Yuanen Zhentian and Confrontation

Yuanen Yehui was thoroughly impressed as she examined the descriptions of her new spirit abilities. Compared to her previous spirit ring abilities, the current ones held far more potential.

Nero, noticing the mention of the "Rock Monarch Bloodline" in Yuanen Yehui's status, couldn't help but inquire, "What is the Rock Monarch Bloodline? I don't think I've heard of it before." He looked to Aria for an explanation. Aria responded, "The Rock Monarch is a new bloodline that belongs to Yehui. Its potential is entirely dependent on her cultivation."

Nero and Yuanen Yehui both nodded as they absorbed the information about the Rock Monarch Bloodline. Nero then shifted his attention toward Yuanen Yehui and inquired, "Have you told your family about this yet?"

Yuanen Yehui hesitated for a moment and then shook her head, indicating that no one in her family was aware of her metamorphisis. Nero gently took her hand and said " Yehui, Your hate towards them are valid but they neglected you because they are afraid of Demon plane. We have to tell them because these circumstances don't change the fact that they are your family. You can't severe your connections with them it would hurt a lot, Trust me."

Noticing that her resistance was fading Nero continued, " We will visit your grandfather today, okay. I will personally explain everything to him". Yuanen Yehui expressed her concern, "But my grandfather is a Limit Douluo, What if he tries to make things difficult for you?"

Nero smiled warmly and replied, "We won't be going alone. My aunt and grandpa will also accompany us." Yuanen Yehui suddenly remembered that Nero's aunt and grandpa were both Rank 98 and 99 Titled Douluo, which reassured her and eased her concerns. "Okay, Get ready while I am outside. We'll first meet up with my aunt and grandpa," Nero said as he left the room.

Half 'n' hour later Nero after getting freshen up returned to his room, "Knock, knock! Yehui, are you good to go?" Nero called out as he lightly knocked on the door. " Coming! " Yuanen Yehui's voice came from inside the room, accompanied by the sound of her hurried movements. "Yeah, I am almost ready; just let me tie my hair," Yuanen Yehui replied as she opened the door. Nero was momentarily stunned when he saw her dressed in a black top and skirt with her wet hair cascading down. A few drops of water still clung to her face, suggesting that she had been in a hurry to get ready.

Nero suddenly grabbed her hand, his actions left Yuanen Yehui in a state of surprise. "Ah!" she exclaimed softly as he led her into the room and pressed her against the door. His hands encircled her waist, and his intense gaze was fixed on her face. " You..What are you doing " seeing Nero at such a close proximity Yuanen Yehui asked with notifying blush on her face.

Nero brought his mouth closer to her ear, and his voice became a soft, intimate whisper. "Resisting," he murmured, his warm breath teasing the delicate skin of Yuanen Yehui's earlobe, "I am resisting my urge to not let go of you and just keep embracing you." As his words washed over her, a rush of tingling sensations cascaded through her body, and her blush deepened.

As Nero inhaled the fragrance emanating from Yuanen Yehui's hair, he continued in a soft, sultry voice, "I feel like a child addicted to chocolate, I just can't get enough of you." His words carried a potent mixture of desire and affection.

Nero took a deep breath, his gaze unwavering as it met Yuanen Yehui's eyes. He gently interlocked his fingers with hers and spoke with sincerity, "I know that there are many things we need to do, and I have to control myself. But please, let me be selfish for just a few minutes." In response, Yuanen Yehui hooked her arms around Nero's neck, nodding in consent. With her agreement, Nero tightened his embrace, closing the gap between them, and their lips met in a passionate kiss.

{ I thought about it and decided to mix their romantic interactions in between chapters whenever I can as I don't want to dedicate specific chapters for it }

After their intimate moment, Nero and Yuanen Yehui finally composed themselves and made their way to meet up with Leng Yaozhu and Zhou Honguo.

----

"Uncle, isn't the wind supposed to be the most cheerful and active element? So, how come you're so lazy?" Leng Yaozhu complained with a playful pout as she watched Zhou Hongbuo reclining on a comfortable deckchair beneath a shade umbrella. He seemed to be thoroughly enjoying his leisurely moment, savoring each bite of his senbie.

"Well, my dear, even the most cheerful elements need their moments of relaxation. Besides, I can't be blowing around like a hurricane all the time, can I?" Zhou Hongbuo replied in a lazy tone as he took another leisurely bite of his snack.

Leng Yaozhu's irritation only grew as she retorted, "Well, at least complete your work. Why do you always dump all your paperwork on me? It's like you're the Pagoda Master, and I'm your assistant!" Her frustration with Zhou Hongbuo's laid-back attitude was palpable.

Zhou Hongbuo, ever the master of excuses, quickly defended himself with a chuckle. "Ah, Yaoe'r, you have it all wrong. I'm simply exercising your mental fortitude," he explained with a mischievous glint in his eye. Leng Yaozhu shot him a look that clearly conveyed her thoughts: ' Do I look like a 7-year-old in need of mental exercise? ' Her annoyance was evident in her expression.

"Grandpa, Aunt," Nero's voice interrupted the ongoing bickering between Leng Yaozhu and Zhou Hongbuo. Both of them turned around to see Nero, hand in hand with Yuanen Yehui, a clear display of their relationship. As they saw the intertwined hands of Nero and Yuanen Yehui, smiles instantly lit up their faces, casting aside any traces of previous disagreements.

Zhou Hongbuo, like a gust of wind, quickly moved to stand in front of Yuanen Yehui. His booming laughter filled the air as he asked her, "Hahahahaha, Granddaughter-in-law, tell me your name and how did you meet this stupid grandson of mine?" He paid little attention to Nero, completely focused on getting to know Yuanen Yehui.

" Stupid old man, stop scaring my daughter-in-law " Leng Yaozhu shouted and pushed Zhou Hongbuo aside. She rubbed Yuanen Yehui's her and with a warm smile spoke, "Dear, tell me about yourself. How did you two meet?" Her tone was gentle and inviting, clearly showing her interest in getting to know her potential future daughter-in-law. Nero didn't know whether to laugh or cry as his grandpa and aunt paid him no mind, completely absorbed in getting to know Yuanen Yehui.

Aria, in her mechanical body, stepped forward and addressed Aunt Yaozhu, saying, "Aunt Yaozhu, she's a bit overwhelmed right now. Allow me to share the story of how they met." Aria then proceeded to narrate, recounting everything from the day Nero and Yuanen Yehui had met until the events of the previous day.Leng Yaozhu hugged both Nero and Yuanen Yehui tightly, her emotions overflowing as she scolded Nero, "You are as reckless as your father."

Nero reassured his aunt while holding Yuanen Yehui close, "Aunt, I am fine, and we are both doing well ". Zhou Hongbuo also interjected, " Yaoe'r, Calm down they both are fine and I am sure Nero just didn't come here for this ", Leng Yaozhu nodded and managed to regain her composure. She released Nero and Yuanen Yehui from her embrace, wiping away a few tears that had welled up in the corners of her eyes.

Nero opened up to Zhou Hongbuo about his plan to meet Yuanen Yehui's family. Zhou Hongbuo, after attentively listening to Nero's plans, offered a word of caution regarding Yuanen Yehui's grandfather, Old man Zhentian, emphasizing that Nero might face a test or challenge that he'd have to handle independently.

" Nero, How about we.." Yuanen Yehui was about to persuade Nero to quit this plan in concern but Nero interrupted Yuanen Yehui before she could finish her plea. He said, "No, Yehui. Sooner or later, I would have to meet him. To protect you and ensure our future together, I need to gain the consent of your family." He squeezed her hand reassuringly. "Don't worry; everything will be fine."

Zhou Hongbuo watched the scene with a warm smile on his face. Seeing Nero like this reminded him of Arlo, and how he used to care for Nero's mother.

-----

In a white marble hall supported by golden pillars, a gargantuan pillar resembling elderly man was sitting on a chair with his eyes closed. A expressionless middle-aged man stood beside him.

As if sensing something, the elderly man slowly opened his eyes, and the middle-aged man standing beside him grew serious. A gust of wind suddenly swept through the hall, revealing Zhou Hongbuo and Leng Yaozhu, Nero, and Yuanen Yehui. The atmosphere grew tense as they faced Yuanen Yehui's grandfather, Yuanen Zhentian.

"Are you finally willing to abolish that abomination martial soul?" Yuanen Zhentian spoke to Yuanen Yehui in a cold, stern tone. "No, I have decided to stop following your wishes. I will live my life as I want, and how to deal with my martial soul is my choice, not yours, Grandfather," Yuanen Yehui replied firmly, her voice unwavering.

"You unfilial descendant, watch your tone! Everything about you is given by us. Even the very blood that flows in your body originates from us," the middle-aged man retorted, his words dripping with authority as he unleashed his Titled-Douluo pressure. Nero was going to cover Yuanen Yehui when she stopped him. She summoned forth her Rock god spear and said, " Not anymore, uncle ".

The middle-aged man and the elderly man were stunned as they witnessed the Rock God Spear, a martial soul that suppressed their Titan Giant Ape martial soul. They could feel the overwhelming Earth/Rock and Gravity attribute energy emanating from it.

"What did you do?" the middle-aged man asked, pointing his finger accusingly at Yuanen Yehui.

Stepping forward, Nero spoke in her place, "She took control of her own fate, nothing else. Why are you both acting like victims here when she was the one who was isolated and neglected since her childhood? " The middle-aged man instantly retorted in anger, " What do you know? "

"I know everything. I know how you all used her as a scapegoat for all your pain and losses. You blamed her for the Demon Plane incident when she wasn't even involved in it. Her mother sacrificed herself just for your so-called family's honor, but what did Yehui get in return? Instead of figuring out how to deal with the Demon Plane, you both chose to avoid it altogether!" The middle-aged man couldn't contain his anger any longer and threw a punch at Nero.

Nero instantly activated his Devil Trigger and caught the middle-aged man's punch, creating a powerful wave of air pressure. He shouted at both of them with his demonic-human voice, "Do you really think abolishing her martial soul would have solved the problem?". " WHAT? " The middle-aged man and Yuanen Yehui's grandfather exclaimed at the same time.

"Yeah, the Demon Seed isn't a portal to the demonic plane but instead a sacrifice to open a portal to something much worse. Even killing her wouldn't solve that, as the Demon Seed would just reside in another soul master's body," Yuanen Yehui's uncle and grandfather lost all their momentum. Until now, they had been subconsciously comforting themselves, believing that they were treating Yuanen Yehui this way to save the world. But now, hearing that it was all in vain, flashbacks of the way they had mistreated Yuanen Yehui started haunting them.

"From the moment I was born, the origin of Demons fused with me and my brother. What do you think my parents did? Isolate us? No. They did everything they could to help us overcome the enemies we would face. They even sacrificed themselves just to keep both of us safe. In fact, for a very long time, I blamed myself, thinking it was my fault. But my father left us a message stating that he would sacrifice himself if he had to do it again," Nero's emotions were in disarray as he spoke. He had thought that maybe Yehui's family just didn't know how to face her, but after seeing how they had put all the blame on her, he became totally enraged.

Yuanen Yehui quickly held Nero's hand to calm him down and then turned towards her grandfather and uncle, her gaze resolute.

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