Supreme Cauldron

Chapter 4: From This Day On, You and I Have Nothing to Do With Each Other

Ye Qingshan scrutinized Ling Yun carefully from head to toe, then shook his head. As expected, he no longer had a Spiritual Root—he was completely crippled. 

Back then, Ling Yun had possessed Dual Fire-and-Water Spiritual Roots and the potential to become a Saint. He had been a dazzling talent, so remarkable that even powerhouses from the Heavenly Profound Martial Academy came in person to recommend him for admission. 

But now, Ling Yun had lost his Spiritual Roots and had become a cripple.

“Mother.” Ling Yun respectfully saluted Xiao Liuli, then sat in an empty seat to the side. He lifted his eyelids and asked indifferently, “Patriarch Ye, may I ask why you’ve come to see me?”

All the members of the Ling family turned their sharp gazes toward Ye Qingshan. Although Ling Yun had lost his Spiritual Roots, he was still the Young Master of the Ling family. If Ye Qingshan tried anything out of line today, they would make sure he left the Ling family lying down.

Feeling the pressure from so many sharp eyes, Ye Qingshan was immediately overwhelmed. But no matter what, he was already here today. The matter had to be resolved. Steeling himself, Ye Qingshan spoke in a loud voice, “Years ago, my daughter Mengyan and Nephew Ling Yun had a verbal Engagement Agreement. This was known throughout the city, and our Ye family has never denied it. However, six months ago, Nephew Ling Yun disappeared, and rumors spread wildly. I believe many of you here didn’t think he could return alive. Mengyan wept daily and fell ill from worry.”

First, Ye Qingshan highlighted Ling Yun’s ‘fault,’ then continued, “Fortunately, the heavens took pity, and Mengyan was guided by Chu Tianqi, the lead disciple of the Heavenly Profound Martial Academy, which allowed her to awaken a rare talent.” When he reached this part, Ye Qingshan’s face was filled with pride. “In a few days, Mengyan will be heading to the Heavenly Profound Martial Academy to follow Chu Tianqi. This matter was settled before Nephew Ling Yun returned, so I’ve come today to explain this in person to avoid any further misunderstandings.”

As he spoke, Ye Qingshan clapped his hands, and three large chests were carried into the hall by Ye family servants. “Nephew Ling Yun, it’s a great fortune that you returned safely from the Moyun Mountain Range. I’ve prepared a small gift for you. Please accept it.”

The servants opened the chests. A blinding white light poured out, making it hard to keep one’s eyes open—100,000 low-grade spirit stones, enough to match the Ling family’s income for half a year. This could never be called a “small gift.” It was a fortune.

The Ye family had done everything with impeccable courtesy, saving face for both families. If the Ling family continued to cling to a verbal Engagement Agreement, it would make them seem petty and place the Ye family in a bad light—despite the fact that Ye Mengyan’s decision to follow Chu Tianqi had been made before Ling Yun returned.

The Ling family members were clearly frustrated, but none could express it. One by one, they looked toward Ling Yun.

“Yun’er, this concerns your reputation. Whatever decision you make, your mother will support you.” Xiao Liuli gave Ling Yun full authority over the matter. She knew that no matter how graceful Ye Qingshan’s visit appeared on the surface, rumors would surely spread after today.

Ling Yun raised his eyelids and glanced at Ye Qingshan. He spoke indifferently, “Patriarch Ye, since you claim to explain this in person, why didn’t the person involved—Ye Mengyan—come herself?”

Hearing this, Ye Qingshan’s expression changed slightly. Not good. Could this boy still be trying to hold onto Mengyan? He knew very well that with Chu Tianqi interested in Ye Mengyan, and with her extraordinary talent now awakened, Ling Yun and Ye Mengyan would no longer be people from the same world.

“Patriarch Ye, you don’t need to worry about me pestering her. I only felt that something like this should be said face-to-face.” Ling Yun added calmly. Back then, when Ye Mengyan had bared her heart to him, he had promised to take responsibility. Asking her to come was only to confirm whether the woman he had cherished in his heart for ten thousand years had truly changed.

“Nephew, you’re right.” Ye Qingshan let out a breath of relief. It was precisely because he feared Ling Yun would linger around that he hadn’t let Ye Mengyan come. Otherwise, people might gossip. He immediately sent word.

Not long after, Ye Mengyan arrived. The meeting was moved from the Council Hall to a more private side chamber.

Ye Mengyan wore a light green dress, making her appear elegant and refined. But as she sat across from Ling Yun, she looked nervous, unable to meet his gaze. Ling Yun glanced at her abdomen. Though he had lost all his vast cultivation, his vision was still incredibly sharp.

“You have nothing you wish to say to me?” Ling Yun’s gaze had already calmed. Looking at the woman before him felt like facing a stranger.

“I… I’m sorry.” Ye Mengyan clutched the hem of her dress. The many explanations she had rehearsed countless times couldn’t make it past her lips. All that came out were those three words.

Ling Yun shook his head. “I called you here today only out of respect for the past—to see if you had any unavoidable reason. But now I see, there’s nothing left to say. It seems this is simply fate.”

He felt the obsession buried in his heart for ten thousand years vanish the moment he saw Ye Mengyan again.

“Because you suddenly disappeared, I went out to clear my mind and met him…” Ye Mengyan said in a low voice.

Ling Yun shook his head. “You and your father are truly alike. Are you saying all this happened because I disappeared? And how long had I even been missing when you met him?” He glanced once more at her abdomen. “In the end, this all boils down to the fact that he is more powerful.”

Ye Mengyan’s hands instinctively clenched. She said nothing.

“From this day on, you and I have nothing to do with each other.” Ling Yun’s voice was calm.

The side chamber fell into a brief silence. Ye Mengyan then stood up and walked away. From beginning to end, she never looked Ling Yun in the eye.

“Wait.” Ling Yun suddenly spoke.

Ye Mengyan stopped at the doorway but didn’t turn back.

“Is the child’s father Chu Tianqi?” Ling Yun asked.

Ye Mengyan trembled slightly, then gave a barely audible “Mm” and left without turning around.

Watching her receding figure, Ling Yun’s gaze turned cold and sharp like a blade. “I thought you and I had nothing left between us, but fate really likes to twist the knife.”

He shook his head, stood up, and looked toward the direction of the Heavenly Profound Martial Academy. “Now that this matter is settled, it’s time for the next one.”

Though the Ye family had handled the Engagement Annulment with grace, rumors still spread. Without exception, they all claimed Ling Yun had been cuckolded. Ling Yun didn’t care. He bid farewell to Xiao Liuli and set off toward the Heavenly Profound Martial Academy.

Xiao Liuli knew the Academy’s entrance exam was just days away. But in Ling Yun’s current condition, it was impossible for him to be accepted. Still, no one knew their son better than a mother. Xiao Liuli knew that once Ling Yun made a decision, no force in the world could change his mind. So, she could only instruct the Grand Elder to protect him in secret.

After three days of travel, Ling Yun arrived at a city outside the Heavenly Profound Martial Academy. Within the city, nestled in a quiet alley, was a wine shop.

Ling Yun knocked on the door. A crisp female voice called from inside, “Who is it?”

“It’s me, Ling Yun.”

The door opened. A girl in red cheerfully bounced out. “Young Master Ling, why are you here alone?” She looked behind him curiously. “Where’s Miss? Didn’t she go to Tianyan City to find you?”

The young lady in red referred to was Lu Xueyao—lover of wine and owner of the wine shop, and also the senior sister of the Heavenly Profound Martial Academy. She and Ling Yun had met during a training expedition in the Moyun Mountain Range. Their open and bold personalities quickly made them kindred spirits and close friends.

“Xueyao went to Tianyan City?” Ling Yun was surprised. It seemed the two of them had missed each other.

The next day, Lu Xueyao returned. Dressed in white like snow, with silver hair and a breathtaking face, she wore a wine gourd at her waist. Seeing Ling Yun alive before her, Lu Xueyao punched him lightly and scolded, “I knew a guy like you wouldn’t die so easily. As soon as I heard you were seen, I rushed to Tianyan City.”

“Good grief, the whole city’s gossiping that you got dumped. And the rumors are pretty detailed too.”

Ling Yun didn’t care about that. His expression turned serious. “Xueyao, I came to see you today to retrieve something.”