Chapter 72: The Ye Family of Divine Water City

“Fourth Brother, you’ve finally emerged from seclusion.”

In the estate, Qin Qing was the first to sense Qin Shu’s arrival, materializing before him as a flowing stream of water.

“Xiao Qing, you weren’t at the Water God Palace?” Qin Shu asked, somewhat surprised. He then scrutinized Qin Qing closely and realized she had reached Core Formation.

Reaching Core Formation in three years is quite fast, he mused. How long did it take me again?

He pondered for a moment and recalled it had taken him less than a year.

“Heh heh, I’ve had a cultivation breakthrough, and with Xiao Gui about to awaken, Master granted me special leave,” Qin Qing replied with a beaming smile. Since beginning her cultivation practice, her originally delicate features had become exquisitely ethereal, her demeanor more refined, making her look as beautiful as a heavenly immortal.

Qin Shu affectionately patted her head. “Keep working hard and try to catch up to me in cultivation.”

“That’s no easy task, Fourth Brother,” Qin Qing said softly. “Master has told me you have even greater natural talent than I do!”

“It’s not like I’m asking you to surpass me,” Qin Shu said. “Each of the Nine Revolutions of the Golden Core requires a significant amount of time. Are you saying you can’t even catch up to me in that aspect?”

Qin Qing thought for a moment. If that was all, then she felt confident. She nodded and replied, “I’ll give it my best shot.”

As they chatted, the two headed back to their home.

Despite having their own separate courtyards, the family still preferred living together, making the most of the ample space available.

Only those who, like their cousins, had gotten married would move out and establish their own courtyards.

As they walked home, they inevitably encountered uncles, brothers, and sisters, leading to a flurry of greetings along the way.

After a bit of dawdling, they finally arrived at their residence.

“Little Shu, you’re out of seclusion,” Wang Yurou said, clearly delighted but not as elated as when Qin Shu returned from the Eastwood Immortal Court three years ago. This time, she knew he had been safely in seclusion, with no danger to worry about.

“Mom, I’m back. Once Little Gui awakens, Xiaoqing and I will spend a few extra days with you both.”

“Wonderful! I’ll go start preparations. Why don’t you two check on Little Gui? He seems a bit nervous.”

Wang Yurou happily hurried off to the kitchen.

While the estate employed skilled cooking puppets, Wang Yurou enjoyed preparing meals for her family herself, considering it a personal pleasure.

Father Qin, Qin Wei, wasn’t around; he had retired and was enjoying life, going fishing for spirit fish with his brothers by the estate’s stream. He seemed quite addicted and hadn’t returned yet.

“I’m not nervous at all,” Qin Gui said confidently. “If my fifth sister could awaken her Nine-Colored Mythical Grade spiritual soul, I’m certain I can too.”

“We believe in you, too!” Qin Shu and Qin Qing exchanged encouraging smiles.

“When does it begin?”

“In one week,” Qin Gui answered.

“That’s perfect,” Qin Shu said. “I’ll use my Karma True Yuan to refine your body. After that, what type of spiritual soul awakens will be up to your own destiny.”

“Thank you, Fourth Brother.” Unlike his own confidence, Qin Gui trusted Qin Shu more. With Fourth Brother refining his body, this awakening was bound to be successful.

Over the next week, Qin Gui didn’t go to school. Instead, he stayed at home, undergoing the physical refinement process courtesy of his older brother.

Before he knew it, the day of awakening arrived.

This time, accompanying Qin Gui were three cousins – two younger brothers and a sister: Qin Zheng, Qin Su, and Qin Xue.

Every family member who could attend, within the estate, gathered at the Awakening Square to observe the ceremony from the viewing platform.

Alongside them sat representatives from other families, including the Ye Clan.

In Divine Water City, since Qin Qing could be present for Ye Ruoshui, she was naturally seated in the center, surrounded by others who treated her with utmost respect. Naturally, this extended to the entire Qin Family as well.

The patriarch of the Ye Clan, Ye Ruobing, sat beside Qin Qing. As Ye Ruoshui’s younger sister, she possessed a Sunlight Rank Divine Soul—Xuan Bing Soul—and currently cultivated at the level of a Nine Heavens Profound Immortal.

“Qing’er, are you pleased with your position here?” Ye Ruobing asked, her voice soothing and eyes filled with warmth.

“Many thanks for your trouble, Shishu,” Qin Qing said courteously. As the younger sister of his master, he couldn’t afford to be anything but respectful.

“It’s no trouble at all, just arranging a place,” Ye Ruobing replied with a smile, waving her hand dismissively. Then she turned to Qin Shu. “This young fellow I haven’t seen before. Where did he come from?”

Qin Qing introduced him, “Reporting to Shishu, this is my fourth brother, named Qin Shu.”

Qin Shu bowed to Ye Ruobing. “Greetings to the senior from her junior.”

“We’re all family here, no need for such formalities!” Ye Ruobing responded warmly. She could tell Qin Shu was extraordinary—a Golden Core cultivator so young was a rare sight. She asked, “Has Fourth Brother Qin been matched in marriage yet?”

Qin Shu smiled. “This junior is focused on cultivation and has not considered marriage.”

“That’s no issue,” Ye Ruobing said with a smile. “If you have time, Fourth Brother Qin should visit our Ye Family more often. It’d be good to meet others around your age!”

“I’ll be sure to visit, if I’m free,” Qin Shu responded. “Many thanks for Shishu’s kind invitation.”

In Ye Ruobing’s eyes, only Qin Qing and Qin Shu were worth befriending. Although they were young, their talent was exceptional. As for everyone else, she merely nodded in greeting, with perhaps a bit more exchange with Qin Wei and Wang Yurou.

Soon, the Soul Awakening Ceremony began.

This was Seventh Square, under the jurisdiction of the Ye Clan.

Qin Gui, Qin Zheng, Qin Su, and Qin Xue had been arranged to stand behind the Ye Clan members.

“Number 1, Ye Liufeng.”

“Present!”

“Step forward for awakening.”

“Yes!”

Ye Liufeng, considered the Ye Clan’s top prodigy, had perfected the cultivation of the Divine Soul Gazing technique at merely thirteen years of age. Since then, he had focused on refining his physical body while continuing to gradually strengthen his spirit through gazing.

Although perfecting the gazing technique had already brought his spirit to a state of perfection, continuing this practice could lead to incremental improvements that might slightly enhance the probability of his spiritual soul awakening.

A five-colored light beam illuminated, revealing a massive azure roc.

Ye Ruobing’s eyes lit up, clearly delighted with this auspicious start for the Ye Clan.

“Excellent!” she nodded with satisfaction.

“The host’s voice boomed, overflowing with excitement, “Ye Liufeng has awakened a five-colored Mythical Rank Windhawk spiritual soul!”

In contrast to the host’s exuberance, Ye Liufeng remained composed. He nodded towards the host before stepping back.

He was the Ye Clan’s prodigy, having aimed for Ye Ruoshui’s legacy since childhood: to awaken a Nine-Colored Mythical Rank Spiritual Soul. A Five-Colored Mythical Rank soul, while impressive, still fell short of his lofty goal.

As he rejoined his team, a fellow clansman patted him on the shoulder, celebrating, “Ye Liufeng, congratulations! A Five-Colored Mythical Rank Soul! You’re well on your way to becoming a Golden Immortal. Who knows, you might even achieve immortality!”

“Five-Colored is nothing special,” Ye Liufeng replied, still visibly disheartened. “Don’t we get three or four of those in the Ye Clan every year?”

Seeing his mood, the clansman tried to cheer him up, “Don’t be so down! Spiritual Souls can evolve. With enough good fortune, who knows? You could go from Windhawk to Kunpeng just like that. That’s the pinnacle of the Nine-Colored Mythical Rank souls, you know!”

Ye Liufeng shook his head. Kunpeng? It’s not that easy. After all, between Windhawk and Kunpeng lay the Golden-winged Dapeng—the final stage of soul evolution. He’d never heard of anyone managing such a double transformation of their soul.

Not to mention, the Continent of God Souls already had a venerable Kunpeng ancestor. The chances of a second Kunpeng soul arising were as slim as the hope for an impossible dream.