Chapter 39: The Ye Family of Lin'an City

"Master... a crisis has occurred in my family, and I must return home immediately!" Ye Chen said, his voice laced with urgency.

He had been in the middle of his cultivation session when a message arrived from home. He had ceased his practice instantly and rushed over to find his master.

"A crisis at home?" Li Tianyuan frowned slightly and asked, "Tell me, what has happened that makes you so anxious?"

Ye Chen caught his breath before explaining. He hailed from the Ye family, a clan of cultivators in Lin'an City. With a history spanning hundreds of years, the Ye family had long been one of the city's two great powers, equal in strength to the Song family. However, the two families had been locked in a bitter, unyielding rivalry for ages.

Back when Ye Chen’s parents were alive, his status as an outer disciple of the Lingxiao Sacred Land was enough to keep the Song family in check. But three years ago, his parents met an untimely death during a treasure hunt, shattering the delicate balance between the families. To make matters worse, the eldest son of the Song family, possessing exceptional talent, had recently been accepted as a personal disciple by the Sect Master of the Demon Sword Sect. With the backing of such a powerful sect, the Song family’s influence had surged, and they were now intent on annexing the Ye family.

The Demon Sword Sect itself had a history with the Ye family. The death of Ye Chen’s parents was linked to them, and the treasure they had recovered from an ancient ruin had ultimately fallen into the sect's hands.

"The Demon Sword Sect, you say..." Li Tianyuan raised an eyebrow. He had heard of this sect. While it wasn't a top-tier power within Li Province, it was an absolute hegemon in the region surrounding Lin'an City. With the Demon Sword Sect's support, it would indeed be effortless for the Song family to crush the Ye clan. No wonder Ye Chen was so distraught.

"So, you intend to return to help the Ye family fight the Song family?" Li Tianyuan asked, understanding his disciple's intent.

"Yes, Master! As a member of the Ye family, I cannot stand by and watch my clan be destroyed!" Ye Chen nodded. "I humbly ask for your permission to return home. Once I have settled the family affairs, I will return to continue my cultivation."

"It is noble of you to feel this way, but with your current strength, I fear you will be unable to change the outcome."

"I know I am not strong enough, but I must go! Even if I can only contribute a little, it is better than doing nothing."

"Very well. Since your mind is made up, I will not stand in your way." Li Tianyuan nodded. After a moment of contemplation, he added, "However, the Song family has the backing of the Demon Sword Sect and deep foundations. Returning alone will surely be fraught with danger."

"I shall accompany you on this trip."

Since the Demon Sword Sect had chosen to intervene, letting Ye Chen return alone would likely lead to disaster. After weighing the options, Li Tianyuan decided that accompanying him was the safest course of action. Even though leaving the sect might expose him to potential retaliation from the Jiang family, he could not allow any harm to come to his precious disciple. Furthermore, his "Heavenly Creation Physique" allowed him to conceal his cultivation and mask his presence from heaven's gaze. With the significant increase in his strength over the recent period, he was confident that even if the Jiang family came looking for trouble, he had the power to protect himself.

"Thank you, Master!" Ye Chen was stunned; he hadn't expected his master to be willing to accompany him. A look of joy immediately washed over his face. He had been worried that his status as a Lingxiao Sacred Land disciple wouldn't be enough to intimidate the Song family, but now, that fear was gone. With his master by his side, what did it matter if the Song family had the Demon Sword Sect as a backer?

Li Tianyuan chuckled, "Disciple, why stand on ceremony with me? Let’s go, we’ll inform your senior sister and then depart!"

"Yes!" Ye Chen nodded repeatedly, turning to follow Li Tianyuan out of the grand hall toward Jiang Yueli's residence.

After briefly explaining the situation to Jiang Yueli, Li Tianyuan instructed her, "While I am away, you must stay here on Lingyun Peak and cultivate diligently. Also, if you grow tired during your practice, feel free to pick some leaves from the tea tree in the courtyard to drink."

"Yes, Master, I understand. I will stay obediently on Lingyun Peak and wait for your return," Jiang Yueli replied sweetly.

Li Tianyuan nodded, then motioned for Ye Chen to follow. They stepped onto their swords, soared into the sky, left Lingyun Sword Peak, and flew toward Lin'an City.

...

Meanwhile, thousands of miles away in Lin'an City, the Song residence was filled with guests and bustling with activity.

"Haha, Brother Song, this is truly a joyous occasion!"

"Indeed! Having your son accepted into the Demon Sword Sect is a monumental honor. He is destined for greatness!"

Many guests raised their glasses, their faces beaming with feigned sincerity. The reason was simple: the Demon Sword Sect was powerful, the premier cultivation sect near Lin'an City. Now that the Song family had such a powerful patron, they could not pass up the chance to curry favor.

Song Xuanyuan stood beside his father, Song Tianhao, standing tall like a pine tree with an air of distinction. Every gesture he made exuded the aura of a young hero, like a rising star. Watching the various factions of Lin'an City fawn over him, he felt immense satisfaction.

"Everyone, joining forces with the Song family is the wisest choice you could make. I guarantee that once I have leveled the Ye family, we shall share in the wealth and prosperity of Lin'an City!"

"Rest assured, Young Master Song, we shall follow your lead and wipe the Ye family off the map!" the crowd echoed in unison, their words firm and resolute.

"Haha, in that case, I toast to you all. May our cooperation be fruitful!" Song Xuanyuan raised his glass and downed it in one go.

"Cheers!" the crowd responded, raising their own cups.

After exchanging some pleasantries, Song Xuanyuan whispered something to his father and turned to enter a side hall. Inside sat a middle-aged man with a robust, muscular frame that looked like coiled dragons, exuding an explosive and terrifying power. One look was enough to tell he was a formidable cultivator.

"Elder Wu!" Song Xuanyuan called out softly as he entered, then stepped behind the man.

"Xuanyuan, has everything been arranged?" Elder Wu's voice was low and calm, yet it carried an unquestionable authority.

"You may rest assured, Elder. Everything is prepared," Song Xuanyuan said, bowing slightly, his face full of confidence. "All the major factions in Lin'an City have pledged their allegiance to us. I have ordered them to station men at every major thoroughfare to ensure that not a single member of the Ye family escapes tomorrow."

Elder Wu nodded in satisfaction, a glimmer of approval in his eyes. "Excellent! Once we secure that treasure from the Ye family, the Sect Master will surely reward you handsomely."

"I will not fail, Elder. I shall complete this task and live up to my master's expectations," Song Xuanyuan said, a sharp, cold glint appearing in his eyes. "However, the Ye family seems to have two experts at the Golden Core stage. I fear I may need to trouble Elder Wu to step in and finish them off in one fell swoop."

Elder Wu waved his hand lightly, a look of disdainful mockery appearing on his face. "Do not worry. Mere Golden Core cultivators? To me, they are nothing more than ants that can be crushed with a flick of a finger."

His words were filled with contempt for those at the Golden Core stage, as if he were a supreme being looking down upon them.