Chapter 285: Plotting the Imperial Court

The journey ahead went smoothly for them; they didn't encounter any more blockers.

"Why is nobody coming?" Hao Chengfeng and Jiang Yuan were both eagerly sharpening their knives, ready to fight and practice, but they didn't expect that nobody would come to attack them anymore.

"They're scared off, eh! Where would there be so many people sent over for us to kill? You still think saints are like cabbage by the roadside!" Tang Hao analyzed.

After this group returned to the academy, Ye Liuyun received the news of placing first in the Seven Sects Grand Competition, and it immediately spread. Upon hearing it, the disciples of Soaring Cloud Pavilion all began to celebrate, taking pride in Ye Liuyun.

After Ye Liuyun settled in, he immediately followed the Grand Elder to see the Dean and inquire about the Northern Domain Alliance.

After learning the situation, the Dean began to explain it to Ye Liuyun.

"The Northern Domain Alliance is far stronger than you imagine! They are indeed an organization formed to resist the foreign tribes and demons; they only appear when there is an anomaly, uniting martial cultivators to oppose the foreign tribes, and normally remain scattered and hidden."

Out of safety considerations, their identities are also kept secret. Those who join must swear not to reveal others' identities. They recruit people solely through elder recommendations and emissaries sent out to scout talent.

Their organization gathers a large number of top-tier experts. To them, our seven sects are merely minor players. In the whole Northern Domain, they are also insignificant. If they pick you, it shows your talent among the youth is absolutely top-notch.

The training resources the alliance provides are also far superior to those of our seven sects. If possible, I suggest you join their organization.

"On one hand, it can broaden your horizons, letting you encounter more of the outside world, where more forces you haven't encountered exist. On the other hand, corpse demons are rampant now; soon, our several sects will likely have to rely on the Northern Domain Alliance. You should first go scout the path."

After the Dean finished his lengthy speech, Ye Liuyun immediately agreed. After all, this is a way to contact the outside world; he couldn't stay cooped up in the academy forever.

"Mm! After you go, you'll still be a disciple of our Holy Martial Academy; joining the Northern Domain Alliance is only temporary, and it won't impose many restrictions on you, so there's no need to worry."

"Alright. I'll finish handling my affairs, then break through to the Holy Realm before joining the Northern Domain Alliance." Ye Liuyun decided.

"I heard you've had many unpleasantries with Jin Wuxia?" the Dean asked.

"He has repeatedly tried to kill me! Dean, do you have any advice?" Ye Liuyun didn't expect that the Dean actually knew about this matter.

"What advice could I have? This is just a matter between you young people; whatever you decide to do is your own business. I'm only reminding you that the Jin Family's strength is not weak; reportedly, the Jin Family is merely a small branch of a major power in the south. However, within our Holy Martial Academy, they dare not act recklessly."

By saying that, the Dean was, on one hand, reminding Ye Liuyun of the Jin Family's background, and on the other hand, telling him that the academy can protect him, provided he remains within the academy.

Ye Liuyun immediately realized this, thanked the Dean, and then returned to Tianqian Peak together with the Grand Elder.

On the way, the Grand Elder asked him, "Are you really prepared to take action against Jin Wuxia?"

Ye Liuyun gave a wry smile and said, "Master, do you think that even if I don't act, he will let me off?"

"Exactly!" the Grand Elder also nodded helplessly. "Then go ahead and do as you think! Martial cultivation emphasizes following one's heart; indeed, you shouldn't worry too much. I'll do my best to protect you. However, with your current strength, I truly can't be of much help!"

"Master, please don't say that. Without your protection back then, how could I have grown to where I am now!" Ye Liuyun has always been a grateful person. Although the Grand Elder hasn't helped him much, just the master-disciple title alone is already a protective shield for him!

"Go! Now, amidst this chaotic era, it's precisely the time for young people like you to step forward!"

The Grand Elder encouraged him thus. Ye Liuyun's fearless spirit also deeply infected him. He recalled his own youth, when he certainly didn't have Ye Liuyun's gall, and of course, not his strength either.

Ye Liuyun then immediately returned to his lodgings, calmed his mind, and pondered what his next step should be.

The Great Zhou Dynasty, the Blood Demon Sect—these are his old rivals! Now another Jin Family will appear. From the Dean's implication, the Jin Family must be stronger than those two; otherwise, the Dean wouldn't have mentioned the Jin Family's power.

"Let's first target the Great Zhou Dynasty, then the Blood Demon Sect, and then the Jin Family. It's also time to give the Ye Clan a stable residence! The reputation of the Golden Armored Guard should also be restored!"

After Ye Liuyun made his decision, he felt much lighter. That great weight pressing on his heart was finally going to be removed.

Immediately, Ye Liuyun rose and headed for Soaring Cloud Pavilion. Destroying the Great Zhou Dynasty cannot be done by his own strength alone. Moreover, merely destroying it isn't enough; he must also be able to hold it.

During the time Ye Liuyun was away, the disciples of Soaring Cloud Pavilion, following his request, cultivated quietly and did not go out to kill corpse demons. The medicinal pills Ye Liuyun provided for Soaring Cloud Pavilion are sufficient for them to cultivate for several years.

Moreover, Soaring Cloud Pavilion has recently expanded considerably; many disciples have been drawn in by its reputation and medicinal pills.

Ye Liuyun summoned several familiar disciples over.

"How has Soaring Cloud Pavilion been lately?" Ye Liuyun asked.

"The disciples' strength has been improving rapidly, and the expansion has been swift! Now, nearly a quarter of the institute's disciples have joined our Soaring Cloud Pavilion." Tie Jun, looking somewhat weary, advised Ye Liuyun: "I think we should establish several branches and manage them by rank. Otherwise, I'm the only one handling everything, and I can't keep up!"

Ye Liuyun agreed: "Alright, then you go ahead and organize it. Quickly set up the branches and recruit more people. I plan to destroy the Great Zhou Imperial Court soon, and I'll need Soaring Cloud Pavilion's support then."

"What? Destroy the Great Zhou Imperial Court?" Everyone was startled by Ye Liuyun's bold idea.

But he firmly said, "Exactly! The Great Zhou Imperial Court has constantly hunted me all along; it's time to put an end to it! Moreover, on my way to participate in the Seven Sects Grand Competition, I killed several of their strongmen; their strength should be weak now."

"Destroying the Great Zhou Dynasty isn't a problem, after all they aren't active in resisting corpse demons. But even if they're weak, there will still be many Holy Realm cultivators guarding them, right? Who will deal with those Holy Realm cultivators? Who will take over the mess of the imperial court?" Tie Jun worried both about heavy losses among Soaring Cloud Pavilion disciples and about major upheaval from a change in the imperial court.

Ye Liuyun understood his concern and reassured him: "Holy Realm cultivators don't need you to deal with them; I have my own arrangements, and you don't need to worry about handling the aftermath. Soaring Cloud Pavilion's role is supportive. By recruiting more people, you can treat this operation as a comprehensive training exercise for the pavilion. Later, half of the Great Zhou treasury will also be allocated to Soaring Cloud Pavilion as cultivation resources."

Seeing that Ye Liuyun had considered everything, Tie Jun agreed: "Alright, we'll quickly arrange the expansion on our end. Anyway, resources are abundant now; we'll promote it, and even more people will join!"

"Mm, I'll go out for a trip; when the time comes, I'll contact you via transmission talisman to let you know how to act."

After Ye Liuyun and Tie Jun, etc., finished arranging Soaring Cloud Pavilion's affairs, they summoned Hao Chengfeng, Tang Hao, Jiang Yuan, Liu Shengnan, and others. Upon hearing they were to go destroy the Great Zhou Dynasty, they all immediately became excited and wanted to join.

Thus they boarded Ye Liuyun's flying boat and rushed to the Ye Clan and Golden Armored Guard's garrison.