A flush crept up Ye Chen's neck, settling hotly in his ears. He'd been too impulsive.

Spinning around, Ye Chen bowed deeply to Yao Yan, his cheeks still burning. 'I'm sorry!' he declared, his voice ringing with genuine remorse.

Just moments ago, when Elder Yao Yan had materialized from his jade pendant, Ye Chen had unthinkingly unleashed a torrent of abuse. Now, a dawning realization struck him: Elder Yao Yan might be connected to his mother.

Ye Chen cupped his fists. 'My apologies, Elder. I was truly too reckless.'

Yao Yan stroked his beard, a gentle smile gracing his lips. 'No harm done. You've borne the brunt of mockery and insults for too long, my boy. A bit of venting was long overdue.'

'Your ability to persevere through all of this, to endure until this very moment, is nothing short of extraordinary.'

As he spoke, a profound admiration shone in Yao Yan's ancient eyes. From his perch within the jade pendant, he had borne witness to every step of Ye Chen's arduous journey over the past sixteen years.

During those seven long years of stagnant cultivation, though despair had often threatened to consume him, Ye Chen had never truly surrendered to it.

With this realization, Yao Yan spoke with grave solemnity.

'Ye Chen,' Yao Yan continued, 'for these past seven years, it was my dwindling remnant soul that absorbed your spiritual energy, just to barely hold the terrifying Ominous Power at bay. My apologies, for my strength was already depleted seven years ago, and I could do little more than merely resist.'

'Yet, it was your unwavering refusal to abandon cultivation that truly kept you alive.'

'Have you considered how these seven grueling years have forged your spirit, tempering your heart and mind to an unparalleled degree?'

As Yao Yan's words settled, Ye Chen froze, a profound truth resonating within him. Elder Yao Yan was right. What he had lost in physical strength, he had gained in mental fortitude.

Over sixteen years, he had tasted the heights of glory and plunged into the depths of despair. Both experiences, in their own ways, had shaped him profoundly.

With newfound understanding, Ye Chen bowed once more to Yao Yan, his voice filled with sincere gratitude. 'Thank you, Elder Yao, for everything you've done these past years. I promise you, one day, I will help you regain your physical form.'

Yao Yan offered a serene smile. 'It's fine. I am merely a wisp of a remnant soul now. To see you restored, my long-held obsession has finally faded. The mission your mother, Yao Liuli, entrusted to me is at last complete.'

Ye Chen murmured the name 'Yao Liuli' under his breath, a faint whisper. 'Is… that my mother's name?'

Yao Yan nodded. 'Your mother, Yao Liuli, was a Divine Maiden of my Nanhuang Yao Family. Her talent defied the heavens, her beauty was peerless, and she was hailed as the most prodigious genius our Yao Family had seen in ten millennia!'

Ye Chen was utterly stunned. Learning of his mother, a profound yearning sparked within his heart—a desperate desire to meet her.

A beat of silence hung in the air. Ye Chen turned his gaze back to Yao Yan, understanding now that the Elder shared a deep, unspoken bond with his mother.

'Elder Yao Yan,' Ye Chen asked respectfully, 'how should I address you?'

Yao Yan smiled warmly. 'I am considered one of the Old Ancestors of your mother's lineage. You may simply address me as Elder Yao.'

'Elder Yao!' Ye Chen nodded slowly, a sense of relief washing over him.

Lu Xuan, observing the exchange, felt the corners of his lips twitch upwards. Another classic webnovel trope: the hidden 'old grandpa' protector revealed!

At that moment, Yao Yan’s ancient gaze shifted to Lu Xuan, his expression a fascinating blend of trepidation and curiosity. He attempted to probe Lu Xuan’s cultivation, but it was like staring into an abyss – utterly unfathomable.

It was blindingly obvious: Lu Xuan’s power vastly transcended his own, a truth that sent shivers down his spectral spine.

Ye Chen had just taken him as Master. This white-robed young man, Lu Xuan, could actually attract the legendary Ominous Power – a feat that defied all cosmic laws! Yao Yan had never heard of anyone capable of such a monstrous act.

Could it be… could this young man in white actually surpass the Grey-robed Great Emperor he’d encountered in the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Zone?

A shiver of awe ran through Yao Yan. He turned, a knowing smile on his face, to Ye Chen. 'Ye Chen,' he prompted, 'perhaps you should introduce your esteemed Master?'

At Yao Yan's words, Ye Chen froze, a profound awkwardness washing over him. He realized, to his mortification, that he didn't even know his Master's name. All he knew was that the man was the Peak Master of Azure Mystery Peak within the Grand Dao Sect.

Wait a minute. Azure Mystery Peak? The name prickled at his memory. His father had mentioned it once, long ago, but the specifics were lost to time.

His face still burning, Ye Chen bowed respectfully to Lu Xuan, then scratched the back of his head. 'Master,' he mumbled, 'I… I still don't know your name?'

Yao Yan’s amused smile instantly froze, a look of profound disbelief seizing his ancient features. This… this was simply unfathomable!

Lu Xuan, ever nonchalant, offered a faint smile. 'My name is Lu Xuan.'

'Lu Xuan!' A thunderbolt of realization crashed through Ye Chen's mind. That's why Azure Mystery Peak had felt so familiar! It all clicked into place.

Azure Mystery Peak. Lu Xuan. Grand Dao Sect. The combination instantly conjured the solemn warnings once issued by the Ye Family Saint to all its budding geniuses: 'Should you ever journey to the Grand Dao Sect, whatever you do, never pledge yourself to Azure Mystery Peak's Lu Xuan!' 'To become Lu Xuan's disciple is to doom your entire cultivation path.' 'Lu Xuan is nothing but a complete waste…'

A deep flush spread across Ye Chen’s face. Lu Xuan, ever perceptive, merely chuckled. 'Disciple,' he prompted, a glint of amusement in his eyes, 'what weighty question troubles your mind?'

Ye Chen cleared his throat, unable to hold back his burning question. 'Master,' he ventured cautiously, 'you… you're not the same Lu Xuan the outside world whispers about, are you?'

Lu Xuan's faint smile widened into a full-blown grin. 'Indeed, that would be me.'

Ye Chen's jaw dropped. He was utterly flabbergasted. His Master was this incredibly powerful, profoundly mysterious figure—how could he possibly be the 'waste' of Azure Mystery Peak? The rumors had to be fundamentally flawed!

Noticing Ye Chen's bewildered expression, Yao Yan raised an eyebrow. 'What troubles you, young one?'

Ye Chen, still reeling, recounted the widespread, derogatory rumors surrounding Lu Xuan to Elder Yao.

Yao Yan furrowed his brow, shaking his head slowly in profound disagreement. 'Your Master? Even I, a Quasi-Emperor, cannot perceive his cultivation! And he commands the ability to absorb the Ominous Power itself! Before me, he stands like an insurmountable mountain, a peak piercing the very heavens!' Yao Yan declared with utmost conviction, 'Elder Lu Xuan, he must be a High-star Great Emperor!'

Lu Xuan simply offered a small, knowing smile, neither confirming nor denying. After all, why ruin a perfectly good misunderstanding?

Witnessing his Master's inscrutable smile, both Ye Chen and Yao Yan became even more profoundly convinced. Ah, so this was the demeanor of a truly peerless expert! Above the petty clamor of worldly gossip, utterly transcendent, existing in a realm far beyond mortal concerns.

Suddenly, a chilling realization struck Yao Yan, a profound shock seizing his spectral heart. 'Could it be… could this be connected to the Desolate Ancient Forbidden Zone…?' A terrifying thought, half-formed, blossomed in his mind.

For in that desolate, ancient abyss, the Grey-robed Great Emperor himself had been afflicted by both the Eerie Power and the Ominous Power. And he had spoken of 'karma,' of interwoven destinies! Could it be that Lu Xuan…

But Yao Yan clamped down on the burgeoning thought. The intricate causality of the Heavenly Dao was a power beyond mortal comprehension, a destined thread woven into the fabric of reality. To speak of it, to pry open such secrets, might sever that very karma.

The sheer profundity of the potential truth left him reeling. Quickly, Yao Yan suppressed the swirling suspicions within his mind. Secrets involving Great Emperors, or even Ancient Great Emperors, were not for him to meddle with. Unspeakable. Untouchable.

At that moment, Ye Chen, oblivious to Yao Yan’s internal turmoil, began to inquire about his mother. Yao Yan gently shook his head. 'I will tell you of your mother, Yao Liuli, when the time is right. For now, you are not yet qualified to understand the full scope of her story!'

Ye Chen was taken aback. 'Elder Yao, what do you mean by that?'

Yao Yan simply closed his eyes. 'When you step into the Profound Saint realm, then I shall reveal all.'

Ye Chen’s body stiffened slightly, but he wisely refrained from pressing further.

Lu Xuan clapped Ye Chen on the shoulder. 'Alright, alright, don't get lost in distant fantasies. Your mother's story is still far off. What you really need to focus on are the Young Master challenge and that annulment plot looming seven days from now!'

Ye Chen snapped out of his reverie, his eyes blazing with renewed resolve. 'Master, I beg you, lend me your strength!'

Yao Yan nodded. 'Your Master speaks true. Focus these next few days on boosting your power. Once this storm has passed, I shall personally instruct you in the art of alchemy!'

Alchemy! Ye Chen's eyes widened in profound shock. The status of alchemists in the Southern Barrens was legendary, transcendent! High-tier alchemists commanded such immense respect that they could sway entire major factions with a mere word!

Lu Xuan merely chuckled. Indeed. Another classic trope: the hidden alchemy talent revealed!

Yao Yan looked at Ye Chen with undisguised appreciation. 'Ye Chen, the blood of my Yao Family flows through your veins, and it was through the art of alchemy that our family rose to prominence in the Southern Barrens. Soon enough, I'll assess your own alchemy talent! But I have no doubt, your talent for alchemy will be extraordinary!'

At these words, a spark of eager anticipation ignited in Ye Chen's eyes. As the old saying went, 'knowledge and skill are never a burden!' But for now, his priority was to rapidly ascend under his Master's peerless guidance!

With a soft 'whoosh,' Yao Yan transformed into a shimmering stream of light, instantly retreating back into the jade pendant nestled against Ye Chen's chest.

Just then, the System's chipper voice echoed in Lu Xuan's mind. 'Ding! Disciple Nurturing Mission initiated!' 'Objective: Within seven days, guide Second Disciple Ye Chen to the Profound Emperor realm! Rewards will be distributed based on completion!'

Lu Xuan blinked. 'Ah, the long-awaited nurturing quest has finally arrived!' he mused, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. 'Excellent.'

Lu Xuan turned back to Ye Chen. 'Alright, enough dwelling on distractions. For the next seven days, I shall personally guide you to break through to the Profound Emperor realm!'

Ye Chen, brimming with excitement, quickly retrieved a communication jade slip from his spatial ring. He sent a message to his father, requesting absolute seclusion and stressing that he was entering intense cultivation, having already set up a powerful sealing formation.

Having secured his privacy, Ye Chen refocused his mind and looked expectantly at Lu Xuan. 'Master,' he asked, 'what are my instructions?'

Lu Xuan nodded. With a casual flick of his finger, a shimmering divine radiance flowed into Ye Chen's body, completing a full circuit through his meridians.

Immediately, Lu Xuan pinpointed the core issue within Ye Chen's physical being. Seven years of stagnant cultivation meant Ye Chen’s inner world had been deprived of the vital cleansing and invigorating flow of spiritual energy. His meridians were clogged, much like a neglected riverbed choked with stagnant silt and accumulated impurities.

Lu Xuan then casually brought up Ye Chen's character control panel.

[Second Disciple: Ye Chen.

Aptitude: Great Emperor Talent! Heaven-tier Alchemy Talent!

Cultivation Technique: Earth-tier 'Six Extreme Collapse'!

Other: Meridians blocked and stagnant. (Recommendation: Administer Heaven-tier Marrow Cleansing Pill.)]

A satisfied nod. Lu Xuan murmured, 'Hmm, if only he had an Emperor-tier cultivation technique… that would be absolutely perfect.'

The System, ever-present, chimed in. 'Don't worry, host. There will be ample opportunities in the future. Just you wait!'

Lu Xuan nodded, then instructed Ye Chen. 'First, consume this Marrow Cleansing Pill. I'll personally stand guard as you undergo the transformation!'

Without hesitation, Ye Chen settled into a cross-legged position. He regulated his breathing, then, from his spatial ring, he retrieved a small pile of mid-grade Spirit Stones and, with trembling hands, the Heaven-tier Marrow Cleansing Pill itself.

Gazing at the nine ethereal halos swirling around the pill, Ye Chen felt a profound sense of disbelief. This was a Heaven-tier, Nine-Grade Marrow Cleansing Pill – a legendary treasure! And he was about to consume it!

His hand trembled visibly, but with a surge of determination, Ye Chen swallowed the Marrow Cleansing Pill whole.

'Boom!' Within Ye Chen’s inner world, it was as if a thunderclap had detonated. The formidable power of the Marrow Cleansing Pill surged like pure lightning, arcing through his entire being. A profound, transcendent aura began to emanate from him, swirling outwards in waves.

In an instant, Ye Chen's entire body glowed with dazzling streams of light. Within his inner world, profound, intricate Dao patterns began to weave and intertwine, swirling through his very blood, coursing through his bone marrow, and forcefully clearing every single meridian. A true Marrow Cleansing and Spirit Refining was underway!

This was a truly transcendent power, brushing against the very fundamental principles of the heavens and earth. Ye Chen's breathing quickened, his senses sharpening. He felt his comprehension soaring, as if he could perceive the Great Dao itself resonating all around him. Profound, mystical truths now shone upon him, and a terrifyingly auspicious, divine aura erupted from his form, contending with the very cosmos for glory!

Moments later, a fine sheen of sweat coated Ye Chen’s skin, rapidly growing into rivulets. The sweat was black. Soon, thick, viscous black impurities began to ooze from his pores, staining his robes. The cleansing was profound.