Chapter 5

• The scene was so silent that one could hear a pin drop.
• A challenge!
• Ye Fan had challenged the Grand Elder!
• Everyone in the Ye Clan was utterly shocked.
• In the Ye Clan, the strongest was naturally the secluded Clan Leader, followed by the Clan Guardian Elder, Ye Qing. However, Ye Qing was not present, making the Grand Elder the next most powerful.
• And now, Ye Fan had actually challenged the Grand Elder!
• Overestimating himself?
• Some thought so, but others believed Ye Fan might actually stand a chance.
• Ye Fan had once been the most promising young talent nurtured by the Ye Clan. Unlike the Grand Elder, who had spent years living in comfort within the clan, Ye Fan had spent every day battling for survival. His ruthless determination and bloodthirsty resolve were something the Grand Elder lacked.
• To the onlookers, although Ye Fan was only at the Fifth Grade of the Unending Realm, if he fought with all his might, he might just have a shot at victory!
• Across from Ye Fan, the Grand Elder fixed his gaze on him, his expression dark and unreadable. He had never expected Ye Fan to challenge him!
• Accept or not?
• If he refused, his reputation would be ruined once word spread. Not only that, but his authority within the Ye Clan would plummet, and others might start defying him.
• But if he accepted?
• The thought of Ye Fan’s combat prowess made him hesitate. Though his cultivation was higher than Ye Fan’s, he hadn’t fought a true life-or-death battle in many, many years. His occasional spars within the clan had always been controlled, never going all out. Ye Fan, on the other hand, had fought for his life time and time again.
• He knew exactly what that meant.
• Besides, even if he won, people would say he had bullied the weak. But if he lost… the consequences would be unthinkable. He could even lose his position as Grand Elder!
• His face grew increasingly grim.
• This was supposed to be Ye Fan’s moment of crisis. Yet somehow, Ye Fan had turned the tables, pushing him into a corner instead!
• Just then, a voice rang out through the silent courtyard.
• "Don’t we still have our duel in a month?"
• Everyone turned to look. Not far away, Ye Lang approached at a steady pace.
• Ye Lang—the current heir of the Ye Clan!
• The Grand Elder was just about to speak when his eyes suddenly widened in disbelief.
• "Ye Lang… you… you’ve reached the Qi Transformation Realm?!"
• Qi Transformation Realm!
• The entire crowd froze.
• Under their stunned gazes, Ye Lang nodded slightly. "It took me a little over ten days to reach Qi Transformation. A bit slow, really."
• Upon hearing this, the gathered onlookers collectively sucked in a sharp breath.
• This is slow?!
• Before his awakening, Ye Lang had only been at the Fourth Grade of the Dual Cultivation Realm. Yet in just ten days, he had reached Qi Transformation?!
• At this speed, he was unprecedented in Ye Clan history!
• The Grand Elder suddenly burst into laughter. "The heavens bless my Ye Clan! Hahaha!"
• Excitement swept through the crowd. With Ye Lang’s cultivation speed, the Ye Clan was bound to become a dominant force in the future!
• Ye Lang turned his gaze to Ye Fan and smirked.
• "What right do you have to challenge the Grand Elder? Defeat me first, and then you can talk about challenging him. Our life-and-death duel is in less than twenty days, isn’t it?"
• Ye Fan glanced at Ye Lang and chuckled. "Ah, look at me—I almost forgot about that."
• Then, turning to the Grand Elder, he said, "My apologies for the offense just now, Grand Elder. Well then, after my match with your grandson, I’ll come back to seek your guidance. Farewell!"
• With that, he grabbed Ye Ling’s hand and turned to leave.
• "Hold it!"
• The Grand Elder’s furious voice rang out. "You killed an elder—do you think this matter can just—"
• Ye Fan suddenly turned back, locking eyes with him. "Grand Elder, why don’t we settle it right now? Or, your grandson can have our life-or-death duel right this moment. Unless, of course, you’re both afraid? Is that why you sent Ye Ku to provoke me, hoping to find an excuse to get rid of me? If that’s the case, no need for all these tricks—just gang up on me directly. I certainly wouldn’t be able to fight back!"
• "You—!" The Grand Elder’s face turned livid with rage.
• Ye Lang shot Ye Fan a cold glance. "Leave. In twenty days, we settle this on the Life-and-Death Platform."
• Ye Fan shrugged. "Grand Elder, at least your grandson has some sense. You, however, are getting more and more senile."
• With that, he pulled Ye Ling along and walked away.
• The Grand Elder’s face turned purple with fury, his whole body trembling. Suddenly, he turned to Li Mu and the others, his expression dark.
• "Useless fools! An elder was attacked right in front of you, and you did nothing? Guards! Drag them out and execute them immediately!"
• At these words, Li Mu and the others turned pale with fear.
• Just then, Ye Fan stopped walking. He turned around, smiling at the Grand Elder.
• "Grand Elder, just a friendly reminder—Li Mu and the others are the Clan Leader’s personal guards. While you hold the title of Grand Elder, the Clan Leader is still very much alive. If you lay a hand on his men, wouldn’t that mean…"
• Ye Fan suddenly feigned shock. "Could it be… that you’re planning to eliminate the Clan Leader?"
• "You—!"
• The Grand Elder roared, his anger exploding. "Ye Fan, say another word and I’ll kill you here and now!"
• Ye Fan chuckled. "Calm down, Grand Elder. I was merely offering a friendly reminder. Don’t get too worked up—you might hurt yourself. And that… would make me so sad. Oh, no, wait… I mean so happy."
• With that, he turned and left.
• Li Mu and the others cast Ye Fan a grateful glance. If not for his words just now, they would already be dead.
• Back in the courtyard, the Grand Elder trembled with rage, while the gathered onlookers held their breath, not daring to speak.
• Suddenly, as if remembering something, the Grand Elder turned to Ye Lang.
• "Why not kill him now? Why wait twenty days?"
• Ye Lang glanced at him and replied calmly, "Because I am about to break through to the Qi Manipulation Realm."
• The Grand Elder froze in shock. A moment later, he was overcome with excitement.
• "Are you serious?!"
• Ye Lang nodded slightly. "The breakthrough is imminent. Otherwise, I would have killed him just now. There’s no need to rush—I won’t let a mere insect hinder my progress."
• The Grand Elder quickly nodded. "Of course! Let him live for a few more days—he’s already a dead man walking!"
• Ye Lang nodded again. "He’s already desperate. Best not to provoke him during these twenty days—otherwise, people might say I fear him and am using underhanded tactics to get rid of him."
• The Grand Elder’s expression grew solemn. "I was too reckless this time. Rest assured, no one will trouble him before the duel."
• Ye Lang nodded. "By the way, I’ll be needing a large number of spirit stones for my cultivation."
• The Grand Elder hesitated. Spirit stones were precious, rich in spiritual energy, and even the Ye Clan had a limited supply. Normally, only the Clan Leader and the heir were entitled to use them—but Ye Fan had never received any, deliberately denied them by the elders.
• Ye Lang narrowed his eyes. "Is there a problem?"
• The Great Elder shook his head. “No problem, it’s just that there might not be many spirit stones.”
• Ye Lang smiled. “Don’t worry, it’s only the Qi Manipulation Realm. It won’t require too many spirit stones.”
• Hearing this, the Great Elder immediately let out a sigh of relief. “That’s good to hear!”
• Ye Lang raised his head, looking up at the sky with a hint of mockery at the corner of his lips. In his heart, he murmured, Such a backwater place... but I can make use of it for now.
• …
• Ye Fan took Ye Ling back to his courtyard. Just as they arrived, Li Mu and the others hurried over.
• Ye Fan glanced at them. “Coming to see me now won’t do you any good.”
• Ever since he was stripped of his title as heir, almost all of the brothers who had once fought alongside him had disappeared. They knew full well that the future head of the Ye family would not be Ye Fan, but Ye Lang.
• Li Mu cupped his fists towards Ye Fan. “Brother Ye, thank you for what you did earlier.”
• Ye Fan nodded slightly. “You didn’t get involved, so it’s I who should thank you. Go back now. If the Great Elder’s men see you, you’ll be in trouble.”
• Li Mu hesitated for a moment before saying, “Brother Ye, if you ever need anything in the future, just say the word. We brothers will never refuse.”
• With that, he turned and left with his guards.
• Ye Fan shook his head slightly. Seeing this, Ye Ling clung to his arm and asked softly, “Brother, do you not trust them?”
• Ye Fan smiled. “If your brother were strong, then what they just said would be true. But if I stay weak and have no chance of turning things around, then it’s all just empty words.”
• Ye Ling looked at him seriously. “I mean it. I will always stand by your side!”
• Ye Fan laughed heartily, pulled her inside, and closed the courtyard doors. However, as soon as they stepped in, Ye Ling’s body began to tremble violently. A chilling aura emanated from her!
• Ye Fan’s heart sank. He quickly carried Ye Ling to the bed and took out a white jade bottle, pouring out a white pill for her. After swallowing it, Ye Ling’s complexion improved slightly.
• She slowly opened her eyes, grasping Ye Fan’s hand tightly with her frail fingers. Her voice was barely above a whisper. “Brother, I... I don’t think I’ll live much longer. If... if I die, will you keep my ashes with you? I want to stay by your side forever…”
• “Don’t talk nonsense!”
• Ye Fan suddenly shouted, glaring at her. “You’re not going to die! I won’t let you! Trust me—I will cure you! Once I reach the Qi Manipulation Realm, I’ll take you to the Imperial Capital, alright?”
• His voice softened. “You’re my only family left. If nothing else, live for me, okay?”
• Tears welled up in Ye Ling’s eyes and spilled down her cheeks.
• Ye Fan gently wiped them away. “No more crying. You won’t look pretty if you cry too much. You’ll want to look good when you get married in the future.”
• Ye Ling shook her head. “I won’t get married. I only like my brother.”
• Ye Fan chuckled. “Silly girl. Here, let me tell you a story… Once upon a time, there was a mountain, and on that mountain, there was a temple…”
• A quarter of an hour later, Ye Ling drifted into sleep.
• Staring at her frail figure on the bed, Ye Fan’s expression darkened. She had been sleeping longer and longer lately. Moreover, there were fewer than three pills left in his jade bottle!
• After a moment, Ye Fan put the bottle away, carefully covered Ye Ling with a blanket, then entered the Prison Tower.
• Training!
• Right now, the only thing Ye Fan could do was desperately improve his strength. He had to reach the Qi Manipulation Realm as soon as possible and take Ye Ling to the Imperial Capital. Furthermore, the Ye family already wanted him dead. In twenty days, at the life-or-death duel, if he lost, not only would he die—Ye Ling would too.
• Ye Fan was just about to start sparring with his shadow when a mysterious woman’s voice suddenly rang out. “You can start training to conceal your realm now.”
• Ye Fan froze. “Conceal my realm? What do you mean?”
• The mysterious woman explained, “The Physical Strength Realm has six tiers, but what most people don’t know is that after the sixth, there is another hidden realm—the Golden Body Realm. Only after reaching that can one enter the Innate Qi Manipulation Realm.”
• Ye Fan frowned. “The Golden Body Realm? Senior, why have I never heard of it before?”
• The mysterious woman replied indifferently, “I already told you—it’s a hidden realm. Ordinary people have no idea it exists. If you reach the Golden Body Realm, your overall strength will at least double. Do you want to train in it? If not, you can still skip it by acquiring the Spiritual Sword and going straight to the Innate Qi Manipulation Realm.”
• Ye Fan’s eyes lit up. “Double my strength? Are you serious?”
• “Of course,” the mysterious woman said.
• Without hesitation, Ye Fan declared, “I’ll do it! I’ll train in it!”
• The mysterious woman continued, “Your body already contains sword energy. Although you can’t yet release it externally, you can use it to stimulate your meridians and internal organs. Previously, you strengthened your body externally—now you must refine it from within. Only by training both inside and out will you achieve perfection. However… it will be slightly painful.”
• Ye Fan waved his hand dismissively. “A bit of pain is nothing. Let’s get started.”
• The mysterious woman said, “Alright. It’s simple—just activate the sword energy and let it spread throughout your entire body.”
• Ye Fan did as instructed, but as soon as he sat down, his eyes widened in agony.
• “AAAAHHH—”
• In that moment, he felt as if thousands of needles were stabbing every inch of his body. He nearly blacked out.
• “Senior, this isn’t ‘a bit’ painful!”
• “Oh? Is it really that bad? I thought it was just a little discomfort…”
• “Senior, don’t tell me no one has ever trained in this hidden realm before!”
• “Hmm… A very long time ago, someone did. But he died instantly. I assumed it was for another reason…”
• “You—”
• “Watching you suffer like this, knowing I can’t help… I can only smile to express my regret. Hehehe…”
• Ye Fan: “…”