421 - Rebirth of a Star: Another Day, Another Drama

Chapter 421: The Death of Tai Shi Yan Tai Shi Qing huddled fearfully in the corner. Soon, Ye Ling Long pieced together Tai Shi Yan's recent experiences from others' accounts. The trouble began with the alliance between the Hunyuan Immortal Sect and the Huo family. The brothers Ye Ling Long had just slain, Huo Ming and Huo Lin, were central to the story. Huo Ming, the younger brother, was notorious for his lechery, especially towards beautiful female cultivators. He set his sights on Tai Shi Yan, who was both beautiful and an alchemist. Tai Shi Yan, proud and already in love with Ming Qian, naturally refused his advances. Tai Shi Qing, despite his affection for his only daughter, was willing to consider the match advantageous due to Huo Ming's status as an Immortal Sovereign. After all, the Hunyuan Immortal Sect couldn't afford to cross the Huo family. Tai Shi Yan turned to Ming Qian for help, hoping he would take her away. When she awoke, however, she found herself delivered into Huo Ming's bed by the person she loved. Huo Ming's brutality in his desires left Tai Shi Yan no choice but to learn to please him. Her first act of influence was to ask for Ming Qian's life. With just one strike, Ming Qian was killed by the Immortal Sovereign Huo Ming. After hearing all this, Ye Ling Long sighed at Tai Shi Yan's fate. No wonder Tai Shi Yan acted as she did, betrayed by the one she loved, pushed into the arms of another. Ming Qian probably thought too highly of himself, believing she wouldn't harm him. A scream interrupted Ye Ling Long's thoughts. Everyone turned to see Tai Shi Yan holding a sword, crimson blood dripping slowly to the ground. "You... you killed your father!" Qiu Ze Yuan's voice trembled. Everyone looked on in horror. Without a word, Tai Shi Yan lifted the sword and swiftly ended her own life. "Why did she do it?" Qiu Ze Yuan muttered, frowning. Ye Ling Long coldly replied, "She knew that even if she didn't kill herself, I wouldn't spare her. At least this way, she could retain some dignity." Qiu Ze Yuan opened his mouth to speak but said nothing in the end. ... Though the Immortal Academy had been besieged for months, its foundation remained intact. Ye Ling Long stayed an extra day, fully immersing herself in the contents of the formation books. Using the fusion method, she set up a grand formation around the Immortal Academy. Through the fusion of several high-level formations, it elevated to an earth-grade formation, far superior to the previous one. After a glance at the Silent Water Realm, she prepared to return to the Middle Celestial Realm. Although she yearned to break through the grand array immediately, she couldn't abandon Hai Da Shi and her master. Once everything was settled, she could return to the lower realm without worries. "Wait for me, Ling Yun, Master; everyone, wait for me!" she murmured before resolutely turning away. Leaving behind some resources, Ye Ling Long departed the Immortal Academy amidst reluctant gazes. ... Upon arriving at Tong Tian City, members of the Tong Tian Merchant Guild awaited her at the city gate. "Senior Ye, we've been waiting for you as per our young master's orders," one greeted. Ye Ling Long glanced at him. "Your young master is quite insightful." He smiled knowingly, gesturing her aboard the arriving airship. Unreserved, Ye Ling Long boarded the ship. On the airship, she delved into the formation book, eagerly absorbing its knowledge. After her previous successful deployment of an earth-grade formation at the Immortal Academy, she sensed her proficiency nearing advancement. Preparing some formation plates, she readied herself for upcoming battles. ... A shudder from the airship brought Ye Ling Long, who was meditating, back to alertness. They had arrived at the Middle Celestial Realm. A knock came at the door: "Senior Ye, you may disembark now." In the celestial realm, respect stemmed from cultivation, not age. Despite her youth, Ye Ling Long's prowess warranted the title of senior. Acknowledging the call, she left her room. Descending from the airship, she immediately recognized a familiar face, the steward from before. He stood respectfully behind a youthful man in a sky-blue robe, exuding an academic aura. "Ye Ling Long, we finally meet," the young man greeted first. "Are you the young master of the Tong Tian Merchant Guild?" she inquired. He nodded, "Indeed, I am Yuan Qing Feng of the Tong Tian Merchant Guild." Ye Ling Long nodded, "Thank you for your recent assistance. I owe you a favor." She was about to leave when he stopped her. "Wait, Alchemist Ye, don't you want to know your master's and Hai Da Shi's whereabouts?" Her footsteps halted, and she turned back to Yuan Qing Feng, "Are you threatening me?" "It's not a threat; it's a collaboration," Yuan Qing Feng replied steadily. ... Within the Tong Tian Merchant Guild, Ye Ling Long sat across from Yuan Qing Feng. "Tell me, what are your terms?" Yuan Qing Feng poured her a cup of tea before speaking. "After the Huo family captured your master and Hai Da Shi, they publicly declared them imprisoned in the Hai family's dungeon, but it was a trap to lure you in." "I figured as much," Ye Ling Long responded. "That's their aim, isn't it?" Yuan Qing Feng smiled. "But the Hai family isn't that kind-hearted. The truth is, they're held elsewhere." Ye Ling Long's silence was ominous, the rage in her eyes barely contained. "Where are they?" "The old residence of the Hai family." Ye Ling Long drained her tea and set the cup down. "Your conditions or rather, what do you want?" Yuan Qing Feng replied, "The Tong Tian Merchant Guild demands a future!" ... That night, the old residence of the Huo family lay silent. Suddenly, a deafening crash shattered the peace as the manor gates collapsed. The sentry, unable to discern the intruder, was slain by the cold sword aura. Ye Ling Long, wielding her sword, hovered over the Huo manor, observing as the once-calm estate erupted in chaos. Several Immortal Sovereigns immediately rushed out, sensing her presence. Upon spotting Ye Ling Long, their leader scowled, rage seething in his eyes. "Who dares to cause havoc in my Huo family!"