Madam Ye accepted the crystal-clear immortal herb, her fingertips lightly brushing its fine silver fuzz and feeling a faint coolness.
The herb's delicate fragrance lingered beneath her nose, as though it could calm one's mind.
She took a deep breath, anticipation and unease flickering in her eyes.
"Madam, you only need to consume it directly."
Old Wu spoke respectfully.
"The Young Master specifically instructed that this immortal herb has mild medicinal properties. There is no need to refine it into a pill; swallowing it directly produces the best effect."
Madam Ye nodded and gently placed the herb into her mouth.
The herb melted as soon as it entered her mouth, turning into a warm, gentle liquid that flowed down her throat.
In an instant, she felt a warm current coursing through her meridians. Wherever it passed, the hidden injuries accumulated over the years and her blocked meridians began to slowly loosen.
"Mm..."
Madam Ye gave a soft grunt and frowned slightly, but her brows soon relaxed.
She could clearly feel the warm current repairing the damaged meridians within her body. Even old wounds she had long forgotten were gradually healing.
Ye Zhentian watched his wife nervously, his hands unconsciously clenching into fists.
He could sense Madam Ye's aura gradually becoming steadier and stronger, with even a faint sign of a breakthrough.
"Madam, how do you feel?"
Ye Zhentian could not help asking.
Madam Ye did not answer immediately. Instead, she closed her eyes and focused, carefully sensing the changes within her body.
A moment later, she slowly opened her eyes, surprise flashing through them.
"My meridians... have completely recovered!"
Madam Ye's voice trembled slightly, clearly unable to suppress her excitement.
She raised her hand, gathering a ball of Soul Power in her palm. It was more condensed than before, and it even carried a faint golden glow.
"Not only that, but my Soul Power also seems to be on the verge of a breakthrough."
Madam Ye continued, her tone full of disbelief.
Upon hearing this, Ye Zhentian's face immediately lit up with wild joy.
He grabbed Madam Ye's hand and said excitedly.
"Wonderful! Your injuries have finally healed! That brat finally did something reliable!"
Ye Zhentian burst into laughter and patted Old Wu on the shoulder.
"Old Wu, you've rendered great service this time! When that boy returns, I'll definitely reward him properly!"
Old Wu hurriedly waved his hands and said modestly.
"You overpraise me, Family Head. This is all the Young Master's credit. I merely ran an errand."
Madam Ye smiled, then looked at the jade box in her hand and asked, "Zhentian, aren't you going to try your immortal herb?"
Only then did Ye Zhentian remember his own herb and quickly took it out of the jade box.
This immortal herb looked somewhat different from Madam Ye's. Its leaves were broader, its stem carried a faint golden hue, and the entire plant gave off a heavy, solemn feeling.
"The Young Master said this immortal herb can evolve the Family Head's Martial Soul into the divine beast Milu and grant control over ultimate power."
Ye Zhentian nodded, anticipation flashing through his eyes.
He took a deep breath and put the immortal herb into his mouth.
The instant it entered his mouth, he felt a vast surge of energy erupt within him, as though it were about to burst his body apart.
"Ugh!"
Ye Zhentian let out a muffled groan, cold sweat instantly appearing on his forehead.
He hurriedly sat down cross-legged, circulating his Soul Power and guiding the energy through his body.
Seeing this, Madam Ye and Old Wu quickly moved aside and watched Ye Zhentian anxiously.
As time passed, Ye Zhentian's aura gradually became powerful and profound.
The phantom of his Qilin Martial Soul slowly emerged behind him, but it began to change.
The Qilin's form gradually blurred before slowly becoming distinct again. When it finally solidified, a Martial Soul completely different from before appeared before everyone.
The Milu phantom emanated an ancient, majestic aura, as though it could suppress heaven and earth.
At that moment, Ye Zhentian's Soul Power also broke through its bottleneck, rising directly to level ninety-six!
"Success!"
Ye Zhentian abruptly opened his eyes, a trace of golden light flashing through them.
He rose to his feet, feeling the surging power within him, and could not help throwing back his head in a long roar.
"Ha ha ha! I never thought that in my lifetime, I, Ye Zhentian, would still be able to evolve my Martial Soul!"
Ye Zhentian laughed heartily, his voice brimming with boldness and joy.
He had originally believed that the Qilin Martial Soul was already a divine beast Martial Soul at the very pinnacle.
Yet he had never expected that one day, it could rise to an even higher level.
Madam Ye stepped forward and gently took his hand.
Old Wu also stepped forward and sighed.
"Family Head, the Young Master's growth has already exceeded our expectations."
Ye Zhentian took a deep breath and nodded solemnly.
"That's right. That boy is no longer a child who needs our protection."
"He has his own path to walk, and all we can do is support him with everything we have."
If he had still harbored some doubts before, he now completely believed in Ye Ruilin's future path.
Madam Ye smiled faintly, her eyes filled with relief.
Just then, hurried footsteps suddenly sounded outside the door.
A guard rushed in, dropped to one knee, and respectfully said, "Family Head, Madam, Second Master requests an audience!"
Ye Zhentian frowned, a chill flashing through his eyes. "What is he here for?"
Madam Ye gently patted his hand.
"Zhentian, since he is already here, let's see him."
Ye Zhentian nodded and said in a deep voice.
"Let him in!"
The guard answered and withdrew.
A moment later, Ye Zhenting strode inside.
There was a hint of arrogance on his face. His gaze swept over Ye Zhentian and Madam Ye before finally landing on Old Wu.
"Big Brother, Sister-in-law, isn't this the old servant who used to follow that boy of yours? Why has he suddenly returned? Could he no longer get by outside?"
Ye Zhenting spoke lightly, his tone carrying a hint of provocation.
Ye Zhentian sneered and replied without any courtesy.
"Second Brother, what business brings you here today?"
Since they had already torn off all pretenses last time, there was naturally no need to leave him any face.
Ye Zhentian smiled faintly, a cold gleam flashing through his eyes.
"I heard that Ye Ruilin seems to be very close to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. Big Brother, you haven't forgotten our family's identity, have you?"
"Why haven't you hurried up and brought him back?"
The Hidden Family never entered the world and never interfered in any worldly affairs.
If that brat had close ties to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect, it would be extremely unfavorable to him. He absolutely could not tolerate such a thing.
Upon hearing this, anger flashed through Ye Zhentian's eyes.
He was about to flare up, but Madam Ye gently tugged him back.
Madam Ye smiled faintly and spoke calmly.
"Second Brother, it was merely a fortunate coincidence that that brat was able to go to the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect."
"Our Hidden Family has never interfered in outside affairs. Second Brother, you may rest completely assured of that."
"As for what that brat wants to do, we parents are already getting old. It would not be appropriate for us to keep controlling him."
Ye Zhenting's expression darkened. He had clearly not expected the two of them to have no intention of calling the boy back at all.
He snorted coldly, his tone threatening.
"Big Brother, Sister-in-law, you had better think this through. In today's Ye Family, you are not the ones calling the shots!"
"If the family elders learn of this, I'm afraid it won't be as simple as merely bringing him back!"
Before you continue