The expressions of the group shifted slightly. Although the Qinglan Sword Sect had not invited the other three major sects to the True Disciple Investiture Ceremony, the news of Ye Ling becoming the Tenth True Disciple had long since spread.
Knowing that the person Yang Qinyao had invited was actually Ye Ling, the crowd’s hearts settled somewhat.
However, a trace of dismissiveness still lingered in their hearts; they felt that Ye Ling was still young and that her strength and foundation were still far below theirs.
Yet, since they were all renowned geniuses, they did not let these thoughts show on their faces.
Before long, Yang Qinyao arrived in the midst of the group with Ye Ling.
Yang Qinyao wore a gentle smile and took the initiative to introduce everyone.
“True Disciple Ye, allow me to introduce everyone to you.”
She first pointed to the woman beside her. “This is your fellow disciple, the Ninth True Disciple of the Third Sword Peak of the Qinglan Sword Sect, Senior Sister Fang Huiyin.”
Ye Ling was slightly surprised; she hadn't expected the Ninth True Disciple of her own sect to be in Yang Qinyao’s camp.
Fang Huiyin looked at Ye Ling, a gentle smile playing at the corners of her lips.
“Junior Sister Ye, although we are fellow disciples, this is the first time we have officially met.”
“I have long heard of your great reputation.”
Ye Ling maintained a humble posture and bowed slightly in return. “Senior Sister Fang is too kind. Greetings, Senior Sister.”
Yang Qinyao then pointed to the man on her left. “This is the Eighth True Disciple of the Burning Heaven Martial Academy, Senior Brother Yang Xingjing.”
Yang Xingjing suppressed the displeasure in his heart and put on a polite facade, cupping his hands toward Ye Ling.
“True Disciple Ye, I have heard much about you.”
Ye Ling nodded faintly in response. Although she was unaware of the group's private discussions earlier, she sensed a hint of dismissiveness and arrogance hidden beneath Yang Xingjing’s seemingly respectful exterior.
But Ye Ling had always been indifferent and casual; what others thought had nothing to do with her, so she didn't take it to heart.
Subsequently, Yang Qinyao introduced the remaining people one by one. They were all personal disciples from other major sects, and their cultivations were all stable at the mid-stage Xiantian Realm.
Ye Ling was neither humble nor arrogant, nodding to each of them as they were introduced.
After the introductions, Yang Qinyao led Ye Ling directly to the core prime seat at the very front of the spectator area, which offered the best view.
She gave the most prestigious spectator seat to Ye Ling and sat closely on Ye Ling’s left.
On Ye Ling’s right sat Fang Huiyin.
Seeing Yang Qinyao give Ye Ling such exceptional treatment, Yang Xingjing’s displeasure deepened, but he did not dare show it in the slightest. He could only suppress his emotions and take a seat on Yang Qinyao’s other side.
The others also took their seats in order, each harboring their own thoughts.
Once everyone was settled, Yang Qinyao explained softly.
“Tianyuan Peak is a natural sacred ground for martial arts sparring. In recent years, more and more martial artists have come here drawn by its fame, so the spectator seats were eventually renovated and organized.”
“The position we are in now is one of the few spots on the entire peak with the best view.”
Ye Ling looked up at the open terrace ahead. The view was completely unobstructed; this position was indeed excellent.
Not long after she sat down, a cold and detached aura slowly radiated from Ye Ling.
For a moment, Yang Qinyao, who had wanted to strike up a conversation, didn't know how to start.
Rumors said that Ye Ling was indifferent and extremely difficult to get close to; seeing her now, it seemed to be true.
However, Yang Qinyao did not give up. She quickly adjusted her mood and took the initiative to introduce the surrounding layout.
“Look over there. Those sections are all top-tier viewing spots, and they are already full.”
Every person in those seats had an extraordinary bearing; they were clearly Xiantian Realm martial artists with significant status and cultivation.
But Ye Ling’s gaze fell directly on a seat to the side, where she saw a figure that was both unexpected and yet within reason: Ye Chen.
Ye Chen was sitting steadily near a top-tier viewing spot. Beside him sat a young man in silk robes, and the two were conversing in low voices.
Seeing Ye Ling’s gaze linger there for a long time, Yang Qinyao also looked over. After seeing who it was, a flash of suppressed emotion appeared on her face before she spoke understandingly.
“That is Ye Chen, the peerless genius who participated in the sect selection with you and climbed the nine thousand steps.”
She turned to look at Ye Ling and keenly noticed that the other girl's expression remained largely unchanged.
The feat of both Ye Ling and Ye Chen breaking through the nine thousand steps of the Heavenly Spirit Stairs two years ago had already caused a massive sensation throughout the Qingyun Kingdom.
When people learned that the two actually came from the same small Ye family, there was an even greater uproar.
A single clan producing two peerless geniuses at the same time was truly rare.
But as the details spread, everyone learned that Ye Chen had long since lost any sense of belonging to the Ye family.
Coupled with his various hardships in the Ye family during his early years, many people felt pity for him.
“The person beside him is my Third Imperial Brother,” Yang Qinyao continued to introduce.
Ye Ling frowned slightly. “The Third Prince? Why is he with Ye Chen?”
Seeing Ye Ling’s confusion, Yang Qinyao stopped hiding her intentions. “True Disciple Ye, you have probably already guessed the real purpose behind my persistence in befriending you.”
“The struggle for the throne between me and my Third Imperial Brother has reached a critical stage.”
“Not long ago, my royal father issued an assessment task.”
“He arranged for me to go to the Qinglan Sword Sect to win you over and sent my Third Imperial Brother to the Burning Heaven Martial Academy to contact Ye Chen.”
“I see.” Ye Ling understood instantly.
Yang Qinyao’s expression dimmed slightly. “It’s just that I always feel that I will most likely fail this time.”
Ye Ling did not respond.
Seeing that her feigned low spirits failed to move Ye Ling, Yang Qinyao simply stopped acting, and her expression returned to normal.
Ye Ling secretly sent a voice transmission to Ye Chen.
“Ye Chen, long time no see.”
Ye Chen, who was chatting with the Third Prince, was startled by the sudden voice transmission.
Ye Ling had come here too?
Seeing Ye Chen dazed, the Third Prince asked doubtfully, “True Disciple Ye, what is it?”
The Burning Heaven Martial Academy had emulated the True Disciple system of the Qinglan Sword Sect and had officially invested Ye Chen as the Tenth True Disciple of the Burning Heaven Martial Academy.
Ye Chen casually brushed the Third Prince off. “I didn't expect an old acquaintance to come to Tianyuan Peak to watch the battle as well.”
The Third Prince immediately caught the keyword. “Oh? Which genius acquaintance is it?”
“It’s nothing major,” Ye Chen replied indifferently.
“I just suddenly remembered a cultivation bottleneck that I need to study in peace.”
After speaking, he directly closed his eyes to concentrate, no longer paying any attention to the Third Prince beside him.
A flicker of irritation passed through the Third Prince’s eyes before being quickly suppressed. He was secretly becoming impatient.
He had already lowered himself to intentionally curry favor and recruit him, yet Ye Chen remained so cold and distant; he was truly difficult to handle.
“I am on your left,” Ye Ling continued her voice transmission.
Ye Chen immediately activated his Divine Sense to probe toward the left. He quickly captured Ye Ling’s aura and replied via voice transmission.
“I didn't expect you to make a special trip to Tianyuan Peak, Ye Ling.”
He also sensed Yang Qinyao’s aura beside Ye Ling and added with a hint of understanding in his tone.
“It seems you are also suffering from this recruitment trouble.”
Ye Ling did not follow up on that topic, instead noticing Ye Chen’s current cultivation realm.
He had successfully broken through to the early-stage Xiantian Realm.
Ye Chen wanted to say a few more words, but when no response came for a long time, he stopped taking the initiative to talk. He likewise withdrew his focus and sat in silent meditation with his eyes closed.
On the other side, Yang Qinyao noticed Ye Ling’s brief lapse in attention.
She had wanted to start a conversation again, but seeing that Ye Ling had already closed her eyes to concentrate, she gave up and sat quietly by her side without further interruption.
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