Time flew, and only three days remained before the triennial family tournament of the Ye family.
For the past few days, the entire Ye family had been discussing this event.
Whether they were direct descendants in the main courtyard or members of the branch lines in the side courtyards, they would always chat about it whenever they met.
“Have you heard? The reward for first place in this tournament is two Yellow-grade high-tier martial arts.”
“Two? Wasn't there only one in previous years? The family is really going all out this time.”
“So, who do you think will take first place this time?”
“Is that even a question? It has to be Ye Ling. As the clan leader's son, his resources have never stopped since he was a child, and his cultivation has always been a cut above his peers.”
“I saw him fight last year. His swordplay was incredibly sharp; most people couldn't even take a single strike from him.”
“Ye Ling is good, but Ye Fei isn't bad either, right?”
“She was personally trained by the Great Elder. I heard her whip skills have already reached a level of superb perfection.”
“In the last tournament, she defeated her opponent in just three moves, clean and decisive.”
“Ye Fei is indeed formidable, but compared to Ye Ling, she's still a bit lacking.”
“Ye Ling's foundation is too solid. That was built purely on resources. After all, he's the clan leader's only son; others can't compare.”
“Don't just talk about Ye Ling and Ye Fei. Personally, I think Ye Chen might actually stand a chance this time.”
“Ye Chen? The one who was a useless failure for two years and suddenly made a comeback the other day?”
“Yes, him. Didn't you know? He had a fight with Ye Long after he came back, and he defeated Ye Long with just one sword strike.”
“Ye Long had already broken through to the Houtian Sixth Layer, and he was dealt with in a single strike. That kind of strength cannot be underestimated.”
“Heh, defeating Ye Long in one strike is true, but in the tournament, he'll have to face opponents of Ye Ling and Ye Fei's caliber.”
“He was stagnant for two years. Even if he broke through recently, how big of a wave can he make?”
“True. But if he can actually squeeze into the top five, he'd be quite the dark horse.”
“Top five? I think it's unlikely. Ye Ling and Ye Fei are guaranteed the top two spots. As for the remaining spots, there are still several Houtian Seventh Layer cultivators competing for them.”
“For someone who just broke through to the Houtian Seventh Layer, it'll be impressive enough if he can squeeze in.”
Everyone discussed fervently, and the names they spoke of were always Ye Ling, Ye Fei, and Ye Chen.
As for the other Ye Ling, almost no one mentioned her.
She usually kept a low profile, disliked joining in on the excitement, and did not associate with her peers in the clan.
Moreover, she was only at the Houtian Fifth Layer six months ago and was the youngest among them. No one knew what her current strength was.
Occasionally, someone would bring her up, “I heard that Ye Ling from the back hills is also participating in the tournament this year?”
“The one who spends all day practicing her sword in the back hills?”
“She just turned fifteen. She's still young. She should wait for the next tournament; by then, no one will probably be her match.”
“True. Six months ago, she was only at the Houtian Fifth Layer. Now, she's probably at the Houtian Sixth Layer at most. The top five is basically out of the question for her.”
In the main hall of the Ye family's primary courtyard, sandalwood incense curled upward.
Seated in the primary position was Clan Leader Ye Zhenhong. He looked to be in his early forties, with a burly frame that exuded a natural pressure just by sitting there.
He had ruled the Ye family for many years. Wearing a black cloud-patterned robe, his facial features were sharp, and his brow carried the majesty bred from long-held authority.
Standing in the hall was a young man with a straight posture. It was his only son, Ye Ling.
Ye Ling was handsome, with sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. Clad in white robes with a long sword hanging from his waist, he looked like a top-tier talent among the elite of the family.
He maintained a calm expression, waiting for his father to speak.
Ye Zhenhong looked at his son and spoke solemnly, “The tournament is in three days. I shall tell you about the rewards.”
“The family has brought out treasured martial arts from our collection this time, and their grades are higher than in previous years.”
“First place receives two Yellow-grade high-tier martial arts. Second and third place each receive one Yellow-grade high-tier martial art. Fourth and fifth place each receive two Yellow-grade mid-tier martial arts.”
“You possess outstanding talent and a solid foundation, making you the most promising candidate in the clan to claim the championship. Remember, guard against arrogance and impatience, and give it your all.”
Ye Ling nodded slightly.
He knew very well that among his peers, only one person could pose a threat to him—the Great Elder's granddaughter, Ye Fei.
Ye Fei had been highly talented since childhood, cultivated diligently, and possessed a deep foundation.
Ye Ling had long regarded her as his only opponent. He did not look down on her in the slightest; instead, a hint of anticipation quietly grew in his heart.
Meanwhile, in the Great Elder's courtyard, the atmosphere was much warmer.
The courtyard was lush with flowers and trees, and the bluestone paths were clean. Seated in the pavilion was the Great Elder, who was over seventy years old, her silver hair combed neatly and elegantly.
Her face was kind and lined with the traces of time, yet her eyes still held an inherent, quiet authority.
Her back was straight, her eyes clear, and the spiritual energy around her was dense and restrained. She was the oldest and most deeply established expert of the older generation in the Ye family.
Standing before her was her granddaughter, Ye Fei.
Ye Fei was beautiful and tall. Her black hair was tied up with a jade hairpin, her skin was fair like jade, and her eyes held a spirited sharpness.
She wore light green martial attire with a silver whip tied around her waist. She looked clean and sharp, clearly someone who had undergone years of hard training.
The Great Elder spoke gently, “The family tournament is in three days. The top five will qualify for the sect selection.”
“The reward for first place is two Yellow-grade high-tier martial arts... You are diligent and highly talented, a standout among the clan's younger generation. You must seize this opportunity well.”
Ye Fei responded obediently.
She knew very well that although there were quite a few talents in the Ye family's younger generation, most of them could not withstand a single blow.
The only true obstacle standing in her way, looming over all their peers, was Ye Ling.
Ye Ling was young and accomplished, with a deep cultivation and a solid foundation that firmly suppressed the rest of the clan. He was the top favorite to win the tournament.
Ye Fei had long regarded him as her greatest opponent, quietly gathering her strength, hoping for a direct confrontation during the tournament.
In a secluded courtyard of the Ye family, the atmosphere was much colder.
Ye Chen sat alone in his room. The room was incredibly simple—just a bed, a table, a chair, and nothing else.
His parents had gone missing in his early years, and in this massive Ye family, he had always been alone.
Without elders to protect him or resources to favor him, he had relied entirely on himself along the way.
The rules and rewards of the tournament had already spread throughout the clan, naturally reaching his ears as well.
Two Yellow-grade high-tier martial arts.
The moment he learned of the reward, Ye Chen's face remained expressionless, and no ripple showed in his eyes.
Others fought to win glory and make a name for themselves.
But to him, these martial arts and resources were his only reliance to continue growing stronger and moving forward.
His face was lean, his features sharp, and his eyes were as calm as deep pool water.
Two years of silence, the patience of being stuck at the Houtian Third Layer, the grinding of countless days and nights, and the accumulation from his sudden breakthrough were all hidden beneath this calm exterior.
He sat upright in the room, his gaze resolute.
He was determined to claim the first-place reward in this tournament.
Whether it was the clan leader's son, Ye Ling, or the Great Elder's granddaughter, Ye Fei, no one would stand in his way.
In the small grove in the back hills, Ye Ling was practicing her sword alone.
She did not hear the discussions outside, nor did she care.
After finishing a set of sword techniques, she sheathed her sword, stood still, and wiped the sweat from her forehead.
“Three days left,” she murmured to herself.
“Two Yellow-grade high-tier martial arts... The rewards are quite good.”
What should she choose when the time came? She would decide when the time came.
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