"Little girl, you are Hongwu's daughter, so you are half my daughter. Don't be so polite."
"As for you not knowing fist techniques, that's simple. Look..."
Yan Shenghui stuffed the boxing gloves into Dongfang Mingyue's hand, then revealed the secret manual.
Blazing Tiger Fist!
Upon seeing the name on the secret manual, Ye Cangtian and Dongfang Mingyue were both stunned.
Blazing Tiger Fist was one of the ultimate techniques of the Blazing Fire Institute, always kept secret and only accessible to direct disciples within the institute.
Neither of them had expected Yan Shenghui to impart this technique to Dongfang Mingyue.
This was also why Ye Cangtian dismissed his doubts about Yan Shenghui.
"No, no, absolutely not. Uncle Shenghui, I cannot accept this secret manual."
Dongfang Mingyue, having recovered, repeatedly waved her hands. This secret manual was too precious. If she truly accepted it, she wouldn't know how to repay it in the future.
"It's not precious. No matter how precious a secret manual is, it's not as precious as you," Yan Shenghui said.
"Sister Mingyue, accept it. More skills won't burden you," Ye Cangtian chimed in. He had fought Yuan Biao and knew the power of Blazing Tiger Fist; it was undoubtedly a top-tier fist technique.
If Dongfang Mingyue practiced this move, she could use a sword, wielding the Chaos Seven Kill Sword, or use her fists. Her combat strength would undoubtedly increase significantly.
As for the favor owed, it was nothing. At most, he would help her repay it.
Listening to Ye Cangtian's words and looking at Yan Shenghui's expression, Dongfang Mingyue hesitated for a moment before finally accepting it and quickly expressed her gratitude.
"Heh heh, that's more like it."
"Originally, I wanted to teach you the Blazing Immovable Body, but the cultivation of this technique is too dangerous. Uncle is afraid you might get hurt."
"Furthermore, the Blazing Immovable Body is personally guarded by Ye Yaoyang. To cultivate it, you'd need his consent, so..."
Seeing that Dongfang Mingyue had accepted it, Yan Shenghui's face finally showed a satisfied smile, and he began to ramble.
Although he could also pass down the Blazing Immovable Body, it was different from the Blazing Tiger Fist. That was Ye Yaoyang's bottom line.
If he discovered that he had secretly taught it, Ye Yaoyang would surely turn against him, which would bring no benefit to the Blazing Fire Institute, nor to him or his family.
Therefore, after much consideration, he abandoned the idea.
Dongfang Mingyue repeatedly waved her hands upon hearing this.
To be honest, accepting the Blazing Tiger Fist was already her limit. If she were to take the Blazing Immovable Body as well, she would have to turn around and leave the Blazing Fire Institute.
The reason was simple: once you take someone's gift, you are indebted. She was deeply afraid of being unable to repay such kindness.
Thus, after this small interlude, the two chatted about family matters. After a long while, Yan Shenghui left the palace with Yan Biao.
...
In another corner of the Blazing Fire Institute.
Ye Yaoyang was resting with his eyes closed in his room. Suddenly, the sound of footsteps approached. He slowly opened his eyes, a faint smile appearing on his face.
From the sound of the footsteps and the aura, he already knew the identity of the person approaching.
The next moment, the door opened, and a tall figure walked in.
It was a man who looked to be in his late thirties or early forties, wearing a dark red long gown. His face was sharp and chiseled, giving the impression that he was no ordinary person.
"Zhenghao, you're back."
Ye Yaoyang looked at him, his face full of pride.
This was Ye Zhenghao, hailed as one of the twin prides of the Blazing Fire Institute, and his most cherished son.
Like Yan Biao, Ye Zhenghao possessed exceptional cultivation talent. His cultivation had reached the verge of the Eighth Heaven, and with time, he had the potential to break through to the Heavenly realm.
It was due to his talent and strength that many already regarded him as Ye Yaoyang's successor, the next director of the Blazing Fire Institute.
"Father, why did you urgently summon me back? Is there something important?"
Ye Zhenghao quickly stepped forward, inquiring.
He had been traveling in the southern region, partly to search for ancient treasures and partly to improve his strength.
Just as he felt he was on the verge of a breakthrough and was preparing to charge into the Eighth Heaven, he received Ye Yaoyang's letter.
Seeing the urgent and forceful tone, Ye Zhenghao had no choice but to return.
Hearing this, Ye Yaoyang looked at Ye Zhenghao and smiled slightly, saying, "There's a banquet tonight. You'll attend, and I'll introduce someone to you."
"Oh? Who?"
Ye Zhenghao looked at him curiously. His father knew that he had always disliked such banquets, finding them unnecessary and believing that the time spent at them could be better used for cultivation.
The fact that his father was inviting him to one now suggested that this person was extraordinary, which piqued his interest.
"Heh heh, you'll know when you come tonight," Ye Yaoyang said with a smile.
"Alright then."
Seeing Ye Yaoyang being secretive, he could only shrug his shoulders and respectfully bowed. "Father, I'll take my leave then."
Seeing his father nod, Ye Zhenghao turned and left the room directly.
As he watched Ye Zhenghao's retreating back, a faint smile appeared on Ye Yaoyang's face.
You young rascal, this time it's up to you. If this succeeds, the Blazing Fire Institute will become the king of peak forces, unrivaled!
...
"Boom!"
Ye Cangtian and Dongfang Mingyue, who were resting in the palace, opened their eyes in their respective rooms.
After a loud bang, the entire palace trembled.
This was undoubtedly the sound of a battle.
The two of them walked out of their rooms in unison, exchanged a glance, and headed towards the direction of the sound.
"This..."
Right next to their palace, separated by only a wall, was another palace called Yanghua Hall.
Currently, in the courtyard of Yanghua Hall, two figures were engaged in a fierce battle.
One of them was quite familiar to Ye Cangtian and Dongfang Mingyue; it was Yan Biao, Yan Shenghui's nephew.
The other man looked to be in his thirties or forties, and both were quite unfamiliar with him.
However, his displayed combat power was extremely formidable. Even Yan Biao was slightly at a disadvantage.
"This is..."
Ye Cangtian looked towards Dongfang Mingyue. He didn't know much about the Blazing Fire Institute and wanted to ask if she knew anything about this person.
Sensing Ye Cangtian's gaze, Dongfang Mingyue pursed her lips and said after a moment, "If I'm not mistaken, this person is Ye Zhenghao, who is called one of the twin prides of the Blazing Fire Institute along with Yan Biao."
Ye Zhenghao?
Ye Cangtian's eyebrows rose. He had never heard of this person before.
But his surname was Ye, which made him think of the director of the Blazing Fire Institute. Could there be a connection between them?
It must be. Although the fist technique Ye Zhenghao used was different from Yan Biao's, Ye Cangtian could discern that it was definitely the Blazing Tiger Fist.
It was likely that Ye Zhenghao had slightly improved upon the Blazing Tiger Fist.
With that thought, Ye Cangtian asked, "Sister Mingyue, how much do you know about this Ye Zhenghao?"
Dongfang Mingyue was slightly stunned and replied helplessly, "Sister doesn't know much either. I only know he has good talent and is a martial arts enthusiast."
Good talent?
Ye Cangtian smiled faintly. "I can't agree with that. He's already so old, and his cultivation is only a bit higher than Yan Biao's. Where does the 'good talent' come from?"
"You're right about that."
Dongfang Mingyue did not argue, merely smiling slightly.
After all, compared to Ye Cangtian's talent, Ye Zhenghao was truly nothing, practically ordinary.
Boom!
Just then, Ye Zhenghao and Yan Biao exchanged a fierce punch, and another rumbling sound echoed.
Following that, they both retreated several steps before steadying themselves.
"Brother Zhenghao, your strength is indeed greater. I admit defeat," Yan Biao said, cupping his fists towards Ye Zhenghao.
Hearing this, Ye Zhenghao laughed heartily. "I've only won by a narrow margin. But speaking of which, you've made quite some progress! It seems you've been working hard recently..."
"Brother Zhenghao, an unwelcome guest has arrived. I must take my leave. We'll catch up another day!"
Yan Biao smiled slightly, interrupting Ye Zhenghao.
His peripheral vision had already caught sight of Ye Cangtian and Dongfang Mingyue not far away.
The moment he saw Ye Cangtian, he was reminded of being rescued by him, and he felt extremely vexed. Therefore, he chose to ignore them.
"Hmm? An unwelcome guest..."
Ye Zhenghao was startled by this, then he noticed the two figures not far away and was instantly stunned.
Although he often went out for training, he had seen portraits of Dongfang Mingyue and Ye Cangtian, so he recognized them at first glance.
Especially Ye Cangtian, whose reputation had recently soared, with legends about him spreading everywhere.
Thinking of this, Ye Zhenghao quickly pulled Yan Biao aside. He was on good terms with Yan Biao and naturally knew his temperament.
So he whispered, "Brother, you're avoiding him. Did you get into trouble?"
"You're the one avoiding! What am I avoiding!"
At this remark, Yan Biao seemed to have stepped on a sensitive spot, vehemently denying it through gritted teeth.