Chapter 222: Sect Decree

While Ye Yuan was in seclusion, Nanfeng Ruoqing and her niece, along with Long Tang, came together.

They had originally intended to invite Ye Yuan to go to Lanxing Pavilion to see if there was any way to quickly earn points, but when they heard from Lü’er that Ye Yuan had gone into seclusion, the three were taken aback.

After inquiring about the origin of Ye Yuan's points, they exchanged bewildered glances.

"Pfft, this guy's cultivation level is too deceptive. He doesn't even need to play the pig to eat the tiger; just standing there, someone sends points his way," Nanfeng Zhirou couldn't help laughing first.

Hearing Nanfeng Zhirou's words, the others couldn't help but chuckle.

She was right—Ye Yuan's strength at the Liquid Realm second layer was indeed very misleading. His true strength was far more than that.

"Since Ye Yuan is so eager to go into seclusion, it seems his cultivation has long reached a bottleneck. When he comes out, he'll probably break through to the Liquid Realm third layer," Long Tang said.

"Mm, given Ye Yuan's cultivation speed, he should have broken through long ago," Nanfeng Ruoqing agreed.

"In that case, there's no need for us to stay. Senior Sister Nanfeng, let's head to Lanxing Pavilion first," Long Tang said, also changing his address for Nanfeng Ruoqing.

"Mm, alright," Nanfeng Ruoqing naturally had no objection.

Just then, a voice came from outside.

"Junior Brother Ye, are you there? I am Mo Yuntian."

Lü'er opened the door and invited Mo Yuntian in, saying, "Senior Brother Mo, the young master has gone into the cultivation room for seclusion and said it would take five days."

Mo Yuntian was startled: "He went to the cultivation room? Hah, he's really diligent. But isn't it inappropriate for him to go to the cultivation room now? With his talent, going to a D-grade cultivation room is a waste of time!"

Lü'er smiled and explained what had happened yesterday to Mo Yuntian.

After listening, Mo Yuntian shook his head with a laugh: "Junior Brother Ye is quite an interesting character. No sooner had he entered the sect than he started the business of robbing points. But those guys had it coming. It's just that... Master finally had some free time today and wanted to summon Ye Yuan, but unexpectedly, he went into seclusion. I'm afraid..."

"Senior Brother Mo is worried about the Ouyang family?" Nanfeng Ruoqing, who clearly knew the inside story, interjected.

Mo Yuntian nodded: "Yes. With the Ouyang family's influence, news of Junior Brother Ye's entry into the sect is surely impossible to hide. They've probably been waiting for this day. Originally, Master wanted to meet Ye Yuan first, understand the situation, and then think of a countermeasure. Five days later... it might be too late."

"Then... what should we do?" Lü'er asked worriedly.

Mo Yuntian remained silent in thought.

Just then, another voice sounded from outside.

"Sect decree arrives! Ye Yuan, receive the decree!"

Everyone frowned, thinking, 'They came fast!'

They went out and saw a young man about the same age as Mo Yuntian, with a dignified expression.

"Xin Lie, you really can't wait, can you?" Mo Yuntian said flatly, his words laced with sarcasm.

"Mo Yuntian, don't be so sarcastic! This sect decree wasn't issued by me; I'm just following orders! Have Ye Yuan come out! The sect orders Ye Yuan to immediately proceed to the main peak to face a tri-tribunal trial!" Xin Lie said coldly.

Mo Yuntian's expression changed, but he said, "You're too late. Ye Yuan has already entered the cultivation room and won't come out until five days later."

Xin Lie was taken aback. Wasn't Ye Yuan a newcomer? How did he have points to enter the cultivation room?

Could it be that he entered a D-grade cultivation room just to avoid the sect decree?

But he could avoid it today, not forever. He would have to accept the sect decree sooner or later!

Moreover, the more he avoided it, the more it made him look guilty. It seemed that the matter of this kid stealing the pill formula was most likely true.

"In that case, I'll take my leave!"

With that, Xin Lie left without looking back.

"Who is that person? He has such a powerful aura!" Long Tang asked.

"He is Xin Lie, the personal disciple of the Punishment Hall Master. His cultivation is no less than mine! Xin Lie is also someone who has passed the Nine Heavens Path!" Mo Yuntian said.

"No wonder he's so formidable! But he just left like that?"

Mo Yuntian shook his head: "The sect decree is personally issued by the Sect Master and is highly authoritative. It must be delivered to Ye Yuan! And once Ye Yuan receives the decree, he must execute it immediately! Since Xin Lie knows Ye Yuan went to the cultivation room, he will definitely go check first, confirm it, then return to report, and then wait at the cultivation room for Ye Yuan to come out!"

"Ah? That means we won't even get to see Ye Yuan?" Nanfeng Ruoqing said worriedly.

Mo Yuntian nodded but said nothing.

"Senior Brother Mo, you mentioned a tri-tribunal trial earlier. What is that?" Long Tang asked.

"Besides the Martial Hall and the Alchemy Hall, the Youyun Sect has an independent Punishment Hall. A tri-tribunal trial means convening these three halls together to adjudicate Ye Yuan's actions! If he is found guilty..."

Mo Yuntian didn't finish, but everyone could guess the consequences.

"Does that mean coming to the sect is like walking into a tiger's den?" Lü'er, anxious for her master, spoke without thinking.

Nanfeng Ruoqing quickly tugged at Lü'er. This was clearly not the time to say such things.

Mo Yuntian was now the only one who could save Ye Yuan. If they offended him too, Ye Yuan would be doomed.

However, Mo Yuntian didn't mind and smiled at Lü'er: "Miss Lü'er, don't worry. Ye Yuan is the inheritor of Ancestor Lu Yan. Master respects Ancestor Lu Yan more than anyone in his life. No matter what, Master will do his utmost to protect Ye Yuan! Moreover, the final verdict depends on the Sect Master's decision."

Mo Yuntian's words reassured them somewhat, but the atmosphere remained heavy.

...

Ye Yuan, still focused without distraction, was in the A-grade cultivation room,全力冲击 the Liquid Realm fourth layer!

Although the amount of liquid essence condensed at each minor realm of the Liquid Realm was the same, the difficulty differed.

It was like filling a bottle with water. When the bottle was empty, it was easy to pour in.

But as the water increased, it became harder to add more.

The Yuan liquid in the dantian seemed like only a few drops, but it was already saturated.

To break through to the next layer, one had to compress the liquid essence again, leaving room for future condensation.

Thus, the further one went in the Liquid Realm, the more geometrically difficult the breakthrough became.

In comparison, Ye Yuan's breakthrough difficulty was much greater than that of ordinary Liquid Realm martial artists.

Because he had condensed a perfect nine drops of liquid essence!

The difference in difficulty between compressing one drop and compressing nine drops was not simply ninefold.

Fortunately, the Lingzhe Jiuyang Divine Art was domineering enough, Ye Yuan's experience was rich enough, and with the aid of top-grade pills, these difficulties were nothing to Ye Yuan.

Four days after Ye Yuan entered the cultivation room, a Yuan power storm erupted again!