As Ye Jingyu led his subordinates into the Hundred Burial Valley, far away in Yunjing, within the private residence of Marquis Baiyun, Qin Yan, Marquis of Baiyun stood upon a pavilion in his white brocade robes. Beside him stood Qin Yunxiao, also clad in white brocade...

"Father, our people have searched everywhere, but there is absolutely no news of Yuting..." Looking at his father, Qin Yunxiao spoke with great respect...

"If they can't find her, then stop looking. Perhaps this is the best outcome for her..." Qin Yan spoke indifferently, showing no concern that his daughter's disappearance might affect him in any way...

"But..."

"Don't give me any 'buts.' Have you ever truly considered this sister of yours?" Before Qin Yunxiao could finish, Qin Yan sneered...

Qin Yunxiao fell silent. Growing up, he had always viewed Qin Yuting as a little girl who admired him. While he held some affection, he had never truly regarded her as a sister. He was even somewhat irritated by that connection; without it, perhaps he could have already taken her body...

"What about the White Lotus Sword Canon?" After a moment of silence, Qin Yunxiao brought up the legendary White Lotus Sword Canon of White Cloud Manor, which his father had handed over to the State Lord, Luo Xiaofeng, and questioned him...

"A mere broken manual, what does it amount to?" Qin Yan scoffed again...

A broken manual? Hearing his father's assessment of the White Lotus Sword Canon, Qin Yunxiao’s mind went blank. This was the very item the State Lord had gone to great lengths to obtain—an absolute secret manual that even the former Qin Xuan had failed to gather completely. How could it be reduced to a broken manual in his father's mouth?

"A manual without its preceding parts, a manual that cannot be cultivated—what else is it but a broken manual?" Seeing the shock in his son's eyes, Qin Yan realized how astonishing his previous words had been and felt compelled to explain...

"But what if... I mean, what if Ye Jingyu truly manages to find that first half of the manual?" Only then did a look of sudden comprehension cross Qin Yunxiao's face...

"There is no 'what if.' This time, he is certainly doomed to die..." Qin Yan displayed a confident smile...

"Ah..." Qin Yunxiao was slightly taken aback. Ye Jingyu had survived numerous perilous situations, emerging stronger each time, almost like an immortal pest. Yet, his father was so certain. For what reason?

"What is your current cultivation level?" Qin Yan ignored his son's surprise. He had thrown out such a bait this time; if it still failed to kill Ye Jingyu, then he truly had no reason to remain here any longer...

It could be said that ever since requesting the marriage decree at the palace, he had been plotting against Ye Jingyu, seeking that first half of the White Lotus Sword Canon. Even if found, how easily could it be taken out?

"I have lived up to Father's expectations and successfully entered the Grandmaster Realm..." At this, Qin Yunxiao revealed a faint smile. To reach the Grandmaster Realm in his early twenties—this was certainly genius material, wasn't it?

Among the younger generation, he was undoubtedly a leader among leaders, setting aside the two freaks, Huangfu Buyue and Ye Jingyu...

"Here is a set of sword techniques; take it and look it over..." Hearing that his son had reached the Grandmaster Realm at such a young age, Qin Yan showed no hint of joy. He casually tossed over a book whose paper was already yellowing and turned toward the inner chambers...

Qin Yunxiao paused, taking the book his father offered. Seeing that it bore no title, he was curious. Upon opening it, he saw only the most common sword moves, nothing outstanding...

Just as he was feeling frustrated that his father had given him such an unremarkable manual, he suddenly realized that these seemingly simple sword stances contained profound meaning. Involuntarily, his entire focus settled upon this tattered-looking sword script, leaving him no mental capacity to worry about anything else...

While Qin Yan and his son schemed against Ye Jingyu, Ye Jingyu and his group were moving cautiously through the Hundred Burial Valley at White Cloud Mountain...

Outside, they could still discern that it was a 'U'-shaped gorge based on the dim twilight. However, once inside the valley, the darkness was so absolute that they couldn't see their own fingers. Even with Ye Jingyu’s exceptional eyesight, he could see at best five meters ahead, and even that was indistinct. Moreover, the air was permeated with a scent Ye Jingyu knew very well: the smell of natural gas...

Glancing back at the Cloud Guard scouts following him, Ye Jingyu nodded. It seemed these fellows also understood that using torches here was impossible...

Tightly holding Xiao Shixuan's small hand, he walked step by step at the very front. Xiao Taotao and Ni Bo walked beside him, their footsteps making soft tapping sounds. They proceeded for about two quarters of an hour without encountering anything, causing the others to feel a growing curiosity...

"This isn't right. The gorge didn't look this large from the outside; why does it feel bigger the further in we go?" Ye Jingyu spoke. The valley was utterly silent, making his voice sound piercingly clear...

"Reporting to the Lord, this might be due to the dim light outside... Perhaps we should split up?" Jiang Ming, who had been following closely behind Ye Jingyu, stepped forward respectfully...

Ye Jingyu looked at the group behind him, then at the pitch-black surroundings, his brow furrowed tightly...

"My Lord, rest assured. Although we cannot see here, your men have their methods..." Seemingly sensing Ye Jingyu's worry, Jiang Ming stated respectfully...

"Very well then. Divide into four teams and spread out to search. Be extremely cautious..." Ye Jingyu nodded. Although he had been made a Qianhu of the Cloud Guards with a single decree from the State Lord, he knew this was also an opportunity. In the Shu Yun Kingdom, despite now commanding his own fighting force, he possessed no real political power in the court. He might be the Great General who Guards the Nation, but none of the young lords or ministers truly respected him. Their apprehension stemmed from his mysterious power and the nonexistent forces they believed backed him...

Because of this fear, neither the State Lord nor the young lords dared to truly move against him, limiting themselves to assassination attempts at most. But if they were to learn that he had no forces behind him, then fear would vanish. Even the State Lord certainly wouldn't maintain a pleasant demeanor toward him if he dared to be disrespectful...