Cause

Cause...

A grin danced across Qin Wentian's lips as he glanced at Fan Le. Such was the battlefield wisdom: archers must be eliminated first. Fan Le, with his fifth-level Yuanfu cultivation base, exceptional bloodline, and mastery of three distinct Mandates, epitomized this principle.

Fan Le's Astral Souls were the Bow-and-Arrow Astral Soul, Devil-Faced Astral Soul, and Blazing Flames Astral Soul.

His three Mandates derived from these Astral Souls: the Mandate of Arrows, Insta-shot; the Mandate of Flames, Ignition; and the rare Mandate of Psyche-force, Control, stemming from his Devil-Faced Astral Soul. Though his Insta-shot and Ignition had reached the Advanced Boundary, Control lingered at the Initial Boundary.

Qin Wentian knew that Control's first level was merely the beginning, its potential expanding exponentially with its ascent—its versatility in combat truly nightmarish.

Unfailingly, Fan Le was a genius, his exceptional mastery of his Mandates exceeding that of the typical Stellar Martial Cultivator, thanks to his Empyrean Flames Bloodline's fire attribute.

The fusion of these three Mandates rendered Fan Le a formidable force. Even three equally skilled opponents at the Yuanfu level couldn't withstand his onslaught.

As for the young lord, King Yi's second son, Fan Le's arrow pointed straight at him. Dread engulfed him—the grin on Fan Le's face resembling that of a devil.

Ye Xi gaped, incredulous. The shameless fatty possessed such power?

Glancing at Qin Wentian, she whispered, "Brother Wentian, Fan Le..."

"Don't worry about him," Qin Wentian reassured her. His candid response put her at ease. "Okay," she nodded in agreement.

"I am Ye Cheng of King Yi's Mansion. You'd better consider your actions carefully," the young lord warned Fan Le. Despite the arrow aimed at him, he doubted Fan Le's audacity to loose it.

"Little lord, don't frighten this plump fellow." Fan Le's exaggerated trembling, complemented by his mock terror, drew perspiration from the crowd. This fatty's antics were utterly amusing.

"Then let this fatty court death. Regrettably, you won't be around to witness it." Fan Le's demeanor shifted abruptly, his gaze turning icy. A golden flash shot from his bow.

"Young lord, be cautious!" a bystander shouted, but it was too late. The arrow's velocity seemed to surpass sound itself. Ye Cheng fell, his eyes wide with disbelief. Fan Le's arrow, unleashed without hesitation, struck him down. Even in death, Ye Cheng's eyes remained open, caught in the grip of disbelief.

A blatant, decisive strike—it made even the nearby High Princes' hearts involuntarily tremble.

Fan Le and Qin Wentian had weathered Chu's brutal tempest. They'd survived the tyranny of the Nine Mystical Palace, the plots of Chu Tianjiao, and the fall of the Emperor Star Academy. Fan Le was no longer the same plump youth who journeyed with Qin Wentian through the Dark Forest during the examination.

Beneath that chubby facade beat a heart cold and unwavering. Those who bore killing intent toward him would find no mercy.

This fatty was a grudge-holding genius.

A menacing aura swept out as Ye Cheng's guards manifested their Astral Souls, drowning in torrents of killing intent. They charged Fan Le.

Yet, in an instant, their senses tingled. They looked to see the herculean young man wielding a bow as radiant as Fan Le's, yet the aura he exuded was far mightier.

"Buzz!"

Nine arrows cleaved the air, each bearing the will of Insta-shot, their Transformation Boundary power multiplying their speed by eight.

"Chi, chi chi!"

Ringing echoed as bodies fell. One guard remained, trembling with terror, asking one question: who were these monsters?

Ye Cheng's strongest guards, at the seventh-level of Yuanfu, were powerless against Chu Mang, whose prowess exceeded all expectations. His arrows dispatched them without a moment's notice.

"Pathetic," Fan Le sneered. "Big Bro Chu Mang, see how scared this fellow is? Spare his life, maybe?"

"Agreed." Chu Mang nodded, the astral bow fading.

The crowd couldn't stay calm. All three High Princes focused on Chu Mang. A seventh-level Yuanfu cultivator, his Mandate's will had reached Transformation level. He could effortlessly slay peers.

They had not foreseen such audacity during this Gazing-Dragon Mountains visit. These talented youths dared challenge them.

Even the princes couldn't gauge Chu Mang's strength, but from his easy slaughter of seventh-level Yuanfu cultivators, he might match an eighth-level opponent. A clash would subdue them but with heavy losses.

If Chu Mang "locked on" to a prince, survival wasn't guaranteed.

"You're not Qiyun citizens. Where are you from?" Ye Xi's father's companion inquired, his calm face belying his thoughts.

"No need for you to know."

Qin Wentian casually remarked, "There are plenty of platforms available. You can cultivate or fight; we're open to either."

The High Prince's gaze shifted to Qin Wentian, pondering their leadership. Similar in age, Qin Wentian, Fan Le, and Chu Mang were good friends. But who led? He couldn't deduce. Chu Mang seemed the strongest.

"Killing King Yi's son invites retaliation. Have you pondered consequences? King Yi won't show mercy," the prince calmly added.

Ye Xi frowned. King Yi's Mansion housed many experts, including King Yi himself at the eighth-level of Yuanfu. Big Bro Chu Mang was mighty, but faced King Yi...

"I invite you under my wing," the prince offered. He'd intercede with King Yi if they joined him.

Many trembled; the prince adored talent. He'd shield his recruits from King Yi.

Fan Le's disbelief showed. "Under your wing? As guards?" he scoffed.

Qin Wentian ignored the prince, focusing on Ye Xi's father. "Uncle Ye, on Ye Xi's behalf, may we chat?"

Ye Zheng's eyes gleamed, glancing at the prince who laughed. "Sure, listen."

Ye Xi's call and Ye Zheng's gaze met. He wondered how she met these geniuses.

"Uncle Ye, sit." Qin Wentian smiled, producing a crystal pearl, Astral Energy enveloping them in a soundproof bubble, concealing their words.

This treasure from his victory over Grandmasters blocked sound and offered defense.

"Now our words are private." Qin Wentian grinned. "Ye Xi mentioned Aunty Ye. You're a King too; isn't her brother's act suspicious?"

He and Fan Le wondered. Ye Zheng wasn't naive; this should raise flags.

"I'm not from Qiyun, but met Ye Xi. Like a sister. Speak openly, Uncle Ye. I might help," Qin Wentian offered.

Ye Xi looked to her father. Yesterday, Qin Wentian and Fan Le analyzed this. Now, she sought truth from her father.

"Father," Ye Xi called out.

Ye Zheng sighed, "I've always sensed something amiss in this whole affair. That's why I've stayed by the second prince's side, hoping to uncover the truth. But the leads I've followed have only led to disappointment."

"The second prince is involved too?" Qin Wentian's question elicited a glint in Ye Zheng's eyes. This young man was perceptive.

"Yes, the second prince might be the mastermind." Ye Zheng's face revealed agony.

"Why?" Ye Xi's face drained of color. Her family had no quarrels with the second prince.

"Because of the Gazing-Dragon Mountain Rampart," Qin Wentian explained. He'd learned from Ye Xi that the High Princes sought to comprehend its depictions to improve their rankings in the Emperor's eyes. Ye Zheng, already insightful from the rampart, grew powerful.

"Yes, he hinted for me to join him. But power never tempted me, so I refused. Little did I know he'd resort to such ruthless methods to control me. Now, I must explain the insights I gain during this time every year. It's his path to outshine his brothers," Ye Zheng said, clenching his fists.

"But you still taught him despite knowing the truth?" Ye Xi couldn't fathom.

"Revenge and you," Ye Zheng said, eyes on his daughter. "Xi`er, your father is on a tiger's back. Dismounting is tricky. The second prince watches me closely, leaving no opening. And I must consider this: if I oppose him, what will become of you?"

Qin Wentian nodded, understanding. This aligned with his deductions. He'd sensed people trailing Ye Xi, thinking they were her protectors. Now, it seemed they were monitoring her.

"Uncle Ye, no worries. Chu Mang left one alive to inform King Yi. Today, this ends," Qin Wentian declared calmly. Ye Zheng's eyes narrowed. He'd shared the truth with Qin Wentian to protect Ye Xi. Yet Qin Wentian was confident this would conclude today!