Lin Wudi
Although it was already the year after, the world outside Ye Family Village remained a realm of white, a vast expanse blanketed by a thick layer of snow.
The frigid weather deterred even the fiercest beasts from wandering about, rendering the journey remarkably tranquil. Ye Feng, Ye Ba, and Ye Meng engaged in lively conversation, their hearty laughter echoing through the stillness.
Ye Tian rode a small black horse, trotting alongside the trio, absorbing their discussions filled with amusing anecdotes, and gleaning vital information about the Shenzhou Continent.
"I once journeyed to Blood Jade City and heard whispers of a powerful sect in the distant Meteor Mountain Range—the Shenting Sect."
"Blood Jade City is formidable, but when compared to the Shenting Sect, it is akin to an ant standing next to a giant; they are wholly incomparable."
"Whenever the Shenting Sect opens its gates, countless martial masters flock to seek tutelage, including geniuses from over a hundred cities congregating at Meteor Mountain."
"The sight alone makes my blood boil with excitement!"
…
Ye Feng shared one astonishing tale after another, captivating everyone with rumors that seemed almost fantastical. To these villagers, lofty Blood Jade City was already an unreachable pinnacle, let alone the legendary sects.
Many had only glimpsed tales of these sects in scrolls of beast hides or miscellaneous writings.
Ye Ba and Ye Meng regarded the tales of the Shenting Sect merely as stories; they understood their own limitations, realizing that the prospect of advancing to martial masters was already a slim hope, so why entertain thoughts of joining any sect?
Even Ye Feng had never contemplated joining a sect; it seemed utterly impossible. In all of Baiyun Town, not a single person had ever been admitted to a sect. Even Blood Jade City had produced only a handful of such prodigies in the last century.
Sects served as congregations of powerful martial artists, equipped with systematic training regimens, birthing numerous world-shaking champions.
To gain entry into a sect was akin to scaling the heavens—unimaginable for a small locale like Baiyun Town.
"Shenting Sect!" A glint of determination flickered in Ye Tian's eyes as he rode his small black horse.
The inability of Ye Feng and the others to envision such possibilities did not apply to Ye Tian. Not only did he possess a unique martial soul capable of devouring others, but he also harbored dreams of leaving the confines of Baiyun Town.
The Shenting Sect was indeed an enticing prospect!
With a newfound resolve, Ye Tian began to sketch out plans for his future.
Clop, clop, clop!
The wedding procession moved swiftly, with carriage after carriage gliding across the snow-laden earth, sending flurries of white powder dancing in the air.
Before long, the silhouette of Lin Family Village came into view.
As one of the three major villages alongside Ye Family Village, Lin Family Village stood as a colossal settlement within Baiyun Town, its towering walls seemingly endless. The imposing gates, forged from solid oak, weighed a staggering hundred thousand pounds, far beyond human strength to lift.
"Brothers of Lin Family Village, we from Ye Family Village have come to escort the bride—quick, open the gates!"
From a distance, Ye Feng called out to Lin Family Village.
Boom, boom, boom…
Soon, Ye Tian noticed shadows moving atop the walls, as a man approached to scrutinize them before retreating.
A resounding rumble followed, echoing incessantly.
The hundred-thousand-pound gates began to rise slowly, revealing a flourishing mountain village.
"Is this Lin Family Village? It resembles our Ye Family Village quite closely…" As the wedding party entered Lin Family Village, Ye Tian surveyed his surroundings, gazing upon the unfamiliar settlement.
Previously, he and Lin Tingting had often met near the nearby waterfall, and though he had escorted her home numerous times, he had only reached the outskirts of Lin Family Village, never truly entering.
Today marked Ye Tian's first visit to Lin Family Village; this unfamiliar territory was remarkably similar to Ye Family Village, differing only in the environment while maintaining equal prosperity.
As the wedding procession moved deeper into the village, many Lin Family residents gathered to watch. Ye Tian silently marveled that no matter where one went, there was always a crowd of onlookers.
"Oh, isn't that Ye Ba? What's the matter? Did you bring that little brat with you this time, only to be defeated by our invincible champion in just a couple of moves? It wouldn't even be worth our time to watch!" A mocking voice suddenly rang out from the crowd.
Upon hearing this, the nearby residents of Lin Family Village burst into laughter.
Ye Tian frowned and turned to look; the speaker was a burly man clad in wolf pelts, towering in stature, his eyes sharp and piercing, reminiscent of a blade.
"A formidable opponent!" Ye Tian felt a sudden chill in his heart; the man's presence exuded an overwhelming aura he had only felt from Ye Feng and the village chief, even surpassing that of Ye Ba.
"Lin Fei!" Ye Ba gritted his teeth, glaring fiercely at the man draped in wolf pelts.
Lin Fei? The captain of Lin Family Village's hunting team, possessing strength rivaling Ye Feng's, he was the strongest after the village chief.
Ye Tian understood at once why this man radiated such power; he was the captain of the hunting team.
Moreover, he had learned from his father that Lin Wudi was Lin Fei's son, which explained Ye Ba's fury.
"Enough, calm down!"
Ye Feng patted Ye Ba's shoulder and spoke softly, prompting Ye Ba to pause and quickly regain his composure, though his eyes still burned with rage.
"Ye Feng!" Lin Fei turned to Ye Feng, his gaze solemn. As fellow captains of the hunting team, they had crossed paths before and were well aware of each other's strengths.
"Lin Fei, we are here to escort the bride. Do not cause any trouble, or your Lin Family Village's reputation will suffer!" Ye Feng replied coldly.
"Ha ha! When did I ever cause trouble? I merely came at the village chief's request to welcome you. It's just some people with poor temperaments. I'm genuinely concerned about whether Jiao Jiao will suffer any mistreatment after marrying over." Lin Fei laughed heartily, casting a pointed glance at Ye Ba.
"What did you say? Dare to repeat that?" Ye Ba erupted with anger, like a tiger ready to pounce.
It was only when Ye Meng restrained him that he managed to regain his composure.
"Lin Fei, this isn't our first intermarriage between our two villages. When have you ever heard of a woman from Lin Family Village marrying into Ye Family Village and suffering abuse?"
Ye Feng shot a cold glare at Lin Fei, his anger flaring as the latter continued to provoke him.
"Never! I'm only expressing concern. Now let's go; the village chief and the others will be waiting." Lin Fei grinned, choosing not to escalate matters further, aware that it wouldn't look good if things turned chaotic.
"Then let us proceed!"
As they watched Lin Fei depart, Ye Feng addressed Ye Ba and Ye Meng.
The wedding procession promptly advanced, with Ye Tian riding his horse, his brow furrowed in contemplation: "It seems that even with this alliance, the relationship between Lin Family Village and Ye Family Village remains strained. I wonder if this reflects the village head's intentions or Lin Fei's personal sentiments."
Currently, the situation in Baiyun Town is dominated by Wang Family Village, boasting a formidable martial artist. Wang Family Village, thus, reigns supreme, occupying the most fertile lands within Baiyun Town.
In contrast, Lin Family Village and Ye Family Village must unite to withstand Wang Family Village's oppression; otherwise, they risk yielding to its overwhelming might or even facing annihilation.
Historically, the ties between Lin Family Village and Ye Family Village were quite strong. Ye Tian's mother hailed from Lin Family Village, and the two villages had engaged in numerous matrimonial alliances, fostering a fraternal bond.
However, in recent years, their relationship has soured, marked by continuous competition. Though they have yet to openly clash, undercurrents of tension have already begun to surface.
From Ye Tian's broken engagement to Lin Wei's thwarted marriage proposal, the subtle rifts between the two villages are becoming increasingly apparent.
"Alas, these matters are beyond my control. It is far more crucial to enhance my strength. As long as I can become a martial artist, Ye Family Village will no longer face any threats in Baiyun Town," Ye Tian sighed, shaking his head, choosing to disregard these trivialities; for him, cultivation remains paramount.
Soon after, the wedding procession came to a halt before a stone house, the residence of the village head of Lin Family Village.
Ye Tian surveyed the surroundings but found no sign of the familiar figure he sought.
"Seeing Tingting truly confined!" Ye Tian's gaze dimmed, his fists clenched as he gritted his teeth in frustration.
However, he quickly regained his composure; he was no longer the worthless youth devoid of a martial soul. With his devouring martial soul, he would eventually wield his power to attain what he desired.
"Ye Feng!"
A venerable voice suddenly echoed.
From the stone house emerged an elderly man with white hair, accompanied by a youth of about seventeen or eighteen. The elder's gaze was profound, exuding immense presence, while the youth's eyes sparkled with pride.
Ye Tian recognized the elder as Lin Xiong, the village head of Lin Family Village who had once come to propose to him, and the youth was likely Lin Wudi.
"Village Head Lin, we have come to escort the bride. I hope your esteemed daughter is prepared," Ye Feng said, clasping his fists respectfully.
Lin Xiong remained silent, while Lin Fei interjected with a chuckle, "Escort the bride? Have you forgotten yesterday's agreement? If you wish to escort her, first you must defeat my son. Does Ye Family Village intend to back out?"
With that, he cast a teasing glance at Ye Ba, who was too enraged to respond.
"Indeed! Since the rules have been established, there is no room for reneging. I shall not make it difficult for you; as long as the young lad you bring can endure a hundred moves under Wudi's hand, all will be well!" Lin Xiong nodded.
As his words settled, the youth stepped forward, gazing haughtily at Ye Feng and the others, and impatiently remarked, "Let's see if you can bring someone impressive this time. Don't let it end like yesterday, where I knocked your last contender out with just three punches. It's quite pathetic. Does Ye Family Village lack talent, unable to produce even one genius?"
At this, Ye Ba and Ye Meng were seething with anger, and even Ye Feng's expression darkened.