Imperial God Emperor

In the following one hour, Ye Qingyu and Li Rui, who had gradually calmed down, were talking and joking.

From Li Rui's mouth, Ye Qingyu became more clearly aware of the state of Crepe Myrtle Sect, and the situation of a disciple like Li Rui.

Since the Battle of the Light Palace, the Patriarch of the Crepe Myrtle Sect and several elders of the large sects had fallen in succession. The Crepe Myrtle Sect, which occupied a high position before, plunged and could be described as unable to rise again after the setback.  

During the past year, all the people in the sect were in a state of recovery and survival.

In particular, after the Patriarch died in battle, the position was left empty. The remaining senior elders had deliberated over the position many times, but because they were focused on personal gain, they fought endlessly, and constantly caused internal frictions, they were still unable to select the best candidate to inherit the sect.

And some of the chief disciples of the deceased elders who were eyeing the position of the Patriarch often fought each other in an overt and covert way, waiting for the opportunity to harm the potential candidates of becoming the successor. Therefore, the disciples with no hope of inheriting the sect simply formed cliques, divided into several groups of forces, and supported the disciple they expected to succeed the position. As a result, they naturally abandoned their cultivation training. 

In addition, there were some disciples like Li Rui, who, during the great changes, concentrated on cultivation day and night. His strength rapidly progressed, but he had no intention to compete, so usually he deliberately concealed his real strength.

Ye Qingyu admired the youngster Li Rui a lot, Having heard what he said, he even more believed why after the changes of the heaven and earth, Li Rui will become the person of Crepe Myrtle Sect whose strength will improve the fastest.

Only a person of great wisdom would have such a free and calm temperament, and this mentality and power of understanding were extremely favourable for the cultivation of yuan qi. The right approach needed less effort and lead to better results.

For example, Yan Buhui. After he had returned to his loved one, his way of thinking was much gentler and his previous vicious tendencies were gone. In one leap he was almost stepping into the Immortal Step boundary. This could be regarded as a miracle.

Although Li Rui's aptitudes were not as good as Yan Buhui, having been training in Crepe Myrtle Sect over the years, his foundation was extremely solid and his mentality was good.

“Li Rui, listening to what you just said, Crepe Myrtle is now without a leader. Then what kind of person do you think should be the Patriarch?” Ye Qingyu asked indifferently, looking at the pavilion in front, where two long-tail red ibis were hovering, and slightly falling into a trance.  

“Actually... senior brother Gaofeng is very good, he is a great disciple of the elder of the Conduct and Virtue Hall. He is strong and acts very decisively...” Li Rui gave a very serious answer, though his expression was somewhat hesitant. 

“But?” Ye Qingyu did not turn his head back, still seriously staring at the red ibis chasing each other in the air.

“But... but... senior brother Gaofeng... the way he deals with matters... is... im... impatient.” Li Rui lowered his head and clutched the scabbard in his hand. No one could have made such words come out of his mouth had it not been for Ye Qingyu.  

“Then do you think you can compete for the position of Crepe Myrtle Sect's Patriarch?” Ye Qingyu all of a sudden shifted his gaze, looking at Li Rui. 

“Ah? Me?!” Startled and somewhat shocked, Li Rui waved his hand in a panic, “I can't, I don't have that qualification... I have neither the boldness and courage of senior brother Gao, nor the talent of the senior brother Yun. Both are extremely strong, and I have always been very cowardly... cowardly...”

Ye Qingyu looked at the anxious and slightly pale youngster, and gave a faint smile.

“Why undervalue yourself. Back then at the [Breeze and Drizzle building] when the other senior brothers were cowering back, you stood in front senior sister Nan Hua, and when you were seriously wounded you still protected your junior brothers. If this is not courage and boldness, then what is it? As for strength, your innate talent may not be as good as your senior brother Yun, but your temperament brings the opportunity for the enhancement of your cultivation that others could not even ask for.” 

Li Rui was slightly dumbfounded, a look of disbelief in his eyes.  

Lord Ye, just now, was he praising me?

His originally pale face reddened a little, and in a little trembling voice he explained, “Actually, I was... at that time... just feel like I should have done that... I didn't think too much...”

Ye Qingyu smiled, “You are wrong. In this world most people actually understand what and when to do, but rarely very few dare to stand up to do it. You do not fight with others, your heart is pure, but you have your own persistence and attitude in dealing with a matter. To dare to think and dare to do at the critical time is real fearlessness and courageousness.” 

Ye Qingyu showed a hint of admiration. 

“I...” At that moment, there was a look of hesitation on Li Rui’s blank face. 

He seemed to have understood something in his mind, but it was still a little vague. 

Ye Qingyu noticed his tangled and troubled expression, and after a second thought, added with a smile, “Don't you want to marry your senior sister Nan Hua?” 

Li Rui, as though the thoughts at the bottom of his heart were read, suddenly very shyly blushed crimson from the cheek all the way to the ear and neck, like the long tail red ibis in midair.  

Nervous, he responded with a fit of coughing like his chest was stuck with something, and his face was as red as though was bleeding, “Cough... Lord... cough, cough... I... Nan Hua... I...”

In fact, he wanted to tell Lord Ye that he wanted to marry Nan Hua and had always dreamed of this.

But he was well aware that senior sister Nan Hua had high standards and paid no attention to him.

Ye Qingyu looked at the youngster’s embarrassed face, and could not help laughing.

He certainly understood what it meant when Li Rui did not say anything, and understood all the worries of the cowardly youngster. 

He had also seen Nan Hua in Youyan Pass before. He could already tell that although the woman was somewhat vain, her character was not bad. If guided, or perhaps with Li Rui's sincerity, she would understand the true meaning of love.  

“Think again, if you were to succeed the Patriarch of the Crepe Myrtle Sect and become the leader of the sect, would senior sister Nan Hua still pay no attention to you?” Ye Qingyu suddenly changed the topic and decided to guide the youngster in front of him with another method.

Trying hard to calm himself down, when the uncontrollably coughing Li Rui heard the words of Lord Ye, he suddenly seemed to be lost in thought. 

His mind emerged with that lively smile, that incomparably beautiful woman. 

Maybe... if... I can... senior sister... she.... 

Li Rui seemed to have figured out something at this moment.

“Lord Ye, you are right, if I become the Patriarch, I am naturally worthy of senior sister Nan Hua, but...” He still was hesitant, as though worried about something else. 

“Since you think I'm right, then trust me, come with me, and I'll make a decision for you.” 

Ye Qingyu burst into loud laughter, reached out his hand to grab his arm, and with a flash the two figures immediately vanished from the pavilion.

That was when—— 

Boom! 

Boom! 

Boom!

Crepe Myrtle Sect’s Bright Cloud bell, which had not been rung for many years, was struck all of a sudden.

Three loud noises enough to tremble the mountains and rivers reverberated across sky, sending the whole Violet Spiritual Mountain quaking. 

“What's going on?!” 

“Who struck the bell?”  

“Something happened on the mountain?”  

“Quickly take a look at the square in front of Crepe Myrtle hall!” 

All the elders and disciples on the whole Violet Spiritual Mountain were extremely shocked. One after another, they speeded towards the square before the Crepe Myrtle hall.

But in the middle of the hall, there was nobody near the Bright Cloud bell. Only a wisp of strange force gently twisted around the Bright Cloud bell, dissipating.  

“Look! On the Cloud Ascension platform!” one of the disciples exclaimed in disbelief.

Everyone was so shocked that they immediately turned to the Cloud Ascension platform East of the square.

A figure clothed in a moon white robe, exuding an Immortal-like air, tall and perfectly straight, was leading a lower level Crepe Myrtle Sect disciple up the steps. Their pace was steady and firm as they made their way up the Cloud Ascension platform. 

For a moment, all Crepe Myrtle disciples were in a state of great shock. 

“Who are they?” 

“Why can they walk up the Cloud Ascension platform?”

“Aren't they afraid of being blown down by the formations?”

“Could it be...” 

A few disciples initially reacted with disbelief and questions.

Cloud Ascension platform, for hundreds of years, was the last trial of becoming the Patriarch of Crepe Myrtle Sect.

Every step of the thousand steps to the clouds was a test. 

Only by ascending these one thousand steps, which the founding ancestor and successive Patriarchs had injected training formations into, could one be regarded as having received the recognition of the ancestors and become a true successor. 

But why could those two people receive recognition?  

Who was that white-clothed figure?  

Who was that lower level disciple next to him? 

Does he want to compete for the position of Patriarch?

Several elders and older disciples took the lead and intended to rush over to stop them.

But hundreds of meters away from the Cloud Ascension platform, there was an exceedingly strong force that propelled them back to the square. 

A number of Crepe Myrtle disciples and elders stood silently on the square of the main hall.

More people were holding their breath, waiting for the final result of whether the two figures would be bombarded by the formations or successfully ascend to the top.

A couple of moments later.

Under the gaze of everyone, the two figures in the distance successfully set foot on the last step and ascended to the top of the platform. 

They turned around.

Looking down from a height.

Ye Qingyu's white clothes were brighter than snow. His black hair fluttered in the wind, and bathed in a brilliance of light, he resembled a peerless Immortal.

Li Rui, who was usually ridiculed and looked down upon by the Crepe Myrtle disciples, was still a little hesitant as before and even revealed an expression like he was situated in a dream. 

At that moment.  

The strangely silent square, as though thunderclap had struck, erupted with tide-like exclamations.

“Who is that!” 

“Lord... Lord Ye!” 

“It is Lord Ye of the Light Palace!” 

“It's him?” 

“Why is he here?!” 

“Next to him... Li Rui?!”

“Why is it Li Rui!”

“Could it be... Li Rui... impossible... how could he be qualified!”

“They're on the Cloud Ascension platform, what are they going to do?” 

“Among the crowd, a remarkably beautiful girl with soft, fair skin was filled with astonishment, muttering in an indistinct voice, “How would it be them... Lord Ye... Li Rui... they... why  would... they be appearing at the same time... on the Cloud Ascension platform... Li Rui... how come he could go up...” 

This woman, who could not believe what she had seen, and tried hard to control her composure, was senior sister Nan Hua, a fairy-like existence in Li Rui’s mind——