Boom!
A headless corpse crashed onto the arena, its broken body falling in pieces. Blood quickly spread across the entire platform.
Everyone stared at the lifeless corpse in silence. When their eyes shifted to Cao Youqian, they were filled with awe.
So this was the might of a genius from Wendao Academy?
Cao Youqian stepped forward. After confirming that Long Yan was truly dead, he bent down and picked up the storage ring.
At that moment, Ye Beixuan, watching from below, saw a thread of destiny's light fly out from Long Yan's body and merge into Cao Youqian.
Senior Brother Cao had just suppressed a chosen of fate.
Cao Youqian remained unaware. Holding the storage ring, he leapt down from the stage and walked over to Song Zhaoyi.
Song Zhaoyi lifted the tea she had prepared and smiled. "Brother Qian, the tea is ready."
Cao Youqian took the cup and sipped it. "Excellent tea. Really good."
Only then did the stunned spectators finally return to their senses. One by one, they erupted in cheers.
"Senior Brother Cao is mighty!"
"Senior Brother Cao is invincible!"
Even the elders in the viewing stands cast envious glances toward the Song Clan elder.
"Brother Song, your clan has really found itself a dragon for a son-in-law."
The Song elder laughed. "They're not officially engaged yet. Still early, haha..."
The other elders thought, you're laughing like that and still claiming nothing's set? You probably wish they'd get married tonight.
Why can't the girls in our clans bring back someone this powerful?
In the crowd, Cao Youqian finished the tea, then took his sword jade and left with Song Zhaoyi under countless admiring gazes.
Soon after, Song Zhaoyi arranged a private courtyard for both Cao Youqian and Ye Beixuan to stay in.
Cao Youqian turned to Ye Beixuan and said, "Junior Brother, Yunlan Sect is secure enough. You should focus on refining that spiritual medicine."
Ye Beixuan cupped his fists. "Thank you, Second Senior Brother. But aren't you curious what treasure I obtained?"
Cao Youqian shrugged. "Whatever treasure you got is your own fortune. Even Master doesn't ask what I've picked up—why should I ask you?"
Ye Beixuan was speechless.
Cao Youqian grinned. "Well, I won't disturb you. I'll take my leave."
"Take care, Senior Brother."
As he watched Cao Youqian walk away, Ye Beixuan's heart felt warm.
In his previous life, although he had grown stronger at Wendao Academy, he never experienced this kind of brotherhood—at least not before he made his name. But here in the Miscellaneous Dao Institute, he truly felt what it meant to have a senior brother.
This time, I will protect this bond.
With that, he closed the door, took out the Xuanhuang Fruit from his storage ring, and after swallowing it, sat cross-legged to begin refining the medicine.
Time passed slowly. As Ye Beixuan absorbed the power of the fruit, a wisp of primal energy began to form inside his body.
While he was in seclusion, Cao Youqian and Song Zhaoyi were examining the contents of Long Yan's storage ring.
Before long, Cao Youqian's attention was drawn to a jade slip. He poured his divine sense into it.
Inside was a hand-drawn map. A red marker was placed on it, labeled with the words Thunder Gathering Valley.
The jade slip also contained a brief description of the location.
Thunder Gathering Valley was a place of constant lightning storms. Every year on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month, a massive storm would descend, and after the heavenly lightning ceased, it was said that the legendary Thunder Spirit Fruit would appear.
Cao Youqian smiled faintly. "Didn't expect that Long Yan kid to leave me a little surprise."
Hearing this, Song Zhaoyi tilted her head curiously. "Brother Qian, what did you find in that guy's storage ring?"
Cao Youqian didn't hide it. "A map. A path leading to Thunder Gathering Valley."
Song Zhaoyi murmured, "I've heard of that place. It's supposed to be a secret realm. I think entering it requires more than just a map."
Cao Youqian chuckled. "Then let's keep looking."
He rummaged further through the ring, and before long, he found a token engraved with the word Thunder.
"Found it."
Song Zhaoyi's eyes lit up. "Brother Qian, you're amazing. When are we heading to Thunder Gathering Valley?"
Cao Youqian replied, "You're that eager to leave Yunlan Sect?"
Song Zhaoyi glanced around, then nodded. "There's nothing interesting in the sect. Every day it's just training under the elders' and my father's supervision. Going out is way more fun—especially when it's with you."
"Alright then. We'll depart in seven days."
Just as Cao Youqian finished speaking, the sound of footsteps approached from not far away.
Song Zhaoyi looked over and saw her maid, Xiao Huan, hurrying toward them. She called out, "What's the matter? Why so rushed?"
Xiao Huan bowed respectfully. "Miss, the master said he would like to host a banquet tonight to entertain both young masters. He asked you to bring them over."
Song Zhaoyi didn't respond immediately but looked toward Cao Youqian.
Cao Youqian smiled. "Go tell your master I'll definitely attend tonight's banquet."
"Yes, sir."
Xiao Huan gave a quick nod and turned to leave. In her heart, she mused, "This Young Master Cao doesn't seem nearly as arrogant as the rumors say."
That night, Cao Youqian accompanied Song Zhaoyi to attend the Song family banquet.
The attendees were all elders of the Song Clan. At first, Song Zhaoyi was a bit worried—worried her father or grandfather might give Brother Qian a hard time, or that he wouldn't be good at handling this kind of setting.
But she soon realized she had underestimated him. Brother Qian navigated the banquet as effortlessly as a fish in water, impressing both her father and grandfather.
The atmosphere was warm and harmonious. Everyone was tactful enough not to mention anything about the relationship between the two, and the banquet didn't end until late into the night.
…
In the blink of an eye, seven days had passed.
Inside the guest courtyard, Ye Beixuan slowly opened his eyes. He could feel a faint wisp of primal Xuanhuang energy circulating in his body, and a bright smile appeared on his face.
"With this Xuanhuang energy, I'll be able to refine the Chaos Origin energy much faster. That will lay the foundation for awakening a divine body."
He tidied up his clothes, then stepped outside. The moment he did, he saw his Second Senior Brother and Senior Sister Song chatting in the courtyard.
Cao Youqian turned instinctively when he heard footsteps, and smiled as he saw Ye Beixuan walk out in high spirits.
"Junior Brother Ye, looks like you've gained quite a bit."
"Just a little. It's nothing compared to you, Senior Brother," Ye Beixuan replied modestly.
"Now that you're out of seclusion," Cao Youqian said, "it's time we bid farewell to Yunlan Sect."
Ye Beixuan nodded. "Alright. May I ask where Senior Brother and Senior Sister Song are heading?"
"We're planning to head west. What about you?"
Ye Beixuan thought for a moment. "I'm planning to go northeast."
"Then we won't be taking the same road. Take care of yourself, Junior Brother," Cao Youqian said with a smile, patting him on the shoulder.
"You both take care too," Ye Beixuan replied.
After a few more polite exchanges, they went to say their goodbyes to the Yunlan Sect's sect master and elders.
Once Ye Beixuan left Yunlan Sect, he changed into a more discreet outfit and began making his way northeast.
"Nine-Leaf Purple Lotus, here I come..."
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