"Nephew?"
Wang Hu nodded affirmatively, his piercing gaze briefly sweeping over Ye Tian. Upon noticing Ye Tian's mere secondary martial artist status, he shifted his focus, mildly impressed. "Not bad for your age; achieving the second level of martial arts at such a young age speaks volumes about your potential."
Potential?
Hearing this, Ye Ba couldn't help but scoff inwardly. What do they truly know about Ye Tian's talents? He would undoubtedly astonish all of Baiyun Town in the future.
Ye Ba refrained from saying much, fully aware that Ye Tian concealed his true strength, ensuring that Wang Hu could not perceive it.
Meanwhile, Ye Tian assessed Wang Hu with a curious facade. His innocent expression naturally lowered defenses, causing no one to regard him as a mere secondary martial artist.
"Ye Ba, why isn't Ye Feng here this time?" Wang Hu withdrew his gaze from Ye Tian, turning to Ye Ba with a thoughtful inquiry.
With a casual smile, Ye Ba replied, "Brother Feng is currently in seclusion after making a breakthrough. Didn't our village chief inform you about it three days ago when you visited our Ye family village?"
"Oh! Haha, I nearly forgot." Wang Hu chuckled, his eyes narrowing slightly. A flicker of change passed across his countenance upon hearing about Ye Feng's breakthrough, a fleeting shift that Ye Tian keenly noticed.
"It appears this fellow is probing the strength of our Ye family village. The village chief deliberately informed him of Uncle Feng's advancement, clearly to intimidate Wang family village!"
Ye Tian silently acknowledged this revelation.
Though Wang family village seemed formidable, they had their own difficulties. Their martial masters could only serve as deterrents; engaging in combat personally would provoke an alliance among the other villages, leading to their demise. Hence, true strength was ultimately determined by martial artists of the tenth level.
Presently, the Ye family village boasted two tenth-level martial artists, serving as a significant deterrent to Wang family village. If their martial artists dared to act, they would face the constant threat of surprise attacks from the two tenth-level masters, plunging Wang family village into unrest. This was the very reason why Wang family village had not unified Baiyun Town.
Unless the village chief of Wang family village, a martial master himself, could single-handedly conquer Ye family and Lin family villages, they would remain unable to unify Baiyun Town.
Having grasped the current situation, Ye Tian felt a sense of relief and thought: Uncle Feng was right; Ye family village is safe for now. I truly need to head to Blood Jade City soon. The sooner I break through to martial master, the sooner I can lead Ye family village toward prosperity.
Lost in thought, Wang Hu had already guided them into a residence within Wang family village.
"Brother Ye Ba, your esteemed presence graces Wang family village, truly illuminating our humble abode! Please, this way…" Wang Hu chuckled heartily, his demeanor growing increasingly cordial upon confirming Ye Feng's breakthrough to the tenth level.
However, both Ye Tian and Ye Ba understood that beneath Wang Hu's congenial facade lay concealed daggers. He must have silently cursed inwardly, for Ye Feng's breakthrough was a significant blow to Wang family village's ambitions.
Nevertheless, Ye Ba and Ye Tian paid no mind to his hidden animosity. They followed Wang Hu into the residence, which, although somewhat modest, surpassed the stone and wooden houses of Ye family village. This alone illustrated Wang family village's strength.
"Ye Tian, take this opportunity to get acquainted with your peers; it will greatly benefit your understanding of Baiyun Town," Ye Ba whispered, treating Ye Tian as if he were a country boy just stepping out of the mountains.
Ye Tian, disinterested in explanations, nodded absently, his curiosity piqued as he surveyed his surroundings.
Inside the residence, guests filled every corner, each a martial artist clad in animal hides, exuding a rugged vigor similar to those in Ye family village.
However, Ye Tian noticed numerous formidable individuals among them; there were over a dozen at the ninth level, and dozens at the eighth level, with even more at the seventh level.
There were also several young newcomers, some merely at the first or second levels, while others had reached the third or fourth levels.
From Ye Ba, Ye Tian learned that nearly every village in Baiyun Town had come to celebrate, and those powerful figures represented other villages, explaining their abundance.
"Ye Ba, I didn't expect Ye Feng to miss this gathering," a familiar voice suddenly called out. Both Ye Tian and Ye Ba turned, their gazes sharpening.
The newcomer was none other than Lin Fei, the captain of the Lin family village's beast-hunting team, accompanied by his son, Lin Wudi.
Lin Wudi cast a cold glance at Ye Tian, stating, "Ye Tian, do you have the courage to compete with me again?"
Clearly, he was still vexed over his previous defeat at Ye Tian's hands.
"Are you challenging me?" Ye Tian touched his nose in surprise, glancing at Lin Fei beside Lin Wudi, who stood with his arms crossed, displaying an expression of keen interest.
"Yes, I am challenging you! Do you dare to accept my challenge?" Lin Wudi replied icily, his eyes filled with a fierce fighting spirit.
Ye Tian assessed him. This lad had already advanced to the third level of martial arts, explaining his newfound confidence. To ascend a level within a year was quite an achievement, making him a remarkable talent.
But to challenge him…
Not only did Ye Tian shake his head, but Ye Ba also wore a mocking smile.
What a joke! If even the peak-level Purple Cloud Leopard of the ninth rank could be slain by Ye Tian with a single blow, what chance did this mere child of the third rank have?
Under Lin Wudi's furious gaze, Ye Tian shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, but I do not accept your challenge."
"You… coward!" Lin Wudi exclaimed in a fit of rage, baring his teeth at Ye Tian and preparing to charge at him, only to be intercepted by Ye Ba stepping in front.
"Lin Fei, keep a close watch on your son. Are you intent on causing a disturbance at the banquet for Village Chief Wang?" Ye Ba said coldly.
Lin Fei, initially furious, was rendered speechless by this remark. After all, today was a special occasion, and the venue was not in Lin Family Village; it was hardly the right time to turn against Ye Ba.
"Indeed, Brother Lin, do me this favor. Today is the old man's birthday; do not disrupt the festivities," Wang Hu chimed in, approaching with a sharp gaze that made Lin Fei's eyes narrow.
"We're leaving!" Lin Fei retorted, pulling Lin Wudi along with a disdainful huff as they headed to a nearby seat.
"Ye Tian, you coward!" Lin Wudi yelled as Lin Fei dragged him away, his furious eyes still fixed on Ye Tian.
Ye Tian could only shake his head in exasperation, no longer wishing to engage with the boy.
After exchanging pleasantries with Ye Ba, Wang Hu departed to attend to other guests.
Ye Tian watched Lin Fei's retreating figure, furrowing his brow in silence. It seemed that the alliance between Lin Family Village and Ye Family Village had completely collapsed, leading them to quarrel in front of the people from Wang Family Village.
Ye Ba's face grew somber as he, too, recognized the gravity of the situation. Although he and Lin Fei had previously clashed, they had always maintained a facade of harmony before the residents of Wang Family Village, who were a mutual adversary.
However, today marked a shift; could it be that Lin Family Village was planning some action?
"Here comes the elder!"
A loud announcement startled Ye Tian and Ye Ba, causing all eyes within the mansion to turn toward the entrance.
An elderly man, his hair and beard white as snow, slowly walked into the mansion, flanked by several warriors from Wang Family Village.
As soon as he appeared, everyone rose to their feet, their expressions filled with reverence, including Ye Ba beside Ye Tian.
Ye Tian silently observed the old man, and without Ye Ba's guidance, he could sense the formidable aura emanating from him, leading him to deduce the elder's identity—Master Wang Xu, the sole martial master of Baiyun Town and the village chief of Wang Family Village.
"He is indeed powerful; at my current level, I am no match for him!" After a moment, Ye Tian lowered his head, his gaze flickering with contemplation.
Wang Xu took his seat at the head of the table, surveying the martial artists who had come to celebrate, his aged face breaking into a faint smile. "I thank you all for being here…"
His words of gratitude echoed amidst resounding applause, elevating the festivities to a crescendo.
While Ye Ba mingled with the powerful representatives of other villages, Ye Tian, finding it dull, excused himself and slipped away from the mansion.
As a mere second-rank martial artist, he attracted little attention, allowing him to roam freely around Wang Family Village.
Observing the straight roads and the modest stone buildings, Ye Tian took a deep breath. Though this "small town" appeared quite rudimentary, it exuded an unmistakable urban atmosphere.
If Wang Family Village were to unify Baiyun Town, this place would transform into a true city.
Feeling the ambition of Wang Family Village and the power of their martial master, Ye Tian was filled with an urgent desire for strength.
After wandering for a while, he spotted a patch of grass and, feeling a pressing need, he quickly ducked inside, unbuckling his belt.
Just as he was about to leave after a moment of relief, a familiar voice rang out.
"Wang Hu, what did you mean earlier? Did you actually assist Ye Ba in targeting me?" It was Lin Fei's voice, and Ye Tian frowned, his expression darkening.
As expected, the ensuing dialogue confirmed Ye Tian's suspicions.
"Brother Lin, please do not take offense. In front of Ye Ba, I could hardly take your side openly. Such an action would certainly raise his suspicions; at the very least, our alliance between Wang Family Village and Lin Family Village cannot be exposed just yet," Wang Hu replied.
Ye Tian's expression grew increasingly grim; Lin Family Village had actually betrayed their alliance and opted to join forces with Wang Family Village. Did they not fear being devoured by the tiger?
"Hmph, let's put this matter aside for now. What about the hundred-year-old red fruit you promised me?" Lin Fei responded with a cold snort.
"Our Wang Family Village keeps its word. Here is the hundred-year-old red fruit from the village chief, which can enhance your chances of breaking through to the tenth rank," Wang Hu's voice echoed once more.
Ye Tian held his breath, his gaze turning icy as he scoffed inwardly: a hundred-year-old red fruit? You won't have the opportunity to break through to the tenth rank.
Lin Fei, you have brought this upon yourself; do not blame anyone else.
The murderous intent in Ye Tian's eyes was palpable.
Before long, Lin Fei and Wang Hu exchanged a few more words before parting ways. From their conversation, Ye Tian understood that Lin Family Village was covertly aligning itself with Wang Family Village, with Wang Hu and Lin Fei serving as their intermediaries.