Chapter 63: Journey [Fourth Update]

Not to mention the ten elders, even the disciples standing around the clan hall were stunned, their mouths agape. The sudden advancement of the family head to the Xiantian realm, and not just one but two people, was all due to Ye Feng.

Seeing the ten elders with their fawning faces, Ye Feng secretly despised them, even feeling a surge of resentment. However, now that Ye Feng was at odds with the Yun family, he originally wanted to purge all these elders and replace them with new people. After much consideration, Ye Feng decided to use a delaying tactic, temporarily utilizing them. He would wait until his father cultivated a new batch of people, and then let these people retire peacefully.

"Ye Feng, well done. You are truly the blessing of our Ye family. The Tianling Academy's Inner Court assessment is coming up soon. With your current strength, there should be no problem. The future of the Ye family will depend on you." The second elder changed his tone, speaking to Ye Feng with a flattering voice.

"Second Elder, you flatter me. I am just a waste of the family, a burden. To receive encouragement from the Second Elder, I am deeply grateful!" Ye Feng said sarcastically.

The second elder's face turned red and then white. Remembering that the family head had already advanced to the Xiantian realm, he had no choice but to put aside his pride. As long as he could enhance his strength, what did face matter? He had already lost it once, so losing it again didn't matter.

"Not at all, all of this is due to the family head's excellent guidance. The family head saw your potential very early on. The best decision the family head made in recent years was to gather a large amount of resources to support your cultivation. Now, we all deeply regret not supporting you more back then." The fourth elder looked at Ye Feng with flattering eyes, almost praising the family head to the heavens.

More than ten people took turns speaking, all with flattering words. Ye Wu did not speak, but he watched everything, wanting to see how Ye Feng would handle these people.

Ye Wen, who had been lying on the ground, stood up. He had seen everything that had happened, and his heart was bleeding. Seeing the people who had supported him just moments ago now turn their backs on him, he was so angry that his face turned ashen.

"You... You promised me, you said you would impeach the family head, but now you've changed your mind." Ye Wen said through gritted teeth.

"Ye Wen, you still haven't repented. We were all momentarily confused, blinded by you. Fortunately, Ye Feng intervened in time, or who knows what would have happened to our Ye family." The more than ten people turned their accusations toward Ye Wen, saying they had been deceived by him. Ye Feng could only sneer.

"Spit!" Ye Wen's anger reached his heart. His eldest son was dead, his second son was crippled, and now all ten elders had turned against him, causing him to faint.

"Ye Feng, we know we were wrong. Can you help us enhance our strength..." The fifth elder rubbed his hands, longing for the Xiantian realm.

"Fifth Elder, what are you talking about? I don't understand. What did you do wrong? Weren't you all acting for the benefit of the Ye family?" Ye Feng pretended to be confused.

"Yes, yes, we were all for the Ye family. Didn't you say you could help us reach the Xiantian realm?" The fifth elder, knowing that Ye Feng was pretending to be confused, had no choice but to put aside his pride and clarify the matter.

"You mean that! I did say something like that, but I never said I would help you reach the Xiantian realm!" Ye Feng spread his hands, looking innocent. Ye Qiu, standing behind him, chuckled. Ye Feng was clearly playing with them, and they had to endure his ridicule.

"Ye Feng, we are all elders of the Ye family. If we all advance to the Xiantian realm, our Ye family will soon have a significant position in the Kaiyuan Kingdom, even comparable to the Tianling Academy. Wouldn't that make our Ye family shine, and wouldn't your father, as the family head, be proud?" The tenth elder said at this moment.

"That's true, but why should I trust you?" Ye Feng sneered, indeed having no reason to trust them.

"We swear, we will be loyal to the Ye family and the family head!" The fifth elder raised his hand and swore. For those on the brink of death, the temptation to extend their lives was irresistible.

"We'll see. I'll judge your future actions. If you satisfy me, I'll consider enhancing your realms!" Ye Feng didn't want to continue the argument, feeling it was a waste of time.

After saying this, Ye Feng left the clan hall, leaving the remaining matters to his father. He was sure his father would handle everything perfectly. Ye Feng's role was now complete.

The crowd automatically parted to make way for Ye Feng, watching him leave with reverent eyes. From that day on, Ye Feng's position in the Ye family was irreplaceable, almost becoming a legend. The ability to defeat a Xiantian realm expert in one move was something almost no one could imagine.

The Ye family entered a period of rapid development. Ye Wu led four elders to Luo City, thoroughly suppressing the Yun family. The Ye family's business began to expand into Luo City, and the Yun family had to lower their heads. After dealing with the Yun family, the Ye family's business grew even larger, and the ten elders became much more restrained, focusing on the family.

However, Ye Feng never appeared again. He only told them that perhaps one day, when their actions satisfied him, he would consider enhancing their realms. Ye Feng had given them a big pie, something they could see but not touch.

After all, Ye Feng was about to participate in the Inner Court assessment. Once he entered the Inner Court, his strength would reach the Xiantian realm, and with a few Xiantian pills, the problem should not be too difficult. Ye Feng had his reasons for saying this.

Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, Ye Feng had been back in the family for half a month. During this time, the Ye family underwent a tremendous transformation. The biggest change was that the disciples received more resources each month, and the family's cohesion became much stronger.

In a dimly lit room, Ye Wen's eyes were bloodshot. After the failed family coup, he had been placed under house arrest and could no longer appear in the Ye family's sight.

A grand farewell party was held in the Ye family's main hall to celebrate Ye Feng's return to the Tianling Academy and his participation in the year-end Inner Court assessment. If Ye Feng joined the Inner Court and secured a stable position, the Ye family's status would only rise.

The cold wind was biting, and this winter was particularly cold. The entire Kaiyuan Kingdom was covered in snow, welcoming the first snowfall. Wearing a fur-lined jacket made by his mother, Ye Feng set out into the cold wind.

The Hengduan Mountains were covered in snow. After more than twenty days, Ye Feng returned to his courtyard. The academy was still running smoothly, but the disciples were training even harder, as the Inner Court assessment was just a few days away.

Not everyone could participate in the Inner Court assessment each year. Only the top elite disciples had the qualification. Those at the eighth level of the Houtian realm had almost no chance, only those at the ninth level had a chance.

This time, about twenty people from the Tianling Academy were selected to go to the Inner Court, and Ye Feng was among them, chosen by the sect early on.

"Clang!"

Three days later, a melodious bell sounded throughout the Tianling Academy, signaling the day of assembly.

Ye Feng got up early, his blood boiling. Even in the cold winter, his enthusiasm could not be suppressed. Joining the Inner Court was the dream of a martial artist, the first step on the path of martial arts. Only in the Inner Court could he have a greater opportunity to develop.

The vast square was crowded with people. Many inner disciples came to watch. This time, the academy had carefully selected twenty people, who were the strongest among the elite disciples.

Seeing Ye Feng walk over, the Three Dragons and the Phoenix came to him.

"Junior Brother Ye, you're back!" Most people knew about Ye Feng's return to the family, and the three of them greeted him.

"Senior Brother, Senior Sister, it's good to see you!" Ye Feng was very polite. These people had no ill will toward him, and he showed friendliness. Plus, after the Tianxiang Valley trip, their relationship was good.

"I haven't had the chance to thank you yet, Junior Brother. You returned to the family before I could." Kou Chenlong actually bowed to Ye Feng, expressing his gratitude.

"Senior Brother, you're too kind. We are all fellow disciples, no need for such formalities!" Ye Feng was humble and polite.

Many people came over to greet Ye Feng. After all, his strength was the strongest among them, and respect should be given to the strong.

After about an incense stick's time, the Tianling Academy's higher-ups began to arrive, gathering on a high platform in the middle of the square. They looked at the disciples gathered around, waiting for the headmaster to arrive.

A few breaths later, the headmaster appeared, a powerful Xiantian aura spreading out, pressing down on the lower-level disciples so they couldn't even lift their heads. Ye Feng was less affected, as the Xiantian realm posed little threat to him.

"Once again, it's time for the annual Inner Court assessment. I see confidence on your faces. I hope you all join the Inner Court this time, which will be the pride of our academy." The more than twenty people were all radiant, full of confidence, clearly determined to succeed.

Ye Feng was the same, his face showing excitement. After all, he was still a young man, and the prospect of entering a broader world filled him with excitement.

"I don't want to dampen your enthusiasm, but this year's assessment is different from previous years. Many talented disciples have appeared in the outer courts, and some have even reached the Xiantian realm and are participating in this Inner Court assessment. The competition will be very intense, so you need to be mentally prepared."

A murmur of surprise spread through the crowd. They hadn't expected other outer courts to have Xiantian realm disciples, making the competition even more intense. After all, the Inner Court had limited spots, and how many they could get would depend on their strength.

Only Ye Feng's face didn't change. The more intense the competition, the more likely he would gain recognition from the Inner Court, and the greater his future development opportunities. If he sought only comfort and safety, he would not be able to advance far on the path of martial arts.

The headmaster gave many instructions, which everyone carefully noted. This time, four mentors would lead them to the Inner Court, including Mentor Li and three others, two men and one woman, to escort them.

Everything was ready. Under the leadership of the four mentors, the group of more than twenty people left the Tianling Academy, watched by thousands, embarking on a new journey.

---

End of Chapter 63: Journey [Fourth Update]