4.
"Well, thank you for asking, actually I am running a little low on funds. How about you help me with that?"
Looking at the cocky appearance of the person in front of him, Yang Ze decided to ask him for money. Since this bastard was here to deliver a gift, it would be a shame to let him go easily.
"Huh?"
Startled by the sudden polite tone, Yang Deyi was stunned for a moment. He expected Yang Ze to curse at him or even throw a fist, but instead, he got a response that was outside his imagination.
"Why the hell do you want my money when you are already going to take care of the family's property." He almost jumped up in anger after hearing such an absurd request. For a moment he even wondered whether this bastard hit his head or not.
But after the initial anger, he calmed himself down before letting out a mocking laughter.
"Speaking of family's property, should I call you Steward Yang Ze?" In his eyes, going from the position of the second young master to a mere steward... It was a matter of utter shame.
Taunting him with a sneer, Yang Deyi looked at him mockingly.
"Hmm. That sounds good."
"...." This time his mocking was answered with a gentle laugh. For a moment Yang Deyi even wondered whether he was the clown. But soon his heart was filled with rage. Throughout his life, when had he ever suffered such a loss? It was as if their roles were suddenly reversed. Now it was his turn to be mocked by Yang De.
Such an absurd change caused him to almost fly in rage.
"Well, first the mother ran away with someone else, and now even the position of the second young master is gone. Even my servants are better than you."
In his desperation, Yang Deyi shouted at the top of his lungs. It was only after he shouted, that he realized the severity of the words he had spoken.
'Shit.'
His insides were green with regret. If Yang Yuanzhi or even his grandfather heard these words, his fate would be worse than death. Only the core members of the Yang family know about the matter of Yang Ze. For Yang Yuanzhi, she died the day she gave birth. Unless one had a death wish, one wouldn't dare to mention this matter.
Nervously, he glanced around, afraid that someone might have heard it. It was only after a long time did he sighed in relief when he found that the only person present there beside him was Yang Ze.
'Fortunately, no one heard it.'
Before he could celebrate any further, his gaze stopped at Yang Ze who was standing there silently. Surely the boy couldn't even take this insult, right? Surely he would fly in rage and try to fight him to death. After all, what kind of son would listen to someone else mocking his own mother?
"Well, that's life for you." But to Yang Deyi's surprise, Yang Ze's reply was out of his expectations. It was the first time Yang Deyi saw a person who was as calm and collected as Yang Ze. For a moment he even wondered whether he had come to the wrong address and was talking to a different person.
Both of them stood there silently looking at each other.
"Yeah! Goodbye then."
There was nothing for him to do there anymore. Yang Deyi felt like he was punching a cotton ball. No matter what insults he throws at Yang Ze, the bastard just wouldn't budge. In the end, he could only make his way back to the main manor with a heart full of embarrassment... All the while cursing Yang Ze in his mind.
After hearing the news of Yang Ze's appointment to a property outside the city, he was prepared to make some trouble. But looking at the conversation they just had, Yang Deyi wasn't in the mood to stay any further.
"What a clown."
Laughing at Yang Deyi's departing back, Yang Ze almost let out a peal of laughter. Were it the old Yang Ze, this sudden encounter might have soured his mood. Fortunately for him and unfortunately for Yang Deyi, it wasn't the same old Yang Ze.
Yang Ze was well aware of his current position in the family as well as the constant mockings and waves of laughter directed towards him. So, instead of rushing outside, and arguing with everyone, it was better to just stay here until he figured out his next course of action.
The entire day was spent doing nothing. Sometimes he would sit on a tattered chair just below the tree. Sometimes, he would take a nap, sometimes he would just open the Seaheart Art and then close it after looking for a while.
Looking at the setting sun, Yang Ze yawned before having his dinner and going to sleep.
.....
[_________________100%]
------------------------------------------------------
{Welcome to Idle Immortal.}
{Name: Yang Ze}
{Realm: None}
{XP: 0/100}
{Technique: Seaheart Art}
{Efficiency: 100 XP/day}
{Level: 1} (0/10 spirit stones needed to upgrade)
--------------------------------------------------------
Waking up the next day, the first thing that greeted him was a screen full of text.
If Yang Ze was half-awake before, then after seeing the screen he was fully awake.
"How did it get 4% today?"
The first thing that came to his mind was the progress bar. Every day it would only progress 3%, yet inexplicably it went 4% today.
This thought only lasted for a fraction of a second before it was thrown out by him.
"Who cares?" He shook his head with a smile. There was no use to ponder over such a small matter when he still had much more important things to do. He then observed the screen for a while before muttering under his breath. "Strange... why does this screen look like the cheap pay-to-win game that I used to play?"
Yang Ze still remembers the game that he used to play. It was just a usual cash-grab game that was extremely pay-to-win. After blowing much of his money on the game, he realized the mistake he made. It was a never-ending abyss. Unfortunately, by the time he realized it, he already had spent much of his money on the game.
"So, what do I do now?"
Looking at the screen he was silent for a long time. He has no clue about how it works. He tried touching the nonexistent screen in front of him but to no avail.
"Maybe the exercise?"
With great spirits, Yang Ze sat down cross-legged before closing his eyes and breathing according to the Seaheart Art.
After meditating for an hour, Yang Ze opened his eyes before looking at the screen in front of him again.
------------------------------------------------------
{Name: Yang Ze}
{Realm: None}
{XP: 0/100}
{Technique: Seaheart Art}
{Efficiency: 100 XP/day}
{Level : 1} (0/10 spirit stones needed to upgrade)
--------------------------------------------------------
"What the hell? There is no progress?"
Confused, Yang Ze stood up and walked outside before practising the boxing method.
Looking at the screen that was still the same as before, Yang Ze was left speechless. Since nothing seemed to be working, what the hell was he supposed to do next?
After taking a look at the line {Efficiency} he calmed his turmoiled emotions and sat down on the chair.
This was perhaps the longest day he ever experienced in his life. Yang Ze wanted this day to be over as soon as possible, yet the slow passage of time was really testing his patience.
....
By the time Yang Ze opened his eyes again, it was already morning. The rising sun was slowly illuminating the dark sky. Looking at the sky, Yang Ze smiled for a moment. Unbeknownst to himself, he slept out in the open yesterday night.
Taking a deep breath, Yang Ze slowly calmed himself down. Even though he was full of excitement, he somehow collected himself and looked at the screen again. And sure enough, there were some new changes.
"As expected."
With a smile, he observed the changes on the screen.
------------------------------------------------------
{Name: Yang Ze}
{Realm: None}
{XP: 100/100}
{Technique: Seaheart Art} +
{Efficiency: 100 XP/day}
{Level: 1} (0/10 spirit stones needed to upgrade)
--------------------------------------------------------
With trembling hands and a heart that was filled with excitement, he slowly clicked on the '+' behind the Seaheart Art.
The moment, he clicked on it, his heart stopped for a moment before energy he never felt before came into his body. Just below his stomach, there was a fiery hot sensation.
"Is this is what they call Qi?"
The changes disappeared as soon as they came. The only thing left in his body were the changes.
Feeling the changes in his body, Yang Ze took a deep breath, clenched his fist and then threw out a punch in the air.
Compared to yesterday, the fist he threw today was full of explosiveness. If he were to fight the previous him, he could knock him out in just a single punch.
Taking a breath, he tried various poses and kept on throwing punches. To his surprise, even after 4 hours, he wasn't tired at all. If this was replaced with other days, he would have been drenched in sweat right now.
But today, not to mention sweating, he wasn't even breathing heavily.
"This is a whole new level."
After familiarizing himself with this newly gained strength, Yang Ze looked at the screen again.
------------------------------------------------------
{Name: Yang Ze}
{Realm: Qi Condensing}
{XP: 0/300}
{Technique: Seaheart Art First Layer}
{Efficiency: 100 XP/day}
{Level: 1} (0/10 spirit stones needed to upgrade)
--------------------------------------------------------
"Holy shit."
For a moment, he didn't know how to react. One moment he was just a mortal and the very next moment, he had stepped into the ranks of Qi Condensing. For a moment he even wondered whether he was dreaming or not. But after the initial surprise, came the feeling of overwhelming happiness. With this, he wouldn't have to worry about his future. For the first time in a long long time, Yang Ze was full of expectations for his future. It was at this moment he decided to think more seriously for himself.
"Let's stay calm for now. Since I have started on the road to practising, I need basic knowledge. Tomorrow, let's take a look at the library."
Even though he stepped into the Qi condensing, he didn't dare to tell anyone about it. According to his principles, the fewer people know, the better.
"I will make a final decision tomorrow."
After making up his mind, Yang Ze started practising boxing. He was determined to know his limits...