“External things are not sought from outside…”, Ye Qingyun’s tone held no deliberate self-restraint; instead, it exuded an air of detachment and composure.
It was precisely this seemingly understated Heart-Nature that made him unique among the many Prodigies.
For the past few days, Ye Qingyun had barely moved an inch.
He was not unaware of other Cultivators rushing through the Secret Realm, killing indiscriminately, and snatching treasures, nor was he ignorant that among those treasures were ancient divine weapons, divine Origins, immortal fruits, and ancient secret treasures.
But he remained still.
Like a bedrock.
Because he knew that these external things could not bring him a qualitative Breakthrough.
Although he had relied on the power of divine medicines and Magic Treasures in his cultivation, a Cultivator's greatest strength was the Foundation of the Great Dao he comprehended himself.
Now, the embryonic form of the Great Dao was vaguely discernible, gathering momentum between his mind and spirit.
If he could seize this Opportunity to comprehend a complete Dao trace and open his own True Self Great Dao below the Saint Realm, it would be an Opportunity for a complete transformation!
As for Jiang Ye’s past instructions?
He had long since cast them aside.
At that time, Jiang Ye had him enter the Dragon Vein Secret Realm to collect treasures for him, promising that if he satisfied Jiang Ye, he could save Granny Yun and Li Shou’s lives.
Such a straightforward transaction, such a casually delivered threat.
And how could Ye Qingyun believe him?
As for Granny Yun and Li Shou?
As long as he drew breath, Jiang Ye would not easily kill Granny Yun and Li Shou.
Therefore, Ye Qingyun did not act according to Jiang Ye's wishes.
He chose another path.
Cultivation, Breakthrough, seizing Opportunity, finding his own path, plotting to leave.
“Only by truly transcending Jiang Ye's control can I save them.” A look of determination flashed in his eyes.
For now, this was all he could do.
Just then, footsteps came from afar, light yet steady.
Tap, tap, tap… Ye Qingyun opened his eyes and looked at the approaching person.
The newcomer wore a green robe, had a handsome face, and a restrained aura.
It was Xiao Fan.
His expression was as calm as water, his gaze slightly lowered, falling upon Ye Qingyun, yet revealing a hint of subtle surprise.
He quietly observed Ye Qingyun for a few moments, his gaze peaceful, his expression gentle, but a smile of unclear meaning suddenly appeared at the corner of his lips.
“Brother Xiao?”
Seeing this, Ye Qingyun stood up and cupped his hands, his tone still gentle.
Xiao Fan smiled faintly; compared to a month ago, he appeared even more calm and composed, but his aura had become a bit sharper.
“Qingyun, do you still remember the Qian Ling Plate?”
Xiao Fan spoke softly, as if asking casually, his tone flat, yet it struck Ye Qingyun's ears like a clap of thunder.
Ye Qingyun’s brows furrowed slightly, his mind stirred.
The next moment, a jade plate in his storage ring subtly warmed and trembled gently, silently responding to the call.
The jade plate was ancient jade in color, with chipped edges and mottled patterns, yet it faintly exuded an imperial might, emanating an ancient, distant, yet soul-shaking aura.
“Brother Xiao? Do you recognize this item?”
Ye Qingyun had long known this item was extraordinary.
From the day he obtained it, he felt that this jade plate contained some unfathomable power. But that power was extremely strange, neither immortal Origin nor Divine Soul, like the imprint of some incomplete Dao.
He had simply never used it, always feeling that the item was subtly peculiar, indescribable, but certainly of extraordinary Origin.
It was a damaged Imperial Weapon.
He had once given it to Zhang Chaoxian for examination, and even Zhang Chaoxian, the most learned person in Fire Lotus City, could not discern its true Origin.
He could only warn him: this item is unknown, do not move it lightly.
So Ye Qingyun sealed it and never used it.
He asked softly, his voice tinged with inquiry and caution.
Xiao Fan did not rush to answer, but instead looked around.
A hint of inexplicable contemplation appeared in his eyes, as if confirming whether there were any observers nearby.
“Qingyun, this item… was personally bestowed upon you by me.”
Upon hearing this, Ye Qingyun's Divine Sense quietly extended outward, secretly vigilant.
Xiao Fan spoke with a smile: “No need to be nervous, I bear you no ill will. I was severely injured before and never had the chance to find you all. Now that you are facing great peril, how could I stand by and do nothing?”
Ye Qingyun's thoughts cleared, and he understood in an instant.
He remained silent for a long time, then finally asked softly: “May I ask, Senior, who are you? And what is your purpose?”
Xiao Fan’s expression remained indifferent, but in that instant, the Qi within him erupted!
A Great Dao aura soared into the sky, like mountains reversing and rivers flowing backward.
Xiao Fan stood there, his robes unmoved, yet he was like an unmoving ancient Emperor, with Laws entwining his body, as if the Heavenly Dao revolved around him, and even time seemed to be slowly stretched.
The sound of the Great Dao resonated from behind him, like morning and evening bells, exploding in Ye Qingyun’s Sea of Consciousness!
“I — am Emperor Tianji!”
His voice was not loud, but each word was like a thunderclap shaking the world, echoing through heaven and earth.
Upon hearing this, Ye Qingyun trembled.
He had long suspected that Jiang Ye would send people to watch him during this Secret Realm trip.
His biggest suspicion was Xiao Fan, but he never expected the other party to be the legendary Emperor Tianji!
Xiao Fan sighed, saying: “In the past, this Emperor traveled through various realms, hidden in the Mortal World, searching for a Legacy successor. I once selected three individuals, all with exceptional talent and unwavering Heart-Nature like you. To protect your Dao path, I bestowed upon you the Qian Ling Plate to shield your lives…”
“I never thought that my Karma would attract Jiang Ye's prying eyes. His Divine Soul power could sense the remnants of an Imperial Weapon, and thus he targeted you all.”
“Now, among the three… only you remain alive.”
Ye Qingyun’s mind surged, his breathing unconsciously becoming heavy.
If he had wondered why Jiang Ye had targeted him from the beginning, he now finally had the answer.
“So that’s it…”
“Jiang Ye was after this…”
Ye Qingyun spoke softly, his tone no longer holding the initial resentment, but rather a few traces of wistfulness and relief.
Thinking of this, the hatred in Ye Qingyun’s heart for Jiang Ye seemed to mysteriously fade a little.
Xiao Fan glanced at him and said indifferently: “To be fair, the injustice you suffered was indeed caused by this Emperor. Today, this Emperor will bestow upon you a great Opportunity!”
As his voice fell, he pointed a finger, as if the galaxy rolled back and the universe reversed. The finger force was silent, yet it landed precisely on Ye Qingyun’s glabella.
Boom!
Ye Qingyun’s body shook violently, only feeling a warmth in his glabella, and a tide-like Dao essence surged in, instantly flooding into his Soul Sea with boundless radiance.
In an instant, he felt as if heaven and earth were silent, and all directions were empty.
His entire being seemed to be in a deep Chaos, with the rumbling heavenly sounds of the Great Dao in his ears, and endless rotating stars and interwoven Laws appearing before his eyes.
Time seemed to stand still, yet his thoughts flowed rapidly.
A vaguely discernible Great Dao trajectory extended through the Chaos, slowly emerging.
That was a Dao leading to his own Origin.
Ye Qingyun sat cross-legged, his robes billowing, spiritual light overflowing around him.
Divine light flowed between his brows, and wisps of Great Dao runes seeped from his flesh and blood, condensing into mysterious patterns around him, as if the Heavenly Dao was evolving heaven and earth for him.
His entire being seemed to merge with heaven and earth, his aura gradually settling, his Divine Soul becoming one.
“Good… good!”
Emperor Tianji’s brows relaxed, and his eyes revealed a look of admiration, praising in a low voice repeatedly.
He had not expected Ye Qingyun to possess such Heart-Nature and Comprehension Ability, comprehending the Origin of the Great Dao without a sound.
Originally, it was only for Ye Qingyun to leave alive… no, to make up for Karma, a slight guidance would suffice.
Now, however, the thought of truly taking him as a Legacy disciple had arisen.
“But I never thought…”
His gaze deepened, and he murmured in a low voice: “My plan was still forced to this point by the Jiang Clan.”
“Where exactly did the flaw occur?”
Emperor Tianji protected Ye Qingyun, suppressing external fluctuations, while secretly pondering, his expression growing more solemn.