Gao Lan had long since grown accustomed to the special effects that flared around Ye Yu. Every time the boy broke through ⊛ Nоvеlιght ⊛ (Read the full story) a cultivation boundary, terrifying spectacles burst forth. However, this breakthrough—from Ascension Realm to the Early Land Demon Realm—had created a commotion many times greater than before, completely beyond Gao Lan’s expectations.
He resolved to set up more array formations in the future to conceal such phenomena.
After the time it took for one incense stick to burn, all of Ye Yu’s special effects faded, and he returned to his ordinary appearance. Yet in Gao Lan’s eyes, the scene remained breathtaking—perhaps because the “filter” of his own astonishment had left too deep an impression.
I really wasn’t mistaken about him, he thought. In just twenty years, he has traversed a path others might need millennia to complete. He truly is the demon world’s Mandated One.
Faced with Gao Lan’s praise, Ye Yu merely smiled calmly and spoke his true desire: “Master, I wish to travel the lands.”
Gao Lan’s smile froze. He clasped his hands behind his back and pondered for a long while. Ye Yu stood patiently, already composing the arguments he would need.
Over these past decades, Gao Lan had cared for the Ye family with great devotion. Yet it was impossible for Ye Yu to remain in one place until the void shattered. His dream talent—Seemingly Supreme—depended on collecting others’ submission value. Without gathering it, the talent would be all but useless.
Over the years, Ye Yu had always activated his special effects at each breakthrough, harvesting submission value while studying his dream gift. He discovered that the higher the other demon’s realm, the more value he earned—and newcomers yielded the greatest bounty. For example, when his parents, Ye Jing and Zhao Baihui, first witnessed his effects at his birth, they granted about one hundred points. Now, they gave only five or six—shrinking by roughly twentyfold. Gao Lan himself yielded the same diminishing returns.
That was why at this breakthrough, Ye Yu deliberately unleashed his effects fully: to harvest the disciples of the Nine-Bend Hall. Of course, displaying one’s might from afar incurred about a fifty percent discount on submission value.
In short, the Seemingly Supreme talent was complex. The only way to harvest in volume was to appear in person, effects blazing before the crowd. Though this risked drawing ill-intentioned onlookers, it alone fulfilled the System’s directive—the Path of Enchantment.
“But beyond the demon world lies great danger,” Gao Lan’s voice sounded low. “One misstep, and you might perish. Are you certain?”
Ye Yu answered earnestly, “Master, I have considered it. Though the world is dangerous, I must see it for myself. I cannot spend my life confined to this Nine-Bend Hall.”
Those words moved Gao Lan. He withdrew a great many talismans and a magic robe from his storage ring and handed them to Ye Yu.
“In truth, I have long expected this day. A fledgling must brave the sky’s trials to become an eagle. Yu’er, from the moment you were born, your fate has been extraordinary. You may ascend to heights never before seen. But heed my words: only those who survive are true geniuses. The fallen become nameless bones. So above all, you must live well. If you face insurmountable peril, return to me. I will always be your support.”
Hearing this, warmth flooded Ye Yu’s heart. He felt truly cared for by Gao Lan—this was no false affection, but a senior’s deepest concern for a departing junior.
Ye Yu lowered his head. His past had taught him never to believe in love or hatred without cause; he had never fully trusted Gao Lan. Yet now, in this moment, he found himself able to.
He voiced the question that had lingered for more than twenty years: “Master, you always told me I bore heavenly mandate and would be extraordinary. My parents said that when I was born, someone plotted against me—and you stopped him, saving my life. But I wonder: when you first witnessed the celestial signs at my birth, why did you think to take me as your disciple rather than harbor other designs?”
Gao Lan sighed wistfully. “I can only say that I met the right person at the right time, and so you survived. Had you been born a year or two earlier, you would not have lived through the period of my own inexperience. Perhaps fate, as they say, is predestined.”
Ye Yu took a subtle step back, his gaze toward Gao Lan tinged with reluctance. Some words were impossible to empathize with—especially when two men spoke of fate, a chill ran down his spine. Had his dream shown him an old charlatan?
Gao Lan’s expression turned affectionate as he noticed Ye Yu’s strange look. “Why are you staring at me so oddly? And why keep such distance?”
“Nothing,” Ye Yu replied, stepping back once more to widen the gap. Then he spoke: “Master, you should find a Daoist partner soon. It pains me to see you alone. Remember—choose a female demon, and don’t be reckless.”
“Am I a fool who’d take your advice?” Gao Lan exclaimed. In a flash, he slipped off one boot and flung it straight at Ye Yu.
“You brat, what nonsense are you spouting? Have you gone mad?”
Two days later, Ye Yu bid farewell to his master and parents, departed the Nine-Bend Hall, and began his journey through the demon world. His first task was to expend the one hundred thousand submission points he had harvested during his breakthrough.
The disciples of the Nine-Bend Hall had all been deeply shaken by the heavenly display; submitting to the strong was the demon folk’s finest tradition. Thus Ye Yu found no difficulty in gathering points throughout the demon world.
After spending those one hundred thousand points, he successfully shattered through to the peak of the Land Demon Realm. At that moment, the System’s voice rang in his mind:
“Host detected at critical threshold: passive skill Seemingly Supreme activated—‘Conceal Heaven’s Secrets.’ Your true cultivation level will now be completely hidden; no one can discern your actual realm.”
Ye Yu’s eyes widened in astonishment. What? A passive skill too? he thought. This was something his dream talent had never offered before!
