Protect Our Clan Leader

His affiliation with the Mysterious Ice Sect wasn’t due to his understanding of how powerful it was, but purely because of the name “Old Ancestor Longyan”.

“It means to go and show off our strengths in other sects.” Yuwen JianYe came from an extraordinary family, which over the centuries had sent many disciples to the Academic Palace, so naturally, he knew about these arrangements.

“Shut up,” Zhou Kangde scolded, “It’s not your turn to whisper among yourselves when your Senior Brother is speaking. If you make another mistake, I’ll punish you without mercy!”

Wang Zongsheng and Yuwen JianYe immediately shut up at the reprimand.

After that, Zhou Kangde continued to instruct the new disciples.

…

Meanwhile.

Inside the Mysterious Ice Palace.

Ji Mingyu and his party stopped in their tracks.

A core disciple asked, “Junior Brother Mingyu, could it be that Master has called us to meet because Senior Sister Longyan has returned?”

“Most likely, that’s the case,” another core disciple said, “Sister Longyan left the Academic Palace sixty years ago due to some issues at home. Over the past few years, Master has mentioned her several times.”

“If Sister Longyan returns to the Academic Palace, our Mysterious Ice Sect’s strength will increase significantly.”

“Yes, when Sister Longyan was dominant all those years ago, I had just become a new disciple, and it was by following her that I gained much of the experience I have now.”

The two exchanged words, their eyes filled with anticipation.

However, Ji Mingyu’s eyebrows slightly rose.

That Wang Longyan had left the Academic Palace sixty years ago, and he, Ji Mingyu, was only in his forties.

“I heard that Sister Longyan didn’t promote to the mid-stage of the Spirit Platform Realm until she was sixty years old, which doesn’t seem very impressive,” Ji Mingyu’s eyes revealed a hint of disdain, “But in as short as three years, or as long as five, I will definitely be able to reach the mid-stage.”

The other two older core disciples were taken aback, then laughed: “Junior Brother Mingyu comes from the prestigious Ji Family, a Rank Six Prominent Family, of course, you would be more powerful than Sister Longyan.”

As the group was talking, they passed the guards and headed toward the Mysterious Ice Tower.

…

Meanwhile, inside the Mysterious Ice Tower.

A woman in palace attire sat high on the main seat.

She wore a white jade crown on her head, its color pure and unblemished.

Yet, even with the snow-like white jade as a backdrop, her skin was still as crystal clear as jade, making it hard to distinguish whether the jade was whiter or her skin fairer.

Her icy blue robe wrapped around her exquisite figure, bringing out a temperament as cold as a snow peak yet as elegant as a snowflake.

This woman in palace attire was naturally the hostess here, Master Binglan.

Behind her on the wall, a crystal longsword was horizontally inserted into its sheath.

This was her saber, BingLan, forged from Ice Soul and the spiritual energy of endless snow mountains, filled with a chilling sword intent and radiating endless cold.

Because of this Binglan sword’s presence, an invisible killing intent pervaded the entire Mysterious Ice Tower.

It could be inferred, once this sword is unsheathed, its blade would be unmatched.

Old Ancestor Longyan, in a skirt of mysterious ice silk and wearing a veil, was sitting at a lower position in front of Master Binglan.

Her white, icy hair spread over her shoulders, different from the young girl of years ago, it now showed a mature and serene temperament, even carrying some traces of worldly wisdom.

Back home, Longyan frequently dyed her hair black.

But for this trip to the Academic Palace, Wang Shouzhe had repeatedly instructed her to expose her white hair, especially when meeting Master Binglan, she couldn’t dye her hair.

Given Old Ancestor Longyan’s stature, temperament, and charm, her silver-white hair seemed to add a divine touch to her allure.

Sitting across from Old Ancestor Longyan was a handsome young man with an aura as deep as a lake and as tall as a mountain. His formidable cultivation base clearly set him apart from ordinary people.

This man was Fang Youan, one of Master Binglan’s direct disciples, the one who had previously talked with her.

That icy white hair had naturally caught Master Binglan’s attention.

She stared at it for a good while before finally asking, “Longyan, what happened to make your hair white?”

Old Ancestor Longyan replied calmly, “Master, for about fifty years, I’ve been resisting the Yinsha poison, and my hair turned white unknowingly.”

Though her tone was calm, the content of her words made both Master Binglan and Fang Youan look at her in surprise.

Fifty years, relentlessly resisting Yinsha’s poison. The torment and suffering are enough to make one’s skin crawl just thinking about it.

They could hardly imagine how hard these years must have been for Wang Longyan.

Fang Youan’s face didn’t change, a flash of severity crossed his eyes, then he instantly returned to his easygoing demeanor, “In the future, if I encounter disciples from the Yinsha Sect, I will kill a few more on your behalf to vent your anger.”

His actual age was much older than that of Longyan, practically watching her grow up. If not for the rules of the Academic Palace, he would have helped her long ago.

“Thank you, Senior Brother Yu An.” The tone of Longyan was plain, as if devoid of joy or sorrow.

“Humph!” A killing intent flashed in Master Binglan’s eyes. “My disciple Longyan has been struggling with the poison of Yinsha for fifty years, only reluctantly absorbing the Yinsha’s poison when there was no other choice. If anyone dares to say anything more, don’t blame me, Binglan, for not showing mercy.”

“Master, I believe that even though Junior Sister Longyan has suffered this great calamity, it has honed her heart, leading to a late blooming but increased potential,” Fang Youan comforted. “She may even have the opportunity to advance towards the Purple Abode Realm.”

As they were talking…

A young man’s voice suddenly came from outside the Mysterious Ice Palace, “Core Disciple Ji Mingyu is here, paying respects to Master.”

The severe expression on Master Binglan’s face softened slightly.

“Come in.”

As she spoke, Master Binglan turned to Longyan and spoke with a pleasant expression, “Mingyu is a recent core disciple I have taken in. He is not any worse than you were.”

Then…

Ji Mingyu and the others entered, they paid their respects and exchanged pleasantries.

In particular, Ji Mingyu displayed a refined demeanor, praising Longyan with a bow of his hand and addresses her as ‘senior sister’, rather affectionately.

However, a hint of disdain flashed in his eyes.

Wang Longyan was already over a hundred years old and had just barely entered the Advanced Stage of the Spirit Platform Realm. Her talent was just ordinary.

As for him, Ji Mingyu, he was confident that he would reach the Advanced Stage of the Spirit Platform Realm by ninety at the very latest!

By his one hundred and twenty, he would already be plotting to challenge the Heavenly Human Realm.

His greatest worry was whether Wang Longyan’s return to the sect would impact his future progression to become a Direct Disciple.

Even though they were all Master’s Disciples, there was a huge difference between being a Direct Disciple and a Core Disciple, in terms of status and resources accessible.

…

“Mingyu.” After becoming somewhat familiar with them, Master Binglan advised, “The traditions of the Academic Palace are not to be overlooked, so I deliberately postponed them for a day. Tomorrow, you will lead the new disciples to visit all the peaks and valleys for experience.”

“Yes, Master.”

Ji Mingyu was invigorated, thinking to himself, it seemed like Master valued him more.

However, Master Binglan immediately added, “Longyan, you will go along with them tomorrow. You don’t have to do anything, just show your face and greet the masters of the peaks and veins, making it known that Wang Longyan is returning to the clan.”

“Yes, Master.”

Longyan respectfully took her orders.

The smile on Ji Mingyu’s face faltered for a moment, understanding instantly why Master had postponed the traditional event for a day. It turned out it was to pave the way for Wang Longyan.

Could it be that the Master was considering taking her as a Direct Disciple?

A sudden surge of anger arose in his heart. Why?

At this moment…

From the sky outside the Mysterious Ice Palace, a hearty laughter of an elderly man echoed, “Is Master Binglan in? I, Changchun, have come with the new disciples to gain some experience from your esteemed palace.” His voice sounded calm, but he couldn’t hide his triumph.

What? Changchun Valley is coming to our Mysterious Ice Palace for experience?

There were only six people in the Mysterious Ice Palace, but all of them looked at each other with strange expressions. Did they hear wrong?

Longyan was also surprised.

When she was a core disciple in the Mysterious Ice Palace, she used to lead teams to Changchun Valley for experience. How was it possible that only sixty years passed and the situation was reversed?

Could it be that this Junior Brother Mingyu was not up to par?

Longyan looked at Ji Mingyu doubtfully.

Ji Mingyu was naturally shocked. Facing Wang Longyan’s gaze, he felt inexplicably wronged.

…