Four Nobles of the Jin Court

Within the Treasured Artifact Hall of Qiuran Palace, in the Cloud-Heaven Azure Palace.

A massive artifact-refining furnace spewed crimson flames, bathing the entire hall in red.

Ye Wan, the Artifact Hall's chief elder, was taking pieces of soft armor shimmering with azure light from the furnace, looking thoroughly pleased with himself.

"Young master, this is the Azure Scale Mystic Armor. Its main material is the hide of a Foundation Establishment Realm Azure Scale Python, woven together with Mystic Nether wind silk. It contains a hundred protective inscriptions and ten wind patterns unique to the Ye Clan. The wind patterns can amplify the Law Power of our Ye Clan disciples, while the protective inscriptions can greatly improve their defense."

Ye Wan then handed a suit to Ye Jinyu for inspection. Watching the young master's expression, he carefully reported, "This inner armor is almost comparable to a Foundation Establishment middle-grade Law Artifact. It can withstand three full-force strikes from a Foundation Establishment Late Stage cultivator, or no fewer than a hundred from one at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, before sustaining damage."

"This time, to refine so many suits of inner armor, we cleared out every Azure Scale snake and python demonic creature that had reached Foundation Establishment in the Ruin Realms under our clan's jurisdiction."

Ye Wan then smiled and said in praise, "It cost the True Lord a considerable amount of resources and materials, but fortunately, I have fulfilled my task. Young master, you have given such thought to the clan members and spent so much on them. Your devotion to their well-being is truly a blessing for our Ye Clan."

Ye Jinyu accepted it. The armor felt light and soft in his hands, and its surface gleamed faintly with a pattern of scales.

"It was only a few resources, a few Spirit Stones, and some things from the treasury. As the Ye Clan's young master, this was my duty... Issue one to each of the disciples accompanying us this time."

Ye Jinyu spoke calmly, not caring in the least how many Spirit Stones or materials had been spent.

They were all Qiuran Palace's possessions anyway, and my father is a Golden Core powerhouse.

He's a figure of the Cangxuan All-Heavens. Would he care about a mere few million Spirit Stones in total...?

"Yes!"

To have a young master who is so generous with Spirit Stones and cares so much for his clan members is truly a blessing for us all.

Delight appeared on Ye Wan's face as he thought this.

Then he cupped his hands, turned around, and ordered, "Carry them out!"

More than ten Artifact Hall disciples behind him packed the suits of inner armor away. In over ten large black iron chests, a hundred and thirty suits of Azure Scale inner armor were neatly stacked, their azure light joining into a magnificent sight.

They then carried everything outside the hall. The eyes of the thirty Foundation Establishment Realm and hundred Qi Refinement disciples who had long been waiting there lit up at once.

Foundation Establishment Law Artifacts!

They were defensive Law Artifacts that could also amplify Law Power. On the outside, each would be worth at least ten thousand Spirit Stones.

Even within the clan, not everyone possessed one.

Many talented disciples from the collateral branches were still using Qi Refinement Realm equipment!

"Thank you, young master!"

"For the young master's kindness, we would not shrink from dying ten thousand deaths!"

Everyone shouted their thanks in unison, their voices unable to conceal their excitement. They felt the young master's image grow immeasurably lofty in their hearts.

Out of respect for him, they all shouted that they were willing to pledge their loyalty to the young master, and so on.

Listening to their words, Ye Jinyu could not help nodding inwardly.

Such is the charm of Spirit Stones... It's just that I nearly emptied several treasuries, that's all.

Only by binding the clan members with kindness and obligation can I make them willing to die in service.

Although delighted, Ye Jinyu maintained a calm, untroubled expression as he spoke.

"We depart tomorrow for Jiangnan."

"This journey will be perilous, but the opportunities will be great as well. I hope you will all... conduct yourselves well and uphold the mighty reputation of our Ye Clan."

"We obey!"

The hundred-odd people bowed and shouted in response, then withdrew with their inner armor.

Inside the hall, Ye Jinyu waved a hand, signaling Ye Wan to seek out his father, True Lord Qiuran, for a reward.

Ye Wan happily took his leave as well.

Seeing this, Ye Jinyu waited in the Artifact Hall, looking somewhat furtive.

At last, Xu Feng's figure emerged from the depths of the hall, a radiant smile on his face.

"Young master, following your orders, this old servant searched through the treasures of Qiuran Palace and Azure Nether Palace and selected a few Law Treasures for you to use in this campaign."

Ye Jin nodded, signaling Xu Feng to bring them out quickly.

Xu Feng took three items from his storage ring and introduced them as he did so.

The first was a jade glass spirit fan, azure throughout, with a mystical wind circling it. Clouds, mist, mountains, and rivers were painted on its surface, and wind patterns faintly flowed across it when it opened.

"The Azure Nether Jade Glass Fan, a Foundation Establishment supreme-grade Law Artifact. It was refined from the Dao resonance of the winds of the Nine Heavens Azure Nether and was used by True Lord Azure Firmament when he was at Foundation Establishment. With a wave, it can summon the Gang winds of the Nine Heavens Azure Nether. Its wind Gang blots out the sky and sun, serving for both offense and defense."

Ye Jinyu nodded. Using a fan as a weapon would make me look even more carefree and unrestrained, graceful and composed. It suits my status as young master.

The second was a palm-sized azure round shield. Its surface shimmered like rippling water, as though a current flowed endlessly within it.

"The Mystic Nether Heavenly Wind Shield, a Foundation Establishment high-grade Law Artifact. Mystic wind circulates within it, allowing it to automatically absorb the wind Qi of heaven and earth to repair damage. Its defensive power is comparable to that of the Foundation Establishment Late Stage."

Ye Jinyu examined it and found it quite good.

The third was a seemingly ordinary azure Daoist robe.

But on closer inspection, countless delicate Dao patterns were embroidered upon it. The lines seemed alive, flowing like a river of stars and surging like a sea of clouds.

Stranger still, the robe had a faint, unusual sheen. One part was azure and sharp as a sword; another held an autumn air, profound and clear as the cosmos.

"This robe is called the Autumn Evolution Dao Profound Robe. What's more, it is an immortal garment of Purple Mansion Spirit Treasure grade."

Ye Jinyu gently stroked the robe. It was smooth and silky, with a distinctly mystical quality.

One for offense, one for defense, and one magic robe. Now this is how a disciple of an immortal clan should be treated.

"Young master, the True Lord said he has spent and sacrificed a great deal this time. If you perform outstandingly, these will be your reward. But if you bring shame upon the True Lord... when you return, you'll..."

Seeing how happy Ye Jinyu was, Xu Feng hesitated, but in the end gritted his teeth and spoke.

Ye Jinyu cupped his hands and bowed toward the heavens.

"Jinyu thanks Father and Grandfather for their care. I will not fail the trust you have placed in me."

The next day, in Jiangnan.

Misty rain veiled the landscape, and the land of waterways looked like a painting.

The Cloud Mist Ye Clan's Great Void Cloud Ship passed through layers of mist and crossed Yunlan, slowly descending onto the reception platform established by the Jiangnan Ruin Realm Conquest Office.

The platform floated in midair, spanning ten li and paved with white jade. Thirty-six dragon-carved stone pillars surrounded it, their ever-burning spirit flames illuminating the misty rain in splendor.

Figures were already gathered across the platform. At a rough glance, several hundred cultivators were waiting there.

They wore all manner of clothing, and their presences varied in strength, but even the weakest were at the Qi Refinement Late Stage. Foundation Establishment cultivators were everywhere.

Clad in the Autumn Evolution Dao Profound Robe and holding the Azure Nether Jade Glass Fan, Ye Jinyu was the first to step off the flying ship.

Behind him, a hundred and thirty Ye Clan disciples stood in orderly formation. All wore matching close-fitting outfits patterned with azure clouds, with Azure Scale inner armor over them and standard-issue longswords at their waists. Their presences joined as one, like a sharp sword drawn from its sheath.

"It's the Cloud Mist Ye Clan!"

"Every one of them is wearing matching inner armor. From the look of it, it's at least Foundation Establishment Realm armor... I'm still using a Qi Refinement Law Artifact..."

"You minor Rogue Cultivators dare compare yourselves to disciples of the Ye Clan, whose might bears down on Jiangnan? My grandfather is a Purple Mansion True Person, and even he only gave me one suit of Foundation Establishment Realm inner armor... They really have wealth to throw around... As expected of the Ye Clan."

"What's wrong with Rogue Cultivators? Isn't it all you Lineage disciples... Mmph!"

"Please forgive him, young masters. He didn't mean it, he didn't mean it..."

"Is that the Ye Clan's young master? Tsk, his cultivation seems to be only at Qi Refinement Perfection... I'm afraid he can't compare to those Foundation Establishment cousins of his, can he?"

"Ye Jinming, Ye Jinxuan, and Ye Anlan are all among them... Why did the Ye Clan choose a Qi Refinement cultivator as young master...? Tsk, tsk."

"What do you know? He's the True Lord's legitimate son, with an exalted status. And I heard the upheaval in the Tianlan Ruin Realm was this young master's doing! A power comparable to a Purple Mansion great clan, wiped out just like that..."

"Shh, keep your voice down. He's looking over here!"

Whispered discussions spread through the cultivators like a tide. Countless eyes belonging to Rogue Cultivators, Aristocratic Clan members, and great clan disciples turned toward the Ye Clan's group.

Curiosity, wariness, jealousy, awe... All sorts of thoughts were present.

Ye Jinyu remained calm as his gaze swept across the gathering.

At this reception point of the Jiangnan Ruin Realm Conquest Office, the major factions were clearly divided. Of the imperial court's contingent, four people in particular warranted attention.

They were also the greatest obstacle on this journey.

First was a group of cultivators standing quietly in black robes trimmed with gold.

Their leader was a young man in his early twenties, with sword-shaped brows, starry eyes, and a graceful bearing. At his waist hung a jade pendant engraved with the characters for "Firmament."

Most striking of all, water vapor faintly swirled around him, forming a barely visible dragon-shaped apparition that circled and drifted about.

Firmament Heaven, Sima Ruiming. The name flashed through Ye Jinyu's mind.

Xu Feng sent him a discreet voice transmission. "Young master, for this campaign, the four clans of the Jin court have each sent one person, known collectively as the Four Nobles. This Sima Ruiming is the foremost of the Four Nobles and the third son of Luo River Cosmic Heaven.

"Rumor has it that he was born with a water Spirit Root. He used Mystic Nether True Water, supplemented by the spirit essence of a true-blooded flood dragon of the Eastern Sea's dragon kind, to establish his foundation and forge the Mystic Nether Dragon Lord. He is at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage, and his combat strength is among the very best of the younger generation."

As though sensing Ye Jinyu's gaze, Sima Ruiming turned, smiled faintly, and nodded in greeting.

Ye Jinyu returned the greeting.

Beside him was another group of cultivators in yellow magic robes.

Their leader was a tall man with a somewhat honest, handsome face and a heavy ruler strapped to his back.

He stood there quietly, yet sand and dust faintly rose from the white jade paving beneath his feet, as though it might turn into a boundless desert at any moment.

"The Yingchuan Chen Clan, of the Mountain aspect lineage. They have served as grand zhongzheng officials for generations. This man is the Chen Clan's young master, Chen Yi." As Ye Jinyu looked at the man, Xu Feng immediately continued his introduction.

"Since presenting the Nine Ranks Zhongzheng System, the Chen Clan has controlled the Jin court's Ministry of Personnel and the authority to select and evaluate officials for generations. Its influence reaches throughout the court.

"When Chen Yi established his foundation, he drew upon two rare spiritual treasures, Yellow Sand Lone Soul and Cold Moon Clear Radiance, to form the Yellow Sand Cold Moon Dao foundation.

"His cultivation is the highest, at the Foundation Establishment Late Stage.

"Chen Yi's Dao foundation is best suited to trapping and killing. Vast and desolate, it sends yellow sand sweeping beneath the cold moon's clear radiance, with ghosts wailing and souls lamenting. He is also renowned as invincible among those at the same stage."

Most eye-catching of all was a woman.

She wore a water-blue dress, her black hair cascading like a waterfall. Her face was breathtakingly beautiful, and a vermilion beauty mark between her brows added a further touch of immortal grace.

Most unusual was the palm-sized azure bird perched on her shoulder. Its feathers shimmered with flowing colors, and its occasional cries were as clear as bells, clearing the minds of the surrounding cultivators.

"Of the Marsh aspect lineage, the Xie Clan's legitimate daughter, Xie Qingying." Ye Jinyu's gaze narrowed slightly as he looked at her, and Xu Feng said with a smile:

"The Xie Clan controls Cangxuan's marsh domain, its lakes and marshes, as well as canal transport and the cultivation of rare treasures. Most of its members have water Spirit Roots.

"This Xie Qingying is said to possess the rare Heavenly Luan Spirit Physique. She used Heavenly Luan spirit essence and demonic phoenix blood to establish her foundation and forge the Heavenly Luan Phoenix Cry. Her cultivation is at the Foundation Establishment Early Stage. It is said that she is also engaged to Sima Ruiming..."

Last was another man, a young cultivator surrounded by a group in crimson robes.

His face was as fair as jade, but firelight flickered in his eyes whenever they opened and closed. The temperature around him was noticeably higher than elsewhere, twisting even the air, and the misty rain vaporized whenever it came within three feet of him.

"The Langya Wang Clan, Wang Maohong," Xu Feng said.

"The Wang Clan controls fire, one of the Five Elements, and has overseen the Jin court's Ministry of War for generations. Fire techniques have been used for campaigns and attacks since ancient times. Wang Maohong is also a chosen genius of the Wang Clan and a rising figure in the Ministry of War. When this old servant was making his way in the Ministry of War, I heard his name as well."

"This Wang Maohong is at the Foundation Establishment Middle Stage. When he established his foundation, he refined two rare spiritual treasures, Earthcore Blazing Flame and Heavenly Light Flowing Fire, to forge the Flowing Light Heavenly Fire. This Dao foundation has tremendous explosive power and is exceptionally strong in attack, but fire techniques have more than enough offensive power and lack endurance..."

These were the greatest chosen geniuses of the Great Jin Dynasty's younger generation, known as the Four Nobles of the Jin Court.

Ye Jinyu frowned, the Azure Nether Jade Glass Fan in his hand waving on its own.

Apart from the fact that his cultivation was still at Qi Refinement, his bearing was much like theirs, making him stand out among the many cultivators.