Chapter 881: Yue Shi
Thirteen spoke under his breath, and his gaze was sinister.
As soon as he said this, the way the other nearby experts’ looked at Su Yi shifted inscrutably.
Su Yi glanced at Thirteen. “In a bit, I’ll give you an opportunity to throw your life away.”
His tone was calm and casual.
Those nearby were stunned, while Thirteen’s expression gradually darkened.
Su Yi paid none of this any heed, instead continuing into the Ancestral Hall alongside the young woman in the ink-black skirt.
….
The Ancestral Hall was built halfway up a mountain, facing a cliff and a sea of clouds. It was ancient and grand.
Countless pieces of Silver Star Stone were embedded in the ceiling, making it seem like a starry sky casting its gentle radiance on the world below.
Numerous figures were currently seated on the first floor.
To the left sat Ye Zishan and the other prominent members of the Ghost Serpent’s main lineage.
To the right sat the prominent members of the three branch lineages.
A group of guests and spectators sat near the doorway, including Pi Mo’s disciple, Jiang Yingliu, as well as experts of the Profound Yellow Sword Pavilion. There were a few other invitees as well, and all of them had illustrious backgrounds.
As for Third High Elder Ye Donghe? He sat alone in the center of the hall.
“Ye Ruoxi of the main lineage has arrived with a guest, Su Yi!” A respectful voice resounded from beyond the hall.
“Su Yi? Don’t tell me he came on his own?” Ye Zishan furrowed his brow.
That kid really had the guts to show up… In the centermost seat, Ye Donghe’s eyes flashed.
That guy really dared show up to throw his life away. That’ll make things simple. Although Jiang Yingliu was surprised, she also felt reassured.
Earlier, the attendees had been conversing amongst themselves. But now, all of them looked at the hall’s entrance. Some were confused, while others were merely curious.
Before long, the young woman in the ink-black skirt led Su Yi inside.
When they saw Su Yi’s appearance and sensed his cultivation, the old-timers of the main lineage couldn’t help but look somber.
Although this was their first time seeing him, all of them already knew that Ye Tianqu had entrusted his Ancestral Jade Seal to Su Yi’s care.
And according to Ye Zishan, the young man in blue had extraordinary origins. Even the proprietor of Auspicious Cloud Tower treated him differently. The main lineage had, therefore, been a bit eager to see what Su Yi was capable of.
But when they saw how young he was, and that his cultivation was only in the Spiritual Revolution Realm, they couldn’t help but be disappointed.
And here they’d thought Su Yi would bring the innkeeper with him!
Ye Zishan was stunned too, and he inwardly cried out, Why did Young Lord Su come on his own?
Doesn’t he realize that with his cultivation, he’ll find it difficult to leave our mountain alive, never mind quelling the Ghost Serpents’ upheaval?
The higher-ups of the branch lineages, meanwhile, couldn’t help but smile.
“This… is the Su Yi you spoke of?” someone feigned surprise.
“Ye Tianqu really is deranged. He actually entrusted our Ancestral Jade Seal to an outsider’s care. What a bastard!” someone else said indignantly.
“Hehe, no matter what, he dared show up today. His courage, at least, is rare and impressive. Come on everyone, let’s not frighten him!” someone else laughed.
As they listened to the crowd’s comments, the old-timers of the main lineage felt ill at ease, and their expressions shifted erratically.
The illustrious guests who’d been invited to bear witness to the conference all had strange looks on their faces too.
“Fellow Daoist Jiang, is this the Su Yi you told us about?” an elder in hemp clothing asked in a low voice.
Huang Yuanxiu, an Imperial expert from the Wilds’ Profound Yellow Sword Pavilion!
“That’s right,” Jiang Yingliu said softly. “But I can’t for the life of me understand where a Spiritual Revolution cultivator like him got the courage to get involved in this.”
The hemp-clad Huang Yuanxiu laughed. “Perhaps he’s got something up his sleeves. For now, let’s just sit back and watch.”
Jiang Yingliu nodded. She was indeed curious to see just what the young man who’d rejected her “good intentions” could accomplish.
“Enough!” The young woman in the ink-black skirt shouted.
She was already worried that Su Yi would run into trouble, so hearing the crowd’s comments provoked her. She couldn’t help but say, “Young Lord Su is a guest of the main lineage. Is this how you treat him? If word gets out, you’ll bring shame upon the entire Ghost Serpent Clan!”
This instantly suppressed the branch lineages’ comments, and their expressions were all a bit unsightly.
It seemed they hadn’t anticipated that the young woman would directly rebuke them on account of an outsider.
Even Su Yi couldn’t help but re-evaluate the young woman, and he felt a bit strange. Her personality really is a bit similar to Little Leaf’s.
“Very well. Have a seat, Ruoxi.” Ye Donghe said from the central seat, a dignified look on his face.
As his voice rang out, a formless majesty emanated from him. An austere silence spread throughout the grand hall.
But the young woman ignored him. Instead, she turned to Su Yi and said, “Young Lord Su, the guest seats are over there. Pick a spot and sit wherever you like.”
Su Yi nodded.
It was only after she saw that Su Yi was settled in amongst the other guests that the young woman found her own seat.
The higher-ups of the branch lineages found her behavior amusing. A young Spiritual Revolution cultivator, that’s all. Was he worthy of such treatment?
Ye Donghe frowned, then paid the matter no further heed.
Instead, he swept his gaze across the attendees. “Since we’re all here, let’s begin today’s conference.”
“Wait,” Ye Zishan suddenly interjected.
Ye Donghe was inwardly quite displeased. “Zishan, I know you’re opposed to selecting a new clan leader, but dragging this out won’t change the outcome.”
Ye Zishan took a deep breath. “Great Uncle, one of our guests has yet to arrive.”
Ye Donghe’s gaze focused, and he was just about to say something when a respectful voice emanated from beyond the hall.
“Chief Elder Yue Shi of Fire Illumination Divine Palace has arrived!”
The hall was instantly in uproar.
Ye Donghe’s expression darkened.
The other branch members’ expressions shifted, while Jiang Yingliu furrowed her brow.
Conversely, the members of the main lineage all looked delighted.
“Everyone, please pardon my late arrival.”
A tall middle-aged man in wide sleeves appeared, striding into the Ancestral Hall alongside his mellow, good-natured voice.
He wore a lotus crown and a willowy beard. His gaze was clear, and he had a transcendent bearing.
As soon as he arrived, he became the center of attention.
Yue Shi!
The chief elder of Fire Illumination Divine Palace’s inner court, and an early-stage Profound Serenity Emperor. He was known throughout the Netherworld as the Firecloud Spirit Emperor.
“Senior Yue, this way please!” Ye Zishan and the other main lineage members rose and greeted him with a smile.
The branch lineage members had no choice but to get up and greet Yue Shi as well.
Yue Shi didn’t just have an impressive cultivation base; he was also the senior apprentice brother of the Ghost Serpents’ second high?elder!
Even Ye Donghe and the guests simply here to watch rose, one after another.
All of this only further offset just how extraordinary Yue Shi’s status was.
But a few people didn’t get up, as if Yue Shi’s arrival meant nothing to them.
Like Jiang Yingliu, Huang Yuanxiu, and their companions.
And Su Yi.
But everyone’s attention was on Yue Shi, so few people noticed this.
Before long, Yue Shi took a seat, and the atmosphere was silent and austere once more.
However, both Ye Donghe and the members of the branch lineages had overcast looks on their faces.
They obviously hadn’t anticipated that Ye Zishan would bring in a ‘mountain’ like Yue Shi!
“Zishan, can we begin now?” Ye Donghe said expressionlessly from the centermost seat.
Ye Zishan nodded.
Ye Donghe said directly, “I won’t waste words. I convened this conference for the primary purpose of selecting a new leader to quell the Ghost Serpents’ unrest.”
He then swept his gaze across the group. “According to our rules, so long as the four bearers of the Ancestral Jade Seals agree, we can select a new clan leader.”
“I now have in my possession three of our Ancestral Jade Seals. As for the other, that unfilial scoundrel Ye Tianqu entrusted it to an outsider’s care.”
Here, Ye Donghe glanced over at Su Yi and said coolly, “Fortunately, that won’t influence today’s proceedings. Does anyone have anything to say?”
Ye Zishan said gravely, “Great Uncle, I’m sure everyone already knows the main lineage’s stance on the matter. No matter what, we won’t agree to instate a new clan leader!”
Ye Donghe smiled. “Zishan, when Ancestor Ye Yu left for the Dark Capital, she entrusted the main lineage’s Ancestral Jade Seal to my care. The main lineage must follow my lead on this.”
He paused, then said with dignity, “Your objections will do you no good! Besides, I’m doing this out of consideration for the clan as a whole, to quell our inner conflict!”
Ye Zishan and the others’ expressions darkened.
According to the rules passed down over generations, as the bearer of their Ancestral Jade Seal, Ye Donghe really was qualified to do this.
It was then that Yue Shi suddenly interjected. “Fellow Daoist Ye Yu is merely trapped in the Dark Capital. Your grand high elder, Ye Tiandou, and second high elder, Ye Qinghe, are both out attending to various affairs. Neither can attend today’s conference. Yet here you are, rushing to select a new leader in their absence… Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
All eyes were instantly upon Yue Shi.
Ye Donghe’s eyes flashed, and he was just about to say something when Jiang Yingliu suddenly said coldly, “Fellow Daoist Yue, you’re here as a guest. How can you intervene in the Ghost Serpents’ internal affairs?”
After a brief silence, Yue Shi laughed. “Fellow Daoist Jiang, you needn’t worry. But I must warn you: should Ye Yu, Ye Tiandou, and Ye Qinghe learn of this, I’m afraid it will cause even greater upheaval.”
He then looked at Ye Donghe. “When that day arrives, will you be able to bear the consequences, Fellow Daoist?
Ye Donghe was instantly silent.
The other branch lineage members looked at each other.
While Ye Zishan, the young woman in the ink-black skirt, and the other main lineage members looked at Ye Donghe to see what he decided.
Su Yi, who was watching coldly from a distance, couldn’t help but shake his head to himself.
Ye Donghe had almost certainly long since realized the possible consequences of his actions. There was no way a few words from Yue Shi could change his mind!
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