《Urban Undying Lord》 Chapter 1 - 1 1 Returning to the Human World ?1: Chapter 1: Returning to the Human World 1: Chapter 1: Returning to the Human World Heaven and Earth had just opened, and millions of beings were thriving; tumultuous history swept through endless time like tidal waves and mountain collapses. Humans live only for a lifetime, like the grass and trees in autumn, from birth to twilight years, eventually turning to dry bones; such is the mortal fate. In ancient times, Emperors, plagued with illness, sought immortality by worshipping Heaven, searching for eternal life, yet ultimately they could only be buried in the yellow soil. Birth, aging, sickness, and death¡ªthese are the sorrows of mortals, and none can break this iron law. ... Duanchang Mountain, towering mightily, one of the eight great wonders of the world, situated within the borders of Xia Country. With steep slopes as smooth as walls, where neither birds dwell nor beasts leave traces; it was but a fantasy for a mortal to think of reaching its peak, indicating the extreme peril of the mountain. Atop Duanchang Mountain, the north wind was biting cold. Ye Xuan gazed down at the vast sea of clouds, his eyes filled with unspeakable loneliness and vicissitudes, as if nothing in the world could stir him any longer. ¡°Time marches on, years rush by; four years have passed, do you... still remember me?¡± ¡°Or perhaps... you already thought I was buried in the yellow soil?¡± Ye Xuan harbored a huge secret; he was originally a terminal leukemia patient, destined to die, but four years ago he had left the bustling city for Duanchang Mountain, hoping to end his fragile life. However, Heaven gave him a chance, opening a sealed gate, allowing him to survive until now. No, not just merely surviving, as the four years passed, Ye Xuan had gained some things and lost others, gained strength, and what he lost... perhaps was that once compassionate heart! ¡°All things born must die; today Ye Xuan breaks free from his cocoon to become a butterfly, and will once again tread the Human World.¡± Boom rumble. Like thunderous waves and stones flying chaotically, as soon as Ye Xuan¡¯s voice rose, thunder sliced through the sky, thousands of lightning bolts crisscrossed within the clouds, and Duanchang Mountain¡¯s depths resounded with countless beasts¡¯ roars, as if witnessing Ye Xuan¡¯s vow. Storm clouds gathered, thunder ruled the sky. Ye Xuan stepped forward, infinite ripples spread through the void, and he transformed into a streak of light, vanishing above Duanchang Mountain. ... The cold wind howled, and the snow poured heavily; it was the cold winter of December, with few pedestrians on the road and even fewer vehicles, but a desolate figure progressed through the heavy snow. Flurrying snowflakes constantly landed on Ye Xuan¡¯s hair tips, his slender body steadily moving forward until he stopped, standing in front of a hospital. Jiangnan City, affiliated People¡¯s First Hospital. A plaque, white background with black characters, entered Ye Xuan¡¯s sight. ¡°Four years, and I¡¯ve returned to this place!¡± Ye Xuan murmured softly, a trace of bitterness crossing his eyes. Four years ago, he was diagnosed with a terminal illness in this very hospital, spending all his family¡¯s savings on treatment, only to receive a certain death diagnosis in the end. Ye Xuan clearly remembered his mother¡¯s despairing gaze, his brother¡¯s tightly clenched fists, his sister¡¯s tear-reddened eyes... and the cold, merciless letter brought by his father. It was also on that day that Ye Xuan vanished from the hospital under the cover of night, because he didn¡¯t want to die in front of his family, making them grieve for him. Returning to old grounds, things have changed though people remain the same. Four years had passed, no one knew what he had experienced, that he had lived was from walking out of the Blood Sea and Bai Gu; it was an experience he could not share with others. Drifting through the Blood Sea, with all hopes shattered, struggling between life and death, reviving among ruins and Silent Annihilation... blood... endless fresh blood... tragically beautiful... Ye Xuan¡¯s thoughts blurred; the four years¡¯ ordeal seemed like a bloody nightmare. He sank deeply into his memories, his facial expressions sometimes contorting, sometimes fierce, until a sudden voice brought him sharply back to reality. ¡°Hey, young man, don¡¯t stand outside in this cold weather. Are you in some kind of trouble?¡± an elderly man in his fifties wearing a security uniform opened the reception room door and quickly walked toward Ye Xuan. ¡°Old gentleman, may I ask if Dr. Xia Qiu is here?¡± Ye Xuan inquired. ¡°Are you talking about Director Xia Qiu?¡± The gatekeeper spoke and pulled Ye Xuan toward the reception room, and the two entered the room, cutting off the cold wind and snow outside. ¡°Old gentleman, could you please contact Dr. Xia Qiu for me?¡± Ye Xuan got straight to the point. ¡°Okay, wait a moment.¡± The old man didn¡¯t dawdle and directly picked up the phone on the desk and started dialing. ... In the Director¡¯s office. Xia Qiu was looking at a medical case in her hand when the phone beside her rang, prompting her to pick it up. ¡°Hello.¡± ¡°Director Xia, there¡¯s a young man looking for you.¡± ¡°What¡¯s her name, does she have an appointment?¡± As the chief physician of the hospital, Xia Qiu had to deal with many patients¡¯ families every day, so she wasn¡¯t surprised that someone was looking for her. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± the old man¡¯s voice came from the other end of the phone. ¡°Ye Xuan, with ¡®Ye¡¯ from bamboo leaf, and ¡®Xuan¡¯ from Xuanyuan.¡± Click. Suddenly, the glass cup in Xia Qiu¡¯s hand quietly fell to the floor, shattering and leaving her completely stunned. ¡°Hello, hello, Director Xia, what¡¯s wrong?¡± the old man inquired from the other end of the phone. ¡°No... it¡¯s impossible... absolutely impossible... let... let him come see me.¡± Xia Qiu bit her lips tightly, her voice intermittent. If one listened carefully, they would detect an overwhelming shock in her tone. It¡¯s no wonder Xia Qiu was so astonished, for she could never forget one image. Four years ago, a boy lying on a hospital bed, when she first asked for his name, he had responded just like that. ¡°Auntie, my name is Ye Xuan, with ¡®Ye¡¯ from bamboo leaf, and ¡®Xuan¡¯ from Xuanyuan.¡± Diagnosed with a terminal illness, at a dead-end in life, the boy was only fourteen. Yet, he faced life and death with a smile¡ªsomething not every adult could do easily¡ªleaving a profound impression on Xia Qiu. Sadly, one late night, the boy escaped from the hospital, and she never heard from him again. Xia Qiu clearly understood that Ye Xuan, the boy, just didn¡¯t want his family to watch him suffer and die at the end of his life. ¡°It¡¯s impossible, absolutely impossible, that boy had late-stage cancer back then, after four years, he must be long gone...¡± As Ye Xuan¡¯s attending physician back then, no one knew his medical condition better than her, and she was utterly certain that the boy had been buried long ago. ¡°Damn it, this joke isn¡¯t funny at all, whoever you are, I will never forgive you.¡± Clearly, making a joke using a child who had died was an unforgivable mistake for a professional like Xia Qiu. Xia Qiu suppressed her anger, her face stern as she awaited the appearance of the other person, but the tightly gripped pen betrayed her unsettled emotions. Chapter 2 - 2 2 Old Friends Meet ?2: Chapter 2 Old Friends Meet 2: Chapter 2 Old Friends Meet Thump, thump, thump. A series of knocking sounds came through, and Xia Qiu¡¯s voice emerged, slightly icy, ¡°Come in.¡± The door was pushed open, and Ye Xuan entered. When he saw Xia Qiu¡¯s familiar face, a faint smile drew itself upon the corner of his lips. ¡°Hello, Aunt Xia, you¡¯re still so beautiful after all these years.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Xia Qiu, who had been burning with anger, was taken aback by Ye Xuan¡¯s address and then sneered coldly, ¡°I don¡¯t care who you are, but your joke isn¡¯t funny at all.¡± ¡°And please, don¡¯t call me ¡®Aunt.¡¯ You¡¯re not qualified.¡± Xia Qiu¡¯s attitude was unfriendly, which let Ye Xuan know there was likely some misunderstanding. ¡°Do you truly not recognize me?¡± Ye Xuan asked, with a slight frown. ¡°How would I recognize someone like you... hmm... who are you?¡± Xia Qiu was about to scold him, but as she carefully examined Ye Xuan¡¯s features, an extremely familiar feeling surged in her heart, and she couldn¡¯t continue her sentence. ¡°Four years ago, you were my chief physician.¡± Like Nine Heavens Thunder exploding, or the vast waves of the Blood Sea churning, when Ye Xuan spoke those words, Xia Qiu became completely stunned in her seat. Her body shook, her lips drained of color, solely because the young man¡¯s appearance was continuously merging with that of the boy from the past, and it took a full minute for Xia Qiu¡¯s breathing to start quickening. Bang! Xia Qiu¡¯s complexion was ashen; she suddenly slammed her hands down on the desk and stood up. ¡°Impossible... Absolutely impossible... That child is dead... dead...¡± Xia Qiu trembled, but the look in her eyes toward Ye Xuan was one of sheer terror. ¡°Speak... Who... Exactly who are you?¡± At this moment, Xia Qiu became hysterical because, as a doctor, she knew that someone with such a terminal illness could not possibly have survived. Gazing at Xia Qiu¡¯s pale face, Ye Xuan showed a hint of helplessness in his eyes. He knew that to anyone with common sense, his reappearance would certainly cause a stir. Indeed, how could someone who was certain to die four years ago still be alive? Ye Xuan gave a self-deprecating smile, then continued, ¡°I didn¡¯t die. I¡¯m standing here alive before you, and I ask that you believe me.¡± Faced with the undeniable reality, Xia Qiu had no choice but to believe him, but this sudden event had completely overturned her understanding. It was only after several minutes that she was able to regain her senses slightly. During this time, Ye Xuan did not disturb her, clearly giving Xia Qiu time to accept the situation. ¡°Are you... really Little Ye... not a ghost?¡± ¡°Ghost?¡± Lu Xin murmured to himself, and horrifying blood-soaked figures sprang to mind. A trace of disdain flicked across his eyes but was quickly concealed. ¡°Aunt Xia, I¡¯m certainly not a ghost. I¡¯ve come to ask if you might know the current address of my mother?¡± Ye Xuan had returned to the city and naturally had been to his old residence, but that place had already been demolished, and even his mother¡¯s phone number was disconnected. It was then that he thought of Xia Qiu, leading to the current situation. Now, Xia Qiu had completely calmed down and gradually accepted the fact of Ye Xuan¡¯s survival. ¡°Your disappearance years ago left your mother in deep sorrow. I used to keep in touch with your mother, but with four years gone by, I have no idea where she might be,¡± Xia Qiu said, frowning slightly. Hearing this news, a hint of disappointment flashed in Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes. If even Xia Qiu didn¡¯t know the whereabouts of his mother and younger siblings, how was he to find them? Could it be... that he had to go to the Ye Family in the Capital City? The Ye Family? Hah! Thinking about the so-called Ye Family, Ye Xuan couldn¡¯t help but sneer inwardly, and when his eyes flickered open and closed, a trace of bloodshot passed by. ¡°Right, I remember now.¡± Suddenly, Xia Qiu cried out in surprise, her face showing a touch of excitement, ¡°After you left that year, your mother erected a cenotaph for you in Beishan Cemetery. Every year on your birthday, she would surely go to sweep the grave.¡± ¡°My cenotaph?¡± Ye Xuan enunciated each word clearly. Then, he closed his eyes slightly as the image of his mother floated into his mind, and his body shivered unconsciously, making the surrounding space oppressively tense. Ye Xuan would always remember that at the age of five, he and his mother were driven out the door of the Ye Family. That year, his younger brother and sister were only three years old. Over the years, he had seen fully how much suffering his mother had endured. During his four-year disappearance, Ye Xuan could only imagine how hard it must have been for his mother to care for his brother and sister. ¡°Ye Family, you had better pray that I can find my mother, otherwise...¡± A cruel smile curled the corners of Ye Xuan¡¯s mouth. His voice was calm, yet it conveyed an immensely terrifying feeling, as if a slumbering Demon King were slowly opening his eyes. Xia Qiu didn¡¯t know if it was her own illusion, but when she caught a fleeting glimpse of blood in Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes, she involuntarily stepped back several paces, a cold sweat drenching her back. What... what kind of look was that? What on earth had Little Ye been through in these four years? Chills ran down her spine, as if falling into an abyss¡ªthat was Xia Qiu¡¯s feeling. She felt as though she had seen a blood-drenched scene in Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes. A lone figure walked a road, an endless Blood Sea churning around him, with banks lined with piled-up bones, countless Blood Souls wailing, and endless creatures crying. Amidst the overturned sea of blood, a figure stood with his back to all living beings, stepping on piled-up bones and finally ascending the White Bone Throne. Perhaps sensing Xia Qiu¡¯s panic, Ye Xuan quickly snapped out of his reverie and restrained his aura to the utmost, then offered Xia Qiu an apologetic smile. ¡°Aunt Xia... hmm?¡± Ye Xuan was about to speak when his brows furrowed slightly, and his eyes turned towards the door. ¡°No... you can¡¯t come in...¡± ¡°Ah.¡± A commotion came from outside the office, accompanied by a nurse¡¯s cry of pain, and this also made Xia Qiu¡¯s complexion change. She quickly said to Ye Xuan, ¡°Little Ye, wait here for a moment, Auntie has some things to deal with, I¡¯ll talk to you later.¡± Watching Xia Qiu¡¯s hurried departure, Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly as he leisurely followed her. Hospital lobby. Several bodyguards dressed in black suits surrounded a young man and woman, causing the nurses and doctors around them to look scared, but they still blocked the young couple¡¯s way. ¡°Mr. Li, your brother had a sudden asthma attack. By the time he was brought in, he wasn¡¯t breathing; it truly has nothing to do with Doctor Xia, you...¡± ¡°Get out of the way.¡± Li Mingze kicked the on-duty doctor in front of him to the ground, his complexion extremely dark as he said, ¡°My brother only had an acute asthma attack; how could he die so easily?¡± ¡°It must be this Xia Qiu who killed my brother. Make her come out to me.¡± ¡°We, the Li Family, do not want to make things difficult for you. It¡¯s not related to you, so I hope you act wisely.¡± The young woman was very beautiful, dressed in expensive clothes, and spoke gently and politely, but at the moment, her usually pleasant face also seemed somewhat grim. The Li Family, a prominent clan of Jiangnan City, was a leading family in both the business and political spheres. Their Kai Sheng Group spanned several industries and was definitely a giant in Jiangnan City. There were even rumors that the Li Family had underworld connections, though this was unconfirmed. After the autopsy, the Li siblings naturally knew that their brother¡¯s death had nothing to do with Xia Qiu, but the Li Family patriarch had lost his beloved son, and to calm the old man¡¯s grief, the siblings had no choice but to make Xia Qiu the scapegoat. How could ordinary citizens provoke the members of the Li Family? This was why the doctors and nurses feared the Li siblings. ¡°My brother¡¯s death has nothing to do with me; you can sue me at the Ministry of Justice. If I am guilty, the Suspended Mirror Department will naturally send someone to arrest me. Please do not cause trouble without reason,¡± the Li Family.¡± Xia Qiu shouted sternly, quickly stepping into the hospital lobby and looking at the Li siblings with no trace of fear. Chapter 3 - 3 3 Li Family Siblings ?3: Chapter 3 Li Family Siblings 3: Chapter 3 Li Family Siblings ¡°You finally dared to show up, come with me.¡± Li Mingze sneered continuously, signaling his bodyguards with a glance to seize the person next to him. Upon receiving Li Mingze¡¯s indication, several bodyguards grinned menacingly and headed straight for Xia Qiu, causing several nurses to cover their mouths and gasp in shock. ¡°Stop.¡± Suddenly, an elderly voice rang out, causing the bodyguards to halt and look in the direction of the voice. An elderly man in his sixties, wearing a white coat, quickly stepped to Xia Qiu¡¯s side. He was the director of Jiangnan Hospital and the renowned Saint of Medicine. Li Mingzhu smiled softly and took a step forward, saying, ¡°Dr. Bai, you are an elder, and we, the younger generation, naturally wouldn¡¯t dare to disrespect you. However, my younger brother¡¯s death is related to Dr. Xia, so I¡¯m afraid we have offended you this time.¡± Having said this, Li Mingzhu ignored Director Bai completely, her voice suddenly turning cold as she commanded, ¡°Come, take Dr. Xia away, and do not harm the esteemed elderly Dr. Bai.¡± Receiving Li Mingzhu¡¯s signal, the bodyguards, daring not to delay, went straight to grab the person. Although Director Bai was reputable, facing the robust bodyguards was beyond his capability, and he was immediately blocked. ¡°You... you... are disregarding the law...,¡± Director Bai furiously condemned, but he couldn¡¯t stop the fierce bodyguards. Faced with several bodyguards, Xia Qiu, ultimately being a woman, turned pale, deeply aware that if she was taken by them, she might indeed disappear. Suddenly. A figure appeared next to Xia Qiu, merely gave the bodyguards a detached glance, freezing them in place. ¡°Hiss!¡± A series of sharp intakes of breath emanated from them, their steps retreating repeatedly, and the originally sneering faces turned solemn. Murderous aura, a very thick murderous aura! Simultaneously, this thought arose in the minds of the bodyguards. These were not ordinary bodyguards assigned to protect the siblings of the Li Family. Having served as military special forces and some having been on the battlefield, they were extremely sensitive to murderous intent. They were utterly certain the person standing before them had killed people, and not just one or two; otherwise, such a thick murderous aura could not emanate from him. At this moment, Ye Xuan stood quietly beside Xia Qiu, his expression indifferent and silent. Yet, the entire hospital was enshrouded in an eerie atmosphere, as if something was pressing on the minds of everyone, causing a dizzying feeling. ¡°Young Ye, why have you come out? This has nothing to do with you, go back quickly.¡± Xia Qiu was alarmed at Ye Xuan¡¯s appearance, fearful of dragging Ye Qiu into this matter. ¡°No worries!¡± Ye Xuan spoke softly. ¡°Kid, who are you to interfere in the affairs of the Li Family?¡± Li Mingze¡¯s expression darkened, sensing something peculiar about Ye Xuan that made even his bodyguards pause. ¡°From where you came, to where you should return, I hope you are aware of that,¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s voice was very calm, not showing any threat. But as soon as he finished speaking, the temperature in the hospital¡¯s lobby seemed to drop slightly. ¡°Mr. Li.¡± A bodyguard had approached the siblings, looked back at Ye Xuan with increasing apprehension in his eyes. ¡°What¡¯s the matter? Why didn¡¯t you take her?¡± Li Mingze reproached slightly. ¡°Mr. Li, listen to me. This person is extraordinary. Let¡¯s retreat for now, and I¡¯ll explain later,¡± the bodyguard said gravely. ¡°What have you to fear from one man...huh?¡± Li Mingze refuted indignantly. Having already offended Director Bai today, wouldn¡¯t it be a loss if they retreated now? ¡°Brother, let¡¯s listen to Black Panther and leave first,¡± Li Mingzhu furrowed her brows deeply, glancing at Ye Xuan in the distance and whispered to Li Mingze. Usually, Li Mingzhu was the one advising him, and Li Mingze trusted his sister immensely. Having her say that, Li Mingze also knew something was amiss. ¡°Hmph, let¡¯s go.¡± Li Mingze spoke darkly, glaring fiercely at Ye Xuan before leaving with his bodyguards. The Li siblings had come aggressively but departed abruptly like a faltering tiger, leaving everyone in the hospital dumbfounded, unsure why they had so easily let Xia Qiu go. ¡°It¡¯s all because of our Director Bai¡¯s authority. The Li siblings must also be wary of our director.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that obvious? Remember, our Director Bai is an old schoolmate of the governor of Jiangnan, even the powerful Li Family has to respect our director.¡± As the Li siblings left, various doctors and nurses began to comment audibly. ¡°Xia Auntie, who is this...?¡± Director Bai came to Xia Qiu¡¯s side, looking at Ye Xuan with surprise. Although he was over sixty years old, he was by no means a senile old man. He had seen everything clearly; if the Li siblings truly respected him, why would they send bodyguards to seize someone? Clearly, the young man¡¯s presence had something to do with their departure. ¡°Director Bai, this is my nephew, his name is Ye Xuan.¡± Recollecting herself, Xia Qiu hurriedly introduced Ye Xuan to Director Bai. ¡°Young man, not bad at all.¡± Director Bai chuckled and was about to pat Ye Xuan on the shoulder, but Ye Xuan sidestepped to dodge his hand, leaving Director Bai slightly embarrassed and frozen. ¡°Xia Auntie, I have some things to take care of, I will come to see you later.¡± After saying this, Ye Xuan did not glance at Director Bai and walked towards the hospital entrance. ¡°Young Ye, wait...¡± Regrettably, before Xia Qiu could finish, Ye Xuan had already disappeared in the hospital lobby. ¡°Oh, Xia, your nephew is extraordinary. How come I have never heard you mention him before?¡± Director Bai looked at Ye Xuan¡¯s departing figure, lamenting slightly. ¡°He...? Ah!¡± Xia Qiu sighed helplessly, unsure how to explain to Director Bai. Should she say that Ye Xuan had been diagnosed with a terminal illness four years ago, yet was still alive today? That topic, she feared, might make Director Bai regard her as insane. Chapter 4 - 4 4 Snowstorm Envelops Merciless Slaughter ?4: Chapter 4: Snowstorm Envelops, Merciless Slaughter 4: Chapter 4: Snowstorm Envelops, Merciless Slaughter On the snow-covered streets, two luxurious sedans sped forward, with surrounding vehicles maintaining a cautious distance, fearful of colliding on the slick road. ¡°Black Panther, what exactly happened just now, and why did we retreat?¡± Inside the car, Li Mingze was extremely dissatisfied and questioned Black Panther. Although Li Mingzhu didn¡¯t speak, she also looked towards Black Panther, a trace of doubt in her eyes. ¡°Young master, young lady, listen to me. The person just now was very likely an Ancient Martial Artist. If a conflict had erupted at the hospital, we would have definitely been at a disadvantage,¡± Black Panther said gravely. ¡°Hiss!¡± As Black Panther¡¯s words fell, the Li siblings inhaled sharply, a flash of fear crossing their eyes. ¡°Is... is he really an Ancient Martial Artist?¡± Li Mingzhu said urgently. ¡°I can¡¯t be certain, but didn¡¯t you feel it, young master and young lady? Why was that person not afraid when facing our Li Family, and why did the temperature in the entire hospital lobby seem to drop the moment he appeared?¡± Black Panther analyzed. Prompted by Black Panther¡¯s reminder, the Li siblings quickly recalled the encounter¡ªsweat soon forming on their foreheads. ¡°Ancient... Ancient Martial Artist... If he really is an Ancient Martial Artist... then what about us...?¡± Li Mingze¡¯s voice trembled, fear evident in his eyes, and he struggled to finish his sentence. ¡°Brother, don¡¯t worry. Even if the other party is an Ancient Martial Artist, our Li Family isn¡¯t to be trifled with either. Once we get home, we¡¯ll find out more about this person, and then...¡± Suddenly¡ª Before Li Mingzhu could finish speaking, the driver slammed on the brakes, causing the car to skid several meters and smash straight into the guardrail, startling the Li siblings. ¡°Old Zhang, how are you driving?¡± Li Mingze scolded angrily. ¡°Li... Li young master... there¡¯s someone ahead... I...¡± the driver said in panic. ¡°What does it matter if there¡¯s someone? Just run them over,¡± Li Mingze, already in a foul mood, revealed his unruly nature when faced with this incident. ¡°Young master, young lady, are you okay?¡± The bodyguards from the following vehicle quickly got out, several of them rushing to the front of the Li siblings¡¯ car. ¡°Hmph, I want to see which blind fool dares to block the road and seek death,¡± Li Mingze said as he opened the car door and looked up the road ahead. Whoosh whoosh whoosh! The cold wind howled and snow filled the sky, a lone figure walking slowly through the blizzard. Facing the wind and treading on snow, he moved forward gradually, snow swirling wildly, and the biting wind howled like a ferocious beast, the bone-chilling cold seeped deep into the minds of the Li siblings. Step¡ªstep¡ªstep. Like the Soul Drum beating, and a funeral dirge sounding, each step Ye Xuan took seemed like the god of the underworld walking the Human World, as if ready to harvest the souls of all living beings at any moment. ¡°Is... is it you?¡± When Ye Xuan¡¯s face came into view, the siblings gasped in shock. Black Panther¡¯s expression turned icy, quickly pulling a handgun from his coat, with several bodyguards following suit, their dark guns firmly trained on Ye Xuan. ¡°Friend, what are you trying to do?¡± Black Panther¡¯s body tensed, his voice deeply ominous. As the saying goes, without a diamond, one shouldn¡¯t handle porcelain work¡ªthe adversary¡¯s presence here clearly wasn¡¯t for anything benign. Moreover, Black Panther was now completely certain that the other person was an Ancient Martial Artist. Come to think of it, they had been driving at eighty miles per hour, and in snowy conditions at that¡ªquite fast. Yet the person had managed to stop them. How would that be possible if he were not an Ancient Martial Artist? Unfortunately, Ye Xuan did not respond to Black Panther¡¯s question. Ye Xuan continued to walk through the snowstorm, the harsh cold wind whirling his scattered hair, giving him an ethereal, otherworldly aura, akin to an exiled immortal living among humans. ¡°Stop, if you don¡¯t stop, I swear I¡¯ll shoot!¡± As Ye Xuan approached closer, Black Panther¡¯s face contorted ferociously, his back already drenched in sweat, his hands holding the gun trembling continuously¡ªbecause he could feel that he was not facing a mere human but a legend-like deity, the invisible pressure tormenting him as if to drive him mad. Bang! A gunshot rang out, flames spewed forth, and under such immense pressure, the panther finally crumbled completely, pulling the trigger directly. An orange bullet, with the sound of tearing through the air, shot towards Ye Xuan. Bang bang bang! The sound of gunfire was incessant, piercing through the snowy winds, not only overwhelming the panther but the other bodyguards as well. ¡°Huff... huff... huff.¡± The sound of heavy breathing continuously spilled from the panther¡¯s mouth as he stared intently ahead with the crazed eyes of a desperate criminal. ¡°Is he... dead?¡± Li Mingze asked tremblingly from behind. ¡°Young master, miss, run quick!¡± Suddenly, the panther let out a loud shout, his face full of terror, for he saw a scene he couldn¡¯t believe. At that moment, Ye Xuan hadn¡¯t moved. His hands were behind his back, standing amidst the swirling snow. Numerous orange bullets floated in front of him, a sight shockingly alarming. Suddenly, Ye Xuan moved. A pair of sword fingers, clear as jade, tore through the void, bringing forth a resonating clang from Heaven and Earth. The dozens of bullets floating in front of Ye Xuan violently trembled. As his sword fingers moved, they all shot towards the panther and the others. Pupu pupu! Like sobbing lost souls, resembling a sorrowful soul-reaping song, the panther¡¯s pupils gradually faded, a trickle of blood slowly flowed from his brow, until his corpse fell into the snowy wind, devoid of any signs of life. Not just the panther, several bodyguards had large bloody holes in their foreheads, clearly they were beyond saving, killed by the very bullets they had fired. ¡°Ah!¡± Such a scene caused Li Mingzhu to scream piercingly. Though she was peerlessly beautiful and highly intelligent, faced with such a terrifying scene, she was just a woman after all. Step¡ªstep¡ªstep. Ye Xuan continued moving forward, but each step he took seemed to tread on the hearts of the Li siblings, the steps of lost souls, the harvest of the Grim Reaper, filling them with an overwhelming sense of helplessness. ¡°You... don¡¯t come any closer!¡± Li Mingze screamed in terror, continuously retreating, stumbling and falling into the snowy ground. Buzz! The void vibrated, the air boomed, and with one step, Ye Xuan appeared directly in front of Li Mingze, overlooking the man beneath him, his eyes showing nothing but indifference. ¡°From dust to dust, from soil to soil, fragile lives, vanish henceforth.¡± Ye Xuan spoke softly; as his sword fingers moved, a streak of cold light swept across Li Mingze¡¯s neck, his body severed from his head, completely silenced. ¡°You... you devil... What grievances do we have with you, why do you want to kill us?¡± Li Mingzhu, with her hair disheveled like a madwoman, sat collapsed on the ground retreating backwards shouting at Ye Xuan in despair. ¡°I, Ye Xuan, kill without needing a reason. You can go to your death now,¡± Ye Xuan spoke flatly, raising his sword fingers, ready to end the woman in the snowy wind. Watching Ye Xuan¡¯s calm eyes, Li Mingzhu could deeply feel that there was no chance he would spare her. Faced with the immense terror of life and death, she cried out loud, desperately pleading to Ye Xuan, ¡°Don¡¯t... don¡¯t kill me... Whatever you want, the Li family can provide.¡± ¡°Money? Power? Women?¡± ¡°Or... I marry you... and the entire Li family will be yours.¡± In Li Mingzhu¡¯s desperate pleas, Ye Xuan remained as calm as ever, unmoved by the bargaining chips she offered. Buzz! The void buzzed unnaturally, the cold light was piercing. As Ye Xuan¡¯s sword fingers descended, Li Mingzhu¡¯s body was severed, her blood spattering and dyeing the pristine snow red, her eyes wide open in disbelief, unable to accept her tragic death in this snowy storm. Indifferently turning around, tranquil and unruffled. Ye Xuan stepped away amidst the whirlwind of snow, his hoarse voice echoing in this realm. ¡°All wealth is but a cloud passing, all power a fleeting illusion, all women mere skeletal dust. What I, Ye Xuan, desire, how could you possibly understand?¡± Chapter 5 - 5 5 Beishan Cemetery ?5: Chapter 5 Beishan Cemetery 5: Chapter 5 Beishan Cemetery The night was like a curtain, dotted with twinkling stars. Ye Xuan stood on the Jianghai Bridge, gazing at the bright moon in the sky, his eyes, star-like, slightly hazy. Ye Xuan was a man of principle, one who reciprocated kindness and avenged wrongs. When he had been gravely ill, Xia Qiu had personally waived various medical fees for him, a favor he had always kept in his heart. He did not know what kind of people the siblings of the Li Family were, but to Ye Xuan, it was irrelevant. In his view, all troubles stemmed from these siblings; by eliminating them completely, the problems would naturally disappear. Perhaps some might consider Ye Xuan a brute, but four years of experience had taught him that when one¡¯s power transcends the Mortal World, all schemes and intrigues are mere jokes in the face of absolute strength. The cold wind blew, lifting strands of Ye Xuan¡¯s hair, and roused him from his deep thoughts. ¡°January 13, the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, just three days away, Mom, will you really appear?¡± Ye Xuan murmured to himself. The eighth day of the twelfth lunar month was Ye Xuan¡¯s birthday. According to Xia Qiu, his mother would sweep his ancestral grave on his birthday every year, and he would surely see her then. Dispelling the turmoil in his mind, Ye Xuan took a step forward and vanished from the Jianghai Bridge like a streak of light. At the same time. The scene of the death of the Li Family siblings was chaotic; the shrill sounds of police sirens were heard as a yellow barrier tape enclosed the area. Several constables, with solemn expressions, constantly investigated the scene. ¡°Who died, and are there any clues?¡± A police car arrived at the scene, and a tall female constable stepped out, her form-fitting uniform emphasized her curvaceous figure. Her skin was as fair as snow, her features picturesque, complemented by an expression that seldom smiled, giving her an aura of cold, stunning beauty. ¡°Chief, it¡¯s... it¡¯s the Li Family siblings!¡± a constable said gravely. ¡°Which siblings from the Li Family?¡± ¡°Hmm? Could it be...?¡± Liu Jundie¡¯s expression faltered, and without waiting for an answer from her subordinates, she quickly entered the murder scene. ¡°Hisss!¡± Despite being accustomed to murder scenes, Liu Jundie couldn¡¯t help but gasp at the sight of the dismembered bodies of the Li Family siblings and several security guards who had died gruesomely at the scene. ¡°The siblings from Kai Sheng Group¡¯s Li Family?¡± ¡°Hmph, good riddance.¡± Having recovered from her initial shock, Liu Jundie coldly snorted aloud, making the nearby coroner hesitate to respond, as the Li Family was powerful, and except for the woman before him, who would dare to speak ill of them. ¡°Arrest officer Liu, here is the autopsy report, please have a look,¡± the coroner handed a document to Liu Jundie. As Liu Jundie took the autopsy report, five minutes passed before her brows furrowed tightly and she looked up at the coroner, ¡°How is this possible, are you sure there¡¯s no mistake?¡± According to the autopsy report, the Li Family siblings had died from blade wounds, beheaded with a single strike. This was not what surprised Liu Jundie, but rather the extremely bizarre deaths of several bodyguards, killed by bullets from their own guns. The bodyguards were all retired special forces, who could possibly have taken their guns and then shot each one of them? ¡°Chief, this... this is the road surveillance footage.¡± As another constable played a segment of the surveillance video, Liu Jundie felt increasingly uneasy. In the video, obscured by snowfall, it was difficult to discern the murderer¡¯s face. What terrified Liu Jundie the most was that, despite the bodyguards firing together, they all fell to the ground within seconds, while the murderer remained unharmed. ¡°Due to the heavy snow, the surveillance footage is very blurry. We don¡¯t know what method the murderer used to kill, and the murder weapon was not found at the scene,¡± the coroner solemnly added. ¡°Has the Li Family been informed?¡± Liu Jundie asked, setting down the autopsy report in her hand. ¡°They have been informed, and the head of the Li Family is on his way,¡± replied a constable. Sizzle! A flurry of abrupt braking sounds came from beyond the police cordon. A luxurious limousine opened and a 50-year-old man in a Tang suit, using a dragon-headed cane, stepped out with several bodyguards in tow, walking towards Liu Jundie. ¡°Hello, Arrest Officer Liu, I would like to see the bodies of my children,¡± stated Li Zongshan, his face calm, but his clenched hand on the cane betrayed bulging veins, clearly showing his inner turmoil. ¡°Please.¡± Although Liu Jundie did not like the Li Family, as a constable, it was her duty to let the family members confirm the identities of the victims. As Li Zongshan entered the scene with his bodyguards, his body staggered slightly when he saw the horrific scene of the Li siblings¡¯ deaths. He steadied himself and stared intently at everything in front of him, as if etching the scene deep into his mind. ¡°Oof!¡± Li Zongshan leaned on his dragon-headed cane and took a deep breath, then turned to Liu Jundie and said, ¡°I have lost three beloved sons in a month, I entrust this case to the Suspended Mirror Department.¡± Li Zongshan bowed to Liu Jundie and then left with his bodyguards, not looking back at the bodies of the Li siblings again. Watching Li Zongshan¡¯s retreating figure, Liu Jundie frowned deeply, a heavy look crossing her eyes. ¡°This Jiangnan¡¯s sky is going to change!¡± Liu Jundie murmured. The saying goes that a biting dog doesn¡¯t bark, and this was true of Li Zongshan. Being able to control his emotions even when his children were killed, he was undoubtedly the most terrifying type of person. ... The luxurious limousine moved slowly along the road. Inside the car, Li Zongshan was resting with his eyes closed, his lips trembling involuntarily and his aged hand gripping his dragon-headed cane tightly, creating an extremely oppressive atmosphere. ¡°Notify Wu Jun, tell him to come see me,¡± Li Zongshan said when he opened his eyes again, his face contorted fiercely, his voice hungry for vengeance. ¡°Ol... Old master... you mustn¡¯t...¡± the bodyguard by his side advised, his face turning pale. ¡°Shut up, my Li Family line is already extinct, what do I have to fear?¡± Li Zongshan roared like a mad dog, his eyes blood-red. ¡°Yes, master.¡± Faced with the raging Li Zongshan, the bodyguard did not dare contradict him and directly dialed the satellite phone. ... Jiangnan City, Beishan Cemetery. Beishan Cemetery, located in the north of Jiangnan City, was transformed from a desolate hill, usually bustling with visitors during Qingming Festival and Spring Festival. However, it was now the cold winter of the twelfth lunar month, and no one was in Beishan Cemetery. Even the caretakers preferred to hide inside their houses, drinking warm liquor to stave off the cold. In the blizzard, amidst rows of tombstones, a lone figure walked toward a particular tombstone, eventually stopping before it. Ye Xuan¡¯s tomb, erected by Han Qiuyun. The tombstone was cold, black with white inscriptions. Ye Xuan stared quietly at the tombstone, allowing the wind and snow to batter him, yet his figure stood unwavering. Han Qiuyun, that was the name of Ye Xuan¡¯s mother. Tomorrow would be the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, Ye Xuan¡¯s birthday, and he stood in front of the tombstone, quietly waiting for his mother¡¯s arrival. Chapter 6 - 6 6 Bad Girl ?6: Chapter 6 Bad Girl 6: Chapter 6 Bad Girl Blood, fresh blood, stunning and magnificent blood, bones, white bones, the bones of various creatures, the souls wailing, the beings crying, Ye Xuan wielding the blood-colored battle halberd, bathing in blood and fighting in the bloody river. ¡°Kill! Kill! Kill!¡± He shattered mountains and cracked the earth, Ye Xuan roared into the sky as if he had fallen into madness. ¡°Ah!¡± ¡°Who am I? I am Ye Xuan, I am the Undying Venerable!¡± Suddenly alert, Ye Xuan snapped back to reality, only to realize he was no longer inside that doorway; he had left that place and returned to the bustling city. Swiftly dispersing the violent emotions in his heart, Ye Xuan operated his cultivation technique and steadied himself, it took a full ten minutes before the blood in his eyes gradually receded. ¡°Nature¡¯s spiritual energy is absent here, it must be the End of Dharma Era as described in the Undying Immortal Scripture. Cultivators couldn¡¯t possibly exist in this world. If I wish to advance further, do I really have to enter the legendary Earth Immortal Realm?¡± Ye Xuan murmured to himself, his eyes filled with a complex expression. Although the cultivation technique Ye Xuan practiced didn¡¯t demand a high amount of spiritual energy, this world being in the End of Dharma Era was extremely unfavorable for him. Ye Xuan temporarily suppressed his troubled thoughts, having no choice but to take things one step at a time. Looking up at the sky, Ye Xuan saw that the sun had risen, and some people had come to Beishan Cemetery to offer sacrifices and sweep the graves, but he could not see his mother¡¯s figure, which slightly disappointed him. Wait, all Ye Xuan could do was wait. Time passed quickly, Ye Xuan stood before his own cenotaph, but still had not seen his mother¡¯s figure, which made his heart slightly restless. Step¡ªstep¡ªstep. Suddenly, a faint sound of footsteps came from behind Ye Xuan, instantly stiffening his body. Although he didn¡¯t turn around, his Divine Sense had already seen the person behind him. An elderly woman with graying temples, eyes devoid of spirit, her face slightly aged looking as if she was in her sixties, her steps faltering as she approached Ye Xuan, panting heavily from time to time, clearly in poor health. At that moment, time seemed to freeze, and space appeared to crystallize. Silence enveloped the heavens and the earth, everything was utterly still. Ye Xuan¡¯s merciless eyes gradually changed, a touch of warmth, a touch of guilt emerged from them, and his centuries-old body trembled slightly, proving his heart was not at peace. If the beings within that door could see Ye Xuan¡¯s state now, they would be utterly shocked. Ye Xuan, known as the Undying Venerable, when had he ever shown such a weak appearance? At this moment, Ye Xuan felt afraid to face Ye¡¯s mother; the profound guilt was eroding his spirit. He clearly remembered that his mother was only 38 years old this year. How had she aged so much in four years? It was undeniably connected to himself. ¡°Are you one of Ye Xuan¡¯s old classmates?¡± ¡°It¡¯s rare, after so many years, someone still comes to visit him.¡± Ye¡¯s mother approached falteringly, her voice somewhat hoarse and her eyes cloudy, clearly not recognizing that the person in front of her was her son. Ye¡¯s mother silently cleaned the snow in front of the tombstone, took out a plate of braised carp from her basket, and quietly placed it in front of the tombstone, her eyes fondly fixed on the cenotaph before her. ¡°Today is Ye Xuan¡¯s birthday, I remember when he was little he loved the braised carp I made. Every year on his birthday, I would make it for him,¡± Ye¡¯s mother murmured to herself, the tears streaming from her cloudy eyes. Boom! Boom! Boom! In the high sky, within the clouds, blue lightning flickered intermittently, thousands of thunderbolts crisscrossing, an incredibly terrifying heavenly might enveloped the entire Beishan Cemetery as if the apocalypse had arrived. In this cold winter season, such an astronomical phenomenon was unimaginable, causing the people in Beishan Cemetery who were offering sacrifices to cry out in alarm. But no one noticed, Ye Xuan¡¯s figure was trembling, his own aura extremely chaotic, obviously, this terrifying phenomenon was caused by Ye Xuan. The great sorrow of a Heavenly Venerate, the flipping of heaven and earth, was not just a saying, but a reality that was happening. ¡°Mom, I¡¯m sorry.¡± Amidst the thunder and the blinding snow, Ye Xuan couldn¡¯t restrain his emotions and pulled Ye¡¯s mother tightly into his embrace. ¡°Young man, you must have mistaken me for someone else,¡± Ye¡¯s mother exclaimed in shock. ¡°Mom, look at me, look closely at me, I really am Ye Xuan, I¡¯ve come back alive,¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s voice trembled as he spoke. As Ye Xuan¡¯s words fell, Ye¡¯s mother vigorously rubbed her cloudy eyes. When she closely observed Ye Xuan¡¯s face, she was completely stunned. ¡°I... am I dreaming, is my son not dead?¡± Ye¡¯s mother muttered to herself, tears flowing uncontrollably. ¡°Mom, you¡¯re not dreaming, I really haven¡¯t died. Years ago, I was saved by a remarkable person who cured my illness and now I can finally come back to see you.¡± Ye Xuan could only tell a benign lie because he could never reveal to Ye¡¯s mother the things he had experienced during those four years. Only at this moment, as mother and son embraced and wept, did Ye¡¯s mother finally believe that her son, who had disappeared for four years, was truly not dead and had come back to her. Time passed quickly, and Ye¡¯s mother kept asking about Ye Xuan¡¯s experiences over the years, which Ye Xuan managed to evade until the sunset, and only then did they leave the Beishan Cemetery. ... Home! This word seemed distant to Ye Xuan, so distant that during the four years of struggling between life and death, he dared not even wish for it, not until he stepped into the realm of Heavenly Venerate and opened that door did the concept of ¡®home¡¯ enter his heart. Jiangnan City North, slum area. Uneven low houses stretched endlessly, and the bumpy dirt roads were extremely difficult to navigate. In the bustling Jiangnan City, the northern slum area was where the poor lived. An old flat house, looking like it was built in the last century, its rust-stained iron gate proved that the house had been standing for years. At this moment, the iron gate opened, Ye¡¯s mother¡¯s face filled with uncontrollable joy, pulling Ye Xuan by the hand into their home. A narrow courtyard, a flat house, this was the scene that met Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes. ¡°Xuan¡¯er, you haven¡¯t eaten yet, right? Mom will go cook for you.¡± As Ye¡¯s mother spoke, she pushed Ye Xuan into the house and went straight into the kitchen to prepare dinner. ¡°Mom, where are my little brother and sister?¡± As Ye Xuan asked, his mother¡¯s body stiffened, her smile forced, saying, ¡°Let mom go cook first, we¡¯ll talk later.¡± Looking at Ye¡¯s mother¡¯s forced smile, if Ye Xuan couldn¡¯t tell there was a problem here, he would be too naive. ¡°Mom, wait a moment...¡± Bang! Suddenly, a muffled sound came from the iron gate outside, accompanied by loud voices of men and women. ¡°You little brat, I¡¯ll see where you run; either pay back the money or sleep with me.¡± ¡°You filthy brute, think you can pull that on me? You¡¯re far from it.¡± ¡°Ow!¡± A clamor came from outside, causing Ye Xuan¡¯s expression to change abruptly, an incredibly bad feeling brewing in his mind. ¡°Is that female voice...?¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s brow furrowed deeply, his eyes flashing with great astonishment. ¡°Ling¡¯er is back, I¡¯ll go take a look,¡± Ye¡¯s mother sighed, heading directly towards the door. ¡°Ling¡¯er?¡± Ye Xuan suddenly stood up, stepping forward, a strange noise trailing in the void as he instantly appeared outside. Outside the Ye household! A young girl and a young strong man were in the midst of a fierce argument. As Ye Xuan¡¯s gaze captured the girl¡¯s appearance, his mind momentarily went blank. Blonde hair, flashy earrings, heavily applied makeup, pea shoes, and pencil pants¡ªshe completely looked the part of a delinquent. Although Ye Ling¡¯er was heavily made up, under Ye Xuan¡¯s Divine Sense, he could still recognize her as his own younger sister. But in Ye Xuan¡¯s memory, his sister was a gentle and polite girl; not only would she not adorn a delinquent¡¯s outfit, but she wouldn¡¯t even utter harsh words. But what did he see? Ye Ling¡¯er was not only spouting profanities but also kicked the man in the groin, a scene that tightly knit Ye Xuan¡¯s brows together. What on earth had happened at home during these four years? Chapter 7 - 7 7 The Indifferent Ye Linger ?7: Chapter 7 The Indifferent Ye Ling¡¯er 7: Chapter 7 The Indifferent Ye Ling¡¯er Ye Xuan silently watched the scene unfold before him, his sister should not have become like this. What had happened to turn Ye Ling¡¯er into such a state? ¡°Ling¡¯er, who are you fighting with again?¡± Ye¡¯s mother, Shanshan, arrived belatedly, worry evident in her eyes. ¡°Mom, stay out of my business.¡± Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s rebelliousness did not wane with her mother¡¯s arrival, but she continued to push and shove with a young, burly man. ¡°Old hag, perfect timing for you to show up. Your daughter owes me a gambling debt, and if she doesn¡¯t pay today, you might as well accept me as your cheap son-in-law.¡± The burly youth sneered endlessly, taking advantage of the shoving with Ye Ling¡¯er to grope sensitive parts of her body. If not for Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s nimble body, she really might have been taken advantage of. How could a young girl be a match for a burly man? Just as the man grabbed both of Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s hands, a chilling voice suddenly erupted. ¡°If you don¡¯t want to die, you¡¯d better let go.¡± Ye Xuan had appeared behind the burly man, a cold light flashing through his eyes. ¡°Hmm? Damn it, which bastard dares to meddle in my business?¡± The burly youth paused, turning sharply to look at Ye Xuan, whose ancient attire and graying hair caught his eye. ¡°Xuan, get inside quickly. Your sister can handle this.¡± When exactly Ye Xuan appeared, Ye¡¯s mother did not see clearly, but in her memory, her son was always polite and lacked physical strength, hardly a match for the burly youth before her. As her words fell, the burly youth felt no remorse, but Ye Ling¡¯er, struggling in his grasp, stiffened, her gaze involuntarily turning to Ye Xuan. In the blink of an eye, an eternal moment. As the siblings locked eyes, Ye Ling¡¯er became completely dazed, as if she had lost her soul. ¡°Kid, I¡¯m talking to you¡ªdidn¡¯t you hear me?¡± Ignored by Ye Xuan, the burly youth grew furious, releasing Ye Ling¡¯er and stepping toward Ye Xuan. Sadly, before the man could reach him, what followed shocked Ye¡¯s mother greatly. Crack! Ye Xuan¡¯s jade-like palm suddenly gripped the burly youth¡¯s throat, slowly lifting him into midair while his crystalline fingers tightened, causing a crisp sound from the man¡¯s throat. ¡°Ah... no... don¡¯t...¡± His face turning red and gradually purple, the burly youth¡¯s eyes rolled back as he struggled desperately in the air, his cries resembling those of a slaughtering pig. Breathing became difficult, his head spun, and his tongue involuntarily stuck out. It seemed only a matter of time before the burly youth would be strangled by Ye Xuan¡¯s hand. A hint of murderous intent flashed in Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes, his hand tightening as if to exterminate the man in the next instant. Just at the critical moment, a cry from Ye¡¯s mother erupted. ¡°Xuan, let go, he¡¯s going to die.¡± Following her words, Ye Xuan frowned slightly, abruptly releasing the burly man¡¯s neck, for he could not kill a man in front of his mother; it was something she would never accept. Yet while execution might be avoided, punishment was inevitable. Crack. Ye Xuan suddenly grabbed the burly man¡¯s left hand, a tremendous force immediately applied to it, turning the robust hand into a shape resembling mush, accompanied by the man¡¯s piercing scream of pain. ¡°Ah, my hand, my hand...¡± The burly youth rolled violently in the snow, sweat covering his body from the pain in his hand. ¡°I will pay you back for the money my sister owes you,¡± Ye Xuan spoke calmly, ¡°but remember, if you continue to harass her, losing just one hand will be the least of your worries.¡± The calm tone, however, sent chills down the burly man¡¯s spine. Not daring to utter any harsh words, the young man struggled to his feet and sprinted into the distance, clearly terrified by Ye Xuan. As the young man departed, Ye¡¯s mother quickly approached Ye Ling¡¯er and said, ¡°Ling¡¯er, your brother is not dead. He¡¯s cured now, and he has come back. Call him brother quickly.¡± At that moment, Ye Ling¡¯er was staring intently at Ye Xuan and did not react to her mother¡¯s words, while Ye Xuan silently watched Ye Ling¡¯er with mixed emotions. ¡°Hah! Brother?¡± Ye Ling¡¯er regained her senses and let out a scornful laugh, saying, ¡°I, Ye Ling¡¯er, don¡¯t have a brother. What kind of brother is he? Does he deserve to be?¡± Ye Ling¡¯er turned around and walked towards her home without giving Ye Xuan a second glance, while Ye¡¯s mother looked desolate, seemingly aging several years at that moment. Watching Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s retreating figure, Ye Xuan¡¯s mind churned like tidal waves, and his thoughts were momentarily in a haze as memories of his younger days with his sister flashed through his mind. ¡°Brother, I want to eat rice cakes. Will you buy some for me?¡± With her hair in a ponytail, pure eyes, and a weak voice, the young Ye Ling¡¯er always followed behind Ye Xuan, tightly holding her brother¡¯s hand without letting go. As the scenes shifted and his thoughts returned, Ye Xuan closed his eyes tightly. He had not expected that after disappearing for four years, his sister, who used to rely on him so much, no longer recognized him. Ye Xuan suddenly opened his eyes, his voice bitter, ¡°Ling¡¯er, do you really not recognize me?¡± At that, Ye Ling¡¯er stopped walking, her posture somewhat stiff. After several breaths, she slowly turned to look at Ye Xuan. ¡°You¡¯ve come back alive, and your illness is cured, but when you left without a word four years ago, do you know how we have survived these four years?¡± Like a sudden mountain torrent, or waves sweeping over, Ye Ling¡¯er screamed as if to vent all the resentment she had accumulated over the years. Clang! Ye Ling¡¯er fiercely swung open the metal gate, and the loud collision echoed in the night, while Ye Xuan¡¯s fists slowly clenched, his emotions intensely stirred. Back then, to treat his illness, the family sold everything they could. With a mother and two children, Ye Xuan did not need to think further to realize how dire their circumstances had been over the past four years. ¡°Xuan, don¡¯t mind it, your sister... ¡± ¡°Mom, don¡¯t say it. It¡¯s all my fault, don¡¯t blame her, really don¡¯t blame her.¡± Ye Xuan spoke bitterly, supporting his mother as they walked towards their home, already making some decisions in his mind. Inside the home. Ye¡¯s mother originally wanted to cook personally, but Ye Xuan told her to rest inside while he entered the kitchen, tied on an apron, and began preparing dinner. The home was sparse, and the meal was simple. Aside from a pot of white rice, there was not even a trace of meat on the table. Seeing the nearly empty rice container, Ye Xuan understood how impoverished their home was. At the dinner table, Ye¡¯s mother went to call Ye Ling¡¯er to eat but received no response. Clearly, Ye Ling¡¯er did not want to see Ye Xuan, leaving Ye¡¯s mother with no choice but to give up. ¡°Xuan, just manage to eat something for now. Tomorrow, Mom will cook your favorite braised carp for you.¡± Ye¡¯s mother said as she placed some vegetables into Ye Xuan¡¯s bowl. Ye Xuan silently ate the food in his bowl. He had not experienced such warmth in four years, and he ate each bite earnestly because he had finally reunited with his family. ¡°Mom, where¡¯s the little brother?¡± Putting down his chopsticks, Ye Xuan suddenly remembered this, realizing that since he had entered the house, Ye Ling¡¯er had already come home, but there was still no sign of Ye Ping. Upon hearing Ye Xuan¡¯s question, Ye¡¯s mother knew she could not evade the topic. She forced a smile and said, ¡°Your little brother is doing very well now. He was taken back to the Ye Family three years ago.¡± Chapter 8 - 8 8 The Storm is Brewing ?8: Chapter 8 The Storm is Brewing 8: Chapter 8 The Storm is Brewing Ye Xuan¡¯s expression suddenly turned cold, and a look of surprise emerged in his eyes. Han Qiu Yun, who was also Ye Xuan¡¯s mother, had been merely a maid of the Ye Family, specifically tasked with taking care of the third young master¡¯s daily needs. One night, after a bout of drunkenness, Han Qiu Yun¡¯s chastity was taken. When the Ye Family patriarch discovered this, Han Qiu Yun¡¯s belly had gradually begun to swell, revealing that she carried the flesh and blood of the Ye Family. With no choice left, she was made a concubine; and within the following two years, she bore Ye Ling¡¯er and Ye Ping, a pair of twins. One might reason that, although Han Qiu Yun came from a maid¡¯s background, with the offspring of the Ye Family, her future life should have been carefree. Yet in these great families, matching of social statuses matters. How could the family of Ye Xuan¡¯s birth father, who wed the precious jewel of another family, ever accept him and his mother? When Ye Xuan was five, the Ye Family found an excuse to cast him and his mother out of their home. Even four years ago, when Ye Xuan was stricken with a terminal illness, teetering on the brink of death, his heartless father had not spared him a glance. Ye Xuan fell silent for a long while, then spoke directly to his mother, ¡°With that woman in the Ye Family, how could they accommodate Ye Ping?¡± Faced with Ye Xuan¡¯s question, his mother let out a self-mocking laugh and said, ¡°That man and she have no children.¡± As his mother finished speaking, Ye Xuan instantly understood; the Ye Family was a major clan in the Capital City, the Ye Family elder had three sons, and by now he must be quite old. If his uncaring father had no heirs, the struggle for the position of the Family Head would certainly be at a disadvantage. At that, Ye Xuan had fully grasped the cause and consequences of the situation. ¡°Mom, has my brother come to see you over the years?¡± The moment the words left his mouth, Ye Xuan regretted asking them. If Ye Ping had truly visited his mother, how could their home be in such straits? As Ye Xuan had guessed, his mother¡¯s bitter smiles followed. This pierced Ye Xuan¡¯s heart, and he softly said, ¡°Mom, don¡¯t worry. In a little while, I¡¯ll go to the Capital City and bring my brother back. Then we can be reunited as a family.¡± Hearing Ye Xuan¡¯s words, his mother¡¯s expression changed, and a trace of fear crossed her eyes. She quickly warned Ye Xuan, ¡°Xuan¡¯er, let it be. We cannot afford to offend the Ye Family. You must not go.¡± ¡°Cannot afford to offend them?¡± Ye Xuan murmured to himself as a streak of blood flashed across his eyes. He didn¡¯t care if his Ye Family was a major clan of the Capital City or even if they belonged to the world of Ancient Martial Arts. At his command, he could reduce them to ashes. He did not let this emotion show in front of his mother, because he did not want her to worry. Buzz! A ripple bloomed in the void, as if a mysterious space were opening, and two white elixirs quietly appeared in Ye Xuan¡¯s hands. This phenomenon naturally went unnoticed by his mother. ¡°Mom, these are elixirs gifted to me by an extraordinary person. They grant longevity and health. You and my sister should each take one, as they will greatly benefit your health.¡± As he spoke, Ye Xuan placed the elixirs in his mother¡¯s hand. ¡°Good, good, Xuan¡¯er is still so filial.¡± His mother did not ask for the name of the elixir and took it immediately, showing unconditional trust in her son. Yunling Pill. That was the name of the elixir. It was refined from various Spirit Essences and Exotic Beast Essence Blood. Those who consumed it could extend their lifespan, ward off hundreds of diseases, and regain youthful vitality. Such elixirs, for Ye Xuan, were merely the most basic items in his storage space; it wasn¡¯t because he was stingy with his own mother, but rather, the more potent elixirs would be unbearable for her. By now, it was deep into the night. Ye Xuan¡¯s mother had cleaned out a room for him to stay in, and then she returned to her own room. Moonlight flowed like water, stars speckled the sky. Standing in the room, Ye Xuan gazed through the window at the bright moon and stars, his thoughts adrift. The sight of his mother¡¯s aged face, his sister¡¯s desperate accusations, these scenes echoed in Ye Xuan¡¯s mind. He knew what he needed to do¡ªto change everything before him. ¡°I need money, that¡¯s the most fundamental thing,¡± Ye Xuan murmured, frowning. In the Blood Sea Battlefield, Ye Xuan was known as the Undying Venerable. To him, money was merely a joke; beyond that gate, only power was respected. If you wanted anything, then take it by force, plunder it. Yet, since Ye Xuan had returned to the Human World, he couldn¡¯t act in such a manner. It wasn¡¯t because of any reservations; he simply wanted to take good care of his family. Eventually, he would have to resolve the issue of his stagnant cultivation, and during that time, he didn¡¯t want to attract anyone¡¯s attention. But as a fearsome cultivator, could Ye Xuan really avoid capturing the attention of the world as he wished? Time passed quickly. Ye Xuan pondered deeply, how would he earn his first sum of money? An elixir auction? Ye Xuan immediately rejected the idea. Not to mention whether anyone would believe in such a thing, causing a sensation among the people would only bring trouble upon himself. Ye Xuan also considered teaching his mother and sister the methods of immortal cultivation, but with spiritual energy being nonexistent in this world, it was nothing more than a delusion. His current cultivation level was something that couldn¡¯t be replicated. Suppressing his tumultuous thoughts, Ye Xuan decided that he would go out tomorrow. He didn¡¯t believe that with his status as a cultivator, it would be difficult to earn a bit of money in the Human World. Ye Xuan sat in meditation, circulating the Undying Immortal Scripture. Although his cultivation could not advance even an inch, he still persevered, hoping to see a glimmer of light on the path of cultivation. ... The Li Family mansion. Li Zongshan¡¯s face was gloomy as he leaned back on a luxurious sofa, facing a middle-aged man about forty. This man had copper-colored skin, his sharp, triangular eyes gleaming with a villainous light¡ªit was clear he was no kindly sort. ¡°Old Dragon Head, didn¡¯t you say back then that you were withdrawing from the Beichuan Gang, severing all ties with us? Isn¡¯t it a bit childish of you to want to use our power now?¡± the man sneered. ¡°Wu Jun, I was the one who brought you into the gang. You owe your position at the top to me to some extent. Let¡¯s cut to the chase¡ªwhat do you want?¡± Li Zongshan said with narrowed eyes. ¡°Eighty percent of the Li Family¡¯s wealth,¡± Wu Jun stated bluntly, his face shining with confidence. ¡°You¡¯ve got quite an appetite¡ªthat¡¯s a full three billion Xia Country Coins.¡± Li Zongshan¡¯s face reddened with anger as he barked back. Watching Li Zongshan¡¯s flushed face, Wu Jun let out a cold laugh, ¡°Old Dragon Head, it¡¯s not too much at all. You should remember that the one who killed your children is no ordinary person. Unless one is an Ancient Martial Artist, even the Beichuan Gang, with me at helm, would pay a price if the assailant proves to be ruthless.¡± ¡°Wu Jun, you yourself are an Ancient Martial Artist and a master of Dark Force. Our Beichuan Gang is one of the top three underworld powers in Jiangnan City. Even if the assailant is an Ancient Martial Artist, at most, he¡¯s on par with you, another master of Dark Force. How could he pose a threat to the Beichuan Gang?¡± ¡°Asking for eighty percent of my family¡¯s wealth¡ªisn¡¯t that a bit too much?¡± Li Zongshan said, clearly struggling to accept Wu Jun¡¯s terms. Chapter 9 - 9 9 All Parties in Action ?9: Chapter 9 All Parties in Action 9: Chapter 9 All Parties in Action ¡°Hmph.¡± ¡°You, the Li Family, have already lost your lineage, and with your current physical strength, let alone fathering children, if you want to take these riches into your coffin, so be it.¡± Wu Jun snorted coldly and rose to head towards the door. Watching Wu Jun¡¯s departing figure, Li Zongshan clenched his fists tightly but soon quietly released them. As Wu Jun said, he had lost his lineage, and these riches were merely numbers to him. ¡°Alright, I agree.¡± Li Zongshan spoke feebly, bringing a satisfied curve to Wu Jun¡¯s lips as he returned to Li Zongshan¡¯s side. ¡°According to our investigation, your Li Family has not recently offended anyone, except that your children have been to Jiangnan Hospital several times to create trouble for someone named Xia Qiu,¡± Wu Jun stated gravely. ¡°Huh? You... you mean it¡¯s this Xia Qiu...?¡± Before Li Zongshan could finish, Wu Jun interrupted him and threw several photos on the table. ¡°No, it¡¯s not this woman named Xia Qiu. These are the photos captured from the surveillance video at Jiangnan Hospital on that day. Look at this young man.¡± As Wu Jun finished, Li Zongshan looked at the photo, which clearly showed Ye Xuan. ¡°This person appeared at Jiangnan Hospital at four ten in the afternoon, and then at Jianghai Bridge by four twenty. In just these ten minutes, he managed to appear in these two different places.¡± Wu Jun paused slightly then added, ¡°From Jianghai Bridge to where your children were murdered is just one street away.¡± ¡°And, according to our people who asked the hospital¡¯s on-duty nurse, this young man is a relative of Xia Qiu.¡± Although the Beichuan Gang is one of the top three gangs in Jiangnan City, its efficiency is indeed first-class. In just a few days, they had already traced Ye Xuan. ¡°No mistake, it¡¯s definitely him.¡± Looking at the photo of Ye Xuan, Li Zongshan¡¯s eyes reddened with rage, a malignant intent to kill emanating forth. Calming his turbulent emotions, Li Zongshan looked up at Wu Jun, speaking in a low voice, ¡°It seems you already knew I would come to you.¡± ¡°Old Dragon Head jokes. After all, the appearance of an Ancient Martial Artist in Jiangnan City naturally alerts us, but I didn¡¯t expect it to involve you,¡± Wu Jun said with a slight smile. ¡°What are you planning to do now?¡± Li Zongshan asked. ¡°This person is interesting. I want to meet him. Just wait for my news,¡± Wu Jun replied with a smile, then walked out of the Li Family mansion. Watching Wu Jun¡¯s departing figure, Li Zongshan appeared somewhat sinister. He believed that Wu Jun would not fail, especially since there aren¡¯t many Ancient Martial Artists in Jiangnan City, and Wu Jun was definitely among the top ten. ... At the same time, in Jiangnan City¡¯s Suspended Mirror Department. Liu Jundie¡¯s delicate brows were slightly furrowed, a few photos displayed on the table in front of her, prominently featuring Ye Xuan. ¡°Why can¡¯t I trace this guy¡¯s background?¡± Liu Jundie constantly tapped on the desk. Clearly, if the Beichuan Gang could trace Ye Xuan, she, as an arrest officer of Suspended Mirror Department of Jiangnan, was not to be underestimated. However, Liu Jundie¡¯s incessant searches across the national population archives couldn¡¯t match up with Ye Xuan at all; it was as if this person didn¡¯t exist in the world. Knock, knock, knock! The office door was knocked upon, and as the door was pushed open, in walked Arrest Officer Liang Chengwu, followed by a burly young man and a little girl about eight or nine years old. ¡°Liu arrest officer, you have worked hard these days. Now that this case is being transferred to the Wu¡¯an Office, you no longer need to intervene,¡± Liang Chengwu said. ¡°Wu¡¯an Office?¡± Liu Jundie was taken aback and then looked at the young man and the little girl with a flicker of surprise in her eyes. Others might not know what the Wu¡¯an Office was, but as a daughter of the Ye Family, she knew that the Wu¡¯an Office was extremely secretive and specialized in handling cases that ordinary people couldn¡¯t understand. Although Liu Jundie had been a police officer for many years, this was the first time she had encountered someone from the Wu¡¯an Office, which made her scrutinize the newcomers. ¡°Hello, Liu arrest officer, my name is Tie Li, and this is my partner Linglong. From today onwards, we will be handling this case. Please tell us the details of the case.¡± Tie Li, wearing a short shirt and with bronzed skin that gave him a powerful aura, spoke in a rough voice. Beside him, the little girl blinked her eyes curiously while sizing up Liu Jundie, giving off an adorable impression. Of course, Liu Jundie did not consider this little girl ordinary, for no one from the Wu¡¯an Office was simple. Since the Wu¡¯an Office had sent representatives, Liu Jundie directly transferred the case to them, leaving the rest to be handled by their team. ... The next morning. As the first ray of sunlight fell on Ye Xuan, he slowly opened his eyes. After a night of cultivation, his cultivation level had merely consolidated a bit with no progress, which made him sigh in resignation. Upon getting up and leaving his room, he heard his mother cooking in the kitchen and saw Ye Ling¡¯er playing with her cell phone on the dining table. When she saw Ye Xuan, her face immediately turned cold, and she turned her body away, clearly having no intention of interacting with him. Ye Xuan quietly sighed to himself, knowing he could only gradually improve their sibling relationship. Approaching Ye Ling¡¯er, Ye Xuan softly said, ¡°Little sister, are you going to school?¡± Unfortunately, in response to Ye Xuan¡¯s question, Ye Ling¡¯er didn¡¯t react and instead said directly to their mother in the kitchen, ¡°Mom, I¡¯ll have breakfast at school, and I might not come back tonight.¡± Ye Ling¡¯er grabbed her backpack and walked straight out the door without giving Ye Xuan another glance. At this moment, Ye Xuan frowned, watching Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s receding figure with a deep look in his eyes. It wasn¡¯t the attitude of Ye Ling¡¯er that upset him, but rather her casual remark about possibly not coming home tonight. She was only sixteen years old; where could she be going at night? ¡°Mom is getting old, I always worry about her, but...¡± Before he knew it, Ye Xuan¡¯s mother came out of the kitchen carrying breakfast, her face clearly etched with worry. It was obvious that she felt powerless to control her daughter at this point. Hearing his mother¡¯s concerned words, Ye Xuan remained silent for a moment before responding with a slight smile, ¡°Mom, don¡¯t worry. Now that I¡¯m back, I¡¯ll make sure to take good care of her.¡± Mother and son had a simple breakfast, during which Ye Xuan also asked about the school Ye Ling¡¯er was attending and learned more about the changes she had undergone in recent years. As breakfast ended and his mother had to leave for work, she told Ye Xuan to stay at home for the time being and didn¡¯t mention anything about him going out to work. Clearly, his mother cherished her son and couldn¡¯t bear to have him take on the family burdens just after returning home after years away. As his mother and sister left, the spring-like aura of Ye Xuan began to change gradually, and his demeanor grew colder. Since returning home the day before, Ye Xuan had been restraining his aura. In the four years away, countless lives had died at his hands; the so-called tender heart had long been abandoned, disappearing only when he was with his mother. ¡°It¡¯s time to go out for a walk,¡± Ye Xuan murmured, stepping out as ripples of space blossomed around him, instantly vanishing from the house. Chapter 10 - 10 10 1 Jade Talisman ?10: Chapter 10 1 Jade Talisman 10: Chapter 10 1 Jade Talisman Jiangnan City, Guanyin Temple. Amid the bustling noise and clamor of the crowd, street vendors energetically hawked their wares on either side of the street. Numerous fortune-tellers had set up stalls to tell fortunes, adding to the lively atmosphere in front of the Guanyin Temple. Dressed in a black ancient robe, with a head of grey-white hair, Ye Xuan sat solemnly at a simple square table. In the absence of any other items, if not for the two characters meaning ¡®fortune-telling¡¯ written on a white paper placed on the table, no one would have taken Ye Xuan for a fortune-teller. Indeed, at the moment, Ye Xuan¡¯s occupation was that of a fortune-teller. Birth, aging, sickness, and death, as well as natural and man-made disasters, marked the lives of ordinary people. Although Ye Xuan could not predict the past or future, as a cultivator, he had some knowledge of the Qi Observation Skill. Earning money to improve his family¡¯s living conditions was the reason Ye Xuan stooped to becoming a fortune-teller. However, from morning until noon, Ye Xuan had not had a single customer, and he was not in a hurry. Patience, to Ye Xuan, was something he was not lacking. Still, the sudden appearance of Ye Xuan at the Guanyin Temple had led many fortune-tellers who made their living this way to watch him with cold eyes, secretly looking down on his attire. Unconcerned with the gazes of strangers, Ye Xuan lowered his head and calmly waited for the person he was expecting to appear. Suddenly, a commotion rose, drawing Ye Xuan¡¯s gaze toward its source. A tall woman emerged from the Guanyin Temple. Her facial features were exquisite, her makeup meticulously applied, and her clothing was of considerable value. She appeared to be in her twenties, and she was followed by several black-clad men who seemed to be bodyguards. Yet, the woman had a furrowed brow, as if troubled by worries. She paid no attention to the greetings from the fortune-tellers on either side of the street. The bodyguards by her side gave the fortune-tellers a fierce glare, silencing their boisterous voices. ¡°It¡¯s her,¡± Ye Xuan nodded slowly, satisfaction in his eyes. At that time, Zhuo Junting was in a state of anxiety and confusion, all because her grandfather had fallen ill and had been in a coma for half a month. According to the doctors, her grandfather¡¯s bodily functions were gradually weakening, and it was feared that he didn¡¯t have much longer... Zhuo Junting dared not continue the thought. If her grandfather passed away, the entire Zhuo Family would surely be thrown into chaos. Although she had invited famous doctors from inside and outside the country, they were unable to diagnose her grandfather¡¯s specific illness. In despair, she could only turn to the ethereal gods for hope, which was why she was at the Guanyin Temple. ¡°A spirit of Yin Qi is entwined around you; within three days, a member of your family will surely die.¡± Suddenly, a startling voice reached Zhuo Junting¡¯s ears, causing her expression to stiffen and, then, drastically change as she quickly turned toward the source of the voice. ¡°What... what did you just say about a spirit of Yin Qi?¡± Zhuo Junting stepped forward quickly and spoke to Ye Xuan with a cold voice. Ye Xuan could see at a glance that there was a faint trace of Yin Qi around Zhuo Junting. Clearly, there was a ghostly affliction in her family, and since she herself was unharmed, it was evident that a family member must be possessed by a spirit. ¡°Your family member is possessed by a spirit, their life force continuously devoured by it. If you wish to save him, I have a Spirit Talisman here. Just place it on his brow, and it will save his life,¡± Ye Xuan spoke indifferently, suddenly revealing a Jade Talisman on the table. Staring at the Jade Talisman on the table, Zhuo Junting¡¯s expression hesitated, suspicion appearing in her eyes as she looked at Ye Xuan. ¡°How much do you want for this Jade Talisman?¡± Zhuo Junting¡¯s face fell as she asked. ¡°One million,¡± Ye Xuan said, stating his price directly. Gasps! As Ye Xuan announced the price, a wave of astonishment rippled through the surrounding crowd. ¡°Has this kid lost his mind?¡± ¡°Do you really think this girl is easy to fool?¡± ¡°Ha ha, this kid is really asking for it. Just one look at this young lady and you can tell she¡¯s either rich or noble. He¡¯ll get what¡¯s coming to him soon enough.¡± The peddlers and fortune tellers lining the streets had already noticed the scene and disdainful laughter followed. At this moment, Zhuo Junting¡¯s face looked extremely unpleasant, obviously taking Ye Xuan for a swindler too, and the gaze of the bodyguard by her side toward Ye Xuan was even more unfriendly. ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Zhuo Junting, her expression cold, signaled to her bodyguard and turned to leave. Ye Xuan silently watched Zhuo Junting walk away without showing any intention to retain her because he believed that she would turn back. Sure enough, Zhuo Junting had only walked a dozen steps before she turned around and came back, her eyes showing a complexity of emotions. ¡°There¡¯s one million in this card, and the last six digits are the PIN.¡± Zhuo Junting directly took out a golden card and threw it on the table, a scene that left the surrounding crowd stunned as if they were in a dream. Although Zhuo Junting regarded Ye Xuan as a con artist, the fact that he could mention that someone in her family was in trouble sparked a glimmer of hope in her heart. She was at her wit¡¯s end, and she couldn¡¯t let go of even the slightest hope. And to her, one million was just a drop in the bucket. Just as Zhuo Junting was about to pick up the jade talisman and leave, Ye Xuan¡¯s voice rang out timely, ¡°It was one million just now, now it¡¯s two million.¡± Boom! The crowd around them snapped out of their daze, and curses suddenly erupted. ¡°Damn it, aren¡¯t you shameless?¡± ¡°Greedy, just insatiable!¡± ¡°He already conned this girl out of a million and still isn¡¯t satisfied. If it were me, I¡¯d slap him right away, so he¡¯d learn his lesson.¡± At this time, Zhuo Junting clenched her teeth, looking at Ye Xuan with eyes that wished she could devour him, and her fists were tightly clenched, obviously her anger reaching a peak. ¡°Miss, this man is just a street scammer. Let me teach him a harsh lesson.¡± The bodyguard beside her was filled with righteous indignation, his hands itching to give Ye Xuan a beating. ¡°Fine, take it.¡± Zhuo Junting, not waiting for the bodyguard to act, took out another golden card and tossed it to Ye Xuan. Then she picked up the jade talisman from the table and turned to leave, but after just a few steps, she suddenly looked back at Ye Xuan with a cold sneer, ¡°If this jade talisman turns out to be fake, I will tear Jiangnan City apart to find you.¡± Two million in hand, Ye Xuan didn¡¯t take Zhuo Junting¡¯s threat seriously at all. He simply stood up and left, which made Zhuo Junting truly regard him as a scammer. No one just takes the money and walks away, it¡¯s clear that he has a guilty conscience. ¡°Miss, should I chase him down for you?¡± the bodyguard whispered. Watching Ye Xuan¡¯s receding figure, Zhuo Junting felt a mix of shame and anger but then shook her head, ¡°No need, let¡¯s go home.¡± ... Jiangnan City center. Ye Xuan walked on the bustling streets, heading for the Jinhua luxury shopping plaza. In exchange for Zhuo Junting¡¯s two million Xia Country coins with a jade talisman, in fact, Ye Xuan didn¡¯t ask for much. You see, that jade talisman contained a strand of his own Blood Evil Energy. Not to mention possessing a Yin spirit, it could annihilate even Ghost General level Yin spirits to dust. Compared to the mere two million, Ye Xuan was at a loss. Once Zhuo Junting realizes the true function of this jade talisman, she would undoubtedly feel fortunate to have met Ye Xuan. Chapter 11 - 11 11 The Zhuo Family is Shocked ?11: Chapter 11 The Zhuo Family is Shocked 11: Chapter 11 The Zhuo Family is Shocked Jinhua Luxury Plaza. Ye Xuan first entered a men¡¯s clothing store, replaced the black ancient shirt he wore, and then selected a few suits. Under the warm gaze of a beautiful saleswoman, Ye Xuan swiped his card and left, completely ignoring the little note she stealthily slipped him. Shopping, lots of shopping. From women¡¯s clothing to various commodities, Ye Xuan splurged on a shopping spree. By the time he left Jinhua Shopping Plaza, he had spent a full three hundred thousand Xia Country coins. Ye Xuan couldn¡¯t help but sigh; he had merely purchased some clothes and yet had spent three hundred thousand. Thinking back to four years ago, he wouldn¡¯t even dare dream of such spending. Clutching a load of goods in hand, Ye Xuan headed straight back home. As for purchasing a house to give his mother and sister a better living environment, he decided to put that idea on hold¡ªnot for any other reason, but because after inquiring about housing prices, he had to give up on the thought for now. In Jiangnan, a first-tier city, a downtown apartment would cost at least a few million Yuan to start with, which clearly was beyond what Ye Xuan could afford. Moreover, since Ye Xuan planned on improving the living conditions for his family, an ordinary house was naturally not what he was considering. The least he would aim for was villa-level, and the estimated cost would start at ten million. ... Jiangnan Hospital. Just as Zhuo Junting arrived in front of the special care ward, she saw that the area outside was already filled with members of the Zhuo family. ¡°Junting, although our Zhuo family is wealthy, you¡¯ve gone too far this time. To think you were duped by a street fortune-teller into spending two million on a useless Jade Talisman. If word gets out, won¡¯t that make us a laughing stock?¡± Zhuo Wenbin commented coldly, scolding Zhuo Junting. ¡°Tingting, it¡¯s not that your second aunt is trying to lecture you, but with the old man critically ill and various clans watching us, it would be best if you refrained from such actions in the future,¡± a middle-aged lady said with a veiled jab. Hmph! Zhuo Wenshan let out a cold snort, ¡°Second brother, second sister-in-law, have you said enough? The old man is not yet dead. The Zhuo family¡¯s affairs are not your place to discipline Tingting.¡± ¡°Older brother, Tingting is your daughter, but that doesn¡¯t mean you can protect her without principle. Besides, before the old man became unconscious, he didn¡¯t say he would pass the headship of the family to you,¡± Zhuo Wenbin sneered with continuous laughter, appearing brazenly confident. ¡°Big brother, second brother, now that the old man is critically ill, why are you arguing over these trivial matters here?¡± Zhuo Meiyun sternly chided her two brothers. ¡°Tingting, what¡¯s bought is bought. Just be a bit more careful next time,¡± Zhuo Meiyun comforted Zhuo Junting. At that moment, Zhuo Junting¡¯s eyebrows furrowed, clearly aware that her bodyguard had informed the family, which led to this dispute. However, these weren¡¯t the important issues. Ever since grandfather had fallen into a coma, her second uncle had changed his demeanor, evidently intending to contest the position of family head with her father. This sort of situation was not new today. Creak! The door to the special care ward opened, and several doctors and nurses walked out, instantly drawing everyone¡¯s attention to them. ¡°Dr. Bai, how is my father doing now?¡± Zhuo Wenshan quickly approached, followed closely by several members of the Zhuo family. If Ye Xuan were present at this time, he would recognize the leading doctor as the Dean of Jiangnan Hospital, Dr. Bai. Dr. Bai let out a sigh and with a look of remorse said, ¡°We¡¯ve done all we could. Please accept our condolences, and you may go in to see old Zhuo for the last time.¡± The sudden bad news turned Zhuo Junting¡¯s complexion pale, and she staggered into the special care ward. The three siblings of the Zhuo family were initially stunned, but they quickly entered the ward as well. Inside the special care ward. The Zhuo family patriarch¡¯s face was withered, his frame emaciated. The medical equipment before him beeped steadily, his heart beating once every five seconds, clearly indicating that it wouldn¡¯t be long before the family patriarch would truly pass away. ¡°Dad.¡± As members of the Zhuo family flooded in, a few cries of sorrow were heard, while Zhuo Junting bit her lips tightly, staring blankly at the grandfather who had always doted on her since she was little, with a great deal of mist forming in her eyes. ¡°Grandfather... Grandfather... Are you really going to leave Junting behind?¡± Zhuo Junting choked out, shaking the old patriarch¡¯s arms continuously, but no matter how she called out to him, there was not the slightest response from the patriarch. The expressions of Zhuo Junting¡¯s father and Zhuo Meiyun were sorrowful, and Zhuo Wenbin¡¯s face crossed with a complex look, which he managed to conceal well. Just as the Zhuo family members were immersed in their grief, Zhuo Junting¡¯s actions suddenly caused the expressions of several of them to change. ¡°Tingting, what are you doing?¡± her father Zhuo Wenshan asked in surprise. ¡°Junting, now is not the time for your nonsense,¡± her second uncle Zhuo Wenbin coldly scolded. ¡°Tingting, hurry and take that thing off your grandfather¡¯s forehead,¡± Zhuo Meiyun¡¯s expression turned unpleasant as well. Desperate circumstances led to desperate measures, and Zhuo Junting could no longer care whether Ye Xuan was a swindler or not, she directly took out the Jade Talisman sold by Ye Xuan, and then swiftly placed it on the old patriarch¡¯s forehead. Although Zhuo Junting knew this couldn¡¯t save her grandfather¡¯s life, she was not going to let go of even the slimmest hope, perhaps this was also a way for her to seek some comfort in her heart. Just as her father Zhuo Wenshan was about to stop his daughter¡¯s foolishness, what happened next shocked the Zhuo family to their core, leaving them all stupefied in place. Ah! Like a night owl¡¯s mournful cry, resembling the wails of a ghostly entity. An ear-piercing scream emanated from within the old patriarch¡¯s body, the Jade Talisman burst into a bloody glow, covering his body in its light. Hum! The Jade Talisman moved without wind, rising slowly into the air, a pitch-black ghostly shadow emerged from the old patriarch¡¯s body, frantically fleeing toward the window. Crack! The Jade Talisman¡¯s bloody light intensified, enveloping the void, and with a loud explosion from the void, a bolt of bloody lightning struck out, incinerating the fleeing ghostly shadow to ash, while the Jade Talisman that hovered in the air turned into a pile of white powder at that moment. Simultaneously, in a dark room in Jiangnan City, a figure in a black robe suddenly spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, their aura instantly becoming feeble. ¡°No... it¡¯s not possible... who... who destroyed my ghost infant... who is he?¡± The person in the black robe spoke shakily. Although the blow he received was severe due to the bond with his creation, the death of the ghost infant shocked him even more. In a special care ward of Jiangnan Hospital, The strange phenomenon had already vanished, but the Zhuo family members seemed still trapped in a dream, taking a good while before they could recover their senses, until a weak groan came from the old patriarch, which snapped the Zhuo family out of their shock. ¡°Grandfather... Grandfather... Are you awake?¡± Zhuo Junting could not care anymore about the strange scene that had just played out and hurried to the old patriarch¡¯s bedside. ¡°Dad, are you alright?¡± The children of the Zhuo family also rushed forward, excitement evident on every face. ¡°I was close to death, but alas, a great person came to my rescue, and only then did I cling to life,¡± the old patriarch said weakly. Although he had been unconscious, he had heard everything that happened around him; he simply could not speak or move. Chapter 12 - 12 12 Ye Xuans Killing Intent ?12: Chapter 12 Ye Xuan¡¯s Killing Intent 12: Chapter 12 Ye Xuan¡¯s Killing Intent During these days, Zhuo Lao Yezi had been resisting the ghostly baby incessantly, until just now he was nearly completely devoured by it. Just when he thought death was certain, a cold touch sprouted on his forehead, and the ghostly baby, as if severely injured, fled in panic from his body. Although he did not understand what had happened, he knew that someone from the outside must have been helping him. ¡°Tingting, who was the expert that saved Grandpa?¡± Zhuo Lao Yezi disregarded his physical weakness, and quickly inquired of Zhuo Junting. At that moment, Zhuo Junting was also extremely shaken. She had never imagined that Ye Xuan was not a fraud; indeed, just like he had said, Grandpa was really haunted by an evil spirit, and it was also thanks to his Jade Talisman that Grandpa did not leave her. Zhuo Junting promptly related the details of her encounter with Ye Xuan, up until the miraculous event that had just occurred, leaving the people of the Zhuo Family in the sickroom in utter shock. ¡°Two million!¡± ¡°Just a mere two million to exchange for the old man¡¯s life, eh?¡± After listening to Zhuo Junting¡¯s account, Zhuo Lao Yezi murmured to himself, and soon he came back to his senses, his expression becoming extremely grave as he said, ¡°No matter what, no matter the cost, we must find this expert. Grandpa has to thank him in person.¡± As the head of the Zhuo Family, Zhuo Lao Yezi deeply understood that if someone wished to harm him with an evil spirit once, they could do so a second time. Thanking the expert in person was genuine, but the real purpose was to seek out this expert and have them find the true mastermind behind the scenes. What followed was straightforward; Zhuo Lao Yezi recovered and was discharged from the hospital. This incomprehensible incident naturally shocked Hospital Director Bai immensely, but no matter how he questioned them, the Zhuo Family did not reveal the truth, brushing it off with a simple excuse. Zhuo Junting returned to the Guanyin Temple again, but she could not find Ye Xuan anywhere. She even asked the surrounding vendors, but she didn¡¯t receive any useful information. Days went by, and Zhuo Junting visited the Guanyin Temple every day. However, Ye Xuan seemed to have vanished from the human world, never appearing in her sight again. Gazing at the spot where Ye Xuan used to set up his stall, Zhuo Junting bit her lips tightly, her voice whispering, ¡°Will you really never appear again?¡± ... The setting sun dipped low, the last rays of sunset drifting away. Ye Xuan returned home, directly taking out the products he had purchased from his storage space and placing them on the table, and then patiently waited for Mother Ye to return from work. According to his mother, she was currently working as a cleaner at a hotel. Even though Ye Xuan had told Mother Ye to quit her job, she insisted on going to work. Ye Xuan knew in his heart that as he had just returned home, in his mother¡¯s eyes, he was still jobless. If she quit her job, who would support the family? But today, Ye Xuan decided that no matter what, he would have Mother Ye quit her job, because the money in his hands could allow his mother and sister to live a better life, without the worry of making ends meet. Time passed quickly, and as night fell, the sound of a door opening was heard. Mother Ye, carrying a bag of vegetables and dragging her tired body, stepped into the house. Upon seeing Ye Xuan, the fatigue on Mother Ye¡¯s face vanished, replaced with a joyful radiance. Although the Yunling Pill had already been consumed by Mother Ye, the Yunling Pill was a kind of elixir that worked progressively. After all, Mother Ye was only human, and the type of elixir that could revert one to youth overnight, though Ye Xuan had it, would only cause Mother Ye unnecessary hidden ailments. ¡°Mom, you must be tired, let me get you a glass of water.¡± Ye Xuan quickly walked up to his mother, took the things from her hands, and then went to the kitchen to pour a glass of water. But when Ye Xuan returned, he saw his mother staring blankly at the goods he had bought, lost in thought. Ye Xuan¡¯s mother was not a woman with no experience; once a maid of the Ye Family in the Capital City, her vision was also different from ordinary people. When she saw the dazzling array of goods on the table, how could she not recognize their value? Each item on the table was from an international luxury brand. The value of each was tens of thousands of dollars. Ye Xuan¡¯s mother silently did the math; the items on the table were worth several hundred thousand dollars. ¡°Xuan... Xuan¡¯er... Where did you get the money?¡± There was a trace of worry in Ye Xuan¡¯s mother¡¯s eyes, and even her voice trembled slightly as she spoke. Looking at his mother¡¯s worried face, Ye Xuan placed two Golden Cards on the table and took out a pre-prepared explanation, saying, ¡°Mom, when I came back, that strange man gave me some antiques. I sold some today at the antique market. There¡¯s still 1.7 million in these two cards, take these for now, and when there¡¯s more money later...¡± Before Ye Xuan could finish, two lines of tears slowly trailed down his mother¡¯s eyes, tugging at his heartstrings, making it impossible for him to continue his fabricated story. ¡°Xuan¡¯er, when will you stop lying to Mom?¡± They say no one knows a son better than his mother. Although she hadn¡¯t seen Ye Xuan for four years, he was still her flesh and blood. Even though Ye Xuan concealed his killer instinct when he came home, how could the unintentional aura of a Superior escape his mother¡¯s perception? Watching his mother¡¯s tearful eyes, Ye Xuan suddenly awoke to reality, and a bitter smile appeared on his face. After all, this was his mother, the person closest to him. How could she not feel his change? ¡°Mom, I assure you that this money is all earned cleanly. Your son hasn¡¯t committed any crimes, please believe me.¡± Ye Xuan knelt halfway in front of his mother, his expression extremely solemn. In the past four years, Ye Xuan had become renowned on the Blood Sea Battlefield for his decisiveness and ruthless nature and was even revered by various beings as the Undying Venerable. He had tempered his demeanor to be extremely cold-hearted, but towards his mother, Ye Xuan held immense respect. Ye Xuan was a filial person, and even after his four years on the Blood Sea Battlefield, he hadn¡¯t changed at all. ¡°Xuan¡¯er, Mom doesn¡¯t know what you¡¯ve been through these years, but she never wants to lose you again. I won¡¯t ask about your affairs in the future; as long as you take good care of yourself, that¡¯s all I need,¡± his mother said with tears turning into a smile. Ye Xuan¡¯s mother was by no means a foolish old woman; ever since Ye Xuan¡¯s return, she had noticed many strange things. For example, why did celestial phenomena change when mother and son met at the Beishan Cemetery? Why could Ye Xuan, though slender, lift a strong man with one hand? All these things told her that her son was no ordinary person and that he must have unspeakable secrets from the past four years. Yet Ye Xuan¡¯s mother didn¡¯t want to question him; her son was grown up with his own mind, and too much interference might become a burden for Ye Xuan. ¡°Mom, there are some things I can¡¯t tell you, but please be assured, our days will get better and better. We were driven out of the Ye Family years ago, and although you never spoke about it, I know you hold resentment in your heart.¡± Ye Xuan paused for a moment, his expression slightly grim, and continued, ¡°Rest assured, the humiliation you suffered back then, I will reclaim it for you. The so-called Ye Family is nothing but a bunch of ants in my eyes.¡± An unrestrained killing intent began to permeate from Ye Xuan¡¯s body quietly, with a bloody cold light flickering in his eyes. Clearly, Ye Xuan had long harbored the intention to kill; he just hadn¡¯t revealed it in front of his mother until now. Chapter 13 - 13 13 The Night Bar ?13: Chapter 13: The Night Bar 13: Chapter 13: The Night Bar Ye Xuan¡¯s mother could fully feel the murderous aura emanating from her son, which also alarmed her greatly. She rushed to speak out and dissuade him, saying, ¡°The suffering your mom has endured is nothing, and any resentment I had has long since dissipated. As long as we can reunite as a family, I am satisfied.¡± Hearing his mother¡¯s words of persuasion, Ye Xuan quickly concealed his killing intent, but he did not agree to her. Clearly, he felt he had to seek justice for his mother concerning the events of the past. After chatting idly for a while, Ye¡¯s mother went into the kitchen and cooked a braised carp for Ye Xuan, along with several other exquisite dishes. By the time the meal was served on the table, it had already become completely dark outside. ¡°Xuan, don¡¯t wait anymore. Your sister probably won¡¯t come back today. Let¡¯s eat,¡± said Ye¡¯s mother with a forced smile, putting a piece of fish into Ye Xuan¡¯s bowl. However, the worry in her eyes was clearly caught by him. Ye Xuan did not touch the food in his bowl but smiled and said, ¡°Mom, you wait at home; I¡¯ll go to the school and bring our sister back. It won¡¯t take long.¡± After saying this, Ye Xuan did not wait for his mother to stop him, and immediately stood up and stepped out the door. When Ye¡¯s mother chased after him to the door, there was no sign of Ye Xuan outside! ... Among the clouds, within the void, Ye Xuan walked with a leisurely pace. At this moment, Ye Xuan¡¯s face was ice-cold, clearly unhappy about his little sister not coming home at night. When he was in a bad mood, he tended to kill, a habit formed over the past four years on the Blood Sea Battlefield. Lanqi High School, a third-rate high school, lacked the sight of any student wearing a school uniform. This high school was filled with various rowdy students and delinquent girls and was known as one of the worst high schools in Jiangnan City. It was now eight o¡¯clock in the evening. The school was deserted, but various private cars were parked at the school gate, and flamboyantly dressed girls occasionally got into these cars and drove away. With a Floating Light Shadow, a blink in the void, Ye Xuan quietly appeared in front of the school gate without drawing anyone¡¯s attention. Looking at the scene in front of the school gate, Ye Xuan¡¯s expression became slightly colder. A few ruffians with wildly dyed hair smoked, and several scantily clad girls joked and played around, while middle-aged men getting out of private cars chatted up some delinquent girls. Even a fool could tell what they were discussing. ¡°My sister goes to school here?¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s voice was ice-cold, his face extremely grim. Ye Xuan walked toward a few ruffians ahead until he stood right in front of them, drawing their attention to his presence. ¡°Hey, kid, I¡¯ve never seen you before. You¡¯re so young; could you also be here looking for some excitement?¡± A green-haired gangster said to Ye Xuan with a laugh, prompting the other ruffians to burst into laughter. ¡°Do you know a girl named Ye Ling¡¯er?¡± Ye Xuan asked in a deep voice. ¡°Ye Ling¡¯er?¡± The green-haired gangster paused, then looked Ye Xuan over carefully and asked, ¡°What¡¯s your relationship with her?¡± ¡°I¡¯m her brother,¡± said Ye Xuan, his voice slightly more frigid. ¡°Haha, a sworn brother, huh? Who would¡¯ve thought that little wild thing Ye Ling¡¯er had a sworn brother.¡± The green-haired gangster laughed playfully, utterly oblivious to the cold light rising in Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes. ¡°I¡¯ll ask you one more time, where is Ye Ling¡¯er now?¡± Ye Xuan stepped forward, right in front of the green-haired ruffian, causing his expression to turn startled, and then to one of anger. ¡°How the hell are you talking to me, you...¡± Qingmao originally wanted to bolster his courage, but before he could finish speaking, his vision blurred as a powerful palm suddenly choked his neck, and he was hoisted into the air in an instant. Ye Xuan¡¯s fingers slowly clenched together, his voice growing even colder as he said, ¡°Tell me where she is.¡± Such a scene terrified the other hooligans to the extreme. They had intended to step forward and help, but upon seeing Ye Xuan¡¯s icy gaze, they immediately scattered and fled. Clearly, these thugs were also the kind who bullied the weak and feared the strong. Seeing Ye Xuan lift Qingmao effortlessly, they suspected he was a trained fighter, and they dared not confront him. ¡°Cough... cough... I... I¡¯ll talk...¡± Qingmao¡¯s face turned red with difficulty as he eked out a few words, prompting Ye Xuan to loosen his grip, letting the man fall to the ground. ¡°Today is Brother Hu¡¯s birthday, Ye Ling¡¯er and a few female classmates were taken away by Brother Hu long ago. I heard they¡¯re at Nightclub,¡± Qingmao blurted out quickly, afraid that Ye Xuan might beat him severely. ¡°Brother Hu?¡± Ye Xuan murmured to himself and then looked at Qingmao, asking, ¡°Who is Brother Hu?¡± ¡°Brother Hu is one of the leaders of the Beichuan Gang. If you really are Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s brother, I advise you to not go looking for her,¡± Qingmao said with a fearful look when mentioning Brother Hu. Hearing Qingmao¡¯s warning, Ye Xuan silently glanced at the man. Qingmao wasn¡¯t inherently bad; otherwise, he wouldn¡¯t have warned him. It was unclear why he had ended up like this. After getting the address of Nightclub from Qingmao again, Ye Xuan casually started walking towards the distance. ¡°Hey, you really going to find Ye Ling¡¯er? You¡¯ll get beaten to death!¡± Qingmao hesitated but still called out to the departing figure of Ye Xuan. ¡°Learn to be a better person, and remember to dye your hair back,¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s voice came from afar, startling Qingmao. He didn¡¯t know that, had it not been for his kind warning just now, he might have become disabled due to his previous vulgar language. Nightclub. Heavy metal music filled every inch of space, countless young men and women wildly dancing in the dance floor, the DJ on stage shouting with passion, and two scantily clad, seductive women shaking their bodies. Just entering Nightclub, Ye Xuan frowned, disliking such extremely noisy venues. If it weren¡¯t for looking for his sister, he would have never appeared here. ¡°Sir, are you alone?¡± A waiter quickly approached Ye Xuan, inquiring. ¡°I¡¯m a friend of Brother Hu, do you know where he is?¡± As Ye Xuan¡¯s voice fell, the waiter¡¯s face froze, scrutinizing him carefully with a puzzled look in his eyes. Today was Brother Hu¡¯s birthday, and all of Brother Hu¡¯s friends were notorious figures, so how could there be such a refined young man? Despite his doubts, the waiter still pointed out the direction for Ye Xuan, which made him head towards the private booth where Brother Hu was. In Booth No. 1. On the luxurious golden sofa sat a dozen bald brutes with fierce faces, each with tattoos of dragons and tigers on their bodies, the clinking of their glasses resonating from time to time. The leader, with a ferocious face and several scars on his shiny bald head, appeared so intimidating that no one dared to make eye contact. Around them were more than ten young girls, a dazzling array of foreign liquors piling up on the table, and from time to time, frivolous laughter would erupt from the girls. Ye Ling¡¯er, with yellow-dyed hair, still heavily made up, was sitting next to Brother Hu, but deep worry lay in her eyes. She did not want to be there at all, but Brother Hu insisted on her company. Chapter 14 - 14 14 The Bloody Banquet Part 1 ?14: Chapter 14: The Bloody Banquet (Part 1) 14: Chapter 14: The Bloody Banquet (Part 1) The most crucial point was, because when Ye Xuan returned home, he had maimed Tiger¡¯s underling, if she really didn¡¯t show up, she feared she would implicate her family. Ye Ling¡¯er was naturally aware of what kind of fate awaited her at this location; Tiger had coveted her for a long time, and it was only because she had kept up a facade of acquiescence without actually giving in that she hadn¡¯t been violated by him. Whether for her mother or that detestable Ye Xuan, Ye Ling¡¯er knew she had to attend, but the nature of today¡¯s event clearly indicated that they would not let her go, which tightened the grip of dread on her mind, leaving her constantly seeking a way to cope. To drink, to keep drinking with Tiger, was Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s simple idea. To dodge this calamity, she could only drink him under the table; only then could she find a way out. Unfortunately, after several bottles of foreign liquor, Ye Ling¡¯er was already dizzy, while Tiger showed no change of expression. This caused Ye Ling¡¯er to bite her lips and her complexion to pale as she couldn¡¯t help but think to herself, could she really not avoid this disaster today? ¡°I¡¯ll tell you, Ye Ling¡¯er, our boss Tiger has admired you for a long time. If it weren¡¯t for his reluctance to force you, he would have had his way with you by now. Tonight, there¡¯s no way you¡¯re leaving,¡± a burly man, tattooed with a green wolf, reeked of alcohol as he loudly joked with Ye Ling¡¯er. ¡°Yeah, Ling¡¯er, with our looks, even boss Tiger wouldn¡¯t cast a second glance. If I were you, I would have thrown myself into his arms long ago,¡± another young girl taunted Ye Ling¡¯er as she sat on a man¡¯s lap. At this moment, Tiger, with a ruddy complexion, gazed at the downcast Ye Ling¡¯er beside him, a lecherous gleam flitting across his eyes. ¡°Ling¡¯er, your brother broke the hand of one of my men. I let it go out of consideration for you. If it were someone else, they¡¯d already be dead,¡± Tiger remarked as he reached to place his hand on Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s shoulder, but she evaded it discreetly, prompting a subtle change in Tiger¡¯s expression; he hadn¡¯t expected Ye Ling¡¯er to resist. ¡°I remember your kindness, Tiger, and I toast to you,¡± said Ye Ling¡¯er with a forced smile, picking up the cup from the table and downing the foreign liquor in one gulp. Unfortunately, Tiger didn¡¯t even lift his cup. With many years in the underworld, how could he not see that Ye Ling¡¯er had no intention to accompany him? ¡°No need for drinks, I¡¯m feeling a bit tired too. Ling¡¯er, how about you walk me back to the hotel?¡± Tiger¡¯s voice was chilly and ruthless, his fierce eyes locking onto the young girl before him. As Tiger¡¯s words fell, Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s complexion instantly turned ashen. She knew she couldn¡¯t escape, which made her bite her lips tighter, her voice trembling as she said, ¡°Tiger, it¡¯s very late tonight, and there are still things to do at home. How about I accompany you another time?¡± Bang! Suddenly, Tiger stood up abruptly, the wine bottle in his hand shattering on the floor, his expression extremely ugly. ¡°You little bitch, me sleeping with you is a favor to you, do you really take me for Buddha or Law?¡± Tiger tore through his last shred of decency, his ferocious voice echoing through the entire cabaret, silencing the laughter of his subordinates, who now looked at Ye Ling¡¯er like menacing deities. Ye Ling¡¯er, after all, was just a young girl; how could she have gone through such an ordeal? All she had in her eyes was despair, knowing she couldn¡¯t escape and even beginning to entertain thoughts of ending her life. ¡°Damn it, I hoped you would come willingly, but it seems today I must play the part of a tyrant forcing the bow,¡± Tiger said without any hesitation, reaching straight for Ye Ling¡¯er, his actions stirring excitement among his subordinates. Facing Tiger¡¯s actions, Ye Ling¡¯er paled, her figure continuously moving backward, grabbing an empty wine bottle with her hand as if it was her last line of defense. It was at this moment that Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s eyes glazed over, and the image of Ye Xuan surfaced in her mind unbidden. She remembered clearly, when she was in elementary school, whenever older students bullied her, Ye Xuan, her brother, would stand up for her. There was even a time when, because of her, Ye Xuan was beaten bloody by several older students. At that time, she hugged him tightly, crying, and wiped away his blood, while he, with his arms around her, comforted her. ¡°Brother, where are you?¡± With her thoughts swirling back, Ye Ling¡¯er murmured deliriously, her eyes misting over. Suddenly! A cold and harsh voice timely rose in the card room. ¡°If you want to die, take one more step and see.¡± ¡°Huh?¡± The sudden appearance of the voice directly startled Brother Tiger and his men, who all turned their heads to look towards the source of the sound. At that moment, the card room¡¯s curtain was lifted, and Ye Xuan casually walked in, his face extremely somber. As Ye Xuan appeared, Ye Ling¡¯er was completely dumbfounded. In just a few breaths, her face turned pale, and with great worry in her eyes, she loudly shouted at Ye Xuan, ¡°Get out, just get out! I don¡¯t need you to interfere.¡± Clearly, Ye Ling¡¯er knew all too well what kind of people Brother Tiger and his gang were, and how Ye Xuan couldn¡¯t possibly be their match. If Ye Xuan was crippled by them, Ye Ling¡¯er absolutely did not want to witness such a scene. ¡°Kid, who are you?¡± Brother Tiger narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice somewhat ferocious. ¡°She¡¯s my sister, and I¡¯m taking her home.¡± At this moment, the coldness on Ye Xuan¡¯s face disappeared, his voice even calmer; but if any creature from the Blood Sea Battlefield were to see Ye Xuan¡¯s demeanor, they would probably scream out in fear because Ye Xuan in this state was the most terrifying. ¡°Your sister?¡± ¡°Today, I¡¯m going to sleep with your sister. Where could you possibly take her?¡± Brother Tiger laughed coldly, pulling a chopper out from behind the sofa. The chilling shine of the blade was dazzling, as though it would chop down on Ye Xuan the next moment. With the boss ready to make a move, the rest of the underlings also snickered, brandishing various blades, seemingly ready to encircle Ye Xuan. Watching this scene unfold, Ye Ling¡¯er was terrified and quickly stepped in front of Brother Tiger, forcing a smile, ¡°Brother Tiger, please let him go, I¡¯ll go with you tonight.¡± ¡°Ha ha!¡± Getting Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s response, Brother Tiger laughed loudly, ¡°Kid, did you hear that? Your sister has decided to go with me. You can leave now.¡± ¡°How would you like to die?¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s voice was calm as he casually walked towards Brother Tiger. As Ye Xuan¡¯s figure got closer, Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s expression drastically changed. She couldn¡¯t understand why Ye Xuan was asking for death like this. Couldn¡¯t he see the current situation? ¡°Friend, which faction are you from?¡± Suddenly, before Ye Ling¡¯er could stop Ye Xuan¡¯s suicidal move, Brother Tiger¡¯s face turned cautious and his voice more wary. This scene left Ye Ling¡¯er utterly astonished. She couldn¡¯t understand why Brother Tiger¡¯s attitude had suddenly changed and why he hadn¡¯t made a move against Ye Xuan. In fact, Ye Ling¡¯er didn¡¯t know that, as a minor leader of the Beichuan Gang, although Brother Tiger wasn¡¯t a big shot, his years of fighting in the underworld meant he clearly knew who he should provoke and who he shouldn¡¯t, better than anyone else. Chapter 15 - 15 15 The Bloody Banquet Part 2 ?15: Chapter 15 The Bloody Banquet (Part 2) 15: Chapter 15 The Bloody Banquet (Part 2) Earlier, Brother Hu had regarded Ye Xuan as just an ordinary person, but as Ye Xuan continued to approach him, a huge pressure rushed towards him, causing his entire body to suddenly tense up, and a bone-chilling coldness rose in his heart. As if from somewhere deep in the shadows, a voice was telling him that the person approaching him was an extremely terrifying figure who might take his life. Brother Hu deeply believed this feeling because whenever he was in danger, this feeling had never been wrong and had saved his life several times. Unfortunately, Ye Xuan did not respond. When he reached Brother Hu, he didn¡¯t even glance at him. He just grabbed Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s hand and walked towards the exit of the booth. This scene left Ye Ling¡¯er utterly bewildered. She let Ye Xuan pull her hand and walk outside, never regaining her wits throughout. Brother Hu¡¯s subordinates were also extremely astonished. Having knives in their hands, they wanted to chase after Ye Xuan, but before they could act, Brother Hu¡¯s voice sternly halted them. ¡°Don¡¯t chase after him, let him go.¡± Brother Hu¡¯s voice trembled slightly, his forehead covered in cold sweat, and as he watched Ye Xuan¡¯s disappearing figure, his eyes full of immense fear. Terrifying, too terrifying, this man¡¯s demeanor seemed even stronger than the gang leader! Brother Hu¡¯s mind was shaken, and the thought surfaced in his heart inadvertently. Outside the Nightcolor Bar. A cold wind blew, helping Ye Ling¡¯er snap out of her daze. She quickly withdrew her hands from Ye Xuan¡¯s, and her gaze towards Ye Xuan was extremely complex. ¡°Mom is waiting for you at home; you should go home first.¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s voice was calm as he took off his coat, draped it over Ye Ling¡¯er, hailed a taxi, and without caring whether Ye Ling¡¯er wanted to or not, he somewhat forcibly pushed her into the car. At that moment, watching Ye Xuan from inside the car, Ye Ling¡¯er bit her lips, hesitation in her eyes. As the taxi started, she asked in a trembling voice, ¡°Are you...not going back home?¡± ¡°I still have some things to do,¡± Ye Xuan responded calmly. The taxi quickly departed, taking Ye Ling¡¯er towards her home, until it disappeared from Ye Xuan¡¯s sight, and a cruel smile curled on his lips. Whoo! The wind and snow obscured the sky, the cold wind howling, suddenly turning the clear weather gloomy, while Ye Xuan turned and started heading back toward the Nightcolor Bar. Nightcolor Bar. The noisy heavy metal music, men and women dancing wildly; none of them knew that tonight would be a bloody feast. At booth number one. Brother Hu kept pouring foreign liquor into his mouth to suppress the fear that Ye Xuan had instilled in him and had all the girls at the booth sent away, leaving only his dozen subordinates nearby. ¡°Brother Hu, who was that guy just now, and why did you let him leave?¡± one subordinate asked. ¡°Yes, Brother Hu, if it hadn¡¯t been for you stopping us, we would have crippled him earlier,¡± another subordinate remarked. Listening to his subordinates, Brother Hu slowly shook his head and said, ¡°You little brats know nothing; that young man was definitely not simple.¡± At this point, Brother Hu paused, his gaze turning somewhat grim, and continued, ¡°Although this person is not simple, there is no one in Jiangnan City that our Beichuan Gang can¡¯t afford to offend. Find out, check if that kid is really Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s brother and what background he actually has.¡± Boom¡ªBoom¡ªBoom! Like the Killing Battle Drum pounding, as if endless wronged souls were wailing, a series of heavy footsteps approached, and a solitary figure quietly appeared at booth number one. ¡°No need to check, because you all are going to die.¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes were saturated with blood, his voice reminiscent of the Bell Of The Dead Soul tolling; he seemed to smell the scent of blood, his entire being becoming even more transcendental. The sudden appearance of Ye Xuan left Tiger Brother with his eyes wide open; he had never expected that the other party would return. ¡°Grab your weapons!¡± Tiger Brother¡¯s face turned grim, and he wasted no more words. If the other dared to return, he was obviously no easy opponent; any further talk was just superfluous. As Tiger Brother¡¯s voice fell, a dozen of his men drew their steel blades and rushed towards Ye Xuan, their postures so aggressive they intended to hack Ye Xuan to death right there on the spot. ¡°Damn, you little pest, die!¡± A burly man with a green wolf tattoo swung his Chopper, but before he could reach Ye Xuan, he suddenly froze in place, the Chopper hanging in mid-air dropping to the ground. ¡°Ah!¡± Terrified screams erupted from those burly men as their steps, which had been charging towards Ye Xuan, clumsily retreated due to the horrifying scene they witnessed. The green wolf tattooed man was split from head to toe as if cleaved by a single strike; his body split into two parts, copious amounts of blood spraying ceaselessly from the halved corpse, a scene so terrifying it could shatter one¡¯s courage. Every member present from the Beichuan Gang was a ruthless figure on the streets; several of them had personally taken lives before, but even with their ferocity, when had they ever seen such a terrorizing sight? ¡°This... this man is a devil.¡± A burly gang member screamed in horror. He wanted to escape, but Ye Xuan was blocking the exit, which filled his eyes with despair. ¡°Today, you all are going to die.¡± Ye Xuan gave a cruel smile; his palm was as clear as jade, yet it was slowly glowing. That was the light of blood, the light of slaughter. Buzz! Bloodlight was chilling; it exterminated all; as Ye Xuan¡¯s palm danced, an extremely horrifying blade light shattered the void. Cries of agony and moaning echoed from all over the booth. Blood rained and limbs were severed, and after several seconds the screams gradually ceased; the whole booth fell silent, turning into a Shura Slaughter, with severed limbs and the thick scent of blood permeating the entire space. ¡°The smell of blood, I somewhat miss it.¡± Ye Xuan stretched his arms, his expression somewhat intoxicated. Suddenly opening his eyes, Ye Xuan looked towards a corner inside the booth only to see Tiger Brother slumped on the ground, his groin stained with a large amount of urine; his steel blade was nowhere to be seen, and his gaze towards Ye Xuan was filled with indescribable fear. ¡°You... you¡¯re not human... not human...¡± Tiger Brother muttered deliriously as if terrified out of his mind by Ye Xuan. ¡°If humans are as lowly as ants, oblivious of heaven¡¯s might, you may go die now.¡± Ye Xuan spoke calmly, lifting his radiant palm and casually striking towards Tiger Brother. ¡°No... I don¡¯t want to die...¡± Unfortunately, before Tiger Brother could even plead, faced with the palm Ye Xuan struck towards him, his entire body directly exploded into fragments, completely vanishing from this world. Turning around indifferently and departing calmly, Ye Xuan acted as if he had done something very trivial, while the young men and women outside danced to heavy metal music, unaware that Tiger Brother¡¯s booth had already turned into a Shura Slaughter. Chapter 16 - 16 16 Siblings Recognize Each Other ?16: Chapter 16 Siblings Recognize Each Other 16: Chapter 16 Siblings Recognize Each Other Blood Sea beneath the bleary sky, flanked by the White Bone Shores, a solitary figure, a lone path, Ye Xuan walked alone past, unaccompanied by the gentle breeze, unattended by any creature, the endless Blood Sea roiling behind him, tens of thousands of Blood Souls wailing in agony. His journey finally led him to ascend the White Bone Throne, gazing towards the Heavenly Gate ahead, the loneliness in his eyes intensifying. Atop the White Bone Throne, Ye Xuan sat silently, with a phantom quietly standing beside him. ¡°I can¡¯t let go of some things, some people,¡± Ye Xuan whispered softly. ¡°Before the great path to the heavens, there is nothing truly undetachable,¡± the phantom replied. ¡°But I just can¡¯t let go,¡± Ye Xuan said. The phantom¡¯s presence stuttered, and with a wave of his hand, a sphere of light emerged and directly merged into Ye Xuan¡¯s Sea of Consciousness. ¡°Uh!¡± A muffled groan escaped from Ye Xuan, pain evident in his gaze. ¡°Amidst the vast Red Dust, falling from the path, if you return to the Human World, you will endure the suffering of all emotions and desires. Now you feel the pain, do you still want to go back?¡± the phantom sighed lightly. ¡°Actually, there is nothing in this world that can¡¯t be let go of, once it hurts, you naturally let go,¡± the phantom spoke gravely. Ye Xuan suddenly smiled faintly, his hand gesture transforming the light sphere emerged once again, and merged into his Sea of Consciousness, but this time, no pain colored his expression. ¡°Does it not hurt?¡± the phantom asked in surprise. Ye Xuan smiled and said, ¡°It hurts!¡± The phantom, puzzled, asked, ¡°Why not let go?¡± ¡°Because, the person I care about is waiting for me to return.¡± With that, Ye Xuan descended from the White Bone Throne and headed back towards the gates of the Human World. Watching Ye Xuan¡¯s retreating figure disappearing into the distance, the phantom¡¯s breath became erratic, and it suddenly roared, ¡°Ye Xuan, if you return to the Human World, you may forever fall into the Red Dust. Are you really willing to give up the legendary path to the heavens for those ignorant mortals?¡± Sadly, no matter how the phantom roared, Ye Xuan had already vanished from its sight. ¡°Could it be, that I am really attached?¡± the phantom muttered to itself. ... Amid the sweeping wind and snow, under the bright moonlight, Ye Xuan snapped back from his thoughts, staring in the direction of Duanchang Mountain, a trace of bitterness flickering through his eyes, for he had chosen his dearest people over the legendary path to the heavens. Ye Xuan asked himself, was he truly content? Not content, really not content, that was Ye Xuan¡¯s answer. Hovering between life and death, reviving from the Silent Annihilation, no one understood the meaning of life better than Ye Xuan. Facing that legendary path to the heavens, where life equals the heavens, Undying, that was what Ye Xuan wanted. Perhaps the phantom was right, the vast Red Dust, the plethora of emotions and desires, a hundred years later, the people and things Ye Xuan cared about would merely be a wisp of dust. Ye Xuan couldn¡¯t let go, he really couldn¡¯t, because he was a human, a living human, not the cold and emotionless Immortal of legend. Ye Xuan had also appeared at the front door of his home after dispelling his perturbed thoughts. Upon entering the house, Ye Ling¡¯er sat dully at the dining table, while their mother glowed radiantly, chatting with Ye Ling¡¯er about something. ¡°Mom, let¡¯s eat,¡± Ye Xuan said quietly. This time, Ye Ling¡¯er didn¡¯t avoid Ye Xuan, quietly eating the food in her bowl, but occasionally stealing glances at Ye Xuan with deep confusion in her eyes. Their mother occasionally served vegetables to her children, her face filled with satisfaction. Dinner time passed quickly, and as their mother casually turned on the old TV, a news segment broadcasted. ¡°Hello everyone, I am the host Hao Jing, currently standing in front of Night Bar, where the Suspended Mirror Department has arrived at the scene of the crime. Let¡¯s now interview arrest officer Liu.¡± When this voice came from the TV, Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s expression froze, and she instantly turned to look at the TV while Ye Xuan¡¯s brow furrowed slightly, but his expression remained largely unchanged as he took a sip of tea. ¡°Hello, arrest officer Liu, how many people died at Night Bar, and has the murderer been caught yet?¡± the host handed the microphone to Liu Jundie. ¡°The murderer has not been caught yet, but please rest assured, citizens, as the Suspended Mirror Department has gathered numerous clues and will arrest the suspect soon. As for the victim, he was just an unemployed vagrant. Since the case hasn¡¯t been solved yet, I cannot disclose too many details,¡± Liu Jundie spoke. ¡°She... she¡¯s lying... dead... all dead... blood... all blood...¡± Suddenly, the camera in the TV shook violently, and a waiter from Night Bar, looking pale and seemingly terrified, was frantically pointing at Liu Jundie and yelling. The sudden news invigorated the host, who immediately directed the cameraman to focus on the waiter, but before the host could interview him, Liu Jundie¡¯s face changed, and she swiftly ordered her subordinates to detain the waiter and then told the camera, ¡°This man is a family member of the deceased and is not in a stable mental state. We will solve the case as soon as possible.¡± The news broadcast stopped abruptly and switched to other content, but by this time, Ye Ling¡¯er was trembling slightly, her face already ashen. She slowly turned to look at Ye Xuan, her eyes filled with immense inquiry. ¡°Mom, I¡¯m going to take my sister for a walk. You should rest early,¡± Ye Xuan whispered, then led the way out of the house, with Ye Ling¡¯er quickly following him. Watching the siblings leave, their mother wore a relieved expression, clearly pleased with the improvement in their relationship. On the quiet, snowy path, moonlight fell, casting Ye Xuan in an untainted glow as he walked ahead with Ye Ling¡¯er following silently, until Ye Xuan stopped and said in a low voice, ¡°What do you want to ask me?¡± Looking at Ye Xuan¡¯s back, Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s eyes were withdrawn, the person in front of her was her brother, yet he felt both familiar and foreign. After a long moment, Ye Ling¡¯er, eyes downcast and voice barely audible, asked, ¡°Did you... did you kill them?¡± ¡°Does it really matter?¡± Ye Xuan didn¡¯t turn around, his voice slightly deep. Ye Ling¡¯er suddenly raised her head, tears in her eyes, her voice quivering, ¡°Have you gone mad? That¡¯s the lives of over a dozen people. If you get caught, you¡¯ll die too!¡± Hearing Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s trembling voice, Ye Xuan slowly turned around, his eyes profoundly deep, looking directly at Ye Ling¡¯er, ¡°Ling¡¯er, remember when you were very young, how I would always stand up for you whenever someone bullied you? It was true then, and it¡¯s true now; that has never changed.¡± Looking into Ye Xuan¡¯s deep eyes, listening to his words, Ye Ling¡¯er bit her lips, unable to control the tears streaming from her eyes. In the Night Bar, in her most desperate moment, all that came to mind was her brother Ye Xuan¡¯s figure. When Ye Xuan actually appeared, it felt like a dream to Ye Ling¡¯er. In truth, no matter how much Ye Ling¡¯er seemed to despise Ye Xuan, she had never truly hated him in her heart. It was just her rebellious nature that couldn¡¯t let go of the time Ye Xuan had left without saying goodbye. Ye Xuan stepped forward to Ye Ling¡¯er, wiped the tears from her face, and she could no longer contain her emotions, wrapping her arms around Ye Xuan tightly, and a long-missed ¡°Brother¡± cried out from her mouth. Chapter 17 - 17 17 Blood Sea Unrest ?17: Chapter 17 Blood Sea Unrest 17: Chapter 17 Blood Sea Unrest Bathed in moonlight and stepping through snow, the siblings made their way home, and Ye Ling¡¯er kept asking Ye Xuan where he had been these four years. Ye Xuan could only dodge her questions with excuses. He could never tell his sister that he was actually a Cultivator, and in the Blood Sea Battlefield, he was known as the Undying Venerable, his hands stained with the blood of countless beings. At home, the lights were brightly lit. The siblings walked into their house, and their mother hadn¡¯t rested, obviously waiting for her children to return. ¡°Mom, tomorrow I plan to transfer Ling¡¯er to another school.¡± Ever since seeing the school where Ye Ling¡¯er studied, Ye Xuan had been considering transferring his younger sister to a better environment. The conditions surrounding Ye Ling¡¯er had played a significant role in shaping her into what she was today, though Ye Xuan¡¯s disappearance for four years also contributed. Ye Xuan firmly believed that the environment could change a person. Much like how he was only a frail boy four years ago, unable to even assure his own safety, but after his experience on the Blood Sea Battlefield, he had not only transformed from caterpillar to butterfly but had also become a legendary Cultivator¡ªthis transformation was made by the environment. Ye Xuan¡¯s suggestion made their mother nod, clearly understanding the true nature of the school Ye Ling¡¯er attended, which was why she had let her enroll there due to the family¡¯s difficult circumstances. ¡°Xuan, you can handle this matter yourself.¡± Her voice paused as she looked at Ye Xuan with eyes filled with expectations, adding, ¡°Xuan, you¡¯ve been gone for four years. Now that you¡¯re back, you should also prioritize your studies. I think you should attend school with Ling¡¯er.¡± Ye Xuan was taken aback by his mother¡¯s proposal, never having thought of returning to school, just when he was about to refuse, he saw the hopeful look in his mother¡¯s eyes, which forced him to swallow back his words. ¡°Mom, I promise you.¡± In order not to disappoint his mother, Ye Xuan agreed, but he had already decided to only enroll in a school in name; he definitely wouldn¡¯t attend. After a couple of years, he would just get a diploma to fulfill his duty to his mother. At that moment, hearing that Ye Xuan would also be attending school, Ye Ling¡¯er grinned joyously and said with a laugh, ¡°Brother, if you have any issues with your studies since you haven¡¯t been in school for four years, you can ask for my help.¡± Looking at Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s playful face, Ye Xuan shook his head helplessly and said, ¡°Tomorrow dye your hair back, and focus on your studies from now on. If...¡± His voice abruptly stopped as his spirit shook suddenly, and he looked sharply towards the direction of Duanchang Mountain, his eyes crossing with immensely complex emotions. ¡°Are you... calling me?¡± Ye Xuan whispered softly. ... Duanchang Mountain, in an inexplicable space. The Blood Sea surged, Yin Spirits wailed, and a thousand-foot Blood-colored Battle Halberd spanned the void, glowing as it violently trembled, causing the endless Blood Sea beneath it to churn tumultuously. Buzz! The halberd buzzed loudly and continuously, as if it were crying, as if it were summoning someone, causing the surrounding heaven and earth to rage uncontrollably, forcing all beings from all directions to hide. Swoosh! A shadow crossed the vast sky and appeared beside the Blood-colored Battle Halberd, failing to calm its turmoil. ¡°Sigh!¡± A low sigh sounded from the shadow, as he silently observed the Blood-colored Battle Halberd for several moments before finally speaking, ¡°Do you miss him?¡± ¡°But he has truly departed, though I believe it shouldn¡¯t be long before he returns. Please believe me,¡± the shadow spoke deeply. Boom! As Nine Heavens Thunder exploded, and as if the stars themselves shattered, the thousand-foot Blood Spear violently trembled. Its huge body radiated a heaven-reaching blood light, seemingly wanting to leave this space to find its master. ¡°You¡¯ve gone mad, haven¡¯t you?¡± Witnessing such a spectacle, the phantom roared in astonishment, yet the color of dread in its eyes grew even denser. ¡°If you go looking for him, it will surely lead to a great calamity. You need to believe me, he will definitely return,¡± the phantom¡¯s voice trembled as it continuously soothed the deadly weapon before it. As the phantom explained the grave consequences, the Blood-colored Battle Halberd gradually calmed down until it no longer had any momentum and lay horizontally across the sky above the Blood Sea. The phantom suddenly turned around, seemingly attempting to look through the blood-colored gate toward the direction where Ye Xuan was, its aura fluctuating violently. ¡°Ye Xuan! You bastard, if you don¡¯t come back, I won¡¯t be able to control the Heavenly Punishment Halberd any longer!¡± the phantom roared inwardly. ¡°Ling¡¯er, who is summoning you? What are you talking about?¡± Ye Ling¡¯er asked curiously. Ye Xuan snapped out of his thoughts, his eyes slightly complex as he seriously looked at Ye Ling¡¯er and said, ¡°Ling¡¯er, if one day I¡¯m gone, you must take good care of mother.¡± As Ye Xuan¡¯s voice fell, both Mother Ye and Ye Ling¡¯er were shocked, with Ye Ling¡¯er anxiously saying, ¡°Brother, what¡¯s wrong with you? Why would you say that?¡± ¡°Yes, Xuan, is there something troubling you?¡± Mother Ye asked worriedly. Looking at his mother and younger sister¡¯s anxious expressions, Ye Xuan forced a smile and said, ¡°It¡¯s nothing. Perhaps I¡¯m just overthinking.¡± The night had deepened. Ye Xuan, claiming he was sleepy, returned to his room first, leaving Mother Ye and Ye Ling¡¯er full of doubts, unsure of what could have happened to him. Inside the room. Ye Xuan¡¯s brow furrowed slightly as he gazed in the direction of Duanchang Mountain and let out a light sigh. After shaking his head, he sat cross-legged on the bed and entered into cultivation. Meanwhile, at the Beichuan Gang. Wu Jun sat squarely in the center, iron balls continuously rolling in his palm, his expression somewhat sinister until he suddenly squeezed his palm, and the iron balls turned into a pile of iron dust. ¡°Hmph, I haven¡¯t even sought him out, and he has already come knocking,¡± Wu Jun muttered coldly. ¡°Boss, according to the surveillance footage, this person entered and exited the bar twice, he must undoubtedly be the one who killed Black Tiger,¡± one of the gang members confirmed. ¡°Boss, you asked us to investigate this person¡¯s background, and we have already figured it out,¡± a black-clad strong man hurried into the Beichuan Gang, directly handing over some documents to Wu Jun. Wu Jun casually took the documents, and after several minutes, his face showed a trace of astonishment. ¡°Ye Xuan? A late-stage leukemia patient? Disappeared for four years and yet reappeared without dying?¡± Wu Jun murmured. ¡°Exactly, as per your instructions, we have taken Xia Qiu into custody, and it is from her that we got this news, and also from the records at Jiangnan Hospital,¡± the black-clad strong man said. Listening to his subordinate¡¯s report, Wu Jun tapped the desk continuously, his eyes narrowing until after a few moments he said, ¡°Did you find out where he has been these four years, what all has he done?¡± ¡°No, not a single clue. This man disappeared four years ago and seemed to have evaporated from the human world.¡± The black-clad strong man¡¯s voice paused briefly before continuing, ¡°Although we haven¡¯t found out where he¡¯s been these four years, we did find out he has an elderly mother and a younger sister at home. The reason he entered the bar and killed our gang member is very likely because of his sister.¡± ¡°Good, you¡¯ve done well. You may leave now.¡± As Wu Jun¡¯s voice fell, the black-clad strong man¡¯s mind relaxed, and he hurriedly excused himself and left, clearly feeling the intense pressure from Wu Jun. ¡°Bai Hu, go send him an invitation, say that I invite him to the Moon Viewing Tower for a gathering three days from now at six in the evening,¡± Wu Jun pondered for a moment and then ordered, also letting a stern-faced young man accept the order and leave. Chapter 18 - 18 18 Sky Blue Academy ?18: Chapter 18 Sky Blue Academy 18: Chapter 18 Sky Blue Academy Jiangnan Suspended Mirror Department. Liu Jundie¡¯s brows slightly furrowed, her cold face also looked somewhat haggard, and the expressions on Tie Li and Linglong were not very good either, all because they were currently watching a video where Ye Xuan was entering the night bar. ¡°I don¡¯t know who this person learned his skills from, but he has killed so many people in succession. Although those he killed were not good people, based on the crimes he has committed, he already deserves the death penalty,¡± Tie Li said with a steely face. Knock, knock, knock! A series of knocks on the door sounded, and an arrest officer hurried over to Liu Jundie, saying, ¡°Chief, we got inside information that Wu Jun has invited the suspect to a gathering at Moon Viewing Tower in three days.¡± ¡°So it¡¯s the big boss of the Beichuan Gang, we haven¡¯t made our move yet, and he¡¯s already getting restless.¡± If Wu Jun could find Ye Xuan, then Liu Jundie, as the chief arrest officer of the Suspended Mirror Department, wasn¡¯t renowned for nothing. Liu Jundie looked towards Tie Li and Linglong, as the case had been handed over to the Wu¡¯an Office, she naturally wanted to seek their opinions. ¡°This person is an Ancient Martial Artist, and his exact strength is still unclear, but if the two of us make a move, he definitely won¡¯t be able to escape, Chief Liu doesn¡¯t need to get involved,¡± Tie Li said. After saying this, Tie Li, taking the little girl Linglong with him, left the Suspended Mirror Department, clearly preparing to capture Ye Xuan and bring him to justice in three days. Watching the two of them leave, Liu Jundie frowned, obviously the other party hadn¡¯t recognized her worth, treating her like an ordinary person. ¡°I really want to see, just what kind of person this Ye Xuan is, that even the people from the Wu¡¯an Office take him so seriously,¡± Liu Jundie said in a low voice. ... The next morning. The sky was clear for miles, and the sun shone brightly, bringing a touch of warmth to the winter. Ye Xuan welcomed the rising sun and slowly opened his eyes after a night of cultivation, his mind gradually stabilizing. He pushed open the door to find that it was already nine in the morning, and the house was empty. Ye Xuan knew his mother would have gone to work early, and Ye Ling¡¯er must have returned to school to pack her things, preparing for the necessities required to transfer schools. Although Ye Xuan had told his mother to quit her job, she had fobbed him off, saying she would definitely quit after completing this month. On the dining table, the two Golden Cards that Ye Xuan had left for his mother the previous evening had not been taken by her, which made Ye Xuan feel somewhat helpless. He collected the two Golden Cards and stepped out of the house. Jiangnan City, Tianlan High School. In the whole of Jiangnan City, if one were to mention which school had the strongest faculty, it would have to be Tianlan High. Being a private elite school, all of the teachers were models in the educational field, boasting extremely profound knowledge. There were even some professors who had returned from abroad and taught public classes at Tianlan High from time to time. Naturally, to become a student here, one¡¯s family had to be either rich or noble, or one had to be an academic overachiever, which also showed how strict Tianlan High was in selecting its students. At the school gate. All sorts of luxury vehicles were parked in front, looking like an international car show. Luxury vehicles you¡¯ve seen or never seen, all could be found in front of Tianlan High, constituting a spectacle of Jiangnan City. From time to time, students stepped out of the cars, each wearing valuable clothes, their faces brimming with great confidence. Looking at the scene before him, Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes were somewhat vacant, his expression somewhat self-mocking. Four years ago, he had been admitted to Tianlan High with his outstanding grades, and he never thought that four years later, he would step into this place again. ¡°She... should have returned to Capital City by now, right?¡± Perhaps it was the sight that elicited emotions, Ye Xuan murmured to himself. Dispelling the thoughts in his mind, Ye Xuan strolled into the Sky Blue Academy. As he walked, he looked at the familiar buildings and long-lost memories kept resurfacing in the depths of his mind. Vice Principal¡¯s office. When Ye Xuan transferred five hundred thousand into the Vice Principal¡¯s account, the previously serious Vice Principal¡¯s attitude changed dramatically, personally handling the admission procedures for both Ye Xuan and Ye Ling¡¯er. This also made Ye Xuan somewhat reflective. Even in such a prestigious institution, as long as money paved the way, the so-called strict selection process was nothing but a joke. Having completed the admission procedures, Ye Xuan revisited familiar places, but he could no longer find the people he once knew. This prompted a self-mocking smile as he prepared to return home. Suddenly! Before Ye Xuan could step out of the school gates, a roaring motor sounded behind him, a fire-red Maserati charging towards him like a steel beast. In this critical moment, an anxious female voice came from afar. ¡°Get out of the way quickly.¡± At this instant, Ye Xuan¡¯s expression turned cold, and he slightly shifted his position, deftly avoiding the approaching vehicle, causing the Maserati to crash directly into the school¡¯s wall. Bang! A loud noise echoed as the front hood of the Maserati crumpled, and the surrounding wall was left with a huge crack. Had the car not been valued at over a million with excellent safety features, it might have ended in a fatal accident. ¡°Are you okay, student? What class are you from? Do you need a teacher to take you to the infirmary?¡± Yun Mengyao, holding books and dressed in formal teacher attire, her beautiful face exuding scholarly grace, was anxiously inquiring of Ye Xuan. As naturally graceful as a lotus rising from clear water, devastatingly beautiful¡ªYun Mengyao¡¯s beauty was of a tranquil kind that stirred an impulse to embrace her. It was as if seeing her could quiet a troubled heart. Even Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes lit up upon seeing her, silently marveling that aside from Xia Qingzhu, there could be such beauty in this world. Although Ye Xuan was astonished by Yun Mengyao¡¯s demeanor and appearance, his eyes did not linger too long, nor did he answer her question. Instead, he walked towards the Maserati. Seeing Ye Xuan¡¯s somewhat indifferent attitude, Yun Mengyao was taken aback. In her memory, no man could see her beauty without losing composure and becoming infatuated, often finding excuses to strike up a conversation. Yet, in Ye Xuan¡¯s gaze, she saw merely a flash of admiration, and nothing more. ¡°Ah! It hurts so much.¡± The door of the Maserati opened, the airbag deflated, and a girl around seventeen or eighteen years old stepped out of the car. Her pretty face was pale, obviously distressed. ¡°You nearly hit me. If it weren¡¯t for my quick reflexes, allowing me to avoid you in time, someone else could have been killed. Shouldn¡¯t you apologize to me?¡± As the girl inwardly heaved a sigh of relief, Ye Xuan¡¯s cool voice reached her ears. Looking at the somber expression on Ye Xuan¡¯s face, the girl was startled, only now remembering that she had almost hit him. Yet, there was no trace of apology on her face. She simply pulled out her wallet and said to Ye Xuan, ¡°Well, you didn¡¯t die, did you? Tell me, how much money do you want?¡± ¡°Li Yuanyuan, apologize to him right now.¡± Yun Mengyao quickly approached the two, chiding the girl. ¡°Miss Yun, I was just trying to see the car¡¯s limit, it wasn¡¯t on purpose, and he¡¯s not injured, so why should I apologize to him?¡± Seeing Yun Mengyao appear, Li Yuanyuan seemed to find support, her attitude even more petulant. ¡°You... you... have your parents come to the school tomorrow...¡± Clearly, Yun Mengyao was so agitated by the girl that her voice trembled. Chapter 19 - 19 19 Invitation Card ?19: Chapter 19 Invitation Card 19: Chapter 19 Invitation Card Upon hearing that her parents were going to be called, Li Yuanyuan¡¯s face immediately turned bitter. She went directly to Yun Mengyao¡¯s side, constantly shaking her arm and cooing, ¡°Ms. Yun, please don¡¯t, it¡¯s not a big deal. I can just compensate him with more money, you know my parents aren¡¯t in Jiangnan.¡± Looking at the young girl¡¯s pleading face, Yun Mengyao saw a reflection of her younger self, a feeling of pity arose in her heart. This made her turn around and give Ye Xuan an apologetic look, saying, ¡°I¡¯m really sorry on her behalf, my student. Can we just let this go?¡± ¡°Ms. Yun is the best, I have to leave now for something else.¡± Li Yuanyuan laughed merrily and turned to leave, but before she had taken a few steps, Ye Xuan¡¯s cold voice rang out at that moment. ¡°Rude and unruly, lawless, did I say you could leave?¡± Suddenly, Yun Mengyao felt a blur before her eyes as Ye Xuan appeared in front of Li Yuanyuan, and what happened next seemed like a dream to her. Slap! A crisp sound rang out, and five red finger marks appeared on Li Yuanyuan¡¯s face. She stood completely stunned on the spot until after a few moments, the pain on her face gradually awakened her. She touched her cheek in disbelief and her eyes, filled with immense shame and anger, turned towards Ye Xuan. ¡°How dare you hit me? You actually dared to hit me?¡± ¡°My parents have never even touched a finger on me, how dare you hit me?¡± Li Yuanyuan shouted in humiliation and disbelief, completely unable to believe that she had been slapped by him. The girl¡¯s indignant voice also snapped Yun Mengyao out of her shock, and she quickly stepped forward to the girl¡¯s side, looking at Ye Xuan with a very displeased expression, ¡°This student, although she almost bumped into you, how can you hit a girl?¡± Unfortunately, Ye Xuan completely ignored Yun Mengyao¡¯s questioning and walked towards Li Yuanyuan, saying, ¡°The slap just now was your punishment for almost running into me.¡± Slap! Another loud slap sounded. Although Li Yuanyuan desperately wanted to dodge, for some reason, her body did not move at all, and she could only watch as Ye Xuan¡¯s palm landed on her cheek. ¡°This slap is to educate you on behalf of your parents and rid you of your unruly character from now on.¡± Slap! Yet another slap sounded, Li Yuanyuan¡¯s face was already swollen, and she was completely dazed. ¡°This slap is to remind you that everyone must be responsible for their actions, even if you come from a family of privilege, there are no exceptions.¡± After two consecutive slaps, Ye Xuan glanced indifferently at the girl, then he turned and walked toward the school gate. As for the stunned Yun Mengyao, she did not catch his attention at all. Only when Ye Xuan¡¯s figure had gradually receded did Yun Mengyao quickly come back to her senses, her eyes complex as she looked at Ye Xuan¡¯s retreating back. Yun Mengyao had lived for twenty-one years and had never seen such a violent man. Even though Li Yuanyuan was admittedly spoiled, she was still a young girl. He could actually be so ruthless, and this refreshed Yun Mengyao¡¯s worldview. While Yun Mengyao inwardly resented Ye Xuan¡¯s brutality, when she calmed down and thought about it carefully, the fact that he had slapped Li Yuanyuan three times seemed oddly justifiable. This strange feeling made her also keep the image of Ye Xuan firmly ingrained in her mind. Walking on the bustling street, Ye Xuan¡¯s face was calm, giving the girl three slaps did not make him feel the slightest guilt. Not to mention that she was a young girl, even if she were a beauty like Yun Mengyao, Ye Xuan would definitely not be lenient. This was just an episode, Ye Xuan did not take it to heart. Holding the admission notice from Tianlan Academy, Ye Xuan leisurely walked home. In front of the Ye Family house. A luxurious vehicle stopped in front of the door, with several men in black standing on either side; when Ye Xuan saw this scene, his eyes gradually narrowed, and then he walked leisurely toward his home. ¡°Brother.¡± As soon as Ye Xuan had entered the house, he saw Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s pale face, hastily approaching him; behind her, a young man with a cold demeanor was silently watching Ye Xuan. ¡°Ling¡¯er, go back to your room,¡± Ye Xuan said calmly. ¡°Brother, he is from the Beichuan Gang...¡± Ye Ling¡¯er anxiously spoke out, but before she could finish, Ye Xuan interrupted her, saying, ¡°Go.¡± As Ye Xuan¡¯s voice fell, worry filled Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s eyes, yet she still obeyed Ye Xuan¡¯s words and returned to her room. ¡°Are you Mr. Ye?¡± The young man walked leisurely toward Ye Xuan, took out a golden invitation, and handed it to him, saying, ¡°Our gang leader has long admired Mr. Ye¡¯s reputation and invites you to a gathering at the Moon Viewing Tower in three days.¡± Taking the golden invitation, Ye Xuan did not look at it, tossing it casually onto the table; this led the young man to mistakenly think that Ye Xuan dared not accept the invitation, a cold smile appearing on his face, ¡°I hope Mr. Ye will grace us with his presence, otherwise Dr. Xia Qiu... haha!¡± After saying this, the young man did not linger and turned to leave the Ye Family, disappearing from Ye Xuan¡¯s sight; from beginning to end, Ye Xuan said nothing. Thump¡ªthump¡ªthump! Ye Xuan tapped his fingers on the desk, his expression eerily calm; yet, each time his eyes opened and closed, a fleeting trace of blood red could be seen, until he sat for a long while, not touching the golden invitation on the table. The Beichuan Gang had clearly investigated him thoroughly, even imprisoning Xia Qiu to threaten him; clearly, they must also know that he was responsible for the deaths of the Li siblings. However, the so-called Beichuan Gang wasn¡¯t regarded by Ye Xuan; what he truly was wary of was the massive entity of Xia Country. Ye Xuan was not a rash man and possessed formidable cultivation; having lived in the Ye Family in the Capital City before he was five, he was aware of many secrets that ordinary people did not know. This world contained Ancient Martial Artists and Superpower Users, and Xia Country, this massive entity, had several mysterious departments to control these Ancient Martial Artists and Superpower Users. Ye Xuan knew well that if the Beichuan Gang could find him, the mysterious departments of Xia Country were definitely no idle organizations, likely having noticed his existence long ago. If it were just himself, Ye Xuan wouldn¡¯t have considered them a threat, but with his mother and sister at home, should he truly confront these mysterious departments, it could potentially involve his family. After all, they represented Xia Country; if he truly stood in opposition, that was not something Ye Xuan wanted to see. With this thought, Ye Xuan shook his head helplessly; perhaps this was the ¡°suffering of immense Red Dust¡± spoken of by phantom shadows, also the reason why he was strongly advised not to return to the Human World. Dismissing these thoughts, Ye Xuan gave a carefree smile, his eyes showing no trace of worry; though he did not want to encounter these mysterious departments, it did not mean he, Ye Xuan, was afraid of them. As a being who transcended mere mortals, if they knew their place, all would be well. However, should they insist on being antagonistic, then, unavoidably, Ye Xuan would have to transform into the Undying Venerable and let some understand what true terror meant. Transcending mortals without the Six Desires, holding the power over life and death, known as the Undying Venerable¡ªif not for the concern over the affairs and people in the Mortal World, Ye Xuan would have long stepped into the Earth Immortal Realm to pursue what he truly desired deep in his heart. ¡°Brother, you cannot go.¡± Suddenly, Ye Ling¡¯er emerged from her room; evidently, she had heard every word of the young man, which led her to vigorously counsel Ye Xuan. ¡°This is my concern; you needn¡¯t worry about it. Also, don¡¯t tell mother about it, so she won¡¯t worry. This is the admission notice from Tianlan Academy; you will go to school and report tomorrow.¡± Ye Xuan handed the admission notice to Ye Ling¡¯er, then turned back to his room. Chapter 20 - 20 20 Visitors from Wuan Office ?20: Chapter 20 Visitors from Wu¡¯an Office 20: Chapter 20 Visitors from Wu¡¯an Office Moon Viewing Tower, located in the center of Jiangnan City, was unparalleled amongst hotels in the entire city, seen by the poor as a den of extravagance. Its entertainment facilities were top-notch, specifically serving some of the elite and high-ranking officials. Here, there was nothing you could imagine that Moon Viewing Tower couldn¡¯t do, as long as you had the money, all your wishes could be fulfilled. The fame of Moon Viewing Tower wasn¡¯t just due to its excellent service; it was also because no one dared to cause trouble here, for the hotel¡¯s behind-the-scenes owner was Wu Jun. Wu Jun, leader of the Beichuan Gang and also an expert Ancient Martial Artist with a cultivation level that had entered the realm of Dark Force. He was undoubtedly amongst the top ten in the entire Jiangnan City. Moon Viewing Tower, Tianyun Hall. A lavish banquet filled the round table, and the rich aroma of wine wafted through Tianyun Hall. Wu Jun was seated at the head, with a dozen subordinates quietly waiting for Ye Xuan¡¯s arrival. Wu Jun¡¯s eyes were slightly narrowed, his face expressionless, except for the tapping of his fingers on the desktop, which continuously echoed in Tianyun Hall. ¡°Boss, he¡¯s here,¡± a subordinate entered Tianyun Hall at a quick pace and announced. ¡°Let him in,¡± Wu Jun¡¯s eyes narrowed as he directly instructed his subordinate. Soon after, the doors of Tianyun hall were pushed open, and Ye Xuan entered calmly and unhurriedly. ¡°Ha ha!¡± Upon seeing Ye Xuan, Wu Jun burst out laughing and rose to greet him, saying, ¡°I have long admired Mr. Ye¡¯s reputation, and seeing you today indeed confirms you are a dragon among men. Please take the seat of honor.¡± There was no anticipated clash of arms or a heavy murderous atmosphere. Wu Jun seemed like he was greeting an old friend he hadn¡¯t seen in years, his demeanor slightly warm. As the leader of the Beichuan Gang, Wu Jun was not some street thug. Without knowing Ye Xuan¡¯s strength, he had no desire to tear into him right there and then. Sadly, Ye Xuan showed no response to Wu Jun¡¯s warmth, merely finding a seat to sit down at random, which caused Wu Jun¡¯s expression to change slightly, becoming a bit more somber. ¡°Mr. Ye not only killed the siblings of the Li Family but also took the lives of a dozen of my brothers. Coming here alone shows great courage,¡± Wu Jun spoke in a deep voice, sitting directly opposite Ye Xuan. Whoosh! Ye Xuan picked up the wine jug, filled his cup to the brim, then drank down the wine in one gulp before finally turning his gaze to Wu Jun, his voice calm, ¡°If I were you, I wouldn¡¯t have wasted time with so much nonsense.¡± As Ye Xuan¡¯s words fell, Wu Jun¡¯s face turned a bit ugly, and the dozen subordinates standing beside him immediately pulled out their guns, all aiming at Ye Xuan. ¡°It has to be said, you¡¯ve got guts, but you¡¯re going to lose your life here today,¡± Wu Jun rose from his seat, his arms braced on the table, looking at Ye Xuan with eyes as if staring at a dead man. Creak! The door to Tianyun Hall was once again pushed open, and a gang member came in with Xia Qiu, a gun pressed firmly against her forehead. Ye Xuan¡¯s brow furrowed slightly at the scene before him, yet his face showed little change. ¡°Ye, you shouldn¡¯t have come,¡± Xia Qiu knew all too well what had happened when she saw the scene before her. ¡°As an Ancient Martial Artist, I know you¡¯re not afraid of these ordinary firearms. But if you want your friend here to survive, it would be best to surrender without a fight, otherwise...¡± Wu Jun sneered victoriously, as if he held all the winning cards. Easy as a gentle breeze and floating clouds, untainted by the dust of the world. Ye Xuan slowly rose, amusement twinkling in his eyes, he said, ¡°This plot is really melodramatic. Do you really think you can threaten me with her life?¡± Xia Qiu had shown him kindness, so Ye Xuan¡¯s visit this time was undoubtedly to rescue Xia Qiu. However, in Ye Xuan¡¯s heart, there was no one in this world who could threaten him, and that included Xia Qiu. The dog-blood-like threat posed by Wu Jun only made Ye Xuan laugh. ¡°Hm?¡± Wu Jun exclaimed in surprise, sensing that something was slipping out of his control. ¡°Kill her.¡± Wu Jun was also a decisive and ruthless person; he didn¡¯t believe that Ye Xuan wouldn¡¯t care about Xia Qiu¡¯s life. Unfortunately, before Wu Jun¡¯s men could fire their guns, they saw their own man suddenly getting knocked away, and the great doors of the Tianyun Hall burst open at the same time, and two figures appeared beside Xia Qiu. ¡°They are finally showing themselves!¡± Watching Tie Li and the little girl Linglong appear, Ye Xuan narrowed his eyes slightly¡ªhe was actually waiting for these two. In fact, Ye Xuan could have rescued Xia Qiu directly, but he had already sensed the presence of Tie Li and his companion, which is why he hadn¡¯t made a move. ¡°Wu Jun, although you are an Ancient Martial Artist, killing ordinary people for no reason, are you disregarding the Wu¡¯an Office?¡± Tie Li¡¯s expression was cold as he questioned Wu Jun. ¡°People from the Wu¡¯an Office?¡± Wu Jun¡¯s complexion turned livid upon seeing Tie Li and company. Although he was the leader of the Beichuan Gang, he had to step back in front of people from the Wu¡¯an Office, knowing that he couldn¡¯t kill Ye Xuan today. ¡°The two of you must be jesting. Today, I, Wu, was only treating this young brother to dinner, and now that the dinner is over, I will take my leave,¡± Wu Jun said with a forced smile, then gave Ye Xuan a deep look and signaled his men to leave the place. Regrettably, before Wu Jun could take a few steps, Ye Xuan¡¯s calm voice sounded from behind him. ¡°Did I permit you to leave?¡± Suddenly turning around, Wu Jun¡¯s face showed a drastic change. He hadn¡¯t expected that after giving face to Wu¡¯an Office and sparing Ye Xuan, the latter would be so unretreating. ¡°Kid, today I¡¯m giving face to Wu¡¯an Office and won¡¯t contend with you. I hope you can escape today¡¯s calamity,¡± Wu Jun sneered repeatedly as he briskly walked out of the Tianyun Hall with his men. Wu¡¯an Office¡¯s arrival was clearly directed at Ye Xuan. In Wu Jun¡¯s eyes, Ye Xuan was already a bird in a cage; even if he didn¡¯t die, he¡¯d likely have to spend the second half of his life in the Wu¡¯an Office¡¯s prison. The only thing he regretted was not being able to take Ye Xuan¡¯s head and exchange it with the Li Family for those three hundred million Xia Country Coins. Watching Wu Jun gradually disappear from sight, Ye Xuan did not move or pursue, only a murmuring voice began to emerge from Ye Xuan¡¯s mouth. ¡°I told you, you can¡¯t leave.¡± ¡°Ye Xuan, as an Ancient Martial Artist, you are suspected of plotting the murder of dozens of people. Come with us,¡± Tie Li approached Ye Xuan with large steps, his hand already holding a luminous rope which evidently had strong restraining power against Ancient Martial Artists. Buzz! All of a sudden, like a gentle breeze swaying the willows, like waves sweeping through, Ye Xuan made his move. Before Tie Li could react, a jade-like pristine hand clasped his neck, lifting him off the ground as if he were a small chicken. ¡°Iron Body Technique!¡± Tie Li had never expected Ye Xuan to dare to make a move against him. After his initial shock, he immediately activated his superpower, and his entire being shone with a hazy light, his body turning silver-white as if covered by a layer of fine steel. Bang! Clash of metal, sparks flew, Tie Li summoned his tremendous strength and broke free from Ye Xuan¡¯s grasp. Behind him, the little girl Linglong quickly backed him up, her black pupils suddenly turning deep blue, her aura becoming even colder. Watching the two of them prepare to fight, Ye Xuan¡¯s gaze was curious as he said, ¡°Interesting.¡± Chapter 21 - 21 21 Overturn Everything ?21: Chapter 21: Overturn Everything 21: Chapter 21: Overturn Everything ¡°Don¡¯t move!¡± Suddenly, Just as Ye Xuan and the two from Wu¡¯an Office were in a standoff, a delicate voice came from outside the door. Liu Jundie, gun in hand, strode into Tianyun Hall with eyes filled with intense fervor as she looked at Ye Xuan. ¡°Ye Xuan, I am Liu Jundie from the Suspended Mirror Department in Jiangnan City. I am arresting you on charges of murder. If you dare to resist even slightly, don¡¯t blame me for executing you on the spot.¡± ¡°Heh!¡± Hearing Liu Jundie¡¯s stern warning, a disdainful smile curled on the corners of Ye Xuan¡¯s mouth. He said, ¡°As far as I know, the Suspended Mirror Department is meant to punish evil and promote good. That Wu Jun comes from underground origins, and who knows how many evil deeds he has committed. You neglect to capture him and insist on targeting me instead ¨C does that mean there¡¯s someone powerful backing Wu Jun?¡± As Ye Xuan spoke, his expression gradually turned cold, and he continued, ¡°Or is it that... you think Ye Xuan is easy to bully?¡± As Ye Xuan¡¯s words fell, Liu Jundie¡¯s face immediately turned red with embarrassment, and both Tie Li and Linglong also looked somewhat ashamed. Clearly, Ye Xuan¡¯s questioning had left them feeling diminished. Just as Ye Xuan had said, Wu Jun, who had managed the Beichuan Gang for many years in Jiangnan City, indeed had someone backing him. This person was someone neither Tie Li nor Linglong could afford to offend, let alone Liu Jundie. ¡°Wu Jun is indeed no good man. I, Liu Jundie, assure you that we will not let him go, but the fact that you¡¯ve killed dozens of people is true. If you surrender now, we will undoubtedly deal with you leniently,¡± Liu Jundie stated with conviction. ¡°Little Ye, go with Officer Liu. She is a good person; she will definitely not harm you,¡± Xia Qiu persuaded Ye Xuan. She didn¡¯t know Tie Li or Linglong, but she recognized Liu Jundie as an arrest officer from the Suspended Mirror Department. Unfortunately, Ye Xuan remained unmoved, simply looking indifferently towards the three, and said, ¡°I¡¯ll give you three a chance. Pretend you never saw me today. If you know what¡¯s good for you, leave now before it¡¯s too late.¡± Boom! The void felt oppressive, a fierce wind suddenly arose, and the temperature inside Tianyun Hall plummeted as a truly terrifying pressure assaulted the three. ¡°Officer Liu, you won¡¯t be able to help here, get out fast,¡± Tie Li said with a serious face, rapidly speaking to Liu Jundie. ¡°Ye Xuan, surrender,¡± Liu Jundie ignored Tie Li¡¯s warning, gun in hand as she approached Ye Xuan, clearly intending to take him back to the Suspended Mirror Department for trial. ¡°You really are ignorant.¡± Ye Xuan took a step forward, as if tearing through time and space, leaving a trail of afterimages in the void, and appeared in front of Liu Jundie in an instant. Bang! A tongue of flame erupted, bullets breaking the air; faced with Ye Xuan¡¯s looming figure, Liu Jundie didn¡¯t hesitate to pull the trigger. Buzz! Time seemed to halt, space to freeze; an orange-yellow bullet stopped right in front of Ye Xuan, who looked indifferently at the now-stunned Liu Jundie with a trace of scorn in his eyes. ¡°How... how is this possible?¡± Such a scene left Tie Li utterly astonished, even the little girl Linglong widened her eyes, unable to comprehend the unbelievable sight before her for a long time. Ye Xuan¡¯s palm was as clear as jade, exuding an intoxicating charm. It was this very hand that now slowly rose and then seized the gun from Liu Jundie¡¯s grasp. Crack! The steel-made gun turned into a pile of iron powder in the next moment, and as Ye Xuan scattered the iron powder, his face remained without sorrow or joy. ¡°Linglong, attack!¡± Tie Li roared out, his body like forged steel as he ferociously pounced towards Ye Xuan, while the little girl Linglong¡¯s deep blue eyes sparkled. Not knowing what she was muttering, an extremely eerie fluctuation also invaded Ye Xuan. Bang! Liu Jundie also snapped out of her shock, her pair of pink fists slamming directly into Ye Xuan¡¯s chest. ¡°You really are courting death.¡± Faced with the combined assault of three people, Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes narrowed ever so slightly. Without any discernible movement, he simply slapped out and sent Liu Jundie flying several meters away. Pfft! Liu Jundie¡¯s complexion turned deathly pale, and blood spurted uncontrollably from her mouth. Her well-shaped body slumped to the ground. Extensive blood stains soaked her uniform, making her appear extremely pitiful at a glance. Bang! Ye Xuan didn¡¯t even spare Liu Jundie a glance. His hand as clear and lustrous as jade, he directly pressed down towards Tie Li. Accompanying the resounding boom, Tie Li¡¯s silver-white body instantly cracked like a spiderweb, his body tossed out like a kite with its string cut, smashing to the ground and creating a human-shaped crater. With his sternum collapsed and blood spraying from his mouth, Tie Li was covered in blood, struggling to rise. But after such a severe injury, even moving a single finger proved extremely difficult. Boom! Stepping forward, the air burst with the sound, and Ye Xuan suddenly appeared in front of the little girl Linglong. As she looked at him in terror, Ye Xuan gripped her throat with one hand, lifting her into the air. ¡°Divine Sense attack?¡± ¡°No, there¡¯s no Spiritual Energy in your body. Could this be what they call Spiritual power?¡± Ye Xuan murmured to himself. As his palm slowly closed, Linglong¡¯s complexion turned a greenish-purple, fresh blood constantly spilling from her lips, as if she might be extinguished by Ye Xuan¡¯s hand at any moment. ¡°No... no... you can¡¯t kill her... please... please...¡± Watching Linglong held in Ye Xuan¡¯s grasp, Tie Li¡¯s face turned deathly pale. His bloodied body incessantly crawled towards Ye Xuan, his voice shaking as he pleaded. ¡°Ye... Ye Xuan... if you want to kill, kill me...¡± Liu Jundie struggled to rise, her appearance somewhat pitiful. They never expected the person they were trying to capture would be so terrifying. ¡°Little Ye, let go, quickly let go!¡± Xia Qiu anxiously arrived in front of Ye Xuan, grabbing his clothes while earnestly begging. Bang! Casually throwing Linglong to the ground, Ye Xuan¡¯s expression remained indifferent, not truly going so far as to harm her. ¡°You should be grateful that you have the luck to escape with your lives today. I hope in the future you will conduct yourselves properly.¡± Ye Xuan spoke indifferently, leaving Liu Jundie and the others with complicated expressions. Only when they saw Ye Xuan walking towards the door did Liu Jundie¡¯s expression suddenly change, ignoring her own safety as she shouted after Ye Xuan, ¡°Where... where are you going?¡± ¡°I once said that Wu Jun cannot escape. The people I, Ye Xuan, wish to kill... no one in this world can live,¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s figure had already disappeared, only his merciless voice echoing in the ears of Liu Jundie and the others non-stop. As Ye Xuan departed, the whole Tianyun Hall became deathly silent, everyone¡¯s faces filled with shock. They deeply knew that tonight would be a sleepless night, ¡°Grandmaster, he must be an Ancient Martial Grandmaster. Who would have thought that such a Grandmaster would appear in Jiangnan City!¡± Tie Li murmured tremulously, his eyes filled with extreme horror. In the path of Ancient Martial Arts, Ming Jin, Dark Force, Hua Realm... once stepping into the Hua Realm, that person is absolutely a master of the territory, and above the Hua Realm is the legendary Grandmaster, an existence capable of founding sects. Such beings, transcending the secular world, are revered wherever they go, their methods inscrutably divine. Only in those Ancient Martial Families might there still be Grandmasters. In Tie Li¡¯s eyes, Ye Xuan had to be an Ancient Martial Grandmaster. Otherwise, how could he and Linglong fail to last even a single round and be defeated by Ye Xuan¡¯s hands? Chapter 22 - 22 22 Decisive Killing ?22: Chapter 22 Decisive Killing 22: Chapter 22 Decisive Killing A waning moon hung in the sky, Tian Yu, casting silvery moonlight down, which in turn bathed Ye Xuan as if he was an Immortal under the moon. Facing the moonlight and treading the snow-covered ground, Ye Xuan walked leisurely, his expression serene, with no ripple of emotion in his eyes for the severely injured Liu Jundie and the others; they failed to stir the slightest turbulence in his heart. Heartlessness of the Six Desires, merciless extermination¡ªthat was always Ye Xuan¡¯s style. Yet today, in dealing with the likes of Liu Jundie, Ye Xuan had shown restraint, it wasn¡¯t that he had grown soft-hearted, but there were certain things better left not pushed to the end. Although he was a cultivator and also known as the Undying Venerable, believing in the supremacy of the powerful, he was likewise a son of Xia Country. The land had nurtured him, and he had no desire to stand opposed to Xia Country. Today, Ye Xuan had revealed a hint of his power, a message to the Superiors handling the Wu¡¯an Office that he, Ye Xuan, was no ordinary man and not to be fettered by any set of rules. Should the other party grasp the meaning behind Ye Xuan¡¯s actions, all would be well and peaceful. However, if the other party was oblivious to advancing and retreating properly and insisted on targeting him, then Ye Xuan wouldn¡¯t hesitate to resort to thunderous means to teach some people the true meaning of fear. ... The Clove Tower, Beichuan Group. Wu Jun leaned back on the sofa, his face looking rather unsightly. A dozen subordinates stood to the side, each not daring to take a deep breath for fear of provoking Wu Jun¡¯s ire. ¡°Boss, Li Zongshan just called to ask how things are going on your end,¡± one of the subordinates tentatively spoke out to Wu Jun. ¡°Tell him that the Wu¡¯an Office has gotten involved. If he wants Ye Xuan dead, let him do it himself,¡± Wu Jun¡¯s face was grim, his voice colder than ice. ¡°And... about the one billion Xia Country Coins deposit we received from Li Zongshan, do we need to return it to him?¡± Bang! Wu Jun raised his hand and with a slap sent the man flying out, his suppressed anger finally erupting. ¡°When have I ever returned the money I¡¯ve received?¡± ¡°Damn it, now that the Wu¡¯an Office is meddling in this, they are sure to mark me. Let that mere one billion Xia Country Coins compensate for my loss,¡± he paced back and forth, his expression extraordinarily dark, the Wu¡¯an Office¡¯s interference leaving him feeling extremely unsettled. ¡°No, I need to call big brother, only then can everything be foolproof.¡± Wu Jun muttered to himself before summoning a subordinate, ¡°Go get my phone.¡± As Wu Jun¡¯s voice fell, a bizarre event unfolded¡ªhis dozen or so subordinates did not move an inch, seemingly turned into puppets. This enraged Wu Jun even more as he shouted, ¡°Have you all gone stupid, bring me the phone...!¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Suddenly, Wu Jun¡¯s face changed, and the words he was speaking could no longer continue. His eyes widened in shock, and vast amounts of cold sweat emerged on his forehead. What did he see? A dozen subordinates, their eyes void of life, a trickle of blood spraying from their necks. As these subordinates collapsed helplessly to the floor, the entire conference room became filled with an intense stench of blood. Buzz! The void resonated and ripples spread, a figure stepped out from the emptiness, the look in his eyes toward Wu Jun was filled with a trace of amusement. Thump, thump, thump! A chill ran down his spine as though he had plunged into an abyss. When Wu Jun clearly saw the face of the person before him, his eyes bulged with extreme terror, and he staggered backward, only to trip and fall to the ground. ¡°It... it¡¯s you... How could it be you...?¡± Wu Jun¡¯s lips turned pale, his face ashen as if he had been scared witless on the spot, his dignity as an Ancient Martial Artist completely gone. It was no wonder Wu Jun reacted this way. Ye Xuan¡¯s entrance was horrifyingly dramatic. In Wu Jun¡¯s understanding, even an Ancient Martial Grandmaster couldn¡¯t just appear out of thin air, yet Ye Xuan floated above the ground, his body radiating streaks of blood-red light. This was no Ancient Martial Artist, but an unknown entity. ¡°You... you are not an Ancient Martial Artist... No... that¡¯s a superpower...? No... not... Could it be that you are...?¡± Wu Jun trembled as he spoke, seemingly out of his wits, as an ancient legend surfaced in his mind. Legends of old. In that distant past, people could move mountains and seas, even fly through the skies and burrow into the earth. Such beings were collectively referred to by mortals as Cultivators. They transcended common folk and could roam freely between Heaven and Earth, with the power to destroy both Heaven and Earth at a whim. Legends were just that, with no one able to prove their truth. Yet such legends persisted in the world. At this moment, Wu Jun was absolutely certain that the figure before him, Ye Xuan, might just be someone from those legends. ¡°I once said that you couldn¡¯t escape. You can leave this life peacefully.¡± Ye Xuan paid no mind to Wu Jun¡¯s thoughts, striding through the void. With a lift of his hand, a nebulous blood light blossomed around him, as if to extinguish Wu Jun¡¯s life in the next moment. Even an ant clings to life, let alone Wu Jun? As the terror of death encroached, Wu Jun suddenly snapped back to reality. His face turned ghostly white as he knelt on the ground, repeatedly kowtowing to Ye Xuan, pleading, ¡°Immortal... please don¡¯t kill me... I have money... lots of money... I beg the Immortal to spare my life.¡± ¡°Oh?¡± The blood light around Ye Xuan faded, the murderous intent vanished, and a touch of amusement filled his eyes, which kindled a spark of hope in Wu Jun¡¯s expression. Wu Jun quickly opened his safe, and a black Golden Card appeared in his hand, revealing a great pain in his eyes. Yet, faced with the choice between life and money, he chose his own life. ¡°Immortal... this Supreme Black Card contains five hundred million Xia Country Coins, the password is 654123. Please, Immortal, accept it,¡± Wu Jun said, directly handing the card to Ye Xuan. Upon seeing Ye Xuan accept the Supreme Black Card, Wu Jun¡¯s heart, which had hung in suspense, relaxed, feeling his life might have been spared. ¡°Immortal...¡± Hiss! Before Wu Jun could speak further, a cold light suddenly flashed across his eyes, and a chilling sensation appeared at his throat. Wu Jun looked astonished, slowly bringing his hand to his neck, but the blood wouldn¡¯t stop spurting from his throat. ¡°Why... why?¡± With his final breath, Wu Jun fixated on Ye Xuan, his eyes filled with tremendous unwillingness to die. ¡°I¡¯ve never promised to spare your life, but for the sake of this money, I¡¯ll leave you with an intact corpse. You can die in peace now.¡± A streak of sword light faded from Ye Xuan¡¯s fingertip, his voice cold and merciless, not even deigning to glance at Wu Jun again as he vanished from the conference room. Thud! With Ye Xuan gone, Wu Jun, clutching at his throat with full-hearted resentment, slumped to the floor a cold corpse, his eyes wide open in death, showing how unwilling he was to leave this world. Ye Xuan knew well the adage that weeds regrow with the spring breeze if the roots are not removed. From the moment Wu Jun had kidnapped Xia Qiu, his death had been sealed. Ye Xuan was someone who hated trouble, and all trouble originated from people. To nip trouble in the bud and completely eradicate it, that was the principle Ye Xuan lived by. Because only the dead cannot cause further chaos. Chapter 23 - 23 23 All are Heartless People ?23: Chapter 23: All are Heartless People 23: Chapter 23: All are Heartless People Li Family Villa. A sea of raging flames engulfed the entire villa, consuming it completely while numerous fire engines worked to extinguish the fire. However, the fire spread rapidly, and in no time, Li Family Villa was reduced to ashes. Standing in the bustling crowd, Ye Xuan calmly watched the scene unfold before him until he turned to leave, unnoticed by anyone. One must be ruthless in their actions, and cut the weeds to eliminate the roots. Having exterminated Wu Jun, how could Ye Xuan spare Li Zongshan? That night, Jiangnan City was anything but peaceful. The leader of the Beichuan Gang met a gruesome death within his group, and the Li Family was reduced to ashes overnight. This news spread rapidly, and how could their old rivals miss such a golden opportunity? The territory of the Beichuan Gang was quickly devoured by two other major underground forces, and all of the Li Family¡¯s businesses were completely taken over by other families. The changes that occurred overnight disrupted the entire structure of Jiangnan City. Jiangnan Hospital. Tie Li lay on the hospital bed, wrapped in bandages, speaking on the phone. ¡°He must be an Ancient Martial Grandmaster, there¡¯s no doubt about it,¡± asserted Tie Li firmly. ¡°Mm, yes, Chief, alright, I understand.¡± It was ten minutes before Tie Li hung up the phone. ¡°Tie Brother, what did the Chief say?¡± Linglong asked as she sat beside the bed. ¡°The Chief told us not to act recklessly. He¡¯s leading members of the Earth Group to Jiangnan City,¡± Tie Li replied thoughtfully. Upon hearing Tie Li¡¯s words, Linglong¡¯s eyes brightened, ¡°That¡¯s great. Once the Chief and his team arrive in Jiangnan City, that guy surely won¡¯t be able to escape.¡± ¡°Alas!¡± ¡°I¡¯m afraid the Chief¡¯s purpose isn¡¯t merely to capture him,¡± Tie Li sighed regretfully. Seeing the complexity in Tie Li¡¯s expression, Linglong¡¯s face showed a hint of shock and suspicion as if realizing something. ¡°Could it be... Could it be the Chief wants to recruit him into Wu¡¯an Office?¡± Linglong asked, startled. ¡°He is an Ancient Martial Grandmaster. If I were the Chief, I might entertain the same thought,¡± Tie Li said with a wry smile. ¡°Really?¡± As Linglong received confirmation from Tie Li, she frowned and said, ¡°If he¡¯s recruited into Wu¡¯an Office, won¡¯t we have to become his teammates?¡± ¡°Teammates?¡± With self-derision, Tie Li smiled and said, ¡°Linglong, you¡¯re overthinking it. Not to mention anything else, just based on his status as an Ancient Martial Grandmaster, at the very least, he would be at the Chief¡¯s level. It¡¯s likely we would have to follow his commands.¡± As he finished speaking, Ye Xuan¡¯s figure emerged in Tie Li¡¯s mind, and remembering the opponent¡¯s terrifying methods, a chilling dread rose from within. ... Days passed, with Jiangnan City unusually calm. Even the usual street thugs were scarcely seen, and with the destruction of the Li Family and the death of Wu Jun, these two major incidents were suppressed by the magistrate of Jiangnan. The orders from the high ranks of Wu¡¯an Office stated that they would handle these matters exclusively, relieving the magistrate of Jiangnan and the Suspended Mirror Department from further investigation. With Wu¡¯an Office being involved, an entity of formidable repute, it was naturally not something the magistrate of Jiangnan would dare to discuss openly, and he was also content to enjoy a few quiet days. Ye Xuan had been content these past few days, spending his days at home gardening, caring for the grass, and reading ancient texts. When his younger sister and mother returned home, the family would joyfully share dinner together¡ªan easy life that Ye Xuan cherished. The family was back on track, and everything was developing in a positive direction, which was what Ye Xuan wanted to see. However, since the day Ye Ling¡¯er discovered that Ye Xuan had gone to meet with Wu Jun, not only had he returned home safely, but the Beichuan Gang also stopped troubling Ye Xuan. Ye Ling¡¯er realized her brother was no ordinary person. She would pester Ye Xuan every day after school, trying to uncover what secrets he might be hiding. ¡°Brother, come on, tell me, do you know martial arts? Like the kind where you can run up walls and injure people with your inner strength?¡± One morning, as Ye Xuan was leisurely reading an ancient book and sipping tea, Ye Ling¡¯er walked out of her room, wrapped her arms around his neck, and cooed at him. Looking at Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s curious face, Ye Xuan shook his head helplessly. Days had passed, and each day as the girl went to school, she would ask again, which left Ye Xuan somewhat exasperated. ¡°Okay, you¡¯re going to be late for school if you don¡¯t go now,¡± Ye Xuan said as he tousled his sister¡¯s hair. ¡°Hmph, if you won¡¯t tell, never mind then.¡± Ye Ling¡¯er pouted, picked up her school bag, and started walking out but suddenly turned back and said, ¡°Bro, you don¡¯t have a girlfriend, right?¡± ¡°Let me tell you, our Chinese language teacher is a real beauty, definitely no less than Xia Qingzhu. I think you should come to school with me, then maybe...¡± Hearing Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s words, Ye Xuan momentarily froze, a figure flashing through his mind before he quickly dismissed the thought. However, his eyes hinted at some inner turmoil. Ye Ling¡¯er, sensing she had misspoken, felt a pang of guilt and quickly said, ¡°Brother, I didn¡¯t mean it, I won¡¯t mention her again.¡± ¡°Alright, go to school,¡± Ye Xuan waved his hand and continued reading his ancient text, while Ye Ling¡¯er, looking at her brother¡¯s calm face, sighed inwardly and hurried off to school. As his sister left, Ye Xuan put down the ancient book, his hands clasped behind his back as he gazed in the direction of the Capital City, his eyes deep and thoughtful, memories flickering through his mind. ¡°Ye Xuan, I¡¯m waiting for you to marry me.¡± Her bright, beautiful smile was cold yet striking, as if her smile could melt glaciers and intoxicate the masses. ¡°Ye Xuan, you¡¯re just a discarded member of the Ye Family. How could you be worthy of my daughter? From now on, you are not to contact her, or you won¡¯t like how I treat you.¡± Those were her father¡¯s words. ¡°She is a favored daughter of heaven, and what are you?¡± said the eldest son of the Ye Family, sneering repeatedly. In Jiangnan Hospital. Ye Xuan, afflicted with a terminal illness, lay on the hospital bed. Xia Qingzhu¡¯s eyes were downcast in the silent room. After a long silence, Xia Qingzhu looked up at Ye Xuan and asked, ¡°Did you... ever like me?¡± The two young people sat wordlessly. Ye Xuan, gravely ill and without a sliver of hope for the future, fully understood that when Xia Qingzhu asked this, she was seeking a reason to free herself. ¡°Perhaps... I once did,¡± Ye Xuan finally said with a trace of sadness in his eyes, offering the answer she wanted. ¡°I... am leaving... back to the Capital City...¡± ¡°As we part today, we may never meet again. I hope you find the right person in the future,¡± Ye Xuan said calmly, slowly closing his eyes. Returning from his reverie, Ye Xuan roused from his memories and gazed in the direction of the Capital City, his voice slightly hoarse. ¡°When a thought arises, all rivers and mountains have feelings; when the thought ceases, the seas change and the heart no longer cares!¡± Emerging from the Blood Sea and reviving from Silent Annihilation, the four years of hovering between life and death allowed Ye Xuan to truly grow. Though past affections might forever linger in his heart, they could no longer stir any ripples. Meeting is fate, as is not meeting. Regarding Xia Qingzhu, since Ye Xuan returned to the Human World, he harbored no illusions; he was a heartless man, yet wasn¡¯t Xia Qingzhu the same back then? Chapter 24 - 24 24 Buying a House ?24: Chapter 24: Buying a House 24: Chapter 24: Buying a House Ye Xuan laughed at himself, wondering what had gotten into him. It was nothing more than the tender feelings of youth, yet they had left him with much to reflect on. Regaining control of his chaotic thoughts, Ye Xuan stepped out of his house and headed toward the city center of Jiangnan City. Buying a house! Yes, Ye Xuan was prepared to buy a house. When he had obtained that ill-gotten wealth from Wu Jun¡¯s hands, he had already decided to provide a better environment for his family. A full 500 million Xia Country Coins could easily buy a complete villa in Jiangnan City, to say the least. If someone asked where the upper-class lived most densely in Jiangnan City? The answer: Biyun Pavilion. Officials, business elites, and celebrities considered it an honor to reside in Biyun Pavilion. Moreover, countless overnight millionaires, eager to enter the upper echelons of society, would definitely buy a villa in Biyun Pavilion to signify their status. Of course, the real dignitaries wouldn¡¯t personally go to Biyun Pavilion to buy a house. When the properties were first put on sale, the villas were already reserved for them. The ones who truly went to Biyun Pavilion to buy a property were mostly those whose wealth had suddenly increased, such as from land occupation, house demolitions, or receiving substantial state compensation. The villas they bought were not only expensive and located in obscure places, but in order to step into the so-called upper class, they were also willing to spend a great deal of money on a villa in Biyun Pavilion. At this moment, in the cold winter, there weren¡¯t many people at the Biyun Pavilion sales office. A few saleswomen idled away their time; some were touching up their makeup, others were chatting on the phone with their boyfriends, making the sales office appear somewhat deserted. Ye Xuan strolled through the sales hall, occasionally examining the positions of the villas on the sand table, accompanied by a young and beautiful saleswoman who kept explaining the details of each villa. There was no melodramatic disdain from the saleswoman, nor any mindless antagonists mocking Ye Xuan. These saleswomen had their own professional ethic and naturally wouldn¡¯t do anything foolish. However, Xie Chuchu, who followed by Ye Xuan¡¯s side, didn¡¯t hold much hope for him buying a villa. In Xie Chuchu¡¯s eyes, Ye Xuan was at most in his twenties, dressed simply, and was certainly not the type to have become rich overnight. As a saleswoman, Xie Chuchu met various clients every day. She had dealt with many young people like Ye Xuan, who often flirted with her but had never successfully closed a deal. Although Xie Chuchu didn¡¯t hold high hopes for Ye Xuan, she answered every question he had with a smile, flawlessly maintaining her decorum. ¡°Mr. Ye, this villa may be in a remote location, but it¡¯s fully equipped, and the interior decoration was meticulously designed by a master. This is the best property we have,¡± Xie Chuchu explained patiently to Ye Xuan. Ye Xuan slowly shook his head and said, ¡°No, this position is too far back. If I were to walk out, it would take about ten minutes. I am not considering this one.¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± After Ye Xuan finished speaking, a villa sand model caught his eye, and he quickly walked over to examine it. ¡°This position is good, not only is it in the center of the villa complex, but it¡¯s also next to a botanical garden. The air quality should be excellent. Living here would greatly benefit my mother and sister¡¯s health. How much is this villa?¡± Ye Xuan, immediately taken by this villa, directly asked for the price. Seeing Ye Xuan¡¯s serious expression, Xie Chuchu paused slightly and then said, ¡°This villa, including taxes and fees, is 35 million.¡± ¡°Um, this set is fine, let¡¯s sign the contract now,¡± Ye Xuan nodded, quite satisfied with the villa. ¡°What... sir... what did you say?¡± Xie Chuchu asked with a trembling voice, hardly able to believe her own ears. Looking at Xie Chuchu¡¯s bewildered expression, Ye Xuan frowned slightly, only able to repeat his earlier words. By the time he finished speaking, he had already taken out the Supreme Black Card, which fully awakened Xie Chuchu to the situation. Gazing at the Supreme Black Card in Ye Xuan¡¯s hand, Xie Chuchu, being a sales representative, knew well the value of this card. She had seen such a card in the hands of a wealthy man before, and it was said that to own such a Supreme Black Card, one must have at least a hundred million Xia Country Coins in the card. Only at this moment did Xie Chuchu truly believe that this man, about her age, indeed intended to buy a house in Biyun Pavilion. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, Mr. Ye... but this villa is not for sale... Could you perhaps choose another one?¡± At this point, Xie Chuchu¡¯s lips were tightly pressed, her emotions incredibly mixed because the villa Ye Xuan had taken an interest in was not meant to be sold to the public, but was reserved for another elite person. As a sales representative, she knew such a big deal could not be encountered even once a year. If the deal could actually happen, just the commission would amount to over a million, which would completely solve her family¡¯s financial problems. However, since the company did not sell the villa Ye Xuan was interested in, Xie Chuchu was utterly disheartened, fearing that Ye Xuan would leave unsatisfied. ¡°Not for sale to the public?¡± Looking at Xie Chuchu¡¯s pale face, Ye Xuan furrowed his eyebrows. He had almost looked over all the villa models, and only this house had caught his interest; the others were simply out of consideration. ¡°My mother is not in good health, so the surrounding air quality must be fresh. Since this villa is not for sale, I¡¯ll go look elsewhere.¡± Although the woman in front of him was looking at him with pleading eyes, how could Ye Xuan choose a poor environment for a stranger? Having said this, Ye Xuan prepared to leave, but just as he took two steps, Xie Chuchu¡¯s face turned pale, and she quickly blocked his path, pleading, ¡°Mr. Ye, please wait, let me ask the manager if we can sell this house to you.¡± ¡°Um, all right,¡± Ye Xuan pondered for a few seconds and then agreed. ¡°Thank you, thank you.¡± With Ye Xuan¡¯s reply, Xie Chuchu expressed gratitude, bowed to Ye Xuan, and hurried towards the manager¡¯s office. Ye Xuan sat on the sofa in the sales hall, patiently waiting, but even after a full twenty minutes had passed, there was still no sign of Xie Chuchu, which gradually caused Ye Xuan¡¯s brows to furrow. His Divine Sense drifted out, revealing a scene before his eyes. Inside the manager¡¯s office. A middle-aged man, with a cold expression, was scolding Xie Chuchu, ¡°How are you handling this? Didn¡¯t I tell you that house is not for sale?¡± ¡°Manager, Mr. Qi has not paid any deposit yet, and Mr. Ye wants to buy the house for his mother. This house is right near the botanical garden, which would be greatly beneficial for his mother¡¯s health. He is ready to sign the contract now, can¡¯t you make an exception?¡± ¡°What Mr. Ye Leaf, Mr. Ye of the Leaf? Just a nouveau riche, can he compare with Young Master Qi?¡± ¡°I have already promised Young Master Qi; even if he ends up not buying, this house cannot be sold,¡± the middle-aged man vehemently chastised Xie Chuchu. Chapter 25 - 25 25 Administer Mild Punishment ?25: Chapter 25: Administer Mild Punishment 25: Chapter 25: Administer Mild Punishment The middle-aged man¡¯s voice softened as he said, ¡°Little Xie, I know your mother is seriously ill, and you¡¯re desperately in need of money right now, but the company has its policies which can¡¯t be changed arbitrarily. Let me handle this; I¡¯ll go send him away.¡± After saying this, the middle-aged man directly opened the door and walked toward where Ye Xuan was, with Xie Chuchu wiping away her tears and silently following behind him. At that moment. Ye Xuan¡¯s expression was calm, taking in the entire office scene before him. ¡°Mr. Ye, hello, I¡¯m very sorry. The house you were interested in has already been sold. Our staff failed to understand the situation, and we wasted your precious time. I am extremely apologetic,¡± the middle-aged man said to Ye Xuan with a professional smile on his face. Slap! Suddenly! A sound of the wind erupted, a large palm fiercely slapped across the middle-aged man¡¯s face, sending him flying several meters away, a few teeth spewed out with blood, followed by a dull thud. The middle-aged man¡¯s cheek swelled up as he heavily crashed to the floor. ¡°Do you think I¡¯m a bumpkin? Do you think I¡¯m Mr. Tree?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Ye Xuan stood up from the sofa, with a very composed face, he walked over to the middle-aged man, his large foot stepping directly on the man¡¯s face, grinding it in with force. Dead silent, everyone was stunned, not just the entire sales hall, but also Xie Chuchu and a few sales ladies, who seemed to be soulless, completely frozen on the spot. ¡°Security, security, he¡¯s hitting someone, he¡¯s hitting someone.¡± The middle-aged man¡¯s screams, like slaughtering a pig, rang out, causing the security guards at the door to quickly snap to attention and rush towards Ye Xuan. ¡°Get lost!¡± A simple word caused the two security guards to suddenly halt their approach, all because of Ye Xuan¡¯s incredibly intimidating presence, which made them not dare to act rashly, as if a voice was telling them that if they dared to move forward, their end would be unbearable to witness. ¡°Mr... Mr. Ye... Please don¡¯t do this...¡± When the atmosphere fell into a stalemate, Xie Chuchu quickly stepped forward, her voice choked with entreaty. ¡°Go get your real boss here; I must buy this villa today.¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, his voice slightly somber, and as the middle-aged manager tried to stand up, before he could even get up, Ye Xuan¡¯s voice came again. ¡°Kneel down, who gave you permission to get up without my approval?¡± ¡°You brat, are you courting death? Do you know whose company this is, I...¡± The middle-aged man struggled to his feet, shouting angrily at Ye Xuan. But before he could finish his rant, what happened next would be something the middle-aged manager would never forget. Crack! ¡°Ah!¡± Ye Xuan lifted his foot and stamped directly onto the man¡¯s knees, the sound of bones breaking was jarringly piercing, forcing the middle-aged manager to kneel on the spot. The screams of agony made one¡¯s scalp tingle. Turning around. Ye Xuan sat back down on the sofa, his expression was as undisturbed as if he had done something very casual, but to everyone else, Ye Xuan¡¯s actions seemed exceedingly brutal. ¡°Call... call the boss... tell them someone is causing trouble at Biyun Pavilion...¡± The middle-aged manager bellowed, causing a pale-faced sales lady to quickly pick up the phone and dial. The entire sales hall was utterly silent except for the middle-aged manager kneeling on the floor, occasionally emitting groans of pain, while the others looked on at Ye Xuan with obvious terror in their eyes. Actually, Ye Xuan hadn¡¯t intended to cause trouble, since the house he was interested in wasn¡¯t for sale, he also planned to look elsewhere. But the middle-aged manager was too presumptuous, not taking him seriously at all, and though Xie Chuchu had been respectful and spoken up for him throughout, she ended up being scolded by the middle-aged manager. If Ye Xuan hadn¡¯t shown his stance, it wouldn¡¯t have suited his character. Time trickled by. When the door to the sales hall was pushed open, several black-clad bodyguards paved the way, and a graceful figure also entered the sales hall. As she saw the middle-aged manager kneeling on the floor, her delicate face instantly turned cold. ¡°What¡¯s going on?¡± Zhuo Junting asked coldly. The appearance of Zhuo Junting immediately brought a glimmer of happiness to the middle-aged manager¡¯s face, and then with a look of grievance, he said, ¡°Miss Zhuo, someone is causing trouble at the Biyun Pavilion. You must stand up for me.¡± Having said this, the middle-aged manager even shed two crocodile-like tears, which, paired with his swollen face, indeed gave the impression of extreme misery. ¡°Is it her?¡± At this moment, sitting on the sofa, Ye Xuan¡¯s gaze carried a bit of amusement. He never expected that the owner of the Biyun Pavilion would be the same woman who had purchased his Jade Talisman. This made Ye Xuan feel that the world was indeed very small. Zhuo Junting was in a very bad mood, not just bad, but extremely dreadful. She had been searching for Ye Xuan without a single clue, and today someone had caused trouble in her company, which added to her irritation. ¡°Miss Zhuo, it¡¯s this person,¡± said the middle-aged manager, pointing at Ye Xuan with a desolate expression. ¡°Sir, for you to harm our company¡¯s employee without cause, isn¡¯t that going a bit too far, or is it that...¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Zhuo Junting was about to give Ye Xuan a piece of her mind, but before she could finish her sentence, as soon as she saw Ye Xuan¡¯s face, she froze on the spot, and her impending scolding abruptly ceased. ¡°My Jade Talisman still serving you well?¡± Ye Xuan asked calmly. ¡°It¡¯s... it¡¯s you?¡± Zhuo Junting exclaimed, her face now devoid of any anger and instead, filled with extreme excitement as she walked towards Ye Xuan. This scene left the middle-aged manager dumbfounded on the spot, taking quite a while to regain his senses. It was obvious even to a fool that his boss clearly knew this person and seemed overly excited. An extremely bad feeling also emerged in the middle-aged manager¡¯s heart. ¡°Ma... Master, I have finally found you.¡± Standing before Ye Xuan, Zhuo Junting struggled to speak, her hands fidgeting nervously. ¡°What do you want with me?¡± ¡°The Jade Talisman should be enough to solve the problem in your family, and I am not any master, you can call me Ye Xuan,¡± said Ye Xuan composedly. ¡°Then... then I will call you Mr. Ye.¡± ¡°My grandfather has always wanted to thank you in person for saving our family. Do you perhaps have time to visit the Zhuo Family as a guest?¡± Zhuo Junting asked with hope in her eyes. Sadly, Ye Xuan did not respond to Zhuo Junting¡¯s invitation, which quickly snapped her back to reality, her gaze abruptly turning towards the kneeling middle-aged manager. ¡°Manager Su, what exactly happened here?¡± Zhuo Junting¡¯s expression changed as she sharply reprimanded the middle-aged manager. Seeing this scene unfold, how could the middle-aged manager not realize the gravity of the situation? He dared not hide anything and came clean about the earlier events. As Zhuo Junting came to understand the whole story, her expression turned icy, ¡°Who gave you the authority to presumptuously reserve the house for that fellow Qi Shichun?¡± Chapter 26 - 26 26 Zhuo Juntings Overture of Goodwill ?26: Chapter 26 Zhuo Junting¡¯s Overture of Goodwill 26: Chapter 26 Zhuo Junting¡¯s Overture of Goodwill Zhuo Junting continuously scolded the middle-aged manager, causing him to be extremely terrified. He had already realized the very important position Ye Xuan held in Zhuo Junting¡¯s heart, which made him repeatedly admit his faults. He even kept pleading to Ye Xuan, saying, ¡°Mr. Ye, please forgive my petty offenses. If I had known earlier that you and Miss Zhuo were friends, even if I had ten times the courage, I wouldn¡¯t dare badmouth you behind your back.¡± The middle-aged manager was a mix of snot and tears, looking pitiful to the extreme, not at all resembling his previous arrogant demeanor in the office. However, he couldn¡¯t understand how his words in the office had reached the other party¡¯s ears. Unfortunately for the middle-aged manager, his tearful pleading did not move Ye Xuan. Ye Xuan had no interest in someone who was deceitful and two-faced. Following this, as the middle-aged manager cried out loudly for mercy, Zhuo Junting exhibited her fierce approach and directly dismissed him from the company. For Zhuo Junting, this was a small matter. Had it been someone else involved, she would not have fired him, but since it concerned Ye Xuan, she naturally sentenced the middle-aged manager to the corporate equivalent of the death penalty. After resolving the matter, Zhuo Junting quickly approached Ye Xuan, smiling and saying, ¡°It turns out Mr. Ye wanted to buy a house. This house would be my gift to you, a token of the Zhuo Family¡¯s regard for you.¡± Ye Xuan stood up from the sofa and looked at Zhuo Junting¡¯s smiling face. He slowly shook his head and said, ¡°I cannot accept a reward without merit. This house totals thirty-five million. If you refuse to accept payment, then I must look elsewhere.¡± Although Zhuo Junting very much wanted to gift the house to Ye Xuan, she realized that this esteemed gentleman did not wish to owe her any favors, which made her reluctantly agree. Though her gift of the villa had not been accepted, Zhuo Junting had other thoughts. As long as Ye Xuan stayed in Biyun Pavilion, there would naturally be plenty of time to interact with him in the future. Being too eager to please now might clumsily spoil matters. ¡°Miss Xie, thank you for your efforts just now. Can you take me to see the house now?¡± Xie Chuchu was still dazed until Ye Xuan spoke up, which brought her back to her senses and made her look towards Ye Xuan with a very complex expression. As the owner of Biyun Pavilion, Zhuo Junting could easily recognize her employees. When she saw the smile on Ye Xuan¡¯s face, she instantly understood. It seemed this esteemed gentleman had a good impression of Xie Chuchu. ¡°Chuchu, first take Mr. Ye to see the house. After you return, go to the HR department. From today, you will take over Manager Su¡¯s duties,¡± Zhuo Junting said with a smile. ¡°Ah?¡± Xie Chuchu at first paused, then quickly realized and hurriedly bowed to Zhuo Junting, saying, ¡°Thank you, Miss Zhuo.¡± ¡°Mhm, work hard in the future. First, take Mr. Ye to see the house. You will also be fully responsible for handling the contract later,¡± Zhuo Junting said. The events that occurred one after another left everyone at the sales office as if in a dream, but as Xie Chuchu and Ye Xuan departed, everyone¡¯s gaze towards Xie Chuchu was filled with envy. Some even secretly regretted that if they had known this would be the outcome, they would have personally attended to Ye Xuan, not leaving the opportunity to a newbie like Xie Chuchu. At that moment, As Zhuo Junting watched Ye Xuan and Xie Chuchu leave the sales office, she clenched her fists, her eyes filled with unrestrainable joy, and she took out her phone to call home. ¡°Grandfather, I have found that esteemed gentleman.¡± ¡°Mhm... Yes... Okay... What... You want to visit him personally?¡± ¡°Okay, Grandfather, I understand.¡± It took a full ten minutes before Zhuo Junting finally hung up the phone, still surprised by how much her grandfather valued Ye Xuan, to the extent of wanting to visit him personally. You should know that the old master Zhuo held a significant position throughout Jiangnan City, and in his youth, he was indeed a legendary figure, not just in Jiangnan but in the Capital City as well. He had many old friends there and his network stretched across half of Xia Country. The fact that the old master Zhuo personally made a visit would astonish Zhuo Junting, as there were few in all of Xia Country who could warrant such a gesture. ... Biyun Pavilion villa complex. As the villa¡¯s grand doors opened, Ye Xuan strolled in accompanied by Xie Chuchu. It was winter now, and green vegetation wasn¡¯t visible alongside the roads, covered instead in white snow, presenting a unique beauty. Throughout the walk, Xie Chuchu was visibly uneasy. Aside from responding to Ye Xuan¡¯s inquiries about the villa, she hardly spoke, as if preoccupied with her own thoughts. Villa number nine, Ye Xuan¡¯s new home. Upon entering the villa, Ye Xuan found that the interior was luxuriously yet tastefully decorated, with fully furnished and equipped appliances, which pleased him greatly as it saved him the trouble of acquiring these items himself. And behind him, Xie Chuchu¡¯s eyes were complex with hesitation, struggle, and a hint of shyness. Ye Xuan, with his keen Divine Sense, immediately noticed that the young woman behind him was breathing irregularly, which prompted him to turn back and look at Xie Chuchu, his face showing confusion. He asked, ¡°Miss Xie, are you feeling unwell?¡± ¡°Ye... Mr. Ye... Thank you for what happened earlier,¡± Xie Chuchu said, her face blushing, her voice trembling slightly. ¡°It was just a trivial matter, no need to thank me,¡± Ye Xuan replied, thinking Xie Chuchu was still recovering from the earlier incident, and then he continued to observe the layout of the villa. Today¡¯s experience felt like a dream to Xie Chuchu, but she knew well that her promotion to manager of Biyun Pavilion was all thanks to the man before her. And with such a substantial transaction, the commission alone was over a million. As a saleswoman, Xie Chuchu had also heard from other saleswomen that dealing with male clients might sometimes require paying a certain price. That price, naturally, was understood by both men and women, and since Ye Xuan had been accompanied by her from the beginning to end, that was the source of her discomfort. While Xie Chuchu was lost in her thoughts, Ye Xuan finished inspecting the villa¡¯s layout and approached her, saying, ¡°Hmm, I am quite satisfied with this place, let¡¯s sign the contract now.¡± ¡°Ah?¡± ¡°Okay... okay.¡± The close distance made Xie Chuchu¡¯s face turn red, and she took a step back and hastily produced the sales contract. Following Ye Xuan¡¯s signature, he transferred the funds via online banking, officially making the villa his property. Even after the contract was signed, Ye Xuan did not make any inappropriate requests, which left Xie Chuchu feeling embarrassed, realizing she might have thought too much. As Xie Chuchu felt relieved that Ye Xuan was a decent man, she also felt a slight sense of loss, which surprised her and caused her cheeks to turn red, silently scolding herself for being shameless. Soon, the villa keys were handed over to Ye Xuan, making him the official owner of the property. Xie Chuchu said her goodbyes and left, her blushing cheeks well observed by Ye Xuan. Watching Xie Chuchu flee in a rush, Ye Xuan, as a Cultivator sensitive to the mind, could somewhat guess her thoughts, which left him sighing in resignation. Ye Xuan asked himself, he was not exactly a saint and was not immune to the allure of women, but his four years of battling through the Blood Sea had steeled his resolve, naturally steering his thoughts away from such considerations. Chapter 27 - 27 27 Guest Elder ?27: Chapter 27 Guest Elder 27: Chapter 27 Guest Elder Moving day, a joyful occasion. When Ye Xuan brought his mother and younger sister into their new home, Ye Ling¡¯er cheered incessantly, her eyes roving eagerly around the villa, as she continually pestered Ye Xuan about where he got the money to buy such a large property. Although his mother was surprised, she also knew that her son was no ordinary person, so she refrained from asking too many questions. Seeing the happiness on the faces of his mother and sister, Ye Xuan felt a deep sense of satisfaction. In the evening, his mother even cooked a lavish dinner, creating a very warm atmosphere at home. Days had passed, and the effects of the Yunling Pill began showing; Ye¡¯s mother¡¯s gray hair gradually turned black, and her wrinkled skin became delicate and smooth. Everything was developing in a good direction, which uplifted Ye Xuan¡¯s spirits. At the dinner table, Ye Ling¡¯er chattered like a songbird about amusing incidents from school, while their mother occasionally served dishes to her children. Although she smiled, there was a touch of worry on her face that hinted at some deeper concern. ¡°Mom, you¡¯re thinking of my brother, aren¡¯t you?¡± As her son, how could Ye Xuan not see what was on his mother¡¯s mind? As Ye Xuan spoke, the smile on Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s face also faded, and the atmosphere at home suddenly turned a bit somber. His mother shook her head with a wistful smile, ¡°Ping has been taken back to the Ye Family, and his life must be very good now. Come on, let¡¯s eat.¡± The sound of utensils once again filled the room, but the previous warmth was gone. Even the vivacious Ye Ling¡¯er ate silently, her eyes reflecting complex emotions. Observing the heavy atmosphere at home, Ye Xuan couldn¡¯t help but sigh inwardly; after all, their family was missing a member. ¡°Mom, I¡¯ve finished eating. I¡¯m going out for a walk,¡± Ye Xuan murmured, placing his bowl and chopsticks down before stepping out of the house. The moon shone bright amid sparse stars, and the night was dim. Ye Xuan strolled along on a winding path with an expression neither sad nor happy. With only a month left until the New Year and as the holiday approached, his mother¡¯s thoughts on Ye Ping became more frequent, which made Ye Xuan realize that it was time for him to head to the Capital City. ¡°Capital City!¡± Ye Xuan whispered to himself, gazing into the distant horizon. As his eyes opened and closed, the light within them seemed profound, making it difficult to guess what was on his mind. Capital City! A distant term, where his birth father was, where his brother was, where his so-called lover once was, where many who had looked down upon him were. Buzz! With a single step, he tore through the void. When Ye Xuan reappeared, he was already high in the sky, sitting cross-legged among the clouds, looking down at Jiangnan City below, his presence almost cryptic. That night, Ye Xuan didn¡¯t return home until the sun rose from the east. When the first rays of sunlight touched him, Ye Xuan slowly opened his eyes. ¡°Whew!¡± With an exhale, a murky breath streamed out, resounding like a thunderclap through the clear sky. His presence became calm and undisturbed, and with one step, he had already returned home. ... Jiangnan¡¯s Suspended Mirror Department. Tie Li and Linglong stood by with slightly embarrassed expressions on their faces, while an attractive young man lounged on the sofa, looking somewhat lazy as if he had just woken up. ¡°Such a young Ancient Martial Grandmaster is indeed a rarity. Help me set up a meeting with him; just say I¡¯d like to have a talk,¡± Azure Dragon said through a yawn, casually instructing Tie Li and the others. ¡°Lord Azure Dragon, do you really want to recruit him into the Wu¡¯an Office?¡± Linglong asked, her face turning pale. ¡°If he truly is an Ancient Martial Grandmaster, of course we want to recruit him into our Wu¡¯an Office. If he¡¯s not, yet he has injured my people...¡± Azure Dragon spoke lazily, his sentence trailing off without finishing, but the aura around him suddenly turned cold. ... Time passed quickly, and these past few days, Ye Xuan had a lot of leisure time, spending his days at home sipping tea, reading ancient texts. Aside from the occasional visits from Zhuo Junting asking after him, nothing much happened. In fact, Ye Xuan was already prepared to head to the Capital City; he was just waiting for the Wu¡¯an Office to come looking for him. After all, he had seriously injured someone from the Wu¡¯an Office, and their lack of response for such a long time was clearly not normal. Ye Xuan could only set out for the Capital City with peace of mind once he had dealt with everything properly in Jiangnan City. On this day, a letter lay before Ye Xuan. As he finished reading the contents, a faint smile etched across the corners of his mouth. ¡°Quite prompt,¡± Ye Xuan chuckled softly, and the letter in his hand turned directly to ashes. ... Moon Viewing Tower. As soon as Ye Xuan stepped into this place, Tie Li and Linglong quickly came forward to greet him. ¡°Mr. Ye, Azure Dragon is waiting for you in Tianyun Hall,¡± Tie Li made a gesturing motion with his hands, his face showing no change at all. Tianyun Hall. Following Tie Li as he pushed open the door, Ye Xuan strolled into the room. Tie Li then closed the door behind him, standing silently outside, leaving only Ye Xuan and the young man in front of him inside Tianyun Hall. ¡°Ye Xuan? An Ancient Martial Grandmaster?¡± Azure Dragon smiled as he stood up, sizing up Ye Xuan repeatedly. ¡°It seems you are the person in charge of the Wu¡¯an Office?¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s voice was calm. ... As Tie Li and Linglong anxiously waited, a full hour passed without any noise coming from Tianyun Hall, leaving both unsure of what was happening inside. Creak. The door to Tianyun Hall opened, and Ye Xuan walked out nonchalantly. He gave a passing glance to Tie Li and Linglong, then left the Moon Viewing Tower without looking back. ¡°Both of you, come in.¡± Just as Tie Li and Linglong stood in astonishment, a weak voice came from inside Tianyun Hall¡ªAzure Dragon¡¯s voice¡ªprompting them to hurriedly step inside. ¡°Leader Azure Dragon... You... What has happened to you?¡± Tie Li exclaimed in shock, for he witnessed a horrifying scene. Inside Tianyun Hall. Azure Dragon had a ghastly pale complexion, fresh blood incessantly oozing from the corner of his mouth, and his body exuded an extremely weak aura, obviously having sustained serious injuries. ¡°Issue my Azure Dragon Order; starting today, Ye Xuan is to be a Guest Elder of the Earth Group of the Wu¡¯an Office. Whatever requests he may have, you must do your utmost to fulfill them.¡± Azure Dragon supported himself up from the table with his arms, his voice weak yet decisive, leaving no room for others to question. But as soon as he issued this command, both Tie Li and Linglong were utterly astounded, looking at Azure Dragon with a mix of confusion and bewilderment. Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang, the Cosmic Primordial. The Wu¡¯an Office has a total of eight departments, with Azure Dragon as the leader of the Earth Group¡ªa figure of significant weight in the Wu¡¯an Office. Yet, such a person displayed an attitude now that deeply puzzled the two. In the entire Wu¡¯an Office, there were only ten Guest Elder positions available, with the office director able to appoint two, and each group could establish one Guest Elder position. This position was far from ordinary, possessing a ¡®called but not announced¡¯ status, meaning Guest Elders had personal freedom without the constraints of the Wu¡¯an Office, yet held considerable authority. For more than ten years, the position of Guest Elder of the Earth Group had been vacant. And today, Azure Dragon had given this position to Ye Xuan, causing Tie Li and Linglong to be extremely shocked. ¡°What are you standing around for? Send my order back to the headquarters immediately.¡± While Tie Li and Linglong were still in a daze, Azure Dragon said sternly. ¡°Yes, Azure Dragon.¡± Tie Li and Linglong quickly regained their senses, and without daring to ask more about the reasons, they immediately left Tianyun Hall to convey Azure Dragon¡¯s instructions. Inside Tianyun Hall. As Tie Li and Linglong departed, Azure Dragon could no longer contain his agitated emotions; his body trembled at this moment, his complexion turning somewhat flushed. ¡°Innate... an actual Innate Martial Artist... Master... Master, can you see... There truly are Innate Martial Artists in this world!¡± Azure Dragon murmured to himself, trembling, with tears streaming down from his eyes. No one knew what Azure Dragon had just experienced, nor why he was so emotional, but his order, once relayed back to the headquarters of the Wu¡¯an Office, caused a great stir throughout the entire organization. Chapter 28 - 28 28 Hijacking ?28: Chapter 28 Hijacking 28: Chapter 28 Hijacking Biyun Pavilion, Villa No. 9. Ye Xuan leaned back in the sofa, with a red certificate laid out before him. As he flipped open the certificate, a dragon-shaped national emblem caught his eye, with a line of small text written on the document. Name: Ye Xuan. Rank: Army Colonel. Position: Guest Elder of the Earth Group of Wu¡¯an Office. Looking at the certificate in front of him, Ye Xuan¡¯s expression was calm, but he was somewhat surprised inside; he hadn¡¯t expected Azure Dragon would arrange a colonel rank for him. It was well known that in Xia Country, military personnel held an extremely high status; they were seen as the protectors of the home and country, and were deeply respected by the people of Xia Country. The rank that Azure Dragon had bestowed upon him was loaded with significance. ¡°Is this to have me serve the country?¡± Ye Xuan shook his head helplessly. Ye Xuan put the certificate away properly. The affairs of the Wu¡¯an Office had been resolved, and he could now set off directly for the Capital City. At dinner time, Ye Xuan informed his mother that he would be stepping out for a while, at most he would be back in a month. Of course, Ye Xuan did not mention his trip to the Capital City, as he didn¡¯t want his mother to worry. ... A Boeing 747 took off from Jiangnan Airport, headed directly towards the capital of Xia Country. In the first-class cabin, Ye Xuan closed his eyes to rest, giving off a serene and tranquil aura. Originally, according to Ye Xuan¡¯s plans, he could have traveled to the Capital City directly by flying there using his abilities, which would have been much faster than taking a plane. But Ye Xuan reconsidered and decided against it for two reasons: first, such an action might shock the world, and second, given the advancements in technology, if his presence was detected, it would undoubtedly lead to unnecessary trouble. When purchasing his plane ticket, a small incident occurred. Ye Xuan embarrassingly found that buying a plane ticket required an ID card, which he didn¡¯t have since his had been canceled after being missing for four years; he was, in fact, undocumented. Suddenly, Ye Xuan remembered the certificate in his hand. He tried using it to buy a plane ticket, and what happened next made Ye Xuan realize just how powerful the document he held was. Although the ticket agent had never seen the type of certificate Ye Xuan held, the clear inscription of ¡°Army Colonel¡± on it made her take no chances. She reported directly to her immediate supervisor. When the airport leadership confirmed the certificate was authentic, they grew anxious and even saluted Ye Xuan, greeting him with ¡°Good day, Commander.¡± They personally handled his boarding procedures and arranged for him to be seated in first-class. Reflecting on this incident, Ye Xuan couldn¡¯t help but marvel at the considerable authority that the certificate Azure Dragon had given him evidently carried. ¡°Sir, would you like something to drink?¡± Just as Ye Xuan was resting with his eyes closed, the gentle voice of a flight attendant sounded in his ears. ¡°Thank you, but no,¡± Ye Xuan said without opening his eyes, politely declining. ¡°If you need anything, please call on me. I will be at your service for this flight,¡± the flight attendant said courteously before moving away from Ye Xuan¡¯s side. At this moment! In the first-class cabin, which had four seats, aside from where Ye Xuan was sitting, there were two men and one woman. As they observed this scene, it made them look towards Ye Xuan with a hint of curiosity. One should know, their flight was with the national airline, and having a flight attendant dedicated to serving one person alone meant that Ye Xuan was clearly not an ordinary passenger; it was certain he held an important position in Xia Country. ¡°My name is Zhang Ye, Chairman of Pasture Group. May I ask what esteemed position this gentleman holds?¡± A middle-aged bald man smiled and spoke, clearly trying to get acquainted with Ye Xuan. Unfortunately, Ye Xuan did not respond to the man¡¯s greeting at all, which caused the bald man to turn red with embarrassment. He then gave a cold huff and stopped making a fool of himself. Seeing this scene unfold, the other two passengers naturally did not want to repeat the mistake, and silence once again descended upon the first-class cabin. The plane weaved through the clouds, with three hours remaining until it was due to arrive at the capital¡¯s airport. Ye Xuan, who had been resting with his eyes closed, suddenly opened them, a dark shadow passing through his gaze. ¡°Mr. Ye... Mr. Ye... we are currently experiencing an emergency situation. Please, come with me to the cockpit for safety.¡± The door to first class swung open, revealing a flight attendant with a pale face. She quickly locked the door from the inside before rushing over to Ye Xuan with an anxious plea. ¡°What¡¯s the matter?¡± Before Ye Xuan could react, the bald man had already begun to panic. Everyone who flew knew that if there was a malfunction with the plane, it was never a trivial matter. Even though the flight attendant tried her best not to show fear, the few experienced individuals present could easily see the panic in her eyes. Unfortunately, the flight attendant did not respond to the bald man¡¯s question. Instead, she took hold of Ye Xuan¡¯s arm and urgently said, ¡°Mr. Ye, please hurry into the cockpit with me.¡± Ye Xuan stood unshaken, speaking calmly, ¡°If they want to hijack the plane, they are certainly prepared for it. Even if we go into the cockpit, it won¡¯t stop them.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°Hijack?¡± ¡°Are you joking?¡± As soon as Ye Xuan¡¯s words ceased, the other three passengers all cried out in alarm, and the flight attendant was left confused, failing to understand how Ye Xuan had figured out what was happening. Bang, bang, bang! While everyone was shocked, a series of thuds came from outside the cabin door, indicating someone was trying to break into first class. Bang! With a loud noise, the door was forced open, revealing two foreign men with ivory-handled pistols, looking at Ye Xuan and the others with a menacing grin. ¡°This... this...¡± Seeing this scene, the bald man cried out in horror and slumped back into his seat, his eyes filled with immense fear. ¡°Ladies and gentlemen, good morning.¡± One of the foreign men spoke fluently in Xia Country¡¯s language, stepping into the first-class cabin holding the ivory-handled pistol, madness flickering in his eyes. ¡°No... don¡¯t kill me... I have money... I have lots of money...¡± The bald man stammered out. ¡°Oh, for God¡¯s sake, this guy is too noisy. Your devoted believer here will send him to meet You right now.¡± The foreign man shrugged his shoulders, raised the ivory-handled pistol, and pulled the trigger without hesitation. Bang! Flames spurted, the bullet was fired, and the bald man was shot dead on the spot, with a great deal of blood flowing from the center of his forehead, throwing the entire first-class cabin instantly into panic. The horror of this scene left the flight attendant collapsed on the ground, while the other two first-class passengers clutched their mouths tightly, not daring to make a sound, their eyes filled with fear as they watched the foreign man. ¡°Oh, for God¡¯s sake, Jack, you¡¯ve gone and killed someone again.¡± Another foreign man entered the first-class cabin, holding his forehead and complaining. ¡°NONONO, Mirel, you just don¡¯t appreciate art. Don¡¯t you know that killing is a great thing?¡± ¡°When the bullet pierces the victim¡¯s skull, that instant burst of blood is the ultimate splendor of life, a beautiful feeling that a brute like you wouldn¡¯t understand.¡± Jack, intoxicated, breathed in the smell of blood filling the air, as if he truly relished it. Chapter 29 - 29 29 Plane Crash ?29: Chapter 29: Plane Crash 29: Chapter 29: Plane Crash ¡°Alright, you God-forsaken bastard, take these people to economy class. The BOSS is waiting for us,¡± Mirel growled. ¡°GOGOGO, all you pigs from Xia Country, get up. This is a carnival feast, and it¡¯s also the start of your joyful journey,¡± Jack¡¯s face twisted cruelly, threatening Ye Xuan and others to head towards the economy class. At this moment. Ye Xuan¡¯s face was grim. He had never expected that simply traveling to Capital City could lead to such an incident. It seemed that wherever he went, someone was always stirring up trouble. ¡°Hey, kid from Xia Country, if you don¡¯t want your head turned into a sieve, you¡¯d better listen to me,¡± Jack said, his gaze dark as he watched Ye Xuan remained motionless. Light breeze, clouds drifting, untainted by dust. Ye Xuan rose from his seat and strolled towards Jack, his expression extremely calm, yet when his eyes opened and closed, the merciless light was deeply intimidating. Seeing Ye Xuan walking towards him without a hint of fear, Jack was suddenly taken aback and an even more ferocious expression emerged. He said, ¡°Kid, stop right there. Take one more step, and I¡¯ll kill you.¡± ¡°Mr. Ye, what are you doing?¡± The flight attendant cried out in shock. ¡°Don¡¯t drag us into your death wish,¡± yelled a passenger from first class in terror. Buzz! With a step forward, shifting positions, stirring waves in the air, when Ye Xuan appeared again, he was already standing beside Jack, his hand, clear as jade, gripping the opponent¡¯s neck. Crack! His fingers suddenly tightened, the sound of a breaking throat bone sounded, and a large amount of blood spilled from the corners of Jack¡¯s mouth. Ye Xuan had twisted his neck, killing him instantly. Bang! Ye Xuan, like discarding trash, threw the body to the ground. Jack¡¯s body convulsed on the blood-stained floor, leaving the entire first-class cabin in deadly silence. ¡°fuck.¡± Bang! Bang! Bang! Gunshots exploded, bullets flew, and the sudden death of his companion drastically changed Mirel¡¯s expression. He pulled the trigger, furiously shooting at Ye Xuan. Shadows flipped, space froze, but no movement was seen from Ye Xuan, only his hand drawing a beautiful arc in the air with a single motion. Moments later. Mirel ran out of bullets, his face pale as death, eyes full of terror, because standing before him, Ye Xuan was completely unharmed. To his despair, the bullets fired from his gun were slowly dropping from Ye Xuan¡¯s hand. ¡°Ancient... Ancient Martial Artist... are you an Ancient Martial Artist from Xia Country?¡± Mirel muttered tremblingly, his steps slowly retreating before suddenly turning to flee towards the economy class. ¡°Think you can escape? Can you?¡± Ye Xuan said with a slight cold laugh. Buzz! His hand reached out, a sucking force appeared, and before Mirel could get a few steps away, his body flew back, directly caught by Ye Xuan¡¯s hand on the Heavenly Spirit. ¡°Tell me, why hijack the plane?¡± Ye Xuan said calmly. ¡°If you want to kill, just kill. Don¡¯t expect to get a word out of me,¡± Mirel said, his face full of fear but still shouting loudly, his eyes crazed. ¡°Heh.¡± Looking at Mirel¡¯s resolute demeanor to rather die, Ye Xuan¡¯s lips curled into a smile, saying, ¡°I admire people like you who aren¡¯t afraid of death. Since that¡¯s the case, I¡¯ll grant your wish.¡± Bang! While Ye Xuan was speaking, his palm exploded with terrifying force, and Mirel¡¯s body suddenly went limp, blood flowing from his seven orifices as he fell to the ground, dead in Ye Xuan¡¯s hands. Looking at the gradually cooling corpse at his feet, Ye Xuan mocked with a sneer, softly muttering to himself, ¡°Are humans really this foolish? Isn¡¯t living better?¡± All was silent, deathly quiet. When two foreign thugs were dead by Ye Xuan¡¯s hand, the three passengers and the flight attendant in first class seemed as if their souls had left their bodies, taking a long while to regain their senses. ¡°Ye... Mr. Ye... You...?¡± The method Ye Xuan had demonstrated was completely beyond the flight attendant¡¯s understanding. She trembled and tried to say something, but the words choked back down her throat. Terrifying, brutal, and bloody¡ªthese were the impressions Ye Xuan left on the flight attendant. If the two foreign men saw murder as a form of amusement, to the flight attendant, Ye Xuan killing them was as simple as stepping on two ants, showing no change in expression or emotional fluctuation. A person who can kill without changing expression, as casually as eating or drinking, is undoubtedly the most terrifying. And Ye Xuan was such a person. ¡°Stay here, I¡¯ll go check on the economy class,¡± Ye Xuan said softly, completely disregarding the thoughts of the flight attendant and the others, and directly stepped through the door toward the economy class. Ye Xuan was not interested in why this gang wanted to hijack the plane; all he knew was that he was on this flight heading for the Capital City. If they were allowed to hijack successfully, wouldn¡¯t that delay his journey? In the economy class! When Ye Xuan stepped in, his eyes narrowed and his expression turned instantly cold. A pungent smell of blood filled the entire economy class, where the dead bodies of a dozen passengers were conspicuously visible, and the remaining lucky survivors hugged their heads, crouching on the ground, shivering. Five foreign men holding guns guarded them, the leader wearing a Ghost Face Mask, his sinister eyes gazing through the mask at Ye Xuan, with madness flickering in them. To an ordinary person, this scene might have been utterly soul-shattering, but it did not cause any ripples in Ye Xuan¡¯s heart. What truly caused a slight change in his expression were the several plastic bombs placed around the economy class, the red second hand ticking slowly, as if ready to harvest everyone¡¯s lives. Drip¡ªDrip¡ªDrip! The sound of the seconds ticking wasn¡¯t loud, but as time progressed, when the hand reached the endpoint, the outcome would likely be destructive for both machine and man. ¡°May God bless us... to encounter an Ancient Martial Artist from Xia Country here, but alas, even if you are an Ancient Martial Artist, everyone on this plane, including you, will die today.¡± The man in the Ghost Face Mask, obviously the leader of this group and equipped with communication devices, was aware that his men had been killed by Ye Xuan. Whoosh! Suddenly, the cabin door burst open, and the cold fierce wind surged into the cabin, causing the passengers in the economy class to scream shrilly; a huge amount of debris swirled and circled inside the cabin, making the entire airplane jolt violently at this moment. The man with the Ghost Face Mask sinisterly smiled, waved at Ye Xuan, and together with several subordinates, jumped out of the plane. Their parachutes swiftly opened and vanished from Ye Xuan¡¯s view. Terrorists. Ye Xuan was certain; this group was definitely terrorists, likely a well-organized and premeditated terrorist attack. He couldn¡¯t quite understand who would dare to initiate this attack against Xia Country, a world superpower. Weren¡¯t these people afraid of Xia Country¡¯s thunderous measures? These thoughts flashed by quickly, and Ye Xuan swiftly snapped back to reality, knowing he needed to deal with the immediate crisis first. Ye Xuan shut the cabin door, and the violent airflow subsided; however, the cries of the passengers inside the cabin did not cease, clearly knowing that the plastic bombs placed around ensured their inevitable death. ¡°What are you standing around for? Evacuate the passengers; get them all into first class,¡± Ye Xuan commanded harshly, immediately snapping a male flight attendant to attention. Although he was unaware of Ye Xuan¡¯s identity, he quickly organized the crowd towards first class. Chapter 30 - 30 30 The Terrifying Ye Xuan ?30: Chapter 30 The Terrifying Ye Xuan 30: Chapter 30 The Terrifying Ye Xuan Inside the airplane cockpit, the two captains had already realized the gravity of the situation, but they were helpless and could only continuously send out distress signals to the ground. ¡°Sir, it¡¯s too dangerous here, you better get into first class quickly,¡± a flight attendant, having secured the passengers, quickly returned and called out to Ye Xuan, with a look of utter despair in his eyes. Obviously, the flight attendant also understood that whether in economy class or first class, the moment the bomb exploded, the plane would crash, and no one on board would be spared. ¡°Get back.¡± In economy class, Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes were cold, and his expression was not good looking. Seeing Ye Xuan remain unmoved, the flight attendant sighed helplessly. In this critical moment, he could not worry about Ye Xuan and went straight back to first class, taking out his phone to prepare his last words. Beep beep beep! The second hand on the plastic bomb continued to tick down, only five minutes left until the explosion, which knitted Ye Xuan¡¯s brows slightly, and he hesitated whether to save the hundreds of lives on board. Ding ling ling! Suddenly, a telephone ringtone erupted from Ye Xuan¡¯s pocket, causing him to take out his phone, the caller was none other than the Azure Dragon. This satellite phone had been a gift from the Azure Dragon, so that he could be contacted at any time, and now at this crucial moment, the Azure Dragon had actually called, clearly already aware of the situation on the plane. ¡°Mr. Ye, are you on this plane?¡± An anxious voice came from the other end of the phone. ¡°The bomb will explode in five minutes.¡± Ye Xuan didn¡¯t waste any words and directly explained the situation on the plane. From the other end of the phone, the Azure Dragon went deathly silent for several seconds before a trembling voice came through. ¡°You... you¡¯re an Innate Martial Artist... I don¡¯t know if you know how to defuse bombs...¡± ¡°Defuse a bomb?¡± Ye Xuan laughed at himself. Though he possessed incredible strength, when it came to defusing bombs, he was completely clueless. ¡°Azure Dragon, remember this, the Wu¡¯an Office owes me a favor,¡± Ye Xuan said calmly and hung up the phone. In economy class. Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. If he attempted to forcibly remove the bomb, it would instantly explode, turning the entire economy cabin to ashes and cause the plane to lose balance and plummet towards the ground. Ye Xuan internally estimated that the Boeing 747 weighed several hundred tons, and even with his current level of cultivation, it would cost him greatly to ensure a safe landing for the plane. At that moment! In first class, the crowd was packed, everyone¡¯s face streaked with tears, some prayed to the heavens, while others clutched their phones, penning their last words, as despair filled every corner. Boom, boom, boom! With a thunderous roar, the plane jolted, and a series of explosions echoed from economy class, frightening flashes of light sweeping across everything, causing the plane to instantly drop and leaving the passengers with a sensation of weightlessness. ¡°I don¡¯t want to die.¡± ¡°Mom, I¡¯m scared.¡± ¡°Honey, let¡¯s meet in the next life.¡± Cries of lament, pleas for mercy, and various sorrowful sounds erupted from the passengers¡¯ mouths, and after ten breaths, when they suddenly realized they were not dead, their voices abruptly stopped, their eyes glazed over in shock. ¡°I... I¡¯m not dead?¡± ¡°Look, look, the plane is landing.¡± When the passengers came to their senses, they found the plane, though falling, had a remarkably steady descent, which made them excitedly shout out, and in everyone¡¯s eyes shone the light of hope for life. In the cockpit. The two captains were stunned, as sparks had already erupted from the dashboard in front of them signifying the plane was failing and was no longer under their control. But when the two pilots looked out the window, they realized the plane was making a smooth landing, a prospect so surreal they could hardly believe it. ... Capital City, Heavenly Eye Platform. The high-tech screens displayed the scene, dozens of scientific researchers were pale as they continuously operated the electronic instruments before them; several elderly men in military uniforms clenched their fists tightly, not daring to blink while watching the scene on the screens. ¡°Report to the commander, the plane has exploded and is falling towards the East Sea.¡± ¡°Report to the commander, the plane¡¯s communication systems are down, and docking is impossible.¡± On the screen, a Boeing 747 billowed with black smoke as it plummeted to the ground at high speed. It was clear that in a short time, the plane would be nothing but wreckage. Bang! ¡°Damn it,¡± roared an old man with a broad back and thick waist, his fists slamming down on the surface of the table and veins popping on his forehead, ¡°who dares commit such a heinous crime in Xia Country?¡± ¡°Initiate Plan S,¡± ordered another elderly man with white hair and beard, shouting in an anxious rage, though his eyes held deep despair. Everyone understood that it would be near impossible for anyone to survive a plane crash, yet even so, search and rescue operations had to commence immediately. ¡°Whoever committed this act, I¡¯ll make sure they pay a heavy price,¡± said an old man in a general¡¯s uniform, his face ashen. ¡°Someone, notify the head of Wu¡¯an Office to begin an investigation immediately. No matter who the enemy is, they must pay in blood,¡± shouted another commander angrily. ¡°Rep... Report to the commander... The... the plane is making a stable landing.¡± Suddenly. A scientific researcher spoke with a quivering voice, causing the sorrowful elderly men to abruptly pause and quickly look back at the screen. On the screen. The Boeing 747 was still on fire, thick black smoke billowing like tide, but the descent of the plane had clearly slowed, eventually stabilizing and making a gentle landing towards the East Sea. ¡°How... how is this possible?¡± exclaimed a military bigwig, hardly believing his own eyes. ¡°Quick... look there... what... what is that?¡± another high-ranking official pointed at the screen, shouting in disbelief. ¡°Zoom in on the satellite image,¡± a command was issued, prompting the researchers to bring the image on the screen closer. In the clear blue sky, against the azure horizon. A hazy blood light blossomed, and within the thick light, a figure was holding up the entire plane, plummeting toward the ground, but the dense blood light obscured his form, making it impossible to discern his appearance. Without zooming in the satellite image, no one would have believed they were witnessing such a fantastical event. ¡°Who... who is he?¡± ¡°No... It can¡¯t be possible... Is that a person?¡± Voices of utter astonishment spilled from these high officials, each one of them stunned. Although they knew of Ancient Martial Artists and Superpower Users in this world, they had never heard of a living person capable of holding up a plane weighing hundreds of tons. He could hardly be called human anymore; he was more like a god out of legend! ... Above the East Sea. The sea was calm with gentle waves, and a smoky plane bobbed on the surface. Ye Xuan was engulfed in a bloody aura, rendering his appearance invisible, while his aura was notably weaker at that moment. With his strength alone, Ye Xuan had dragged down the hundreds of tons heavy airplane. Although he was a Cultivator, this had greatly drained his cultivation, and the intense pain in his Divine Sense caused a contortion in his facial expression. Hum! With a step, the void shifted, and Ye Xuan didn¡¯t linger, vanishing above the East Sea. Having rescued the passengers on the plane, the rest would naturally be handled by others. Chapter 31 - 31 31 Capital City ?31: Chapter 31 Capital City 31: Chapter 31 Capital City Capital City, Heavenly Eye Platform. The various tycoons of the military and political circles filled the entire conference room, and each person¡¯s expression was different. They all looked at the satellite screen with intermittent expressions of surprise and doubt. ¡°My colleagues, the hijacking incident has already occurred, and the Wu¡¯an Office is currently investigating the matter. As for those who dared to take action against our Xia Country, we will surely give them a blood-like lesson,¡± a Xia Country general strongly said. ¡°However, the main purpose of summoning you here is this person.¡± The Xia Country general pointed to the blurry figure on the screen and continued, ¡°According to analysis by our scientific research personnel, this blurry figure is indeed a human, and it was he who safely landed the plane.¡± ¡°What?¡± ¡°How is this possible?¡± ¡°General Li, how can such an incredible thing exist in the world?¡± Suddenly, there was an uproar, and the entire conference room erupted in voices, clearly unable to believe what they were hearing. General Li frowned as he watched the skeptical and incredulous expressions of those present, understandably knowing this sounded like a tall tale, and even he himself would not believe it, had the scientific research personnel not repeatedly assured that the other party was indeed a human. ¡°General Li, if this is true, it implies that this person can not only fly but even lift a plane weighing hundreds of tons. He could simply be termed a human-shaped nuclear bomb. If he wanted to do something, who could stop him?¡± a political heavyweight voiced his concern with anxiety. ¡°Indeed, even though countries around the world have mysterious organizations, and their power also surpasses ordinary people, they could never reach this level.¡± Various opinions emerged, and these supernatural phenomena directly caused great concern among the bigwigs of Xia Country in attendance. ¡°My colleagues, first and foremost, you must understand one thing: this is indeed a true incident. Since this individual saved everyone on the plane, he is clearly a friend rather than a foe, and there¡¯s a high likelihood he is one of our own Xia Country citizens. I ask you all not to regard him as an enemy,¡± General Li said, thinking deeply. ¡°You¡¯re correct, General Li. If this person could serve our country, it would be a great fortune for Xia Country,¡± the head of Wu¡¯an Office nodded and echoed. After a series of discussions, the meeting finally decided to mobilize all available forces to search for Ye Xuan, and the plane crash incident was directly classified as an SSS-level military secret. Furthermore, many bigwigs in the military and political circles signed a confidentiality agreement during the meeting. ... Capital City. Ye Xuan sauntered through the crowded streets, looking at the high-rise buildings around him, with a hint of drifting light flickering in his eyes. ¡°It¡¯s been over ten years, hasn¡¯t it?¡± ¡°Never imagined I¡¯d come back here!¡± Ye Xuan said with self-deprecating laughter. At five years old, Ye Xuan and his mother were driven out of the Ye Family and hastily left Capital City, eventually settling down in Jiangnan City. Time passed by swiftly as years flew like an arrow, and unexpectedly, after more than a decade, he was once again stepping foot in this city. Ye Xuan pushed down his chaotic thoughts and walked towards a five-star hotel ahead. Sky City, the name of this hotel, was also one of the most top-tier hotels in Capital City. Those who could afford to spend here were all dignitaries and notables. Dining here for one meal might cost an ordinary person several years¡¯ salary. Gold and glitter, extreme luxury, When Ye Xuan entered the hotel and went straight to the reception desk to open a Presidential Suite, he received respectful looks from the receptionist as he took his room card and settled into his room. Money is an external possession; even more so for Ye Xuan, who had several billion Xia Country Coins in his hands. Since he had come to Capital City, the place he stayed had to be the best. Inside the Presidential Suite. Ye Xuan sat cross-legged, continually practicing his breathing exercises, his complexion flushing red at times and turning pale at others, and faint traces of blood could be seen around his mouth and nose. In the vast room, there were even the sounds of souls¡¯ low moans being heard. Undying Immortal Scripture, a legendary Slaughter Technique, required one to go through nine deaths and nine rebirths to even enter its threshold; the hardships were indescribable to others. Undying Immortal Scripture didn¡¯t need much Spiritual Energy supply; instead, it required the absorption of Blood Soul Essence amidst slaughter to continually strengthen one¡¯s Cultivation. On the Blood Sea Battlefield, filled with various creatures, Ye Xuan had battled and slaughtered for four years, and had already achieved a minor mastery of the Undying Immortal Scripture. However, now that Ye Xuan had returned to the Human World, this land had depleted Spiritual Energy, with no creatures for Ye Xuan to slaughter, making every bit of his Cultivation extremely precious. The power he displayed to save the people on the plane had cost him a significant amount of his Cultivation. Now sitting in meditation, he was consolidating his power, hoping to recover some Primordial Qi. Of course, Ye Xuan did not save the people on the plane out of pity. His actions were intended to put Azure Dragon in his debt because, by stepping foot in Capital City, he was bound to clash with the Ye Family. If he truly began a massacre, the Wu¡¯an Office would inevitably get involved. And Azure Dragon, the leader of the Earth Group in the Wu¡¯an Office, held immense power. If Azure Dragon owed him a favor, the Wu¡¯an Office would naturally turn a blind eye. This was the decision Ye Xuan had made after long consideration. Dinglingling! The ringing of the phone broke the silence, prompting Ye Xuan to slowly open his eyes and pick up the cell phone on the table. As expected, it was a call from Azure Dragon. ¡°Hello!¡± ¡°Mr. Ye, tell me, was it you who saved those people on the plane?¡± From the other end of the phone, Azure Dragon¡¯s voice trembled with extreme excitement, even the sound of his speech filled with irrepressible thrill. ¡°This matter should only be known between you and me. I hope you can keep this secret,¡± Ye Xuan said after a pause, speaking straightforwardly. As Ye Xuan confirmed this matter, the other end of the phone momentarily fell silent. After a few breaths¡¯ time, Azure Dragon barely managed to say, ¡°Do you know that by saving everyone on the plane, you¡¯ve already alerted many bigwigs, and the head of the Wu¡¯an Office has even issued an order to find you at all costs?¡± Ye Xuan frowned, a self-mocking look flashing in his eyes; it seemed he had underestimated modern technology, being exposed in the view of others. ¡°Azure Dragon, if you would like to step into the Innate Realm, it¡¯s best to keep this secret for me. You should know that I do not want to clash with Xia Country. If you let this news leak, you should understand the consequences,¡± Ye Xuan warned. After saying this, Ye Xuan casually hung up the phone. On the other end, Azure Dragon looked doubtful for a good ten minutes, letting out a long sigh and burying the secret deep within his heart, not reporting it to the head of Wu¡¯an Office. Azure Dragon did not have much contact with Ye Xuan, but from the first time they met, when Ye Xuan displayed his terrifying abilities, Azure Dragon knew that this person could not be restrained by any force. This was also the reason he had given Ye Xuan the title of Guest Elder, hoping to ingratiate himself with him. Chapter 32 - 32 32 Reunion Four Years Later ?32: Chapter 32: Reunion Four Years Later 32: Chapter 32: Reunion Four Years Later In the presidential suite. Ye Xuan put away his phone; waves of hunger emanated from his stomach, causing his brow to furrow slightly. He had no choice but to open the door and step outside. According to Ye Xuan¡¯s cultivation, he had long been capable of fasting. However, his cultivation had depleted greatly this time, and without any Blood Soul Essence to absorb, he had to resort to food to replenish the blood qi he had lost. After inquiring with the service staff, Ye Xuan took the elevator straight to the top floor of the building. When the waiter opened the doors to the restaurant, a scene of luxury unfolded before his eyes. Green lawns and stars that dotted the night sky, a pianist playing a score, and candles lit in front of each dining table where men and women sat opposite each other, laughing and chatting within the embrace of elegant music. Looking at the scene before him, Ye Xuan somewhat regretted his choice; this was not a place to eat, but rather a venue designed for romance. But since he was already there, Ye Xuan did not plan to leave, and so he stepped into the restaurant. Finding a spot where he could see the night scene outside, a waiter quickly approached him and placed a menu before him. ¡°Sir, what would you like to eat?¡± the waiter asked with a smile. Looking at the menu in English, Ye Xuan immediately closed it and said to the waiter beside him, ¡°Thirty catties of steak, medium-well, that will be all for now; I¡¯ll call you if I need anything.¡± Upon hearing Ye Xuan¡¯s request, the waiter looked stunned, his gaze toward Ye Xuan turning distinctly odd. It was common knowledge that at the Sky City restaurant, each steak weighed only a few ounces, air-flown from overseas ranches, and their prices varied from hundreds to thousands of yuan. For Ye Xuan to ask for thirty catties of steak, was that not a joke? ¡°Sir...you... you want thirty catties of steak?¡± the waiter asked cautiously. When Ye Xuan repeated his order, the waiter finally confirmed that he had not heard wrong, and he was greatly astonished. ¡°Sir, can you actually eat thirty catties of steak?¡± Although adhering to the principle that the customer is God, and the restaurant must satisfy whatever the guests request, the waiter still asked with caution. ¡°That¡¯s not your concern, just do as I¡¯ve said.¡± Ye Xuan knew his request was extraordinary, but with his blood qi depleted and no Blood Soul Essence available for replenishment, he had to extract the necessary Primordial Qi from food. The restaurant¡¯s mission was to serve its customers, so the waiter hurried away to prepare the food Ye Xuan had ordered. True to its five-star reputation, in just over ten minutes, the thirty catties of steak Ye Xuan had ordered were wheeled over on a cart. As the aromatic dish was laid out on the table, other diners began to look over at Ye Xuan¡¯s position. ¡°Who is that? Can he even eat all of that?¡± ¡°Just some nouveau riche flaunting his wealth. Probably just came here to show off.¡± ¡°Ah, the Capital City nowadays, truly anything goes.¡± Various murmurs rose, and though their voices weren¡¯t loud, could Ye Xuan not hear them? Yet, to Ye Xuan, these common folks¡¯ discussions were of no importance. With his blood qi depleted, the food before him was the best replenishment available. With knife and fork in hand and meticulous chewing, Ye Xuan was not eating quickly, but he was serious. Each piece of beef he swallowed converted into traces of Primordial Qi in his stomach. While these strands of Primordial Qi were not plentiful, they were better than nothing. Time flew by, and an hour passed, the beef in front of Ye Xuan gradually diminished. And just at the dinner rush, more people began to flow in and out of the restaurant. ¡°Qingzhu, I¡¯ve already reserved our seats, this way please.¡± Suddenly, a warm and gentle male voice rang out. A young couple walked in from outside. The man had a face as handsome as the renowned Pan An, wearing an expensive suit and smiling at the woman beside him. Her jet-black hair flowed like silk, her skin carved from ivory, her face untouched by makeup. With every blink, her eyes twinkled like stars, her gaze so cool and stunning that she resembled the fairy from the legends of the Nine Heavens. They were the perfect match, like pieces of an exquisite jewelry set or a golden boy and jade girl. It was as if, in the entire world, only they could complement each other so well. Silence, a silence so complete that not a sound could be heard. As the young couple entered the restaurant, the diners all paused, their eyes turning toward them and glittering with inferiority. Pan Ziyu watched the scene unfold in the restaurant, a smug look crossing his eyes. He was the Pan Family¡¯s eldest son, the center of attention wherever he went, and he relished the envious gazes directed at him. Moreover, the goddess at his side had finally accepted his invitation to a candlelit dinner. How could that not thrill him? All of a sudden! In the midst of the restaurant¡¯s silence, the sound of chewing began to carry over. Though not loud, it was somewhat jarring in the otherwise quiet space. ¡°Hm?¡± Pan Ziyu¡¯s brows furrowed as he looked towards the source of the sound, and naturally, his gaze landed on Ye Xuan, who was heartily devouring his steak. ¡°Hmph, there really are all sorts of boorish people here.¡± Pan Ziyu snorted with displeasure, then plastered a smile on his face, intending to lead Xia Qingzhu to their reserved table. But as his eyes settled on Xia Qingzhu¡¯s stunning face, he froze completely. What had Pan Ziyu seen? At that moment, Xia Qingzhu¡¯s star-like eyes were firmly fixed on Ye Xuan, who was dining. Her slender body trembled, and her usually rosy lips turned pale, indicating the turbulence within her heart. One step, two steps, three steps... Xia Qingzhu didn¡¯t know how long she walked, but she found herself standing in front of Ye Xuan. When she saw half of Ye Xuan¡¯s face, it was as if her soul had been lost. Though Ye Xuan was dining, his Divine Sense had detected someone approaching, which made him slowly look up at the newcomer. In that instant, thoughts in disarray, time and space seemed to halt as Ye Xuan and Xia Qingzhu¡¯s eyes met in that very spot. Shock, bewilderment, and a touch of self-mockery! These emotions flickered through Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes. He had never imagined that on his very first day in the Capital City, he would encounter the woman who was once his childhood sweetheart. ¡°You... you didn¡¯t die?¡± Xia Qingzhu tried to steady her emotions, aiming to appear calm, but her voice still trembled slightly. ¡°Four years have not seen you, you are still so beautiful.¡± At this moment, Ye Xuan regained his composure, the complex emotions in his eyes faded away, and his voice was very calm. ¡°Ye... Ye Xuan... how did you survive?¡± Xia Qingzhu seemed to recall the night she left the Jiangnan Hospital, her delicate face turning somewhat pale. ¡°Perhaps I¡¯m just tough to kill, even God couldn¡¯t take me,¡± Ye Xuan said with a self-deprecating smile, his knife and fork cutting into the steak again, endlessly delivering morsels to his mouth. Chapter 33 - 33 33 Strangers When We Meet ?33: Chapter 33: Strangers When We Meet 33: Chapter 33: Strangers When We Meet ¡°True, no matter what, you are a descendant of the Ye Family. Your father wouldn¡¯t have watched you die either, he must have found the best doctor for you, right?¡± Xia Qingzhu¡¯s eyes lit up as if she guessed the reason why Ye Xuan had survived. Unfortunately, Ye Xuan remained silent, which in Xia Qingzhu¡¯s eyes was an implicit agreement. Four years later at their reunion, the two seemed to have forgotten the time they parted at the hospital. In a few mundane greetings, Xia Qingzhu¡¯s original turbulent emotions gradually settled down. Because Xia Qingzhu realized that they could never go back to the past, interacting like strangers with each question and response, it also made her come to terms with treating Ye Xuan as just a regular friend. Her naturally cold demeanor started to stand out gradually. ¡°Qingzhu, who is this friend? Can you introduce me?¡± Pan Ziyu approached the two, his gaze at Ye Xuan subtly hostile. ¡°Ye Xuan, this is the eldest son of the Pan Family. Today I am discussing some family business with him, and I didn¡¯t expect to run into you again,¡± Xia Qingzhu said softly. ¡°Hello, Brother Ye, my name is Pan Ziyu. It¡¯s nice to meet you.¡± Pan Ziyu smiled, stretching out his hand wanting to shake hands with Ye Xuan. Unfortunately, Ye Xuan didn¡¯t move, not even sparing Pan Ziyu a glance, which made Pan Ziyu¡¯s expression stiffen, a flicker of humiliation and anger passing through his eyes as he awkwardly withdrew his hand. Observing Ye Xuan¡¯s demeanor, Xia Qingzhu slightly furrowed her brows but said nothing. Instead, she turned to Pan Ziyu, ¡°Brother Pan, I have some matters to attend to today, perhaps we can talk another day?¡± As the goddess spoke, Pan Ziyu naturally didn¡¯t dare to insist. He could only force a smile before saying goodbye to Xia Qingzhu; however, as he left, his eyes conveyed a shade of jealousy towards Ye Xuan. ¡°I didn¡¯t expect that four years have passed, and you still have this unruly demeanor,¡± Xia Qingzhu sighed helplessly. ¡°Unruly?¡± Ye Xuan muttered, then looked at Xia Qingzhu, calmly saying, ¡°Wasn¡¯t it this unruly character that you fell for back when you disregarded your family¡¯s advice to be with me?¡± ¡°You...¡± Mentioning the past made Xia Qingzhu¡¯s face flush red, but then she quickly reverted to her aloof demeanor, ¡°We were just children then; in retrospect, it was all but child¡¯s play.¡± ¡°Child¡¯s play, was it? Perhaps so.¡± Ye Xuan gave a nonchalant smile, the image of Xia Qingzhu in his memories gradually blurring, casting an awkward atmosphere. ¡°What is your current occupation?¡± ¡°Are you managing your Uncle Ye¡¯s company?¡± Xia Qingzhu broke the silence. Ye Xuan shook his head slowly, ¡°I¡¯m in a nominal position in a department in Xia Country; it¡¯s hardly a career. If there¡¯s nothing else, I should leave now.¡± After saying this, Ye Xuan stood up from his seat, preparing to end this reunion after four years. ¡°Ye Xuan!¡± Before Ye Xuan had walked a few steps, Xia Qingzhu¡¯s voice came from behind him, making him halt, though he did not turn around. ¡°Ye Xuan, I know these years have been hard for you. Even though you can¡¯t inherit the position of Family Head of the Ye Family, you should not resign yourself to mediocrity. You need to pull yourself together and show your Uncle, prove that his son is not just someone who drifts through life aimlessly.¡± In Xia Qingzhu¡¯s eyes, Ye Xuan had survived thanks to the world¡¯s best doctor brought by the Ye Family. And over these four years, since Ye Xuan hadn¡¯t appeared before her, he must have been relegated by the Ye Family to a nominal position in some minor company, aimlessly passing the time. Clack, clack, clack! The sound of high heels approached as Xia Qingzhu came up beside Ye Xuan and said solemnly, ¡°Ye Xuan, no matter what, you are my friend. I hope you can pull yourself together and show your uncle just how outstanding his son is.¡± As she spoke, Xia Qingzhu took a Golden Card out of her bag and inserted it into Ye Xuan¡¯s hand, saying, ¡°You must be back in the Capital City to celebrate your grandfather¡¯s birthday. There¡¯s five million in this card. Tomorrow is the old man¡¯s birthday; you can use this money to buy some gifts. This might also help ease the tension between you and the Ye Family.¡± Throughout this exchange, Ye Xuan remained silent, watching the Golden Card in his hand with a trace of disdain crossing his eyes. To Xia Qingzhu¡¯s astonishment, Ye Xuan casually placed the Golden Card into a charity donation box set up in the restaurant, then leisurely walked outside. ¡°I have accepted your five million, but let¡¯s give this money to the children in the impoverished mountainous areas.¡± Ye Xuan walked away, showing no inclination to explain to Xia Qingzhu, leaving her watching his retreating figure with an extremely complicated expression in her eyes. In the hotel room, Ye Xuan sat cross-legged. As he breathed in and out, a faint bloody light shimmered. Suddenly, Ye Xuan opened his eyes, and a terrifying streak of blood light crossed them, followed by a loud bang through the air. ¡°Phew!¡± A dirty breath was expelled as Ye Xuan got off the bed and gazed at the high moon in the sky, his cold voice resonating in the room. ¡°So, tomorrow is that old man¡¯s birthday. It seems my timing couldn¡¯t be more perfect.¡± Ye Xuan smiled eerily, his smile sending a chilling sensation. Today¡¯s accidental meeting with Xia Qingzhu, though fluctuating Ye Xuan¡¯s mind and causing her to misjudge him as a despondent failure, had led Ye Xuan to sever any connection with Xia Qingzhu, ensuring they would never cross paths again. Ye Xuan certainly wouldn¡¯t explain that he was a Cultivator, transcending the ordinary; doing so would merely make him feel like a brainless fool. If he didn¡¯t care, why say more? And this was Ye Xuan¡¯s truest thought. ... The following morning, A set of black ancient robes and a blood-colored sword lay across a coffee table. The rising sun from the east shone through the hotel¡¯s windows and doors, casting a mystical glow on these two items. The robe, known as the Blood Sea Battle Armor, and the sword, the Bloodthirsty Demon Sword. These items were forged by Ye Xuan on the Blood Sea Battlefield. Whenever Ye Xuan was about to slaughter beings, he would don the Blood Sea Battle Armor and wield the Bloodthirsty Demon Sword, standing atop a pile of endless corpses beneath his feet. Ye Family! These simple words encapsulated an obsession in Ye Xuan¡¯s heart. After he and his mother were disgracefully expelled, enduring countless mocks and taunts, Ye Xuan, a man who always avenged slights, had never forgotten this grudge. Dressed in the Blood Sea Battle Armor, holding the Bloodthirsty Demon Sword, with his ash-white hair hanging loose, Ye Xuan seemed to transform back into the Undying Venerable of the Blood Sea Battlefield. He pushed open the door, stepped out of the hotel, and strolled along the bustling streets. His appearance stood out starkly from others, drawing many curious glances. With an unruffled demeanor, Ye Xuan moved forward, indifferent to the surrounding gazes, heading towards the familiar Ye Family compound etched in his memory. Chapter 34 - 34 34 Ye Family Mansion ?34: Chapter 34 Ye Family Mansion 34: Chapter 34 Ye Family Mansion Ye Family, one of the eight great families of the Capital City, was considered a first-rate family in Xia Country for being able to establish a foothold in the Capital. In the three realms of military, politics, and commerce, many members of the Ye Family held significant positions. The Family Head, Ye Canghai, had once been a major political figure in Xia Country. Although he had retired, his influence was by no means diminished. A courtyard house, simple and grand, bore the marks of time on its walls. But the value of such a house in the Capital was simply immeasurable. The air was filled with the sound of gongs and drums and the constant crackling of fireworks. In front of the grand courtyard of the Ye Family. Countless luxurious carriages were parked outside, and the stream of guests coming and going was endless. Had any reporters been present, they would have been shocked to discover that each person entering the Ye Family¡¯s courtyard was a notable figure from the military, political, or business spheres. Today was a day of celebration, the seventieth birthday of Ye Canghai. A large character for ¡®longevity¡¯ was posted all over the courtyard of the Ye Family, and dozens of banquet tables were set up amidst the noisy chatter of guests. ¡°Qingzhu, my dear niece, I am very pleased that you could come to the old master¡¯s seventieth birthday. There¡¯s no need for any gifts,¡± Ye Hanchuan said with a smile, looking at Xia Qingzhu in front of him, his eyes brimming with deep affection. ¡°Ha-ha.¡± Xia Tiejun laughed out loud, ¡°Old Ye, what are you talking about? It¡¯s Lord Ye¡¯s big birthday; how can we afford to neglect the proper formalities? Qingzhu, quickly, greet Uncle Ye.¡± ¡°Uncle Ye,¡± Xia Qingzhu said properly. ¡°Good, good, good.¡± Ye Hanchuan repeated the word ¡®good¡¯ three times. His gaze shifted slightly as he called out to his son, Ye Yu, beside him, ¡°It¡¯s rare for Qingzhu to visit our home, you should get to know her better.¡± Dressed in a black suit complemented by gold-rimmed glasses, Ye Yu had an air of refined elegance. He addressed Xia Qingzhu with a gentle smile, ¡°Qingzhu, it¡¯s been a long time. Let¡¯s take our seats.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t that niece Qingzhu?¡± Before Xia Qingzhu and her father took their seats, a coquettish laugh echoed through the air, and soon, a middle-aged couple followed by a young man emerged from the inner courtyard. Qingzhu greeted several uncles and aunts properly. Ye Canghai had three sons, and Ye Hanchuan was from the second branch. The people now approaching Xia Qingzhu were from the Ye Family¡¯s third branch. If Ye Xuan were present at that moment, he would have recognized the woman leading the way as his father Ye Canghao¡¯s wife. This lady was no ordinary person; she was the eldest daughter of the Nangong Family, one of the eight great families of Beijing. Naturally, following her were Ye Xuan¡¯s biological father, Ye Canghao, and his brother Ye Ping. ¡°Ping, haven¡¯t you greeted your sister Qingzhu yet?¡± Nangong Yun said gently, turning to speak to Ye Ping. ¡°Nice to meet you, sister Qingzhu.¡± Ye Ping, a twin brother to Ye Ling¡¯er and sibling to Ye Xuan, was currently dressed in casual attire, smiling and greeting Xia Qingzhu. ¡°You... you¡¯re Ye Xuan¡¯s brother, aren¡¯t you?¡± Xia Qingzhu, her eyes brightening, directly questioned Ye Ping. As Xia Qingzhu¡¯s words fell, Nangong Yun¡¯s expression changed slightly, but she said nothing. Ye Ping, on the other hand, was taken aback, and the image of Ye Xuan appeared in his mind. However, he slowly shook his head and said, ¡°Ye Xuan is indeed my older brother, but he has been dead for many years.¡± ¡°Dead for many years?¡± Xia Qingzhu¡¯s expression shifted upon hearing Ye Ping¡¯s words. She had met Ye Xuan just yesterday, how could he have been dead for many years? While Xia Qingzhu was perplexed, Ye Canghao said somberly, ¡°Niece Qingzhu, that unruly child has been dead a long time. Let¡¯s not speak of him on such a joyful day.¡± Ye Canghao, Ye Xuan¡¯s biological father, was clad in military uniform, his face stern and serious, exuding an aura of majesty. Although he had reached middle age, his handsome features only added to his mature charm. ¡°Alright, let¡¯s not talk about him now. Let¡¯s take our seats; the old master will be arriving shortly.¡± Nangong Yun smiled and ushered everyone into the first seats at the birthday banquet. ¡°The head of Wu¡¯an Office has arrived.¡± ¡°The junior minister of the Ministry of Justice has arrived.¡± ¡°Major General Chen has arrived.¡± ¡°The Pan Family has arrived.¡± ¡°The Xiao Family has arrived.¡± ... During the birthday celebration, announcements of various influential figures¡¯ arrival kept coming, adding to the fervor of the event. ¡°Haha!¡± A hearty laugh resounded as an elderly man with silver hair emerged from the inner hall, accompanied by the Ye Family¡¯s main house attendees. He clasped his hands and bowed with fists to the guests, saying, ¡°I never expected to receive such esteemed guests on my seventieth birthday. I truly feel unworthy.¡± ¡°Congratulations to Elder Ye, may your fortune be as vast as the East Sea and your longevity greater than the Southern Mountains.¡± ¡°Today marks Elder Ye¡¯s seventieth birthday; by the time you celebrate your eightieth, I suspect even your great-grandchildren will be in your arms, right?¡± Various congratulatory voices emanated from the banquet, to which Ye Canghai responded with a smile, one by one. At this moment! Xia Qingzhu sat at the highest seat of the banquet, her stunning face tinged with confusion. Since entering the banquet, she not only found no trace of Ye Xuan but also heard from Ye Ping and Ye Canghao that Ye Xuan was long dead. This suddenly filled her with unease. Xia Qingzhu knew she had guessed wrong, Ye Xuan had not survived because of the Ye Family, and even the members of the Ye Family were unaware that Ye Xuan was still alive. Moreover, Xia Qingzhu could fully discern from Ye Canghao¡¯s demeanor, that as Ye Xuan¡¯s biological father, there was absolutely no affection for Ye Xuan in his words. ¡°What... what on earth is going on?¡± Xia Qingzhu murmured to herself. ¡°Qingzhu sister, what¡¯s wrong?¡± Ye Ping asked in confusion. ¡°You... do you not know... that your elder brother has not died?¡± Xia Qingzhu could no longer contain her doubt and confronted Ye Ping directly. Silence! A deathly silence fell. As Xia Qingzhu finished speaking, not only was Ye Ping stunned on the spot, but Ye Canghao and Nangong Yun, who were seated at the same table, also turned wooden, their eyes filled with perplexity as they looked at Xia Qingzhu. ¡°No... it¡¯s impossible... My elder brother had a terminal illness... how could he have survived?¡± Ye Ping¡¯s voice trembled slightly as he forced a smile at Xia Qingzhu, clearly disbelieving what she had said. Thud¡ª¡ª Thud¡ª¡ª Thud. The steady footsteps echoed like the beating of the Soul Drum, like the thunder of the Nine Heavens sounding off. A solitary figure was slowly making his entrance into the banquet. ¡°Little brother, I¡¯ve come to take you home.¡± Dressed in a black ancient robe and wielding a blood-red sword, Ye Xuan¡¯s gray-white hair moved on its own as if without the presence of wind; upon approaching Ye Ping, his calm voice rose in that moment. Utter stillness prevailed, and Heaven and Earth fell silent. When Ye Xuan appeared, Ye Ping¡¯s eyes widened, staring intently at the approaching Ye Xuan, while Ye Canghao and his wife seemed to have lost their souls, completely unable to believe the scene before them. ¡°El... Elder brother?¡± Ye Ping suddenly rose from his seat, his body trembling uncontrollably. Chapter 35 - 35 35 Ye Pings Attitude ?35: Chapter 35 Ye Ping¡¯s Attitude 35: Chapter 35 Ye Ping¡¯s Attitude Silent, utterly silent, profoundly so. Ye Xuan¡¯s appearance not only made Ye Ping feel as if he were dreaming, he could hardly believe that his elder brother had not only survived but was standing right before him. ¡°Ye... Ye Xuan... you...¡± Xia Qingzhu stared at Ye Xuan, dressed in ancient attire, emanating an aura that kept others at bay, she hesitated to speak, a bad feeling rising faintly in her heart. ¡°Cang Hao, this is your son, isn¡¯t it?¡± Nangong Yun recovered her composure and looked straight at Ye Canghao, her voice carrying a mocking tone. ¡°Little brother, come with me, mother and sister are waiting for you at home.¡± Regrettably, Ye Xuan did not even spare Nangong Yun a glance, he silently looked at Ye Ping, his voice somewhat subdued. ¡°Big... Brother... I...¡±, Ye Ping¡¯s eyes were downcast, he dared not meet Ye Xuan¡¯s gaze, clearly hesitating. ¡°Hmph!¡± Nangong Yun slowly stood up and moved in front of Ye Xuan, sneering, ¡°I did not expect you to still be alive. You¡¯ve come to the Ye Family during the old man¡¯s seventieth birthday celebration, could it be that you and your wretched mother wish to return to the Ye Family?¡± As Nangong Yun¡¯s words fell, Ye Xuan finally redirected his gaze from Ye Ping, slowly looking towards Nangong Yun, his expression eerily calm. However, his next action caused a stir among the guests present at the birthday feast. Slap! A loud slap echoed, and Nangong Yun was sent flying, several teeth, bloodied, fell to the ground, and her body even flipped over the banquet table. Step¡ªstep¡ªstep. While everyone was in shock, Ye Xuan walked forward until he reached Nangong Yun, and suddenly his foot stomped down on her cheek, grinding continuously. Ye Xuan, looking down at Nangong Yun beneath his foot, his voice cold, said, ¡°Do you remember? Back then, you whipped my mother and me with a leather whip and used every means to drive us out of the Ye Family. I remember it all very clearly.¡± Caught beneath Ye Xuan¡¯s foot, Nangong Yun¡¯s cheek swelled, fresh blood kept spilling from her mouth, she had never expected Ye Xuan would dare to lay hands on her. ¡°Your mother is a whore, and you are a bastard; that is an immutable fact,¡± Nangong Yun screamed hysterically, like a madwoman. Crack! With one stomp, Nangong Yun¡¯s ribs broke, and more piteous cries came from her mouth. ¡°Ye Xuan, you little bastard, if you dare, then kill me.¡± ¡°Ye Canghao, you coward, aren¡¯t you going to deal with this little bastard?¡± ¡°Rebel, stop this!¡± Suddenly, Ye Canghao¡¯s expression darkened tremendously as he strode towards Ye Xuan. ¡°Rebel, you¡¯re too presumptuous, release her immediately!¡± Ye Canghao spoke, his face grim. Regrettably, to Ye Canghao¡¯s scolding, Ye Xuan paid no attention, his foot remained on Nangong Yun¡¯s chest, his lips curling into a cruel smile. ¡°Do you know that today is the day you die?¡± Clang! Blood light burst forth, as the sword was drawn from its sheath, its blade ringing continuously. The cold, gleaming tip pressed directly against Nangong Yun¡¯s forehead, as if ready to execute her at any moment. ¡°Cang Hao, you truly have a good son, haven¡¯t you?¡± Ye Canghai came forward with an embarrassed expression, accompanied by many guests, they encircled Ye Xuan at the center. ¡°Father!¡± Ye Canghai¡¯s grim expression tightened Ye Canghao¡¯s heart as well. Today was Ye Canghai¡¯s birthday, and such an incident occurring could only be a joke for outsiders to laugh at the Ye Family. Despite everything, Ye Xuan was his son. Now that he had caused such trouble, Ye Canghao knew he would inevitably be punished by Ye Canghai, fearing that his coveted position as the Family Head might already be hanging by a thread. In just a moment, Ye Canghao had figured out everything, which made his gaze towards Ye Xuan appear extremely sinister. ¡°Son, regardless, she is your stepmother. Let her go,¡± Ye Canghai commanded, displaying the demeanor of a Superior. ¡°Brother, let Auntie go,¡± Ye Ping also quickly spoke, advising Ye Xuan. ¡°Auntie?¡± Ye Ping¡¯s words caused Ye Xuan¡¯s eyebrows to furrow, and then he slowly turned to Ye Ping and said, ¡°Say that again, what did you just call her?¡± Looking at Ye Xuan¡¯s icy eyes, Ye Ping suddenly felt a chill run down his spine. Under the watchful eyes of the Ye Family members, he could only lower his gaze and dare not meet Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes. He murmured, ¡°Brother, no matter what, we both carry the blood of the Ye Family. Though she is not our birth mother, she is still Father¡¯s wife.¡± ¡°Haha.¡± Nangong Yun, trampled under Ye Xuan¡¯s feet, burst into laughter and said, ¡°Ye Xuan, you little bastard, you still want to take your little brother away from the Ye Family. Ask him if he wants to?¡± At that moment, Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes were slightly closed, and the hand holding the Blood Sword was even more prominently veined; he no longer needed to ask to see that his little brother would definitely not leave the Ye Family with him. ¡°Is it for glory and wealth?¡± Ye Xuan murmured, and when he looked at Ye Ping again, he softly said, ¡°Or... is it for so-called position of Family Head of the Ye Family?¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s voice grew calmer, but hearing this, Ye Ping turned extremely pale, and his body trembled slightly. After more than a dozen breaths, he suddenly looked up at Ye Xuan, his face flushed red. ¡°Yes, it¡¯s for glory and wealth; I want to be above others.¡± ¡°Do you know how hard our days in Jiangnan were? I don¡¯t want to be just an ordinary person my whole life; the Ye Family can give me everything I want.¡± At this point, Ye Ping¡¯s demeanor seemed crazed as he kept yelling at Ye Xuan. ¡°Brother, wake up. We both have the blood of the Ye Family, we are naturally superior. Why do you always have to go against the Ye Family?¡± ¡°Brother, let Auntie go, I will surely plead with Grandfather and Father on your behalf,¡± Ye Ping yelled, as if wanting to vent all the pent-up grievances of the years. ¡°Haha!¡± ¡°Ping¡¯er, you speak well, rest assured, as long as Auntie lives, she will treat you as her own son.¡± Although trampled under Ye Xuan¡¯s foot, Nangong Yun, looking at Ye Xuan¡¯s dark expression, was extremely joyful, and kept praising Ye Ping. ¡°Little brother, for so-called glory and wealth, for so-called status above others, do you really want to abandon Mother and Ling¡¯er?¡± Ye Xuan lifted his foot off Nangong Yun, the bloody sword in his hand slightly drooping. Faced with Ye Xuan¡¯s question, Ye Ping bit his lips tightly, unable to answer for a long time, which made Ye Xuan scoff at himself and no longer glance at Ye Ping. ¡°Unfilial son, look at what you¡¯ve done, aren¡¯t you going to kneel down and apologize to your Auntie?¡± Watching Ye Xuan release Nangong Yun, Ye Canghao¡¯s expression softened slightly, but he still reprimanded Ye Xuan very sternly. ¡°Apologize?¡± At that moment. A gentle breeze blew by, causing Ye Xuan¡¯s graying hair to sway in the wind, and a cruel smile emerged from the corner of his mouth. Chapter 36 - 36 36 The Brutal Ye Xuan ?36: Chapter 36: The Brutal Ye Xuan 36: Chapter 36: The Brutal Ye Xuan Clang! Sword Qi sang shrilly, blood-red light slashed across the sky. As the Bloodthirsty Demon Sword was unsheathed, a soaring blood light burst forth in the Ye Family courtyard, an extremely terrifying aura swept in all directions. Ye Xuan seemed to transform once again into the Undying Venerable of the Blood Sea Battlefield, with every opening and closing of his eyes, it was as if an endless Blood Sea churned within them. Humm! Like the sky splitting open, like Yama claiming lives, Ye Xuan took a step forward and appeared directly in front of Nangong Yun, with the Bloodthirsty Demon Sword held horizontally at her throat, its icy blade as if blood was flowing over it. At this moment, Ye Xuan¡¯s demeanor was slightly manic. He only needed to lightly drag the Bloodthirsty Demon Sword to end Nangong Yun¡¯s life, yet he did not kill her outright. Instead, he watched Ye Canghai and his son with a taunting and cruel gaze, Shii! ¡°You little beast, what do you want to do?¡± ¡°Degenerate, if you dare to slaughter your mother, I will see to it that you have no grave to rest in.¡± Ye Canghai and his son no longer cared to consider why Ye Xuan was an Ancient Martial Artist. At this moment, Nangong Yun was in mortal danger. If she did indeed die here, would the Nangong Family ever let the matter rest? ¡°Brother, what are you doing, stop this now,¡± Ye Ping pleaded loudly, with a pale face. At this critical juncture, everyone¡¯s hearts turned cold with fear, all were shocked by Ye Xuan. Xia Qingzhu gazed distractedly at the man in front of her, whose killing intent soared to the skies, a complex array of emotions in her eyes. ¡°So... it turns out you¡¯re an Ancient Martial Artist... no wonder...¡± Xia Qingzhu gave a self-mocking smile. She had believed that over these past four years, Ye Xuan had become someone just waiting to die, yet today, she finally understood that he had become an Ancient Martial Artist, no longer the frail youth from back then. But, was it really as Xia Qingzhu thought; was Ye Xuan merely an Ancient Martial Artist? Dark clouds loomed overhead, thunder rumbled; in the midst of winter, such anomalies appeared in the sky, making for an incredible sight for the people of Kyoto City, yet no one knew that these terrifying heavenly phenomena were a consequence of Ye Xuan¡¯s actions. In the Ye Family courtyard. Yama harvests the soul, the Netherworld King demands life. Ye Xuan¡¯s sword was laid horizontally atop Nangong Yun¡¯s throat, and he smiled. That smile was indescribable, to Ye Father and Son witnessing it, it felt as though they were plummeting into a dark abyss, their very souls trembling slightly. ¡°Ye... Ye Xuan... don¡¯t kill me... please...¡± Nangong Yun was not a fool; if even at this moment she could not sense Ye Xuan¡¯s murderous intent, then she had lived all these years in vain. Abject begging, gone was her earlier arrogance; this was the state of Nangong Yun at the moment. ¡°Ye Xuan, you must not kill her, whatever you want, I can give it to you.¡± Until now, Ye Canghao, his complexion deathly pale, also lowered his stance. Although his marriage with Nangong Yun was a political arrangement, he absolutely could not let her die; otherwise, his position within the Ye Family would be in dire jeopardy. Even Ye Canghai calmed down from his fury, softening his tone, ¡°Xuan¡¯er, you are a descendent of the Ye Family. Grandfather was wrong back then. Spare her life, and you and your mother can be reinstated into the Ye Family genealogy.¡± Regrettably, to the promises made by Ye Father and Son, Ye Xuan was unmoved, merely a hint of a cruel smile appearing at the corner of his mouth. ¡°Die!¡± The Blood Sword cleaved across the sky, killing decisively; when Nangong Yun¡¯s head separated from her body, blood spurting from her neck stained the ground red. Her headless corpse convulsed on the ground, the bloodstained and cruel scene rendering everyone present deathly silent. Whoosh! ¡°Nangong Yun... is dead?¡± ¡°Who is this man, doesn¡¯t he know how terrifying the Ye Family is?¡± ¡°Indeed, such boldness, I fear this man may meet his end here today.¡± The surrounding guests were the first to recover their senses, bursting out in a clamor as they looked at Ye Xuan with eyes that regarded him as good as dead. Although the people present had discerned that Ye Xuan was an Ancient Martial Artist, the Ye Family was one of the eight great families of the Capital City, and their foundation was extraordinarily profound. If a mere Ancient Martial Artist could behave so outrageously in the Ye Family¡¯s presence, it was likely that the Ye Family would have long since been disqualified from the Capital City. ¡°Ye... Ye Xuan... have you... have you gone mad? You killed her... you will die too...!¡± Xia Qingzhu looked at the bloody scene before her with a pale face, unable to comprehend why Ye Xuan would act so recklessly. ¡°Rebel... how dare you commit matricide?¡± Ye Canghao bellowed with a trembling voice, his body shaking. ¡°My friends, today was supposed to be my birthday celebration, but a disobedient descendant has murdered his stepmother. I implore you all to bear witness, for the Ye Family must uphold justice above family loyalty,¡± Ye Canghai said as he slowly retreated, looking at Ye Xuan with eyes that saw him as a dead man already. Unbeknownst to them, dozens of Ancient Martial Arts experts had already surrounded the Ye Family¡¯s estate, each exuding an extraordinary aura. The person leading them was a fifty-year-old, whose presence surged unstoppably and whose eyes glinted sharply every time he blinked, revealing his status as a Martial Arts Cultivation master. ¡°Mr. Gu, please take the trouble to deal with this,¡± Ye Canghai bowed slightly in respect to him. ¡°Mr. Ye, there¡¯s no need for such formalities. However, this person is a member of your Ye Family. If my hand is too heavy and I end up killing him, this...¡± Gu Yaobang hesitated to continue. ¡°A descendant who commits such matricide is of no need to the Ye Family,¡± Ye Canghai declared decisively. ¡°Good.¡± Getting a satisfying answer, Gu Yaobang strode towards Ye Xuan. With every step he took, the green stone pavement beneath his feet cracked and shattered. ¡°Ye Xuan, run, he is an Ancient Martial Grandmaster, you¡¯ll die!¡± Seeing the appearance of Gu Yaobang, Xia Qingzhu grew deathly pale and cried out to Ye Xuan in warning, for she knew all too well that this Mr. Gu was a revered guest among the eight great families of the Capital City, his Martial Arts Cultivation dreadfully terrifying. Even if Ye Xuan was an Ancient Martial Artist, how could he possibly be a match for Gu Yaobang? ¡°Qingzhu, shut your mouth! What nonsense are you talking about?¡± Xia Tiejun burst out, reprimanding his daughter harshly, as being associated with Ye Xuan at this time would surely bring calamity upon them. ¡°Young man, having but a rudimentary understanding of martial arts, yet you dare to kill indiscriminately here. Didn¡¯t your mentor teach you that there are some people you simply can¡¯t afford to offend?¡± Gu Yaobang said as he approached, with an air of instructing the world, seemingly not taking Ye Xuan seriously at all. ¡°Surrender now, and I might spare your life, otherwise...¡± Before Gu Yaobang could finish his sentence, his hairs stood on end, and a tremendous terror of life and death overwhelmed his mind, causing him to be unable to continue his words. Hum! With a flash of Void Movement, the air exploded with a boom, and Ye Xuan took one step forward. His terrifying physical strength tore through the air, and he instantly appeared before Gu Yaobang. Under Gu Yaobang¡¯s horrified gaze, Ye Xuan¡¯s crystalline jade-like palm gripped the other¡¯s neck. ¡°So much nonsense for a dead man!¡± Crack! With a terrifying grip, the sound of bone-breaking echoed as Gu Yaobang¡¯s eyes bulged, his neck twisted at an unnatural angle, and a large amount of bloody foam spilled from the corners of his mouth, his eyes filled with extreme terror as he looked at Ye Xuan. Gurgle, gurgle, gurgle. Blood uncontrollably poured from his mouth. Gu Yaobang stared hard at Ye Xuan standing before him, his voice unbelieving, stuttering intermittently. ¡°You... you are... inborn...¡± Gu Yaobang didn¡¯t finish his words. His neck was snapped by Ye Xuan, dying a brutal death in Ye Xuan¡¯s hands. Silence, a deathly stillness. Inside the Ye Family courtyard, not only were the Ye Family members chilled to the core, but even the guests were retreating in shock, gazing at Ye Xuan with extreme dread. Bang! Ye Xuan casually threw Gu Yaobang¡¯s corpse to the ground, his ice-cold voice echoing around the courtyard as he scanned the surrounding guests. ¡°Today, I, Ye, am going to unleash a massacre. Those who are uninvolved should leave at once.¡± Chapter 37 - 37 37 Within Ten Steps Everyone is an Enemy ?37: Chapter 37: Within Ten Steps, Everyone is an Enemy 37: Chapter 37: Within Ten Steps, Everyone is an Enemy All the distinguished guests who had come to celebrate the Ye Family¡¯s longevity were figures of extraordinary status, any one of whom could cause a major tremor in Xia Country with just a stomp of a foot. But there¡¯s an old saying that goes, ¡°When a common man is angered, blood splatters within five steps; within ten steps, everyone is an enemy of the state.¡± The meaning of this saying is that even if you wield the power of a whole country and have unparalleled authority, within ten steps, a commoner could take your life. Moreover, Ye Xuan was no commoner. In his eyes, unless you were among the legendary Immortals, everyone present was no different from ants. The guests present were all old hands at navigating the world, and they understood their current situation very well. Hesitation painted their faces, as the thought of retreating had clearly taken root in their hearts. Before these guests could decide their next move, dozens of Ancient Martial Artists took the lead. ¡°My apologies, Elder Ye, we are no match for him. We take our leave!¡± A few Ancient Martial Artists apologized to Ye Canghai with shame in their eyes, and with swift leaps and bounds, they swiftly departed the Ye family compound. ¡°Elder Ye, here¡¯s the entire 30 million returned to you. Please, take care of yourself,¡± said a Hua Realm master with a shake of the head and a cold laugh, before heading straight for the door. The 30 million was tempting, but when it came to their own lives, there was no question about the choice. Dozens of Ancient Martial Artists, leaving in twos and threes, could not muster even a shred of fighting spirit in the face of a terrifying person who could crush Gu Yaobang with ease. The atmosphere was dead silent, heavy with tension. The expressions of Ye Canghai and his son were extremely ugly. Although they inwardly cursed the shameless conduct of these Ancient Martial Artists, the pressing problem was how to deal with the trouble at hand. ¡°Young man, let¡¯s be merciful where we can. After all, you¡¯re a descendant of the Ye Family. Why don¡¯t we sit down and talk?¡± An influential political figure stepped forward, with a smile on his face. ¡°Who are you?¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes narrowed as he asked. ¡°Let me introduce myself. I am an Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue, Li...¡± Shick! A spray of blood, a head falling to the ground. Before the man could finish his sentence, the so-called Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Revenue was beheaded by Ye Xuan on the spot, collapsing to the ground as a headless corpse. ¡°Hiss!¡± A collective gasp of shock escaped from the mouths of the guests present. Their expressions were filled with fear, and no one dared to stand up for the Ye Family anymore. The look in their eyes as they gazed at Ye Xuan was now one of pure terror. ¡°I¡¯m giving you ten breaths to leave. If you don¡¯t, you¡¯ll never need to leave again.¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes narrowed, and a faint blood light emanated from his body, as a tremendously terrifying killing intent erupted. Clearly, he was not just speaking rhetorically¡ªhe truly harbored a desire to kill. ¡°Elder Ye, we are powerless to help today; please forgive us,¡± another political figure bowed and took his leave, not wasting another word as he led his family straight out the door. Once one person took the lead, the silent fear instantly magnified, with more guests taking their leave. The faces of the Ye Family members grew paler, and their gazes towards Ye Xuan were filled with terror. ¡°Ye Xuan, you little bastard, even if you are an Ancient Martial Grandmaster, do you really think you can bully the Ye Family?¡± Tap, tap, tap! Sounds of footsteps approached from outside the door, and Ye Hanchuan could be seen leading over a hundred armed guards into the Ye Family compound. These guards were fully equipped with guns and ammunition, clearly well-trained. ¡°Shoot him down for me.¡± Without any superfluous words, Ye Hanchuan roared angrily. Over a hundred guards gripped their submachine guns, squeezed the triggers, and the tearing blaze shot towards Ye Xuan. Ratatata! Uncountable bullets whistled through the air, and over a hundred tongues of flame wreaked havoc. Faced with modern heavy weaponry, Ye Xuan wore a cold smile, showing absolute disdain. ¡°Kill!¡± Yama seizes lives, the Netherworld King harvests souls. Ye Xuan¡¯s sword swept out, instantly cleaving over a dozen guards in two, massive amounts of fresh blood spraying into the air. The thick stench of blood pervaded the entire Ye Family courtyard. Limbs and torsos strewn about, blood flowed into rivers. Ye Xuan seemed to transform into an Asura from the Netherworld, the dead floating before him, adding to the horror that highlighted his presence under the reflection of blood on the ground. ¡°Why... why has it come to this?¡± ¡°Is he... is he even human?¡± Ye Hanchuan trembled all over, watching as over a hundred guards perished in rapid succession. His soul seemed lost, utterly shocked by Ye Xuan¡¯s terrifying methods. Boom! The void exploded, the air popped. As over a hundred guards lay dead, the air thick with the acrid smell of blood, Ye Xuan stepped towards Ye Hanchuan. Only when the Bloodthirsty Demon Sword pressed against Ye Hanchuan¡¯s throat did he suddenly snap back to awareness. ¡°Xuan... Xuan¡¯er... don¡¯t... don¡¯t kill me... I¡¯m your second uncle!¡± Thump! As death truly approached, Ye Hanchuan collapsed onto the ground, his eyes filled with unstoppable fear as he looked at the murderous Ye Xuan, pitifully pleading for his life. ¡°Ye Xuan, stop it, you¡¯ve killed enough people. No matter what resentment you hold against the Ye Family, he is your own second uncle.¡± Xia Qingzhu¡¯s complexion was pale, her eyes brimming with tears. She hurried towards Ye Xuan, and with her arms embracing him from behind, Ye Xuan¡¯s ferocious expression gradually softened. Heaven and Earth fell silent, not a sound to be heard. As Xia Qingzhu tightly embraced Ye Xuan, Ye Hanchuan saw a glimmer of hope for life in her eyes, his gaze filled with gratitude. Ye Hanchuan knew that Ye Xuan and Xia Qingzhu had once been childhood sweethearts. If anyone present could stop Ye Xuan, it was most likely Xia Qingzhu. ¡°Ye Xuan, Qingzhu begs you, let go of the hatred in your heart,¡± Xia Qingzhu embraced Ye Xuan tightly, her voice coming through choked sobs. ¡°Let go?¡± ¡°How can I let go?¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s ferocity was gone, his complexion returning to calm. ¡°Come home with me, let us return to the past, and from now on, let¡¯s not bother with these rights and wrongs,¡± Xia Qingzhu softly pleaded. ¡°Ye Xuan, my noble nephew, Uncle has been too harsh on you in the past, it was my fault. Today you¡¯ve killed Nangong Yun, and there are the lives of over a hundred from the Ye Family, why not just let go now?¡± Xia Tiejun also spoke up to comfort him. Seeing the scene unfold before him, Ye Canghai¡¯s expression shifted. He quickly spoke out, ¡°Grandson, all the mistakes are on your grandfather, please quell your thunderous rage.¡± After saying these words, Ye Canghai vigorously signaled to Ye Canghao, which left Ye Canghao feeling humiliated but he still suppressed his anger and forced a smile at Ye Xuan, ¡°There isn¡¯t a hurdle between father and son that we can¡¯t get over. Dad has wronged you and your mother for all these years; here, I am apologizing to you.¡± Pffft! Icy light flashed, blood sprayed. Just as everyone thought Ye Xuan was about to change his mind, the Bloodthirsty Demon Sword pierced Ye Hanchuan¡¯s throat. As Ye Xuan withdrew the Demon Sword, a large amount of blood flowed from his throat and Ye Hanchuan became a cold corpse, drifting at Ye Xuan¡¯s feet. ¡°Why... why... he was your second uncle?¡± Staring at the scene before her, Xia Qingzhu spoke in a daze. Suddenly turning around, Ye Xuan casually pushed Xia Qingzhu away, making her stumble and fall to the ground. Ye Xuan looked down indifferently at the woman below, a cruel smile hooking on the corner of his mouth. Chapter 38 - 38 38 Severing Ties of Gratitude and Duty ?38: Chapter 38: Severing Ties of Gratitude and Duty 38: Chapter 38: Severing Ties of Gratitude and Duty ¡°When he ordered someone to shoot at me, he became my enemy, and as my enemy, his only outcome was death,¡± Ye Xuan said with a ruthless smile. However, to Xia Qingzhu, who was watching, this only made her bite her lip tightly as she saw a person she hardly recognized in Ye Xuan. ¡°You are not him, you absolutely cannot be him, if you were, how could you be so heartless?¡± Xia Qingzhu uttered shakily. Looking into the fear in Xia Qingzhu¡¯s eyes, Ye Xuan slowly shook his head, his voice slightly aged, ¡°I am still myself; nothing has changed. The only difference is that I¡¯ve long discarded the weaknesses I once had. And you, Xia Qingzhu, trying to bind me with past emotions, don¡¯t you find it somewhat laughable?¡± Ye Xuan exposed Xia Qingzhu¡¯s intentions with these words, causing her face to freeze as she stared at him, a self-mocking tint in her gaze. Xia Qingzhu knew she had greatly erred, just as Ye Xuan had said. She actually tried to bind Ye Xuan with their past emotions, but she never anticipated that not only had she changed, the frail boy of the past had long transformed into a cold and merciless person. ¡°Ye Xuan, in your eyes, am I a woman full of schemes?¡± Xia Qingzhu muttered to herself. Regrettably, Ye Xuan did not respond at all, which brought a bitter look across Xia Qingzhu¡¯s eyes. She finally realized that she held absolutely no status in Ye Xuan¡¯s heart. ¡°Ye Xuan, you bastard, give me back my father¡¯s life.¡± Bang, bang, bang! Three gunshots rang out, and the orange-yellow bullets streaked through the air. Ye Hanchuan was killed, and as his son, how could Ye Yu not feel heartbroken? This drove him to madness, as he attempted to shoot Ye Xuan on the spot. ¡°Dust to dust, earth to earth, I¡¯ll send you to reunite with your father.¡± Zing! A sword light split the air, aiming to eradicate the problem at its roots. A Sword Qi directly penetrated Ye Yu¡¯s brow, leaving his body lying across the courtyard of the Ye Family. ¡°Beast, you little beast!¡± Ye Canghao roared angrily. If there were such a thing as a regret medicine in this world, he would definitely have killed this rebellious son back then, to prevent today¡¯s tragic outcome. Boom! With the speed of Floating Light Shadow, cutting through the void, Ye Xuan stepped forward, appearing right in front of Ye Canghao. This was the first time Ye Xuan looked directly at him. ¡°Do you remember?¡± ¡°When I was four years old, I accidentally broke a piece of jewelry belonging to Nangong Yun. You, out of cruelty for Nangong Yun, whipped me mercilessly. If it were not for my mother protecting me with her body, I might have died under your whip back then,¡± said Ye Xuan as he stored the Bloodthirsty Demon Sword, his voice becoming increasingly calm as if sinking into his past memories. ¡°You rebellious son, I brought you into this world, and I can take you out of it. That is the way of human ethics,¡± Ye Canghao¡¯s eyes flicked with a trace of guilt, but it vanished almost instantly, and instead, he roared and chastised Ye Xuan. Looking at Ye Canghao¡¯s irate expression, Ye Xuan remained very calm and continued, ¡°Perhaps you are quite right in saying that. A father expects his son to perish, and the son cannot defy. However, my mother owed you nothing. As your personal maid, she not only took great care of you but also bore you three children. Yet, you heartlessly abandoned her. If she had not left the Ye Family early, she might have died at the hands of Nangong Yun. Today, I am here to settle this account for her.¡± The scene was serene as if untouched by the mortal coil. Ye Xuan now seemed very calm, but he slowly lifted the Bloodthirsty Demon Sword, resting it directly against Ye Canghao¡¯s throat. It seemed that with a slight push of the sword tip, Ye Canghao¡¯s life would end. ¡°Do you want to kill me?¡± Ye Canghao¡¯s expression was extremely complex. He was just a mortal who also feared the arrival of death. Even though he had been a profligate young master who had committed countless wrongs, he absolutely could not bring himself to humbly beg his own son for mercy. ¡°Heavenly Dao speaks of reincarnation, who has Cang Hao ever spared? If there was no cause in the past, how could there be this effect today?¡± Ye Xuan seemed calm, but his heart was actually tumultuous and not as serene as he appeared on the surface. ¡°Brother, have you gone mad?¡± Ye Ping quickly stepped forward to Ye Xuan, shielding Ye Canghao behind him, his gaze toward Ye Xuan showing a trace of hostility. ¡°For the so-called glory and wealth, to become superior among men, is this the reason you are blocking me?¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s voice was low. ¡°Brother, the Ye Family must not fall; this concerns my future. Even if I beg you, please let go,¡± Ye Ping said with a slight tremble. Looking at Ye Ping in front of him, Ye Xuan¡¯s body slightly trembled, his eyes filled with immense bitterness. His thoughts were hazy, and long-forgotten memories surfaced. It was when Ye Ping was a child, the two brothers were sitting atop a haystack. ¡°Brother, I, Ye Ping, swear to the heavens, one day I will rise above others and enable our mother Ling¡¯er and you to live a prosperous life.¡± ¡°My brother Ye Xuan is born extraordinary; as long as I live one day, I will ensure a lifetime of safety for you.¡± Two young boys, the brothers made their oaths to the heavens atop that haystack. These memories flashed through Ye Xuan¡¯s mind, yet he had never anticipated today¡¯s scenario. ¡°Little brother, do you know, if you were not my own brother, if I were not worried about mother and Ling¡¯er being heartbroken, today I would surely kill you!¡± ¡°From today onward, our brotherly bond and righteous ties are severed. I hope you manage yourself well.¡± The Bloodthirsty Demon Sword was sheathed, the Blood Sea Battle Robe billowed without wind, and his silvery hair danced in the air; Ye Xuan suddenly turned around and walked directly towards the gate of the Ye Family. A trace of self-mockery, a touch of heartache, Ye Xuan felt very tired. It was not physical exhaustion, but on the spiritual level. He finally understood the words spoken by the Floating Light Shadow to him, ¡°the immense Red Dust with its myriad attachments; if you return to the Human World, you will endure the suffering of the vast Red Dust.¡± At this moment, Ye Xuan truly wished to return to the Blood Sea Battlefield, where only endless slaughter existed, devoid of these troubling matters. Yet, in this vast Red Dust, even though he was unparalleled in this era, he felt profoundly lonely. Watching Ye Xuan¡¯s lonely and vicissified figure, Ye Ping¡¯s expression was complex. He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but the words reached his lips and he swallowed them back. The Ye family father and son also sighed with relief, clearly relieved to have escaped from this deadly crisis and dared not utter any harsh words against Ye Xuan. ¡°Young brother, having caused such slaughter today, are you going now?¡± Suddenly! Before Ye Xuan could leave the Ye Family, the Wu¡¯an Office Chief stepped forward, and over a hundred Ancient Martial Superpower Users appeared behind him, clearly having mobilized Wu¡¯an Office members to support the Ye Family while Ye Xuan was attacking. Swoosh¡ª The sound of vehicles braking urgently came from outside the courtyard of the Ye Family, and dozens of military vehicles were parked in front of the gate, countless soldiers heavily besieging the Ye Family, with many snipers lurking atop various roofs. When numerous advanced technological weapons appeared in the hands of these soldiers, the Wu¡¯an Office Chief finally breathed a sigh of relief, feeling confident about capturing Ye Xuan. ¡°Young brother, killing over a hundred people is a serious crime in Xia Country. Although you are an Ancient Martial Grandmaster, there will be no exceptions¡ªcome with me.¡± As the Wu¡¯an Office Chief of Xia Country, if he let Ye Xuan go so easily, his tenure as chief would be over. Moreover, he firmly believed, with these high-tech weapons, Ye Xuan could only surrender, especially with the members of Xuanhuang behind him. Chapter 39 - 39 39 Like a Fairy Like a God Like a Demon Like a Devil ?39: Chapter 39 Like a Fairy, Like a God, Like a Demon, Like a Devil 39: Chapter 39 Like a Fairy, Like a God, Like a Demon, Like a Devil Under the vast skies, all lands belong to the king, and all who live by the land serve him. In the face of Xia Country, this enormous entity, personal valor was always insignificant; if every Ancient Martial Artist and Superpower User could do as they pleased, Xia Country would have likely crumbled long ago. Ye Xuan understood this well, but today, he did not regret his actions. From the moment he had set foot in the Ye Family, he had already made some preparations. At this moment! Watching the Wu¡¯an Office finally take action, the Ye family father and son showed joy on their faces, while Xia Qingzhu slowly shook her head, knowing that Ye Xuan had crossed the bottom line of Xia Country. ¡°Young brother, you, so young, have stepped into the realm of Ancient Martial Grandmaster. This talent alone could be said to be one in ten thousand, but your indiscriminate killing also warrants appropriate punishment,¡± the chief of Wu¡¯an Office declared righteously. The sky was clear and undisturbed. However, the clouds above roared and rolled, and chilling winds howled through heaven and earth. Ye Xuan, hands clasped behind his back, stood steadfast in the Ye Family courtyard. His expression showed neither sadness nor joy, but every time his eyes opened and closed, images of a sea of blood incessantly flickered through them. Today, brotherly bonds severed, Ye Xuan¡¯s mind had already suffered greatly. Exhausted by the matters of the mortal world, he grew weary, yet the chief of the Wu¡¯an Office blocked his path, provoking a tremendous shift in Ye Xuan¡¯s emotions. Who was Ye Xuan? He was a Cultivator. He was the Undying Venerable. In this world of mortals, he was a god, an immortal, a demon, a devil! Part demon, part devil, part immortal, part god. The freezing winds of heaven and earth roared wildly, and blood light soared from the ground. At this moment, Ye Xuan truly transformed into the Undying Venerable, his terrifying aura of slaughter sweeping across all directions. Boom! Thunder split the skies, the void exploded, and the Ye Family courtyard violently trembled. Centered around Ye Xuan, the ground cracked like a spider web, the Bloodthirsty Demon Sword buzzing incessantly, and a poignant blood light burst forth from the blade. The Six Desires are Heartless, looking down upon heaven and earth. Ye Xuan finally grew impatient. Since his return to the human world, numerous constraints had been placed upon him, leaving him with no sense of freedom. Various concerns had bound his hands and feet, and this long-suppressed emotion finally erupted completely at this moment. ¡°Sword rise!¡± Shattering mountains and rivers, the Blood Sword crossed the heavens. As Ye Xuan¡¯s voice pierced through the Nine Heavens, a most terrifying event occurred. Clang, clang, clang! Sword Qi buzzed, slaughtering heaven and earth. With a single pointing of his sword fingers, the Bloodthirsty Demon Sword soared into the sky, hovering directly above his head. The buzzing blood-colored blade exuded a dense, bloody stench, plunging the entire space into a dark blood hue. Faced with such a terrifying sight, the chief of the Wu¡¯an Office turned pale, completely freezing on the spot, while the people of the Ye Family and Xia Qingzhu stared wide-eyed, unable to believe what they were witnessing. ¡°If humans are like ants, not aware of heaven¡¯s might, since you wish to die, this Venerable will grant you that.¡± Casting aside all solitude, completely letting go of himself, as Ye Xuan became the Undying Venerable, his true nature was fully exposed. His gray hair gradually turned blood-red, the Blood Sea Battle Robe fluttered without wind, and as his eyes opened and closed, it seemed as if two great stars revolved within them, their annihilating power trembling all directions. ¡°Kill!¡± The Blood Sword dominated the sky, slaughtering ceaselessly. Dazzling blood light burst forth, and as Ye Xuan¡¯s sword finger fell, the Bloodthirsty Demon Sword moved with him, a brilliant blood light bursting from the blade directly towards the chief of the Wu¡¯an Office. ¡°Activate the Elemental Shield!¡± Faced with Ye Xuan¡¯s unbeatable strike, the chief of the Wu¡¯an Office¡¯s back was instantly soaked in cold sweat, and he bellowed violently. Buzz! Bright and colorful, the screen appeared, and hundreds of soldiers wielding high-tech weapons instantly emitted terrifying beams of light that coalesced into a fearsome light screen, blocking in front of the head of Wu¡¯an Office. Bang! It was like throwing eggs against a rock. The light screen shattered, and the head of Wu¡¯an Office, like a kite with its string cut, was blasted tens of meters away. His body was cracked, and copious amounts of blood continuously flowed from various parts of his body. If he weren¡¯t an Ancient Martial Grandmaster with an extremely strong physique, he would have likely turned into a cold corpse by now. Boom! With a single step, the ground shook. Without waiting for the members of Xuanhuang group from Wu¡¯an Office to react, Ye Xuan suddenly appeared in front of the head of Wu¡¯an Office, and the Bloodthirsty Demon Sword floating beside him burst forth with a blood-colored sword light that seemed to choose its victims. ¡°Don¡¯t worry about me, kill him.¡± Only by then had the head of Wu¡¯an Office realized a fact¡ªthis person in front of him was not any ordinary Ancient Martial Grandmaster, but something non-human. ¡°Attack!¡± The members of the Xuanhuang group from Wu¡¯an Office, consisting of both Ancient Martial Artists and Superpower Users, saw their superior in danger and instantly launched their strongest attacks at Ye Xuan. Mental attacks, methods of water and fire, sharp earth spikes erupted from under Ye Xuan¡¯s feet, and massive amounts of powerful energy from the Ancient Martial Artists surged violently towards him. Bang bang bang! Blood-colored Light Shield, All Method Immunity. Before the two groups could get close, a blood-colored light screen rose around Ye Xuan, completely blocking their attacks from the outside. His eyes slightly narrowed as he watched the head of Wu¡¯an Office, a slow and chilling killing intent rising in his gaze. ¡°It¡¯s your own fault for seeking death. You can¡¯t blame me.¡± Ye Xuan spoke ominously, his fingers shaped like swords slowly raised, the Bloodthirsty Demon Sword buzzing excitedly, as if it would slay this man in the next moment. ... At the same time. Blood Sea Battlefield, a mysterious space. The endless Blood Sea churned, and a thousand-meter-long Blood-colored Battle Halberd spanned across the sea, its slaughterous aura earth-shattering and akin to shaking heaven and earth. The cries of billions of tormented souls emanated from the weapon. Boom boom boom! The Blood Sea overturned, and pitiful screams echoed. The thousand-meter-long Blood Spear suddenly erupted with an earth-shattering blood light, casting the entire Blood Sea Battlefield in a spotless glow, and the Blood Spear underwent an extremely bizarre change at that moment. Buzz! The originally thousand-meter-long Blood Spear gradually shrank until it turned into a mere three-meter-long Blood Spear, this ancient fierce weapon directly shattered the dimensional barriers and disappeared within the Blood Sea Battlefield. Hee hee hee! As the Blood-colored Battle Halberd vanished without a trace, the endless Blood Sea suddenly turned upside down as a terrifying and eerie laughter spread throughout the whole Blood Sea Battlefield, and countless blood-colored figures broke free from the Blood Sea. ¡°We¡¯ve broken free, we¡¯ve finally come out.¡± ¡°Without the Heavenly Punishment Halberd, who in this world can suppress us?¡± ¡°Kill, let¡¯s turn the Blood Sea upside down.¡± ¡°Blood Food, lots of Blood Food, in that Exile Land, there¡¯s the blood food I need.¡± Countless Blood Shadows laughed eerily, making the whole Blood Sea Battlefield thunder loudly. Roar! Beasts roared through heaven and earth, extremely ferocious. On the shores of the Blood Sea, countless Mutant Beasts surged forward, their excited roars indicating they had been imprisoned here for many years, and now they finally gained freedom. ¡°How daring!¡± Heaven and earth moved, Immortal Light swept across the sky. As such anomalies occurred in the Blood Sea Battlefield, a silhouette crossed the void, its body radiating extremely terrifying Immortal Light. Chapter 40 - 40 40 Weapons Cease ?40: Chapter 40 Weapons Cease 40: Chapter 40 Weapons Cease ¡°Even though the Heavenly Punishment Spear has left, this venerable presence remains here; none of you shall escape,¡± the phantom bellowed with dignity. As its fingers moved, runes filled the sky, sealing the shattered spatial barriers and blocking the path of these blood-colored beings. ¡°Primordial Spirit, you are merely an Artifact Spirit from the Undying Immortal Scripture; do you really think you can trap us?¡± Countless Blood Shadows roared furiously, unleashing terrifying Slaughter Techniques that directly struck the sealed spatial barriers, causing them to shatter once again. ¡°I am the Artifact Spirit of the Undying Immortal Scripture, destined to eternally guard the Ancient Battlefield.¡± The phantom roared repeatedly, radiating a horrific glow until the light receded and the phantom transformed into the physical embodiment of the Undying Immortal Scripture, using its body to block the broken spatial barriers once more. ¡°Cackle, cackle, cackle!¡± ¡°Primordial Spirit, even if you use your physical form to seal the spatial rifts, we do not believe that you can maintain this indefinitely. Once your Primordial Qi is exhausted, it will be our time to leave this place.¡± Countless Blood Shadows laughed wildly, scattering in different directions, while the mutant beasts on both shores of the Blood Sea howled continuously, causing the entire Blood Sea Battlefield to tremble violently. ¡°Ye Xuan! You bastard, as the Heavenly Punishment Halberd sought you out, these beings escaped their seals. If the Earth Immortal Realm becomes aware of the situation here, not only will I die, but you will also face a severe life-threatening calamity.¡± The physical manifestation of the Undying Immortal Scripture roared repeatedly. Clearly, today¡¯s startling event was caused by Ye Xuan; when Ye Xuan transformed into the Undying Venerable, the Heavenly Punishment Halberd, fearing for its master¡¯s safety, broke through the Blood Sea Battlefield to locate him. The Heavenly Punishment Halberd is an instrument that suppresses the Blood Sea Battlefield. Without it, the sealed blood-colored beings would certainly escape to the outside world, causing vast turmoil. The phantom was not concerned about the lives of ordinary people in the outside world, but rather feared that this incident could draw the attention of the Earth Immortal Realm. If the event unfolded, both he and Ye Xuan would face a great calamity. ... In the Ye Family¡¯s courtyard. The Bloodthirsty Demon Sword hummed ceaselessly. The Wu¡¯an Office chief was resigned to his fate, but just at this critical moment, a frantic voice traveled from afar, accompanied by the arrival of over a hundred figures rushing towards the Ye Family courtyard. ¡°Mr. Ye, please hold your hand.¡± Even before the Azure Dragon arrived, his voice reached Ye Xuan¡¯s ears, causing Ye Xuan to frown slightly, and the Bloodthirsty Demon Sword paused at that moment. The Azure Dragon, leader of the Earth Group, held great power within the Wu¡¯an Office. When news of the events at the Ye Family was relayed to him, he realized the gravity of the situation and hurried with his Earth Group members toward the Ye Family. ¡°Mr. Ye, please quell your thunderous rage. Today¡¯s incident is merely a misunderstanding, and I will surely provide a satisfactory explanation,¡± Azure Dragon said as he quickly approached and bowed deeply before Ye Xuan. Such a scene caused the Wu¡¯an Office chief to be stunned in his place, and members of both Xuanhuang Groups displayed confusion, but most shocked of all were the members of the Ye Family and Xia Qingzhu. The people present were no fools; the chief of the Earth Group of the Wu¡¯an Office, bowing deeply to Ye Xuan, revealed that there might be secrets beyond their imagination involved in this affair. ¡°Azure Dragon, have you lost your mind?¡± The Wu¡¯an Office chief was the first to recover his senses and furiously rebuked Azure Dragon, ¡°This man has killed over a hundred lives, having crossed the line for our Xia Country. Are you trying to save him?¡± ¡°Yes, Azure Dragon, this person¡¯s cultivation is terrifying indeed, but he has committed a major taboo of the Wu¡¯an Office.¡± Some members of the Wu¡¯an Office whispered. ¡°Save him?¡± Upon hearing the admonishing words of the head of the Wu¡¯an Office, a bitter smile appeared on Azure Dragon¡¯s face as he internally blamed the head of the Wu¡¯an Office. How was he attempting to save Ye Xuan? He was actually trying to save your life now. Azure Dragon¡¯s expression gradually turned icy as he directly addressed the head of the Wu¡¯an Office, ¡°Sir, Mr. Ye is a Guest Elder of our Earth Group. The actions he took today are because our Earth Group received information that the Ye Family is colluding with a foreign terrorist organization, intending to harm the interests of Xia Country. Mr. Ye¡¯s actions today were also under the directive of our Earth Group. How can you speak of crossing the nation¡¯s bottom line?¡± As Azure Dragon¡¯s words fell, the head of the Wu¡¯an Office¡¯s eyes widened in disbelief. Anyone could see that Azure Dragon was blatantly fabricating stories. ¡°Azure Dragon, how dare you slander our Ye Family?¡± Ye Canghai¡¯s expression changed dramatically as he angrily rebuked him. ¡°Hmph!¡± Azure Dragon scornfully snorted, ¡°Whether it is slander or not is not for you to decide. Others may fear the Ye Family, but my line of Azure Dragon has endured countless trials and tribulations since the founding of our country. If I truly find out that your Ye Family is colluding with foreign terrorist organizations, no one in Xia Country can save you.¡± Azure Dragon¡¯s voice was resolute, making it clear to Ye Canghai: what can you do to me if I am slandering your Ye Family? The head of the Wu¡¯an Office might seem to have great authority, with eight group leaders under his command, but this was merely a nominal relationship. The real leaders who controlled the members of the eight groups were the group leaders themselves. Each group leader inherited a lineage that had been passed down since the founding of the country, while the head of the Wu¡¯an Office was merely a link for conveying orders from above. ¡°Azure Dragon, you owe me an explanation for today¡¯s incident,¡± the head of the Wu¡¯an Office stated gravely. ¡°Mr. Ye is a Guest Elder of our Earth Group. I will report this matter directly to the higher-ups, so there¡¯s no need for the head to worry,¡± Azure Dragon stated indifferently, clearly protecting Ye Xuan. In fact, if it had been anyone else, Azure Dragon wouldn¡¯t want to fall out with the head of the Wu¡¯an Office and the Ye Family. But when Azure Dragon learned that Ye Xuan had saved everyone on the plane, he knew that no matter what, he had to tightly bind Ye Xuan to the Earth Group. Moreover, Azure Dragon was certain that when the higher-ups received the news, their attitude towards Ye Xuan would undergo a massive change. Not just killing some members of the Ye Family, even if more excessive actions were taken, they would likely turn a blind eye. ¡°Very well, very well, I didn¡¯t expect that after I stepped down from that position, even the Earth Group would dare to trample on the Ye Family. I will remember today¡¯s incident,¡± Ye Canghai said with an embarrassed and angry expression, then turned and walked towards the inner hall. Ye Canghao and Ye Ping glanced at Ye Xuan with complex expressions and didn¡¯t linger, promptly leaving the place of dispute. ¡°Mr. Ye, let me escort you back,¡± Azure Dragon said with a slight smile. A great slaughter had been avoided, and everything Azure Dragon did was seen by Ye Xuan, who kept his expression neutral, though a mysterious look flashed in his eyes. In truth, had Azure Dragon not appeared, Ye Xuan, having already forsaken all considerations in his reckless state, would have transformed into the Undying Venerate and killed everyone present. Afterwards, he would have let the world know of his identity as a Cultivator, already having plans to face the whole world. However, the emergence of Azure Dragon reversed the situation, and Ye Xuan acted accordingly, quietly retreating from his killing intent. After all, his mother and sister were still at home. If his true identity were to be revealed to the world, his family might become the focus of public attention, which was the last thing Ye Xuan wanted to see. Chapter 41 - 41 41 Intense Debate ?41: Chapter 41 Intense Debate 41: Chapter 41 Intense Debate Capital City, an unknown large courtyard. A stone platform, two stone stools, a pot of clear tea placed on the platform, Azure Dragon with a pained smile on his face, continually topping up Ye Xuan¡¯s cup, with numerous members of the Earth Group standing behind him, their gazes towards Ye Xuan filled with curiosity and awe. Within the Ye Family courtyard, the strength that Ye Xuan had displayed had already left the members of the Earth Group inexplicably shocked. They were absolutely certain that this Mr. Ye Xuan must have already stepped into the legendary Innate Realm, otherwise, how could he kill with a sword from afar and cause such terrifying power? The strong were always awe-inspiring, even in this modern city, and although the members of the Earth Group had their pride, it all softened in front of Ye Xuan, as their respect for the strong. ¡°Mr. Ye, today you indeed did something that shocked the entire Capital City,¡± Azure Dragon said with a continuous bitter smile. Ye Xuan knew that today¡¯s events put Azure Dragon in a difficult position. He wasn¡¯t one to disregard favors and graces, and he slowly nodded to Azure Dragon, ¡°This favor, Ye will keep in mind. Should you ever find yourself in trouble, feel free to seek me out in Jiangnan.¡± After saying this, Ye Xuan reciprocated, and he handed over an ancient book to Azure Dragon, ¡°This is the Qi Nourishing Method. If you practice diligently, you should be able to step into the Innate Realm within half a year.¡± Taking the ancient book, Azure Dragon¡¯s expression was complex. He hadn¡¯t expected Ye Xuan to give him such a significant gift, which prompted him to rise and bow deeply to Ye Xuan, ¡°For such a generous gift, Azure Dragon is undeserving. However, the matter today still requires an explanation to the higher-ups. Please stay in the Capital City for a few days, Mr. Ye. Several leaders might wish to meet with you.¡± Ye Xuan nodded slowly, understanding without needing further explanation that the upper echelons of Xia Country would surely want to meet with him. Given that the Ye Family was one of the eight great families in the Capital City, although he didn¡¯t annihilate the Ye Family father and son, the negative impact had been substantial. Meeting with them could also spare him some trouble later on. ¡°Alright, I¡¯ll await your message,¡± Ye Xuan said softly. ... Simultaneously, There was an uproar among the upper echelons of the Capital City. The Ye Family, as one of the eight great families, had been massacred, and it was done by a Guest Elder of the Wu¡¯an Office¡¯s Earth Group. Azure Dragon, as the leader of the Earth Group, protected this man at the cost of offending the Ye Family and even refused to give the Wu¡¯an Office any face. As this news spread everywhere, the entire Capital City eerily quieted down. The eight great families of the Capital City had deeply entrenched power in the military, government, and business sectors of the Three Realms. Although they might not be of the same branch, they all understood the concept of fostered interests. This was no longer a matter of the Ye Family losing face; it involved the interest relations of all eight families. Today, the Ye Family nearly faced utter ruin, and it was uncertain whether other families would encounter such disasters in the future. If the top leaders of Xia Country didn¡¯t handle this issue well, it would cause a significant upheaval across the military, government, and business sectors of Xia Country. Sitting on the sidelines and waiting for the outcome, that was the attitude of the eight great families. The Ye Family, Nangong Family, visited the residences of several top leaders of Xia Country several times. However, they walked out with furrowed brows each time, not achieving the outcomes they desired. ... Armed guards, strict surveillance, in a secret meeting room sat four of the top leaders of Xia Country; the head of Wu¡¯an Office stood by their side, and Azure Dragon, with a calm demeanor, also stood among them. Tap, tap, tap. The sound of fingers drumming on the table continuously echoed, Marshal Li Linguo of Xia Country, his hair and beard pure white, though seventy years of age, exuded an imposing presence without anger. ¡°Chief Lin, are you telling the truth?¡± Li Linguo¡¯s brows were furrowed, his face marred by an unpleasant expression. ¡°Marshal, every word I say is true. This Ye Xuan may have already stepped into the Innate Realm. Relying on his cultivation, he recklessly slaughtered over a hundred people at the Ye Family,¡± the head of Wu¡¯an Office asserted confidently. ¡°Innate Realm?¡± Li Linguo sighed, ¡°It¡¯s rare indeed. Although I, an old man, have been in the Innate Realm for over ten years, at his age, I was merely in the Hua Realm.¡± ¡°Old Li, you can¡¯t say that. Although this person has stepped into the Innate Realm, he completely disregards law and order. If we don¡¯t give the Ye Family an explanation, the eight great families will surely not rest easy,¡± Chancellor Zhang, who managed Xia Country¡¯s affairs, understood deeply how complex the situation was. If mishandled, it would shake Xia Country tremendously. ¡°Hmph!¡± ¡°These damned parasites of the nation should have been eradicated long ago. Look at the current state of our military, government, and business sectors; which doesn¡¯t have members from these eight great families? If this continues, the peaceful and prosperous times will sooner or later be devoured by these families,¡± Minister of War Xia Tieshan spat venomously, continuing, ¡°In my view, what this Ye youngster did was not wrong. It¡¯s a good lesson to snuff out these people¡¯s arrogance, telling them that Xia Country belongs to its citizens, not a place where they can do whatever they wish.¡± ¡°Old Xia, that¡¯s easy for you to say, but you know, pulling one hair affects the whole body,¡± Chancellor Zhang responded gravely. ¡°Old Zhang, what do you mean by that?¡± Marshal Li Linguo frowned. ¡°If we want to avoid a major upheaval in Xia Country, we must punish Ye Xuan,¡± Chancellor Zhang decisively stated. As Chancellor Zhang finished his statement, the expressions of Li Linguo and Xia Tieshan darkened; clearly, this resolution was not what they wanted. Li Linguo, as the Grand Marshal of Xia Country, greatly cherished talented individuals. If Xia Country were to truly take action against Ye Xuan, wouldn¡¯t it be a loss of an Innate Martial Artist? An Innate Martial Artist! Xia Country had not seen one for decades. Each emergence of an Innate Martial Artist was considered a precious treasure for Xia Country. ¡°I disagree,¡± Li Linguo stated flatly. ¡°This young man suits my tastes, and I don¡¯t agree either,¡± Xia Tieshan chuckled coldly. ¡°You two old fools, all you revere is so-called martial power. What do you know? This is not a simple matter but one that concerns national stability,¡± although Chancellor Zhang was a scholar, he naturally had to make the most correct decision amid national interests. Bang! Xia Tieshan, pounding the table, rose to his feet, readying himself as if for a confrontation, ¡°Old Zhang, are you looking for a fight?¡± ¡°Old Xia, sit down; do you really want to come to blows with Old Zhang?¡± Despite also disagreeing with Chancellor Zhang¡¯s approach, Li Linguo understood that the decisions made by Chancellor Zhang were also in consideration of the overall interests of Xia Country. For a moment, the atmosphere in the meeting room became intensely charged, causing the head of Wu¡¯an Office to remain subserviently silent, while Azure Dragon kept a calm demeanor without uttering a word. ¡°Enough, stop arguing.¡± Suddenly! The elder seated at the head of the meeting room spoke in a low voice. As his voice fell, the room abruptly quieted down. If an outsider were present, they would be shocked to discover that this elder appeared almost daily on television, as he was Xia Country¡¯s top decision-maker. ¡°Leader, what do you suggest?¡± Chancellor Zhang glared bitterly at Xia Tieshan before turning to the Number One Leader. Chapter 42 - 42 42 Visit of the Dragon Head ?42: Chapter 42: Visit of the Dragon Head 42: Chapter 42: Visit of the Dragon Head At this moment, both Li Linguo and Zhang Tieshan were also looking towards the leader, clearly indicating that the final decision-making power rested in the leader¡¯s hands. ¡°Azure Dragon, give me an explanation. Why did you stop the head of Wu¡¯an Office from making arrests?¡± The leader¡¯s expression was benevolent, and his words seemed as nourishing as the spring rain, yet they carried an aura of unspoken authority that¡ªin all of Xia Country¡ªcould only be found emanating from him. Azure Dragon first bowed deeply to the Xia Country leaders and then spoke calmly, ¡°Good to see you, leaders. The matter I wish to discuss is an extreme secret, something I do not wish to reveal to anyone besides the leaders here.¡± ¡°You may leave now,¡± Li Linguo ordered directly. ¡°Yes, Marshal.¡± The head of Wu¡¯an Office¡¯s face showed embarrassment. He glared at Azure Dragon and then turned, stepping out of the conference room. ¡°Alright, there are no outsiders here now. You can speak,¡± Chancellor Zhang said in a low voice, continuing, ¡°But I must tell you, if you do not provide a satisfactory explanation for releasing Ye Xuan on your own, you will face the appropriate punishment.¡± Observing the stern expressions of the leaders, Azure Dragon smiled slightly and said, ¡°I wonder if the leaders remember the airplane hijacking incident from some time ago?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± As Azure Dragon¡¯s words settled, the leaders¡¯ expressions all showed surprise, and they looked at Azure Dragon with shocked eyes. ¡°What does the hijacking have to do with Ye Xuan? You better not...¡± ¡°Wait!¡± Chancellor Zhang burst out angrily, but before he could finish, the number one leader cut him off and quickly stepped next to Azure Dragon, a glint of sharpness in his eyes as he said, ¡°What you mean to say is, the person who saved the entire airplane was this Ye Xuan?¡± ¡°Still, the old leader is wise. Indeed, that is so,¡± Azure Dragon replied with a smile, offering timely compliments before falling silent. ¡°How is this possible?¡± Chancellor Zhang exclaimed in shock, completely thrown off. ¡°Azure Dragon, what evidence do you have?¡± Li Linguo suddenly erupted with the aura of an Innate Martial Artist, showing just how unsettled he was at that moment. Minister of War Xia Tieshan, although he didn¡¯t speak, also stared intently at Azure Dragon, trying to discern from his eyes whether he was lying. Looking at the shaken faces of the men, Azure Dragon spoke as if he had expected this reaction all along, ¡°Honorable leaders, it is clear. Ye Xuan was on board the plane heading to the Capital City, and when the plane was hijacked, it was he who killed the terrorists.¡± Azure Dragon paused briefly before continuing, ¡°If we¡¯re speaking about evidence, the flight attendants can all act as witnesses. His identification details are on the passenger log. During this time, I also personally spoke with him, and when the plane crashed, Mr. Ye disappeared, yet he appeared in the Capital City that very day.¡± Hearing Azure Dragon¡¯s words, the leaders fell completely silent. They were beginning to believe him somewhat, as Azure Dragon surely could not afford the consequences if he were lying. ¡°Azure Dragon, you did very well,¡± the number one leader voiced first, even giving an approving pat on Azure Dragon¡¯s shoulder. ¡°Azure Dragon, this issue is extremely confidential and must not be divulged. Arrange a time for us old men to meet with him,¡± Li Linguo said excitedly. ¡°Indeed, if he is the person of legend, we must speak with him,¡± Chancellor Zhang changed his tone, clearly indicating that Ye Xuan¡¯s significance in his eyes could not be compared with that of the eight great families. ¡°Ha ha ha, excellent.¡± ¡°Azure Dragon, you have done very well. I think it¡¯s time for a new head of Wu¡¯an Office,¡± Xia Tieshan laughed heartily, looking more and more pleased with Azure Dragon. ¡°Fine, Elder, please don¡¯t joke with me. The lineage of succession for the leader of Group Eight, if I, Azure Dragon, really took over the position of Wu¡¯an Office Chief, I¡¯m afraid the entire Wu¡¯an Office would be thrown into chaos,¡± Azure Dragon said hurriedly, refusing the proposition. Xia Tieshan was only joking too. He knew that the eight group leaders each refused to submit to the others and that the current Wu¡¯an Office Chief was nothing but a figurehead. If Azure Dragon really took charge, the other seven would surely turn the world upside down. ¡°Enough idle talk, let¡¯s make arrangements for this matter quickly. It is of the utmost importance,¡± Number One Dragon Head ordered directly. ¡°At your command.¡± Azure Dragon finally breathed a sigh of relief and went to carry out the orders. ... Capital City, a secret quadrangle courtyard. Two ordinary sedans led the way. As several men in black got out of the car first and vigilantly scanned the area, they made sure there was no danger before they picked up the walkie-talkie and said something indistinguishable. Shortly after, a black sedan arrived from the end of the road and stopped in front of the courtyard gate. Four elders, wearing trench coats, accompanied by a few men in black, quickly entered the courtyard. ¡°Greetings, Dragon Head,¡± Azure Dragon saluted. ¡°Cut the crap, Azure Dragon, where¡¯s the kid Ye?¡± Xia Tieshan laughed and scolded. ¡°I, Ye Xuan, have met the esteemed Dragon Heads. I¡¯m unworthy of you coming in person,¡± Ye Xuan said. Before anyone knew when, Ye Xuan had appeared in front of the four Dragon Heads, which made all four show a momentary look of surprise at the peculiar way Ye Xuan appeared. However, the four Dragon Heads, having braved through many trials and tribulations, naturally did not show a shocked expression. Li Linguo, with a smile on his face, stepped forward, patted Ye Xuan on the shoulder, and laughed heartily, ¡°Good lad, indeed a citizen of Xia Country. Do you know how long I¡¯ve been looking for you?¡± Ye Xuan could fully feel Li Linguo¡¯s warm attitude towards him, and although Ye Xuan was a Cultivator, he was ultimately a citizen of Xia Country. The land had nourished him. He deeply understood that these elders before him had dedicated decades of hard work and toil for Xia Country, making countless sacrifices, and they could be called great men of their generation. The respect that was due, Ye Xuan gave in full. This had nothing to do with his identity as a Cultivator, but rather with the selfless contributions of the older generation that had led to the prosperous Xia Country of today. This respect also surged from within Ye Xuan¡¯s heart. ¡°You old man, I know what schemes you¡¯re planning. Don¡¯t even think about pulling Ye into the Ministry of War.¡± Xia Tieshan laughed and scolded, coming right up to Ye Xuan, smiling kindly, ¡°Young Ye, if you ever encounter any issues, just tell your Uncle Xia. If that old bastard Ye Canghai dares to trip you up, just let me know, and I¡¯ll see how to deal with him.¡± ¡°Alright, we¡¯ve come here in secret today to discuss important matters with Ye, stop the nonsense,¡± Number One Dragon Head said with a smile, prompting Ye Xuan to give a respectful bow. By then, Azure Dragon, knowing his place, had tactfully left the scene. Only the four Dragon Heads and Ye Xuan were left in the courtyard. As the leader of the Earth Group, Azure Dragon was very aware that some secrets were not for him to hear. Around a stone platform with five stone stools, the four sat in a circle with Ye Xuan. ¡°Young Ye, we¡¯ve come to know of your affairs, and on behalf of Xia Country, I thank you for resolving the airplane hijacking,¡± Number One Dragon Head said earnestly. ¡°However,¡± he continued forthrightly, ¡°can you tell us old men exactly what kind of existence you are?¡± Number One Dragon Head got straight to the point, voicing the biggest question on everyone¡¯s minds. Gazing at the earnest eyes of the elders, Ye Xuan hesitated for a while, unsure whether to reveal his identity. During this time, the entire courtyard was deathly silent. Ten minutes later. The hesitant look in Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes disappeared, and his deep voice reached the elders¡¯ ears. ¡°I am a Cultivator.¡± Chapter 43 - 43 43 Everyone is Shocked ?43: Chapter 43: Everyone is Shocked 43: Chapter 43: Everyone is Shocked The sun set in the west, and night descended. By the time the first stream of moonlight sprinkled down, four of Xia Country¡¯s top brass had been inside the courtyard for a full ten hours. Outside the door, Azure Dragon was smoking, a trace of anxiety on his face. He had never imagined that the first conversation between the four bigwigs and Ye Xuan would take such a long time. Azure Dragon was filled with curiosity. He really wanted to go in and see what kind of magic Ye Xuan possessed, to keep the leaders who manage millions of matters lingering here for such a long time. Creak! The gates of the courtyard were pushed open, and the four great leaders of Xia Country emerged with Ye Xuan, causing Azure Dragon to hurriedly extinguish the cigarette in his hand and head straight toward the leaders. ¡°Ye, you don¡¯t need to see us out. When you come to the Capital City next time, you must visit my home. Your aunt is an expert in the eight major cuisines, she¡¯d be thrilled to know you¡¯re coming.¡± ¡°Indeed, come to the Capital City more often to see us old folks. If there¡¯s ever anything you need, just let Azure Dragon know. If he doesn¡¯t handle it well, you call us directly and see how we take care of him.¡± Watching how cordially the leaders treated Ye Xuan, Azure Dragon¡¯s eyes nearly popped out of their sockets¡ªhe knew well the personalities of these leaders. Every word and deed of theirs represented Xia Country, and even towards their own children they were incredibly exacting. Yet the scene before him was like a dream, almost unbelievable. ¡°If Ye Xuan visits the Capital City again, I will certainly pay a visit,¡± Ye Xuan said with a smile. ¡°Very well, Ye, there¡¯s no need for further courtesies. If we don¡¯t head back now, we might draw certain people¡¯s attention and potentially trouble you again.¡± Azure Dragon opened the car door for the leaders, and as they got into the car, he took the seat beside the driver. The vehicle started and gradually vanished at the end of the road. ... Inside the car! The leaders were all looking rosy-cheeked, and although no one was speaking, Azure Dragon, from the passenger seat, could feel that their moods were exceptionally good. It was something he hadn¡¯t witnessed for many years. ¡°Leader, about the Ye Family¡¯s matter...?¡± Azure Dragon ventured cautiously. ¡°Hmph!¡± At the mention of the Ye Family, the leaders¡¯ expressions changed, and Li Linguo even let out a cold snort, saying, ¡°The Ye Family, not knowing the immensity of heaven and earth; I really want to see if the eight great families think they can turn the world upside down.¡± ¡°Old Li, leave this matter to you. If they don¡¯t know their limits, then there¡¯s no need to show mercy,¡± the Number One Leader said, his expression grave yet his words imbued with immense authority. ¡°It¡¯s also time to give them a warning,¡± Chancellor Zhang¡¯s voice was inscrutable, clearly indicating that the leaders had already made a decision. Hearing the leaders¡¯ discussion, Azure Dragon¡¯s eyes showed great astonishment; it was clear that they intended to set their sights on the eight great families, and the cause of all this was due to Ye Xuan. ¡°This guy... what... what exactly did he do?¡± Azure Dragon exclaimed in shock to himself. ... As storm clouds gathered, a cool detachment observed. While the eight great families were eagerly awaiting the leaders¡¯ decision, a series of thunderous storms suddenly assaulted them. Overnight, massive tremors rocked the three realms of military, politics, and commerce; countless individuals were taken away by members of the Wu¡¯an Office, and many more were clapped in irons. Businesses were sealed, officials dismissed and investigated¡ªa blitz of thunderous blows left the eight great families panic-stricken, leading them to rush to the residences of the leaders overnight, seeking to understand what had happened. Alas, they were bluntly turned away at the door and vast numbers of troops surrounded the family residences of the eight great families, throwing them into a state of confusion. The eight great families had deep roots and, even though the leaders had taken heavy-handed measures against them, they had not gone too far. Rome wasn¡¯t built in a day; this was a truth the leaders clearly understood. To completely dismantle the influence of the eight great families, they could only proceed gradually. However, following this action, the eight families had become much more compliant, and ultimately, they understood that the leaders¡¯ move against their clans was all because of Ye Xuan. When the news spread among the eight major families, everyone was dumbfounded. They couldn¡¯t understand who Ye Xuan was and why the bigwigs of Xia Country were willing to go so far as to clash with their own allies to support him. The major families were far from foolish. Although they wielded great power, they had no choice but to withdraw temporarily when faced with these leaders. They even ordered their younger generations not to offend Ye Xuan if they encountered him in the future. The commotion stirred up by Ye Xuan quietly subsided with the leaders cleaning up. Nonetheless, the major families deeply etched the name Ye Xuan into their minds. ... Ye Family¡¯s large courtyard. Ye Canghai and his son wore expressions of deep worry, while Ye Ping stood by their side, surrounded by many somber-faced Ye family youngsters. ¡°Ping, your elder brother is truly no ordinary person,¡± Ye Canghai said with a bitter smile, his eyes filled with immense regret. ¡°Who would have thought this ungrateful son could wield such great power to even have the leaders backing him,¡± Ye Canghao remarked, his face a mix of emotions. ¡°Canghao, he is, after all, your son. There are no obstacles between father and son that can¡¯t be overcome. Perhaps we should...¡± Ye Canghai trailed off, hesitant. ¡°Father, I understand what you mean. But even if I put aside my pride and ask him to return to the Ye Family, with his character, he certainly will not hearken to me,¡± Ye Canghao responded. ¡°Besides, as you have seen, this ungrateful son not only killed my second brother and his son but also killed Nangong Yun. With just these two affairs alone, even if you don¡¯t care, what about the Nangong Family?¡± Ye Canghao spoke clearly and logically. ¡°Alas!¡± Ye Canghai let out a long sigh that seemed to age him by a decade. ¡°I am old, and no longer capable of supporting this family. Your elder brother has always been away, indifferent to the position of Family Head. It has always been you and your second brother vying for this position. Now that your second brother is no more, I will fulfill your wish. From today onwards, you are the Family Head,¡± Ye Canghai said somberly after a long silence, leaving Ye Canghao momentarily stunned, a flicker of joy crossing his eyes before fading to somberness again. Ye Canghao was well aware that under normal circumstances, the position of Family Head would not have been his. But after the incident with Ye Xuan, he realized that with several leaders supporting Ye Xuan and unafraid of offending the eight major families, the days ahead for the Ye Family would be difficult. As Ye Xuan¡¯s biological father, assuming the position of Family Head might help to alleviate the tensions with Ye Xuan. At this moment. Ye Ping¡¯s expression was wooden, his eyes devoid of any sparkle, with intense turmoil going on inside him. He recalled the fierce look in Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes when he left. ¡°Could it be... I truly made the wrong choice?¡± Ye Ping mumbled to himself. ... Xia Family. Dressed in pajamas, Xia Qingzhu sat cross-legged on her soft bed, her eyes confused as she stared blankly at the moonlight outside her window, while Ye Xuan¡¯s visage intermittently surfaced in her mind. ¡°Ye Xuan... what kind of person are you?¡± Xia Qingzhu murmured to herself, a deep bitterness showing in her eyes. ... Nangong Family. Bang! The sound of jade shattering was heard. The Family Head of the Nangong Family¡¯s face turned red with fury, his chilling demeanor unnerving the onlookers, who dared not even breathe too heavily. ¡°Ye Xuan, you killed my beloved daughter; this vengeance is irreconcilable.¡± The Nangong Family Head paced back and forth, radiating an icy aura, clearly enraged to the extreme. ¡°Even if you are an Innate Martial Artist with several bigwigs protecting you, I swear that even at the expense of the Nangong Family¡¯s century-old foundation, I will make you pay the due price.¡± That night, the major families were far from peaceful, but they were unaware that Ye Xuan had never truly regarded them as important. And the future upheaval of Heaven and Earth would only illuminate the terrifying nature of Ye Xuan¡¯s existence. Chapter 44 - 44 44 Jiangnan Calls ?44: Chapter 44 Jiangnan Calls 44: Chapter 44 Jiangnan Calls Ye Xuan gazed at the vast sky in silence, unstartled by the trembling earth beneath him¡ªsuch was his state at this moment. A lonely moon hung in the sky. With hands clasped behind his back, Ye Xuan stood alone in the courtyard, a stream of moonlight pouring down upon him, making him seem like an immortal beneath the moon. Today, in a meeting with four influential figures, Ye Xuan had revealed his identity as a cultivator and exhibited a display of his abilities, astounding the dignitaries to the point of reverence. In truth, Ye Xuan had no desire to divulge his identity. He simply wanted to live a peaceful life taking care of his family. After a century, he too would leave this world in search of what he truly yearned for. Yet, immersed in the thick of the Red Dust, some things were inevitable. The workings of the world followed their own rules. Even though he was a cultivator, transcending mere mortals and capable of destroying nations and cities, there were issues violence could not resolve. Destruction is easy, but creation is difficult. If he were to recklessly exercise his fearsome power, the world would be plunged into chaos. Nations would cease to be, and homes would be no more. Even if his family was protected by him, the tranquility he sought would also vanish. And with this meeting, many future troubles would be averted¡ªa resolution that was indeed preferable. Standing under the moonlight, Ye Xuan¡¯s thoughts were turbulent. His arrival in the Capital City was meant to bring his younger brother home, but things had gone awry. Not only had he failed to bring his brother back, but their sibling bond had also been irreparably severed. Seeing Ye Ping¡¯s yearning for glory and wealth had left Ye Xuan bitterly disappointed. Yet what truly troubled him was the thought of his mother and Ling¡¯er learning of this; they would be heartbroken. ¡°Primordial Spirit, perhaps you were right. Caught in the midst of the Red Dust, one must endure the torment of emotions and desires,¡± Ye Xuan said with a self-deprecating smile, feeling somewhat weary in body and soul. Ding-a-ling-a-ling! The sound of his cellphone rang, snapping Ye Xuan¡¯s thoughts back to the present. As he took out his phone, an unfamiliar number appeared on the screen. ¡°Hmm?¡± Ye Xuan frowned slightly. He had only given his phone number to family and Azure Dragon. Upon arriving in the Capital City, he had only exchanged numbers with a few influential figures from Xia Country. The number on his screen was not one of theirs but from the Jiangnan region. ¡°Hello,¡± Ye Xuan answered the call, his voice slightly deep. ¡°Hello, are you Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s brother?¡± A woman¡¯s voice came from the other end of the line. ¡°Who are you?¡± Ye Xuan asked, his brow furrowing. ¡°I am Teacher Li, Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s homeroom teacher. I need you to come to the school as soon as possible tomorrow,¡± the voice on the other end said with a hint of dissatisfaction. Upon hearing the identity of the caller, Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, and he spoke softly, ¡°Hello, Teacher Li. May I ask what happened to my sister?¡± ¡°What happened?¡± Teacher Li¡¯s tone changed, and she said, ¡°I really don¡¯t understand how you raise your children. Ye Ling¡¯er injured a classmate at school. When I asked for her mother¡¯s phone number, she refused to give it to me and only gave me yours in the end. Please come to the school promptly tomorrow to deal with this issue.¡± ¡°Is my sister with you?¡± Ye Xuan inquired calmly. ¡°Brother!¡± A weak voice came from the other end of the phone. ¡°Ling¡¯er, are you hurt?¡± Ye Xuan asked gently. ¡°No... I am not hurt...¡± Ye Ling¡¯er started but hesitated. ¡°Go home first, I¡¯ll come to the school to see you tomorrow. Hand the phone back to Teacher Li.¡± As Ye Xuan finished speaking, Teacher Li¡¯s voice came through the phone, ¡°What¡¯s the matter with you parents nowadays? This child¡¯s education is a serious issue. I hope you take this seriously. I¡¯ll be waiting for you in my office tomorrow.¡± Without waiting for Ye Xuan to speak, the caller on the other end had already hung up. Ye Xuan¡¯s expression was serene; a schoolyard fight among children was no big deal, usually just requiring some compensation for medical expenses, an exchange of apologies, and some discipline at home. He didn¡¯t take it seriously. Casually, Ye Xuan made a phone call to Azure Dragon, informing him that he would leave the Capital City that night and that Azure Dragon should not come looking for him in Jiangnan unless it was for an unsolvable major issue. Once everything was settled, a desire to depart rose in Ye Xuan¡¯s heart. As he stepped forward, the void buzzed continuously, and he disappeared directly from the courtyard. ... In Jiangnan City, at the Skyblue Academy. The sky was azure, with sunlight spilling down. It was time for school, and groups of young boys and girls were chatting and laughing as they entered the school gate, exuding a vibrant, youthful atmosphere. After rushing overnight from the Capital City, Ye Xuan arrived back in Jiangnan. Instead of heading home, he went straight to the Skyblue Academy to handle his younger sister¡¯s fighting incident. Upon entering the school gate and inquiring, Ye Xuan learned the location of Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s homeroom teacher¡¯s office and headed straight there. Homeroom teacher¡¯s office. It was time for the students¡¯ morning self-study, and many teachers were preparing in their offices. However, a scene was taking place that caused numerous teachers to coldly observe and whisper among themselves in secrecy. Li Hongyan, who appeared to be in her thirties and at the height of her allure, was like a ripe peach, tempting anyone to take a bite. Although her attire was proper, it revealed a seductive charm, and she was Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s homeroom teacher. ¡°Ms. Li, how can such a wild girl be allowed to study at Skyblue Academy?¡± ¡°Look what she did to my child; her eye is already bruised.¡± A middle-aged man sat opposite Li Hongyan, furious. He was dressed luxuriously, with a Patek Philippe watch on his wrist that he would show off now and then as if to assert his status. Next to the middle-aged man, a young girl with arrogance and a slight bruise on her eye scornfully looked at Ye Ling¡¯er, who was being punished by standing in the corner. Ye Ling¡¯er had already dyed her hair back to black and was dressed simply. She stood in the corner under Li Hongyan¡¯s punishment, her attractive face marred with scratches and some particularly noticeable bloodstains. ¡°Mr. Sun, please don¡¯t be angry. I have already informed Ling¡¯er¡¯s parents, and I assure you that we¡¯ll give you a satisfactory explanation,¡± Li Hongyan quickly tried to console the middle-aged man. ¡°Hmph, I¡¯ve done my research. This wild girl was only able to attend Skyblue Academy by paying an extra transfer fee. A child from a nouveau riche family like this lacks proper upbringing,¡± the middle-aged man said loudly, slamming his hand on the desk, which caused Li Hongyan to look incredibly uncomfortable and secretly resent Ye Ling¡¯er. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Mr. Sun. Once Ling¡¯er¡¯s parents arrive, I will make sure to properly educate her family,¡± Li Hongyan vowed. Step¡ªStep¡ªStep. As Li Hongyan¡¯s voice just faded, footsteps were heard from outside the door. Ye Xuan, with a grim expression, entered the office. Clearly, the entire conversation between the two had been overheard by him. ¡°Brother!¡± Seeing Ye Xuan appear, Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s lips were tightly pressed together as she quickly approached him, her eyes brimming with grievance. At that moment. Ye Xuan gently caressed his sister¡¯s bruised cheek, his face showing no emotion, simply nodding slightly before walking toward Li Hongyan and the man. ¡°Hello, Ms. Li. I am Ling¡¯er¡¯s brother. I would like to know how you plan to handle this situation?¡± Ye Xuan sat directly opposite Li Hongyan, his face calm, leaving others unable to read his thoughts. Chapter 45 - 45 45 Why do you fight back when I hit you ?45: Chapter 45 Why do you fight back when I hit you? 45: Chapter 45 Why do you fight back when I hit you? Li Hongyan, as a teacher at Tianlan Academy, usually had parents treat her respectfully. Today, however, Mr. Sun had slammed the table and glared at her over the issue of the two children fighting. It had already left her feeling resentful, and now seeing Ye Xuan not showing any intent to apologize, the rage she had suppressed for so long finally erupted. ¡°How should this be handled?¡± Li Hongyan looked frosty as she sternly scolded Ye Xuan, ¡°Ye Ling¡¯er has fought in school. You parents bear a great responsibility for this. This incident will be recorded as a major demerit. If such an incident happens again, she will be immediately expelled.¡± Hearing Li Hongyan¡¯s method of handling the situation, Sun Wanxiang was not very satisfied but didn¡¯t say anything, only glancing sideways at Ye Xuan and saying, ¡°I, Sun, can easily afford the medical expenses, but your sister must apologize to my daughter.¡± At that moment, in the spacious office, many teachers turned their attention towards them. Despite feeling slightly discontented with the aggressive stance of Li Hongyan and Sun Wanxiang, they remained silent. Seeing the defiant attitude of the two, Ye Xuan appeared very calm. He slowly stood up and walked over to Ye Ling¡¯er, asking, ¡°Ling¡¯er, between you and this classmate, who threw the first punch?¡± Looking at Ye Xuan¡¯s calm expression, Ye Ling¡¯er weakly said, ¡°She hit me first, and then I fought back.¡± Seeing the siblings¡¯ exchange, Li Hongyan¡¯s expression changed before she self-righteously said, ¡°Her hitting you was wrong, but you hitting her back was also wrong.¡± Li Hongyan¡¯s rhetoric seemed impeccable and even had the other teachers nodding in agreement. Indeed, fights among students happened from time to time, just like the commonly used analogy nowadays: If a dog bites you, can you bite it back? The school¡¯s educational stance was to teach students to comfort themselves, not to fuss over unworthy people, which is the essence that students should embrace. Listening to Li Hongyan speak so righteously, Ye Ling¡¯er bit her lips tightly. She wanted to retort, but when the words reached her lips, she didn¡¯t know what to say, her eyes brimming with immense grievance. Suddenly, she turned around. Ye Xuan walked leisurely towards Li Hongyan, and the next scene left everyone in the office dumbfounded. Slap! Ye Xuan fiercely slapped Li Hongyan across the face, sending her staggering, with a bright red handprint starkly visible. Silence, an intense silence. Li Hongyan was stunned by Ye Xuan¡¯s slap and it took several moments before she regained her senses. Her face was flushed with immense shame and rage, and she rushed at Ye Xuan, claws bared. Slap! Ye Xuan backhanded another slap, this time sending Li Hongyan flying, spitting out several teeth, her graceful body crashing into the office desk. ¡°I hit you, and it was wrong of me, but why did you hit back?¡± Ye Xuan said softly. At this point. Li Hongyan¡¯s cheeks were purplish-blue, hair utterly disheveled, and she was momentarily speechless from Ye Xuan¡¯s question, her eyes filled with rage, unable to formulate a response. The teachers observing were left with complex expressions. While Ye Xuan¡¯s actions seemed extremely violent, they couldn¡¯t fault them. ¡°Parents hitting teachers, this is like turning the world upside down. What kind of school is Tianlan Academy?¡± Although Sun Wanxiang was surprised by Ye Xuan¡¯s actions, he was here to vent for his daughter, leading him to look even more unfavorably at Ye Xuan. ¡°Mr. Sun, are you this student¡¯s father?¡± Ye Xuan pulled over a chair and sat directly opposite Sun Wanxiang. He no longer bothered to glance at Li Hongyan, while Ye Ling¡¯er silently moved behind Ye Xuan, her eyes filled with a mix of complexity and admiration. ¡°Hmph, don¡¯t think just because you¡¯re a martial practitioner, I¡¯ll be afraid of you,¡± Sun Wanxiang disdainfully said. ¡°My sister hitting your daughter was wrong. On her behalf, I apologize to you.¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s attitude left Sun Wanxiang dumbstruck, for he had thought that the other party intended to intimidate him with force, but he hadn¡¯t expected Ye Xuan to apologize. This led Sun Wanxiang to mistakenly believe that the other knew his identity and had already softened. ¡°Hmph.¡± ¡°An apology can settle this, then what¡¯s the point of having arrest officers in the Suspended Mirror Department?¡± Sun Wanxiang claimed the upper hand uncompromisingly. ¡°How about this, your daughter was injured, any medical expenses needed, I will compensate.¡± Ye Xuan said with an unflinching expression. ¡°Medical expenses?¡± Sun Wanxiang was startled. Although he wasn¡¯t short of money, he naturally favored having more, causing him to scrutinize Ye Xuan more closely before sneering: ¡°My daughter is a precious lady; the medical expenses should at least be one million.¡± Following Sun Wanxiang¡¯s statement, the entire office¡¯s teachers gasped, looking at Ye Xuan¡¯s humble posture with a hint of disdain in their eyes. ¡°I can.¡± Ye Xuan wasted no words and directly pulled out a Golden Card, handing it to Sun Wanxiang: ¡°This card contains one million, consider it the medical expenses for this student. The password is the last six digits of the card number.¡± Watching Ye Xuan¡¯s actions, Ye Ling¡¯er anxiously spoke up, ¡°Brother, you shouldn¡¯t give it to him.¡± ¡°Ling¡¯er, don¡¯t make a fuss.¡± Ye Xuan said calmly. Taking the Golden Card from Ye Xuan¡¯s hand, Sun Wanxiang hadn¡¯t expected this young man to actually compensate him with one million, which significantly lifted his mood. He rose from his seat and said, ¡°Since your attitude is very good, let¡¯s consider the matter settled.¡± As Sun Wanxiang spoke, he called his daughter to walk towards the door, but before they had taken a few steps, Ye Xuan¡¯s calm voice resonated once more. ¡°We¡¯ve apologized and compensated the medical fees, isn¡¯t it time to talk about my sister¡¯s injuries?¡± ¡°Huh?¡± Sun Wanxiang¡¯s face changed drastically, and he abruptly turned to look at Ye Xuan, his voice darkening: ¡°Kid, don¡¯t bite off more than you can chew. Some people you simply cannot afford to offend.¡± ¡°There¡¯s no one in this world that I cannot afford to offend. The matter isn¡¯t resolved yet, do you think you can just leave?¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s expression gradually darkened. ¡°Ha!¡± Seeing Ye Xuan¡¯s change of attitude, Sun Wanxiang felt a sudden unease. ¡°What do you want?¡± Sun Wanxiang said sinisterly. ¡°I¡¯m a reasonable man. My sister¡¯s face is scratched up, and I need you and your daughter to apologize to her and also cover her medical expenses.¡± Ye Xuan stated icily. ¡°Apologize, medical expenses?¡± ¡°How much money do you want?¡± Suddenly, several bodyguards entered outside the office door, standing directly behind Sun Wanxiang. Their looks toward Ye Xuan were menacing. ¡°One billion Xia Country Coins, and they must apologize to my little sister in front of the whole school,¡± Ye Xuan directly ignored the bodyguards next to Sun Wanxiang, his voice growing colder. ¡°Kid, it seems you¡¯re seeking death.¡± ¡°Get rid of him.¡± Sun Wanxiang spoke viciously, commanding the bodyguards to advance towards Ye Xuan with a menacing smile, while the teachers in the office paled and retreated, fearing they might be caught in the crossfire. Chapter 46 - 46 46 Cold and Ruthless ?46: Chapter 46: Cold and Ruthless 46: Chapter 46: Cold and Ruthless The headteacher¡¯s office completely descended into chaos, as several female teachers quickly dialed the emergency number and even reported the matter to the principal of Tianlan Academy. Meanwhile, a few bodyguards, looking aggressive, had already approached Ye Xuan. Clearly, they were about to start hitting Ye Xuan the next moment. ¡°Stop!¡± Suddenly, a gentle voice came from outside the door, and Yun Mengyao, holding textbooks, quickly entered the office. Her beautiful face looked very displeased. ¡°Sun Wanxiang, what are you doing?¡± Yun Mengyao¡¯s appearance took Sun Wanxiang by surprise. He quickly dismissed the bodyguards and, with a flattering smile, approached Yun Mengyao, saying, ¡°Miss Yun, it¡¯s really nothing serious. This kid was being unreasonable, and I just wanted to teach him a lesson.¡± ¡°Sun Wanxiang, I¡¯m warning you, this is Tianlan Academy, not a place where you can do whatever you want,¡± Yun Mengyao scolded with a disgust-filled face. ¡°Yes, yes, you¡¯re right, I¡¯ll leave right now.¡± In front of Yun Mengyao, Sun Wanxiang shrank back, repeatedly apologizing. Then, he turned to look at Ye Xuan and said, ¡°Kid, today I¡¯ll let you off for Miss Yun¡¯s sake. I hope you behave yourself.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s go.¡± Sun Wanxiang signaled to the bodyguards and was about to leave the place, but before he could take a few steps, a tremendous force suddenly exerted upon him, forcing him to kneel down abruptly. Bang! The floor thudded as his knees broke, and a sharp scream suddenly came from Sun Wanxiang¡¯s mouth. Before they knew it, Ye Xuan had also appeared in front of him. ¡°Did I allow you to leave?¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s voice was cold. The sudden turn of events made Yun Mengyao startle, and she quickly looked at Ye Xuan. When she saw Ye Xuan¡¯s face, she was even more shocked. ¡°Is it you?¡± Yun Mengyao distinctly remembered Ye Xuan¡¯s face; on that day at Tianlan Academy, this man had completely ignored her presence and severely punished her students. Unfortunately, Ye Xuan directly ignored Yun Mengyao. His expression was icy as he grabbed Sun Wanxiang by the hair and lifted him up. ¡°Ah!¡± The intense pain from his scalp made Sun Wanxiang scream in agony as he struggled futilely in Ye Xuan¡¯s grip. ¡°Ten billion Xia Country Coins, not a penny less. If you can¡¯t produce it, then prepare to leave your life here,¡± Ye Xuan said casually, yet the listeners around felt a chill, sensing that Ye Xuan wasn¡¯t merely talking but was seriously intent on taking Sun Wanxiang¡¯s life. ¡°You bastards, save me!¡± Sun Wanxiang cursed loudly, snapping the bodyguards to action, who then ferociously lunged at Ye Xuan. Bang, bang, bang! After images whirled, and bones were completely shattered. Before the crowd could see what happened, several bodyguards were sent flying out, spewing large amounts of blood. Their chest ribs, broken in several places, rendered them completely unconscious on the floor. ¡°Ah!¡± The scene caused shrieks from many female teachers, throwing the entire office into chaos. Bang! Ye Xuan casually lifted Sun Wanxiang and pressed half of his body onto the desk, picking up a fruit knife from the desk and stabbing it into the desktop. ¡°I¡¯m a reasonable person; if you¡¯re out of money, there¡¯s an easy solution¡ªeach finger for one million. Along with various other parts of your body, that should fairly compensate the ten billion,¡± Ye Xuan said softly. ¡°You scum, if you dare, just kill me.¡± Sun Wanxiang roared, though scared inside, he didn¡¯t believe Ye Xuan would actually take his life. Hearing Sun Wanxiang¡¯s words, Ye Xuan¡¯s lips curled into a cruel smile. A cold glint flashed across his eyes as he opened and closed them, and the next moment completely silenced the people in the office. Schlick. The knife rose and fell, severing a finger and staining the entire tabletop with blood as Ye Xuan pulled out the fruit knife from the table and chopped off Sun Wanxiang¡¯s little finger. ¡°Ah!¡± ¡°My hand, my hand!¡± Fingers connected to the heart, and having one chopped off by Ye Xuan, Sun Wanxiang was drenched in cold sweat, screaming incessantly like a slaughtered pig. ¡°Dad!¡± Sun Wanxiang¡¯s daughter cried out and ran toward Ye Xuan, but before the young girl could reach him, Ye Xuan gave her a cold glance, halting her in her tracks with a look of extreme fear. ¡°Classmate, please remember this principle; even if you¡¯re powerful and rich, everyone must be accountable for their actions.¡± Ye Xuan, sounding like an elder imparting wisdom, schooled Sun Wanxiang¡¯s daughter, yet in the girl¡¯s eyes, Ye Xuan appeared as a terrifying demon. Ye Xuan took no further notice of the girl, picked up the fruit knife again, and placed it on top of Sun Wanxiang¡¯s hand as his chilling voice rang out once more. ¡°That finger just cost one million, and you still owe me nine hundred ninety-nine million from the billion you owe me.¡± ¡°I... I don¡¯t have that much money... please...¡± Pfft! ¡°Ah!¡± As the blade flashed and another finger, the index, dropped, Sun Wanxiang didn¡¯t even have a chance to beg before Ye Xuan chopped off another finger, rendering him speechless from pain. ¡°Stop, just stop.¡± Yun Mengyao finally snapped to her senses, fearlessly stepping in front of Ye Xuan, desperate to snatch the fruit knife from his hand. ¡°You maniac, how can you be so cruel?¡± Yun Mengyao¡¯s eyes were reddened, seemingly on the brink of tears, as she grasped Ye Xuan¡¯s hand tightly and rebuked him. Yun Mengyao, who had been gentle and exceptionally beautiful since childhood and was inherently kind, had never witnessed such cruelty, which she found utterly incomprehensible. At that moment, Seeing Yun Mengyao grabbing his knife-holding hand, Ye Xuan frowned slightly and loosened his grip on the fruit knife, allowing Yun Mengyao to snatch it from him. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, I forgot, this fruit knife belongs to the school,¡± said Ye Xuan, expressing his regret. But before Yun Mengyao could react, what happened next left her stunned in place, tears of either grievance or anger spilling from her eyes. Snap! ¡°Ah!¡± Ye Xuan, acting on his own, snapped Sun Wanxiang¡¯s middle finger, causing him to scream in agony, the disfigured finger attesting to the depth of Sun Wanxiang¡¯s pain. Bang! All of a sudden. Sun Wanxiang¡¯s daughter, her face streaked with tears, rushed to Ye Ling¡¯er, kneeled in front of her, and cried out, ¡°Ling¡¯er... I was wrong... please, ask your brother to stop hurting my dad.¡± ¡°You... get up.¡± Ye Ling¡¯er, initially stunned, snapped to action when the young girl knelt in front of her, hurriedly helping her up. ¡°Brother, let¡¯s... let it be,¡± Ye Ling¡¯er pleaded with Ye Xuan in a trembling voice. Seeing the crying face of the young girl, devoid now of previous arrogance, Ye Xuan slowly nodded, turned Sun Wanxiang loose, and said, ¡°This time, it was just a lesson. Don¡¯t think that having money means you can do whatever you want. The world is very big, and today you met me. If it were someone else, they might have taken your life.¡± With that, Ye Xuan didn¡¯t give Sun Wanxiang and his daughter another glance and promptly walked toward the office door with Ye Ling¡¯er. ¡°You bastard, stop right there.¡± A choked rebuke came as Yun Mengyao, her face tear-streaked, quickly ran to Ye Xuan and blocked him with her outstretched arms. Chapter 47 - 47 47 Plot Twist ?47: Chapter 47 Plot Twist 47: Chapter 47 Plot Twist Gazing at Yun Mengyao blocking his path, Ye Xuan frowned slightly and asked, ¡°Is there something you need?¡± ¡°You... you jerk... After hitting someone... don¡¯t think you can just leave...¡± Yun Mengyao clenched her teeth tightly, tears of grievance continuously streaming down her face. She didn¡¯t even know why she was stopping Ye Xuan; it was as though her heart harbored deep resentment toward him, which made her find an unreasonable reason to stand in front of him. Looking at the stunningly beautiful face of Yun Mengyao in front of him, Ye Xuan slowly shook his head and said, ¡°First, you must understand something. This matter does not concern you, and when it comes to children fighting, both sides are actually responsible. Usually, a lecture from a teacher should suffice. However, your teacher¡¯s approach was clearly biased toward one side, so naturally, I had to handle it my way.¡± ¡°Is your way violence?¡± Yun Mengyao bit her lips tightly, blocking the door, her demeanor suggesting she would not let him pass at all. At this moment, Yun Mengyao was extremely agitated. Ye Xuan was puzzled as well. Did this woman have some illness that was making her oppose him no matter what? ¡°No, no, no, you might have misunderstood. I am a reasonable person. He needed one million for his daughter¡¯s injury and I paid him that amount. But my sister is priceless to me, asking him to pay a billion and cutting off three of his fingers was actually a very mild punishment.¡± ¡°What does this have to do with you anyway?¡± Ye Xuan said with a look of displeasure. Unable to counter Ye Xuan¡¯s twisted reasoning, Yun Mengyao¡¯s face turned bright red with anger as she exclaimed, ¡°I don¡¯t care, I just won¡¯t let you leave.¡± ¡°Ridiculous!¡± Ye Xuan was neither a gentleman nor had any sentiments of cherishing the fairer sex¡ªwhere would he find the time to tangle with Yun Mengyao there? Under the astonished gaze of the onlookers, Ye Xuan reached out and pushed Yun Mengyao aside, causing her to stumble and fall to the ground, a muffled groan escaping her lips. Ye Xuan, holding Ye Ling¡¯er, headed toward the exit. Before he had taken a few steps, Ye Ling¡¯er, with a complex expression, turned back to Yun Mengyao and helped her up. ¡°Ms. Yun, please don¡¯t blame my brother; he¡¯s just like that, I apologize on his behalf,¡± Ye Ling¡¯er said with sincere regret. ¡°This person is so rough, that he would even make a move on a goddess like Ms. Yun.¡± ¡°Shh, keep your voice down, if he hears you, you¡¯re in for it.¡± Although people were afraid of Ye Xuan, witnessing this scene they couldn¡¯t help but voice their opinions. Clearly, they harbored resentment against Ye Xuan¡¯s rough behavior but didn¡¯t dare to express it openly. ¡°Ling¡¯er, your brother is just a jerk,¡± Yun Mengyao indignantly said, staring fiercely at Ye Xuan. She never expected this man to be so violent. ¡°Ling¡¯er, let¡¯s go home.¡± Unfortunately, Ye Xuan completely ignored Yun Mengyao¡¯s fierce gaze. He had no desire to interact with this woman and naturally wouldn¡¯t take her feelings to heart. Thud, thud, thud! Suddenly, a multitude of footsteps resounded. Before anyone appeared, the noise of the commotion had already reached them. ¡°Liu, the arrest officer, it¡¯s him who caused trouble at the school, not only hurting our teacher but also cutting off three of Sun¡¯s fingers.¡± At the staircase entrance, Liu Jundie, leading several arrest officers, hurried toward Ye Xuan¡¯s location, accompanied by several school leaders. ¡°Such reckless behavior, how could you commit such a bloody and brutal act?¡± As Liu Jundie and others reached the door of the office, without Liu saying anything, Principal Zhang Derui, upon witnessing the scene inside the office, suddenly changed his expression and directly scolded Ye Xuan in anger. ¡°Arrest Officer Liu, please arrest him and restore justice to our Sky Blue Academy,¡± Principal Zhang Derui said bitterly. ¡°Arrest Officer Liu... you must help me,¡± Sun Wanxiang, pale-faced, stepped directly in front of Liu Jundie, his palm bloodily conspicuous. Just when everyone thought Liu Jundie was about to bring Ye Xuan to justice, the next scene left them completely dumbfounded. Click. Shiny handcuffs appeared in Liu Jundie¡¯s hands, but the person being cuffed was not Ye Xuan, but Sun Wanxiang. When the handcuffs locked him, Sun Wanxiang was completely shocked. ¡°Sun Wanxiang, you are suspected of extortion. Please come with us to the Suspended Mirror Department for an investigation.¡± ¡°Take him away.¡± Following Liu Jundie¡¯s command, several constables directly took Sun Wanxiang downstairs. ¡°Injustice... this is an injustice... Arrest Officer Liu, have you made a mistake?¡± Sun Wanxiang quickly regained his senses and cried out in protest to Liu Jundie. ¡°Arrest Officer Liu, what... what is happening here?¡± Principal Zhang Derui was extremely bewildered, clearly not understanding the situation. ¡°Mr. Ye, sorry to alarm you. We will give you a satisfactory explanation for this matter,¡± Liu Jundie said calmly and without further discussion with Ye Xuan, turned and left with Sun Wanxiang. Liu Jundie came quickly and left quickly, but the way she handled the situation left everyone in shock, feeling as if they were in some unreal tale. In fact, the attendees did not know that when Ye Xuan returned from the Capital City, a secret order was directly issued from there to Jiangnan, instructing that matters concerning Ye Xuan were to be reported directly to the Wu¡¯an Office, with no others allowed to intervene, or else severe punishment would ensue. When Liu Jundie received this secret order from the prefect of Jiangnan, she too was puzzled, but she had to obey the commands from above, hence the earlier scene. Ding-a-ling-a-ling! A ringing phone from Principal Zhang Derui¡¯s pocket snapped him back to reality. He quickly pulled out his mobile phone, and upon seeing the caller ID, his face froze, then he hurriedly answered the call. ¡°Hello, Elder Zhuo.¡± ¡°Yes, I understand.¡± ¡°Yes, yes, yes, this was a mistake on our part.¡± ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Elder Zhuo. I will handle this matter seriously.¡± Zhang Derui was drenched in cold sweat, his lips somewhat pale, and his anger completely subsided into obsequiousness by the time he handed the phone to Ye Xuan. ¡°Hello, is this Mr. Ye?¡± An aged voice came from the other end of the phone. ¡°Who is this?¡± Ye Xuan asked, confirming he did not recognize the person on the other end of the line. ¡°Mr. Ye, Junting is my granddaughter. I had wanted to personally thank you for saving her life, but since you were not in Jiangnan, I have not had the chance to meet you,¡± spoke Elder Zhuo earnestly. Mentioning Zhuo Junting, Ye Xuan understood who was on the line. Clearly, the Zhuo Family highly valued Ye Xuan and had also immediately noticed the incident with Ye Ling¡¯er, hence this phone call. Ye Xuan briefly chatted on the phone, while Principal Zhang Derui, bowing on the side, maintained his smile until Ye Xuan ended the call. Then Zhang said reassuringly, ¡°Mr. Ye, rest assured, we will handle this unfair incident at school seriously.¡± After Zhang Derui finished speaking, his expression instantly turned stern as he directly faced Li Hongyan, his anger erupting, ¡°Ms. Li, what was a minor student fight has turned into a serious issue due to your biased handling, completely losing the morality a teacher should have. As of today, you are no longer a teacher at Sky Blue Academy. You are fired.¡± Chapter 48 - 48 48 The Call of Blood Unrest in the North Sea ?48: Chapter 48: The Call of Blood, Unrest in the North Sea 48: Chapter 48: The Call of Blood, Unrest in the North Sea Under the boundless clear sky, the sun shone resplendently. Although there was still a chill in the air, the streets were bustling with pedestrians, and all the big malls were packed to the brim. Everyone was purchasing New Year goods, preparing to usher in the new year. New Year¡¯s! It was the most important festival in Xia Country, not just in bustling Jiangnan City, but also across the entire nation. At this time, Ye Xuan was heading home with his younger sister, but his mind involuntarily conjured up the image of Yun Mengyao¡¯s gritted teeth when he left the Sky Blue Academy. ¡°This woman really is naive.¡± Ye Xuan smiled wryly, immediately erasing the image of Yun Mengyao from his mind. ¡°Brother, our Teacher Yun is beautiful, isn¡¯t she?¡± Ye Ling¡¯er said with a mischievous smile. ¡°Mm, this woman is gentle and proper, and her heart is kind. Her beauty is truly world-class,¡± Ye Xuan responded casually. ¡°Hehe.¡± Hearing Ye Xuan¡¯s reply, Ye Ling¡¯er chuckled: ¡°Bro, you were too rough today. You completely offended Teacher Yun; I¡¯m afraid you have no chance if you want her to be your girlfriend.¡± Ye Xuan was suddenly startled and rebuked her, laughing, ¡°What are you thinking about, little girl? She and I are simply impossible.¡± ¡°Brother, I¡¯m being serious here. Teacher Yun is really great. If I were you, I would definitely strive to win her over,¡± ¡°And besides, I really want her to be my sister-in-law,¡± Ye Ling¡¯er, devilishly clever, kept egging Ye Xuan on. Looking at his sister¡¯s earnest expression, Ye Xuan was momentarily taken aback, then shook his head helplessly, a trace of world-weariness flashing in his eyes, but he concealed it well. Ye Xuan gazed at the horizon, his voice deep as he said, ¡°Little sister, what I¡¯m pursuing is not romantic entanglements. Moreover, she and I are from two different worlds; it¡¯s simply impossible.¡± ¡°Bro, I¡¯m telling you, Mom keeps telling me to find you a girlfriend. I think Teacher Yun is really nice, and even if you want to be a bachelor for life, will Mom agree?¡± Ye Ling¡¯er pouted. ¡°Enough already, you little rascal, don¡¯t bring this up again,¡± Ye Xuan scolded her with a smile. ¡°Hmph, I¡¯m going to tell Mom that you are bullying me,¡± Ye Ling¡¯er stuck out her tongue and ran ahead. Watching Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s joyful figure, a self-mocking smile crossed Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes. How had he forgotten that in the eyes of their mother and his sister, as a son and brother, he was expected to marry and set up a family? Such a significant life event, how could they not take it to heart? ¡°Amidst the vast Red Dust, amidst all passions and desires, my existence in the Human World... Do I really have to face this so-called emotional tribulation?¡± Ye Xuan murmured to himself with a self-mocking smile. So-called love is but a mirage; so-called beauty, after a hundred years, nothing but dried bones. After four years of life on the Blood Sea Battlefield, Ye Xuan asked himself, he had long discarded such things, his pitiable sympathy long lost to him. What he truly wanted, only he himself knew. After surviving life and death ordeals, no one understood the meaning of life more than he did. Heaven and Earth could perish, but I remain. All things could die, but I live on. My word is the Law, my actions set the example, pursuing that great path that pierces the heavens, so as to look down upon the eternal Nine Heavens. That is what he truly sought after. Gathering his thoughts, Ye Xuan walked leisurely home. ... Meanwhile, at the Capital City airport. On a flight from the Capital City to Jiangnan City, Xia Qingzhu sat in first class in a white tracksuit, staring blankly at the clouds out the window, her gaze filled with confusion. ¡°Ye Xuan, what exactly did you go through these four years?¡± Xia Qingzhu murmured to herself. ... North Sea skies. A blood-red light pierced the heavens, the hazy scarlet glow hovering high above, as the boundless North Sea waves churned the skies. A colossal tsunami roared relentlessly, slapping countless fish and shrimp onto the shore. Buzz! The void trembled, ripples spreading, a streak of blood-red light buzzing high in the sky, as if calling out to someone. Yet, this disturbance completely stirred up the North Sea. Endless waves surged violently, huge breakers rolling toward the coastline, submerging a small town on the shore and eliciting cries and howls from the local residents as they desperately fled in all directions. A tsunami, a massive tsunami¡ªthis was a terrifying disaster that led Xia Country to take it very seriously. Many rescue teams hurried to the towns around the North Sea, evacuating the local populace at high speed to prevent even greater catastrophe. ... Biyun Pavilion. Night had fallen, and stars adorned the night sky. Ye Xuan¡¯s mother, upon learning of Ye Xuan¡¯s return, had come home early and prepared some exquisite and delicious meals. The family was joyfully having dinner together, chatting about everyday matters. While eating the meals prepared by his mother, satisfaction was evident on Ye Xuan¡¯s face. Under his mother¡¯s inquiry, Ye Xuan did not mention his trip to the Capital City. Of course, Ye Xuan also did not reveal the changes in his younger brother, Ye Ping. If his mother knew the truth, she would likely be greatly shocked. ¡°We now bring you urgent news. We are currently in Nanshan Town, and from here, we can clearly see that a huge tsunami is occurring in the North Sea. This is the first natural disaster of this magnitude in our country in a century...¡± Suddenly, the voice coming from the television made Ye Xuan turn his gaze to the screen. When he saw the images on the TV, he was momentarily stunned and then abruptly stood up, his aura undergoing a drastic fluctuation. On the television. Rain poured down from the sky as the presenter stood swaying in the storm, her pretty face showing a look of terror. Around her, many residents were pale, evidently very frightened. The presenter broadcast the news with a trembling voice, and the image in the distance was the North Sea churning violently. ¡°Attention, all residents around the North Sea, please move quickly inland for assembly. There are rescue teams there...¡±. ¡°Look, what is that?¡± Suddenly, an exclamation erupted from the TV, the camera shaking, and an image high above the clouds appeared on the screen. A blurry blood light floated amidst high clouds, the ear-piercing buzzing reverberating endlessly, and the image on the TV abruptly came to a stop. Such an amazing phenomenon was naturally seen by all the citizens of Xia Country, and it was not only the people of Xia Country; at this moment, satellites from around the world had detected this astonishing image, causing great concern among various nations. ¡°Ah, I hope this disaster passes quickly,¡± sighed Ye Xuan¡¯s mother wistfully. ¡°Mom, I need to step out for a bit. I might return later.¡± Without waiting for his mother¡¯s response, Ye Xuan quickly walked out the door and disappeared from the home, leaving both his mother and Ye Ling¡¯er startled, unsure of what had happened to him. ... In the sky stretching for thousands of miles, light flashed rapidly. Ye Xuan seemed to transform into a shooting star, tearing through endless clouds, trailing terrifying flames, and heading with an unimaginably fast speed toward the direction of the North Sea. ¡°Heavenly Punishment Halberd?¡± ¡°How is this possible? How can this be? Why would the Heavenly Punishment Halberd appear in the Human World?¡± ¡°What has happened at the Blood Sea Battlefield?¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s face was icy, his aura fluctuating violently, as he simply couldn¡¯t understand how the Heavenly Punishment Halberd could appear above the North Sea. Chapter 49 - 49 49 Emergence of Hidden Worries ?49: Chapter 49 Emergence of Hidden Worries 49: Chapter 49 Emergence of Hidden Worries Heaven and Earth dimmed, dark clouds covered the skies, and the boundless North Sea underwent a terrifying transformation. Waves reversed the heavens, heavy rain poured down relentlessly, accompanied by the terror of lightning zigzagging across the sky and the rumble of thunder that came one after another, as if heralding the arrival of the apocalypse. The three-zhang-long Blood Spear, floating in the void, emitted buzzing sounds that spread in all directions, like the whimpers of a child or like calling for the return of a loved one, which made one feel as if their soul was about to leave their body. Satellites from countries all over the world detected this wondrous scene and transmitted the images to the ground, allowing the higher-ups of these nations to witness it with their own eyes. In the Capital City of Xia Country. Phone calls from various countries rang continuously, and the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were frantic with anxiety. ¡°Leader, an M-country diplomat is on the phone.¡± ¡°Report to the leader, the Deputy Prime Minister of Japan wants to speak with you.¡± ¡°The Prime Minister of Korea requests a direct conversation with you.¡± ... Report after report kept reaching Li Linguo¡¯s ears, but at this moment, Li Linguo had no interest in dealing with these people with ulterior motives, just staring intensely at the screen without daring to blink. ¡°Analyze the data quickly. What exactly is that thing in the sky made of?¡± Li Linguo ordered swiftly. ¡°Report to the leader, the North Sea¡¯s magnetic field is in disarray; we can¡¯t analyze the data,¡± a scientific researcher reported to Li Linguo, his cold sweat chilling and his voice rushing. ... Boom! Like a meteor descending to the world or the light of dawn piercing through, Ye Xuan tore through the endless darkness and suddenly appeared above the North Sea. At his arrival, the world became abruptly quiet. Woo! The sky turned blood red, the tides churned, and the three-zhang-long Blood Spear floating in the void erupted into a column of light that pierced the heavens, as if welcoming a loved one with joy. ¡°The Spear, come to me!¡± The roar that shook the heavens and moved the earth, disturbed the ancient and the present, echoed in all directions. The Heavenly Punishment Halberd instantly became a streak of light, bringing an endless killing aura as it violently shot towards Ye Xuan. This scene directly presented itself to the eyes of leaders from various countries, causing a stir of astonishment, and precision instruments were operating in an attempt to discern Ye Xuan¡¯s true appearance. Regrettably, a mysterious power blocked the surveillance of all countries in the world, preventing them from seeing Ye Xuan¡¯s face clearly. Nonetheless, this astonishing scene left them stupefied, unable to recover for a long time. The Big Halberd felt ice-cold in his grasp but gave Ye Xuan a sense of blood connection. Ye Xuan¡¯s expression was grave. He knew that satellites from all around the world must be watching him. Without any delay, Ye Xuan took the Heavenly Punishment Halberd in hand, stepped forward, and instantly disappeared from the skies above the North Sea. With Ye Xuan¡¯s departure, the turbulent waves of the North Sea suddenly calmed, and the dark clouds in the sky gradually dissipated. A terrifying natural disaster had thus come to naught, but it threw countries worldwide into complete disarray. All mysterious forces of these nations mobilized, disbanding to converge towards Xia Country, clearly to investigate this wondrous event that had occurred. ... Jiangnan City, Biyun Pavilion. When Ye Xuan returned home, three days had already passed. It was now early morning, and his mother and Ye Ling¡¯er had already left the house. Yet at this moment, Ye Xuan bore a heavy expression, as if troubled by a serious matter. Hum! The Heavenly Punishment Halberd, its blood light hazy, was circling and dancing around Ye Xuan, occasionally emitting chirping sounds, creating terrifying ripples in the surrounding space. The weapon was an ancient evil¡¯s slaughter tool, meant to butcher gods and exterminate immortals, and this was no mere boast. Had the Halberd not acknowledged Ye Xuan as its master and voluntarily suppressed its fearsome aura, the sheer terror of its might could have reduced everything in the vicinity to ash. ¡°Come!¡± Following Ye Xuan¡¯s soft murmur, the Heavenly Punishment Halberd landed in his hand, the blood light gradually faded, and the true form of the Halberd appeared before Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes. Imbued with an ancient austerity, its whole body was pitch-black, with mysterious and simplistic patterns etched upon it, making it impossible to discern what material it was crafted from. One glance would almost draw one¡¯s soul into it. Ye Xuan gently caressed the body of the Spear, and said in a deep voice, ¡°The Primordial Spirit was with you in the Blood Sea Battlefield. Your appearance in the Human World means that the Blood Sea Battlefield must be in great chaos now.¡± Hum! The Big Halberd hummed continuously as if responding to Ye Xuan¡¯s words, which caused his eyebrows to slightly furrow and a trace of worry to appear in his eyes. Cultivators transcend above mortals, roaming freely through the void. What they sought was a lifespan equal to the heavens, to ascend and become immortal. Four years ago, stricken with a terminal illness, Ye Xuan accidentally came to Duanchang Mountain, intending to end his remaining life there. However, he stumbled into the Blood Sea Battlefield and, with the help of the Primordial Spirit, was able to escape the clutches of death. By cultivating the Undying Immortal Scripture and having the Heavenly Punishment Halberd acknowledge him as its master, he fought bloodily within the endless Blood Sea, thus obtaining his current supreme level of Cultivation. The origins of the Undying Immortal Scripture were extremely mysterious. Even Ye Xuan didn¡¯t know who its previous master was, what exactly the Blood Sea Battlefield was, or who had forged the Heavenly Punishment Halberd. These puzzles were beyond Ye Xuan¡¯s knowledge. The Primordial Spirit, being the Artifact Spirit of the Undying Immortal Scripture, clearly knew many secrets, yet never revealed them to Ye Xuan. It only told him that if he wished to truly achieve undying immortality, the first step was to ascend and become an immortal. Yet this step, Ye Xuan had hesitated to take. When he had reached the Transcendence Tribulation Stage, he was fully capable of pushing open the gateway to the Earth Immortal Realm. However, due to his deep attachment to his family, he returned to the Human World. This decision had greatly disappointed the Primordial Spirit, and Ye Xuan was aware that it had been waiting for him to return to the Blood Sea Battlefield. But if it meant abandoning his family, it would clearly run counter to his original intentions. The Primordial Spirit once told him that to reign over the Nine Heavens and look down upon all beings of Heaven and Earth, he must completely relinquish so-called mortal affections. Only by reaching such detachment could he fulfill his heart¡¯s desire. However, Ye Xuan couldn¡¯t do it, he truly couldn¡¯t. If he were to kill his mother and Ye Ling¡¯er with his own hands, he would lose even the last shred of his humanity. At that time, would he still be himself? If Ye Xuan were to lose his last bit of humanity, he would become nothing more than a killing machine, perhaps not even recognizing who he was himself. This was why he couldn¡¯t bring himself to trust the Primordial Spirit. Ye Xuan had a vague premonition that although the Primordial Spirit harbored no ill will towards him, it had some great scheme in mind. It was as if he were a piece on a chessboard, with the Primordial Spirit manipulating how he should move. This feeling was something Ye Xuan didn¡¯t like. Ye Xuan didn¡¯t know what the Primordial Spirit¡¯s intentions were, but he believed that one day, he would uncover the true secrets of the Blood Sea Battlefield. Ye Xuan was well aware that in the Mortal World, he might be Invincible, but the Primordial Spirit had told him that within the Blood Sea Battlefield, extremely terrifying Evil Demons were suppressed. Had it not been for the Heavenly Punishment Halberd, an ancient and powerful weapon of slaughter, they would have already escaped their confinement. This time, Ye Xuan understood that the Heavenly Punishment Halberd had appeared in the Human World to seek him, but with the Halberd¡¯s suppressing power absent, would those Evil Demons trapped deep within the Blood Sea break free? Chapter 50 - 50 50 Two Women Visit ?50: Chapter 50: Two Women Visit 50: Chapter 50: Two Women Visit Ye Xuan pondered for a long time, his aura slightly chaotic. He was not afraid of these Evil Demons; being known as the Undying Venerable naturally meant he possessed terrifying capabilities. And not just these mere Evil Demons, even when facing a true Immortal, he would be fearless. However, if these Evil Demons were to break free from the Blood Sea Battlefield, he feared that the world he lived in would undergo great turmoil, and the fearsome Mutant Beasts on both shores of the Blood Sea would bring calamity to the Human World. As the Blood Sea churned, the creatures of this world would suffer unspeakable torment. Ye Xuan seemed to have already seen the future unfolding before him. ¡°No, I must return after all.¡± After a long deliberation, Ye Xuan finally made his decision. Whether for the sake of his Primordial Spirit or for himself, he had to return to the Blood Sea Battlefield. Thud, thud, thud. Suddenly! A knocking at the door broke the silence and roused Ye Xuan from his thoughts. The Heavenly Punishment Halberd transformed into a beam of blood light and merged into the center of his brow. ¡°Is Ye Xuan home?¡± An extremely familiar voice came from outside the door, causing Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes to narrow slightly, a flash of surprise crossing his gaze. ¡°How could it be her?¡± Ye Xuan muttered softly and walked to open the door, his eyes then captured the exquisite beauty of Xia Qingzhu. ¡°Surprised to see me?¡± Xia Qingzhu asked with a slight smile as she gazed at Ye Xuan in front of her. ¡°What do you want?¡± Regarding Xia Qingzhu¡¯s visit, Ye Xuan¡¯s heart was undisturbed. Despite once sharing a past with her, he now regarded her merely as a stranger. Ye Xuan¡¯s aloof demeanor caused a pang of sadness in Xia Qingzhu¡¯s heart, then she forced a smile and said, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to invite me in?¡± ¡°There¡¯s no need. I¡¯m about to leave. If you have nothing else, you can go now.¡± After saying this, Ye Xuan was about to close the door, which caused Xia Qingzhu¡¯s expression to turn bitter. She had not expected Ye Xuan to be so ruthless towards her. ¡°Brother, look who I¡¯ve brought with me.¡± Suddenly, before Ye Xuan could close the door, Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s voice came from afar. Ye Ling¡¯er and Yun Mengyao approached Ye Xuan side by side, and as they reached Xia Qingzhu, the atmosphere became somewhat silent. ¡°You... You¡¯re Sister Qingzhu?¡± When Ye Ling¡¯er saw Xia Qingzhu, she was taken aback. ¡°Ling¡¯er, it¡¯s been so long, you¡¯re still as radiant as ever,¡± Xia Qingzhu said with a smile to Ye Ling¡¯er. However, when her eyes fell upon Yun Mengyao, a complex emotion surfaced in her gaze. Yun Mengyao was beautiful, with a grace and poise that could rival jade. Seeing a woman who could match her in beauty for the first time, Xia Qingzhu felt a twinge of wariness in her heart. ¡°Mr. Ye, starting today, I will be Ling¡¯er¡¯s headteacher. My visit today is also for a home visit,¡± Yun Mengyao stated with a stern teacher¡¯s demeanor, yet without coming across as strictly overbearing. Witnessing the scene before him, Ye Xuan¡¯s eyebrows furrowed slightly. The matter of the Blood Sea Battlefield had already left him troubled, and now with two women at his home, his irritation intensified. ¡°Sister Qingzhu, Teacher Yun, let¡¯s go inside to talk.¡± Before Ye Xuan could react, Ye Ling¡¯er swiftly pulled the two women by the hands and stepped into the house, which caused Ye Xuan¡¯s expression to grow dark. He could only close the door and sit back down on the living room sofa, silent and evidently unwilling to engage with the two women. ¡°Mr. Ye, you should supervise Ling¡¯er¡¯s studies more closely. Aren¡¯t you going to discuss this with me?¡± Seeing that Ye Xuan had no intention of paying her any attention, Yun Mengyao adopted a strict teacher¡¯s tone and spoke with authority. ¡°What do you want to say?¡± Ye Xuan said with a chilly tone. ¡°Hey, what¡¯s the matter with you? Don¡¯t you care about your sister¡¯s academic performance?¡± Yun Mengyao said indignantly. In fact, today¡¯s home visit had been proposed by Yun Mengyao; she was very curious about what kind of person Ye Xuan really was. Meeting Ye Xuan twice had left a deep impression on her, and it was her curiosity about Ye Xuan that marked the beginning of her downfall, although she didn¡¯t understand this. Yun Mengyao had somewhat come to understand Ye Xuan¡¯s cold nature and was prepared to endure it, yet for some reason, upon seeing Xia Qingzhu, a surge of anger rose from the bottom of her heart and erupted in this moment. Watching this scene unfold, Xia Qingzhu¡¯s expression turned to one of surprise, and a trace of pleasure appeared in her eyes¡ªit seemed that Ye Xuan and this woman were not in a boyfriend-girlfriend relationship. ¡°Boring!¡± Ye Xuan muttered softly, picking up the ancient tome on the table and starting to read it, basically ignoring the two women¡¯s presence. Three women make a drama; with themselves overlooked by Ye Xuan, they naturally started chatting with Ye Ling¡¯er. As introduced by Ye Ling¡¯er, the two women greeted each other, and before long, they were getting along famously, making the atmosphere in the entire villa warm up. Standing up and stepping out the door, that was Ye Xuan¡¯s choice. After Ye Xuan disappeared from the villa, the originally warm atmosphere suddenly became silent. Xia Qingzhu and Yun Mengyao chatted intermittently, and Ye Ling¡¯er, the little trickster, also looked thoroughly embarrassed. On a narrow path, Ye Xuan walked alone. His face appeared somewhat gloomy, and his mind still lingered on the matters of the Blood Sea Battlefield. The arrival of the two women had done nothing but add to his irritation. Ye Xuan understood the motive behind Yun Mengyao¡¯s visit¡ªhe was clear on what Ye Ling¡¯er was thinking. And even though he didn¡¯t know why Xia Qingzhu had come from the Capital City to Jiangnan, he treated her just like a passerby. The sun set, and night fell. Ye Xuan estimated that the two women should have left by now, so he turned back toward home. When Ye Xuan opened the door, the scene that presented itself before him left him momentarily frozen on the spot, with a complex expression crossing his face. In the living room. Ye Ling¡¯er sat at the dining table, sneakily eating some dishes, while in the kitchen, Mother Ye was preparing dinner. But why had Yun Mengyao and Xia Qingzhu not left? Instead, they were helping Mother Ye with the chores? The atmosphere buzzed with warmth, filled with laughter and jovial voices. Mother Ye¡¯s voice could be distinctly heard by Ye Xuan. ¡°When Xuan was one year old, his health wasn¡¯t very good. One time, I took him to the hospital and he actually peed on the hospital bed. That really annoyed the nurse...¡± As Mother Ye¡¯s voice trailed off, laughter burst from the two women, and Ye Xuan¡¯s form visibly shook, a flush of embarrassment rising to his cheeks. A cultivator, the Undying Venerable feared by millions, Ye Xuan¡¯s mood at that moment was beyond words. He could only cough loudly, which finally caused Mother Ye in the kitchen to cut off her story. ¡°Xuan¡¯er, why are you so late? Wash your hands, dinner¡¯s almost ready.¡± Mother Ye called out to Ye Xuan and continued to chat and laugh with the two women. Obviously, during the time when Ye Xuan was absent, Mother Ye had returned home, and the two women had already won her favor. ¡°Brother, Mom really likes the two sisters,¡± teased Ye Ling¡¯er. At that moment. Ye Xuan finally turned serious; he had realized something terribly horrifying¡ªMother Ye really wanted him to settle down early. For Ye Xuan, the thought was simply unimaginable. Chapter 51 - 51 51 Return to Blood Sea Battlefield ?51: Chapter 51 Return to Blood Sea Battlefield 51: Chapter 51 Return to Blood Sea Battlefield Ye Xuan returned home, and the two women glanced sideways with different expressions, but without exception, there was a hint of joy in their hearts, which they themselves had not realized. Having suddenly two women in the house made Ye Xuan quite uneasy. During dinner, Ye Xuan ate with his head down, showing no inclination to talk. During this time, Ye¡¯s mother chatted and laughed with the two women, refraining from mentioning the embarrassing stories of Ye Xuan¡¯s childhood until it was very late at night when the two women bid farewell to Ye¡¯s mother. ¡°Mr. Ye, your mother¡¯s cooking is really good. I will definitely come often in the future,¡± Yun Mengyao said with a slight smile as they parted. ¡°Auntie, goodbye,¡± Xia Qingzhu said politely to Ye¡¯s mother, casting a silent glance at Ye Xuan before the two women left his house together. ¡°Xuan, you and Qingzhu...¡± Ye¡¯s mother hesitated as she watched the two women leave; naturally, she knew of the past between Xia Qingzhu and Ye Xuan, but she hadn¡¯t expected to see this woman at their home today. ¡°She and I have nothing to do with each other,¡± Ye Xuan shook his head. ¡°Ah!¡± Ye¡¯s mother sighed, then said, ¡°Qingzhu is a daughter of the Xia family; we can¡¯t ascend to their level, but I see that Mengyao is a good girl. Xuan, why not...¡± Ye Xuan could see the expectancy in his mother¡¯s eyes, and he responded earnestly, ¡°Mom, the things I pursue are not romance and children, I hope you can understand.¡± ¡°Brother, Teacher Yun is really great, aren¡¯t you really considering it?¡± Ye Ling¡¯er interjected timely. Ye Xuan wanted to say that if he were just an ordinary person, perhaps Yun Mengyao would indeed be a great choice, but he was no ordinary person; he was destined to leave this world sooner or later, and had no intention of getting involved in so-called romantic entanglements. Ye Xuan¡¯s stance was clear, leaving his mother unable to persuade him further, so she simply mentioned she was tired and returned to her room. Watching his mother¡¯s disappointed departure, Ye Xuan was well aware that in his mother¡¯s heart, he was eventually bound to marry and have children¡ªa major life event. What mother in the world doesn¡¯t care about her son¡¯s future? But ultimately, every mortal dies, an unchangeable destiny. Even if he truly married and had children, after a hundred years, with no one by his side, would that truly be the ending he desired? ¡°Ling¡¯er, I need to take a long trip. I¡¯ll be back before the New Year. Please tell mom,¡± Ye Xuan said as he suppressed his troubled thoughts and spoke directly to Ye Ling¡¯er. ¡°Brother, you¡¯ve just come back, and you¡¯re going somewhere else again? And for such a long time?¡± Ye Ling¡¯er questioned. Hearing Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s words, Ye Xuan gazed in the direction of Duanchang Mountain, his eyes profound, and said, ¡°There are some things you don¡¯t understand. Everyone has their own responsibilities, and that place is my responsibility.¡± After saying this, Ye Xuan walked out of his home. Under the moonlight, his silhouette appeared somewhat lonely and desolate¡ªas if he were walking alone on an ancient road, with no one able to understand the world he inhabited. Watching Ye Xuan¡¯s departing figure, Ye Ling¡¯er was stunned, recalling a phrase she could no longer remember where she read, but which now surfaced in her mind at that moment: ¡°There has never been a ¡®peaceful time¡¯; it¡¯s just someone else carrying the burden forward for you.¡± ... In a coffee house. Xia Qingzhu and Yun Mengyao sat facing each other, the atmosphere slightly somber, until after about ten breaths, Xia Qingzhu was the first to break the silence. ¡°Do you like Ye Xuan?¡± Staring at Xia Qingzhu¡¯s very serious expression, Yun Mengyao was taken aback and said, ¡°Is this why you brought me here, to ask me this question?¡± ¡°Tell me, do you like him?¡± Xia Qingzhu asked earnestly. ¡°Miss Xia, you might be mistaken, I am only Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s teacher, and I am merely here for a home visit.¡± Facing Xia Qingzhu¡¯s imposing aura, Yun Mengyao maintained her composure and said. ¡°We are both women, and a woman¡¯s intuition is very accurate, my feeling tells me that you like him.¡± Xia Qingzhu said softly. ¡°Miss Xia, this joke is not funny at all. How could I possibly like someone so rough?¡± Yun Mengyao bit her lip, a trace of shyness flashed across her eyes as she looked directly at Xia Qingzhu, her voice slightly displeased, ¡°And even if I did like him, it seems to have nothing to do with you, does it?¡± ¡°Indeed!¡± Watching Yun Mengyao¡¯s budding feelings, Xia Qingzhu slowly nodded. ¡°Miss Xia, what exactly do you mean?¡± Yun Mengyao asked, her finely arched eyebrows slightly furrowed. ¡°Mengyao, I want to tell you that Ye Xuan is no ordinary person, he is truly not suitable for you, I hope you will refrain from contact with him in the future.¡± Xia Qingzhu said. ¡°Miss Xia, are you warning me?¡± Yun Mengyao asked. ¡°It¡¯s not so much a warning, I just will not allow any other woman to get close to him.¡± As a daughter of the Xia family, Xia Qingzhu possessed a tremendous aura, which burst forth at that moment. Looking at Xia Qingzhu¡¯s cold and formidable aura, Yun Mengyao was startled but retorted, ¡°I¡¯m not sure what kind of person he is, but even if I do like him, it¡¯s my own right. You have no authority to dictate my actions.¡± Yun Mengyao stood up to leave, not wishing to exchange another word with Xia Qingzhu. However, just as she was about to exit the coffee house, Xia Qingzhu¡¯s voice slowly rose. ¡°I¡¯ve known him for four years, we were childhood friends, I understand him very well, what about you?¡± Hearing Xia Qingzhu¡¯s remarks, a surge of anger rose in Yun Mengyao¡¯s heart. She turned around and said, ¡°You understand him? But today I saw him shut you out, he doesn¡¯t seem to like you either, does he?¡± The silent war between the two women continued, and naturally, Ye Xuan would be unaware of this scene. Even if he knew, he would not bother with such trivial matters. ... Duanchang Mountain, towering high with a menacing silhouette, its mountain range stretches continuously, inhabited by fierce beasts and poisonous insects, it is one of the world¡¯s eight marvelous mountains, as well as an extremely ancient Primordial Forest. Towering ancient trees with lush vegetation, a breeze brought a refreshing scent of grass and wood, accompanied by the chirping of birds occasionally echoing throughout the Primordial Forest. Ye Xuan strolled through Duanchang Mountain, his every step seemingly shrinking the ground beneath him, as he moved deeper into the mountain. Returning to this familiar place, his mind wandered. Ye Xuan did not expect to return here so soon, but his mind was preoccupied with the thoughts of the Blood Sea Battlefield, leaving him no desire to appreciate the Primordial Forest. Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! When Ye Xuan reached the deepest part of the mountain, what appeared before him was a thousand-foot waterfall, its clear, jade-like waves continuously beating against a pond, splashing beads of crystal-clear water. A Green Stele, ten zhang in height and ten in width, stood as if it had been there since the distant past, positioned right in the center of the pond. Hum! Ye Xuan took a step forward, and the void burst into ripples, bringing him directly in front of the Green Stone Monument. Looking at the monument in front of him, Ye Xuan did not hesitate any longer; his palms suddenly struck out, and a Blood Rune spread out, causing the monument to undergo an incredibly mystical change. Boom, boom, boom! With a thunderous explosion, the monument transformed, and a Blood-colored Light Gate appeared before Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes. As he stepped through, the Blood-colored Light Gate suddenly vanished, reverting to the appearance of a Green Stele, as if the previous scene had been nothing but an illusion. Chapter 52 - 52 52 Shrouded in Mist ?52: Chapter 52: Shrouded in Mist 52: Chapter 52: Shrouded in Mist The murky, yellowish sky, the blood-muddy earth, countless white bones scattered everywhere, and the air heavily laden with the stench of blood wafting through it. Splashing sounds. A long river of blood flowed from west to east, its waves rolling with the faint cries of millions of lost souls and unknown ghostly apparitions drifting in the blood river, sending shivers down the spine of anyone who glanced at it. On both banks of the Blood River, strange flowers and peculiar trees bloomed, and vast patches of blood-colored flowers slowly opened, presenting a gruesomely beautiful spectacle. The enticing fragrance wafted out, attracting hundreds of blood-colored mutant beasts nearby. A howl! The beast¡¯s cries were pitiful and unceasing. Just as these mutant beasts entered the sea of blood-colored flowers, something horrific happened. Their bodies rapidly dissolved into blood and were frantically absorbed by the sea of blood-colored flowers, which bloomed even more brilliantly. However, the pale bones of the mutant beasts made one overlook their beauty. An unknown Blood Tree, with a huge bloody mouth on its trunk, was crazily devouring a large-bodied mutant beast. A massive amount of blood was drawn till the mutant beast turned into bones, and the huge bloody mouth on the trunk gradually disappeared without a trace. The Blood Sea was boundless, stretching endlessly. In this blood-colored world, countless mutant beasts fought fiercely, and numerous ghostly shadows devoured each other. It was a world of slaughter, where only the strong could survive. Boom, boom, boom! The void trembled, ripples spread, and a blood-colored light gate slowly opened. As Ye Xuan stepped out from the gate, an extremely terrifying aura of murder burst forth from him. Heavens moved, and slaughter spanned through the ages. Ye Xuan¡¯s grayish-white hair gradually turned blood red. His eyes, opening and closing, seemed like two primordial stars rotating thunderously. His chiseled face was filled with cold and merciless expressions. At this moment, Ye Xuan transformed into the Undying Venerable. His aura filled the entire Blood Sea Battlefield, his three thousand blood-colored hair strands fluttering in the wind, making him appear extremely terrifying at first glance. On both banks of the Blood Sea, all was dead and silent, except for the mighty rumbling sounds of the blood river. Misty and illusory, demonic and devilish, at this moment, Ye Xuan seemed like the Netherworld King walking among mortals, making all living beings retreat from his path. Ye Xuan took a step forward and appeared directly in the sea of blood-colored flowers. The terrifying sea of flowers instantly parted to form a path just for him. The old blood tree bowed, and various mutant beasts fled, while Ye Xuan walked along, each step causing tremendous tremors. ¡°We pay our respects to the Heavenly Venerate.¡± Some blood-colored beings, extremely intelligent and capable of human speech, chanted the name of Heavenly Venerate as they retreated, causing slight tremors in this world. Rising from humility, reviving from silence, ever since Ye Xuan first entered here four years ago, he transformed from a mere mortal into the Undying Venerable. This journey was carved out through his notorious strength; how could any sentient being not know his terror? Thud, thud, thud. Like the ringing of the Bell Of The Dead Soul and stars plummeting from the vast universe, Ye Xuan¡¯s expression was stern. Each step he took caused significant tremors in this world until he stepped onto the Blood Sea where huge blood-colored waves lifted him, carrying him toward the depths of the Blood Sea. At the end of the Blood Sea, mountains of bones rose. A White Bone Throne stood tall atop the mountain of bones and Blood Sea, a bronze scripture emitting a mysterious immortal light, hanging high in the sky, and countless blood-colored eerie shadows emitted sinister laughter. ¡°You have finally returned.¡± Suddenly. A loud shout came from the bronze scripture, the originally weak immortal light blazed brilliantly at this moment, directly materializing the shadow of the Primordial Spirit, appearing before Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes. Boom! Blood mist permeated everything, Ye Xuan took a step and appeared directly atop the Blood Sea Corpse Mountain. ¡°I am the Undying Venerable, do you also wish to turn heaven and earth, you evil spirits?¡± Atop the Blood Sea Corpse Mountain, Ye Xuan sat again on the White Bone Throne, his gaze fixed on countless sinister blood shadows in the sky, his eyes opening and closing emitted an extremely terrifying murderous aura. Cackles galore reverberated across the Blood Sea, as a hideous ghost face manifested high in the sky. ¡°So, you are ¡®his¡¯ descendant. No wonder the Heavenly Punishment Halberd acted abnormally, allowing us to break free.¡± An unknown voice echoed from all directions, casting Ye Xuan¡¯s expression into darkness. Hum! The void trembled, and the Primordial Spirit suddenly appeared beside Ye Xuan, its aura appearing extremely weak. ¡°What has happened?¡± Ye Xuan asked somberly. ¡°The Heavenly Punishment Halberd has gone to seek you, freeing the Evil Demon that had been suppressed for ten thousand years from the depths of the Blood Sea. Now I have no time to explain to you. Only by summoning the Heavenly Punishment Halberd can we suppress these Evil Demons again,¡± the Primordial Spirit urgently cried out. Cackle cackle cackle! ¡°We are the Evil Demons?¡± Suddenly, as the Primordial Spirit¡¯s voice fell, unrestrained laughter sounded from Tian Yu. ¡°Younger generation, although we have transformed into Blood Souls and can no longer remember much of our past lives, the one who suppressed us is clearly engraved in our souls. ¡®That person,¡¯ although gravely injured in those days, cultivated the Undying Immortal Scripture¡ªhow could death come so easily to him? If we are not mistaken, you are merely a puppet.¡± ¡°Ye Xuan, pay no heed to their nonsense. Release the Heavenly Punishment Halberd and suppress them deep into the Blood Sea,¡± the Primordial Spirit bellowed fiercely, with violent fluctuations in its aura. At this moment, Ye Xuan¡¯s expression constantly changed. He had never seen the Primordial Spirit so panicked, as if trying to cover up some unknown truth. This caused Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes to slightly narrow, and instead of releasing the Heavenly Punishment Halberd, he looked toward the ghost face in the sky. ¡°Who is that person? And who are you?¡± Ye Xuan asked gravely. ¡°Who are we?¡± Cackle cackle cackle! ¡°We are Immortals, we are Divine Souls. We were unwilling to be completely annihilated. Even though we were eternally suppressed in the Ancient Battlefield, there will still come a day of rebirth.¡± Wild cackling, the words manic, clearly the memories within the Blood Shadows¡¯ souls were fragmented. They did not remember who they were in life, yet from their words, one could discern definitively grand origins. ¡°I remember now, I remember now. He is called ¡®Yuan Mo.¡¯ He wanted to overturn Heaven and Earth, control the eternal chess game.¡± ¡°The Ancient Battlefield, dead, all are dead, although Yuan Mo also vanished without a trace.¡± When the name Yuan Mo was spoken at the Blood Sea Battlefield, the Primordial Spirit finally could not control its emotions anymore; it transformed into the embodiment of the Undying Immortal Scripture and fiercely attacked the ghost face in the sky. ¡°How dare you, the name Yuan Mo is not something you trifling Immortals can casually invoke!¡± Boom boom boom. Immortal Light swept across the sky, and as the blood light stirred, countless Blood Shadows shattered and dissipated, and then regathered once more. ¡°Trivial Artifact Spirit, how could you possibly annihilate us?¡± ¡°Ye Xuan, do not listen to their senseless babble. Quickly call forth the Heavenly Punishment Halberd and suppress these Evil Demons,¡± roared the Primordial Spirit relentlessly. Chapter 53 - 53 53 Escaping to the Human World ?53: Chapter 53: Escaping to the Human World 53: Chapter 53: Escaping to the Human World Ye Xuan was extremely silent, without any action. Each time his eyes opened and shut, a faint glimmer of blood light flashed, and the sky full of Blood Shadows laughed eerily, as if they had discovered something very interesting. ¡°Young one, the so-called Undying Immortal Scripture is not an Immortal Law at all; it is a Demon Technique, an Eternal Demon Technique that has existed since the beginning of Heaven and Earth.¡± ¡°If you say we are demons, then what is ¡®Yuan Mo¡¯?¡± Woo woo woo! The chilly wind howled and Blood Shadows gleamed, suddenly rushing towards the fragmented spatial barriers, clearly trying to escape this blood-colored world while Ye Xuan was lost in thought. ¡°Ye Xuan, stop them. Even if you do not believe me, if they escape to the Human World, a catastrophic upheaval will certainly occur,¡± the Primordial Spirit cried out exhaustingly. Even though Ye Xuan hesitated, the Primordial Spirit was right; regardless of whether it was deceiving him, if these Blood Souls escaped to the Human World, a terrifying calamity would surely ensue. ¡°Heavenly Punishment Halberd!¡± His roar shattered mountains and rivers, his voice split Jiuyou. A light emitted from Ye Xuan¡¯s brow as the Heavenly Punishment Halberd burst out and, as the entire Blood Sea Battlefield shook thunderously, transformed into a massive spear spanning thousands of feet, suspended in the Tian Yu. ¡°Dharma Manifestation Heaven and Earth!¡± Boom boom boom! Mountains and rivers shook, and the Blood Sea churned tumultuously. A horrific event occurred as Ye Xuan¡¯s body, originally seven feet tall, suddenly expanded to thousands of feet. As the Heavenly Punishment Halberd resonated wildly, he grasped it in his hands. ¡°Young one, you are merely at the Tribulation Crossing Late Stage, not yet having achieved the Immortal Fruit Position. Even with the Heavenly Punishment Halberd in hand, how can you stop us?¡± Millions of Blood Souls roared, a terrifying malice brewed, and endless blood light, like Netherworld Water, poured down, flooding directly towards Ye Xuan. ¡°Kill!¡± The Big Halberd thundered out, the blood light collapsed. Without waiting for the boundless blood light to invade him, Ye Xuan swung the halberd, directly disintegrating millions of Blood Souls into ash. However, these Blood Shadows quickly gathered together, their aura slightly weakened but clearly not greatly harmed. ¡°Ye Xuan, execute the Refining God Technique,¡± the Artifact Spirit timely reminded. ¡°Divine Light Illuminates the Sun and Moon, Fixes Heaven and Earth; Demonic Chaos Turns the Sea into Mulberry Fields.¡± ¡°Refine!¡± The Undying Immortal Scripture, the Slaughter of Immortals and Destruction of Gods, so-called Refining God Technique, was also a form of magic from the Undying Immortal Scripture, though Ye Xuan had only practiced this before; this was his first time revealing it. Buzz! The Heavenly Punishment Halberd erupted with piercing blood light, extremely arcane scriptures emitted from Ye Xuan¡¯s mouth. He swung the massive halberd, executing a Slaughter Technique, instantly turning into a streak of blood light in the void, directly grinding millions of Blood Shadows. ¡°Refining God Technique, is it actually the Refining God Technique?¡± ¡°Run!¡± Terrified voices echoed from all directions as millions of Blood Shadows frantically fled towards the spatial barriers, but under Ye Xuan¡¯s Great Slaughter Technique, countless Blood Shadows were pulverized into ash. ¡°Hurry, stop them.¡± Faced with this occurrence, the Artifact Spirit trembled and roared, wishing to aid Ye Xuan with all his strength, but being merely an Artifact Spirit, he lacked the power to do so. Mountains and rivers shook, the Blood Sea overturned, millions of Blood Shadows wildly fled. Though Ye Xuan possessed terribly formidable strength, stopping them one by one was somewhat challenging. ¡°Young ones, today we are merely Residual Soul Bodies. Once we consume enough blood and Essence Qi, we will surely come to find you.¡± An eerie laugh came, some mighty Blood Shadows spoke, excitedly calling out as they directly crossed the spatial barriers, disappearing instantly from the Blood Sea Battlefield. And the Blood Shadow Residual Souls that Ye Xuan intercepted, their aura extremely ferocious, faced with Ye Xuan executing the Refining God Technique, knew they were no match, which also bred in them a heart willing to perish together. ¡°Even if we cannot escape this Ancient Battlefield, you too shall not have an easy time.¡± Blood Shadows roared, self-destructing their residual souls, and an extremely terrifying force was born. Before Ye Xuan could react, this force instantly struck the spatial barrier, causing this shattered space to suddenly expand a thousandfold. Roar! The Blood Sea churned, and beastly roars were incessant. The mutant beasts on both banks of the Blood Sea, completely disregarding the might Ye Xuan displayed, scrambled towards the spatial barrier to escape. ¡°Damn it!¡± Watching the sudden situation, Ye Xuan¡¯s face became extremely grim. His thousand-foot-tall Dharma Manifestation Heaven and Earth body completely burst forth in fury, and the Heavenly Punishment Halberd violently thrashed, slaughtering these Blood Sea mutant beasts. Roar! Blood filled the sky, and limbs were severed. In Ye Xuan¡¯s endless killing spree, countless mutant beasts lost their lives, yet a large number still escaped through the spatial barrier to the Human World. There were too many, too many creatures in the Blood Sea Battlefield; even with Ye Xuan¡¯s furious slaughtering, he couldn¡¯t stop them from fleeing to the Human World. ¡°Yuan Mo!¡± Suddenly! A piercing roar burst forth from the Primordial Spirit¡¯s mouth, his body emitting a sinister black light. The bronze-bound Undying Immortal Scripture exploded with an extremely terrifying demonic qi, instantly sealing the spatial barrier, causing many mutant beasts to show fear on their faces before they hurriedly retreated back to the banks of the Blood Sea. Silence, utter silence, an extreme silence. Above the bloody battlefield shrouded in demonic Qi, the Undying Immortal Scripture completely sealed the spatial barrier. But the creatures that had already escaped the Blood Sea Battlefield made Ye Xuan¡¯s face extremely sinister. ¡°Ye Xuan!¡± A commanding roar reached Ye Xuan¡¯s ears. A black shadow as dark as ink emerged from the Undying Immortal Scripture and approached him. In that black shadow, blood-red eyes seemed ready to devour someone alive. ¡°Primordial Spirit?¡± Eyelids narrowing as he observed the bizarre change in the Primordial Spirit before him, Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes flickered with unfathomable light. ¡°You bastard, if you had acted earlier, how could these creatures have escaped to the outer world?¡± The Primordial Spirit roared furiously, his body enveloped in rolling black Qi. ¡°Do you realize that if the people of the Earth Immortal Realm find out that the Ancient Battlefield still exists, it¡¯s not just me, but even you will face a great calamity?¡± The Primordial Spirit was extremely agitated, raising his voice in reprimand to Ye Xuan. ¡°Give me an explanation.¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s face was expressionless, his eyes fixated on the blackened Primordial Spirit, with even more obscure killing intent surfacing in his gaze. ¡°Explanation?¡± ¡°What explanation do you want?¡± ¡°You bastard, if it were not for my rescue back then, you would have turned into white bones long ago. How could you have attained such cultivation level?¡± The Primordial Spirit bellowed furiously. Buzz! The void exploded, and blood light filled the sky; a cruel sneer emerged from Ye Xuan¡¯s lips. Without waiting for the Primordial Spirit to react, Ye Xuan thrust his spear out. Bang! A loud noise rang out, and the blackened Primordial Spirit was instantly blasted away by Ye Xuan. However, before his figure could land, Ye Xuan suddenly appeared in front of him, his crystalline jade-like fingers directly gripping the Primordial Spirit¡¯s head. ¡°Unable to distinguish between master and servant, do you believe I could obliterate your divine soul?¡± Enshrouded in a profoundly mysterious blood light, the subtle blood-colored electricity surrounded the Primordial Spirit¡¯s body, as if Ye Xuan was about to take his life at any moment. ¡°You... you dare betray me...?¡± The Primordial Spirit¡¯s anger faded, his voice trembling slightly. Chapter 54 - 54 54 The Game Begins ?54: Chapter 54 The Game Begins 54: Chapter 54 The Game Begins ¡°Hmph!¡± Ye Xuan sneered, ¡°Although I don¡¯t know what your purpose is with me, it¡¯s nothing more than mutual exploitation. Don¡¯t make yourself sound so righteous and noble.¡± With the last layer of pretense torn away by Ye Xuan, the Primordial Spirit completely calmed down, and its gaze towards Ye Xuan took on a complex hue. ¡°What do you want to know?¡± the Primordial Spirit asked in a deep voice. ¡°Who is Yuan Mo?¡± ¡°What is this Blood Sea Battlefield?¡± ¡°Who are those escaped Blood Souls?¡± ¡°Why... did you choose me?¡± Question after question spilled from Ye Xuan¡¯s lips as he looked intently into the Primordial Spirit¡¯s eyes, trying to discern something from them. ¡°Follow me.¡± The Primordial Spirit remained silent for a moment and didn¡¯t meet Ye Xuan¡¯s gaze, instead heading towards the deepest part of the Blood Sea. At the edge of the Blood Sea. There stood a bronze stone door, as if it had been there since ancient times, with carvings of birds, fish, insects, stars, and other mysterious patterns etched upon it, conveying a sense of vast antiquity. ¡°Yuan Mo was my previous master, and this Blood Sea Battlefield, in fact, is known as the Ancient Battlefield, where Yuan Mo fought the Immortals over ten thousand years ago.¡± ¡°And those Blood Souls that fled to the Human World were the residual souls of the Immortals who died back then.¡± As the Primordial Spirit spoke, it suddenly turned to look at Ye Xuan, continuing, ¡°As for how you came here and practiced the Undying Immortal Scripture, it was also a coincidence.¡± Ye Xuan received answers to his questions from Yuan Mo, but he could still feel that Yuan Mo surely had great secrets that had not been revealed to him. ¡°Is Yuan Mo still alive?¡± Ye Xuan asked with a grave voice. Hearing Ye Xuan¡¯s words, the Primordial Spirit shook its head with a wry smile, ¡°Even though the Undying Immortal Scripture is the Eternal Demon Technique, in that ancient battle, Yuan Mo had long since perished, both body and spirit.¡± ¡°Ye Xuan, you should know, as the Artifact Spirit of the Undying Immortal Scripture, I have guarded this place for ten thousand years, just waiting for someone capable of inheriting the Undying Immortal Scripture, and you are the one I have chosen,¡± stated the Primordial Spirit with certainty. ¡°This door leads to the Earth Immortal Realm, sealed for tens of thousands of years. If you wish to further your cultivation, you can only push open this door and proceed to the vast and boundless Earth Immortal Realm; that is the mission I safeguard here.¡± With these words, the Primordial Spirit¡¯s voice took on a grave tone, ¡°Although these Blood Souls were once Immortals, their power is no longer what it was. Escaping to the Human World this time is bound to cause turmoil. Once they manage to reconstruct their physical forms and restore their cultivations, they will inevitably open this door to return to the Earth Immortal Realm. By then, your practicing of the Undying Immortal Scripture will be exposed to all in the Earth Immortal Realm.¡± The Primordial Spirit continued to explain the grave implications, but Ye Xuan did not respond for a long time. ¡°I¡¯m returning to the Human World. Will you not come with me?¡± Ye Xuan asked, his voice slightly lowered, on the brink of his departure. ¡°My duty is to guard this place. If I were to leave with you, the already fractured barriers of this space would be left unsealed, eventually causing this Ancient Battlefield to be exposed to the Human World,¡± said the Primordial Spirit, his voice deep. Ye Xuan took a long look at the Primordial Spirit, as a flicker of concealed murderous intent quietly vanished. He said nothing further and turned to retrace his steps back the way he had come. Watching Ye Xuan¡¯s departing figure, the Primordial Spirit¡¯s aura became deathly still until Ye Xuan vanished from the Blood Sea Battlefield. Then, the Primordial Spirit¡¯s body suddenly burst forth with a sky-reaching black qi, as if suppressing something within. Buzz! Suddenly! The void hummed, ripples spread, and a blood-colored phantom quietly appeared beside the Primordial Spirit, its obscure and unclear aura slowly blooming. ¡°He has started to doubt,¡± the blood-colored phantom said gravely. The Primordial Spirit slowly shook its head and said, ¡°So what if he doubts? Sooner or later, he will have to push open that door. After four years of constant companionship, I understand him very well. He cares for what the Mortal World calls familial bonds, but compared to the Heavenly Path, they are but passing clouds.¡± ¡°Today, you¡¯ve exposed your true form, and your aura has already leaked. Moreover, these remnant souls have fled towards the Mortal World, I fear it may draw the attention of the Earth Immortal Realm,¡± the blood-colored phantom reminded. ¡°Heh.¡± The Primordial Spirit sneered, saying, ¡°Everything is proceeding according to our plan. If we didn¡¯t release these remnant souls into the Human World, how could we quickly force him to push open that door?¡± ¡°You are too arrogant. You are not the Artifact Spirit of the Undying Immortal Scripture, and his Heavenly Punishment Halberd has already acknowledged him as its master. He has cultivated the Forbidden Technique to an extremely profound realm. If there is the slightest mistake, I fear our outcome will be extremely miserable,¡± the blood-colored phantom growled. ¡°Hmph, you are too cautious. He has only cultivated for four years; he isn¡¯t even an Immortal. Everything is under our control,¡± the Primordial Spirit said confidently. ... Not in the Material World, nor in the void. Ye Xuan¡¯s current state was extremely bizarre, as if he simply did not exist between Heaven and Earth, and yet he heard every word of the dialogue between the Primordial Spirit and the blood-colored phantom. ¡°Extremely interesting!¡± Ye Xuan murmured with a cold laugh. Looking at the Primordial Spirit surrounded by Heavenly Demonic Qi and this unfamiliar blood-colored phantom, Ye Xuan did not know the Primordial Spirit¡¯s true intentions towards him, but this scene had already prompted some speculations in his mind. The Primordial Spirit did not know that Ye Xuan had already fully mastered the techniques in the Undying Immortal Scripture. Aside from his realm not being raised, he could effortlessly use any of the Forbidden Secret Techniques contained within the scripture. Ye Xuan always believed one thing: those who can hurt you are always the ones closest to you. Although this saying might be extreme, at this moment, it seemed to be validated. In fact, once Ye Xuan had cultivated the Undying Immortal Scripture to a profound level, he had already discovered that the Primordial Spirit was not the Artifact Spirit of the scripture at all, but rather an existence in a remnant soul state. This fact had always been in Ye Xuan¡¯s heart, and the extent to which he had cultivated the Undying Immortal Scripture had never been revealed to the Primordial Spirit. ¡°Interesting, extremely interesting.¡± ¡°Let¡¯s see, in the end, who will be the hunter in this game,¡± Ye Xuan said with a cruel smile, his body suddenly becoming illusory and truly disappearing from the Blood Sea Battlefield. Ye Xuan¡¯s ambition was enormous, unimaginably so. He aspired to exist when Heaven and Earth perished, to live when all things died, to truly ascend to the Nine Heavens and look down upon all creatures. Ye Xuan had not pushed open that door, even though he was preoccupied with thoughts of his relatives in the Mortal World, but a bigger reason was his doubts about the Primordial Spirit. From the moment Ye Xuan stepped into the Blood Sea Battlefield, the philosophy infused into him by the Primordial Spirit was that to pursue the Heavenly Path, he must open that door and enter the Earth Immortal Realm, only then could he truly transcend mortality and become an Immortal, eternally as old as the heavens. What lay behind that door, Ye Xuan only knew from what Primordial Spirit had told him. Moreover, Ye Xuan always believed in one thing: when facing unknown dangers, he would be extremely cautious until he completely seized the initiative. Then he would strike like thunder, without holding back at all. Four years of life-and-death struggle, battling in the Blood Sea, Ye Xuan had grown from an inexperienced youth to the Undying Venerable. He treasured this not easily attained opportunity. Ye Xuan once swore to the heavens that his destiny would never be controlled by anyone. Whoever tried to control his destiny would only have one outcome: death. Without any exceptions. Chapter 55 - 55 55 Leng Qingxue ?55: Chapter 55 Leng Qingxue 55: Chapter 55 Leng Qingxue Jiangnan City, Biyun Pavilion. Ye Xuan was leaning on the soft sofa, watching a replayed program on television, his face expressionless, betraying no hint of his inner thoughts. Only the occasional frown on his brow proved that Ye Xuan was not at peace. In the television broadcast, a meteor shower of extreme rarity streaked across the sky from east to west, the blood-colored meteors exceptionally dazzling, prompting the excited host to shout and fabricate tales, claiming this meteor shower was a spectacle seldom seen in a thousand years. Turning off the television with a flick of his hand, Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. He had already watched this replayed program three times. Others might not know what these meteor showers were, but Ye Xuan was certain that this particular one was comprised of Blood Souls and Mutant Beasts that had escaped from the Blood Sea Battlefield. And the scenes broadcast on television were just the tip of the iceberg; he feared that across the globe, these Mutant Beasts and Blood Souls had already hidden themselves in the shadows. ¡°This world is about to change!¡± Ye Xuan murmured softly. Originally, Ye Xuan had thought that the appearance of these Blood Souls and Mutant Beasts in the Mortal World would inevitably bring about earth-shattering changes, and for the peace of his family, these Blood Soul Strange Beasts naturally had to be utterly annihilated. But when Ye Xuan learned of the conspiracy of the Primordial Spirit, that idea dissipated. According to his speculation, having cultivated the Undying Immortal Scripture, he was already a thorn in the side of these Blood Souls. Once they devoured enough flesh and Essence Qi, they would surely come looking for trouble with him. As these Blood Souls gradually regained their Cultivation, they would undoubtedly put great pressure on him, which is precisely what the Primordial Spirit wanted to see. The whole purpose was to force him to open that door and take the critical step to become an Immortal, as legends foretold. To become an Immortal! What enticing words! Even Ye Xuan, facing these two words, had reasons he could not refuse. However, Ye Xuan was no fool. How could the Primordial Spirit¡¯s scheming be solely for his ascension to Immortality? He feared that once he pushed open that door, something truly terrifying would happen. Without understanding the Primordial Spirit¡¯s true intentions, Ye Xuan would absolutely not step into the trap. In Cultivation, one cultivates life and defies heaven; a single misstep could lead to losing everything. And the outcome of losing could only be the complete obliteration of one¡¯s Divine Soul and the extinction of one¡¯s existence and Dao. Ye Xuan would not arrogantly consider himself the protagonist of heaven and earth, endowed with a kingly aura that repelled all calamities and commanded the respect and subjugation of all beings. If he truly believed that, he would not have achieved his current level of Cultivation. Plunged into deep thought, Ye Xuan kept planning the path ahead. First and foremost, the appearance of the Blood Soul Strange Beasts in the Mortal World would surely cause turmoil, but the lives and deaths of the people had nothing to do with him; all he needed to ensure was his family¡¯s safety, which was enough. Secondly, Ye Xuan vividly remembered that several of the Blood Souls were exceedingly powerful. He needed to find them, for only from their lips could he learn what truly happened at the Ancient Battlefield in Ancient Times. A series of steps took shape one by one in Ye Xuan¡¯s mind, a trace of a cruel smile curled at the corner of his mouth, and as he looked toward the direction of Duanchang Mountain, the icy and brutal intent to kill quietly crossed his eyes. ¡°Brother, the New Year is just two days away, aren¡¯t you going to take your little sister to buy some New Year¡¯s goods today?¡± Ye Ling¡¯er came in front of Ye Xuan at some point, shaking his arm and coquettishly saying. Ye Xuan¡¯s thoughts circled back, and he laughed in a carefree manner, ¡°Let¡¯s head out now, today I¡¯m going to give you another gift.¡± ¡°Brother, you¡¯re the best,¡± Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s eyes sparkled as she eagerly grabbed Ye Xuan¡¯s arm and stepped out the door. Since Ye Xuan had returned from the Blood Sea Battlefield, it had been a month, and there were only three days left before the New Year. He decided to set aside the matters of Blood Soul Strange Beasts for now, and instead focus on having a good New Year with his family. That was what he wanted to do at the moment. ... The 4S car dealership. Various luxurious sedans were parked here, and Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s little face was filled with excitement as she looked around with great interest, her entire being like a joyful sprite. ¡°Mr. Ye, this Maserati not only has a very high safety rating but also features beautiful body lines and top-tier interior decorations, which perfectly match Miss Ye¡¯s status. You might want to consider it,¡± a female salesperson said with a smile. Buying a car! Ye Xuan and his sister were at this 4S dealership precisely to purchase a car. Even though Ye Ling¡¯er was merely sixteen and didn¡¯t know how to drive, that didn¡¯t prevent Ye Xuan from giving her the Maserati as a New Year¡¯s gift. ¡°Hmm, let¡¯s go with this one,¡± Ye Xuan nodded. ¡°Brother, are you really buying it? But I don¡¯t even have a driver¡¯s license,¡± Ye Ling¡¯er said, feeling a bit bashful yet radiating happiness. ¡°If you don¡¯t know how to drive, you can learn slowly. Having a car will make it much more convenient for you to go to school,¡± Ye Xuan said and handed over a Golden Card to the female salesperson in front of him. This made the salesperson beam with joy as she thanked Ye Xuan repeatedly and took the Golden Card to process the transaction. The scene of the siblings buying a car naturally attracted the attention of many customers, who commented in amazement, wondering whose young master and miss were out for fun, buying a car worth millions as if it was nothing. The saleswoman left quickly and returned just as fast, holding a car purchase agreement and respectfully handed back the Golden Card to Ye Xuan, ¡°The license plate and all the necessary procedures have already been taken care of, Mr. Ye. You just need to sign here, and our staff will deliver the car to your home.¡± Ye Xuan was very satisfied with the salesperson¡¯s service and was about to sign the purchase agreement when a cold and compelling female voice suddenly interrupted. ¡°Wait, I¡¯ll take this car,¡± said a young man and woman who appeared beside Ye Xuan at some point, exuding an air of authority. The woman had skin as white as snow and features like a painting, her dark hair up in a bun, conveying a sense of cold nobility. Yet her attire was unusual, made of silken fabric resembling the long robes worn by ancient women. ¡°I¡¯m sorry, madam, this gentleman has already paid. You might want to look at other vehicles,¡± the saleswoman, sharp-eyed, could tell the woman was no ordinary person and hurriedly bowed in apology. Leng Qingxue¡¯s brows furrowed slightly. As an Ancient Martial Artist and a Grandmaster, she and her junior brother had just arrived in Jiangnan City and naturally needed to find a mode of transportation. This Maserati was exactly to her liking, but unexpectedly, someone had already purchased it. ¡°I¡¯ll give you double the price, give the car to me,¡± Leng Qingxue said, looking directly at Ye Xuan as she casually took out a Golden Card, giving off a strong and assertive vibe. Observing the woman in front of him, Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. He had not expected to encounter an Ancient Martial Grandmaster in a simple 4S store. ¡°Not for sale.¡± Although the other party was an Ancient Martial Grandmaster, in Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes, that made no difference from an ant. How could he possibly give away the gift he had bought for his little sister to someone else? Chapter 56 - 56 56 The Furious Ye Xuan ?56: Chapter 56: The Furious Ye Xuan 56: Chapter 56: The Furious Ye Xuan Ye Xuan signed the car purchase agreement directly, not even sparing Leng Qingxue a glance, an attitude that left Leng Qingxue frozen in place, with a flush of humiliation and anger crossing her face. ¡°Senior sister, let¡¯s not fuss over it. We can just switch to another car.¡± Seeing the anger already evident on Leng Qingxue¡¯s face, the young man feared that she might lash out at Ye Xuan and cause unnecessary trouble, so he quickly tried to persuade her. ¡°Hmph!¡± ¡°A mere mortal, totally ignorant of his place,¡± Leng Qingxue said disdainfully, turning to leave, clearly feeling it beneath her dignity to raise her hand against a commoner. ¡°Kid, you¡¯ve provoked someone you shouldn¡¯t have, and remember when you¡¯re out and about that this world is vast, very vast. Even with all your wealth, there are people you simply can¡¯t afford to offend,¡± the young man sneered, following Leng Qingxue. This scene made Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s little face turn red with anger, and she swung her little fists continuously, dissatisfied. ¡°Why are you so smug? If it weren¡¯t for my brother not hitting women, today you would have definitely been taught a lesson.¡± As Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s words fell, Leng Qingxue¡¯s steps paused, she slowly turned around, a look of scorn hanging on her face. ¡°Little girl, you should feel lucky that you were born in this peaceful era. During times of war, just for those words alone, you would have lost your life.¡± ¡°That¡¯s enough, Ling¡¯er. Let¡¯s go,¡± Ye Xuan said calmly, his face not showing any hint of anger as he pulled Ye Ling¡¯er out of the 4S store. On the street. Ye Ling¡¯er was still indignant. ¡°Brother, why didn¡¯t you teach that awful woman a lesson just now?¡± Looking at his sister¡¯s angry little face, Ye Xuan laughed. ¡°You, still can¡¯t kick the tomboy habit. This world is full of people who think too highly of themselves. If you dislike every one of them, do you have to personally teach each a lesson?¡± In Ye Xuan¡¯s view, although Leng Qingxue was an Ancient Martial Grandmaster and a rare beauty, how could he punish her with physical retribution just for her few words? Ye Xuan lived by the principle that mere ants¡¯ words should never be taken to heart, but if he truly had to strike, even a fairy of stunning beauty and divine grace would turn into a cold corpse under his hands. ¡°Alright, now Mother should still be at work. Let¡¯s buy some gifts and go see her, then head home together,¡± Ye Xuan said with a smile. Shopping, lots of shopping, the siblings scoured Jinhua¡¯s luxury goods plaza, and when they emerged once more, they were laden with numerous items. Amidst the festive atmosphere of the New Year, Ye Ling¡¯er had long forgotten the earlier displeasure, and the siblings headed straight for the hotel where their mother was working. Bohai Hotel. One of Jiangnan City¡¯s five-star hotels. Their mother worked there as a cleaner. Although Ye Xuan had early on told his mother to rest at home and not work anymore, she had said that she couldn¡¯t stay at home all the time. Her colleagues at the hotel were kind to her, and she didn¡¯t want to leave the job, which only made Ye Xuan sigh in resignation, resolving to find another opportunity to convince her. At that moment, Ye Xuan and his sister walked directly into the hotel. Looking around, the hotel was resplendent, exuding an air of opulence and luxury. Led by a waiter to a window-side seat, Ye Xuan casually ordered a few dishes and then asked the waiter about the whereabouts of their mother. ¡°You mean Auntie Han? She¡¯s cleaning elsewhere right now. I¡¯ll go call her for you.¡± The waiter hurried off, his face showing evident confusion. Those who could afford to patronize Bohai Hotel were, if not dignitaries, at least wealthy individuals, and he couldn¡¯t comprehend the connection between the Ye siblings and their mother. Time passed quickly. Half an hour had gone by since Ye Xuan ordered the food and it was served, but there was still no sign of their mother, which made Ye Xuan slightly puzzled. ... Baihua Zhengyan Hall, Jinhua Hotel. Crash! A sound of shattering glass echoed through the hall, accompanied by a loud voice filled with rage. ¡°What have you done?¡± ¡°I¡¯m sorry, manager, I will definitely compensate the young lady.¡± ¡°Compensate? How will you compensate? Does Miss Leng need your compensation?¡± ¡°Miss Leng, I¡¯m truly sorry, it was our hotel staff¡¯s negligence today. Please forgive us.¡± The hotel manager repeatedly bowed deeply to apologize to Leng Qingxue, while Ye Xuan¡¯s mother stood beside her, pale-faced, continuously apologizing to Leng Qingxue. Leng Qingxue¡¯s expression was icy cold, her dress made of Heavenly Silkworm Silk was now stained with a large splotch of oily dirt, clearly caused by Ye Xuan¡¯s mother placing the dishes. ¡°Miss Leng, I¡¯m really sorry, how about you change your clothes first, and then we can discuss further?¡± Zhuo Junting said with an embarrassed look, but still addressed Leng Qingxue politely. ¡°Miss Zhuo, if it were just ordinary clothes, it would be one thing, but the garment my senior sister is wearing is the Leng Family¡¯s treasured Heavenly Silkworm Silk Robe that is a hundred years old. Do you know the true value of this dress?¡± the young man beside Leng Qingxue said discontentedly. ¡°Miss, how much is this dress? I can compensate you in full for it,¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s mother said with a shamefaced expression. ¡°Compensate?¡± The young man¡¯s face turned extremely cold as he said, ¡°Made from a hundred-year-old Heavenly Silkworm Silk, invulnerable to blades and fire, tell me how you intend to compensate for such a treasure? With what will you compensate?¡± Hearing the young man¡¯s words, Ye Xuan¡¯s mother¡¯s lips turned white as panic flashed in her eyes, but she still said in an awkward manner, ¡°Don¡¯t worry, I¡¯ll make a phone call right now, no matter the cost, we will compensate you.¡± ¡°Get lost!¡± In a surge of anger, the young man lashed out with a palm towards Ye Xuan¡¯s mother, sending her flying as she spewed out a large amount of blood, clearly, the young man had intended to take Ye Xuan¡¯s mother¡¯s life with that strike. ¡°Forget it, she¡¯s just an ordinary person, it¡¯s not worth quarreling over,¡± Leng Qingxue said with a slight frown of her beautiful eyebrows. ¡°Manager Li, call her family and send her to the hospital. All expenses will be borne by the Zhuo Family,¡± Zhuo Junting said, although displeased with the young man¡¯s ruthless action, she knew that in the eyes of these Ancient Martial Families, the lives of ordinary people were never truly valued. ... At the same time. Ye Xuan was chatting and joking with Ye Ling¡¯er. Suddenly, he felt an intense pain in his heart, which made Ye Xuan stand up abruptly as his terrifying Divine Sense was instantly released. Mother and son shared a bond, and he felt her pain as if it were his own. When Ye Xuan¡¯s mother was seriously injured, Ye Xuan immediately sensed something was greatly amiss, and the aura around his body became chillingly cold in an instant. Hum! As Ye Xuan¡¯s Divine Sense swept out, it directly showed the image of his mother being injured and also revealed Zhuo Junting and Leng Qingxue among others in the Baihua Zhengyan Hall. Boom! The earth shook and the sky trembled; with one step, in the horrified gaze of Ye Ling¡¯er, Ye Xuan suddenly vanished from before her, leaving Ye Ling¡¯er astonished and somewhat disbelief of her own eyes. Chapter 57 - 57 57 Ten Thousand Ghosts Devouring Soul Technique ?57: Chapter 57: Ten Thousand Ghosts Devouring Soul Technique 57: Chapter 57: Ten Thousand Ghosts Devouring Soul Technique Baihua Zhengyan Hall. Ye Xuan¡¯s mother¡¯s face was as pale as gold paper, with blood continuously spilling from the corners of her mouth. She had once consumed a Yunling Pill, the power of which had not fully dissolved. It was because of the Yunling Pill that her life hung by a thread. ¡°Miss Leng, today...¡± Boom! Before Zhuo Junting could once again be cordial to Leng Qingxue, a thunderous explosion resembling that of Heaven and Earth Splitting sounded, and the grand doors of the Baihua Zhengyan Hall shattered into pieces. Amidst fluttering wood shavings, Ye Xuan, enshrouded in a cold aura, entered the hall. ¡°Ye... Mr. Ye?¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s sudden appearance and the terrifying scene he had caused, swiftly drained the color from Zhuo Junting¡¯s face. She immediately stood up, but upon seeing Ye Xuan¡¯s fierce face, a very bad feeling rose from the depths of her heart. Without even glancing at Zhuo Junting, Ye Xuan walked straight to his mother. Under the scrutiny of his Divine Sense, he found her breath to be as light as a gossamer, one foot already stepping into the Underworld. With a sweep of his palm, a fiery red Elixir appeared in his hand. Ye Xuan quickly fed it to her. Only when a trace of color returned to his mother¡¯s face did he begin to feel at ease. ¡°Who are you, who let you in...?¡± The hotel manager was taken aback at first, then directly questioned Ye Xuan. Boom! The air burst. Moving like a fleeting cloud, before the hotel manager could finish speaking, Ye Xuan suddenly appeared in front of him, and when he opened and closed his eyes, there was an extremely brutal light within them. Bang! His fingers were like mountains, annihilating everything. Blood¡ªthe stunningly beautiful blood exploded as Ye Xuan¡¯s palm came down; the hotel manager¡¯s head burst into pieces instantly, his headless body collapsed to the floor, further staining the luxurious floorboards blood red. ¡°Ye... Mr. Ye... she... who is she to you?¡± Zhuo Junting trembled slightly, her face deathly pale. If she couldn¡¯t figure out the relationship between Ye Xuan and his mother, she¡¯d likely curse herself for being an idiot. ¡°Today¡ª you¡ª all¡ª must¡ª die!¡± Each word was punctuated with murderous intent soaring to the skies, and a cruel bloodlight slowly rose around Ye Xuan. As he opened and closed his eyes, it seemed as if the god of the Underworld was opening his eyes, the world-shaking killing intent rippling through the void, causing Zhuo Junting to retreat in horror, a deep sense of fear growing within her. A dragon has a reverse scale, touch it and you incur its wrath. Why did Ye Xuan return to the Human World? The kindness of his mother¡¯s upbringing, the filial piety of a son, his mother had suffered through ten months of pregnancy, and endured hardship to raise him; she was Ye Xuan¡¯s greatest taboo. Today someone touched Ye Xuan¡¯s taboo. No matter who they were, related or unrelated to this matter, their only outcome was death. ¡°It¡¯s you?¡± Upon seeing Ye Xuan¡¯s face, the young man accompanying Leng Qingxue cried out in shock, his eyes filled with a hint of terror. Step¡ªstep¡ªstep. The earth trembled and the void exploded. As Ye Xuan took step by step towards the young man, the entire Bohai Hotel shook violently, the surrounding walls cracking rapidly as though they were about to collapse any moment. ¡°No... not good, he¡¯s an Innate Martial Artist!¡± Realizing this, Leng Qingxue finally became unsettled, her exquisite face showing a look of panic, her eyes revealing a deep fear, no longer maintaining the image of an ice mountain goddess. At this moment. The young man attempted to escape, but he found, to his horror, that his body would not obey him, rooted in place as if a great mountain pressed upon him, rendering his fingers utterly immobile. Ye Xuan¡¯s face was brutal, and a savage smile played across his lips. He lifted his crystalline, jade-like palm and drew a dazzling streak of blood through the void. The brilliant bloodlight swirled, accompanied by the wails of countless Yin Spirits. ¡°Ten Thousand Ghosts Devouring Soul Technique!¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s voice was soft, yet as it echoed, it enlarged the pupils of the young man, making his teeth tremble. Deep inside, a voice seemed to tell him that his end would be extraordinarily tragic. Woo! A gust of Yin wind swept through the void, and ghost shadows suddenly climbed out, their ghastly wails growing more and more penetrating. As everyone watched in terror and fear, the ghost shadows, as if seeing food, rushed toward the young man with frightful ghostly howls, biting ferociously at him! ¡°No!¡± Such a terrifying scene made the young man break down and cry out. Crack... crunch... An extremely horrific event unfolded. Amidst the young man¡¯s pitiful screams for mercy, countless ghost shadows continued to tear at his flesh. His pale bones gradually became visible to the eyes of Zhuo Junting and Leng Qingxue. Woo! The Yin wind surged and Yin spirits wailed. In just a short minute, the young man no longer showed any signs of life, leaving only a ghastly white skeleton in the Baihua Zhengyan Hall. Silence reigned, with not a sound from Heaven and Earth. When the two women saw this, they both collapsed to the ground. Even though Leng Qingxue was an Ancient Martial Grandmaster with powerful abilities, faced with such a strange and eerie method, she felt an overwhelming sense of powerlessness. Ten Thousand Ghosts Devouring Soul Technique! This was an extremely cruel secret technique, capable not only of devouring the flesh and blood of living beings but also of making souls the food of Yin spirits, leaving the victims to have their souls scatter and never ascend. ¡°You... You¡¯re not an Ancient Martial Artist... Who... Who exactly are you?¡± Leng Qingxue¡¯s voice trembled, as she came to realize this terrible truth. How could an Ancient Martial Artist possess such abilities? ¡°Ancient Martial Artist?¡± Ye Xuan sneered cruelly and slowly shook his head, ¡°Who I am is none of your concern, and now it¡¯s your turn.¡± Spirits wailed and Yin wind howled as Ye Xuan walked leisurely towards Leng Qingxue, transforming into an ancient gluttonous fierce beast, ready to swallow her whole. ¡°No... don¡¯t come any closer.¡± Leng Qingxue screamed in terror, her collapsed body continuously retreating, looking at Ye Xuan with eyes full of despair. Hum! Ye Xuan reached out with a palm, and without waiting for Leng Qingxue to react, a tremendously terrifying suction force acted upon her. She was levitated into the air and drawn directly towards Ye Xuan. Under Leng Qingxue¡¯s frightened gaze, Ye Xuan¡¯s hand, clear as jade, gently caressed her cheek, then moved over her proud body from top to bottom. ¡°What an enticing woman, yet sadly, she will fade away here today,¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s voice resonated like a whisper from a demon. His hand passing over Leng Qingxue¡¯s skin made her break out in goosebumps, as if she were trapped in the depths of a hellish forest. Bang! His hand struck out like a cloud, and the sound of an explosion followed. Leng Qingxue¡¯s prized Hundred-Year Cicada Garment was torn to shreds by Ye Xuan¡¯s palm, revealing glimpses of her spring beauty underneath. Pu-chi! A mouthful of blood sprayed out. Several of Leng Qingxue¡¯s ribs were broken, and the intense pain made her moan softly. The glimpses of her exposed spring beauty left uncovered, for in the face of life and death, she had no care for such things. ¡°No... don¡¯t kill me... I am from the Taian Leng Family... if you kill me... the Leng Family won¡¯t let you get away with it...¡± Leng Qingxue yelled pleadingly. Snap! A brittle sound of a throat bone snapping was heard. Before Leng Qingxue could finish her words, Ye Xuan twisted her neck, and then discarded her corpse like trash, her body¡¯s continuous convulsions adding an extreme sense of horror. ¡°Rest easy, your Leng Family will be completely exterminated soon. They will quickly join you down below.¡± To utterly annihilate, wipe out the entire family, that was Ye Xuan¡¯s intention, Chapter 58 - 58 58 Sudden Turbulence ?58: Chapter 58 Sudden Turbulence 58: Chapter 58 Sudden Turbulence ¡°Like Yama Hell, resembling the Asura Slaughter, the pallid skeletons, headless corpses, and an air thick with a boundlessly intense stench of blood nauseated anyone who smelled it. Zhuo Junting was terrified, extremely terrified. When she saw the scene before her, her soul felt as if it had left her body and she could hardly believe what she was witnessing. Thud¡ªthud¡ªthud. Heavy footsteps resounded, and Ye Xuan walked slowly toward her, snapping Zhuo Junting back to reality as she stumbled backward in panic. ¡°Ye... Mr. Ye... Do you want to kill me?¡± Zhuo Junting¡¯s voice shook with fear. Looking at Zhuo Junting, overwhelmed with fright, Ye Xuan slowly shook his head, his eyes devoid of any pity. ¡°If it hadn¡¯t been for my timely arrival today, would not my mother have died in vain here?¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s malevolent mood had now calmed down, but his voice remained cold and merciless. ¡°Rest easy, I¡¯ll leave you a whole corpse.¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s fingers aligned, and a Sword Qi formed between them, seeming ready to slay Zhuo Junting the next moment. ¡°Xuan... Xuan¡¯er... don¡¯t kill!¡± Suddenly, before Ye Xuan could act, his mother¡¯s exceedingly weak voice came from behind him, which caused his expression to falter. He gave Zhuo Junting a deep look, casually dispelled the Sword Qi, and then went over to his mother¡¯s side. ¡°Mom, let¡¯s go home.¡± Bending down to pick up his mother, Ye Xuan disappeared from the Baihua Zhengyan Hall as Zhuo Junting stared in a daze. Bohai Hotel was in chaos. Countless dining customers scrambled to flee outside, prompted by the intense tremors that shook the entire Bohai Hotel. Yet, once they escaped, they found everything as normal as ever, the so-called earthquake appearing nothing more than an illusion. Ye Ling¡¯er stood outside the hotel, her face filled with urgency. Although she was puzzled by Ye Xuan¡¯s sudden disappearance, she was more concerned about where he had gone. Her eldest brother was simply too mysterious. ¡°Ling¡¯er, we¡¯re going home.¡± Ye Xuan, holding his mother, unexpectedly appeared beside Ye Ling¡¯er. When she saw her unconscious mother with blood at the corner of her mouth, she was too anxious to think about Ye Xuan¡¯s mysteriousness and blurted out, ¡°What happened to mom?¡± ¡°There was a minor complication, but thankfully there¡¯s no danger to her life,¡± Ye Xuan said solemnly. ¡°Brother, let¡¯s hurry to the hospital.¡± ¡°No need, the hospital can¡¯t help with these injuries, I have my ways.¡± After saying this, Ye Xuan hailed a taxi, and the family headed straight home. ... In the Biyun Pavilion, Ye Xuan¡¯s home. Ye Xuan waved his palms in the air, and streaks of bloodlight permeated out, continuously flowing into his mother lying on the bed. It wasn¡¯t until her fractured chest bones visibly mended and her breathing became steady that Ye Xuan stopped, and a great weight lifted from his heart. Throughout the process, Ye Ling¡¯er watched Ye Xuan administer treatment, the shock evident in her eyes as she found her elder brother even more unfathomable. ¡°Brother, who... who exactly are you?¡± Ye Ling¡¯er asked uneasily. ¡°Little sister, the world is very vast, and there are many things you cannot understand. When the time comes, I will naturally tell you,¡± Ye Xuan said calmly. Hearing Ye Xuan¡¯s response, Ye Ling¡¯er nodded, ¡°Brother, mother will be okay, right?¡± ¡°Multiple fractures in her bones, damage to her internal organs. Fortunately, I treated her in time. Now there is no danger to her life, but her body is weak. Take good care of mother here, I have some things to take care of.¡± After instructing his sister, Ye Xuan stepped out of the house. ... Jiangnan Suspended Mirror Department! Liu Jundie¡¯s elegant eyebrows were tightly knitted as she stared fixedly at Ye Xuan, a trace of humiliation crossing her eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t think just because you have the backing of the Wu¡¯an Office, you can do whatever you want. Besides, I am not your subordinate. What right do you have to order me around?¡± Liu Jundie said angrily. Ye Xuan looked calmly at Liu Jundie. Tapping the desk lightly with his fingers, he said, ¡°I don¡¯t want to exchange too much nonsense with you. I am now commanding you in my capacity as a Guest Elder of the Wu¡¯an Office, no matter what methods you use, you must gather all information about the Taian Leng Family for me.¡± ¡°That¡¯s impossible!¡± Liu Jundie slammed her hand on the desk, standing up abruptly. Ye Xuan slowly rose, a trace of a cruel cold smile etching at the corner of his mouth before he walked out of the office. Yet, his icy voice echoed in Liu Jundie¡¯s ears. ¡°You can try and see what happens if you don¡¯t obey my command.¡± Watching Ye Xuan disappear, Liu Jundie¡¯s eyes reddened, her eyes filling with mist, all because Ye Xuan was truly too overbearing. Crack! The glass on the office desk was smashed to pieces by Liu Jundie in a fit of embarrassed anger, as she shouted, ¡°You despicable bastard.¡± After venting her anger, Liu Jundie also completely calmed down. She knew Ye Xuan was cold and ruthless, capable of anything. Liu Jundie picked up the phone and dialed directly. Before long, Azure Dragon¡¯s voice came through from the other end. ¡°Hello, what is it?¡± Liu Jundie quickly recounted what had happened at Bohai Hotel, and also shared the order from Ye Xuan to investigate the Leng Family, which left Azure Dragon silent for a long time on the other end of the line. ¡°The Leng Family is an Ancient Martial Arts family; this matter is of great significance. Don¡¯t act rashly for the time being; I¡¯ll communicate with Mr. Ye first.¡± Azure Dragon¡¯s voice was grave. The call was then disconnected. ... At the same time, at the Zhuo Family. The old master of the Zhuo Family had a stern look on his face, fear evident in his eyes, while Zhuo Junting stood before him with her head bowed as if she had made a grave mistake. ¡°Junting, I¡¯ve watched you grow up from a young age and always had high expectations of you. Yet, this time, you¡¯ve truly disappointed me,¡± scolded the old master coldly. ¡°Grandfather, I...¡± ¡°Shut up!¡± The old master paced back and forth in the living room before suddenly turning to Zhuo Junting and saying, ¡°I¡¯ve told you before that this Mr. Ye is extraordinary. Furthermore, he has only his mother and sister at home, and yet you fail to recognize even his mother. How can I confidently entrust the Zhuo Family to you with such mistakes?¡± ¡°Grandfather, I was wrong. But now that it has happened, what should we do?¡± Zhuo Junting¡¯s face was pale as she spoke. ¡°What should we do?¡± The old master¡¯s face darkened, a look of struggle flashing across his eyes, clearly making a difficult decision. The fact that Leng Qingxue had come to Jiangnan City was actually because the old master had paid a hefty price to the Leng Family, all to uncover the truth of being haunted by evil spirits. Originally, the old master had intended to visit Ye Xuan personally, both to build a closer relationship and to seek Ye Xuan¡¯s help in finding the true culprits behind his troubles. However, Ye Xuan was elusive, often not at home, and he had no chance to visit, thus the incident of Leng Qingxue coming to Jiangnan had happened. But now, with Leng Qingxue dead in Jiangnan, the Zhuo Family, as the inviting party, had an undeniable responsibility. Once the Leng Family learned of this, they would certainly take action against the Zhuo Family, an outcome the Zhuo Family could not bear. Now, the old master only had two choices. One was to quickly inform the Leng Family of the matter, pinning all responsibility on Ye Xuan, to preserve the Zhuo Family. The other was to completely offend the Leng Family, standing firmly with Ye Xuan, making amends for Zhuo Junting¡¯s missteps, and thus easing the relationship between the Zhuo Family and Ye Xuan. It was a choice that concerned the life and death of the family; how could it not trouble the old master? ¡°Father, we cannot afford to offend the Leng Family; in my opinion, we should quickly inform the Leng Family of this matter,¡± proposed Zhuo Wenbin. ¡°No, that¡¯s not right. Mr. Ye has been a lifesaver to our father; wouldn¡¯t it be too unrighteous to do such a thing?¡± Zhuo Wenshan argued. ¡°Big brother, we can¡¯t afford to offend the Leng Family. Do you want to see our Zhuo Family destroyed?¡± Zhuo Wenbin retorted coldly. ¡°Enough! The old man isn¡¯t dead yet. What are you bickering about?¡± The old master scolded his two sons, then spoke in a low voice, ¡°Tonight I will personally visit Mr. Ye. As for how to make the decision, we¡¯ll discuss it after I return.¡± Chapter 59 - 59 59 Glorious Auction House ?59: Chapter 59 Glorious Auction House 59: Chapter 59 Glorious Auction House Ye Xuan was in a terrible mood, truly terrible. When his mood soured, only slaughter could quell his violent emotions. Yet he temporarily suppressed this feeling. Although Leng Qingxue and others had been killed by him, the matter was not over, just as Ye Xuan had said. He intended to not only kill her but also exterminate her entire family. However, the injury of Ye Xuan¡¯s mother also served as a warning to him, making him realize that without him by their side, his family¡¯s safety could not be ensured. Moreover, the Blood Soul Strange Beasts lurking in the Mortal World, though currently dormant, would inevitably erupt and threaten his family. Providing them with means to protect themselves was what he needed to do. Precaution is better than cure, safety first and foremost. Ye Xuan pondered for a long time and finally devised a less than ideal solution. Artifact Refining, Setting up arrays! As a Cultivator, Ye Xuan¡¯s skills in Artifact Refining and array setting were second to none. However, the wise could not work without the necessary resources, and even though Ye Xuan had the skills, the materials for Artifact Refining and array setting were extremely hard to find, which was a significant issue. ¡°Hmm?¡± Suddenly, a spark of Spiritual Light flashed through Ye Xuan¡¯s mind. The materials for Artifact Refining and setting up arrays naturally consisted of various Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures. In these waning days of Cultivation where Spiritual Energy was depleted, although Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures were hard to find, there were alternatives. Jade, high-quality jade. Only jade that had existed for more than a hundred years could be used as material for Artifact Refining and setting up arrays, though the effect would be greatly diminished. However, it was the only solution available now. Ye Xuan¡¯s thoughts returned, and he had made up his mind. He casually hailed a taxi and directed the driver towards the largest auction house in Jiangnan City. ... Glorious Auction House. A well-known auction house in Jiangnan, everything auctioned here was genuine, with absolutely no fakes, and thanks to decades of good reputation, Glorious Auction House had grown bigger and monopolized the market in Jiangnan City. There¡¯s an old saying about dealing with jade and antiques: ¡°A business can remain closed for three years if it profits well enough when it opens.¡± This also shows how lucrative the market for antiques and jade can be. At Glorious Auction House, they only held auctions twice a year, and usually, the auction house was not open to the public. However, today they had an unusual visitor. Inside the auction house. Ye Xuan lounged on a sofa, a Supreme Black Card placed on the coffee table in front of him. A middle-aged man in a suit was currently looking at Ye Xuan with a troubled expression. ¡°Mr. Ye, if you truly wish to purchase some jade, perhaps it¡¯s better to wait until the auction house reopens next year. These are the rules of Glorious Auction House, and I ask for your understanding.¡± As the person in charge of Glorious Auction House, Gu Xiangyun recognized the Supreme Black Card on the table which indicated that its holder had a net worth of at least one billion. However, the auction house had its rules, and they couldn¡¯t be broken just for Ye Xuan. ¡°First off, I don¡¯t have the time to make another trip, and your so-called rules, as far as I¡¯m concerned, are just set by someone at some point,¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s attitude was assertive, but he wasn¡¯t looking to cause trouble, he continued, ¡°Of course, I won¡¯t make things difficult for you. Apart from buying your jade at the normal price, I also have an item to auction here, which should more than compensate for your loss.¡± A milky-white elixir was casually placed on the desk by Ye Xuan, emitting a fragrant aroma that immediately halted Gu Xiangyun¡¯s initial words of refusal. Curiosity filled his eyes as he asked, ¡°Mr. Ye, this is...?¡± ¡°This is a Nourishing Yuan Pill. As long as a person is not yet dead, it can save their life,¡± Ye Xuan explained straightforwardly without any superfluous words. Upon hearing Ye Xuan¡¯s words, Gu Xiangyun¡¯s expression slightly changed, and his gaze towards Ye Xuan grew somewhat unfriendly. ¡°Mr. Ye, that joke isn¡¯t funny at all.¡± Ye Xuan could fully sense Gu Xiangyun¡¯s unfriendly demeanor, which made his eyes narrow slightly as he said, ¡°I am not in the habit of joking. Go fetch someone who can make decisions. I don¡¯t have time to dawdle here with you.¡± Seeing that Ye Xuan was not joking, Gu Xiangyun didn¡¯t dare to take it lightly, fearing that Ye Xuan had a significant background. He hesitated, then nodded and quickly went to find the decision-maker. Time passed quickly, and in just ten short minutes, Gu Xiangyun returned, followed by a figure with a seductive and voluptuous figure. ¡°Giggle giggle!¡± ¡°Mr. Ye, the elixir you mentioned, is it really as miraculous as you say?¡± A seductive laugh, like a soul-snatching siren, sparked endless reverie in one¡¯s heart. Gu Wan¡¯er wore a fiery red dress, her exquisite and alluring face and curvaceous body exuded an indescribable sexiness, as if able to stir the deepest desires inside a man. ¡°An Ancient Martial Artist, and a Grandmaster at that?¡± ¡°Who would have thought that a modest Jiangnan City was hiding a character like you?¡± Upon seeing the sexy and enchanting Gu Wan¡¯er, Ye Xuan smiled wryly. He hadn¡¯t expected that merely buying some jade would lead to encountering an Ancient Martial Grandmaster. Were Ancient Martial Grandmasters really that common nowadays? As Ye Xuan¡¯s words fell, Gu Wan¡¯er, previously smiling coquettishly, suddenly paused, and her eyes showed a significant increase in wariness towards him. ¡°Who are you?¡± Gu Wan¡¯er¡¯s seductive smile disappeared, and her expression turned instantly cold. Her red dress fluttered as if she was about to strike Ye Xuan at any moment. Seeing Gu Wan¡¯er¡¯s combative stance, Ye Xuan smirked and said, ¡°Rest assured, I am not your enemy, nor do I have any interest in probing why a small auction house is guarded by an Ancient Martial Grandmaster.¡± ¡°Seeing my cultivation, it seems Mr. Ye is also quite extraordinary. If you truly just want to buy some jade, Wan¡¯er is willing to make your acquaintance,¡± Gu Wan¡¯er said, her demeanor softening as she probed Ye Xuan. ¡°I don¡¯t wish to engage in pointless talk. I need a large amount of jade, and I¡¯m willing to purchase it at the original price. Plus, this Nourishing Yuan Pill should compensate for your losses,¡± Ye Xuan said bluntly, not having the time to exchange pleasantries with the woman. When it came to the main topic, Gu Wan¡¯er took a deep look at Ye Xuan, then nodded and said, ¡°If this pill is as miraculous as you claim, this is all no problem.¡± Quickly, under Gu Wan¡¯er¡¯s command, Gu Xiangyun carefully scraped off a bit of powder from the Nourishing Yuan Pill and fed it directly to an injured dying mouse. In less than a minute, a highly miraculous scene unfolded. The previously dying mouse suddenly became spirited and stood up, squeaking incessantly in its cage. Its wounds visibly healed at a speed visible to the naked eye. This scene made Gu Wan¡¯er abruptly rise from her seat, her eyes intensely fixated on the Nourishing Yuan Pill on the table. ¡°This... this...?¡± As a member of the Gu Family, there were few rare elixirs Gu Wan¡¯er hadn¡¯t seen, but the effects of the Nourishing Yuan Pill uncontrollably excited her emotions. Chapter 60 - 60 60 Zhuo Family Visit ?60: Chapter 60: Zhuo Family Visit 60: Chapter 60: Zhuo Family Visit As an Ancient Martial Grandmaster, no one understood the importance of the elixir before her more than Gu Wan¡¯er. This was a matter of life and death, no matter how innately talented in Martial Arts you were or how unmatched your power was, compared to one¡¯s own life, all that was merely fleeting clouds. A dozen breaths later, Gu Wan¡¯er finally calmed down, and she directly ordered Gu Xiangyun, ¡°Bring all the jade artifacts here for Mr. Ye to choose from.¡± Watching this scene unfold before him, Ye Xuan was not surprised at all. The Nourishing Yuan Pill was the lowest level of elixir among Cultivators, but in the eyes of these Ancient Martial Artists, it was as mythical as an Immortal Pill. However, the Nourishing Yuan Pill was refined from the essence blood of a Mutant Beast from the Blood Sea. Although its effects seemed miraculous, it had a significant downside¡ªthe lifespan of anyone who consumed this pill would not exceed ten years. Of course, Ye Xuan naturally would not mention this, and even if he had, Gu Wan¡¯er would have been somewhat disappointed but would still regard this pill as a treasure. After all, for someone who was facing death, to be able to live another ten years was an enormous blessing. Soon, various jade artifacts were brought over. As Ye Xuan sifted through them, he selected a dozen Jade Pendants and two Jade Sword Pendants into his bag, while he ignored the other jade artifacts. ¡°Mr. Ye, how much is this elixir priced at? Do you have any more of these pills?¡± Gu Wan¡¯er asked, clutching the Nourishing Yuan Pill tightly in her hand as if she feared Ye Xuan might have a change of heart. ¡°The price is for you to decide, and this elixir was something I stumbled upon by chance, and I only have this one,¡± Ye Xuan said calmly. Clearly, Gu Wan¡¯er did not believe Ye Xuan. If such a precious pill was truly the only one, how could this man willingly part with it for auction? However, since Gu Wan¡¯er was sharp-witted, she naturally did not continue to press the subject. After exchanging phone numbers with Ye Xuan, she respectfully saw him out of the auction house. Watching Ye Xuan walk away, Gu Xiangyun asked in a low voice, ¡°Miss, should we send someone to follow him and find out more about him?¡± Gu Wan¡¯er shook her head, her eyes heavy with caution, ¡°Do not act rashly, this man could tell that I am an Ancient Martial Grandmaster, yet I could not discern his level of cultivation. He is definitely above me. If others find out we are tracking him, it might lead to serious trouble.¡± ¡°But can we really put this pill up for auction?¡± Gu Xiangyun spoke in a low tone. ¡°Such a valuable pill, how could we actually auction it? It¡¯s just a formality, the pill will naturally be sent back to the family,¡± Gu Wan¡¯er stated confidently. ... Although Ye Xuan had walked far away, the conversation between the two was clearly heard by him. Ye Xuan enjoyed dealing with intelligent people. Undoubtedly, Gu Wan¡¯er was one of them. She knew whom she could provoke and whom she could not, which greatly pleased Ye Xuan. As for the destination of the Nourishing Yuan Pill, Ye Xuan hardly cared. As long as Gu Wan¡¯er could continue providing him with jade artifacts, he wouldn¡¯t mind giving her the pill. However, if she became greedy and tried to scheme against him, her fate would be extremely miserable. Ye Xuan¡¯s principle was, what I give you is yours, what I have not given you, if you try to seize it, the only outcome is death. Ye Xuan¡¯s thoughts returned as he directly headed back home. Now that he had these jade artifacts, although he couldn¡¯t set up a particularly powerful array, ensuring his family¡¯s safety was more than adequate. Biyun Pavilion, the home of Ye Xuan. As day turned to evening and night descended, Ye Xuan¡¯s mother woke up early. Yet, her complexion was somewhat pale and her spirit listless, a sign she was still somewhat weak. ¡°Ling¡¯er, where is your brother?¡± Mrs. Ye quietly asked. ¡°He went out, should be back soon,¡± Ye Ling¡¯er obediently replied. ¡°Ah!¡± With a sigh, a complex look appeared in Mrs. Ye¡¯s eyes. While she had fallen injured at the Bohai Hotel, and her consciousness had been somewhat muddled, she knew that Ye Xuan had killed someone. This made her worry about Ye Xuan, fearing that the Suspended Mirror Department might come knocking on their door and take Ye Xuan to jail. ¡°Mom, are you feeling better?¡± The door was gently pushed open, and Ye Xuan entered with a smile, approaching Mrs. Ye. ¡°I¡¯m fine, it¡¯s just you, Xuan...¡± Mrs. Ye paused, wanting to say more, but how could Ye Xuan not see the worry in her eyes? ¡°Don¡¯t worry, everything has been taken care of,¡± Ye Xuan reassured her. Looking at Ye Xuan¡¯s smiling face, Mrs. Ye knew he had his secrets. Since he hadn¡¯t shared them with her, pressing further would only make him feel uncomfortable. Thump, thump, thump! A knock on the door echoed from outside, prompting Ye Xuan to extend his divine sense. As the scene outside the door formed in his mind, Ye Xuan instructed Ye Ling¡¯er to take care of their mother, then turned and went to answer the door. Opening the door, he saw Mr. Zhuo and Zhuo Junting standing outside. Upon seeing Ye Xuan, Mr. Zhuo, looking embarrassed, said, ¡°I apologize for visiting unannounced today, I hope Mr. Ye will forgive us.¡± Facing the grandfather and granddaughter, Ye Xuan¡¯s expression remained unfazed, as if he had known that the Zhuo Family would come visiting. He did not respond and walked directly toward the living room, leaving Mr. Zhuo and his granddaughter to hurriedly follow. In the living room. Ye Xuan leaned back on the sofa while Mr. Zhuo and his granddaughter stood awkwardly, uncertain whether to sit or remain standing. In this oppressive atmosphere, Ye Xuan directly broke the silence: ¡°I don¡¯t want to ask what your Zhuo Family¡¯s relationship with that woman is, nor do I want to know the purpose of your visit today.¡± Having said this, and after giving Mr. Zhuo a deep look, Ye Xuan continued, ¡°All I want to know right now is everything about the Leng Family in Taian. If you don¡¯t want to tell me, you are free to leave now.¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s attitude was straightforward, giving Mr. Zhuo only two options: either provide the information about the Leng Family or leave. This left Mr. Zhuo unable to use any of his prepared defenses. ¡°Ye... Mr. Ye... Your lifesaving grace....¡± Before Mr. Zhuo could finish, Ye Xuan waved his hand to interrupt: ¡°That Jade Talisman was sold to your Zhuo Family by me for two million. We owe nothing to each other, let¡¯s leave it at that.¡± Clearly, Ye Xuan had no intention of giving Mr. Zhuo leeway for negotiation, which deeply furrowed Mr. Zhuo¡¯s brow, unsure whether to reveal the true nature of the Leng Family. Watching the indecision on Mr. Zhuo¡¯s face, Ye Xuan sketched a cold smirk and issued a dismissal: ¡°I¡¯ve already given you a chance. It¡¯s your Zhuo Family that failed to appreciate it. You can go now.¡± Mr. Zhuo might have tried to say something more, but upon seeing Ye Xuan¡¯s indifferent gaze, he swallowed his words. After a helpless sigh, he called Zhuo Junting and left the Ye residence. ¡°Brother, who were those people?¡± Ye Ling¡¯er stepped out from the room, her face filled with confusion. ¡°Heh!¡± With narrowed eyes, Ye Xuan let out a cold laugh and said, ¡°Merely some foolish people.¡± Chapter 61 - 61 61 The Onslaught Begins ?61: Chapter 61: The Onslaught Begins 61: Chapter 61: The Onslaught Begins Summoning winds and conjuring rains, planting beans into soldiers¡ªthese are the legendary abilities of Immortals. Though Ye Xuan was a cultivator, he could summon winds and conjure rains, but planting beans into soldiers was beyond his reach. However, setting up a Confinement and Killing Array was well within his means. Ye Xuan sat cross-legged in the void, his palms drawing circles, as blood runes emerged from the void and swiftly merged into the jade in front of him. Twelve pieces of jade radiated with blood light, fluttering and hovering around. As Ye Xuan¡¯s sword fingers tore through the void, the jade suddenly vanished, sinking completely into the void in all directions. Buzz! The void shifted, ripples spread, and once Ye Xuan had finished, the entirety of the villa within a kilometer radius suddenly fell into a tranquil atmosphere¡ªexcept for the invisible blood light crisscrossing and winding through this space. Trapping Spirit Array! The array Ye Xuan set up had the power of illusion and some capabilities to kill enemies. The jade stones were merely a medium; the true methods were imbued within them with the Blood Evil Energy. Two Jade Sword Pendants, originally clear and green, turned blood-red after Ye Xuan inscribed three arrays on them, bringing him to nod in satisfaction. Ye Ling¡¯er had been watching on the side, gaining some understanding of Ye Xuan¡¯s mystical methods; naturally, she didn¡¯t show too much surprise. ¡°Ling¡¯er, you and mother must wear these two pendants, never part with them, day or night,¡± Ye Xuan instructed solemnly as he handed over the pendants to his little sister. ¡°Okay.¡± Ye Ling¡¯er obediently responded and took the Jade Sword Pendants. She wanted to say something more to Ye Xuan, but seeing him deep in thought, she swallowed her words. ¡°Big brother, I¡¯m going to check on mother,¡± Ye Ling¡¯er said, her eyes filled with a complex expression. She was about to silently exit Ye Xuan¡¯s room, but just as she reached the door, she suddenly turned back to Ye Xuan, her voice hesitant, ¡°Brother, you once said that if you were gone, I should take good care of mother. Are you really going to leave one day?¡± Ye Xuan, lost in thought, was jolted by Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s voice. He looked at his little sister, his gaze growing complex, and after several moments, he slowly shook his head with a sigh, avoiding an answer to her question. ¡°Brother, it¡¯s late, you should rest early,¡± Ye Ling¡¯er forced a smile and quickly left Ye Xuan¡¯s room. Although Ye Xuan didn¡¯t provide an answer, how could Ye Ling¡¯er not perceive his attitude? Ye Xuan sat cross-legged in the void, his aura showing slight fluctuations. He desperately wanted to tell his family that, in fact, the ¡®him¡¯ from four years ago had already died¡ªhe could never return. From the moment he entered the Blood Sea Battlefield, his life was destined to be spent in relentless combat. Battling against Primordial Spirits, contending with Heaven and Earth, stepping over the bones of countless strong foes until reaching the Nine Heavens¡ªthis was his path. And everything in the Mortal World was merely a fleeting stage; he ultimately did not belong here. Ding-a-ling-a-ling! A jarring ringtone sounded in the dead of night. Seeing that the caller was Azure Dragon, Ye Xuan showed no look of surprise. ¡°Hello,¡± Ye Xuan answered the phone. ¡°Mr. Ye, Liu Jundie has reported to me about the matter with the Leng Family. I hope you can let this go,¡± Azure Dragon stated bluntly. ¡°Why?¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly. ¡°Mr. Ye, you may not be aware, although our Wu¡¯an Office has eight major departments, most of its members are from Ancient Martial Families, and these families, being aloof from worldly affairs, have always maintained a cooperative relationship with Xia Country. It is the presence of these Ancient Martial Families that instills fear in some foreign superpower organizations toward our Xia Country,¡± Azure Dragon spoke up quickly, hoping Ye Xuan would consider the bigger picture. ¡°Mr. Ye, although I don¡¯t know what you plan to do by investigating the Leng Family, their foundation is profound. No one knows if there are any Innate Martial Artists among them. Moreover, you have already killed Leng Qingxue. How about we just let this matter go?¡± Azure Dragon continued to urge. The Ancient Martial Families are an interest group as a whole. From ancient times to the present, they have had a presence in every dynasty. If Ye Xuan truly collided with the Leng Family, it would be a case of pulling one hair and moving the whole body. ¡°Let it go?¡± Ye Xuan chuckled lightly, his voice sinister, ¡°I killed that woman, even if I¡¯m willing to turn hostility into peace, how would the Leng Family let the matter drop?¡± If Azure Dragon could see the smile on Ye Xuan¡¯s face, he would have been utterly horrified. However, over the phone, he assumed that Ye Xuan was willing to let the matter go, which made Azure Dragon say eagerly, ¡°Although this is not an easy situation to handle, Mr. Ye, you are a Guest Elder of our Earth Group. The Leng Family wouldn¡¯t dare to attack you openly. I will personally apologize to the Leng Family, and surely, we can let this matter rest.¡± ¡°Apologize?¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s smile grew more sinister, and his voice suddenly turned ice-cold. ¡°There¡¯s no need for apologies. I will handle this matter personally.¡± Even over the phone, the ominous tone in Ye Xuan¡¯s voice sent a shiver through Azure Dragon¡¯s body, his voice was filled with astonishment as he asked, ¡°Mr. Ye, what exactly do you intend to do?¡± ¡°Whoever harms my mother, I will annihilate their entire clan.¡± Ye Xuan hung up the phone casually, leaving Azure Dragon on the other end stunned and speechless for a good while before he finally snapped back to reality and quickly tried to call Ye Xuan again. After a long wait, Ye Xuan¡¯s phone remained unanswered. ¡°Big trouble is brewing!¡± Azure Dragon murmured, his voice quivering. After dialing several phones calls consecutively and finding no other recourse, Azure Dragon could only report the situation to several higher-ups. ... At that moment, Xia Country¡¯s Grand Marshal Li Linguo¡¯s expression was calm as he listened to Azure Dragon¡¯s report. Ten minutes later, Li Linguo¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, his voice filled with gravity, ¡°Aside from actions that endanger Xia Country, you can handle all of Ye Xuan¡¯s affairs as you see fit. If even you can¡¯t resolve the issue, we few old men are still here.¡± Li Linguo casually hung up the phone, his aged palm continually tapping the desk until much later, a soft mumble spilled from his lips. ¡°The power structure of Xia Country should change. These Ancient Martial Families who dismiss everything, it¡¯s time for someone to teach them a lesson.¡± ... Receiving the command from Li Linguo, Azure Dragon was in a daze. He could hardly imagine that Li Linguo, as the Grand Marshal of Xia Country¡¯s military, would issue such an order. But an order is an order, no matter Azure Dragon¡¯s confusion, he had to carry out Li Linguo¡¯s command. A compilation of information about the Leng Family gathered, sent directly to Ye Xuan¡¯s cell phone via text message, and a silent slaughter was about to commence. ... At the same time, at Fengming Mountain, the Taian branch of the Leng Family. An ancient and simple manor stood on the mountainside, with green stone slabs for floors and various Ancient Martial Weapons displayed, where dozens of imposing Ancient Martial Artists sat cultivating or moving with punches and kicks, all accompanied by booming sounds reverberating through the air. Chapter 62 - 62 62 Killing at the Door ?62: Chapter 62: Killing at the Door 62: Chapter 62: Killing at the Door Leng Family¡¯s inner hall. A middle-aged man dressed in ancient attire sat at the head of the hall, with two elders sitting upright beside him. The atmosphere within the inner hall was slightly oppressive, as if something was brewing. ¡°Ye Xuan?¡± The Family Head of the Leng Family muttered to himself, and as his eyes opened and closed, a cold murderous intent flashed through them. ¡°News from the Zhuo Family says that the young lady died at the hands of this person. Furthermore, this person¡¯s identity is not simple. After our investigation, this person is a Guest Elder from the Earth Group of the Wu¡¯an Office,¡± an elder slowly reported. ¡°Leng Qingxue had extraordinary talent and had stepped into Ancient Martial Grandmaster at a young age. She might have progressed further to become an Innate Martial Artist, rising to prominence in the Ancient Martial World. But now she is dead. What should I do?¡± The Family Head of the Leng Family laughed, a bright smile that struck a chill into the two elders when they saw it. ¡°Family Head, this person is a Guest Elder from the Wu¡¯an Office. We should think thrice before acting,¡± another elder cautiously consoled. Bang! With a loud sound, the Family Head of the Leng Family slammed his hand on the table, shattering the stone table in front of him. His smiling expression had vanished, replaced by a ferocious and frightening look. ¡°My daughter is dead, she is dead!¡± ¡°What Guest Elder of the Wu¡¯an Office? The Leng Family also has significant influence in the Wu¡¯an Office. I don¡¯t care who he is, I want him dead without a grave to be buried in,¡± the Family Head of the Leng Family roared furiously, cracking the green stone floor beneath him. ¡°Immediately notify Leng Yunfei. Within three days, I want all information on this person. I want not only his death but also his family to be buried with him,¡± the Family Head of the Leng Family shouted in rage. ... Thousands of miles across the sky, the void crisscrossed. While the Family Head of the Leng Family was investigating Ye Xuan, he was unaware that a blood-red meteor had launched from Jiangnan, hurtling towards Fengming Mountain. The void trembled, waves rippling. With every step Ye Xuan took, explosions resounded under his feet. His expression was calm, unsettlingly calm, but the murderous intent flickering in his eyes as they opened and closed was truly horrifying. ¡°To not remove the root when cutting the grass, for the wind of spring will blow and bring it back to life,¡± Ye Xuan understood this principle well. When Ye Xuan had slain Leng Qingxue, he had already decided to also eradicate her entire family. In Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes, what Ancient Martial Families, what Innate Martial Artists, were all mere ants. In this world on the verge of drastic change, the so-called Ancient Martial Families might inspire awe among the people of the Mortal World, but when the Blood Soul and Strange Beasts gradually emerged, that was when true terror would ensue. To kill, to utterly annihilate, as long as they were enemies, the only outcome was death. That was Ye Xuan¡¯s belief. Half a day passed. When Ye Xuan appeared in the sky above Fengming Mountain, the cold winter weather suddenly turned gloomy, with a dark cloud shrouding the entire mountain. Hum! Like a meteor falling to earth, like thunder striking the ground, Ye Xuan dove from the sky, his terrifying physical body tearing through the air, causing an explosive sound in the void. Bang! Ye Xuan¡¯s feet hit the ground, causing the mountains to tremble unstably, and the ground of the Demonstration Martial Arts Arena cracked like a spiderweb. Such a terrifying scene rendered the Leng Family members in the arena speechless, until they saw Ye Xuan, at which point they finally snapped out of their daze. ¡°Brother...Brother...did this person just fall from the sky?¡± a young Martial Artist muttered incredulously to his fellow disciple beside him. ¡°Don¡¯t...don¡¯t joke...how can a person fly?¡± The disciple chided tremblingly, clearly unaware of how Ye Xuan had appeared in the Leng Family¡¯s Demonstration Martial Arts Arena. At this moment! Dozens of Martial Artists were all staring at Ye Xuan, obviously still shocked, until a mournful shriek cut through the air, snapping them back to reality. Swish! A sword light slashed across the sky, blood sprayed everywhere, and a body of a Leng Family Martial Artist was severed, instantly turning into a cold corpse, displayed before the eyes of the Leng Family. Ye Xuan wasted no words. He had come to the Leng Family specifically to slaughter and exterminate, not in the mood to dawdle with these mortals. He employed his butcher tactics immediately, and that was exactly what he was there to do. Swoosh! Cries of alarm filled the air, the entire Demonstration Martial Arts Arena became chaotic; but before the Leng Family Martial Artists could react, Ye Xuan stepped forward. The Bloodthirsty Demon Sword appeared in his hand, releasing a brilliant sword light, and he began harvesting the lives of those present. ¡°No... don¡¯t kill me!¡± ¡°Who... who are you?¡± ¡°Quickly inform the Family Head, a formidable enemy has arrived.¡± Blood rained down, limbs and bodies severed, amidst endless wails and shrieks, dozens of Leng Family Martial Artists fled in a pathetic manner, but they couldn¡¯t escape the sword lights Ye Xuan unleashed. The entire Demonstration Martial Arts Arena had seemingly turned into the Shura Slaughter. ¡°Stop!¡± Suddenly, a thunderous roar erupted. Three figures appeared from afar, swiftly approaching with a large number of Leng Family Martial Artists trailing behind, and instantly surrounded Ye Xuan heavily. The Leng Family Head was at the peak of Grandmaster, just a step away from entering the Innate Realm. The two old men by his side were Grandmasters, albeit aged, but formidable nonetheless. ¡°Who are you, daring to kill within my Leng Family?¡± Looking at the bodies scattered around, the Leng Family Head¡¯s complexion was grim, but his eyes betrayed a sense of horror. Knowing that even the weakest among these Leng Family members possessed Dark Force cultivation, and there were over a dozen Hua Realm experts among them, how could he not be extremely shocked that all were slain in such a short time? What was most critical was the Leng Family Head noticed a terrifying fact: the young man in black standing before him was exuding an extremely horrifying aura. The Leng Family Head was absolutely sure that, although he was an Ancient Martial Grandmaster, he was no match for this person. Moreover, it was very likely that the opponent had already stepped into the Innate Realm, otherwise how could he have slaughtered dozens of Leng Family experts in the blink of an eye? Boom boom boom! Dark clouds loomed, thunder roared, and Ye Xuan stood in the Leng Family Demonstration Martial Arts Arena holding the Bloodthirsty Demon Sword, looking at the gloomy expression of the Leng Family Head, a cruel smile traced the corners of his mouth. ¡°Very good, it looks like everyone has gathered,¡± Ye Xuan slowly nodded, a smile ever-present on his face. ¡°I don¡¯t know who your excellency is, and if the Leng Family has offended you in any way. If we are indeed at fault, I, Leng, offer my apologies here,¡± the Leng Family Head declared, compressing the killing intent in his heart and deliberately lowering his stance when he realized Ye Xuan might be an Innate Martial Artist. ¡°Family Head, that is Ye Xuan!¡± Suddenly, an elder¡¯s eyes widened in horror as he exclaimed. ¡°What?¡± Hearing the elder¡¯s words, the Leng Family Head suddenly looked toward Ye Xuan, his expression turning extremely unsightly. He had never imagined that before he could seek retribution, his opponent had already arrived at the Leng Family¡¯s doorstep! Ye Xuan gazed indifferently, his eyes on the Leng Family crowd as if he were looking at dead men. Ye Xuan¡¯s visit today was not just to massacre and exterminate; the hundreds of Ancient Martial Artists present were the best nourishment. The energy within their blood was much denser than that of ordinary people, and could supplement the cultivation he had incessantly consumed these past days. In the Blood Sea Battlefield, he had Mutant Beasts to provide him with blood energy, enabling Ye Xuan to elevate his cultivation to the Transcendance Tribulation Stage in just four years. However, upon returning to the city, each time he made a move, he lost a fraction of his cultivation. Without replenishment, if this continued, his cultivation would inevitably regress, a scenario Ye Xuan did not wish to see. Moreover, with Blood Soul Strange Beasts lurking in the Mortal World and gradually devouring flesh to regain their strength, if Ye Xuan¡¯s cultivation remained stagnant, would he not suffer greatly when he truly faced these threats? Ye Xuan harbored a wild aspiration¡ªhe wanted to achieve Immortality in the Mortal World. To achieve this goal, aside from pushing through that door and entering the so-called Earth Immortal Realm, he could only continuously devour blood energy to enhance his cultivation. Ye Xuan was curious to see how the Primordial Spirit would feel when he achieved Immortality in the Mortal World, and that would also be the time when he would truly confront the Primordial Spirit. Chapter 63 - 63 63 Annihilation of a Clan ?63: Chapter 63: Annihilation of a Clan 63: Chapter 63: Annihilation of a Clan The Leng Family Head¡¯s feelings were incredibly complex right now, truly very complex¡ªhe wanted nothing more than to tear Ye Xuan apart into pieces, to avenge Leng Qingxue. However, the reality before him dictated that Ye Xuan¡¯s cultivation far surpassed the Grandmaster Realm. Although the Leng Family had the advantage in numbers, facing someone who might be an Innate Martial Artist, they were merely lambs waiting for slaughter. When a Martial Artist entered the Innate Realm, it was a qualitative leap¡ªone Innate Martial Artist could kill ten Grandmasters, which showed just how terrifying an Innate Martial Artist could be. Filled with rage and resentment, the Leng Family Head dared not act out; his face alternated between expressions, but after several moments, a forced smile appeared and he bowed to Ye Xuan, saying, ¡°So it turns out to be Mr. Ye. I am not aware of any offenses my Leng Family might have committed to displease Mr. Ye. Here I offer you an apology.¡± Under someone¡¯s roof, one has no choice but to bow down¡ªsuch was the decision of the Leng Family Head. ¡°From your spiteful gaze, I can see that you really want to kill me. Despite your best efforts to hide it, your eyes have betrayed you,¡± Ye Xuan said indifferently. Hearing Ye Xuan¡¯s words, the Leng Family Head¡¯s heart skipped a beat, but he continued to force a smile and said, ¡°Mr. Ye, you joke. My daughter died by your hand, a consequence of her own actions. The Leng Family would dare not harbor any anger or resentment.¡± As the saying goes, it¡¯s hard to strike a smiling face; with the Leng Family Head being so humble, if Ye Xuan continued to massacre the Leng Family, it would seem rather like bullying. Had it been someone else, they might have indeed left. But who was Ye Xuan? He was the Undying Venerable, a being beyond mortals, who believed in the supremacy of the strong, insisting on taking decisive actions. Since he had decided to exterminate the Leng Family, no one could defy his decision. In other words: I¡¯m strong and I¡¯m bullying your Leng Family. What can you do about it? ¡°Die!¡± Ye Xuan uttered these two simple words, and the Bloodthirsty Demon Sword, humming, burst forth from his hands, transforming into a wash of blood light, slashing toward the Leng Family members. Seeing this, the Leng Family Head could clearly discern Ye Xuan¡¯s intention; it distorted his face into a ferocious expression, and he was filled with a determination to fight to the death. ¡°You little bastard, just because you¡¯re an Innate Martial Artist, do you think my Leng Family is afraid of you?¡± ¡°Kill him!¡± Since there was no room left for compromise, the Leng Family Head wasted no words. Clang, clang, clang! The sounds of swords unsheathing were incessant; amidst the Leng Family Head¡¯s roars, hundreds of Leng Family warriors fearlessly charged at Ye Xuan, clearly having no way back¡ªit was either Ye Xuan¡¯s death or the downfall of the Leng Family. ¡°Execute them!¡± With blood illuminating the sky and Sword Qi exploding, Ye Xuan remained unmoved, a smile still on his face; however, each flick of his sword fingers disturbed the void. The Bloodthirsty Demon Sword trembled violently with each slash, leaving dozens of Leng Family warriors dead. Blood splattered, cries of agony continued, and as hundreds of Leng Family warriors kept falling, their eyes reddened with blood, their looks towards Ye Xuan filled with extreme hatred. Watching the continual gruesome deaths of the Leng Family members, an Elder of the Leng Family almost ground his teeth to bits, his eyes turned wildly crazed as he looked at Ye Xuan. ¡°Ye Xuan, even if today I perish here, I won¡¯t make it easy for you.¡± The crazed Leng Family Elder roared, his hunched body swelling as if he were a balloon about to burst, madly rushing toward Ye Xuan to attack. ¡°Second Uncle, no!¡± the Leng Family Head exclaimed in horror. Boom! The Elder¡¯s body exploded into pieces, raining blood. Under the self-destruction of the Leng Family Elder, an extremely terrifying energy erupted, Ye Xuan bore the brunt of it, completely submerged by this energy. ¡°Second Grandpa!¡± A young member of the Leng Family wailed loudly, even kneeling on the ground as tears poured from his eyes. Limbs and arms scattered, the ground flowed like a river of blood. The entire Demonstration Martial Arts Arena fell completely silent until, after dozens of moments, a trembling voice came from one of the Leng Family¡¯s Martial Artists. ¡°Is he... dead?¡± ¡°When a Grandmaster self-destructs, their power increases tenfold. Even if he is an Innate Martial Artist, there is no chance he could have survived,¡± the Family Head of the Leng Family coldly chided, his eyes betraying intense pain. With a beloved daughter dead and an Elder self-destructed, the Leng Family had lost two Grandmaster figures in a row, a devastating blow that deeply pained their Family Head. ¡°Wait...wait... he¡¯s not dead yet!¡± Suddenly, a terrifying scream was heard, causing the faces of the Leng Family to drastically change, all looking towards the center of the arena. As the dust settled and the blood mist hazed, when Ye Xuan once again appeared in the sight of the Leng Family, those of weak mind among the Lengs fell to their knees, their eyes filled with extreme terror as they looked at Ye Xuan. With a demeanor calm and unbothered by dust, there stood Ye Xuan; not only was he unharmed, but his clothes didn¡¯t even bear a single wrinkle, as if the self-explosion of the Leng Family Elder had not harmed him in the least. ¡°This really is dull to the extreme,¡± Ye Xuan stretched his arms and inhaled the bloody scent in the air; as his eyes opened and closed, a hint of intoxication flashed through. ¡°Let¡¯s end this!¡± Ye Xuan finally grew weary, his voice turning cold and brutal. Boom! With one step, he ascended towards the sky, a booming sound transmitting through the void; under the astonished eyes of the Leng Family, Ye Xuan sat high in the sky, a dim blood light blooming around him. ¡°He... he isn¡¯t an Ancient Martial Artist... he... he is...?¡± As the Leng Family Head watched this scene, his face turned pale, his teeth chattering, his mind involuntarily conjuring an ancient legend. Ancient lore! Is there truly a Cultivator in the world? From whom did the Ancient Martial Arts pass down to this era? All beings possess spirituality, humans first and foremost, gathering Spiritual Energy from Heaven and Earth, absorbing the essence of the sun and moon, with the power to upheave mountains and overturn seas with but a gesture¡ªthese beings were called Cultivators. The path of Ancient Martial Arts, Ming Jin, Dark Force, Hua Realm, Grandmaster, was merely a mortal endeavor; only stepping into the Innate Realm might one glimpse the legendary Cultivators. And the so-called Innate Martial Artist, as per ancient records, was merely a beginner in Cultivation, this realm also termed the Qi Refinement Realm! Innate Nine Layer, Qi Refining Nine Layer, only by breaking through the Innate Realm could one truly be called a Cultivator; but in this world today, where the Spiritual Energy was scarce, Innate Martial Artists were extremely rare, not to mention surpassing them. However, as the Leng Family Head gazed at Ye Xuan in the high sky, his soul seemed to emerge from his body, a bold guess forming in his mind¡ªperhaps this man determined to destroy their Leng Family was the legendary Cultivator. ¡°Flee, flee quickly, you all flee! As long as one of our Leng Family survives, quickly inform the entire Ancient Martial World, the legendary Cultivator has appeared.¡± The Leng Family Head, his face pale, turned and roared towards the members of the Leng Family, feeling utterly helpless against Ye Xuan, his entire being flying away down the mountain to escape. Chapter 64 - 64 64 Great Love and Great Hatred ?64: Chapter 64 Great Love and Great Hatred 64: Chapter 64 Great Love and Great Hatred Although the younger members of the Leng Family didn¡¯t understand what the Family Head meant by ¡°Cultivator,¡± with the Family Head himself having fled, and the mysterious figure in the sky so terrifying, everyone wanted to avoid death. Naturally, like scattered birds, they fled in all directions. ¡°Escape?¡± Ye Xuan sat cross-legged in the void, looking down at the fleeing Leng Family Martial Artists with a cruel smile curling at the corners of his mouth. ¡°Do you think you can escape?¡± Ye Xuan whispered. ¡°Ten Directions Swallowing Heaven Formation!¡± As if Nine Heavens Thunder exploded, as if the stars of Tian Yu shattered, a terrifying event occurred as soon as Ye Xuan¡¯s voice was heard. Boom! Blood illuminated the sky, Runes permeated the air, and as Ye Xuan released his palm, this piece of Heaven and Earth was immediately sealed. A thousand-zhang blood cloud formed high above, within which countless blood-thunder crisscrossed. ¡°Kill!¡± Crack! Endless blood and terrifying thunder struck down at that moment. Mountains exploded, ranges trembled, and the fleeing Leng Family Martial Artists were pulverized by the blood-thunder, clouds of blood mist drifted through the mountains, accompanied by exceedingly miserable screams. ¡°No... I don¡¯t want to die!¡± ¡°What... what is this?¡± ¡°He... he¡¯s not human...¡± Boom! Lightning streaked across the sky, blood gleamed cold and harsh, the slaughter continued, and creatures wailed. Ye Xuan was surrounded by a hazy blood light as he sat above, indifferently overlooking the scene below. ¡°Swallowing Heaven Technique!¡± Like a giant whale consuming water, like a river reversing its flow, when Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes opened and closed, it seemed as if two blood-red stars were rotating in his eyes. Billowing blood qi surged toward him, engulfing his body until the Heaven and Earth around him finally calmed. Absorbing blood qi, solidifying himself, and continuously enhancing his Cultivation, that was what Ye Xuan was doing now. Half a day passed. The blood light around Ye Xuan gradually dissipated. He exhaled a breath as thick as a plume, causing a blast in the void, until he opened his eyes, and a sharp blood light burst forth, giving off a feeling that was too intense to look directly at. ¡°The blood qi of hundreds of Ancient Martial Artists has directly made up for the deficit these past days; my internal Cultivation has slightly increased. It seems that becoming an Immortal in the Mortal World is not an impossible feat,¡± Ye Xuan murmured to himself, a mysterious sparkle crossing his eyes. At this moment! Fengming Mountain was dead silent to the extreme. The vast Leng Family had been razed, and Ye Xuan walked through the void until he landed midway up the mountain. Looking at the ground strewn with limbs and severed parts, his eyes showed no ripples. ¡°Isn¡¯t it time for you to come out?¡± Suddenly, Ye Xuan softly spoke, looking directly at a certain cave. Unfortunately, as Ye Xuan¡¯s voice fell, there was no response from the surroundings, which made Ye Xuan slowly shake his head and say, ¡°Or should I come find you?¡± ¡°No... don¡¯t kill me!¡± Suddenly! A trembling voice came from within the cave. A young man dressed in the Leng Family¡¯s clothes crawled out of the cave, his eyes looking at Ye Xuan filled with extreme fear. ¡°Still just a child,¡± Ye Xuan mused, his eyes becoming hazy as he looked at the other¡¯s youthful face. It was as if he saw himself from four years ago, just as helpless, and if it weren¡¯t for the Primordial Spirit that had molded him, he wouldn¡¯t be where he was today. ¡°Don¡¯t... don¡¯t kill me... I am not from the Leng Family.¡± The boy¡¯s face was ashen, his young features etched with fear. ¡°What¡¯s your name?¡± Ye Xuan asked softly. ¡°Sir... My name is Leng Wuge, I¡¯m just a servant of the Leng family,¡± the boy replied, his voice trembling. ¡°Hmm.¡± Ye Xuan nodded, walking over to the boy. His hand, glistening like jade, gently stroked the boy¡¯s hair as he spoke with a voice smooth as jade, ¡°Go in peace, I will leave your body intact.¡± Bang! Showing no mercy, wielding a decisive blow, the boy¡¯s eyes dilated with the force of Ye Xuan¡¯s palm. He stared dead at Ye Xuan, never having guessed that Ye Xuan would truly kill him. ¡°Why... why?¡± the boy uttered in his dying breath, a note of unwillingness in his voice. ¡°Although you¡¯ve concealed it well, I saw something in your eyes, and that something is... hatred!¡± Ye Xuan said calmly, a touch of sorrow flickering in his gaze. ¡°There are only two kinds of truly fearsome people in the world.¡± ¡°One kind is those with great love, who establish a heart for Heaven and Earth, a life for the people, who continue the legacy of the Saints and bring peace for all ages. These people carry the world in their hearts and bless all living beings, they are akin to Saints.¡± ¡°The other kind is those filled with great hatred, resented against the unfair heavens and the heartless earth. With hatred in their heart, they can turn the world upside down, and they are even more fearsome than the former,¡± Ye Xuan said, not sure if he was speaking to the boy or to himself. At this moment, his aura seemed lonely and desolate. ¡°Even though you¡¯re not the second kind, with hatred in your heart, how could I let you live?¡± Ye Xuan whispered, but the boy¡¯s eyes had already scattered, his cold body collapsing to the ground. The breeze was light, the clouds were serene, untainted by dust. A gentle wind blew, making Ye Xuan¡¯s hair flutter. He gazed into the vast mountains, his eyes brimming with indescribable loneliness and vicissitude. Ye Xuan wondered, which kind of person was he? His mind drifted as he searched his heart, but he never found the answer he sought. Ye Xuan saw himself as a heartless person. Even facing a frail young boy, he didn¡¯t hold back, killing him on the spot. The once humble heart of compassion had been abandoned. This wasn¡¯t the outcome he had desired, but four years of killing had taught Ye Xuan a lesson. The strong are as imposing as mountains, the weak crawl like ants! This is a world where the strong perpetually prevail. Only by casting away his former compassion and sweeping everything from his path could he truly roam free between heaven and earth. The young boy¡¯s death didn¡¯t cause even a ripple in Ye Xuan¡¯s mind. Still, it did give him pause to reflect¡ªwould the boy have sought revenge had he spared his life today? To annihilate a family, to kill without remorse, Ye Xuan did not fear the boy¡¯s revenge, but rather that the boy would spend his life tormented by hate, and such torment could drive a person mad. Great figures were not to be dreaded; instead, it was these crazed inferiors who could deal a fatal blow at just the right moment. Whether it was to avoid trouble or to spare the boy from the agony of hatred, putting him to death seemed the best course of action. While Ye Xuan¡¯s view might be deemed extreme, it was also his philosophy for dealing with the world, and the reason he had survived to this day. His thoughts returning, Ye Xuan flashed a smile. What was he thinking, turning into a world-weary old man? His road ahead was still long, his life had only just begun. Amidst the foggy mountains and the narrow pathways, Ye Xuan¡¯s spirit seemed to ascend at that moment. He didn¡¯t fly away but instead walked along the mountain path, heading down from Fengming Mountain. Yet behind him, blood soaked the earth, the Leng Family estate lay in ruins, and countless corpses of Leng Family Martial Artists strewn about the ground depicted a scene of utter horror. Chapter 65 - 65 65 Ye Ping Returns Home ?65: Chapter 65 Ye Ping Returns Home 65: Chapter 65 Ye Ping Returns Home Three days passed, and when the news of the Leng Family¡¯s annihilation spread throughout the Ancient Martial World, it instantly caused a huge uproar, with various speculations emerging. Some said the Leng Family¡¯s destruction was the work of old enemies, while others said the Leng Family had offended someone significant, which led to their tragic end. There were no eternal dynasties, nor everlasting families. The extinction of an Ancient Martial Family was rare, but there were many such instances. After all, in the world of martial arts, enmity and slaughter were natural. Although the destruction of the Leng Family shook the Ancient Martial World, it quickly settled down. However, this event greatly shocked Azure Dragon, who could never have imagined that Ye Xuan could be so terrifying, destroying an entire Ancient Martial Family in an instant. At the same time, when the Zhuo Family received the news of the Leng Family¡¯s destruction, Old Master Zhuo seemed to age ten years, becoming extremely anxious and restless, because it was he who had passed the information about Ye Xuan to the Leng Family. If this was not Ye Xuan¡¯s doing, he would never believe it. It was also at this time that a major change occurred in the Zhuo Family. Old Master Zhuo died suddenly overnight, found dead at home from heart failure according to the doctors. Yet, the upheaval was not over; following Old Master Zhuo¡¯s sudden death, Junting¡¯s father also died in a car accident, and all the power of the Zhuo Family fell into the hands of Zhuo Wenbin, Junting¡¯s younger brother. Junting herself vanished without a trace and was declared a missing person by the Suspended Mirror Department. ... Jiangnan City. Firecrackers resounded and fireworks dazzled; today was Spring Festival, which was also the most important festival in Xia Country. Everyone¡¯s faces were filled with festive joy, making it incredibly lively. Biyun Pavilion, at home. Ye Xuan wore a smile, enjoying the New Year¡¯s Eve dinner with his family. This was the first Spring Festival he spent with his family since his return to the Mortal World, which made him feel especially warm. However, Ye Xuan could sense that, although his mother was very happy, there was occasional sorrow in her eyes, clearly missing Ye Ping. How could Ye Xuan not perceive such emotions? Ye Xuan could only sigh internally, unsure whether to tell his mother about Ye Ping¡¯s current situation! Knock, knock, knock! Suddenly! A knocking sound came, causing Ye Xuan¡¯s brow to furrow slightly, wondering who could be visiting at this time, as everyone was generally at home celebrating the Spring Festival. ¡°I¡¯ll get the door,¡± Ye Ling¡¯er put down her utensils and headed towards the door. As Ye Ling¡¯er opened the door, Ye Xuan and his mother also looked outside. When a familiar face entered their vision, Ye Xuan was momentarily stunned, and then quietly continued to eat his meal, appearing extremely calm. But Ye¡¯s mother cried tears of joy and quickly walked towards the Ye Family¡¯s main door. ¡°Ping¡¯er, you... how did you come back?¡± Outside, Ye Ping, dressed in a suit and holding many gifts, showed a guilty expression in his eyes and hesitantly called out ¡®Mom¡¯. ¡°Elder brother.¡± Looking at Ye Ping, Ye Ling¡¯er also appeared slightly excited. ¡°Little sister,¡± Ye Ping said with a slight nasal twang. ¡°Come in quickly, come in quickly, look who it is,¡± Ye¡¯s mother excitedly spoke, pulling Ye Ping by the arm towards Ye Xuan. ¡°Big... Big Brother!¡± Ye Ping looked on as Ye Xuan calmly ate his meal, not sparing him a single glance, which made Ye Ping slightly embarrassed. ¡°Xuan, look, your brother has returned.¡± At this moment, their mother had not yet noticed the unusual atmosphere between the two brothers and excitedly addressed Ye Xuan. ¡°Oh!¡± Ye Xuan responded briefly with one word, and that was when their mother realized that something might be amiss. ¡°Have you two brothers met?¡± Their mother, sensing something, asked with a hint of suspicion in her voice. Feeling his mother¡¯s uneasy emotions, Ye Xuan finally looked directly at Ye Ping and a smile appeared on his face, ¡°Since you¡¯re back, sit down and have dinner.¡± Looking at Ye Xuan¡¯s smiling face, Ye Ping could feel that there was a chasm between him and Ye Xuan. Ye Ping knew that if it weren¡¯t for their mother¡¯s sake, Ye Xuan probably wouldn¡¯t even glance at him. ¡°Alright, sit down and eat. Tell me, how did the Ye Family let you come back?¡± Under their mother¡¯s invitation, Ye Ping finally sat down, and Ye Ling¡¯er also returned to the dining table. This moment of family reunion brought immense joy to their mother. At the dining table, their mother kept serving dishes to her children and frequently asked Ye Ping about his current situation. Ye Ping answered simply, stating he had grown up and naturally must return to show filial piety to his mother. He also explicitly mentioned that he wouldn¡¯t be returning to the Ye Family temporarily, which delighted their mother greatly. However, at the dining table, Ye Xuan remained silent. Although Ye Ling¡¯er was young, she could sense something was off. She noticed Ye Ping becoming tense while chatting with their mother and frequently glancing at Ye Xuan out of the corner of his eye as if he feared him. Dinner passed quickly, and the family watched the Spring Festival Gala on TV. Although the gala was still as boring as ever, having her children by her side made their mother enjoy it immensely. Late at night. Their mother personally prepared a room, and Ye Ping stayed there until she returned to her room to rest. Then, the two brothers sat facing each other in the living room, while Ye Ling¡¯er secretly cracked open her door a little to secretly observe her two brothers. ¡°Big... Big Brother!¡± Looking at Ye Xuan¡¯s calm face, Ye Ping stuttered. ¡°Don¡¯t call me big brother. I told you when we were in the Ye Family that from then on, our brotherly ties were severed.¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s expression was normal, his voice incredibly calm. ¡°Big Brother, I know you blame me, but can¡¯t you forgive me?¡± Ye Ping said, his face pale. Looking at his younger brother from the past, Ye Xuan said softly, ¡°I don¡¯t know why you have come back or what mission the Ye Family has given you, but let me tell you, if you make our mother and Ling¡¯er sad, don¡¯t blame me for being ruthless.¡± ¡°Brother, do we really have no brotherly affection left at all?¡± Ye Ping clenched his fists, visibly agitated. Ye Xuan stood up from his seat, looking down at Ye Ping from above, ¡°Do you know what it was like when I returned home?¡± ¡°I hope you don¡¯t force me because I really will kill you!¡± Ye Xuan suddenly turned and walked towards his room, his pitiless voice echoing in Ye Ping¡¯s ears, sending chills through his heart and causing him immense distress. Ye Ping could feel that his older brother was not merely speaking figuratively; that icy gaze was akin to that of the god of the underworld, as if he might take his life the next moment, which troubled him deeply, leaving him wondering what he was thinking about. Inside her room, Ye Ling¡¯er secretly watched the scene, covering her mouth to almost exclaim in shock. Ye Ling¡¯er couldn¡¯t understand what had happened that led Ye Xuan to speak of killing Ye Ping, and it was clear that the two brothers had met earlier and something very unpleasant must have occurred. Chapter 66 - 66 66 Zhuo Juntings Call for Help ?66: Chapter 66: Zhuo Junting¡¯s Call for Help 66: Chapter 66: Zhuo Junting¡¯s Call for Help Late at night! Ye Xuan was alone in the room, gazing out at the moonlit window, his face showing no ripple of emotion. He knew that Ye Ping¡¯s return was surely the Ye Family¡¯s doing. But no matter what the Ye Family¡¯s intentions were, it bothered Ye Xuan not. Should they not know their place, in Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes, they had but one path: death. Ye Xuan¡¯s thoughts were simple: If Ye Ping truly came back out of filial piety for their mother, he would not obstruct him. After all, Ye Ping was born of his mother, and so long as he behaved properly, Ye Xuan would still stand as Ye Ping¡¯s elder brother in front of their mother. But if Ye Ping¡¯s return was fueled by ulterior motives ¨C even if he was Ye Xuan¡¯s own brother ¨C Ye Xuan would be ruthless and cold, ensuring that Ye Ping would vanish from this world. ... Time flew swiftly, and a month had passed since Ye Ping¡¯s return. During this time, nothing significant happened; their mother glowed with happiness every day, seemingly rejuvenated by a decade, which brought some comfort to Ye Xuan. Meanwhile, Xia Qingzhu paid a New Year¡¯s visit to their mother and Yun Mengyao, under the guise of a home visit, had also called several times. But Ye Xuan did not show himself during these visits, clearly not wanting any involvement with either woman. During this period, strange phenomena began to surface around the world. Though not reported in the news, various rumors were circulating online. An international netizen commented that they had witnessed a hundred-yard-long serpent swimming in the Amazon River, even swallowing a crocodile whole. Despite the blurriness of the photo posted by this netizen, it was undeniably a serpentine creature. Other netizens from different countries also claimed to have seen terrifying entities, yet no one believed them. As these statements converged online, these witnesses were convinced of the reality of these frightening beings, sparking considerable upheaval. Around the world, bloodshed was rampant, yet the perpetrators remained elusive. Many livestock and human bodies were found stripped to the bone, inciting immense panic in some areas. Secret organizations from various nations surfaced, investigating these bizarre incidents, but ultimately they found no answers they sought. ... The harsh winter passed, and the spring breeze caressed one¡¯s face. In March, a season of warm springs and blooming flowers, tender green sprouted from the branches, and the chirping of birds heralded the gradual resurgence of all living things, instilling a sense of vibrant life. Biyun Pavilion, the botanical garden. Though the air still carried a chill, the diverse flora of the botanical garden boasted young buds, signaling that winter was over and spring was rushing forth. Ye Xuan wandered alone in the botanical garden until he came to a clear space and finally stopped. With flowing hands like clouds, and a gentle breeze, Ye Xuan¡¯s fists and feet danced, sending ripples through the void. A hazy and illusory blood light gradually blossomed around him. ¡°Huff!¡± A tainted breath as thick as a cobweb expelled from Ye Xuan¡¯s mouth, followed by a muffled echo through the void, as his movements came to a halt. ¡°Having watched for so long, aren¡¯t you going to come out?¡± Ye Xuan said, standing with his hands clasped behind his back. ¡°Mr. Ye, please help me take revenge!¡± From a concealed stack of grass, a disheveled woman emerged, her face smeared with dirt, obscuring her features, but her eyes were full of blood, staring excitedly at the Ye Xuan before her. Zhuo Junting! The once graceful and dignified aura was no longer present. Her disheveled and dirty attire and unkempt appearance were testament to the many hardships she must have endured these past months. ¡°Why should I help you?¡± Ye Xuan asked calmly. ¡°My grandfather is dead, my father is dead as well, all these things were done by that beast Zhuo Wenbin, my second uncle. If you don¡¯t help me, I don¡¯t know who else in Jiangnan City can,¡± Zhuo Junting said with a wry smile. ¡°But what does this have to do with me?¡± Ye Xuan slowly shook his head, his voice devoid of any emotion. ¡°Mr. Ye, I beg you!¡± Bang! Zhuo Junting suddenly knelt, continuously kowtowing to Ye Xuan. Her forehead collided with the ground, causing trickles of fresh blood to flow, and copious tears burst forth; her voice trembled extremely. That day, at the Bohai Hotel, Ye Xuan had spared this woman¡¯s life. Later, the Zhuo Family even sent his information to the Leng Family. Although it was the Zhuo patriarch¡¯s idea and had nothing to do with Zhuo Junting, Ye Xuan was not kind enough to repay enmity with virtue. ¡°The affairs of your Zhuo Family are none of my concern. If you seek revenge, that too is your own business. You may leave now.¡± Ye Xuan spoke calmly and turned to walk towards his home. ¡°Mr. Ye, please, I implore you to help me.¡± Watching Ye Xuan¡¯s retreating figure, Zhuo Junting cried out in sorrow. Sadly, Ye Xuan had already walked far away, without a hint of soft-heartedness. Zhuo Junting staggered to her feet and hurriedly pursued Ye Xuan, but by the time Ye Xuan entered his home, despair had emerged in Zhuo Junting¡¯s eyes. Then, she collapsed weakly in front of Ye Xuan¡¯s door, unable to rise again. ... At the same time, within the Zhuo Family villa. Zhuo Wenbin¡¯s face was cold as he lounged on a sofa. Opposite him was a ghastly pale and withered old man, whose ten fingers resembled ghostly claws, and when his eyes opened and closed, two ghostly flames appeared, making for a frightening sight. ¡°Ghost Elder, we¡¯ve found the girl. She¡¯s right at that Mr. Ye¡¯s doorstep. What should we do?¡± Zhuo Wenbin¡¯s face was somber, and a hint of panic flickered in his eyes. Evidently, Ye Xuan had placed significant pressure on him. ¡°This man is not simple; we must not act rashly,¡± the Ghost Elder spoke heavily. ¡°But if we don¡¯t kill this girl, how can I obtain the essence of her blood for the cultivation of Netherworld¡¯s True Solution?¡± Zhuo Wenbin said unwillingly. ¡°Hmph!¡± Observing the dissatisfaction in Zhuo Wenbin¡¯s eyes, the Ghost Elder snorted coldly, ¡°If he really is the one who annihilated the Leng Family as you say, even though I cultivate the art of the Ghost Path, I might not be his match.¡± ¡°But Ghost Elder, you are a master of the Ghost Path, not a true Ancient Martial Artist, with your unpredictable methods, can¡¯t you deal with this Ye Xuan?¡± Zhuo Wenbin said incredulously. ¡°Are you an idiot?¡± The Ghost Elder¡¯s face grew dark, and he scolded directly, ¡°Back then, when I used the ghost infant to devour your father¡¯s vital blood, it was thwarted by this man. This Ye Xuan is far from simple. Without absolute certainty, I will not oppose him.¡± The Ghost Elder exhibited a trace of fear in his eyes. He actually hadn¡¯t told Zhuo Wenbin the truth. When his ghost infant had been destroyed, he suffered grave injuries and only recovered his primordial Qi after several months. That was without even encountering Ye Xuan in person. If he were to directly confront Ye Xuan, he feared he would not be a match. ¡°If it weren¡¯t for my discovery that your father had sided with the Leng Family and completely severed ties with Ye Xuan, do you think I would have easily taken action to help you secure the position of Family Head?¡± the Ghost Elder said with displeasure. Looking at the Ghost Elder¡¯s gloomy expression, Zhuo Wenbin suddenly realized, ¡°Could it be... Could it be that we just let this girl go?¡± ¡°Heh!¡± The Ghost Elder let out a sinister laugh, a strange glint flashing in his eyes, ¡°You¡¯re thinking too much, always seeing this Ye Xuan as an adversary. Judging by his actions, this man is not kindhearted. If we could become friends with him, it would be greatly beneficial to us. Moreover, your dear niece may not even be able to move this expert.¡± Zhuo Wenbin had a sudden epiphany. Yes, he hadn¡¯t offended Mr. Ye, so why couldn¡¯t they become friends? ¡°So... what do you suggest?¡± Zhuo Wenbin asked cautiously. ¡°Bring a generous gift, we¡¯ll visit him in person,¡± the Ghost Elder stated with a firm gaze. Chapter 67 - 67 67 Granting You as a Servant Part 1 ?67: Chapter 67: Granting You as a Servant (Part 1) 67: Chapter 67: Granting You as a Servant (Part 1) The spring rain was continuous, and the temperature had suddenly dropped. Although it was early spring, there was still a hint of coldness in the air, and the drizzling rain drenched Zhuo Junting¡¯s delicate body. From the early morning, Zhuo Junting had been kneeling in front of Ye Xuan¡¯s house. Even though it had started to drizzle, she had never stood up. From her dull eyes, only despair was visible, inducing pity from anyone who saw her. ¡°Brother, are you really going to let her kneel like this?¡± Ye Ling¡¯er said with a pained expression. Ye Xuan, with his hands clasped behind his back, calmly watched Zhuo Junting kneeling outside the door through the eaves, his expression unchanged, leaving no clue as to what he was thinking. ¡°She harbors hatred in her heart and has already fallen into paranoia. Such a person is undoubtedly insane, especially being a woman!¡± Ye Xuan said calmly. ¡°Brother, maybe... maybe you could help her?¡± Ye Ling¡¯er bit her lips lightly as she spoke. Looking at Ye Ling¡¯er¡¯s distressed expression, Ye Xuan smiled and said, ¡°Silly girl, there are so many pitiful people in this world. If I helped every one I saw, do you think I could manage?¡± At this point, Ye Xuan paused slightly, a strange look crossing his eyes, and said, ¡°Moreover, this world is inherently unfair. She wants me to help her seek revenge, but what can she offer in return?¡± Ye Ling¡¯er didn¡¯t understand Ye Xuan¡¯s words. She knew that her elder brother was very mysterious, but she couldn¡¯t bear to see Zhuo Junting keep kneeling outside. Ultimately, Ye Ling¡¯er could only sigh softly and stopped speaking on behalf of Zhuo Junting. As night fell, the wind and rain stopped. With Ye¡¯s mother and Ye Ping returning home together, they naturally saw Zhuo Junting kneeling outside. After Ye¡¯s mother inquired about it, Ye Xuan just brushed off the question, telling his mother that he had his own judgment on the matter. At the same time, a luxurious sedan drove into Biyun Pavilion and stopped in front of Ye Xuan¡¯s house. Zhuo Wenbin and Ghost Old Man stepped out of the car together until they reached Zhuo Junting, a cold sneer emerging from Zhuo Wenbin. ¡°Heh.¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t this my lovely niece? Why don¡¯t you greet your uncle?¡± Suddenly! Zhuo Junting suddenly raised her head, her eyes bloodshot, filled with numerous blood vessels, her venomous and resentful gaze like that of a demon crawling out of Hell. If looks could kill, Zhuo Wenbin would have died thousands of times by now. ¡°What a strong resentment!¡± Ghost Old Man exclaimed softly, his eyes gleaming with excitement as if he had seen a treasure. ¡°Zhuo Wenbin, you beast who murders your father and brother, even if I turn into a vengeful ghost after death, I will haunt you day and night, ensuring you never find peace.¡± Zhuo Junting roared like a fiend, her shrill voice sending chills down one¡¯s spine. ¡°Hmph, sharp-tongued. Wait until I meet Mr. Ye, then let¡¯s see how I¡¯ll kill you,¡± Zhuo Wenbin said viciously. The door of the Ye Family was pushed open, and Ye Xuan walked out leisurely, causing a change in Zhuo Wenbin and the Ghost Old Man¡¯s expressions, their faces quickly taking on ingratiating smiles as they hurried towards Ye Xuan. ¡°I have long admired Mr. Ye¡¯s reputation. Today¡¯s uninvited visit, I hope Mr. Ye won¡¯t take offense,¡± Zhuo Wenbin bowed deeply, lowering himself greatly. ¡°I have seen Brother Ye,¡± said Ghost Old Man with a serious bow. ¡°Do you have something you need?¡± Ye Xuan asked calmly. ¡°Mr. Ye, I¡¯m terribly sorry for the disturbance caused by my niece without your permission. I am here to take her back to the Zhuo Family. This is a small token of my appreciation; please kindly accept it.¡± Zhuo Wenbin said respectfully, holding two wooden boxes and bowing as he offered them to Ye Xuan; however, Ye Xuan did not reach out to take them, making Zhuo Wenbin feel slightly embarrassed. ¡°Brother Ye, could we perhaps talk inside?¡± The ghostly figure shifted his eyes and tentatively spoke to Ye Xuan. As Ye Xuan observed the eager expressions of Zhuo Wenbin and the other man, a strange light flashed through his eyes before he slowly nodded and headed inside the house. The ghostly figure gave Zhuo Wenbin a look, and with delighted expressions, they quickly entered Ye Xuan¡¯s home. At this moment, Zhuo Junting, witnessing this scene, bit her lips tightly and staggered to her feet to follow them into Ye Xuan¡¯s house, clearly realizing that Zhuo Wenbin was trying to win Ye Xuan over¡ªan occurrence she could not allow to happen. In the living room. Ye Xuan sat back on the soft sofa, looking indifferently at the three people in front of him, while his mother and others, knowing that Ye Xuan had matters to handle, had returned to their rooms early, not wishing to see these outsiders. ¡°I know Brother Ye is a hermit who naturally looks beyond worldly money. These two boxes contain five-hundred-year-old ginseng, which Wenbin went through great lengths to acquire as Spiritual Objects. This modest gift is merely a gesture of respect; please, Brother Ye, kindly accept it.¡± The ghostly figure swiftly opened the two wooden boxes, and the rich aroma of the ginseng wafted up, pushed directly in front of Ye Xuan. The smile on his face grew more ingratiating, though a fleeting look of pain in his eyes quickly passed. Seeing the old ginseng inside the two wooden boxes, Ye Xuan was slightly taken aback. He could fully feel the traces of Spiritual Energy within them. He hadn¡¯t expected that in this degenerated world, there would still be such Spiritual Medicine available¡ªan indeed rare occurrence. Ye Xuan could see that Zhuo Wenbin and his companion had gone to great lengths to please him. ¡°I¡¯ll accept the gifts.¡± Ye Xuan nodded, promptly closed the wooden boxes to prevent the Spiritual Energy from leaking, although these Spiritual Medicines were useless to him, they would be extremely beneficial for ordinary people. Seeing Ye Xuan accept the gift, Zhuo Wenbin finally felt relieved and shot Zhuo Junting a subtle look, his eyes flashing a chilling trace of murderous intent. ¡°Mr. Ye, whatever you may instruct in the future, as long as it is within my power, I will undertake it without refusal,¡± Zhuo Wenbin stepped forward and expressed his attitude timely. ¡°If there¡¯s nothing else, you may leave,¡± Ye Xuan nodded and softly spoke. Seeing that Ye Xuan had no intention of engaging further, Zhuo Wenbin was taken aback. Just as he was about to say something more, the ghostly figure quickly feigned anger and scolded, ¡°Aren¡¯t you going to take your good-for-nothing niece home yet? Do you want to keep disturbing Mr. Ye¡¯s rest?¡± ¡°Ah?¡± Zhuo Wenbin was startled, then quickly regained his composure, instantly understanding the ghostly figure¡¯s intent. Since Mr. Ye had accepted the gifts, it was clear he had no intention of protecting Zhuo Junting; any more words at this point would be superfluous. ¡°Mr. Ye, we shall take our leave.¡± Zhuo Wenbin respectfully spoke to Ye Xuan, his face twisting into a sinister smile as he looked at Zhuo Junting. He grabbed her arm and walked toward the door of the Ye residence. Zhuo Junting, being just a frail woman, couldn¡¯t break free from Zhuo Wenbin¡¯s grasp. As he continued to pull her, her eyes were filled with despair, and she cried out to Ye Xuan for help, ¡°Mr. Ye, will you truly not save me?¡± Regrettably, despite Zhuo Junting¡¯s pleas for help, Ye Xuan remained unmoved until she was dragged out of the Ye residence, and the three figures disappeared from his sight. ¡°If one does not climb out of Hell, how can there be such overwhelming hatred surging like the Blood Sea?¡± Ye Xuan murmured softly, a faint smile forming at the corner of his mouth. Amid a blood-colored haze and the humming of the void, as Ye Xuan¡¯s voice faded, he eerily vanished from his home. Chapter 68 - 68 68 Bestowing You as a Servant Part 2 ?68: Chapter 68 Bestowing You as a Servant (Part 2) 68: Chapter 68 Bestowing You as a Servant (Part 2) Zhuo Family Villa! The servants had already been sent away by Zhuo Wenbin, leaving the villa dimly lit. Zhuo Wenbin sat on the sofa, holding a wine glass, occasionally sipping the red wine with an excited gleam in his eyes. A surgical table, a chilling scalpel, and various indescribable drugs were laid out in the living room. Zhuo Junting was bound tightly to the surgical table, furiously cursing at the moment. ¡°Zhuo Wenbin, you beast, even if I die today, I will become a fierce ghost and feast on your flesh and drink your blood.¡± Like a demon¡¯s roar or like a ghost¡¯s howl, Zhuo Junting at this moment had lost all her ladylike demeanor; she seemed to have turned into a madwoman, her eyes red and radiating a terrifying hatred. ¡°Little girl, you will indeed become a fierce ghost, merely as a tool in my hands,¡± happily declared the Ghost Path elder, his body exuding an eerie ghostly aura as he picked up the scalpel and walked step by step towards Zhuo Junting. Resignation, despair, and endless anger and hatred¡ªthese were all the emotions enveloping Zhuo Junting at that moment. She was supposed to have been a wealthy young lady, destined for a carefree life, find a husband, have a child, and lead a contented life. Zhuo Junting never thought that one day she would lose both her family and her life, especially at the hands of her own uncle. When faced with reality, she realized that none of it was a dream, but the harsh reality she had to confront. ¡°Ghost elder, please be careful not to kill her directly. Her ¡®Heart Blood¡¯ is only useful to me if she¡¯s alive when it is collected,¡± Zhuo Wenbin put down his wine glass and hurried toward the elder, his voice trembling with excitement. ¡°Wenbin, I certainly wasn¡¯t wrong about you. You are indeed cruel and ruthless, not only did you brutally kill your father and elder brother, but now you face your last kin without a shred of humanity,¡± the Ghost elder said with a sinister smile, his words seemingly both praising and mocking Zhuo Wenbin. Zhuo Wenbin¡¯s face reddened, a flash of shame crossing his eyes, which was quickly replaced by madness, his voice sinisterly adding, ¡°As long as I can achieve the perfect ¡®Netherworld True Solution¡¯ and become a Half-Ghost Body, I will be immortal and invincible, and the whole world will be mine. What is family affection in comparison?¡± ¡°Excellent! Worthy of being a disciple of the Ghost Path, possessing great determination and perseverance,¡± the Ghost elder¡¯s eyes flickered as he complimented him again. ¡°My dear niece, although your uncle can¡¯t bear to kill you, for the sake of his future, your sacrifice is necessary,¡± Zhuo Wenbin gently stroked Zhuo Junting¡¯s cheek, as if admiring a precious object. ¡°You beast, you won¡¯t die a good death.¡± At this point, Zhuo Junting knew her death was inevitable. Her teeth gritted to the point of nearly shattering, her blood-red eyes filled with unbearable hatred, but she was helpless against Zhuo Wenbin. ¡°Begin,¡± Zhuo Wenbin said coldly. ¡°As you wish.¡± With a menacing smile, the Ghost elder took the scalpel and sliced directly towards Zhuo Junting¡¯s heart. ¡°Ah!¡± A muffled grunt escaped from Zhuo Junting as she could not see the scene unfolding in front of her chest, but she could feel the sharp blade opening her chest, with torrents of liquid gushing forth. Does it hurt? Zhuo Junting could no longer feel pain. All she felt was the cold scalpel stirring in her chest, her blood flowing out, her consciousness gradually fading, the faces of her father and grandfather appearing in her mind before their gruesome deaths. The surgery continued without her feeling pain. Zhuo Junting¡¯s heart filled with overwhelming grievances and fury. Why did she have to be a frail woman? Why did she have to die without avenging her family? Her consciousness blurred, her eyes dilating, and at this moment, Zhuo Junting was on the brink of death, soon to become a cold corpse. ¡°The surgery is successful, her ¡®Heart Blood¡¯ has been extracted. You must refine it quickly while it¡¯s still warm to achieve a Half-Ghost Body,¡± the Ghost elder handed the container to Zhuo Wenbin, which contained Zhuo Junting¡¯s ¡®Heart Blood¡¯. ¡°Good!¡± Overwhelmed with excitement, Zhuo Wenbin took the container from the Ghost elder, tipped the blood into his mouth, and then sat cross-legged, beginning to cultivate the ¡®Netherworld True Solution¡¯. Instantly, Zhuo Wenbin¡¯s body emitted an extremely eerie ghostly aura, entering a bizarre state of cultivation. At this time. On the surgery table, blood slowly seeped from Zhuo Junting¡¯s chest; her body twitched silently, her life force fading. But with her eyes wide open, fueled by boundless hatred, she refused to die without a fight. Time passed quickly. Twenty minutes had passed, and Zhuo Wenbin underwent an extremely terrifying transformation. His body gradually became mist-like, the originally human form now appeared somewhat distorted, with an intensely dense Ghost Path aura swirling around him. Zhuo Wenbin suddenly opened his eyes, and when he blinked, two eerie green ghostly fires appeared, evoking an intense sense of horror. ¡°Success!¡± Zhuo Wenbin roared excitedly. He stretched his arms, and sounds of air bursting echoed around him. He seemed under the illusion that even if a giant mountain stood before him, he could shatter it into rubble with a single punch. ¡°Old Ghost, to thank you for your cultivation, I have no other way to repay you than to treat you as Blood Food and have a meal first.¡± Zhuo Wenbin woke from his excitement, his voice becoming colder as he looked at Old Ghost, his gaze revealing a hint of murderous intent. ¡°Do you want to kill me?¡± Faced with the half-human, half-ghost Zhuo Wenbin, Old Ghost sneered repeatedly, holding the wisdom like pearls in his hands, not taking him seriously at all. ¡°This is what you taught me. To achieve great things, one must not have even a trace of mercy,¡± Zhuo Wenbin sneered repeatedly. Ding ding ding! ¡°Ah!¡± Suddenly, Old Ghost¡¯s hands produced a Golden Bell, now slowly swaying, causing Zhuo Wenbin to scream in pain and collapse directly to the ground. ¡°Wenbin, you¡¯re still too green. If I didn¡¯t have a means to restrain you, how dare I impart the True Solution of Netherworld to you?¡± Old Ghost said with disdain. ¡°Old Ghost, I was wrong, spare me.¡± In his painful wails, Zhuo Wenbin kept begging. ¡°Hmph!¡± ¡°I¡¯ll let you off this time. If you harbor contumacious thoughts in the future, I will make sure you suffer.¡± Old Ghost put away the Golden Bell, his voice ice-cold. ¡°Go, your niece is not yet completely dead. Devour her flesh and blood to stabilize your still unstable Half-Ghost Body.¡± Old Ghost said with a sinister smile, casually pointing to Zhuo Junting lying on the operating table. ¡°Food?¡± ¡°What delicious Blood Food!¡± Zhuo Wenbin slowly got up, his eyes wide as bells, saliva continuously dripping from the corners of his mouth as he stepped towards Zhuo Junting. At this moment, Zhuo Junting¡¯s consciousness was blurry, her body exuding a deathly aura. If not for the hatred in her heart sustaining her, she would have likely passed away. ¡°I don¡¯t want to die... I don¡¯t want to die... I haven¡¯t had my revenge... my revenge...¡± Zhuo Junting¡¯s voice was as faint as a mosquito, but the hatred that no rivers or seas could wash away filled the entire Zhuo Family villa. ¡°Hate? Angry? Reluctant?¡± Suddenly! A strange voice resonated in Zhuo Junting¡¯s mind. She could not tell where this voice was coming from, but deep inside, her heart was telling her that only this person could save her. ¡°I want to kill him, I want to kill everyone, give me strength, please grant me strength,¡± Zhuo Junting cried out desperately in her heart, her immense hatred spreading. ¡°This world is very unfair. Some are born as emperors, controlling the fates of others, some are born in poverty, doomed to a life of failure!¡± ¡°But today, I give you a fair chance, offer your soul, and from then on, be the blade in my hand, under the edge of my blade, you shall help me cut through all obstacles!¡± ¡°Are you¡ªwilling?¡± Like the temptation of a demon, akin to the guidance of a Netherworld god, when this strange voice sounded again, Zhuo Junting¡¯s whole body shuddered, her blood-red eyes bursting with an unprecedented madness. ¡°I am willing, I am willing, as long as you gift me infinite strength, I will offer my soul, for generations to be the blade in your hands, even if it requires killing everyone in the world, I shall have no regrets, no grievances.¡± Zhuo Junting answered desperately, already fallen into madness. ¡°Good!¡± ¡°Heaven and Earth as a witness, Sun and Moon as testament, today by the name of the Undying Venerable, I grant you the Blood Soul Body, forever condemned to the Human World!¡± ¡°Seal!¡± Within the Zhuo Family villa! Ye Xuan¡¯s dignified and ancient voice seemed to traverse time and space, as in the void, a blood-colored ¡®seal¡¯ character suddenly surged into Zhuo Junting¡¯s body. Chapter 69 - 69 69 Transform into Blood Soul ?69: Chapter 69 Transform into Blood Soul 69: Chapter 69 Transform into Blood Soul ¡°Argh!¡± Like the wails of a vengeful ghost or the mournful howls of a wronged spirit, Zhuo Junting screamed fiercely. The wound in her chest was healing at a speed visible to the naked eye, and Zhuo Wenbin, who had originally lunged at her, was sent flying by the burst of blood light she emitted. Buzz! The void quivered, ripples spread, and Ye Xuan suddenly appeared, causing the Old Ghost¡¯s expression to change dramatically as he continually stepped backward, panic flashing in his eyes. ¡°Kill!¡± With venomous hatred and continuous howls, Zhuo Junting¡¯s eyes turned blood red and her face twisted with rage. As she took a step forward, she instantly appeared in front of Zhuo Wenbin, her hands reaching out with ten blood-red nails extending, tearing Zhuo Wenbin to shreds. ¡°What...what is this thing?¡± The Old Ghost exclaimed in horror at the terrifying form of Zhuo Junting. ¡°My dear niece, I have transformed into a Half-Ghost Body, an Undying being. You cannot kill me.¡± Shadowy figures flitted about, and Yin Qi regenerated. Zhuo Wenbin¡¯s body coalesced again, seemingly unharmed by Zhuo Junting¡¯s attack. ¡°Blood Soul Technique!¡± A chaotic blood light filled the air, and a malevolent energy arose. In Zhuo Junting¡¯s mind, a set of extremely arcane scriptures suddenly emerged. Although she could not understand them, she felt, as if guided by some mystical force, that she knew how to truly annihilate Zhuo Wenbin. With a fierce scream, she transformed into a beam of blood light and swallowed Zhuo Wenbin whole. ¡°Ah!¡± Amidst harrowing screams, the ghostly aura dissolved. Within the terrifying blood light, Zhuo Wenbin was horrified to find his newly condensed Half-Ghost Body rapidly dissipating, a change that filled him with the terror of death. ¡°I...I am Undying...Ghost...Old Ghost, save me...¡± Zhuo Wenbin¡¯s screams turned increasingly feeble as he was devoured by the blood light, leaving not even a trace of his essence behind. Bang! As the blood light faded, Zhuo Junting¡¯s body reappeared, her complexion deathly pale and her breaths shallow and labored. Yet her opening and closing eyes burned with indescribable loathing. ¡°No...impossible...impossible...¡± ¡°He has a Half-Ghost Body, an Undying existence. How could he be killed?¡± The Old Ghost¡¯s voice trembled, as if unable to believe what he had witnessed. ¡°Undying?¡± A scornful look flashed in Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes as he spoke calmly, ¡°Do not speak of a mere Half-Ghost Body, even the legendary Immortals would not dare claim they are Undying.¡± ¡°You mortals are truly foolish.¡± As Ye Xuan¡¯s words rang in the air, the Old Ghost suddenly awoke from his daze and looked sharply at Ye Xuan, stepping back in utter fear and asking, ¡°Who...who exactly are you?¡± It was no wonder the Old Ghost feared Ye Xuan. To revive someone deemed certain to die and bestow upon them such eerie power was impossible if Ye Xuan were an Ancient Martial Artist, but if he were a Cultivator, his methods still seemed utterly different. At this moment! Ye Xuan was calm, yet his aura was profoundly heavy, as if a massive mountain pressed down upon the Old Ghost¡¯s heart. ¡°I give you two choices: take your own life here, or be killed by my hand,¡± Ye Xuan said in a deep voice. With a mountainous pressure and the encroaching sensation of death, the Old Ghost, who had lived for decades and had an astutely discerning eye, could tell that Ye Xuan was not merely speaking¡ªhe truly intended to kill him. ¡°Mr. Ye, as the saying goes, leave room for reconciliation, for we may meet again in the future. Although I have no idea who you are, I am a disciple of Dragon and Tiger Mountain. If I die by your hand today, Dragon and Tiger Mountain will not let you go,¡± the ghastly elder warned in a fierce, yet restrained tone. ¡°Kill him!¡± Ye Xuan spoke softly, without any superfluous words. Zhuo Junting, with a fierce and cruel laugh, transformed into a Blood Shadow once again and viciously swooped towards the man. ¡°Soul Destruction Spell!¡± Ye Xuan, without hesitation, forced a drastic change in the ghastly elder¡¯s complexion. He swiftly manipulated the spell, and streams of yin light burst forth from his hands, shooting rapidly towards Zhuo Junting. ¡°Ah!¡± As the yin light penetrated her body, Zhuo Junting staggered, with her blood light appearing somewhat illusory, evidently sustaining some damage under the ghastly elder¡¯s Daoist Skill. ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°Interesting.¡± Seeing the spell from the ghastly elder¡¯s hands, Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes brightened with a hint of amusement. If Ye Xuan wasn¡¯t mistaken, this man was using a Ghost Technique, but such a technique was extremely crude, hardly impressive, and certainly not worthy of Ye Xuan¡¯s attention. What truly surprised Ye Xuan was that even a lowly skill required Spiritual Energy to be activated, a symbol of embarking on the path of Cultivation. However, Ye Xuan couldn¡¯t sense any Spiritual Energy in the ghastly elder, and yet the man could still cast the Ghost Technique without any Spiritual Energy to aid him, which Ye Xuan found somewhat peculiar. ¡°Stand down.¡± Upon Ye Xuan¡¯s instruction, Junting cast a venomous look at the ghastly elder and then refrained from attacking him any further. But this was not the situation the ghastly elder wished for. He would rather fight to the death against Junting than confront Ye Xuan. As an expelled disciple of Dragon and Tiger Mountain with mediocre Cultivation, he possessed an extremely acute perception. If Ye Xuan took action, he knew he would stand no chance of survival. ¡°Mr. Ye, don¡¯t push me.¡± As Ye Xuan casually walked towards him, the ghastly elder kept retreating, a Golden Bell appearing in his hand, desperation filling his eyes. Boom! With a step forward, the void rumbled, and to the ghastly elder¡¯s horror, Ye Xuan appeared right in front of him. Before he could ring the Golden Bell, Ye Xuan¡¯s crystalline jade-like palm had already pressed down upon his Heavenly Spirit. ¡°Let¡¯s see why there is no trace of Spiritual Energy within you, yet you¡¯re able to cast a Ghost Technique.¡± ¡°Soul Searching and Soul Stealing!¡± Ye Xuan enunciated each word, his eyes emitting a sinister blood light, instantly rendering the ghastly elder¡¯s eyes dull, as if he had lost his soul, reduced to a walking corpse. A full ten minutes passed, and when the blood light dissipated from Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes, he lifted his hand from the ghastly elder¡¯s Heavenly Spirit, revealing the man to have crumbled to the ground like a lump of mud. His lifeless eyes proved he was dead beyond any doubt. The death of the ghastly elder caused no stir in Ye Xuan¡¯s heart, yet a trace of admiration flashed through his eyes. True to its name, Soul Searching and Soul Stealing was a heinously cruel secret technique, capable not only of reading the ghastly elder¡¯s memories but also ensuring the destruction of his soul upon completion of the spell, denying even the chance for reincarnation. From the memories of the ghastly elder, Ye Xuan finally understood why someone who wasn¡¯t a Cultivator could cast Ghost Technique. Dragon and Tiger Mountain, a Taoist Sacred Land, where in the distant past, true Cultivators had indeed existed. The ghastly elder¡¯s real name was Liu Qi, and the ghastly elder was merely an alias. He was once a disciple of Dragon and Tiger Mountain but was forced into hiding in Jiangnan City after stealing the Netherworld True Script and being pursued for his crime by Dragon and Tiger Mountain. But that was not the point! Chapter 70 - 70 70 The Great World-Shaking Secret ?70: Chapter 70: The Great World-Shaking Secret 70: Chapter 70: The Great World-Shaking Secret The key point is that in that distant past, when the end of the Taoist law arrived, Dragon and Tiger Mountain, once a Taoist sacred land, faltered irretrievably. Not just Dragon and Tiger Mountain, but other cultivation sites experienced the same, leaving cultivators to isolate themselves from the world seeking alternative paths to pursue the methods of immortal cultivation. It must be said that humanity, being the most intelligent of all creatures, is profoundly wise. In the world ruled by the end of the Taoist law, Dragon and Tiger Mountain produced a cultivation genius. He pursued both Taoist and martial ways, learning through Ancient Martial Arts, paving a unique path in cultivation. Blood Qi Transfer Technique! The human body is a microcosm, filled with endless mysteries. This cultivation genius combined Ancient Martial Arts with cultivation, continuously mining his blood qi, using it as a medium to finally cast some simple magic spells. Originally, this should have been cause for celebration, perhaps even leading to the emergence of more cultivators in the world. However, after a decade, not only had this genius failed to break through the Qi Refining Ninth Layer to join the ranks of cultivators, he had perished and been buried under the soil. Later generations reluctantly discovered a truth: although the cultivation genius paved a new path and could cast some simple magic spells, each time he used his blood qi, it reduced his lifespan proportionally. This was not a method of cultivation, but a lethal technique. However, despite this, the Blood Qi Transfer Technique left by the cultivation genius was still regarded as a supreme treasure by Taoists. After all, being able to cast spells in this doomed world already counted as an extraordinary feat. No hope for eternal life, no path to cultivation, but possessing magic at least made one significantly better than a mere mortal. The old ghost appeared to be in his seventies or eighties, but in actuality, he was just a little over thirty. His constant use of Ghost Techniques had depleted his blood qi, making him resemble an old man nearing the end of his life. At this point, Ye Xuan stumbled upon an extremely terrifying secret. Throughout his cultivation journey, he had constantly devoured blood qi to achieve his current level of cultivation; he did not heavily rely on Spiritual Energy. Moreover, wasn¡¯t the Blood Qi Transfer Technique created by the Taoist genius similar to his own method of absorbing blood qi for cultivation? The only difference was that while Ye Xuan devoured blood qi to enhance his cultivation, his own blood qi was incredibly robust. In contrast, the Taoist genius continually depleted his blood qi, which ultimately cost him his life, highlighting a fundamental difference between their methods. A horrifying thought suddenly emerged in Ye Xuan¡¯s mind. Blood Soul Strange Beasts lurked in the human world, gradually recovering their cultivation by continually devouring blood and essence qi, eventually making humans their prey. The future world was set to plunge into chaos, and if these Taoist cultivators could acquire the method of absorbing blood qi from these Blood Souls, combining it with the Blood Qi Transfer Technique developed by the Taoist genius, couldn¡¯t they potentially recreate a world of cultivators? As this thought surfaced, Ye Xuan¡¯s mind blurred, as if a new world unfurled before him. However, after deep reflection, he dismissed it with a light chuckle. Even if these cultivators acquired the method of absorbing blood qi, they had no cultivation technique to practice and could at best break through to the Foundation Establishment Stage, living up to three hundred years. But ultimately, they would still end up with their life forces extinguished and their paths dissolved. Unless! Ye Xuan imparted the Immortal Cultivation Method to this world, only then could true cultivators like himself truly emerge. Yet, a profoundly cruel scene also formed in Ye Xuan¡¯s mind. In the future world, there would be slaughter everywhere, everyone hunting others for their own cultivation. The world would be utterly devastated, transforming entirely into a bloodbath. As a Great Cultivator in the Crossing Tribulation Stage, just one step away from becoming an Earth Immortal, Ye Xuan deeply knew how treacherous the path of cultivation was. Talent, temperament, perseverance, opportunity¡ªall these were indispensable. Qi Refinement, Foundation Establishment, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Soul Emergence, Divine Separation, Unification, Crossing Tribulation, Immortality. Nine great realms, each realm was like a chasm; one misstep could lead to the soul scattering, not to mention people of this era starting to cultivate by devouring blood qi. Even in the Earth Immortal Realm where Spiritual Energy filled the skies, becoming an immortal was still one in a billion. Ye Xuan was not worried about others in this world becoming cultivators like himself; anyone opposing him could be turned to ash with a wave of his hand, even if a True Immortal descended, he had his own trump card to counter. However, if this secret was exposed and the world developed in this direction, the tranquil life he hoped for would vanish. Today¡¯s revelations left Ye Xuan¡¯s emotions extremely complex. He was certain this path was feasible, and he could also allow his mother and younger sister to join the ranks of cultivators. However, this would lead to turmoil all over the world, and even his family would have to wade into this quagmire, contending against the fates. Cultivators cultivate their destiny by defying the heavens; the master merely guides, providing correct mentorship for cultivation, but the path ahead must be walked alone. Ye Xuan understood that if his family members became cultivators, he could not always protect them by their side as he had his own, even more, treacherous path to walk. Dispelling his troubled thoughts, he put this matter to rest for now in his heart. However, Ye Xuan also understood that with the Blood Soul Strange Beasts lurking in the human world, the world would inevitably change once they gradually appeared before the eyes of the people. ¡°Master!¡± A voice entered Ye Xuan¡¯s ears, pulling him back from his thoughts. ¡°I do not like being called ¡®Master¡¯; please address me as Mr. Ye instead.¡± Ye Xuan replied calmly. ¡°Yes, Mr. Ye.¡± Zhuo Junting, covered in blood and radiating malevolence, approached with a very humble attitude. Her eyes displayed a dull gray, as if there was nothing left in the world worth her attachment. Looking at the woman before him, Ye Xuan shook his head helplessly. A former lady of wealth, she could have easily spent her life comfortably as a mortal, but she had chosen a point of no return due to her hatred. Ye Xuan admitted that he wasn¡¯t a good person and had resorted to certain methods to turn Zhuo Junting into what she was now. However, Ye Xuan firmly believed that in this world, there was no love without reason, nor hate without cause. He owed nothing to Zhuo Junting unless the other party contributed, then he might grant her powers beyond mortals. ¡°The former Zhuo Junting has died; now transformed into a Blood Soul Body, you are highly sensitive to blood qi. You should take the Zhuo Family as your foundation, develop your forces, and help me find the Blood Souls and Strange Beasts lurking around the world.¡± Ye Xuan said quietly. ¡°Junting obeys,¡± Zhuo Junting bowed deeply, her eyes showing no signs of defiance. With everything settled, Ye Xuan gave Zhuo Junting one last deep look. As he stepped away, he vanished from the Zhuo Family villa. Chapter 71 - 71 71 The Grand Martial Competition ?71: Chapter 71: The Grand Martial Competition 71: Chapter 71: The Grand Martial Competition The sun rose from the East, bathing the sky in sunlight, as Ye Xuan faced the morning rays, inhaling and exhaling majestic life force. His clothes fluttered without wind, and ripples of energy erupted into the void around him. ¡°Ring ring!¡± A phone ringing disrupted the tranquility, prompting Ye Xuan to slowly open his eyes, rousing from his meditation. He casually picked up the phone, and Azure Dragon¡¯s laughter came through from the other end. ¡°Mr. Ye, I hope I¡¯m not disturbing your rest?¡± As the saying goes, no one visits a temple without a cause, and Ye Xuan understood that Azure Dragon wouldn¡¯t be calling him this early in the morning just to exchange pleasantries. ¡°What is it?¡± asked Ye Xuan, his voice firm. Ye Xuan¡¯s direct approach made Azure Dragon chuckle nervously on the phone as he got straight to the point. After ten minutes had passed, Ye Xuan slowly nodded, ¡°Alright, I understand.¡± ¡°Mr. Ye, I¡¯ll send someone to pick you up tomorrow.¡± Excited by Ye Xuan¡¯s response, Azure Dragon¡¯s voice was invigorated before he finally hung up the phone. The matter was simple; the Wu¡¯an Office was holding its annual meeting, and Azure Dragon was calling to invite Ye Xuan. As a Guest Elder of the Earth Group, Ye Xuan naturally wouldn¡¯t refuse Azure Dragon¡¯s request, especially since Azure Dragon had frequently facilitated his endeavors. The so-called annual meeting was actually a grand martial arts competition. The rankings of the eight groups were determined by their performance in this event, and the higher the rank, the more resources received. What Ye Xuan didn¡¯t know was that over the past ten years, the Earth Group had been close to the bottom, and just last year, they had ranked second to last. Azure Dragon, as the leader of the Earth Group, took it hard to heart. However, this year¡¯s competition excited Azure Dragon to the utmost. Just by having Ye Xuan attend the annual meeting, it would surely make members of the other seven groups take notice. As a Guest Elder of the Earth Group, Ye Xuan wouldn¡¯t compete with members of the groups, but the eight Guest Elders would spar in a friendly exchange. Although it seemed like a meeting of martial fellowship, it also served to display the strength of each group¡¯s Guest Elders. After all, the eight Guest Elders had significant discretionary power, making it a sort of informal selection process. Of course, Ye Xuan was unaware of all this, and Azure Dragon hadn¡¯t been explicit about it. Azure Dragon also wouldn¡¯t tell Ye Xuan that the Earth Group had consistently been at the bottom each year, and if Ye Xuan didn¡¯t make an appearance this year, the Earth Group¡¯s reputation would be in tatters. Azure Dragon, ashamed to voice such ignominious details, could only subtly invite Ye Xuan to the Wu¡¯an Office headquarters and hint at the situation when the time came. At that moment. After hanging up, an idea took root in Ye Xuan¡¯s mind. Azure Dragon and others knew he was in Jiangnan City, and just yesterday, Zhuo Junting had come to see him personally. Living with his family, it was only a matter of time before they learned certain things, which made Ye Xuan consider moving out on his own to avoid unnecessary trouble. As for his family¡¯s safety, Ye Xuan wasn¡¯t worried in the slightest. He had crafted two Jade Sword Pendants and a protective Great Formation; even an Innate Martial Artist couldn¡¯t harm them. Decisive, Ye Xuan picked up the phone again and called Zhuo Junting directly, instructing her to find him a house. Zhuo Junting was highly efficient; within an hour, someone arrived at the Ye Family residence, handing a set of house keys to Ye Xuan. Seeing this, Ye Xuan¡¯s mother and the others, although reluctant to see Ye Xuan move out to live on his own, understood that their son was enigmatic and likely didn¡¯t want them in the know about some things, so Ye Xuan¡¯s mother didn¡¯t inquire about the reason for his solitary living arrangements. Ye Xuan could see the reluctance in his mother¡¯s eyes and frankly said he needed to go to the Capital City for a while and promised to spend quality time with her when he returned to Jiangnan. The following day! As a helicopter swept by high above and came to a stop directly over the Ye Family¡¯s lawn, Ye Xuan boarded the aircraft under the watchful eyes of his mother and others, heading straight for the Capital City. Watching the helicopter gradually disappear into the distance, a complicated expression crossed Ye Ping¡¯s face. Still, he took out his mobile phone and secretly sent a message, and the news of Ye Xuan¡¯s return to the Capital City also reached some interested parties. ... The vast azure sky was clear and boundless. Tie Li piloted the helicopter, pushing on towards the Capital City. The little girl Linglong¡¯s pale face was tinged with nervousness; she kept glancing at Ye Xuan out of the corner of her eye. ¡°What are you looking at?¡± Suddenly, Ye Xuan opened his eyes and looked at Linglong. ¡°Ah!¡± Linglong exclaimed, her face turning even redder, and she quickly lowered her head, appearing even more nervous. Looking at the little girl beside him with a flushed face, Ye Xuan smiled wryly and said, ¡°Are you very afraid of me?¡± ¡°Not... not... Why would I be afraid of you...¡± Linglong¡¯s voice trembled slightly, but her tone betrayed her inner feelings. Clearly, the memory of Ye Xuan almost killing her was still fresh in her mind. ¡°A very cute little girl, it¡¯s a pity she¡¯ll never grow up,¡± Ye Xuan sighed, his palm lightly brushing through Linglong¡¯s hair bun, completely disregarding whether she was willing or not. Buzz! As soon as Ye Xuan finished speaking, Tie Li¡¯s hands trembled on the controls, and the smooth journey suddenly became turbulent. Clearly, his heart was greatly stirred. ¡°Fly steady!¡± Ye Xuan frowned slightly and said. ¡°Okay... okay...¡± Tie Li¡¯s face turned red as he replied. At that moment. Linglong wore a dazed expression; she could feel the warmth from Ye Xuan¡¯s palm and knew that his action was too intimate. Normally, she would have pushed Ye Xuan¡¯s hand away immediately, then given him the cold shoulder. However, Linglong didn¡¯t do so, not because she was afraid of Ye Xuan, but because of what Ye Xuan had said. ¡°Will I really never grow up?¡± Linglong murmured to herself, bitterness written all over her face. ¡°Your Primordial Spirit is innately strong, causing a discord between your body and spirit, and thus hindering the growth of your body,¡± Ye Xuan spoke frankly, immediately pinpointing the crux of Linglong¡¯s problem. ¡°Primordial Spirit?¡± ¡°What is the Primordial Spirit?¡± Apparently forgetting her fear of Ye Xuan and concerned with matters about herself, she quickly asked. ¡°Right, how would you understand what a Primordial Spirit is!¡± Ye Xuan said with a self-deprecating smile, then continued, ¡°Perhaps ¡®Primordial Spirit¡¯ is something you don¡¯t understand; it¡¯s actually what¡¯s known as spiritual power, also referred to as the soul.¡± ¡°The body is like a raft sailing on water, the soul is what controls the raft¡ªboth are indispensable. They are the foundation of all living beings!¡± As Ye Xuan spoke, his gaze on Linglong shifted with a trace of peculiarity, he continued, ¡°Because your soul is innately powerful, your body cannot bear the weight of your soul, and that¡¯s why you cannot grow.¡± ¡°Ye... Mr. Ye... Since you can see what¡¯s wrong with Linglong... Do you have a solution?¡± Tie Li asked tremulously, his voice revealing extreme agitation. Chapter 72 - 72 72 Missile Attack ?72: Chapter 72: Missile Attack 72: Chapter 72: Missile Attack ¡°Method?¡± Ye Xuan slowly shook his head, smiling lightly, ¡°This young girl¡¯s soul is becoming increasingly powerful, and her body will collapse sooner or later, at most within a year, I¡¯m afraid she¡¯ll burst apart and die.¡± ¡°The... the Poison Grandpa said the same... It seems I really won¡¯t live past eighteen...¡± Linglong smiled bleakly, a touch of bitterness crossing her eyes. As it turned out, Linglong was not a little girl. When Ye Xuan first met her, he had already discerned that. ¡°Ye... Mr. Ye, Tie Li begs you... Since you can see what¡¯s wrong with Linglong, you... you must have a way to save her!¡± Tie Li quickly engaged the autopilot and let go of the steering of the cockpit, kneeling down in front of Ye Xuan, his eyes filled with an intense longing. ¡°I indeed have a way to save her, but why should I help her, and what price can you pay?¡± Ye Xuan said calmly. Upon hearing the first part of Ye Xuan¡¯s words, Linglong and Tie Li¡¯s faces lit up with joy, but when Ye Xuan finished speaking, the two were taken aback and didn¡¯t know how to answer him. ¡°Mr. Ye, as long as you can save Linglong, my life will be yours from now on,¡± Tie Li declared, his face flushed red. ¡°Big and rough with weak cultivation, aside from brute strength, what use would I have for you?¡± Ye Xuan said with a light laugh. Looking at Ye Xuan¡¯s smiling face, Tie Li¡¯s face turned even redder, and a surge of anger rose within him. If only he was a match for Ye Xuan, he would have liked nothing more than to land a heavy punch on Ye Xuan¡¯s face to show him why the flowers are so red. ¡°Mr. Ye, please state your conditions.¡± Though Linglong¡¯s body could not grow, she was not truly a little girl; her intellect was far superior to Tie Li¡¯s. Since Ye Xuan brought up the matter, it clearly had his purpose. ¡°Hmm, you¡¯re very smart,¡± Ye Xuan said with a small smile of appreciation. ¡°Actually, it¡¯s very simple. I can cure your illness, but as a condition of our exchange, you must serve me for ten years. During these ten years, no matter what I ask of you, you cannot refuse,¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s smile vanished as he looked seriously at Linglong. As soon as Ye Xuan stated his condition, even before Linglong could reply, Tie Li¡¯s face changed dramatically, directly retorting, ¡°Absolutely impossible, you¡¯re inherently cruel and bloodthirsty. If Linglong stays by your side for ten years, wouldn¡¯t she also become a murderous maniac?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, and a chilling glint streaked across his gaze, an extremely terrifying murderous aura pressing down on Tie Li like a mountain, jolting him to the realization that he had spoken out of turn. But the words had already been said, and there was no taking them back. Tie Li proceeded to steadfastly declare, ¡°If you want to kill, then kill. If I even frown, then I¡¯m not a true man.¡± ¡°Heh!¡± Looking at Tie Li¡¯s resolute determination to face death, Ye Xuan¡¯s lips curled into a cold sneer, ¡°You really think I dare not kill you?¡± A faint bloody light blossomed, and the temperature in the cockpit dropped sharply, as if something extremely terrifying was about to happen the next moment. ¡°Mr. Ye, I agree to your terms,¡± Linglong suddenly spoke up, not waiting for Ye Xuan to make a move. ¡°Linglong, have you gone mad? He¡¯s a murderous maniac, how can you be so foolish?¡± Tie Li yelled anxiously. Looking at Tie Li¡¯s agitated demeanor, Linglong smiled bitterly, ¡°Haven¡¯t you realized? Whether I agree or not, Mr. Ye won¡¯t let me go. Moreover, if he kills you, how could I bear it?¡± ¡°Haha!¡± Ye Xuan burst into laughter, his gaze toward Linglong brimming with increasing admiration, and the murderous intent around him faded away. In fact, all that Ye Xuan had done was to force Linglong into agreement. After all, Ye Xuan never considered himself a Saint. He was someone who wouldn¡¯t stir without profit. If there were no benefits to be gained, why would he have brought up the hidden danger within Linglong? Now that the matter was settled, the killing intent for Tie Li naturally receded. Actually, Ye Xuan was merely putting on an act; his true objective remained the young girl, Linglong. ¡°Linglong, you¡¯re very clever. This also proves that I didn¡¯t misjudge you. Once we reach the Wu¡¯an Office, I will have my ways...¡± ¡°Hm?¡± All of a sudden! Before Ye Xuan could finish his sentence, his voice abruptly halted. As his eyes opened and closed, a terrifying blood light streaked across them, and he peered through the aircraft window into the distant horizon. ¡°Tie Li, find a place to land immediately,¡± Ye Xuan commanded grimly, sending a chill down the spines of the two others with him, who had no idea what had happened. ¡°Ye Xuan, what are you up to now?¡± Tie Li burst out, anger flaring. ¡°Up to something?¡± ¡°Isn¡¯t there a radar installed on this helicopter, you idiot?¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s voice was deep, his eyes overflowing with murderous intent as he guessed an unwelcome possibility. ¡°Big Brother Tie, hurry up and do as Mr. Ye says. Land the plane in a safe zone,¡± Linglong said, following Ye Xuan¡¯s gaze into the distant skies. Her face turned deathly pale in an instant. Her spiritual power was already strong; naturally, she too saw a tremendously terrifying scene. ¡°It¡¯s too late!¡± Ye Xuan rose from his seat, a slow bloom of blood light surrounding him. The Bloodthirsty Demon Sword quietly appeared in his hand, and he forcefully kicked open the door of the cabin. Whirr! In the far-off skies, a missile trailed by a horrifying tail of flames emitted a terrifying roar as it surged towards the helicopter Ye Xuan was on. ¡°Damn it!¡± ¡°How is this possible?¡± As the scene unfolded before Tie Li¡¯s eyes, he turned ashen, his body trembling, and he couldn¡¯t stop roaring in a low voice. ¡°This is an H3 satellite-guided missile. Although its power isn¡¯t too strong, it¡¯s more than enough to destroy the helicopter we¡¯re on,¡± Linglong calmly analyzed, yet her voice carried a slight tremble and a mix of desperate emotion. ¡°Parachutes, get the parachutes,¡± Tie Li said, urgency in his voice, even as despair filled his heart. Too fast, all too fast. Tie Li knew in his heart that even if they were to grab the parachutes now, the missile would reduce them to ashes before they could leave the helicopter. But in just a mere five seconds, the missile tore through the sky. Its sonic boom battered the eardrums as Tie Li and Linglong closed their eyes in despair, awaiting death¡¯s arrival. Boom! The missile finally struck, but what Linglong and the others didn¡¯t see was Ye Xuan¡¯s face turning cold as ice. As he swung his sword, a sky-high blade light erupted, instantly slicing the missile in half, which then exploded violently. However, the shockwave from the blast immediately knocked Linglong and the others unconscious, and their helicopter, caught in the aftermath of the explosion, began plummeting toward the ground. Whirr! Blood light surged, spanning the sky, the void trembling intensely and radiating ripples. Ye Xuan¡¯s surrounding blood light shot into the heavens, and his complexion was incredibly gloomy. As he beckoned through the void, he steadied the bodies of Linglong and the others mid-air, enveloping them in a blood light, and the three descended to the ground. Chapter 73 - 73 73 Return to Capital City ?73: Chapter 73: Return to Capital City 73: Chapter 73: Return to Capital City ¡°Hmm?¡± ¡°I... Where am I... Did we... die?¡± In the desolate field, Linglong groggily opened her eyes, mumbling as the glaring sunlight caused a slight sting in her eyes, until she saw Tie Li, who lay unconscious beside her. Only then did she fully awaken. ¡°I¡¯m not dead?¡± Linglong said in astonished whisper. ¡°Your life is mine. Without my permission, how could you possibly die?¡± Ye Xuan said, hands behind his back. ¡°Mr. Ye... was it... was it you who saved me?¡± Upon seeing Ye Xuan, Linglong felt an urge to cry, a great deal of moisture welling up in her eyes, finally confirming that she indeed had not died and was still alive. ¡°Wipe your tears and wake this fool up. We¡¯re heading to Capital City immediately,¡± Ye Xuan said, eyebrows slightly furrowed, his voice carrying a hint of reprimand. ¡°Brother Tie, wake up,¡± Linglong hurriedly wiped away the moisture in her eyes and shook Tie Li¡¯s body. At this moment! Ye Xuan stood alone in the field, a breeze blowing past, causing his hair to flutter in the wind. He gazed at the remains of the helicopter in the distance, his eyes occasionally flashing with dark undertones. He had just left Jiangnan City, and only Azure Dragon and his family were privy to this news. Azure Dragon would never leak such information, and Ye Xuan¡¯s mother and sister had little contact with the outside world. Furthermore, with his hasty departure, even if someone wanted to investigate, they wouldn¡¯t be able to do so this quickly. ¡°Ye Ping!¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s voice was deep; he didn¡¯t need to contemplate to guess that it was this recently returned brother who had leaked his whereabouts. Ye Ping held significant ties to the Ye Family, and it would only be the powerful families of the Capital City in Xia Country that could mobilize missiles to kill him. Yet, there was one thing Ye Xuan couldn¡¯t understand¡ªif this was truly done by the Ye Family, weren¡¯t they being a bit too foolish? Several bigwigs in Xia Country knew that Ye Xuan and the Ye Family shared a profound grudge. If he were to be killed by a missile, the first suspect would be the Ye Family. Even as one of the eight great families of the Capital City, such an act would have crossed Xia Country¡¯s bottom line. The colossal entity that is Xia Country would unleash its thunderous wrath, determined to eradicate the Ye Family, leaving no room for mercy. Ye Xuan pondered for a long time but could not pinpoint the key to the situation. However, there was one thing he was certain of¡ªthe one who sold him out was definitely Ye Ping. ¡°Little brother, are you truly trying to force my hand to kill you?¡± Ye Xuan took a deep breath, a flash of blood passing through his eyes. ¡°Mr. Ye!¡± Linglong called out softly while Tie Li approached with an excited expression; both were walking toward Ye Xuan, snapping him out of his thoughts. ¡°I have already notified Lord Azure Dragon. Someone is already on their way to assist us,¡± Linglong quickly reported as she reached Ye Xuan. ¡°Mr. Ye... Thank you.¡± Tie Li was at a loss, oblivious to how Ye Xuan had saved him and Linglong, but sure that their survival was thanks to Ye Xuan. Wu¡¯an Office¡¯s efficiency was indeed very high. In less than half an hour, several military jeeps had found Ye Xuan, and a few military officers got out of the vehicles to salute Ye Xuan and identify themselves. Boarding the jeep, Ye Xuan and the others drove towards Capital City, leaving a large number of soldiers behind to guard the scene of the helicopter wreckage. Inside the vehicle! Ye Xuan seemed to be resting with closed eyes, but the unintentional release of murderous aura made Linglong and Tie Li fidget uncomfortably. ¡°Linglong, tell Azure Dragon to keep this matter quiet for now to avoid startling the enemy. I will make my decision once I arrive in Capital City,¡± Ye Xuan opened his eyes, his voice becoming even more serene. ¡°Ah?¡± ¡°Okay, okay.¡± Linglong hastily agreed and then dialed Azure Dragon¡¯s number, passing on the instructions given by Ye Xuan. ¡°Mr. Ye, Lord Azure Dragon wishes to speak with you,¡± Linglong said. ¡°No need, once I reach the Capital City, I will naturally have a detailed conversation with him.¡± Ye Xuan closed his eyes again, showing no intention of speaking with Azure Dragon. ... At the same time, at the Wu¡¯an Office¡¯s Earth Group headquarters in the Capital City. The table in front of Azure Dragon was smashed to smithereens, his expression was extremely awkward, and he paced back and forth in the room, his body emanating an icy chill now and then. ¡°How dare they use an H2 satellite missile?¡± ¡°Whoever you are, I will make you pay a severe price,¡± Azure Dragon growled furiously, enraged to the extreme. After ten minutes or so, Azure Dragon picked up the phone again and called the Grand Marshal of Xia Country, Li Linguo, directly. Clearly, the matter had escalated to a national level and was no longer just a personal issue for Ye Xuan. ¡°Old Li, yes, that¡¯s the situation, okay, okay, I understand.¡± An hour passed, and Azure Dragon hung up the phone, his expression slightly improved, but he also understood that Xia Country might be facing a major upheaval. He could fully discern from the tone of Li Linguo¡¯s voice just how furiously angry the other party was. ... Capital City. A military jeep was driving on the road, heading towards the Earth Group¡¯s office. Strictly guarded and fully armed¡ªthat was the scene Ye Xuan saw when he stepped out of the car. ¡°Mr. Ye, sorry to have alarmed you.¡± Dressed in military uniform, Azure Dragon strode toward Ye Xuan, followed closely by members of the Earth Group, who also greeted Ye Xuan. Looking at Azure Dragon¡¯s apologetic face, Ye Xuan patted his shoulder lightly and smiled, ¡°It¡¯s just a small matter, no need for such a fuss, let¡¯s go inside and talk.¡± Azure Dragon had thought that Ye Xuan would be in a bad mood and perhaps even reprimand him after encountering this incident, but reality was far from his expectations. Ye Xuan showed no sign of anger, which made Azure Dragon feel even more remorseful. In the Earth Group¡¯s conference room. Azure Dragon took the head seat, with Ye Xuan sitting beside him. Tie Li and Linglong stood on either side, and the rest of the Earth Group members had been dismissed by Azure Dragon earlier. ¡°Mr. Ye, rest assured, I will give you a satisfactory explanation for this matter,¡± Azure Dragon said earnestly. ¡°Have you found any clues?¡± Ye Xuan was certain that, on his way to the Capital City, Azure Dragon must have already sent people to investigate the matter. ¡°The H2 satellite-guided missile, although not very powerful and merely a reconnaissance type of missile, is not something private individuals could possess. It is also a taboo in Xia Country,¡± Azure Dragon explained slowly, his expression turning grim as he continued, ¡°After our people¡¯s investigation, there has been no H2 missile missing from any national armory.¡± ¡°Are you suggesting that this missile was privately owned?¡± Ye Xuan said with an inscrutable gaze. ¡°Mr. Ye has a point, but the likelihood of that is not high. When it comes to national security, Xia Country is second to none in the world, and it would never allow private ownership of such restricted weapons,¡± Azure Dragon asserted confidently. ¡°Just because it¡¯s not allowed doesn¡¯t mean it doesn¡¯t happen. You don¡¯t need to worry about this matter; I will naturally find out who is responsible,¡± Ye Xuan said, tapping his fingers on the table, his voice becoming even calmer. Chapter 74 - 74 74 The Ninth Under Heaven - Li Huantian ?74: Chapter 74: The Ninth Under Heaven ¨C Li Huantian 74: Chapter 74: The Ninth Under Heaven ¨C Li Huantian Ye Xuan gave Azure Dragon some instructions. The first matter was about the news of his arrival in the Capital City, which could be directly released. This would let those who wished to kill him know his location, perhaps yielding some unexpected gains. The second point was that Ye Xuan asked Azure Dragon to find him a residence. He planned to stay in the Capital City for a very long time, and Azure Dragon nodded in agreement. As for the third matter, it was about needing a person. From now on, Linglong would cease to be a member of Earth Group and would continuously stay by his side; Azure Dragon immediately agreed to this as well. However, there was a small interlude in the middle, which was that Tie Li thick-skinnedly pleaded with Ye Xuan to allow him to follow Linglong. After some consideration, Ye Xuan also agreed. ¡°Mr. Ye, with your arrival in the Capital, several leaders will definitely want to meet you...¡± Before Azure Dragon could finish speaking, Ye Xuan waved his hand to interrupt and said, ¡°There¡¯s no need for a meeting for now. Wait until I find out who wants to kill me; then, I will meet with the leaders myself.¡± ¡°Alright, then I will relay this to the leaders.¡± Azure Dragon showed a bitter smile on his face. Only someone like Mr. Ye would be so casual; anyone else would have sought to curry favor with those in high positions a long time ago. All was settled. Azure Dragon commanded the members of Earth Group to lead Ye Xuan and the others to their new residence, and as per Ye Xuan¡¯s instructions, the news of his arrival in the Capital City was also spread by Azure Dragon. ... In the eight great aristocratic families of the Capital City, the Nangong Family! Ye Canghai and his son were sitting in the inner hall with extremely ugly expressions on their faces. They looked at the Nangong Family Head with eyes filled with resentment. Bang! Ye Canghai slammed the table and rose in anger, shouting at Nangong Tian, ¡°Nangong Tian, do you wish to destroy the Ye Family?¡± ¡°Nangong brother, what are you talking about? I don¡¯t understand what you mean,¡± Nangong Tian replied, with silver hair and an imposing aura that didn¡¯t need to show anger. He picked up his teacup and took a slight sip, his expression unchanged. ¡°Nangong Tian, don¡¯t play dumb with me. I was the first to inform you about Ye Xuan¡¯s arrival in Beijing. I truly underestimated you. To think the Nangong Family even has H2 missiles. Even if you want the Nangong Family to be destroyed, don¡¯t drag our Ye Family down with you.¡± Ye Canghai roared repeatedly, but a hint of apprehension flickered in his eyes. It was known that even among the eight great aristocratic families of the Capital City, which hold significant positions in the military, politics, and commerce within the Three Realms, dealing with restricted weapons had already touched Xia Country¡¯s red lines. If the bigwigs of Xia Country were to learn of this, how could they let it go easily? No wonder Ye Canghai was so enraged; his intention was to mend relations with Ye Xuan and to allow the Ye Family to develop smoothly. If Ye Xuan could return to the Ye Family, there couldn¡¯t be a better outcome, and this was the reason why he wanted Ye Ping to return home. But now, Ye Canghai deeply regretted his actions. He had assumed that since Nangong Tian knew about the backing Ye Xuan had from several bigwigs of Xia Country, he would share the same thought. However, he didn¡¯t expect that because Nangong Yun died at the hands of Ye Xuan, it had driven Nangong Tian insane, leading him to take such irreversible actions. What made Ye Canghai the most uneasy was that the Nangong Family actually possessed H2 missiles. Had Nangong Tian gone mad? What on earth was the Nangong Family trying to do? At this point, Ye Canghai didn¡¯t want to speculate why the Nangong Family had such weapons. The pressure from the bigwigs of Xia Country before him was his immediate concern. Everyone knew of the great grudge between Ye Xuan and the Ye Family, so when such an incident occurred, the Ye Family was the first to become the target of suspicion. Had they become a scapegoat for the Nangong Family? ¡°Canghai, brother, I have no idea what you¡¯re talking about. What H2 missile? You mustn¡¯t frame my Nangong Family,¡± Nangong Tian said steadily, a trace of smug triumph curling at the corners of his mouth. ¡°Hmph!¡± Watching Nangong Tian¡¯s smug expression, Ye Canghai laughed bitterly in anger, saying, ¡°Fine, fine, fine, since you want to drag my Ye Family into this, I might as well tell you: Ye Xuan is not dead; he has already arrived in the Capital City. Should he learn that this matter is the doing of your Nangong Family, you are well aware of the consequences your Nangong Family will face.¡± ¡°Cang Hao, let¡¯s go.¡± Ye Canghai called to Ye Cang Hao, and turned to walk towards the door. However, before Ye Canghai could step out, his stride suddenly halted, and he turned back to Nangong Tian with a cold laugh, ¡°Nangong Tian, although the Ye Family is now in a precarious situation and Great Xia is on the brink of disaster, you should know that Ye Xuan carries the bloodline of my Ye Family. Despite his hatred for us, my Ye Family is not yet at the point of extermination.¡± ¡°You better watch yourself.¡± With his words resounding with finality, father and son then left the Nangong Family home. Crack! A delicate teacup was crushed to dust, and Nangong Tian¡¯s face grew extremely dark. He had never imagined that, after the bombardment of the H2 missile, Ye Xuan would still be alive and had already arrived in the Capital City. ¡°Ye Canghai, you old coot, since you won¡¯t avenge Yun¡¯er and are only focused on mending ties with that bastard, don¡¯t blame me for being ruthless. I will ensure your Ye Family never recovers,¡± Nangong Tian said ominously. ¡°Summon someone to reply to Mr. Antar, and tell him that I agree to his proposal,¡± commanded Nangong Tian with manic fervor, prompting the servant to quickly exit and convey his message. At this moment! Although Nangong Tian had already gone mad, no longer caring about anything, he knew the severity of the situation. Facing Ye Xuan, an Innate Martial Artist, his Nangong Family could be facing extinction at any moment. ¡°No, it seems I must really use the Summoning Heaven Token now. But is that man truly still alive?¡± Nangong Tian muttered to himself, his voice lacking confidence. However, at this point, the Nangong Family would sooner or later be exposed to Ye Xuan, and if they waited for Ye Xuan to come knocking, the Nangong Family wouldn¡¯t stand a chance to resist. To strike first is to gain the advantage; to act later is to court disaster. This principle was clear to Nangong Tian, and it made him hesitate no longer as he stood up and walked towards the ancestral shrine. An ancient wooden token, engraved with the words ¡°Summoning Heaven,¡± was in Nangong Tian¡¯s hand. Holding the token, his face changed drastically, and he felt intense pain in his palm, almost dropping the token to the ground. ¡°Li Huantian, the ninth-ranked master in the world a hundred years ago. Is he really still alive?¡± Nangong Tian questioned softly, a strange glint in his eyes. This Summoning Heaven Token had a significant history; a hundred years ago, Nangong Tian¡¯s grandfather had saved a gravely injured remarkable man, who was the then ninth-ranked master in the world, Li Huantian, whose cultivation was at the Innate Realm. After Li Huantian¡¯s recovery, he bestowed this Summoning Heaven Token and personally promised that within a hundred years, should the Nangong Family face extinction, if he was still alive, his descendants could seek him out at Langya Mountain, and he would surely lend a hand to the Nangong Family once. ¡°Whether he is alive or not, this is our last hope,¡± Nangong Tian grasped the token tightly, his voice growing exceedingly resolute. A private plane soared into the clouds, and unbeknownst to all, Nangong Tian was aboard that private plane with the Summoning Heaven Token, on his way to Langya Mountain to seek out the legendary ninth-ranked master of the world, Li Huantian. Chapter 75 - 75 75 Coming out of the Mountain ?75: Chapter 75: Coming out of the Mountain 75: Chapter 75: Coming out of the Mountain An expansive courtyard with a history of a hundred years, its ancient walls engraved with the marks of time. The courtyard was large, giving off a retro feel. It was filled with numerous potted plants, and the air occasionally carried the fresh scent of vegetation. In a pavilion, Ye Xuan sat upright; beside him were Linglong and Tie Li, positioned to his left and right. ¡°Mr. Ye, you told Azure Dragon not to investigate this matter, so how can we find the real culprit behind the scenes?¡± Linglong cautiously asked. ¡°Have you heard the story of the ¡®guilty conscious¡¯?¡± Ye Xuan said with a smile. Looking at Ye Xuan¡¯s smiling face, Linglong seemed to understand something and tentatively asked, ¡°Do you mean to say, the real culprit, knowing that you¡¯ve arrived in the Capital City, even if you don¡¯t go looking for him, will feel uneasy and cannot sit still, and will eventually reveal his whereabouts himself?¡± ¡°Exactly, this person wants me dead, surely hates me deeply. As long as I stay in the Capital City, he will live each day in torment, a torment that will keep him awake at night, and surely he will make some foolish moves,¡± Ye Xuan said, laughing lightly. ¡°Amazing, amazing, Mr. Ye, your wisdom is as vast as the sea. Truly brilliant,¡± Tie Li, smacking his lips in flattery, his unrefined mannerism immediately made the atmosphere somewhat awkward. Ye Xuan sighed, giving Tie Li a helpless look without saying much. ¡°Big brother Tie, maybe talk less,¡± Linglong, covering her forehead, her face somewhat flushed, obviously felt somewhat embarrassed. ¡°This Extreme Yin Heart Scripture is a body refining technique I¡¯ve developed over the last few days. If you cultivate according to this method, naturally, it will resolve the risks posed by your powerful soul.¡± Ye Xuan casually took out a book and handed it directly to Linglong, which made her face light up with joy as she continuously thanked Ye Xuan. ¡°Mr. Ye, you¡¯re not joking, right? Teacher Poison was a saintly healer of the nation, and even he couldn¡¯t cure Linglong¡¯s condition. How could a mere book possibly cure her?¡± Tie Li blurted out what was on his mind without any filter. ¡°Big brother Tie, you...¡± Linglong, visibly upset and about to scold Tie Li, didn¡¯t get to finish her words before Ye Xuan interrupted with a wave of his hand, ¡°Linglong¡¯s soul is powerful, and ordinary ancient martial artists, even if they cultivate for decades, their bodies can¡¯t sustain her powerful soul. This Extreme Yin Heart Scripture matches her constitution perfectly. One year of her cultivating this is equivalent to ten years of the normal technique. When she enters the Innate Realm, her own risks will also vanish without a trace.¡± At this point, Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes deepened as he continued to Linglong, ¡°Moreover, once you step into the Innate Realm, you will be invincible among your peers.¡± ¡°Ah?¡± Hearing Ye Xuan¡¯s words, Linglong gasped in shock, Tie Li¡¯s expression turned excited. He looked at Ye Xuan with a warm expression and said, ¡°Mr. Ye...can I also cultivate this Extreme Yin Heart Scripture?¡± Ye Xuan nodded with a smile, ¡°Certainly.¡± ¡°Haha, that¡¯s great, I...¡± Unfortunately, before Tie Li could finish his jubilant exclamation, Ye Xuan said teasingly, ¡°As long as you don¡¯t mind becoming a woman, you are more than welcome to cultivate it.¡± Tie Li¡¯s laughter abruptly ceased, suddenly feeling a chill below, his body shivered, and he then fell silent, which elicited giggles from Linglong. ... Time passed quickly, and it had been a week since Ye Xuan had arrived in the Capital City. In that time, the Capital City had been rather calm without any significant incidents. Ye Xuan was quite comfortable; each day he would guide Linglong in her cultivation and spend the rest of his time wandering around the Capital City, visiting historic relics, enjoying a rare leisurely time. Ye Family had been having a tough time. The Earth Group members of Wu¡¯an Office were constantly monitoring Ye Family¡¯s movements. From Ye Canghai and his son to the lowest servants and attendants, who they met and what they ate were all compiled into voluminous data on Azure Dragon¡¯s desk. The pressure from various quarters swept through Ye Family. They faced continuous setbacks in military, political, and business realms. Had it not been for Ye Family being one of the eight major families, and the other families understanding the principle of mutual dependence for survival, Ye Family would have likely crumbled under this pressure long ago. During this period, Ye Family had sent an invitation to Ye Xuan, hoping to mend their relationship. However, the so-called invitation was casually discarded by Ye Xuan, who did not even glance at it. There were three days left until the annual meeting of the Wu¡¯an Office, and at the same time, Nangong Tian, after a long and arduous journey, finally arrived in the midst of Langya Mountain. ... Langya Mountain! A clear pond whose waters were crystal-clear and azure, with several koi occasionally leaping out, causing ripples to spread across the water. A man in a moon-white robe stood by the pond with his hands behind his back. His hair was jet black, except for his silver temples. His eyes, opening and closing, seemed to see through everything in the world, conveying a sense of serene detachment. This man looked like a young man, but the aura that sporadically emanated from him was reminiscent of an elderly person nearing the end of his days. This contradictory feeling, gathered in him, did not seem odd but rather appeared perfectly natural. ¡°Young Nangong Tian, paying respects to senior Li Huantian.¡± Nangong Tian¡¯s voice trembled as he knelt on the ground, and the ten-plus Ancient Martial Artists behind him, faces filled with reverence, also knelt down, continuously kowtowing and greeting the man in front. Whoosh! The palm moved like the wind, and the empty space buzzed. Before Nangong Tian could react, the Summoning Heaven Token in his hand shot out towards the man. As the wooden token was grasped, thoughts turned hazy. Li Huantian¡¯s eyes slightly closed and then, with a burst of power from his fingers, instantly turned the wood into dust, scattering it into the void. ¡°Nangong Huo is what relation to you?¡± Li Huantian¡¯s voice was husky, exuding an immense pressure. ¡°Nangong Huo was my ancestor. I am currently the head of Nangong Family. I didn¡¯t want to disturb your peaceful cultivation, but Nangong Family is facing an unprecedented enemy, and disaster looms. I had no choice but to beseech you to leave your seclusion,¡± Nangong Tian said, his forehead touching the ground, his voice extremely respectful. ¡°Heavenly Dao is merciless, immortality elusive. I hadn¡¯t expected to be dragged into mortal affairs as my end draws near!¡± Li Huantian sighed, his aura suddenly turning terrifying. Innate Gang Qi exploded, filling the air with a chilling, desolate aura. ¡°Well then, well then, I must fulfill the promises of the past. Let me, Li Huantian, see what kind of new talents have emerged on the Central Plains after a hundred years.¡± ¡°We respectfully welcome senior Li Huantian out of seclusion.¡± Nangong Tian trembled intensely, causing the ten-plus Ancient Martial Artists behind him to kowtow again. ¡°Flying Snow!¡± Clang, clang, clang! Sword Qi clanged, empty space stirred. Li Huantian spoke in a deep voice, and suddenly, a piece of Green Stone in the middle of the pond burst open, a chilling sword light streaking across the sky, shooting directly towards Li Huantian. With the Flying Snow Sword in hand, Li Huantian¡¯s aura drastically changed. He seemed transformed into an unsheathed sharp sword. Any living being in his way would be cut down at his feet. Chapter 76 - 76 76 Those Who Defy Me All Are Dead! ?76: Chapter 76: Those Who Defy Me, All Are Dead! 76: Chapter 76: Those Who Defy Me, All Are Dead! Capital City suburbs, Wu¡¯an Office headquarters. The spacious parking lot was filled with various luxury yet understated sedans, as names familiar to all continuously emerged from the vehicles. They were the elite from all sectors, flocking to view the grand event of the annual Wu¡¯an Office meeting. What was the Wu¡¯an Office? The sharp blade of Xia Country, no realm was beyond their control. Whether facing formidable foreign adversaries or sweeping domestic threats, in elite society, the Wu¡¯an Office was an institution with immense power. All under heaven hustle and bustle for profit; all chase after their own interests. Everyone had their own agenda, and if one could establish ties with the Wu¡¯an Office, it would be greatly beneficial for them. The distinguished individuals attending the Wu¡¯an Office meeting were also affirming their own status. The Capital City¡¯s Eight Great Families, military brass, business magnates, and political heavyweights¡ªafter exchanging pleasantries, each one¡¯s face bore a smile, as they called over acquaintances and entered the Wu¡¯an Office headquarters together. A black sedan slowly drove into the parking area, with Tie Li taking the lead to open the door, respectfully inviting Ye Xuan out of the vehicle. As Ye Xuan appeared, the somewhat noisy parking lot suddenly fell silent, and all eyes focused on Ye Xuan. ¡°Is that Ye Xuan?¡± ¡°Is he really a Guest Elder of the Earth Group?¡± ¡°No way? Such a young man holds such a high position?¡± ¡°Hush, keep your voice down. I¡¯ve heard that Mr. Ye had taken out quite a few people from the Ye Family. Even several big shots up there seem to have an exceedingly complicated relationship with him.¡± The murmurs rose among the crowd, and though their voices were low, they all reached Ye Xuan¡¯s ears. However, he was unfazed, his expression placid. Why would he care about these people¡¯s thoughts? ¡°Mr. Ye, Azure Dragon awaits you inside, please.¡± Tie Li and Linglong led the way, with Ye Xuan strolling behind them until the trio entered the Wu¡¯an Office headquarters. Only then did the elite crowd cease their discussions. At this moment! Watching Ye Xuan¡¯s retreating figure, Ye Canghai and his son felt extremely complicated. Amidst the chatter, the father and son had lost all prestige, yet they were powerless to do anything about it. ¡°Hmph, unfilial child!¡± Ye Canghao snorted coldly. ¡°Watch your mouth. No matter what, he is still your son. What kind of image would we present to outsiders?¡± Ye Canghai reprimanded a bit. ¡°I understand, Father,¡± Ye Canghao sighed deeply. Wu¡¯an Office headquarters, brimming with a high-tech ambiance. Here, one could see the latest equipment, a myriad of colorful research instruments, and researchers in white lab coats, along with Ancient Martial Artists and Superpower Users occasionally passing by. To those unfamiliar with this place, the scene might lead them to mistake the Wu¡¯an Office for a scientific research department, unable to believe that it was, in fact, a law enforcement agency. Earth Group Martial Arts Arena. As Ye Xuan stepped out of the elevator, what came into view was an expansive area, equipped with everything from ancient cold weapons to modern arms¡ªa dazzling array. The sounds of fists and feet dancing, the brilliant display of Superpowers¡ªeach member of the Earth Group was training, the scene lively and extraordinary. ¡°Alright, everyone take a break, and come meet our Guest Elder of the Earth Group.¡± Azure Dragon clapped his hands, signaling the Earth Group members to stop their training, and with him leading, they approached Ye Xuan. ¡°Greetings to Mr. Ye.¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s arrival invigorated the Earth Group¡¯s morale, and awe was evident in everyone¡¯s eyes. Although they hadn¡¯t interacted much with Ye Xuan, they had all heard of his feats. ¡°Mr. Ye, what do you think of the cultivation of these group members?¡± Azure Dragon asked with a hint of pride. ¡°Do you want me to tell the truth, or a lie?¡± Ye Xuan said with a light chuckle. ¡°Of course, the truth. I respect your judgment, just speak freely. These rascals could use a good knock down a peg or two,¡± Azure Dragon said quickly. As Ye Xuan looked into the expectant eyes of the Earth Group members, he carefully chose his words before slowly speaking, ¡°In my opinion, your cultivation is quite average, and your burst power is insufficient. If you face a true expert, I¡¯m afraid you¡¯re going to suffer a serious defeat.¡± Silence fell upon the arena when Ye Xuan finished his words. Although the Earth Group members didn¡¯t verbally object, there was a clear sense of defiance in everyone¡¯s eyes. It should be known that being selected for the Wu¡¯an Office, each one of them had a proud side within the realm of Ancient Martial Artists and Superpower Users. For Ye Xuan to dismiss them outright undeniably struck at their pride. ¡°hmph.¡± Suddenly! A cold snort resonated through the air, and a middle-aged man stood out from the crowd, looking at Ye Xuan with thinly veiled hostility in his eyes. ¡°Guest Elder Ye, I think you are too arrogant. Our Earth Group members have been through countless battles and have executed many dangerous missions. They are the pillars of the Earth Group. Even though you are our Guest Elder, you shouldn¡¯t disparage them like this,¡± the middle-aged man said coldly. ¡°Instructor Chu is right. Although Mr. Ye, your cultivation is powerful, and we cannot compare, countless felons have been captured through our bloody efforts, with many brothers dying in each mission.¡± ¡°Indeed, while our cultivation may seem feeble in Mr. Ye¡¯s eyes, every one of us trains diligently and has never slacked in our own cultivation practice.¡± As one man took the lead in speaking out, waves of dissent rose, prompting more Earth Group members to refute Ye Xuan. Azure Dragon¡¯s expression subtly changed at this scene, though he remained silent. Azure Dragon had witnessed the Earth Group members¡¯ hard training every day, and although he admired Ye Xuan¡¯s cultivation, he didn¡¯t believe what Ye Xuan said in this matter either. ¡°Alright, Instructor Chu, how can you speak to Mr. Ye like this?¡± Azure Dragon feigned reprimand. ¡°Group Leader, I¡¯m merely speaking to the matter at hand,¡± Chu Tianhe said proudly. Ye Xuan, who was he? A Cultivator, with senses so sharp. How could he not see the current situation? Since Azure Dragon and the others didn¡¯t believe his words, he saw no need to explain further. However, just as Ye Xuan didn¡¯t want to dwell on the matter, Chu Tianhe let out another cold laugh, ¡°There are rumors outside that Guest Elder Ye is suspected to be an Innate master. Chu has no talent, my Ancient Martial Cultivation is only in the Grandmaster Realm. I have never seen an Innate expert in my life, and now, I would like to learn a thing or two from you.¡± Chu Tianhe¡¯s eager demeanor immediately brought a chill to Azure Dragon¡¯s expression. He scolded, ¡°Instructor Chu, you are no match for Mr. Ye. Step down now. When have you ever been so out of line?¡± Alas, despite Azure Dragon¡¯s rebuke, Chu Tianhe just sneered, looking at Ye Xuan with a very obvious challenging demeanor. ¡°Lord Azure Dragon, you have always spoken of Mr. Ye¡¯s unfathomable cultivation. Now that Mr. Ye has arrived, would he demonstrate his skill to us?¡± ¡°Yes, the other seven groups are laughing at our Earth Group, saying that Lord Azure Dragon brought in a young man to be the Guest Elder of our group, and even claiming Mr. Ye got this position in our Earth Group because of connections above.¡± Various comments emerged, and the Earth Group members started to instigate further, darkening Azure Dragon¡¯s expression as he was about to reprimand them. But before Azure Dragon could speak up, Ye Xuan turned to look at Chu Tianhe, his voice calm, ¡°Since I arrived here, you have been creating a momentum against me. Even though I don¡¯t know why, I can see dissatisfaction in your eyes.¡± ¡°That¡¯s right, I am not convinced by you, and what can you do about it?¡± Chu Tianhe brazenly acknowledged Ye Xuan¡¯s words. ¡°Hehe.¡± Ye Xuan laughed, a true laugh, but this smile was ominously chilling, tightening Chu Tianhe¡¯s nerves and making him look at Ye Xuan with a grave expression. ¡°I am a man of reason, but those who do not obey me have all become dead men. Do you want to give it a try?¡± Ye Xuan said with a smile. Domineering and sharp as a mountain bearing down, the words ¡®humble and low-key¡¯ simply did not apply to Ye Xuan. Chapter 77 - 77 77 Talking Reason Please Favorite and Recommend ?77: Chapter 77: Talking Reason (Please Favorite and Recommend) 77: Chapter 77: Talking Reason (Please Favorite and Recommend) As Ye Xuan finished speaking, the members of the Earth Group gasped in astonishment and started heckling, their eyes eagerly fixed on Chu Tianhe. In fact, Chu Tianhe had specifically targeted Ye Xuan because the position of Guest Elder in the Earth Group had been vacant for ten years, and it had been his goal for many years. However, Ye Xuan had unexpectedly taken the position, how could he accept this? Chu Tianhe also understood that Ye Xuan¡¯s being appointed as the Earth Group¡¯s Guest Elder meant that his abilities were by no means superficial. Yet, he was confident in his own skills as an Ancient Martial Grandmaster. Even if he couldn¡¯t beat Ye Xuan, just fighting to a draw would be enough to make Ye Xuan lose face. Chu Tianhe was clear about this, no matter what the outcome, he would save face, which made him smirk repeatedly and say, ¡°Anyone can talk big. I hope Mr. Ye doesn¡¯t cry too pathetically later.¡± Chu Tianhe strode confidently into the Demonstration Martial Arts Arena, even turning back to look at Ye Xuan with a fierce smile on his face. ¡°Mr. Ye, please show mercy,¡± Azure Dragon called out anxiously, fearing that Ye Xuan might take Chu Tianhe¡¯s life. But unfortunately, Ye Xuan didn¡¯t respond at all, his face always wearing a smile. When he stepped forward, he suddenly appeared in front of Chu Tianhe, causing Chu Tianhe¡¯s complexion to change and his footsteps to hastily retreat, maintaining a safe distance from Ye Xuan. How Ye Xuan had appeared in the arena, Chu Tianhe hadn¡¯t seen clearly. Not only had he not seen clearly, but neither had Azure Dragon nor the members of the Earth Group. Yet Chu Tianhe found himself unconsciously swallowing his saliva, cold sweat emerging on his forehead, his back already drenched with sweat, and a sense of regret beginning to rise in his heart. As the old saying goes, ¡®seeing just a part and understanding the whole,¡¯ Chu Tianhe deeply understood that given how Ye Xuan had appeared unnoticed in front of him, if Ye Xuan were to attack directly, he would have absolutely no time to react. ¡°Mr. Ye¡ªwhat excellent agility!¡± Chu Tianhe forced a laugh, but if one listened closely, they would detect a tremble in his voice. ¡°Coach Chu, hang in there.¡± ¡°Coach Chu, show Mr. Ye our Earth Group¡¯s strength.¡± On the stage, the two men stood face to face, while below, Earth Group members cheered Chu Tianhe on, their excited shouts incessant. ¡°Come.¡± Ye Xuan hooked his finger, always wearing a smile on his face, but this provocative gesture caused Chu Tianhe¡¯s face to flush red with both shame and anger. ¡°You¡¯re seeking death!¡± Bang! Finally enraged, Chu Tianhe¡¯s feet exerted tremendous force, the Fine Steel Stone floor immediately cracking. His iron palms swung through the air, and he charged at Ye Xuan like a raging tiger descending the mountain. ¡°It¡¯s the Grand Slamming Tablet Hand¡ªit¡¯s actually the Grand Slamming Tablet Hand, Coach Chu¡¯s signature Martial Arts move!¡± a member of the Earth Group yelled in astonishment, excitement gleaming in his eyes. ¡°This Mr. Ye is destined to lose. After all, Coach Chu¡¯s Grand Slamming Tablet Hand can split stone and divide gold. Even among Ancient Martial Grandmasters, few dare to directly receive Coach Chu¡¯s blow,¡± others said impassively, as if they had already foreseen Ye Xuan¡¯s defeat. Bang! Suddenly! A dull, thunderous noise filled the air. When the scene on the stage appeared before everyone¡¯s eyes, all the excited expressions vanished, faces turning blank with shock. ¡°How... how is this possible?¡± ¡°Are... are you kidding?¡± Moments later, the members of the Earth Group erupted in disbelief, completely unable to believe what they had seen. On the stage! Ye Xuan stood still, a constant smile on his face, yet his crystal-like jade palm gripped Chu Tianhe by the neck, lifting him halfway into the air. Giggling! Chu Tianhe¡¯s face turned purple, and crisp sounds continuously emerged from his throat; his limbs flailed wildly in mid-air, much like a frail chick awaiting its slaughter. ¡°Ts-ts-ts!¡± Ye Xuan slowly shook his head, with a cold light flashing in his eyes, his voice remaining calm as he said, ¡°Too weak, you are just too weak.¡± ¡°Let... let go of me... I... admit defeat...¡± Chu Tianhe struggled to speak; he could fully feel the terrifying power contained in the palm clutching his neck, knowing that in a moment more, he would certainly be choked to death by the other party. His heart shattered, overwhelmed by the closeness of death¡ªthat was how Chu Tianhe was feeling now. ¡°I¡¯ve told you before, I am quite reasonable; since you defy me, you can only become a dead man.¡± Ye Xuan spoke as if discussing a mundane matter, but these words sent chills down everyone¡¯s spine, feeling as if falling into the deepest abyss of Hell. ¡°Mr. Ye, please, show mercy!¡± Azure Dragon said with a pale face, speaking anxiously. With a swing of his palm, Ye Xuan sent Chu Tianhe flying with a slap, further accompanied by the sound of breaking bones; a large amount of blood spurted from Chu Tianhe¡¯s mouth, his body rotating 365 degrees in the air, violently crashing onto the Demonstration Martial Arts Arena. Splurt! Blood drenched the arena, mixed with several teeth, Chu Tianhe¡¯s body trembled ceaselessly, while the members of the Earth Group who witnessed this became utterly silent, as if their souls had fled their bodies. Boom¡ªBoom¡ªBoom. Like waves crashing onto the shore, like stones flying chaotically through the air, Ye Xuan paced forward until he reached Chu Tianhe, his broad foot stomping fiercely on Chu Tianhe¡¯s face, grinding back and forth. ¡°I am a very reasonable person, and now I¡¯m giving you a chance, just say ¡®I submit,¡¯ and I¡¯ll spare your life today,¡± Ye Xuan said calmly. At that moment! Humiliation and severe injury engulfed Chu Tianhe; hearing Ye Xuan¡¯s words, his chest nearly exploded with fury. He was an instructor of the Earth Group, and today his humiliation was complete! However, Chu Tianhe knew full well that saying the word ¡®submit¡¯ now would utterly ruin his prestige before the members of the Earth Group. ¡°No... it¡¯s impossible!¡± Chu Tianhe weakly roared, feigning toughness. ¡°Aah!¡± Right after Chu Tianhe¡¯s words fell, a terrifying scream burst from him, as Ye Xuan brutally stomped half of his head into the ground, and a great deal of blood flowed from it. If it weren¡¯t for Chu Tianhe being an Ancient Martial Grandmaster with an extremely strong body, Ye Xuan¡¯s stomp would have claimed his life long ago. ¡°In front of so-called dignity and life, it seems you chose dignity. Isn¡¯t living good?¡± Ye Xuan asked in a sinister tone, lifting his foot again, his voice growing eerily colder as he continued, ¡°Since you wish to play the hero, I shall fulfill your wish.¡± Like the tolling of the Bell Of The Dead Soul, like Yama Hell reaping souls, Chu Tianhe was genuinely frightened; he could well sense that Ye Xuan was not merely speaking, fearing the next moment might bring his demise. Hum! Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes narrowed slightly, the air erupted with a thunderous noise as he was about to stomp down; this caused the members of the Earth Group to scream in terror, and even Azure Dragon turned pale, crying out pleadingly, ¡°Mr. Ye, please, spare his life.¡± ¡°I... I submit!¡± At this critical moment, Chu Tianhe finally caved in, his voice trembling as he begged, tears flowing from his eyes, clearly utterly humiliated. Chapter 78 - 78 78 Pointing the Way Please Recommend and Favorite ?78: Chapter 78: Pointing the Way (Please Recommend and Favorite) 78: Chapter 78: Pointing the Way (Please Recommend and Favorite) A living Ancient Martial Grandmaster actually broke down in tears. When such a scene fell into everyone¡¯s eyes, every face showed a complex expression. Ye Xuan bullied people, he really bullied them to the extreme, and that was exactly what he wanted. Ye Xuan always believed in one saying, ¡°If a dog bites a person, naturally the person doesn¡¯t bite back,¡± but Ye Xuan¡¯s approach was to break the dog¡¯s legs, making sure the other party would remember it for life. The freezing murderous intent vanished, and Ye Xuan bent down to help Chu Tianhe up, even kindly smoothing out his wrinkled clothes with a smile, ¡°Instructor Chu, I¡¯m truly very sorry. Actually, I was just joking. Please don¡¯t be offended.¡± Looking at Ye Xuan¡¯s smiling face, Chu Tianhe tensed up all over, even his teeth involuntarily chattered. The look in his eyes towards Ye Xuan was like seeing a demon, and his heart was filled with immense fear. ¡°It¡¯s... it¡¯s fine,¡± Chu Tianhe forced a smile, but it was uglier than crying! No, that was wrong. Chu Tianhe had already cried. It was just that he never wanted to encounter Ye Xuan again, as he was truly terrified by him. This man in front of him was unpredictable, simply a devil. ¡°Somebody, take Instructor Chu down for treatment,¡± Azure Dragon let out a breath and had an Earth Group member help Chu Tianhe quickly walk towards the medical room. As Ye Xuan strolled down from the platform, members of the Earth Group unconsciously backed away, their eyes showing unprecedented respect and awe towards him. Clearly, Ye Xuan¡¯s methods had given them a true lesson on what it meant to be a ferocious spirit. Looking at everyone¡¯s fearful expressions, Ye Xuan¡¯s heart was untroubled; he had a very good reason for doing what he did. Establishing authority, indeed, that was it! Today a Chu Tianhe dared to target him; if Ye Xuan didn¡¯t respond with a thunderous strike to teach him a lesson, there was no guarantee that others wouldn¡¯t follow Chu Tianhe¡¯s example and come looking for trouble in the future. Although Ye Xuan wasn¡¯t afraid of people looking for trouble, these annoying issues would indeed irritate him. The effect he had achieved was clear; Ye Xuan had established himself as a terrifying figure in the eyes of the Earth Group members. ¡°Mr. Ye, I¡¯m really impressed with you!¡± Azure Dragon said with a wry smile. ¡°The means were a bit severe, but they saved a lot of trouble, don¡¯t blame me,¡± Ye Xuan said calmly. ¡°Azure Dragon wouldn¡¯t dare to blame you, sir. It was Chu Tianhe who didn¡¯t recognize his place. He brought this upon himself,¡± Azure Dragon said. The two chatted casually for a while, then sat down together to discuss the annual meeting of the Wu¡¯an Office. Time passed quickly, and after an hour, Ye Xuan learned about the situation of the Earth Group from Azure Dragon, which made Azure Dragon¡¯s expression awkward and somewhat embarrassed to face Ye Xuan. ¡°When the time comes, we will still need Mr. Ye to take action, just try not to hurt the other Guest Elders,¡± Azure Dragon probed cautiously. ¡°It¡¯s alright, just some minor matters,¡± Ye Xuan said, undisturbed. While the two were talking, the surrounding Earth Group members began their cultivation again, but from the corner of their eyes, they would sneak glances at Ye Xuan, their eyes reflecting complex sentiments. In the Ancient Martial Superpower World, strength was revered. Today, Ye Xuan¡¯s thunderous action had shown them what a true strong person was, which stirred some thoughts in some people¡¯s minds. Zhang Xiaoqiang, an ordinary member of the Earth Group with a beginner level of Dark Force in his Ancient Martial Cultivation, worked hard in cultivation every day but was a very weak presence within the group. He even had a shameful nickname, ¡°Zhang Xiaowei¡± (Weak Zhang). Zhang Xiaoqiang was conflicted inside. When he saw how Ye Xuan defeated Chu Tianhe in a blink of an eye, he was extremely afraid of Ye Xuan. However, Zhang Xiaoqiang had an urge, because he had heard that Ye Xuan pointed out their lack of explosive power in cultivation, which was his biggest deficiency in cultivating Ancient Martial Arts. After much hesitation and with apparent timidity, Zhang Xiaoqiang seemed to hear a voice telling him that if he did not seek guidance from Ye Xuan now, he didn¡¯t know when he would get another chance to meet this Guest Elder. If he did not seize this opportunity, he feared he would regret it for life. Zhang Xiaoqiang made up his mind rapidly, his face turning red, but under the astonished gazes of the Earth Group members, he walked determinedly towards Ye Xuan. ¡°Mr... Mr. Ye... You just mentioned our lack of explosive power... could you give some advice to your junior?¡± Zhang Xiaoqiang¡¯s face was flushed, he couldn¡¯t dare look into Ye Xuan¡¯s eyes, and his voice trembled with extreme nervousness. ¡°Ridiculous, I am discussing important matters with Mr. Ye, you...¡± Before Azure Dragon could finish, Ye Xuan waved his hand to interrupt him, causing Azure Dragon to pause, swallowing back the reprimand he was about to utter. ¡°Being unashamed to ask questions is a quality a strong person should have. You¡¯re doing well.¡± Ye Xuan smiled and nodded, then stood up from his seat and walked toward an iron post, prompting Zhang Xiaoqiang to suddenly look up with grateful eyes, and he quickly followed behind Ye Xuan. Such a scene naturally made the Earth Group members scramble to watch, with whispered discussions rising among them. ¡°Didn¡¯t see that coming, that kid Zhang Xiaoqiang has quite the guts to go and disturb Guest Elder Ye.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t understand. Xiaoqiang has always been very diligent in his cultivation, just without any progress. He is taking a risk in desperation.¡± ¡°If you ask me, Xiaoqiang¡¯s effort is in vain. Cultivation is a matter of gradual progression. Even though Mr. Ye¡¯s cultivation is terrifying, how much can he really improve Xiaoqiang¡¯s martial arts?¡± Various opinions arose, and at this time Zhang Xiaoqiang felt his cheeks burning with shame as he heard them, but the determined look in his eyes remained unchanged. A single iron post, cast from fine iron, its hardness was naturally extraordinary. ¡°Strike this iron post with all your strength,¡± Ye Xuan called back to Zhang Xiaoqiang. ¡°Yes, Mr. Ye.¡± Zhang Xiaoqiang focused his mind and calmed his qi, disregarding the remarks of the surrounding people. After a dozen breaths, feeling himself at his peak condition, he transformed his palm into a fist and fiercely struck the iron post. Bang! There was a muffled sound, and the iron post shook slightly, emitting a humming noise, leaving not even a mark from his fist, causing Zhang Xiaoqiang to hang his head in embarrassment. ¡°Feet are the roots connected to the earth, the body must be as unmoving as a mountain, the spine like a mighty dragon, the blood and qi like a vast ocean. Use your waist to lead your hips, your hips to lead your arms, your arms to lead your fists. Consolidate all the blood and qi in your body into one point. When you strike with your fist, you must have the belief that you are invincible.¡± It was as if the bell at dawn and the drum at dusk were ringing, like the light of dawn was assaulting him. When Ye Xuan spoke, Zhang Xiaoqiang¡¯s face froze, and a look of bafflement appeared in his eyes, as if he had fallen into deep thought. A full ten minutes passed, and Zhang Xiaoqiang had not moved an inch, while the disdainful looks of the Earth Group members watching became apparent; they were about to disperse, believing it to be a lost cause. ¡°Ha!¡± Suddenly! Zhang Xiaoqiang¡¯s eyes snapped open, a sharp light flashed across them, and with a loud shout from his mouth, he once again transformed his palm into a fist. His fist radiance was like a dazzling meteor, furiously striking towards the iron post in front of him. Thud! Fist met iron without a peculiar sound, and just when the crowd shook their heads in disappointment and were about to disperse, an extremely faint crackling sound came from within the post, making the watching Earth Group members¡¯ eyes widen in disbelief at the scene before them. The fine iron cast post started to crack like a spider¡¯s web, large chunks of iron continuously fell to the ground, until a resounding boom was heard. The iron post suddenly burst apart into fragments, the dazzling iron shards scattering on the ground as though they were trying to make it impossible for anyone to open their eyes. Silence, a deathly silence. Not a single sound was heard in the entire Earth Group Martial Arts Arena. It took a dozen breaths before the stunned Earth Group members burst out in uproar and hurried to Zhang Xiaoqiang¡¯s side, touching him all over as if he were some rare treasure. ¡°Xiaoqiang... no... Zhang Xiaoqiang... did you really do this?¡± asked one of the Earth Group members in amazement. ¡°How... how is this possible?¡± ¡°Zhang Xiaoqiang only has Dark Force cultivation, how could he break an iron post?¡± Noisy discussions abounded, and Zhang Xiaoqiang himself stood there foolishly looking at the scattered iron pieces on the ground. He continuously touched his own palms as if in a daze. ¡°Mr. Ye... Thank you... Thank you.¡± Zhang Xiaoqiang finally snapped out of his stupor, tears of extreme joy streaming down his face as he knelt before Ye Xuan, continuously kowtowing in gratitude. At this moment, the others finally realized what had occurred, and their looks toward Ye Xuan conveyed warm enthusiasm. Some were even itching to approach Ye Xuan for guidance. Unfortunately, before the Earth Group members could get to Ye Xuan, Azure Dragon stepped forward quickly, waving them away, and after looking at the scattered iron pieces with a shocked expression, bent forward to bow to Ye Xuan, saying, ¡°Mr. Ye, Azure Dragon was ignorant before. I offer you my apology now.¡± Chapter 79 - 79 79 You Will Die Miserably! ?79: Chapter 79 You Will Die Miserably! 79: Chapter 79 You Will Die Miserably! ¡°No need, there¡¯s no need for this,¡± Ye Xuan said with a smile. Seeing that Ye Xuan held no blame, Azure Dragon finally relaxed and then teased Zhang Xiaoqiang with a laugh, ¡°You stinky boy, get up quickly. Mr. Ye doesn¡¯t like those who kowtow like bugs.¡± Zhang Xiaoqiang quickly stood up, his face extremely excited, his eyes showing admiration as he looked at Ye Xuan. Zhang Xiaoqiang couldn¡¯t help but be excited, having been ridiculed for years within the Earth Group; however, today, under Ye Xuan¡¯s guidance, he finally felt a sense of pride and saw a bright path ahead. Azure Dragon instructed Zhang Xiaoqiang to cultivate diligently and not to disappoint Ye Xuan¡¯s kindness. This made Zhang Xiaoqiang nod repeatedly and thank Ye Xuan again before heading into the Demonstration Martial Arts Arena amid the jealous gazes of the Earth Group members. ¡°Mr. Ye, I have a somewhat unpleasant request, and I hope you can grant it,¡± Azure Dragon said with a hopeful look as they sat down again. Without needing Azure Dragon to say it, Ye Xuan knew what was going on; clearly, Azure Dragon saw the transformation in Zhang Xiaoqiang and wanted to ask Ye Xuan to also coach the Earth Group members. ¡°There¡¯s no need for personal coaching; I will write a cultivation guide for you. I believe they will also make great progress,¡± Ye Xuan said softly. Azure Dragon knew his request was somewhat difficult but was thrilled with the outcome and naturally did not dare insist Ye Xuan personally coach the Earth Group members. ¡°Ha ha!¡± ¡°Brother Azure Dragon, I heard that your Earth Group finally has a Guest Elder; could you introduce me?¡± Suddenly, A loud laugh approached from afar, and several people emerged from the elevator, led by a middle-aged man with a sinister look and slightly narrowed, inverted-triangle eyes that made him seem unkind at first glance. Azure Dragon¡¯s expression turned cold, and he said in a slightly grim tone, ¡°Mr. Ye, I forgot to mention, the Wu Jun you killed was his sworn younger brother. This man is Bai Lang, the leader of the Xuan Group, with Ice Element Superpower at the A level.¡± Upon hearing Azure Dragon¡¯s introduction, Ye Xuan¡¯s expression remained unchanged, finally understanding why Wu Jun, with only Dark Force cultivation, had been able to dominate Jiangnan City all these years, apparently backed by this man. Ye Xuan¡¯s guess was almost spot on¡ªWu Jun¡¯s foothold in Jiangnan City was largely due to this Xuan Group leader, who received a lot of money from Wu Jun each year. Although they seemed sworn brothers, Wu Jun was merely a tool for Bai Lang¡¯s extortion. Although a tool, Wu Jun¡¯s death naturally enraged Bai Lang; however, orders from above prevented Bai Lang from openly seeking trouble with Ye Xuan. Moreover, Ye Xuan becoming the Guest Elder of the Earth Group made Bai Lang firmly remember him. ¡°This must be Mr. Ye?¡± Bai Lang, accompanied by his subordinates, approached Ye Xuan, his face bearing a very warm smile, and even reached out his right hand, seemingly intending to shake hands with Ye Xuan. Unfortunately, Ye Xuan did not move, simply looking at Bai Lang indifferently. This caused Bai Lang to pause, a flicker of murderous intent passing through his eyes before quietly withdrawing his hand, his face showing no sign of embarrassment. ¡°Let me introduce myself, Bai Lang, leader of the Xuan Group. I¡¯ve long admired Mr. Ye¡¯s reputation, and seeing you today, you are just as I expected.¡± A subordinate quickly brought over a chair, and Bai Lang, with disregard, directly sat opposite Ye Xuan, a sinister smile emerging on his face. Bang! Azure Dragon slammed the table and stood up with a voice cold as ice, ¡°Bai Lang, this is the Earth Group Demonstration Martial Arts Arena; you have no right to be so presumptuous here.¡± ¡°Ha ha!¡± Bai Lang shook his head and laughed loudly, constantly slapping the table, as if he had heard a very funny joke. Suddenly! The smile faded from Bai Lang¡¯s face, and a sinister look appeared. His eyes slowly narrowed into inverted triangles, resembling a venomous snake as he glared at Ye Xuan, ¡°Ye Xuan, I know you have some connections up there, but you should know that the Wu¡¯an Office is not as simple as you think. If you want to establish a foothold at the Wu¡¯an Office, did you ask for my permission, Bai Lang?¡± Tap, tap, tap. Urgent footsteps came from all directions. All the members of the Earth Group gathered behind Azure Dragon and Ye Xuan, their eyes looking towards Bai Lang and the others with an air of tension, as if they were about to draw swords. Behind Bai Lang, his followers glared fiercely, their stance as confrontational as that of the Earth Group members, as if they were about to fight at any moment. ¡°Bai Lang, it seems you can¡¯t wait to have a go at me even before the martial arts competition has started,¡± Azure Dragon sneered repeatedly, his clothes billowing without pause, looking at Bai Lang with eyes that emitted a chilly glow. ¡°Ts-ts-ts!¡± With no trace of his earlier malevolence, Bai Lang again hung a smile on his face as he looked at Azure Dragon and others, ¡°Lord Azure Dragon, your Martial Arts Cultivation is indeed extraordinary; I dare not start a fight with you.¡± ¡°Pity, though, members of your group are all useless. In my view, after the martial arts competition ends, you should probably talk to the higher-ups. The Earth Group might as well disband, and Lord Azure Dragon can join my Xuan Group. Though you can¡¯t be the leader, being my deputy would surely be more than enough.¡± Mockery, provocation, arrogance ¡ª that was the attitude displayed by Bai Lang, which caused Azure Dragon¡¯s expression to turn frosty, and the members of the Earth Group to seethe with anger, almost ready to teach Bai Lang a harsh lesson right there. Azure Dragon was not a man skilled in speech, and at this moment, his chest was about to burst with anger. As he clenched his hands into fists, they cracked violently, as if he was about to lash out at Bai Lang any moment. ¡°Hehe.¡± Seeing the furious expression on Azure Dragon¡¯s face, Bai Lang chuckled darkly twice. He knew when to stop; if a fight broke out here, he wouldn¡¯t be able to explain himself to the higher-ups. ¡°Earth Group is full of trash, even the Guest Elder is trash. Don¡¯t worry, once the martial arts competition starts, my Xuan Group will naturally be lenient.¡± ¡°Ha ha.¡± Bai Lang laughed loudly as he stood up and motioned for the members of the Xuan Group to head towards the elevator. Throughout this, Ye Xuan maintained a calm demeanor, showing no sign of what he might be thinking. ¡°Mr. Ye, with Bai Lang insulting you and our Earth Group like this, why didn¡¯t you strike him?¡± an Earth Group member furiously asked, wondering if their Guest Elder was truly a coward. A slight smile curled at the corners of Ye Xuan¡¯s mouth, his calm voice then emitting from him. ¡°Just a dead man, why should I stoop to his level?¡± ¡°Hmm?¡± Already at the elevator, Bai Lang stopped in his tracks upon hearing Ye Xuan¡¯s words, then turned his head to look back at Ye Xuan, and grinned grimly, ¡°I¡¯ve seen many boastful people, but they all became dead people. Don¡¯t disappoint me.¡± ¡°You¡¯ll die a miserable death, I assure you,¡± Ye Xuan said casually, as if mentioning a trivial matter. Chapter 80 - 80 80 Annual Meeting Begins Seeking recommendations and favorites ?80: Chapter 80 Annual Meeting Begins (Seeking recommendations and favorites) 80: Chapter 80 Annual Meeting Begins (Seeking recommendations and favorites) ¡°Hmph!¡± With a cold snort, Bai Lang led the Xuan Group members away from the scene, but in the elevator, the venomous look in Bai Lang¡¯s eyes was exceptionally intense. ¡°Notify the Guest Elder and tell him that although Ye Xuan has powerful backers and we can¡¯t kill him outright, crippling him is certainly possible, isn¡¯t it?¡± said Bai Lang with a sinister, cold laugh. ... Earth Group Martial Arts Arena. The Earth Group members were unable to quell their fury, and Azure Dragon¡¯s face was also extremely unsightly. Only Ye Xuan appeared calm and unperturbed, occasionally sipping the clear tea from his cup, radiating an air of composed leisure. ¡°A mere jester has stirred your emotions; you have all greatly disappointed me,¡± Ye Xuan said, slowly shaking his head. Azure Dragon suddenly awoke to his folly, his face showing a look of embarrassment, before turning to address the Earth Group members, ¡°Mr. Ye is right; that person is nothing but a jester. As long as you all fight with all your might at the martial competition, you will certainly not lose to the Xuan Group¡¯s members.¡± ¡°Indeed, although we of the Earth Group have been at the bottom year after year, it doesn¡¯t necessarily mean that the Xuan Group is much stronger than us. When the time comes, we¡¯ll show them a thing or two.¡± ¡°Yes, we¡¯ll beat those dogs to death.¡± The Earth Group members spoke up one after the other, their hearts reignited with anger as they resumed their serious cultivation. Watching the Earth Group members cultivate, a trace of worry flashed in Azure Dragon¡¯s eyes. As the leader of the Earth Group, how could he not know the level of his members? According to the overall strength of the Earth Group, they indeed fell short of the Xuan Group, which was the very reason for Bai Lang¡¯s arrogance. It seemed Ye Xuan had perceived Azure Dragon¡¯s concern. He patted Azure Dragon on the shoulder and said, ¡°No need to worry. In this martial competition, have Zhang Xiaoqiang participate; he should be able to bring honor to the Earth Group.¡± ¡°Mr. Ye, you might not be aware that the members who can participate in the martial competition all have attained the Hua Realm Cultivation, and some are even a mere step away from entering the Grandmaster Realm. Although Zhang Xiaoqiang has received your guidance, after all, he is only at the Dark Force Cultivation level. How could he compete?¡± Azure Dragon expressed his concern anxiously. ¡°Cultivation does not represent true strength; you can rest assured to let him compete.¡± Ye Xuan didn¡¯t explain much further, but the confidence radiating from him amazed Azure Dragon, who had no choice but to follow Ye Xuan¡¯s instruction and add Zhang Xiaoqiang to the martial competition roster. ¡°Lord Azure Dragon, the annual meeting is about to commence; the Director has instructed me to notify you that you may enter the venue now.¡± Before long, a young woman arrived to inform the Earth Group to head towards the meeting place. ¡°Mr. Ye, let¡¯s go.¡± Azure Dragon walked shoulder to shoulder with Ye Xuan, followed by the Earth Group members, moving directly toward the location of the meeting place. ... At the same time, within Kyoto City. A dozen military vehicles cleared the way up front, followed by dozens of luxury cars, each worth millions. Such an extravagant procession made the residents of Kyoto stop in their tracks to observe, wondering which tycoon was displaying such pomp. A stretch Rolls-Royce Phantom, one of only five in the world, surrounded by a myriad of luxury cars, was slowly driving towards the headquarters of the Wu¡¯an Office. Inside the car! A Flying Snow Sword rested across Li Huantian¡¯s knees, while his face showed no ripples, as if he were resting with his eyes closed. Nangong Tian¡¯s face was flushed red, his body trembling involuntarily, and he occasionally glanced at Li Huantian sitting next to him with great reverence in his eyes. Ever since he had found Li Huantian, a series of events had made Nangong Tian increasingly aware of just how terrifying Li Huantian was, and the vast extent of his influence. A single Summoning Heaven Token delivered directly to the Ancient Martial Families set off an earthquake in the Ancient Martial World, with countless Ancient Martial Families now rushing towards the capital to meet the ninth highest master from a century ago. The ninth under the heavens, Li Huantian, was a legendary figure and one of the pinnacle existences in the Ancient Martial World. Although Li Huantian had not appeared in a century, the legends about him in the Ancient Martial World were still fervently recounted. Nangong Tian was thrilled, and his mood was incredibly excited. The arrival of these Ancient Martial Families would naturally strengthen the prestige of the Nangong Family. Moreover, Antar had already agreed to join forces with him to assassinate Ye Xuan. Even though this plan had been discovered by Xia Country, making it impossible for the Nangong Family to have a foothold there, Nangong Tian had long been prepared. As soon as Ye Xuan was killed, they would leave Xia Country. Nangong Tian firmly believed that Antar¡¯s intervention might not be necessary, as Li Huantian by his side could take Ye Xuan¡¯s life. Everything was ready, except for the east wind. Although Nangong Tian was extremely confident, he still made preparations for every contingency as a precaution. ¡°Ye Xuan, your time of death has come!¡± Nangong Tian muttered with hatred, his eyes revealing an exceedingly cruel glint. Wu¡¯an Office headquarters, annual grand ceremony. The overcrowded venue, with a dozen arenas, was abuzz with noise, filled with celebrities from all walks of life, while members of the Wu¡¯an Office¡¯s eight groups successively entered the resting area, waiting for the commencement of the annual meeting. Earth Group resting area. Azure Dragon and Ye Xuan sat side by side, with the members of the Earth Group behind them looking excited, clearly, some of them would soon be entering the competition. While waiting for the start of the annual meeting, Azure Dragon also detailed the situation within the Wu¡¯an Office to Ye Xuan. The Wu¡¯an Office was divided into eight groups: Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang, Cosmic Primordial. Among them, the Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang groups dealt with various events occurring in Xia Country and were the four groups with the most members. The Cosmic Primordial groups were shrouded in mystery, their abilities extremely complex, and even Azure Dragon did not fully understand them. The members of these four groups were exceedingly rare, with the Desolate Group being the smallest ¨C counting its Guest Elder group leader, there were only four members. In terms of relative strength, the strongest was the Yu Group, with only eight members, each of them a Grandmaster-level figure. There were even rumors that the Yu Group¡¯s Tian Yu was an Innate expert, although this rumor had never been confirmed. As for the so-called grand martial arts tournament, if it said it was a competition between the members of the eight groups, it would be more accurate to say it was a ranking competition among the Heaven and Earth Xuanhuang groups. The Cosmic Primordial groups would not send anyone to compete, merely making a token appearance. The rankings of the Cosmic Primordial groups had never changed, and they stood aloof from worldly affairs. Although these groups had few members, each individual was extraordinary. As Azure Dragon elaborated on the Wu¡¯an Office¡¯s situation, Ye Xuan slowly nodded, yet his face remained calm and unruffled, clearly unaffected inside. It was at this moment that a profound gaze fell on Ye Xuan, prompting him to look for the owner of the gaze. Yu Group resting area. When Ye Xuan and Tian Yu¡¯s eyes met, Tian Yu smiled and nodded in acknowledgment to Ye Xuan before shifting his gaze away. He appeared calm as if he had merely glanced casually at Ye Xuan without showing any unusual emotions. However, a hint of astonishment flashed through Tian Yu¡¯s eyes. ¡°That¡¯s interesting.¡± Ye Xuan¡¯s cultivation was terrifying, and he saw through Tian Yu¡¯s cultivation level at a glance, prompting a playful look in his eyes and a strong interest in this leader of the Yu Group. Ye Xuan turned his attention away, once again looking toward the resting areas of the other six groups, hoping to discover something of interest. Xuan Group¡¯s Bai Lang smirked coldly and made a throat-slitting gesture at Ye Xuan, his behavior provocatively challenging. The Hong Group¡¯s leader, a ruggedly built man, was a Grandmaster in cultivation. He gave Ye Xuan a salute from afar, acknowledging him with a gesture. The leader of the Heaven Group was a young man with icy blue hair, radiating an aura of ¡®keep away from me¡¯. He merely glanced briefly at Ye Xuan without any intention of greeting him. The leader of the Cosmic Group was an aged man, who smiled and nodded slightly at Ye Xuan. The leader of the Hong Group was a middle-aged man with fiery-colored hair, resembling a wild flame, emanating an extremely violent presence. Only when Ye Xuan¡¯s gaze turned to the Desolate Group¡¯s leader did a look of surprise cross his face, prompting him to abruptly stand up and instantly release his Divine Sense, attacking the leader of the Desolate Group. The leader of the Desolate Group was the only woman, wearing a white long dress, elegant and composed, exuding a sense of demure beauty, yet not without a noble quality. At that moment! Ye Xuan¡¯s sudden action naturally drew the attention of many. When they noticed that Ye Xuan was staring intently at the Desolate Group leader, a mischievous look appeared in everyone¡¯s eyes. As the leader of the Desolate Group, Xue Ji naturally sensed Ye Xuan¡¯s abnormality. She merely frowned slightly, giving Ye Xuan a cold look, clearly finding his gaze unreasonable. ¡°How interesting, truly interesting. I didn¡¯t expect that in this world, where the laws of ¡®Heaven and Earth¡¯ are nearly extinct, such a thing would still emerge!¡± Ye Xuan retracted his Divine Sense, his voice enigmatic. ¡°Mr. Ye, what are you talking about? Please don¡¯t do anything rash. Madame Xue Ji is not an easy person to provoke,¡± Azure Dragon quickly said, fearing that Ye Xuan would take an unwarranted action.