In the understated yet luxurious main hall of the Flowing Cloud Pavilion, Shen Xian met the Fourth Master of the Ye family.

The man was clad in robes of purple and gold brocade, his jet-black hair secured by a jade band. He possessed sharp brows and bright eyes, a tall and imposing figure, and an innate air of nobility in every gesture.

This was the fourth younger brother of the Ye Family Patriarch, an expert at the Golden Core Realm. His abilities within the clan were extraordinary, granting him significant influence. It was precisely because of this backing that his favored concubine had dared to act so brazenly before.

"Seeing you in person confirms that your reputation doesn't do you justice. The Third Young Master of the Shen family is indeed a man of exceptional talent!"

Upon seeing him, Ye Mingyuan revealed a gentle smile and rose to greet him.

strictly speaking, by seniority, Ye Mingyuan was the elder. However, since the other party was a direct descendant of the Shen family, addressing him respectfully as 'Third Young Master' was appropriate.

There was none of the targeted mockery Shen Xian had anticipated... which came as a slight surprise.

However, a 'gentle knife' was often the deadliest kind. He did not let his guard down.

"You flatter me, Fourth Uncle," Shen Xian replied with a faint, polite smile.

When conversing with such people, one had to learn to feign weakness to eventually seize the initiative.

Ye Mingyuan's smile widened. "Servants, pour the tea for Third Young Master Shen... bring my finest East Lake Spirit Tea."

Seizing the moment, Shen Xian asked, "Might I ask what business Fourth Uncle has with me?"

"It is somewhat embarrassing to admit," Ye Mingyuan began, lifting his gaze with a light smile. "My elder brother is preoccupied today with preparations for the Matriarch's birthday banquet and has thus neglected you, Third Young Master Shen. Having some free time today, I thought it perfect to share tea and discuss the Dao with you, fulfilling my duties as a host."

Shen Xian offered a polite nod. "Fourth Uncle truly need not concern himself with such formalities."

At that moment, the spirit tea was presented. Its aroma wafted forth, soothing the mind and spirit, bringing a sense of profound comfort.

"This tea is quite rare. You should try it," Ye Mingyuan said softly.

Shen Xian did not stand on ceremony. He took a sip. It was indeed excellent, superior even to what he had at home.

"Fine tea," he praised.

"If you enjoy it, Third Young Master Shen, feel free to take some back with you. Consider it a small token of my regard," Ye Mingyuan offered.

Hearing this, Shen Xian vaguely sensed that the man was trying to win him over... but for what purpose?

"The gift is too generous," he deliberately refused, wanting to test the waters.

Ye Mingyuan waved a hand dismissively. "Only fine tea is worthy of Third Young Master Shen's status. If it lacked spiritual essence, it would be mere empty appearance."

His words carried a deeper meaning, causing a flicker of understanding in Shen Xian's eyes.

However, Ye Mingyuan quickly steered away from the topic, explaining with a laugh, "The main reason is that I genuinely wish to befriend you. Moreover, some days ago, my concubine offended you. This can also serve as my apology."

"You are too serious, Fourth Uncle," Shen Xian said as he gently placed the teacup back on the table. "They were merely idle words from a woman of the household. Not worth mentioning."

Though he dismissed it, the phrase 'woman of the household' revealed Shen Xian's dismissive attitude toward the matter.

A subtle light flashed in Ye Mingyuan's eyes. He did not press further and laughed along with the flow of the conversation. "Indeed, just a woman's talk. My fifth niece has always been stubborn by nature. Now that she has lost all her cultivation... she is likely even more difficult to get along with..."

He paused meaningfully before adding, "This marriage arrangement must be quite a grievance for you, Third Young Master Shen."

One of his purposes in seeking out Shen Xian today was to drive a wedge between him and Ye Qingxian—a way to collect a little interest in advance for future retribution.

The key to this lay precisely in this marriage that should never have existed.

Everyone knew that Ye Qingxian was originally meant for the eldest direct son of the Shen family but was later forced upon this 'waste' third young master instead.

What surprised him was that Shen Xian's expression remained utterly normal, showing not the slightest emotional fluctuation.

"One must adapt to one's circumstances," Shen Xian stated calmly.

"Heh." Ye Mingyuan shook his head. "Third Young Master Shen is indeed broad-minded. Speaking from an outsider's perspective, I simply feel that with your status, why must you subject yourself to such grievance?"

He leaned forward slightly, his tone enticing. "Tonight, there is an elegant gathering in the city, with beauties as numerous as the clouds. Among them are several fairies who have long admired Third Young Master Shen... Why not go together?"

A marriage arranged by the family could not be changed, but that didn't prevent Shen Xian from seeking new pleasures elsewhere. Doing so would also serve to disgust his proud fifth niece.

Ye Mingyuan's words were a clear hint by now.

Shen Xian understood the other's purpose clearly. The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. "Fourth Uncle is quite enthusiastic. However..."

He set down his teacup and said flatly, "I appreciate Fourth Uncle's kind intentions."

If I don't even like this marriage itself, why would I think about meeting others?

This statement was a clear refusal.

"Are you certain? It is always beneficial to make more acquaintances among fellow Daoists. Those who walk the Dao find many helpers!" Ye Mingyuan emphasized.

This was also a coded message: if Shen Xian sided with him, he would inevitably receive his support.

But Shen Xian's attitude remained firm. "That won't be necessary."

His plan having failed, Ye Mingyuan showed no annoyance. After exchanging a few more simple pleasantries, he allowed Shen Xian to leave.

Only after watching him depart did Ye Mingyuan's smile gradually turn cold. He muttered under his breath, "If you refuse a toast offered in goodwill, you'll have to drink a forfeit later and suffer the consequences."

At that moment, the middle-aged man from earlier entered the hall.

"Master," he reported. "It has been verified. The gift from the Shen family indeed has issues."

Besides wanting to drive a wedge between him and Ye Qingxian, another layer of Ye Mingyuan's purpose had been to confirm whether their gift was problematic.

"Good," Ye Mingyuan said, his eyes deepening. "I look forward to seeing what this Shen Xian will do at the birthday celebration five days from now."

...

After leaving the Flowing Cloud Pavilion, Shen Xian walked east along a bluestone-paved path.

This conversation had allowed him to guess at Fourth Master Ye's true intentions and made him realize that things might remain unsettled for him within the Ye family in the near future.

It seems I should avoid going out unnecessarily during this period. It would be best if I can have Ye Xian'er stay at my place, he pondered as he walked.

For now, she was his greatest reliance.

Boom—!

Suddenly, a sharp aura abruptly manifested and shot toward him from behind—completely unexpected!

Shen Xian had no time to react! A bone-chilling cold shot up his spine... it was an omen of death!

Fortunately, the dragon-shaped jade pendant at his waist activated automatically! A dazzling spiritual light erupted from it, transforming into a luminous shield that encased him!

Thud!

The attack landed on the shield with a dull sound, yet the barrier remained completely unscathed.

Shen Xian whirled around. He saw a masked man radiating the aura of the Foundation Establishment Realm. The killing intent was palpable.

An assassination attempt?!

Shock jolted through his heart.

Immediately afterward came thoughts of Ye Mingyuan's earlier warning...

Could it be him?

But that makes no sense!

There was no time for further thought. After failing with one strike, the assassin struck again.

This time, the assassin chose to unleash an intricate palm technique against various angles of the luminous shield. With each palm strike, the shield's radiance dimmed slightly.

This dragon-shaped jade pendant had been gifted by his mother long ago. It contained a formation array capable of automatically protecting its master during a crisis.

But clearly, the opponent knew how to dismantle this specific formation!

In merely an instant, the formation's power was shattered by the assault. The original luminous shield instantly dissipated.

"Shen Xian! Die!"

A hoarse voice rang out. The assassin acted with extreme decisiveness. Under the pressure of the Foundation Establishment Realm, Shen Xian found nowhere left to evade. He could only watch helplessly as that terrifying palm strike hurtled toward his head.

The situation was critical!

Instinctively, Shen Xian clenched both fists tightly. Spiritual power gathered within his body as he prepared to unleash his true strength.

Though a cultivator at the eighth layer of the Qi Refining Realm couldn't defeat a Foundation Establishment expert outright, Shen Xian could buy himself some time. With assistance from the Profound Heaven Golden Silk Armor, he should be able to hold out until experts from the Ye family intervened.

They absolutely would not permit him to die within the Ye family grounds.

But... would they arrive in time?