Immortal-Exterminating Divine Venerable

”Xiao’er, you... you’re back!”

Yang Zhentian was overcome with emotion.

Just a moment ago, he’d nearly thought that Yang Xiao had been killed by the Ye Family.

Now, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief.

”Father, I made you worry.”

Though his clothes were tattered and he looked quite disheveled, Yang Xiao gave Yang Zhentian a faint smile.

At the same time, his gaze swept over Yann Xu, as well as Ye Lingtian and his son.

His eyes were filled with coldness.

”That old bastard Ye Zongling, has he been well lately?”

Yang Xiao didn’t hold back.

The Ye Family was simply too shameless.

Since they had already thrown all face away by having Ye Zongling make a move on him, why would Yang Xiao show them any respect?

”You—insolent! How dare you refer to my grandfather that way!”

Ye Chengzong’s face was flushed with anger.

”That’s right, Yang Xiao. You may enjoy the privileges of a Vice Medicine Peak Master, but Elder Ye Zongling is the master of our Law Enforcement Hall. For such disrespect, I, Yann Xu, might just have to advise the Sect Leader to revoke your status as Vice Medicine Peak Master!”

Yann Xu had also spoken up.

He had now completely thrown his lot in with the Ye Family.

He was willing to be a dog for the Ye Family.

And as a dog, he naturally had the self-awareness of one.

Besides, he had already offended the Yang father and son over the Wang Qianhe affair.

Reconciliation was impossible.

That only left direct confrontation.

”Fine. I was just thinking of seeing the Sect Leader myself. I’d love to see if the Ye Family really calls all the shots in this Purple Sun Sect. Come on, let’s go together.”

Yang Xiao was completely unconcerned.

Seeing his fearless demeanor, Yann Xu’s expression changed slightly.

For a moment, he became hesitant.

As for Ye Lingtian, he only just now processed the situation, and the look he gave Yang Xiao was very strange.

He had originally assumed that Yang Xiao had made it back alive because he hadn’t run into his father.

Pure luck.

But from Yang Xiao’s words, it was clear he had encountered his father.

This struck him as very odd.

At the same time, a trace of panic crept in.

Because Yang Xiao was back.

But his father was not.

’Impossible. This brat’s aura is only that of someone who’s just broken through to the Innate Realm. How could he possibly be a match for Father?’

Ye Lingtian roared internally.

But his gaze had already turned scrutinizing.

Suspicious.

And his heart was filled with deep unease.

If Yang Xiao knew what he was thinking, he would have laughed three times over.

’I came back looking like this just to test you all.’

’Otherwise, how could I see your true colors?’

At this moment, Yun’Er and the others came forward and, all talking at once, recounted everything the Ye Family had done against the Yang Family recently.

When Yang Xiao learned that the Ye Family had actually pulled so many tricks while he was away, and that even the Sect Leader and the Elder Council were siding with them, a decision instantly formed in his mind.

’It seems the Purple Sun Sect is long overdue for a lesson, and I’ll be the one to teach it today.’

’Especially the Ye Family.’

’And all those who refuse to submit to me.’

’But for now, I’ll play along with them for a bit.’

”It seems the Ye Family really does run things here in the Purple Sun Sect.”

Hearing Yang Xiao’s meaningful words, Ye Chengzong, looking smug, assumed he was scared and said arrogantly, ”That’s right! My Ye Family are descendants of the Sect’s founding patriarch. You want to fight us? You’re really courting death!”

”Is that so? I seem to recall you made a pact with me to fight during the Sect’s grand competition. The time has come. Do you dare?”

”Why wouldn’t I dare? You, don’t think you’re so great just because you’ve broken through to the Innate Realm. This young master will show you who the real chosen one is!”

Ye Chengzong shouted with cold arrogance.

At this point, however, Ye Lingtian spoke up. ”Chengzong is a True Disciple. You aren’t worthy of fighting him. Unless you can secure a spot in the top ten of the Inner Sect competition, this duel is completely unnecessary.”

”Father...”

Ye Chengzong was confused.

’This brat wants to fight me, which means I can finish him off myself. Why is Father stopping me?’

But when he saw Ye Lingtian shoot him a sharp glance, Ye Chengzong immediately shut his mouth.

”The Inner Sect competition? Fine. You’ve been plotting for so long, I’m curious to see what kind of tricks you have in store for this competition.”

Yang Xiao smiled faintly, not a hint of fear on his face.

No matter what tricks they tried to pull, they were all useless in the face of absolute power.

The more they schemed, the greater their disappointment would be.

The greater the blow.

How could Yang Xiao possibly refuse?

As for Yang Zhentian, he also breathed a sigh of relief.

Although he had great faith in his son, judging by his aura, his son had only just barely stepped into the Innate Realm. No matter how skilled he was, he probably couldn’t fight Ye Chengzong, who had already reached the Innate Seventh Layer.

One had to understand that in the Innate Realm, even a single minor realm’s difference meant a twofold difference in power.

A difference of six or seven layers amounted to a power disparity of over a hundred times.

No amount of skill could likely make up for that.

But if he participated in the Inner Sect competition, it was a different story.

Moreover, the Ye Family had dared to pressure their Yang Family using the excuse that Yang Xiao was not participating in the Sect’s grand competition and was disrespecting the Sect’s rules.

Now, Xiao’er was going to participate in the Inner Sect competition.

Win or lose, he would have fulfilled his obligation, and no one could find fault with him.

Yang Zhentian was naturally delighted.

Therefore, after Yang Xiao agreed, he did not object, and the group headed toward the Purple Sun Sect’s Inner Mansion.

The Inner Sect competition lasted for three days.

Today was the first day.

It consisted of the duels for Inner Sect Ordinary Disciples.

By the time Yang Xiao and his group arrived, it was already reaching its conclusion.

After several rounds of duels, the top ten among the Inner Sect Ordinary Disciples had been decided.

Next up were the ranking matches for the Inner Sect Disciples.

The top three would earn the right to challenge the Core Disciples.

”Yang Xiao, with your strength and status, competing with the Inner Sect Disciples is pointless. Why not just join the Core Disciple ranking matches directly? You’re the Vice Medicine Peak Master. I imagine no one would object to you directly becoming one of the top ten seeded contestants for the Core Disciples, right?”

As soon as they arrived at the competition grounds, Ye Chengzong declared loudly.

Instantly, everyone’s gaze turned toward them.

Seeing the raggedly-dressed Yang Xiao, a flicker of contempt flashed in many people’s eyes.

Most of them were Inner Sect Disciples.

To become an Inner Sect Disciple in the Purple Sun Sect meant one was a minor genius, and those who could become Core Disciples were even more extraordinary.

Basically, every one of them was a Direct Disciple of an Elder.

With strength at the Seventh Layer Martial Master level or higher, if placed in the mortal world, they could surely become the Clan Leader of a family and control the power of a small city.

Furthermore, their ability to reach the Seventh Layer Martial Master before the age of twenty-five proved their considerable talent. They had at least a one-in-ten chance of breaking through to the Innate Realm and becoming a True Disciple before thirty.

In their hearts, they were convinced of their own superiority and submitted to no one.

This was especially true regarding Yang Xiao. Although he held a high position on Medicine Peak, his background and strength had never been apparent.

A few years ago, he was even pronounced unable to cultivate.

Now, he was trying to snatch a position as one of the ten seeded Core Disciples right off the bat. How could they accept that?

”Senior Brother Ye, I’m not convinced! If he wants to be one of the ten seeded contestants, he’ll have to fight me first!”

And just like that, a young man in blue robes stepped forward.

”It’s Cui Hao! He’s the tenth-ranked Core Disciple, at the Martial Master Peak. I heard he’s cultivating a Strange Technique and has already condensed a strand of Innate True Qi in his body. It probably won’t be long before he breaks through to the Innate Realm and becomes a True Disciple.”

”If the tenth-ranked is that powerful, how strong are the ones ranked above him?” a newly promoted Inner Sect Disciple from this competition exclaimed in awe.

A senior disciple beside him smiled proudly. ”You’re clearly new here. Which of the top ten Core Disciples isn’t already on the verge of the Innate Realm? I’ve even heard that some have already broken through and are just waiting to make a stunning debut this time. For this Yang Xiao to compete with them... he’s probably going to lose miserably.”

...

Of course, Yang Xiao paid no mind to their words.

He glanced at Ye Chengzong and, in front of everyone, began to mock him. ”See that, Ye Chengzong? Even a Core Disciple dares to fight me, but you don’t. And you still have the nerve to compete for the Junior Sect Leader Position? How laughable.”

As soon as he said this, Ye Chengzong’s face instantly darkened.

He wanted nothing more than to rush up and give Yang Xiao a punch.

But Yang Xiao had already leaped onto the arena stage. He faced the challenger, Cui Hao, and beckoned him forward with a single finger, his eyes filled with utter contempt.