Xu Younian's face was heavy with solemnity.
He was at the Early Body Integration Realm, yet standing before Hong Qianye, he felt like a small wizard facing a great one—utterly insignificant.
Coupled with the disciple's uncharacteristic words and actions, an ominous premonition gripped Xu Younian's heart.
Hong Qianye ignored them entirely. He turned his head toward the depths of the Forbidden Land, eyes flashing with a fierce, greedy gleam.
"Instead of wasting such a supreme treasure here, it's better to let this Lord put it to use."
As he spoke, he thrust out his hand. A massive fiery-red palm of flame materialized in the air, reaching straight for the Time Vault to seize it.
"How dare you!"
"What are you doing?!"
The sight stunned everyone into furious outrage as they moved to stop him.
"All of you, scram!"
A cold, ruthless voice rang out. An overwhelming surge of cultivation pressure exploded from Hong Qianye.
"You…"
The peak lords' expressions twisted in horror. The oppressive force slammed them flat to the ground.
As perfected Soul Formation cultivators, they couldn't even struggle to rise!
Only Xu Younian, at the Early Body Integration Realm, barely managed to hold a half-kneeling stance.
Sweat the size of beans rolled down his forehead. His face filled with disbelief as he forced out the words through clenched teeth,
"This person's demonic nature is so strong… What exactly is the background of the disciple Senior Brother Ye took in?"
"A bunch of rabble."
Hong Qianye sneered, about to rip the Time Vault free by force.
Suddenly—he froze.
No matter how much strength he poured in, the Time Vault refused to budge, as though completely immune to external interference.
"What's going on?"
Irritation flared in Hong Qianye's chest.
If Ye Junlin were watching, he'd surely cackle like a goose. The Time Vault was a special reward granted directly by the system. No one could claim or move it without his explicit permission—he alone could dispose of it as he wished.
"Hong Qianye, you are Senior Brother Ye's disciple and the sect's most outstanding prodigy. The sect will surely nurture you with all its resources. Why stoop to such despicable acts?"
Xu Younian ground his teeth together.
Terrifying lightning arced across his body. With immense effort, he resisted the crushing pressure, slowly forcing himself to stand. He glared at Hong Qianye.
"Bastard! What are you, that you dare lecture this Lord?!"
Hong Qianye flicked his sleeve in impatience.
Boom!
Xu Younian's figure shot backward more than ten feet. He clutched his chest, half-knelt again, fresh blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. Horror filled his eyes.
What level of cultivation was this?
A casual gesture—and he had no power to resist at all!
At this moment, staring at the fiery-red figure, Xu Younian's heart trembled violently.
Too terrifying!
Compared to before entering the sundial, the other party was now utterly unfathomable!
"Sect Master!"
The others cried out in alarm and desperation.
None of them had expected Senior Brother Ye's own disciple to turn traitor at such a critical juncture!
"Hmph. Mere ants daring to point fingers at this Lord. Sparing your lives just now was already this Lord's greatest act of mercy!"
Hong Qianye's tone dripped with disdain, arms crossed once more as he coldly surveyed the kneeling sect members.
Hong Qianye's voice was cold and merciless, his eyes brimming with disdain. He stood tall and aloof, as though all living beings were mere dust beneath his gaze.
"This…"
Xu Younian and the others felt their scalps go numb. Facing him now carried an eerie sense of déjà vu—like standing before a true Demonic Path overlord. Panic stirred in their hearts.
But at that moment, a murderous roar thundered from outside the sect.
"The Feathered Immortal Sect army has arrived! Ye Junlin, you culprit—get out here and die!"
The words landed.
Xu Younian and the others' expressions shifted dramatically.
Hong Qianye sneered.
"It's time to confront that guy."
Whoosh.
His figure vanished from the spot in an instant.
"Sect Master, what do we do now…?"
The Sword Hidden Peak Lord asked bitterly.
"Hurry and follow—see what's happening!"
Xu Younian couldn't sit still. He moved swiftly to pursue.
Misty Peak.
The silver-haired youth reclined sideways on a long chair, right hand propping up his head. A long, bent straw dangled from his mouth. He sucked deeply, drawing the milk tea from the cup on the table up through the straw in lazy contentment.
His half-lidded eyes betrayed pure satisfaction.
Ye Junlin let out a comfortable burp and sighed.
"Milk tea freedom truly is enjoyable!"
Whoosh.
Not far away, a figure appeared in a flash, radiating powerful aura.
Seeing Ye Junlin's utterly relaxed posture, Hong Qianye's face twisted with open contempt.
This guy is a complete disgrace to cultivators!
With such laziness, what kind of immortality was he even pursuing? How could someone like this ever contend with the Great Dao?
He must have simply gotten lucky—stumbled into some supreme opportunity in ancient ruins, acquiring enviable cultivation techniques and heaven-and-earth treasures.
But now…
All of it would belong to him!
At that moment, Ye Junlin noticed Hong Qianye's arrival. He didn't even bother shifting position, still lying sideways. With the straw still in his mouth, he mumbled casually,
"Good disciple, your master has missed you."
Miss your sister!
Hong Qianye forcefully swallowed the urge to explode. His voice came out icy.
"They're about to break in and take your life outside, yet you can still laze around like this. Aren't you afraid of dying?"
"Huh?"
Ye Junlin sat up abruptly, face blank.
"They've already attacked? How come I didn't know?"
Hong Qianye frowned. As if realizing something, his expression darkened. He waved his hand, dispelling the soundproof barrier that had covered the sky above.
Instantly—
The sound of war drums shook heaven and earth outside, the momentum of an all-out assault rolling in like thunder.
Ye Junlin stared blankly for a second, then quickly released his divine sense. When he sensed the vast fleet of warships, his expression turned oddly amused.
"Oh. So it's time for war."
Watching this completely unhurried man, Hong Qianye felt a surge of depression. He spoke stiffly,
"You've seen the situation clearly. But as long as you hand over everything you've obtained to this Lord, this Lord can consider taking action to spare your life."
"What did you say?"
Ye Junlin raised an eyebrow.
"Heh heh, don't play dumb with this Lord. We're both smart people—let's be frank… Holy crap, what the hell is that?!"
Hong Qianye hadn't finished when his gaze landed on a bizarre creature dashing over. His phoenix eyes widened in shock; he couldn't help cursing aloud.
It was petite and exquisite, clad in a white halter dress. The exposed skin was delicate and smooth, fair arms like tender lotus roots, slender legs round and perfectly proportioned.
But atop that graceful neck sat a very abrupt mouse head!
At that moment, it flashed over in a blur, holding a plate in both paws. An excited voice burst from its mouth.
"Master! These are the Orleans chicken wings I made for you! They're extra spicy—hurry and try them!"
Then it spotted Hong Qianye and ran over in delight.
"Oh! Senior Brother Hong, you've come out of seclusion so quickly!"
"You—you stay right there!"
Hong Qianye's scalp tingled. He instinctively took two steps back.
Is that the white-haired rat?
How had it turned into… this?
What a freakish appearance!
Could it be…
Thoughts racing, Hong Qianye suddenly whipped his head toward Ye Junlin. A chill raced down his spine.
Damn it! I didn't expect your tastes to run this heavy!
Ye Junlin was stunned. What was that look supposed to mean? He was a dignified gentleman—how could anyone misunderstand him like this?
Malice. Pure malice!
"Senior Brother Hong…"
Bai Xiaoxi lowered her head aggrievedly. She knew her current appearance was disliked.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh~
Several figures landed on Misty Peak.
"Rebellious disciple! What are you doing to your master?!"
"Senior Brother Ye, be careful!"
Xu Younian and the others cried out anxiously.
At that moment, all eyes locked onto the bizarre figure. Their gazes nearly bulged in shock as they stammered in unison,
"This… this is…"
"Don't be afraid, everyone—it's me!"
Bai Xiaoxi quickly explained.
"So it's Senior Brother Ye's second disciple. This appearance is truly… shocking."
Xu Younian's expression twisted oddly.
"Senior Brother Ye is not only exceptionally talented, but even his tastes are beyond ordinary comprehension," the other peak lords sighed emotionally.
He really knows how to enjoy himself. Truly knows how to have fun!
"Uh…"
The more Ye Junlin listened, the more something felt off. Why did it sound like they were insulting him?
"Oh, right. What did you mean just now?"
Ye Junlin swiftly changed the subject, worried his reputation would take a permanent hit if they kept going.
"Senior Brother Ye, your eldest disciple harbors treacherous intentions! He just tried to seize the Time Vault and even attacked us!"
Everyone spoke anxiously in a rush.
"My dear disciple—is what they said true?"
Ye Junlin's eyes flickered as he looked meaningfully at Hong Qianye.
Being stared at by the silver-haired youth, Hong Qianye's heart jolted. But he quickly steadied himself.
He was no longer the same person as before. Why should he fear this man anymore?
It was time to turn the tables and take control!
Hong Qianye lifted his chin slightly, his tone carrying near-commanding arrogance.
"So what if it's true? What can you do to this seat? The army is already here—your death is imminent. Haven't you grasped the current situation yet?"
"Damn it, you wolf-hearted ingrate! Senior Brother Ye treated you so well!"
Xu Younian and the others trembled with rage, cursing him furiously.
In any sect, the greatest taboo was a disciple betraying their master—it threatened the very foundation of internal stability.
"What do you know?!"
Hong Qianye's face turned cold as frost.
How noble had this seat once been? Yet he was toyed with at will by a junior—shoulder rubs, leg massages, all forced upon him personally. The most humiliating of all: having to wash feet!
Every recollection burned with shame!
"Retribution… this is all retribution…"
Facing the situation, Ye Junlin looked deeply struck. He muttered dazedly to himself.
"Don't blame him! It's my fault! All my fault! I neglected my disciple's feelings in the past! It's entirely on me—I truly regret it so much!"
Ye Junlin's eyes reddened. He beat his chest and stomped his feet, face contorted in pained remorse and self-reproach.
"Master!"
Bai Xiaoxi's nose stung with emotion.
"Senior Brother Ye, you…"
Xu Younian and the others stared in disbelief. They had never seen the silver-haired youth like this.
"Act. Keep acting."
Hong Qianye sneered with disdain. If not for the time they'd spent together—enough to let him see through the man's true nature—he might have actually been fooled.
"Little Hong, Hong Hong, my beloved disciple Qianye… your master truly knows he was wrong. Can you forgive him? After all, we are master and disciple. Can we start over?"
Ye Junlin's eyes shone with hope as he pleaded cautiously.
"Hiss!"
Hong Qianye sucked in a breath. Goosebumps erupted across his skin.
How could there exist such a shameless person?
It truly broadened his horizons!
"Dream on! You disgust this seat!"
Hong Qianye spat with revulsion.
Who would have thought?
Ye Junlin instantly relaxed. His expression smoothed into calm composure—completely different from moments before.
A triumphant smile curled at the corner of his mouth.
No one noticed the system prompt that sounded in his mind.
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host for completing the temporary mission! Rewarding Indestructible Overlord Body Technique!]
[Indestructible Overlord Body Technique: A supreme cultivation technique that fuses strength and the physical body. Cultivating it to perfection forges an Indestructible Overlord Body, shaking the ages!]
The reward is decent. It wasn't in vain that I put on such a performance and completed the optional mission the system released.
Ye Junlin thought secretly.
Just now, he had triggered a temporary optional mission.
Option one: Face his disciple Hong Qianye's betrayal head-on as master—immediately break down and angrily reprimand him. Reward: one Immortal-grade Body Tempering Medicinal Pill.
Option two: Actively admit fault, pouring all emotion into evoking empathy. Success would grant the Indestructible Overlord Body Technique.
Immortal-grade Body Tempering Pills were rare, but compared to the far more valuable Indestructible Overlord Body Technique, their effect seemed trivial.
The technique's grade undoubtedly surpassed Immortal-grade!
Even a fool would know which to choose.
So Ye Junlin had picked the second option without hesitation and begun his act in front of everyone.
Now that the cultivation technique was secured, he naturally dropped the mask and returned to his usual calm, collected self.
He lounged lazily back on the reclining chair, picked up his milk tea, and sucked loudly through the straw.
"Hmm?"
Hong Qianye frowned.
What was this guy up to now?
Xu Younian and the others exchanged glances, their expressions exceedingly strange.
"Everyone… could Senior Brother Ye be under too much pressure, leading to some kind of mental breakdown?" the Sword Hidden Peak Lord whispered.
"Shut up!" the Heavenly Fragrance Peak Lord snapped irritably.
"Xiao Xi."
"Master, your disciple is here!"
"Come over and give me a shoulder rub."
"Okay!"
Bai Xiaoxi hurried over and obediently began kneading Ye Junlin's shoulders.
Ye Junlin narrowed his eyes in comfort and spoke faintly.
"Little Hong, you've been in seclusion inside the Time Vault for two hundred years. Now that you're out, you think you're capable again?"
At those words, Hong Qianye's voice sharpened.
"Stop wasting breath. Hand over everything you've obtained to this seat, and this seat can lend you a hand! But if you refuse, then wait here for your death!"
The cultivation world was inherently cruel—killing for treasures was commonplace. As someone who considered himself a Demonic Path cultivator, Hong Qianye felt he had already shown utmost restraint.
As long as he obtained what he wanted, he could repel the enemy army, then torment Ye Junlin severely to vent every grievance he had endured, and finally part ways forever.
"Sect Master, from the sound of it, this person is still willing to help. He retains some conscience," one peak lord whispered.
War was imminent, and they all knew Hong Qianye's strength. If they could secure his aid, the Xuantian Sect might actually survive this crisis.
"This still depends on Senior Brother Ye's decision." Xu Younian coughed a few times. It would be false to say he wasn't tempted.
From the cultivation techniques and medicinal pills they had received earlier, as well as the Time Vault that could alter time's flow, they had long realized Ye Junlin possessed an extraordinary opportunity. They had simply refrained from prying due to their fellow disciple relationship.
Now that Hong Qianye was openly demanding it with conditions attached, everyone was deeply curious about Ye Junlin's choice.
"Heh heh."
Ye Junlin naturally understood Hong Qianye's meaning.
But it was simply impossible—he was bound to the system!
More importantly, he didn't even take the current crisis seriously.
"Are you so certain your current strength surpasses mine?"
Ye Junlin asked with a faint smile.
"That's right."
Hong Qianye declared proudly.
"Although you've always suppressed this seat and wasted my precious cultivation time, this seat has cultivated inside the Time Vault for two hundred years. My realm and power have long since surpassed yours!"
His tone then turned lecturing, full of criticism.
"Ye Junlin, you've reached this point because your lack of ambition has ruined you!"
"We cultivators should strive for self-improvement and contend with the Dao! Not waste every day in idleness like you!"
"So hand over everything you possess and let this seat carry it forward! This seat is far more suited to inherit that opportunity than you!"
"Uh…"
At that moment, Ye Junlin looked at the former Flame Demon Cult leader as if staring at an idiot.
He had a system—did he still need to grind cultivation the hard way?
Wasn't slacking off far more appealing?
"Hurry up—don't dawdle! Does this seat need to take it by force?"
Hong Qianye stepped forward, hands behind his back, eyes flashing with fierce light.
Boom!
A terrifying pressure instantly enveloped all directions.
"Senior Brother Hong…"
Bai Xiaoxi trembled in fear. The man before her had become utterly unfamiliar.
"Senior Brother Ye, don't be stubborn!"
Xu Younian and the others broke out in cold sweat, speaking nervously.
Suddenly—
A massive explosion rocked the outside.
The Xuantian Sect's mountain-protecting formation shattered forcibly. Vast energy currents raged wildly, hurling countless disciples and elders backward amid rising screams.
"Immortal Tree Lord! The enemy's offensive is too fierce—we can't hold them back at all!"
One of the Body Integration Realm alien beings roared, blood trailing from his mouth, shocking wounds covering his body.
Even with the hundred thousand natives from the Luo Tian Secret Realm—over a thousand Soul Formation cultivators and sixty Body Integration experts—resisting the Feathered Immortal Sect army from outside proved extremely difficult. The situation was critical.
Bai Xiaoxi's expression panicked.
"Master, what should we do?!"
"Ye Junlin, are you still unwilling to hand it over? Or do you not believe this seat will actually help?"
Hong Qianye said coldly.
Boom!
Just then, a terrifying energy cannon tore through the sky, carrying destructive aura straight toward Misty Peak.
"Presumptuous!!"
Hong Qianye suddenly waved his hand and roared.
Swish—
The terrifying energy cannon was forcibly redirected by an external power. It made a sharp turn and charged back toward the countless figures in the sky.
Rumble…
A brilliant explosion erupted, followed by heart-wrenching screams.
"Who did that? Get out here and die!"
Angry shouts rang out one after another. At least dozens of Body Integration Realm divine senses swept over, all converging on Misty Peak.
"Hmph!"
Hong Qianye's figure shot upward like a comet. Hands still clasped behind his back, his aura unfathomably deep, gaze filled with disdain, he declared coldly from midair,
"This seat did it. What can you do to this seat?"