Chapter 85: Chapter 85: Returning to the Old Place

「The next day.」

The first rays of dawn had just appeared on the horizon when Ye Wushuang appeared outside his cave residence. He stretched lazily, and just as he was about to turn, he suddenly saw a beautiful figure walking toward him from about a dozen meters away.

"Sister!" Ye Wushuang smiled faintly. The person who had arrived was none other than Ye Rou, dressed in a blue dress!

"Xiaoshuang!" Ye Rou also called out softly, quickening her pace.

"Sister, what are you doing here?" Ye Wushuang asked, puzzled.

Hearing this, Ye Rou’s pretty face showed a hint of mock annoyance as she said, "And why can’t your sister come here?"

Uh!

Seeing Ye Rou’s expression, Ye Wushuang knew he had said the wrong thing. He immediately gave a sheepish laugh to cover his awkwardness.

Seeing this, Ye Rou pursed her lips into a smile before saying, "The clan assembly is approaching. Ye Cheng and the others already went back early this morning. I’m planning to return today as well, so I came to ask if you want to go back with me."

"I’ll go back with you. I happen to miss Father quite a bit too!" Ye Wushuang said. The thought of that sturdy, broad-shouldered figure warmed his heart.

"It seems Dad didn’t dote on you for nothing, you little rascal. Let’s go!" Ye Rou chuckled lightly, took Ye Wushuang’s hand, and started walking off Broken Sword Peak.

Blood Jade City, bordering the Endless Wilderness and backed by the Blood Jade Mountain Range, was a tiny city under the jurisdiction of the Grand Emperor Country!

A thousand years ago, this city was called Tianfeng City and was merely a barren town. Later, after a vast Blood Jade Ore Vein of First-Grade Spiritual Talent was discovered in the Blood Jade Mountain Range, it began to attract many people.

After a thousand years of great change, the era of Tianfeng passed, and the age of Blood Jade dawned. The once-barren land had transformed into the prosperous Blood Jade City of today!

As the end of the year approached, many of the disciples from Blood Jade City who had been away for cultivation returned one after another. Firstly, it was to reunite with their families; secondly, it was for the triennial City Lord competition.

Therefore, this was the liveliest time of the year in Blood Jade City. Young disciples from the three great families could be seen everywhere, drinking and chatting spiritedly, full of vigor!

Laifu Tavern was a famous tavern in Blood Jade City.

On the first floor of the tavern.

At one of the tables, a young man said to the people beside him, "Have you guys noticed? This year feels different from the past. A lot of people have broken through to the Qi Vortex Realm."

"Yeah, the City Lord competition is starting. The three great families are all doing their best to cultivate the geniuses in their clans, hoping to seize the position of City Lord," another young man nodded.

The position of City Lord was not just a title; it represented the power to rule Blood Jade City. With this power, one could do as they pleased in Blood Jade City and obtain immense benefits. That was why the three great families spared no effort in preparing for the competition.

Someone nodded and added, "I heard that to hold on to the City Lord position, the Ouyang Family recalled their number one genius, Ouyang Hao, from the Yunlan Ancient Teachings. It seems they want to keep a firm grip on the position."

"That’s right!" a disciple from the Ouyang Family said with a proud look. "Brother Hao has already broken through to the Qi Vortex Ninth Layer! His combat power is unparalleled. Even in the Yunlan Ancient Teachings, he’s a top-tier genius. With him here, the City Lord position this year will still belong to our Ouyang Family. No one can take it from us."

"Indeed. I also heard that Ouyang Hao is about to rank among the super-geniuses in the Yunlan Ancient Sword. His combat power is terrifying, and he can even contend with those in the True Essence Realm," someone chimed in.

Hearing this, the expressions of many people in the tavern changed. Contending with the True Essence Realm was indeed terrifying. This Ouyang Hao was truly a remarkable figure!

"Hmph! Do you think only your Ouyang Family has geniuses? My Luo Family’s number one genius, Luo Yunfeng, has also broken through to the Qi Vortex Ninth Layer, and he’s mastered a Spirit-Level Combat Skill. It’s not yet certain who is stronger."

The members of the Luo Family retaliated tit for tat, not backing down an inch!

"Huh? Oh, right, what about the Ye Family?" With only two families clashing and the Ye Family absent from the argument, some observant people noticed that their contingent had remained silent.

"Hahaha, the Ye Family is finished! And they still want to compete for the City Lord position? What a pipe dream!" a youth in a brocade robe from the Luo Family contingent mocked.

"Luo Wu, don’t you dare slander my Ye Family! Your Luo Family has Luo Yunfeng, but our Ye Family has Brother Ye Cheng!" As soon as the brocade-robed youth’s words fell, an indignant voice rang out from outside Laifu Tavern.

Immediately after, a beautiful young girl of about fifteen or sixteen walked into the tavern, followed by a young man.

"Well, if it isn’t little sister Ye Xue!" Seeing the girl enter, the brocade-robed youth, Luo Wu, had his eyes light up, a burning, lecherous glint within them.

"Hmph!"

Ye Xue snorted delicately, thoroughly disgusted by Luo Wu’s gaze.

However, Luo Wu wasn’t angered. Instead, he walked over and said, "Little sister Ye Xue, Ye Cheng is only at the Qi Vortex Eighth Layer. How can he possibly contend with the Qi Vortex Ninth Layer? Your Ye Family has no chance at the City Lord position anymore. However..."

As he spoke, Luo Wu moved closer to Ye Xue, brazenly looking her up and down before smirking. "Of course, if little sister Ye Xue is willing to marry me as a concubine, the Ye and Luo families could be joined by marriage. Then, the City Lord position could also be shared."

"Shameless!"

Being publicly harassed by Luo Wu, Ye Xue ground her teeth so hard they audibly clicked, her pretty face flushing red with anger.

"Bastard!"

The young man beside Ye Xue, Ye Hai, was also furious. He strode in front of Luo Wu, glaring at him angrily.

BOOM! BOOM!

At once, the few Luo Family disciples next to Luo Wu shot to their feet, glaring fiercely at Ye Hai and roaring, "Are you fucking looking for a fight?!"

WHOOSH!

Seeing this, Ye Hai flinched and involuntarily retreated behind Ye Xue!

"You..."

Seeing Ye Hai back down, Ye Xue was so angry she almost went berserk.

"Waste!" Luo Wu glanced at Ye Hai and sneered contemptuously. "It seems your Ye Family isn’t just home to the waste Ye Wushuang—you’re a waste too!"

"Luo Wu, don’t go too far! Ye Wushuang is not a member of my Ye Family, so stop using him to humiliate us!" Ye Hai clenched his fists, furious. ’To think he’d compare me to that waste Ye Wushuang. He’s trying to make me look bad.’

"So what if I’ve gone too far? What can you do about it?" Luo Wu provoked him. The few Luo Family disciples beside him took the opportunity to step forward, their powerful auras pressing down on Ye Hai, who was furious but dared not speak.

"Little sister Ye Xue, you see? Your Ye Family has too many wastes. It’s destined for decline. You might as well just come with me."

Seeing Ye Hai fall silent, Luo Wu turned his gaze back to Ye Xue, his lecherous hand frivolously reaching for her cheek.

Ye Xue’s expression changed, and she hastily backed away.

But the other few from the Luo Family just chuckled sinisterly, completely ignoring Ye Hai off to the side as they surrounded Ye Xue.

As for the other people in the tavern, they all watched quietly. They were well aware of the Luo Family’s Young Master Luo Wu’s debauched nature and did nothing to stop him.

"Bastards, get away!"

Ye Xue couldn’t escape left or right. She was so frantic she was on the verge of tears. With no one to save her, she could only watch as Luo Wu’s hand reached for her, feeling utterly humiliated.

However, this only made Luo Wu even more smug as his lecherous hand shot forward to touch her.

But before it could get close, his wrist was seized by another hand, and his movement came to an abrupt halt!