Ye Xuan had sought out these people precisely to inquire about Zhang Wuzong’s exact background.
After asking around, he discovered that due to his decent talent, Zhang Wuzong had indeed been accepted as an Outer Race disciple of Mou Family Town.
Mou Family Town was a Three-Star Main Town. The vast majority of people did not even know where it was located.
"To answer your question, My Lord, it’s not absolutely certain."
"Oh? Why is that?"
"My Lord, Zhang Wuzong was only an Outer Race disciple, not part of the Inner Race."
"Outer Race, Inner Race? What does that mean?"
"My Lord, there is something you don’t know. When a Three-Star Main Town recruits disciples, the Mou Family doesn’t teach them personally. Instead, they are managed by people with different surnames, collectively known as the Outer Race. I heard from Lord Wuzong that the Mou Family established the Four Great Halls in the town: Cyan Heaven Hall, Red Earth Hall, Chasing Sun Hall, and Bright Moon Hall. The town’s security and order are overseen by these Four Great Halls. This makes up the Mou Family’s Outer Race faction. As for the Inner Race, that is composed of the Mou Family members themselves."
"I understand now. You mean that even if the Mou Family recruits outsiders as disciples, they will only ever join the Outer Race. The Outer Race’s Four Great Halls are essentially vassal factions directly under the Mou Family, much like yourselves."
"Yes, that’s more or less it."
"How do you know all this?"
"This was all said by Lord Wuz... I mean, Zhang Wuzong himself. Such novel news naturally travels fast, spreading quickly."
Ye Xuan chuckled. "So, killing Zhang Wuzong won’t offend a Three-Star Main Town."
"Well, I can’t guarantee that. But I imagine it should be fine. After all, Zhang Wuzong had already left the Outer Race and returned to the Zhang Family."
"He left the Outer Race?"
"Yes. Once Outer Race disciples complete their training, they can either choose to stay as a Steward and continue serving the Mou Family, or leave the Outer Race to roam the world and regain their freedom. Zhang Wuzong chose the latter. He returned to the Zhang Family, then helped them conquer the Ning Family."
"I was wondering why a disciple of a Three-Star Main Town would have so much free time. It turns out he was already a free man."
Ye Xuan nodded, then added, "Alright, you may leave. From today onward, this town is under the jurisdiction of the Ye Family. Go about your usual business. I will not lay a hand on you, provided you remain fiercely loyal to the Ye Family. Otherwise, you will be killed without mercy."
After dismissing the vassal factions, Ye Xuan finally crushed the Life and Death Jade.
Meanwhile, in Hongtu Town, Ye Zeyun, who was consolidating his cultivation base, suddenly opened his eyes. A piece of his Life and Death Jade had shattered, which meant Ye Xuan had successfully seized control of the main town.
He immediately roared, "All members of the Ye Family, follow me to the main town!"
On that day, the entire Ye Family migrated. Hongtu Town was handed over to Ye Zeyun’s old friend, Mr. Wen Shanghua, to manage.
A day later, the Ye Family arrived at the main town. From afar, the town resembled a crouching Wild Beast. As they drew closer, its imposing grandeur became even more apparent.
"S-such high town walls! And they’re built entirely out of Black Steel Rock!"
"It’s too magnificent. I used to think Hongtu Town was huge, but compared to the main town, it’s absolutely nothing."
The Ye Family pointed at their surroundings, wide-eyed with wonder like country bumpkins entering a grand city.
"It’s the Patriarch! The Patriarch is waiting for us."
Ye Xuan stood outside the town. He wore a set of clean, white new clothes made of premium fabric. However, the most eye-catching detail was the Golden Dragon embroidered on his left chest. Though it was only the size of a child’s palm, it looked incredibly lifelike.
A Dragon Banner was planted firmly on the town wall. As the flag fluttered in the wind, the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon on it seemed to be taking flight, soaring through the sky.
These were the Clan Banner and Clan Uniform that Ye Xuan had instructed the old tailor in town to make for him overnight.
In the past, the Ye Family’s Clan Banner simply bore the character "Ye." Ye Xuan found it far too unimpressive. More importantly, there were countless families with the surname Ye on the Beast Soul Continent. What could a single "Ye" character truly represent?
Ye Xuan had wanted to change the Clan Banner for a long time, and occupying the main town presented the perfect opportunity. Since he had obtained his ancestor’s inheritance and awakened the Dragon Soul, he simply had people embroider a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon. From now on, the golden Dragon Banner would represent his Ye Family.
Dragons were creatures of legend. No one knew if the Divine Dragon truly existed, as such creatures had not been seen in ages.
"We respectfully welcome the lords of the Ye Family!"
Behind Ye Xuan stood the Patriarchs and senior executives of the vassal factions. They roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.
"These people are all here to welcome us..."
"Their auras are so powerful! They must be at least in the Frenzy Spirit Realm."
The Ye Family members were all quite astonished.
At this moment, Ye Xuan’s voice rang out. "What are you all standing around for? Follow me to our new home! By the way, did you notice my clothes and the Clan Banner on the town wall? From today onward, the Five-Clawed Golden Dragon Banner is our Clan Banner. The Five-Clawed Golden Dragon is our family crest!"
"Using a Golden Dragon for the Clan Banner... Isn’t this a Dragon Totem?"
"This is truly domineering! I love it, I absolutely love it!"
Soon, under Ye Xuan’s lead, the Ye Family entered the main town. Upon stepping inside, they were all momentarily stunned.
"Such dense Spiritual Qi! I can clearly feel that the Spiritual Qi here is more than twice as rich as outside."
"Is this a main town? No wonder the people here are so strong. A single year of cultivation for them is equivalent to two years for us."
"This is simply a Grotto Heaven Blessed Land."
The Ye Family members exclaimed in awe one after another.
Ye Xuan smiled and said, "The Spiritual Qi in the Town Mayor’s Mansion is even denser than it is here."
"Ah? Even denser?!" The Ye Family was dumbfounded.
Ye Zeyun, however, barked coldly, "All of you, calm down! Even if you haven’t seen much of the world, don’t show it on your faces. The people on the streets are welcoming us; don’t embarrass yourselves."
As the Ye Family passed by, the town’s residents bowed respectfully. The line of bowing people stretched as far as the eye could see because the main road was incredibly long.
It took them half an hour to arrive at the Town Mayor’s Mansion, which was now the Ye Mansion.
The Ye Mansion was much larger than their previous residence. Furthermore, every single courtyard came with its own dedicated training room.
That night, the Ye Family hung lanterns and decorations, hosting a massive banquet. It was a day worth celebrating and remembering. Ye Xuan shared countless toasts with the Ye Family, and the lively gathering only gradually dispersed late into the night.
Meanwhile, in the main courtyard, Ye Xuan was just about to head back to his room when Ye Yizhou suddenly called out to him.
"Xuan’Er..."
Ye Yizhou looked at Ye Xuan with a very complicated expression. There was gratification in his eyes, but also a hint of hesitation, as if he were trying to make a difficult decision.
"Dad, is something the matter?" Ye Xuan noticed Ye Yizhou’s unusual demeanor, but he assumed his father had simply had too much to drink. "Dad, how about I escort you back to your room to rest? Don’t bother cultivating today. Just get a good night’s sleep."
"Xuan’Er, tell me the truth. Does the Zhang Family really pose no threat to you? Why do I feel so uneasy, as if everything has come a bit too easily?"
Ye Xuan smiled and said, "Don’t worry, Dad. The strongest person in the Zhang Family was Zhang Wuzong. Now that he’s dead, the Zhang Family poses absolutely no threat to me. I alone can wipe out their entire clan. Therefore, they won’t cause any trouble; they’ll only choose to submit."
"Xuan’Er, have you considered that while the Zhang Family might not be dangerous to you, they are dangerous to us? You can use your strength to threaten them, but they can also use our lives to threaten you."
"Dad, do you mean that if I dare touch them, they’ll dare touch you?"