Private Squad

"I've heard about you from my wife, how is the Government treating you? I've troubled you by making you leave the city and visit the Yu Clan" he wore a very apologetic expression as he looked at Yu Wei.

"Don't worry, I'll have my attendants prepare some gifts for the officials so that you can give them something when you go back. Who knows, maybe you'll get a promotion or bring back an Official's daughter as wife. Then I will have to greet you on your wedding platform too!"

The atmosphere instantly froze. Yu Wei stared eyes wide at Yu Yan while the Ninth Elder opened her mouth to say something only to forcefully close them. But this wasn't the worst reaction.

The stern Fifth Elder was sitting with the other Elders, observing the crowd closely, but was actually paying attention to Yu Yan. It wasn't just him; all ten Elders on the second floor were paying attention to Yu Yan after all; he was the only Legacy they didn't know well. They already had impressions about all the others.

When Yu Wei spoke, they all shook their heads at his slyness but were secretly impressed. After all, who said the Patriarch had to be a saint? But Yu Yan's reply caused all of them to lose their cool. The Patriarch and the First Elder reacted worse. The First Elder directly spat out the wine in his mouth on the Patriarch's face only to receive a smack on his head as the two burst into laughter.

On the couple's platform, Yu Wei stole a glance at the Ninth Elder, and his face turned red from anger. She asked trying and failing to hold back her laughter. There was no point anymore, they could all see her swollen cheeks.

"With your little cultivation, you have such a sharp tongue," Yu Wei replied in a low voice with clenched teeth.

"What are you saying, brother Yu Wei? I'm a Legacy, not a guard; what do I need cultivation or bribe for?" Yu Yan shot back without skipping a beat.

The Ninth Elder let out a scoff and then instantly disappeared from the spot, leaving Yu Wei steaming.

"While you play king inside the well. I, Yu Wei, will enjoy the fortune of a wider world," Yu Wei spat and instantly turned around.

On the upper floor, where the Upper Echelon of the Clan sat to observe the banquet below, the Fifth Elder's expression turned ashen while the others turned somber. Indeed, the Yu Clan was a well.

Their children and juniors who went out to the wider world never came back to support the clan. Although their existence allowed the clan to survive, there was no way it would thrive as no one was willing to fight for them.

"It seems there's only three Legacies left." The decrepit Patriarch started to sigh, but it soon turned into a coughing fit.

The First Elder immediately put a hand on his shoulder using his gentle Qi to soothe his body.

"Let's go back, Yu Wen. Such a pity that in my winter, I still fail the Yu Clan values," the Patriarch spoke gently, but all could hear the sadness in his voice.

Many generations of Patriarchs wanted to expand the Yu Clan but all failed before they even tried. Where could they start without the strength to support them? It was worse for the Patriarch because, in his time, people started to fight for Yu Mountain, and a Legacy was almost killed for it. All of these made the old Patriarch age faster than he was supposed to.

The banquet soon came to an end and the curtain closed on Mei Hua Lin whispering to Yu Yan.

Although no one could tell what they were talking about, the way the two stuck so close without any shyness or awkwardness was enough to set fires in the hearts of many young men. Even the Second Prince approached them with congratulations despite how Yu Yan had embarrassed Yu Wei earlier.

Yu Yan was as surprised about his presence as he was about the presence of so many other higher-ranking people of the Divine Blood Empire, which was a mid-ranked Divine Empire. Mei Hua did not know what separated a Mortal Empire from a divine one or what was between. But she did know there were rankings to kingdoms.

Unfortunately, for some reason, she was adamant about preventing him from treating anyone or socializing. Although she did not explain why, Yu Yan decided to trust her.

*****

Back in his courtyard, Yu Yan looked around blankly. How did his wedding day end up with him coming back home alone?

However, his courtyard was now more lively. Outsiders had been sent away and replacing them were attendants and guards, all his own people.

He returned to his room and immediately entered the Pocket World, pulling with him all th Earthly treasures the Zi brothers had taken out of the Treasury.

Setting them before him, he closed his eyes and started the circulation described in the Immortal Tome.

Instantly, he felt the difference. The bottleneck that had been holding him back instantly disappeared and he could feel his cultivation rising again. Suppressing the excitement in his heart, he continued to cultivate with stability in mind.

Before long, he felt a subtle snap, and a comfortable feeling washed over him as if his muscles were being massaged by some heavenly fingers. Opening his eyes, he observed his skin, which had somehow turned even clearer and smoother, slowly heading towards his goal of being better than the Ninth Elder. But then he thought about this handsome Yu Wei and his mood soured.

Although Yu Wei was a shitty person, when he talked down about the Yu Clan as if it was nothing to him, Yu Yan couldn't help feeling sad.

"I'm going to make this clan the only everlasting clan in all existence," Yu Yan muttered to himself, feeling a subtle change in his perspective.

"Eh? Body Tempering level 11?" His eyes widened at realizing he hadn't broken through to Qi Condensation.

"I refuse to believe it" he closed his eyes and started cultivating again, this time gritting his teeth and taking in more Qi from the surroundings than he normally dared to.

Not knowing how long had passed, he felt th comfortable feeling wash over him again and immediately opened his status window.

[Host Information]

[Name: Yu Yan]

[Affiliation: Yu Clan - Legacy]

[Age / Lifespan: 16/ 203]

[Body Cultivation: Body Tempering Level 12]

[Qi Cultivation: - ]

[Mental Cultivation: - ]

[Abilities: - ]

[Qi Cultivation Talent: Mortal Roots Level 4]

[Comprehension: 77 (Average 60)

[Physique: Undying Sage Body (Ultimate Max)]

"Level 12?" He muttered in a low voice feeling depressed.

"Could it be that I cannot break through to the Qi Condensation or am I doing something wrong?" he asked himself.

Thinking for a long time without coming up with an answer, he left the Pocket World and returned to his room. Coincidentally, it was morning.

Walking out of his room, he saw Zi Han and Zi Peng standing outside his door.

"Good morning, Young Master Yan," they both greeted respectfully.

"How long has it been?" Yu Yan asked curiously.

"You have been cultivating for three days, Young Master," Zi Han replied while secretly studying Yu Yan. He had the weird feeling that Yu Yan had lost his cultivation and turned into a mortal! If it wasn't the subtle Qi he was feeling from him, he would have panicked.

'It seems like the Young Master has learned a technique to hide his Qi' he thought to himself.

How was he to know that the 10-13 stages of every real was called the Perfect Realm. In those stages, one learned to control their cultivation so perfectly that they became one with it. If the person was one with his cultivation? How can their cultivation be sensed then?

"Have the selection ended?" Yu Yan asked. As a Legacy, Yu Yan had the power to pick twenty guards from the Yu Clan soldiers who would loyally serve him even if he ended up failing to become Clan Leader.

"Yes, the guards have been cultivating in the yard" Zi Peng replied.

Yu Yan immediately headed out to see how his guards were selected.

Upon entering the yard, he saw twenty figures in armor sitting cross-legged and cultivating quietly. From the way they sat, he could see their lack of discipline compared to soldiers of his previous world.

There was a figure sitting in front of them and he opened his eyes as soon as Yu Yan approached. Standing, he immediately bowed, his voice vigorous despite his young age.

"Young Master!"

His voice was like an alert to the others who rose haphazardly and greeted with a loud voice.

"Young Master"

Yu Yan couldn't help the feeling of disappointment that rose up within him. He was the only Legacy to actually claim his authority and select soldiers. According to Mei Hua, the others didn't hold any hope for these soldiers who originated from the mortal world.

"At ease"

The soldiers glanced around in confusion, their gazes eventually resting on the leader for an explanation, but even he didn't understand what Yu Yan meant.

Sighing, Yu Yan turned to the leader.

"What's your name?" He asked.

"Replying to Young Master, my name is Ku Sheng"

Yu Yan nodded, then stepped forward.

"Take off your helmet" he ordered. And everyone immediately complied revealing their young faces. He estimated that none of them were older than seventeen and his gloomy expression instantly bloomed into a smile.

'Who needs an army when I can make the most elite squad his world has ever seen?' he grinned to himself.

"From today onwards, you all will stop your attempt at cultivation," he ordered coldly, and the atmosphere in the yard instantly turned tense.

The guards did not dare object because regardless of his reputation as a fool, he was still a Legacy while they weren't even members of the clan.

"I will assign new practice and work out routines. Anyone who falls short will return to the Yu Clan Army. Only the best can remain with me. I have only two requirements, absolute Loyalty and discipline! If you can't give that, step out now and return"

Heh!

They all scoffed in their minds. How could things be so simple? Returning from a Legacy's selection meant that their future prospects in the clan were over! It didn't matter how talented they were if they made a Yu Clan member upset. He wouldn't even need to do anything, the other soldiers would ostracize the offender till he felt regret.

Seeing no one step out, the clueless Yu Yan smiled. He was no leader or military commander, so he didn't care about giving a speech to break them and then give them hope or whatever. He didn't have that time!

"Lu Sheng, come with me" he ordered as he left the courtyard with the Zi brothers, Lu Sheng following closely behind while the other soldiers muttered their displeasure.