Protect Our Patriarch

---

Sighing deeply, even the enchanting Madame Butterfly couldn't help but lament, "What a pity for Yu Hang! With his potential, he had a three to four in ten chance of ascending to the Purple Mansion. But after this disaster, his chances have dropped below twenty percent."

Such a low probability was almost like a death sentence for Yu Hang.

The Yuanshui Ascetic, with his jade-like face, was shrouded in indignation, "Those fiends from the Demon Lands are too malicious, attacking with overwhelming numbers. This is intolerable, and I will not let this matter rest."

"Yuanshui, my disciple Long Yan also endured the invasion of Yin Sha for decades," said the veiled Ice Ripple Ascetic. "She turned the Yin Sha into her own strength and averted the crisis. If this method works, it could quickly heal Yu Hang's injuries."

"Ice Ripple, our esteemed Purple Mansion Academy cannot have everyone dabbling in the arts of Yin Sha," the Evergreen Ascetic slightly objected, "If we start allowing this, we might as well rename our academy to Yin Sha Demon Sect."

"Besides, I'm aware of Long Yan's situation. She suffered from the poison of Yin Sha for fifty years, battling it every day, which gave her a deeper understanding and the ability to turn it to her advantage. Yu Hang certainly cannot do the same."

"Hmph, what do you know, old relic? My disciple Long Yan has suffered immensely," Ice Ripple Ascetic retorted. "Why don't you give it a try?"

"Enough, we've already made an exception for Long Yan," Yuanshui Ascetic mediated. "But Evergreen is right, we can't have everyone practicing the arts of Yin Sha. It would harm the reputation of our academy. Let's do this: Ice Ripple, please write a letter inviting Long Yan to the academy to see if she can cure Yu Hang of the Xuan Yin Sha Poison."

Xuan Yin Sha Poison was even more vicious than the common Yin Sha Poison, so Yuanshui Ascetic was merely hoping for the best.

"There's no need for a letter, my disciple Long Yan is currently handling matters in the Commandery City. I'll send a disciple to invite her," Ice Ripple Ascetic conceded, not wanting to continue the dispute with Evergreen Ascetic, especially since Yuanshui Ascetic had previously smoothed things over for Long Yan.

"Then I'll trouble you, Ice Ripple," Yuanshui Ascetic replied gratefully, bowing. Yu Hang was his prized disciple, having followed him for nearly three hundred years, and their bond was as deep as that of father and son.

"The root cause of Yu Hang's predicament is our lack of high-level combat power in the extraterritorial battlefield. Recently, Yuanhua Ascetic from the Southern Desert Academy was injured there, further tipping the scales," Xuan Yao Ascetic commented. "Although our dean is in seclusion and the vice dean is traveling, our Long Left Purple Mansion Academy must make a statement regarding Yu Hang's situation."

"Why not? I've been idle lately, so I'll take a trip to the extraterritorial battlefield to prevent those old fogeys from the Yin Sha Demon Sect from thinking our academy is unguarded," declared Dazzling Ascetic, his eyes flashing with resolve.

"In that case, I'll also take a trip outside," Ice Ripple Ascetic said calmly. "Additionally, my disciple You An has made great progress recently. It's time for him to go out and gain more experience."

Stroking his beard, Evergreen Ascetic added, "This old man hasn't been to the extraterritorial battlefield in a long while. Green Wei has reached the Celestial Realm, so I'll take her to broaden her horizons."

The three Ascetics expressed their intentions.

Madame Butterfly spoke, "With the three of you going, it should be enough. Yuanshui and I will hold down the fort. Let the core disciples who have reached the Celestial Realm go out and temper themselves, and you three take good care of them."

Inside the Long Left Purple Mansion Academy, there was competition among everyone, but when it came to external affairs, the Ascetics were united.

"Although we can fight, the future depends on the next generation," Xuan Yao Ascetic said regretfully. "It's a pity my disciple Luo Qiu is still too young. If she were older and in the Celestial Realm, I could take her to gain experience. Given time, she'll surely make those youngsters run for their lives."

"My disciple Luo Jing is the same," Madame Butterfly said with pride. "That girl is calm and calculating, and she's bound to achieve great things."

"In recent years, although the young ones are good, we still need more," Evergreen Ascetic noted. "Yuanshui, I heard you've already chosen Wang Shouzhe's daughter, Wang Liyao, as your direct disciple. Could she be a prodigy with a special bloodline?"

Mention of Wang Liyao brightened Yuanshui Ascetic's mood, and he smiled, "Of course, otherwise I wouldn't have chosen her as my direct disciple before she even joined. The child has a top-grade second-class talent and a pure Yuan Water bloodline."

Top-grade second-class talent?

The Ascetics looked on with envy. Such a bloodline talent was among the best even among prodigies. Yuanshui Ascetic was indeed fortunate to have found such a treasure.

The Wang Clan of Changning seemed to have stumbled upon incredible luck, with one prodigy after another emerging. If they continued to develop like this, they would undoubtedly become a powerful family in the future.

***

While the Ascetics discussed matters of great importance, on Tianhu Island.

Wang Liyao, Yuanshui Ascetic's "predestined direct disciple," was still touring around under the guidance of Lu Xianghui.

Wang Liyao was quite pleased with the environment, culture, and facilities of Yuanshui Tianhu.

Perhaps because she practiced the Yuan Water lineage, the disciples of Yuanshui Tianhu were generally polite and amiable.

However, this thought was fleeting in Wang Liyao's mind. Practicing the "Yuan Water True Scripture" certainly didn't improve one's temper. One need only think of her mother, Liu Ruolan, to understand why.

Growing up, Wang Liyao was never afraid of her father, who doted on her immensely. Only her mother could make her feel utterly helpless; when her mother lost her temper, the whole family trembled.

Just as Wang Liyao felt she had seen enough and wanted to visit other peaks and lineages, suddenly—

A commotion erupted from the square ahead.

"Brother Lexian, keep it up, show your true strength and wealth. If anyone in Yuanshui Tianhu can win the Ninth Miss's approval, it's you."

"Who says? In my opinion, Sister Yujun is the best match for the Ninth Miss. Look how beautiful and gentle she is. The Ninth Miss would be very happy with her."

"I think Brother Zhenghua has the best chance. He's a mid-stage second-layer Yuan Water Spirit Body with a prestigious family background and generous allowances, ensuring the Ninth Miss would live comfortably."

"I support Brother Lexian." "I support Sister Yujun." "I support Brother Zhenghua."

People continued to discuss and cheer for their idols. There were other supporters, but they were a minority compared to those three.

"Ninth Miss?" Wang Liyao's expression turned curious. Who was this Ninth Miss that could make all these brothers and sisters compete for her favor?

"Um..." Lu Xianghui, embarrassed, quickly explained, "Please don't misunderstand, Sister. The Ninth Miss is the youngest descendant of the old turtle ancestor, who has ascended to the third rank of spirit beasts in less than fifty years, showing her profound bloodline. She's deeply loved and pampered by the old turtle ancestor."

"Recently, the old turtle ancestor announced that the Ninth Miss's opportunity has come within our Yuanshui lineage. Therefore, eligible brothers and sisters are vying for her favor. Whoever wins her as a spirit pet will surely secure a direct disciple status."

As Lu Xianghui explained, they pushed through the crowd.

Several young ascetics with not insignificant cultivation surrounded a turtle the size of a small cart, offering all kinds of exotic fruits and even spirit stones and gold notes as "financial proof," fawning over the turtle.

The Yuan Water Spirit Turtle lay bored on a sunning platform made of Yuan Water stone bricks, occasionally nibbling on delicacies offered by someone, then closing its eyes to nap.

It seemed indifferent to the flattery, accepting all offerings without showing favor to anyone.

Despite this, the brothers and sisters were even more gracious and amiable, continuously upping their bids to please the spirit beast.

"This is a Xuan Water Spirit Fruit." Brother Lexian finally took out a fruit exuding rich water elemental spirit energy from his storage ring, saying, "If the Ninth Miss agrees to a contract with me, in addition to the generous conditions I've already offered, I'll provide one Xuan Water Spirit Fruit every ten years."

Xuan Water Spirit Fruit?

This was a treasure on par with the Zhu Fruit, invaluable. Consuming it could slightly enhance one's bloodline, though the higher the bloodline, the lesser the effect.

Clearly, the Xuan Water Spirit Fruit piqued the Ninth Miss's interest. She lifted her head, her big watery eyes fixed on the fruit, looking eager.

"It's settled!" Brother Lexian thought triumphantly. Though parting with the Xuan Water Spirit Fruit was painful, winning the Ninth Miss's favor made it all worthwhile.

Suddenly!

The Ninth Miss turned her head, looking into the crowd. After a moment of confusion, she quickly swallowed Brother Lexian's Yuan Water Spirit Fruit, stretching her neck to gulp it down.

Brother Lexian was overjoyed, while the others were disappointed. Had they known the Ninth Miss loved the Xuan Water Spirit Fruit so much, they would have done anything to get one.

Just as the crowd was about to congratulate Brother Lexian, the Ninth Miss suddenly sprang into action. She dashed into the crowd with lightning speed and reached Wang Liyao in the blink of an eye. She stretched her neck and affectionately rubbed her head against Wang Liyao, showing great fondness.

What on earth was happening?