"You have no idea—there's a lot more to it!"
Ye Fan was pleasantly surprised and smiled with pride.
While it's true that awakening a Life Soul typically requires Earth Martial Realm cultivation, the Zhentian Monument before him wasn't his Life Soul.
Still, its manifestation bore a striking resemblance to one.
"Kill!"
Ye Fan's heart stirred, and he attempted to control the Zhentian Monument.
The phantom trembled slightly, then surged forward with suppressive force.
The black-clad man raised his sword, trying in vain to resist.
Boom!
The terrifying power shattered his internal organs instantly.
His body collapsed with a thud, blood pooling beneath him.
"That strong?"
Ye Fan's eyes widened in shock.
The Zhentian Monument's method of killing was simple and brutal.
Just one strike—and a ninth-level Lingwu Realm warrior was gone?
Thud! Thud! Thud…
Hurried footsteps echoed from outside the courtyard.
Ye Fan quickly stowed the Zhentian Monument.
Moments later, Ye Hai arrived with a group of guards.
They froze at the sight of four corpses strewn across the ground.
"Dad, you're a little late."
Ye Fan grinned at Ye Hai and the others.
With all the commotion, they'd only just arrived.
If Ye Fan hadn't been capable, they'd be collecting his corpse instead.
"Fan'er… Did you kill all of them?"
Ye Hai's gaze landed on the strongest black-robed man. His expression was incredulous. "That's Chen Mo… I remember he's at the ninth level of the Spiritual Sea Realm…"
"I killed him."
Ye Fan nodded. "You know him?"
"He's from the Chen family."
Ye Hai's voice was low and serious.
"Not one of Duan Tianya's men?"
Ye Fan was surprised, then quickly understood. "So Duan Tianya is playing it safe?"
"Of course. The Third Prince wouldn't send his own people to assassinate you. If they failed, it would be tantamount to a public execution."
Ye Hai explained, "Instead, he had the Chen family act. They had their own reasons—after all, you killed Chen Shuyi. But what puzzles me is… how did you manage to kill Chen Mo?"
"Who knows?"
Ye Fan shrugged, feigning indifference.
"Could it be because of that sword?"
Ye Hai's eyes narrowed as he stared at the blade in Ye Fan's hand.
He could sense its extraordinary nature.
"Probably."
Ye Fan admitted.
"High-grade Xuan-rank?"
Ye Hai asked, still uncertain. "Where did you get it?"
"Wanbao Tower gave it to me."
Ye Fan replied bluntly.
"Wanbao Tower?"
Ye Hai's expression changed. "Why would Su Meiniang give you a high-grade Xuan-rank spirit sword for no reason? You didn't…"
"Dad, don't overthink it."
Ye Fan quickly interrupted. "Nothing happened between me and Lady Su. The sword was simply destined for me, so she gave it."
"That's all?"
Ye Hai looked skeptical, but seeing Ye Fan's refusal to elaborate, he didn't press further. Instead, he warned:
"Fan'er, don't blame your father for being naggy. Su Meiniang isn't someone you can afford to provoke. I've heard that men who get involved with her don't live past three months… You're my only son. Don't die on that woman's belly."
"Dad, you're worrying too much."
Ye Fan chuckled helplessly.
"I can't help it…"
Ye Hai sighed, clearly frustrated. "Fan'er, I know you've grown up and have your own ideas. But Su Meiniang is dangerous. If you really can't hold back, I'll find you a proper girl—or… you could go to Yichun Courtyard…"
"Dad, you're getting ridiculous…"
Ye Fan's mouth twitched. He was speechless.
He was a decent man—how could he go to a place like Yichun Courtyard?
"Master!"
Before Ye Fan could respond, a hurried voice called from outside.
Ye Fu rushed into the courtyard, panting and holding a letter. He handed it to Ye Hai.
"The Chen family sent Chen Li to deliver this."
"Huh?"
Ye Hai frowned in confusion.
The Chen family had just sent assassins into the Ye Mansion—and now they were delivering a letter?
He unfolded it, and his expression darkened.
"Dad, what does it say?"
Ye Fan stepped forward.
"It's from Duan Tianya."
Ye Hai handed the letter to Ye Fan.
"Tianwu Academy admission notice?"
Ye Fan scanned the contents. Beneath the letter was an official admission notice.
Duan Tianya had used his connections to secure Ye Fan a spot at Tianwu Academy.
"Fan'er, you mustn't go."
Ye Hai's tone was grave. "Once you're inside, Duan Tianya will have the perfect opportunity to strike. He wants you at Tianwu Academy so he can kill you."
"To be honest, I really want to go."
Ye Fan smiled slyly. "If Duan Tianya went through all this trouble to invite me, wouldn't it be rude not to accept his 'murderous' hospitality?"
He saw through Duan Tianya's intentions clearly.
In Yunyin Kingdom, the most powerful force wasn't the royal family—it was Tianwu Academy.
Ye Fan's goal was the Taichu Dao Sect, and Tianwu Academy was the ideal stepping stone.
In previous years, Tianwu students had represented Yunyin in the sect's entrance trials.
"Fan'er, you…"
Ye Hai was exasperated. "You're going against me again!"
"Just kidding."
Ye Fan grew serious. "Dad, can the Ye family support my cultivation?"
"Of course."
Ye Hai replied without hesitation.
"But if I stay, I'll drain the Ye family's resources."
Ye Fan shook his head. "And let's be honest—our resources can't compare to Tianwu Academy's."
Many noble families in the imperial city fought to send their children to Tianwu Academy.
The Ye family was no exception.
"Still… it's dangerous."
Ye Hai frowned. He understood the logic, but Duan Tianya's intentions were too obvious.
"Tianwu Academy has its own rules. If Duan Tianya wants to kill me, he'll have to do it within those rules. With my current strength, surviving won't be a problem."
Ye Fan smiled confidently.
"Hmm…"
Ye Hai fell silent, deep in thought.
Ye Fan was no longer the same boy.
He had just killed a ninth-level Spiritual Martial Realm cultivator.
In Tianwu Academy, only inner courtyard students might pose a threat.
As long as Ye Fan didn't provoke them, he'd be fine.
"The freshman trial is in two days, right? If I miss it, I'll have to wait another year."
Ye Fan muttered.
"If you're determined, I won't stop you."
Ye Hai finally relented. "I'll contact Ye Yao at Tianwu Academy and ask her to escort you."
"Ye Yao?"
A familiar figure flashed in Ye Fan's mind.
Ye Yao—one of the Ye family's prodigies.
Three years older, already an inner courtyard student.
But what Ye Fan remembered most wasn't her talent…
It was her fiery temper—and her stunning figure.
As a child, Ye Yao often "bullied" the original Ye Fan, flaunting her superiority.
In recent years, she'd been focused on cultivation and had grown distant.