"The Third Prince invites me to a banquet?"
Ye Fan took the invitation, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. He'd had no dealings with this prince in his past life. He only knew the man eventually became the Chu Emperor, uncovered Beigong Hanxiao's death, and personally oversaw the Ye family's destruction.
This prince was a notorious playboy—famed for wine and women—yet also brilliant and learned. His cultivation talent? A formidable Heaven Tier, Three Stars, making him a prominent figure in the capital.
In the martial world of Tianwu Continent, cultivation talent was strictly graded:
Waste Tier, Yellow Tier, Mystic Tier, Earth Tier, Heaven Tier, Divine Martial Tier—each tier subdivided into nine stars.
Before his dantian's ruin, Ye Fan had been Heaven Tier, Two Stars. Now, with his dantian shattered, any test would brand him Waste Tier.
"Tell the Third Prince I will attend. My thanks for the invitation."
Ye Fan dismissed the messenger with a nod. The servant bowed respectfully and departed.
An invitation out of nowhere? Malice lurks. Ye Fan's lips curved into a predatory smile. Beigong Xue... Heh. Interesting. Truly interesting. This is the life of youth. Since I've been reborn... I'll savor it.
Night fell. Ye Fan mounted his horse, the Void Piercer Sword strapped to his back. Yang Xiao and Li Zhong followed closely.
The capital's night market bustled—no curfew here. Crowds flowed through lantern-lit streets. Everywhere Ye Fan went, fingers pointed, whispers followed. The infamous "King" was a spectacle.
He remained unperturbed. A true martial artist tempered their spirit—not through meek endurance, but discernment. Challenged by a fellow warrior? He'd fight. But stooping to brawl with powerless civilians? Beneath him.
Yang Xiao and Li Zhong, however, seethed. Following Ye Fan had subjected them to more humiliation than their entire lives. As Core Formation experts, they were accustomed to reverence, not scorn.
"Your Highness... you truly have thick skin!" Yang Xiao spat, unable to contain his bitterness. Worse still, we're forced to serve this disgrace.
Ye Fan sighed inwardly. These two had followed him willingly to destroy the Ye family when he was powerless. He'd planned to hone and elevate them. Disappointing.
"Oh? Do you gentlemen have suggestions?" Ye Fan feigned ignorance.
"If Your Highness fears his reputation... travel by palanquin!" Li Zhong added, his voice tight. "Dragging us through this mockery is bewildering!"
Ye Fan's eyes turned icy. "'Fears his reputation'? Do you wish to leave the Mo King Manor?"
"Since it's said outright—yes!" Yang Xiao snapped. "Your pitiful manor cannot contain men of our stature!"
Li Zhong nodded vehemently.
Ye Fan tossed a token backward without looking. "Effective immediately, you are stripped of your posts as Mo King Manor commanders. Take your men. Go."
"Tell Uncle Han it was my command."
Yang Xiao snatched the token, relief washing over him. Without a backward glance, he spurred his horse away. Li Zhong followed.
Alone, Ye Fan rode toward the Third Prince's estate. In my past life, I cultivated alone. Reached the peak... yet remained deaf and blind to the continent's hidden currents.
I lost my sword... searched for years.
This time—no. Building power, especially intelligence networks, is paramount.
He arrived at the grand mansion. Elegant young nobles clustered at the entrance—silk robes, fluttering fans, cultivated smiles. Men dressed for battle, like Ye Fan, were assumed to be guards.
Though infamous—the "King" who sold his clan—Ye Fan remained an outsider to the capital's true elite. His arrival drew no notice.
Until a figure swaggered toward him.
"Well, well! If it isn't King Ye!" The voice dripped mockery. "What wind blew you here? Lost your way?"
All eyes turned. Disdain crystallized in every gaze. How dare this filth receive an invitation?
The man gestured flamboyantly at Ye Fan's attire. "That outfit... hah! Perfect for your... heroic bearing!"
Ye Fan's eyes narrowed to slits. Memories surfaced.
Lin Mufei. Eldest son of the Lin family. Lin Muxue's brother. Ye Feng's bosom friend. My tormentor in the past life.
"The Ye family is ash," Ye Fan said coldly. "Yet the Lin family hops about like fleas."
"Oho! How terrifying!" Lin Mufei clutched his chest theatrically. "Look, everyone! The bastard who sold his kin for power... threatens me!"
Snickers rippled through the crowd. Many shared his contempt but lacked his audacity.
Inside the mansion gates, two figures watched unseen.
One—handsome, exuding cultured charm.
Beside him—a stunning young woman, her budding figure elegantly draped in white silk.
"Sister... the play begins," Beigong Qingtian murmured, amused.
Beigong Xue's captivating eyes sparkled with mischief. Chaos? Delightful.
Outside, Lin Mufei wasn't finished. "Ah! I forgot! My sister tossed you back like rotten fish! Tsk tsk... so close to a toad tasting swan!"
Roars of laughter erupted.
Ye Fan watched the theatrics, a cold, predatory smile finally touching his lips.
"Still grinning?" Lin Mufei sneered, stepping closer. "Bastards know no shame! What? You'll hit me?" He puffed his chest. "You came alone! I could crush you with one—"
"Is that so?"
BOOM!
Ye Fan's spiritual energy detonated. The roar of a Loong echoed as his fist rocketed toward Lin Mufei's gut.
Lin Mufei smirked, channeling his own energy. "A mayfly shakes the great tree! Pitiful!"
He countered with the Dragon Roar Fist—
ROAR!
The sonic blast struck Lin Mufei's mind. His spirit convulsed. Stunned.
CRUNCH!
Agony exploded in his dantian. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he hurtled backward.
Ye Fan moved like lightning. He seized Lin Mufei's arm mid-air, yanked him down, and slammed him face-first into the dirt. His boot pressed down on Lin Mufei's skull.
Lin Mufei's guards surged forward.
"ONE STEP CLOSER!" Ye Fan's voice cracked like a whip. "AND I CRUSH HIS HEAD!"
The guards froze.