Chapter 218: Chapter 218, The Zhao Family Estate

Zhao Yuexin moved forward, her back to him, never once glancing over her shoulder.

Her steps were neither rushed nor sluggish, yet with each one, she covered dozens of meters. It was a movement that appeared effortless, the sort only achieved when the practitioner had long since outgrown the need to show off their power.

Lin Yi kept a steady pace behind her.

The forest path soon broadened, then slowly gave way to an ancient stone road. Towering white trees lined its edges, their leaves shimmering with a subtle spiritual light. With every minute that passed, the air around them seemed to thicken.

Lei Bao’s voice, a low rumble, came from within the Thunder Surge Blade.

"Little one Xu Mu, this place is wealthy."

Lin Yi didn’t reply aloud.

He already understood.

The very stones underfoot weren’t just common mountain rock; they were Spirit Conduction Slate, a material known for its ability to naturally draw in ambient energy. Even the road itself was constructed from resources that, back on Blue Star, would have been considered national treasures.

Up ahead, the trees gave way.

Lin Yi’s eyes narrowed just a fraction.

Before him, an enormous estate loomed, carved directly into the mountainside.

It spanned across several peaks, connecting various parts with suspended bridges, terraced layers, and platforms that seemed to float. Sword towers and training grounds were visible, alongside palatial halls carved right into the pale stone cliffs. Luminous streams of water flowed down through the structures, like bright veins.

Above the highest central hall, a massive white banner fluttered in the breeze, emblazoned with a single character.

"Zhao."

The very air of the place carried an aura of antiquity, discipline, and undeniable pride.

"Is this the Zhao Family estate?" Lin Yi found himself asking.

Zhao Yuexin finally turned her head, offering a brief glance.

"This is half of Tianyuan Star," she stated. "The western hemisphere is held by the Zhao Family. The Xiao Family controls the eastern hemisphere."

Lin Yi’s eyebrows lifted a little.

"The whole planet?"

"Yes."

Her tone implied that this fact should come as no surprise.

"Tianyuan Star isn’t a world for ordinary civilians," Zhao Yuexin went on. "It was bestowed by celestial decree eras ago. Our two families were tasked with overseeing the Ninefold Heaven Gate Mountain, to guard its lower entrance, ensure order, and assess those seeking to ascend."

Lin Yi processed the information rapidly. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

"So, there are no cities? No guilds? No independent hunters?"

"None are allowed permanent residence," she replied, her voice remaining calm.

"Travelers can come and go. Challengers may try the mountain. Guests can stay temporarily if sponsored. But Tianyuan Star belongs solely to the Zhao and Xiao bloodlines."

Lei Bao crackled with excitement.

"A whole star for just two families! Little one, we’ve walked right into a den of tyrants."

Lin Yi, once again, paid him no mind.

As they drew closer to the outer gate, dozens of Zhao Family members came into sight.

Each and every one of them had white hair.

Some were young disciples, sparring in the formation courtyards. Others, older men, sat meditating beneath ancient spirit trees. Overhead, several women in sword robes moved gracefully across suspended bridges.

One unmistakable trait was shared by them all.

White hair, like snow touched by moonlight.

Many eyes immediately turned toward Lin Yi.

A black-haired outsider trailing Zhao Yuexin was more than enough to draw instant scrutiny.

"Who is that?"

"A foreigner?"

"Did Yuexin-jie bring a man home?"

"Impossible."

"His aura is only Level 230."

Whispers rustled through the courtyard, like wind moving through leaves.

Zhao Yuexin acknowledged none of it.

She kept walking until they arrived at the central courtyard.

There, beneath a wide pavilion, sat an old man in loose robes. He was lazily sipping tea, occasionally tossing pellets from a jade bowl to the spirit fish in a pond.

His hair, also white, was long and unbound. His posture carried none of the dignity one might expect from an elder of such a place.

Yet, the instant Lin Yi’s eyes landed on him, every instinct in his body screamed, drawing taut.

Danger.

This old man, Lin Yi realized, was far more terrifying than Zhao Yuexin herself.

The old man looked up, a smile spreading across his face.

"So this is the junior you decided to attack the moment he set foot here?"

"I merely tested him," Zhao Yuexin countered.

"You call three killing moves a test?"

"If he died, he simply wasn’t qualified."

The old man burst into loud laughter.

"Reasonable enough."

He then turned his gaze toward Lin Yi.

"Young man, I am Zhao Tianhe. Third Elder of the Zhao Family. I’m the one who kept this girl from crippling you."

Lin Yi cupped his fist respectfully.

"Junior Xu Mu greets Senior Zhao."

"Good manners, indeed. Better than most."

Zhao Tianhe tossed another pellet into the pond, watching the ripples spread.

"This child, Yuexin, has a rather fiery temper. Try not to hold it against her."

"I heard that," Zhao Yuexin said, her voice turning cold.

Lin Yi subtly hid his amusement.

The old man might appear outwardly carefree, but his words carried a subtle, undeniable authority. Even Zhao Yuexin didn’t truly argue with him.

He was clearly no ordinary elder.

Suddenly, Zhao Tianhe waved his arm.

Then, a translucent panel shimmered into existence in the air before Lin Yi.

It was a spiritual inspection.

[Name: Lin Yi]

[Profession Rank: E]

[Level: 230]

[Bone Age: Concealed]

[Bloodline: Concealed]

The old man’s expression darkened slightly as he read through the interface that had appeared before him. Only he could see it, but even so, he immediately noticed four unusual details.

The first was the name. Why had Xu Mu lied about something so basic? What ulterior motives did this junior harbor?

The second was the class rank. An E-Rank capable of reaching Level 230?

The third and fourth were even more alarming: his bone age and bloodline were both concealed. How could a mere Level 230 possess the means to hide his physique and bloodline from inspection?

Truly, some terrifying monster must be backing this young lad. If he were to act rashly against him, that hidden force might destroy the Zhao Family without hesitation. It seemed he had done the right thing by stopping Zhao Yuexin from acting impulsively.

He then dismissed the panel with a flick of his hand.

Zhao Yuexin crossed her arms impatiently, "Enough games. Just tell him what he needs to know."

Zhao Tianhe let out a dramatic sigh.

"Young people, no patience at all."

He stood up.

The casual, languid air that had surrounded him vanished in an instant, as the entire courtyard seemed to press down under some unseen force. Even the clouds overhead appeared to shift.

Then, for just a single breath, his cultivation aura surfaced.

Unrecognizable.

Lin Yi’s pupils contracted sharply.

Surely Ascendant!

Not just a half-step.

A true Ascendant expert, standing right before him.

The immense pressure disappeared just as swiftly as it had appeared.

Zhao Tianhe smiled once more, as if nothing at all had happened.

"As for Yuexin," he said in a casual tone, "this troublesome girl is Level 247. Just two steps away from ascension. She’s the youngest core elder our family has seen in the last five generations."

Lin Yi looked at Zhao Yuexin with newfound understanding.

No wonder she had come so close to crushing him.

She let out a light snort, "Your expression is rather offensive."

"It means respect," Lin Yi quickly replied.

For the first time, several Zhao disciples nearby chuckled aloud, though they quickly stifled themselves.

Zhao Yuexin’s eyes swept across them.

Silence settled over the courtyard instantly.

Zhao Tianhe clasped his hands behind his back.

"Xu Mu. Since Yuexin herself brought you in, you may remain here temporarily as a guest of the Zhao Family."

He turned his gaze toward the distant, towering mountain peaks behind the estate.

"But understand this very clearly."

"The Ninefold Heaven Gate Mountain has claimed the lives of geniuses far more extraordinary than ordinary people could ever imagine."

His tone had shed all traces of humor.

"And once you decide to step toward it, your life will no longer be entirely your own."

A gust of wind rustled through the courtyard.

Then Zhao Tianhe smiled again.

"Fortunately for us, disasters always prove more entertaining than mere ordinary guests."

He pointed toward a side hall.

"Go and get some rest. Tomorrow, the younger generation of the Zhao Family will no doubt be eager to test this outsider Yuexin personally brought home."

Lei Bao laughed wildly from within the blade.

"Little one, I’m already quite fond of this family."

Lin Yi looked toward the hall, then let his gaze drift to the towering mountain beyond it.

Tomorrow, he knew, would likely not be peaceful.