C19 Feeling Deeply Moved

Ye Bufan stowed the leopard skin and removed two of its legs, placing them on a stretcher. He enlisted the help of Faang Mingjie and Mengtian, along with his brother, to carry it as they resumed their trek. Despite the approach of dusk, there was still time before nightfall, and Ye Bufan, eager to press on, was not inclined to rest just yet. The forest at night was no place for travel, so they had to make the most of the daylight hours.

Their pace, however, was considerably slower than when Ye Bufan and Yunqing had traveled earlier.

"Mr. Ye, are you heading to Central State as well?" Faang Mingjie inquired while shouldering the stretcher.

"No, we're bound for Northern King Province," Ye Bufan replied. "What made you think I was headed to Central State?"

Surprised by the question, Faang Mingjie looked at Ye Bufan and explained, "Mr. Ye, aren't you aware? This year, the Aoyun Sect is recruiting outer circle disciples within Wanfeng Country. Seeing your abilities, I assumed you were also on your way to Central State."

The Aoyun Sect was a name etched in Ye Bufan's memory. As the protective sect of Wanfeng Country, it was home to innumerable masters, including those who had transcended the Qi Stage. In this world, every nation was backed by a formidable sect. Rather than the country sustaining the sect, it was the sect that bolstered the nation.

Each guardian sect possessed the power to alter the ruling dynasty of their country, but they preferred to concentrate on their cultivation rather than be sidetracked by minor concerns, thus supporting a sovereign.

Without a strong guardian sect, a country would inevitably face the grim prospect of being annexed and devoured by its neighbors.

Wanfeng Country's establishment and continued existence were owed to the strength and deterrence of the Aoyun Sect against the guardian sects of surrounding nations.

Now, with the Aoyun Sect openly seeking outer circle disciples, it was no wonder that eligible young men from Wanfeng Country were eagerly responding. For the children of commoners, this was an opportunity not to be missed—a chance to soar to great heights. Nobles and royals alike vied for entry, each hoping to be accepted into the prestigious Aoyun Sect.

Even a spot among the outer circle disciples carries with it a mark of status and power! Rumor has it that Aoyun Sect's core disciples need not bow in the presence of the king—a testament to their extraordinary honor and glory.

Upon hearing the news, Ye Bufan inquired, "When does the recruitment for the outer circle disciples conclude?" The prospect of joining the Aoyun Sect had sparked his interest. While he might not learn much initially, the sect was known to possess ancient tomes beyond the Ye family's reach. Access to such knowledge would undoubtedly benefit him.

Moreover, his recent duel with Lin Feiyang had forced him to acknowledge the value of this world's martial techniques.

Faang Mingjie responded promptly, "The Aoyun Sect's recruitment ceremony will take place at the Central State Martial Arts Dojo on September 15th. We still have two months."

Ye Bufan quickly did the math. If all went well, he could make it to Central State by September 15th, confident that his father would back his decision.

Resolved, Ye Bufan declared, "Then it's settled. Once my affairs are in order, I'll head to Central State to give it a shot!"

"With your skills, Mr. Ye, the Aoyun Sect is sure to choose you!" Faang Mingjie said, admiration clear in his gaze.

As Yunqing observed their enthusiasm for the Aoyun Sect, she asked Ye Bufan, "Are you truly set on going?"

Ye Bufan replied with a smile, "Absolutely. The question is whether they'll have me."

Yunqing pursed her lips, falling silent as she seemed lost in thought.

During the ensuing casual chat, Ye Bufan discovered that the four of them hailed from humble beginnings, having grown up together with a bond as strong as family. Learning of the Aoyun Sect's search for outer circle disciples, they had all decided to take a chance. Little did they know they'd encounter a Wind Lightning Leopard so soon after setting out. Had Ye Bufan not intervened in time, they might well have ended up in the beast's belly...

The old saying, "The mountain looks close but is far when you run," proved true as the sun dipped below the horizon. Faang Mingjie declared, "Once we cross that mountain ahead, we'll be at the edge of East King State." Yet, even as the moon climbed the trees, we hadn't reached the mountain's base.

Traveling by night was impractical, especially since we hadn't rested the previous night. Ye Bufan was utterly exhausted from his fierce battle with the Wind Lightning Leopard earlier in the day. We lit a bonfire and gathered around it. Mengtian had stirred awake twice during our journey, signaling that the Wood Spirit Pill was working its magic; his complexion was visibly improving. All he needed now was some quiet recuperation, though it was clear that he would miss the Aoyun Sect's selection process.

Despite this, Mengtian showed no sign of disappointment in front of Mengjie. Yet, Ye Bufan noticed a profound sadness on Mengtian's face as he carried her, a weight of unspoken loss.

The thigh of the Wind Lightning Leopard sizzled over the fire, turning a mouthwatering golden brown, its aroma filling the air. Droplets of fat fell, causing the flames to dance with vigor.

Ye Bufan, with the deftness of a seasoned chef, expertly seasoned the meat, transforming our campsite into a scene of culinary excellence.

A loud gulp broke the silence as Fang Mingqiang succumbed to the enticing smell, prompting a burst of laughter from the group. The gloom from Mengtian's earlier injuries seemed to lift, lightened by the camaraderie and the crackling fire.

Soon enough, the meat was ready. Ye Bufan tore off a piece and offered it to Yunqing, treating her with extra care—after all, we would need her strength in the days to come.

If Yunqing knew Ye Bufan's thoughts, one might wonder if she would still savor her meal with such relish. Faang Mingjie and his brothers, along with Mengjie, each grabbed a piece and dug in. Their simple clothes betrayed their humble origins; such fine food was a rare treat. Ye Bufan's cooking skills did not disappoint. Mengjie ate with a certain grace, while the Faang brothers, less concerned with manners, stuffed their faces eagerly. They puffed and blew, the heat of the meat too much to handle yet too delicious to resist.

"Such delicious meat!" An old man suddenly materialized nearby, his face a picture of blissful indulgence.

He was clad in a scholar's robe that did nothing to convey refinement; one glance revealed it hadn't seen water in at least a month. His hair was unkempt, contributing to an overall impression of extreme sloppiness.

The old man's abrupt appearance put everyone on high alert. The group had chosen a clear, flat area to rest, with only a few sparse trees around, allowing for excellent visibility. Yet this old man had appeared silently, as if he had been there all along—a feat none of those present could match.

Ye Bufan and Yunqing exchanged a knowing look. Ye Bufan was inwardly startled; he hadn't noticed anything amiss before. Yunqing was an expert at the Qi Stage, yet she hadn't detected the old man's arrival. This could only mean one thing: the old man's strength was at least on par with Yunqing's, if not greater.

Watching the old man savor the moment, Ye Bufan ripped a large chunk of meat from the rack and tossed it his way. With a casual wave of his hand, the meat landed in his grasp. He bit into it with gusto, wolfing it down in a manner that left the Fang brothers mortified. Their own eating habits were the epitome of decorum in comparison.

In no time, the old man had devoured the leopard meat, not even sparing the greasy residue on his hands, which he sucked clean one by one.

Yunqing nearly lost her composure at the sight of the old man's blackened fingers entering his mouth, but she managed to hold back, mindful of his formidable strength.

Having licked his fingers clean, the old man's eyes locked onto the remaining half of the leopard leg on the rack. Without a word, he simply gazed at it.

Ye Bufan, interpreting the silent request, detached the entire leopard leg, skewer and all, and hurled it toward the old man. With a deft swipe of his right hand, the old man caught the leg, yanked the skewer free with his left, and tossed it aside before eagerly tearing into the meat once more.

Unfazed by the curious stares from those around him, the man devoured the remaining half of the leopard leg in under fifteen minutes, leaving onlookers to marvel at how such a small stomach could contain it all. After wiping his mouth, the old man cast a brief glance at the group and turned to leave. His pace seemed leisurely, yet within moments, he vanished without a trace, leaving behind only the discarded leopard bones as proof of his presence. Without those bones, one might have doubted the reality of the encounter, especially since the old man had uttered a mere single sentence upon his arrival and remained silent until his departure.

"Can you gauge his strength?" Ye Bufan inquired of Yunqing.

"Unfathomable," was Yunqing's succinct reply.

Cloud Peak City suddenly felt claustrophobically small to Ye Bufan. With the Ye family's affairs now settled, he was determined to venture beyond, even if he didn't qualify for the Aoyun Sect. First, there was his meeting with Yunqing, a youthful Qi Stage expert, which Ye Bufan could just about accept, considering his own short time in this world. Otherwise, he was certain he'd have reached the Qi Stage himself. But then, the old man's appearance gave Ye Bufan a chilling premonition: that in a fit of anger, the old man could effortlessly slay their entire party, including Yunqing, without giving anyone a chance to flee or cry for help.

Driven by an indomitable spirit and a fierce determination, Ye Bufan had once stood at the pinnacle of the Cultivation World thanks to his masterful alchemy. Reborn in this world, he refused to fade into obscurity, striving instead to reach its zenith and declare to all: I, Ye Feng, have made my mark!

The mysterious old man's appearance had dampened everyone's spirits, leading them to retreat into their own thoughts and rest. Ye Bufan had initially proposed a night watch rotation among the three men, but the Fang brothers insisted on relieving him, opting to alternate the duty between themselves.

Overwhelmed by fatigue and the intangible pressure the old man's presence had instilled in him, Ye Bufan no longer resisted the urge to rest. He surrendered to slumber, hoping to find respite from the day's events.