Chapter 144: The Bell Tolls for Honored Guests

Ye Jiuyao looked up in surprise toward the most magnificent palace, the most solemn place within the Thousand Leaves Sect.

Under the sunlight, the glazed tiles shimmered with a unique brilliance that left countless disciples in awe. At this moment, the three elders—White-Brow and his companions—stood suspended in the air, their expressions grave. All three were looking toward the mountain gate in perfect unison, as if a primordial beast were about to emerge from it at any second.

Before long, White-Brow spoke aloud. "The bell tolls to herald a distinguished guest. Disciples of the Thousand Leaves Sect, take your places and welcome our guest!"

"Yes!"
"Yes!"
"Yes!"

Aside from those in seclusion, all disciples outside acted with solemn efficiency. They quickly formed ranks from the mountain gate outward, arranged in strict hierarchical order. The disciples stood like soldiers, perfectly aligned—starting with the outer sect, followed by the inner sect, though the top ten disciples of each were absent.

The core disciples who were not in seclusion appeared below White-Brow and his companions. The top ten disciples of both the inner and outer sects—excluding Ye Jiuyao—followed behind, while the deacons stood by, observing the proper protocols.

"Open the mountain gate!"

Upon White-Brow’s command, the disciples guarding the gate performed a rapid series of hand seals. Their vital energy erupted like brilliant fireworks, and the gate swung open in an instant.

What everyone saw next left them in disbelief.

An old man sat atop a green ox, accompanied by a purple mist that swept across three thousand miles of sky as he drifted slowly into the Thousand Leaves Sect. His speed appeared sluggish, yet in the blink of an eye, he had reached the area where the inner sect disciples stood, and in another blink, he arrived before the deacons.

White-Brow and his two companions bowed low, performing the rites of a student meeting a teacher, waiting for the old man.

"The Thousand Leaves Sect? Interesting. However, I have come for one person, and such formalities are unnecessary."

After the old man spoke, the three elders let out a sigh of relief, though the tension on their faces did not diminish in the slightest.

White-Brow asked cautiously, "May I ask whom you have come for, sir?"

"The dawn fades, night approaches, the eternal remains ever-green, and the demon is the most fickle. This is the purpose of my journey."

"What?!"

White-Brow and the others were shocked. With such simple words, they had naturally guessed the old man’s intent.

"Sir, this child is the hope of our branch of the Thousand Leaves Sect. I beg you to tell us, why do you seek him?"

The old man suddenly let out a boisterous laugh. His eyes scanned the three elders; he appeared to exert no pressure, yet his gaze left them trembling. The deacons standing behind them were shaking in their boots, as if they had encountered a terrifying existence. Cao Sisi’s eyes darted around as if contemplating something, and she shifted her feet slightly, as if planning to flee.

"Interesting. You actually dare to question me. For the first time in a long while, a sect has dared to do such a thing. Your Thousand Leaves Sect... is not bad."

The old man spoke with effortless nonchalance, but to the ears of the three elders, his words were like thunder—absolutely terrifying. They knew the old man’s identity was so profound they could not possibly contend with it; even sects in higher regions, or even the central Thousand Leaves Sect, would treat him with great deference.

Despite their fear, they did not lose their composure, for this man was not a wanton killer; otherwise, the initial questioning would have been enough to incite a massacre. This was exactly why they had opened the gate to welcome him.

"Sir, it is not that we are unwilling to comply, but he... is not here," White-Brow said, attempting a small deception. After all, Ye Jiuyao was currently absent, and even if he were here, the old man had never met him, so he would not know.

"Heh... I know, that is why I asked you. Why is the Thousand Leaves Sect so dim-witted?" the old man replied with a hint of disdain.

The three elders looked at him awkwardly. They had not expected such a person to speak this way; where was the lofty, cold demeanor they had anticipated? He was almost as shameless as... Ye Jiuyao. They expected him to follow the script: "Then bring Ye Jiuyao out so I may see the one I seek."

But the old man did not do that. He defied expectations.

He did not dwell on the matter, shifting the topic instead: "You three little fellows, bring Ye Jiuyao out. I want to see if he is worthy of my status to serve, at the very least, as my fire-stoking boy."

The members of the Thousand Leaves Sect were speechless. You are a great master, and we cannot afford to offend you, but such words are truly insulting. A "fire-stoking boy"? With such immense talent, he is only fit to be a fire-stoker? What does that make the rest of us—the matches or the furnace?

White-Brow and the others were in disarray, unable to fathom the old man’s intentions.

Just as they were at a loss, a figure appeared in the sky. The man possessed a face like polished jade—exceedingly handsome, with an air that balanced gentleness and masculinity.

"Old man, you want me to be a fire-stoking boy?"

The newcomer was naturally Ye Jiuyao. His voice echoed before his feet even touched the ground.

The crowd of the Thousand Leaves Sect was stunned. Another terrifying existence had arrived. This fellow’s mouth was like a machine gun when it came to offending people; how had he heard that?

"Haha... interesting. A mere branch of the Thousand Leaves Sect dares to be this arrogant and wild, and now another one comes. Do you think I dare not act?!"

"Senior..."

"Old man White-Brow, ignore him. This old geezer is just using a tiger's might to bully us. He has no cultivation; he relies entirely on his 'vast righteousness' and the power within him. If he dares to run his mouth, I dare to talk back!" Ye Jiuyao said to White-Brow with a straight face.

The entire sect felt like dying. How could he speak like this? This was inviting death.

"Little brat, so you are Ye Jiuyao? You are quite sharp-tongued. Do your parents know?"

"Old man, you are so arrogant, does your mount know?"

"You..."

"You what? You think you can intimidate me just because you’re strong, have high seniority, and can conjure up some visions?"

Ye Jiuyao retorted directly. Instead of being angered, the old man’s face broke into an even brighter smile.

Ye Jiuyao walked down and landed instantly, standing directly before the old man. He scrutinized him carefully, his expression shifting slightly before returning to normal.

"Heh... little brat, why be afraid? I won't eat you. How about walking the world with someone of my Star Clan?"

"Star Clan?" Ye Jiuyao murmured.

Deep inside, a storm was brewing. The "Big Fool" had told him something earlier: "Never use the Heaven-Shattering Ruler in front of anyone who uses Star Arts, or you will die a miserable death." And now, one had come straight to his door.

Ye Jiuyao felt bitter, but he kept it to himself, feigning cheerfulness as he replied, "Not interested. You can leave."

The old man laughed, and what happened next left everyone trembling, as if the heavens were collapsing and the earth was rending asunder.