Chapter 506: Chapter 506: The Star-Raising Celebration Ends, Ye Sect Leader’s Prestige
“Sect Master Ye’s strength is not even one ten-thousandth of what it was at his peak?”
“Doesn’t that mean that his current strength might not even reach the Divine Origin Realm?”
“He should only have the strength of the peak of the Spirit Sea Realm.”
“If his condition is slightly better, Sect Master Ye might possess strength infinitely close to the first layer of the Divine Origin Realm.”
Cultivators from all quarters were discussing animatedly.
Some felt pity.
Some saddened.
Others were taking pleasure in his misfortune.
Misty Sect.
When Wang Xuanping heard that Ye Feng’s strength was not one ten-thousandth of his peak stage, his gaze sharpened.
“Brilliant!”
“Ye Feng has always been the biggest obstacle to my undercover mission.”
“At this stage, with him fallen from his pedestal, only Protector Fox Consort Feifei in the entire Misty Sect has the strength of the Divine Origin Realm.”
“As long as I keep a low profile, I’ll definitely be able to find out about Emperor Beihe’s and “Seven Steps to Heaven”‘s flaws.”
Wang Xuanping’s eyes gleamed with self-satisfaction.
She was completely unaware that she had fallen into a trap set by some old schemer.
Above the Royal Capital Plaza.
Ye Feng suddenly added,
“Actually, my Heroic Spirit Power is not that weak; sometimes, I can indeed exert the strength of the Divine Origin Realm.”
Upon hearing this, Wang Xuanping’s gaze sharpened.
“The Divine Origin Realm… sounds powerful, but compared to the terrifying strength of crushing Ancestral Tree Demon’s Split Soul with one foot before, this is hardly worth mentioning.”
She stood in the Sect Main Plaza with her mouth corners curving upwards unconsciously.
Royal Capital Plaza.
Ye Feng took a healing divine elixir handed by Ancestor Lingmiao and his injuries were immediately cured, restoring him to his peak.
His complexion was no longer pale.
The man looked still splendidly youthful.
Ling Yue watched his figure and felt increasingly joyous.
“Now that Sect Master Ye’s strength has fallen, the gap between us has narrowed a lot. I must seize this opportunity to cultivate diligently, continue to close the gap, and once I step into the Divine Origin Realm, I can then express my feelings for him.”
Ling Yue thought to herself.
If Ye Feng were still that terrifying ancestor-level power who had crushed the Ancestral Tree Demon’s Split Soul with one foot, she would have felt inferior and unworthy of Ye Feng.
But now, things were different.
“My chance has come!”
Ling Yue pursed her lips tightly, secretly gazing at Ye Feng’s handsome profile, and her neck reddened with shyness.
The more she saw of Ye Feng, the more she liked him.
“Sect Master Ye, how are your injuries?” Ancestor Jinling Avatar promptly inquired, eying Ye Feng.
“I’m fine now,” said Ye Feng.
“That’s good to hear,” Ancestor Jinling Avatar nodded slightly.
“Although Sect Master Ye’s cultivation level has fallen, I owe you a favor for today. In the Mystique Kingdom, whoever dares to mess with you will have their skin peeled off by me!”
Ancestor Lingmiao suddenly spoke up.
His voice immediately quelled the entire scene.
Some opportunistic Divine Origin Realm powers who thought they could suppress Misty Sect in the future quickly extinguished such malicious thoughts.
Especially Xu Huamao’s Xu Family, where several Divine Origin Realm powers changed their expressions and quickly lowered their heads, fearing being noticed by Ye Feng.
“Next, let’s continue with the star-raising ceremony!”
Ancestor Lingmiao announced loudly.
The crowd immediately returned to their seats.
Then, there was a round of toasts, with constant praises and congratulations.
On the ninth stone pillar.
Ling Yue, the Third Prince, the grey-robed elder, Shu Qianjun, and the remaining Everlasting Elders of the Genius List toasted Ye Feng one after another.
“Sect Master Ye, if it weren’t for you taking action today, we would have been in a life-threatening danger.”
“Yeah, that’s right!”
“Let us all toast to Sect Master Ye!”
Everyone raised their glasses in celebration.
“It’s only right to draw a blade to help when seeing injustice, it’s just unfortunate that I was ambushed by the Ancestral Tree Demon’s Split Soul, resulting in the near loss of my cultivation,” Ye Feng lamented while dramatically pounding his fist on the table.
“Sect Master Ye, don’t be sad. Although you’ve lost your cultivation, the people around you are still here, cherishing the present is what matters,” said Ling Yue, looking at Ye Feng with profound meaning.
All those present were old foxes, who immediately caught the implication in Ling Yue’s words, including Ye Feng, who also widened his eyes.
He knew that Ling Yue had feelings for him.
So, was this a confession?
But my heart only has room for the Sect, what should I do?
How should I respond to her?
I’m online and waiting, it’s urgent!
Ye Feng held his breath, unsure of how to reply.
For a moment, silence fell upon the ninth stone pillar.
“Ahem, everyone, let’s express everything we want to say through our wine, cheers to this drink!” The Third Prince noticed the awkward atmosphere and hurriedly lifted his glass to defuse the awkwardness.
In the sky.
Ancestor Lingmiao slowly stood up, raising his glass high, and said, “For this occasion, we thank Sect Master Ye for his action. Without him, we couldn’t have suppressed the Ancestral Tree Demon’s Split Soul. Let’s drink to him!”
“Sect Master Ye is valiant!”
Powerful figures from various factions toasted from afar.
At that moment, Ancestor Lingmiao spoke again, “Taking advantage of today’s star-raising ceremony, I have another announcement to make.”
The crowd immediately listened with full attention.
“From today onward, Third Prince Ling Luotian will officially become the successor of the next Lingmiao Emperor. Once he ascends to the Divine Origin Realm, he can take over the throne,” Ancestor Lingmiao announced loudly.
As soon as these words were uttered, the entire place was in an uproar.
Among the crowd.
The First Prince, Second Prince, Fourth Prince… all thirty-six princes crunched their wine glasses in their hands.
“The third brother became the successor?”
The many princes couldn’t contain their discontent.
“This… this!” Even the Third Prince was shocked, his eyes wide, momentarily overwhelmed by the news.
But soon, he turned to look at Ye Feng beside him.
“I understand!”
“It must be because the ancestor thinks I’m close to Sect Master Ye, which is why he made me the successor.”
“Indeed, my choice was the correct one!” exclaimed the Third Prince, thrilled beyond measure.
If not for a shred of rationality still present, he would have given Ye Feng a big hug on the spot and even arranged a marriage with the First Princess Ling Yue to Ye Feng in public.
“Sect Master Ye, I toast to you!”
The Third Prince poured a full glass of wine, raising it solemnly to Ye Feng.
“To… toasts!” Ye Feng replied, somewhat puzzled.
Why did the Third Prince suddenly offer him a toast? And the look in his eyes… it seemed a bit… fervent?
“What’s going on?”
Ye Feng blinked, clueless.
…
In the vast and infinite starry sky.
There lied a divine little world.
At the heart of a brilliantly luminescent great forest.
“Heh heh heh…”
“Struck by my soul fragment’s divine skill ‘As One with the Dao, Perish Together,’ even if Ye Feng does not die, he will be a cripple.”
“Once I retreat for a period of time and strive for the Fourth Layer of Void Break Realm, I will launch an invasion against Mystique Kingdom.”
“By then, I want Ancestor Lingmiao and Ancestor Jinling to kneel before me, bowing their heads in submission!”
The Ancestor of Tree Demons laughed uproariously into the sky.
He had great confidence in that peculiar divine skill.
Even if it was Ancestor Lingmiao or Ancestor Jinling who were struck by the golden vines, at best, they would lose all their cultivation level; at worst, their bodies and dao would perish.
Therefore, in the eyes of the Ancestor of Tree Demons, Ye Feng was definitely done for!
…
Half a day later.
The celebration of the star’s ascension ended.
Ancestor Lingmiao and the avatar of Ancestor Jinling bestowed a heap of items upon Ye Feng, including protective amulets, Instantaneous Movement Talismans, summoning talismans, and other life-saving objects. They patted his shoulder solemnly.
That serious gaze seemed to say:
Sect Master Ye, please take care of yourself!
Ye Feng stood still.
He looked down at the myriad of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures cradled in his arms, blinked, and was both amused and moved.
It seemed that after this battle, Ancestor Jinling and Ancestor Lingmiao had come to regard him as a true friend.
Even hearing that he had “lost almost all his cultivation,” they did not turn their backs on him.
“These two old men are quite nice.”
Ye Feng muttered to himself internally.
He wondered how they would react once he displayed even greater strength in the future. Wouldn’t they be utterly astounded?
“Forget it, I’ll worry about that when the time comes!”
Ye Feng cast aside these miscellaneous thoughts.
“Thank you, both sires,” he said graciously.
“Ah! Sect Master Ye… No! Junior Brother Ye, what are you saying? It’s far too formal to thank us two old folks. You’re making us feel like strangers,” Ancestor Jinling and Ancestor Lingmiao said in turn.
“Sure!”
Ye Feng nodded his head.
The people from various powers were shocked by this scene. Even though Ye Feng had almost lost all his cultivation, he could still address the two Great Void Break Realm Ancestors as brothers, much to everyone else’s envy.
As time passed, the crowd gradually dispersed.
On the eve of their departure.
The Empress of Great Liang Demon Nation walked over at a leisurely pace.
“Sect Master Ye.”
She nodded towards Ye Feng and looked at Liang Wanfen, “You girl, to think you have already advanced to the Demon King Realm, that’s quite the rapid progress.”
“It’s all thanks to the Sect Master’s support,” Liang Wanfen replied humbly.
If it wasn’t for her venture into the seventh layer of the Cultivation Tower and the chance it gave her to enhance her cultivation level, she would never have ascended to the Demon King Realm so quickly.
“Girl, you must diligently cultivate in the Misty Sect and not bring shame upon our Great Liang Demon Nation,” the Empress said sternly.
“Mother Empress, rest assured! I am very well-behaved and sensible in the Sect,” Liang Wanfen said calmly.
“Good!” The Empress of Great Liang was reassured and gave a slight smile. She bowed to Ye Feng and then left with her entourage.
At this moment, Ling Yue and the Third Prince approached together.
“Sect Master Ye, shall we escort you?” asked the Third Prince respectfully.
Even though he had been named the heir to the throne, in the presence of Ye Feng, who could call the old ancestors brother, his own status seemed much lower.
“No need. We’ll just teleport back,” Ye Feng said as he produced a Teleportation Talisman.
“Then I wish Sect Master Ye a safe journey,” the Third Prince bowed.
“Sect Master Ye… I… I will come to Misty Sect to have tea with you when I have some free time,” Ling Yue mustered up the courage to say.
“Welcome!” Ye Feng smiled and nodded before crushing the Teleportation Talisman.
Whoosh!
Amidst a flash of white light, Ye Feng, Li Zilong, Gong Qingqiu, and eleven others rapidly vanished.
The next instant.
They appeared on the summit of Misty Peak.
Seeing the landscape images still displayed on the mountain wall, Ye Feng realized he hadn’t turned it off. With a sweep of his sleeve, he dispelled the image.
“Eh?”
“Why is the Royal Capital’s image gone?”
The disciples, confused, blinked as they looked at the now bare mountain wall, wondering how the scene that was just there had disappeared.
“Wow!”
Brother Flathead was the first to spot Ye Feng.
It let out a loud roar, leaping from the Spirit Beasts Platform onto the summit of Misty Peak, gazing intently at the unharmed Ye Feng.
In its eyes, there flashed a trace of relief.
Clap clap!
Brother Flathead patted Ye Feng’s knee with its little paws, nodding at him. The dignified look in its eyes seemed to say:
Good, you’re not dead!
Seeing this, Ye Feng’s mouth twitched.
If it weren’t for all the disciples watching, he really wanted to slide-tackle Brother Flathead back to the Spirit Beasts Platform.
“Look, everyone!”
“The Sect Master is back!”
“Sect Master!”
The disciples, stewards, and Mountain Guardian Spirit Beasts of Misty Sect all turned their gazes toward the top of Misty Peak, focusing on that sleek and elegant figure.
Some female disciples even burst into tears on the spot.
“I thought I’d never see the Sect Master again, woo woo woo!”
Some disciples wailed while dabbing their tears.
Others started laughing through their tears.
Although Sect Master Ye Feng had nearly lost all his cultivation, at least he was still alive.
For to be alive was the greatest hope!