Once the Qiankun Ancestor fully incorporates the World Tree within himself, these people will all be trapped here.

Although Ye Xuan is not really a good person, among them are quite a few with whom Ye Xuan has had interactions; as for the others, Ye Xuan doesn’t really care.

The Emperor Road is about to begin, how long these people can survive remains an unknown.

Soon, under Ye Xuan’s reminder, they began to leave the World Tree one after another.

Those who were familiar exchanged greetings with Ye Xuan, inquired briefly about the battle situation, and then left.

While those strangers left directly.

After these people walked out of the World Tree, their aura was evidently more terrifying than before.

There’s no need to think much to know that during these days within the World Tree, they absorbed a huge amount of Power of World.

Initially, even just absorbing a moment was enough for many at Great Venerate Peak to step into the Great Sage Realm.

Now they’ve been cultivating inside the World Tree for over seven days, clearly becoming even more terrifying.

Then.

A tall young woman in a black robe descended near Ye Xuan.

The woman looked to be in her early twenties, very young, carrying a heroic spirit, unmatched in sharpness.

A three-foot long sword hung at her waist.

Her hair was tied in a high ponytail.

Refined to the utmost.

At this moment, the woman fell not far from Ye Xuan and cupped her hands at him, saying, "I am Nie Jing, from Qilin Continent, greetings to Young Master Ye."

Nie Jing, ranked twenty-fifth on the Mystic Yellow List, one of the three prodigies from beyond the Nine States Land.

Indeed.

Although Nie Jing is also from the Xuanhuang Great World, she’s not from Nine States Land, but from another place called Qilin Continent.

Nie Jing’s actions left some Mystic Yellow List prodigies who hadn’t left yet puzzled.

What is this girl planning to do?

Challenge Ye Xuan?

Wouldn’t that be too foolish? Everyone saw Ye Xuan’s terrifying power in the previous battle, even the second-ranked Zhou Ye had no chance of winning.

Challenging Ye Xuan would be courting death.

Curiosity slowed their steps as they wanted to hear some news.

Ye Xuan squinted at Nie Jing and said calmly, "Is there something you want?"

He didn’t know this young lady and hadn’t interacted with her before.

Nie Jing cupped her hands in a bow, saying somewhat nervously, "Nie Jing wishes to follow Young Master Ye, may I ask if Young Master Ye agrees?"

With these words, everyone realized.

So this was her intention, it couldn’t have been a challenge to Ye Xuan, as courting death would be foolish.

Following Ye Xuan, this was the right choice.

Yet...

Would Ye Xuan agree?

Everyone was a bit curious.

Honestly, many had ideas about Nie Jing.

First, she comes from Qilin Continent beyond the Nine States, where even a Great Emperor Immortal Sect doesn’t exist, lacking foundation, which simply means a clean background.

Secondly, because she’s indeed young and beautiful, with extraordinary talent and strength.

Being ranked twenty-fifth on the Mystic Yellow List speaks volumes.

Bear in mind, Zi Yang Heavenly Monarch forced a breakthrough into the Great Sage while enduring Heavenly Dao Suppression, but he only managed twenty-fourth place.

"Oh?"

Ye Xuan squinted, sizing up Nie Jing.

In an instant, nearly all of Nie Jing was laid bare before Ye Xuan.

Nie Jing felt an overwhelming pressure, and Ye Xuan’s dominant and invasive scrutiny left her feeling exposed as though naked, causing her cheeks to flush.

Fortunately, Ye Xuan quickly withdrew his gaze.

Ye Xuan stopped looking at Nie Jing and said lightly, "Potential is passable, temperament lags behind."

Such a statement practically announced he wouldn’t accept Nie Jing.

But these words left other Mystic Yellow List individuals feeling speechless.

Potential passable!?

She’s ranked on the Mystic Yellow List and he says just passable?

Nie Jing’s lovely face went pale, feeling at a loss.

Despite expecting rejection, she hadn’t imagined it would be for this reason.

She was a Sacred Body after all!

The Spirit of the Void God Realm was of the Tenth Rank; her Daoist Platform was perfect; when condensing Grotto Heaven, she achieved the exceptional feat of condensing Nine Cave Heaven, making her one-of-a-kind on Qilin Continent.

How could she end up as merely passable in Ye Xuan’s words?

Nie Jing felt somewhat shook.

In the distance, another young man, robust and towering, originally planned to approach.

However, upon hearing Ye Xuan’s assessment of Nie Jing, he stopped, sighed deeply, and silently moved away.

His name was Yue Chong and, like Nie Jing, he hailed from Qilin Continent.

Ranked twenty-seventh on the Mystic Yellow List.

He had originally considered using this opportunity to pledge his loyalty to Ye Xuan.

Unexpectedly, even Nie Jing was rejected, leaving him with no courage to try.

Trying would only bring shame.

Alas.

People like him and Nie Jing, although ranked on the Mystic Yellow List, had limited backgrounds, restricting their resources.

If they couldn’t keep up in the future, they’d surely drop off the Mystic Yellow List.

The world spread the rumor that the Emperor Road was about to open.

At this pivotal moment, if he and Nie Jing couldn’t find a backing, their journey down the Emperor Road wouldn’t last long.

Precisely for this reason, they arrived at the Great Ruins not only to seek an Immortal Treasure but to find a patron.

Clearly, their sights were set on Ye Xuan.

Because Ye Xuan was atop the Mystic Yellow List, and rumor had it he had a strong background.

However, Ye Xuan refused them outright.

"Then may I..."

At this moment, another young girl in yellow cautiously spoke, glancing timidly.

"Cheng Kes!"

Seeing this young girl, Nie Jing and Yue Chong focused their attention.

On the Mystic Yellow List, there are only three not from the Nine States Land.

Namingly, Nie Jing and Yue Chong from Qilin Continent.

Besides them, was Cheng Kes, from the largest continent beyond Nine States, the Xuanhuang Continent.

Ranked twenty-first on the Mystic Yellow List, higher than Chi Yan and Zi Yang Heavenly Monarch.

Originally intending to leave, Nie Jing and Yue Chong paused, curious if Ye Xuan would agree.

Ye Xuan, hearing this, looked at Cheng Kes, this young girl’s bone age was merely twenty?

Ye Xuan was slightly surprised.

Her bone age was only slightly older than Ye Xuan and, on the Mystic Yellow List, possibly only Ye Xuan and Jiang Ya were younger.

Careful evaluation revealed this girl had a Divine Body of Great Success.

Other than that, she possessed no other extraordinariness.

"Don’t refuse me, I can paint." Cheng Kes hurriedly added as Ye Xuan gazed at her.

"Paint?"

Nie Jing and Yue Chong were bewildered, wondering if this was a special skill.

"Painter?" Ye Xuan squinted slightly.

"Mm-hmm!" Cheng Kes nodded vigorously.

"Alright, you can follow me from now on." Ye Xuan nodded.

"Great!" Cheng Kes cheered, promptly bowing and saying earnestly, "Thank you, Young Master!"

"This..."

Nie Jing and Yue Chong were bewildered.

Was this acceptable?

Yet before they could question further, Ye Xuan waved them off.

Accepting Cheng Kes wasn’t impulsive.

It was simply because Cheng Kes was a painter...