Chapter Thirty: Defeating a Star with a Single Move!

“Xiaoqing, it seems I’ve become quite famous in the capital now,” Yang Ye said with a bitter smile after Jiang Ming left.

“Isn’t that a good thing?” Long Xiaoqing asked.

Yang Ye chuckled. “There’s nothing bad about it. This sort of thing only lasts a few days. If I left now and didn’t set foot in this city for a few months, people would forget about me completely.”

Long Xiaoqing glanced at the spot on the coffee table where Jiang Ming had set down the box earlier. Frowning, she said, “That Jiang fellow is truly ruthless! Over such a petty matter, he actually killed his own woman. He’s worse than a beast!”

Yang Ye sighed. “To these cultivators, ordinary people are nothing but ants.”

As he spoke, Yang Ye gazed out at the night sky, thinking to himself: In the eyes of even more advanced and powerful beings, wouldn’t the cultivators of Earth also be mere ants?

...

“Director, today there were nine families that approached Ye Tianzu, and he turned them all down. Among them was even the Jiang family, who had previously clashed with him…”

Inside the district director’s office of the Northeast Branch of the Star Martial Administration Bureau, a young man in a red bureau uniform, with long hair, bowed respectfully as he reported to Director Luo Wu, who sat behind his desk.

When the report was finished, Luo Wu smiled. “Even the Jiang family has made a move. How rare! Has the background of this Ye Tianzu been fully investigated?”

The young man replied, “Everything’s clear. Ye Tianzu is from Yang City in the Southwest. He entered the mountains to cultivate at the age of twelve and only recently returned. The young girl with him is also from Yang City, said to be his wife—so young… It seems Ye Tianzu has a peculiar taste.”

Luo Wu chuckled. “That’s a minor detail. Our district is in need of talent like Ye Tianzu. Tomorrow morning, pay him a visit and invite him to join the Star Martial Administration Bureau.”

The young man frowned. “Ye Tianzu has already turned down nine families. In my opinion, our chances aren’t great. Clearly, someone of his caliber doesn’t like to be constrained.”

Luo Wu laughed. “It’s even better if he dislikes constraints! Then I’ll offer him a position without any restrictions.”

Understanding dawned on the young man’s face. He nodded. “I’ll go first thing in the morning.”

Luo Wu nodded in approval.

...

On the outskirts of Summer Capital, at the Jiang family estate.

“Father, it didn’t work out! I told you, that Ye fellow isn’t a good person—arrogant just because he has some skill…”

Back at home, Jiang Ming reported his visit to Yang Ye to his father, Jiang Wenchong, looking dejected.

Jiang Wenchong, current head of the Jiang family, appeared to be in his forties and was at the mid-Stellar stage.

Naturally, the Jiang family boasted more than just one Stellar-stage expert. Jiang Wenchong’s younger brother, Jiang Wenhao, was at the early Stellar stage. In the previous generation, Jiang Wenchong’s father, Jiang Yu, and second uncle, Jiang Lei, were both experts at the late Stellar stage.

With four Stellar-stage masters in the family, along with numerous younger members and recruits at the Planetary stage, the Jiang family was undoubtedly one of the top cultivation clans in all of China.

Compared to the Jiang family, the wealth and power of Yang Haishan were like sesame seeds next to a watermelon.

Of course, Jiang Ming didn’t recount the meeting honestly, embellishing it with comments about Yang Ye’s contempt for the Jiang family.

Jiang Wenchong knew his son’s character all too well.

...

Although he knew Jiang Ming’s words weren’t entirely true, a flash of anger still rose in Jiang Wenchong’s heart.

Not for any other reason, but simply because Yang Ye had rejected the Jiang family.

To Jiang Wenchong, this was a blow to his pride.

The illustrious Jiang family, snubbed by an unknown upstart!

Initially, he had thought the man would be so flattered by their invitation that he would agree on the spot.

“Forget it. If he’s unwilling, there’s no point forcing the issue.” After a moment’s silence, Jiang Wenchong spoke calmly.

“Father, we can’t just let this go,” Jiang Ming said through gritted teeth.

Jiang Wenchong picked up his teacup and replied, “Then what do you propose?”

Jiang Ming grinned. “It’s simple. There’s no need for you or uncle to get involved. Just send a hundred or so late-Planetary experts, and I’m confident I can take him out and restore the Jiang family’s honor!”

Crash!

Before Jiang Ming had finished speaking, Jiang Wenchong hurled his teacup to the floor in front of him, roaring, “Get out!”

Seeing his father’s fury, Jiang Ming quickly fled the hall.

“No need to mobilize so many people, brother. I’ll go myself and meet this Ye Tianzu face to face.” A middle-aged man who resembled Jiang Wenchong entered the hall with a smile.

This was Jiang Wenchong’s younger brother, Jiang Wenhao.

“Very well. If you can kill him, then do it,” Jiang Wenchong said, frowning after a moment’s thought.

Jiang Wenhao nodded and left.

...

“Once upon a time, there was a scholar who traveled to the capital for the imperial exam. When night fell, he entered a ruined temple, where several beautiful female ghosts resided…”

In the dim light of the hotel room, Yang Ye held Long Xiaoqing in his arms, telling her a ghost story.

Back when Long Xiaoqing was still in her egg, Yang Ye often told her stories. At the time, he was simply bored and spoke to the dragon egg, never realizing that Xiaoqing was already conscious inside, just not yet hatched.

Though she’d heard this ghost story many times before, Long Xiaoqing still listened with rapt attention, her large, luminous eyes fixed on Yang Ye.

These were her happiest moments.

Suddenly, Long Xiaoqing frowned and said, “Husband, there’s a Stellar-stage expert approaching.”

Her senses were exceptionally keen—long before the other party neared the hotel, she had already felt his presence.

Yang Ye immediately got out of bed with Long Xiaoqing and dressed.

...

Soon, the doorbell rang.

Yang Ye opened the door to find a middle-aged man standing outside.

It was Jiang Wenhao.

Smiling, Jiang Wenhao said, “Mr. Ye, I am Jiang Wenhao. I’ve always enjoyed testing my skills against others. I hear you are an exceptional master—would you honor me with a bout?”

Jiang Wenhao thought Yang Ye would make some excuse to refuse, but to his surprise, Yang Ye smiled and said, “Certainly! I’ve been wanting to see if I’m capable of holding my own against a Stellar-stage expert.”

Jiang Wenhao was taken aback, then broke into a broad grin. “This isn’t a suitable place. Shall we go to the outskirts in the west of the city?”

“No problem,” Yang Ye replied.

Jiang Wenhao nodded and turned to leave.

Half an hour later, Yang Ye arrived with Long Xiaoqing in the woods outside the capital.

Yang Ye was a step behind Jiang Wenhao, who stood with his back to Yang Ye, striking a master’s pose.

“My apologies for being late, Mr. Jiang,” Yang Ye said with a smile as he arrived.

Jiang Wenhao turned and gestured invitingly. “Mr. Ye, please!”

As soon as he spoke, Yang Ye’s figure blurred, cutting through the air with a fierce wind, appearing several meters in front of Jiang Wenhao in an instant.

Such speed!

Caught off guard, Jiang Wenhao raised his hand, launching a palm strike at Yang Ye.

This was no friendly spar—Jiang Wenhao’s very first move was a killing blow!

A torrent of stellar energy surged from his hand, rushing toward Yang Ye at close range.

In that split second, Yang Ye struck out with his own palm.

The Spiral Force!

For the first time, Yang Ye unleashed his Spiral Force in actual combat.

A tightly focused, piercing stream of stellar energy shot from his palm.

With a sharp sound, Yang Ye’s force tore through Jiang Wenhao’s energy and struck him square in the chest.

As Jiang Wenhao’s stellar energy dissipated, his body was sent flying, crashing heavily into a large tree.