Chapter 12

Chapter 12: The Ye Family Doesn't Have A Useless Waste Like You

"Coupled with the fact that Miss might not be aware, although Alchemists are formidable, there are even more powerful professions than them – the Pill Masters. The pills they refine can not only heal illnesses but also augment spiritual energy, assisting in cultivation. They are highly sought after. It's said that Prince Xuan spent twenty Night Pearls and five Eastern Pearls at the Lustrous Pavilion just to purchase a Blood Spirit Pill recently. It was truly staggering."

"Then, apart from Pill Masters, there are also Artifact Smiths who forge Spiritual Artifacts. Spiritual Artifacts are the lifeline of Spirit Users. Even the lowest-grade, Red Rank Lower Class Spiritual Artifact costs a Night Pearl. When it reaches the Upper Class, its price triples, and if it advances to the Orange Rank, it becomes even more valuable than the Blood Spirit Pill. In our entire Li Kingdom, few possess Orange Rank Spiritual Artifacts. Thus, the Yellow Rank Middle Class Spiritual Artifact in our Old Marquis's possession is an invaluable treasure!"

"Unfortunately, whether it's Alchemists, Pill Masters, or Artifact Smiths, only those with a natural affinity for Fire-type Spiritual Energy can refine them. Therefore, among the five elements - Gold, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth - Fire holds the highest prestige. Each of these elements has nine ranks, with the first and second being ordinary, third and fourth being excellent. If one surpasses the fourth rank, they're considered a genius! Our young master back then had a sixth-rank Fire-type affinity, a talent that rarely appears once in a hundred years on the Lingyun Continent. If it weren't for what happened later on..."

Cuizhu was a chatterbox. Seeing Ye Xiyao listening attentively, her initial fear dissipated, and she began speaking incessantly. However, she accidentally mentioned the Young Master of the Duke of State's Manor, Ye Wuchen.

Nowadays, Ye Wuchen was a taboo subject within the entire manor. Coincidentally, just as she spoke his name, a loud bang echoed as the door was kicked open, followed by a ferocious voice from the entrance:

"Which lowly wench is spouting nonsense here? Bring her out and beat her!"

Cuizhu had only intended to curry favor with Ye Xiyao but never expected to be caught red-handed by Ye Wuchen.

As soon as the voice faded, two attendants from the manor quickly entered the room and dragged Cuizhu away.

Cuizhu was utterly terrified. It wasn't until she was dragged out of the room that she regained her senses, desperately pleading for mercy while crying out for Ye Xiyao's help.

Yet, Ye Xiyao's heart was cold. The thought of Cuizhu being crippled and needing to train someone new filled her with dread. Lying on the bed, she pouted her lips dramatically and blinked her eyes anxiously before stretching out her hand in a dramatic gesture.

"Ahh... Cuizhu, Cuizhu, I want Cuizhu!"

Ye Xiyao wailed like a child whose toy had been taken away. This only made Ye Wuchen's already grim expression darken further. He then sternly commanded,

"How can a lowly servant warrant such protection? Beat her, beat her until she can't breathe!"

"Sob... sob... I want Cuizhu, I want Cuizhu—"

"Silence!"

At merely sixteen years of age, Ye Wuchen possessed features of striking handsomeness, imbued with the sharp edge characteristic of a young man. Yet, his brows betrayed an ominous ferocity, chillingly violent to behold. Presently seated in a wooden wheelchair, he gazed coldly upon Ye Xiyao, who wept inconsolably, before propelling himself forward to the bedside.

"Ye Xiyao, there ought to be limits to your foolishness. What right do the Shens have to assault you without retaliation? Even if your wits are lacking, you should at least remember your status - the distinguished eldest miss of the Dingguo Marquis House, yet you were brutally beaten into serious injury within the palace... Haha, how utterly disgraceful! Our Ye family has no place for fools like you, good-for-nothings!"