Chapter 17: "Once more."

As Ye Xiaotian descended from the platform, the silence lingered like a thick mist, the crowd too stunned to break it. Some disciples stood frozen, mouths agape, their wide-eyed gazes fixed on his retreating figure. One of them finally found his voice, though it emerged as little more than a whisper.

"I still can't believe it… Only one punch."

Another disciple nearby nodded, his tone tinged with awe and disbelief. "Neither can I. Zhou Liang… defeated so easily?"

On the ground, Zhou Liang stirred, propping himself up onto his elbows with a groan. His face was a mask of pain and hatred, his chest heaving as he struggled to catch his breath. The crowd's murmurs faded into silence as his sharp glare swept over them. His fury was palpable, his broken ribs an agonizing reminder of his humiliation. How could it have happened? One punch… a single, devastating strike had laid him low.

His eyes darted toward Ye Xiaotian, who was now just a figure in the distance, walking away with unhurried steps. Zhou Liang's lips curled into a snarl, and his voice, though low, carried a venomous edge.

"You bastard," he spat, his words laced with hatred. "Just wait. I'll kill you with my own hands."

Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to his feet. Each step was heavy, burdened with humiliation and pain, but he refused to show weakness. With a final glance at the lingering crowd, he stormed away, his departure a mix of fury and disgrace.

The disciples who remained on the platform let out a collective sigh of relief as Zhou Liang disappeared from view. Among them, Mu An a short, wiry young man with an irrepressible grin stepped forward, his chest puffed out with pride. His eyes sparkled as he turned to the others, his voice brimming with enthusiasm.

"Did you all see that?" he crowed. "That's my Brother Ye! Zhou Liang didn't stand a chance!"

A nearby disciple, unimpressed, folded his arms and raised an eyebrow. "You're acting like you had something to do with it."

Mu An smirked, undeterred by the sarcasm. Crossing his arms, he struck a triumphant pose. "Hmph! As Brother Ye's little brother, his victories are my victories!"

The onlookers rolled their eyes, some shaking their heads at his audacity. Yet, beneath their skepticism, a shared understanding passed among them. Today, the name Ye Xiaotian had been firmly etched into their minds.

Far above, hidden within the dense canopy of a towering tree, Zi Ran crouched in silence. Her amber eyes, sharp and contemplative, watched the scene below with a piercing intensity. She had observed every moment of the fight, replaying each movement in her mind every strike, every dodge, every calculated step.

"He's strong," she murmured, her voice barely audible over the rustling leaves. "No, it's more than that. His control over spiritual energy is flawless. Every movement is deliberate, precise."

Her gaze lingered on the now-empty platform, a faint smile curving her lips. "This will be interesting," she whispered to herself. "Senior Sister Mu Qinglan will want to hear about him. Though, knowing her, she might not even believe it."

With a soft exhale, Zi Ran rose gracefully, her balance unwavering on the thick branch. In one fluid motion, she leapt into the air, her dark robes fluttering like a shadow in the sunlight. Her movements were silent, her presence blending seamlessly with the forest as she disappeared into the trees, heading toward the Core Disciple Courtyard.

Ye Xiaotian walked with a steady pace, his expression calm and unreadable. Yet, within the quiet of his mind, thoughts churned. The fight with Zhou Liang had been decisive, but it left him unsettled. Not because of the outcome, but because of the ease with which his body had handled the strain. Even after channeling immense spiritual energy into his strike, his soul felt… unburdened. It was a sign, he realized. His soul and body, once at odds, were beginning to align.

The sun hung high in the sky, its warmth pressing down on him as he neared the Sect Master's Courtyard. A loud growl from his stomach interrupted his thoughts, and he instinctively rubbed his abdomen. A small smile tugged at his lips as he remembered Qin Lian's promise to share the blue mountain cattle from her sect. That memory propelled his steps forward, his destination clear.

The courtyard's entrance loomed ahead, its ornate gates opening smoothly as he approached. The faint scent of blooming flowers and incense wafted through the air, welcoming him. As he stepped inside, a familiar voice called out.

"Come in."

The voice was unmistakably Qin Lian's, light yet commanding. Ye Xiaotian entered, his eyes scanning the surroundings. The pavilion was a masterpiece of elegance, far surpassing his own quarters. A delicate fountain bubbled at the center, its gentle sound harmonizing with the chirping of spirit birds flitting about. Small, vibrant spirit beasts played near the water, their energy vibrant and pure.

Following the stone path, Ye Xiaotian found himself at the edge of a serene pond. At its center was a small open-air pavilion, accessible by a wooden bridge. Qin Lian sat there, her crimson robes glowing softly in the sunlight. The intricate vermillion bird embroidery on her attire seemed almost alive, shimmering with spiritual energy. She sat gracefully on a mat, her gaze lifting to meet his as he approached.

"Come," she said, her voice warm but firm, her eyes holding a captivating charm that seemed to draw him in.

Ye Xiaotian stepped onto the bridge, the wood creaking softly beneath his weight. As he drew closer, the faint scent of incense reached him, mingling with the natural fragrance of the pond's blossoms. Taking a seat on the mat opposite Qin Lian, he bowed his head slightly in greeting. But before he could speak, his stomach betrayed him, growling loudly in the quiet space.

Qin Lian's melodic laughter broke the stillness, filling the air with a warmth that made Ye Xiaotian's cheeks flush. She covered her mouth delicately, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"You really are a gluttonous boy, aren't you?" she teased, her tone light and playful.

Ye Xiaotian scratched his nose awkwardly, his embarrassment deepening. "I'm still growing," he replied, his voice half-joking. "And besides, you haven't fulfilled your promise yet."

Her laughter softened, and she nodded. "Alright, alright. Let's go. I'll make sure you're fed." Rising to her feet, she gestured for him to follow. As she passed by, her delicate fragrance lingered, causing Ye Xiaotian to momentarily lose his focus. His face reddened, and he quickly looked away, chastising himself. His soul might be 22 years old, but his body freshly 18 again reacted in ways he couldn't fully control.

Shaking off the distracting thoughts, he followed her toward the back of the courtyard. The path descended into a lush, expansive plain, revealing a scene that took Ye Xiaotian's breath away. Stretching before him were two distinct areas: one filled with neatly arranged spiritual plants and medicinal herbs, the other teeming with spirit beasts grazing under the sun. Between them, a stone path wound its way into the horizon, disappearing into the mist.

Qin Lian's voice broke through his reverie. "This floating sanctuary is vast, almost the size of a small kingdom. Ordinary disciples and elders aren't allowed beyond the first mountain. Only those from the second mountain are permitted here to cultivate herbs and raise spirit beasts."

Ye Xiaotian nodded, his eyes taking in the sheer scale of the sanctuary. As they walked, disciples in white robes with fire emblems worked diligently in the herb fields, some tending to plants while others carried tools. When they noticed Qin Lian, they quickly set aside their tasks to bow deeply.

"Sect Master," they greeted in unison.

Qin Lian acknowledged them with a nod. "Continue your work."

The disciples bowed again and returned to their tasks, though some stole lingering glances at her, their faces tinged with admiration and in some cases, nervousness. Ye Xiaotian observed this silently, noting the reverence they held for her.

Finally, they reached the spirit beast farm. Before them was a vast enclosure filled with hundreds of blue mountain cattle. Their powerful forms glistened under the sunlight, their azure fur shimmering with a faint spiritual glow. Qin Lian turned to Ye Xiaotian with a smile.

"Take as many as you want," she offered.

Ye Xiaotian nodded, surveying the herd. Spotting a sturdy pair, he retrieved a rope and tied them together. Qin Lian watched, her brows furrowing slightly in confusion.

"Where are you taking them?" she asked, tilting her head in confusion.

Ye Xiaotian looked at her with a calm expression. "I'll take them back to my pavilion and raise them there."

Qin Lian was taken aback but didn't question him further. She simply nodded, though she couldn't shake the feeling that Ye Xiaotian was hiding something from her. He still didn't fully trust her, and she couldn't help but feel a tinge of sadness. But she quickly shook it off, determined to earn his trust.

"Alright," she said with a bright smile. "Let's go back. I'll cook for you."

As they turned to leave, Ye Xiaotian suddenly felt the sensation of being watched. He glanced over his shoulder but saw nothing, just a blanket of clouds. Shrugging it off, he followed Qin Lian back down the path.

In the midst of the mist, a path led toward an ancient building made of dark stone. The door, adorned with carvings of two vermillion birds, seemed alive, as though the birds might burst forth at any moment. Above the door, a banner read "Ancestral Hall."

Inside, the building was dimly lit, and long, winding corridors gave it an almost labyrinthine feel. After walking through a maze of pathways, they reached a room where a woman sat cross-legged in the darkness. Her veil hid most of her features, but her eyes, glowing like yellow flames, gleamed with power.

"Interesting," she murmured, her ethereal voice resonating with authority. "He can even sense my soul energy. A powerful presence, despite being only in the Foundation Realm. Who is this boy? It seems Lian knows him. I'll find out more... once my cultivation is complete."

Her eyes closed, and the room fell silent again.

End of Chapter 17