Chapter Ten: A Chain of Open Schemes (Third Update, Please Add to Favorites)

Early the next morning, an uninvited guest arrived at Ye Feng’s secluded residence.

“Young Master, the Grand Elder requests your presence.”

Upon hearing this, Ye Feng flashed a brilliant smile. To the unknowing, one might think he and the Grand Elder shared a close bond.

“Please inform the Grand Elder I will come at once.”

Once the messenger departed, Ye Feng’s flawless smile vanished in an instant. Anyone familiar with him would recognize that Second Brother Ye was now slipping into his chilling, intimidating mode.

In the council hall, the white-browed elder seated on a chair of pearwood gazed at Ye Feng and got straight to the point. “Your life’s achievements will reach no further than Spirit Summoning. You must be prepared to move out of the annex.”

“Is that your decision, or my Second Uncle’s?” Ye Feng replied calmly, neither humble nor overbearing.

This old man before him was old enough to be Ye Feng’s grandfather. Yet, his actions had earned him not a shred of Ye Feng’s respect.

“The Patriarch, out of brotherly affection for your father, has not had the heart to expel you. Moreover, I am the Grand Elder of the family. So... let me be the villain in this matter,” the old man replied without a change in expression.

“I’m curious—why are you so determined, at any cost, to see me dead?” Ye Feng couldn’t be bothered with evasions. Now that Ye Tianya had returned home, the Grand Elder wouldn’t dare act openly against him, and this was precisely the leverage that allowed Ye Feng to speak so plainly.

Both the Grand Elder’s and Ye Feng’s expressions shifted at these words. But cunning as he was, the old fox deftly sidestepped, his evasions so skilled that not even Ye Feng could help but admire them.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. But Lier has already succeeded in Spirit Summoning, and has condensed seventeen spirit marks. At any moment, he could step into the Spirit Communion level and will surely become a pillar of the family. Shouldn’t the family’s resources go to him rather than be wasted on a useless wretch like you?”

Though he sidestepped Ye Feng’s question, now that all pretense was dropped, the Grand Elder stood abruptly, pointing at Ye Feng and berating him in a harsh voice.

“With Lier’s talent, even if he doesn’t become the Patriarch, he will at least attain the rank of Elder. What right do you have to compare yourself to him?”

“Oh, is that so?” Ye Feng maintained his smile, slowly unbuttoning his shirt to reveal his chest as spiritual energy surged through him. In the next instant, eleven golden spirit marks appeared on his chest.

“But I, too, am on the verge of stepping into the Spirit Communion level. What will you do now?” Ye Feng bit his finger in exaggerated bewilderment, feigning confusion.

Having succeeded in cultivating the “Heavenly King’s Art” and condensing seventy-seven spirit marks, Ye Feng now had the confidence to withstand any schemes that might come. With the Dragon-Jiao Demon King’s help in concealing some of his marks, Second Brother Ye finally took the initiative.

“This time, it’s not you scheming against me, but I who am forcing your hand.” A gleam flashed in Ye Feng’s eyes as he thought this, his signature smile curling on his lips.

His words, tinged with disdain, made the Grand Elder’s face turn ashen. Never in his wildest imagination could he have guessed that the usually foolish Ye Feng had managed to condense eleven spirit marks.

“However, I can give you a chance. In ten days, I will enter the Falling Wild Goose Mountains to seek out a spirit beast and achieve Spirit Communion. If Lier reaches Spirit Communion by then, I don’t mind facing him in a fair contest to determine who shall inherit the annex.”

With those words, Ye Feng wasted no time and turned to leave.

It was a masterful, open scheme—Ye Feng laying out his intentions for all to see, brazenly challenging the Grand Elder. Whether he responded or not was irrelevant; ten days later, Ye Feng would await in the Falling Wild Goose Mountains.

After Ye Feng left the council hall, the Grand Elder, who had moments before appeared furious, suddenly broke into a cold laugh.

“You impudent child, so you still covet the Patriarch’s seat! Do you think you can lure me into acting against you? Do you think eleven spirit marks are enough? Or do you believe the Patriarch’s return means he can watch me at all times?” The Grand Elder tapped the armrest of his chair, muttering to himself.

Clearly, the old fox had taken the bait.

At that moment, walking down the road, the little fox’s mouth curled into a faint smile. “I’m sure that old fox won’t just sit back and watch. Still, am I really so foolish as to wait a full ten days before making my breakthrough?”

The night passed in the blink of an eye.

In the small house within the annex, Ye Feng gazed at the flickering seventy-eighth spirit mark on his chest and sighed. “So it truly takes such an enormous amount of spiritual energy to condense just one more spirit mark...”

Shaking his head helplessly, Ye Feng looked up and muttered, “I wonder if I can condense eighty spirit marks within two days. My Second Uncle once said that, in ancient times, true prodigies could condense ninety-nine spirit marks during Spirit Summoning, and upon reaching Spirit Communion, possess strength on par with innate Spirit Adepts. If not for the pressing time, I’d certainly want to try...”

Ye Feng yearned for those legendary feats.

He did not believe that possessing the Dragon-Jiao Demon King’s core—a treasure among treasures—could bring him no benefit. At the very least, the boundless sea of spiritual energy in that chaotic space was an inexhaustible boon.

“Only, that old demon, the Dragon-Jiao Demon King, still seems to hold a deep grudge against me!” With his mind turned inward, gazing at the demon core in his own dantian, Ye Feng murmured in resignation.

“You greedy, shameless little scoundrel, stop eyeing my demon core!” Just as Ye Feng was contemplating how to summon the Dragon-Jiao Demon King, the latter’s deep voice rang out at just the right moment.

At this, Ye Feng’s eyes lit up with glee. Grinning obsequiously, he said, “Honored elder, I have now uncovered the truth of who framed me back then, which led to your demise. Don’t you want to get even?”

Ye Feng was certain that a demon king who had cultivated for a thousand years would be furious at having his nirvana interrupted so abruptly. Yet, for some reason, the Demon King had shown no desire for revenge. Now, with the true culprit revealed, Ye Feng doubted the old demon could remain indifferent.

“Is that old fox who summoned you yesterday the mastermind behind it all?” After a long silence, the Dragon-Jiao Demon King’s voice sounded again, now thick with suspicion.

There was hope!

Hearing this, Ye Feng nearly burst out laughing. If he could rope this old demon into helping him, his efforts would yield twice the result.

“Even if he wasn't the mastermind, he certainly took part. At the very least, the teleportation talisman was definitely his handiwork.” Suppressing his delight, Ye Feng replied calmly.

“If that’s so, why don’t you act yourself?” The Demon King, in the chaotic space, furrowed his brow deeper.

“I can’t beat him,” Ye Feng shrugged, blunt as ever.

“You—you little rascal, you’re just waiting for me to do your dirty work!” The Dragon-Jiao Demon King was hopping mad. “I knew it wouldn’t be so simple... If you weren’t born human, you’d have made a perfect fox demon!”

P.S. Third update—seeking collections, recommendations, and support of every kind!