Perhaps Chief Steward Wen had never anticipated that Qian Ye’s constitution was even more unique than he imagined. During the brief conversation with Elder Du, almost all the Yin energy in Qian Ye’s body, akin to needles, was neutralized by the dual effects of the Dawn origin force melting it and the golden blood energy devouring it.
Thus, the abnormal reaction in Qian Ye’s heart was revealed without any concealment.
The Yin energy used by Chief Steward Wen for assessing innate talent flowed through the blood vessels like water poured into a hot oil pan, stimulating the tested individual’s innate origin force. His origin force was extremely cold and yin, causing some stimulation to the body, but the amount of Yin energy was negligible compared to the tested individual’s origin force, and would naturally dissipate after a while.
However, among the finger strikes Chief Steward Wen emitted, one did not follow the usual path into the blood vessels but silently pierced into Qian Ye’s heart!
Qian Ye would not have noticed such a calamity if it were not for his heart now being the stronghold of the bloodline, where both ordinary and purple blood energies were hidden. This thread of cold origin force intruded recklessly, like a fish entering a shark’s territory, drawing the blood energy from the depths.
It was this sudden agitation of the blood energy that made Qian Ye realize an unwelcome guest in his heart. He found it hard to believe it was an accident or coincidence, as any testing technique only targeted the bloodline and origin nodes, and could not enter vital organs. Otherwise, such a powerful cold origin force as Chief Steward Wen’s would have long injured countless people.
Moreover, the golden blood energy outside Qian Ye’s heart constantly patrolled and consumed the Yin energy in the bloodstream. If it wasn’t intentional, the Yin energy would not coincidentally pierce into the heart.
Qian Ye’s right hand slowly tightened on the armrest of the chair. After much consideration, he decided to take a risk; he couldn’t let this Yin energy stay in his heart, who knew when it might erupt and damage his life force.
Suddenly, the thread of Yin energy in his heart sensed extreme danger and began to dart around. The uncontrolled blood energy, like sharks smelling blood, quickly surrounded it.
The Yin energy suddenly took on a purple hue, and the first purple blood energy to arrive pounced on it, tearing it in two! All the blood energy boiled over, surging forward, and in an instant, they tore the cold Yin energy apart, devouring it completely.
Though the purple blood energy had consumed the largest piece, it seemed unsatisfied and turned on an ordinary blood energy. But this time, the ordinary blood energy did not give up, a particularly thick strand rushed from the side, colliding with the purple blood energy. The two energies tangled and fought within Qian Ye’s heart!
Qian Ye’s face turned pale, and cold sweat rolled down his face. He finally lost control, grunting and falling off the chair, overturning the heavy rosewood seat with a loud crash.
The guards of the Yan family, hearing the commotion, peeked in and were startled, rushing in to help him.
Inside Qian Ye’s heart, the battle was already nearing its end. Though it was an advancement, the thickest ordinary blood energy still couldn’t withstand the purple blood energy and was nearly killed. The purple blood energy, though slightly damaged, managed to consume the thinnest strand of ordinary blood energy and retreated to its own symbol.
“I’m fine, just need to sit for a while!” Qian Ye said weakly. The Yan family guard helped him to sit and then picked up the overturned chair.
At that moment, QiQi returned after seeing Chief Steward Wen off, and Ji Yuanjia, hurriedly called by the Yan family guards, arrived. Both were shocked to see Qian Ye’s pale face and the aura of a severely wounded person.
QiQi grabbed Qian Ye’s hand, wanting to input origin force, and anxiously asked, “Are you okay? Weren’t we told it would only be minor injuries?”
Qian Ye shook his head and pushed away QiQi’s hand, “I’m fine now.” He looked up at Ji Yuanjia.
Ji Yuanjia understood and dismissed the two guards, went to the door, gave a few instructions, ensuring no one could overhear, and then returned.
“Chief Steward Wen left a Yin energy strike in my heart,” Qian Ye said directly.
QiQi was shocked, “Why?”
The importance of the heart is undeniable; an injury there either results in immediate death or a slow, agonizing demise. Especially with the arena match starting soon, if the hidden energy burst out during combat, Qian Ye might die mysteriously.
QiQi composed herself and, after inquiring about the details of the Yin energy, a shadow passed over her face, and she said, “It sounds like Chief Steward Wen’s ultimate skill, the Extreme Yin Needle. But why would he do this?”
None of the three in the hall looked good. The Tianxuan Spring Hunt had too many surprises. First, a level-eight Blood Noble, then the Grand Steward of the Duke of Wei, and who knows what next? The matter with Chief Steward Wen was far more serious. Such a figure could not be casually manipulated; who was behind it, and what was their motive?
Qian Ye suddenly asked, “Among those I killed in the Spring Hunt, were there any of Chief Steward Wen’s followers or relatives?”
This was indeed one of the most plausible reasons. Chief Steward Wen, a trusted attendant of the Duke of Wei, if such a person could be bribed to attack a participant in the Spring Hunt, it would be a great scandal. Therefore, personal vendetta was the most likely reason.
If it was purely for profit, the person behind it would not only have to offer a significant benefit to entice Chief Steward Wen but also have the status to connect with him. Who had such a grand gesture?
“Maybe it was the Zhao or Song clans,” QiQi said, her expression turning cold. “Chief Steward Wen doesn’t care about mid-to-lower noble families. Among the upper nobles, Kong Ya has a guard who died at your hands, but spending so much to kill you? Unless he’s gone mad.”
Every year, people die in the Spring Hunt, and each family loses guards, but few would believe that someone would use their influence to ask Chief Steward Wen to kill a noble guard for such a reason.
QiQi paced back and forth in the hall, then said, “No, or maybe it was my siblings?” This matter was too illogical, and QiQi couldn’t come to a conclusion, so she ordered Qian Ye to go rest.
After dinner, the duke’s villa was immersed in a relaxed and leisurely atmosphere. Some noble courtyards resounded with music and singing, the scent of wine and flowers filling the air, hosting small social gatherings.
Under the cover of night, a faint, almost imperceptible figure approached the wall of the Yan family courtyard near the forest path, choosing a secluded corner to leap over.
He entered the inner courtyard, where QiQi was invited to a banquet tonight. With the owner absent, the usually quiet inner courtyard was silent, with only a few guards patrolling.
The shadow moved swiftly through the inner courtyard without disturbing anyone. Strangely, the shadow almost brushed past the Yan family guards, yet the guards, even at levels six and seven, could not see it. The night breeze blew, and leaves occasionally fell. When the guards’ gazes swept past the shadow’s position, a leaf would fly by, blocking their view. Thus, the patrol passed by, unaware.
Finally, the shadow headed towards the row of houses where QiQi’s attendants stayed. The last house was Qian Ye’s residence, and the figure silently stood before the window.
At that moment, a group of people, led by the tall young man Wei Po Tian, approached the Yan family courtyard. The guards recognized him and respectfully informed him that Miss QiQi was at the Third Young Master’s banquet.
Wei Po Tian waved his hand, saying, “It’s fine, I’m here to see Qian Ye.”
The Yan family guards immediately pointed to the inner courtyard, and Wei Po Tian nodded, declining the offer of a guide and instructing his guards to rest in the outer courtyard.
Alone, Wei Po Tian entered the inner courtyard, passing a screen wall. The row of houses on the left was where QiQi’s attendants stayed. The area was especially quiet, with most people attending the banquet, and the room with dim yellow light at the end must be Qian Ye’s.
He quickened his pace, but suddenly, his vision blurred, and the scenery flickered. Wei Po Tian muttered, rubbed his eyes, and saw nothing unusual. He felt something was odd but couldn’t pinpoint it. Perhaps the lack of light caused his eyes to play tricks?
Reacting faster than thinking, Wei Po Tian unconsciously activated Thousand Mountains, a yellow light flashing brightly in the night.
With Thousand Mountains, the leaves floating in front of Wei Po Tian twisted and shattered, vanishing into nothingness. Wei Po Tian realized, “Damn it! No wonder I felt something was wrong! There shouldn’t be so many damn leaves in this season!”
The scenery cleared, and Wei Po Tian saw a figure standing before Qian Ye’s window, peering inside. The figure was familiar.
Song Zining?!
Wei Po Tian had little interaction with Song Zining, a noble son known for his charm and elegance, but not liked. Though QiQi and Song Zining had a bad relationship, Wei Po Tian knew it was due to internal conflicts, so he held no prejudice.
During the Tianxuan Spring Hunt, Song Zining’s subordinates tried to seize “Xiaoye,” and later, the Song clan’s hunting team pursued Qian Ye. Wei Po Tian’s opinion of Song Zining plummeted.
Though he successfully ambushed and injured Ye Mulan, he was still fuming. Seeing Song Zining sneaking around, Wei Po Tian’s mind shouted, “Thief or spy!”
Wei Po Tian charged forward, “There’s a lecher!”
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