Ye Jingwen was true to his word. From that day on, he sparred with Mo Tiange in the Martial Practice Hall every day, honing their combat skills. As a Sword Cultivator, he was naturally obsessed with martial contests and had considerable expertise in Dharma Combat. Sparring with him, Mo Tiange's combat techniques improved rapidly.
Over a month later, relying on the advantage of her magical treasures, Mo Tiange managed to win two out of three bouts. Greatly stimulated by this, Ye Jingwen decided to return to seclusion.
Thus, the ten-year period ended. Dao Lord Jinghe instructed Mo Tiange that, having been in seclusion for so long and with her cultivation sufficient, she could now leave the mountain to travel and gain experience.
After settling her miscellaneous affairs and sealing her cave dwelling, Mo Tiange soon left Mount Taikang with Ye Zhenji.
The Tianji Region comprised over a dozen kingdoms. The Wei Kingdom was located in the central continent, with Jin and Yan to the east, and Qin and Chu to the west. It was surrounded by powerful enemies.
For this reason, the Wei Kingdom supported several Immortal Masters and had even enfeoffed several retired cultivation families as marquises to ensure peace.
Descending from Western Kunwu, it took only a few days for Mo Tiange to bring Ye Zhenji to Tong'an City in the Wei Kingdom.
Tong'an City was not only the largest city in the Wei Kingdom but also the transportation hub of the entire Tianji Region. Situated at the border between north and south, built along a river, it was accessible by both land and water. It connected westward to the Qin Mountains and Chu lands, and eastward to the plains of Jin and Yan, making its geographical position extremely important. Consequently, Tong'an City's prosperity was also among the greatest in all of Tianji.
Somewhat awkwardly, Ye Zhenji had left home when he was too young and simply couldn't remember where the Ye family was located. Fortunately, the Ye family held the secular title of Marquis of Changning in the Wei Kingdom. Asking along the way, they quickly found the Ye residence.
In Tong'an City, the east was wealthy, the west noble, the south poor, and the north lowly. The Ye family, being of noble rank, lived in the western district.
The two found their way to the western district, where vermilion gates of grand households and stone guardian lions were everywhere. Among these prominent families, the Ye residence was also quite conspicuous, with a plaque above the gate inscribed with the four characters: "Marquis of Changning Residence."
Seeing this, Ye Zhenji was overjoyed and immediately wanted to enter. Unexpectedly, the gatekeeper servant stopped him, saying with a haughty expression, "This is the Marquis of Changning Residence. Idlers are not permitted to enter."
Ye Zhenji was taken aback. Mo Tiange, standing behind him, couldn't help but want to laugh. In the mortal world, most judged by appearances. Although Ye Zhenji looked like a dashing young man, his clothing was simple and his bearing lacked the noble air of a young master. These gatekeeper servants naturally assumed he was a commoner and never imagined he was their own young master.
After his initial shock, Ye Zhenji cried out, "What idler? This is my home! I'm from the Ye family!"
One of the servants glanced at him sideways, still using that haughty tone, "Shoo, shoo! Don't come here to cause trouble if you have nothing to do!"
Ye Zhenji grew anxious and angrily said, "My surname is Ye, my given name is Zhenji! Go and report to the Marquis!"
Only after he gave his name did those servants look at him seriously.
"He's surnamed Ye... could he really be..."
"Just being surnamed Ye doesn't mean he's from our family."
"But what if he is?"
The servants muttered among themselves for a while. Finally, one said, "You wait here. I'll go in and report." Although he agreed, there was no respect in his manner.
Suppressing his temper, Ye Zhenji glanced at Mo Tiange. Seeing her calm expression, he reluctantly nodded. After the servant went in, he walked over to Mo Tiange's side and said apologetically, "...Senior Aunt, the servants at home are disgraceful. I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you to wait a while."
Mo Tiange didn't say anything, just smiled. She actually found it interesting. In truth, people in the cultivation world were the same; it was just that they judged not by others' clothing but by their cultivation level.
Not long after, hurried footsteps were heard. The two looked up to see an old man wearing a python robe leading a group of people, rushing urgently toward the main gate. The servant who had gone to report followed behind them, nervously wiping sweat from his face.
Seeing this old man, Mo Tiange had already guessed his identity. Sure enough, as soon as Ye Zhenji saw this person, an expression of both excitement and hesitation appeared on his face.
He had left home at nine years old; now, over eleven years later, the child of that time had become the young man before them. Facing his elder, he felt the trepidation of returning home.
"Zhen'er!" From the crowd, a noblewoman rushed out. Disregarding the pearls and jade adorning her person, she stumbled forward.
The moment Ye Zhenji saw her, he froze.
The woman threw herself against him, hugging him and weeping bitterly. "Zhen'er, my Zhen'er! You've finally returned!"
Ye Zhenji's lips trembled. It took him a long moment to cry out, "Mother!" Tears also streamed down his face.
Mo Tiange stood behind, watching their family reunion, the tearful greetings, and inwardly sighed.
When you thought about it, this was also her family clan. It was just that no familial affection existed between them, which was why she remained so detached.
A long time later, after Ye Zhenji had met all his relatives, he remembered she was standing to the side. He hurriedly wiped the tears from his face and came over to invite her. "...Senior Aunt, I... these are my family members."
Hearing him call her Senior Aunt, the Ye family members quickly composed themselves and looked over.
Mo Tiange had already swept her spiritual sense over them. Among the Ye family members, there were several cultivators, but they all possessed only extremely weak Spirit Roots. The highest cultivation was only Qi Refining Level Three, precisely that leading old man.
These few cultivators, sensing the cultivation level she subtly revealed, all wore expressions of respect on their faces. They had already asked and knew Ye Zhenji was now at Qi Refining Level Ten. Hearing him call her Senior Aunt, they knew Mo Tiange must be at least a Foundation Establishment cultivator. Although she looked only eighteen or nineteen, they dared not show any neglect.
"Senior Aunt, let me introduce you. This is my family's Head Grandfather." Ye Zhenji led Mo Tiange before the leading old man and said.
This old man's hair was graying, but his spirit was excellent. After all, he was a Qi Refining Level Three cultivator who had lived in the mortal world for many years and had considerable experience. He respectfully cupped his hands. "This humble old man is Ye Cheng, unworthily serving as the head of the Ye family. Greetings, Senior."
So this was the Ye Cheng Second Uncle had mentioned. In terms of seniority, he was several generations below her. Mo Tiange accepted this calmly, merely nodding in return.
Ye Zhenji continued to lead her to the next middle-aged man. "This is my father."
"This junior is Ye Zhun. Greetings, Senior."
This person was also a cultivator, though only at Qi Refining Level One.
Ye Zhenji then pointed to the woman who had just hugged him weeping. "This is my mother."
The noblewoman, her face full of gratitude, performed a curtsy. "Senior has taken great care of our Zhen'er. This humble wife is endlessly grateful."
Only then did Mo Tiange raise her hand slightly. "Madam, there's no need for such courtesy. Since I am his senior from his sect, it is only right that I look after him."
Several more people followed, each paying their respects to her.
Another long while later, after the greetings were finished, Ye Cheng solemnly invited Mo Tiange to be seated in the main hall. He dismissed the extra people, leaving only a few important figures to keep them company.
Once seated, Ye Cheng said to Ye Zhenji, "Zhen'er, why didn't you introduce your Senior Aunt more?"
Earlier, when meeting his many relatives, Ye Zhenji had only said Mo Tiange was his Senior Aunt who took good care of him. This time, because he wanted to come down the mountain, she had specially escorted him.
Hearing this, Ye Zhenji hurriedly stood up. "Head Grandfather, this Senior Aunt... is the Closing-Door Disciple of my Patriarch Jinghe. My master has been in seclusion all along, and it has always been Senior Aunt Mo who has been instructing me. She is, in truth, my teaching master."
"Oh?" Hearing this, the gazes of everyone in the hall toward Mo Tiange also changed. Put that way, though called Senior Aunt, she was no different from a master. Moreover, she was the Closing-Door Disciple of a Nascent Soul Patriarch of the Xuanqing Sect. One could imagine how high her natural talent and how esteemed her status must be, far beyond what weak cultivators like them who couldn't remain in Kunwu could fathom.
Ye Cheng stood up again. "So Senior has shown such great kindness to our Zhen'er. This humble old man thanks you here."
"There's no need for that," Mo Tiange said with a smile. "Zhenji is a sensible and courteous child. Although his natural talent is somewhat lacking, he is diligent and eager to learn. Sooner or later, he will achieve great things."
Receiving such praise from Mo Tiange, Ye Cheng was thrilled. "If that can be so, it will be his good fortune and also Senior's merit."
After such pleasantries, Ye Cheng asked again, "I wonder if Senior has come to the mortal world on some business? Although this humble old man's cultivation is lowly, in the mortal world I hold some status. Perhaps I can help Senior inquire about some information."
"This... I've come to the mortal world without any particular important business. I'm just out traveling to gain experience."
"Is that so? Senior must rarely come to the mortal world, right? Our Ye family has long resided in the mortal world and knows many of its unusual affairs. If Senior doesn't mind, this humble old man can introduce a few to you." Ye Cheng was very enthusiastic.
Mo Tiange thought for a moment, then smiled and nodded. "In that case, I'll trouble you."
"No trouble, no trouble," Ye Cheng said repeatedly. "Senior has come from faraway Kunwu and must be tired. How about staying at my humble abode for now? A little later, this humble old man will deliver all the information our family has collected into Senior's hands."
Mo Tiange had never been fond of dealing with people in this manner and readily agreed, taking her leave first.
Watching Mo Tiange leave, Ye Cheng suddenly asked, "Zhen'er, what exactly is the identity of this Senior Aunt of yours?"
Ye Zhenji was startled, somewhat flustered. "Head Grandfather, she... she is just my Senior Aunt!"
"She is a Foundation Establishment cultivator?"
"Yes. Senior Aunt was in seclusion for five years and just reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment mid-stage. Now, following Patriarch's orders, she has left the mountain to travel, precisely to temper her state of mind so she can break through to the Foundation Establishment late-stage."
"I see..." Ye Cheng frowned slightly. "How old is this Senior? What is her aptitude? With only Foundation Establishment cultivation, she was actually accepted as a disciple by your Nascent Soul Patriarch?"
Ye Zhenji looked at Ye Cheng's expression and, seeing no suspicion, felt more at ease. He answered, "Senior Aunt... should be thirty-seven. I'm not very clear on her Spirit Root. I only know it's a very special type, not inferior to a single Spirit Root."
"Thirty-seven?!" Ye Cheng was profoundly moved. Thirty-seven years old, peak Foundation Establishment mid-stage cultivation—no wonder she could be accepted as a disciple by a Nascent Soul cultivator. She was undoubtedly a heaven-defying talent!
"Zhen'er, what is your relationship with this Senior Aunt of yours like?"
Ye Zhenji thought for a moment and answered, "Ever since I entered my master's tutelage, it has been Senior Aunt who personally instructed me. To say Senior Aunt is my master would not be incorrect."
"Then does your Senior Aunt have any other disciples?"
"No. Senior Aunt is still young. She was only instructing me on behalf of my master. She has no disciples."
Hearing this, Ye Cheng stroked his beard, lost in thought for a moment, then suddenly said gravely, "Zhen'er, from now on, you must work hard to get close to your Senior Aunt. With your Senior Aunt's current age and cultivation, and being the Closing-Door Disciple of a Nascent Soul Patriarch, her future prospects are boundless. If you befriend her, there will certainly be benefits!"
Ye Zhenji knew these words from his Head Grandfather were spoken for his sake, but they truly displeased him. He was already close to his aunt; it wasn't because of any benefits.
"Head Grandfather, Senior Aunt genuinely treats me well, and I genuinely respect her. Don't worry. Senior Aunt and I have always had a very good relationship."