Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The next morning, strong cultivators gathered outside the Holy Zhi Palace like clouds. Big figures from all over the Barren State came over. Strong cultivators of the pavilions lined the sides of the stairs too.
At the foot of the Holy Zhi Palace, there were even more people. Today was the day of the final battle. The talents of the nine Holy Roads would fight below the Holy Zhi Palace and fight to the end.
Who would be the most brilliant figure this year?
Countless people were discussing it. Many of the names were already familiar, but everyone was thinking whether the winner would be an underdog, just like last time.
Ye Futian had swept all his opponents as an underdog last time. He’d embarrassed Bai Ze, second young lord of the White Cloud City, and defeated Huang Jiuge in the final battle. Under everyone’s shock, he’d taken first place and entered the Holy Zhi Palace, becoming Sage Douzhan’s personal disciple.
This year was a new round. They wondered what cultivation plane Ye Futian, who had entered the pavilion three years ago, would be at now. He’d been at Grade-9 then. Would he be a mid-level Noble now?
In the crowd, Chen Yuan, chief of the Divine Sky City’s Starry School, arrived as well. He’d come to see how Ye Futian’s cultivation these three years had been and also see if Starry School disciples could enter the Holy Zhi Palace once again.
Long Mu and Gu Yunxi’s group joined this trial, journeying down the Holy Road. Three years ago, they’d followed Ye Futian. Now, they were Grade Seven Nobles and could hold their own. They traveled down the Holy Road to here.
“Long Mu, Yunxi, how confident are you?” Chen Yuan asked the ones beside him. Long Mu was the descendant of his disciple Long Yitian. Chen Yuan had high hopes in him. It was just that Ye Futian had appeared and outshone the other disciples.
Long Mu seemed to have been affected by the Holy Road last time. He worked harder on his cultivation and had improved greatly.
“I will try my best,” Long Mu answered. He gazed at the vast battlefield. Three years ago, he’d watched Ye Futian get first place. He knew he couldn’t do it, but he’d worked hard to see Ye Futian’s back.
“Grandpa Chen, why don’t you ask about me?” a bright voice asked.
Chen Yuan looked over and saw a pretty girl beside Long Mu. Affection filled his eyes. “You want to join the fun with your cultivation plane?”
“Mother, Grandpa Chen is being mean,” the girl complained to the woman beside her.
“Is Grandpa Chen wrong?” Madame Long said, smiling. The 18-year-old girl was Long Ling’er. She’d grown up and was beautiful while still being filled with youth.
“You all bully me. Brother Futian is the best for me.” Long Ling’er thought of Ye Futian and smiled brightly. “Mother, do you think Brother Futian can recognize me?”
“Maybe not.” Madame Long found it funny.
“How is that possible?” Long Ling’er made a face at Madame Long. “I don’t believe it. I might have gotten prettier, but I’m still easy to recognize.”
“Ah, yes.” Madame Long shook her head and smiled helplessly. This girl was a lot to deal with. But she was very relieved that this girl could exit the Holy Road peacefully. Long Ling’er was also in the upper Arcana Plane, but Long Mu had experienced how dangerous the Holy Road was. Last time, Ye Futian had been there, but this time, Long Mu and Gu Yunxi had taken good care of Long Ling’er. Thankfully, nothing had happened. Otherwise, she would regret letting this girl go on the Holy Road.
Zhuge Mingyue had already arrived on the steps. She was standing in the same spot as before.
This year, the Zhuge Family still had people in the trial that was still extraordinarily talented. Of course, that wasn’t why she was here. She’d come to the Holy Zhi Palace to get some air and see Ye Futian and Hua Jieyu. After all, they’d already cultivated in the pavilion for three years.
“Senior Sister, what plane do you think Junior is in now?” Beitang Xing’er asked Zhuge Mingyue.
“We can ask them after he comes.” Zhuge Mingyue smiled.
“Second Senior Sister,” a voice called from afar. Zhuge Mingyue looked up towards the Holy Zhi Palace and saw a group flying over. It was Ye Futian’s group. Ye Futian and Hua Jieyu came hand in hand. Yi Xiaoshi, Yu Sheng, and Loulan Xue were behind them. Ye Futian soon arrived and Hua Jieyu smiled as she called, “Senior Sister.”
“Seems like you’re living well in the pavilion.” Zhuge Mingyue smiled at them. Ye Futian and Hua Jieyu looked great and happy.
“I’m okay. I just miss Second Senior Sister a lot,” Ye Futian said emotionally.
“Stop acting. Do you still remember me when Jieyu’s here?” Zhuge Mingyue gave a half-smile. “It’s been three years and you never came to see me.”
“Senior Sister, I was busy cultivating so I can protect you sooner,” Ye Futian said with a timid smile.
“Then what cultivation plane are you now? Can you protect me now?” Zhuge Mingyue asked.
“Pinnacle of the Grade-4 Noble Plane. It won’t be long before I reach the upper-level Noble Plane,” Ye Futian said.
“Not bad,” Zhuge Mingyue said, smiling. Then she looked at Hua Jieyu. “What about Jieyu?”
“Senior Sister, I’m on the same plane as him,” she said.
“Xiaoshi, why are you hiding? You don’t know me anymore?” Zhuge Mingyue asked Yi Xiaoshi who was in the back. “What plane are you on?”
“Senior Sister, I was waiting for Junior to finish reporting. I’m Grade Three,” Yi Xiaoshi said.
“Junior is catching up. How are you cultivating in the pavilion?” Zhuge Mingyue grinned at him.
“It’s the problem of talent, you know? I work really hard in the pavilion. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Junior.” Yi Xiaoshi glanced at Ye Futian and fluttered his lashes.
“Yes. Seventh Senior Brother works really hard,” Ye Futian said, nodding. Yi Xiaoshi let out a relieved breath.
Zhuge Mingyue looked at them with a half-smile, making the fatty’s heart pound in fear. His senior sister’s gaze seemed to suspect that he’d been slacking off.
“Senior Sister, is there news about Third Senior Brother?” Ye Futian asked.
“Dead.” Zhuge Mingyue’s smile disappeared. Ye Futian blinked and saw Beitang Xing’er shake his head.
Ye Futian felt awkward and resentful. Had Third Senior Brother really disappeared for three or four years? Or if he hadn’t contacted Second Senior Sister ever since he left the Eastern Barren Territory, how many years had it been? How could Zhuge Mingyue not be resentful then?
“Third Senior Brother must be cultivating crazily so he can go to the Zhuge Family with honor. Maybe it’s really dangerous outside,” Ye Futian said weakly while studying Zhuge Mingyue’s expression timidly.
As expected, Zhuge Mingyue’s expression softened a bit, but she said softly, “Don’t mind him. Cultivate well and don’t be like Xue Ye and Luo Fan.”
“What happened to Fourth and Fifth Senior Brother?” Ye Futian asked.
“Don’t mention them,” Zhuge Mingyue said. Ye Futian became much more confused. What had happened to them?
“Futian,” a voice said below them. Ye Futian looked down and saw Chen Yuan’s group.
“Senior Sister, I’ll go see Chief Chen now. Jieyu can stay with you,” Ye Futian said. Zhuge Mingyue nodded and Ye Futian walked out. Loulan Xue also followed. She saw an extremely familiar figure behind Chen Yuan.
“Chief Chen, Madame,” Ye Futian called while walking over. “Yunxi, you’re also here for the trial?”
“Yes.” Gu Yunxi nodded and smiled brilliantly at Ye Futian. “Long time no see.”
“Long time no see,” Ye Futian said. Then he looked to the pretty figure on the side. He studied her and asked, “Who is this?”
“You can’t recognize me?” Long Ling’er fluttered her lashes. Her clear eyes seemed a bit nervous.
“Psh!” Ye Futian knocked against Long Ling’er’s head. “Little girl, you’ve grown up and gotten prettier.”
“Ah…you tricked me.” Long Ling’er jumped up and rushed into Ye Futian’s arms. “Brother Futian, did you miss me?”
“Hey, you’re an adult now. Aren’t you embarrassed?” Ye Futian stared speechlessly at Long Ling’er. The girl was 18 years old now. She was a slim and graceful girl.
“Ling’er, you still make trouble even after growing up,” Madame Long said, glaring at Long Ling’er.
“This is my brother. It’s okay,” Long Ling’er said, upset. “Right, Brother Futian?”
“Seems right.” Ye Futian shook his head with a dry smile. Long Ling’er had been a little demoness when she was little. Now, she was even scarier.
“Futian, someone came to the Starry School asking for you, so I brought her with.” Chen Yuan looked to the figure behind him. She was another beautiful woman with an extraordinary temperament. Loulan Xue had already walked before her.
This woman was the empress of Loulan.
“Empress,” Ye Futian called, walking up.
“Ye Futian, come with me. I have something to say,” the empress said before turning to leave. Ye Futian followed with Loulan Xue behind him.
The empress led them away from the crowd. Then she turned and stared coldly at Ye Futian.
“Empress, why are you looking at me like that?” Ye Futian asked.
“How is my daughter not good enough for you?”
“Empress, what do you mean?” Ye Futian asked.
“You have a girlfriend, but when I sent Loulan Xue to Book Mountain, I’d already said that you can even take her in as a mistress. Now, she’s been by your side for so many years. How come she’s still only on the side? Have you really ordered her around like a maid? Why are you humiliating her like this?” the empress asked coldly.
She was the empress of Loulan and Loulan Xue had the high status of a princess. She could give Loulan Xue as a mistress, but Ye Futian still didn’t think she was enough. This was definitely humiliation.
Ye Futian looked at the empress, confused and speechless. What kind of mother was this?
Thinking of this, he became more upset. “You forced Loulan Xue into Book Mountain back then. But I’m the one who mistreated her?”
Hearing this, the empress became even more furious. Coldness radiated from her and enveloped Ye Futian.
“Don’t get angry. If we really want to fight, you’re not my match anymore,” Ye Futian said coldly. Everyone had a temper.
“You!” the empress roared. A cold storm arrived instantly. A frightening cold spear shot towards Ye Futian.
Ye Futian stood there quietly, allowing the icy spear to pierce him without moving. Now, his physical body was very strong. Even if the empress was a Grade Two Noble, he wasn’t afraid. However, Ancient Loulan’s Nobles were much weaker than the Holy Zhi Palace’s Nobles, even if she was the Empress.
“If you keep attacking, I won’t be polite anymore,” Ye Futian said coolly. The Empress shook in anger, her chest rising and falling.
This bastard, she thought.
“Loulan Xue, come back,” the Empress said in anger. “Don’t serve him anymore.”
Looking at her mother, Loulan Xue shook her head.
“What do you mean?” The Empress stared at her. “He’s humiliating you like this and you’ll still follow him? You’re the princess of Loulan. He’s really treating you like a servant and you throw yourself onto him?”
“Mother, I’m doing this willingly. It has nothing to do with him,” Loulan Xue said softly.
The Empress looked at her, speechless from anger. Then she said coldly, “Then I won’t have a failure like you as a daughter.” With that, she really turned to leave. Loulan Xue ran over, but the Empress waved her hand. “Don’t run after me. Just follow him.”
Loulan Xue stopped. She stood in her spot, eyes a bit wet.
The Empress’ body flashed and quickly disappeared. Her eyes were also damp. She’d asked for Ye Futian’s news in Book Mountain and learned about the Divine Sky City’s Starry School, so she went there. Then she came all the way to the Holy Zhi Palace and learned about Ye Futian’s achievements over the years.
She didn’t bear to do this to her daughter, but she was clear about Ye Futian. He would only go further and higher. In this case, she would just let her daughter go. She could only help Loulan Xue to this point and she hoped the girl would understand her intentions!
