The status of the four grand elders ranks just below that of the clan leader, while the ordinary elders are responsible for managing family affairs, forming the upper echelons of the Ye clan.
The Transmission Elder, charged with imparting skills, is none other than the elder Bai Wu, whose strength and prestige are beyond reproach, leaving no room for dissent among the clan members.
The title of Supreme Elder is not held by a single individual but rather constitutes a collective, automatically conferred upon the clan leader, Transmission Elder, Enforcement Elder, Guardian Elder, and the ordinary elders upon their retirement.
At present, however, only Ye Shi occupies this esteemed position. Although he wields considerable influence, he is not involved in daily affairs, serving more as a retirement figure who only participates in decisions during critical moments for the clan's survival.
The Enforcement Elder is none other than Ye Feng, known for his unwavering integrity and his martial prowess at the tenth level, making him the ideal candidate for this role, and no one dares to oppose him.
Ye Ba, possessing strength second only to Ye Feng, serves as the Guardian Elder, tasked with ensuring the safety of the clan.
Meanwhile, Ye Meng leads the clan's guard team and will also be responsible for managing order in the new city, ensuring the safety of the Ye family.
As for the positions of the other ten ordinary elders, they will be filled sequentially based on strength by the remaining high-ranking members from the former Ye family village.
Thus, the Ye clan, which would one day be renowned across the Divine Continent, was established within these humble stone walls.
...
After the formation of the Ye clan, Ye Tian assumed the role of a carefree overseer, dedicating his days solely to cultivation.
A month later, Ye Tian reached the mid-level of the tenth stage of martial arts. He gently patted the head of his little white tiger, sighing, "Little White, I must take my leave. You stay here and protect this land for me."
"Roar!" Little White growled softly, nudging Ye Tian's hand with its large head, its big eyes brimming with reluctance.
At present, Little White had already attained strength rivaling that of an eighth-level martial artist and was rapidly growing stronger. Ye Tian anticipated that within a year or two, Little White would advance to the level of a martial master, at which point, no one in Baiyun Town would be its match.
With countless powerful figures in Blood Jade City and potential dangers lurking at every turn, Ye Tian decided against bringing Little White along, opting instead to leave it behind to safeguard the Ye family's security.
Sensing Ye Tian's intent, Little White emitted a few low growls, as if urging him to take care of himself.
Reluctantly stroking Little White's head, Ye Tian sighed softly.
Three days later, on a clear morning, many gathered at the gate of Ye family village—Ye Shi, elder Bai Wu, Ye Feng, Ye Meng, Lin Mei, Ye Ba, Ye Wei, Lin Xue, Lin Jiao, and members of the hunting team were all present.
Ye Tian stood at the entrance, holding the reins of a black blood horse, gazing at the family members who had come to see him off.
His mother, Lin Mei, looked on with glistening tears in her eyes, reluctant to part with Ye Tian, who was set to journey to Blood Jade City. Having never traveled far before, she was filled with anxiety at the thought of him leaving, as the saying goes, "A mother worries when her son ventures a thousand miles."
Beside her, Ye Meng wore a similar expression of sorrow. He stepped forward and patted Ye Tian on the shoulder, solemnly declaring, "A good man aspires to explore the world. With a son like you, I, Ye Meng, have no regrets in this life!"
"Go forth, for a broader world awaits you. I believe in you, and one day, I shall hear your legend from the mouths of bards!" Ye Feng regarded Ye Tian earnestly, offering him his cherished sword.
"Uncle Feng, this..." Ye Tian furrowed his brow, realizing the significance of this blade, which had been Ye Feng's companion throughout his life.
"You cannot bring the Blood Blade to Blood Jade City. This sword has followed me my entire life; now, I gift it to you, hoping it will guard you until you grow strong enough," Ye Feng stated with unwavering resolve.
Sensing Ye Feng's determination, Ye Tian hesitated for a moment before solemnly accepting the longsword and nodding gravely. "Uncle Feng, I will not dishonor this blade."
Ye Feng nodded with a smile.
"Child, no matter where you go, always remember that you are a child of the Ye clan. No matter how arduous the path ahead, do not lose heart, for your family awaits your return," Ye Shi said, handing Ye Tian a pouch of silver coins with gravity.
Ye Tian nodded earnestly, then bid farewell to Ye Ba, Ye Wei, and others.
Ye Ba, ever exuberant, grinned widely, saying, "Ye Tian, I hope that when you return, you will be a martial master! Ha! The first martial master of our Ye family village!"
"Dad, it's the Ye family—the first martial master of the Ye family!" Ye Wei chimed in cheerfully.
At this, Ye Ba smacked his forehead, nodding vigorously. "Right! The Ye family!" He laughed heartily, continuing to rejoice.
"Ye Tian, you must fare well out there; whether I become a martial master in the future depends on you," Ye Wei remarked as he stepped closer with a smile.
"Of course! I hope that one day, everyone in our Ye family will be martial masters. Await my good news; I will make it happen," Ye Tian replied, confidence glimmering in his eyes.
The crowd fell silent, imagining a day when every member of the Ye family would attain martial mastery; such a moment would indeed create a legend.
Lastly, Lin Xue stepped forward, gazing at Ye Tian with an expression of deep reluctance.
"Xue Jie, rest assured, I will find Ting Ting," Ye Tian assured her, placing a hand on his chest. After destroying Wang family village, they had learned of Lin Ting Ting's whereabouts from a martial artist from there.
It was said that during her transport back, a celestial maiden in white appeared on a flower, rescuing Lin Ting Ting.
Ye Tian speculated that she had encountered a master, likely a legendary sect's powerful figure, presenting a great opportunity for Lin Ting Ting, whose future achievements might even surpass his own.
With that in mind, Ye Tian felt reassured. His trip to Blood Jade City also aimed to gather intelligence about the surrounding sects, hoping to uncover news about Lin Ting Ting.
"You... take care!" Lin Xue paused upon hearing his words, then looked at Ye Tian with a complex expression, sighing internally before nodding.
"Mm!" Ye Tian affirmed, then mounted the black blood horse, waving farewell to the gathering.
Amid the blessings of the Ye family village, Ye Tian rode off on his black blood horse, disappearing like the wind along the winding mountain path.
...
In December, the weather had turned quite frigid, with a gentle breeze carrying a hint of chill.
The distance from Baiyun Town to Xueyu City was considerable; even at the speed of the black-blooded horse, it would take three days and nights to reach. As Ye Tian practiced his skills while journeying, he estimated that it would take him four to five days to arrive in Xueyu City.
However, Ye Tian felt no urgency. It was his first time traveling far from home, and he was filled with curiosity. Along the way, he leisurely admired the mountains and rivers, finding the journey quite enjoyable.
"Uncle Feng mentioned that the Blood Clothes Guard's assessment will be held on the eighteenth of the first month and the twenty-eighth of the twelfth month. With ten days remaining until the twenty-eighth, I have ample time to reach Xueyu City," Ye Tian thought, riding atop his black-blooded horse and taking breaks whenever he felt fatigued.
Finally, on the evening of the fifth day, Ye Tian beheld an endless expanse of city walls, leaving him in awe.
He understood that he had finally arrived at Xueyu City.
"Rumor has it that Xueyu City is merely a small city within Nanlin County, which itself is just one of the thirty-six counties of the Great Yan Kingdom. Compared to the vastness of the Shenzhou Continent, my current experience is still exceedingly limited."
Gazing at the distant, boundless city walls, Ye Tian was filled with emotion. This Xueyu City was just a small city, yet its grandeur surpassed his expectations.
At the city gates of Xueyu City, a long queue had formed. Ye Tian joined the line, patiently awaiting his turn to enter.
"Truly stringent!" After waiting for what felt like an eternity without being granted entry, Ye Tian couldn't help but reflect on the meticulousness of Xueyu City.
Just then, a distant thundering of hooves drew his attention. A team of a dozen Blood Clothes Guards galloped toward them, causing many to clear a path. They entered the city without pausing.
"Indeed, the Blood Clothes Guards are impressive; they can enter the city with ease!"
"What do you know? The Blood Clothes Guards are the direct protectors of the city lord, wielding considerable power in Xueyu City. Who would dare obstruct their entry?"
"How wonderful it would be if I could become a Blood Clothes Guard..."
Listening to the surrounding conversations, Ye Tian's eyes sparkled as he felt the strength of the Blood Clothes Guards, fueling his aspirations.
"Just wait; in a few days, I, too, will join the ranks of the Blood Clothes Guards!" Ye Tian clenched his fists, brimming with confidence, convinced that with his current abilities, passing the Blood Clothes Guard's assessment would be a mere formality.
At last, it was Ye Tian's turn. An armored soldier glared at him and barked, "Identity token!"
Having been informed of the entry procedures by Ye Feng, Ye Tian remained calm and replied, "I must respectfully inform you, sir, that this is my first visit to Xueyu City, and I do not possess an identity token."
The identity token was akin to a modern identification card, issued solely by the city lord's office. In remote places like Baiyun Town, such tokens were non-existent.
Upon hearing this, the soldier curled his lip in disdain, clearly deducing Ye Tian's origins. He looked at Ye Tian with contempt and continued to inquire, "Where are you from? What is your name? Remember to obtain an identity token in the city; there will be nighttime checks, and anyone without a token will be expelled."
Ye Tian nodded, providing his name and background as requested.
"Next!" After recording his information, the soldier permitted Ye Tian to enter the city.
Inside, the streets of the city were crisscrossed and bustling with activity, filled with people and vehicles, creating a vibrant scene.
On either side of the streets, an array of shops dazzled Ye Tian's eyes. Towering inns with bright red lanterns hung high above, and pavilions and towers adorned the landscape, overwhelming him with their splendor.
Upon entering the city, Ye Tian was filled with emotion. Having grown accustomed to the stone houses of Ye Family Village, the sight of the buildings around him in Xueyu City made him feel as if he had transitioned from a primitive society into a modern one.
"I should buy a new outfit!" Ye Tian glanced around, noticing that everyone else wore fabric clothing while he was still clad in animal skins. The feeling of being out of place made his cheeks flush.
Just ahead, he spotted a shop and hurriedly ran inside.