44: Chapter 44 Nine Revolutions Overlord Body Technique

Ye Xiaoyao walked slowly between rows of bookshelves, his gaze sweeping over the Jade Slips labeled with the names of Cultivation Techniques.

Profound Water Art

Azure Wood Evergreen Art

Departing Fire Heart Sutra

Thick Earth Burden-Bearing Art

...

The basic Cultivation Techniques for the Five Elements were all there, along with many Sword Arts, Escape Techniques, and even some obscure Incantations.

Fu Hongxue followed beside him, maintaining a distance of half a step.

She didn't speak to disturb him, only occasionally following Ye Xiaoyao's gaze to look at a certain Jade Slip before looking away again.

When they reached the third row of bookshelves, Ye Xiaoyao stopped.

He reached out and took a Jade Slip from the shelf.

The Jade Slip was a pale gold color, warm to the touch, with several ancient-looking small characters carved on its surface.

Nine Revolutions Hegemon Body Art.

Ye Xiaoyao held the Jade Slip, looking it over repeatedly.

He was interested in this name.

"Hegemon Body"?

It sounded very robust and sturdy.

Fu Hongxue tilted her head, and upon seeing the words on the Jade Slip clearly, her eyebrows twitched slightly.

"Martial Nephew Ye."

She spoke, her voice sounding exceptionally clear on the quiet second floor.

"This Nine Revolutions Hegemon Body Art should be a Body Refining Cultivation Technique. Could it be that Martial Nephew wishes to follow the path of Body Refining?"

She was, after all, a Core Formation Cultivator with broad experience; she saw through the nature of this technique at a single glance.

Ye Xiaoyao nodded, his fingers stroking the surface of the Jade Slip.

"Martial Aunt Fu, I am quite interested in Body Refining.

Before entering the sect to Cultivate, I practiced some Mortal martial arts, so now I want to find a higher-grade Body Refining technique to temper my Physical Body."

This was indeed true.

He originally came from a Mortal martial arts School in the Southern Border; his old man was the Third Elder of the Seven Profound Sect.

As for being interested in Body Refining, that was because...

The Pure Yang Power bestowed by the Pure Yang Sacred Body was overbearing and fierce. If it could be paired with a specialized Body Refining technique to hone the Physical Body to the extreme, his combat strength would definitely skyrocket.

Ji Chanxi had also mentioned before that when Pure Yang Power is combined with a formidable Physical Body, its power can double.

Hearing this, a flash of surprise crossed Fu Hongxue's eyes.

She sized Ye Xiaoyao up, as if re-evaluating this martial nephew.

Seeing this, Ye Xiaoyao simply raised his hand and patted his firm chest, then patted his broad shoulders, making a gesture to show off his muscles.

Of course, through the green Daoist robe, nothing could actually be seen, but the posture was there.

"Look, Martial Aunt."

He grinned.

"I really have practiced before."

Fu Hongxue was stunned by his sudden action, then her cheeks reddened slightly, and she couldn't help but let out a "pfft" laugh.

That laughter was very light, like the wind blowing through wind chimes on the eaves.

"Alright, alright,"

She waved her hand, her eyes still carrying a hint of a smile.

"I naturally believe you. Since you've chosen this Nine Revolutions Hegemon Body Art, I support you as well.

The path of Body Refining is arduous, but if one can truly reach Major Achievement, with a formidable Physical Body, one will indeed hold an advantage among those of the same rank."

Ye Xiaoyao responded with a smile, feeling a sense of relief in his heart.

It seemed he had managed to fool her.

"If you've finished choosing."

Fu Hongxue pointed toward the other side of the second floor.

"Go over there to register and record which Cultivation Technique you have received."

The registration desk was by the window, a long table with a Foundation Establishment Late Stage Deacon Disciple sitting behind it.

Ye Xiaoyao walked over and handed over both the Jade Slip and his identity jade plaque.

The Deacon Disciple skillfully recorded it and placed a special mark on the Jade Slip.

This meant the technique was registered under Ye Xiaoyao's name. He could read it with his Divine Sense at any time, but he could not privately copy it or pass it on to others.

The procedures were quickly completed.

Ye Xiaoyao put away the Jade Slip and jade plaque, then turned to head downstairs with Fu Hongxue.

Just as they reached the top of the stairs, a figure suddenly flashed out from the side.

"Junior Brother Ye, please wait."

Cao Sini.

She had been waiting here for who knows how long, now standing in the shadows by the stairs with a well-practiced smile on her Face.

Those eyes of hers looked at Ye Xiaoyao, while her peripheral vision glanced at Fu Hongxue.

"Senior Sister would like to have a few words with you in private."

Cao Sini's voice was soft.

"Is that alright?"

She had originally intended to pick out a technique together with Ye Xiaoyao, but Fu Hongxue had been following him the entire time, inseparable.

Finding no opportunity to approach, she could only finish picking and registering her own technique first, then wait here at the top of the stairs.

Ye Xiaoyao sighed in his heart.

Here we go again.

This Senior Sister Cao, how is she like sticky candy that can't be shaken off?

Could it be that she also sensed the Pure Yang Qi?

Ji Chanxi had said that Pure Yang Qi has a natural attraction for female Cultivators, especially those practicing Yin-attribute techniques.

Cao Sini being so enthusiastic might really have something to do with this.

"Senior Sister Cao."

Ye Xiaoyao remained calm on the surface.

"I wonder what business you have with me?"

Cao Sini didn't answer immediately but instead turned to Fu Hongxue, bowed, and said:

"Martial Aunt, please allow me to chat with Junior Brother Ye alone."

Fu Hongxue looked at her, then at Ye Xiaoyao, and nodded faintly.

"Martial Nephew Ye."

She spoke to Ye Xiaoyao, her tone sounding very normal.

"I will wait for you on the plaza outside."

After saying that, she turned and went downstairs, her red dress flashing at the corner of the stairs before vanishing.

Ye Xiaoyao felt the tone of her last sentence...

Seemed a bit off.

Unhappy?

No, more like... a bit resentful?

He shook his head, thinking he was overthinking things.

Martial Aunt Fu and he were just a normal martial aunt and nephew; what was there to be resentful about?

Seeing Fu Hongxue leave, Cao Sini immediately beckoned to Ye Xiaoyao:

"Junior Brother Ye, could you come a bit closer?"

Though Ye Xiaoyao was helpless, he still had to give Face to a Senior Sister of the same sect.

He walked over and stood before Cao Sini, a polite but distant smile on his Face.

Cao Sini raised her hand and pinched a seal, and a faint barrier of spiritual power enveloped them both.

A Sound-Isolating Technique.

"Junior Brother Ye,"

She lowered her voice, her tone becoming serious.

"In half a year, it will be my Cao Family Head's grand birthday. I wonder if Junior Brother might have time to come and observe the ceremony?"

She paused, observing Ye Xiaoyao's expression, and continued:

"Junior Brother is now a Foundation Establishment Cultivator and so young; your potential is commendable.

My Cao Family most welcomes young and promising Cultivators like Junior Brother."

Recruitment?

Ye Xiaoyao understood immediately.

This was an attempt to pull him into the Cao Family, or at least establish a relationship.

Cultivation families often did such things.

Befriending promising Loose Cultivators or Disciples from small to medium sects to expand their influence.

"Senior Sister Cao must be joking."

Ye Xiaoyao's smile remained unchanged, but his tone carried a clear rejection.

"My Breakthrough to Foundation Establishment was merely a stroke of luck. Cultivators like me are everywhere, not just in the Qiongming Realm but even in the Southern Border.

There's no need for Senior Sister to think so highly of me."

Cao Sini's brow furrowed slightly, her voice carrying a hint of feigned anger:

"If Junior Brother Ye refuses like this, I, your Senior Sister, will be a bit angry."

Ye Xiaoyao didn't fall for that at all.

"Senior Sister Cao."

His tone remained flat as he said:

"I have just broken through to Foundation Establishment and still need to Cultivate diligently. I really do not have much time."

He truly couldn't muster any interest in a Young Miss from a cultivation clan like Cao Sini.

Recruitment?

Marriage alliance?

It all sounded like trouble.

He bowed to Cao Sini and said:

"Martial Aunt Fu is still waiting below. I shall take my leave first. Senior Sister, farewell."

Having said that, without waiting for Cao Sini's response, he turned and left with decisive steps.

Cao Sini stood in place, watching his back. She bit her lip, a flash of irritation in her eyes.

"You!..."

The words that followed were left unsaid as Ye Xiaoyao had already gone down the stairs.

...

On the plaza in front of the Hall of Transmitted Teachings, Fu Hongxue was indeed still waiting.

She stood with her back to the hall entrance, looking at the distant mountains, her red dress fluttering gently in the breeze.

Hearing footsteps, she turned around.

"Martial Aunt Fu."

Ye Xiaoyao stepped forward quickly.

"I've kept you waiting. My apologies."

Fu Hongxue looked at him, the corners of her mouth curving into a faint arc, but the smile didn't reach her eyes.

"Well?"

Her tone sounded very casual.

"Are you finished entangling with that female Disciple?"

Ye Xiaoyao heard that indescribable hint in her words and could only give a bitter smile.

"Martial Aunt is teasing me again."

He shook his head and explained:

"Senior Sister Cao just wanted to have a few simple words with me, that's all."

Fu Hongxue gave an "oh" and didn't press further, turning to walk toward the edge of the plaza.

Ye Xiaoyao followed beside her, but he was muttering in his heart.

That tone just now...

Was it jealousy?

That's impossible!!

He and Fu Hongxue had only known each other for a few days; they were just a normal martial aunt and nephew.

Even if Fu Hongxue looked after him a bit because of Ji Chanxi, she wouldn't go so far as to be jealous just because Cao Sini spoke a few words to him.

But the wrongness in that tone was very real.

Ye Xiaoyao stole a glance at Fu Hongxue.

The lines of her profile were soft, and her expression was calm; nothing unusual could be seen.

Perhaps he was overthinking things.

He shook his head, tossing these messy thoughts aside, and quickened his pace to keep up.

The sunlight was pleasant, spilling over the two of them and casting long shadows.

...