Night quietly descended upon the world as cloisters and walkways shimmered with festive red lanterns, their glow casting warm hues across the estate. Lights twinkled everywhere, infusing the air with a rare sense of celebration.
Inside the great hall, the core members of the Ye family wore long-lost smiles. These had been difficult days—clouded with uncertainty and hardship—and such joyous occasions had become increasingly scarce.
At the head of the banquet table sat the family patriarch, Ye Zhengqing. A formidable elder in his seventies, his white hair and weathered face bore witness to the passage of time, yet his body remained strong and upright, his complexion radiant with health—a testament to his cultivation. The dignified aura that surrounded him was palpable.
Seated to his left were First Uncle Ye Hai, Second Uncle Ye Han, Ye Wei's father, and Little Uncle Ye Yu. To his right sat Little Aunt Ye Jingjing, alongside the cousins Ye Zhong, Ye Xuan, Ye Qiu, Ye Ling, and other juniors.
Ye Hai had already reached the Condensed Yuan stage, while Ye Han, Ye Wei's father, and Little Uncle Ye Yu were all ten-star warriors. As the younger generation, Ye Wei and his peers sat further down the table, tucked into corners near their elders' seats—still reliant on their family status for a place at the table. Yet despite the formality, the atmosphere was warm and familial, lacking the rigid hierarchy often found in other clans. Even the juniors could speak freely.
Ye Wei glanced at Ye Zhengqing. Though his grandfather still radiated strength, the faint exhaustion beneath his brows did not escape him. The recent troubles must have weighed heavily on the old man's spirit.
Ye Wei felt a pang in his chest. If only he could do something to help...
"We haven't held a family feast in over three months," Ye Zhengqing's voice rang out, firm and clear. "Tonight's banquet is to celebrate Jingjing's breakthrough—she's now a seven-star warrior!"
Pride lit his eyes as he clapped a hand on his youngest daughter's shoulder. He looked around the room and declared, "I hope every junior in the Ye family strives to shine. Our future rests in your hands."
"Congratulations, little sister! Another seven-star warrior joins the family. Come—big brother offers a toast!" Ye Hai stood first, raising his glass with a wide smile.
"You're already a Condensed Yuan powerhouse. I've still got a long way to go," Ye Jingjing replied cheerfully, clinking her glass with his and drinking heartily.
"Maybe not as strong as big brother, but faster than I was! Come, second brother will toast you too!" Ye Han laughed and followed suit.
"Thank you both," Ye Jingjing responded with the easy confidence that had become her trademark. Despite being twenty-six and unmarried, she showed none of the demure traits expected of women. She was bold, efficient, and fierce—more like a general than a lady. When the elders were away, it was often Ye Jingjing who took charge, tending to family matters with poise and precision.
Ye Wei remembered her once saying that she might never marry—her only commitment was to the Ye family. Back then, he'd thought she was joking. Now, understanding the burden she bore, his eyes misted with emotion.
She would never allow the Ye family to fade into obscurity.
"Eat!" Ye Zhengqing, observing the harmony at the table, smiled and raised his chopsticks.
Although laughter and chatter filled the hall, an unspoken heaviness lingered. The family's crisis still hung over them like a storm cloud. But for tonight, at least, they allowed themselves a brief escape from worry.
After eating, Ye Wei excused himself and stepped outside. The night breeze cooled his face as he wandered, deep in thought.
How could he use the divine knowledge in his mind to help the family?
If he could leverage Lin Ziyan's recommendation, perhaps he could become a disciple of Master Yi—one of Qingyue City's three great Divine Masters. If that happened, perhaps the Ye family's crisis could be reversed.
Ye Wei clenched his fists. He had to try.
Just then, he heard footsteps approaching. It was First Uncle Ye Hai, walking briskly in his direction.
Of all his uncles, Ye Hai had always been the harshest. He never showed Ye Wei much affection, and every encounter left Ye Wei on edge.
Instinctively, Ye Wei lowered his head and tried to slip away.
"Ye Wei, stop." Ye Hai's voice rang with authority. He was clearly not in the mood to let things slide.
"Uncle..." Ye Wei murmured, stepping hesitantly forward.
"You're supposed to be at Nanxing Academy. Why are you back today?" Ye Hai's eyes narrowed, his tone stern.
"I..." Ye Wei began.
"Did you run away again? At this rate, how will you ever become even a two-star apprentice?" Ye Hai scolded. "You're the weakest among your peers. Look at your cousins—they're all ahead of you."
Ye Wei almost responded—I've already broken through to two-star—but held his tongue. Looking into Ye Hai's disapproving gaze, he simply said, "Yes, I'll try harder."
He didn't need to argue. He would prove himself through action, not words.
Ye Hai's face softened slightly. "Forget it. Just go. Times are hard. You juniors need to work harder."
Ye Wei nodded and quickly walked away. The disappointment in his uncle's eyes was like a spark in his chest, igniting a fierce resolve.
In your eyes, I've always been the weakest. One day, I'll make you see me differently.
As he passed a courtyard wall, Ye Wei stopped. In the distance, he spotted his grandfather, Ye Zhengqing, walking alongside Second Uncle Ye Han—both of them heading toward Ye Hai. Their faces were serious.
Curious, Ye Wei slowed down and took cover behind the wall, eavesdropping silently.
The three elders stood under the moonlight—solemn and upright. They were the backbone of the Ye family.
"Ye Hai," Zhengqing said quietly, "what's the situation with the divine scroll business?"
Ye Hai exhaled. "Prices have dropped by 30%, but we still aren't getting any buyers. Business is dead."
He paused before adding, "The Du family's divine scrolls are crafted by the chief disciple of a Divine Master. They can unleash 100% of the power of their original spell. Ours can only manage 20%. Even with lower prices, we can't compete."
His voice was heavy with defeat. "I've tried everything, but there's no saving it."
From his hiding place, Ye Wei was struck by the weariness in Ye Hai's voice. The man who always seemed so harsh now sounded utterly worn down.
"And the Dao artifact trade?" Ye Zhengqing turned to Ye Han.
"The Du family cut their prices by 40%. We only sold two pieces in the last two months," Ye Han replied grimly. "Master Yi's disciples have already warned us—if our performance doesn't improve, they'll revoke our agency rights and give them to someone else."
Ye Wei's heart tightened.
The two most profitable businesses of the Ye family—the divine scrolls and Dao artifacts—weren't even their own products. They were agents for others. Now, even that lifeline was slipping away.
"To think we were once one of the three great families in Qingyue City..." Ye Han muttered.
"They're pushing us to the brink," Ye Hai growled. "The Du family is going too far."