25: Chapter 25 couldn't hold back any longer.

Ye Tian understood clearly in his heart that the Second Elder was protecting him, but also testing him.

He nodded silently, cast an assuring look at his mother, and followed the Second Elder away.

They arrived at the Second Elder's quiet study in his courtyard.

"Sit," the Second Elder gestured for Ye Tian to sit, poured a cup of tea himself, and pushed it in front of him. "Tell me, where have you been these past few days?"

Ye Tian did not hide anything. He briefly explained the lack of resources, his forced venture into the depths of the Black Cloud Mountains to find an Opportunity, his encounter with the Black Cloud Stronghold lackeys along the way, rescuing a young herb picker, obtaining the crimson flame ganoderma, and using it to reach the Qi Gathering Fifth Level. He only omitted the chaos bead and the specific details of his Cultivation.

The Second Elder listened quietly, his fingers tapping lightly on the table, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes.

When he heard that Ye Tian had reached the Fifth Level, a look of undisguised shock finally appeared in his eyes!

In such a short time, from the Peak of the Third Level to the Fifth Level!

This speed was terrifying!

But he did not press for details, only musing, "Do you know that leaving the Family without permission is a serious crime? Especially during such a sensitive time."

"This Disciple knows," Ye Tian said calmly. "But sitting and waiting for death is not what this Disciple wishes. Only by increasing my strength can I protect myself, and even serve the Family."

The Second Elder stared at him for a moment and suddenly said, "Do you know that in the few days you were gone, Steward Ye Hua and others have repeatedly spoken to the Clan Chief, claiming you fled to avoid punishment and demanding that you be expelled from the Family?"

Ye Tian's heart tightened, and a cold glint flashed in his eyes!

Ye Hua! Ye Hao! They were indeed pressing him step by step!

"This Disciple has a clear conscience," Ye Tian said in a deep voice.

"A clear conscience is not enough," the Second Elder shook his head. "Within the Family, strength is valued, but so are evidence and influence. Although Steward Ye Hua is only a steward, his wife's Family has considerable influence within the clan and has close ties with several Elders. If they are determined to deal with you, relying on me alone might not be enough to protect you."

Ye Tian was silent.

He understood what the Second Elder meant.

The internal affairs of the Family were complex and intertwined; it was not as if the Clan Chief or any single Elder could have the final say on everything.

"However..." the Second Elder changed the subject, a sharp glint flashing in his eyes, "Since you have reached the Fifth Level, you have the capital to speak. Although the Family Grand Competition has passed, in three months, there will be the 'Clan Sacrifice Ceremony.' At that time, there will be a martial arts demonstration for the young Disciples. Those who perform exceptionally well can obtain the qualification to enter the 'Ancestral Land Secret Realm' to Cultivate!"

Ancestral Land Secret Realm!

Ye Tian's heart stirred.

He had heard of this place; it was a treasure land for Cultivation left behind by the Ye Family ancestors, rich in Spiritual Qi, filled with Opportunities, and a Holy Land that only core Disciples of the Ye Family could enter!

"If you can defeat Ye Long openly and honestly at the Clan Sacrifice demonstration, proving that your value and potential far exceed his..."

The Second Elder looked at Ye Tian meaningfully, "By then, let alone Steward Ye Hua, even the Clan Chief and all the Elders would have to re-evaluate your status! Those rumors would naturally collapse on their own!"

Defeat Ye Long!

Enter the Ancestral Land Secret Realm!

Flames instantly ignited in Ye Tian's eyes!

This was not only an Opportunity to prove himself, but also a shortcut to rapidly increase his strength!

"This Disciple will definitely give it my all!" Ye Tian stood up and bowed solemnly.

"Very good," the Second Elder nodded. "Cultivate well during these three months. As for resources... I will have someone send you some secretly. As for Steward Ye Hua, I will mediate for you. But remember, do not act on your own again and give others a handle against you."

"Thank you, Second Elder!" Ye Tian felt grateful.

The Second Elder's action was undoubtedly like sending charcoal in snowy weather, and it also showed his attitude of investment.

Leaving the Second Elder's courtyard, Ye Tian returned to his small courtyard.

Seeing him return safely, his mother wept with joy.

Ye Tian comforted his mother, and a clear plan had already formed in his heart.

Three months!

He only had three months!

Ye Long was at the Peak of the Fifth Level and might even break through to the Sixth Level within these three months!

Furthermore, his Cultivation resources and Martial Skills were far superior to his own.

To defeat him, relying on his current strength was far from enough!

He had to make good use of these three months to consolidate and improve his Realm, and to Cultivate his Overlapping Wave Fist and Body Refining technique to a higher level!

He placed his hope in two things.

First, the resources promised by the Second Elder, and second, the chaos bead in his bosom, as well as that incomplete technique obtained from Master Xuan Gui!

He had a premonition that if he could master the application method of the chaos bead at a deeper level, the help it provided would far exceed ordinary Medicinal Pills!

Night fell.

Ye Tian did not rest, but sat cross-legged on the bed, attempting to guide the chaos bead once again.

Days passed quietly in the arduous grind of Cultivation.

With the resources provided by the Second Elder and his own unremitting efforts, Ye Tian's Realm steadily improved, and his Qi Gathering Fifth Level gradually stabilized, moving toward the Middle Stage.

His application of the Overlapping Wave Fist became increasingly proficient, and occasionally he could faintly touch the edge of the Triple Force.

He remembered the Second Elder's warning and no longer left the residence easily.

He spent most of his time Cultivating hard in the Ancestral Hall or his own courtyard.

Occasionally, when he truly felt the Bottleneck was hard to break, he would quietly sneak into the outer perimeter of the Black Cloud Mountains to search for some not-too-dangerous Opportunities and hone his combat skills, only after ensuring no one was following him.

However, while one may desire peace, trouble often finds its way to them.

Ye Hua and his son, seeing that Ye Tian was not crushed by the Lin Family matter, but instead saw his Cultivation improve day by day, and had even faintly received the protection of the Second Elder, were extremely anxious.

"Father! We cannot wait any longer!" Ye Hao roared in his room with a ferocious expression, "That trash now has Fifth Level Cultivation, and the Second Elder is backing him! What if he steals the spotlight at the Clan Sacrifice demonstration, or even... even beats Elder Brother Ye Long? Then will we have any place left in the clan? He will definitely investigate the matter of the poisoning during the Grand Competition! By then, we will be finished!"

Ye Hua's expression was gloomy, his hand gripping the teacup tightly.

He understood the severity of the matter better than his son.

He had repeatedly made things difficult for Ye Tian, and even hinted for Ye Hao to poison him before the Grand Competition.

Once the matter was exposed, let alone his position as a steward, even his life would be hard to preserve!

"What are you panicking about!" Ye Hua let out a low shout, a trace of viciousness flashing in his eyes, "No matter how much Ye Tian struggles, he is just a rootless duckweed! Can the Second Elder protect him for a moment, or can he protect him for a lifetime? As long as we make him disappear completely before the Clan Sacrifice, or... turn him into a real piece of trash, all problems will be solved!"

Ye Hao's eyes lit up: "Father, do you have a way?"

Ye Hua smiled coldly: "The Black Cloud Mountains is a good place where 'accidents' happen frequently. Doesn't Ye Tian like to go there to 'try his luck'? We will let him... stay there 'trying his luck' forever!"

An afternoon, a few days later.

Ye Tian was Cultivating in the Ancestral Hall when Ye Hua walked in with two of his trusted subordinates.

"Ye Tian." Ye Hua's voice carried his usual arrogance, "The Family has a task for you."

Ye Tian opened his eyes, alert in his heart, but calm on the surface: "Please speak, Steward Ye."

Ye Hua took out a crude animal skin map and pointed to a marked spot on it: "According to reports from herb pickers, a small patch of mature 'green jade fruit' has been discovered near 'Falling Eagle Ravine' in the Black Cloud Mountains. This fruit is beneficial for the Cultivation of several Elders in my Ye Family, and the Family needs it to be picked and brought back as soon as possible. Your current Cultivation is decent, and you are familiar with the mountain paths, so this task is entrusted to you. Depart early tomorrow morning, and do not make any mistakes!"

Green jade fruit?

Falling Eagle Ravine?

Ye Tian frowned slightly.

The green jade fruit was indeed an auxiliary ingredient for refining certain Medicinal Pills and was quite valuable.

But that place, Falling Eagle Ravine, had treacherous terrain and was frequently visited by flying Vicious Beasts.

There were even rumors of a nest of the Second-Rank Vicious Beast, the 'Iron Feather Eagle.'

The level of danger was far beyond the areas he usually frequented.

How could the Family send him alone to execute such a task?

He looked at Ye Hua and caught the fleeting coldness in the depths of his eyes.

It was a trap!

This was clearly a plot to kill with a borrowed knife!

They wanted to use the dangers of the Black Cloud Mountains, or simply set an ambush on the road, to get rid of him!

"Steward Ye," Ye Tian said calmly, "Falling Eagle Ravine is full of dangers. If this Disciple goes alone, I fear I may not be up to the task. Could you send a few clan brothers to accompany me?"

Ye Hua's face darkened: "What? You just got a little Cultivation and you've already learned to shirk tasks? The Family raised you to contribute at critical moments! You aren't being asked to hunt the Iron Feather Eagle, just to pick fruit. Go quickly and return quickly, what danger could there be? Or are you afraid?"

The two henchmen behind him also showed expressions of mockery.

Ye Tian sneered in his heart.

He knew that if he refused, Ye Hua could immediately label him with "cowardice and ignoring clan rules," and could also use it as an excuse to make trouble.

Going is a trap.

Not going is also a trap.

What a brilliant open conspiracy!

He pondered for a moment, then suddenly reached out to take the map: "This Disciple accepts the order."

A grin of success flashed in Ye Hua's eyes, but he quickly covered it up: "Very good! Remember, this matter is urgent, go quickly and return quickly! If you fail to complete the task, you will be dealt with according to clan rules!"

After saying this, he took his subordinates and turned to leave.

Ye Tian looked at their backs, his eyes cold.

He put away the map and did not leave the Ancestral Hall immediately, but continued to sit cross-legged, calculating rapidly in his heart.

Since Ye Hua and his son set the trap, there must be a backup plan.

Falling Eagle Ravine is dangerous in itself, and they might even send people to follow him secretly and wait for an Opportunity to strike.

Fight head-on?

The other party came prepared, he was alone and weak, the chance of winning was slim.

Not go?

It would play right into their hands, giving them an excuse to attack.

It seems he can only play along with their scheme!

A cold glint flashed in his eyes.

The greater the risk, the greater the potential Opportunity!

The treacherous Falling Eagle Ravine might really have green jade fruit; if he could get his hands on it, it would be a resource.

Moreover, in the chaos, who is the hunter and who is the prey remains to be seen!