In the hall, Zong Shou looked at the indignant crowd below, sighing inwardly.
As if recalling something, he scanned the hall but didn’t see the person he wanted to see!
Second Girl!
Before, he always consulted her on everything, but now, she had left!
He felt some guilt towards her!
Of course, more than that, he felt regret!
If she were a man, she would be the sect’s heir, unrivalled by anyone.
But alas, she was a woman.
With the sect’s millions of years of legacy, he didn’t dare entrust it to a woman, knowing one misstep could turn the entire sect into someone else’s dowry. So, despite his debts to her, he couldn’t choose her to lead the clan.
Zong Shou pushed his thoughts aside and turned to an elder beside him, “Great Elder, what’s your view?”
At his words, the hall quieted, all eyes turning to the Great Elder.
After a moment’s silence, the Great Elder said, “Our clan planned to swallow the Immortal Treasure Pavilion, but now, this Ye Xuan has appeared out of nowhere, colluding with the Pavilion and killing our sect’s young master. This is a direct affront to our sect. I suggest we kill him first to establish our authority, then take the Pavilion!”
Zong Shou pondered, then said, “As you said, someone who can kill Little Nine, who had two divine artefacts, is no ordinary person. Yet we know little of his origins, we mustn’t underestimate him.”
The Great Elder nodded, “Little Nine had those artefacts, even several half-step Ancestral God Realm cultivators would struggle to kill him. But Ye Xuan did, clearly possessing powerful divine artefacts and strong personal combat ability. For such a figure to emerge from that place, he must have a formidable force behind him. We’ve only traced a man in green robes, likely his father, who’s appeared before. He’s the key!”
Man in green robes!
Zong Shou frowned, “Any leads on his identity?”
The Great Elder shook his head, “None, only that he’s Ye Xuan’s father!”
Zong Shou stood, silent for a moment, then said, “Kill Ye Xuan first!”
The Great Elder looked at him, “Without identifying the man in green?”
Zong Shou shook his head, “Hundreds of thousands of years ago, Ancestor Zong Yue left a clan precept: never provoke the Yang Clan, and if we encounter them, forge good ties…”
He chuckled softly, “Ye Xuan’s surname is Ye, clearly not of the Yang Clan. Since he’s not, why should our sect hesitate? He killed our people, defying our sect. He must be eliminated!”
The hall nodded in agreement.
The Great Elder hesitated, then said, “Eliminate him, yes, but we should still be cautious.”
He paused, then added, “Why not let Second Girl handle this? We all trust her.”
The hall’s young masters glanced at the Great Elder, displeased.
The Great Elder had always backed Second Young Lady, and suggesting her now seemed ulterior!
Zong Shou glanced at him, then said, “Second Girl has gone to the Immortal Realm, let’s not disturb her!”
He looked at the Seventh Young Master below, “You handle it!”
The Great Elder sighed inwardly, saying no more.
The Seventh Young Master’s lips curved, and he bowed deeply, “I won’t fail you!”
Zong Shou looked at him, “You can mobilise the Divine Pavilion Guards!”
The Seventh Young Master’s eyes narrowed, and he quickly said, “I won’t fail!”
He knew this was the clan giving him a chance.
Before, major matters were always assigned to Second Young Lady, but now, with her gone, the clan was clearly grooming him!
Thrilling!
The Seventh Young Master could barely contain his excitement, this was his golden opportunity.
Nearby, the Eldest Young Master glanced at him, silent.
Zong Shou suddenly said, “Dismissed!”
He rose and left.
In the hall, the Seventh Young Master’s lips curled slightly. He looked at the Eldest Young Master, smiling, “Big brother, want to join me?”
The Eldest Young Master glanced at him, “Don’t underestimate the enemy!”
He turned and left.
The Seventh Young Master watched his retreating figure, sneering, “So timid!”
He turned and left.
…
Gods’ Universe.
At the Academy Hall’s entrance, Ye Xuan lay quietly, the academy now deserted as its people had left.
Ye Xuan held an ancient book, engrossed in reading.
A gentle breeze, a book, pure comfort.
Ye Xuan cherished this quiet moment, free of fighting, just peace and books.
After a while, he took a deep breath, placed the book over his face, and sank into thought.
Daily reading calmed his mind and spirit!
He also noticed that when he read, his heart naturally settled, unlike before when he forced it. Now, it was effortless.
Settling, refining body, mind, and nature.
He found this greatly aided his swordsmanship.
Footsteps approached, followed by a fragrant breeze!
A woman crouched beside him!
It was Yan Bei!
Yan Bei removed the book from Ye Xuan’s face, gazing at him. He opened his eyes to see her stunning face.
Truth be told, Yan Bei was breathtaking, flawless even up close.
She blinked, “Good-looking?”
Ye Xuan smiled, “Very!”
Yan Bei suddenly grabbed his hand. He instinctively pulled back, but she glared, “Can’t I even touch you?”
Ye Xuan: “…”
Yan Bei pressed further, her hand caressing his cheek, whispering, “I’ve become the Yan Clan’s leader!”
Ye Xuan was stunned, then said, “Congratulations!”
Yan Bei looked at him, “Do you want me to go back?”
Ye Xuan smiled, “Do *you* want to go back?”
She glared, “I asked you first! Don’t dodge, just answer!”
Ye Xuan looked at her, then gently placed his hand on her face. She froze, her cheeks reddening.
He smiled, “If I say something hurtful, you’ll be upset, right?”
Yan Bei lowered her head, silent.
Ye Xuan added, “If I say something nice, you’ll be happy.”
She looked up, “Then tell the truth!”
After a moment’s silence, he said, “I’m afraid!”
Yan Bei was puzzled, “Afraid of what?”
Ye Xuan said softly, “Along my journey, I’ve met many women, but now, they’re all far from me. I’m afraid one day, you’ll become like them, a stranger, forgotten by the world.”
He glanced at the Great Dao Pen at his waist, “I once thought it was the Pen’s doing, but I realised it doesn’t have that kind of power!”
Great Dao Pen: “…”
Ye Xuan looked at Yan Bei, softly, “I’m really afraid.”
After a pause, she said, “If I can’t keep up with you, I’ll be forgotten, right?”
Before he could respond, the Great Dao Pen spoke, “Young Master Ye, this has nothing to do with me. The reason is you’ve never taken responsibility. How many women have you charmed along the way? Sure, you see it as normal friendship, but have you considered that your actions make them fall for you?”
Ye Xuan frowned, “What actions?”
The Pen said, “Your show-off behaviour!”
Ye Xuan: “…”
The Pen continued, “If it was just showing off, that’d be shallow. The problem is, you’re not just posturing, you’re genuinely impressive! And generous… I’ve been thinking, if you came to the Milky Way, you’d be a disaster for its women.”
It paused, then added, “Young Master Ye, interested in visiting the Milky Way?”
Ye Xuan was curious, “Why?”
The Pen said, “No reason, just asking. If you want to come, I can open a door for you!”
Ye Xuan sensed something off, “Pen Brother, why do you want me to go to the Milky Way? Something’s not right!”
The Pen went silent.
Seeing this, Ye Xuan pressed, “Don’t hem and haw! Can’t you just say it?”
The Pen sighed softly, “Young Master Ye, go to the Milky Way and talk to your sister! She’s too dangerous there! She…”
Ye Xuan’s brow furrowed, “What’s wrong with Qing’er? Don’t scare me!”
The Pen said, “Big brother, what could be wrong with her? It’s the Milky Way that’s in danger! Her emotions aren’t stable. She stands by the sea all day, lost in thought… To keep people from bothering her, I’m exhausted! Within a hundred miles, if there’s a bad person, I kill them instantly to prevent anyone from provoking her and giving her an excuse to wipe out the Milky Way… But this can’t go on! Her emotions are getting worse, and I’m on the verge of breaking down.”
Unstable emotions!
Ye Xuan frowned, “Why is Qing’er unstable? Did you bully her?”
“What the—!”
The Pen snapped, “Father, I call you Father! I know you and your sister are close, but can you think before you speak? Bully her? Who could? Who would dare? Dear Father, can you take her away? If you do, I’ll do anything!”
Ye Xuan: “…”
