Volume 1, Chapter 77 – Ye Ling’er’s Astonishment

Those four words exploded in the depths of Ye Ling’er’s soul like a thunderclap from the Nine Heavens!

Her eyes flew wide open, and her small mouth parted unconsciously as she stared in disbelief at her Master, who stood right before her.

That peerlessly beautiful, perfectly serene face. Those eyes, as profound as a sea of stars, that seemed capable of embracing all things…

Immortal Ascension?

Her own Master…

Was actually a supreme existence at the Immortal Ascension realm?

An existence on the same level as Empress Qingxuan, who had dominated the Eastern Region for tens of thousands of years?

The enormous shock overwhelmed her, leaving her unable to think for a moment.

At that moment, Ye Zhenyue, who stood in the sky, had clearly run out of patience.

When he saw Gu Han whispering to Ye Ling’er, he assumed they were discussing a countermeasure, and the fury in his heart intensified.

“This elder will ask you one last time!”

Ye Zhenyue’s voice was icy and thick with menace.

“Will you hand over Ye Ling’er or not?!”

The auras of Ye Zhenyue and the ten Qingfeng Guards behind him erupted simultaneously and merged together.

The pressure of a cultivator at the peak of Body Integration, mingled with a blood-soaked killing aura, bore down upon those below like a tangible force!

Many of the less accomplished Ye family disciples instantly turned deathly pale and swayed on their feet.

Gu Han gently drew the still-dazed Ye Ling’er behind her and entrusted her to A-Yao.

“A-Yao, look after your junior sister.”

“Mm-hmm! Don’t worry, Master Mother!”

A-Yao nodded vigorously, reached out with her small hand, and tightly grasped Ye Ling’er’s cold fingers.

Her little face was filled with the solemn determination of someone promising, “I will protect Junior Sister.”

Only then did Gu Han raise her eyes toward the aggressively hovering flying vessel and the people aboard it.

The warmth she had shown her disciples vanished from her gaze in an instant, replaced by the calm indifference of one looking down upon ants.

“Since you are so eager to court death… then die.”

The instant her words fell, she did not even form a hand seal or chant an incantation.

She merely raised the same right hand that had just wiped away Ye Ling’er’s tears and casually pressed it down toward the sky.

The motion was gentle and unconcerned, as though she were merely brushing away an irritating insect.

Yet the instant her palm descended…

“BOOM!”

The entire sky above the Ye residence suddenly darkened!

An indescribable, irresistible pressure descended with a crash!

High in the sky, clouds and winds rolled backward as spiritual energy scattered!

A colossal palm spanning several li condensed out of thin air!

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The palm was as white as jade, and every line upon it was clearly visible. Each crease seemed to contain the profound truths of heaven and earth, while a vast Dao resonance capable of suppressing all things flowed across it!

It appeared without the slightest warning. The moment it emerged, it replaced that entire stretch of sky!

Aboard the Azure Thunder Vessel, the fury on Ye Zhenyue’s face instantly froze, transforming into utter horror and terror!

He wanted to roar, summon his magical treasures, and unleash his divine abilities…

But beneath that colossal palm, his peak Body Integration cultivation and the battle formation formed by the ten Spirit Transformation Qingfeng Guards behind him…

Melted away like snow beneath the sun. They did not even have time to conceive the thought of resisting before all their power dissolved completely!

Ye Zhenyue could only watch helplessly as the enormous palm, like the embodiment of the will of the Heavenly Dao, reached toward him, toward the Azure Thunder Vessel, and toward every one of them…

And gently closed around them.

There was no earth-shaking explosion and no violent eruption of energy.

There was only a muffled pop so heavy that it seemed to stop every heart.

It sounded like… a ripe fruit being crushed.

Beneath that sky-obscuring palm, the Azure Thunder Vessel, which stretched for dozens of zhang and could withstand the attacks of a Body Integration cultivator…

Along with Third Elder Ye Zhenyue at the peak of Body Integration, the ten Spirit Transformation Qingfeng Guards, and every attendant aboard…

Collapsed and vanished in an instant, vessel and people alike, like a sand sculpture crushed by an invisible force!

They became the finest dust, mingled with motes of scattered spiritual energy, and drifted away upon the wind.

Not a fragment of wreckage or a single drop of blood remained.

It was as though they had never existed in this world.

Only the faint ripples of spiritual power lingering in the air proved that what had just occurred was no illusion.

After completing that effortless strike, the colossal palm silently faded away, just as suddenly as it had appeared.

Sunlight poured down once more, and the sky returned to a clear, spotless blue.

It was as though the terrifying scene of a palm blotting out the sky and erasing everything had merely been a shared hallucination.

And yet…

The entirety of Falling Star City was deathly silent.

Inside and outside the Ye residence, everyone stood frozen and motionless as though struck by a binding spell. This included the Ye family’s senior figures, such as Ye Nantian, as well as ordinary disciples, servants, and cultivators from other factions who had been alerted by the disturbance and were secretly watching from afar.

Their eyes bulged to their limits, their pupils contracted to pinpoints, and their faces were filled with shock, terror, and utter confusion.

What… had just happened?

That imposing flying vessel from the main family… those formidable Qingfeng Guards… that Third Elder at the peak of Body Integration…

They were… simply… gone?

That silver-haired woman had casually swatted them away with a single palm?

Not even ashes remained?

Time seemed to stretch infinitely and freeze at that moment.

Then an autumn breeze swept several withered leaves into the air. They spiraled past with a faint rustling sound.

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Like a signal, that sound shattered the suffocating silence.

Thud!

Thud! Thud!

The sound of knees striking the ground rang out throughout the Ye residence and beyond!

Countless people’s legs gave way as they dropped uncontrollably to their knees. Their faces were as white as paper, and cold sweat soaked their bodies.

They did not even have the courage to raise their heads and look at that figure.

It was fear and submission born from the depths of the soul before absolute power!

Ye Nantian had also fallen to his knees. Yet beyond his fear, his heart was filled with boundless shock and a trace of wild elation that he scarcely dared examine.

Such a powerful expert!

This Senior… was unquestionably a supreme existence!

With one casual palm, she had erased a cultivator at the peak of Body Integration, ten Spirit Transformation cultivators, and an earth-rank flying vessel along with them!

Such power, wielded with such effortless ease…

Ling’er had actually become the disciple of such a mighty expert!

Ye Nantian trembled with excitement as old tears streamed down his face.

Ye Ling’er stood rooted to the spot, her small hand held tightly by A-Yao.

She raised her head and stared at the sky, which had once again become vast and blue.

Then she slowly lowered her gaze to the snow-white, silver-haired figure standing before her.

Her Master’s gentle whisper echoed repeatedly through her mind.

“Your master… is also at Immortal Ascension.”

Also at Immortal Ascension…

Immortal Ascension…

When she had first heard it, she had been shocked and unable to believe it.

But now, after witnessing that palm strike, which overturned everything she understood and surpassed the limits of her imagination…

All her shock transformed into boundless awe and gratitude.

Along with an indescribable sense of security and warmth, as though she had finally found the most dependable support in the world.

Her Master was actually an Immortal Ascension powerhouse on the same level as Empress Qingxuan!

Moreover, Gu Han had attacked members of the Ye family’s main branch without hesitation, all for her sake!

Such protection, such regard…

Ye Ling’er’s eyes reddened once more.

“Ma… Master…”

Her voice choked with emotion. She wanted to say something, but no words came to her.

Gu Han slowly turned around and looked at the tearful Ye Ling’er and the bright-eyed little A-Yao beside her.

The indifference and majesty on her face quietly faded, replaced once again by the warmth she showed her disciples.

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“Did that frighten you?”

Gu Han walked up to Ye Ling’er and gently rubbed her head. Her icy blue hair felt exceptionally soft beneath her hand.

Ye Ling’er shook her head vigorously, but her tears continued to fall.

“Th-this disciple is just… too happy… Thank you, Master…”

“Silly child.”

Gu Han laughed softly, then turned to A-Yao.

“Was A-Yao scared?”

“No!”

A-Yao puffed out her small chest, her large eyes shining with excitement.

“Master Mother is the strongest! You sent all the bad people flying with one slap! A-Yao wants to become that strong too!”

Her childish words eased much of the oppressive atmosphere.

Gu Han smiled and swept her gaze across the surrounding members of the Ye family, all of whom were kneeling on the ground in terrified silence.

At last, her gaze settled on Ye Nantian, who remained kneeling with a complicated expression.

“Family Head Ye, rise.”

Her voice was even, revealing neither joy nor anger.

“Y-yes! Thank you, Senior!”

Ye Nantian hurriedly stood, though he remained bowed and did not dare raise his head.

“Since Ling’er has entered my tutelage, she is now a member of my Yaochi Immortal Palace.”

“As for what happened today…”

Gu Han’s gaze swept across the sky, as though piercing the endless distance and settling upon Tianfeng City in the faraway Eastern Region.

“I will personally visit the Ye family. Afterward, I will take Ling’er back to the Southern Region. None of this will implicate you.”

She spoke casually, yet every member of the Ye family shuddered as a bone-chilling cold swept through them!

She would personally visit the Ye family in Tianfeng City?

Had anyone else spoken those words, they would have been dismissed as the ravings of a madman.

But coming from the woman before them…

No one dared doubt her strength!

Ye Nantian’s heart trembled violently. He hurriedly bowed and said,

“Senior, please calm your anger! The main family… the main family may have been at fault, but…”

He wanted to offer a few words in defense of the Ye family’s main branch, but he did not know how to begin.

In today’s incident, the main family had indeed been in the wrong first and had acted overbearingly.

Besides, after witnessing this Senior’s methods, how could he possibly dare defy her in the slightest?

Gu Han ignored his inner struggle. Her gaze returned to Ye Ling’er and softened slightly.

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“Ling’er, say a proper farewell to your parents. We will depart in one hour.”

“Yes, Master.”

Ye Ling’er answered respectfully. She knew the time to part had arrived.

She walked over to her father and looked at Ye Nantian’s complicated expression.

“Father, your daughter is leaving.”

Ye Nantian looked at the daughter before him, who had undergone a complete transformation and now possessed an extraordinary bearing. Countless emotions welled up in his heart.

He opened his mouth, but in the end, all he could manage was a long sigh.

“Go… Follow your Master and cultivate diligently.”

“Your mother and I will take good care of ourselves. Do not worry.”

Ye Ling’er’s eyes reddened as she nodded firmly.

“Your daughter will never disappoint you or Mother!”

One hour later, in front of the Ye residence.

Ye Ling’er had already said farewell to her parents and several relatives with whom she was close.

She had changed into a long blue dress, and her icy blue hair was pinned up with a simple jade hairpin.

The crescent-moon mark between her brows shimmered with a faint glow beneath the sunlight. Her aura was cool, ethereal, and utterly unlike the girl she had been three days ago.

Gu Han stood quietly nearby, holding A-Yao’s hand.

A-Yao seemed to sense the sorrow of parting as well. She obediently refrained from making a fuss and merely watched with curiosity as Ye Ling’er said goodbye to her family.

“Master, this disciple is ready.”

Ye Ling’er approached Gu Han and bowed respectfully.

Gu Han nodded slightly and swept her gaze across Ye Nantian and the others.

“Family Head Ye, Ling’er will naturally return once she has achieved success in her studies.”

With that, she raised a hand and lightly drew it across the empty space before her.

Riiip!

A pitch-black spatial rift appeared, its edges flowing with silver runes.

“Let us go.”

Holding A-Yao’s hand, Gu Han stepped into the rift first.

Ye Ling’er took one final look at her parents and at the Ye residence where she had lived for sixteen years. Then, without the slightest hesitation, she followed Gu Han inside.

The three figures disappeared into the rift, which immediately sealed behind them.

The members of the Ye family were left staring blankly at the empty space before them, unable to recover for a long time.

“The Southern Region… Yaochi Immortal Palace…”

Ye Nantian murmured under his breath, his eyes filled with both reluctance and worry.

“I only hope the main family… does not bring ruin upon itself!”