14 Chapter 14.

"Bye, bye, elder brother, father, uncle." The farewell echoed at the west border of Glory City, where the Ye family, accompanied by their servants and members of the Xiao family, bid farewell to Ning'er and Yizun.

"Remember, stay away from the toxic forest," Ye Zong admonished sternly, concern etched in his voice.

"We won't venture near there, Father," Ziyun reassured with a smile. "Elder brother has already warned us about its dangers."

"Ning'er, promise me you'll steer clear of that area as well," Yunfeng calmly instructed his daughter. "If anything were to happen to you there, we might not be able to come to your aid."

The toxic forest, notorious for its lethal flora and poisonous gases, posed a grave threat to even Legend-rank demon beasts.

"Don't worry, Father, we have no intentions of going there," Ning'er assured him. "We're simply heading to the ruins of Ning Yu City and Clear River Town to train for our upcoming exams."

Having deliberated for two days, the best friends resolved to explore these familiar yet challenging locales, knowing they had been previously traversed by adventurers from Glory City.

"Keep your focus, Ning'er, Ziyun," Ye Han advised with a smile. "Make the most of your time there and dedicate yourselves to practice."

"We will, elder brother," Ziyun affirmed, returning the smile. "Now, we bid you farewell."

"Goodbye, elder brother," Ning'er waved, her expression radiant with determination.

As the duo departed through the city gates, Ye Zong voiced his concerns to his son. "Are they safe going alone, Han? Dark Guild members could pose a threat."

After they got rid of the Sacred family, he knew that the time wasn't far when those Dark Guild members would come to attack the Glory City.

Yunfeng shared his apprehension. "Indeed, I fear the Dark Guild more than demon beasts."

Ye Xiu chimed in, curious about the security measures in place. "You wouldn't allow them to travel unguarded, Han?"

Ye Han's smile revealed a secret assurance. "I've dispatched my shadow guards to accompany them. They should provide ample protection."

With the shadow guards in tow, Ye Han was confident his sisters would remain unharmed unless faced with the most formidable adversaries.

Satisfied, Ye Zong nodded. "With your shadow guards, they should be safe. Let's return and resume our duties."

"Are your guards truly that formidable?" Yunfeng inquired, noting Ye Zong's reassurance.

"As shadow guards under my command, their strength is unquestionable," Ye Han affirmed with a playful smirk.

Yunfeng pondered the ease with which Ye Han had bolstered their capabilities, likely through his mastery of alchemy.

Reflecting on his past, Yunfeng's thoughts drifted to his estranged brother. "I wonder if the young master Ye has any knowledge of his brother's whereabouts."

"Who can say? He may have fallen prey to old enemies or chosen to leave the city," Ye Han speculated, his tone light. "But enough of that, I have matters to attend to. Farewell for now."

As Ye Han departed, Yunfeng followed suit, boarding his carriage.

"Patriarch, perhaps it's time to cease dwelling on the past," an elder suggested gently.

"You're right," Yunfeng conceded with a sigh. "But he was my brother. I can't simply erase his memory." With a wistful smile, he settled into the carriage, leaving thoughts of his lost kin behind.

As the rest of their family members dispersed to attend their respective duties, the best friend-duo strolled together, wearing matching smiles.

"Hey, why don't we visit that forest?" Ziyun's curiosity bubbled forth.

"Didn't you hear what our families just warned us about?" Ning'er looked at her friend, perplexed. "Why would you want to risk it?"

"Because it sounds thrilling and adventurous," Ziyun exclaimed, excitement gleaming in her eyes. "And I know you're curious too!"

"Well, I won't deny being curious…" Ning'er admitted with a sheepish grin. "But without a solution to the forest's poison, it's too risky."

If the poison were localised, Ning'er might have entertained the idea, but knowing it pervaded the entire forest gave her pause.

"Fair point…" Ziyun's enthusiasm waned slightly.

They continued walking in silence until Ning'er retrieved a map from her storage ring.

"How much farther do we have to go?" Ziyun inquired, peering over Ning'er's shoulder.

"At least another 4 or 5 days," Ning'er replied, a hint of disappointment in her tone. "Flying would have made it much quicker."

"So, that's why you wanted to bring my elder brother along," Ziyun teased, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.

"It's not just that," Ning'er chuckled, sharing her friend's amusement. They giggled together, enjoying the camaraderie as they continued on their journey.

~~~~~~~

"Are you truly leaving Glory City again?" Ye Xiu inquired, observing the pillars taking shape under his nephew's swift hands.

One must create seven pillars like these at the location before the array can be placed. As the array will work through these pillars.

With two of the eight smaller arrays already formed thanks to his nephew's speed, the other six remaining arrays were being crafted by the Ye family's servers.

"Yes, I intend to," Ye Han confirmed. "Now that they've learned how to create the remaining arrays, there's no need for me to linger here."

"These folks can't match your pace, not even us," Ye Xiu chuckled. "Where are you off to this time?"

"The North Heavenly Ice Plains," Ye Han replied calmly.

"Why there?" Ye Xiu's expression turned serious. "That place doesn't even exist anymore."

Once home to one of the mightiest Empires during the Woodland Empire era—the Frostbound Empire—the North Heavenly Ice Plains were now shrouded in mystery. Legends spoke of its disappearance during the Age of Darkness, replaced by vast mountains of ice.

"The place is so frigid that even Ye Mo, Glory City's legendary expert, couldn't venture close despite his spiritual prowess," Ye Xiu cautioned.

"I'm drawn to uncharted territories, and it suits my taste," Ye Han explained. "Besides, with my strength, it would be foolish not to explore it."

"Just because you're powerful doesn't mean it's safe," Ye Xiu warned. "The Ice Plains teeming with ice-demonic beasts, many beyond Black Gold rank."

"I can handle them," Ye Han assured. "After all, if it weren't dangerous, where's the thrill in exploring?"

"You're too confident," Ye Xiu sighed. "But why that place specifically?"

"I've made a promise to two individuals," Ye Han revealed. "I'll grant them special techniques if they can meet my challenge. I already possess one technique, and I believe I'll find the other in the North Heavenly Ice Plains."

"I understand," Ye Xiu nodded. "Since I can't dissuade you, I won't pester you further. But you'll need your father's approval."

"My father won't object," Ye Han chuckled confidently.

"We'll see," Ye Xiu chuckled.

As they continued crafting the pillars, the sun dipped below the horizon, a sign signalling the completion of another small array.

"With this, another small array is finished," Ye Xiu exclaimed, stretching his arms.

"Do you think they managed to create another one?" Ye Han asked curiously.

"No, I doubt it," Ye Xiu shook his head. "They're not as swift as you in crafting these pillars."

"Agreed. Let's head home; I'm famished," Ye Han suggested.

"Same," Ye Xiu agreed, taking flight. Despite recently reaching the Legend rank realm, he still struggled to control his body while flying.

"At what rank is Aunt Xue now?" Ye Han inquired, flying beside his uncle.

"She's at the peak of the Black Gold realm. Just a little push, and she'll enter the Legend rank realm," Ye Xiu replied.

"I see," Ye Han nodded, smiling.

"It's surreal to think about our family's current situation," Ye Xiu reminisced. "From having just one Legend rank expert in the city to nearly three, with another on the way."

"You'll get used to it, uncle. Legend rank experts will soon be commonplace, ensuring Glory City's safety," Ye Han reassured with a smile.

Ye Xiu shook his head, pondering the threats Ye Han alluded to that warranted such an assembly of Legend rank experts.

Lost in thought, they arrived at the city lord's mansion and headed to the dining room, only to find it empty.

"It seems my brother is occupied," Ye Xiu remarked, taking his seat.

"And Aunt isn't here either," Ye Han observed. "She must be busy with her new students."

"You mean the ones you entrusted to her care?" Ye Xiu raised an eyebrow.

"Well, I had a change of heart about teaching," Ye Han admitted wryly.

"And yet you've taken over Ziyun's class," Ye Zong, Ye Han's father, entered the dining room with an amused smile.

"Yeah," Ye Han chuckled, somewhat sheepishly.

"Ziyun mentioned you've taken on two students—one aristocratic and one commoner," Ye Zong said. "Want me to handle their family issues discreetly?"

"Just enough to show they're benefiting from being my students," Ye Han replied.

"Consider it done," Ye Zong agreed, digging into his meal with a chuckle.

As the trio finished their meal and Ye Zong prepared to depart for his office, Ye Xiu halted him with a raised hand.

"Is something the matter?" Ye Zong inquired, turning back to face his brother.

"Ye Han has an announcement," Ye Xiu said, a mischievous glint in his eye as he glanced at his nephew.

Ye Zong's brow furrowed slightly. "Another journey, I presume?"

"To the North Heavenly Ice Plains," Ye Han confirmed, barely able to contain his amusement at his father's predictable reaction.

"North Heavenly Ice Plains... why does that not surprise me?" Ye Zong sighed, rubbing his temples in exasperation.

The uncle-nephew duo exchanged knowing smiles at the city lord's response.

"You may go," Ye Zong relented, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. "But you must complete the array before your departure."

"Really?" Ye Han's eyes widened in surprise, mirrored by a chuckling Ye Xiu.

"Yes, but you must create four more arrays," Ye Zong insisted. "Otherwise, you'll need to stay here to tend to your students."

"Three, then," Ye Han negotiated, a hint of defeat in his tone.

"Agreed. Let's collaborate on more projects in the future," Ye Zong suggested a playful glint in his eyes.

"I'll never—" Ye Han began, only to be cut off by his father's amused smirk.

"By the way, Han," Ye Zong's expression shifted to one of concern. "Are you certain about visiting that place? Your grandfather sensed a spiritual God's presence there."

"I'll be fine," Ye Han reassured him confidently. "And if need be, I'll simply make a swift exit."

"I'm not convinced you can outrun a Spiritual God," Ye Zong warned, his worry evident. "Come with me. I have something that might help you if you encounter it."

Leading his son to his office, followed closely by Ye Xiu, Ye Zong retrieved a scroll and a storage ring from a drawer adorned with intricate inscriptions.

"Take these," Ye Zong instructed, handing the items to Ye Han. "Use the scroll to summon the remnant of the Snow Wind Spiritual God if you encounter the Spiritual God. And the storage ring contains sacred spirit rocks to keep the remnant at bay."

"Thank you, Father," Ye Han said, accepting the items and stowing them away in his storage ring.

He understood that this was the utmost protection his father could offer him.

"Remember, it may not be enough to defeat that spiritual god, so you must be prepared to escape swiftly," Ye Zong cautioned sternly. "I cannot bear the thought of anything happening to you."

"I won't act recklessly, Father. You can trust me," Ye Han replied, a reassuring smile playing on his lips.

"We both know you have a tendency to do just that," Ye Zong chuckled, a hint of fondness in his voice.

"Come on, big brother, go easy on our nephew," Ye Xiu interjected, giving Ye Han a friendly pat on the shoulder. "We won't pry into your adventures, but promise us you'll prioritize your safety, alright?"

"I promise, uncle," Ye Han affirmed with a nod. "Goodnight, everyone. I'm going to turn in for the night."

"Goodnight."

"Sleep well."

As Ye Han vanished from view, Ye Zong settled into his seat, rubbing his temples wearily.

"Still fretting over him?" Ye Xiu asked, taking a seat across from him.

"He's my son," Ye Zong replied simply. "It's only natural for a father to worry."

"He'll be fine," Ye Xiu reassured him. "He's destined for greatness; a mere spiritual god won't hold him back."

"I hope you're right…"