Fearful but also respectful, members of the Azure Feather Family backed away from the old Patriarch. Confusion on how this started to become worse by the second.
"Do your best to not say a word to piss me off." Ye Xinghe's words entered the ears of his mother He Yan and father Ye Zhuo. "You do not speak for me as I am my own man. Try to do so and you will have only hurt yourself and others."
It was harsh but kindness would not work to subservient people like this. Force was the only thing most knew and what they accepted.
Feeling the pressure enter their souls, both of them looked into the house only seeing a pair of cold eyes looking back at them. In no way did this remind them of their son. The qi around his body looking somewhat malevolent as well.
"I will break that subservient attitude by force if I need to." Xinghe's voice carried further out hitting a lot of the clan members who tried to leave and run away. To where, who knows. A few people in the family did talk loosely causing problems in their carelessness..
'This must be some sort of test by the North lord Mansion!' Old Ye thought in haste. His fear convincing them this was it after thinking it over once more. 'Xinghe would never tret us like this without reason.'
The Old Patriarch let go of his staff and took a knee before kneeling fully. Looking into the house one last time he felt such a painstaking fear he almost had a heart attack. His head touched the stone cobbled road with others following suit.
"From now on, you are responsible for the Azure Feather Family growth and downfall if it comes to pass! Your word is the will of the Family and I can only hope we do not fail you in the future!" Mustering his full strength, the old man was not through pleading. "If you fail to lead us, I will be the first to take my life for my mistake in appointing you!"
"Long live the Patriarch!" Those who were impressed by Ye Xinghe's healing ability already threw their lot in with him. They shouted loudly causing the others to join in. "Long live the Azure Feather Family!"
As they shouted, the Flame Vortex Frost Phoenix came back around and dive-bombed into the populace. Radiating rich qi taken from the surroundings and upper region. A small pass by the lake was all that was need to provide most of the energy.
The Barrier was easy to devour since he knew how to make it himself.
Those of the Azure Feather Family were enriched with qi and felt their bodies tingling as the impurities were forced out. Wounds, old wounds healing at an alarming rate.
Of course several screamed but this only caused the Heart Method to grow stronger. Seeing as none died, the more hearty members only took this as something that had to be done.
As the screams of pain died out after some time, Ye Xinghe stepped out looking them over. The people were much better to his tastes now. A show of force and vocal agreement is enough for a Connection to form within them.
The only freebie they would get was to their health and the bestowment of Rich Qi just now. Everything else would have to be earned.
"Everyone get up, it's time to celebrate and get food in those bellies." Removing the Demon beast meat from his Internal Space, 1/10 was enough for them to celebrate for now and the remainder of the week. "Today we all eat till we are stuffed."
They were simple folk but knew this was definitely recently acquired food and not that of stall-bought quality. Fresh meat and their bodies healed better than knew had the Connection growing stronger between themselves and Ye Xinghe.
Old Ye stood straight looking at him warily. he did not say anything and gave a simple nod before departing. Heading to the clan archives to find anything remotely close to what just happened to everyone.
As the crowd dispersed, his mother and father came over to him. Marveling at how much their son had changed. Not even a year and he was the Patriarch of the Family and brought a swift change.
They had know idea of what was in store for them.
"Look at you, all grown up@ Even bigger than me!" As a farmer and overall worker, Ye Zhuo was built like a linebacker. If he advanced in cultivation, he would be a pretty powerful fighter. "That hair is wild!"
"Who is the young lady behind you?" He Yan looked at the quiet female who fidgeted when attention was drawn to her. "Is that your girlfriend?"
"My student and classmate from the Academy." Xinghe shook his head as he clarified. "If she wants to call herself my girlfriend that is a her thing." He shrugged. "Might have a few in the future now that I think of it. Need to spread out and establish a full City somehow."
That and to test theories base on what Rexford was trying to due to each of them in their own Dimension before they were all sucked away,
"Umm, nice to meet you." Zhao Ning held back her excitement and stepped forward. Xinghe would not pay attention to a slight love interest. If she genuinely liked him, however, he would take note of it. The sense of Monogomay he had was more with Liang Yu and not himself. "Zhao Ning of the Zhao families many branches."
She was not in the main family but held a decent enough power to be considered important after the Smelting Trial. The Zhao Family in the Eastern Guardian Lord's Mansion could try to order her to do something but wouldn't get far with it.
Not if Ye Xinghe or any of the others had anything to say about it anyway.
"Lieutenant," Shen Sheng came over respectfully when he interrupted. "I understand you don't want to adhere to the position but it could only serve to help you. I will return in a few days to hear your decision. No matter what it happens to be."
After what he just saw, it might be better to find someone else for the family.
"Very well then," Ye Xinghe watched the man disappear and turned to the task at hand. "I have more meat to use up. Which merchants are hurting and will give good prices and material when traded to them?"
"I know which ones, but they might still try to cheat us." He Yan jumped at the chance to help her son. Internally happy he still needed them for some things.
"Take a few able-bodied that are done cleaning themselves up and this meat." Ye Xinghe dropped some thinly frozen meat. 2/10 of the stash for use. "Do not cause a problem and take note only of the ones who try to cheat you in deals."
"What's your plan?"
"Nothing complicated at all." Xinghe shook his head not putting to much stock into it of course. "They will just be people who have to work harder in the future to get on our good side. When things are hard, that is the best time to find out who stands where."
As the details were given out and most in the clan moved about, Ye Xinghe found the person he was looking for. Ye Yue was not someone he was willing to leave be or go throw the hardship she did before.
Calling her over, they entered inside to talk over private matters. The look of shock on her face was not the least of the worry, the sheer disbelief from Zhao Ning was worse but the Connection with her did not waver in the least.
In fact, it grew even stronger letting Ye Xinghe know she would not betray him. Ye Yue wanted some proof, so he did what he was reluctant to do. He transferred the scene of her getting dragged towards Liang Xu by members of the Dark Moon Family.
Her powerless Family members doing nothing and only really taking a stand when it was to late. The Heart Method circled on its own taking in the Misery and Despair she felt. Xinghe taking note it was at the point he felt no disgust or discomfort from the feeling at all.
"I.." Ye Xue tried to pull away after seeing how she slit her own throat to prevent from being raped. Xinghe kept a stronghold on her. Showing that was not her end as well as her joining Liang Yu in the Dark Moon Family. "..so much.. death!"
Growing and becoming one of his confidants until death took them all. He was unable to show her everything as only what he viewed and what was picked up with Astral Sense was transmittable. He was still having transferring what was inside thanks to the Connection previously.
After some time passed the teen wiped her tears and stared at Ye Xinghe. Confused in the fact he was both the body of the one who failed her from his actions but also the one who saved her while being Liang Yu.
"Thank you." Ye Xue settled for this instead. Hugging him for dear life and holding back tears. "I can never repay you even in this life."
"You can." Feeling a strange sensation, Xinghe pulled away from her smiling. "Become stronger and help me turn the clan into something worth fighting for. As well as changing the world. I need strong people, and you my dear are one of the strongest I know."
"Ye Xue greets her master!" She cupped her fists giving a salute. "I don't have any resources but I know a little but to get started for now." Seeing him smile, she cocked her head to the side in wonder. "What is it?"
"I have something that will help but it will hurt." Circling the Flame Vortex, blue white qi circled around her. "It will hurt, but you will be remade stronger than ever. With all the tools you need to get stronger."
She agreed to do whatever it takes. The Frost Phoenix appeared and swallowed her whole. Stored into the Flame Vortex Core, Ye Xinghe spun the refining process but gave his full attention over to it.
The Frost Phoenix Manual he comprised was passed over. Along with the Metal Seed + the Frost Air Body for the body and the Heart Method +Astral Sense with notes on which ones did what.
As she was reminded, Ye Xinghe made sure to open all of her meridians and temper them further for future plans. Zhao Ning watched him on the outside only able to tell it took heavy concentration whatever he was doing.
Time passed by quickly with only a few members of the Azure Feather Clan passing by. Zhao Ning informed them he was cultivating and was not to be disturbed. Even Ye Yue's parents were dismissed as she was doing the same.
Ye Yue was released and given some clothes to suit her new station. Her appearance was more regal and older. She also exuded a cold presence but still maintained a gentle disposition. Only at the 1st Heavenly Layer, she had some work to do to get her body and soul use to everything.
"I will head in for a nap, see you later Patriarch Xinghe." Bowing, she took off in a hurry. While she was reforged, the Connection deepened further and sent her memories that Ye Xinghe did not have access to send out. 'Champion but no Pantheon this time? Ye Xinghe and Liang Yu technically, I can't believe I get another chance at life like this!'
As the young Ye clan member moved to informed her parents and loved ones about her intentions, others in the Azure Feather Clan felt a their strength growing a little faster than before. With such a Connection established between each of them, the excess qi that was not feeding into the Internal Space had an outlet.
1/100 of the energy moved to the people but it was better than his Internal Space growing absurdly large. Inside a corner of his Internal Space, a piece of the land was gathered with a seed implanted in the soil.
During the refinement process of Ye Yue, one who was hidden in her body escaped into the Champion. Not wanting to cause any trouble, it did what it could do to preserve itself. Now it was trying to grow.
In seconds, the loose Core Qi turned the seed into a sapling of a Peach Tree.
Status: Ye Xinghe Health:1600 Qi: 5500
Power: 35 Defense: 37
Willpower: 32 Intellect: 34
Connection: 211
Flame Vortex Frost Phoenix: 5th Heavenly Layer
Demonic Star Martial Arts: 4th Heavenly Layer
Air Beast Martial Arts: 4th Heavenly Layer
Dragon Martial Arts: 4th Heavenly Layer
Heart Method: 4th tech level
Frost Air Body: 4th tech level