*Three Days Later*
**Snow Wind Family Training Ground**
Three figures stood in a circle at the training ground. Ye Xinghan, dressed in his usual white collared coat with gold-trimmed long sleeves (see the novel's cover for reference), stood alongside Gyutarou and Ume, both clad in the training outfits provided by the family. The past three days had been uneventful, with Ye Xinghan allowing them to mingle and familiarize themselves with other family members.
"Ume, how's your progress in training?" Ye Xinghan asked casually.
"Un! The technique given by Uncle Ye Zong is simply amazing. I've managed to raise my soul force from 40 to 45 in just three days!" Ume replied excitedly, making a spirited 'ganbatte!' pose. These past few days were the happiest she had experienced in a long time.
Ye Xinghan knew she had been given the 'Seven Heart Technique' by Ye Zong, a powerful method originally a reward from the Heavenly Sacred Border. Ye Zong had received it from the Snow Wind Family's ancestor, Ye Yan, and had practiced it himself. The gift of such a technique to Ume demonstrated how much the family valued her.
He gave Ume some advice on tweaking some of the acupoint pathways to increase cultivation speed by about seven percent. He was cautious not to alter too much, as his understanding of ancient empires' cultivation knowledge was still limited.
"Train well; reaching the peak of Legend Rank is certainly possible with your water attribute soul. This technique suits you perfectly," Ye Xinghan said, nodding at Ume. He then turned his attention to Gyutarou. "And how about you?"
Gyutarou clenched his fist, his determination evident as he said, "I've trained hard as well. I raised my soul force from 25 to 35."
"Really well done!" Ye Xinghan smiled, impressed. Raising 10 soul force points in three days was no small feat, especially since the technique Ye Xinghan provided was far less effective than Nie Li's method. At this pace, Gyutarou would break through to 1-star Bronze rank in just three weeks, and he'd done it without any pills or external aids, showing he'd exerted twice the effort compared to Ume, who had gained only five points.
It was understandable since this was the period of time where Ume indulged in all the affection she received.
"Ume, how many spiritual enhancing pills and soul assembling pills did you receive from the family?" Ye Xinghan inquired.
Both types of pills were long-standing elixirs in Glory City, made from expensive materials with a low success rate. In the future, thanks to the 'Purple Haze Grass Letter,' the Alchemy Association would mass-produce them, but Ye Xinghan wasn't versed in alchemy yet, so he kept this knowledge to himself.
"Two sets of them. Do you want some?" Ume asked, ready to fetch the pills from her new space ring, almost like a benefactor.
"No, thank you. Give half to your brother because my training regime officially starts now!" Ye Xinghan laughed wickedly, tossing each of them an iron bracelet from his soul ring.
"What is this?" Gyutarou asked, his confusion evident. The bracelets looked mundane, but he wondered if they concealed some profound secret.
"From now on, you must wear these bracelets every day. Do not remove them unless your life is in danger! Put them on now," Ye Xinghan instructed with a casual tone, though he was snickering internally.
Ume and Gyutarou exchanged puzzled looks. As soon as they fastened the bracelets, they both slumped to the ground, feeling an overwhelming weight.
"What the hell is this thing? My body feels so heavy!!" Gyutarou shouted, struggling even to breathe.
"Wu wu wu... onii-chan!" Ume groaned, tears in her eyes.
"This is called a Gravity Bracelet. I've inscribed it to make your body feel twice as heavy. Come on, try to stand up!" Ye Xinghan explained.
In truth, he didn't have the funds for even one inscription. However, due to his role in bringing Ume to the family, he declared himself the savior of the Snow Wind Family, and thus, no one could challenge him.
As such, Ye Xinghan got the materials to make these 2 thing, as well as the cultivation technique of Gyutarou.
He'd spent the past three days perfecting these inscriptions, and doubling gravity was his best effort after numerous trials.
Both siblings tried with all their might to stand, each weighing about 40 kg, now feeling like they were lifting an additional 40 kg. After several failed attempts, they managed to stand, their legs trembling visibly.
"Good job. Now, each of you must run 20 laps around this training ground," Ye Xinghan ordered.
"WHATT!!" "NOO, ONIICHAN!!" they protested, though they gritted their teeth and began to run, albeit very slowly.
"Jie jie jie jie..." Ye Xinghan laughed like a devil for them to hear. He then turned his attention elsewhere.
"HEAD SERVANT FENG!!!" Ye Xinghan called out loudly.
Within seconds, Head Servant Feng arrived swiftly. "Yes, young master. Is there anything you need?" He showed respect to Ye Xinghan, now harboring a bit of admiration due to Ye Xinghan's boldness with the Elders, something he'd heard about through Ye Xiao's boasting at a family dinner.
"Call a maid to observe them tightly. Remember, 20 laps or no lunch today," Ye Xinghan instructed with a smile. "Oh, and accompany me somewhere. Bring cousin Ye Ziyun along as well."
"Young master, I'll need a reasonable explanation for the City Lord. The young lady's status is quite significant," Feng responded.
"Just tell him we're visiting Ye Ziyun's dear best friend."
"Xiao Ning'er of the Winged Dragon Family!"