"Sixth Grandpa?!"
Hearing that one of the Titled Douluos involved was the Second Elder, Jade Skin Douluo Hua Shuwen, Chen Yi became even more puzzled. The Body Sect had always adhered to the principle of "mind your own business," yet they had been willing to stand up for the Ye Family back then—it was truly baffling.
"Could it be that the Ye Family once did a favor for Sixth Grandpa, or for the entire Body Sect? Otherwise, why would he get involved?"
The Grand Elder smiled upon hearing this and slowly explained: "Sort of. This dates back over a hundred years ago, when the sect was in decline, with only the previous-previous sect master as the sole powerhouse in the clan. To better nurture the younger generation, that sect master turned his attention to the Ye Family and personally visited them one night, hoping to obtain their treasured medicinal formulas."
"This... how is that possible?" Chen Yi was stunned. "Asking for generations of a family's hard work like that—the Ye Family head back then would never agree. It's wishful thinking!"
The Grand Elder also sighed with emotion: "You're right; no one else would agree, but the Ye Family head back then really did."
"What?" Chen Yi's pupils contracted in shock. He knew better than anyone that not every Body Sect master reached Titled Douluo level; the previous-previous one was actually just a Soul Douluo. That strength was impressive on the continent, but it wasn't enough to threaten the deeply rooted Ye Family.
"That Ye Family head was a rare benevolent gentleman in the world." The Grand Elder's tone suddenly became solemn, his eyes carrying a hint of reverence. "After hearing the previous sect master's request, even though he keenly sensed some concealment in the words and knew what those formulas meant to the Body Sect, he unhesitatingly gifted all the Qi and blood medicinal formulas collected and treasured by generations of the Ye Family, even adding several precious Qi and blood recipes that had never been shared outside. The body-tempering bath formulas you young disciples have soaked in since childhood come from the inheritance gifted by the Ye Family back then."
"That family head truly had a benevolent heart and broad mind!" Chen Yi sincerely exclaimed, the fog in his heart clearing up significantly. In this light, every member of the Body Sect over the past century owed the Ye Family a heavy debt of gratitude—one that could make the Body Sect go all out for them.
The Grand Elder nodded in agreement and continued: "The previous sect master was moved to tears and swore an oath to heaven and earth on the spot: 'If the Ye Family faces dire peril in the future, our sect will assist with all our might, even if it means shedding the last drop of blood, we will not retreat!'"
"Over seventy years ago, the Ye Family was coveted by the Star Luo Empire for their treasures, facing crisis from all sides and on the brink of destruction. My master, the previous Body Sect master, to fulfill the oath, resolutely broke through the Soul Douluo barrier, forcibly boosting his strength at the cost of burning his life force. He then traveled thousands of miles to the danger zone, sustaining severe injuries to escort the Ye Family head and his young son out of the Star Luo Empire and safely back to Heaven Dou. And that rescued young son is now the current helmsman of the Ye Family—Ye Cien."
"As for the incident eleven years ago, the sect master was accompanying your great aunt overseas to hunt a hundred-thousand-year soul ring and couldn't get away, so he entrusted your Sixth Grandpa to personally step in and fulfill the oath. As for the other Titled Douluo involved, I'm not entirely sure of their origins. But according to what Old Six said upon returning, based on the unique soul power fluctuations and martial soul aura from that person, it's highly likely they came from a powerful yet rarely seen hidden sect—the Star Crown Sect."
Chen Yi's doubts instantly vanished upon hearing this. Though the Star Crown Sect wasn't famous on the continent, its status was significant. After all, the majestic crown emblem on the Spirit Hall's papal decree was the inherited martial soul of the Star Crown Sect, the Star Crown. Moreover, he knew that the Star Crown Sect had shown signs of emerging decades ago; though still low-key, it was in a semi-hidden state, secretly accumulating strength.
What made Chen Yi even clearer was the future memory in his mind: After the Sun-Moon Continent War six thousand years later, the Star Crown Xu Family would replace the Dai Family as the new imperial family of the Star Luo Empire, relying on their formidable strength and deep foundation.
To achieve a dynastic change, their sect's foundation and power were imaginable. In his estimation, the current Star Crown Sect, in terms of high-level Titled Douluo combat power, might not be inferior to the current Body Sect.
"With the Body Sect and Star Crown Sect helping back then, even if the forces Ye Cien gathered couldn't fully avenge him, making the Seven Treasures Glazed Sect pay a heavy price should have been feasible. So why didn't he pursue revenge for his son's death? It's really unreasonable."
This was the most puzzling part for Chen Yi. The grudge of a killed son was irreconcilable; Ye Cien's forbearance was too abnormal.
"I'm not entirely clear on the specific reasons; perhaps Ye Cien had deeper plans at the time."
The Grand Elder shook his head lightly, his tone carrying a hint of contemplation. "The Seven Treasures Glazed Sect is ultimately one of the upper three sects, with a thousand-year inheritance and unfathomable foundation. Perhaps there was some unknown deal or secret back then that made Ye Cien choose to stop."
Chen Yi pondered thoughtfully. Actually, Ye Cien's decision to back down was understandable. The lineup of helpers seemed powerful, but few were truly willing to act.
Those people owed the Ye Family great favors; if they didn't show up, even if nothing was said openly, they'd be criticized behind their backs. At their level, face was everything. Showing up to lend support and boost momentum was fine, and it could earn them a good reputation for repaying kindness without fearing the powerful. But when it involved their own lives and fortunes, it was absolutely impossible—that's just human nature.
…
In the private room on the other side.
"Grandpa, what's wrong?" Ye Lingling, who had removed her veil, already showed an otherworldly beauty despite her young age. Seeing Ye Cien lost in thought, she asked curiously.
Ye Cien looked at the girl with a kind smile: "Nothing, I was just surprised by the people at that table earlier."
Ye Lingling frowned slightly. The table Grandpa mentioned must be the one with the kid who had been staring at her, but she hadn't seen anything special about them!
"The middle-aged man accompanying them is the owner of this shop, a top Soul Emperor, probably not far from Soul Sage. And behind this shop are multiple Soul Sage powerhouses as backers—on the continent, that's a first-rate force."
Hearing this, Ye Lingling finally showed surprise on her face. Soul Sages might seem commonplace in the original story, like they were everywhere, but in reality, with Titled Douluos transcending the mundane and Soul Douluos high above, Soul Sages were top-tier combat power in the soul master world.
After all, aside from the Spirit Hall and the seven major sects, even the two great empires didn't have Titled Douluos on the surface, and Soul Douluos were few. A Soul Sage could almost stand at the peak of various kingdoms.
Three years ago, the Lou Family, with five Soul Sages, was already the top family in the Barak Kingdom and ranked in the top fifty soul master families on the continent.
So, this shop's high-level combat power could even contend for the title of the number one soul master family in the Osway Kingdom!
For the head of a force comparable to a first-rate soul master family to personally accompany them, the other party must be at least of the same level; an ordinary Soul Sage couldn't achieve that.