"Good morning, Zyun!"
Ye Qingtian smiled, brushing her flushed cheek and gently pulling her into his chest, where she snuggled with a happy little smile.
A lot had happened in these past three years.
It started with the library, where he finished all the available books. At this point, his mind was like a vast encyclopedia, containing not only the books from the Snow Wind Family and the Holy Orchid Institute, but also those from the Alchemist Association and other families that had granted him access.
This knowledge laid a solid foundation for the creation of his own techniques. For example: — Celestial Rebirth of the Ice Phoenix — a divine technique created especially for Ye Ziyun.
This technique allowed Ye Ziyun to undergo a nirvana each time she reached a new realm after becoming a Legend rank expert, multiplying her strength with every breakthrough. And, as the name suggested, she would essentially become immortal, capable of rebirth whenever necessary.
Of course, Ye Qingtian would never allow her to be forced to use that part of the technique. Anyone who dared push her to such an extreme… he'd make sure not even their soul remained in this world.
As for him...
It had been less than a week since he began cultivating with his new technique: — Supreme Yin-Yang Soul Law. But his progress was already terrifying. He had reached Silver Rank Three-Star and could break through to Four-Star at any moment.
Naturally, he kept his cultivation level hidden using the technique itself, which prevented anyone from perceiving his true strength. To his parents, he revealed the power of a Bronze Rank Two-Star — which was already enough to shock them to the core.
He still hadn't chosen a Demon Spirit to fuse into his soul realm. To him, that was just a waste of time. He would only do that once he found the Nightmare Demon Pot, which could synthesize the ideal Demon Spirit for him.
As an alchemist, he finally revealed his talent — as everyone expected — and became one of the Alchemist Association's Alchemy Masters. Unfortunately, that wasn't something he could keep hidden. The entire Glory City soon knew that the son of the City Lord was a genius alchemist.
This revelation didn't just shock everyone — it marked the beginning of a new era for the Alchemist Association. Every day, new people signed up to become apprentices and learn alchemy. Gu Yan was, without a doubt, the happiest about it.
The Alchemist Association was rising once more.
"Qing-ge, why are you so quiet? What are you thinking about?"
Ye Ziyun lifted her face from his chest, her eyes still half-asleep, but sparkling with curiosity.
"Hmm..." Ye Qingtian gave a lazy smile.
"I was thinking that, if you don't get dressed soon, we'll end up late for the first day of class."
"Huh?!" Ziyun blinked a few times in surprise until it clicked. Her eyes widened and she gave his chest a soft pat, pouting.
"Qing-ge, why didn't you wake me up earlier? You're so mean!"
She quickly pulled away, jumping out of bed with her hair all messy and ran toward her room, stumbling over her own feet on the way.
"Don't look!" she shouted over her shoulder as she disappeared through the door.
Ye Qingtian just chuckled softly, reclining back on the bed with a satisfied smile.
---
– Five Minutes Later –
When he came down for breakfast with his parents, both were already there.
"Good morning!" he greeted them and sat naturally across from them.
Ye Zhiqian nodded with a smile, giving him an ambiguous look, while Ye Zhong gave him a serious, warning glance.
A few minutes later, Ye Ziyun appeared, now fully dressed. She looked truly stunning, with long, smooth purple hair decorated with small flowers and a silver forehead ornament holding a teardrop-shaped pink gem. Her large, delicate eyes and soft lips, combined with her graceful expression, gave her an exceptional appearance.
Her outfit was elegant yet provocative: a short kimono in shades of purple and white, with loose, translucent sleeves that left her shoulders exposed. It was cinched at the waist with a corset-like armor piece adorned with pink gemstones, accentuating her curves. The short skirt revealed her thighs, adorned with white stockings held up by garters, adding a seductive touch to her refined look.
It was the outfit she had bought for her thirteenth birthday, when she officially became an adult. Her mother, Ye Zhiqian, had chosen it for her.
People were considered adults at thirteen, and could live in a separate courtyard if they wished. Ye Qingtian had his own, but his mother didn't want him to live alone, especially since Ye Ziyun still slept with him.
To Ye Zhiqian, it was a way to keep her children at home, but also a way to protect Ye Ziyun. She and Ye Zhong both knew the feelings between their two children weren't normal — but they weren't against it. They only hoped the two would be wise enough to know when to take that step… or stop before it was too late.
"Good morning, Yun'er, sit down quickly and eat," Ye Zhiqian said, and Ye Qingtian pulled out the chair next to him, making Ye Ziyun smile and rush to his side to sit down.
"Wow! This looks delicious," she smiled and began to eat, with Ye Qingtian constantly placing her favorite dishes in front of her.
Because she had her mother and much more of her father's attention in this life, Ye Ziyun was much more cheerful — and that only got better with a loving older brother. Ye Qingtian knew this was a life Nie Li could only dream of giving her… because he arrived too late in the original timeline.
"Qing-ge, do you think Ning'er will be happy to see us in the same class as her?"
Ye Qingtian thought for a moment before shaking his head.
"I don't think she'll have any reaction to it." He then turned to Ye Zhong.
"Father, about what I said the other day — it seems to be true. The Sacred Family really is controlling much of the Winged Dragon Family's trade."
The once-cheerful atmosphere suddenly chilled.
"Are you sure? That's not something to say lightly," Ye Zhong put down his chopsticks, looking at his son.
Ye Zhiqian and Ye Ziyun also turned to look at Ye Qingtian, waiting for his answer.
"I'm sure. It looks like the Sacred Family forced a marriage contract between Xiao Ning'er and Shen Fei. I suspect their plan is to completely swallow the Winged Dragon Family."
He added, "And Ning'er confirmed it's true."
"Shen Fei? That playboy who only knows how to fool around and ruin the Sacred Family's reputation?" Ye Zhiqian asked, clear disgust in her eyes.
Ye Ziyun also raised her eyebrows, recalling the stories she'd heard about the man.
"Yes," Ye Qingtian nodded.
Ye Zhong took a deep breath before nodding.
"Alright. Leave this matter to me. I'll figure out a way to investigate what's really going on."
"Alright," Ye Qingtian replied, relieved. Ye Zhong wasn't an impulsive man, so he should know how to handle this. Even if it wasn't possible to recover everything, he could at least help the Winged Dragon Family.
---
After breakfast, Ye Qingtian and Ye Ziyun left the City Lord's mansion, heading toward the Institute. Ye Ziyun immediately held his hand, fingers intertwined, walking proudly.
The two of them looked like a perfect couple walking side by side.