Over the days that followed, Yang Chang'an and Yang Wushuang endured a jolting journey and finally returned to the outskirts of Spirit City on the evening of the thirtieth day.
Although Demon Subduing Douluo had originally given them a month and a half to return, Yang Wushuang had insisted on setting the deadline at one month. Ultimately, the Yang Family's background was unusual, and after pledging allegiance to Spirit Hall, they had to tread carefully at every step, never daring to give anyone a handle against them. One month meant one month.
After thirty days of wearying travel by carriage, even a Soul Master with cultivation as profound as Yang Wushuang's showed traces of fatigue between his brows, let alone the six-year-old Yang Chang'an.
Yet the boy was tenacious. His back remained ramrod straight, and although his little face was dusted with the grime of travel, his eyes shone brightly with the vitality unique to youth.
The two stepped through the Yang Family's gates in the gathering dusk, finally feeling the warmth of home. Yang Wushuang glanced down at his grandson beside him, his voice softening.
"You've had a hard month. I'll give you a day off. We'll resume cultivation the day after tomorrow."
At those words, Yang Chang'an's lips curved into a smile. His unusual constitution meant the jolting journey had not actually exhausted him much, but after thirty straight days cooped up in that swaying carriage, every bone in his body felt as though it had been shaken loose. A day to rest and get himself back in order could not have been more welcome.
"Understood, Grandpa."
Grandfather and grandson walked side by side into the courtyard, chatting about little incidents from their journey. Before they had gone far, a slender figure came out to greet them. Yang Xue stood beneath the covered walkway, her face full of delight as she spoke in a light, cheerful tone.
"Judging by the looks of you, everything must have gone splendidly."
As she spoke, she stepped forward and rubbed Yang Chang'an's head. The child had shot up a little more during his trip. Then the smile on Yang Xue's face faded slightly, and she looked up at Yang Wushuang with a more solemn expression.
"Second Brother, someone's here to see you. He's waiting in the main hall."
Yang Wushuang paused in surprise. He was just about to ask who it was when a lilting, coquettish voice drifted over from behind Yang Xue, tinged with laziness.
"Oh my, my dear Wushuang, you've certainly kept your older brother waiting on this little trip of yours."
The instant that voice sounded, not only Yang Wushuang but even Yang Chang'an guessed the visitor's identity. In all of Spirit City, no one else had such a distinctive voice.
As the words faded, a figure in white emerged from behind a pillar.
The visitor wore a moon-white brocade robe that set off his tall, elegant figure. His face was exquisitely handsome, almost sculpted, yet possessed a woman's soft allure. Were it not for the clearly visible Adam's apple at his throat, anyone who saw him might have mistaken him for a woman.
At the sight of him, Yang Wushuang immediately stepped forward and saluted with clasped hands, a note of familiarity in his voice.
"Brother Yue! I had important business to attend to on this trip and returned in a rush, so I couldn't welcome you promptly. I hope you'll forgive me!"
Yang Chang'an also stepped forward and bowed slightly to the man in white, arranging his little face into an adorably innocent expression.
"Greetings, Grandpa Yue."
The man in white before them was none other than Spirit Hall's elder, Chrysanthemum Douluo Yue Guan, whose title was "Chrysanthemum."
When Yang Wushuang had brought their branch of the family over to Spirit Hall, the Breaking Clan's exceptional expertise in medicines and poisons had struck a chord with Yue Guan, who excelled at refining medicine. Afterward, Yue Guan often visited the Yang Family to exchange knowledge of medicines and poisons with Yang Wushuang and the others.
At first, mindful of his position as a Spirit Hall elder, the Yang Family had not dared neglect him in the slightest and could only treat him with utmost courtesy. Only after spending more time together did they discover that, despite his soft, alluring appearance, Chrysanthemum Douluo was fiercely loyal to his friends. He was particularly generous toward those he took a liking to and put on none of the airs of a Titled Douluo.
The Yang Family had only recently pledged allegiance then, and their foundations in Spirit City were still shaky. They sorely needed someone to back them, while Yue Guan genuinely admired Yang Wushuang's mastery of medicines and poisons. As their exchanges continued, they grew ever closer and became true friends.
Even the Black Bishop positions Yang Wushuang and Niu Yue now held had been secured through Yue Guan's strenuous advocacy before Spirit Hall's upper ranks. Otherwise, given the Yang and Niu families' origins as subordinate families of the Clear Sky Sect, a Purple Bishop position would already have been the most they could hope for.
Thus, the younger generations of both the Yang Family and the Niu Family held this Chrysanthemum Douluo in considerable esteem.
Yue Guan's gaze landed on Yang Chang'an first, and his eyes instantly lit up. His peach-blossom eyes curved into crescents as he hurried over in a few strides, utterly abandoning the dignity of a Titled Douluo.
He reached out and pinched Yang Chang'an's cheeks, gently kneading the lingering baby fat with his fingertips, his voice brimming with delight.
"Oh my, it's only been a few months, and little Chang'an has already grown so much! These cheeks are still so soft. What a darling."
Yue Guan was famously partial to beautiful faces. With his delicate features and exquisitely pretty appearance, Yang Chang'an had been a favorite of his since infancy. Now the boy was growing even more handsome and suited his tastes perfectly. He kneaded those cheeks for quite a while before reluctantly letting go.
Then he lifted his fingertips slightly, sending a gentle thread of Soul Power into Yang Chang'an's body to examine his cultivation. He soon withdrew his hand and nodded in satisfaction. Returning to his coquettish manner, he praised him with a smile.
"Very good, very good. Your Soul Power is already nearing rank twelve. You're a truly promising youngster. At this rate, given time, the Douluo Continent may well gain another Soul Breaking Soul Douluo."
With Yue Guan's status, learning about Yang Chang'an's talent was child's play.
When he first learned that Yang Chang'an's Innate Soul Power had reached rank nine, his immediate reaction had also been disbelief. Although the Soul Breaking Spear was among the strongest Martial Souls on the Douluo Continent, rank-nine Innate Soul Power was a rarity seen scarcely once in a century in the Breaking Clan's history. Even the renowned "Soul-Breaking Twin Spears" of the past had only possessed rank-eight Innate Soul Power.
Once the shock passed, he was genuinely happy for the Yang Family. Their background was sensitive to begin with, and their life in Spirit City was like walking on thin ice. Even with his support, things remained difficult.
Now that a genius like Yang Chang'an had appeared, as long as the child could grow up without mishap, the Yang Family would truly be able to establish a firm footing in Spirit City. They would no longer have to live with such painstaking caution.
Listening to Yue Guan's praise, Yang Wushuang broke into a heartfelt smile. Even the wrinkles on his face softened.
Ever since the upheaval all those years ago, he had been left half-crippled. Now every hope he had left in this life rested on his grandson.
Moreover, Yang Chang'an had been sensible from an early age, cultivated diligently, and possessed talent far beyond his peers. Nothing could compare to the comfort Yang Wushuang felt at seeing his grandson show such promise.
After that moment of delight, Yang Wushuang recalled what Yang Xue had said. His smile immediately faded as he looked at Yue Guan, his tone growing more solemn. "Brother Yue, I imagine you haven't come today just to see Chang'an. What brings you here?"
Given Yue Guan's relationship with the Yang Family, Yang Xue would never have worn that expression without cause. He must have brought some news this time.
At the question, Yue Guan first gave a coquettish laugh and cast Yang Wushuang a glance with his peach-blossom eyes, his gaze carrying a hint of amusement.
"Listen to yourself! Must I have business before I can enter this sacred temple of your Yang Family? Do I need an excuse just to visit an old friend?"
Though his words were teasing, the smile on his face faded slightly as soon as he finished. A touch of seriousness entered his expression, and he changed tack. "Still, you guessed correctly. I really do have an important matter to discuss with you this time."
Yang Wushuang understood. He turned to Yang Chang'an beside him and raised a hand to ruffle his hair, speaking gently.
"Chang'an, go back to your own courtyard first. Grandpa and your Grandpa Yue have something to discuss."
"Okay." Yang Chang'an obediently agreed. He knew well enough that he had no place in a discussion like this at present. Besides, he had not seen Fifth Uncle in thirty days either. This was a good chance to visit him and tell him about what he had seen and heard on the trip.
He bowed to Yue Guan once more, then turned and ran off. His small figure soon disappeared around the corner of the covered walkway.
Only after Yang Chang'an's figure had vanished completely did Yang Wushuang withdraw his gaze. He turned back to Yue Guan and stepped aside, gesturing for him to enter.
"Brother Yue, please come inside. Let's discuss it in detail in the main hall."
Yue Guan nodded without another word and followed Yang Wushuang toward the main hall.