Dark clouds blotted out the sun.
Raindrops gradually drifted down, pelting every corner of Heavenly Origin City.
At that moment, few people could be seen on the streets.
The only bustling place was the Ye Lineage, one of the four great lineages.
Because Ye Qiubai had returned.
Inside the main hall.
Ye Qing sat in the seat of honor, with First Elder Ye Ling in the next seat.
Behind Ye Ling stood Ye Yan.
However, Ye Yan's expression looked distinctly wrong. As he looked at Ye Qiubai, fear showed in his eyes.
Ye Ling, seated in his chair, was also on pins and needles.
Clearly, Ye Yan had already told his father about Ye Qiubai.
Ye Qiubai came before Ye Qing, dropped to both knees, and said, "Father, I'm back."
Seeing this, Ye Qing sighed, walked over, and helped Ye Qiubai up, whispering, "Qiubai, you shouldn't have come back."
Yet Ye Qiubai smiled. "It's all right, Father. Besides, if I didn't come back to help you, wouldn't certain people seize your position as lineage head?"
Ye Qiubai made no effort to lower his voice, so Ye Ling naturally heard him from beside them.
Ye Ling's heart trembled, and he said in a shaky voice, "Qiubai, who would try to seize the lineage head's position? You must have heard wrong, surely?"
Ye Yan chimed in from the side. "Yes, cousin, how could anyone do such a thing? Don't listen to rumors from outside."
Hearing this, Ye Qing was taken aback.
Lately, Ye Ling had been relying on the fact that his son had entered the Hidden Dao Academy and become an elder's disciple.
Only then had he gained the support of most of the lineage's elders.
Even the ancestor had tacitly shown some approval of the matter.
A lone tree could not hold up the roof; Ye Qing had nearly buckled under the pressure lately.
By rights, Ye Ling should have pressed his advantage.
Why had he changed his tune at this critical moment?
He even seemed to be currying favor?
Ye Qiubai, however, knew the reason and did not spare the father and son a glance.
After all, now that he had returned, his father would not be stripped of his position as lineage head.
Still, even so, the new grudges and old grievances had to be settled now.
Ye Qiubai glanced toward Ye Yan at the back.
That swordlike gaze pierced Ye Yan's heart, like ten thousand swords running it through!
It made his heart tremble violently!
Ye Yan knew.
He already knew about what had happened during the academy competition!
But just as Ye Qiubai was about to strike, the sound of hoofbeats came from outside!
"Qiu Siwu of the Qiu Lineage has come to visit Ye Qiubai!"
At the head of the group was Qiu Siwu, dressed in blood-red robes.
Now, Qiu Siwu was staring at Ye Qiubai with a savage grin.
His eyes brimmed with hatred!
Immediately afterward, another group walked in.
"Brother Ye Qing, I trust you've been well."
Jiang Tianhan of the Jiang Lineage had arrived.
Ye Qiubai looked over as well, but saw no sign of Jiang Chan.
Now, the little girl in his heart had completely faded away.
In her place was only Jiang Chan of the Jiang Lineage, his enemy.
He simply did not know whether Jiang Tianhan had been involved...
Ye Qing's expression changed. How could he not know why these people had come?
Still, he cupped his fists and asked, "May I ask what brings you all here?"
Qiu Siwu grinned savagely. "I just wanted to see whether Brother Qiubai's strength has improved. After all, we used to spar often."
Ye Qing's heart sank.
Just as he had expected.
Back then, Qiu Siwu had been Heavenly Origin City's foremost genius, only for Ye Qiubai to pin him down and grind him into the dirt.
During that time, several irreconcilable grudges had arisen between them.
Now that Ye Qiubai had lost all his cultivation, he naturally wanted revenge!
Ye Qing's expression darkened. "Qiu Siwu, this is the Ye Lineage. It is not your place to act with such impudence."
At this, Qiu Siwu laughed loudly. "Ye Qing, how much power do you still hold in the Ye Lineage? Sooner or later, you'll have to surrender your position as lineage head. How can you protect Ye Qiubai?"
Then he turned to Ye Ling and said with a savage grin, "If you don't hand Ye Qiubai over, I guarantee the Qiu Lineage will take revenge on the Ye Lineage.
"From now on, there will be no place for the Ye Lineage in Heavenly Origin City!"
"You!"
Ye Qing understood. Although both were among the four great lineages, ever since Ye Qiubai had lost all his talent, the Ye Lineage's standing in Heavenly Origin City had plummeted.
The various factions had all sought other patrons.
Now, the Ye Lineage's strength could no longer compare to the Qiu Lineage's.
Just as Ye Qing was about to say more, Ye Qiubai stepped around him and came before Qiu Siwu.
"Don't you want revenge? I'm right here. Make your move."
At the sight of this.
Qiu Siwu froze.
Ye Qing hurriedly shouted, "Qiubai, don't be rash!"
Jiang Tianhan also said with a dark expression, "As long as the green hills remain, there will be no shortage of firewood. Ye Qiubai, stand down for now!"
Hearing Jiang Tianhan's advice, Ye Qiubai could not help pausing.
It seemed Jiang Tianhan did not want him dead.
Then the earlier incident probably had nothing to do with him.
Qiu Siwu, however, grinned savagely. "Since you're courting death, I won't hold back."
With that, Qiu Siwu drew a long saber, stamped his foot, and shot toward Ye Qiubai!
Qiu Siwu had now broken through Golden Core and reached Purple Mansion.
In everyone's minds, Ye Qiubai, who had lost all his cultivation, was certainly no match for him!
Ye Qing gritted his teeth and shot toward Ye Qiubai, but an old man blocked his path.
"Lineage Head Ye, please stay here and watch."
Ye Qing's expression turned ugly. This man had once been an Attendant of his Ye Lineage, but had since defected to the Qiu Lineage.
Qiu Siwu raised his long saber high, then brought it down toward the top of Ye Qiubai's head!
"Ye Qiubai! Today, you'll repay that sword strike from back then with your life!"
Before everyone's eyes, Ye Qiubai also drew his wooden sword.
His feet shifted slightly, and he thrust the wooden sword in his hand.
It was such a plain, unremarkable strike.
The long saber and wooden sword collided!
The wooden sword did not shatter as everyone had expected!
Nor did Ye Qiubai become a departed soul beneath Qiu Siwu's blade!
The sight left everyone stupefied.
They saw that Ye Qiubai's wooden sword had actually pierced straight through the long saber and into Qiu Siwu's neck!
Blood gushed out!
"This... how is this possible?!"
Qiu Siwu's face twisted. He let go of his long saber and clutched his neck with both hands, staring fixedly at Ye Qiubai, whose expression remained as calm as still water.
"Your... your strength... has recovered?"
Ye Qiubai did not answer. He pulled out his sword, its wooden blade unstained by any blood.
Under everyone's terrified gazes, Qiu Siwu fell into a pool of blood and breathed his last.
Ye Qing was stunned.
Jiang Tianhan was stunned.
Ye Ling, who had never witnessed Ye Qiubai's strength, was also stunned.
Ye Yan was likewise utterly terrified.
In just two short days, Ye Qiubai had broken through to Purple Mansion!
What kind of cultivation speed was that?!
"Qiubai... you?"
Ye Qiubai put away his wooden sword, turned to Ye Qing, and smiled. "Father, my strength has recovered."
The crowd watching from the outskirts immediately scattered.
They spread the news!
The genius of days past.
Now the king had returned, his brilliance undimmed!