In the Ye family courtyard, Ye Yu said, "There must be some misunderstanding here. Lan Shan is so kind-hearted; she couldn't have done something like this."
Ye Liu Si's eyes were red with anger and grief. "You came here with her from the main family, so of course you'd take her side. But everyone saw what just happened. Let them judge—was it Ye Lan Shan who caused me to end up like this?"
Ye Xiu, the head of the Ye family, declared, "Enough. This matter has been thoroughly investigated. Men, issue a city-wide warrant for Ye Lan Shan's arrest. She must be captured and brought back."
Ye Yu said anxiously, "Head of the family, there must be some misunderstanding here."
The head of the family replied, "Misunderstanding? Isn't it already clear? Ye Lan Shan gravely injured Ye Liu Si and then fled."
Ye Yu wanted to say more, but the head of the family cut him off: "Enough. This matter is already settled. Say no more. And don't think that just because you're from the main family, I won't dare to do anything to you." With that, he flicked his sleeves and left.
Elsewhere, Yan Hu stared in amazement at Ye Lan Shan, who had transformed into a handsome young man after chanting a spell. "Master, how did you do that? If it weren't for the fact that we spirit beasts recognize people by their aura, I wouldn't have recognized you at all!"
Ye Lan Shan said, "This is a disguise technique—a kind of spell used to imitate various people. If you master it well, you can even change your aura."
Yan Hu looked at Ye Lan Shan with wonder. "That's incredible! I've never even heard of it."
Ye Lan Shan thought to herself, *Of course you haven't. This is a technique from my cultivation world.*
Yan Hu asked with some confusion, "Master, what are you planning to do disguised like this?"
A faint smile curled at the corner of Ye Lan Shan's mouth. "Naturally, I'm going to take revenge on the Ye family. That just now was only the first step." Then, clutching her chest, she murmured softly, "Lan Shan, just watch how I get revenge for you."
As soon as she finished speaking, a faint "thank you" suddenly echoed in her mind. Though the voice was weak, she could barely hear it. Afterward, she felt her body become much lighter, and even her soul felt stronger. Ye Lan Shan knew that at this moment, this body truly belonged to her.
Suddenly, she sensed a disturbance in her mystic energy and immediately dashed into a dilapidated courtyard. Just as she sat down cross-legged to regulate her breathing, heavenly lightning was summoned. She frowned darkly at the thunderous clouds flashing above. *I can't believe I'm breaking through at a time like this. Damn it—I'm not ready yet.*
Unfortunately, the thunder couldn't hear her inner cries and mercilessly struck down at her head. Ye Lan Shan dodged the first bolt with a swift movement, but before she could feel smug, a second bolt came crashing down, hitting her square on the head. Before she could react, a third bolt followed. She was utterly stunned. "What's going on? Shouldn't there only be one bolt?"
In her moment of shock, a mystic energy array suddenly lit up around her, displaying the rank of Mystic Master.
It turned out that the original owner's strength had already been at the level of Grand Mystic Warrior, but due to poison and the lingering obsession in her heart, she hadn't fully recovered. However, just now, that obsession had dissipated, and combined with her recent cultivation, she naturally broke through to Mystic Master.
Ye Lan Shan shouted in confusion at the sky, "Even if I've broken through to Mystic Master, there should only be two bolts of lightning..."
But the heavenly lightning had no feelings, no life, and couldn't hear her words. It simply dispersed after completing its task.
Meanwhile, the major noble families had all noticed the courtyard and were rushing toward it. Sensing several powerful auras heading her way, Ye Lan Shan muttered, "Not good," and immediately fled.
By the time the members of the various families arrived, Ye Lan Shan was long gone.
On the street, Ye Lan Shan wore a nine-tailed fox male-style Hanfu she had taken from her spatial storage, cutting quite the figure of a dashing young gentleman.
Whether it was because of the outfit or her own striking looks, she drew the gazes of passersby.
Though Ye Lan Shan could ignore these stares, she still felt uncomfortable and quickly hurried into an inn.
The waiter, seeing this handsome young man, thought to himself, *Such a refined gentleman must be from a wealthy family. I mustn't offend him.* So he asked respectfully, "Sir, what can I get for you?"
Ye Lan Shan said casually, "Just find me a quiet spot in the main hall."
"Right away," the waiter replied, and found her a very peaceful spot with a good view.
Ye Lan Shan thought to herself, *This waiter has good judgment,* but kept a calm expression on her face, making it impossible to guess what she was thinking.
"What would you like to order, sir?" the waiter asked, holding a menu.
"Hmm... one braised chicken, one dish of broccoli and cinnamon, and two taels of fine daughter's wine. That's all. Make sure the food comes quickly."
"Coming right up," the waiter said as he headed to the kitchen with the menu.
No sooner had the waiter left than a seemingly frivolous young man approached. "You're alone too, sir? How about we share a few drinks?"
Without waiting for her reply, the young man helped himself to the daughter's wine that the waiter had just placed on the table, then raised his glass to Ye Lan Shan. "I am Mo Ran. May I ask your name, sir?"
Ye Lan Shan replied offhandedly, "My surname is Shan, given name Luo." After a pause, she couldn't help adding, "Your name doesn't match your behavior."
Mo Ran didn't take offense at her rudeness but instead repeated her name. "Shan Luo—a fine name."
Ye Lan Shan looked at Mo Ran, who had placed his hand on her shoulder, and said, "May I ask what business you have with me? If not, please leave."
Mo Ran replied, "Just making a friend. Don't be so cold." He then called the waiter over and said, "His meal is on me." With that, he handed over a black card.
The waiter was stunned at the sight of the black card, thinking, *Even the wealthiest head of the Ye family only has a gold card. How does this man have a black card?* (Card types: copper, silver, gold, mystic, black, white, diamond.)