Ye Luo remained silent from beginning to end, as the leader of the Royal Academy’s delegation?

Perhaps to others, it might be an extraordinary honor.

But in Ye Luo’s heart, he was acutely aware that certain people were once again treating him as a strategic pawn!

Using Ye Luo’s status as the Ninth Prince to lead the Royal Academy is certainly appropriate, but under normal circumstances, such a decision would never be made!

You must know, the Royal Academy had already received news that this journey to the Sacred Temple of Yunkai was unlike the previous ones; it is fraught with danger. In this situation, as the leader, Ye Luo would inevitably become a key target for other forces and individuals.

If there’s a conflict over territory or treasure, the opposing sides would prioritize defeating—or even assassinating—Ye Luo.

To put it bluntly, Ye Luo as the leader is just someone to draw others’ attention!

Of course, Ye Luo does not have a definitive answer about the true reasons behind this arrangement; this is merely his speculation.

The group soon arrived at Yunkai City, which was already overcrowded by the time they reached. Because not only had Ye Luo and his group arrived, but countless others had too.

"Your Highness, should we find an inn to settle in first?"

At this moment, a disciple of the Royal Academy approached Ye Luo and asked directly.

"I’m guessing it will be hard to find an inn now."

Before Ye Luo could reply, someone else interjected casually.

Looking around, it was evident that Yunkai City was swarming with people. They had come from various parts of the Great Tang Empire, preparing to enter the Sacred Temple of Yunkai.

Ye Luo and many of the Royal Academy students couldn’t help but feel puzzled as to why this time, the Academy had allowed so many people to enter and even reduced their own quotas.

But decisions like this were beyond the control of the students. For both Ye Luo and the other disciples, the only option was silent acceptance!

Suddenly, Yun Liancheng smiled and said, "Your Highness, perhaps I can solve the lodging problem!"

Indeed!

Ye Luo smiled faintly. Yun Liancheng had purchased an estate in Yunkai City.

Of course, Yun Liancheng’s reason for buying this estate was to follow his mother’s trail. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

But the secrets within that estate had long been explored and deciphered by Yun Liancheng and Ye Luo. Therefore, using the estate to accommodate the group now seemed like a good option!

Ye Luo didn’t speak further. Since the estate belonged to Yun Liancheng, the decision naturally rested with him. Whether he was willing to share it was entirely up to him.

However, clearly Yun Liancheng was not the type to be stingy.

At this moment, he stepped forward and said, "Everyone, I own an estate here in Yunkai City. If you don’t find it objectionable, you can stay there temporarily until the Sacred Temple opens."

Of course, everyone readily agreed. While staying in one estate with so many people might feel cramped, it was far better than wandering the streets!

Naturally, no one refused. The group immediately followed Yun Liancheng toward the estate.

Little did they know their arrival had caught the attention of multiple factions.

The Royal Academy, as the premier academy of the Great Tang Empire, being watched was not unusual. However, if those watching were harboring ill intent, matters would undoubtedly become far more complicated.

Among these factions were several groups with distinctly unsettling motives regarding the Royal Academy’s delegation.

...

In a certain estate, a group of people gathered.

"Senior Brother, those are the Royal Academy disciples. Should we begin our action?"

Action? What were they planning, and why were they targeting the Royal Academy?

"Not yet. Now is not the time. The master said that this time, the Sacred Temple of Yunkai might bring forth that object. When it comes to familiarity with the Sacred Temple, none are better informed than these Royal Academy members. Our goal is to abduct one or two of them and force them to lead us!"

That senior brother curled his lips into a cruel smile, a smile whose sinister meaning was all too obvious!

Anyone they captured would likely meet a dead end after serving their purpose!

And they weren’t the only group with such ideas; several others harbored similar plans.

The Sacred Temple of Yunkai was rumored to contain countless treasures. Even the Royal Academy didn’t know the full extent of them, as the dense fog and endless mechanisms from previous expeditions had hindered any exploration of its core.

This time presented an opportunity, one that many couldn’t resist.

Moreover, the expansion of eligibility beyond the previously limited few meant that many inexperienced groups lacking maps were drawn by the lure of immense rewards—and were bound to resort to crooked schemes.

Of course, those harboring crooked intentions weren’t limited to these groups, nor could they be easily enumerated!

The Demon Clan!

They wouldn’t miss this opportunity either!

"The Emissary has informed us that this time, many elite members of the Human Race will enter the Sacred Temple. The Emissary has already found a way to infiltrate the temple. Remember, your mission is to blend in among the humans, sow chaos among them, and eliminate as many of their elites as possible!"

"Yes, Chieftain, we understand!"

In a remote, hidden location on the outskirts of Yunkai City, hundreds of individuals had gathered. Yet none of them belonged to the Human Race—they were all Demon Clan members!

And the topic of their discussion involved schemes that could bring catastrophe to the Sacred Temple expedition.

Suddenly, someone whispered, "Chieftain, what about Ye Luo, Ninth Prince of the Great Tang? He has brutally slaughtered countless of our brethren. Should we kill him this time?"

The title "Chieftain" within the Demon Clan marked one as a supreme leader. While the clan had only one king, its chieftains and leaders were numerous.

"No, we don’t need to concern ourselves with that guy. The Emissary has already arranged forces—this time, he’s sure to die!"

The chieftain’s eyes burned blood-red—not just because they were naturally crimson, but because his mind seethed with rage!

Rage toward Ye Luo!

Ye Luo, this prince who had seemingly appeared from nowhere, had repeatedly sabotaged the Demon Clan’s plans. Because of Ye Luo, the Great Tang Empire had begun an extensive purge of Demon Clan members hiding within its borders.

It could be said that because of Ye Luo, the Demon Clan had suffered tremendous losses!

"This time, the Emissary has brought a directive from the king. The king has ordered us to preserve our strength. A new wave of reinforcements will soon arrive, and this will be the largest operation we’ve ever undertaken. The illustrious Princess Yu will personally come!"

"What? Princess Yu will come personally?"

Upon hearing the name Princess Yu, nearly all the Demon Clan members were overcome with excitement. Their eyes were filled with nothing short of fervent admiration.