Boom!
A massive surge of spiritual energy erupted within his body, shattering the already weakened bottleneck with explosive force.
In less than a day, Yue Qingshan had ascended from the Late Stage of the Divine Ability Realm to the Peak of the Divine Ability Realm. The Exploding Pill, potent as it was, had barely expended a tenth of its power.
With the breakthrough achieved, Yue Qingshan seized the momentum, pressing forward without hesitation.
Waves of searing pain radiated through his body, threatening to overwhelm him. Yet, each time agony threatened to break his resolve, he thought of Yue Ming—how she had been handed over to Ye Qian, a mere bargaining chip to appease his anger.
Compared to losing the woman he cherished most to another man, this pain was nothing.
"Come on!"
Yue Qingshan roared, teeth clenched as he sat cross-legged, driving himself toward the higher Enlightenment Realm.
His entire body flushed crimson, veins swelling beneath his skin like writhing green serpents, creating a sight both intense and slightly fearsome.
Beside Yue Qingshan stood a faint, elderly figure—his master, a remnant soul from the Great Saint Realm.
The old man stroked his gray beard, silently observing Yue Qingshan's tenacity. Satisfaction flickered in the remnant soul's eyes; a disciple with such talent and resilience was rare indeed.
Perhaps, in time, his disciple would help him reconstruct his body and grant him another chance at cultivation.
That hope was precisely why he had chosen Yue Qingshan as his successor.
…
Meanwhile, Ye Qian arrived at Yun Yao's garden with quiet composure.
The air shimmered with the vibrant aura of immortal plants and spiritual flowers, each more breathtaking than the last. Though his own gardens were renowned for their opulence, this place stood in a league of its own—both in scale and quality.
It was a living testament to the Ye Family's unrivaled status. To use such rare treasures merely as ornamental decorations was a display of power few could match.
Among the blossoms, some plants held the power to revive the dead or regrow flesh—artifacts so rare they were whispered about even in the Immortal Realm.
As he reached the pavilion at the garden's heart, Ye Qian found Yun Yao seated there, deftly pruning flowers. Their petals blazed crimson, pulsing with an otherworldly radiance.
Attending her were several maidservants, their presence unassuming yet formidable. Even these seemingly minor attendants wielded power capable of crushing demonic beasts ten times their size.
This was the true foundation of the Ye Family—unmatched, untouchable.
Entering the pavilion, Ye Qian bowed slightly and called out, "Mother, you asked for me?"
Yun Yao, who had been lost in thought, snapped back to awareness at the sound of his voice. Seeing Ye Qian before her, a radiant smile lit up her face.
She rose with effortless grace, took his hand, and smiled, "Qian'er is finally here. Come, sit down, my dear. I have something important to share with you."
Ye Qian's curiosity stirred. What could it be that she suddenly wanted to discuss?
With a subtle wave of her hand, Yun Yao dismissed the surrounding maidservants, her tone cool and commanding.
"Leave us."
The maidservants obeyed instantly, retreating without a word. To anyone but her son, Yun Yao was a figure of icy authority—her warmth and charm reserved solely for him.
They did not stray far, lingering at the edge of the garden, ready to answer her call at a moment's notice. Their duty was not only to serve but also to protect her, ever watchful in the shadows.
After the maidservants had quietly withdrawn, only Ye Qian and Yun Yao remained in the pavilion.
"Qian'er, I have wonderful news," Yun Yao said, her face radiant with joy, as if a long-awaited blessing had finally come to pass.
Ye Qian tilted his head, curiosity stirring. What could possibly make his mother so elated?
"It's like this," she continued, her excitement barely contained. "Do you remember your Uncle Yun Feng? My older brother, the head of the Yun Family?
He's allowed his daughter—your older cousin, the one you used to play with when you were seven or eight—to come visit us for a while. She'll be arriving to see you soon."
At the mention of 'older cousin,' Ye Qian's expression shifted subtly, and a flood of memories surged through his mind.
He did have an older cousin, but she was no ordinary girl. Even as a child, she had always enjoyed teasing others.
When Ye Qian was seven or eight, she was already ten, with a head start in cultivation. She had delighted in tormenting him, playing pranks and mocking him at every opportunity.
To Ye Qian, she had been a little devil incarnate, always finding ways to make his life difficult.
Her antics had left a lasting impression—so much so that he had silently vowed never to let his guard down around her again.
I hadn't expected that after so many years, that girl is coming again.
However, the current Ye Qian was no longer the Ye Qian of the past.
As for this so-called older cousin, he felt no fear—only a flicker of curiosity, tinged with amusement. After all, she might just be a beauty worth adding to his collection.
"If my older cousin would like to come, she's always welcome—this will be a perfect chance to catch up properly."
Ye Qian's smile was smooth and effortless, as if the memories of his childhood had long since faded into the background.
"Ahh?"
This time, it was Yun Yao who blinked in bewilderment.
Why did it feel so strange?
She remembered how Ye Qian would tremble at the mere mention of his older cousin. Even hearing those words would make his face pale with fear. Now, he seemed almost eager to meet her.
Why is it suddenly different now? Could Qi Deviation also make one's mental energy stronger?
This was beyond Yun Yao's comprehension.
Yet, seeing her son finally willing to meet his older cousin, Yun Yao could not hide her delight.
Her brother, Yun Feng, now stood as the Family Head of the Yun Family. If her niece and her son could become in-laws, the bond between the Ye Family and the Yun Family would deepen even further.
The Ye Clan was undisputedly the strongest power in the Immortal Realm—none dared challenge their supremacy.
But the Yun Family was no mere shadow. They stood proudly among the Seven Great Forces, and though they could not rival the Ye Family, they were unquestionably on par with the other five.
The Ye and Yun Families had long enjoyed a harmonious relationship. When Ye Changkong and Yun Yao married, the alliance was sealed.
Now, Yun Yao wished to strengthen that bond even more. Her gaze settled upon her brother's daughter, her hopes quietly kindled.
Ye Qian regarded Yun Yao with feigned confusion, a playful glint in his eyes.
"Is something wrong, Mother? Why do you look so baffled? If Older Cousin wishes to visit, then by all means, let her come."
He felt no anxiety about revealing himself. Any change in his demeanor could easily be explained away as lingering effects from Qi Deviation—hardly a cause for alarm.
Yun Yao, snapping back to her senses, shook her head in disbelief.
"It's nothing," she said softly. "I just... didn't expect you to be so accepting of your older cousin. I was afraid this news might upset you..."
Yun Yao was deeply curious about what Ye Qian was truly thinking.
"Older Cousin is a beauty of unparalleled charm and lineage. How could I possibly be annoyed by her?"
If this had been the old Ye Qian, he would have struggled to utter such words even if his life depended on it.
Seeing that her son was no longer afraid of his older cousin as he once was, Yun Yao's eyes lit up with pride. She laughed heartily and pressed a kiss to Ye Qian's cheek.
"Good! This is good! Qian'er has finally grown up—ha ha ha!"
A plan began to take shape in her mind.
She had originally intended to invite her brother's daughter to meet her son, hoping to see if there might be fate between them.
Now, with Ye Qian no longer shrinking from his older cousin, the possibility of a marriage alliance seemed more promising than ever.
This was exactly what Yun Yao had hoped for.
Though she had married into the Ye Family and was now one of them, she still held her roots in the Yun Family close to her heart, and naturally wished to safeguard her own clan's interests.