Heaven Dou City, Ye Family.
The residence of the Nine Heart Begonia clan was not as magnificent as the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect or the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon clan, but it exuded its own quiet and elegant atmosphere.
Nine Heart Begonia was widely recognized across the Douluo Continent as the unrivaled strongest healing-type martial soul.
With its unique area-of-effect healing ability, the Ye Family had established an unparalleled status in the soul master world.
From Title Douluo to ordinary soul masters, who had never needed their life saved at a critical moment?
Therefore, even without a Title Douluo leading them, few dared to easily provoke the Ye Family.
However, at this moment, the atmosphere in the Ye Family hall was tense, with a gradually spreading sense of strain.
The clan head, Ye Ci'en, had a pale face and clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned slightly white.
He remained in that posture like a statue for a long time, only the occasional slight rise and fall of his chest showing he was still alive.
Seven days ago, his only son, Ye Hui, had gone with guards to a disaster relief area in an epidemic zone, where he encountered an "accident"—no, it was murder.
All clues pointed to the once-powerful Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
Both were top support-type martial souls on the continent. The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda was called the "strongest auxiliary," while Nine Heart Begonia was the "strongest healer." For thousands of years, the soul master world had compared the two.
As the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's power expanded, their suppression of the Ye Family never stopped—business competition, resource grabbing, slander… The Ye Family had endured too many hardships over the years.
But this time, they had harmed his son!
Ye Ci'en closed his eyes. The smile his son had shown before leaving flashed in his mind.
"Dad, when I come back, I'll buy you local specialty pastries."
This departure would be their final farewell.
If he did not get an explanation today, Ye Ci'en would not be qualified as a father! If he continued to suppress his anger today, the Ye Family would be destroyed tomorrow!
"Your Majesty," a servant hurried into the hall, bowed his head, and reported, "Another honored guest has arrived."
A flash of light appeared in Ye Ci'en's eyes. He suddenly stood up, straightened his clothes, and walked quickly toward the front hall.
Today, he had widely sent invitations to all the powerful figures who had received favors from the Ye Family, seeking their cooperation.
Favors must be repaid someday.
...
Meanwhile, several people were already seated in the front hall.
A middle-aged man in black clothes was leisurely sipping black tea. He exuded a refined, scholarly air, but his eyes held a sharpness that shook the heart.
At that moment, he looked with great interest at the figure in a wide black robe standing in the corner and chuckled.
"I never imagined that someone as powerful as you would be hidden so deeply in the soul master world. My horizons have truly been broadened."
A low laugh came from under the black robe. "Heh, this world has never truly belonged to the three great sects. Aren't you an exception as well?"
The middle-aged man in black raised an eyebrow slightly. Surprise flashed in his eyes for a moment, but he quickly resumed his usual gentle smile and said nothing more.
He was indeed from the reclusive Star Crown Sect. This sect was famous for its Star Crown martial soul and possessed immeasurable power. However, it always kept a low profile and never involved itself in continental conflicts.
Yet in terms of foundation, it was by no means inferior to the three schools mentioned above.
The fact that Ye Ci'en could persuade them showed just how excellent the Ye Family's connections were.
At that moment, Ye Ci'en stepped into the front hall. His gaze immediately fell on the man in black. He quickly stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"I am deeply grateful for Your Majesty's support this time. The entire Ye Family thanks you!"
As he spoke, he was about to perform a grand salute.
The man in black moved swiftly and instantly appeared in front of Ye Ci'en. He grabbed both of Ye Ci'en's arms, preventing him from kneeling. A hearty laugh came from under the black robe.
"Brother Ye, it has been many years. You have aged, yet you are still so polite?"
Hearing this, Ye Ci'en trembled. He hurriedly raised his head and stared at the face covered by the black robe. That voice, tone, and casual gestures… slowly overlapped with the dignified figure in his childhood memories.
"You… you are…" Ye Ci'en's lips trembled, and his eyes reddened.
The man in the black robe smiled and nodded, saying emotionally, "You may call me 'Sixth Brother.'"
"Sixth Brother!" Ye Ci'en gripped the other party's hand tightly, tears flowing. "Senior Gan, is it only you…"
Hearing this, the man in black fell silent for a moment, then sighed quietly. "My master passed away many years ago."
"What?!" Ye Ci'en was shocked. The elder who had saved the Ye Family from disaster had actually passed away. Moreover, he had not been able to see him one last time.
Seeing this, the man in black patted his shoulder lightly.
After a short reminiscence, several more Soul Douluo-level powerhouses arrived.
Everyone present had received favors from the Ye Family. Some had their lives saved by Ye Family ancestors, some had family members cured of serious illnesses by Nine Heart Begonia, and some simply respected the Ye Family's compassionate healers.
Just then, a middle-aged man in elegant attire with a dignified demeanor entered, surrounded by attendants.
It was Prince Xue Xing, the younger brother of the Heaven Dou Empire's emperor.
Ye Ci'en frowned, stepped forward, and greeted him. "Your Highness, it is an honor for you to come. I have not greeted you properly."
Prince Xue Xing waved his hand, indicating that formalities were unnecessary. He looked around at everyone in the hall, solemn light in his eyes, and said in a low voice, "Clan Head Ye, I have come today to advise you. Please, for the time being, stop this matter?"
Ye Ci'en's face darkened.
Prince Xue Xing continued, "The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is now the empire's guardian sect. If the forces you lead attack Seven Treasure City, regardless of the outcome, it will shake the court and the people. At that time, His Majesty will also be placed in a difficult position."
"Difficult to handle?" Ye Ci'en sneered coldly. "My son was killed. Your Highness's words are also 'difficult' for me!"
Prince Xue Xing sighed. "I know you don't want to, but the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is powerful. You and your people… may gain nothing. Rather than mutual destruction…"
"Why not?" Ye Ci'en interrupted, cold light in his eyes. "Why should I suppress my anger and let my son die in vain? Why should the Ye Family become a laughingstock?"
Prince Xue Xing was speechless.
"Your Highness, please return." Ye Ci'en said coldly. "My resolve for today's matter is firm."
Seeing the determination in his eyes, Prince Xue Xing realized further words were useless and could only sigh and leave.
...
After Prince Xue Xing left, Ye Ci'en gazed around at the people in the hall.
Two Title Douluo, more than ten Soul Douluo, and dozens of Soul Sages and Soul Emperors… such a lineup was enough to make the top three sects wary.
Yet he understood in his heart that each of these people had their own complicated circumstances. They might be usable to boost morale, but if asked to risk their lives against the mighty Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect for the Ye Family, few would willingly cooperate.
By the time darkness fell outside the windows, there was still no news from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. It was as if they were completely unaware that the Ye Family was gathering forces.
This silence was more eerie than any reaction.
Ye Ci'en clenched his fists again.
Was it really going to end like this? A beginning full of hope, only to end in regret? Would Hui'er's death remain unresolved?
At that moment, the man in the black robe suddenly stood up and walked toward the door.
Ye Ci'en was startled and immediately stood up. "Sixth Brother?"
The man in black did not turn around. He simply waved his hand and said, "If they don't want to explain, leave this matter to me."
Before he finished speaking, he took a step forward and his figure instantly vanished into the night.
Before Ye Ci'en could react, the middle-aged man in black smiled lightly, stood up, and said, "Since we have received the Ye Clan Head's favor, we naturally should fulfill our role."
Then he glanced at the various expressions of the people in the hall and said, "Since everyone is here, why don't we all go take a look at Seven Treasure City together?"
Hearing this, everyone looked at each other in confusion.
The middle-aged man in black was clearly forcing them to make a decision. If they backed down now, how could they maintain any face in the soul master world?
After a moment, a Soul Douluo stood up. "Let's go! I owe the Ye Family head my life, so repaying the favor is only right!"
Another person stood up and declared, "The Ye Family saved my daughter. Today, I repay that kindness!"
Everyone in the hall stood up one by one.
Ye Ci'en's eyes reddened slightly. His gratitude toward Sixth Brother was beyond words.
If he had not pursued these people, today's situation would have been truly terrible. The Ye Family would not only fail in revenge but also become a laughingstock and face the crisis of destruction.
"Let's go!" Ye Ci'en took a deep breath and strode out quickly.
...
Outside Seven Treasure City.
By the time everyone arrived, the battle had already begun.
In the sky, a gigantic bone dragon roared madly. It was none other than Bone Douluo Gu Rong's martial soul true form! And the one fighting it was the man in the black robe.
Faint silver light shone beneath the black robe. Every punch and kick from the man had the power to split mountains and shatter rocks, evenly matched with the ancient banyan tree!
The bone dragon's claws tore and its tail lashed down, but it could not break through the black-robed man's defense. Instead, it was repeatedly forced back by the silver light.
On the city wall, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's sect master Ning Fengzhi wore an extremely gloomy expression. He held the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Pagoda, and the seven-colored light it emitted firmly supported the ancient banyan tree.
Even so, the two working together could only barely draw with the black-robed man!
"This…" Ning Fengzhi could not believe it. The composure of a leader of one of the three great sects was completely lost.
He had initially regarded the Ye clan as nothing more than a bunch of thugs and had not taken them seriously at all.
Unexpectedly, the enemy camp had such a powerful figure. More importantly, this black-robed man was attacking Seven Treasure City.
At that moment, sharp sword energy soared into the sky.
Sword Douluo Chen Xin was finally about to make a move.
But the moment he took a step, starlight flashed, and the middle-aged man in black appeared before him.
He still wore a warm smile, but his tone carried unmistakable pressure.
"The path of swordsmanship is obstructed by worldly desires."
The moment he saw the aura emanating from this person, Chen Xin's eyes sharpened.
Another Title Douluo?!
He looked into the distance and saw, besides the two Title Douluo, more than ten Soul Douluo and dozens of Soul Sages standing in the air, staring at him intently.
This force was enough to destroy the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect!
This was troublesome.
Chen Xin sighed inwardly. He had never approved of Ning Fengzhi taking action against Ye Hui. Although the Ye Family was weak, their connections were extensive. Provoking them would lead to unpredictable consequences. And now, it had come to pass.
At that moment, Ning Fengzhi suddenly spoke. "Uncle Gu, Your Excellency, please stop."
Hearing this, Gu Rong and the black-robed man simultaneously stopped their attacks and retreated. The black-robed man stood beside the middle-aged man in black. The two stood side by side, facing Sword Bone Douluo from afar.
Ning Fengzhi pointed to a distant pavilion. "Senior Ye, would you please come inside for a chat?"
Ye Ci'en glanced at the pavilion but said nothing.
The man in the black robe approached him and said in a low voice, "If you don't want to, forget it.
"When Big Brother returns, we will go to Seven Treasure City again and seek justice for that child."
Senior?!
Hearing this, the middle-aged man in black and the others from the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect were simultaneously shocked. There was actually a powerful figure behind this black-robed man!
What kind of existence would a Title Douluo call "Big Brother"?
Ye Ci'en shook his head. The Body Sect had already given the Ye Family tremendous favors. Asking them to risk their lives for him went against his principles.
After a while, Ye Ci'en and Ning Fengzhi entered the pavilion.
Those watching from afar could not hear the specific content of their conversation, but they clearly saw Ye Ci'en's expression constantly changing—anger, conflict, hesitation, and finally calm.
Ning Fengzhi's expression was equally grim. He hesitated several times before speaking.
After a while, Ye Ci'en emerged from the pavilion and returned to the crowd. His expression was much calmer than when he arrived, but complex emotions lingered deep in his eyes.
"Let's go," he said quietly.
The tense atmosphere between the two sides instantly eased.
For the people invited by the Ye Family, this was undoubtedly the best outcome. They had been welcomed and gained prestige without risking their lives.
For the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, if an actual battle broke out now, even if they won, they would inevitably suffer heavy losses and might even lose their position among the seven great sects—a pure loss.
A major battle was avoided without leaving any trace.
...
After the group left Seven Treasure City, they stopped.
Ye Ci'en turned around, bowed deeply to everyone, and said, "Thank you all for your help this time. I will remember this in my heart."
Everyone quickly returned the greeting and departed.
Ye Ci'en approached the man in the black robe, looked at the figure wrapped in black, and his eyes reddened again. "Sixth Brother… thank you."
The man in black shook his head lightly and said gently, "It's nothing. I haven't been to Heaven Dou City in a long time. I would like to stay at the Ye Family residence for a few months. Would Brother Ye be willing to accept me?"
Ye Ci'en was shocked. As he looked at the man in black, gratitude, guilt, and various emotions mixed in his gaze.
Sixth Brother actually did not want to stay. He was clearly worried that the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect would seek revenge later, so he wanted to remain at the Ye Family to protect them.
"Sixth Brother…" Ye Ci'en's voice choked with emotion. After a while, he bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Sixth Brother!"
The man in black said nothing and gently patted his shoulder.
From that day on, the Ye Family welcomed a special guest.
…
Deep within Seven Treasure City, Ning Fengzhi stood by the window, staring in the direction the Ye Family had left. His face was extremely dark.
"The Ye Family…" he muttered. Deep fear appeared in his eyes.
That night's battle on the outskirts of Seven Treasure City did not cause a world-shaking outcome, but it subtly changed the landscape of the soul master world.
The Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect became much more restrained, and their suppression of the Ye Family quietly ceased.
A few months later, a new member joined the Ye Family.
Ye Ci'en held his granddaughter in his arms. Beside the swaddling clothes, he placed two items. One was a jade pendant shaped like a Nine Heart Gourd, symbolizing Ye Family tradition. The other was an object engraved with "Body."
…