Chapter 83: A True Man Indeed

When Ye Jiuyao first heard the news, his immediate reaction was disdain, then surprise, followed by the realization that it concerned his Empress, and finally, he was resolved to set out for Tianyu Sect.

"Focus on your cultivation. When I return from this journey, I’ll have those from the Newborn Realm come here to practice as well. After all, a family should be together," he said.

The events surrounding Tianyu Sect had awakened a sense of crisis in Ye Jiuyao. Knowing that his loved ones were well was not enough; it was far better to have them close by, to see them each day. That was why he spoke as he did.

"I will keep a close watch on them," Nangong Mingyue promised, and the others nodded in agreement.

Ye Jiuyao swiftly set up the formation, and the grand array within the sect began to operate, unleashing terrifying power.

"From this day forth, Xuan San will take over as Sect Master; Zhen Di Diao shall be promoted to Supreme Elder; the rest will assist as needed," Ye Jiuyao declared, her words ringing like thunder throughout the sect. Xuan San was left somewhat bewildered.

Ye Jiuyao made these arrangements because Xuan San was meticulous in his duties, with many affairs handled by him and Nangong Mingyue. Though Nangong Mingyue was capable, her temperament was volatile—sometimes fiery, sometimes as cold as frost, always revealing her true nature. Xuan San, on the other hand, was discreet, rarely noticed among the crowd, but his work pleased Ye Jiuyao, and thus he was chosen.

"Understood," Xuan San replied.

"Hahaha… At last, I am Supreme Elder!" Zhen Di Diao rejoiced, his exuberance forming a stark contrast with Xuan San’s composure. The others rolled their eyes, but Zhen Di Diao remained oblivious, laughing heartily to himself.

After setting things in order, Ye Jiuyao prepared to leave Tongxuan Sect, entrusting the control of the array to the reliable Gu Ying.

Ye Jiuyao departed overnight, using a flight token.

…

Tianyu Sect sat atop the Tianyu Mountains, a sect quite literally on a mountain. The Tianyu Mountains were named for their abundant deposits of a special mineral called Tianyu Stone. Later, the founding ancestor of Tianyu Sect established the sect there, and the entire range was claimed as its territory.

Ye Jiuyao’s destination was precisely this Tianyu Sect atop the Tianyu Mountains.

At that moment, Tianyu Town lay beneath the sect, bustling with activity as people rushed in from distant places.

A diminutive, charming figure dressed in a red robe entered Tianyu Town, her lightly made-up face almost resembling a young maiden.

Wait, why did I say "almost"?

This person, of course, was Ye Jiuyao himself. The fame of Tongxuan Sect might have already reached these people’s ears, and there might well be those who recognized him. So, out of necessity, he adopted a disguise and reversed his appearance.

Ye Jiuyao strode brazenly into Tianyu Town. It was already as lively as a festival, the streets thronged with people.

Relying on his keen sense of smell, Ye Jiuyao found his way to a lavish, golden restaurant, just at the peak dining hour, packed to capacity.

His striking arrival drew many gazes. He tossed his hair with deliberate flair, provoking an uproar among the crowd of admirers.

"Miss… Miss, may I have your address?"

"Me too…"

"I want it as well—your beautiful image is etched in my heart…"

…

More and more people cast suggestive glances at Ye Jiuyao, their eyes crazed, pressing closer and closer.

But Ye Jiuyao was a decent fellow. He felt sorry for these burly men, imagining their future loneliness, so after a moment's thought, he announced,

"I am a man—a man, a true man!"

"Eh…"

The restaurant fell utterly silent.

A deathly silence.

The crowd stared at Ye Jiuyao, their adoration morphing into horror, pupils dilating, red veins appearing in their eyes.

"Ah…"

"Why…"

"Why are you a man…"

…

Instantly, their faces showed utter shock and despair, anguished cries erupting as they pounded their heads and clutched their chests.

"May I sit and eat now?" Ye Jiuyao asked sweetly, a coquettish expression on his face, and the crowd promptly began to retch.

"Damn you, why are you so good-looking…"

"You with no manhood, why…"

"I hate it…"

"What are you hating for? I thought spring had come, but you gave me winter instead…"

"This day… is cold!"

"…"

Ye Jiuyao hadn't intended this outcome, but somehow, wearing those clothes, his words just flowed naturally.

"Bring wine!" he shouted, ordering the waiter to serve drinks, smashing the crowd’s beautiful fantasies with a single call.

They cursed inwardly—clearly a woman, how could he be a man? It made no sense, leaving them frustrated, but at least wine sales soared.

The restaurant manager, seeing all this, was delighted, and treated Ye Jiuyao to several pots of fine wine for free. When he left, the manager even sent him off with glee.

"Full and satisfied—time to get to work," Ye Jiuyao said, accelerating as he sped through the wind toward the Tianyu Mountains.

Arriving half a month ahead of schedule, he intended to investigate every detail, suspecting this matter might indeed be connected to Luo Qingyu.

Ye Jiuyao’s speed was astonishing; soon he reached the outskirts of the Tianyu Mountains, where a palace sat atop the peaks.

Looking up, Ye Jiuyao felt the grandeur of the sect.

"So this is a seventh-grade sect? Truly impressive. I’ll turn Tongxuan Sect into something like this—or even more imposing!"

He gazed at Tianyu Sect perched on the towering summit, winding and majestic like the Forbidden City, coiling atop the Tianyu Mountains.

Corridors intertwined, eaves soared, each building nestled into the landscape, palatial halls exuding an aura of grandeur, like a celestial city of white jade.

Ye Jiuyao climbed upward, his footsteps echoing, the mountain deserted save for the occasional cultivator flying overhead.

"This place… is wonderful!"

"Strong cultivators, but foolish people—the perfect targets. Pity pretense doesn’t pay; otherwise, I’d surpass Emperor Ma and become the richest handsome man!"

Sensing the cultivators above, Ye Jiuyao sighed in admiration at their incompetence.

He’d been here half a day and still hadn’t been discovered.

He continued his ascent and soon reached the sect’s main gate, finally beholding its majestic visage.

"Hey, you there, the new arrival, hurry and help! Saintess Qingyu is selecting her husband—this is important, don’t delay!"

Suddenly, a domineering voice rang out.

Ye Jiuyao was momentarily confused, unsure who was being addressed, and glanced around.

"What are you looking at? So good-looking, yet a fool—well, that's fine. Go to Saintess Qingyu’s chambers and help her dress!"

The overbearing disciple shouted at Ye Jiuyao again.

Ye Jiuyao was inwardly delighted—what luck! He’d found his way into Tianyu Sect with no effort at all.

Everything proceeded smoothly.