Capital City, Ye Residence.
Everyone in the Ye family was waiting for the Imperial Physician’s arrival when Ye family’s informant reported.
“Family head, our people have spotted Zhang Qingyao and Zhong Bailing in the marketplace. Should we send someone over?”
Before Ye Tianlu could respond, Ye Xichen had already stood up excitedly.
“Take people there immediately and capture them. Don’t let that scoundrel escape!”
Ye Xichen, having learned from the Mysterious Elder that Zhang Yuge was just bluffing, with a true cultivation level of only Qi Refinement Second Stage, was now furious and humiliated.
The thought that she and the Ye family had been insulted by such a despicable man made Ye Xichen wish to tear him to pieces.
Her actions were seen by the others in the Ye family as overstepping.
“The family head hasn’t even spoken yet. Since when did you get to interrupt?”
Though Ye Tianlu did not blame her, he clearly disapproved of her suggestion.
“Ah Chen, don’t be rash. That fellow has Nascent Soul cultivation; we can’t confront him head-on.”
“The family head speaks truly.”
“He’s a Nascent Soul? He’s just got someone backing him.”
Though Ye Xichen wanted to say this outright, she knew it would be hard to explain.
If she revealed that Zhang Yuge had someone helping him, the family would dig deeper and discover the secret of the Old Man hidden inside her ring.
Although the Old Man was unrelated by blood, Ye Xichen felt it wouldn’t be right to sell him out.
Thinking further, even if the Ye family knew Zhang Yuge was weak, as long as the person behind him remained, they could do nothing.
I will grow stronger; my Heavenly Talent still exists.
I am not useless!
One day, I will personally slay Zhang Qingyao.
“Apologies, Father, I was too hasty in my judgment. Since things have come to this, we must move on.”
“Continue to keep someone on Zhang Qingyao’s trail, and don’t let him notice. Report to me immediately if there’s any sign of movement,”
Ye Tianlu ordered.
“As you command.”
Zhang Yuge did not leave the capital immediately.
He took Zhang Qingyao and Lv Zhu to search for the missing Zhang family servants.
Passing through the bustling marketplace, crowds thronged the streets.
“Disciple, someone is following us,”
Yun Lan’s voice whispered in his ear.
That old fellow finally deigned to appear.
“Are they from the Ye family?”
“Most likely. Should we deal with them first?”
“No need. They won’t act recklessly; otherwise, they would have already.”
“They dare not move now, but once you leave the city, it’s uncertain.”
“Haha, isn’t Master here with me? With you around, the Ye family are mere clowns.”
Since Zhang Yuge was flattering him, Yun Lan let it slide.
His disciple was still too soft-hearted and would never achieve greatness.
But that wasn’t bad; if Zhang Yuge were ruthless, Yun Lan would have to be wary.
In Yun Lan’s view, the body he was cultivating was destined to be possessed by him.
The kinder the person, the more obedient.
After walking for some time, the lost family servants were gradually found by Zhang Yuge.
They arrived before a tavern called Jinyi Tavern and heard lively noise inside.
Zhang Yuge instinctively stepped into the tavern; Lv Zhu and Zhang Qingyao followed but were stopped.
“Young master, servants are not allowed inside,”
said a coquettish middle-aged woman.
“What kind of place is this with so many rules? Why can’t I bring her in?”
Zhang Qingyao had been to countless brothels and inns and had never encountered such a rule.
She couldn’t accept this humiliation.
The middle-aged woman ignored her; several burly doormen showed no intention of letting them pass.
Seeing this, Zhang Yuge took a gold ingot from his pouch and handed it to the woman.
“She’s not a servant. May I bring her inside?”
After taking the money, the woman’s attitude improved, and she spoke more respectfully to Zhang Qingyao.
“Please enter, young master.”
Zhang Yuge left Lv Zhu outside and only brought Zhang Qingyao inside the tavern.
Zhang Qingyao wanted to ask why he brought her in but didn’t dare.
The entrance led to the main hall, where most people gathered, crowded and noisy.
Those sitting by the second-floor windows were likely some of the capital’s top officials and nobles.
There were so many people that Zhang Yuge still didn’t understand what was going on.
Curious, he casually asked a bystander.
“Brother, do you know what’s attracting so many people in the tavern?”
The man wore fine cloth, slightly better than Zhang Yuge’s, likely a son of some official in the capital.
He glanced at Zhang Yuge and assumed they were kindred spirits, then spoke familiarly.
“You’re not from the capital, are you? Otherwise, you wouldn’t ask.”
“Haha, good eye. I’m Zhang Qingyao, just arrived from Ningzhou. I’m new here and unfamiliar with the place. Please bear with me, brother.”
Zhang Yuge didn’t hide anything.
Since he had the Zhang family backing him, he wasn’t afraid to show himself.
“Ningzhou, surname Zhang… could you be from the Ningzhou Zhang family? The famous cultivation clan in Great Zhou?”
the man asked.
“Haha, famous is an exaggeration. We can’t compare to the capital’s Five Great Families,”
Zhang Yuge replied humbly.
“Brother Zhang is too modest. Even so, you’re far above us commoners. I’m Wang Quan; my father is the Ministry of Rites Assistant Minister. I don’t have many hobbies, but I enjoy making friends. Let’s find a seat and chat. I hope Brother Zhang will honor me.”
Zhang Yuge understood Wang Quan’s meaning and made a gesture inviting him.
Although the highest official in the Zhang family was just a local prefect, the Zhang family was wealthy.
Their businesses in Ningzhou nearly monopolized the region, richer than many officials in the capital.
Zhang Qingyao remained silent, following Zhang Yuge closely.
The three found a somewhat secluded tea table and sat down, with Zhang Yuge spending a good amount of money.
He didn’t know why he spent the money, but with so many nobles here, there had to be something impressive.
Perhaps this was the chance to intercept Ye Xichen’s Opportunity.
Zhang Yuge hadn’t read the novel Immortal Martial Emperor, but he knew that cultivation and fantasy stories always involved some kind of Opportunity.
It might be an elixir, a Weapon Treasure, a Cultivation Technique Manual, or even a key character—anything was possible.
“Brother Wang, this spot should be quiet enough, right?”
Zhang Yuge asked.
He wasn’t a fool.
If this Wang Quan kept talking nonsense and didn’t get to the point, he wouldn’t continue the conversation.
“Brother Zhang, your timing is perfect.Jinyi Tavern somehow invited the Wuling Sect’s recruiting elder, who is openly accepting disciples today. All the wealthy and powerful families in the capital have come, hoping to send their children into the Wuling Sect to learn cultivation.”
Hearing this, Zhang Yuge glanced at the raised platform in the center.
Indeed, a man in a blue robe played with a prayer bead bracelet impatiently, nodding absentmindedly.
Embroidered on his chest was a plant—probably the sect’s emblem.
In front of the man was a Test Stone.
Each wealthy heir queued to place their hand on it.
Then the stone would glow with dazzling, chaotic colors.
Zhang Yuge guessed it was a tool to test cultivation talent.
Before testing, they had to first hand over at least one seemingly valuable Jade or Jewelry.
“Since Brother Wang says the powerful families of the capital have all come, have the Five Great Families come too?”
Zhang Yuge asked.
Wang Quan smiled bitterly and shook his head.
“The Five Great Families are cultivation clans with their own paths; they won’t send their children into the Wuling Sect. In fact, the Five Great Families look down on the Wuling Sect. Though it’s the largest sect in the Great Zhou Dynasty, across Southern Anzhou…”
Wang Quan lowered his voice to continue quietly:
“In the eyes of the Five Great Families, the Wuling Sect is a second-rate sect. Even if they send anyone, it’s only the less outstanding ones. But for us commoners, getting into a sect is already a success. To be blunt, if all these people here rushed the elder on stage, they probably wouldn’t win.”
Zhang Yuge nodded thoughtfully.
“Master, what is the cultivation level of that Wuling Sect elder on stage?”
“Not even Foundation Establishment, just Qi Refinement Tenth Layer. Haha, if the elder is at this level, the sect must be rubbish.”
“Brother Wang, you just said the Five Great Families still send some people to the Wuling Sect. Why? If they look down on it, why not train their disciples within the family?”
“You don’t know. Starting on the cultivation path consumes a tremendous amount of money and resources. The Five Great Families invest heavily in their outstanding disciples. Those who are relatively mediocre are sent to the Wuling Sect, where the sect takes responsibility for their cultivation, easing the family’s burden.”
Listening to Wang Quan, Zhang Qingyao recalled herself.
Only through consuming countless elixirs had she barely reached Qi Refinement Second Stage, spending huge resources.
She lowered her head, lost in thought.
“Do the Five Great Families really not afford the cost?”
The girl’s sorrowful expression naturally caught Zhang Yuge’s attention.
He sipped his tea and continued asking.
“In fact, there’s an even more important reason. Brother Zhang, have you heard of the Shenhuang Sect?”
At the mention of the Shenhuang Sect, Zhang Yuge immediately thought of the Zhang family’s eldest son—Zhang Qinglin.
Though Zhang Yuge had never met Zhang Qinglin in person, he knew Zhang Qinglin was currently with the Shenhuang Sect, far from Great Zhou.
“I’ve heard of it. What about it?”
“The Shenhuang Sect is a top-tier sect in Southern Anzhou. Great Zhou’s number one sect, the Wuling Sect, is merely one of its vassals. Every ten years, the Shenhuang Sect offers three Exchange Disciple Quotas to its vassal sects, including the Wuling Sect. The Five Great Families covet these three Exchange Disciple Quotas. The outstanding disciples of the Five Great Families have no trouble entering first-rate sects on their own. So they want to send their less capable disciples to compete for these Shenhuang Sect quotas.”
Zhang Yuge suddenly understood.
“Now it makes sense.”
At that moment, Yun Lan’s voice echoed in his mind once again.
“Disciple, you should also go on stage and join the Wuling Sect.”