Chapter 54: The Iron Clan

"It's nothing serious, just fainted!"

Tie Yang looked at his daughter in his arms with a heart full of tenderness, while casting a look of profound admiration toward Yun Yi.

"What a truly extraordinary young hero!" Tie Yang praised as he looked at Yun Yi.

To defeat Tie Wuyan—who was two tiers higher at the fifth level of Foundation Establishment—at only the third level of Foundation Establishment and without a weapon, was enough to demonstrate Yun Yi's terrifying capability and the profoundness of his foundation.

"Master Yang, I merely won against Senior Sister Wuyan through sheer luck!" Yun Yi said with modesty. Naturally, he knew there was still a vast gap between himself and others, so he certainly wouldn't dare claim invincibility.

"Hahahaha! Very well, very well!"

"Come inside with me! Zhang Yuan, you may return!"

Tie Yang let out a hearty laugh, waved his hand at Zhang Yuan, and walked toward the house.

Looking at Yun Yi and the little girl behind Tie Yang, a look of envy appeared on Zhang Yuan's face. Of course, he also reflected on his own attitude of failing to recognize true talent just moments before.

...

Tie Yang carried Tie Wuyan into the house, channeling a steady stream of spiritual energy into her dantian to nourish her.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

A short while later, soft coughs came from Tie Wuyan's throat.

"Did I... lose?"

Tie Wuyan lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling as she muttered to herself.

"Yun Yi won!"

Hearing Tie Yang's voice, Tie Wuyan snapped back to reality. She turned her head and saw Yun Yi standing not far from Tie Yang, holding little Lei Ling'er by her small hand.

Frowning, Tie Wuyan got off the bed and walked up to Yun Yi.

Seeing Tie Wuyan's stern expression, Yun Yi thought she was coming to seek revenge. His brows furrowed instantly, and he slowly began to circulate his spiritual energy.

However, Tie Wuyan suddenly cupped her fists, lowered her head, and said to Yun Yi, "I'm sorry! I lost! I apologize for what I said earlier!"

The clash Yun Yi had imagined did not happen; instead, Tie Wuyan was bowing her head to him. This left Yun Yi somewhat baffled, though it was, of course, the outcome that set his mind most at ease.

"Uh... It's nothing. Senior Sister Wuyan is also formidable, and I learned a lot from her!" Yun Yi hurriedly cupped his fists in return, his voice resonant and filled with respect.

Yun Yi had always been clear-cut in his gratitude and grudges; if someone treated him with a modicum of respect, he would return it tenfold.

Observing the two of them, Tie Yang was the happiest person present. He rubbed his smooth, bald head and laughed, "Hahaha, you two don't need to keep holding your fists like that. You've been bowing to each other for almost an hour!"

"Hmph!"

Tie Wuyan snapped out of it immediately, her face flushing crimson because she felt that the posture she had just maintained with Yun Yi looked somewhat like... exchanging wedding bows...

With a soft snort, Tie Wuyan straightened her posture and stood by Tie Yang's side.

"Let's discuss forging a spiritual weapon for our young brother Yun Yi!" Tie Yang hurriedly spoke up to break the awkward atmosphere.

"Alright!"

Hearing that a spiritual weapon was going to be forged for him, Yun Yi's eyes lit up and he readily agreed.

Afterward, the four of them began discussing the matter together until dusk fell.

"Then I'll have to trouble Senior Sister Wuyan!" Yun Yi stood at the doorway, cupping his fists to Tie Wuyan in gratitude.

"No problem! In three days, I'll have it forged. Just come and pick it up then!" Tie Wuyan remained as forthright and straightforward as ever, never one to mince words.

"Uh... Master Yang, Senior Sister Wuyan, we'll be taking our leave now!" Yun Yi smiled and bade them farewell, then led Lei Ling'er away.

Once the two of them had walked far away, the smile on Tie Yang's face instantly turned solemn.

"Wuyan, are you certain he is the person the Ancestor has been searching for?"

A trace of absolute certainty appeared on Tie Wuyan's face.

"There shouldn't be any mistake. During our fight today, the Ancestor's imprint deep within my spiritual sea began to vibrate!"

Looking in the direction where Yun Yi had left, Tie Yang muttered with a hint of excitement in his voice, "We've waited for hundreds of years! Our Tie clan is finally going to reappear in the martial world!"

"Hmph! Look how excited you are! I'm going back; I still need to hurry up and forge weapons for Junior Brother Yun!" Tie Wuyan curled her lips, then strode away on her long legs into the courtyard, leaving Tie Yang standing alone at the entrance, gazing into the distance.

Tie Yang merely smiled faintly as he watched Tie Wuyan leave. Only he knew what all of this truly meant.

Ever since the last Ancestor ascended centuries ago, over hundreds of years, the once-great Tie family of the Central Province had dwindled into an unknown minor clan hidden away in the Eastern Region. Records of the Tie clan in the martial world had naturally become scarcer and scarcer.

Of course, all of this was because they were waiting for the person the Ancestor had foretold—the one who could make his imprint resonate—waiting for him to lead the Tie clan back to the pinnacle of this continent.

"Yun Yi, the Tie clan awaits you!"

Tie Yang smiled as he glanced into the distance, as if his gaze could pierce through the void itself. He looked at Yun Yi one last time before his figure vanished into the dark night.

"Huh??"

Holding Lei Ling'er's hand, Yun Yi suddenly felt as though someone were spying on him. He hurriedly looked back and let out a soft huff.

"What is it, Brother Yi?"

Lei Ling'er looked at Yun Yi, her face flushing slightly as she blinked her large eyes and asked.

"I felt like someone was watching me!"

Yun Yi scratched his head with some embarrassment, knowing his cultivation realm was far too low; the high-level experts capable of spying on others shouldn't have noticed him.

"Could it be because Brother Yi hasn't been resting well these past two days?" Lei Ling'er asked with a puzzled expression.

"Haha! Who knows, probably!"

Yun Yi laughed heartily and continued walking forward, holding Lei Ling'er's hand.

He certainly wouldn't believe it was caused by a lack of rest. Ever since he unlocked the first tier of the Flaming Yellow Jade, his perceptual abilities had reached an extremely high level, and he trusted his intuition!

...

"Useless! Utterly useless!"

"A sixth-level Foundation Establishment cultivator couldn't beat a newcomer at the third level. You've completely disgraced me!"

"Don't ever go out and say you're the son of Liang Tiancai! I can't afford to lose that kind of face!"

In a lavish courtyard, a middle-aged man was pointing at Liang Heng, roaring in fierce anger.

"I..."

Liang Heng desperately wanted to retort, but he realized that he really had been far too incompetent!

"Father, please calm your anger!"

"Since Yun Yi was able to defeat younger brother across cultivation tiers, it must mean he possesses a rather formidable cultivation technique. If we can get our hands on that technique..."

Beside Liang Heng, a man dressed in pristine white spoke in a gentle, unhurried tone, slowly expressing his own views to Liang Tiancai.

Hearing Liang Rui's analysis, a flash of light suddenly appeared in Liang Tiancai's eyes. He had been stuck at the middle stage of Core Formation for a long time; if he failed to break through soon, his position as Hall Master would likely be replaced. Of course, if he could break through to the late stage, the position of Outer Sect Hall Master would undoubtedly be within his grasp.

"Second son, during the Outer Sect Grand Tournament in a few days, find a way to have Yun Yi matched against you. I believe your sixth-level Foundation Establishment is far more stable than your younger brother's. There will be a reward once this is done!"

Hearing Liang Tiancai's command, a smile surfaced on Liang Rui's face. He cast a smug glance at Liang Heng beside him, his eyes flashing with a sharp glint as he replied, "Please rest assured, Father, I will surely bring Yun Yi back to you!"