Changsun Lingxi, who had been restrained, was released, as were Zhan Wufeng, the five commanders, and the captured disciples of the manor.
Ye Cangtian briefly instructed Zhan Wufeng.
He cautioned him not to trouble the Black Feather Gang disciples who had surrendered, and then left Yulong Mountain Villa with Changsun Lingxi.
They first returned to the Hidden Group, then, through the teleportation gate of Qingfeng Hall, returned to the entrance of the ruins.
When the teleportation gate was first established, Lan Yue had anticipated that Ye Cangtian might be worried about Tang Xinwan, so she had specifically built a teleportation gate leading to the entrance of the ruins.
This time, it proved to be useful.
...
Capital Family Courtyard.
Elder Zhou lay in a lounge chair under a tree, leisurely fanning himself, enjoying the moment with a contented expression.
Ever since he took charge of the capital, his life had been exceptionally comfortable.
After all, both the Bright Hall and the Dark Association had been dealt with by Ye Cangtian.
With the two major powers unwilling to attack China, other forces were even less likely to provoke it, leaving Elder Zhou with little to do.
However, this was exactly what he wanted. Having worked hard for China for most of his life, it was time for him to relax.
Hmm?
Unbeknownst to him, Elder Zhou opened his eyes. Although he was enjoying his leisure now, he had been through countless life-and-death situations over the years, and even during rest, his senses were fully alert.
Just moments ago, he had sensed the emergence of a very powerful aura.
"Zhou Lao, what's wrong?"
Seeing Elder Zhou suddenly sit up, Xu Weiwei, who had been quietly reviewing documents nearby, immediately inquired.
"Girl, I just felt a very strong aura. You quickly go inside. Don't come out unless I call for you!"
Elder Zhou glanced at Xu Weiwei and whispered.
Upon hearing this, Xu Weiwei nodded obediently and hurried towards the room.
She knew Elder Zhou's strength and didn't need to worry about him.
If even Elder Zhou couldn't handle it, then even if everyone here combined forces, they wouldn't be a match for the opponent.
"Old man, your precious disciple finally came back for a visit, and you're treating him like a thief. Is that necessary?"
Before Xu Weiwei could enter the room, a teasing voice echoed. Xu Weiwei was instantly stunned as if struck by lightning.
This voice was incredibly familiar to her; it was etched into her memory...
Elder Zhou was also startled. He looked at the empty doorway and said impatiently, "You little brat, you're asking for a beating again, aren't you! Get in here!"
Uh...
Hearing the conversation between master and disciple, Changsun Lingxi and Sikong Longyin, who were beside Ye Cangtian outside the door, couldn't help but twitch their lips.
In their impression, no one had ever dared to speak to Elder Zhou in such a manner. Ye Cangtian was truly one of a kind.
The two were about to intervene, as Ye Cangtian had brought them back to help them become true disciples.
If Elder Zhou became displeased, and then took his anger out on them, who would they turn to for justice!
But when they heard Elder Zhou's words, they found that not only was Elder Zhou not angry, but his words also revealed a hint of joy.
Only then did the two of them completely relax.
"Hahaha, old man, I'm relieved to see you alive and well!"
"Here, these are the sugar pills your disciple brought you. Do you like them?"
On the other side, Ye Cangtian had already reached Elder Zhou's side and casually tossed him a few small porcelain bottles.
Elder Zhou did not decline. He grabbed the small porcelain bottles and casually examined them, his eyes widening.
Judging by their aura alone, these pills had definitely surpassed divine-grade pills.
The next moment, Elder Zhou glanced at Ye Cangtian and said indifferently, "Offering kindness for no reason means you're up to no good. Speak, what do you want from me!"
"Heh heh, you know me best!"
Ye Cangtian chuckled and then looked towards the doorway, saying, "You two, come in!"
When Elder Zhou looked at the figures of Changsun Lingxi and Sikong Longyin, his expression immediately darkened.
"You little brat, what do you mean by this? Why did you bring them here? Do you want me to personally clean house?"
"No!"
Ye Cangtian quickly waved his hands and said, "The task you gave me to sort out Yulong Mountain Villa is complete. Although these two made some mistakes, they corrected themselves and repented in time.
I saw that they were quite talented, so I brought them back to ask you to accept them as true disciples..."
Upon hearing this, Elder Zhou's gaze swept over the two, and then he snorted and said impatiently, "Look at them, they don't look like true disciples at all. They're not friendly towards me at all..."
*Thump!*
With his words, Sikong Longyin and Changsun Lingxi, who had been feeling uneasy, immediately knelt on the ground and bowed.
Elder Zhou's mouth twitched as he saw this. "Didn't you understand what I meant? I want friendliness, not respect..."
"Disciple would not dare."
Sikong Longyin and Changsun Lingxi only understood after hearing this, but they truly didn't dare to act like Ye Cangtian.
Alas!
Elder Zhou sighed. He knew that this was ingrained respect in their minds, and it would be difficult to change. Thus, he no longer pressed the matter.
The next moment, he said, "Forget it. Since this little brat has pleaded for you, from today onwards, you are my true disciples, ranked after Lan Yue..."
"Thank you, Master. Thank you, Young Villa Master, for your fulfillment..."
Upon hearing this, the two immediately became excited and quickly bowed in thanks.
On the other side, Elder Zhou waved his hand and then looked at Ye Cangtian, saying, "You little brat, the Heavenly-grade aura I sensed earlier probably didn't belong to you. What's your cultivation level now? You haven't slacked off, have you?"
"The aura you sensed earlier belonged to Changsun Lingxi. He was a bit agitated because he was about to see you and couldn't control himself."
Ye Cangtian paused for a moment, then said playfully, "As for your precious disciple, naturally, he has surpassed his master."
As he spoke, Ye Cangtian took a step forward, his feet already hovering twenty to thirty centimeters above the ground.
Upon seeing this, everyone present widened their eyes. No one had expected Ye Cangtian to become a Heaven-stepping realm powerhouse at such a young age.
"Now I am truly convinced," Changsun Lingxi muttered dazedly.
Earlier, he had been provoked by Ye Cangtian and felt a bit unwilling, but now that the other party had become a Heaven-stepping realm powerhouse, he was completely and utterly convinced of Ye Cangtian.
"Good! You are indeed my disciple, you haven't embarrassed me at all!"
Elder Zhou also reacted, shouting excitedly, his face filled with pride.
Ye Cangtian smiled triumphantly at this. Then, his expression turned serious, and he said, "Old man, I can't stay here long. I've already finished my business and need to leave as soon as possible!"
"Hmm? What happened?"
Elder Zhou's smiling face instantly vanished. Ye Cangtian's haste indicated that something major must have happened in the ruins.
Upon hearing this, Ye Cangtian said, "Feiyun Pavilion has erupted in war. Misty Rain Tower suffered heavy losses and has been brought down from its pedestal. I need to go back and settle things with Feiyun Pavilion..."
Listening to Ye Cangtian's simple narration, Elder Zhou immediately stood up and said, "I'll go back with you!"
Elder Zhou naturally knew about the existence of peak powers.
Now that even Misty Rain Tower had been brought down from its pedestal, it was evident that Feiyun Pavilion's ambition was not small, and he was genuinely worried about Ye Cangtian.
"No need!"
"I can handle the matters of Feiyun Pavilion. Trust me!"
Ye Cangtian shook his head. Even though Feiyun Pavilion's strength now exceeded his expectations, he still had absolute confidence in defeating Feiyun Pavilion's ambitions.
Seeing Ye Cangtian's determined gaze, Elder Zhou finally nodded.
After all, Ye Cangtian was already a Heaven-stepping realm powerhouse. Such cultivation was definitely top-tier in the ruins.
Thinking of this, Elder Zhou suddenly remembered something and quickly said, "By the way, Feiyun Pavilion might still have an old monster in seclusion. I've forgotten his name, but he calls himself Soul Emperor. Be careful if you meet him!"
Soul Emperor?
Ye Cangtian's brow furrowed tightly. To be so arrogant, it seemed he had unique attainments in spiritual power and could not be underestimated.
Thinking this, he nodded heavily and said, "Old fellow, don't worry. No matter how strong the opponent is, I will be the one to win. Just wait for my triumphant return!"
With that, Ye Cangtian waved his hand and turned to leave.
Just as he turned, he noticed Xu Weiwei standing at the doorway.
After a slight hesitation, he smiled slightly and said, "Weiwei, time is tight, I can't chat with you. I'll be back..."
"Be careful with everything, and don't forget, Xinwan is waiting for you at home!"
Xu Weiwei heard this and nodded, thinking to herself: And me...
On the other side, Elder Zhou saw this and quickly winked at Sikong Longyin and Changsun Lingxi.
The two instantly understood and bowed respectfully to Elder Zhou before following Ye Cangtian's footsteps.