*Bastard son?*
Ye Xuan nearly fainted on the spot!
Just then, a woman appeared in the scene. Seeing her, the elder’s face paled, and he bowed deeply. “Clan Leader!”
*Clan Leader!*
It was Dongli Jing, the head of the Undying Emperor Clan!
Dongli Jing looked at Ye Xuan. “When did you arrive?”
Ye Xuan grinned. “Just now!”
She nodded slightly. “Let’s talk elsewhere.”
She turned to leave but paused after a few steps, glancing at the elder. “You don’t know who he is?”
The elder stammered, “Clan Leader, he… he’s…”
“Young Clan Leader!” Dongli Jing said.
With that, she walked off.
*Young Clan Leader!*
The elder froze in place!
*Young Clan Leader Ye Xuan!*
The only outsider in Undying Emperor Clan history to hold that title!
The elder knew of Ye Xuan, of course. But he’d never met him personally. When Ye Xuan had led the clan against enemies, the elder was just a lowly grunt, too insignificant to approach him. He’d glimpsed Ye Xuan once or twice, but centuries had passed since Ye Xuan’s departure!
Ye Xuan shot the elder a glum look but said nothing, following Dongli Jing.
Moments later, the elder’s voice trembled. “He’s back! The Young Clan Leader’s back!”
Soon, the entire Undying Emperor Clan buzzed with the news!
—
**Undying Hall**
The hall teemed with clan elders, including familiar faces like Dongli Zhan and Dongli Ao!
All eyes fixed on Ye Xuan, making him squirm awkwardly.
Dongli Jing broke the silence. “Where have you been?”
Ye Xuan smiled. “The Dao Realm!”
She tilted her head. “Dao Realm?”
He nodded. “A place very far from here.”
She paused, then asked, “Will you stay awhile?”
He grinned. “I came to check on you all and bring some gifts for the clan!”
*Gifts!*
The hall erupted in smiles—not for the gifts, but for his words: *clanmates*!
Dongli Jing glanced at him, nodding. “Gifts aren’t crucial—just visit often.”
Ye Xuan opened his palm, and dozens of storage rings floated to the group. When they saw the tens of millions of Heavenly Extreme Crystals inside each—over a billion in Dongli Jing’s—their composure shattered!
The Undying Emperor Clan was wealthy, ruling countless worlds, but these crystals weren’t ordinary spirit stones. Such divine items didn’t exist in the Nine-Dimensional Universe!
Even Dongli Jing faltered!
Her gut told her the clan’s power was about to skyrocket!
She looked at Ye Xuan. “Gifts, huh… Keep visiting—and bringing them isn’t bad either!”
Ye Xuan: “…”
The hall buzzed with excitement. These resources could transform their fates!
Ye Xuan added, “I’ve got more to help you all!”
He flicked a finger, and beams of white light sank into their brows.
*Legacies!*
These were cultivation methods he’d gathered on his journey—enough to reach the No-Heart Realm! For Dongli Jing, Dongli Zhan, and a few others, he gave legacies up to the No-Dao Realm!
*No-Dao Realm!*
Even with his aid, reaching it wouldn’t be easy. Take King Zhongshan—tens of millions of years to get there! For Dongli Jing and the others, it was a long shot, but now they had a chance!
Soon, only Ye Xuan and Dongli Jing remained.
She said softly, “Walk with me.”
She headed outside, and Ye Xuan followed, trailing respectfully behind. He held her in high regard.
Outside the hall, countless clan members had gathered!
The Undying Emperor Clan had never named a new heir or Young Clan Leader since Ye Xuan—not once!
Even after centuries away, he remained their Young Clan Leader!
The original generation revered him—he’d been their top prodigy. But as they aged and new blood rose, dissent brewed.
Why should an outsider hog the title forever?
A man stepped forward, bowing deeply to Dongli Jing. “Clan Leader!”
She nodded, then turned to Ye Xuan. “Dongli Yan—the current top talent of our young generation!”
Ye Xuan opened his mouth, but Dongli Yan cut in, facing him. “I challenge you!”
*Challenge you!*
Straight to the point!
Ye Xuan smiled. “Why?”
Dongli Yan grinned. “You’ve held the Young Clan Leader spot for centuries. I’m not convinced!”
Ye Xuan got it.
He wanted the title!
He glanced at Dongli Jing, who stayed silent.
Ye Xuan thought it over, then laughed. “If you’re not convinced, let’s fight!”
Dongli Jing’s lips curved faintly.
She cared deeply about Ye Xuan’s stance—did he see himself as part of the clan?
Clearly, he did!
That heart was enough!
The crowd roared at his words!
“Fight!”
The Undying Emperor Clan’s voices thundered—brimming with grit and fire!
Across from Ye Xuan, Dongli Yan smiled. “Different spot?”
Ye Xuan laughed. “No need! Take one sword from me. If you can, the Young Clan Leader title’s yours!”
Dongli Yan’s eyes narrowed. “Confidence is good, but arrogance…”
Ye Xuan chuckled. “Here it comes!”
Dongli Yan steadied himself. “I’m ready!”
*Swish!*
Before his words settled, a sword pressed against his brow, half an inch in. A drop of blood trickled down the blade, sliding to his nose…
Silence gripped the scene!
Defeated?
Just like that?
Dongli Yan’s eyes clouded with confusion, his spirit dazed!
He’d never underestimated Ye Xuan. He’d heard the legends and prepped his best move. But he hadn’t dreamed Ye Xuan was *this* strong!
Ye Xuan turned to Dongli Jing. “Clan Leader, shall we?”
She nodded and walked off.
Ye Xuan opened his palm, and the Qingxuan Sword returned. He followed her.
Dongli Yan called out, “I’m convinced!”
Ye Xuan laughed, opened his palm, and a wisp of sword light rose, landing steady on the plaza.
Puzzled looks abounded.
His voice echoed from afar. “From now on, whoever shatters this sword light becomes the next Young Clan Leader!”
The crowd: “…”
That wisp of sword light stood in the plaza for thirty million years. In all that time, no one in the Undying Emperor Clan could break it. As Ye Xuan grew stronger, so did the light—it held a shred of his sword will!
Over those eons, the clan saw many new leaders, but the Young Clan Leader title stayed Ye Xuan’s. No one could shatter his light, driving countless prodigies to despair!
Until, thirty million years later, a youth arrived…
—
In a garden, Dongli Jing said softly, “You’re so strong now—even the whole clan together can’t match you!”
She couldn’t fathom him anymore!
His growth since leaving was terrifying!
Ye Xuan smiled. “No matter how far I go, I’ll always be part of the Undying Emperor Clan!”
Dongli Jing glanced at him, smiling. “This will always be your home!”
He grinned. “I know!”
She paused, then asked, “Your mother?”
*Mother!*
Ye Xuan fell silent.
*Dongli Nan!*
After a moment, he said, “She left with Dad. I don’t know where he is now. I’ve been chasing him and Qing’er, but I’m not sure I can catch up!”
Dongli Jing said, “You will!”
He blinked. “Why?”
She looked at him. “Because they’re waiting for you!”
Ye Xuan: “…”
They walked on.
Soon, Dongli Jing stopped. “Go on.”
He met her gaze. She smiled. “Come back often!”
He grinned. “Definitely! Take care, Clan Leader!”
With a leap, he turned into sword light and vanished at the horizon.
After he left, Dongli Zhan appeared beside her, staring skyward. “He’s gone?”
She nodded.
Dongli Zhan said gravely, “Those crystals he left… they’re precious!”
She smiled. “How precious?”
He hesitated, then said, “Enough to change all our fates!”
She fell silent.
Dongli Zhan added softly, “Dongli Yan’s shaken. Not just him—all the young ones are!”
She laughed. “That’s not a bad thing!”
He chuckled too.
True!
The clan’s youth had no rivals in the Nine-Dimensional Universe. A little humbling wasn’t bad.
Dongli Jing gazed at the sky, whispering, “Young man, may you fare well!”
