Hong Yuan treated Ye Xiner gently, but inwardly, he shook his head. It wasn’t that simple. Making it to the top ten had already taken nearly all of his acting prowess. Even in the earlier rounds, people had been testing him!

The darkest hour is just before the dawn. How could it be so simple to enter the top ten and be promoted to the main family for cultivation?

Alas, I am not yet capable of contending with the Martial Saint. And yet, the upper echelons of the Luochen Ye Family can easily summon reinforcements from the main family.

Pushing through with force would certainly be refreshing, but it would bring about too many unforeseen consequences. It’s not the best strategy. I’ll wait a bit longer.

Hong Yuan sighed softly in his heart.

He continued to amuse Ye Xiner with his words, causing her laughter to echo nonstop through the small courtyard.

「Elsewhere.」

In the central area of the Luochen Ye Family, the residence of the Clan Leader and the four main Elders—the absolute center of power within the Luochen Ye Family.

This was the Qing Shui Elder’s lineage.

In the study, Qing Shui Elder was issuing orders to his daughter, Ye Yanmin.

"Do not worry, Father. I will negotiate with Ye Gufan and ensure he loses to Ye Tian," Ye Yanmin said, her sword-like eyebrows arching, her tone resolute.

"Hehe, there’s no need for such dramatics. Ye Gufan is a smart man. If he doesn’t want to be agreeable, you can help him see reason. Your Uncle Er Shan will also go with you," Qing Shui Elder said with a smile.

Ye Yanmin was inwardly startled. Ye Ershan was a formidable fourth-order master!

With Uncle Er Shan taking action, success was assured.

"Then, your daughter takes her leave," Ye Yanmin said, bowing and swiftly exiting without delay.

Once Ye Yanmin had left, her brother Ye Tian, who had been sitting to the side, couldn’t help but speak up. "Dad, if that Ye Gufan fellow continues to be stubborn, what should I do? This spot only became available because Cheng unfortunately perished, and it wasn’t easy to secure."

The Qing Shui Clan Elder’s smile vanished. He looked expressionlessly at Ye Tian, making Ye Tian feel apprehensive.

After a long pause, the Qing Shui Clan Elder finally spoke, his voice calm. "As long as your Uncle Er Shan meets with Ye Gufan, you are guaranteed a spot in the top five. Besides, you yourself possess peak second-order strength. You need to get rid of that ostrich mentality of yours, and fast. The main family has no place for incompetents!"

Ye Tian’s heart chilled, and he quickly assented. His thoughts then drifted to his sister, Ye Yanmin.

「At that moment.」

Ye Yanmin set off from the central area with Ye Ershan, heading towards the secluded courtyard where Hong Yuan was located.

Just as they arrived at the very edge of the family’s territory, two blood-red Bee Beast Worms silently observed their movements.

Meanwhile, Hong Yuan, who was laughing and joking with Ye Xiner, narrowed his eyes and sighed inwardly. Things indeed are not that simple. These people are coming straight for me; it seems they bring ill intentions...

"Gu Fan, what’s wrong?" Ye Xiner asked, puzzled by Hong Yuan’s sudden silence.

Hong Yuan smiled and took Ye Xiner’s small hand. "I have a gift for you. Come with me."

A crafty rabbit has three burrows.

Ever since he was merely a small, second-order Mysterious Water Snake, he had cultivated such prudent habits. 𝘧𝓇ℯ𝑒𝓌𝑒𝑏𝓃𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭.𝒸ℴ𝓂

Now, even in a dream realm, Hong Yuan would never simply remain in one vulnerable spot.

As Hong Yuan led her away, Ye Xiner’s heart pounded fiercely, her thoughts a whirl.

Soon, they reached a sealed chamber. It was overflowing with flowers, like a garden from a dream.

But when Ye Xiner saw the large, red, flower-covered bed at the far end, her mind filled with intimate matters. Her cheeks instantly flushed crimson. She lowered her head, nervously fidgeting with the hem of her skirt and rising onto her tiptoes.

「Outside.」

Ye Yanmin and her entourage walked to the courtyard.

When she saw how dilapidated and gloomy the courtyard was, her lips curled slightly. Heh, it seems I’ve brought Ye Gufan a stroke of Creation after all.

She clapped her hands lightly, and then her group brazenly burst into the courtyard.

After a short while, her subordinates reported back to Ye Yanmin one by one.

Suddenly, Ye Yanmin’s expression changed dramatically. "Gone? Even their clothes have vanished?"

"Search! Dig three feet into the ground if you must!"

Her subordinates sprang into action, searching everywhere. This massive commotion alerted the clan members living nearby, but Ye Yanmin carried on heedlessly.

These impoverished clan members all hid in their small huts, watching silently. Although they all shared the Ye surname, the chasm between their status and that of the main family members was already as vast as that between heaven and earth. It was always best to know one’s place.

Through the perspective of the Bee Beast Worms, Hong Yuan observed the arrogant actions of Ye Yanmin and her party. His anger ignited. You’re courting death! He had never imagined the corruption of the Luochen Ye Family’s privileged elite to be so egregious. These powerful figures truly acted with impunity, as if they could blot out the sky with a single hand, leaving ordinary clan members virtually no opportunity to rise!

It’s true, the more remote and impoverished a place, the more absolute the power wielded by those in charge. It seems I’ll have to prepare to go on a rampage and completely overturn the Luochen Ye Family. Why do they insist on forcing my hand?

Hong Yuan gripped his Longsword tightly, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

It was late into the night before Ye Yanmin and her group finally departed. Meanwhile, Ye Xiner had peacefully fallen asleep on the bed of flowers. Under Hong Yuan’s protection, she had safely weathered the storm.

...

Upon hearing his sister Ye Yanmin’s report, Ye Tian left the study, still burning with frustration. "Damn it, Ye Gufan isn’t even home!"