"Patriarch, can you really keep going right now?" Ling Chunian was worried about Ye Lanshan's current state.
"Of course. Don't you trust me?" Though Ye Lanshan appeared slightly unsteady from spiritual energy depletion, she knew this repeated consumption was actually beneficial—it would refine her spiritual energy further and accelerate her cultivation progress.
Moreover, she had gained profound insights into the Chaos Heart Technique, allowing her to cultivate even while sleeping, walking, or eating, so she had no fear of truly exhausting her spiritual energy.
"Of course I trust you." Hearing this, Ling Chunian's worries dissipated. Indeed, when had anything their patriarch set her mind to ever failed?
"Thank you, Patriarch." Those whose seals had been broken were overjoyed and satisfied, while those still sealed sat restlessly, awaiting Ye Lanshan's arrival.
Just as everyone's seals were lifted and joy filled the air, Ye Lanshan suddenly spoke with grave seriousness: "There's a traitor among you. Though I haven't caught you yet after all this time, that doesn't mean I won't in the future."
Everyone looked at each other in shock and suspicion, unable to believe a traitor lurked among them.
"Patriarch, could you be mistaken? We've grown up together, know each other inside out—how could there be a traitor?" one person said, pale-faced, unable to believe that among lifelong friends, someone would betray them.
Ye Lanshan coldly watched them. "I won't say more. If you're wise, step forward on your own. Otherwise, when I catch you, I'll make you taste what it means to wish you were dead."
"Patriarch, rest assured, even if you hadn't said it, I'd help you root out the traitor," Ling Chunian said, shocked that someone among them would work for that madman.
Hadn't they suffered enough under that lunatic's rule?
"You, I naturally trust completely." Ye Lanshan had full faith in Ling Chunian, who genuinely wanted a patriarch to lead the Ling clan to glory.
"Haven't you already found the traitor?" Mu Xinlian, watching from the shadows, was stunned by this baffling act, nearly falling off the roof.
"Finding them is one thing; putting on a show is another. If I didn't say that, they'd get suspicious soon." Ye Lanshan deliberately said this to cover up the earlier act.
Lu Renjing was no ordinary man—extremely sharp, he could guess her intentions from the slightest clue. Dealing with someone like that required caution, at least ensuring he didn't suspect she'd already discovered the traitor.
"Was the plan we discussed earlier also to smoke out the traitor?" Lu Huanong muttered to herself, watching Ye Lanshan's retreating figure. Had she heard Ye Lanshan's earlier exchange with Mu Xinlian, she'd likely call it cunning.
"Alright, Yun Di, let's go." Ye Lanshan had now transformed back into Shan Luo, a light blue robe accentuating his elegant demeanor. No matter her form or gender, she always became the center of attention.
"Miss, wait for me! I'll go with you." Ye Yu ran over, a bag slung over his shoulder.
"Your meridians have just been repaired. Stay at the Ye residence and rest. Si Kong and I are enough for the journey to Si Kong; you don't need to come."
"No, before I was afraid of holding you back, so I didn't accompany you. But now that my meridians are healed, I won't be a burden. Please let me come, or I'll never rest easy." Ye Yu looked at her with unwavering determination.
"If you truly want to help me, then train a disciplined army for me."
Ye Yu was fiercely loyal, and his abilities extended beyond mystical power. With him, he could certainly forge a well-trained force, giving her the means to openly confront the Holy Land.
Hearing this, Ye Yu had no choice but to stay at the Ye residence. Yet, watching Ye Lanshan's fading figure, he silently vowed: "I will become your greatest ally, your sharpest blade, allowing you to do anything without restraint."
Only when Ye Lanshan's figure vanished completely did Ye Yu return to the Ye residence. But he didn't plan to train soldiers here—only those who had faced life and death could become truly formidable.
"You want to return to Chaoyang City?" Ye Luotian looked down at the kneeling man.
"Yes, Patriarch. I've decided to train a disciplined army for Miss in Chaoyang City." Though kneeling, Ye Yu showed no trace of humility.
"The capital's resources are far superior to Chaoyang City, and we have dedicated training grounds here. Wouldn't it be more convenient to train the army here?"
Ye Luotian usually moved about the estate, his aura subdued like a gentle, kind old man. But one must remember—he was once a decisive general, an old marshal, a patriarch, and a formation master. When he released his pressure, ordinary people could hardly bear it.
Yet Ye Yu remained unyielding. Though kneeling, his back was straight. "But an army trained in the capital always lacks a certain bloodlust. In Chaoyang City, near the Xuan Yu Forest, training men there would yield unimaginable results."
"Haha, well said! Truly worthy of being Lanshan's subordinate. I support you. Tell me whatever you need." Ye Luotian suddenly dropped his pressure and laughed heartily, a glint of admiration in his eyes. This man had extraordinary character; with proper nurturing, he would surely achieve greatness.
"Ye Yu thanks the former Patriarch."
"Since you're working for Ye Lanshan, I'll back you to the end." Ye Luotian personally stepped down, helped him up, patted his hand, and said earnestly, "Young man, I have high hopes for you. I see my younger self in you. I believe your achievements won't fall short of mine. Don't let me down."
"Yes, Ye Yu will not disappoint the former Patriarch's expectations."
"You're really leaving?" Si Kong Kuang felt a pang of reluctance. Having spent considerable time with Ye Yu—longer than Ye Lanshan had—he had witnessed the inner turmoil in this young man and genuinely felt for him.
"Yes, Lord Si Kong, I must go this time. You know how vast the Holy Land's power is. Miss can't fight them alone. She needs a formidable army, a force to match them." Ye Yu nodded.
"Since you're set on going, I won't stop you. But take these pills. The Xuan Yu Forest is no ordinary place—full of dangers. Be extremely careful." Si Kong Kuang handed over all the pills he had recently refined.