"Shuang’er, what are you thinking about?"

Seeing Ye Wushuang’s gaze fixed on the ninth floor of the Void Saber Tower, Ye Xuan’s expression changed instantly. He warned, "When you enter the Void Saber Tower later, you must not touch the ninth floor."

"Why?"

Hearing this, a trace of curiosity rose in Ye Wushuang. He had never seen his father look so grave!

"Shuang’er, you don’t know," Ye Xuan said with a solemn expression. "The ninth floor is mysterious and unknown, filled with a terrifying killing intent. When I was young, I entered the Void Saber Tower and personally witnessed a super-genius at the Qi Vortex Ninth Layer get sliced in half." He had seen the horror of the ninth floor with his own eyes, and the memory still made him shudder.

’A super-genius sliced in half?’ Ye Wushuang was startled. A super-genius was on the same level as Jian Bufan, possessing extraordinary strength, yet even they were sliced in half. It was clear just how dangerous it was.

Ye Wushuang didn’t dare to be careless. If he encountered such a crisis, it would surely be fatal.

"Father, don’t worry. I won’t do anything foolish!" Ye Wushuang promised, seeing Ye Xuan’s nervous expression.

"Also, do your best to protect yourself. I have a feeling Ouyang Badao is plotting something. You need to be on your guard," Ye Xuan reminded him again.

’Father thinks so too!’

Ye Wushuang was surprised. It wasn’t just his father, Ye Xuan, who had this feeling—he did as well. He kept feeling that there was a hidden meaning in Ouyang Badao’s earlier words, as if he were hiding some ulterior motive.

Ye Rou, who was standing to the side, also said, "Father, with me providing support, Xiaoshuang and I will definitely seize the City Lord Token."

After cultivating with the Earth-Fire Spirit Milk, her Cultivation had also increased tremendously, allowing her to break through to the Qi Vortex Eighth Layer in one go. If she used the Grand Emperor’s Bow of Destruction, she wouldn’t even fear a True Essence Realm First Layer opponent.

"I’ll help you too!"

Just as Ye Rou’s voice fell, another young man walked over.

It was Ye Dong!

’Ye Dong!’ A flash of surprise flickered across Ye Cheng’s cold face.

Walking up to Ye Xuan, Ye Dong bowed and said, "Patriarch, I implore you to give me a chance to participate in the competition and contribute to the family."

"Patriarch, please give my son a chance." Behind Ye Dong was another man, who also clasped his hands and bowed to Ye Xuan.

He was the Elder who had carried Ye Dong away at the clan meeting—the Ye Family’s Fifth Elder, and also Ye Dong’s father.

At these words, Ye Xuan looked at Ye Dong.

Seeing this, Ye Dong immediately explained, "Patriarch, please rest assured. My meridians have fully recovered, and I’ve broken through to the Qi Vortex Seventh Layer. I can definitely help Brother Wushuang." 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶

"What!" Hearing this, Ye Ba and the others looked over in shock. ’Ye Dong’s meridians were injured, yet he recovered within half a month and even broke through to the Qi Vortex Seventh Layer? Is this a joke?’

At this moment, even the Elders sitting silently in the back suddenly raised their heads, scrutinizing Ye Dong and the Fifth Elder.

Hmph!

Seeing everyone’s astonished expressions, the Fifth Elder snorted inwardly. The ugly faces these Elders had made when his son was in trouble were seared into his mind.

In the end, it was Ye Wushuang who had set aside their past grievances, given his son a peerless treasure, and helped heal his injuries. Otherwise, his son would have suffered for the rest of his life.

Thinking of this, the Fifth Elder looked at Ye Wushuang with immense gratitude and said, "Xiaoshuang, rest assured, I will make sure Xiaodong does everything in his power to help you win the City Lord Token."

Seeing the Fifth Elder’s attitude toward Ye Wushuang, everyone was stunned!

They knew that the Fifth Elder had been the one who looked down on Ye Wushuang the most back then. Now, his complete one-eighty in attitude left them bewildered and amazed!

"Alright. Since Ye Dong has broken through to the Qi Vortex Seventh Layer, I’ll make an exception today and let you participate in the competition." Ye Xuan sensed the sincere attitude of the Fifth Elder and his son, and agreed.

Ye Ba, Ye Mu, and the others also took the opportunity to curry favor with Ye Cheng, saying, "Brother Cheng, don’t worry. We’ll also do our utmost to block the people from the Ouyang and Luo Families to buy you time."

Ye Cheng nodded, his gaze shifting as he pondered something. Suddenly, he stepped forward and said, "Ye Wushuang, how about we make a bet on this competition?"

"Not interested," Ye Wushuang said indifferently.

"You don’t dare?" Ye Cheng sneered.

"Are you trying to goad me?" Ye Wushuang turned his head and scoffed.

"Do you dare or not?" Ye Cheng asked.

"I’m just afraid you can’t afford the stakes," Ye Wushuang said.

"Then I’ll take that as a yes."

A glint in his eye, Ye Cheng seized the opportunity. "We’ll use this competition as our wager. We’ll bet on who can obtain the City Lord Token and stay in the Ye Family. Whoever fails to get it must leave the Ye Family forever and never return."

"And what if neither of us gets it?" Ye Wushuang asked.

"Impossible. The City Lord Token must fall into the hands of someone from our Ye Family," Ye Cheng said with utter confidence.

"Since you’re so confident, let’s raise the stakes. If I get it, you—and your father—will leave the Ye Family." Ye Wushuang’s mind raced, and he looked toward Ye Xiong.

Ye Xiong’s face darkened, and a murderous glint flashed in his eyes. Before Ye Cheng could even speak, he stepped forward and said, "Since you want to bet, then I’ll bet with you. If my son obtains the City Lord Token, then you and your father will hand over the Patriarch’s Order, relinquish the position of Patriarch, and leave the Ye Family."

"This..."

Everyone’s heart trembled. ’The stakes... aren’t they too high?’

"Father, what do you think?" Ye Wushuang looked at Ye Xuan.

Ye Xuan hesitated for a moment before finally nodding. ’Perhaps this is the best way to resolve the conflict between us brothers.’

...

「The Ouyang Family’s Camp」

Ouyang Badao sat in the central Patriarch’s seat, his gaze sweeping over the Luo and Ye Families. He gave a cold smile and said to Ouyang Hao and the others beside him, "Once you enter the Void Saber Tower, don’t worry about the City Lord Token at first. Your priority is to make sure they all stay inside... permanently. Understand?"

"Father, you mean to...?" Ouyang Hao looked at Ouyang Badao, his face slightly alarmed.

"Blood Jade City can only have one City Lord, and only one ruling family—the Ouyang Family. Do you understand?"

Ouyang Badao sneered, a murderous glint in his eyes. First, he would eliminate the younger generation of the other two families, cutting them off at the root.

...

「The Luo Family’s Camp」

Luo Xun was also making arrangements, saying, "Later, when you enter the Void Saber Tower, Yunn Feng will keep Ouyang Hao busy. Luo Tong will be responsible for seizing the City Lord Token. All of you are to cooperate with him, understand?"

"Patriarch, I believe the one we must guard against most is Ye Wushuang. He is the greatest rival for the City Lord Token. We absolutely cannot be careless," a young man with fiery red hair immediately advised.

This person was none other than Luo Xuan.

"Hmph, a good-for-nothing. What’s so great about him? Leave him to me. I’ll take care of him quickly and then go for the Token," Luo Tong said with disdain.

He was the Luo Family’s hidden trump card. Outsiders only knew that the Luo Family’s public genius at the Qi Vortex Ninth Layer was Luo Yunfeng; they didn’t know that he, Luo Tong, was one as well.

"But..."

"Enough!" Seeing that Luo Xuan was about to say more, Luo Xun waved his hand dismissively and interrupted, "Just proceed according to the plan we just discussed!"

Hearing this, Luo Xuan prepared to explain Ye Wushuang’s true strength, but he was pulled back by Luo Yunjiao.

As each faction finished their arrangements and schemes, a bell toll that shook the Nine Heavens suddenly rang out.

RUMBLE!

The great doors of the Void Saber Tower slowly swung open, like an Ancient Giant Beast opening its cavernous, bloody maw, releasing a desolate and ancient aura!