Even Luo Xiaofeng dared not be careless around the people of the Nanfeng family, let alone Luo Ruofeng. He immediately stepped out to meet them, but just as he reached the doorway, Nanfeng Yun’s figure was already arriving at Ye Jingyu’s chamber door...

“Your old servant pays respects to the Third Young Master…” Nanfeng Yun bowed deeply to Luo Ruofeng, only to be swiftly supported by him before he could fully complete the gesture...

“Steward Yun, there are no outsiders here. You need not be so formal…” Although the Nanfeng family members were willing servants, the Luo family dared not treat them as mere slaves...

“The Third Young Master is too kind. Xiao Muzi, you must repay the Third Young Master well…” Nanfeng Yun smiled faintly, then suddenly addressed Xiao Muzi, who was following closely behind Luo Ruofeng...

“This junior understands. Please be assured, Steward Yun…” Though aware that the elder before him was one of his closest kin, Xiao Muzi suppressed the intense emotion stirring within and offered a proper, respectful salute. On the surface, he was merely an internal affairs steward in the Third Young Master’s manor, hardly comparable to a Grand Steward like Eunuch Yun. If he failed to offer this grand courtesy, who knew what suspicions might arise from the observant? The Nanfeng family’s decision to live in obscurity was precisely to evade the notice of the Tianyuan Empire’s spies, after all...

“Steward Yun, Xiao Muzi has always been excellent. May I ask the purpose of your visit this time?” Luo Ruofeng spoke with a smile, subtly ushering Nanfeng Yun into the room...

“I heard Young Hero Ye sustained some minor injuries, so this old servant specially brought some Golden Sore Medicine. Please accept it, Third Young Master…” As Nanfeng Yun spoke, he took out a jade vial from his robes and offered it. Xiao Muzi promptly stepped forward to receive it...

“Brother Jingyu is still unconscious. Ruofeng thanks Steward Yun on his behalf…” Luo Ruofeng said...

“Heh heh, Third Young Master is too polite. This is what this old servant ought to do…” Nanfeng Yun replied with a smile, then suddenly lowered his voice, obliquely conveying the meaning behind Luo Xiaofeng’s words...

Upon grasping his father's intentions, Luo Ruofeng’s eyes instantly lit up. If Ye Jingyu could secure the final victory, granting him significant favor would mean a substantial increase in his own influence, wouldn't it? However, Nanfeng Yun also cautioned him to be wary of the other Young Masters attempting sabotage, stressing the need to take utmost care of Ye Jingyu and ensure he suffered no harm whatsoever...

Seeing Nanfeng Yun show such concern for Ye Jingyu, both Luo Ruofeng and Xiao Muzi were somewhat surprised. Yet, this demonstrated Nanfeng Yun’s true allegiance—among the several Young Masters, he hoped Luo Ruofeng would ultimately ascend to the throne...

After Nanfeng Yun departed, Luo Ruofeng prioritized arranging the guard details before retiring for the night, while Ye Jingyu remained deep in slumber, allowing his wounds to mend...

Considering Ye Jingyu’s injuries, the final match was set for seven days later. Seven days should be enough time for most wounds to heal, unless they were exceptionally severe. If recovery failed within that time, it was simply bad luck—the examination ground was a battlefield, and any hardship could be the decisive factor...

However, these worries would not apply to Ye Jingyu. Thanks to the Sky Cicada Silk Armor, his injuries were not grievous. Moreover, his own regenerative capabilities were somewhat terrifying; after just one night, the wound on his arm was completely healed, and by the end of the third day, even the gash on his chest had fully recovered, leaving not a trace of a scar...

Such terrifying self-healing capacity left Luo Ruofeng in awe. This fellow truly could not be described in conventional terms...

With four days remaining until the final round, Ye Jingyu did not leave the Third Young Master’s residence. Firstly, he knew the First Young Master and the others would surely plot against him. Secondly, he understood his next opponent would be Huangfu Buyue of the Dragon Capturing Sect—a genuine apex master among the younger generation who defeated Mu Zhan, who was also at the peak of the Innate Realm, within three moves. Such strength demanded serious attention...

Three days passed. Due to the strict security surrounding the Third Young Master’s manor, even Mr. Tao sent by the First Young Master, or Miao sent by Qin Yan, found no opportunity to assassinate Ye Jingyu. Only the final night remained before the competition, yet the defenses of the Third Young Master’s residence showed no sign of relaxation...

Especially outside Ye Jingyu’s door, eighty Chiyi tribesmen stood guard in two shifts, never leaving their posts. Fox Yanzhi’s master archers were concealed in various corners of the courtyard, supplemented by some of the Third Young Master’s own experts. Even a master at the Grandmaster Realm would likely struggle to gain any advantage here...

Ye Jingyu sat quietly in his room, eyes closed, faintly circulating the Ba Yuan Jue, feeling streams of power continuously pouring into his body...

In the room with him was only Xiao Taotao, curled up nearby, happily devouring a roasted chicken held in its mouth. Within the entire Third Young Master's manor, this Primeval Ferocious Beast was currently the strongest entity. Although it was still in its infancy, its strength could by no means be underestimated...

“Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh…” Suddenly, gusts of eerie wind swept past, startling Ye Jingyu from his meditation...

Even Xiao Taotao, busy with its chicken, showed agitation, setting down its food and climbing up from the ground, its pair of emerald-green eyes instantly glowing brightly...

“Little Ye Zi, someone is causing trouble again…” Xiao Taotao’s mental wave resonated directly in Ye Jingyu’s mind. Ever since hearing Luo Linger call Ye Jingyu ‘Little Ye Zi’ once, Xiao Taotao had adopted the nickname, much to Ye Jingyu’s silent exasperation...

“Ordinary martial artists cannot breach the outer defenses. A Soul Master must have arrived. Heh heh, they certainly hold me in high regard, sending a Soul Master at least at the Soul Condensing Realm to deal with me…” Ye Jingyu nodded. He himself had reached the Soul Transformation Realm, and with the Heaven's Eye opened, his spiritual sense perception far surpassed that of Soul Masters at an equivalent level...

“Heh heh, it’s been a while since I tasted a soul. This will be a fine meal…” Xiao Taotao’s eyes also brightened, and drool began to stream visibly from the corners of its mouth...

“Are you sure you can handle a Soul Condensing Realm expert?” Ye Jingyu questioned, noticing Xiao Taotao’s utterly nonchalant expression...

“Don't worry. To breach such heavy defenses, the visitor must have come via soul projection. Without a physical body, relying solely on the soul, no matter how powerful, is merely suicide…” Xiao Taotao stated confidently, before settling back down to eat its roasted chicken, feigning complete unawareness...

And Ye Jingyu once again closed his eyes...