"Young Marquis, who is that?" Beside the man in the white brocade robe sat a stunningly beautiful woman in a black gauze dress. Following the man's gaze, she too looked toward Ye Jingyu standing among the crowd, her voice a seductive purr...

"It shouldn't be. Father said he fell from a thousand-foot cliff. How could he still be alive? And how could he possibly be a Soul Master?" Doubt flickered in the man's eyes again, as if he wasn't entirely certain...

"Young Marquis, who are you talking about?" The alluring woman next to him, noticing the constant shifts in the man's expression, spoke up once more...

"No... it's just that the person looks a bit like my junior martial brother, but it couldn't be him... Yao Rao, let's discuss the instructions from that person instead," the man shook his head and turned to speak...

The woman named Yao Rao glanced from the man in white to Ye Jingyu in the distance, then lowered her voice to speak...

And as she spoke, the expression on the face of the man in white constantly shifted...

"Indeed..." Ye Jingyu, not far away, nodded after hearing Yue Longkuang recognize his identity as a Soul Master. The blood needles just now were the Soul Artifact gifted to him by Chi Yi before leaving. It seemed to be crafted from a petrified wood harder than diamond, perfectly suited for a Soul Master like Ye Jingyu who had just reached the Manifestation Realm...

"Let's go..." Knowing Ye Jingyu was a Soul Master, Yue Longkuang turned and left. Of course, it wasn't because he feared Ye Jingyu's strength. With his innate realm cultivation, destroying a Soul Master in the Manifestation Realm would be effortless. Even if Ye Jingyu's physical prowess was stronger than an ordinary Soul Master, or even an ordinary Martial Master, he wouldn't necessarily lose in a real fight...

The reason for leaving was the desire not to offend a Soul Master...

As everyone knew, Soul Masters were the most revered existence on the entire Douhun Continent. Even a Soul Master who had just awakened their powers was a coveted asset for every major faction. The court even implemented a special protection policy for Soul Masters: no one was permitted to cause trouble for a Soul Master without justification, or they would be charged with assault, and severe cases could even result in the extreme penalty...

As for Soul Masters breaking the law, specific departments handled those matters; ordinary enforcement officers had no jurisdiction over them...

Moreover, most Soul Masters possessed formidable backing, especially those who reached the Manifestation Realm. Without powerful support, reaching that level would be impossible, given how stringent the requirements for cultivating Soul Masters were in the Shu Yun Kingdom. Upon realizing the opponent was a Soul Master, unless Yue Longkuang was a complete fool, he would absolutely not provoke Ye Jingyu further...

Seeing their Senior Martial Brother depart so abruptly, the other disciples of the Tiangang Sect dared not say much. They seemed keenly aware of the severe consequences of antagonizing a Soul Master. They followed Yue Longkuang and quickly vanished from the scene...

Ye Jingyu watched Yue Longkuang disappear without a trace, a flicker of surprise on his face. Why did he flee so quickly after realizing he was a Soul Master?

"Jing Gege, are you really a Soul Master?" Luo Ling'er gazed at Ye Jingyu now, her face full of adoration...

"Mm..." Ye Jingyu nodded. Seeing the worship in Luo Ling'er's eyes sparked further confusion in his heart. Were Soul Masters truly so highly regarded in the Shu Yun Kingdom?

"That's wonderful! With you by my side now, I won't be afraid of those demons and monsters anymore," upon hearing Ye Jingyu confirm it again, Luo Ling'er burst into delighted laughter...

Instantly, news that a Soul Master had appeared in the Yunman Tower (Read the full novel text at: .1.(1.m.wenxue.net) spread like wildfire. Ye Jingyu, who had intended to keep a low profile, had inadvertently become the focus of numerous powers by revealing his status as a Soul Master. Factions began scrambling to gather intelligence on him...

Many also noticed Luo Ling'er beside him, vaguely guessing at the connection between Ye Jingyu and the Third Young Master...

All of this happened with astonishing speed, yet Ye Jingyu remained oblivious to becoming a focal point. While he understood the value of a Soul Master, he never imagined that a Soul Master at the nJi level—the Manifestation Realm—could draw the attention of all the major powers in Yunjing...

While Ye Jingyu sent Yue Longkuang fleeing and was enjoying roast meat at the Yunman Tower, the scene shifted to Yunjing's Royal Palace, specifically the Imperial Study of the Sovereign, Luo Xiaofeng. Luo Xiaofeng, clad in silver-white brocade robes, sat within his study...

Standing before him were four young men, each wearing brocade robes of cyan, blue, white, and purple, respectively. Each shared a resemblance to Luo Xiaofeng...

These were the four Young Masters—the most formidable contenders for the throne, as mentioned by Luo Ruofeng...

The Eldest Young Master, Luo Haitian, wore cyan. His demeanor was cold and severe, his eyes sharp and calculating, marking him as a man of profound scheming...

The Second Young Master, Luo Muyan, wore blue. His features were rougher than Luo Haitian's, and he possessed a tall, imposing build. If not for the glint of intelligence in his eyes, one might mistake him for a simple-minded brute of immense strength...

The Third Young Master, Luo Ruofeng, needed no introduction. His expression was neutral, his physique average, and his looks unremarkable, showing no distinct characteristics compared to his two elder brothers...

As for the one in purple, he was Luo Xiaofeng's youngest son, Luo Xiaoyuan. At only sixteen, he was accomplished in both literary arts and martial prowess. A sweet, childlike smile graced his face, and his eyes brimmed with innocence, making him appear like a child who hadn't quite grown up...

"Do you know why I have summoned you here?" Luo Xiaofeng's voice was devoid of emotion as he addressed his four most outstanding sons...

"Your humble sons do not know," replied the four—the cold Eldest Master, the rugged Second Master, the placid Luo Ruofeng, and the childlike Luo Xiaoyuan—all lowering their heads in respectful acknowledgment...

"Although we achieved an absolute victory in the campaign against the Three Great Sects, elevating the court's prestige to its zenith, there remain numerous martial sects within the Shu Yun Kingdom. While they have offered temporary allegiance to the court, who knows when another Tang Clan, Heavenly Sword Gate, or White Cloud Villa might emerge? Therefore, I intend to round up all these martial artists in one sweep," Luo Xiaofeng stated calmly, his expression unchanging...

Hearing his father's words, Luo Haitian frowned, Luo Ruofeng fell into deep thought, and Luo Xiaoyuan remained expressionless. Only Luo Muyan spoke directly: "But Father, they have only just pledged allegiance. If we rashly move against them now, might it not be too hasty, potentially causing nationwide unrest?"

Though Luo Muyan was not a brute, his frequent dealings with martial artists had made his temperament more impulsive than the others...