This Is What a Villain Is Like

Within the residences of the various Immortal Sect Lineages, Elders were also startled, their gazes turning toward the Prime Minister's Mansion.

"What's going on?"

"There's a huge commotion coming from the Prime Minister's Mansion tonight. Can it be that something momentous is about to happen?"

"These auras are horrifying."

Many were filled with shock and suspicion, a slight tremor running through their hearts.

Outside the Imperial Capital, a single Sixth Realm expert was enough to guard a major city, establish a powerful Noble Family, and ensure its legacy for hundreds of years.

Meanwhile, a Seventh Realm expert was already a figure on par with the foundational patriarchs of the great Noble Families.

Even within the top Immortal Sects, they were existences on the level of the most preeminent Sect Leaders and Supreme Elders.

But tonight, the auras of three Seventh Realm experts had flared up from the Prime Minister's Mansion, one after another.

This caused many hearts to pound wildly, setting off a tempest within them. They were shaken and terrified, and this was merely the tip of the iceberg of the terrifying power the Prime Minister's Mansion had just revealed.

This was a glimpse into just how terrifying the Prime Minister's Mansion was, and how it could wield such power over the world.

The expressions of the Elders from the various Immortal Sect Lineages changed again and again, revealing their profound horror.

But most were simply shocked and bewildered. What could have happened that would require the Prime Minister's Mansion to mobilize so many powerful experts?

Inside an inn, Ye Ming sat cross-legged, cultivating an Ancient Technique. Wisps of silver vortexes appeared on his body, splendid and dazzling, making him appear as if he were forged from molten silver, shining brilliantly.

Within each silver vortex, a figure that looked just like him seemed to be sitting cross-legged, absorbing and refining the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi.

"Looks like there's going to be a good show tonight. A shame your strength isn't enough to be a spectator."

A spiritual presence emanated from the palm of his hand as a wisp of cyan, smoke-like energy floated out.

The Old Ghost said, his voice tinged with emotion and what sounded like a touch of regret.

"What are they doing?"

Ye Ming opened his eyes and glanced out the window. In the distance, he could faintly see waves of brilliant light surging, exceptionally conspicuous in the night sky.

The shadow in his heart grew heavier. The power of the Prime Minister's Mansion was terrifying, and now he was being targeted by Jiang Lan. The slightest misstep would spell his doom, with no hope of recovery.

And that Shang Mingyu was simply too cunning. They had agreed to ally against Jiang Lan, but she disappeared without a trace after taking the Exotic Stone.

At present, Ye Ming had no way to contact her; he had no idea where she had gone.

He just wanted to resolve the matter with Yijian Palace and leave the Imperial Capital. The situation here was too complicated and dangerous.

Dealing with Jiang Lan was something he could only deliberate on later. 'That hateful, cunning Shang Mingyu... she knew she had offended Jiang Lan, so she just took off and fled.'

"Who knows what the Prime Minister's Mansion is up to? But it's certainly not for a trivial matter. An ordinary event wouldn't have alarmed so many experts," the Old Ghost said.

Ye Ming was silent. Even as he clenched his fists tightly, he could still feel that sense of powerlessness.

"With your current cultivation speed, once you enter Qianyuan Prefecture, you can use the incredibly rich Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi there to break through more of your acupoints."

"If you're lucky, you might be able to draw out a wisp of Chaotic Spiritual Qi from the deepest parts. That would allow you to break through directly to the Mid-stage Soul Palace Realm, saving you a great deal of cultivation time."

"Opportunities like this are rare," the Old Ghost said with a sudden laugh, as if he knew what Ye Ming was thinking.

"Chaotic Spiritual Qi?"

Ye Ming was taken aback. 'That's the stuff of legends. Is it really possible to draw it out in Qianyuan Prefecture?'

"Although you're being targeted by Jiang Lan, you've also befriended Xiao Teng. That fellow has quite a few secrets of his own. If he develops his potential, his future achievements may not be any lower than yours."

"You don't need to fear the Prime Minister's Mansion so much. Fate, destiny... these things are mysterious beyond measure, and I've seen plenty. Even the Ancient Holy Lands and Immortal Dao Lineages, once far mightier than the Prime Minister's Mansion, saw their day of ruin and collapse. You've barely gotten started, yet you're already this disheartened..."

The Old Ghost had taken note of the recent change in Ye Ming's state of mind.

After witnessing the power and resources of the Prime Minister's Mansion firsthand, Ye Ming was even starting to show signs of a Heart Demon taking root in his mind.

"I'm not that concerned about the Prime Minister's Mansion, but Jiang Lan's existence makes me feel like I have a sword hanging over my head. That day in the Desire Immortal Pavilion, his expression made it seem very likely that he had recognized me..."

Thinking back on it, Ye Ming was filled with a chilling horror.

Right now, he was out in the open while Jiang Lan was in the shadows. It would be incredibly easy for the man to have him killed, yet Jiang Lan hadn't done so.

The feeling reminded Ye Ming of his time as a shepherd.

You let a little lamb wander and graze, watching it grow bigger and fatter day by day, and then, when the time is right, you slaughter it for its meat.

That was exactly the feeling Jiang Lan gave him now.

And he himself was the lamb being fattened for slaughter in Jiang Lan's eyes.

"Once things are settled here in the Imperial Capital, come with me to see an old friend. Given that I once offered him guidance, he should be willing to help you," the Old Ghost said. He could understand Ye Ming's current predicament, but he didn't really have a good solution himself.

The disparity in power and influence was simply too great.

'To deal with Jiang Lan and overthrow the Prime Minister's Mansion, my own strength is nowhere near enough. At the upcoming Southern Hunting exercise after the Qianyuan Cave Realm opens, if I can make contact with the current Emperor Xia...'

'...then I might have a chance.'

Ye Ming nodded. He had, in fact, been mulling over countermeasures and strategies of his own recently.

'Just relying on my friendship with Xiao Teng wouldn't be enough.'

The Imperial Capital was currently a chaotic place, teeming with all sorts of characters. The commotion from the Prime Minister's Mansion tonight had attracted the attention of many with vested interests, but no one dared to go and investigate.