The Langya Wang Clan!
Yu Ke's gaze sharpened.
It was a name that rang like thunder, renowned throughout the entire Great Zhou Divine Dynasty.
Over four hundred years, it had produced two True Persons, suppressing the Great Zhou Divine Kingdom.
Its current patriarch held immense authority and had already been granted the title of Marquis in Great Zhou.
Compared to them, although the Yu Family to which Yu Ke belonged was also counted among the great clans, before such a powerful family, it was utterly dwarfed—the gap was simply too vast.
When Great Zhou was founded seven hundred years ago, the Yu Family had earned lands along the Great Zhou Luo River through its merit in supporting the founding ruler. From then on, the Lineage flourished and its name spread far and wide.
The Yu Family's founding ancestor had also been a True Person cultivator who shook an era, nearly suppressing all of Lei Province through his strength alone. He could originally have led the Yu Family to greater heights, yet at the height of his prosperity, he suddenly passed away in meditation.
Since then, as though its fortune had been spent clean, the Yu Family had declined further and further. For four hundred years, not a single cultivator at the True Person realm had emerged. Its descendants only grew worse with each generation, leaving people no choice but to sigh.
For this woman to travel the world under the name of the Langya Wang Clan was enough to show that she was extraordinary.
One had to know that great aristocratic clans treasured their reputations above all else. When one traveled outside, it concerned not only one's own dignity, but the face of the entire family.
He just did not know what standing this woman held within her clan.
Though the Yu Family had declined, its direct bloodline could still rely on the family name to easily enter the ranks of Inner Disciples in the Divine Firmament Sect.
Yu Ke, however, was from a collateral branch and had never received sufficient regard within the family.
Though waves rose and fell in his heart, Yu Ke's expression remained calm. He solemnly returned the greeting.
"Yu Ke of the Luo River Yu Clan greets the Marquis's Daughter."
This form of address carried deeper meaning. Marquis's Daughter was how one addressed a direct descendant of the Wang Clan, and he did not know the woman's true background.
Calling her that could never be wrong.
Like meeting a vice principal—you could not call them Vice Principal. You had to call them Principal.
The woman smiled sweetly.
"Senior Brother Yu is too courteous. Yunxi has only just arrived and will need much care from Senior Brother Yu."
As soon as she finished speaking, Zhou Liang, the friend beside him, chimed in.
"Junior Brother Yu, you didn't know, did you? Junior Sister Yunxi possesses extraordinary talent and has caught the eye of a sect elder. She has already joined the Jade Purity Peak Lineage. A ceremony will be held soon to announce the matter publicly."
"Those of us disciples from the Great Zhou Divine Kingdom now have one more person to rely on within the Divine Firmament Sect."
The Jade Purity Peak Lineage!
One of the Divine Firmament Sect's three upper peaks.
Yu Ke's heart stirred. Yet given the Wang Clan's standing, were the eight Inner Sect peaks not theirs to choose from as they pleased?
Yu Ke understood the weight of this, and coupled with his friend's well-intentioned reminder—
His tone became especially courteous.
"It seems we disciples of Great Zhou will have to rely on Junior Sister Yunxi from now on. If you need anything later, Junior Sister Yunxi, simply say the word. Yu Ke will not dare refuse."
That was what he said, but it was merely polite talk. If something truly happened later, who could say for certain?
Junior Sister Yunxi smiled lightly and replied, "Senior Brother Yu is too courteous."
After exchanging a few simple words,
Yu Ke quietly found a secluded corner and sat down. He casually picked up a spirit fruit from the table and took a bite.
It melted in his mouth!
Crisp and sweet!
Plump and juicy!
Yu Ke praised it endlessly in his heart, yet his face remained composed. As if nothing had happened, he tucked several spirit fruits into his sleeve, his movements smooth and natural.
Steady and unhurried.
Why was he so practiced at this?
A habit cultivated from attending banquet feasts in his previous life... nothing more than practiced hands!
Zhou Liang had already made his way over with familiarity, greeting him with a beaming smile.
"Junior Brother Yu, you came so late. I heard quite a few lovely junior sisters came from Lei Province this time. I'm afraid you missed out on quite a lot."
Zhou Liang paused, then suddenly said with a look of exasperation, "I forgot—you're a cultivation fanatic. You don't understand such romance beneath the moon and wind among the flowers."
"The path of cultivation is certainly important, but life is short. While young, one should seize the day and enjoy oneself. Look at me. Though I am not particularly talented, I understand how to savor life's myriad forms while cultivating and enjoy life itself."
Yu Ke studied this friend of his predecessor seriously. Zhou Liang was somewhat handsome, fair-skinned, and scholarly in appearance, with the air of a young master from a great clan between his brows.
The few strands of hair hanging by his temples looked unruly, but had actually been deliberately arranged. Even the wrinkles on his sleeves had been carefully smoothed out.
His predecessor and Zhou Liang possessed utterly different temperaments, yet they had become friends.
The reason was that both their families had taken root along the Luo River. As collateral descendants within their respective clans, they shared the same background and received the same cold treatment.
Yu Ke was just about to respond.
When he saw—
Zhou Liang's eyes suddenly lit up, as though he had discovered some peerless treasure.
He swiftly adjusted his robes and walked elegantly toward someone in the distance.
"I am Zhou Liang. Is this Junior Sister's first time here?" Zhou Liang's voice was gentle and friendly, carrying a reassuring strength.
The junior sister he had questioned was clearly nervous. She fidgeted helplessly with the hem of her clothes, her face faintly flushed, her voice as thin as a mosquito's buzz. "Yes, Senior Brother."
Before long, Zhou Liang and that junior sister were chatting merrily as they gradually walked away.
"..." Yu Ke was dumbfounded.
This friend could be discarded.
Still, with no one disturbing him, it was rather peaceful.
At the third quarter of the Hour of the Dog, the venue grew increasingly lively.
More and more Outer Disciples entered, and even some Inner Disciples came in among them. The Outer Disciples immediately began calling out, "Senior Brother Chen!" and "Senior Sister Xu!" Whenever they received a response, their faces shone as though they themselves had been honored.
However!
That woman in green, Wang Yunxi, remained the focus of everyone's attention.
As she conversed with people from every side, every gesture revealed an innate nobility and propriety.
Whether she dealt with Outer Sect disciples or Inner Sect disciples, she treated them equally, leaving no drop of water to leak through.
Her every word and action invisibly won people's favor.
As time passed, more and more people entered this area, crowding it with bustling activity.
The people had more or less all arrived!
Wang Yunxi gently raised her jade-like hand. Someone immediately understood, and one of her followers promptly called out in a loud voice.
"Everyone, please remain calm. Junior Sister Yunxi has an important matter to announce."
The moment those words fell, the previously noisy venue instantly quieted. Every gaze focused upon the figure in green.
Some frowned, but no one objected.
Wang Yunxi smiled faintly, like spring wind turning into rain.
"Everyone present is an outstanding figure among the great clans of Great Zhou, and also Yunxi's senior brothers and sisters. To gather with you all here today is truly Yunxi's fortune."
Yu Ke, standing to one side, clearly did not believe her. If they truly were outstanding figures, they would have entered the Inner Sect long ago.
"Yunxi has two more pieces of news to share with everyone."
Upon hearing this, everyone revealed curious and expectant expressions.
"The first concerns the Outer Sect Tournament."
Everyone knew that advancement from the Outer Sect to the Inner Sect was a matter of great importance, and what most of those present sought.
They could not help pricking up their ears.
She did not keep them in suspense.
"Supreme Purity Peak, which has been silent for centuries, will reopen its mountain gates during the Outer Sect Tournament two years from now and select new disciples."
The entire venue erupted into an uproar.
"What? Th-this is true?" Someone rose to their feet excitedly, repeating the question in disbelief.
"Doesn't that mean that the renowned Fairy Yunxiao will also leave seclusion in person to seek out her successor?"
"This is an event that will shake the Five Continents!"
The surrounding crowd buzzed with discussion, every face filled with excitement and anticipation.
Even Yu Ke, sitting in the corner, felt somewhat shocked as he looked through the clamorous crowd, recalling his predecessor's memories.
The Divine Firmament Sect's Inner Sect had eight lineages of inheritance, but seven hundred years ago, there had been nine lineages standing side by side in unparalleled glory.
Among them, the Supreme Purity Lineage had stood alone at the crest.
Yet for reasons unknown, the Supreme Purity Lineage had ultimately chosen to close its mountain gates and isolate itself from the world, leaving behind countless legends and regrets.
And the final master of the Supreme Purity Lineage, as well as the last person of Supreme Purity Peak, was that peerlessly elegant Fairy Yunxiao.
Before you continue