Ye Zhong

Biodata

Power Progression

Background / History

Family and the Ye Clan’s Decline

Ye Zhong belongs to the Ye Clan’s main branch. His younger cousin Ye Fang was Ye Qingzhou’s grandfather, while Ye Xinlan is his own granddaughter. His eldest son, Xinlan’s father and a former clan patriarch, died leading clan elites into ruins more than ten years earlier. His youngest son, Ye Zhengqing, subsequently became patriarch 1 21 24.

As Grand Elder, Ye Zhong holds greater standing than the patriarch and the other senior elders. His central concern is preserving the clan’s position among the Pill Tower’s Five Great Families. He fears that losing this protection will allow rival families and other factions to seize the declining clan’s assets 12 24.

Discovering Ye Qingzhou

Ye Zhong initially learns about Ye Qingzhou through distorted rumors about his private cultivation sessions with Ye Xinlan. Believing someone has interfered with his granddaughter’s cultivation and alchemy studies, he orders an investigation and privately considers beating Qingzhou 11 12.

Xinlan’s explanation changes his assessment: Qingzhou has grasped the Crimson Flame Bodhi Scripture overnight and can accelerate her learning. Ye Zhong nevertheless insists that talent alone is insufficient. He orders the Fourth Elder to investigate Qingzhou’s character, history, and loyalty, and to punish those spreading the rumors 12.

He then visits Lingxi Courtyard in disguise and personally offers spear instruction. Watching Qingzhou guide Xinlan and demonstrate the Fire Python Heavenly Dance Spear Technique convinces him that the young man’s cultivation and soul talents exceed hers. He asks the elders to assess Qingzhou’s alchemy talent as well 15 16.

Securing the Clan’s Support

After Qingzhou reaches Three-Star Da Dou Shi, Ye Zhong examines him with permission. He discovers flawless meridians and Late Mortal Realm soul power containing a trace of spiritual essence. Recognizing a potential future Spirit Realm soul cultivator, he reveals his identity and promises Qingzhou seed-disciple treatment publicly and the highest level of support privately 21.

At the ancestral hall, Ye Zhong proposes treatment equivalent to that of a young patriarch. Qingzhou declines the position and reveals that he has obtained the Xuan Heaven Soul Technique from the clan ancestor. Ye Zhong accepts his refusal, grants resources exceeding those of the young patriarch, and makes the inheritance the clan’s highest secret. The assembled elders swear blood oaths, and disclosure is punishable by death 24.

He also arranges a highest-grade Three-Pattern Green Spirit Pill for Qingzhou. After receiving the soul technique’s introductory material, Ye Zhong ends the meeting so he can begin cultivating it himself 24.

Jia Nan Academy Dispute

Ye Zhong initially opposes Qingzhou’s plan to attend Jia Nan Academy. He believes direct clan support and a route through Sacred Pill City to the Pill Tower would be better. He also worries that the Inner Academy’s five-year standard course could prevent Qingzhou from attending the Five Great Clans assessment in two years, unless he reaches Dou Wang and graduates early 28 31 32.

Qingzhou explains that academy resources can supplement rather than replace clan support, then reveals his Two-Star Dou Ling cultivation. Seeing both his rapid advancement and stable foundation, Ye Zhong approves enrollment and arranges departure supplies 32.

Following the entrance assessments, the elders again discuss keeping Qingzhou at home for protection. Ye Zhong settles the matter in favor of the academy after Qingzhou privately reports receiving an Intermediate Di Tier Dou Technique connected to the Lei Clan. He emphasizes honoring the academy’s benefits, gaining experience, and moving beyond rival factions’ immediate reach 40.

Appearance

• Elderly and bearded: His beard bristles visibly when he becomes angry 11.
• Convincing disguise: During his visits to Lingxi Courtyard, he alters his appearance enough that Qingzhou does not recognize him despite previously seeing the Grand Elder at clan gatherings 15 21.

Personality

Ye Zhong is protective of his family but places the clan’s survival at the center of his decisions. He initially treats Xinlan as its best hope of producing an eighth-tier alchemist, yet readily redirects resources toward Qingzhou when stronger talent emerges. Before doing so, he insists on verifying the young man’s loyalty and character 11 12 16.

He is proud of his expertise and frequently tries to preserve a stern, composed image. When Qingzhou approaches beginner spear mastery after one day, Ye Zhong falsely claims he himself learned faster, despite having needed seven days. Later, he downplays Qingzhou’s achievements in front of the elders while requiring daily progress reports 16 27.

His caution does not make him inflexible. He asks permission before examining Qingzhou’s body and changes his position on Jia Nan Academy once Qingzhou addresses his concerns with concrete evidence 21 32.

Abilities & Skills

Fire Python Heavenly Dance Spear Technique

Ye Zhong is the Ye Clan’s foremost practitioner of this High Xuan Tier spear technique 5 15.

• Reached beginner mastery in seven days while still a Da Dou Shi, setting a three-hundred-year clan record 16.
• Can judge Qingzhou’s mastery at a glance and identify crucial corrections during practice 16.
• The technique shapes Dou Qi into a fire python and supports both offense and defense 5.

Cultivation Methods

Ye Zhong practices an Intermediate Di Tier cultivation method 15.

• Failed the soul test required to obtain the Crimson Flame Bodhi Scripture when he was younger and has not practiced it 15.
• Can still evaluate Qingzhou’s progress by observing his Dou Qi circulation and use of soul power 15.
• Receives access to introductory material from the inherited Xuan Heaven Soul Technique and prepares to cultivate it 24.

Soul Power and Perception

His soul cultivation has reached the Perfected Mortal Realm 21.

• Examines meridians, Dou Qi, and soul development through physical contact and soul power 21 32.
• Detects the brief presence of an Ancient Bloodline magical beast near the clan, but loses it when Qingzhou returns the Seven-Colored Heaven Swallowing Python to his sea of consciousness 19.
• Creates a barrier against sound and probing to protect sensitive discussions 21.
• Uses remote voice transmission to summon Qingzhou to the council hall 40.
• Cannot determine Qingzhou’s concealed cultivation level unless Qingzhou releases its presence 32.

Movement and Spatial Techniques

• Uses an unnamed movement technique that lets him cover a zhang in a single step; Qingzhou cannot decipher it 15.
• Envelops Qingzhou and Xinlan in a gentle force and transports them to the ancestral hall within a few breaths, with space visibly distorting around them 22.

Alchemy

• Holds the rank of seventh-tier alchemist 21.
• Recognizes the significance of spiritual essence in Qingzhou’s soul and regards it as evidence of future Spirit Realm potential if supported by a soul cultivation method 21.

Relationships

• Ye Xinlan — His biological granddaughter. He fiercely protects her cultivation time, but later favors strengthening her relationship with Qingzhou after witnessing the benefits of their shared cultivation 11 22.
• Ye Qingzhou — His grandnephew, spear student, and principal hope for the clan’s revival. Ye Zhong encourages him to use the familial address “Eldest Granduncle” rather than the distant “Grand Elder” 15 21.
• Ye Fang — His younger cousin, with whom he shared a grandfather; Qingzhou’s deceased grandfather 1 21.
• Ye Zhengqing — His youngest son and the current patriarch. Ye Zhong expects official titles during clan business and overrules Zhengqing’s proposal to keep Qingzhou from attending Jia Nan Academy 24 27 40.
• Ye Xinlan’s father — Ye Zhong’s eldest son and a former patriarch, killed while leading clan elites on a ruins expedition 24.
• Ye Liu — The Fourth Elder. Carries out Ye Zhong’s orders to investigate Qingzhou and identify the people spreading rumors 12 24.

Notable Quotes

“Talent is important, but disposition and character matter even more.” 12

“You're a qilin child bestowed upon the Ye Clan by the heavens!” 21

“You can't train a thousand-li horse in a courtyard. If Qingzhou is to grow, he should go out and gain experience.” 40