Chapter 81: The First Man to Be Titled Marquis at the Manifestation Realm
Ye Wushang paused, reflecting on the elder’s words. His mind flipped through the Ye Clan’s ancestral records.
Soon, a name surfaced.
Ye Zhen is a second-generation member of the Ye Clan.
The Ye Clan hadn’t originated in a small county. Its history stretched back over a thousand years. But a millennium ago, a sudden upheaval led to its decline. Rivals seized its resources, and to avoid total collapse, the clan split.
Ye Zhen’s father was one of the direct descendants who branched off. He led the family to the Daxia Dynasty, where they began anew. The original branch eventually perished, and the offshoot became the new main line.
Such stories weren’t rare in the Eternal World.
Back then, the Ye Clan had risen rapidly nearly rivaling the royal family. And Ye Zhen was its brightest star.
It was thanks to him that the clan flourished.
But one day, Ye Zhen vanished during a training expedition. His disappearance marked the beginning of the clan’s decline.
His father, for reasons unknown, surrendered much of the clan’s foundation and relocated to the small county where Ye Wushang was born.
With diminished influence came dwindling resources. Over time, Ye Zhen’s parents, siblings, and relatives passed away.
The clan endured, led by successive generations through hardship.
“You’re the son of the first patriarch Ancestor Ye Zhen?”
Ye Zhen stroked his beard and nodded. “Don’t I look the part?”
“You do. I just never imagined you’d still be alive. You’ve been missing for nearly a thousand years!”
Ye Wushang shook his head. This elder was truly a millennium-old monster.
He’d only learned of Ye Zhen’s legend after becoming clan leader.
Before Ye Wushang, Ye Zhen had been the clan’s greatest prodigy on par with Yue Rushuang and Xia Zixuan. His name had once shaken the entire Canglan Domain.
“I stumbled into a grand secret realm and gained a great opportunity. But I missed the exit window and stayed inside for over four centuries. When it reopened, I emerged to find the world changed. My family was gone, their lifespans cut short by lack of resources.”
“I didn’t recognize the new Ye Clan. After observing for a while and confirming its safety, I left.”
Ye Wushang listened quietly. Ye Zhen seemed eager to share.
“I wasn’t entirely absent. Two hundred years ago, when the Daxia royal family changed hands, the Ye Clan backed the wrong side. The new king should’ve purged us. But I appeared and gave him a warning. That’s why the Ye Clan survived.”
Ye Wushang hadn’t known this.
The previous king was notoriously vindictive. He’d purged every faction that opposed him, some were destroyed, others forced to surrender their resources or flee.
Yet the Ye Clan remained untouched.
No wonder we survived. It was Ancestor Ye Zhen’s deterrence.
Ye Zhen smiled at Ye Wushang’s realization.
“In the centuries since, I’ve cultivated relentlessly, seeking a breakthrough. But the path is unclear.”
“A hundred years ago, I reached the peak of the Divine Connection Realm. But during a battle for a supreme treasure, I suffered a Dao injury.”
“Though I healed, I lost part of my foundation. I searched far and wide beyond Canglan Domain and even Tianluo Daozhou for a way to restore it.”
“I consulted famed healers and alchemists. All shook their heads.”
“Disheartened, I gave up. I had no place to belong. So I returned to Daxia.”
Ye Zhen looked at Ye Wushang.
“Little one, would you grant me a place to rest? Let me spend my twilight years here and help guide the Ye Clan’s future.”
Ye Wushang was overjoyed.
Of course! Only a fool would reject a peak Divine Realm powerhouse, especially one of our own blood.
He summoned the five elders.
When they learned this elder was the patriarch’s son and a peak Divine Realm cultivator they were stunned, then ecstatic.
Upon hearing Ye Zhen wished to settle in the clan, they knelt in reverence.
The Ye Clan had grown rapidly, but feared attracting unwanted attention. Now, with Ye Zhen as guardian, they had nothing to fear.
They personally oversaw the construction of his residence atop a mountain several hundred kilometers from Ye Wushang’s courtyard.
“Wushang, you’ve surprised me. Do you know how famous you are now? I’ve even heard your name.”
“You’re recognized as the strongest of your generation in Tianluo Daozhou undisputed.”
“Your feat of slaying a Sealed Marquis at the Eighth Layer of the Manifestation Realm shook the entire region.”
“The Heavenly Secrets Pavilion recorded your legend, naming you the first in history to slay a Marquis at that level. You’ve been granted the title Unrivaled Marquis, also known as Unrivaled Blade Marquis.”
“You’re the first ever to be titled Marquis while still in the Manifestation Realm.”
“Anyone recorded in the Pavilion’s Legendary Roll is destined for greatness if they survive.”
The Legendary Roll wasn’t for just anyone. Even Divine Realm cultivators might not qualify.
It chronicled those whose deeds were truly legendary and only the regional headquarters could publish it.
“Titles are just names. Strength is what sustains them.”
“Calm, humble, and resolute. No wonder you’re so powerful. If I’d had your mindset, my family might’ve lived.”
Ye Wushang didn’t offer comfort just quiet companionship.
Ye Zhen soon recovered.
He looked at Ye Wushang with growing affection.
No wonder the clan rose so quickly under him.
“You still have unresolved troubles. Let me handle them.”
Ye Wushang’s eyes lit up.
“You mean the Dongfang Clan?”
“They dominate the Yunhai Domain, a true behemoth.”
“They control three imperial dynasties, countless kingdoms, sects, and families.”
“Only a coalition of all other forces could challenge them.”
“They have over ten Divine Realm and God-Sealed experts. Their patriarch is a peak God-Sealed powerhouse unmatched in Tianluo Daozhou.”
Ye Wushang finally grasped the Dongfang Clan’s terrifying might.
No wonder Dongfang Lu was so arrogant. His backing was monstrous.
“Ancestors if they’re that strong, can you.”
Ye Zhen laughed proudly.
“Wushang, you’re a prodigy but your ancestor isn’t ordinary either.”
“I said only a handful in Tianluo Daozhou can suppress their patriarch. I happen to be one of them.”
Confidence radiated from him.
Ye Wushang was stunned. Fınd the newest release on 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵✦𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮✦𝓷𝓮𝓽
A thousand years to reach peak Divine Realm if not for his injury, he might’ve ascended further.
Ye Zhen was pleased by Ye Wushang’s reaction.
This youth is always composed and rarely shaken. Even when I spoke of the Dongfang Clan’s power, he remained calm.
But now, seeing him moved by my strength It’s satisfying.
“Wait here. I’ll return within three months.”
With that, Ye Zhen soared into the sky and vanished.