Zhong Tianyi was flushed with alcohol, his face slightly red, and his speech a little faster, but he waved his hand clearly and said, "Xiao brother, I don't quite agree with what you said."
"Although Jiang Ye is ruthless in his actions, I've heard he is extremely benevolent to his own people, and the Jiang Clan highly respects him internally."
"Though he shows no mercy, he possesses the qualities of a hero."
"For Cultivators, fighting for a slim chance of survival is already the norm; how can there be no struggle for power or no dueling?"
"What's more, he is the Divine Son of the Jiang Clan; in his position, he must act accordingly. If he hesitates even slightly, it means the life and death of the entire Jiang Clan!"
"Scheming and cunning, ruthless and cruel? Those are the responsibilities he must bear!"
"Even when standing at the peak, he never speaks lightly of looking down on others. Even the smallest ant, he will strike with full force, giving it no chance at all."
He paused, his voice low: "If he weren't so cautious, with such methods and cunning, how could he awe all sides? How could he control the Jiang Clan in the future?"
"As far as I know, he was able to control two or more Dao powers simultaneously not long after coming of age. His talent is terrifying, unmatched by anyone his age."
"Therefore, I, Zhong, still have some admiration for him."
At the end of his speech, Zhong Tianyi raised his cup high and drank it all in one gulp.
The atmosphere quieted for a moment.
Jiang Ye looked at him calmly, but felt inexplicably strange in his Heart-Nature.
He was even a little embarrassed by what was said about him.
This Zhong Tianyi... why did it feel like he was an actor hired by him?
Xiao Fan shook his head and said, "I don't look down on him, I just dislike that kind of cold, decisive style of killing."
"But you're right. On the Great Dao, the winner takes all, the loser is nothing. If one isn't ruthless, one can only be like grass."
Ye Qingyun was silent for a moment upon hearing this, then his lips curved slightly, and his expression became calm and unperturbed.
He raised his hand and lifted his cup. The spiritual wine in the cup shimmered with silver light under the lamplight. He smiled faintly and said,
"If this person is truly as you two say, he can indeed be considered a true figure."
"Brother Su, what do you think?"
Jiang Ye gave a half-smile, tapping the rim of his cup with his fingertip, producing a crisp echo. He spoke in a soft voice: "The river of the world has its own laws. Throughout eternity, gods and demons, emperors and Supremes, have all risen and fallen. Brilliant talents emerge in generation after generation, but how many can truly escape fate?"
"Ultimately, all beings struggle within its rules, each with their own destiny and karmic ties."
"We Cultivators, we simply hold to our original Heart-Nature and walk our own path. Why should we be disturbed by the fame of others?"
As these words settled, a corner of the tavern seemed silenced, with only the gentle crackling of the stove fire remaining.
Zhong Tianyi and Xiao Fan exchanged glances, both no longer interjecting; Ye Qingyun also lowered his gaze in thought, the air like falling snow, silent but not cold.
After about half a cup of tea, he gently nodded, his gaze clear: "Brother Su's words are like thunder in my ears. There is hatred, obsession, and destiny in the world, but ultimately, none can escape the word 'Heart-Nature'."
He recalled past events. The fire of vengeance in his chest once seemed to devour the sky, but now it was somewhat soothed by these few words, and he even felt a sense of relief.
The enmity between Jiang Ye and him was undeniably deep.
But now, the hatred in his Heart-Nature had actually diminished quite a bit.
But just as Su Yun said, all things and all people have their own endings.
Jiang Ye is.
The Longevity Jiang Clan is too.
"Although the grievances between Jiang Ye and me are deep, just as Brother Su said, all phenomena have their limits, and prosperity and decline have their times."
"If I, Ye Qingyun, can truly achieve Dao in the future, it will not be too late to decide right and wrong then. At this moment, obsession would only shackle myself."
"Life and death without regret, merely seeking a choice without regrets." He murmured, as if encouraging himself, and also as if making a vow.
Jiang Ye's gaze narrowed slightly, a hint of sharpness flashing in his eyes as he looked at Ye Qingyun.
Ye Qingyun's Heart-Nature and talent already made him feel somewhat tricky.
It seemed that no matter the situation, the other party's Heart-Nature would not be disturbed in the slightest, remaining as calm as water.
Such a person, even life and death could not make him yield.
However, for Jiang Ye, the biggest trouble with this was that he wouldn't be able to extract villain points from Ye Qingyun.
No matter how firm the Heart-Nature, one must first overcome his killing array.
His lips curved slightly, as if with emotion and also with amusement: "Brother Ye's Heart-Nature is as clear as a mirror, and I, Su, deeply admire it."
Just now, with the Primordial Limitless True Scripture, Jiang Ye had already quietly set a trap.
As long as Ye Qingyun didn't suspect him and started cultivating according to the content, Jiang Ye could follow its origin and activate the curse seal of the Yin Yang Curse Soul True Scripture, silently entering his Sea of Consciousness.
At that time, he could seal or destroy with a single thought... In the following days, Jinglong City was tumultuous, with undercurrents surging, yet above the tavern, Su Yun, Ye Qingyun, Xiao Fan, and Zhong Tianyi formed their own tranquil world.
They discussed the Dao, talked, deduced laws, and explored various past tactics and secret methods... They talked about everything, and actually felt a closeness like bosom friends and confidants.
At least, Ye Qingyun and the other two thought so.
Now, the opening date of the Dragon Vein Secret Realm was getting closer and closer.
The entire Jinglong City, in the shadows, seemed to have a bow drawn to its limit, with killing intent and ambition intertwined, just waiting for a sound to tear through the air, and then it would turn into a storm of blood and gore.
That evening, the sunset glow spilled across the sky, making the entire tavern appear bathed in golden light.
Xiao Fan leaned against the railing alone, his eyes sparkling, looking at Jinglong City, where the lights were gradually brightening. He laughed heartily towards the sky, filled with heroic spirit that soared into the clouds: "Haha! With the opening of this Dragon Vein Secret Realm, there are countless Opportunities. As long as the four of us join forces, what is there to fear from the Prodigies of the Heavens?"
These words thundered, immediately drawing the attention of the Cultivators below the tavern. Many frowned tightly, looking up in search of the speaker.
They wanted to see who was so arrogant?
To actually disregard the countless Prodigies of the Myriad Domains of the Heavens!?
"What big words! Who is this madman?"
Some young Prodigies were already restless, eager to step forward immediately and wash away this insult.
However, when they saw that the speaker was a companion of Zhong Tianyi of the Haotian Sword Sect and Su Yun of the Ancient Su Family, they all restrained their Qi and dared not act rashly.
Looking at a corner of the tavern, several powerhouses from the Haotian Sword Sect all wore bitter smiles.
If Zhong Tianyi hadn't been among them, someone might have truly been unable to resist coming forward for a 'spar'.
Xiao Fan and Ye Qingyun had no idea.
Their two spots were actually secretly given by the Ancient Su Family and the Haotian Sword Sect.
Just two days ago, the All Heavens Alliance had privately set internal rules.
The Dragon Vein Secret Realm was about to open, and the innate immortal liquid was appearing, such a Heaven and Earth Opportunity could not be leaked.
Therefore, the various immortal Dao lineages secretly joined forces, forming an Alliance and establishing regulations.
Each top Dao lineage could only dispatch a very small number of Core Disciples into the Secret Realm, with clear distribution of power: the strong got more, the weak got less.
Those ordinary Upper Sects, Central Province Heavenly Gates, or outsiders from the Heavens Domain also received a small number of spots, but these were limited to Core Prodigies, who must have the endorsement of a Dao lineage to enter with a token.
However, most of these Prodigies with spots chose to attach themselves to immortal Dao lineages and travel with them.
As for Loose Cultivators?
Two days ago, the All Heavens Alliance had dispatched powerhouses to sweep through the streets and alleys of Jinglong City. Anyone without a background or not belonging to a Sect was expelled from the city.
Those who dared to disobey were all beheaded in the streets, none spared!
Blood stained the bluestones, and Dao bones lay scattered.
Under this deterrence, no one dared to act rashly again.