That fleeting hesitation was cut away in an instant, leaving behind an even firmer resolve.
Su Qingyan bowed again, this time even lower.
“Master, how could such slaughter stain your hands? The Ye Family… allow Qingyan to handle it for you. I guarantee not even chickens or dogs will be left alive. Your reputation will remain untarnished.”
As her words fell, she slowly straightened, and the overwhelming aura belonging to Fairy Linyue, the Sect Master of the Azure Immortal Sect, burst forth without restraint.
Chu Li, standing behind, felt her heart pound violently.
She had thought Lu Qingxuan was already terrifying enough, but she hadn’t expected that this usually cold and ethereal Sect Master, once her killing intent was stirred, would reveal such a side.
This master and disciple… they were monsters cast from the same mold.
Lu Qingxuan looked at the disciple he had raised with his own hands. Feeling the pure and chilling killing intent radiating from her, a trace of satisfaction appeared in his eyes.
He raised his hand again and gently placed it on Su Qingyan’s head, softly patting her.
“Qingyan’s loyalty, I accept.”
The gentle touch descended from above, carrying a warmth that calmed her completely.
Master… touched her head again.
Such a simple gesture, yet it brought her more satisfaction and joy than any heavenly treasure or Immortal-grade elixir ever could.
Lu Qingxuan did not keep his hand there long. He withdrew it and stood with his hands behind his back, his voice calm as ever.
“However, revenge is something that must be carried out personally. Only then can the mind be at ease, with no lingering attachments.”
“Let’s go.”
Su Qingyan immediately responded, her voice carrying a faint trace of excitement, “Yes, Master. Qingyan will attend by your side at all times.”
Lu Qingxuan said nothing more. He merely stepped forward casually.
In the next instant, both of them vanished from where they stood.
…
The Ye Family estate was located at the center of Tianfeng City.
At this moment, it was brilliantly lit, as bright as daytime.
On either side of the vermilion gates, hundreds of gilded lanterns painted with auspicious clouds and mythical beasts hung high, casting a festive glow over the entire residence.
Inside, the sound of silk and bamboo instruments lingered endlessly. Laughter and cheerful chatter drifted across pavilions and corridors, echoing far into the night.
Tonight was New Year’s Eve.
As a top-tier cultivation family within Tianfeng City and across the surrounding region, the Ye Family had members spread throughout Lizhou. This chapter was taken from novelping . com without permission.
Some trained in dangerous lands, while others cultivated within great sects.
Yet no matter where they were, as long as they still lived, they would return on New Year’s Eve to reunite with their family and celebrate together.
Inside the Main Hall, a grand banquet of over a hundred tables was laid out. Fine wines, spiritual fruits, and exquisite dishes filled the space in dazzling abundance.
The Patriarch of the Ye Family, Ye Lingtian, sat at the head seat.
He wore a purple robe embroidered with golden cloud patterns. His complexion was ruddy, his presence commanding even without anger.
At this moment, he was receiving New Year greetings from the younger generation with a smile on his face.
“Grandson Ye Cheng wishes Grandfather longevity equal to the heavens. This is a ‘Hundred-Year Ice Lotus’ I was fortunate enough to find in the Northern ice plains. It nourishes the Primordial Spirit.”
A handsome young man with sword-like brows respectfully presented a jade box.
Ye Lingtian nodded with a smile, “Good, good. Thoughtful of you. After three years of tempering yourself in the Northern Region, your cultivation realm has improved, and your foundation is solid. Not bad.”
A delicate young girl stepped forward, holding a wine pot with bright, eager eyes, “This granddaughter Ye Yun wishes Grandfather eternal prosperity on the path of immortality. This is a Hundred-Flower Spirit Wine I brewed myself. Please have a taste.”
“Haha, our Yun’er is always the most considerate.”
Ye Lingtian took the wine pot and took a sip, praising it repeatedly, “Mm, rich in spiritual energy, smooth in taste. It’s even better than last year.”
The atmosphere in the hall was lively and harmonious.
Every member of the Ye Family wore a genuine smile, proud of their family’s strength and joyful for this reunion night.
At that moment, a series of steady, forceful footsteps echoed from outside the hall, accompanied by the clashing sound of armor.
Everyone turned to look.
A group of more than ten people strode in with imposing presence.
At the front was a broad-shouldered young man with a resolute face. His short hair stood upright like steel needles.
He wore heavy black iron armor, stained with dried blood and marked by countless blade scars. A fierce, iron-blooded aura emanated from him, instantly silencing the lively atmosphere in the hall.
“It’s Mingtian! Big Brother Mingtian is back!”
“Big Brother!”
Recognizing the newcomer, the hall erupted in delighted exclamations.
Especially among the younger generation, their gazes were filled with admiration.
This man was Ye Lingtian’s eldest son, Ye Fan’s older brother, the leader of the Iron-Blood Mercenary Group—Ye Mingtian.
Ye Mingtian spent his years leading his mercenaries through life-and-death battles in the perilous Soul-Breaking Mountain Range of Lizhou, earning a formidable reputation.
At a young age, he had already reached the 9th stage Foundation Establishment Realm, becoming the banner of the Ye Family’s younger generation.
“Father.” This story is hosted at g.com.
Ye Mingtian stepped forward, knelt on one knee, and performed a military salute, his voice loud and resonant, “Your son Ye Mingtian returns with the brothers of the Iron-Blood Mercenary Group to celebrate the New Year.”
“Good! It’s good that you’ve returned! Get up quickly.”
Ye Lingtian personally stepped forward to help his eldest son up, patting his solid shoulder heavily, his eyes filled with pride and relief.
“It must have been hard for you in the Soul-Breaking Mountains.”
Ye Mingtian grinned, revealing a row of white teeth, his fierce aura easing slightly, “Fighting for the family is no hardship.”
His gaze swept across the hall, but he did not find the person he was looking for. He frowned slightly and asked, “Father, where is Xiao Fan?”
At the mention of his younger son, Ye Lingtian’s smile faded a little, though he still replied, “He is still cultivating in the back mountain. You can go see him later.”
Ye Mingtian was no ordinary man. He immediately sensed something was off.
Frowning, he lowered his voice and asked, “On my way back, I heard some rumors… that girl from the Chu Family has broken off her engagement with Xiao Fan?”
His voice was not loud, but everyone present were cultivators and heard it clearly.
The festive atmosphere in the hall instantly cooled.
Ye Lingtian’s expression darkened.
Seeing his father’s tacit acknowledgment, Ye Mingtian flew into a rage. He slammed his fist into a nearby ironwood pillar, leaving a shallow fist imprint.
“Outrageous!” he roared, “What does the Chu Family think they are? Just a second-rate family! Back then, if their old man hadn’t shamelessly come begging, crying to form a marriage alliance with our Ye Family, would we have ever agreed to this engagement? Now that Xiao Fan’s cultivation realm has encountered problems, they dare come to break it off? This is too much!”
“After the New Year, I’ll personally lead the Iron-Blood Mercenary Group to flatten the Chu Family. Let them know that the Ye Family is not someone they can humiliate!”
His words were filled with killing intent, igniting the blood of everyone present.
“Big Brother is right! Destroy the Chu Family!”
“Let them see the might of our Ye Family!”
“Enough!”
A deep shout cut through the clamor.
Ye Lingtian’s face was ashen as he stared at his eldest son, “What do you know? Say no more!”
Ye Mingtian froze, unwilling to accept it, “Father, are we just going to let this go? The humiliation Xiao Fan suffered—”
“Let it go?” Ye Lingtian let out a bitter laugh, a trace of helplessness in his voice, “Do you think I want to? Do you know why that Chu Li dares act so arrogantly?”
“She has latched onto the Azure Immortal Sect!”