Anlan's Arrogance

More than a month had passed.

Yunlan stretched across eight million li, looming over Great Jin's Jiangnan region. It blotted out the sky and sun, its illustrious renown unmatched.

Within it, thirty-two towering peaks rose amid swirling clouds and mist.

Of Yunlan's thirty-two peaks, seven were main peaks.

One was Bright Cloud Peak, home to the third elder, Ye Zhanshan.

On the peak, flocks of immortal cranes passed through the clouds and mist. The mist was blue-green, Spiritual Qi abounded, and Spirit Plants and rare treasures were too numerous to count.

"He's only relying on the True Lord's authority. When it comes to talent and strength, who has Brother Jinming ever lost to?"

"Exactly, exactly."

"Brother Jinming's talent is exceptional. He entered the Foundation Establishment Late Stage long ago, and the Ancestor even bestowed Azure Nether Wind upon him. He gained the immortal foundation [Nine Heavens Azure Nether] and is the greatest genius among the Ye Clan's direct descendants."

At that moment, several young men and women were drinking tea and chatting in a side hall. All were talented younger descendants of the Ye Clan's various elder lineages and Purple Mansion cultivators.

Several of them were plainly trying to flatter him.

"Even if he has the True Lord's authority behind him, I've heard the young master is exceptionally shrewd and has impressive methods. You mustn't underestimate him..."

"In the Ye Clan, the capable have always held office, and the most talented have governed and managed the clan. Over the years, when have we ever had a fool among us?"

The speaker had swordlike brows and starry eyes, and his refined bearing showed no trace of ostentation. Deep in his eyes lay sunken stars, and he wore a long green-jade robe patterned with clouds. He would not lose his composure over a little flattery, possessing a quiet steadiness of his own.

His cultivation had reached the peak of the Foundation Establishment Late Stage. He was Ye Jinyu's third uncle's son, Ye Jinming, the acknowledged greatest genius of the Ye Clan's younger generation.

Seated across from him was his younger brother, Ye Jinxuan. His talent was a little inferior, but he too had entered the Foundation Establishment Late Stage and cultivated [Clear Heng Radiant Wind]. The wind enhanced his bearing, making him look especially radiant, graceful and splendidly dressed, the very image of a noble young master.

He had also mastered numerous combat techniques and talisman treasures, making him a formidable fighter.

"Brother is right." Ye Jinxuan set down his teacup and lowered his voice. "But lately, many elders in the clan have been saying in private that True Lord Qiuran brushed aside all opposition, while the Azure Nether Ancestor, whose thoughts reach far and high, sat in the heavens without saying a word, merely smiling."

"There have been some disputes in the clan these past few years, with turmoil over who should be deposed and who should be appointed, but the Ancestor has issued no decree."

"What they mean is that a worthy person may hold the position of young master. It won't necessarily fall to that one."

"He left home ten years ago and has been living as a guest with the Xiao Clan. He's been delayed for a long time, and although he caused something of a stir in the Ruin Realm recently... that was all. You should know that the Ye Clan's young master must have a rightful title to speak with authority. He must face everyone under heaven and the proud geniuses of every clan. He can't lack either cultivation or cunning..."

At those words, the only woman in the hall, a beauty of heavenly grace, turned her lively eyes.

Ye Jinling chuckled softly and offered a serious analysis, though her words could not help but carry a note of flattery and a desire to watch the show.

"That's true. When our Ye Clan settles the position of young master in Yunlan at year's end, it will surely be an unprecedented spectacle, a grand event for all under heaven. Besides, [Wind Abyss] is about to open, and that... affects the interests of quite a few people.

"On top of that, the day when the imperial court's grand impartiality official releases the Under-Heaven Wind and Cloud Rankings is approaching. The clan's many outstanding talents are seeking resources to improve their cultivation. Undercurrents are surging, and quite a few want to seize this chance to make a name for themselves throughout the world..."

"Brother Jinming, you're acknowledged as the greatest of the Ye Clan's present generation... How could you bow out? Even if you did, that one would see you as a stepping stone."

"It wouldn't hurt to have a contest. I imagine the Ancestor would be happy to see it happen."

While they were talking, a sudden clamor arose outside the hall.

A middle-aged man who looked like a steward hurried in and knelt. His face was grim, marked with wounds and handprints that had clearly just been inflicted.

"Young masters, I have failed you. I just went to Pill Peak to collect this month's Purple Heart Radiant Pills... but Ye Anlan brought people with him and seized every last one."

Purple Heart Radiant Pills were precious pills that helped Foundation Establishment cultivators refine their Law Power, temper their souls and sharpen their comprehension. They also helped solidify their Dao foundations and increased their chances of breaking through to the Purple Mansion realm. An allotment was distributed every five years according to talent and cultivation.

The geniuses of Yunlan's peaks could each receive one every ten years. Jinming, Jinxuan and Jinling belonged to the Ye Clan's noble direct lineages and could each receive three. These were the clan's rules.

"What?"

"Anlan has some nerve!"

"Arrogant... truly arrogant."

Everyone in the hall was astonished, then furious.

While their own interests had not been involved, they could still listen and laugh.

But at such a crucial moment, to be told that their resources had all been seized, and something so precious at that-how could they stand it?

Several of them cursed outright, their words meant to spur him on.

"He, Ye Anlan, has some nerve!"

"He's been throwing his weight around in the Ruin Realm all these years. I'm afraid he's forgotten Yunlan's rules and his own weight, hasn't he?"

"Brother Jinming, how can you put up with that Ruin Realm branch-line brat?"

"That's right, Brother Jinming, you have to help us! He's slapping you in the face." One of them pointed to the marks on the steward's face as he spoke.

Hearing this, Ye Jinming merely raised his teacup, took a small sip and said softly, "He's come so soon?"

Ye Jinxuan looked at the steward and motioned for him to withdraw. Then he quickly leaned close to Ye Jinming's ear and said,

"It seems we... have no choice but to go."

"Otherwise, everyone's hearts will scatter..."

Ye Jinxuan set down his teacup, pondered for a moment, then swept his robes.

"Then let's go... If soldiers come, we'll send generals to meet them; if water comes, we'll dam it with earth."

Pill Peak was likewise one of Yunlan's seven main peaks.

Atop it stood the Pill Pavilion, with carved pavilions and painted beams and palace halls of simple, ancient elegance. From top to bottom were medicine gardens planted with all kinds of spirit medicines, as well as countless cultivated spirit fields and Dao soil.

This peak was also a major site for the Ye Clan's distribution of pills and spirit materials, jointly overseen by three fourth-grade Purple Mansion clan elders skilled in pill refinement.

Ye Jinming led the way with an air of calm, but the many young masters behind him were fuming.

At this time, quite a few clan members were lined up in the Pill Pavilion's outer hall to collect resources.

"Make way!" Several young masters of the Ye Clan's noble lineages released the pressure of their Foundation Establishment cultivation, clearing a path.

Then they stood respectfully to one side and said with smiles,

"Brother Jinming, after you..."

Seeing this, Ye Jinming said nothing and walked in.

The clan members around them began whispering.

"Young Master Jinming is really angry? He's come to get even!"

"Damn, is that true?"

"I have to go see... heh heh heh."

"So many young masters from noble lineages. Anlan's really something, offending them all at once."

One well-informed person said,

"No wonder. Those Purple Heart Radiant Pills are so precious, yet he seized them just like that... Anlan's the man."

"Good for him. He hasn't let us branch-line geniuses lose face."

As he spoke, he stuck out his thumb.

"I heard... this Ye Anlan was in the Qingyu Ruins Realm, wasn't he... Could he be the young master..."

"Shh! Watch your words!"

Outside the Pill Pavilion, the chatter subsided somewhat. Seeing so many young masters from noble Purple Mansion lineages arrive, many clan members hurried outside.

"Ye Anlan, get out here!"

"Ye Anlan, you Ruin Realm brat, you dare run wild in Yunlan!"

"Ye Anlan... I..."

A mocking voice came from the Pill Pavilion's second floor:

"Who's shouting and making a racket here? Disturbing the peace."

"Could it be that the main lineage is full of ill-mannered fools who know nothing but how to curse in the streets?"

"Anlan is here."

As soon as the words fell,

A figure strode with the gait of a dragon and the step of a tiger from the Pill Pavilion's second floor, his black robes snapping.

A blue-gray whirlwind faintly swirled around him, emanating vitality as well as the destructive force of a calamitous wind.

Anlan's gaze swept over the people in the Pill Pavilion before settling on Ye Jinming, the corner of his mouth curling into a sneer:

"I took them. Do you have a problem with that?"

The Pill Pavilion fell silent in an instant.

Everyone recognized Ye Anlan. He was the son of Ye Guyi, Qingyu's guardian, and his cultivation was at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

But neither his Cultivation Method nor his Dao foundation was particularly outstanding.

His talent could only be considered above average in the clan. In a place like Yunlan, where geniuses gathered, who had he ever been?

How did he dare act so arrogantly today?

He must have... been acting on orders from above.

Ye Jinming narrowed his eyes slightly and murmured inwardly,

Ye Anlan...