The Ye family's martial shrine stored a wide collection of refined martial techniques, carefully compiled by generations of predecessors.
Only those who had earned exceptional merits for the clan or secured a spot in the top three of the clan competition were granted entry to this shrine.
The shrine was located in the southern manor, a highly guarded area. In the past, the former Lingyue wouldn't have even dared to get close to it, let alone dream of entering.
"Father, I've brought Lingyue here." The current guardian of the martial shrine was Ye Huangshu, father of Lingyue's cousin Yin Shuang.
Ye Huangshu and Ye Huangcheng were brothers, but their personalities were polar opposites. Because Ye Huangshu was upright and dependable, Ye Gu had entrusted him with the important duty of guarding the martial shrine.
Sizing up her second uncle, Lingyue noticed that Yin Shuang and her father shared a lot of similarities, especially the round face. But unlike his daughter's soft appearance, Ye Huangshu carried a rugged aura of strength and discipline.
To be entrusted with guarding such an important place, Ye Huangshu's cultivation level clearly wasn't low.
"Second Uncle," Lingyue greeted respectfully. Aside from Ye Qing and his father, most of her other uncles in the family had treated her fairly well.
"You're here." Ye Huangshu gave her a closer look. Until today, he hadn't really paid much attention to this daughter of his third sister. But now, with one glance, he could see it—despite her still-childlike features, her eyes, nose, and lips were already forming the foundation of a stunning beauty.
So young, and already so striking. Without a doubt, this girl would grow into a breathtaking woman.
This reminded him of his third sister, Ye Huangyu. Back in her day, she too was beautiful, proud, and full of talent. But those very qualities ended up attracting the wrong kind of attention. In the end, she was discarded and left with nothing but a tragic fate.
"Lingyue, you did well in the clan competition. But tell me, why didn't you challenge Ye Saint for first place?" Although Ye Huangshu hadn't attended in person, he had heard the full story from his daughter.
Near the end of the competition, Lingyue actually had the chance to challenge Ye Saint for the top spot, but she chose not to.
"Ye Saint is my eldest uncle's son. He's three years older than me and already at the seventh rank. I knew I couldn't beat him," Lingyue replied calmly after thinking it through.
If both first and third place got access to the martial shrine, then it didn't make much of a difference. She had already offended Ye Qing and his father—there was no reason to go provoke the first branch and make life even harder for herself and her mother.
What a clever child!
Ye Huangshu was genuinely impressed. Her brief answer was full of underlying meaning.
Ye Saint was the direct grandson of the family patriarch, so his status was much higher than Ye Qing's.
But by saying she wasn't a match yet, she was clearly implying that she would be one day. Though she currently relied on others, she still carried an unyielding pride in her bones.
This child was destined for great things. Compared to his own daughter, Lingyue—three years younger—was already thinking ahead and acting with strategy. The difference between them was like night and day.
Ye Huangshu couldn't help but feel relieved that his daughter had befriended Lingyue instead of standing in her way.
"The rule for entering the martial shrine is that one must be at least at the third rank. Since you've never tested your cultivation before, we'll need to confirm it now," Ye Huangshu said, leading Lingyue over to the Yuan energy monument standing before the martial shrine.
The stone tablet had numbers carved from one to nine, representing the nine levels of body training. Anyone who surpassed level nine was considered to have stepped into the celestial realm.
Since Lingyue had been mentally challenged in the past, she'd never taken this test before. Following her second uncle's instructions, she pressed her palm to the monument.
The moment she struck it, Yuan energy surged upward like an arrow, quickly rising past the number three as Ye Huangshu watched.
Just as he was about to say "that's enough," the energy kept pushing upward. Finally, it stopped at the number five.
"Fifth rank of body training—Lingyue, you're already at the fifth rank?" Ye Huangshu could hardly believe it. If he hadn't witnessed it himself, he wouldn't have accepted it.
All the information he had so far said she was only at the fourth rank!
"I had a breakthrough recently in the mountains. Second Uncle, the test's over, right? Can I go in now?" Lingyue asked.
"Of course. The martial shrine has three floors. The first floor contains basic techniques, nothing of high grade. The second floor holds ninth-grade martial skills passed down by the clan. But remember, the third floor is reserved for the elders only. You must not go up there—if you do, there will be consequences. Got it?" Ye Huangshu reminded her as he watched her climb the stairs.
"To think Third Sister gave birth to such a talented daughter… it's a blessing in the midst of misfortune. What a pity, her injury…" Emotions surged in Ye Huangshu's heart as his mind drifted into memories.
It wasn't until Lingyue disappeared into the shrine that he suddenly remembered something important. Turning quickly, Ye Huangshu rushed toward the Ye clan's main manor.
"What? Lingyue has reached the fifth rank of body training?" The news shocked everyone—including Ye Gu.
"It's absolutely true. Second Master tested her personally using the Yuan energy monument," a servant confirmed.
Among the Ye family, there were fewer than thirty individuals at the fifth rank.
And of those, only three had reached that level at the young age of thirteen: Ye Liu Yun, Lingyue, and Ye Huangyu.
But Lingyue's case was even more extraordinary. Unlike her mother, who had trained since childhood, Lingyue had only started cultivating less than three months ago.
"Send word. Starting today, the people living in the northern manor are to move to the eastern manor," Ye Gu ordered.
It had been ten years since that argument, the one that made Ye Huangyu move into the northern manor.
Now that she was allowed to return, it was only a matter of time before the family fully accepted her again.
Not everyone welcomed this news, though. Remembering how Ye Huangyu's brilliance once overshadowed the entire family, Ye Huangcheng clenched his teeth in resentment.
"Father, since Lingyue has reached the fifth rank and is already thirteen, I believe she should begin taking part in family matters as well," Ye Huangyun, the eldest son of the clan, stepped forward with a suggestion.
In Da Xia, men and women who turned thirteen could either join the army or start trading in business. There was no gender discrimination in this respect.
A fifth-rank cultivator was considered a mid-tier backbone of the clan. Sooner or later, she would have to shoulder her responsibilities.
Since Ye Gu had already accepted Lingyue and her mother, it was only natural to start introducing her to clan affairs.
"Very well. Once Lingyue returns from the martial shrine, have someone inform her. Huangyun, I'll leave it to you to explain it to your sister. Starting tomorrow, Lingyue will stop going to the martial hall and begin touring the forge workshop. It'll give her a better understanding of the family's business," Ye Gu decided after some thought.