Chapter 9: Rising to Fame

Ye Jiuyao did not dwell on the matter, but entrusted it to Ye Hanzhou. With Ye Hanzhou's abilities, he was more than capable of handling these defeated remnants.

Three days had passed since Ye Jiuyao slew Emperor Wuji. In those three days, Ye Jiuyao's reputation spread throughout the entire Central Heaven Realm. Everyone knew that the Great Zhou Dynasty had produced a son-in-law—a peerless prodigy, barely sixteen, a monster among monsters whose cultivation was unrivaled.

Ye Hanzhou, meanwhile, led the remaining cultivators of Great Zhou in a sweeping campaign across the realm, annihilating an entire clan. From that moment, the Eastern Emperor Clan ceased to exist in the Central Heaven Realm.

When the people of the Hall of Yellow Springs heard of this, their master was furious, vowing to raze Great Zhou within a month to avenge the fallen Grand Protector.

But this time, many favored Great Zhou. In a month, a peerless prodigy could accomplish much—even ascending to the rank of realm master was not impossible.

At this moment, the Central Heaven Realm's realm master sat in his residence, visibly frustrated.

"The rules established by the world lord are truly maddening. If there's a grudge, the realm master must not interfere, leaving them to settle it themselves. Well, now it's been settled for real."

What few knew was that the Great Zhou Dynasty was founded under the direct guidance of the realm master of the Central Heaven Realm, intended to balance the powers of other realms and resist their challenges alongside the Eastern Emperor Clan.

But now...

The bitterness in the realm master's heart was beyond others' comprehension. Great Zhou had wiped out the Eastern Emperor Clan without leaving a trace. An entire clan vanished from his jurisdiction. It seemed that in the coming Five Realms Competition, his Central Heaven Realm would once again be at the bottom.

As the people discussed these events, Ye Jiuyao arrived at the Prince Shoulder-to-Shoulder’s mansion, bringing Luo Qingyu with him.

"Qingyu, as you go to temper yourself, remember to take care. I will watch over Great Zhou for three years. If you do not return after three years, I will lead Great Zhou to that hidden sect, making its name thunder across the Newborn World!"

Luo Qingyu had no doubts about the young man before her. She nodded gently, her smile radiant between crimson lips and pearly teeth.

"Then... three years from now, we shall meet again. By then, I will have come of age. Let our wedding be set for this day three years hence," Ye Jiuyao finally said, unable to resist. The maiden, teardrops glistening, pressed her lips to his.

For a moment, Ye Jiuyao was moved, yet his hands continued to form seals. The national seal soared forth, forming a grand array that blotted out the sky. For this day, Ye Jiuyao had waited many years.

After all, cultivation determined the span of one’s years. If his own power reached the heavens but those beside him remained weak, he would retain his youthful visage while others turned to dust. What meaning would cultivation have then?

Suddenly, a starry vortex appeared behind Ye Jiuyao. This array, learned at age seven, had long been inscribed in the Prince Shoulder-to-Shoulder’s mansion, meant to one day elevate the cultivation of those around him.

"Go," Ye Jiuyao said, reluctantly pushing Luo Qingyu forward. The beauty nodded tearfully, stepping into the swirling array and gradually fading from sight.

"Alas... in the years to come, beautiful days may be but a dream. I hope in three years' time, we may grow old together," Ye Jiuyao sighed, then stepped into the void, moving several miles in a single stride.

At that moment, Great Zhou was thriving, with many cultivators from other realms flocking to its borders.

In a remote corner of Great Zhou, Li Gao sat at a wine table with a group, cursing Ye Jiuyao. Anger was written plainly across their faces.

"Ye Hanzhou taught his son well, hiding him for so many years. No wonder he looked down on us—he’s reached the Fusion Qi Realm!"

"And look at the brothers Lu Renjia and Lu Renyi, swearing to defend Great Zhou to the death. They must have known about Ye Jiuyao's power all along. Damn them!"

While they discussed, a young figure quietly entered. His white robe outshone snow, setting off his jade-like, handsome face. There was an aura of unapproachable nobility about him.

"Li Gao, did I not say that if you set foot in Great Zhou, you would be killed without mercy?" Ye Jiuyao's voice, hoarse and grim, carried the chill of a deathly emissary and a murderous intent.

"Who...?" Li Gao turned toward the door. A figure appeared, and as he recognized Ye Jiuyao, his whole body trembled violently, terror in his eyes.

"Ye... Ye... Ye Jiuyao!" Li Gao was utterly shocked, as if Ye Jiuyao were a thing of nightmares. All eyes fixed upon him.

Suddenly, a chill rose behind them as if cold blades pierced their backs. Their feet felt icy, and their eyes widened in alarm.

"I said that those who defected, if they ever entered Great Zhou again, would be enemies. Li Gao, today is your death day."

Ye Jiuyao reached out his right hand—a terrifying force surged forth like the claw of a dragon, bearing down on Li Gao.

"No!" Li Gao stared in despair at the giant claw, trying to resist, but it was too late.

Ye Jiuyao's hand seized him instantly. The wild, violent power flooded Li Gao's body, tearing him apart.

Those who followed Li Gao now had death written on their faces, their knees trembling, and a foul stench rising in the air.

"Leave. Those who withdrew from Great Zhou—if you ever return, I will cut you down, crushed by the fate of the nation!" Ye Jiuyao waved his hand in disgust, trying to dispel the stench, but it lingered. With a final word, he strode away.

Those men, spared from death, showed joy on their faces and hurriedly fled the tavern, escaping Great Zhou by night.

After killing Li Gao, Ye Jiuyao did not return to the palace but went elsewhere, slaughtering as he went.

All those he killed were defectors from Great Zhou. Ye Jiuyao found them thanks to the national seal he carried, which recorded their auras in detail.

The oath made by the power of the entire nation was no joke, so Ye Jiuyao had no choice but to play the villain.

After killing hundreds, Ye Jiuyao, feeling exhausted, returned to the Prince Shoulder-to-Shoulder’s mansion to rest, while the defectors spread the news.

Soon, all those who had abandoned Great Zhou fled in panic, and those who wished to enter lingered at the border between Great Zhou and the Eastern Emperor Realm, not daring to cross.

Ye Hanzhou then led the remaining ministers in sweeping up the remnants of the Eastern Emperor Clan throughout the Central Heaven Realm, raising Great Zhou's prestige to its peak.

Whenever people spoke of Great Zhou's current might, the first name on their lips was always that white-robed youth—the boy who awoke in a single day, dazzling all.

The son of Ye Hanzhou, the Prince Shoulder-to-Shoulder—Ye Jiuyao.

The youth's fame soared. Within the Five Realms of the Newborn World, all sects, clans, and families strictly ordered their descendants: unless they broke through to the Fusion Qi Realm, they were forbidden from setting foot outside.

For a time, all the younger generation grumbled about Ye Jiuyao.

Of course, many admired him from the heart—a monster among monsters. While some were still nursing, he was already a grandfather. How could they compare?

There is a saying: "Some children are simply other people's children."