“My Ye Family pledges our absolute loyalty, ready to brave fire and water, to sacrifice everything for Her Imperial Majesty!”
BOOM! The very void above them quivered. A Heavenly Dao Oath had been witnessed and confirmed! In an instant, a subtle, ethereal mark shimmered within the bodies of every Ye family member, a testament to the Heavenly Dao Oath. Break this covenant, and the wrath of the Heavenly Dao would descend, obliterating them without mercy!
Witnessing this solemn sight, Ji Fuyao gave a gentle nod of approval. With this, two of the Fuyao Dynasty's three ancient loyalist factions were finally reunited: the Dragon Guards and the Qingcheng Ye Family!
Ji Fuyao, turning her gaze to Ye Beichen, spoke with quiet authority. “For the moment, you must all remain hidden. The time is not yet ripe for our full resurgence.”
Ye Beichen’s voice quivered with emotion. “Your Imperial Majesty, when the other Quasi-Emperors and Half-Emperors of our Ye family sacrificed themselves, their hearts still clung to the yearning of seeing you return to lead us once more. It pains me that they could not witness this glorious day!”
A flicker of emotion crossed Ji Fuyao's features. “Do not worry, I will annihilate the Heavenly Net Temple!”
Ye Beichen’s eyes blazed crimson. “In the final battle, even if I, Ye Beichen, must immolate my very life force and soul, I swear I will personally cut down several more of those dogs from the Heavenly Net Temple!”
Qing Yan and Wang Man spoke in unison, their voices filled with unwavering resolve. “Now that Her Imperial Majesty has returned, we shall simply await her commands and carry them out!”
Ye Beichen bowed deeply. “As you command!”
Then, Ji Fuyao turned to Lu Xuan, a soft smile gracing her lips. “Master, I apologize for keeping some secrets from you before.”
Lu Xuan chuckled, waving a dismissive hand. “No matter.”
Ji Fuyao then began to recount her past, her voice measured. “Back then, I achieved the Great Emperor realm through the Path of Spirit Fire, becoming known as Empress Fuyao. I personally forged the Fuyao Dynasty, but before it could reach its true zenith, it was cruelly extinguished by the Heavenly Net Temple.”
Lu Xuan pondered, “The Heavenly Net Temple, they have quite a sinister reputation in the Southern Barrens. They’ve eradicated countless factions over the millennia.”
Ji Fuyao’s luminous eyes narrowed. “The events of that year were shrouded in unsettling mysteries. The Heavenly Net Temple wasn't merely interested in conquering. Back then, a mere conflict between one of my Dragon Guards and a Heavenly Net Temple elder was enough for them to descend with full force, intent on utterly eradicating my entire Fuyao Dynasty.”
“I always suspected that was merely a pretext. They had other, darker schemes at play.”
Lu Xuan's brow furrowed ever so slightly.
Ji Fuyao's resolve was firm. “I will get to the bottom of this, Master.”
Lu Xuan nodded. “Good.”
Ji Fuyao then sent a private spiritual message to Lu Xuan, her voice hushed. “Master, the reason I survived is because I utilized an ancient Reincarnation Secret Art. Only a handful of my most loyal retainers know of this.”
Lu Xuan nodded, his expression unperturbed. “A Reincarnation Secret Art is far too earth-shattering. This secret must never be exposed.” After all, a Reincarnation Secret Art involves the very power of Samsara—a fatal temptation for even the most formidable Great Emperors! Especially those Emperors plagued by the ‘Eerie Power’ and ‘Ominous Power,’ who are trapped in endless suffering. If they learned Ji Fuyao possessed such a heaven-defying secret art, they would undoubtedly descend upon the Grand Dao Sect, prepared to tear it apart to seize the method!
Lu Xuan reiterated, his gaze firm. “Do not reveal this to anyone else, under any circumstances.”
Ji Fuyao nodded, but a wave of profound astonishment washed over her. She had expected some reaction, a flicker of surprise, yet Lu Xuan’s expression remained utterly unperturbed. Could Master have known all along? She thought, Or perhaps, to him, a mere Reincarnation Secret Art isn’t even worth batting an eye over! The thought sent a fresh jolt of awe, and indeed, terror, through her. She truly was blessed to have joined Azure Mystery Peak; Lu Xuan was simply unfathomable.
Just then, one of the Ye Family Old Ancestors, his eyes glinting with curiosity, finally spoke. “Peak Master Lu, if you’ll indulge an old man, what cultivation realm have you truly reached?”
Lu Xuan simply smiled, offering no direct answer.
The Old Ancestor pressed on, undeterred by Lu Xuan’s silence. “Could it be… a high-star Great Emperor?”
Lu Xuan shook his head.
The Old Ancestor’s face paled dramatically, his eyes widening in disbelief. “Then… could it be that Your Excellency has already touched upon a glimmer of opportunity, a realm beyond that of a Great Emperor?!”
Lu Xuan couldn’t help but crack a smile. Oh, for goodness sake. Is this Ye Family Old Ancestor also going to start making things up?
Interpreting Lu Xuan’s amused smile as solemn confirmation, the Old Ancestor nodded gravely. “As expected.”
Lu Xuan was utterly speechless.
The Old Ancestor’s brow furrowed in confusion. “But if Peak Master Lu possesses such unfathomable power, why has he always carried the reputation of being a mere ‘waste’?”
Lu Xuan’s face twitched. Seriously? What a question! It’s not like I wanted to be a waste! I actually was a waste!
Just then, Ye Chen turned to the Old Ancestor. “Old Ancestor, could you please heal my father? He’s gravely injured.”
The Ye Family Old Ancestor nodded, stepping forward to face the Patriarch. In his palm materialized an ancient, radiant pill—a Half-Emperor tier healing elixir!
“Take this, Longfeng,” the Old Ancestor instructed gently.
The Patriarch swallowed the pill without hesitation. Instantly, a pure, potent energy surged through him, cleansing his body like a rejuvenating spring breeze. Within mere dozens of breaths, the Patriarch’s grievous wounds had visibly receded.
The Patriarch bowed deeply. “My sincere thanks, Old Ancestor.”
The Ye Family Old Ancestor gave a slight nod, then turned to Ji Fuyao. “Your Imperial Majesty, perhaps we should adjourn to the main hall?”
Ji Fuyao nodded, entering the main hall alongside Lu Xuan and her loyalists.
Once seated, the Ye Family Old Ancestor inquired, “Your Imperial Majesty, what of the other major faction of our dynasty?”
At this, a flicker of indignation crossed Qing Yan’s face. “That faction has now risen and formed an organization known as the Drunken Immortal Pavilion. They are well aware of Your Imperial Majesty’s return, yet they have been suspiciously reluctant to declare their allegiance.”
“How dare they?!” the Ye Family Old Ancestor thundered, his face darkening. “Is this true?”
Qing Yan’s expression was grim. “I’ve investigated thoroughly. The Drunken Immortal Pavilion has entirely rebranded itself, now operating as a major auction house, trading in rare and precious artifacts. Their stance is utterly ambiguous, and I’m plagued by an ominous premonition!”
The Ye Family Old Ancestor’s face turned to ice. “The audacity! When the Drunken Immortal Pavilion fled that devastating war, they absconded with a vast fortune in our Fuyao Dynasty’s cultivation resources! Their current prosperity, their auctions and treasure trading—it’s all built upon our dynasty’s foundation! By what right do they flaunt such disloyalty?!”
A cold light gleamed in Ji Fuyao’s eyes. “In due time, we shall pay a visit to the Drunken Immortal Pavilion’s headquarters.”
Killing intent surged across Wang Man’s face. “If the Drunken Immortal Pavilion proves ungrateful, I won’t hesitate to make them vanish from existence!”
The Ye Family Old Ancestor declared, his voice firm. “Should the Drunken Immortal Pavilion refuse to pledge allegiance to Her Imperial Majesty, my Ye family will stand ready to act!”
Ji Fuyao nodded, a silent command in her eyes.
In that moment, an overwhelming fury swept through the loyalists of the Fuyao Dynasty. Back then, if Empress Fuyao hadn’t held the line against the Heavenly Net Temple’s onslaught, none of them would have escaped. She could have easily abandoned them and fled alone, yet she chose to protect them all! Their very lives were a gift from Empress Fuyao! If the Drunken Immortal Pavilion dared to refuse allegiance, then annihilation was their only destiny!
A moment later, the Patriarch’s communication jade slip, tucked into his robes, vibrated incessantly. He pulled it out, injecting a pulse of spiritual energy. An aged voice crackled through. “Brother Longfeng, we will reach Qingcheng in the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. I trust Ye Chen is prepared? Baixue has also come this time!”
The Patriarch’s brow furrowed almost imperceptibly as he slowly put away the jade slip. “I understand,” he murmured.
Ye Chen asked, his voice even, “Father, is Nangong Baixue arriving?”
The Patriarch nodded grimly. The annulment. The faces of the Ye family members darkened, a collective frown settling over them. The Nangong family was about to make their grand entrance.
Ji Fuyao’s stellar eyes flickered with concern. “Shidi, are you alright?”
Ye Chen gave a faint, dismissive chuckle. “Dashi Jie, that woman holds absolutely no sway over my heart anymore.”
Ji Fuyao’s elegant neck tilted slightly, and she nodded in understanding.
The Ye Family Old Ancestor addressed the gathering. “Prepare to open the clan’s guardian formation and receive the Nangong family.”
BOOM! Several elders swept their sleeves, each producing a black formation plate. Their hands wove intricate spiritual seals, and in an instant, the colossal clan guardian formation began to swirl with luminous patterns. Its dazzling divine splendor slowly receded, and the once shimmering void returned to a serene, azure clarity.
Ji Fuyao looked at Ye Chen, a hint of steel in her gentle voice. “Shidi, do you require our assistance?”
Ye Chen gave a faint shake of his head. “Thank you, Dashi Jie, but I’ll handle this myself.”
Ji Fuyao nodded, respecting his decision.
An incense stick’s worth of time later, the Nangong family descended upon the Ye family’s main hall! Nangong Beiqiu, the Nangong Family Patriarch, plastered on a somewhat forced smile and bowed respectfully to the Ye Family Old Ancestors. “Seniors, Beiqiu offers his greetings.”
The Ye Family Old Ancestors simply gave a collective nod.
Behind Nangong Beiqiu stood a young woman of exquisite beauty, like a flower in its first bloom. Her long dress swayed gently as she moved, her delicate face, smooth as porcelain, a vision of youthful grace. Her slender figure curved elegantly, her chest full, and her long, silken hair cascaded down like a silver waterfall. It was, of course, Nangong Baixue.
Their gazes met. In that instant, both Nangong Baixue and Ye Chen exchanged looks of utter indifference, as if they were complete strangers.
The next moment, Nangong Baixue curtsied gracefully to the Ye Family Old Ancestors. “Baixue greets all esteemed Seniors.”
A chilling silence settled over the main hall.
One of the Ye Family Old Ancestors offered a dry chuckle. “Please, all of you, be seated.”
The Nangong family members settled into their seats.
Nangong Baixue turned to Ye Longfeng, her voice dripping with condescension. “Patriarch Ye, I have now been accepted into the Supreme Profound Sect, and the chasm between Ye Chen and myself will only grow wider. Thus, I have come today specifically to sever the engagement with Ye Chen!”
Patriarch Ye Longfeng’s face turned a sickly green. Although he had braced himself for this moment, witnessing it firsthand was a profound blow to his dignity. The Ye family, a venerable Quasi-Emperor level power, having their Young Master’s engagement annulled like this—it would be a stain on their reputation for ages! Indeed, for weeks, numerous factions in Qingcheng had already been whispering and snickering behind their backs.
Nangong Baixue then turned her arrogant gaze to Ye Chen, her voice sharp and theatrical. “Ye Chen, I waited for you for seven long years. One could say I was exceedingly magnanimous. But alas, things have come to this. I hope you’ll release yourself from this delusion. You are incapable of cultivation; we are no longer destined for the same path. From this day forward, you can only gaze up at me!”
Ye Chen merely let out a derisive scoff. “Oh, a ‘gaze up,’ you say? How amusing.”
Patriarch Ye Longfeng desperately wanted to roar, “My son, Ye Chen, is no longer a waste! He has risen!” But a stern glare from the Ye Family Old Ancestor silenced him, forcing him to swallow his indignation.
Then, with a flourish, Nangong Baixue extended a delicate hand, revealing a luminous pill in her palm. Her voice was cold and dismissive. “Ye Chen, I owe you nothing. However, to compensate for this annulment, my Nangong family offers this gesture. This Saint King-tier Qi Gathering Pill represents our sincerity.”
With a casual flick of her wrist, Nangong Baixue sent the Qi Gathering Pill soaring towards Ye Chen. It was an Earth-tier pill, shimmering with three distinct pill halos!
At this, Nangong Beiqiu offered a self-satisfied smile, addressing Ye Chen. “Ye Chen, take it. This pill was personally refined by Baixue’s master, Pill Saint Yunyang, specifically for you. Perhaps it can even resolve your… inability to cultivate.”
Patriarch Ye Longfeng’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Pill Saint Yunyang of the Supreme Profound Sect?”
Nangong Beiqiu nodded, a triumphant smirk playing on his lips. “Brother Longfeng, I neglected to mention that my daughter, Baixue, was accepted as a true disciple under Pill Saint Yunyang of the Supreme Profound Sect merely half a year ago! And in that short time, she has already ascended to the rank of a Profound-tier First Grade Alchemist!”
The declaration hung in the air, instantly silencing the main hall! Every Ye family member gasped in shock. A Profound-tier First Grade Alchemist! One must understand, the Dao of Alchemy was categorized into Yellow, Human, Jade, Profound, King, Earth, and Heaven tiers, with each tier containing nine grades. For Nangong Baixue to reach the Profound-tier in only half a year was nothing short of miraculous! Her talent was truly immeasurable, her future in alchemy limitless!
And to think, Nangong Baixue had joined the Supreme Profound Sect, a renowned hegemon-level power in the Southern Barrens! With her master being the illustrious Pill Saint Yunyang, the Nangong family’s future, powered by alchemy, was set to soar!
Ye Chen glanced at the pill before him, his eyes alight with a faint, curious flicker. For the first time, the thought of becoming an alchemist crossed his mind.