40: Chapter 40 Dedicated Cultivation

Zhao Shanhe's expression instantly darkened, a flicker of complex emotion flashing through his eyes.

Zhao Tianheng was his second son; with mediocre Aptitude and a rebellious nature, he had never been highly regarded.

But regardless, he was still his biological son, connected by blood.

"What happened?" Zhao Shanhe's voice carried a hint of suppressed fury.

"Who did it?"

The butler, Zhao Fu, continued speaking.

"City Lord, if the investigation is correct, it should be Ye Yun."

"Ye Yun..."

Zhao Shanhe muttered the name under his breath, a cold killing intent flashing in his eyes.

"A mere brat dares to touch someone from my Zhao Family?"

He had always been in contact with the Zhao Family of Qingyun City; when Zhao Lie reached out for help some time ago,

He had originally planned to wait until his Cultivation had reached a stopping point before taking action to help capture Ye Yun.

He hadn't expected this youth to be so audacious as to even touch his son.

"Regarding Zhao Lie's side, send men immediately to investigate the area around the West City Villa; you must find his whereabouts."

Zhao Shanhe's voice turned icy, and the Mystic Power fluctuations around him suddenly became violent.

"Furthermore, conduct a city-wide search for Ye Yun. I want him found, dead or alive! No matter where he's hiding, find him for me; I will personally avenge Ming'er!"

"Yes, City Lord!"

Zhao Fu bowed in response. Feeling the killing intent radiating from Zhao Shanhe, he couldn't help but shudder and quickly turned to withdraw.

Inside the study, Zhao Shanhe clenched his fists until his knuckles turned white.

He was already dissatisfied with Ye Yun because of Zhao Tianheng's matter; now that his son had died a tragic death, this youth had truly become his mortal enemy.

No matter what backing Ye Yun had, he had to make him pay the most painful price!

Meanwhile, Ye Yun was still in the inn, concentrating on his Cultivation, completely unaware that a massive crisis from the City Lord's Manor was quietly approaching.

He was immersed in the pleasure of his increasing Mystic Power, with only one thought in his mind.

To Breakthrough to the Great Martial Master Realm as soon as possible, stand out in the Shiyun City Great Competition, and enter the Four Great Sects.

...

Time flew by, and several days passed in the blink of an eye.

Inside the Shiyun City Lord's Manor, Zhao Shanhe's face was so gloomy it looked like it could drip water.

The men sent out to search for Ye Yun were like headless flies, turning the entirety of Shiyun City upside down on the surface.

Yet, they hadn't found even a trace of Ye Yun.

The youth seemed to have vanished into thin air, disappearing without a trace or leaving any clues.

"Useless! A bunch of useless trash!" Zhao Shanhe slammed his hand onto the desk, causing several cracks to instantly appear on the solid wood surface.

"You can't even catch a single brat; what use is there in keeping you around?"

The guards below and the butler, Zhao Fu, were as silent as cicadas in winter, not daring to make a sound.

These past few days, they had used almost all the power of the City Lord's Manor: checking the city gates, searching inns, and making secret inquiries in the black market.

They had even searched the mountain forests outside the city several times, but Ye Yun was like he had vanished out of thin air, with no news at all.

Zhao Fu bowed cautiously and said.

"City Lord, please calm your anger. That Ye Yun is extremely cunning; perhaps he has hidden in some secret place. Now, with less than a month left until the city-wide Great Competition, people from various major forces are arriving one after another. A city-wide search might cause gossip, why not..."

"Why not what?"

Zhao Shanhe gave him a cold glance.

"Why not set it aside for now and focus first on the matter of The Great Competition."

Zhao Fu whispered.

"That Ye Yun is bent on entering the Four Great Sects, so he will definitely participate in The Great Competition. Once The Great Competition is over and he loses the chance to enter a Sect, it won't be too late to settle the score slowly. By then, he won't be able to escape even if he had wings!"

Zhao Shanhe fell silent for a moment, the fire of anger in his eyes gradually subsiding.

He knew Zhao Fu had a point; the city-wide Great Competition concerned the reputation of Shiyun City and the status of the Zhao Family. They couldn't lose their composure over one Ye Yun.

Moreover, if Ye Yun really wanted to compete for a spot in the Four Great Sects, he definitely wouldn't miss this Great Competition. There would be plenty of opportunities then to make him pay the price.

"Fine, we'll do as you say," Zhao Shanhe said coldly.

"Pass down the order: stop the city-wide search, but keep a secret watch for Ye Yun's tracks. Once The Great Competition is over, I want him to pay in blood!"

"Yes, City Lord!"

Zhao Fu breathed a sigh of relief and quickly bowed in response.

The storm of the city-wide search thus temporarily subsided.

Meanwhile, Ye Yun had originally been hiding in an inn, but because of the search by the City Lord's Manor, he had retreated back to the Su Family.

For more than twenty days, Ye Yun hardly left the house, devoting himself entirely to his Cultivation.

Besides cultivating, he also took time to study the Wind-Thunder Saber Technique.

Although his Comprehension Ability was limited, through day after day of hard practice, he managed to reach the entry level.

Although he couldn't fully unleash the power of the saber technique, it gave him an additional means to defeat his enemies.

As the day of The Great Competition approached, Shiyun City gradually became lively.

Young Disciples from various major families and Sect branches in the city gathered together; cultivators in martial attire with sharp auras could be seen everywhere in the streets and alleys.

Everyone's gaze was focused on the upcoming city-wide Great Competition.

Because everyone knew clearly that this Great Competition concerned the fates of countless young men and women.

As long as one could reach the top three, they would obtain a recommendation spot to enter the Four Great Sects of the Tianyang Kingdom.

From then on, they would soar to greatness in a single bound, stepping into the true world of martial arts.

On the night before The Great Competition, the living room of the Su Family was brightly lit.

Su Wanqing sat beside Ye Yun, a hint of worry on her face as she said softly.

"Ye Yun, tomorrow is The Great Competition, you must be careful. If you encounter an opponent who is too strong, don't force it; your life is more important than anything."

Ye Yun looked at the concern in her eyes and felt a warmth in his heart, reaching out to hold her hand.

"Don't worry, Wanqing, I know what I'm doing."

To the side, Su Zhennan's expression was grave as he looked at Ye Yun and said.

"Ye Yun, have you really decided to participate in The Great Competition? Now, Zhao Shanhe hates you to the bone. If you can't get into the top three and lose the protection of the Four Great Sects, he will definitely make a move against you. At that time, it will be difficult for my Su Family to protect you as well."

"Uncle Su, I have already decided."

Ye Yun's gaze was firm, his tone brook no argument.

"I have put in so much effort for tomorrow's Great Competition, to enter the Four Great Sects; it's impossible for me to give up now."

He had his own confidence.

This period of Cultivation had allowed his strength to take a qualitative leap, and he also had the support of the System.

Although it couldn't directly raise his Realm, it allowed him to display strength far beyond his own in battle. Facing Zhao Shanhe, he wasn't without a chance of winning.

Su Zhennan looked at his firm gaze and sighed softly.

"Since your mind is made up, I won't try to persuade you further. Just be extra careful during tomorrow's Great Competition. According to the practice of previous years, the envoys of the Four Great Sects will only take the top three. If you can't make it into the top three, it's best not to expose yourself and leave Shiyun City as soon as possible. But if you want to get into the top two, you'll likely have to face the Genius Disciples of the Zhao Family head-on, which might even attract Zhao Shanhe's attention."

A sharp light flashed in Ye Yun's eyes as he thought to himself.