Chapter 25: Solitude and Loneliness

For seven days and nights, Ye Jiuyao retreated without rest, without so much as a bite of primordial beast meat to sustain him.

"Ah… Da Zhou, beautiful Da Zhou, I've returned! My bed, my primordial beast meat, I’m home at last…" Ye Jiuyao gazed at the majestic imperial city of Da Zhou, his heart brimming with emotion. His pace quickened, leaping across several cities in a flash; in no time, he was already hovering above the capital.

The pursuers from the Yellow Springs Hall, mad with bloodlust, chased after him relentlessly. When they saw Ye Jiuyao about to enter the city, they threw caution to the wind and unleashed their full speed, intending to hunt him down once and for all.

But they were still too late.

Ye Jiuyao slipped into the imperial city, and if they dared follow, they would be met with merciless slaughter from the Lord of the Central Realm. Da Zhou had already been restored, its national fortune soaring. If they did not wish to be crushed, they would not dare to enter so easily.

This was why, when Emperor Wuji and others attacked, Da Zhou had no defensive formation—Da Zhou relied on the destiny of its people, the collective fortune of the nation, a power not to be underestimated.

"What now?"

"Kill! We must kill at all costs. If our deeds are exposed, what face will we have left?" The Elder of Yellow Springs was already on the brink of madness, his eyes bloodshot, veins bulging, his entire being emanating a chilling murderous intent that seemed to sweep the heavens.

After Ye Jiuyao returned, he fell into a deep, unbroken sleep. Seven days and nights of ceaseless flight and exertion had drained him terribly—so much so that he’d grown thin from exhaustion.

Meanwhile, Ye Hanzhou and the others were thrown into panic, for outside the city, terrifying powers lingered, and those who had returned earlier were plunged into despair by their presence.

"It seems the Emperor really stirred up a great mess. Did he perhaps steal someone’s wife…?"

"Don’t say that—it might actually be possible, knowing the Emperor…"

"Enough. Let’s go see for ourselves." Ye Hanzhou barked, ascending swiftly, primordial energy surging within him, radiating a forceful presence.

So too did the people of Da Zhou gather together—seventy-eight in all—rushing forth in unity before the great enemy.

"Are you from Yellow Springs Hall?" Ye Hanzhou eyed the distinctive black robes and pagodas, extending a courtesy, for though they were mortal enemies, proper manners must not be neglected.

After all, their opponents were of higher cultivation—their side was engaging in strategic negotiation.

"Hmph! Hand over Ye Jiuyao, or today we will raze the Da Zhou Dynasty!" The Elder of Yellow Springs snorted coldly, his aura erupting like a flood dragon breaking free.

"You think I fear you…?"

"Bring the Imperial Seal!"

Ye Jiuyao had long instructed him: if he was absent and others attacked, do not yield—yielding meant defeat. If they refused to submit, use the Imperial Seal to suppress them.

Though using a portion of the nation’s fortune would take time to replenish, if Da Zhou itself was destroyed, what use would its fortune be?

Thus, Ye Hanzhou did not hesitate. He summoned the Imperial Seal, and a torrent of national destiny surged forth like a spring.

"Elder…"

The people of Yellow Springs Hall gasped at the sea-like power of Da Zhou’s fortune, a hint of retreat in their eyes.

The Elder of Yellow Springs saw it too, but he was unwilling to withdraw. After all, he'd been thoroughly humiliated—how could he, as their elder, simply walk away?

"Are you Southern Barbarians come to the Central Realm as guests, or are you here to offer tribute? If it’s tribute you wish to leave, a few million primordial crystals will do. On behalf of Da Zhou, I thank you." As the Elder of Yellow Springs hesitated, a face appeared above Da Zhou's capital, smiling with boundless authority, as if embodying Heaven itself.

This man was the Lord of the Central Realm!

"We pay our respects to the Lord of the Central Realm," Ye Hanzhou said, putting away the Imperial Seal and bowing deeply.

"Yellow Springs Hall pays respects to the Lord of the Realm," the others echoed, though noticeably less respectful. The five realms were ever in competition—deference was never given lightly to another’s lord, but a modicum of courtesy was maintained.

"Well, are you staying for dinner?" the Lord of the Central Realm quipped humorously. The people from Yellow Springs Hall were displeased, but though they grumbled inwardly, they slunk away with their tails between their legs.

"Thank you, Lord of the Realm."

"And where is that boy of yours? Stirring up trouble and then running off, not even daring to come home? What has Luo Zhouwu been teaching him?" The Lord’s barrage of questions made Ye Hanzhou’s heart tremble. He knew his elder brother was close to the lord, but perhaps the relationship was deeper than he realized.

"I’ll go fetch him…"

"No need. I’ll go myself—I'm rather curious about that boy," the Lord mused. Ye Hanzhou sighed helplessly, inwardly wishing that his brother would have good luck and not be angered to death.

At that moment, Ye Jiuyao was deep in slumber—not merely napping, but truly, profoundly asleep.

"Jiuyao, are you back?"

"Snore… snore…" Loud, thunderous snores answered Ye Hanzhou, leaving him mortified—especially with the Lord of the Central Realm standing beside him.

"Let’s just go in directly. It seems the rumors are true—your brother really does live to eat and sleep! His reputation is well-deserved!" the Lord laughed, while Ye Hanzhou could only blush and obey, pushing open the door.

Ye Jiuyao was curled up in his blanket, shoes still on, fast asleep like a dead pig. The two were utterly stunned at the sight.

"This… is that your son?" The Lord could hardly believe his eyes. Was this the very youth who destroyed a noble house single-handedly?

The Lord stood there in disbelief. That house may have been weakened, but it still had deep roots—how else would it have held its ground in the Central Realm and been counted among its top two powers? Even if only a few cultivators remained, they were still formidable, and to be swept aside by this piggish boy before him…

A wave of bitterness welled up in the Lord’s heart. He had thought the upcoming grand tournament would be an even match, but now he saw there was no hope at all.

"Lord?" Ye Hanzhou asked with an awkward smile.

"Let’s go," the Lord replied, crestfallen. He had expected a strategist, but found only a fool; perhaps the boy had simply been aided by some hidden master. After all, how could a mere fifteen- or sixteen-year-old have reached the realm of Qi Fusion? He himself was only at the realm of Qi Enlightenment.

Among the five lords, he was the strongest in cultivation, yet always ranked last—a fact that made him value Ye Jiuyao all the more. But now, the greater his hope, the deeper his disappointment.

Ye Jiuyao slept for eight days straight.

When he awoke, Ye Hanzhou told him everything, but he seemed indifferent, as if none of it concerned him. The first thing he did upon waking was eat.

He devoured all the finest meats he had hoarded in his spatial ring, and with such ferocity that not a scrap remained.

And the result of such feasting was… a breakthrough.

"A genius among geniuses, a monster among monsters—perhaps this is my solitude. Even after all this, I can still break through."

A lonely expression, one only a true genius could understand, flickered across Ye Jiuyao’s face, though sadly, no one was there to see it.