Chapter 997

At nine years old, Ye Tong collapsed—flat out, to be precise, from sheer frustration. He was truly at his wit’s end with his son, Ye Yu. Every day, Ye Yu took delight in teasing him, and often with just a single remark could leave him speechless. To avoid being driven mad, Ye Tong had no choice but to resort to the family’s heirloom method of disciplining children: he summoned all his relatives—his seven aunts and eight grandaunts—to come over!

When this veritable nightmare troupe gathered, Ye Tong finally felt he had backup. He cupped his hands toward them and said, “Dear relatives, I beg you to impart your wisdom and teach my disobedient son a proper lesson. I’m entrusting him to you!” They agreed immediately—after all, for these old relatives who thrived on putting others down for their own sense of superiority, this was a golden opportunity. They were a professional dream team at this sort of thing!

Just then, Ye Yu returned from outside and saw Ye Tong heading back in. “Huh, old man, you’re looking in good spirits today!” Hearing that, Ye Tong smiled lightly and pointed at the mansion behind him. “Relatives have come over. Entertain them for a bit; I’m off to buy some fine incense. We’ll enjoy it together later.” Ye Yu didn’t think much of it and waved dismissively. Ethereal ghost food not only tasted delicious but could boost one’s soul power—a cost-effective delicacy for ghostly beings. But Ye Yu never got used to it, so he always refused! He hadn’t teased his father today simply because he’d been feeling a bit soft-hearted. After all, he was his own father—he could let him off once! Otherwise, if his father collapsed from anger, there’d be no one left to fleece!

He strode into the main hall. Inside, a dozen or so ghostly relatives sat primly in a circle, surrounding him. Judging by their sharp features, their ‘combat prowess’ was undoubtedly formidable—definitely masters of verbal barrages and stomach-churning insults. This reminded Ye Yu of his days on Blue Star: every holiday, the same kind of relatives would show up just to make his life miserable. So when he saw this scene, Ye Yu instinctively frowned. At that moment, the great doors slammed shut behind him!

The dozen or so ghostly figures began their silent assault, each unloading a barrage of words and introducing themselves in turn. “I’m your eldest aunt! I hear you’re too young to cultivate. If you only know how to play, what future do you have?” “I’m your sixth grandaunt! Boy, you’re far too short—compare you to my son, you’re so much smaller!” “I’m your mother’s third uncle-in-law! Judging by your looks, you lack talent. Even if you don’t plan to cultivate, you should start working early, earn some spirit stones, and support your parents. That’s the most important thing. I only want what’s best for you. Otherwise, you won’t even find a wife in the future!”

Listening to their sharp, cutting words, Ye Yu instantly understood the smirk on Ye Tong’s ◈ Nоvеlіgһт ◈ (Continue reading) face before he left. So that was why Father couldn’t handle him—and had called in reinforcements! Well, old man, thanks for the opportunity! After taking a deep breath, Ye Yu slammed his foot on the door and unleashed his own verbal onslaught. “Eldest aunt, what I do with my life is none of your business. But I hear your son—my cousin—is useless at cultivation, working in the quarry every day. Is this your proudest achievement?” “Sixth grandaunt, I’m only nine years old and already one point two meters tall. Your son is over three hundred and seventy years old but only one point three meters. When I turn eighteen, keep him away from me—I’m afraid I’ll step on him!” “Third uncle-in-law, on my way back just now I saw your wife go into Old Wang’s house next door, and I heard sounds of pain. She must be getting beaten. You’d better go check on her. I’m just telling you for your own good!”

After the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, Ye Tong returned hastily, incense in hand. He had intended to call his relatives in to properly lecture Ye Yu, but then he felt pangs of sympathy. After all, his son was only nine. What if the scolding was too harsh? He dared not waste a moment and rushed back to stop the lesson. “Sons will be sons—what’s so unforgivable?” he muttered. Such must be a parent’s feelings: you can never bring yourself to be truly cruel.

As Ye Tong reached the courtyard and went to open the hall door, he found it already pulled open from the inside. Ye Yu emerged, beaming. He saw his father and said, “Old man, thanks for the gift you prepared for me—I’m very pleased. Next time, arrange another!” “Gift? What gift?” Ye Tong scratched his head in bewilderment and peered into the hall. What he saw was astonishing. His dozen verbally formidable relatives were slumped in their seats, their soul-forms dissipating. Most notably, his third uncle-in-law’s soul was on the verge of shattering, muttering “Go, go.”

Ye Tong turned to look in the direction Ye Yu had left and couldn’t help laughing. “You brat! I thought you only went hard on me, but it seems you have no mercy for anyone!” For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of justice—and even a little thrill. In his own childhood, he’d suffered under these relatives—now his son had helped him get revenge! “Heh, boy, you’ve got some real talent!”

From that day on, Ye Tong never again thought of calling in reinforcements. He simply ignored Ye Yu’s mischief, as if enlightened overnight—his own heart had grown. Even his cultivation foundation, once solid, began to loosen. Perhaps in time he would advance further.

The neighbors were all curious. “What’s happened lately? Your son doesn’t tease you anymore? Or have you trained your temper into an iron wall?” Ye Tong answered proudly, “My son, Ye Yu, possesses the bearing of an emperor—unique, unmatched! As his father, I accept it all.” Hearing this, many ghostly neighbors thought Ye Tong had gone mad. But it proved he truly hadn’t!

In the latter half of his ninth year, Ye Yu stepped into mid-stage Foundation Establishment! The Ye family now boasted three Foundation Establishment cultivators!