Supreme of the Heavenly Realm

"Well, Ye Xuan, I didn't expect you to have such an incredible adventure. If your father could see you now, he would surely be very comforted," said Ye Tianxiong sincerely pleased, unlike the others who harbored ulterior motives. Among his sons, he had originally valued his second son, Ye Xiao, the most. And Ye Xiao had not disappointed him, quickly becoming the mainstay of the Ye family. However, he never anticipated that such talented youth would meet with misfortune, which had always pained him deeply. Now seeing Ye Xuan shaking off the label of being good-for-nothing and making significant progress in his martial arts cultivation was akin to seeing the shadow of his own son.

His grandson had finally climbed out of his life's nadir and was back on the right track.

"Ye Xuan, I called you here for two reasons – first, to see your cultivation progress, and second, to personally inform you of something," said Ye Tianxiong, his smile softening into seriousness.

Hearing this, Ye Xuan's expression turned slightly solemn as well, knowing that whatever Ye Tianxiong considered important was likely no trivial matter.

"On the sixth day of the sixth month this year, the clan will hold the sect's grand assembly, and the highlight of this assembly will be the competition among the younger generation. For this upcoming event, you should prepare well and strive for a respectable result."

The sect's grand assembly was a meeting to choose the successors to the Clan Leader position, and the clan competition was of the utmost importance. During the event, the young generation of the sect would compete on stage to determine the strongest among them, with the top three receiving substantial support from the sect, including access to numerous cultivation resources.

However, the participants in the Ye family's sect assembly wouldn't be limited to members from Tianyang County; there would also be young individuals from other branches in different regions, many of whom would be exceptional talents in their own right.

Ye Tianxiong naturally hoped that Ye Xuan would achieve a good result at the sect assembly, and ideally to be among the top three. Doing so would ensure substantial cultivation support from the family—after all, the Ye family wasn't solely under his command. Only by displaying sufficient strength could one earn the corresponding cultivation resources.

"Rest assured, Family Head, there will be a place for me, Ye Xuan, among the top three," Ye Xuan assured with a fist clasped in salute. What he currently lacked were resources. The Ye family was a centuries-old major family with deep heritage. If he could receive focused training, he could save considerable effort. However, his goal was not just the top three, but to be the first, for the rewards for first place were the most substantial, far exceeding second and third place. Moreover, the winner of the clan competition would also earn the title of the Clan Leader's successor.

Ye Xuan wasn't too interested in this title, but the original owner of his body was deeply fixated on it. Having been suppressed by the younger generation of the Ye family and bearing the name of a useless person, he dreamt of one day standing proudly above the rest. Even if just for that obsession, Ye Xuan had to give his all to claim the first spot in the upcoming clan competition.

"Hehe, Cousin Ye Xuan sure is confident, but empty talk won't help you on the martial arts stage where strength matters. However, I do look forward to sparring with you, Cousin Ye Xuan, on the martial arts platform, to see if your martial skills are as formidable as your boasting," said Ye Ba, his voice laced with sarcasm, clearly taking issue with Ye Xuan's confident tone.

"There's no need for you to worry about that. You better take care of yourself, Cousin Ye Ba, lest you capsize in the gutter and become the laughingstock," Ye Xuan replied coldly, his retort sharp and direct.

The pointed exchange between the two added a tense atmosphere to the hall, but Ye Tianxiong did not intervene. Competition bred progress, and as long as it was kept within limits, he was content to let the younger generation vie as they pleased.

Yet, in Ye Ba's heart, the darkness surged. Although Ye Xuan had now shed his reputation as a useless person, in his eyes, he was still that same good-for-nothing. When it came to fighting on the platform, he was determined to show Ye Xuan who the real protagonist of the Ye family was.

With only two months left until the sect assembly, Ye Xuan had made some inexplicable progress in his strength, but Ye Ba was convinced that Ye Xuan was no match for him. He did not believe that Ye Xuan could make any waves in such a short time.

He wouldn't be Ye Ba if he didn't trample Ye Xuan into the ground at that time.

"Ye Xuan, now that you've improved in your realm, you should pick an appropriate martial arts from the Ancestor Pavilion to cultivate. It's time to switch your cultivation technique. Prepare yourself well for the sect assembly," Ye Tianxiong reminded suddenly, knowing that the cultivation techniques and martial arts Ye Xuan previously practiced were likely no longer suitable.

"Yes."

While Ye Xuan voiced his agreement, he was inwardly dismissive. In terms of cultivation techniques, he was cultivating the Hidden Dragon Skill, which could ascend to the Divine Level. As for martial arts, he could only cultivate Mortal Grade martial arts for now. Although the Ye family possessed Heavenly Grade martial arts, they were of no use to him currently.

"The meeting is dismissed."

With a slight nod, Ye Tianxiong waved his hand to signify the end of the meeting. Now, the Ye family would focus on preparing for the sect assembly, and there would likely be no further high-level discussions until the event took place.

"Now, I've hit a bottleneck in my cultivation and cannot make quick progress. Without Meridian Clearing Grass, I can't break through the remaining Martial Veins. It seems I must take a trip outside to seek the whereabouts of Meridian Clearing Grass."