Chapter 13: Yang Yunfeng

“What?! You’ve reached the sixth level of Qi Accumulation?! Is that… is that true?!” After chatting for a while, Du Cai’nian cried out in disbelief when she heard from Yue Xiaoshan that Du Long had advanced to the sixth level. All the women present turned their curious gazes on Du Long. After spending some time together, each of them had developed some affection for him, and seeing him shed the reputation of a useless cultivator was something they all hoped for.

Scratching his head, Du Long realized that news of his breakthrough had already spread to many; there was no need to hide it from his sister and the others. He directly released his internal energy, and the aura of a sixth-level Qi Accumulation cultivator immediately became evident.

“It’s… it’s actually true…” While outsiders were merely surprised that Du Long could cultivate, for his eldest sister, who had watched him grow up, the only word to describe her feelings was shock. She could never forget the brilliant, confident boy from ten years ago, who had suddenly fallen to rock bottom and become withdrawn and self-deprecating.

“Hm? Isn’t that Yang Yunfeng?! Wan’er, hurry, call your cousin over to sit with us!” The keen-eyed Princess Fire Phoenix spotted a familiar figure entering the Golden Dragon Hall and immediately spoke up.

Following her gaze, Du Long saw at the entrance a young man in a deep blue robe, his star-like eyes bright and spirited, exuding a calm and handsome air as he glanced around the hall. The women all turned and smiled at Du Cai’nian, who still had tears in her eyes, while Second Secretary’s daughter, Wan’er, got up with a bright smile to greet her cousin Yang Yunfeng, and soon brought him over.

“Oh! So Yang Third Young Master is here too?! Heh, it’s really not easy to see you at these gatherings!” Princess Fire Phoenix teased from her seat, smiling.

“Yunfeng greets Your Highness, Princess Fire Phoenix!” Yang Yunfeng replied with poise, scanning the faces present before his gaze paused at Du Cai’nian. Seeing the lingering tears at the corners of her eyes, he was momentarily stunned.

In the eyes of the Yang family’s third young master, Du Cai’nian was a heroine among women, as bold and forthright as any man. To see her showing such a delicate side today was truly unexpected.

“Come, come! Sit here!” Even before Yang Yunfeng arrived, everyone had sensibly vacated the seat next to Du Cai’nian, and Du Long had shifted aside as well.

Without much hesitation, Yang Yunfeng took the seat, glancing around in confusion. “Why is the atmosphere so strange today? What happened?”

“Let me introduce you—this is Yue Xiaoshan, whom you surely know, and this young fellow you probably don’t recognize. His name is Du Long, Cai’nian’s cousin! I bet you’ve already heard his infamous name, haven’t you? Cai’nian was just bullied to tears by this guy!” Princess Fire Phoenix introduced, her tone full of mischief.

Yang Yunfeng’s brows twitched as he turned to look at Du Long. He had long heard rumors of the “Poison Dragon Ninth of the Capital,” and now, thanks to Princess Fire Phoenix’s words, his gaze was somewhat unfriendly.

“Don’t listen to Princess Fire Phoenix’s nonsense! I wasn’t bullied by Du Long—I was simply moved to tears!” Fearing a misunderstanding from her beloved, Du Cai’nian quickly explained.

Du Long cupped his hands in greeting. “I am Du Long. I’ve often heard my cousin Cai’nian mention the illustrious Third Young Master of the Yang family, Brother Yunfeng. Meeting you today, I see you truly are a man among men! I hope you’ll look after me in the future.”

Returning the gesture, Yang Yunfeng hesitated briefly before asking, “What happened just now? I’ve never seen your sister cry before.”

“Heh, let me explain! Until recently, everyone said Du Long had a physical defect and couldn’t cultivate. But just now we learned that not only can he cultivate, but he’s already reached the sixth level of Qi Accumulation. Cai’nian was simply overwhelmed by joy!” Princess Fire Phoenix interjected with a laugh.

“Oh?” Yang Yunfeng raised his eyebrows in realization and began to size up Du Long, but sensed no trace of Haotian True Qi from him, which puzzled him. “Why don’t I sense any Haotian True Qi at all?”

Rolling his eyes, Du Long once more released his internal energy, and the aura of a sixth-level Qi Accumulation cultivator instantly manifested. He chose to demonstrate directly rather than waste words.

“How odd… It really is the sixth level. If you don’t show it on purpose, there’s no way to tell!” Yang Yunfeng remarked in confusion.

“I don’t know why either—perhaps it’s related to my previous strange constitution,” Du Long replied, attributing everything to his formerly peculiar body.

“In any case, it’s a wonderful thing that Du Long’s physical problem has been resolved. Come, everyone, let’s raise a glass to congratulate him!” Princess Fire Phoenix called out.

Everyone raised their cups to offer Du Long their congratulations.

After several rounds of drinks and conversation, Du Long finally realized that although his elder sister and Yang Yunfeng had no formal engagement, with everyone’s encouragement, there was already tacit understanding between them.

Yang Yunfeng had heard much about Du Long from Du Cai’nian but had never met him in person. Now, seeing him and learning that his physical troubles were resolved, he was truly happy for the woman he cared for.

“Everyone, I need to go greet Wei Yiming. I’ll be back soon—please excuse me! Du Long, Xiaoshan, come with me,” Yang Yunfeng said as he stood.

Du Long agreed readily and stood as well. Yue Xiaoshan was reluctant, but seeing Du Long rise, he had to follow. The ladies present, being daughters of powerful officials, fully understood the significance of such meetings and made no protest.

Du Cai’nian stood up and tidied Du Long’s clothes, whispering, “Du Long, I’m sure you know Wei Yiming’s status. With Brother Yunfeng introducing you, he’ll treat you well, but don’t get arrogant—be humble and cautious!”

“Sis, I understand—you don’t have to worry!” Du Long replied with a reassuring smile, then followed Yue Xiaoshan and Yang Yunfeng toward Wei Yiming’s circle.

In the southeast corner of the Golden Dragon Hall, Wei Yiming was laughing and drinking with a group of young nobles. He and Fan Tong held special statuses, and many sought to ingratiate themselves with them.

“Yiming!” Yang Yunfeng led Du Long and Yue Xiaoshan straight into the circle and approached Wei Yiming.

“Oh! Yunfeng, you’re here?!” Wei Yiming looked up with a broad grin, clearly showing their close relationship. Then, noticing the two behind him, he laughed, “Yue Xiaoshan—and this must be Du Long, who just clashed with Du Wei, right?”

“Du Long (Xiaoshan) greets Brother Yiming!”

“Haha! Well done! I saw you two stand up to that brat Du Wei earlier—you didn’t lose out, very impressive!” Wei Yiming seemed friendly, but in truth, he was showing respect for Yang Yunfeng’s sake.

Wei Yiming owed his status as an elite young lord not only to his father, a first-rank imperial general, but primarily because his grandfather was one of only three known Spirit-Level experts in the empire.

The Haotian Empire openly boasted three Spirit-Level masters: one each from the Wei and Fan clans, and the last from the imperial family itself, a founding emperor.

“It was just a minor family disagreement—please don’t mind it, Brother Yiming,” Du Long replied humbly.

“Hmm! Rumor had it that the ninth son of the Du family had a physical defect and couldn’t cultivate, but today it seems it was all just talk?”

“Not entirely unfounded. The old master of the Du family found a Returning Origin Pill, which happened to fix Du Long’s physical problem. That’s why his strength has only recently begun to recover,” Yang Yunfeng explained on Du Long’s behalf.

“You rascal! You know your future brother-in-law well!” Wei Yiming punched Yang Yunfeng lightly on the ear and laughed, then raised his cup. “Come on, let’s drink together—it’s not easy to catch you at a gathering!”

Yang Yunfeng naturally obliged, picking up a cup and clinking it before downing it in one go. Seeing Wei Yiming also finish his wine, he refilled his cup from the jug on the table.

“Du Long, Xiaoshan! Since it’s your first time meeting Brother Yiming, offer him a toast. If you ever need his help in the future, don’t hesitate—think of him as your brother from today!” Yang Yunfeng said, smiling at the two.

Wei Yiming grinned at Yang Yunfeng. “You rascal!”

Du Long and Yue Xiaoshan obediently raised their cups and said respectfully, “A toast to Brother Yiming; we look forward to your guidance in the future!”

“Good! With Yunfeng’s introduction, you’re my brothers as well. If you ever run into trouble, come to me!” Wei Yiming responded with feigned generosity, clinking his cup with theirs.

To Wei Yiming, both Du Long and Du Wei were Du Cai’nian’s cousins, but one had been introduced by a friend, the other had not—the difference was clear.

“All right! You’ve offered your toast, now we should take our leave!” Yang Yunfeng said, turning to lead the two away without ceremony.

“This lovestruck rascal! I can never get him to come to gatherings, but the moment he hears Du Cai’nian will be here, he rushes over!” Wei Yiming shook his head with a wry smile as he watched Yang Yunfeng hurry back toward Du Cai’nian’s table.

“Brother Yunfeng, you and Brother Wei Yiming must be very close?” Du Long couldn’t help but ask on the way back.

“We’ve been friends since we were kids, even in the same class at the Imperial Royal Academy. Our relationship is solid. He’s unlike that Fan fellow—Wei Yiming’s very loyal to his friends, so don’t stand on ceremony with him,” Yang Yunfeng explained with a smile.

“I see.”