A/n: There was a big error in Ch468. I had pasted the wrong file. Thanks to the prompt comment from reader LW130003, I was notified of this and have now uploaded the chapter with the correct context. You will have to go to your profile tab > settings > clear cache before rereading that chapter. My apologies for this blunder.
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"Your highness, your bath is ready." A maid's words reached Ye Tian Yun and Butler Liu as they discussed the Immortal Pavilion's Trial.
"I will go ahead, Crown Prince," Butler Liu said, "Please head towards the Jian Palace after bath."
Ye Tian Yun frowned, "Why the Jian Palace?"
Jian Palace was the abandoned palace of the Imperial Palace. Even though no one lived there, it was always kept clean for some reason.
Ye Tian Yun knew who this palace belonged to.
It was his uncle, Ye Tian Jian's palace.
Even though he had been banished from the clan, Heavenly King Wang's palace remained untouched and uninhabited.
This was why Ye Tian Yun was surprised.
There was nothing in the Jian Palace.
"Miss Ling Qing'er lives there." Butler Liu said, "She has been our guest for the last two months while her Heavenly Yin physique was awakened."
"Oh?" Ye Tian Yun nodded.
In his previous life, Ling Qing'er physique awakening was one of the reasons why he and Butler Liu went to the Lower Heavens to bring her back to the Middle Heavens.
This time, they went early, and the physique was yet to awaken.
Surprisingly his father had offered an alternative method to the Lings, and thus, Ling Qing'er was still here to awaken her physique.
"But why do you need me to go there?" Ye Tian Yun asked.
There didn't seem to be any reason for him to go there now.
"Well, there is an important reason." Butler Liu replied, "His majesty, The Emperor, has asked me to bring you with me when I go with Miss Ling to her clan."
"Oh…" Ye Tian Yun nodded, "Alright, I will be there soon."
Butler Liu nodded with a smile and left the room.
Ye Tian Yun let out a long breath and prepared for a bath.
'Two months have passed…. I should return to the Lower Heavens.'
The war between the Xin and Wu Kingdom was important for Ye Tian Yun.
Even though it had triggered too early, Ye Tian Yun wouldn't miss it.
'I must get the next tokens….'
…
After about half an hour, Ye Tian Yun was standing in front of the Jian Palace.
This palace was situated in the northern part of the Imperial Palace and was most known for its calm and serene environment.
'I never noticed it… but this place gives me a familiar feeling.'
Ye Tian Yun felt like he was back in the Lower Heavens at the Wang Clan's Moon Lake Estate.
'I don't like this feeling.'
Ye Tian Yun shook his head and went inside.
The first thing he saw upon entering was a huge hall with simplistic decorations and furniture.
"Ah, you're here." A voice called out.
It was Butler Liu.
He was currently standing beside the couch at the center of the hall.
There was someone seated on the couch. However, that person had not noticed Ye Tian Yun's arrival and was focused on a piece of parchment in front of him.
Ye Tian Yun nodded at Butler Liu and stepped towards them.
The person seated on the couch was a young kid, who seemed to be a few years younger than Ye Tian Yun's age.
'This face is familiar….'
Ye Tian Yun couldn't recall the young kid's name, but the latter gave him a sense of familiarity.
Just as Ye Tian Yun took a seat in front of him, the young man finally noticed the former's presence.
"Ah!" He was flinched for a moment and immediately stood up and cupped his fists, "Greetings to the Crown Prince, this humble one is Ling Hao."
There was a very deeply hidden trace of fear which even Ye Tian Yun missed noticing.
'Ling Hao…'
The name triggered a few forgotten memories in Ye Tian Yun's mind.
'Is it that Ling Hao…? So young...'
Ye Tian Yun waved at him and gestured to him to sit down, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Little Brother Hao."
Ling Hao smiled and said, "Haha, Please is all mine, Crown Prince. I didn't expect to meet you here; this was a pleasant surprise!"
Ye Tian Yun's lips curled upwards, "Well, I guess it was a fateful meeting. Are you Miss Ling's brother?"
Ling Hao nodded, "Yes, I am her little brother."
"Ah, as I thought," Ye Tian Yun nodded, "Are you here just to meet your sister, or are you planning to bring her back to the Clan today?"
Ling Hao frowned and said, "I have been told to bring my Second Sister to the main clan, so I am waiting for her."
Ye Tian Yun smiled, "Well, then we will be in each other's company for a while."
Ling Hao laughed, "That's great!"
Ye Tian Yun smiled but didn't say anything.
Then glancing at the paper in front of Ling Hao, he asked, "Do you mind telling me what's this?"
Ling Hao came over to him with the parchment and pointed the finger at the paper, "I am learning alchemy."
Ye Tian Yun raised his eyebrows in intended surprise, "Ah, that must be a lot of hard work."
Ling Hao replied with a smug smile, "Yes, but I am sort of a genius, so it's no big deal for me."
Ye Tian Yun thought for a moment and said, "Why don't you be my alchemist in the future?"
Ling Hao scratched his chin with his little hands, "Hm… your personal alchemist? That's a lucrative offer… but unfortunately, I must decline."
Ye Tian Yun smiled, "Ah, that's unfortunate. Mind telling me the reason why you declined?"
Ling Hao crossed arms, puffed up his chest, and in a fake deep voice, he said, "I want to be the best alchemist in the world!"
Ye Tian Yun smiled, "Well, that's a good ambition, but do you know how you will know that you're the best in the world?"
Ling Hao frowned and began to think.
After a long silence, he raised his head and asked, "How?"
Ye Tian Yun smiled, "You will know when the best cultivator of that time comes to you."
"Hmm…" Ling Hao began to nod his head slowly and asked, "Who's the best cultivator?"
Ye Tian Yun smiled, "He's sitting in front of you."