Chapter 496: No Rival

Returning to the Nethercloud Sect once more, Mei Zhen felt as if an age had passed.

Only after being detained by the Ten Thousand Swords Sect did Mei Zhen learn that the sect that had nearly destroyed the Nethercloud Sect back then was none other than the Ten Thousand Swords Sect!

His self-introduction had been nothing but walking right into the tiger's mouth.

In the first few days of his detention, his primal power was sealed, and he was made to do the lowest menial labor in the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, handling all the dirty and tiring work himself.

He had thought he would soon be tortured to death. But unexpectedly, after some time, the people of the Ten Thousand Swords Sect not only unsealed his primal power but also began to provide him with fine food and drink.

Although he could not leave the Ten Thousand Swords Sect, compared to his previous days, it was like living like an immortal.

It was only a few days ago that Fu Zonghu sought him out and gently told him that he would personally escort him back to the sect.

At first, Mei Zhen thought he had misheard; once he confirmed it was not an illusion, he was overjoyed.

Moreover, the man before him was a Spirit Travel realm powerhouse!

When Fu Zonghu spoke to him, he even used a consultative tone.

What was this all about?

But throughout the journey, Fu Zonghu never said why he was letting him go.

Although his words were very polite, whenever this topic came up, he was always evasive.

Still, Mei Zhen did not mind; being able to return to the Nethercloud Sect was already more than enough for him.

Supreme Elder! Sect Leader! You... you have actually returned!

Seeing Tianfeng and Luo Qingfeng, Mei Zhen was speechless with shock.

These two had been trapped in prison; how could the Nethercloud Sect, with its strength, have rescued them?

Even if Ye Yuan was now astonishingly powerful, there was no way he could kill his way to the Soaring Peak of the Heavenly Qian Sect and rescue those two, was there?

"Hehe, same as you, we were able to return to the Nether Cloud Sect thanks to Ye Yuan!" Tianfeng said with a smile.

"Ye... Ye Yuan!"

It really was Ye Yuan!

But how on earth had he managed it? Mei Zhen was even more puzzled.

"Alright, we'll talk about it slowly later. There are still guests present," Tianfeng said with a laugh.

Mei Zhen was taken aback, then nodded and stepped aside.

Behind Fu Zonghu stood Gu Tianyou and Li Junjie. They were familiar with the situation here, so Fu Zonghu had brought them along.

Fu Zonghu came before Ye Yuan and said with a faint smile, "So you are Ye Yuan? Truly, a hero is born young! I've heard about what happened at the Heavenly Fiend Sect. You, at the second level of the Sea Transformation realm, directly killed Mao Yuanji of the first level of the Soul Sea realm—truly incredible!"

Xu Zihui and Bao Sangui were shocked upon hearing this!

Sea Transformation realm killing Soul Sea realm?

This... was this really accomplished by this teenager before them?

The two exchanged glances, reading shock in each other's eyes!

No wonder the city lord valued Ye Yuan so highly. With such terrifying talent, it would be strange if he didn't!

Even the top young talents of the Northern Domain couldn't compare to this youth before them!

Ye Yuan, however, said with a faint smile, "You flatter me, senior. My meager strength is probably worthless in your eyes."

Fu Zonghu smiled slightly and said, "We've returned the people. Shouldn't you keep your promise now?"

"Naturally."

Ye Yuan didn't stand on ceremony. He made a slight hand seal and released Qin Yan.

When they saw Qin Yan, the others were fine, but Xu Zihui and Bao Sangui were so shocked their eyes nearly popped out.

They finally understood what Ye Yuan's earlier cryptic words meant.

So this kid had actually taken the Sword Sect's founding patriarch's own grandson hostage, in exchange for a mere elder of his own sect!

This wasn't just touching the tiger's whiskers—he had yanked them right out!

Though the Sword Sect's founding patriarch was rarely seen, there were plenty of legends about him in the Northern Domain.

It was said the old patriarch had a fiery temper, yet he had swallowed his pride and actually sent the man back!

Xu Zihui took a deep breath. He finally understood why the city lord valued Ye Yuan so highly.

This youth was simply defying heaven!

Since the three sects and Boundless City had jointly issued the hero summons, it meant the Sword Sect's patriarch had let the matter go.

Had this kid stumbled into it, using the Gale Realm invasion as a pivot, or had he planned it all along?

If he had planned it, then his mind was simply monstrous.

Seeing that Qin Yan only had his primal force sealed and was otherwise unharmed, Fu Zonghu felt a great weight lift from his heart.

According to Qin Hongtao, if Qin Yan had suffered even the slightest injury, the Nethercloud Sect would have to pay the price!

But before coming, Ning Yixian and Jingxuan had both visited him, urging him not to attack the Nethercloud Sect.

This had put him in a terrible bind!

Helpless, he had to take it step by step, coming to the Nethercloud Sect first to see the situation.

Seeing that Ye Yuan had not made things difficult for Qin Yan, Fu Zonghu finally relaxed.

When Qin Yan saw Fu Zonghu, his face flushed with shame, and he respectfully bowed, saying, "Grandfather Fu."

Fu Zonghu and Qin Hongtao were of the same generation and had a good relationship, which was why Qin Hongtao had trusted him to come.

Usually, when Qin Yan met Fu Zonghu, he would respectfully address him as "Grandfather Fu."

Fu Zonghu smiled and nodded. "Yan'er, no need for that. There's no shame in losing to Ye Yuan. Knowing shame and then striving for courage—that is the true mark of a man."

Though Qin Yan was proud, he was no ignorant wastrel.

Hearing Fu Zonghu's words, he was startled. "I've disgraced Grandfather! He... doesn't blame me?"

Fu Zonghu shook his head. "Ye Yuan's strength is unmatched among the younger generation. Losing to him is no injustice."

Qin Yan's gaze sharpened. "Unmatched?"

Fu Zonghu nodded. "Indeed! Ye Yuan's current strength is enough to single-handedly kill a Soul Sea First Layer! Neither you, nor Guo Taoqun, nor Yin Yanhua are his match."

"Hiss..." Qin Yan drew a sharp breath, looking at Ye Yuan with shock.

He believed he could hold his own against a Soul Sea realm, and even defeat a weaker one.

But killing one? That was absolutely impossible!

Yet this youth, seven minor realms below him, could do it!

"Hoo... Grandfather Fu, I know what to do!" Qin Yan exhaled deeply and said.

Seeing the look in Qin Yan's eyes, Fu Zonghu nodded slightly. This setback, it seemed, was not a bad thing for Qin Yan.

"Come, let me first undo the seal, and we'll return to the sect together."

As he spoke, Fu Zonghu probed a stream of primal force into Qin Yan's primal sea. But soon, his brow furrowed.

He couldn't break the seal!

Ye Yuan smiled slightly. "Let me do it. Forcibly breaking the seal would damage his primal sea."

With that, Ye Yuan stepped before Qin Yan and likewise sent a stream of primal force into his primal sea. The seal was quickly undone.

Fu Zonghu watched Ye Yuan's actions from the side, his eyes filled with astonishment.