showing him the vast prospects of this path.
Just as Yu Yuanchen was immersed in his cultivation, the door to the meditation room was gently knocked.
Yu Yuanchen slowly finished his practice and opened his eyes, a flash of purple lightning vanishing from his pupils: "Please come in."
His father, Yu Mingfeng, entered. Nowadays, there was less of the usual gravity and worry between Yu Mingfeng's brows, replaced by the composure and comfort of a father who was the head of a powerful family. He looked at his son, whose aura was becoming increasingly unfathomable, his eyes filled with pride, though at this moment, there was also a trace of imperceptible... awkwardness and concern.
"Chen'er, did I disturb your cultivation?" Yu Mingfeng walked closer, his tone gentle.
"It is fine, Father, I had just reached a stopping point." Yu Yuanchen stood up and poured a cup of tea for his father. "Are the family affairs going smoothly?"
"With your grandfather and the elders presiding, everything is well." Yu Mingfeng took the teacup but did not drink immediately, instead rubbing the rim, seemingly finding it difficult to speak.
Yu Yuanchen was sharp and immediately sensed that his father had something on his mind, and it wasn't related to major family business, so he asked proactively: "Father, is there something you came to see me about?"
Yu Mingfeng coughed lightly, a rare look of embarrassment appearing on his face. He sighed and said, "Chen'er, you know that your mother... passed away early. Over these years, I have been busy with family affairs, and my care for you... especially regarding your personal life, has truly been lacking."
Yu Yuanchen was slightly startled, not expecting his father to bring this up. A warm current surged in his heart, and he shook his head: "Father, you speak too seriously. I keep the upbringing you and Grandfather provided for me in my heart. The path of cultivation requires one to be single-minded."
"That may be so, but as a father, there are always shortcomings." Yu Mingfeng waved his hand and finally got to the point. "Now that you have achieved success in your cultivation and the family crisis is resolved, you are also nearly twenty... this... well... your lifelong matter should also be considered."
"Lifelong matter?" Yu Yuanchen was stunned, then realized what he meant, his face suddenly feeling a bit hot. He had lived two lives, and his mind had mostly been on cultivation and dealing with crises; he had truly never thought about women. Being suddenly brought up by his father, even with his firm will, he couldn't help but be caught off guard.
Seeing his son's expression, Yu Mingfeng knew he hadn't considered it, so he continued: "I know you are obsessed with cultivation, but precisely because you are gifted and your cultivation is progressing rapidly, you should plan early. It is well known in the Soul Master World that the higher the cultivation, the more difficult it is to leave behind offspring after a leap in life level. Your Martial Soul has evolved, and your bloodline is the strongest in the family in hundreds of years. If you can produce offspring early, it would be a great blessing for the family's future. Several elders in the family have also been whispering this in my ear recently..."
Hearing this, Yu Yuanchen couldn't help but feel both amused and frustrated. It turned out it wasn't just his father who was concerned, but the elders were "fanning the flames" behind the scenes. He subconsciously wanted to refuse, but the words died on his lips. He thought about it carefully; he was indeed no longer a youth, and getting to know someone of the opposite sex didn't seem impossible. The path of cultivation was long; if he could find a like-minded wife to offer mutual support, perhaps it would be a different kind of scenery.
It was just that the word "matchmaking" felt very strange and awkward to him. Even in his previous life, as an orphan with no relatives around, no one had ever pressured him to marry. He hadn't expected to be arranged for a blind date after arriving on the Douluo Continent.
He looked at the complex expression in his father's eyes, a mixture of concern, expectation, and even a trace of guilt. His heart softened, and after a moment of contemplation, he said: "Father, I understand what you mean. But this matter depends on fate and cannot be forced. If it is just meeting and getting to know someone, I... can try. But as for what kind I like..."
Yu Yuanchen thought carefully. In his past and present lives, he had come into contact with very few women, and for a moment, he couldn't outline a specific image. He could only say based on a vague feeling: "Perhaps... someone with a clean family background and a gentle temperament would be fine. After all, I spend my years in cultivation and do not like too much chaos." Subconsciously, he perhaps needed a harbor where he could relax his tense mind.
Seeing that his son didn't refuse directly, Yu Mingfeng was overjoyed and quickly said: "That is natural, that is natural! Fate is the most important thing! As for family background, our Yu Family no longer needs to rely on marriage to consolidate our status, as long as the young lady herself is excellent. Don't worry, your father and grandfather will definitely keep an eye out for you. We will never arrange it randomly; we must find someone who is truly virtuous and talented, and a perfect match for you."
After chatting for a few more minutes, Yu Mingfeng left, satisfied, leaving Yu Yuanchen alone in the meditation room with a subtle mood. He shook his head, suppressing this ripple, and refocused his mind, preparing to continue his cultivation. However, the word "matchmaking" was like a stone thrown into the lake of his heart, sending out circles of subtle ripples.
A few days later, Yu Mingfeng visited again, this time with a mysterious smile on his face.
"Chen'er, the weather is nice today. A close friend of mine is visiting with his daughter. If you have time, why not come with me to meet them? Just consider it getting to know a young talent; don't just stay cooped up in the meditation room all day."
Yu Yuanchen immediately understood his father's intention; it seemed this "matchmaking" had been arranged quickly. Since he had already agreed, he didn't act coy and nodded: "Alright, I will go with you, Father."
The guest 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 one glance, it made Yu Yuanchen, who was accustomed to wind and waves and had a will as firm as a boulder, feel a slight stir in his heart.
The girl was about seventeen or eighteen years old, wearing a water-blue floor-length dress with delicate silver cloud patterns embroidered on the hem, simple yet elegant. She had a tall and slender figure; even sitting in the chair, one could see her graceful posture and exquisite curves, like a newly bloomed magnolia, clear and refined. Her black, lustrous hair hung down to her waist like a waterfall, with only a few strands loosely held up by a simple white jade hairpin, revealing a beautifully lined, jade-white neck.
Her skin was as delicate as porcelain, glowing with a warm luster in the soft light of the hall. Her features were as exquisite as a fairy in a painting; her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes like autumn ripples. Her clear eyes held a trace of natural gentleness and tranquility, as if they could soothe all the restlessness in the world.
Her nose was straight and delicate, her lips a natural crimson, not needing rouge, and at this moment, they were slightly pursed, carrying the shyness and reserve a young girl should have when meeting a stranger. Her temperament was extremely unique—not the kind of scorching, aggressive beauty, but a gentleness, quietness, and healing quality that radiated from within, like a babbling brook in spring or a quiet lotus pond under the moonlight, making one feel peaceful and favorable toward her involuntarily.
Beside the girl sat a middle-aged woman with a graceful temperament and a smile on her face, her features somewhat similar to the girl's; she must be her mother. On the other side was a middle-aged man with a scholarly appearance and a steady aura. Although he did not deliberately release his soul power, Yu Yuanchen could sense that his cultivation was at least at the Soul Douluo level. It seemed this was his father's "close friend."
"Yuanchen, come quickly and meet your Uncle Ye, Aunt Ye, and this is their beloved daughter, Ye Zhilan." Yu Mingfeng introduced with a smile.
Yu Yuanchen gathered his thoughts, stepped forward, and greeted 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 having any arrogance.
Hearing this, Ye Zhilan raised her eyelids and took a quick look at Yu Yuanchen, meeting his azure blue eyes, which were as deep as a starry sea yet carried a trace of inquisitive meaning. Her cheeks flushed slightly, and she quickly stood up to return the greeting, her voice soft and pleasant, like pearls falling on a jade plate: "Zhilan greets Young Master Yu."
After the elders exchanged a few pleasantries, they intentionally left the two young people alone for a while. Yu Mingfeng smiled: "With us old folks talking here, you youngsters must feel 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 hall one after the other, stepping into the garden, which occupied a vast area of the family estate and was dotted with pavilions, towers, and small bridges over flowing water. The early summer sunlight filtered through the lush branches and leaves, casting mottled shadows, and the air was filled with the fragrance of flowers and grass.
At first, both were silent. Yu Yuanchen was like this by nature, and he was indeed not good at talking to strange women; Ye Zhilan was even more shy, just silently following half a step behind Yu Yuanchen, her eyes lowered, occasionally stealing a glance at the tall, pine-like back in front of her.
After walking for a while, passing a garden bed 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', a rare species my grandfather brought back from a ruin in his early years. Although it is not a spirit herb, it can gather light-attribute energy when it blooms, 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, a trace of curiosity and appreciation appearing in her eyes, and she said softly: "It's truly beautiful... I didn't expect such a unique flower to exist 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 to be quite fond of flowers and plants, listening carefully and occasionally asking 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, and their family Martial Soul was called "Nine Heart Begonia," an extremely rare and powerful healing-type Martial Soul. However, it seemed that because the healing ability was too powerful, it was cursed, and there could only be two people in the world at any given time.
She herself was quite talented, and at a young age, her soul power had already reached the Soul Ancestor level. Ye Zhilan also felt from Yu Yuanchen's concise yet graceful conversation that he was not as high and mighty or unapproachable as she had imagined. Although his aura was powerfully impressive, he was quite peaceful in his interactions with others.
Unknowingly, the atmosphere between the two had eased significantly. They strolled along the garden paths; although they didn't talk much, it was no longer an awkward silence. The sunlight, tree shadows, floral fragrance, occasional bird calls, and the faint scent coming from the girl beside him formed a quiet and beautiful picture.
Yu Yuanchen occasionally glanced sideways and could see the slightly raised corners of Ye Zhilan's lips and the specks of light reflected in her clear eyes. He had to admit that interacting with Miss Ye did indeed make his mind, which had been tense from years of cultivation and killing, feel a rare sense of tranquility and relief. She was like a clear spring, quietly moistening his heart, which was like scorched earth.
As for Ye Zhilan, although she was still shy, she had gained a new understanding of this young master of the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Family, who was famous throughout the continent. He was not the cold, ruthless fighting machine that rumors described, but rather someone with profound knowledge and a steady, restrained temperament. Especially when he occasionally looked at her, there was no amazement or eagerness in his gaze, which was common among ordinary men, but rather an equal, calm appreciation, which made her feel at ease.
Of course, this was only a good first impression; it was still a long way from so-called "budding feelings" or "confirming a relationship." Both Yu Yuanchen and Ye Zhilan knew this well. It was more like a seed, quietly buried; whether it could sprout and grow in the future would depend on fate and their interactions in the days to come.
After strolling through the Garden for about an hour, the two returned to the reception hall. Seeing their calm expressions and the apparent success of their Interaction, the elders on both sides revealed knowing smiles.
When the parents of the Ye Family took their leave, Ye Zhilan turned back to look at Yu Yuanchen before boarding the carriage, just as he was watching them depart. 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 vanished at the end of his line of sight, only then slowly withdrawing his gaze. He touched the slightly warm Thunder Runes at the center of his brow, his heart feeling tranquil, yet it seemed as if something had quietly changed.
On the way back to his meditation room, Yu Yuanchen thought, Ye Zhilan... Nine Heart Begonia... perhaps the proposal from My Father and the clan elders is not entirely a troublesome matter.
He knew that his Path of Cultivation would not change because of this, but perhaps there could be a touch of Gentleness added to his life. As for what the future held, he would leave that to time.
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Translated by: randomtranslator.com
Proofread by: GodKun-Chan