Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Winds Rise (Today, an Outburst)

At this moment, in a royal hall nearly ten thousand miles from the City of Shrouded Heavens, several cultivators dressed in scarlet stood respectfully beneath the dais.

"The Ye clan has finally shown themselves again. After hiding like cowards for more than a decade, they can no longer restrain themselves? Yang Yi, I leave this matter to you. If you fail to eradicate the remnants of the Ye clan this time, don't bother returning!" From the endless steps above, a voice like rolling thunder resounded from a massive throne.

"By the command of the Holy Lord! I will do my utmost—not only to destroy the Ye clan's remnants, but to bring the Tianwu Empire under our sway as well." The red-robed man below bowed deeply, his voice low and resolute.

Tap... tap... tap...

A crisp yet strangely eerie sound echoed from the throne above. Suddenly, a figure cloaked entirely in black appeared, his left hand gently tapping the armrest, as if pondering something.

After a moment, the voice spoke again. "As for the Falling Wild Goose Mountains, leave them be for now. At least, until the whereabouts of that mighty being are discovered, do not act rashly. Soulflame, you go with Yang Yi—conquer the Tianwu Empire, and annihilate the Ye clan's remnants."

"Yes, Holy Lord!"

All returned to silence as the group withdrew from the hall in obeisance.

Elsewhere, within the immortal realm, Ye Feng was utterly absorbed, wasting time in tranquil idleness amid a world completely cut off from worldly clamor.

There are no seasons in the mountains; days drift by, one after another. Perhaps it was the influence of the immortal aura here, but Ye Feng now exuded a sense of effortless grace, as if untouched by earthly concerns.

"The greatest sound is almost silent, the true Way is formless. Yet, people are not plants or stones—who can truly be without feeling? How many in this world can achieve genuine detachment? After all... the natural Way is best." Walking through the immortal gardens, Ye Feng inhaled the intoxicating spiritual air, muttering to himself.

"The natural Way... nature itself?" A sudden gleam shone in Ye Feng's eyes. He sat cross-legged.

"What is the Way? The Way follows nature—nature itself is the Way."

Some live for slaughter; then killing becomes their Way. Some are obsessed with the sword; their Way is the sword itself.

There are countless paths to the Way, but each must find their own. Without a goal, one can never step into the innate realm.

Beneath the innate stage, one need not comprehend the mysteries of heaven and earth—diligent cultivation and steady absorption of spiritual energy suffice.

But to reach the innate realm, one must find their own path, a road that will follow them for life. The heights they reach depend on how far they walk along it.

Now, Ye Feng had found his own Way. His path was not limited to mere slaughter or obsession with any single domain.

His Way was his goal. If slaughter could protect all, then his Way was the path of blood; if the sword could vanquish all, then his Way was the sword itself.

This was a talent transcending any single path, encompassing but not confined to one alone...

No one knew how much time had passed before Ye Feng slowly rose to his feet. His aura was completely changed—gone was the effortless grace.

He now concealed himself entirely, appearing as an ordinary man—plain, simple, as if one could see right through him at a glance.

"Ah..." Stretching, Ye Feng exhaled a turbid breath, his expression brimming with excitement. "Though I haven't reached the innate realm, I've touched its threshold. This journey was not in vain!"

Squeak... squeak...

In the distance, a monkey clutching an unknown fruit bounded over, gnawing away, gesturing energetically at Ye Feng.

"You want to go out?" Ye Feng was puzzled for a moment before he understood. While he had spent his days exploring and seeking enlightenment, this restless monkey was nearly bored to death.

"Monkey, I need to gather some fruit, then we can go out and play." Glancing furtively about, Ye Feng whispered conspiratorially to the monkey, like a mischievous uncle luring a child.

Squeak... squeak...

Before Ye Feng could move, the monkey leapt onto a low fruit tree, its furry paws darting back and forth, tossing immortal fruit one after another.

Whoosh...

Just as the monkey was about to strip a celestial tree bare, reveling in his spoils, a sudden gale swept through the serene immortal realm.

The surrounding chaotic mist began to surge and roil.

"You little wastrel... Are you trying to empty my garden?" With a voice like thunder, the chaotic mist billowed violently, thunder rumbling like a thousand wild horses.

Squeak... squeak...

The thunder startled the monkey, who tumbled from the tree in panic. But once the monkey recognized the voice, it became bold again, baring its teeth and claws at the chaos like an indignant child.

"Kid, take a fruit from the second row on the left, third tree from the end. It'll help the little serpent inside you. Only take one—then get out." Seeing his admonitions failed to sway the monkey, the voice addressed Ye Feng instead.

Ye Feng was stunned. Even the Dragon Jiao Demon King, hiding within his inner domain, had been discovered. This was true power!

In the next moment, the faint apparition of the Dragon Jiao Demon King appeared before Ye Feng, bowing deeply toward the dense mist. "Thank you, elder, for your aid! If one day Golden Jiao gains strength, I will free you from this place!"

"Nonsense! Who told you I was trapped here? Who could possibly confine me? Get out!" The voice grew even harsher, brimming with fury, yet its protest sounded suspiciously defensive.

"Great Sage... please calm your wrath..."

"Out!"

Enraged, the mighty being in the chaos spat out a single word, shaking the entire space. The immortal garden was filled with overwhelming pressure. Ye Feng let out a muffled groan, collapsing to the ground, cold sweat beading on his brow.

As for the Dragon Jiao Demon King, he had already darted back into his domain as soon as the voice sounded.

"You... old monster, you got me into this!" Ye Feng shook his head, still dizzy, furious at the Dragon Jiao Demon King.

"I... I didn't know it would be like this! It scared me to death..." The Dragon Jiao Demon King was no longer his arrogant self, shivering like a chastened child in his tattered domain.

Squeak... squeak...

Seeing Ye Feng in such a state, the little monkey wouldn't have it. It bared its teeth and claws, shouting into the chaos.

"Wasted my efforts raising you! You're not even as good as that pig! Now get out..." With this irate voice, the terrifying pressure vanished.

ps: First update—at least ten thousand words today. Please bookmark!