To please his father, King, Luo Ruofeng ventured personally into the perilous Southern Wilderness to seek out a seventh-level Desolate Beast. This act alone proved he was no ordinary young master, but a formidable figure with ambitions for true greatness. Such a person naturally requires exceptional talent...
The personal combat prowess Ye Jingyu displayed just now, coupled with the hidden strength behind him, demonstrated his immense value. Being able to project True Qi externally already signaled the realm of a Martial Master, and that destructive power was nearing that of Innate True Qi. Furthermore, his intimate knowledge of this place and his ties to the Chi Yi tribe constituted an unimaginable force. If managed skillfully, this could become his greatest trump card when contending for the throne of the Sovereign Lord in the future...
How could Luo Ruofeng not endeavor to win over such an individual with the utmost care...
Beyond the future benefits, there was the immediate predicament: if he failed to secure Ye Jingyu’s allegiance, he and his companions might very well perish here. What good would ambition be then?
Thus, whether looking to the future or ensuring immediate survival, recruiting Ye Jingyu became an absolute necessity for Luo Ruofeng...
As for Ye Jingyu, aligning himself with the Young Master was undoubtedly the best course. Now that White Cloud Manor and Heavenly Sword Sect were annihilated, the remaining martial sects could hardly stir up much trouble. By clinging to the Third Young Master, what was there to fear from Qin Yan’s revenge?
The memories from White Cloud Manor made it crystal clear: survival in this world demanded formidable strength. Until his personal power was supreme, external influence served as a form of strength...
And so, two individuals, each harboring their own intricate plans, forged a tight connection...
What followed was straightforward: since the decision was made to return to Shu Yun Nation, thorough preparations were essential...
At the very least, Luo Ruofeng shouldn't have made the trip for nothing, right?
He sought out Chi Yi, and with his help, captured a juvenile Yu Gong—a Desolate Beast resembling a goat, rumored to be the mount of the Thunder God and possessing lightning attributes. This was prepared as a birthday gift for Luo Xiaofeng. Additionally, Ye Jingyu gathered many local Southern Wilderness specialties, such as agate and flame crystal. While worthless here, these items would be fiercely coveted by the high officials and nobles back in Shu Yun Nation...
How could one venture into the outside world without capital?
And Ye Jingyu also planned to give his nominal father a surprise...
Chi Yi offered no lengthy farewell regarding Ye Jingyu’s departure, as if he had long foreseen this day. He merely cautioned Ye Jingyu that should he encounter danger or require aid, he should return to the Chi Yi tribe without hesitation; they would surely offer their full support...
Ye Jingyu was deeply moved by Chi Yi's promise. Memories of his time living with the Chi Yi tribe flashed through his mind—this place was, perhaps, his true homeland in this world?
This was the seventh day after meeting Luo Ruofeng, and the day Ye Jingyu left the Chi Yi tribe. Dawn had barely broken when Jiu Feng, nestled in Ye Jingyu's embrace, quietly rose to prepare a lavish breakfast, only to be gently restrained by him...
"Jiu Feng, don't bother making food..." Through the golden sunlight, Ye Jingyu clearly saw her nearly nude form, yet there was no hint of lust in his eyes, only the purest sincerity...
"But you will be hungry on the road..." Hearing his sincere gaze, Jiu Feng spoke softly...
"Heh, silly girl, if I get hungry, can’t I cook? Don't leave; stay and sleep with me a little longer..." Ye Jingyu smiled faintly, his eyes revealing a rare tenderness...
Through these days and nights, although due to a certain mischievous little one, he hadn't truly become a man with Jiu Feng, her gentleness and thoughtfulness had long since deeply touched him...
In his heart, he considered Jiu Feng to be family...
"You really have to leave?" Jiu Feng nodded at his words, snuggling back into his arms, asking softly. Her eyes were filled with reluctance and dependence...
"Yes. The outside world is my world, and it is yours too. This time, I go first. You wait here for me. Once I have avenged my enemies, I will come back for you. Don't you want to see the outside world? I’ll take you traveling around the entire globe then," Ye Jingyu affirmed, his voice remaining gentle. The reason he left Jiu Feng behind was to shield her from danger; after all, as long as Qin Yan lived, his peace of mind was impossible, and Jiu Feng, unskilled in martial arts, could easily be harmed...
"But I’ll find it hard to adjust when you’re gone..." Jiu Feng slightly raised her head, her brown eyes gazing into Ye Jingyu’s pure gaze...
"Heh, just pretend I've been captured by Grandpa to cultivate, alright? Don't worry, three months at most, and I’ll be back for you, okay?" Ye Jingyu gently stroked her soft hair, whispering into her ear...
"Mmm..." Jiu Feng nodded meekly. Having grown up in the Chi Yi tribe, she was accustomed to men commanding women, never consulting them on anything. For her man to discuss matters so gently was a great fortune, and she could not be dissatisfied...
They lay together a while longer until the sun was high, then reluctantly rose and walked to the village entrance. Luo Ruofeng and his party were already prepared. Nearly the entire population of the Chi Yi and Hu Yan tribes had gathered at the entrance—a crowd numbering over ten thousand. This massive scene secretly astonished Ye Jingyu. Many of these faces were unfamiliar, yet their eyes all held expressions of reluctance and attachment, much like aging mothers seeing their sons off to school in a distant land...
Looking at those simple, sincere eyes, Ye Jingyu felt something within his heart melt... a sensation both faintly sour and sweet...
"A’Yu, you must be extremely careful returning to Shu Yun Nation this time. It is not like here. Though there are no fierce beasts roaming, the hearts of men are far more terrifying. You must take care," Chi Yi proved himself indeed the most learned man of the Chi Yi tribe as he solemnly cautioned Ye Jingyu...
"I understand, Grandpa," Ye Jingyu replied earnestly, looking at the aged man whose eyes flashed with green fire. After months together, he had come to view Chi Yi as his own grandfather...
"These one hundred warriors are elites personally selected by myself and Brother Hu Yan. Let them accompany you and ensure your safety," Seeing Ye Jingyu's earnestness, Chi Yi nodded in satisfaction, then gestured toward the eighty muscular men, all over two meters tall and bare-chested, and the twenty archers standing nearby...
Ye Jingyu glanced over and saw Chi Yi Xiu among them. The twenty archers consisted of twelve men and eight women from the Hu Yan tribe. The eight women were gracefully built and exceptionally beautiful; while perhaps not matching Jiu Feng or Hu Yan Meng, they were certainly considered beauties in Ye Jingyu’s eyes, having grown accustomed to the beastly women...
But setting aside their looks, their skill was undeniably top-tier. They were all super-elite archers who had reached the pinnacle, capable of striking down experts of the Innate realm. Such fighting strength, brought to Shu Yun Nation, would be a formidable asset—Luo Ruofeng’s shining gaze confirmed this observation.
Witnessing this force only solidified his determination to win Ye Jingyu's allegiance...
Looking at these warriors, standing tall with chests out, Ye Jingyu suddenly felt his eyes moisten. His return to Shu Yun Nation was for revenge, a path filled with unknown dangers. Yet these simple Southern Wilderness warriors seemed ready to undertake the most glorious mission...
This was their trust in him, and their care for him...
"Grandpa..." Ye Jingyu's voice was hoarse, as if struggling to speak...
"Say no more. Remember, once your business is concluded, you must come back. Jiu Feng is still waiting for you," Chi Yi interrupted directly. A faint mist rose in his emerald eyes—had the green fire evaporated his tears?
"Mmm..." Ye Jingyu nodded heavily. He glanced at Jiu Feng beside him, then back at the dense mass of Chi Yi and Hu Yan tribesmen, before turning to walk toward Luo Ruofeng and his party...
Hu Yan Qi, Hu Yan Meng, Chi Yi Xiu, and the total of one hundred and two warriors followed him closely, like soldiers setting out for campaign...
But on the faces of Chi Yi and the others was a tapestry of expectation. Especially Jiu Feng, her eyes shimmering with tears, yet her face held a smile—a smile of happiness tinged with a subtle bitterness...
The tens of thousands of Chi Yi and Hu Yan tribesmen suddenly erupted in loud shouts, cheering in their native tongue to bid farewell to their departing kin...
Feeling the fervent crowd behind him, Ye Jingyu quickened his pace, fearing that if he lingered, he might lose the will to leave...
Beside him, the Taotie drooled, its emerald eyes full of eager anticipation...
It seemed that ahead... lay an array of delicacies awaiting its feast...
But what awaited them further ahead?
Shu Yun Nation... I'm coming back!
This... was the deepest call from Ye Jingyu's heart...