55: Chapter 55 City Lord’s Banquet

After a Breakthrough to the Late Stage of the Qi Gathering Eighth Layer, Ye Tian did not slack off.

He knew deep down that the higher one's cultivation reached, the more difficult every step forward became.

Although the effectiveness of the Medicinal Pills exchanged from the market had greatly diminished, he had the Nine Revolutions Purple Heart Art and the chaos bead to assist him, allowing him to frantically absorb Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

While the speed was not as explosive as when consuming Medicinal Pills, the benefit was the lack of side effects, and he could continuously absorb at every moment, making his True Qi increasingly pure and condensed.

He could feel his cultivation advancing toward the Peak of the Qi Gathering Eighth Layer at a slow pace.

One day, while he was sitting quietly in his room regulating his breath, the respectful voice of a Ye Family Disciple came from outside: "Young Master Ye Tian, the Second Elder requests your presence in his courtyard; he says there are important matters to discuss."

Ye Tian slowly withdrew his power, a trace of doubt flashing in his eyes.

For the Second Elder to seek him out now, could it be that the Lin Family or the Black Cloud Stronghold had made some new move?

He did not dare to delay, and after tidying his clothes, he walked quickly toward the Second Elder's courtyard.

Arriving in the courtyard, Second Elder Ye Wenshan was standing with his hands behind his back, his brow slightly furrowed as if he were deep in thought.

Hearing footsteps, he turned around, his gaze falling upon Ye Tian.

With one look, his pupils suddenly constricted, and his face was instantly filled with shock!

"Ye Tian! You... you've had a Breakthrough to the Qi Gathering Eighth Layer?!"

Ye Wenshan's voice trembled; he could clearly feel the fluctuations of an Aura within Ye Tian's body that far exceeded the Qi Gathering Realm - Level 7, and it was certainly not the beginning of the eighth layer—it was at least the Middle Stage, or even the Late Stage?!

How long had it been?

Since returning from the Black Cloud Mountains, it had been barely over a month at most!

This kid had actually crossed from the Peak of the seventh layer into the eighth layer realm in one go?!

This Cultivation speed was simply that of a Prodigy!

Seeing that the Second Elder had seen through his cultivation at a glance, Ye Tian did not hide it and nodded frankly, saying, "To the Second Elder: this Disciple was fortunate and just achieved a Breakthrough a few days ago."

Receiving confirmation, Ye Wenshan took several deep breaths before he managed to suppress the stormy waves in his heart.

He sized Ye Tian up and down with a complex gaze filled with shock, relief, and an indescribable sense of expectation.

This boy might truly be able to lead the Ye Family out of its predicament!

"Good! Good! Good!" Ye Wenshan said the word 'good' three times in a row, a heartfelt smile finally appearing on his face. "Heaven blesses my Ye Family! To have produced such a Genius like you!"

He patted Ye Tian's shoulder and spoke with a solemn tone: "However, the tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind.

It is a good thing that your cultivation is progressing at a divine speed, but remember to know how to hide your light. Especially in front of outsiders, do not easily expose your full strength, lest you attract unnecessary covetousness and disaster."

"This Disciple understands and will keep the Second Elder's teachings in mind," Ye Tian replied respectfully.

He naturally understood this principle.

Ye Wenshan nodded with satisfaction before moving on to the main business: "I called you here today to discuss something with you.

In a few days, it will be the sixtieth birthday of the Luo City Lord, Huangfu Xiong.

According to custom, the City Lord's Manor will host a banquet, inviting the three major families of the city as well as various influential forces to attend.

Firstly, it is to congratulate the City Lord on his birthday, and secondly, it is to use this opportunity to let the younger generation of each Family meet and exchange pointers, which can be considered a grand gathering for the young generation of Luo City."

He paused and looked at Ye Tian: "In previous years, the Clan Chief would take Ye Long along.

But now..."

You know Ye Long's situation.

The Clan Chief's intention is for me to take you this year.

What do you think?"

Hearing this, Ye Tian understood.

So it wasn't a move by foreign enemies, but the City Lord's birthday banquet.

He didn't have much interest in such social occasions, but on second thought, this was indeed a good opportunity to understand the strength of the younger generation of other families in Luo City.

"This Disciple follows the arrangements of the Clan Chief and the Second Elder."

Ye Tian nodded in agreement.

Seeing Ye Tian agree, the smile on Ye Wenshan's face grew even brighter: "Good!

Then prepare yourself.

In three days, we will head to the City Lord's Manor together with the Clan Chief.

Remember, the banquet will be a mix of dragons and snakes; you must be prudent in speech and action. But if someone intentionally provokes you, there is no need to be overly submissive. I will back you up in everything!"

As he finished, a sharp light flashed in Ye Wenshan's eyes.

Although the Ye Family was in a bad situation now, they were not a soft persimmon that anyone could squeeze!

"Yes, this Disciple has noted it," Ye Tian replied.

Leaving the Second Elder's place, Ye Tian looked up toward the direction of the City Lord's Manor.

"Luo City Lord's birthday banquet... the young elites of each Family..."

"Just as well, let me see exactly how much these Geniuses of Luo City are worth."

The next morning, the sky was just beginning to brighten.

Ye Tian arrived early outside the Family's discussion hall to wait.

He had changed into a set of brand-new green clothes; his Aura was steady and profound, making him look like a completely different person compared to a few months ago.

Not long after, Clan Chief Ye Qingtian and Second Elder Ye Wenshan arrived side by side.

Ye Qingtian was still in his solemn Clan Chief attire, his face majestic, but there was a trace of fatigue between his brows.

Ye Wenshan wore a simple green robe, his expression relatively more relaxed.

"Disciple Ye Tian pays respects to the Clan Chief and the Second Elder." Ye Tian took a step forward and bowed respectfully.

"Mhm, no need for such ceremony." Ye Qingtian nodded slightly, his gaze habitually sweeping over Ye Tian.

With this sweep, his face suddenly stiffened, his eyes filled with disbelief, and even his breathing stopped for a moment!

"Ye Tian, you... you've had another Breakthrough?!"

Ye Qingtian stared fixedly at Ye Tian; he could clearly feel that the True Qi fluctuations within Ye Tian's body had shockingly reached the level of the Qi Gathering Eighth Layer!

Moreover, the Aura was condensed; it was at least the Middle Stage or even the Late Stage!

How was this possible?!

How long had it been since he last learned of Ye Tian's Breakthrough to the seventh layer?

One month?

Two months?

This kind of Cultivation speed was simply unheard of!

Even when he was hailed as the Ye Family's Genius back then, he was far inferior!

Ye Tian's expression was calm as he bowed again: "To the Clan Chief, it was merely luck for this Disciple."

Receiving confirmation, Ye Qingtian took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing the shock in his heart, and suddenly turned his head to look at the faintly smiling Ye Wenshan beside him: "Second Elder!

Did you know all along?

You actually kept it from me!"

Ye Wenshan stroked his beard and chuckled, his eyes full of relief: "Clan Chief, please calm your anger. I did indeed know yesterday.

I just thought to give the Clan Chief a surprise today, so I didn't report it in advance."

Ye Qingtian was first stunned, then looking at Ye Wenshan's sly smile and then at the youth before him, the seriousness on his face finally couldn't be maintained, turning into a burst of hearty laughter: "Hahaha!

Good! Good! This surprise was well given!

Heaven blesses my Ye Family!

With such a Qilin son, why worry that the Family will not prosper!"

He laughed joyfully, and much of the gloom accumulated over the days due to internal and external pressure dissipated.

As the Clan Chief, he knew all too well what an peerless Genius meant to a Family!

Watching the Clan Chief rarely reveal such genuine emotion, Ye Tian's heart also moved slightly.

He understood that this seemingly majestic head of the clan carried the rise and fall of the entire Family on his shoulders; the pressure was immense.

The joy at this moment was from the heart.

"Alright, the hour is not early; we should depart."

After laughing, Ye Qingtian regained some of his majesty, but the joy in his eyes could not be hidden. "Ye Tian, today is the City Lord's birthday banquet, and most of the elites of Luo City's younger generation will be present. Follow me and the Second Elder to gain some experience.

Remember, be neither haughty nor humble, and show the character of a Ye Family son!"

"This Disciple understands!" Ye Tian nodded solemnly.

The three of them did not delay further, leaving the Ye Family compound and boarding a pre-prepared carriage, heading toward the City Lord's Manor located in the center of Luo City.

About half an hour later, the carriage stopped.

Ye Tian followed the Clan Chief and the Second Elder out of the carriage, and a magnificent mansion came into view.

The vermilion gates were several zhang high, with two powerful stone lions standing in front. Above the door hung a gold plaque with the three gilded characters for "City Lord's Manor" written on it.

What secretly shocked Ye Tian the most were the four guards stationed on either side of the mansion gates; each one had a steady Aura and sharp eyes, and their cultivation had all reached the Qi Gathering Eighth Layer!

"Qi Gathering Eighth Layer just to watch the gate..." Ye Tian clicked his tongue inwardly. "This City Lord's Manor indeed has a deep foundation; its strength is far beyond what the three major families can compare to."

In the three major families, a Qi Gathering Eighth Layer was already a person who could serve as an Elder and hold real power, but here they were merely gatekeepers.

From this, one could see how powerful City Lord Huangfu Xiong's control over Luo City was and how startling the forces under his command were.

At this time, the front of the mansion was crowded with carriages and people. Figures of status in Luo City, such as the Lin Family Head Lin Batian and the Chen Family Head Chen Xuan, had arrived one after another with their Family members or favored Disciples to offer birthday congratulations.

Seeing Ye Qingtian's group, many people cast their gazes over. When they saw the unfamiliar youth in green beside Ye Qingtian, they all showed a bit of curiosity.

After all, this was the first time Ye Tian had followed Ye Qingtian to attend a banquet.

Especially Lin Batian, whose gaze swept over Ye Tian with a flash of ruthlessness in his eyes.

Ye Qingtian and Ye Wenshan's expressions remained as usual. After briefly exchanging pleasantries with acquaintances, they led Ye Tian into the mansion.