C23 The Beating Began

Reflecting on his previous behavior toward Ye Tian, Ye Shouzheng couldn't shake off a sense of worry.

Both Ye Tian and Ye Zonglei were his grandsons, yet he had shown favoritism in a way that was far from honorable.

Moreover, the once ostracized member of the family had undergone a dramatic reversal of fortune, achieving a status that even Ye Shouzheng, the patriarch of the Ye family, might struggle to match.

Seizing the chance to leave, he aimed to dodge the awkwardness and delegated the banquet's affairs to Ye Tian's father, Ye Chengfeng.

Ye Chengyun, denied the role of disciple and certain he wouldn't be named head of the Ye family, felt bitter disappointment, his body tensing with the sting of rejection.

He watched Ye Tian, hoping to bridge the gap between them, but the chill in Ye Tian's gaze made it clear that any attempt at reconciliation was futile.

"Ye Tian, you've really made something of yourself. I've always known you had talent, even as a child!"

"Ye Tian, from now on, our family's pharmacy business is counting on you. With just a word from you, wouldn't Elder Zuo have to listen?"

"My dear nephew, I'm truly proud. With you involved, the Ye family's affairs are sure to run smoothly from here on out!"

Those who had once scorned Ye Tian now swarmed around him, their eagerness to please surpassing the affection they showed their own fathers, now that they knew the truth.

The one feeling true satisfaction was no longer Ye Chengyun, but Ye Chengfeng. He had dreamed countless times of a day like this, when his son would be the center of attention in the Ye family.

Yet upon awakening, Ye Chengfeng would feel a pang of melancholy, the dream seeming unattainable. Without any clear advantages, Ye Tian's success had been but a wishful fantasy.

But the scene unfolding before him was real, and it filled him with a sense of surreal joy. His son, Ye Tian, had finally risen to prominence.

With a soft chuckle, Ye Tian ignored the sycophants and made his way to his father's side.

He had thought to scorn these fair-weather flatterers, but seeing his father so elated, Ye Tian chose not to spoil the moment.

When I faced my own troubles, not a single one of these relatives offered a helping hand. Now, the thought of them expecting my help is nothing more than wishful thinking.

"Father, I'm off to the Heavenly Pill Alliance to see my teacher, so I won't linger here any longer."

Ye Tian whispered his intentions to Ye Chengfeng, who wholeheartedly supported the plan with both hands raised in approval.

Without uttering another word, Ye Tian departed, leaving the Ye family members dumbfounded. None could guess what was going through his mind, and they no longer dared to address him with the scorn they had shown before.

"Let's carry on, everyone. Tian is headed to the Heavenly Pill Alliance. Elder Zuo has some matters to attend to, so let's not meddle in the affairs of the young," Ye Chengfeng announced, lifting his wine cup with a joyous spirit, his voice now carrying a newfound assertiveness.

In that moment, Ye Chengfeng seemed to recapture the vitality of his prime, brimming with energy and devoid of any trace of his previous listlessness.

Ye Tian's departure from the Ye family was simply due to his distaste for such gatherings. His journey to the Heavenly Pill Alliance was driven by a personal desire.

Zuo Qiu wouldn't dare summon Ye Tian on his own initiative!

Upon arriving at the Heavenly Pill Alliance, where everyone was aware of Ye Tian's status, not a soul dared to obstruct the path of the sole disciple in charge.

Ascending the stairs to Zuo Qiu's quarters, Ye Tian discovered that the alchemy room was already stocked with over a dozen sets of ingredients. Zuo Qiu had gone above and beyond what was asked, sparing no expense in the hopes of currying favor with Ye Tian.

Accepting all the materials, Ye Tian began the pill refinement process without shying away from Zuo Qiu, a gesture that served as a form of recognition for his efforts.

Zuo Qiu's demeanor sharpened, and he sat attentively, meticulously observing each of Ye Tian's movements. Such a learning opportunity was rare and precious, a stroke of fortune for Zuo Qiu.

Watching intently, Zuo Qiu felt a tremor of excitement as the mysteries of alchemy that had once baffled him unraveled before his eyes.

The experience was incredibly enriching.

After Ye Tian completed the pill refinement, the night had fallen into deep darkness. He surmised that the family banquet must have concluded, so he rose to return home, mindful of the myriad tasks awaiting him the following day.

The following day, Ye Tian sought out Zi Hanyue, and together they ventured to the Serene Pond by the Flying Waterfall.

The location was conveniently close to the academy, ensuring they could quickly respond to any incidents without fear of being discovered.

Zi Hanyue, however, was quite resistant to the idea. The academy's gossip hadn't died down, and Ye Tian's insistence only fueled the students' wild speculations.

"Ye Tian, you're aware that I'm at the Spirit Profound Stage. A single punch from me could be lethal to you!" she warned.

Despite her desire to give Ye Tian a stern lesson, Zi Hanyue, as a teacher, was not about to show undue favoritism when it mattered most.

Besides, with her at the Spirit Profound Stage and Ye Tian's strength only at the sixth level of the Qi Profound Stage, it was unlikely he could withstand her assault.

"What kind of teacher are you, not grasping the concept of gradual progression? If you really wanted to finish me off, one punch would suffice right now!"

Ye Tian rolled his eyes at Zi Hanyue, his tone taking on the air of a mentor chiding a wayward daughter-in-law.

Should any academy students witness their exchange, it would undoubtedly set tongues wagging once more.

Yet, Zi Hanyue had a favor to ask of him, and despite her irritation, she dared not speak out. She complied with Ye Tian's request and commenced her reluctant onslaught.

Starting with just 40% of her strength, Zi Hanyue struck Ye Tian, sending him soaring through the air like a kite without a string, before he crashed to the ground with a thud.

"This foolish boy, where on earth did he pick up such an outlandish technique to be bold enough to try it?" Zi Hanyue muttered to herself.

Rushing to Ye Tian's side, she looked down at him with a mix of concern and exasperation. This kind of thrashing, in her eyes, was tantamount to courting death—if she wasn't careful, it could end fatally.

"Ah, that's the stuff! Now that's what I call a real rush!" Ye Tian exclaimed from the ground, wincing in pain yet calmly retrieving a Dragon Tiger Pill and popping it into his mouth.

A Level Four pill had a significant effect on Ye Tian's current condition. After a period of fortification, his pain had substantially lessened.

"Again!" Encouraged by his improvement, Ye Tian urged Zi Hanyue to keep up the pounding. With each blow that sent him reeling, he swallowed a Dragon Tiger Pill.

After more than a dozen strikes, Zi Hanyue came to appreciate the privilege of being Zuo Qiu's disciple. The frequent use of such potent pills would be unthinkable for her.

Unbeknownst to Zi Hanyue, Ye Tian was consuming Level Four pills, which would have astonished her to the point of speechlessness.

Nevertheless, Zi Hanyue noticed a dramatic transformation in Ye Tian's physique. Her strength, even at forty percent, couldn't make a dent in him. It took a full seventy percent of her power to elicit a muffled grunt from him.

Ye Tian's progress was unmistakable, and Zi Hanyue acknowledged that there was something extraordinary about him.

"Let's go again!"

Ye Tian, fully prepared and brimming with excitement, faced Zi Hanyue. His Indestructible Battle Body was now truly beginning to take shape.

Just then, from the depths of the forest beyond the waterfall, frantic footsteps echoed. Two figures burst forth, running for their lives.

"Help, help!" they cried out.