9: Family ascension

Before the Yun Family's main gate, after a moment of deathly silence, a volcano-like eruption of noise broke out!

The Yun Family Disciples and guards looked at the pile of scrap metal on the ground and Ye Hong, whose fate was unknown in the distant pit, then back at the harmless-looking Yun Feng. The fervor in their eyes was almost burning.

"Feng'er... you..." Family Head Yun Fengs Grandfather's voice still trembled with excitement, disbelief, and a hint of cautious inquiry. At this moment, Yun Feng was no longer a grandson in need of protection in his eyes, but the true pillar of the Yun Family!

Yun Feng smiled slightly, still maintaining his gentle demeanor, but his words carried an unquestionable power: "Grandfather, Elders, this is a minor matter, there is no need to panic. If the Ye Family dares to come again, we will simply wipe them out."

"Simply wipe them out!"

These four casually spoken words seemed to carry the clashing sound of iron and blood, causing a great shock in the hearts of all the Yun Family's higher-ups, followed by an unprecedented surge of pride! With such a powerful expert guarding them, why fear the Ye Family?!

"Good! Good! Good!" Yun Fengs Grandfather said "good" three times, tears streaming down his old face. "Heaven bless my Yun Family! Feng'er, from this day forward, all the Yun Family's resources are at your disposal! All Family decisions will be led by you!"

"Grandfather, you overstate it." Yun Feng supported his excited grandfather. "I am still Yun Feng, a Disciple of the Yun Family. For now, let's deal with the matter at hand, and then we will close the doors and properly 'sublimate' the Family."

He specifically emphasized the word "sublimate," a deep light flashing in his eyes.

Soon, Ye Hong was dragged away like a dead dog, thrown back to the edge of the Sacred Aristocratic Family's sphere of influence along with the crippled guards. The area before the Yun Family's gate was quickly cleared, leaving only the metal scraps silently recounting the horror that had just occurred.

The news swept through the entire City of Radiance like a hurricane!

"Have you heard? That kid named Yun Feng from the Yun Family crippled Shen Hong of the Ye Family with a single kick!"

"More than just crippled! I heard all the guards Ye Hong brought were also maimed! Even the Yun Family's gate was turned into powder!"

"Is that true? When did the Yun Family produce such a ruthless person? Weren't they a declining Family?"

"It's absolutely true! Many people saw it at the time! That Yun Feng didn't use any Soul Power at all, he just stepped down like that... it was too terrifying!"

Every faction was shaken, especially the Ye Family.

Inside the Ye Family manor, the atmosphere in the council hall was suffocatingly oppressive.

Family Head looked at Ye Hong on the stretcher, whose bones were all shattered and who had only a breath left. His face turned ashen, and his fists clenched until they cracked. The Ye Family Elders below also looked grim, their eyes filled with shock, anger, and a hint of... fear.

"Investigate! Investigate thoroughly! What is the background of that Yun Feng?! What kind of evil technique is he using?!" Family Head's voice was like a wind blowing through winter, bone-chillingly cold.

"Family Head, it has already been investigated. Yun Feng is an ordinary Disciple of the Yun Family. His parents are both low-level Family managers. Previously, his Aptitude was mediocre and his personality was cowardly. Recently, for some reason, he suddenly became... unfathomable," an Elder reported in a raspy voice.

"Suddenly became unfathomable?" Family Head's eyes were sinister. "Could he have obtained some Heaven-Defying Legacy? Or was he subjected to Possession by some old monster?"

"No matter who he is, he must pay the price for insulting my Ye Family like this!" another hot-tempered Elder roared.

"Price? What price?" a relatively calm Elder asked in return. "Crippling a five-star Gold Rank with one kick, shattering a refined iron gate with a flick of a finger, yet showing no Soul Power fluctuations... This level of strength is at least Gold Rank Peak, or even... Black Gold Rank?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell into a dead silence. Black Gold Rank was the top combat power in the City of Radiance, and the Ye Family only had one Family Head who was at the Black Gold Rank.

Provoke a suspected Black Gold Rank, or perhaps even stronger existence? For the sake of a Shen Hong?

Family Head fell silent, his full-blown rage gradually extinguished by the cold reality. He waved his hand and said wearily, "Take Shen Hong down for treatment first. Regarding the Yun Family... for now... do nothing, but keep them under close surveillance."

For the first time, when facing a "declining Family," the Ye Family chose to retreat and endure.

Unlike the oppressive fear of the Ye Family, the Yun Family at this moment was a scene of jubilation and bustling activity!

Yun Family, Core Secret Chamber.

Yun Feng sat in the main seat, while Yun Fengs Grandfather and the various Elders sat on either side, their attitudes respectful, like Disciples listening to teachings.

"Grandfather, Elders, the Ye Family is not a concern for now," Yun Feng said calmly. "The priority is to improve the Family's overall strength. I have some means to help the Family 'sublimate'."

Having said that, his gaze swept over some of the Family's treasures displayed in the secret chamber—several Black Iron Rank weapons, a few bottles of Medicinal Pills, and some cultivation Materials.

He extended a finger and tapped the air.

[Sublimation complete! Black Iron High Grade 'Green Peak Sword' -> Silver Low Grade 'Flowing Light Sword'. Sharpness and Soul Power conductivity have been significantly improved.]

[Sublimation complete! Black Iron Top Grade 'Qi Gathering Pill' -> Silver Low Grade 'Essence Condensing Pill'. Efficacy increased threefold, with fewer Impurities.]

[Sublimation complete! Hundred-Year Blood Ginseng -> Three-Hundred-Year Blood Ginseng (qualitative change in efficacy). Blood and Qi nourishing effects have skyrocketed.]

...No contact, no light, just a tap in the air. Under the System rules triggered by his Divine Sense, those items instantly completed a qualitative leap!

"This... this is..." An Elder picked up the shimmering longsword, feeling the power within it that far exceeded what it once was, his hands trembling.

"Turning stone into gold! Turning the mundane into the miraculous!" Another Elder held the fragrant Essence Condensing Pill, his beard quivering with excitement.

Yun Fengs Grandfather stood up abruptly, looking at Yun Feng as if looking at a deity descended to the mortal realm. "Feng'er! You... you actually have such heaven-reaching means!"

Yun Feng smiled indifferently. "Just some minor tricks, not worth mentioning. From today on, Core Disciples can exchange for sublimated resources based on their contributions. I will periodically 'process' all the basic Materials in the storehouse."

He paused and continued, "Furthermore, I have observed the Family's 'Cloud Water Art' Cultivation Technique; there is still room for improvement."

With a thought, the vast sea of cultivation knowledge naturally emerged in his mind. Combining it with his understanding of the rules of this world, he instantly deduced, completed, and optimized the Gold Rank Cultivation Technique inherited by the Yun Family, the "Cloud Water Art"!

Using his fingers as a pen and Soul Power as ink, he quickly drew in the air. Mysterious and complex runes and circulation routes appeared out of thin air, emitting a Dao Rhyme that was infinitely deeper and more majestic than the original "Cloud Water Art"!

A moment later, a brand-new Cultivation Technique took shape, turning into a stream of light that entered Yun Fengs Grandfather's forehead.

Yun Fengs Grandfather's body shook violently. He closed his eyes to digest it for a moment, then snapped them open. A sharp light burst from his eyes, and his aura rose noticeably!

"This... this is... beyond Gold Rank?! It points directly to the Legendary Dao?!" His voice was hoarse, filled with endless wild joy and shock!

Hearing this, the Elders were even more excited and could hardly contain themselves!

A Cultivation Technique! It is the Foundation of a Family! With a Cultivation Technique that points directly to the Legendary rank, how could the Yun Family not prosper?!

"This Cultivation Technique is named the 'Cloud Sea Dragon Ascension Manual,' and it shall serve as the Family's core Legacy," Yun Feng said calmly, as if he had only done something insignificant.

In the following days, the Yun Family entered a fast track of rapid development.

Core Disciples used sublimated weapons and Medicinal Pills, practicing the improved and powerful Cultivation Technique, and their strength advanced by leaps and bounds.

The Materials in the storehouse were sublimated in batches by Yun Feng. The equipment forged and the Medicinal Pills refined were of far higher quality than those on the market, and they began to be exchanged for vast wealth and scarce resources through secret channels.

The entire Yun Family seemed to be injected with a surge of majestic vitality, transforming and growing stronger at an unprecedented speed!

And Yun Feng presided over the Family like a stabilizing force. He occasionally "guided" the clansmen in their cultivation. His sharp insight and profound views often hit the mark, providing sudden enlightenment and bringing the clansmen's respect for him to its Peak.

He no longer needed to deliberately "play the pig," because his strength was already like the bright moon in the sky, impossible to hide. Yet his gentleness and care for his clansmen remained as they always were.

Decisiveness in killing is for external enemies, while Family warmth is for internal kin. On this point, he was always clear.

One day, Yun Feng was sipping tea in the courtyard, but his Divine Sense enveloped the entire city.

He "saw" that the Ye Family manor had strengthened its security, the atmosphere heavy; he "saw" someone secretly spying from the direction of the City Lord's Mansion; and he "saw" that the Sacred Aristocratic Family also seemed to have some unusual movements.

He gently set down his teacup, a cold arc curling at the corners of his mouth.

"Is a storm coming? Just as well, my blade has just been sharpened and needs testing."

"Nie Li... I expect you should be taking action soon as well? It's time to thoroughly muddy the waters of this City of Radiance."