Chapter 389: First-Class Aristocratic Clan

Before today, Tong Wenchang was riding high, overshadowing all the younger generation of the royal city and trampling Xiao Rufeng, the younger generation of the Xiao clan, underfoot.

Yet just as he was about to reach the pinnacle, he was kicked off the pedestal by Ye Yuan!

There was no epic battle, no neck-and-neck contest; Ye Yuan, younger and of lower cultivation level, utterly crushed Tong Wenchang with absolute strength!

There was no clash of blades, but this wound was far harder to heal than any sword cut.

Tong Fangshuo knew that after today, Tong Wenchang would likely fade into obscurity!

But what worried him now was not that, but how the Tong family would endure the wrath of the Alchemist Guild and the suppression once the Xiao family rose to power.

At the thought of this, Tong Fangshuo’s head felt as big as a bucket.

Just then, Star Abyss Sovereign spoke: “Ji Qing.”

The hall fell silent at once; everyone guessed what this pinnacle figure of the royal city’s alchemy world was about to do next!

All eyes turned to Ye Yuan, filled with envy and blessings.

Yes, no one was jealous!

Ye Yuan had conquered everyone with his strength.

They knew they had no right to be jealous!

Ye Yuan bowed slightly: “Star Abyss Sovereign!”

Star Abyss nodded slightly and said, “Are you willing to take me as your master?”

Anyone else would have been jumping for joy.

But for Ye Yuan, this was somewhat ridiculous.

After a brief pause, Ye Yuan said calmly, “I am willing.”

Star Abyss was certainly not qualified to be his master, and Ye Yuan naturally did not want to take him as such, but Ye Yuan’s current situation was very special.

In this royal city, he was surrounded by enemies.

If his identity were discovered, he would surely die.

In this royal city, not to mention Spirit Travel realm experts, Soul Sea realm experts were as numerous as oxen hairs. Any one of them could kill him without a burial place.

Although he could conceal his soul with soul secret techniques, his appearance could not be changed. If someone from the Blue Tribe recognized him, he was dead.

Finding a backer like Star Abyss greatly increased his safety and made it easier to rescue people.

Star Abyss smiled and nodded, clearly very satisfied with this disciple.

At this moment, Ye Yuan’s weight in everyone’s eyes naturally changed.

People from various forces quickly gathered around.

“Congratulations, Brother Ji, on gaining a renowned master. Your future is boundless!”

“Congratulations, Brother Ji. I am the owner of Dehua Hall. If Brother Ji ever needs anything, just say the word. Whatever Dehua Hall can provide, I won’t refuse.”

…

For a time, Ye Yuan was extremely busy.

This process lasted nearly half an hour before the crowd gradually dispersed.

By then, few people remained in the hall; even the seven Pill King elders and Star Abyss Sovereign had disappeared.

Xiao Changfeng stepped forward and bowed deeply to Ye Yuan: “On behalf of the Xiao clan, I thank Brother Ji for his great kindness. This grace is like a rebirth to my clan! Originally, I intended to offer you the position of guest elder of the Xiao clan, with access to all clan resources. But since Brother Ji has become Star Abyss Sovereign’s esteemed disciple, such a small reward is probably beneath your notice. If Brother Ji ever needs anything from me, just say the word, and I will not refuse even death!”

Ye Yuan said calmly, “Clan Head, you need not be so polite. I seek nothing from the Xiao clan. If you truly wish to thank someone, thank Miss Ruyan. If not for her, I would have already left in a huff.”

These words sounded somewhat ambiguous, and Xiao Ruyan, standing behind Xiao Changfeng, blushed.

Xiao Changfeng’s heart was bitter; his earlier actions had indeed angered this little ancestor.

But he was also secretly relieved that this little ancestor seemed to have taken a liking to his daughter.

Only… the Xiao clan was about to hold a martial arts tournament for a spouse, with the Xue and Huang families already eyeing them covetously. Now with Ji Qing added, what was to be done?

Xiao Changfeng’s head ached.

He took out a token from his person and handed it to Ye Yuan, saying, “Brother Ji, this is the highest-level token of my Xiao clan. If you need anything, just present this token at any Xiao clan enterprise, and they will cooperate with you.”

Ye Yuan nodded and accepted it without ceremony; it was what he deserved.

In fact, if not for fear of arousing the old fox’s suspicion, Ye Yuan would have directly asked him for those two slaves.

But Ye Yuan also knew that he was already of unknown origin; no matter how subtly he spoke, Xiao Changfeng would inevitably become suspicious.

How to approach those two without leaving a trace would probably have to start with Xiao Ruyan. That was why he deliberately mentioned her, not just to give Xiao Changfeng a hard time.

“In that case, I thank the Clan Head.” Ye Yuan reached out and took the token.

Seeing Ye Yuan accept the token, Xiao Changfeng breathed a long sigh of relief.

After today, Ye Yuan’s status would be extraordinary.

As Star Abyss Sovereign’s esteemed disciple and possessing outstanding strength himself, such a figure would soon become known throughout the royal city.

Building a good relationship with him would be greatly beneficial to the Xiao clan.

Xiao Changfeng laughed heartily and said, “Brother Ji is too polite! Well… you young people have more in common. I’ll leave you to it. I’ll take my leave now. Ruyan, get closer to Brother Ji. If Brother Ji has any requests, you may agree to them. Rufeng’s old injury has flared up and he needs to rest, so he’ll come back with me.”

Once Xiao Changfeng left, Xiao Ruyan relaxed a little. Blushing slightly, she said, “Ji Qing… thank you so much this time!”

But Ye Yuan suddenly put on a playful smile and said, “I thought you were going to say something like ‘I have no way to repay you but to offer myself to you,’ so I could readily agree.”

At this, Xiao Ruyan’s face turned bright red, and she couldn’t help but spit, “You! Why are you always so improper?”

“Haha, ‘A fair lady is a gentleman’s pursuit’—how is that improper? I’m being very proper now!” Though his words were proper, his face showed no sign of it.

In the past, Xiao Ruyan would have stormed off.

But having dealt with Ye Yuan for some time, she knew he was joking. Though embarrassed, she managed not to flee.

What Ye Yuan didn’t expect was that Xiao Ruyan’s expression suddenly darkened. “A fair lady is a gentleman’s pursuit? But I have no choice in the matter!”

Ye Yuan asked in surprise, “Now that the Xiao clan’s crisis is resolved, will the martial arts tournament for a spouse continue?”

Xiao Ruyan shook her head sadly. “In the Gale Realm, might makes right. Apart from the Alchemist Guild, which stands alone, alchemy families are all vassals. Otherwise, with the wealth of the Xiao and Tong clans, they would have long become first-class aristocratic clans. In the royal city, the truly powerful are first-class clans like the Huang, Xue, and Shangguan families!”