Giving Birth But Not Raising, Why Are You Crying Now That I’ve Become an Immortal Emperor? - Chapter 23 - Chapter 23 – His Name Is Ye Lingyun! The Fostered Child! Qin Yao Is Shaken!

The strange phenomenon when Red Melody appeared immediately drew the attention of countless people both inside and outside the arena.

All eyes were on the red-cloud spirit sword in Liu Ruohong’s hand, their gazes intense.

It was a holy-grade spirit sword!

This was the first holy-grade sword to appear since the opening of the Sword Forest!

Moreover, it was incredibly rare for a holy-grade sword to appear, even in the past.

Liu Ruohong herself was deeply delighted, holding the sword in her hand, gazing at it with affection.

The sword was long and slender, glowing with a red light that shimmered. Its blade was engraved with phoenix-patterned decorations, perfectly suited to a woman’s taste for beauty.

Many young female cultivators around her also stared at the spirit sword, their eyes sparkling with admiration.

Not far away, the talented young woman from the Demon God Palace, Li Yue, slowly pouted, jealousy written all over her face.

“Brother, that sword is so beautiful, I want it.”

Without a second thought, she turned to her brother, Li Yang, who was sitting cross-legged nearby, and began to act spoiled.

Li Yang smiled indulgently at his younger sister’s antics, ruffling her hair. He then stood up and walked straight toward Liu Ruohong.

At this moment, Liu Ruohong, who had just been about to return to her master and sister’s side, was intercepted by him.

“Hold on, the sword you’ve obtained is what my sister has set her eyes on.”

Li Yang nonchalantly blocked her path and said loudly,

“According to the rules, I challenge you!”

His lips slowly curled into a teasing smile.

“Of course, you can choose to back out. But I believe that the Yaochi Holy Land, as one of the top human forces, wouldn’t have anyone too afraid to fight, right?”

This sudden situation immediately attracted the attention of everyone present.

Upon hearing Li Yang’s provocative words, the faces of the crowd changed.

Several young human cultivators stood up in anger, shouting at him,

“How can you say something like that! This young lady has only reached the Golden Core stage, while you have already reached the Soul Transformation Realm! The power difference is enormous; how is that fair?”

Li Yang stood with his hands behind his back, casting a cold glance around before replying indifferently, “A lower realm isn’t an excuse. Hmph, your human race always prides itself on exceptional talent, but I’ve never liked that attitude.”

“If you think your cultivation is not enough, feel free to send someone else to fight. Whoever it is, I, Li Yang, will accept.”

Upon hearing this, the few young cultivators who had spoken in defense of Liu Ruohong opened their mouths to retort but found themselves speechless.

They could only helplessly tug at their lips, feeling deflated.

Among the human youths under thirty, there were only two top talents, both in the central region, and not present here.

None of the human youths in the Sword Forest were capable of defeating Li Yang at such a young age.

Even if they tried to step forward, they would only be laughed at for their arrogance.

Liu Ruohong stared at the roadblock in front of her, Li Yang, her red lips tightly pressed together. A stubborn light flickered in her clear eyes.

This red-cloud spirit sword was a perfect match with her cultivation method; she would not easily give it up. As for backing down from the challenge, that was out of the question.

Although it was clear to everyone that Li Yang was only using psychological tactics to provoke her, she didn’t want her sect’s reputation to be tarnished by retreating in this situation.

“Fine, I…”

Liu Ruohong bit her silver teeth and was about to accept the challenge when a calm voice, accompanied by a faint spiritual force, entered her ears, causing her to pause.

“I’ll fight in your place.”

It was Ye Lingyun!

Liu Ruohong’s body shivered, and she turned to look, only to see him smiling faintly, nodding at her. The familiar handsome face was filled with confidence. In that instant, a ripple of emotions stirred in her heart.

Li Yang had already reached the Soul Transformation Realm—could he be able to defeat him?

But soon, she recalled the stunning sword strike two years ago by the Wu River, when Ye Lingyun had slain the flood dragon.

After a brief hesitation, Liu Ruohong looked back at Li Yang, whose face was already showing signs of impatience. She nodded resolutely.

“I accept your challenge, but my cultivation is still shallow, so Ye Tian will fight in my place.”

Seeing this, Li Yang arrogantly smiled and accepted.

“Fine!”

The moment the challenge was accepted, the crowd erupted in a flurry of discussions!

Eyes darted back and forth between Liu Ruohong and Ye Lingyun, shock and disbelief filling their expressions.

No one expected Liu Ruohong to agree—it was as if she was handing over the sword she had just obtained.

But thinking further, it was also hard to tolerate the Demon race’s provocations and arrogance.

While the spectators were deep in thought, Li Yang had already stepped onto the challenge platform that had been prepared by Mount Shu.

Ye Lingyun also stood up, following closely behind, and took his place on the high platform.

The two stood opposite each other, sizing each other up, their gazes clashing like invisible flames.

“Demon God Palace, Li Yang, twenty-seven years old, Soul Transformation Realm!”

Li Yang casually cupped his hands and introduced himself, following the challenge rules.

Ye Lingyun cupped his hands in return, responding faintly,

“Ye Tian, twenty years old.”

At these brief words, the crowd’s expression changed again, and curious glances fell upon Ye Lingyun.

He’s only twenty?

How is that possible?

And why didn’t he even report his realm? Is he afraid of embarrassment?

Whispers spread through the crowd.

“Draw swords!”

Li Yang slowly extended his sword, radiating an overwhelming aura.

On the other side, Ye Tian lightly raised his hand. To everyone’s shock, he held the sharp sword between his fingers without the slightest tremor!

“That’s it?” Ye Tian stared coldly at this famous prodigy from the Nine Provinces list.

Li Yang’s face turned pale in shock!

!!!

…

On the high platform, Qin Yao stared blankly at Ye Lingyun’s tall figure, a ripple of emotions stirring in her heart.

She turned to look at Liu Ruoxue beside her and softly asked, “Xue’er, do you know Ye Tian? Where is he from?”

Liu Ruoxue smiled gently and answered, “Of course, Master, I’ve heard that Brother Ye Tian was adopted by the Empress of Great Chu and raised to be her future husband.”

Adopted?

Upon hearing this, Qin Yao’s eyes trembled, and her usual calm demeanor was gradually disrupted.

“Do you know if he has any other names or titles?”

She asked again, her voice trembling slightly, a subtle unease creeping into her tone.

Liu Ruoxue looked at her master in surprise, feeling puzzled in her heart.

What happened to Master?

Since joining Qin Yao’s sect, she had never seen her usually serene and graceful master display such a reaction.

But not knowing the reason, Liu Ruoxue didn’t delve deeper and, after thinking for a moment, finally responded.

“I think I once heard his servant or someone else call him…”

“Ye Lingyun.”