Chapter 4: Branch Family arrival
"The near-death situation changed me," he finally said, careful to keep his voice steady. "When I was lying there, bleeding and abandoned, I realized that my kindness was seen as foolishness by people like Ye Chen. It... gave me a new perspective."
Xueyin studied him for a long moment, her expression unreadable. The python on her shoulders similarly fixed him with its heterochromatic gaze, as if it too were judging the truth of his words.
"Good, Yue'er," she finally said, seemingly satisfied with his explanation. "But you know, not everything requires ruthlessness. Stay in the middle way. Don't trust anyone just by listening to them, but don't close your heart completely either."
Bai Yuexian nodded, genuinely appreciating the advice. It aligned well with his own philosophy from his previous life trust, but verify.
With a graceful movement, Xueyin reached for the sword at her waist. It was a magnificent weapon, its scabbard adorned with intricate frost patterns and the image of a phoenix rendered in silver and blue. When she drew it, the blade itself seemed to emanate cold, the air around it visibly distorting as moisture crystallized.
"Let me help you with your practice," she said, a hint of a smile playing at the corners of her lips. It wasn't exactly a warm expression more like the satisfaction of a teacher presented with an opportunity to test a student.
Bai Yuexian tightened his grip on his spear. He knew from his inherited memories that his sister was leagues above him in cultivation and combat skill. She had already reached the Boundless Ocean Realm, two major realm beyond his own level. Even if she held back significantly, this would not be an easy sparring session.
Still, he nodded his acceptance. "I would appreciate the guidance, Sister."
They took positions across from each other in the courtyard. Bai Xueyin's python familiar unwound itself from her shoulders, slithering to a safe distance where it could observe the match, its jewel-like scales catching the morning light.
Bai Yuexian shifted into a defensive stance, spear held diagonally across his body. In his previous life, he had practiced some martial arts as a hobby, but nothing that could prepare him for combat in this cultivation world. He would need to rely entirely on the muscle memory and instincts of his current body.
Without warning, Xueyin moved. Her advance was so fluid it seemed as though she floated across the stone tiles of the courtyard. The first thrust of her frost sword came directly at his center mass fast, precise, and carrying an aura of cold that made the air between them shimmer.
Bai Yuexian barely registered the attack in time to step aside, the blade passing close enough that he felt its chill against his skin. But Xueyin was already moving again, her body pivoting gracefully as she transitioned into a wide, arcing slash.
The beauty of her movement was mesmerizing like watching a dance rather than a martial display. Her sword cut through the air in a perfect arc, leaving a trail of crystalline frost in its wake. Bai Yuexian raised his spear horizontally, attempting to block the incoming strike.
Their weapons met with a resounding clang that echoed through the courtyard. The force of the impact, even though he knew she was restraining herself greatly, sent shockwaves through his arms. He skidded backward fifteen steps, his feet leaving gouges in the stone floor as he fought to maintain his balance.
The final momentum sent him tumbling, his body rolling across the ground before coming to a stop against the courtyard wall. His muscles screamed in protest, the medicinal effects of the previous night's pills not yet complete enough to withstand such intense physical strain.
Xueyin sheathed her sword with a single fluid motion, the blade disappearing into its scabbard with a soft click. "You have improved a bit," she acknowledged, "but you're still lacking skill. Your reflexes are decent, but your technique needs refinement."
Bai Yuexian picked himself up from the ground, wincing slightly as his strained muscles protested. "I'll work harder, Sister Xueyin."
She nodded, apparently satisfied with his response. "Now I will go meet with Father and Mother. Rest and resume your practice later." With that, she turned and walked toward the exit, her python familiar slithering back to her and reclaiming its position around her shoulders.
As she departed, the unnatural cold that had permeated the courtyard gradually dispersed, returning the space to its normal temperature. Bai Yuexian watched her go, reflecting on the brief but intense encounter. His sister was clearly a formidable cultivator, her power evident even when she was holding back significantly.
Once alone, he returned to his room, collapsing onto his bed with a groan of exhaustion. His muscles ached, and he could feel bruises forming where he had hit the ground.
"If I didn't have the family backing..." he muttered to himself, staring up at the ornately carved ceiling. "If I had transmigrated into some poor village kid instead of a clan heir, what kind of fate would I be facing now?" The thought was sobering. In this world of cultivation where power determined everything, being born into a prominent family was an incalculable advantage.
"I don't even get a cheat system like in those novels I read," he continued, half-joking with himself. In many of the web novels he had enjoyed in his previous life, transmigrated protagonists often received special systems or abilities that helped them rise to power. But here he was, in a body with reportedly limited talent, facing a world where strength was everything.
He waited for a moment, half-expecting something to happen for a system interface to suddenly appear before his eyes, or for a mysterious voice to offer him some hidden power. But nothing came. The room remained silent except for the distant chirping of birds in the courtyard.
"Just my luck," he sighed, rubbing his sore shoulders. "I'll have to do this the hard way."
A gentle knock at the door interrupted his self-pity. "Enter," he called, sitting up despite his body's protests.
The door slid open to reveal an older woman dressed in the attire of a head maid simple but high-quality robes with the Bai family crest embroidered on the sleeve, indicating her senior position within the household staff.
"Young Master," she said with a respectful bow, "the Clan Head is calling for you in the meeting hall."
Bai Yuexian frowned slightly. "Did Father mention what this is about?"
"No, Young Master," the head maid replied. "But there appear to be visitors from one of the branch families."
He nodded, then realized someone was missing. "Where is Liu Mei?" he asked, referring to his personal maid who usually attended to such matters.
"Liu Mei is about to breakthrough in her cultivation, so she is in meditation," the head maid explained. "She has been preparing for this advancement for some time."
This information surprised Bai Yuexian somewhat. From his inherited memories, he knew that Liu Mei was indeed a cultivator herself not unusual in a prominent clan where even servants were often cultivators of modest talent. She had been at the sixth level of the Vital Essence Tempering Realm, the same as him, but apparently was now advancing to the seventh level.
"I see," he said, rising from the bed and attempting to straighten his rumpled training clothes. "Please tell Father I will be there shortly."
After the head maid departed, Bai Yuexian quickly washed his face and changed into more formal attire appropriate for a family meeting. The clothes a hanfu in the Bai family colors of white and blue were made of fine materials that felt smooth against his skin, yet another reminder of the privileged position he now occupied in this world.
As he made his way through the sprawling family compound toward the meeting hall, he reviewed what he knew of the Bai clan's structure. According to his memories, the Bai clan was divided into four branches spread across the Azure Vermilion country. The main family resided here in the eastern region, while branch families managed clan interests in the western, northern, and southern regions. Each branch operated semi-autonomously but ultimately answered to the main family and its head his father, Bai Hongxuan.
The meeting hall was an impressive structure at the center of the compound. Its high ceilings were supported by massive pillars carved with dragons and phoenixes, symbols of the clan's aspirations toward higher cultivation realms. Spirit stones embedded in ornate lanterns provided gentle illumination, and the walls were adorned with calligraphy and paintings created by clan members of past generations.
As Bai Yuexian entered, he immediately noticed the gathering of people around the central table. His father, Bai Hongxuan, sat at the head position, his posture straight and dignified. To his right was Bai Xueyin, her cold beauty even more striking in the hall's formal setting. The Fifth Elder, Bai Junze, stood to his father's left, his weathered face set in a serious expression.
On the opposite side of the table were two men Bai Yuexian didn't recognize. One was elderly, perhaps in his seventies by appearance, though Bai Yuexian knew that cultivators could maintain youthful appearances well into advanced age. The older man wore robes that, while of good quality, were simpler than those worn by members of the main family. Beside him sat a middle-aged man with a stern expression, similarly dressed in quality but understated attire.
"Father, you called for me?" Bai Yuexian said respectfully as he approached.
Bai Hongxuan nodded, gesturing to the empty seat beside his sister. "Yes, Yuexian, come here."
As Bai Yuexian took his place, his father continued, "These gentlemen have come from the branch family of our Bai clan. This is Elder Bai Zhenhai." He indicated the older man, who nodded respectfully.
"And this," Hongxuan continued, gesturing to the middle-aged man, "is Bai Chenrui."
Bai Yuexian offered a polite greeting to both men, cupping his hands in the traditional manner. "It is an honor to meet respected members of our branch family."
The two visitors returned the gesture with equal politeness, though Bai Yuexian noticed a flicker of assessment in their eyes as they regarded him. He wondered what they had heard about the "foolish" young master of the main family.
"They have come from the southern branch of our family," Bai Hongxuan explained. "They are facing some problems that require our attention."
Bai Yuexian nodded, though he was puzzled about why his presence was necessary. Based on his understanding of his position within the family, matters involving branch families would typically be handled by his father and the elders without involving him.
"Speak, Elder Bai Zhenhai," Hongxuan instructed. "What problems are you facing?"
The elderly man leaned forward, his expression grave. "Clan Head, there are two issues of concern. First, there have been strange movements in the Devil Mountain Valley. It seems something unusual is happening there perhaps a ruin is about to reveal itself, or some major event is approaching. Other powerful families have already deployed small teams to scout the nearby areas."
Bai Yuexian's interest was immediately piqued. Devil Mountain Valley the name suggested a place of danger, but also potentially of opportunity. In the cultivation novels he had read in his previous life, such mysterious locations often contained valuable treasures or cultivation resources.
"And the second issue?" Bai Hongxuan prompted.
"The second issue," Elder Zhenhai continued, his voice dropping slightly, "is that people from our mining operations have been mysteriously disappearing. Workers venture into the mines and never return. We've lost seventeen people in the past month alone."
This revelation sent a ripple of tension through the room. Bai Yuexian observed the reactions of those present his father's expression darkened, while Xueyin's eyes narrowed almost imperceptibly. The Fifth Elder stroked his beard thoughtfully, his brow furrowed in concentration.
"Yuexian," his father said suddenly, turning to face him. "What do you think of these matters? What would be your assessment?"
The question caught Bai Yuexian by surprise. From his inherited memories, he knew that the original Bai Yuexian was seldom consulted on matters of importance, being considered too naive and kind-hearted for the often harsh realities of clan politics. This question suggested that his father was testing him, perhaps curious about the change in his character that Xueyin had already noticed.