The Central Region. This is where the most powerful dynasty was created and also the current capital for the Wutian Continent. This region marked the center of the continent as well as the center of economic and strength.

But at this moment, some of the city in the region was already in a chaotic state without a sign of stopping anytime soon. Various members from powerful sect started to meddle in as well and the situation became worse.

A carriage was flying above the region. The one who carried it was a pair of dragons with white color covering their bodies.

“Well, that escalated quickly, isn’t it? The move Cleansing Ancient Sect has made successfully attract the attention of many other sects.” Sitting inside the carriage was a man with a handsome face. His brow almost connected even when he just casually relax in his carriage which was full of decoration and ornament.

“It’s better this way. They knew about the destruction we made at the northern region where the former Northern Ice Palace once ruled over. Crown Prince, should we put the effort of searching the location of Yin Inheritance the highest priority in the northern region?” beside the handsome man, a middle-aged man with a sharp eye and red beard was sitting but his gesture showed that he respected and feared the man.

“Of course. But put some of our powerful experts there just to warn the other power about our presence. Now the entire Central Region is going to be in chaos because of the competition at the Stone door. But with the disappearance of Northern Ice Palace, I am sure they will jump to the northern region and starting power struggle there.” The handsome man said.

“But Crown Prince, I have some bad news for you. Apparently, someone is trying to hide the person you are looking for around the vicinity of Cleansing Ancient Sect. And the most frustrating thing is we lost contact with our people that you send.” The red-bearded man opened his mouth because this was important.

“The culprit, did you find the person?”

“I’m not sure either but it is between the Cleansing Ancient Sect itself or some third party that brought away the person you are looking for since half a year ago.”

The man frowned. He now knew that some people were just on his side for profit and to avoid suspicion but looking at the situation he would make sure anyone related to this ‘special case’ unable to spread this further.

‘Did they know about that person background as well? They already knew about the person’s identity and energy pattern and I already send some people to extract him but no one came back. The worst is we only knew about him as the descendant of the royal family but nothing else than that!’

The Crown Prince had sent his people to extract the person that had the bloodline of the royal family but they disappeared. Worse, they could not even send the energy pattern of that person as if someone erased it to cover the person in question.

‘This third party is covert. Perhaps someone from Cleansing Ancient Sect realized my trouble and secretly get the person I’m looking for to benefit but then a conflict appears before the people I send arrived. They probably fight and then when they exhaust themselves this third party appears and gained everything.’

The problem was he did not know anything about this third party. He could point his guess to the seclusive and hidden Mu Family, the unnoticed expert or whatever but he had to find some sort of trace or clue. That was exactly what had been lost when the people he sent were disappeared without warning. Anything he knew was, they were eliminated and any traces his side had placed upon them was erased completely.

“Advisor Kang, you better be honest with me. Are you thinking about the culprit is from Mu Family?” when he saw what the red-bearded middle-aged man, he asked in curiosity.

The red-bearded middle-aged man was his advisor, Kang Hua. The Crown Prince asked because the reaction the advisor had given to him was the middle-aged man was guarding and preparing himself against the people that lurked in the dark.

“Your Highness, it’s not like that. That Mu Family is still in the same place and they are not even out other than the people they had agreed previously to roam. It’s just I think they are indirectly related to this, perhaps some people obtained part of their skills and techniques resulting in this. Other than that Your Highness, have you heard of the recently famous merchant with surname Shen?” while they were also exchanging their opinion, Kang Hua did not forget to inform general situation and condition that could be of help to Crown Prince Zhao Youran.

“A merchant? If it is you, Advisor Kang, to say that they are famous then their influence is far and deep. What makes them special?” Zhao Youran was interested as his face brightened slightly.

“Their business improved by leaps and bounds. Initially, I investigated and found out that their success is because of the utilization of the artifact from the past. I want to grab a profit of it but who would have thought that they are protected by Hengduan Sect and Boundless Sea Sect simultaneously. And the sole daughter of this merchant is also the disciple of Boundless Sea Sect, the direct disciple at that.” Advisor Kang Hua explained. He said all the words as if it was prestigious merit.

“But at least you cooperate with them and get a share right?”

“Fortunately we have a portion in it so some of our tools and artifact receive an increase in efficiency.”

And then Advisor Kang further explained about this man surnamed Shen. The motivation of this merchant was started because of his daughter that had the talent for cultivation. This man just tried to do something with more profits to further support her daughter.

Who would have thought that their influence and importance spread far to every corner of the continent? To make things better, it felt like the heavens favored this man so one of his subordinates got a portion of the artifact created by The Goddess of Artifact, remade and modify it further to be able to get into the market.

“That’s good. But I am sure that Father Emperor already found this and got a share of this too. Even if someone is able to obstruct me from getting my objective, I will find another way to be able to accomplish it. Since the person I’m looking for disappear, let’s just focus on preparing our force.” Zaho Youran said this but his thought was in turmoil.

‘Why did that King not return after he suddenly went somewhere?’

-

In another place, inside a residence full of expensive decoration was a dozen of people. Most of these people were listening to the three people in front of them. One of them was a young woman with short, black hair and in her hand was actually a spear.

Her gaze was cold, the same with her face. But that was only when she looked at the people in front of her. As for the middle-aged man beside her, she would give a faint smile.

“Father, why did you help her? There is no advantage for us to help her at all.” The woman asked respectfully.

“Shuang’er, this is not about gains when helping people. Ah Dai, do you know the origin of the woman we find?” this middle-aged man was wearing a silvery color robe but his face and expression were radiant, as bright as sun even to all the people around him and to his own daughter beside him.

“Mister Shen, as far as this servant know the woman we find comes from the northern region. This can only verify the rumor about a matter that happened there because a lot of people already spoke about this especially wandering cultivators.” The third person was naturally Ah Dai. He was the person that found about the woman and brought her to the residence.

He believed that his master would save her. The second reason was that one of his colleagues recognized the clothes of the woman. This point made Ah Dai wanted to verify in detail what had happened in the northern region.

“Will this not affect your business, Sir?” then Ah Dai had to ask. He respected this person who could expand the influence of his trade to the whole continent. Everyone knew his name and that was the first name the people would think when mentioning the most successful merchant, Shen Ming.

This question also appeared on the thought of the people there including his own daughter. She looked at Shen Ming with worried because her father’s personal strength was only slightly good but not the best.

“Rather than worrying about my own business, I am more worried about you all especially to my daughter.” Shen Ming’s eyes showed his seriousness when he said those.

“Don’t worry about it Father. This is just another case of a fallen powerhouse and there is nothing big happen so far.” His daughter replied softly.

“Please treat the injured woman with the best of your ability, everyone.”

-

After the elders from various place knew that the matter had ended with Ouyang as the witness, they could only leave it at that. But more importantly, they would ask each disciple about their experience inside Xuan City.

But for those who still had something like Ye Guhan and Li Dian, they could not say it directly. The matter regarding those sect’s to harm their child and the people of the city, that was the thing they wanted to get but unable to convey.

Firstly, Ye Canghai got this warning directly from Wei Liang. It was about the situation in the central region and the powerhouses involved. It was said that the next competition for entering The Stone Door would be the peak of the confrontation between powerhouses.

“Those elders are finally gone.” After they made sure that every single person that came to Xuan City along with their respective disciple left, they breathed out in relief.

“We must first repair the damage this city has. Then we should ask what the cause for the little shock is. But of course, we need to be cautious because some people are interested in this little thing earlier.” Said Li Dian when he remembered it.

“But first, we should let our children tell what they experience so far. Let’s go to my residence, there are important things to do.” Ye Guhan patted Li Dian’s shoulders before he gestured for Ye Xiaobai to follow.

‘Those people from Cleansing Ancient Sect swept their gaze and their sense to my son. But it felt like as if they wonder about something rather than displease as for why there are traces of chaotic energy in him. That is something to be wary.’ Thought Ye Guhan before he took a glance at the cloaked figure that always beside Ye Xiaobai.

“Who is this? Someone you encountered in your journey?” since the return of his son was not normal, he wanted to slowly raise the topic.

“Yes. Although I don’t know how or why she suddenly looking for me, Father will know instantly that the cloak she is wearing block any detection even from cultivator’s sense.” Ye Xiaobai could only answer honestly.

“Then she is really from Mu Clan. Why are you so excited when mentioning her?”

“Because she is that Silver Fox. Their abilities are exceptional.”

Ye Guhan could only accept that as a fact. As for Yue, she pursed her lips because someone praised not only her but also not bother too much when talking about her race. But strangely she felt something that told her to know about the family Ye Xiaobai belonged to.

This is not just her desire but also what Jiang Zhen had told her that something interesting between her and Ye Xiaobai but also their family. As for that, it was her task to uncover.

In another case, Ye Qingcheng could not suppress what he had in his heart.

‘For so many years I have to suffer from excruciating pain but that is also the time my parents have to worry about me. After that tempering with the enhanced yellow honey, it seemed that not only I don’t feel any pain but I can feel that…I reached the first stage of body cultivation completely. I only thought I just reach it but to complete the first stage entirely is good I guess.’ When he looked around, he realized that was truly the case. It was because staying in the same environment would not be able to tell how much change the first stage of body cultivation could do to him.

And now, he realized that his perception increased greatly along with his thinking speed. His reflex was also the same, it was faster to react. And the best of it was that the detection of any abnormal sign could be received faster than before.

Then he saw them, the two people he felt guilty. He trained his body other than his energy cultivation just to be able to find a way to alleviate the pain in his heart other than to strengthen himself. Add to the fact that he also specialized in abilities that related to the toughness of body and close quarter combat. But in the end, he did it because of them.

They were his parents, he knew that most of the time it was his mother that took care of him when he went out of control every full moon. But after he discussed some things with some knowledgeable people, he realized that the bloodline in his body was the cause.

If it was not awakened, it had a higher chance to go berserk without restraint. The awakening process was to let the person gain power from his bloodline, slowly gaining control and mastery upon it.

Of course, both Ye Canghai and Yu Feng had located him. They even smiled at him which in turn made him mirrored them.

“Father!” Ye Yingyuan became spirited and tried a few tricks with sword intent. Then the father also unleashed his own sword intent. When the two intent clashed, only the one who unleashed could feel the difference.

“What have you done that your intent is weaker?” Ye Canghai knew from that single instance that Ye Yingyuan’s intent was weaker. It could only mean a forced breakthrough and that was not a good sign.

“I…am not strong enough. I just want some strength so that I can fulfill my promise to grandpa.” This was Ye Yingyuan’s honest opinion. He could not afford to be weak the moment he promised his grandfather nor when he realized that there was a threat aiming for his, his family and his friend’s safety.

Ye Canghai was stunned when his son mentioned it. Even though he could get over it but his son was still a slightly bigger child, he was still trying his best to do anything that he promised upon. It became more determined when the person he promised was his grandfather.

Ouyang did not leave even after the ceremony had done. He observed everyone, even so, when his eyes landed on Ye Qingcheng, he could see a trace of the hidden power in that strong frame. As for Ye Yingyuan and Ye Xiaobai, he saw them as a good talent. One thing that made him happy was all of them had this smile of happiness when interacting with each other.

“Senior Ouyang, would you mind to go to Ye Residence if you are not busy?” Ye Canghai invited him. And the reply was a nod, an agreement that made Ye Canghai happier.

“Are you alright? Is there something bothering you?” and there were also Ye Qingcheng and Yu Feng.

“Don’t hold back, just release it. I can feel that big brother’s getting stronger again.” Ye Yingyuan cheered his older brother. His smaller height tried to pull his brother towards their mother.

Then unexpectedly, both Ye Yingyuan and Ye Qingcheng got a big hug from their mother. They felt their restless inner thought suddenly calmed down, like a lake without the wave. They returned the gesture and also grateful that they had a mother.

‘Compared to you, who has a loving and doting mother, I am raised without one and I only know my grandfather.’ That was what Manstein said to Ye Yingyuan. And Ye Yingyuan also learned to be grateful because some people did not have the luxury as he had.

“Hey, Alice. If I can get stronger in this world, can I do anything I want?” Manstein suddenly asked Alice all of a sudden after he saw the scene of parents and child together.

“This world views strength as a priority. So, it almost feels like strength is everything and the standard to be acknowledged. Do you fired up now that you want to keep this image?” inside his soul realm which only he could see, Alice smiled at him.

“I must get stronger in the quickest speed possible. And to raise my spiritual root point, which most likely involved some unsightly technique. You know what I mean right?” Manstein had a clear plan in his head. The first thing he would do was to get his spiritual root point that his device had shown to increase.

But to do this, he could only come to a solution with immediate effect and the fastest rate of growth. That was to pave his way through the demonic path, the path his past self before became a scientist had to go through.

“Are you crazy!? Do you…do you know what are you saying? That is the path of no return. Never ever think of doing it again while I am here with you!” Manstein was surprised to see Alice reacted that way. She was too caring for him and even without coming to this strange world, Manstein knew that as well.

“Without strength, people will only ridicule you here! I saw some disciples that use their power to indirectly threaten the stall over there.” Manstein pointed to a certain stall that sold various snacks. He continued, “In the end, the majority of the people will always gauge the strength of a person whether it can affect their lives. They will not care about a measly righteous or evil deeds. The ends justify the means.”

“It is a stroke of great luck for people with righteousness exist in this world such as Ye Family and the people around them! I dare to bet that the rest of this continent will reek of evil no matter how small it is. Now that you mentioned it, I remember the next part of the story of the demon and the hero.”

“Oh, about the part where he encountered the king of bandits?” Alice wondered why Manstein always remembered that story though.

Just before Xian Ni arrived, he was blocked by bandits and it was the king of all bandits that personally dealt with him.

“Taking things from others is wrong unless you are on the verge of dying. But you all looked vigorous to me.”

“Men, we got a fat sheep here. And look what he has brought…today, we are going to get drunk until dawn!”

Those bandits tried to steal things from Xian Ni, from his vegetables and even his livestock was on stake. Some of the people went to him, trying to kill him. Too bad they received a devastating hit on their chest which instantly killing them.

“Looks like taking an easy path is your job after all. Why are there no people to fight against you?” Xian Ni asked which made the entire group realized the persona in front of them was ignorant.

“This country bumpkin here is stupid. Who dares to offend someone that has been backed up by the government itself?” the king of bandit said.

“Then let me become the first. Since any power behind you is keeping you around, that only show me you are a flock of birds with the same feather together.”

That was foolish for Manstein to read. Offending someone stronger because that someone had done an injustice through his subordinate. The problem was Xian Ni acted on his own instinct that thought everything he carried from his place belonged to him, he personally cultured and raised those things.

Defeating them was easy. All people had the same face when Xian Ni acted, it was fear. Even the king of bandit also showed fear but he pushed his backer right at that moment.

“Do you know that offending the government will only lead you to endless trouble? Why don’t you think for a moment…” before he finished his work, Xian Ni just killed him right on the spot. Xian Ni only knew that his strength had been increasing since the strange event and he did not have this trait to think for a long term in the future. He was just the same as the other living being.

“And that led him to endless troubles. He is really foolish.” Manstein chuckled a little because he could see some important point in that part of the story. It was fine to uphold justice but without strength, all of that was just for naught.

You can make a ripple at the lake but that was it, a ripple. Without sufficient strength, you cannot make that ripple last longer nor you can change the lake.

“At least he is trying to defend what he has,” Alice replied again. Manstein snorted before he opened his mouth, “So what? If he is weak, those bandits will just kill him and take his possession without issue. It is because of his strength that he can turn the tide of situation.”

“That in itself is foolishness due to lack of wisdom. He didn't remove the roots and only deal with them."

-

“Now, can you tell me what had happened after our separation?” with that question from Ye Canghai, everyone started to explain their experience.

“So to say, the time difference makes you all spend two months inside that hive. No wonder I feel stronger energy from you all and it’s pure.” Li Dian nodded. While Manstein had to check things with some of the concealing formations because some things can still slip past the main formation that covered the city, he was also listening to the conversation.

“But things are getting interesting here. First, I need you to explain something to me.” Yi Xiaodie cast her glance at Ye Qingcheng who became stupefied upon hearing that. But he returned her stare with his own, one that had the determination and only that alone.

“What is it? Just say it here, no one should be spying on us right?” Ye Yingyuan became interested and asked. What made his brother determined this much?

“Why are you giving me this? Explain.” The next thing Yi Xiaodie did was to place a half emptied bottle that contained the honey right in front of Ye Qingcheng.

“Well, the sooner you get your sickness cured the better you perform. I know I am not a match for you if you are in your full strength so I feel like to fight with you again seriously.” The reply was flat but that was what he truly thought.

“You…” the thing was, she had expected that answer but she still had doubts in her heart. They kept staring at each other and he answered it without even hesitation as if it was what he truly wanted to do in her perspective.

The place where she usually lived was not like Xuan City after all. And finding this kind of people made her relaxed her mind and could rest truly. But experiencing the special quality that she found about this city, as well as the only records that led her to visit this place. She finally found the family that hid from the world and they were being ridiculed by most people in fact.

“Why so serious? That is who they are. You don’t need to hold anything back. In this place, you should be who you are.” Yue nodded. She already revealed her appearance and now she narrowed her eyes in a very seductive manner.

‘And you better keep this identity of mine between you, me and those people that aware of it. Else, I will make you suffer.’ Yue added her message through the transmission.

“If you all are done then I should say what I have to say. This is important because I have to go after winter when the first flower blooms.” Manstein then gathered their attention by saying this.