The Ascension of Contracted Spirits

Chapter 705 - 294: Innate Omen_2

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"Clip-clop—clip-clop—clip-clop—"

In the dark corridor, a figure paced slowly.

His frame was gaunt, reminiscent of an elder in the twilight years, yet he walked with stability.

But he moved exceedingly slowly, his murky eyes hidden under the brim of his hat, cautiously scanning everything in his surroundings.

Only after confirming there were no anomalies did he dare to turn a corner, rather than recklessly venturing forward.

"Ferocious Ghost Hall... Why would my uncle wish to meet me here?"

Glancing at the sign above his head, the elder pushed open the main doors of the grand hall with a puzzled look.

"Whoosh—"

A chilly wind capable of freezing mortals to death blew bitterly straight to the core.

The elder wrapped his clothes tighter around him, looking left and right, he could see dozens of side doors but no sign of any people.

"Uncle? Where are you?"

Ye Yin tried calling into the darkness.

His rank wasn’t high enough to detect Ye Qi; this was within reason.

Instead of a response, two flickering shadows appeared; one had black wings on its back and a curvaceous figure, highly likely indicating a female.

The other was tall, with a straight back like a jade pillar reaching the sky, exuding an extraordinary momentum.

"Why is it you two?"

Ye Yin became alert, instinctively stepping back.

"Elder Brother Ye Yin, we reluctantly invoked our uncle’s name to summon you here, truly out of necessity."

Ye Hanjun stepped forward with an apologetic bow, his other hand gesturing towards a door, inviting him in:

"This is the Deep Black Wheel; if there were truly any intention to harm our kin, one could be crushed with a backhand motion."

"Since I am standing here just fine, and you have walked over just fine, why not sit down for a hot cup of tea? I have an important matter to discuss with my brother."

"I’m not afraid of you harming me, I’m afraid of harming you."

Ye Yin took three steps back; his wrinkled face furrowed even as his eyes narrowed into slits.

Just by appearance alone, he seemed even older and more careworn than Ye Qi.

If his aura had been any more profound and inscrutable, impersonating an Elder or even the Grand Elder would have been effortless.

"Younger brother dares to ask Elder Brother to take a seat."

Ye Hanjun remained unmoved, still maintaining an inviting gesture.

Ye Yin was silent, his pupils looking at Ye Hanjun, murky to the point where it was hard to discern his emotions.

As he remained quiet, the time around him seemed to come to a standstill as well.

The darkness capable of devouring all things turned into terrifying demon creatures, lingering not far away, constantly searching for an opportunity to pounce.

"Clip-clop—clip-clop—clip-clop—"

Ye Yin took steps, one by one, towards a side door.

Suddenly, he stumbled, nearly falling to the ground.

The overwhelming silence, like a shattered mirror, broke, and Ye Yin sighed, saying with a sense of helplessness:

"You shouldn’t have gotten involved with me."

"I’ve been avoiding you for a long time; why insist on entangling with me?"

In the empty room, there was only a round table. Ye Yin spoke as he sat down.

He clasped the steaming cup of tea with both hands, using it to warm his hands rather than to drink.

Afterward, he glanced at Ye Liuying, his gaze firmly fixed on Ye Hanjun’s face, waiting for his reply.

"Perhaps there’s been some misunderstanding."

Ye Hanjun spoke earnestly, beginning to speak:

"I’ve heard my cousin’s authority is related to ’survival’."

"However, you are reclusive by nature, avoiding contact with outsiders. To understand your authority, one can only hope to ask you directly."

Ye Yin, expressionless, sighed again:

"For some people, abilities are their trump card."

"Once revealed, others will have a way to counteract them."

"My ability belongs to that category. If I tell you about it, wouldn’t that be tantamount to suicide?"

"It’s understandable that you are cautious of us."

"But with risk comes opportunity, and there might be a possibility for cooperation between us."

Ye Hanjun took a sip of his hot tea, plainly stating his purpose:

"You must have heard of my authority."

"It belongs to the family legacy, part of the Demon Servant Faction, the ’Demon Ruler’—a name you’re surely familiar with without an introduction."

"Another is rather special; after reaching the 4th rank, it’s called ’Protector’."

"I wonder if you’re curious about Ye Liuying’s experiences advancing to Young King. In truth, she ascended from a B-rank ’Grand Dark Priest’ to an A-rank ’Night Angel’ with the aid of my ability."

Ye Hanjun meticulously described the miraculous aspects of the Protector.

By the end, Ye Yin’s expression changed.

In his eyes, now drawn to the conversation, emotions of surprise, contemplation, and confusion successively appeared.

"Do you mean to say... you still need to protect someone, and then aim for the 7th rank through a mutually beneficial approach?"

"Yes," Ye Hanjun nodded, focusing intently:

"If possible, I hope my cousin will also introduce me to your authority."

"If it suits, I shall choose you as the third Taoist."

"At that point, your authority will advance from B-rank to A-rank, and all your abilities will be greatly enhanced."

"Alas," Ye Yin sighed for the third time. "Should I say you are a fearless calf facing a tiger, or that you have lofty aspirations that reach the clouds?"

"You know nothing about me, yet you dare to open your heart."

"I already know your weakness; if it were leaked to your rivals, what good would come to you?"

Ye Hanjun laughed lightly: "If I were now at the 4th rank, powerless, that would indeed be a great weakness."

"But I have already ascended to the 6th rank. Aside from the three great Young Emperors, I have some confidence in dealing with other Young Kings..."