A fleeting figure darted out. With a swift motion, Ye Guan swung his sword.


    <em>Bam!</em>


    The impact echoed loudly as the figure swiftly retreated. Ye Guan''s gaze pierced through the mountain cave, where, at its far end, he locked eyes with ady d in ck.


    "Who are you?" she asked, her voice was cold as her eyes fixed on the Qingxuan Sword.


    "I''vee in search of someone named Wang Junru," Ye Guan replied.


    At his words, thedy''s brows furrowed. "I haven''t heard of her," she said.


    Ye Guan''s expression darkened. Thedy pointed to the right. "Not long ago, a group entered that abyss. Your person might be among them, but they''re likely in grave danger," she warned.


    Without hesitation, Ye Guan turned and transformed into a streak of light and sped into the abyss.


    Observing the vanishing streak of light, thedy hesitated momentarily before following suit.In no time, Ye Guannded at the bottom of the abyss where an underground pce stood. It was surrounded by lifeless bodies dressed in the uniform of the Star River n. Ye Guan''s gaze pierced through the darkness, he could sense a faint presence.


    Just then, thedy appeared beside him. "The pce gate bears a seal left by an Ancient Sovereign. It''s imprable," she cautioned.


    Ignoring her, Ye Guan raised his hand and sliced his sword through the air. In an instant, the seal shattered into darkness.


    Thedy stood in awe as Ye Guan stormed into the pce. His senses swept through his surroundings. Soon, he jumped onto his sword and flew deep into the depths of the pce.


    At the deepest corner of the pce was an altar with a coffin on top. Spiritual energy and fresh blood from the area converged towards it continuously in an ominous manner.


    Beside him, thedy gasped, "A Rebirth Altar... the Ancient Sovereign seeks rebirth..."


    Ye Guan''s eyes narrowed. The next moment, his voice thundered, "Wang Junru!"


    His sound reverberated like thunder, shaking the pce.


    "How dare you!" A voice erupted from the coffin and a middle-aged man draped in a dragon robe emerged.


    Beside Ye Guan, thedy tensed. "The Ancient Sovereign," she whispered solemnly.


    The Ancient Sovereign fixed his furious gaze on Ye Guan. "Who are you to disturb me?"


    Ye Guan''s palm unfolded, revealing a scroll depicting Wang Junru. "Where is this person?" he inquired.


    The Ancient Sovereign fixed his gaze on Ye Guan, a cold smirk ying on his lips. "Already sacrificed to me..."


    In an instant, Ye Guan''s expression twisted into a grimace, and he swiftly transformed into a streak of sword light and vanished on the spot.


    The Ancient Sovereign snorted disdainfully and unleashed a direct punch.


    <em>Boom!</em>


    A burst of sword light erupted, hurling the Ancient Sovereign backward. As he came to a halt, his fist split open and a torrent of ck blood poured out of it.


    Staring in disbelief at Ye Guan in the distance, the Ancient Sovereign muttered, "How is this possible... My fleshy body is that of a Diamond Dragon Physique how could you break through it..."


    Just then, Ye Guan morphed into another streak of sword light, hurtling towards him once more.


    Witnessing this scene, the Ancient Sovereign''splexion shifted abruptly. This time, he opted not to confront Ye Guan''s sword head-on. Instead, he jumped backward, creating ample distance between them.


    After Ye Guan''s sword thrust fell empty, he was ready to strike again when a voice suddenly echoed from not far behind him, "Are you... seeking for me?"


    Ye Guan halted and he pivoted around to see ady standing in the distance. d in a pale green gown, she held a sword in her right hand, her gaze fixed quizzically upon him.


    Apanying Wang Junru were five disciples from the Star River n,prising both men and women.


    Drawing a deep breath, the deathly aura around Ye Guan gradually dissipated away. Sheathing his sword, he appeared before Wang Junru and uttered, "As long as you''re unharmed..."


    Wang Junru eyed him warily. "Who are you?"


    Casting a nce around, Ye Guan suggested, "Shall we move to another ce?"


    Wang Junru nced at him before nodding in agreement.


    "Come if you wish, leave if you dare..." As they prepared to depart, the Ancient Sovereign''s voice rang out ominously from afar.


    Ye Guan turned to face the Ancient Sovereign, who, after a moment''s hesitation, relented, "Please go ahead."


    With Ye Guan leading the group, they vanished into the distance.


    Observing their departure, the Ancient Sovereign finally breathed a sigh of relief. Lowering his head, he inspected his fractured right arm, his expression grave.


    The sheer power of that sword strike was truly terrifying.


    <em>When had such a formidable swordsman emerged in the Star World?</em>


    Puzzlement clouded the Ancient Sovereign''s gaze.


    ...


    Ye Guan escorted Wang Junru and the Star River n disciples to a remote mountaintop. Wang Junru and herpanions remained wary of Ye Guan.


    ncing at them, Ye Guan suggested, "Perhaps, I could speak with her alone?"


    "Absolutely not."


    A man in white behind Wang Junru swiftly interjected, fixing Ye Guan with a steely gaze. "We are all friends of Junru here, you can say whatever you want to say."


    Turning to Wang Junru, Ye Guan exined, "I''m a friend of your father''s."


    Wang Junru was taken aback for a moment.


    "I''d like a private conversation," Ye Guan proposed.


    Wang Junru turned to herpanions and dered, "I''ll talk with him alone."


    However, the man in white intervened again, his tone grave. "Junru, we know nothing about this man''s background..."


    "If he meant us harm, he wouldn''t beat around the bush."


    Anyone who could fend off the Ancient Sovereign with a single strike was clearly beyond their league.


    Despite objections, Wang Junru insisted, "Senior Mu Yi, I''ll handle this."


    After a brief silence, ady in green beside Mu Yi spoke up. "Mu Yi, it''s not your concern. If this swordsman wanted us dead, even the entire Star River n wouldn''t dare intervene."


    She then turned to Ye Guan with a yful smile. "Isn''t that right?"


    Ye Guan returned her smile. "I mean no harm."


    "I can tell." With a nce at Mu Yi, she said, "Let''s go."


    Mu Yi looked to Wang Junru, then reluctantly followed thedy and the rest.


    Turning back to Ye Guan, Wang Junru asked, "My father..."


    Ye Guan hesitated before responding, "He is gone..."


    Wang Junru froze. Ye Guan recounted the situation, leaving Wang Junru deep in thought.


    Handing her a storage ring, Ye Guan exined, "This belonged to the Divine Dao Realm elite. Inside, there''s an Ancient Vein, an inheritance, and some divine artifacts. The inheritance is intact, you may find it useful..."


    Wang Junru didn''t reach for the ring but she remained silent on the spot.


    After a moment, Ye Guan sighed softly, unsure of what else to say.


    Wang Junru whispered, "Did he say anything else?"


    "Brother Wang mentioned that from now on, you''ll have to look out for yourself..."


    Tears welled up in Wang Junru''s eyes. With another sigh, Ye Guan felt a whirlwind of emotions. Then, Wang Junru turned away, her voice trembling. "Thank you for avenging my father..."


    "I''m sorry."


    "There''s no one to me."


    Ye Guan extended the storage ring once more, but Wang Junru declined. "You keep it."


    Ye Guan looked at her, puzzled.


    Wang Junru shook her head. "I''m not powerful enough. If I were to possess this Ancestral Vein, it would only bring trouble upon me."


    Ye Guan paused for a moment before suggesting, "Would you consider another ce to grow?"


    “Another ce?”


    “My family owns an academy. You could develop there, and I assure you, you''ll be safe."


    Wang Junru hesitated.


    "I can''t shake off my concerns about leaving you here. So,e with me."


    Wang Junru remained silent, her head lowered.


    Ye Guan continued, "Don''t worry about anything else. My mother is a kind-hearted person. You''ll feelfortable there."


    She had reservations about relying on others so she stayed silent.


    After a moment of contemtion, Ye Guan proposed, "How about this, you do me a favor."


    Looking at Ye Guan, Wang Junru waited for him to continue.


    "I have a few students who train in my pagoda. I''d like them to attend the academy, but they''re all young. Would you be willing to take them to my mother''s ce?" Ye Guan asked. "You can observe the academy for a while, and if you find it suitable, you can stay and train there. But if you''re not satisfied, you''re free to leave whenever you want. What do you say?"


    Wang Junru hesitated before nodding. "Alright, but what about the Star River n..."


    "Leave the Star River n to me."


    "Okay."


    Ye Guan handed the storage ring to Wang Junru. "Take it."


    "This Ancestral Vein is also partially yours..."


    Ye Guan shook his head. "Your father sacrificed himself for it, so it rightfully belongs to you."


    Wang Junru looked at Ye Guan, surprised by his selflessness.


    Just as Ye Guan was about to speak further, dozens of powerful auras suddenly appeared in the sky.


    It was Li Qi, the leader of the Star River n, and a group of Star River n disciples.


    Li Qi smiled at Ye Guan and greeted, "Young Master Ye."


    Wang Junru quickly bowed. "n Leader."


    "No need for that." Li Qi waved off the formalities.


    "n Leader Li, I wish to take Junru away from here. Would your n be amodating?"


    As he spoke, he presented fifty Ancestral Origins to Li Qi.


    The disciples beside Li Qi were visibly shocked.


    Li Qi, too, was taken aback. Ye Guan was exceedingly generous. Despite his temptation, Li Qi didn''t ept the offer outright. Instead, he asked, "Young Master Ye, forgive my curiosity, but why do you wish to take Junru away?"


    Ye Guan replied, "Junru herself has agreed to it."


    Li Qi looked at Wang Junru, who hesitated for a moment before nodding in confirmation.


    Seeing her agreement, Li Qi didn''t press further. He took the fifty Ancestral Origins but then handed them to Wang Junru. "Junru, these are for you."


    Wang Junru was surprised. "n Leader?"


    Li Qi smiled. "I can’t ept these Ancestral Origins. However, as they are a gift from Young Master Ye, we cannot refuse. Consider them a present from us. I hope you''ll find better opportunities outside, and always remember, the Star River n will be your home. You''re wee back anytime."