Willing to Die for the Qiao Household!

"Third Sister is practically a genius. I heard she only watched you perform the Body Tempering Technique once?"

Within Bamboo Garden, Qiao Wuwang stared at Yang Yi with shining eyes, his words pouring forth in an endless stream.

Knowing that Yang Yi had emerged from seclusion today, he had deliberately come over. The moment he arrived, he began praising Yang Ya's abilities to Yang Yi.

Even now, Yang Yi was still somewhat dazed.

After asking Yang Yong earlier, he had confirmed that the one who had taught him cultivation during this period had truly been Yang Ya.

But when she had taught him that day, Yang Yong had at least experienced it firsthand. Yang Ya, being so young, had merely watched from the side.

And just from that, she had grasped every key point of an entire set of the Body Tempering Technique?

What was more, Yang Ya had even given Qiao Wuwang some guidance in his recent cultivation, allowing him to achieve complete mastery of the Body Tempering Technique.

Such talent and comprehension could no longer be summed up by the word "genius."

"My little sister has been clever since she was young." Yang Yi finally accepted this astonishing reality and lifted a hand as broad as a cattail fan to rub Yang Ya's head.

Yang Ya narrowed her eyes, her face full of delight.

Yang Yi was not merely boasting about his own family. Yang Ya had indeed displayed her intelligence from childhood; it was only that her circumstances had previously limited her, leaving her with no chance to reveal it.

Her cleverness was not limited to memorizing the entire Body Tempering Technique after watching it once. These days, aside from teaching Yang Yong cultivation, she spent most of her remaining time in the outer city, learning how to do business from the shopkeepers.

According to Qiao Wuwang, that shopkeeper had said more than once that Yang Ya's talent for business was terrifyingly high. Even if he left now, Yang Ya alone would be enough to keep the shop running.

"How did that little head of hers grow like this?" Qiao Wuwang looked at Yang Ya with envy. If he possessed Yang Ya's talent and comprehension, he would probably have reached Lan Blood long ago.

"Right, I should also thank Third Young Master for putting so much thought into my family's affairs."

Qiao Wuwang had found a shopkeeper for his eldest uncle's side, and that had been an enormous help.

At that, he waved his hand. "Third Sister guided my cultivation and saved me from taking countless detours. What does such a small matter amount to?"

Qiao Wuwang stayed a while longer before finally taking his leave.

Yang Yong and Yang Ya also left, intending to help their parents manage the shop in the outer city.

Yang Yi was left behind to cultivate.

Although he could no longer have the same terrifying cultivation efficiency as before after leaving the Yin-Yang Pool, cultivation required perseverance. Only then could grains of sand pile up into a tower.

The Myriad-Treasure Dew was already gone. Fortunately, there was still some silver at home, and Yang Yi took it to the Medicine Pavilion to buy fewer than ten bottles.

Something felt strange today.

Yang Yi had only performed the Body Tempering Technique twice before an intense exhaustion rose within him, even though he felt that his mental strength still had some reserve left.

On second thought, he had cultivated without sleep or rest for a full ten days in the Yin-Yang Pool. It was only with the Yin-Yang Pool's wondrous effects that his spirit had remained constantly full of vigor.

Now that he had left the Yin-Yang Pool and lost that miraculous support, the exhaustion that had accumulated before was likely erupting all at once.

He was still flesh and blood in the end. Mental vigor alone could not replace genuine rest.

So this situation should have been perfectly normal.

He went with the flow, had the servants prepare a great deal of food, then went into his room to sleep after eating.

That sleep lasted until broad daylight the next day.

For the next several days, Yang Yi remained in that groggy state. Each day, he only practiced the Body Tempering Technique twice, using the rest of his time to hone his martial skills.

It took a full four or five days before he completely recovered.

The shops in the outer fort had begun making money, though not much. Fortunately, Yang Yi's monthly stipend as a Grade-A Attendant had been issued, giving him extra silver. Otherwise, he and Yang Yong truly would have had no Myriad-Treasure Dew to use.

Two more days later, Qiao Wuwang came running over.

"Brother, I'm going into the Yin-Yang Pool to cultivate next. I'm preparing to try breaking through to Lan Blood."

"Oh? Then congratulations, Third Young Master." Yang Yi was happy for him.

Qiao Wuwang was twenty this year and had cultivated for a little over two years. For clan disciples like them, this cultivation progress was considered rather fast.

"You should make preparations over the next couple of days. From what I gathered from Eldest Sister, you may need to make a trip outside." Qiao Wuwang then reminded Yang Yi of another matter.

Yang Yi raised a brow and nodded. "I understand."

He was an Attendant of the Qiao Household and had gained quite a few benefits these days. Though most had been earned through his own efforts, the Qiao Household would eventually need him to contribute. They could not keep supporting him for nothing.

Yang Yi had long been prepared for this, so naturally he did not resist it.

"Do you know where we're going?" Yang Yi asked.

"Clearwind City."

"Clearwind City?" Yang Yi found the name somewhat familiar.

"The Clearwind City Shen Qian came from."

Only then did Yang Yi understand. He had heard Qiao Yaoyao mention it at Xiude Hall that day.

"We'll probably have to fight people on this trip. Brother, when you're out there, protect yourself well. If you can't win, run. So long as the green hills remain, there'll always be firewood to burn—especially since you've only been practicing martial skills for a short time... Speaking of martial skills, how's your training coming along?"

He suddenly remembered that the three martial skills he had found for Yang Yi back then were all extremely difficult to cultivate.

"So-so," Yang Yi replied casually.

Qiao Wuwang could not help regretting it. He should not have found those three martial skills for Yang Yi back then; by now, it was too late to switch them out.

In that case, he could only have others look after Yang Yi more closely. At the very least, Yang Yi had to return alive.

No, he had to hurry and speak to Eldest Sister about this. With that thought, he promptly said farewell and left.

Qiao Wuwang's information network was indeed well connected.

Three days later, Yang Yi truly received a deployment order.

At Xiude Hall, by the time he arrived, several figures had already gathered there. The moment he entered the great hall, pairs of eyes immediately turned toward him.

Yang Yi spotted Shen Qian among them and was not surprised. Even though he did not know much about matters of the martial world, if the Qiao Household was making a move against Clearwind City, Shen Qian, who came from Clearwind City, would naturally be joining them.

Including Shen Qian, there were three men and two women in total. Each had a different appearance, and all of them brimmed with qi and blood. They were undoubtedly Attendants of the Qiao Household.

Seeing how young Yang Yi was, most of them revealed looks of surprise.

Over the past few days, they had all heard that the Qiao Household had recruited a sixteen-year-old Lan Blood cultivator, but aside from Shen Qian, none of them had actually seen him.

Now that they did, they found Yang Yi's face truly did appear somewhat youthful.

"Eldest Miss." Yang Yi stepped forward, clasped his fists, and stood in a line with the five of them.

Behind the desk, Qiao Yaoyao nodded slightly. "Everyone is here, so I'll keep this brief. There is a mission requiring all of you to contribute. Lü E will explain the details to you on the road. For this operation, you need only obey Lü E's commands. Once it is done, my Qiao Household will certainly not treat any of you poorly."

"Willing to die for the Qiao Household!" Yang Yi immediately raised his fist and struck his chest, his voice ringing like metal and stone, his gaze unwavering.

The entire group turned to look at him, utterly astonished.

Damn, what a bootlicker!

Whenever these Attendants were sent on a mission in the past, there would always be the usual briefing beforehand, and they would each make some show of commitment. But no one had ever been this blunt and nakedly direct.

They were all Lan Blood Attendants. At most, their relationship with the Qiao Household was one of long-term employment and cooperation. How had it become a matter of dying for them?

But since Yang Yi had already declared his stance, they could not fall behind.

One after another, whether sincere or not, they all shouted, "Willing to die for the Qiao Household!"

"Good, good, good." Qiao Yaoyao was delighted beyond measure. With such morale, what great undertaking could fail? She gave Yang Yi a satisfied glance. Young people truly were full of hot blood. With a wave of her hand, she said, "Set off."

The winds and clouds of the world rise from our kind; once one enters the martial world, the years urge one on. Yang Yi was going to fight, and Old Mo was going to fight too...

It was Monday, so let's make a push for the rankings. I've been out of the loop for too long and no longer know the rules. Anyway, I'm asking for a little of everything—please click whatever can be clicked, vote for whatever can be voted for, and don't forget to bookmark it. Thanks, thanks.

The new book rankings are crucial for a new book. And I seem to be taking part in some kind of PK right now. Everything depends on the data; whatever recommendations may come later will depend on this week's performance.