Who Brought Him into the Cultivation World?

After a wave from the Celestial Pride List, the number of cultivators coming and going in White Emperor City visibly decreased.

The Inspectorate’s move this time is yet to be judged as destroyed or not, but the construction of Heaven-Asking Tower in the city continues to proceed in an orderly manner.

”It seems Dragon and Phoenix Palace and the Imperial Court are making a big move, having withdrawn ordinary craftsmen and invited the Mo Family to build, estimating the entire building will be completed in a few days.”

Ye Hei accompanied Han Yu shuttling through the city, with Huangfu Liang being dragged along reluctantly, his face twisted in a frown.

In Han Yu’s own words, since Ou Mingdong finally had a chance to be alone with Su Wanjun, they should not stay behind to cause trouble.

A few of them watched from afar as a group of Mo Family juniors carried various pieces of timber, flying up and down, with the building’s foundation already completed, seemingly starting to work on the tower itself. Many residents of White Emperor City, equally curious, were gathered around to watch.

After all, cultivators are often seen, but cultivator carpentry is truly a rare sight.

Ye Hei looked on in admiration; the opportunity to mobilize the Mo Family for such grand construction is indeed rare. Currently, only the Fifth Tower of the Imperial Court was crafted by the Mo Family, implying that this Heaven-Asking Tower is also a major undertaking.

”Once the Heaven-Asking Tower is completed, the timing for the first list revision might be brought forward.”

Ye Hei, obviously with access to insider information, had known the inside story early on.

But this isn’t surprising, as he himself is the chief disciple of the Unparalleled Tower, inherently possessing the corresponding rights, and being excellent enough to be a prominent figure among the new generation of disciples, knowing most sect matters, even collaborations with the Imperial Court.

Speaking of list revisions, Han Yu suddenly recalled the previous list, smiling abruptly, and teasingly said.

”Speaking of the list, Brother Ye was third on the list last time.”

This was naturally not ridicule; when the list was published, while there might have been disputes over the top two names, there was no controversy over third place Ye Hei.

Ye Hei, hearing this, could only smile wryly and shake his head, ”You might not believe this, but during the recording, the Inspectorate wanted to place me first. Fortunately, the Great Elder went to Ascension Tower to cause a fuss, resulting in my third placement.”

”I didn’t even have a chance to get on it, yet here you are, seemingly not wanting to.”

Huangfu Liang couldn’t help but interject; if he could make it to the top ten of the Celestial Pride List, his name would certainly become renowned in the Cultivator Realm, what a good thing it would be.

”Everything has its pros and cons; sometimes being too high on the list just brings more trouble.”

To this, Ye Hei could only explain thus.

Everyone knows the Imperial Court’s schemes; if not for the agreement reached with the sects, disciples of the Nine Sects might not want to go up and be a live target.

If those seeking fame and profit increase, wouldn’t it mean endless challenges to deal with daily?

What can be faster than defeating a top-ten disciple of the Nine Sects to gain fame?

Winning brings no benefit, and losing still embarrasses the sect, which is a thankless task.

But if the Celestial Pride List lacked participation from the Nine Sects, its gold content would be greatly reduced, possibly becoming a wild list.

The sects naturally know there are traps but still step in, only for their disciples to fall into them in the end.

Now the top position is something the disciples of the Nine Sects are mutually pushing away; if possible, they’d even want their rankings to drop several places lower, the top spots are too conspicuous.

”The Inspectorate probably has a backup plan, not making it impossible for you to handle.”

Han Yu pondered and smiled.

After all, this move by the Inspectorate is intended to make all sects jump out, not to make them all fight each other. The methods couldn’t be so simple and crude.

”Indeed! The Tower Master of the Ascension Tower’s methods have always been flawless; there should be other plans.”

Ye Hei nodded; from his perspective, while the Celestial Pride List collects celestial information, upon deeper reflection, it might also be probing into the sects behind the listed cultivators.

Being involved in sect management himself, Ye Hei naturally understands the sect’s operations. One could say, the more disciples a sect gets listed, the more it shows the sect’s resource and disciple cultivation abilities.

All these are the key hidden behind.

If the Inspectorate is intent, through list classification, it might even rank these sects accordingly.

So, that’s the deeper motive of the Inspectorate—to gauge each sect in the Cultivator Realm?

Upon careful thought, Han Yu found himself feeling Ye Hei’s insight was quite close to the Inspectorate’s real intentions.

Ye Hei truly is outstanding, being able to discern the Inspectorate’s aims.

”By the way, how long are we going to stroll around?”

Huangfu Liang’s eyes surveyed the surroundings, fearing someone might suddenly jump out to attack them.

”Naturally, until the cultivators of White Emperor City know we’re here.”

Han Yu shrugged, saying now that the Inspectorate’s news is out, it’s necessary for people to know they’ve come to White Emperor City.

But Huangfu Liang wasn’t optimistic, given that right after Ou Mingdong got beaten so badly, another Dragon Blood Stone’s location was announced, even a fool should realize this is a trap. Would the other party fall for it?

”That depends on how much they value the Dragon Blood Stone.”

Ye Hei sneered coldly.

First, there was that incapable senior brother from Langya Mountain who fled the sect with a Dragon Blood Stone and was ambushed. Then, Ou Mingdong got schemed against, indicating their determination to acquire it.

”If the bait isn’t enough, my junior brother’s stone is still with me; I’ll use it as bait too.”

Ye Hei came here with this very intention. However, Han Yu made the first move; with both Dragon Blood Stones, it ought to be tempting enough!

The three of them walked a bit more, and suddenly a group of cultivators appeared in front of them, seemingly heading straight for them.

”Mr. Han!”

The leader took a few steps forward, cupping his fist in salute.

Han Yu scrutinized the person. The visitor seemed to be in his forties, with a cultivation level just above the Divine Gaze Realm, and the seven others with him were the same.

Seeking a pill? Or maybe here for the Dragon Blood Stone?

It seemed to be neither, as the visitor spoke in a muffled voice after saluting, ”My master would like to invite you for a conversation.”

This was quite a rare occurrence, being invited personally. Should he go or not?

”Let’s go and have a look, I’ll go with you.”

Ye Hei whispered quietly beside him.

Someone coming at such a critical moment likely had motives related to the Dragon Blood Stone.

”How about I come along too?”

Huangfu Liang spoke hesitantly, but was interrupted by Han Yu. The other party had sent eight individuals at the Divine Gaze Realm merely as errand runners, suggesting their cultivation was exceptionally high. If the visitors had hidden intentions, taking Huangfu Liang with him would be more of a burden, and Han Yu would have to be distracted looking after him.

”You go back to the Government Office and wait for me.”

”Alright then,” Huangfu Liang sighed, acknowledging the current low state of his cultivation and understanding that he would likely only be a hindrance if he went.

Then Han Yu and Ye Hei followed this group of cultivators out of the place and went far away…

-----------------

In the residential area of the western city, as Han Yu followed the cultivators, his face grew increasingly grim. This path clearly led to the Bai Mansion.

Sure enough, not long after, the plaque of the Bai Mansion appeared before them. Just as Han Yu was about to react, the group of cultivators changed direction, heading towards the estate opposite the Bai Mansion.

Ye Hei clearly noticed Han Yu’s unusual expression and quietly moved closer to inquire.

”What’s wrong?”

Han Yu glanced at the Bai Mansion behind them, speaking softly, ”That is my friend’s residence.”

Ye Hei’s expression immediately darkened as well.

What despicable tactics, it was a silent threat, plain and simple. Even grand cultivators resort to such worldly tactics, using friends and family as leverage?

The group entered an estate with pavilions and water features, but Han Yu was not in the mood to admire it, focusing instead on the building ahead.

”There is a Transcendent Realm cultivator here!”

The Artifact Spirit warned him in his Sea of Consciousness.

After entering the building, the decor was simple and ancient, a large screen with landscape paintings on it. Beyond the screen, a middle-aged man around forty years old was sitting cross-legged on a rush mat, brewing tea at the tea table.

His face was white, with a long beard, exuding a scholarly demeanor. Dressed in a robe of black and white, he seemed composed and serene.

Amidst the fragrance of tea, the silver kettle steamed with a soft humming sound, as the middle-aged man leisurely washed the teaware and quickly filled three cups of clear tea.

”An artful pretender, individuals like this are the most problematic.”

Ye Hei spoke directly to Han Yu without reserve.

Upon hearing this, the hand holding the silver kettle paused, a trace of anger flashed across the man’s face before he quickly calmed down, speaking slowly.

”Little friend, you call me an artful pretender? How so?”

Ye Hei took a step forward, glanced around, and then burst out with a series of remarks.

”If you want to call me a mongrel, just do it, no need for all this ’little friend’ nonsense. Your decor may be antiquated, but it’s overly deliberate.”

Who the hell buys a temporary estate and decorates it like this just for show? The house is old, but the items are new, clearly set up in haste.

”And I don’t know if you’re particular about tea brewing, but spirit tea is meant to be boiled rather than brewed. The way you’re doing it is just gaudy nouveau riche behavior.”

Spirit tea, unlike ordinary tea, requires boiling to release its Spiritual Qi. The way he drank it was akin to cows chewing peonies.

In Ye Hei’s eyes, this guy looked as much like a cultivator as he did a nouveau riche among mortals.

Han Yu was taken aback, astonished by how ruthless Ye Hei could be with his words.

The middle-aged man’s face darkened, and he promptly poured out all three cups of tea, indicating the mats in front of him with a taut expression.

”Please, sit, both of you.”

After they sat down, the middle-aged man took a deep look at Ye Hei.

”You’re trying to provoke me, aren’t you afraid I’ll kill you?”

For a Transcendent Realm cultivator, killing a Great Perfection Cultivator would be the easiest thing. He didn’t understand where the other’s nerve came from.

”You wouldn’t dare make a move in the city, and you wouldn’t dare risk that I might have a sect elder with me.”

Ye Hei looked up without fear, smiling as he spoke. He’d long interacted with Transcendent Realm cultivators, especially among the Nine Sects, fearing a Transcendent Realm cultivator outside of them was impossible.

”Unparalleled Tower’s Ye Hei, is it? Very well.”

The middle-aged man smiled meaningfully, then looked at Han Yu.

”I know you have a Dragon Blood Stone with you. How about selling it to me?”

He came straight to the point, speaking without reservation.