Chapter 71 The Ye Family Kid, Quite Interesting
Qin Xiao turned around to see a young man who looked like a young master, accompanied by a group of followers.
The one who had been shouting earlier was the leader of those followers.
Yun Man and Lin Shimeng also turned around with Qin Xiao. When the young man saw Yun Man and Lin Shimeng, his eyes locked onto them entirely.
For cultivators who had spent long years immersed in cultivation, physical beauty was rarely of primary importance. What truly drew their attention was the advancement of realms, spiritual medicines, and Dharma Treasures. Yet for raw youths, striking beauty remained a potent intoxicant.
Especially with Yun Man standing as an ice-cold beauty, paired with Lin Shimeng's aloof, dignified air, their combined impact doubled.
"Two seniors, my servant lacks manners; please do not take offense. Let me introduce myself. I am Ye Jiarong, a direct descendant of the Ye Family. May I ask where the two of you have come from, and where you are headed?"
Catching sight of Yun Man and Lin Shimeng, Ye Jiarong shoved the blustering follower aside and stepped forward with a polite bow.
It was evident that neither Yun Man nor Lin Shimeng held the slightest interest in this fourteen- or fifteen-year-old brat, and both could not even be bothered to reply.
"Hold on, little friend. I am standing right here, yet you dare harbor thoughts regarding my disciples?"
Qin Xiao stepped forward, placing himself squarely between them, and spoke to Ye Jiarong with visible displeasure.
"Presumptuous! Do you know who my young master is? How dare you address him in such a manner?"
Seeing his young master obstructed, the earlier lackey immediately lunged forward again, pointing a finger at Qin Xiao.
"Step away! I have not even spoken, so why are you spouting so much nonsense?"
Ye Jiarong lashed out with a kick, sending the follower flying.
He was no fool. He had attempted to probe Qin Xiao's cultivation moments before, but found himself unable to sense a single trace of Qi-as though the man were an ordinary mortal. Such a phenomenon meant one of two things: either the person was truly a commoner, or he was an expert who had concealed his cultivation so thoroughly that not a shred of aura leaked.
If it were the former, he would have nothing to fear. Yet he could distinctly sense terrifying depths of power radiating from Yun Man and Lin Shimeng. Having reached the Foundation Establishment stage himself, even he felt a chill at their presence, implying they were at least at the Golden Core stage or higher.
For a master to command two Golden Core disciples, how could he possibly be an ordinary mortal? He had to be an expert. Though wayward, Ye Jiarong was not reckless enough to provoke just anyone and bring trouble upon his clan.
"So the two seniors are under this Senior's tutelage. My eyes failed to recognize an expert. I wonder which sect or clan Senior hails from? If you have no fixed destination, you might consider serving as a guest Elder within my Ye Family. The two seniors are likewise welcome to join us, and I guarantee you will be treated with utmost respect.
Ye Jiarong's motives were far from purely altruistic; his mind was spinning with clever calculations.
If someone possessed the capability to take on two Golden Core disciples, their master must be at least at the Nascent Soul stage-more than qualified to hold an Elder's seat in the Ye Family. Not only would this bolster the clan's overall strength, but it would also bring two stunning Golden Core women into their fold.
Once he secured such an expert for his clan, he could then petition to have these two beauties take him under their wing. The family surely would not refuse, allowing him the pleasure of seeing them day after day. The mere thought brought a grin he struggled to suppress.
"There is no need. I have no such intentions at present.
Unaware of the youth's scheming, Qin Xiao saw that the boy was not nearly as overbearing as anticipated. Wishing to avoid unnecessary friction-since the youth was, after all, a member of the Ye Family-he kept his tone mild.
"Senior must have traveled from afar and likely remains unaware of the Ye Family's standing. Do you know what Tianyi City was once called? It was named Ye City. My family is the foremost clan in Tianyi City, and the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion is surely known to Senior. The Pavilion Master herself is my own paternal grandmother. With this in mind, does Senior wish to reconsider?"
Believing Qin Xiao simply lacked awareness of their influence, Ye Jiarong hastily pressed his point, standing tall with a confident smirk.
Leaving aside Tianyi City alone, his Ye Family reigned supreme across hundreds of li in every direction. Backed by such formidable power, even a Nascent Soul expert would have to weigh the proposition carefully. After all, the cultivation resources afforded by a great clan were leagues beyond what any rogue cultivator could hope to acquire.
"A fine background indeed. Even so, my stance remains unchanged. If there is nothing else, I have an appetite and intend to dine.
With that, Qin Xiao made to move past him, finding no reason to bicker further with a youth.
"Hold a moment! Since Senior is hungry and has graced Tianyi City with his presence, I naturally must fulfill the duties of a host. Whatever Senior desires to eat, I shall cover the expense without limit.
Ye Jiarong felt a knot form in his chest. Was his explanation still unclear? Seeing Qin Xiao brush past, he hurried to block his path once more, insisting on playing the host.
He had run out of options. Even after parading his family's prestige, the man refused to be intimidated. Clearly, this was no ordinary cultivator, making it all the more crucial to forge a connection-not to mention the two gorgeous women lingering nearby. To let the opportunity slip away now would haunt his sleep.
"Kid, do not mistake my restraint for ignorance. I spare you because of your surname, but are you now pushing your luck? Are my disciples figures you can openly covet?"
Friction flared in Qin Xiao's chest. What kind of persistent pest was this? If worst came to worst, he would simply teach the boy a lesson. Since the youth had initiated the provocation, Master's wife surely would not fault him.
"Senior misunderstands! The two seniors are indeed peerless, but this junior possesses self-awareness. Having only just entered the Foundation Establishment stage, I harbor no delusions of grandeur. Yet if the day comes when my cultivation surpasses theirs, I shall pursue them openly and uprightly. Today, my sole intent is to offer Senior a meal, with no improper designs whatsoever.
Noticing Qin Xiao's rising temper, Ye Jiarong panicked and rushed to clarify. Offending an expert invited severe penalties from his clan.
The Ye Family maintained strict discipline. Despite standing as the preeminent clan, disciples were strictly forbidden from bullying outsiders or lording their status over others, and their personal stipends were tightly regulated. This very ethos was the cornerstone of how the Ye Family had risen from a minor clan to supremacy.
Should a spoiled scion arise and cause wanton trouble, the clan would not wait for outside intervention; internal punishment would fall swiftly and publicly. Because of this, the Ye Family enjoyed an exemplary reputation throughout Tianyi City.
"How interesting. What kind of talent do you possess to speak so boldly of surpassing my disciples?"
Originally poised to strike, Qin Xiao found his anger melting into amusement at the youth's audacious claim.
"This junior is untalented... though my cultivation is modest, I possess a High Grade Profound Spirit Root.
As the words left his mouth, even Ye Jiarong faltered; a Profound Spirit Root sounded paltry indeed under the circumstances.
"Very well, kid. If you truly manage to surpass my disciples, I will grant you a chance and place no obstacles in your path. Since you are so insistent on playing host, I will accept your hospitality.
Deciding the boy was simply eccentric rather than malicious, Qin Xiao opted to humor him.
"Senior, please. Two seniors, please.
Seeing Qin Xiao relent, Ye Jiarong exhaled in relief and bowed them toward the entrance.
Behind them, the cluster of followers stared in absolute bewilderment. What had come over their young master today? Had the sight of beauty completely addled his wits?
"The lot of you remain down here. Do not trail after us and disrupt Senior's meal.
As he climbed the steps, trailing at the rear, Ye Jiarong turned to hiss instructions at his entourage, anxious to prevent any boorish behavior from ruining the atmosphere.
"Ah? Young master, you are dining alone? Who will feed you...?
It was the same brash lackey from earlier, wearing an aggrieved expression.
"Get lost, you fool! When has this young master ever required anyone to feed him? Stay back, and remember-without my command, none of you are to set foot upstairs!"
Flushed with embarrassment, Ye Jiarong hissed a reprimand.
Without lingering another second, he hurried up to the second floor, silently praying that neither the senior nor the fair maidens had overheard the exchange.