Chapter 7: Invitation to Join

"Who is he…?"

The surprise was unmistakable, and the group exchanged puzzled looks. Clearly, not many people knew Ye Bai. He had been absent from the sect for years and even lived in a place different from others—his residence was a secluded alley not far from the Ye family's outer courtyard. He led a low-key life and never made any bold gestures. Unlike others, he didn't enjoy performing awe-inspiring feats. So, despite spending several years in the outer sect, few recognized him.

Among the group, only Ye Lan blinked in confusion. After a moment, she hesitated and said, "I recognize him. His name is Ye Bai. He entered the seventh level of Xuan Qi a year and a half ago. I saw him once at the Martial Arts Pavilion."

Upon hearing this, the others looked at her with even more confusion. Even her older brother, Ye Zhen, was puzzled. "There's such a person in the Ye family? We didn't know about him."

"The Martial Arts Pavilion? What was he doing there? How do you know him?" Ye Sang asked, baffled.

"I… I was looking for Aunt Ye," Ye Lan said, blushing slightly. "Aunt Ye is a swordsmanship instructor at the Martial Arts Pavilion. That day, he happened to be there studying basic swordsmanship. I heard Aunt Ye speak highly of him, so I recognized him."

"Basic swordsmanship?" Ye Zhen and the others exchanged strange looks, and Ye Sang immediately burst into laughter, mocking, "So, he's just some poor guy who can't even afford advanced techniques. No wonder I didn't know him, I'd be surprised if I did! Haha…"

Ye Zhen's face also showed disdain.

The Martial Arts Pavilion was known to be a place for those from poor families who couldn't afford even low-level Xuan Techniques. They were forced to learn basic swordsmanship. For the rich kids like Ye Zhen and Ye Sang, they would never lower themselves to such a place, which explained why they had never heard of Ye Bai. To them, such people had no future and weren't worth associating with unless they had a chance to enter the inner sect. But those with real talent had already been selected for the inner sect long ago.

Hearing that Ye Bai had studied basic swordsmanship, Ye Sang laughed even louder, clearly dismissing him.

"But Aunt Ye said his swordsmanship is impressive," Ye Lan mumbled. "She said he's a swordsmanship genius at the Martial Arts Pavilion, no one can match him."

Ye Sang sneered, "It's just basic swordsmanship. What's so special about that?"

Ye Lan immediately fell silent, not daring to continue.

Meanwhile, Ye Po, who had been quietly listening, suddenly frowned and said, "Wait, Ye Lan, did you just say he entered the seventh level of Xuan Qi a year and a half ago?"

Ye Lan nodded. "Yes, that's what Aunt Ye said. It must be true."

"A year and a half ago…" Ye Po, Ye Zhen, and Ye Bufan exchanged glances. A year and a half ago, Ye Po had still been stuck at the peak of the sixth level, and Ye Zhen, Ye Lan, and Ye Bufan were only at the middle or even lower stages of the sixth level.

A year and a half ago, wasn't that when the family prodigy, Ye Penglai, had just entered the seventh level of Xuan Qi?

Although Ye Po was known as the top outer sect disciple of the third generation, he had become the first in the family after Ye Penglai went on an adventure in the Dark Moon Gorge and didn't return in time for the family competition. But everyone knew that Ye Penglai was always considered the real first, even though he was seen as a monster and not even considered by others in the same tier. Now, to hear that someone's cultivation speed might not be inferior to his was… surprising.

The three of them exchanged glances again, unable to hide their astonishment. Cultivating quickly wasn't unusual, but the fact that a person who couldn't even afford low-level Xuan Techniques could still cultivate faster than they, the wealthy disciples who had consumed countless pills, was intriguing. What did that mean?

Ye Bufan looked at Ye Po and said, "This person is worth getting to know." He crossed his arms and remained silent, as usual.

Ye Po's eyes flickered as he looked over at Ye Bai, still standing on the hillside. He suddenly walked toward him confidently and cupped his hands, saying, "Brother Ye, may I ask for your name?"

"Ye Bai." Ye Bai glanced at Ye Po as he approached but didn't avoid him. He didn't understand why Ye Po was coming over but politely cupped his hands in return.

At that moment, Ye Bufan, Ye Zhen, and the others also walked over. Only Ye Sang remained confused, still wondering what they saw in someone like Ye Bai, who, in his opinion, had no value in making acquaintances.

"Ah, so you're Ye Bai." Ye Po smiled broadly and said, "I'm Ye Po. This is Ye Bufan, 'Silver Bow.' These two are Ye Zhen, 'Fire Xuan,' and his sister Ye Lan, 'Water Xuan.' And this is Ye Sang, 'Double Swords!'" He introduced everyone one by one, and Ye Bai nodded. "Nice to meet you. So, you're the top disciple of the outer sect? What can I do for you, Ye Po?"

Ye Po, his smile still broad, said, "Ah, calling me the top is too much. But here's the thing—there are five of us. Two at the eighth level, three at the seventh level, and we're short one person. We're planning to kill the Red Hawk. We'd like to know if you're interested in joining us?"

Seeing Ye Bai hesitate, Ye Po immediately patted his chest and promised, "Don't worry, with all six of us together, dealing with the second-tier mid-level Red Hawk will be no problem. The spoils will be shared equally. I guarantee the contribution points you'll earn will far exceed your expectations. You'll probably earn more in two trips than you would in an entire year. What do you think, will you join us?"

Clearly, Ye Po assumed that, with Ye Bai's strength and the fact that he didn't even own a low-level Xuan Technique, Ye Bai wouldn't have many contribution points. It was not uncommon for outer sect disciples to do menial work like sweeping or planting herbs to earn a few contribution points.

But what Ye Po didn't know was that Ye Bai's contribution points were far higher than anyone in the group could imagine—385 points in total.

Before Ye Bai could respond, the hot-tempered Ye Sang jumped in and sneered, "What do you mean 'equally'? He's a guy who can't even afford a single Xuan Technique. He doesn't deserve to share equally with us. Letting him join is already giving him face. He should be happy with just half."

"Hmph, what do you know?" Ye Po grunted, "Anyone who can reach this point without any medicine or guidance is far stronger than you. Xuan Techniques are easy to get; his speed in cultivation, though, can't be bought with money. That's where you're lacking."

Ye Po smirked at Ye Sang. "If we're going to base it on that logic, you're the weakest among us. Should we only give you half?"

Ye Sang turned red in the face but didn't speak further.

Although Ye Zhen and the others felt a bit uncomfortable, they didn't say anything when they saw Ye Sang being put in his place.

Ye Po turned back to Ye Bai, his smile still in place, and asked, "By the way, what level of Xuan Qi have you reached?"

Everyone leaned in, eager to hear his answer. If Ye Bai had entered the seventh level of Xuan Qi a year and a half ago, they were all wondering if he had reached the eighth level by now.

Ye Po, being at the eighth level mid-stage, couldn't help but feel a strange sense of unease as he sized up Ye Bai. Ye Bai's aura seemed even stronger than his. Could that mean that Ye Bai had surpassed him? He couldn't believe it, though. How could someone who couldn't even afford Xuan Techniques and didn't have the help of pills or guidance be stronger than him?

It had to be a mistake, a mere illusion.

Ye Bai, after a brief moment of hesitation, replied, "I'm at the peak of the seventh level."

Ye Po, Ye Bufan, and the others exchanged uncertain glances. Ye Po felt a sense of relief, but he couldn't shake off the feeling that something was off. Ye Bai was definitely strong, but was he really stronger than him?

"Seventh level peak…" Ye Po's smile deepened, "Well, with time, you'll be in the eighth level too. I'm sure of it."

After a moment's pause, Ye Po added, "By the way, if you ever want to, feel free to come to my house. It would be great to talk."

Ye Bai nodded. "I'll think about it."

Ye Po, still smiling, said, "Of course, take your time. Whenever you make your decision, just let me know."

Ye Bai replied, "Of course."

"Alright, we'll stop talking about that now. What do you say, Ye Bai? We have two at the seventh level high stage, two at the eighth level low stage, and one at the eighth level mid stage. If you join us, killing the second-tier mid-level Red Hawk will be a piece of cake. What do you think? Think it over. You're alone here, and the danger of the Red Hawk is real."

Ye Bai glanced down at the remnants of the Red Fire Bird's feathers and bones on the ground. He thought about the 115 contribution points he still lacked and felt a surge of interest.

After a moment of silence, Ye Bai said, "Alright, I'll join you."

Upon hearing this, Ye Po smiled broadly. Ye Bufan, Ye Zhen, and Ye Lan also looked pleased, while Ye Sang pouted, clearly unhappy. But no one cared about his feelings anymore. With Ye Bai, a disciple at the seventh level, they were now ready to tackle the second-tier mid-level Red Hawk.

"Then, let's go! We'll head to the Griffin Ridge. Let's go!" Ye Po declared, pointing forward, his voice full of excitement. The six of them split up and quickly headed toward the Red Hawk's lair, Griffin Ridge.