Although Ye Lingyun had temporarily steadied the situation in his clash with the Ye Family's conservative faction, he knew that the strife within the family had become a deep pool roiling with hidden currents. One careless step could swallow him whole. Though the conservatives had suffered a setback, they would never leave matters there. Instead, they might turn to even more covert and ruthless means to deal with him.
While cultivating in seclusion in his cave abode, Ye Lingyun also kept a close watch on developments within the Ye Family. He discovered that although the conservatives had seemingly lowered their banners and silenced their drums, they were secretly colluding with more family members, trying to build a larger alliance against him. They were also attempting to win over some of the younger generation, seeking to undermine Ye Lingyun's influence among the young disciples from within.
Faced with this increasingly complicated and dangerous situation, Ye Lingyun sank into thought. He knew that if he remained in the Ye Family, even with the old clan leader's support, the conservatives' tangled roots would place obstacle after obstacle in his cultivation path. Moreover, the Ye Family was only a minor family on the Lingxi Continent. Its limited resources and narrow horizons were deeply unfavorable to his pursuit of higher cultivation realms.
"If I want to become truly powerful, I can no longer confine myself to the Ye Family's little corner of the world." Ye Lingyun gazed resolutely at the sky beyond his cave abode, his decision already made. He would leave the Ye Family and venture out to temper himself, improving his strength in the wider world and seeking opportunities to break through.
Yet this decision was not an easy one. The Ye Family was his foundation on the Lingxi Continent. Leaving it meant losing the family's protection and facing the dangers of the outside world alone. But Ye Lingyun understood that no towering tree could grow in a greenhouse. Only by weathering wind and rain could he become truly strong.
After making his decision, Ye Lingyun did not act immediately. He knew he needed thorough preparations for this departure. First, he sorted through everything he had gained during his time in the Ye Family, carefully organizing and storing his selected magical treasures, secret manuals, and accumulated spirit herbs so that he could retrieve them whenever needed on his journey. He also spent some time recording his recent insights into martial souls, martial techniques, and spirit arrays for later review and reflection.
Once these preparations were complete, Ye Lingyun went to the old clan leader's residence. When the old clan leader saw him arrive, he already had some inkling of why he had come.
"Lingyun, you're here. Have you run into some difficulty?" the old clan leader asked kindly.
After bowing respectfully to the old clan leader, Ye Lingyun said, "Clan Leader, I have come to tell you something. After reflecting on it for some time, I have decided to leave the Ye Family and venture out to temper myself."
The old clan leader paused, surprise and reluctance flashing through his eyes, but he soon regained his composure. He knew that Ye Lingyun's ambitions reached far beyond them, and the Ye Family's small world did indeed constrain his growth.
"Lingyun, I understand your decision. The outside world is full of opportunities, but danger lurks on every side as well. You must be careful in everything you do," the old clan leader said earnestly.
Ye Lingyun looked at him with gratitude and said, "Thank you for your understanding and concern, Clan Leader. I will never forget your guidance, and I will take extra care during my travels. Once I am strong enough, I will return and bring honor to the Ye Family."
The old clan leader nodded, took an ancient-looking token from inside his robe, and handed it to Ye Lingyun. "This is the Ye Family's Clan Leader Token. With it, you can call upon some of the family's forces within our territory. If you encounter danger, you can use it to seek help from nearby branches of the Ye Family."
Ye Lingyun accepted the token, warmth welling in his heart. He understood the weight it carried, as well as the old clan leader's hopes for him.
"Rest assured, Clan Leader. I will never abuse this token," Ye Lingyun said solemnly.
After bidding farewell to the old clan leader, Ye Lingyun returned to his residence and packed his belongings. Dressed in a fitted black martial outfit, with a longsword on his back and the Ye Family's Clan Leader Token in his hand, he strode gallantly out through the family's main gates. It was early morning, and the sunlight falling upon him gilded his figure with a golden glow.
Some of the Ye Family's disciples cast peculiar looks at Ye Lingyun as they watched him leave. Some admired his courage and resolve, while others secretly rejoiced that he was finally leaving, giving them one less rival. Ye Lingyun paid them no mind. Without looking back, he walked beyond the family's gates, his heart full of anticipation for the unknown world and determination to meet its hardships.
After leaving the Ye Family, Ye Lingyun set out on the road to Lingfeng City. A prosperous major city on the Lingxi Continent, it drew cultivators from all quarters and offered abundant cultivation resources and countless opportunities. Ye Lingyun hoped to improve his strength further there while making more like-minded friends.
Along the way, Ye Lingyun relied on his outstanding movement techniques and keen perception to avoid many dangerous regions and powerful demonic beasts. Yet as he passed through a dense forest, trouble still found him.
A band of mountain bandits blocked his path. Every one of them looked fierce and vicious, carrying sharp blades with greed gleaming in their eyes. Their leader was a burly man with a brutish face. He looked Ye Lingyun up and down and sneered, "Boy, judging by those clothes, you must have plenty of money. Leave your valuables, and I'll spare your life."
Ye Lingyun frowned slightly, disgust rising in his heart. He had no fear of these bandits, but neither did he want to get tangled up with them and delay his journey.
"I have no money on me. I advise you not to bring ruin upon yourselves," Ye Lingyun said coldly.
The bandits burst into laughter at his words.
"Ha! You think we'd believe that? Brothers, get him! Teach him a lesson!" At their leader's command, the bandits brandished their weapons and charged at Ye Lingyun.
A cold glint flashed through Ye Lingyun's eyes. He swiftly drew his longsword and unleashed the Star-Splitting Void Sword Technique. Sword qi crisscrossed the air, dazzling like stars, instantly driving back the bandits at the front.
The bandits were shocked. They had never expected this young-looking boy to possess such strength. Yet they did not retreat. Urged on by their leader, they surrounded him again, trying to overwhelm Ye Lingyun through sheer numbers.
Ye Lingyun snorted coldly. His figure flickered as he darted among the bandits like a phantom. Every thrust of his sword struck a vital point with precision, and screams rose one after another.
Seeing the battle turn against him, the bandit leader tried to flee. How could Ye Lingyun let him succeed? Seizing the right moment, he unleashed a fierce sword technique. A streak of sword qi shot toward the bandit leader like lightning, sending him flying to the ground.
With their leader defeated, the bandits scattered like birds and beasts. Ye Lingyun sheathed his longsword and watched their retreating figures, inwardly keeping his guard up. He knew this was only a minor episode in his journey. More dangers and challenges awaited him, but he felt no fear.
After several days of travel, Ye Lingyun finally glimpsed Lingfeng City's towering, majestic walls in the distance. Banners fluttered above them, while people streamed through the gates in a lively bustle. Ye Lingyun drew a deep breath and quickened his steps toward the city. He knew that the curtain was about to rise on his adventure in Lingfeng City...
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