"Gu Fan," Ye Qingcheng greeted Hong Yuan with a radiant smile, brimming with enthusiasm.

Hong Yuan glanced back at her, and his look sent a shiver down her spine.

This is bad, she thought, her heart sinking. I might have been too cordial to Ye Gufan. Could it have raised his guard? Even if it has... it seems it doesn’t really matter.

Yet, in the end, Ye Qingcheng managed to suppress her desire to devour Hong Yuan’s Purple Gold Position in one bite.

"Let’s depart," Hong Yuan commanded indifferently.

The team members were shocked, especially those Martial Artists who had previously fought Hong Yuan.

To their astonishment, Ye Qingcheng actually obeyed!

HISS... Ye Fengdao inhaled sharply, a glint appearing in his eyes.

It seemed the turn of events was not what he had anticipated.

Under Ye Qingcheng’s guidance, Hong Yuan boarded an ancient chariot and sat opposite her.

This ancient chariot was filled with Green Wood Qi, forged from divine Phoenix Paulownia wood, densely inscribed with Phoenix Tao Patterns, and pulled by nine powerful phoenix beasts.

BOOM! BOOM BOOM!

As it advanced, thunder and wind harmonized, the void trembled, and mysterious celestial sounds rang out.

The procession was grandiose, as if a Saint were on the move!

From this alone, it was evident how privileged and indulged Ye Qingcheng was.

...

The Hundred Arts Event had five stages, each more brutal than the last in its selection.

Those who reached the third stage were regarded as geniuses in the eyes of the world.

Currently, the Hundred Arts Event was a hot topic, buzzing throughout the Ye Family’s main city.

「Inside a White Gold Palace within the Ye Family’s forbidden grounds.」

Great Saint Taibai gently tapped the table, instructing his subordinates to make their move and wait for public opinion to ferment.

"Dragons have their paths, and snakes have their trails. I truly long to see the moment Qingcheng becomes a Saint..." Great Saint Taibai mused with deep feeling.

Against ordinary Martial Arts Geniuses, Ye Qingcheng could suppress them solely by relying on her status, binding them with the "Phoenix Paulownia" method and turning them into her own cultivation resources.

For stronger Heavenly Talents, Ye Qingcheng would have to personally intervene, overpowering them by force before she could bind them with the "Phoenix Paulownia" method, converting these talents into her cultivation fodder.

And for those who were clearly Supreme Talents, Ye Qingcheng would need to harness the power of all living beings, forcibly establishing connections by manipulating their collective destiny, and then slowly make her plans.

She was like a tree!

For a tree to grow rapidly and become strong, its roots must sink deeper, probing into the darker depths of the earth.

This "Life Plant Skill" of hers was almost a supreme demonic technique, exceedingly formidable.

If not for the protection of figures like Great Saint Taibai, Ye Qingcheng would have long ago suffered a fatal backlash and perished.

「Ye Family Main City.」

"Wow, isn’t that Ye Gufan? I never expected him to be captivated by Fairy Qincheng’s charm too."

"It’s over. Heroes have always struggled against the allure of beauties, let alone a young Heavenly Talent. I doubt Ye Gufan will become the Leader of Artifact Refining now."

"Who knows? Maybe he found the solitary struggle too arduous and decided to rely on a powerful backer for an easier time. His choice could be seen as quite wise!"

"For someone from a branch family to achieve such feats and be personally received by Fairy Qincheng, I think he could hold his head high even within the main family..."

The crowd watched the ancient chariot, discussing animatedly.

With some deliberately steering the narrative, Hong Yuan was soon labeled as a man utterly smitten by Ye Qingcheng.

These words, tinged with envy and regret, reached the ears of the young Ye Xiner, who stood rigidly as if frozen. Each syllable pierced her heart like a sharp needle, making her breath hitch.

"No, it’s not like that!"

Ye Xiner desperately wanted to refute them, but her single voice was no match for the chorus of opinions.

WHIRR—

Just then, the Wind Thunder Double Wing Instrument Hong Yuan had crafted for her let out a sound as it cut through the air.

In that moment, she remembered the promises Hong Yuan had made to her during their outings.

Gradually, her emotions calmed, and her expression became serene.

Ye Xiner lifted her head slightly, her gaze resolute. "Gu Fan is not that kind of person!"

...

Shunliu Cave Heaven was a legacy left behind by a deceased Saint of Water Tao.

Within, it was encircled by rivers on all sides; the entire Cave Heaven was enveloped by endless water ripples and perpetually shrouded in mist.

Though this Cave Heaven was not widely known, in terms of its environment and appearance, it was of superior quality among Cave Heavens, with few that could compare.

As soon as Hong Yuan entered with Ye Qingcheng and the others, he heard the tumultuous roar of waves, and abundant water vapor diffused around them.

"Ye Fengdao, Ye Jinjue, you few, scout ahead," Hong Yuan ordered calmly, carrying himself as the team’s leader.

His demeanor thoroughly irritated the team members.

Even Ye Qingcheng felt a flicker of anxiety.

She desperately craved the Purple Gold Position of Hong Yuan’s Eternal Azure Lotus Reincarnation; it was a heaven-sent opportunity!

If Hong Yuan didn’t make a move, she would genuinely struggle to find a chance to activate her secret arts.

All eyes couldn’t help but turn towards Ye Qingcheng.

She pondered for a moment, then feigned hesitation. "Gu Fan—"

"What? Did you not hear me clearly?" Hong Yuan retorted sharply, his hand dropping to the sword hilt at his waist.

BOOM!

A fierce, immense aura instantly erupted from him, overbearingly pressing down on the entire team.

Even Ye Qingcheng felt the brunt of this pressure.