Two Questions (Thanks to "Miuuwu" for the generous gift!)

The mountains are shrouded in mist and lush greenery.

Outside the main gate of the Yun family mansion.

Yun Jingxian, the second son of the Yun family, looked serious as he held an invitation letter written by his Matriarch of the family. The handwriting was elegant and bold, clearly stating that the invitee was free to bring guards.

But unexpectedly, only one person came to the Yun family at this moment.

The White-robed Youth looked extremely young, almost like a novice martial artist under twenty. His expression was calm, his dark eyes were bright, and his every move exuded an aura of power that made even a Heaven and Earth Realm Venerable feel a little breathless.

"Elder Ye, you've come all this way, thank you for your hard work."

Yun Jingxian put away the letter, a humble smile appearing on his face. He slightly stepped aside, making way for the Great Dao behind him.

"My mother has prepared a banquet and is waiting for your arrival in the main courtyard of the mansion. This way, please."

"It's not hard work." Ye Li shook his head slightly, his tone also carrying a hint of a smile:

"I haven't been invited to a banquet in a long time, especially under these circumstances. The Yun family's invitation is truly appreciated, and I'm really looking forward to the upcoming feast."

As he spoke, he gestured to dismiss the Yun family Maid who wanted to take off his coat, and with his Baiyi fluttering, he walked straight past Yun Jingxian.

Yun Jingxian swallowed hard.

This person's demeanor at attending the banquet alone was too composed; he didn't seem like an outsider venturing into a dangerous place at all!

However, upon closer examination, it makes sense.

After all, he was True Person of the Divine Connection Realm who could destroy the [Purple Cloud Cave]. Looking at the Guest Elder of the entire Eastern Continent's Heavenly Supervision Department, he was probably in a class of his own!

I just don't know how many moves he could last against his mother if they actually fought...

Yun Jingxian led the way while secretly thinking to himself.

A moment of silence fell between them, then he suddenly realized something was amiss and quickly spoke up:

"Elder Ye, since you're new here, is there anything you'd like to ask about the Yun family? Feel free to ask me..."

"No need."

Ye Li glanced at him casually, rejecting his suggestion again, his laughter devoid of any warmth:

I plan to ask your mother directly later.

"This..."

Yun Jingxian wanted to say that he could also handle such a task, but considering the vast difference in their cultivation levels, he wisely kept quiet.

He hesitated for a moment, then spoke with a sigh:

"Speaking of which, with you now in charge of the Heavenly Supervision Department of Wanjing Grand Commandery, the Demonic Calamity caused by the Mountain Gate in various prefectures should be greatly reduced."

"You may not know how much trouble these Mountain Gate families caused before; the local Heavenly Supervision Department simply couldn't handle it!"

"Our Yun family couldn't stand by and watch any longer, so we sent people to various places to help resolve the Trouble. Over the years, many of our family's best members have died or been injured..."

At this point, he deliberately revealed a relieved smile:

"Finally, I can take a break."

Yun Jingxian was well aware of the Yun family's numerous overstepping of boundaries over the years.

He meant to clarify the Yun family's motives indirectly, and to emphasize the Yun family's contributions over the years.

This serves as a reminder to the other party not to engage in the kind of behavior of discarding someone after they have served their purpose.

"I see..."

Ye Li listened quietly to his story, nodding slightly, but did not offer any substantial opinions.

They simply continued walking towards the mansion ahead.

A late-stage Heaven and Earth Realm cultivator isn't even worthy of being considered an appetizer on this trip.

There's no need to waste too much time.

Everything has to wait until he meets the Matriarch of the Yun family.

Soon, under Yun Jingxian's guidance...

Ye Li arrived smoothly at the most magnificent mansion of the Yun family.

The sunlight was just right, illuminating the bronze bells on the Ninth Rank eaves.

The atmosphere here was exceptionally solemn, with numerous Maid and servants coming and going, constantly placing rare delicacies, seldom seen in the outside world, on the long table.

Before stepping into the banquet hall, Ye Li suddenly stopped and looked towards the Yun family's Rear Mountain in the southeast.

"Elder, are you interested in the Yun family's Forbidden Grounds?" Yun Jingxian followed his gaze and asked with a hint of apology:

"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint the elders, but that place houses the Old Ancestor tablets of my Yun family's ancestors, and it's usually not open to the public..."

"It's alright." Ye Li withdrew his gaze and said with a light laugh:

"I'm just browsing, don't worry about it."

There was indeed a problem.

There was an aura emanating from the Rear Mountain of the Yun family that even made him feel uneasy.

In addition, there was a Heaven and Earth Realm Venerable hiding there, making every effort to conceal his aura.

If his perception hadn't been exceptionally sharp thanks to the enhancement of the Golden Soul, he probably wouldn't have noticed the anomaly in the Rear Mountain.

Now that things have come to this, it's finally time for the main course...

Ye Li was in a lighthearted mood and stepped into the banquet hall.

"..."

Yun Jingxian watched the other person's retreating figure, for some reason, a sudden sense of panic arose in his heart.

But what could he possibly be panicking about?

My mother's cultivation level is among the top in the Eastern Continent, and with the blessing of the [Tengshe] family crest, she is even capable of fighting against the Eastern Continent's Director of the Celestial Observatory!

Looking across the entire Eastern Continent, there are few aristocratic families that can compare with the Yun family.

However, they have always kept a low profile, which is why uninformed outsiders think that the Yun family and the Purple Cloud Cave are not much different!

But right now, no one will explain his doubts.

Ye Li entered the banquet hall.

Yun Suyi's familiar, composed voice echoed throughout the courtyard:

"Elder Ye's willingness to attend the banquet is truly an honor to my humble abode."

Twelve Liuli lanterns hung from the dome of the banquet hall, illuminating the reliefs on the four walls in exquisite detail.

Ye Li nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the serpent totem on the mural, poised to take flight, and sat down in the seat to Yun Suyi's left.

Splash--

The young man, dressed in simple Yun Suyi, lightly flicked his sleeves, and the wine vessel before him automatically filled with the finest spirit wine.

"Trouble wait a moment, Elder. Before the banquet begins, I need to attend to a family matter."

She stood silently before the throne, her already noble face now unusually serious, her eyes radiating a chilling Cold Glint, but not directed at Ye Li:

"Bring up that Yun family disciple who's been causing chaos in [Bamboo Sea Prefecture]!"

The words had barely left his mouth.

Soon, under Ye Li's interested gaze...

A young man, his body pierced by black iron chains, was dragged out, bleeding profusely. He knelt on the ground, trembling, his head bowed, awaiting his fate.

"Slaughtering the people within the manor without permission is a violation of the [Yun Family Ancestral Edict]." When Yun Suyi sat down on the rosewood chair, the aroma of wine in the room seemed to pause.

Cold sweat beaded on the forehead of the kneeling Yun family disciple, spreading it across the bluestone floor, his voice filled with despair:

"I know I was wrong and repent! I beg my Matriarch to spare my life!!"

"I have advised you time and again..." Yun Suyi gently stirred the foam with the teacup lid, her calm voice as crisp and sharp as a blade slicing through stone.

"Since you still choose not to follow the ancestral teachings, then there's no need to keep your life any longer."

The moment the words left his mouth.

Alas!

A gentle breeze suddenly swept through the banquet hall, and the desperately pleading disciple of the Yun family collapsed to the ground, instantly losing all life.

The entire banquet hall fell silent; you could hear a pin drop.

Yun Suyi's fingertips were shrouded in tea mist, as if she had merely brushed away some dust. "Is such punishment pleasing to the elders?"

"Madam Yun is quite swift in her actions." Ye Li toyed with the bronze wine vessel, his fingertips lingering on the serpent pattern before he chuckled.

"Unfortunately, I have no interest in this man's fate, and I do have two questions I'd like to ask you, Madam."

Upon hearing Yun Jingxian, who was waiting quietly below the throne, felt his unease grow even stronger.

Jingle--

At this moment, the bronze bells hanging high on the eaves moved automatically without wind, emitting a pleasant and clear sound.

Many elders of the Yun family held their breath and focused their attention on the White-robed Youth sitting in the high position.

"Elder Ye is joking."

Yun Suyi lowered her eyes, her slender fingers lightly tapping the table, her voice echoing towards the Rear Mountain: "Let alone two questions, I have no objection even if there are two hundred questions."

"Alright then."

Ye Li's dark eyes seemed to gleam with divine light as he asked calmly, "Firstly, are the snake-like Mutant Beast currently rampaging through the various prefectures of the county the work of your Yun family?"

"No." Yun Suyi immediately shook her head.

"Secondly, of the 875 Wanjing Prefecture that Du An presented, how many still have intact corpses?"

"What do you mean by that, Elder?" Yun Suyi raised her hand in a gesture of calming down the somewhat agitated members of the Yun family, her tone and demeanor remaining dignified.

"Those prodigies of the Ten Thousand Sceneries are now all members of my Yun family. Although some died in accidents, most are still alive. Those prodigies are currently in seclusion in the Rear Mountain."

Ye Li's gaze lingered on her face for a moment, then he suddenly chuckled.

Immediately afterwards, a vast golden light burst forth in his pupils, exploding like the sun: "Madam answered very well--"

As he spoke, the air suddenly froze, and the dome of the entire banquet hall collapsed inch by inch!

The boy's icy voice and a powerful, dragon-like aura descended simultaneously, causing Yun Suyi's expression to change drastically.

"But unfortunately, it was all a lie."