Immortal-Exterminating Divine Venerable

Purple Sun Sect.

The Yang Family.

”Xiao’Er has been gone for half a year. I wonder if he’s doing alright out there.”

A hint of worry flickered in Yang Zhentian’s eyes.

Half a year. It had been a full six months since Yang Xiao left, and not a day had passed without him worrying.

Although he had great faith that his son would be fine, the long silence left him deeply unsettled.

He was extremely concerned.

”Master, are you worried about the Young Master?”

Yun’Er, dressed in a flowing, water-blue dress, glided over gracefully.

Her aura was now nimble and spirited. A faint surge of Water Elemental Power emanated from her, which one would notice upon closer inspection.

She had already reached the Peak of a Martial Master, just one step away from the Innate Realm.

To go from the Seventh Layer of a Martial Artist to the Peak of a Martial Master in just half a year—if word of such talent got out, it would undoubtedly shake the entire Purple Sun Sect.

It might even draw the attention of the Upper Three Sects.

However, Yun’Er was only a handmaiden and rarely went out, so she hadn’t attracted much notice.

As for the rest of the Yang Family, nearly everyone had made immense progress in the last six months, so no one found Yun’Er’s rapid improvement particularly strange.

In fact, it would have been stranger if she had progressed slowly.

After all, she was one of the people closest to the Young Master.

”Foster Father, a message came from the Sect. They said the Young Master must, no matter what, participate in this year’s sect competition. He has to at least compete in the Inner Sect tournament. If he doesn’t...”

Yang Biao walked in, his expression grave.

His aura was heavy and profound, and his cultivation had likely already reached the Mid-stage Innate Realm. Faintly, one could also sense a trace of Evil Qi about him.

Aside from Yang Zhentian, he was now the strongest person in the Yang Family.

”Foster Father, ever since Ye Lingtian broke through to the Martial Arts Grandmaster Realm, the Ye Family has grown arrogant. I’ve also heard that Ye Chengzong has publicly declared his intention to vie for the Junior Sect Leader Position. They say he’s already reached the Seventh Layer of the Innate Realm. They’re pressuring the Young Master to compete because they want to target him in the sect competition. Why don’t you let me fight in his place!”

Following behind Yang Biao was Yang Ying.

Although he had lost an arm, his progress over the last six months had been the fastest among all of Yang Zhentian’s remaining adopted sons.

The concentration of Evil Qi in his body, in particular, had exceeded seventy percent.

Once it reached one hundred percent, he would achieve Minor Achievement in the Evil Qi, marking a critical stage in his cultivation of the Seven Evils Life and Death Technique.

Moreover, his cultivation had also advanced at astonishing speed. He was previously only at the Eighth Level of a Martial Master, but now he had entered the Peak of the Innate Realm’s Third Layer, second only to Yang Biao.

This was a testament to his aptitude.

To put it in perspective, Yang Biao had previously been at the Peak of the Innate Realm’s Second Stage, and his advancement to the Innate Realm’s Fourth Layer in half a year was already considered extremely fast.

For Yang Ying to advance from the Peak of a Martial Master’s Eighth Layer to the Peak of the Innate Realm’s Third Layer in just six months was nothing short of terrifying.

Of course, his progress still fell a bit short compared to Yun’Er’s.

”Ye Lingtian? The Ye Family wants to make a move on my Xiao’Er? They truly don’t know the meaning of death!”

A cold glint appeared on Yang Zhentian’s face.

Three months ago, he had already broken through to the Martial Arts Grandmaster realm. Furthermore, with the aid of the Starburst Skill, Yang Zhentian felt he could even fight and win against an opponent at the Fourth Layer of the Martial Arts Grandmaster realm.

Within the entire Purple Sun Sect, there were likely few who could still be considered his match.

Yang Zhentian, however, simply didn’t wish to be ostentatious about it.

But then, a month ago, after Ye Lingtian also broke through to the Martial Arts Grandmaster realm, the Ye Family—which had been quiet for the better part of half a year—suddenly became high-profile.

They even began subtly targeting him, Yang Zhentian.

Yang Zhentian had been so worried about Yang Xiao lately that he hadn’t had the mind to deal with them.

Now, hearing that they were trying to force his Xiao’Er to participate in the sect competition, his temper flared.

”Is Sect Leader Yang in?”

Just as Yang Zhentian’s anger was peaking and he was about to take action, a voice called out from outside.

Hearing this voice, the harsh look on Yang Zhentian’s face softened slightly.

The visitor was none other than the Study Lord of Juhua Studio, Cheng Boxuan.

”Brother Cheng, what brings you here today?”

Yang Zhentian greeted him politely.

Lately, Cheng Boxuan had opened the doors for the Yang Family, giving them easy access to all sorts of Cultivation Resources. Moreover, he was on very good terms with his Xiao’Er.

He had even obtained the Ten Thousand Green Grass that cured his blood-wasting disease from him.

Yang Zhentian was a man who valued relationships and loyalty, so naturally, he treated Cheng Boxuan with great courtesy.

However, after Cheng Boxuan entered, his expression was grim.

After some pleasantries, he finally asked hesitantly, ”Brother Yang, is Young Master Yang in the residence?”

”Xiao’Er?”

Yang Zhentian frowned.

He had not publicized the fact that Yang Xiao was away, telling outsiders only that he was in secluded cultivation.

But Cheng Boxuan was one of the very few people who knew Yang Xiao was not here.

’For him to ask now...’

”Is this about the sect competition?”

Yang Zhentian asked.

Cheng Boxuan nodded.

’So it really is about that,’ Yang Zhentian thought.

”My Xiao’Er is already the Vice Medicine Peak Master. Even if he doesn’t participate in the sect competition, it shouldn’t be a major issue, right?”

Yang Zhentian was perplexed.

Cheng Boxuan sighed softly. ”That was originally the case. This time, however, the Sect Leader himself has spoken. He said that if Young Master Yang doesn’t participate in the sect competition, he cannot prove his strength and qualifications, and thus cannot be formally promoted to Vice Medicine Peak Master.”

”Not only that, Ye Lingtian has also claimed that if Young Master Yang refuses to participate, he will have him expelled from the Purple Sun Sect in accordance with the rules!”

”Expelled from the Purple Sun Sect!”

Yang Zhentian’s expression changed instantly.

He never would have thought the Ye Family would dare to target Xiao’Er so brazenly.

”What is Elder Yao’s position on this?”

Yang Zhentian asked in return.

Cheng Boxuan gave a helpless smile. ”My master inquired about the matter, but after he returned, he sent me here. He said the Sect Leader’s mind is made up and that Young Master Yang must participate.”

”Furthermore, he only needs to get through the Inner Sect competition. My master can guarantee that Young Master Yang won’t have to participate in the contests between True Disciples.”

Yang Zhentian immediately felt a wave of relief.

Although he didn’t believe Yang Xiao was inferior to Ye Chengzong, the latter was, after all, already at the Late-stage Innate Realm.

If Ye Chengzong were to truly target his son, Yang Zhentian couldn’t help but feel uneasy.

If it was just the Inner Sect competition, it wouldn’t matter. Based on Xiao’Er’s feat of killing Yang Xiong, he would have nothing to fear even if his cultivation hadn’t improved at all in the past six months.

’But would things really be that simple?’

’Besides, the sect competition is tomorrow. Can Xiao’Er really make it back in time?’

”Brother Cheng, the Inner Sect competition itself is not a problem. But Xiao’Er isn’t home right now. As you know, he went out to gain experience, and he’s been gone for half a year.”

Cheng Boxuan gave a bitter smile. ”That’s why I came. If Young Master Yang doesn’t show up tomorrow, the Ye Family will definitely use this as a pretext to have him expelled! At that point, I’m afraid even my master won’t be able to intervene.”

”Even Elder Yao...?”

Cheng Boxuan nodded. ”The Ye Family line has three Martial Arts Grandmasters. Add to that Ye Chengzong, who has the qualifications of a Junior Sect Leader, and their power and prestige are at their peak. Even the Sect Leader’s faction has to bow to them. After all, not only do they have a Supreme Elder—an ancestor who is the strongest expert in the Purple Sun Sect—backing them, but they are also descendants of the sect’s founding patriarch.”

That single sentence laid bare the foundation of the Ye Family’s power.

And this was something even Yang Zhentian had only just learned.

His expression changed slightly.

If that was the case, then Elder Yao truly wouldn’t be able to protect Xiao’Er.

’But Xiao’Er... can he make it back?’

(PS: This is a bonus chapter for the tip from reader 33****38. Although I can’t see your full username, you were the first to send a tip, so I’ve added a chapter specially for you. Thank you.)