Chapter 41: Accepting the Invitation

All the Ye Clan disciples gathered inside the Grand Hall, but the middle‑aged man shook his head after a glance.

He pointed at Ye Tianci and said, "This disciple is barely acceptable, but he isn't the one I'm looking for!"

Then he asked, "Among the younger generation of Ye Clan disciples, are these the strongest?"

The Clan Chief clenched his teeth and replied, "Yes!"

The middle‑aged man frowned upon hearing that. "How could the Nineteenth Guard have mistaken?"

He was indeed frustrated this time. He first went to the Mo family, but Mo Tianheng had disappeared. Now he's at the Ye Clan and still hasn't found anyone.

He was about to leave when he suddenly noticed that the Ye Clan disciples before him were looking at the Clan Chief with puzzled eyes, evidently questioning why the chief said that.

A thought sparked in his mind, and he directly asked Ye Tianci, "Are you the strongest among the clan's disciples?"

Ye Tianci, being proud, would not admit it if he weren't the strongest.

But he couldn't say so, because speaking would expose the Clan Chief's statement.

Thus he held his breath, his face turning crimson, and said nothing.

The middle‑aged man understood immediately, yet he couldn't fathom why the Ye Clan, knowing he was from the Heavenly Luck Prince Mansion, would still hide the talent. What misunderstanding lay behind this?

At that moment, a voice of the Elder Ancestor echoed in the Grand Hall: "Yuan Ji, escort the guest to see Liuyun! As for the road ahead, it is his destiny."

"Yes!" the Clan Chief sighed and replied.

So the group led the way ahead, guiding the middle‑aged man toward the back mountain.

Since arriving at the back mountain, Ye Liuyun has been cultivating continuously, not merely chasing realms but also enhancing his Bloodline, Soul, and artistic conception.

Today, after just finishing a Bloodline Pill, he sensed his internal Bloodline Power beginning to rise again.

This marks the third awakening of his Bloodline this month. Previously one Bloodline Pill sufficed; now a single pill seems insufficient, so he quickly took another.

Shortly after, his internal Bloodline Power erupted with a roar, the red light in his blood running rampant.

The Bloodline breakthrough made little sound, yet the bursting pressure instantly spread outward.

Although he quickly reined it back into his body, the unsettling feeling was still sensed by the arriving crowd.

Ye Tianci, following behind, felt the pressure and couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

"What technique is my junior brother cultivating that's so powerful? He's flinging me farther and farther away!"

The middle‑aged man's eyes lit up, and he leapt forward. Seeing Ye Liuyun still cultivating, he didn't disturb him, but signaled the others to wait quietly.

When Ye Liuyun had fully consolidated his Bloodline Power, he rose and punched the ground from mid‑air.

A stream of true Qi whooshed, flashing with electric sparks, struck the earth, blasting a large crater that puffed a wisp of black smoke.

"Hmm, not bad, the Bloodline's amplification is getting stronger!"

Ye Liuyun nodded in satisfaction.

At that moment, his Divine Sense noticed the people outside the Formation. Seeing the Clan Chief and others, he flashed his body, leapt out of the Formation, and saluted the chief.

The Clan Chief startled and asked, "How did you get out?"

Ye Liuyun gave an awkward smile, having been so pleased he'd forgotten the matter.

"I found a flaw in the Formation and have broken it. One can exit from inside at any time, but outsiders cannot enter!"

The Clan Chief finally understood that the Formation had been essentially meaningless to Ye Liuyun all along. Yet now was not the time to pursue it, so he hurried to introduce the middle‑aged man to Ye Liuyun.

The middle‑aged man introduced himself: "I am the eighth‑ranked palace guard of the Heavenly Luck Prince Mansion, named Lu Wei."

Upon hearing he was from the Heavenly Luck Prince Mansion, Ye Liuyun's complexion changed.

"May I ask what esteemed business Lu Wei senior has come to discuss with me?" he asked, noticing the Clan Chief's uneasy expression, a chill rising within him. "Could it be about Ye Qingyun's matter, seeking retribution?"

Lu Wei also noticed Ye Liuyun's change of color and immediately said, "Do you have some misunderstanding about the Heavenly Luck Prince Mansion? I bear no hostility toward you. I came because I heard there is a genius disciple, a talent, and I wish to ask whether you'd be willing to join the Heavenly Luck Prince Mansion."

In the past, if the Clan Chief heard the Heavenly Luck Prince Mansion was recruiting disciples, he would have leapt to send them over.

But now, everyone remained unmoved by Lu Wei's words, even showing a hint of regret.

The Heavenly Luck Prince Mansion, subordinate to the Great Zhou Dynasty, governs nine commanderies. Their Fengyang City is merely an inconspicuous small town within one of those commanderies.

The Prince of the Heavenly Luck Prince Mansion, beloved for caring for the people, is adored by the populace. The Golden Armor Guard under his command is renowned far and wide for its overwhelming combat power.

"You're not here because of Ye Qingyun's matter?" Ye Liuyun asked directly.

"Who is Ye Qingyun?" Lu Wei retorted, his face full of astonishment.

"Ye Qingyun was a disciple of my Ye household who abused the Heavenly Luck Prince Mansion's name for personal gain; I dismissed him. He later entered the mansion, but only as a low‑rank errand boy." Ye Liuyun showed no fear, his domineering aura gradually rising.

Although Lu Wei gave him an unfathomable impression, his aura radiated that of a late‑stage True Essence Realm Martial Cultivator, he felt no terror even if the other were an enemy.

Lu Wei then understood why the Ye family behaved evasively—it was because of this.

Sensing the hostility on Ye Liuyun, he laughed heartily, "So that's the reason!"

He then explained to Ye Liuyun: "The Heavenly Luck Prince Mansion recruits talent every year to replenish fresh blood for the Golden Armor Guard. When newcomers arrive, they are assigned to a preparatory camp for training.

Only qualified elites are selected into the guard to hold key positions. Even we palace guards close to the Prince all come from the preparatory camp.

We provide every preparatory talent with absolutely fair cultivation conditions. Of course there is competition; it's essentially the same as the competition within your clan.

Some lack innate talent or fail to cultivate diligently, so they are naturally eliminated.

As for those who flaunt the mansion's banner to swindle, once we discover them they will be severely punished.

The Heavenly Luck Prince Mansion would never retaliate against such people; otherwise, how could the mansion stand and earn so much respect?"

Ye Liuyun, the Clan Chief, and the Elders exchanged puzzled looks, unsure whether his words were true.

Lu Wei also knew it would be hard to change their opinion at once, so he said, "As for truth or falsehood, you'll see once you get there.

This is the Token for entering the Golden Armor Guard preparatory camp; with it you can bypass the test and enter directly.

But if you fear competition and dare not go, then that's also fine!

Ye Liuyun nodded, took the Token, effectively accepting Lu Wei's offer. He felt this could be his chance to leave Fengyang City.

Lu Wei asked again, "Will you return with me, or go on your own?"

Ye Liuyun thought for a moment and replied, "I'll go alone; it'll be good practice on the road!" He still didn't fully trust Lu Wei.

Impossible! the Clan Chief interjected: "Chengzhu Fu has been watching you. They will definitely send people to assassinate you!"

That's perfect; I'll just treat it as a test for me!" Ye Liuyun said confidently.

Lü Wei also greatly appreciated this domineering aura, smiling and saying: "There's still one month; the Heavenly Fortune Royal Mansion in Heavenly Fortune Commandery City will hold an entrance examination. Then those selected will enter the preparatory camp together."

If you ride a horse, you should be able to reach the commandery city in about half a month. Although you don't need to take the examination, you should try not to be late and strive to join them in entering the camp.

All right!" Ye Liuyun nodded in agreement.