Ye Zhong was slow to return to the situation, sensing that the "White Tiger Killing" was stronger than ever before. He couldn't help but glance deeply at Ye Wei.
Luck? Coincidence?
The White Tiger Killing Divine Art contained a total of one hundred and thirty-six divine runes. To casually alter one and perfectly complete the technique? Impossible!
The roar of a tiger echoed through the Ye family estate. Ye Zhengqing and the others turned sharply, eyes drawn toward Ye Zhong's courtyard.
"I didn't expect the child to break through again. That tiger's roar was sharper and more forceful than before!" Ye Zhengqing's expression lit up with pride.
"Good child! With talent like his, it won't be long before he revitalizes the entire family!" Ye Hao and the others shared in the joy.
News of Ye Zhong's cultivation breakthrough spread quickly, inspiring admiration among the younger generation. Ye Zhong had long been the benchmark they all strove toward.
His hands still trembling slightly, Ye Zhong recalled the process of unleashing the White Tiger Killing. Ye Wei had reversed just two divine runes—and the effect was like divine intervention. Altering any others wouldn't have worked.
The White Tiger Killing Divine Art was passed down from their ancestors, perfected through countless generations. Yet Ye Wei had identified its flaws at a glance!
"Xiaowei," Ye Zhong's voice was taut with emotion as he grabbed Ye Wei's shoulders, eyes locked onto his cousin's. "Tell me the truth. Don't say it was luck. You know I won't believe it!"
Ye Wei met his cousin's gaze calmly, scratched his head, and said, a bit embarrassed, "I don't really know either. The academy instructor said my soul is unusually strong… I might have the talent to become a Divine Rune Master."
"A Divine Rune Master?!" Ye Zhong's mind went blank, stunned by the words.
His younger cousin, still only at the Red Rank, actually had the potential to become a Divine Rune Master?
Gripping Ye Wei's shoulders tighter, he asked again with disbelief, "Is that true?"
Ye Wei nodded. "Yeah."
That casual adjustment of a rune had already convinced Ye Zhong—and yet, it still felt like a dream.
The talent of a Divine Rune Master!
In all of Qingyue City, there were only three true masters. Even among their disciples, barely a few dozen existed. Divine Rune Masters were held in the highest regard. Even the patriarchs of the three great families had to show them respect.
Who wouldn't eventually need their help?
Their very presence commanded the loyalty of countless powerful cultivators.
Among tens of thousands, not one person might possess a soul strong enough to qualify!
Yet Ye Wei did.
How could Ye Zhong not be shocked?
From now on, who would dare call Ye Wei talentless? Those who once mocked him were simply blind to gold hidden in stone. Ye Wei was the true genius of the Ye clan.
And if one day he became a Divine Rune Master, who would dare bully the Ye family? Who would dare scheme against them? Du Clan? Even they would hesitate. The authority of a Divine Rune Master rivaled that of a Seven-Star Martial Grandmaster!
No one would dare challenge a family that had one in its ranks.
Ye Zhong's thoughts swirled. If his grandfather and father found out… they'd be overjoyed. The Ye family had been suppressed for far too long.
"Anyone who calls my little brother trash again—I'll knock their teeth out!" Ye Zhong clenched his fist and grinned, the gloom in his heart cleared away.
"Even if I have the talent, I still need to reach the realm of a Seven-Star Apprentice before I can perfect or create my own techniques. At my current pace, that'll take ten or even twenty years. Our clan still depends on you, Brother," Ye Wei said humbly. He was well aware of his limitations—without strength, talent meant little.
"Do Uncle, Aunt, or Grandfather know?" Ye Zhong took a deep breath, trying to steady himself.
"I haven't told them yet. I'll tell them soon." Ye Wei's voice was calm. It wouldn't change anything right now anyway.
"You should, but be cautious. Don't let word get out!" Ye Zhong's tone grew serious. If the Du Clan learned of Ye Wei's potential, they'd never let him grow. His talent had to remain hidden—for now.
"Got it," Ye Wei nodded. He wasn't even sure of his limits yet. Lin Ziyan had promised to introduce him to Master Yi. He still had to pass the master's test.
Ye Zhong clapped Ye Wei on the shoulder, grinning. "Before you tell Grandpa, if you need anything—cultivation resources, whatever—just say the word. I've got your back!"
"Thanks, Brother."
"No need for thanks between family!" Ye Zhong laughed heartily. Ye Wei had the talent of a Divine Rune Master, and tonight he had helped perfect the White Tiger Killing. Zhong's heart was lighter than ever.
"There's still a problem with one of the runes," Ye Wei said solemnly. "Fixing it won't be easy. I'll need your full cooperation."
"Another one?" Ye Zhong's eyes widened. The technique was already at the peak of high-level divine arts—could it really go even further?
Could it reach the level of Forbidden Arts? Or even the elusive 'Profound Grade'?
Ye Zhong wasn't strong enough to wield Profound-grade powers—his vitality couldn't sustain them. But if the White Tiger Killing truly ascended to that level, it would trigger divine recognition. That heavenly force could enhance his cultivation and soul directly!
Perfecting a technique and raising its grade would earn the reward of the heavens—immense, pure power that took most people decades to gain.
And if the perfected technique was your own creation, you could carry that breakthrough into the next realm!
"Let's not waste time!" Ye Zhong said urgently. In three days, he would be dueling Du Clan's genius. If the White Tiger Killing advanced, it might change everything.
"What should we do?" he asked eagerly.
"I'm not sure how to perfect it yet," Ye Wei admitted. "We'll need to try a few combinations. I'll monitor the flow of vitality and make judgments from there."
"Got it. I'll follow your lead!" Ye Zhong nodded without hesitation.
The two cousins exchanged smiles. Beneath the starlit sky, they began working together to improve the White Tiger Killing.
Ye Wei, with the experience of perfecting Lin Ziyan's "Three Tides Force," now had complete mastery over the structure of divine runes—and was ready to forge something greater still.