Special services!
Ye Xuan felt a bit embarrassed, realising his thoughts weren’t entirely pure!
Xiang Rong added, “Young Master Ye, care to watch a dance? It’s only a hundred cosmic veins per performance!”
Ye Xuan snapped back to focus, smiling faintly, “No need, you can go.”
But Xiang Rong didn’t leave. She stepped closer, looking directly at Ye Xuan. “Young Master, I know what you meant by special services. If you need, I can provide them!”
Ye Xuan’s expression froze.
Xiang Rong began to undress.
At that moment, a surge of sword intent enveloped her.
She looked up at Ye Xuan, who smiled faintly, “Why?”
Xiang Rong stayed silent.
Ye Xuan looked at her, repeating, “Why?”
After a long pause, Xiang Rong said, “A woman needs a future. If that’s the case, why not aim for a stronger one?”
She met Ye Xuan’s gaze. “You’re refined, handsome, and powerful. I think you’re ideal!”
“What a mess!” Ye Xuan shook his head, patting his face. A man out in the world was in danger, especially someone like him—too easy to catch a woman’s eye.
Terrifying!
He looked at Xiang Rong. “Go.”
She glanced at him, not daring to say more, gave a slight bow, and left.
In the starry expanse, Ye Xuan shook his head with a smile.
Innocent?
None of these women were innocent!
Xiang Rong had been waiting for the right moment to market herself.
But she didn’t realise that only by being exceptional could one match someone superior. Otherwise, with too great a gap, she’d hold no weight in their heart.
Dreams of latching onto wealth were misguided!
Ye Xuan didn’t dwell on Xiang Rong. Qin Guan had given her a chance; how she used it was her own matter.
He smiled faintly. He and Qin Guan truly thought alike!
Just then, the refined woman appeared behind him, bowing respectfully. “Young Master Ye, Xiao Lan, President of the Immortal Treasure Pavilion, requests an audience!”
Ye Xuan frowned. “President of the Pavilion? Of this Immortal Treasure Realm?”
She nodded, reverently. “Yes!”
Ye Xuan nodded slightly. “Let him in!”
She bowed deeply, her heart reeling with shock.
The President seeking an audience!
A true audience!
Ye Xuan might not grasp Xiao Lan’s status in this realm, but she did. Xiao Lan could shake the entire Immortal Treasure Realm with a single step.
A real power figure!
Almost an emperor here, courted by countless factions.
Yet now, he was seeking an audience with Ye Xuan!
She was dazed. Clearly, Ye Xuan wasn’t just a VIP.
After she left, a middle-aged man in a luxurious brocade robe appeared behind Ye Xuan. As he entered the starry expanse, the space trembled faintly, then stabilised.
Ancient God!
A true Ancient God!
Ye Xuan sensed his realm through the Great Dao Pen.
Xiao Lan looked at Ye Xuan, bowing slightly without hesitation. “Greetings, Young Master Ye!”
Ye Xuan turned, chuckling, “That’s an interesting way to address me!”
Xiao Lan smiled. “I’ve had the honour of meeting the Yang Clan.”
Ye Xuan raised an eyebrow. “Who?”
Xiao Lan smiled faintly. “An elder!”
Ye Xuan shrugged. “Aside from my dad, sister, and a few aunts, I don’t know anyone from the Yang Clan!”
Xiao Lan laughed. “Understood.”
He knew Ye Xuan was being raised freely.
Ye Xuan asked, “Senior, are you in the Ancient God Realm?”
Xiao Lan smiled. “No need for ‘senior.’ Call me Xiao Lan or President Xiao. I am indeed in the Ancient God Realm.”
Ye Xuan grew curious. “I heard there’s an Upper Ancient God in the city?”
Xiao Lan nodded. “Yes, an old monster from the Tai Xuan Sect of the Tai Xuan Realm, residing here long-term.”
Ye Xuan pondered, then looked at Xiao Lan. “You sought me out for a reason?”
Xiao Lan smiled. “No grand purpose, just to meet Young Master Ye. If you need anything in this realm, just say the word.”
Ye Xuan grinned. “Thanks!”
Xiao Lan bowed slightly. “You’re too kind! I’ll take my leave!”
As he turned to go, he paused. “Young Master Ye, is the God Ancient Clan’s Patriarch Gu Han coercing you? If so, shall I deal with her now?”
Ye Xuan shook his head with a smile. “No need, I’ll handle it myself!”
Xiao Lan nodded. “Very well!”
He paused, then added, “Are you here for the auction in five days?”
Ye Xuan nodded. “Yes!”
Xiao Lan opened his palm, and a dark gold invitation floated to Ye Xuan. “This is the highest-level invitation. Present it upon arrival.”
Ye Xuan took it, smiling, “Thanks!”
Xiao Lan smiled. “You’re welcome!”
With a slight bow, he left.
After leaving, Xiao Lan went to Gu Han’s room and knocked lightly. The door opened, and Gu Han appeared.
Xiao Lan smiled. “Patriarch Gu Han, I’m Xiao Lan, President of the Immortal Treasure Pavilion.”
Gu Han froze.
She knew of Xiao Lan, a formidable figure with vast influence in the Immortal Treasure Realm, and a true Ancient God.
Xiao Lan opened his palm, and a dark gold invitation floated to her. “Patriarch Gu Han, this is a supreme invitation. You’re welcome to join Young Master Ye at the auction in five days!”
Gu Han was stunned.
Xiao Lan said no more, clasped his fists, and left.
Before coming, he’d investigated Gu Han and Ye Xuan, knowing Ye Xuan was coerced. But after arriving, things seemed different. Asking Ye Xuan about Gu Han was to gauge his stance, and clearly, Ye Xuan had no intent to kill her.
Interesting!
Since Ye Xuan didn’t want her dead, Xiao Lan ensured he handled things properly. What if Ye Xuan and Gu Han were friends, or something more?
A small detail could decide success or failure.
After Xiao Lan left, Gu Han stared at the supreme invitation, silent.
This was the Pavilion’s highest honour, typically reserved for Ancient God Realm experts!
Yet now, the President himself had delivered it to her, with such respect.
She was merely a Half-God, while Xiao Lan was an Ancient God!
Ye Xuan!
Gu Han glanced toward Ye Xuan’s room, deep in thought.
…
In the starry expanse, Ye Xuan sat cross-legged, refocusing.
Cultivation!
Stabilisation!
He needed to solidify his Cave Mysterious Realm before studying the Ancient God Realm!
His goal was Ancient God, not Half-God.
Besides stabilising his realm, he was refining his Void-Slashing Sword. Now, he relied not on the sword his father gave him but on his own sword intent!
He found that swords formed from Human World Sword Intent were far superior!
But with his current soul strength, he could only condense a few hundred such swords in a short time.
Not many, but enough!
Three days later.
Ye Xuan left his room. At the Pavilion’s entrance, he looked up at the sky. Today, it was calm and breezy.
He hadn’t cultivated relentlessly, choosing to balance work and rest.
Endless training was dull.
Today, he planned to visit the Huaxia Academy.
He was deeply curious about the academy Qin Guan had founded!
After asking for its location, he set off. Gu Han suddenly appeared beside him.
Ye Xuan glanced at her. “Patriarch, you?”
Gu Han said calmly, “I’ll go with you!”
Ye Xuan chuckled. “Do you know where I’m headed?”
Gu Han replied, “Huaxia Academy!”
Ye Xuan paused, then laughed. “Since you want to come, let’s go together!”
He walked off, and Gu Han followed.
On the way, Ye Xuan felt a mix of excitement and apprehension.
Gu Han noticed. “What’s wrong?”
Ye Xuan smiled. “I’m eager, but I’m afraid of being disappointed.”
Gu Han frowned. “Disappointed by what?”
Ye Xuan chuckled softly. “Afraid the academy isn’t what I imagined…”
Gu Han paused, then said, “Pavilion Master Qin is remarkable!”
Ye Xuan nodded slightly. “Let’s go!”
Soon, they reached the foot of a mountain named Huaxia Mountain, modest in size. At the entrance stood a simple sign with four bold characters: *Huaxia Academy*.
Ye Xuan looked up. At the mountaintop, he saw hundreds of thatched cottages, not a single grand building in sight!
He froze.
This was Huaxia Academy?
An old man approached from behind, dressed in plain hemp robes, hemp shoes, and carrying a bundle of firewood.
Seeing him, Ye Xuan and Gu Han’s expressions shifted.
Ancient God!
This unassuming old man was an Ancient God.
He stopped, looked at Ye Xuan, and smiled. “You must be the Young Master Ye the Pavilion Master spoke of!”
Ye Xuan nodded. “That’s me!”
The old man sized him up, smiling. “Impressive presence!”
His gaze fell on the pen at Ye Xuan’s waist. “Great Dao Pen?”
Ye Xuan nodded.
The old man smiled, looking away. “Young Master Ye, shall we enter the academy to talk?”
Ye Xuan asked curiously, “Senior, you are?”
The old man chuckled. “Wen Xiu, current Vice Dean of Huaxia Academy.”
Ye Xuan paused, then smiled. “To be honest, Huaxia Academy isn’t what I expected!”
Wen Xiu laughed. “The Pavilion Master said material wealth can cloud young minds. We’re here to learn, not indulge. Thus, all students at Huaxia Academy must do everything themselves, from cooking to laundry, including me, the dean!”
Ye Xuan frowned. “With your strength, cooking and laundry…”
Wen Xiu shook his head. “In the academy, you may cultivate, but you can’t use strength to make life easier.”
Ye Xuan asked, “Why?”
Wen Xiu smiled. “How can you change the universe if you don’t know its mortal struggles?”
Ye Xuan fell silent.
…
