Not only Immortal Ancient Yao, but everyone present was utterly stunned.
Who was Nan Qing of the Immortal Treasure Pavilion?
The Immortal Treasure Pavilion was a force even the major powers of the Universe of Gods had to respect. Yet here was Nan Qing, kneeling before Ye Xuan with utmost humility.
Why?
Immortal Ancient Yao couldn’t comprehend it.
Yan Bianyue was equally dumbfounded.
What was happening?
Nan Qing had just knelt?
Was this allowed?
Yan Bianyue stammered, “Brother Nan Qing…”
Nan Qing roared, “Brother Nan Qing? Yan Bianyue, I have no ties with you, don’t act familiar!”
Yan Bianyue stared in disbelief, “Brother Nan Qing… so pragmatic?”
Nan Qing sighed, “Young Master Yan, I am indeed too pragmatic. But… I want to live. Sorry!”
Yan Bianyue pointed at Ye Xuan, furious, “Is he stronger than my Yan Clan?”
Nan Qing gave a bitter smile, “Young Master Yan, there’s no comparison, none at all.”
Yan Bianyue’s face turned deathly pale.
He knew Nan Qing wouldn’t lie.
In that moment, his heart sank, gripped by panic.
He’d provoked someone he shouldn’t have!
A voice suddenly echoed from the sky, “Young Master Ye, please show mercy!”
A middle-aged man appeared—Yan Xiuran, the current Yan Clan patriarch.
Yan Xiuran bowed deeply to Ye Xuan, “Young Master Ye, my son has offended you. I’ll kowtow in apology!” Before everyone’s eyes, he began to kneel.
The crowd froze.
Even Ye Xuan was stunned.
Kneeling outright?
This was the Yan Clan patriarch!
Ye Xuan watched him, silent.
Yan Xiuran opened his palm, and a storage ring floated to Ye Xuan, containing twenty million cosmic veins!
Twenty million!
He bowed again, “Young Master Ye, if this isn’t enough, I’ll gather more.”
Ye Xuan smiled faintly, “Patriarch Yan, as a clan leader, there’s no need for this.”
Yan Xiuran gave a wry smile, “He’s my son. If he errs, the father takes responsibility. No fault in that.”
Ye Xuan froze.
The son errs, the father bears it.
In that instant, Ye Xuan’s nose stung with emotion.
He turned away, hiding his face.
Immortal Ancient Yao and Li Xue glanced at him, puzzled, noticing a glint of tears in his eyes.
Ye Xuan wasn’t sentimental, but Yan Xiuran’s words struck a chord, stirring a pang of sorrow.
After a moment, he turned back, taking the storage ring, “Patriarch Yan, I’ll accept this. Take your son and go.”
Yan Xiuran bowed deeply, “Thank you, Young Master Ye!” He stood and led Yan Bianyue away.
Ye Xuan called out, “Young Master Yan, you have a good father. From now on, be a mature man.”
Yan Bianyue was silent.
Yan Xiuran bowed again, then vanished with his son into the horizon.
Ye Xuan turned to Nan Qing, smiling, “Go back.”
Nan Qing bowed, “Young Lord Ye, I’ll take my leave.” He handed Ye Xuan the storage ring Yan Bianyue had given him, then left with his nine companions.
Ye Xuan glanced at the ring, smiled, and pocketed it. He turned to Immortal Ancient Yao, “Did you come to help me?”
Her expression was calm, “Seems unnecessary now.”
He smiled, “Thank you.”
She paused, then said, “Everything you’ve told me was true, wasn’t it?”
He nodded.
She looked at him, “We’d just met. Why were you so honest with me?”
He grinned, “Because I like you.”
She froze.
He smiled, “As a friend, sincerity is key.”
After a moment, she said, “Since we’re friends, can you help me with something?”
He nodded, “Name it.”
She glanced at Li Xue, “Let her return and marry my brother.”
Ye Xuan shook his head, “No.”
She stared at him, “They’re supposed to marry.”
He sighed, “Miss Yao, I’m a bit disappointed in you.”
Her fists clenched, silent.
He continued, “If Li Xue liked Immortal Ancient Yuan and wanted to marry him, I wouldn’t object. But she doesn’t.”
Immortal Ancient Yao met his gaze, “She’s betrothed to our clan. Breaking it is betrayal, it’s wrong!”
Ye Xuan stepped closer, locking eyes, “If your parents forced you into an arranged marriage, what would you do?”
Her fists tightened, silent.
He said earnestly, “You speak of right and wrong, so let’s talk about it. To judge right and wrong, apply the same standard to yourself. If you can’t accept it, it’s hypocrisy.”
She glared, silent.
He added, “I know you’re strong, your parents might not dare force you, so you can shape your fate. But…” His voice grew firm, “Not everyone is like you! And I believe marriage should be free, mutual. I despise arranged marriages. I can’t control what I don’t know, but where I do, I’ll intervene!”
She snapped, “On what grounds?”
He said calmly, “Because I’m awesome.”
He turned and left.
She glared, “You’re too domineering!”
Li Xue said, “I like his domineering.” She followed Ye Xuan.
Immortal Ancient Yao: “…”
Nearby, Yan Bei watched Ye Xuan leave, her eyes gleaming with intrigue.
…
Back in the Book Hall, Shu Xian approached, bowing, “Dean.”
Dean!
Ye Xuan smiled. Before, Shu Xian called him Young Lord, largely due to his father. Now, calling him Dean showed true respect for him, not his father.
Shu Xian handed him the *Divine Path Codex*, “Dean, I’ve fully annotated it. Please review.”
Ye Xuan opened it, then looked up, “Elder Xian, you’re a genius!”
He was genuinely shocked. Shu Xian had mastered the *Divine Path Codex*, perhaps second only to Qin Guan in understanding it.
Shu Xian smiled, “Not a genius, just fond of research. Though, I don’t understand why cultivation is so hard for some. It’s simple. If I cultivated, reaching Knowing Mystery Realm would be easy.”
Ye Xuan was speechless. Was he showing off?
He smiled, “Elder Xian, knowing is easy, doing is hard. Many understand principles but struggle to apply them.”
Shu Xian bowed, “I’ve learned.”
Ye Xuan nodded, “Keep this *Divine Path Codex* for teaching.”
Shu Xian hesitated, “It’s precious. If I lose it, I couldn’t atone with my life.”
Ye Xuan laughed, “It’s worth less than a fraction of you. Just don’t take it out of the academy, it’s dangerous.”
Shu Xian bowed deeply, “I’ll repay your trust with my life!”
Ye Xuan waved it off, “Exaggerated.”
Shu Xian bowed again, then left with the *Divine Path Codex*.
He began teaching, using the *Divine Path Codex*, in a small courtyard, as the academy’s lecture platform wasn’t yet built.
Below, besides students, Yan Bei sat quietly beside Qingqiu, listening.
Qingqiu glanced at her, “You like the Dean?”
Yan Bei smirked provocatively, “Can’t I?”
Qingqiu said calmly, “Your intentions aren’t pure. You and the Dean won’t work out.”
Yan Bei’s eyes narrowed, annoyed.
Qingqiu remained calm, “I call the Dean Little Lord Brother. Brother, understand?”
Yan Bei laughed coldly, “Are you bragging?”
Qingqiu looked at Shu Xian teaching, “You’re such a fool.”
Yan Bei fumed.
Qingqiu turned to her, serious, “I call him brother, meaning I’m his sister. Family, get it? If you like him, shouldn’t you first get along with his family?”
Yan Bei froze.
Qingqiu added, “You’re so ‘naive,’ I’ll be blunt. You should win me over.”
Yan Bei: “…”
She said gravely, “The *Divine Path Codex* is so precious, yet you share it openly?”
Qingqiu murmured, “What’s one *Divine Path Codex*? Little Lord Brother aims for the whole universe! Without grand ambition and heart, how can he conquer it?”
Yan Bei was silent.
Shu Xian stood, smiling, “Now, let’s welcome the Dean to teach!”
The students clapped eagerly, Qingqiu especially excited.
Ye Xuan sat on a cushion, looking at the crowd, silent.
Teach?
Teach what?
The art of showing off?
Suddenly, mysterious auras appeared outside, hidden forces drawn by news of Ye Xuan’s lecture.
Ye Xuan paused, feeling a pang of shame. Looking back, his life seemed a cycle of showing off or heading to show off…
…
