Dawn broke over the Ye Family estate, mist curling like dragons between the peaks.
Roosters crowed, servants bustled—and deep within a small courtyard, Ye Chen sat cross-legged, eyes closed, breath steady.
Inside his mind, the Realm of Books shimmered. Thousands of tomes floated in silence, each radiating faint light.
> "So it wasn't a dream…" he whispered.
He recalled the events of last night—the battle, the shock, the flood of memories.
The other Ye Chen had died when a spirit beast's claw pierced his heart.
But somehow, that death had opened the gate for him to enter.
And now… he possessed something even the saints of this world could only dream of:
A library of infinite knowledge.
---
He focused on one of the floating books:
"Introduction to Spirit Beast Domestication"
The moment he touched it, streams of knowledge coursed into his mind—nerve points, aura resonance, ancient whistle techniques. His heart pounded.
> "I can read them instantly… like absorbing their meaning directly into my soul!"
Another book drifted forward, its cover faintly glowing:
"Qi Circulation: The Root of Inner Strength"
He opened it, and the Book Realm pulsed.
In an instant, he saw golden rivers of energy flowing through a transparent human form—the meridians.
He understood.
When he opened his eyes, a faint golden light flickered behind his pupils.
> "If I can comprehend this deeply enough… perhaps I can cultivate, too."
---
A knock came at the courtyard gate.
"Young Master Ye!" a servant called nervously. "The Patriarch demands your presence. The Black Tiger Clan demands compensation for the hounds lost in last night's battle!"
Ye Chen's brows furrowed. The Black Tiger Clan…
He stood, brushing the dust from his robe. The memory of the original Ye Chen returned—he'd been mocked, called "Dog Keeper Ye." His family barely tolerated him.
But this time… he wouldn't bow.
---
Inside the great hall, elders sat in rows. The Patriarch—Ye Zhong, a stern man with graying hair—regarded him coldly.
> "Ye Chen," he said. "You lost two of our clan's spirit hounds and brought shame to our name. What do you have to say?"
The hall murmured. A few young disciples smirked.
> "The useless hound keeper finally woke up." "I bet he'll cry again."
Ye Chen's lips curved slightly.
> "Those hounds died because their qi cores were unstable. They needed proper resonance adjustment before battle."
A snort came from Ye Liang, one of the elders.
> "And you know how to fix that? You, who couldn't even tame a Cloud Wolf?"
Ye Chen simply smiled. "I do now."
The Patriarch frowned. "Then prove it."
---
They led him to the beast yard—where a massive Ironback Wolf was chained, snarling with fury. It had gone berserk, tearing through handlers for days.
Ye Liang sneered. "If you can calm it, I'll kneel."
Ye Chen ignored him. He walked toward the wolf, his mind opening the Book Realm.
> "Whistle of the Spirit Path"... page 14, frequency pattern—resonance of courage and submission.
He took a breath, forming a faint whistle with his lips. The air trembled, soft yet deep.
The wolf's growls faltered. Its eyes flickered—anger fading into confusion.
> "Good beast," Ye Chen murmured, his tone calm, firm, carrying an invisible rhythm.
The qi within his dantian stirred—just a faint thread of energy, but guided by understanding. It merged with the sound.
The Ironback Wolf knelt, pressing its head to the ground.
Silence fell.
Even Ye Liang's mouth hung open.
---
The Patriarch rose slowly from his seat.
> "You… learned the ancient Beast Resonance Art?"
Ye Chen met his gaze, smiling faintly. "I merely read a book."
The Patriarch's expression shifted—shock, then curiosity, then something deeper.
> "Very well, Ye Chen. From this day forth, you are reinstated as Beast Master of the Ye Family. And I… will be watching you closely."
As Ye Chen bowed slightly, his eyes gleamed.
> "Watch all you wish, Patriarch. For I am not the Ye Chen you knew."
Inside his mind, the Book Realm pulsed again, and a new tome appeared—
"Way of the Sage: Step One – The Path of Self"
> "So… this world measures worth by strength."
"Then I shall read my way to the heavens."