Rebirth of the Peak Young Master
Chapter 117 It’s Practically a Joke

Chapter 117: Chapter 117 It’s Practically a Joke

Zhao Shi naturally had no idea what Ye Fei was thinking.

The purpose of his participation in the Martial Arts Conference this time was to search for Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures that could help him break through Hidden Energy and reach the Hua Realm.

However, he hadn’t expected that right upon entering Grey Valley County, he would catch sight of the pill in Ye Fei’s hand.

The medicinal fragrance convinced him beyond doubt that Ye Fei’s Vitality Pill was definitely a top-grade pill. If he could consume it, not only would breaking through Hidden Energy be a certainty, but he might even progress further!

That was why he had disregarded his status to approach Ye Fei and strike up a conversation.

Now that Ye Fei had agreed to travel with him, Zhao Shi was overjoyed, already envisioning the Vitality Pill beckoning to him.

Thus, Zhao Shi immediately smiled warmly and said, "Since Brother Ye has agreed, we should hurry to the Shangguan Family! The Martial Arts Conference is no ordinary event. I believe Brother Ye will find this trip worthwhile!"

"Let’s go then," Ye Fei responded with a calm smile.

Hearing this, Zhao Shi promptly led Ye Fei southward with long strides...

Not long after.

Zhao Shi stopped with Ye Fei in front of an ancient and unpretentious mansion.

Throughout the journey, Zhao Shi had observed Ye Fei closely.

Although he didn’t believe that someone as young as Ye Fei could possess strength surpassing his own, Zhao Shi, mindful of the adage "better safe than sorry," carefully studied Ye Fei’s movements.

In the end, he discovered that Ye Fei’s footsteps lacked the steadiness of a martial artist, appearing rather ordinary and not at all like someone well-versed in martial arts!

As for whether Ye Fei was a magic user, Zhao Shi was even less concerned.

After all, magic cultivation relied on years of accumulation, and magic users who reached minor achievements were typically not young.

At the age of seventeen or eighteen, if Ye Fei were truly a magic user, Zhao Shi believed he wouldn’t even have reached the entry level, making it impossible for him to pose a threat.

What Zhao Shi didn’t know, however, was that Ye Fei’s accumulations had been sharpened and polished by the soul of the Soul-controlling Demon. Coupled with the unparalleled Soul-controlling Technique in his arsenal—

Even a hundred Zhao Shis wouldn’t be a match for Ye Fei.

While Zhao Shi was inwardly delighted, the mansion guards stepped forward, their expressions haughty, as one asked coldly, "Which family do you belong to?"

"I am Zhao Shi, an elder of the Qi Union Sect!" Zhao Shi immediately replied with humility.

Ye Fei, hearing Zhao Shi’s tone, curiously glanced at the guard, then broke into a smile.

No wonder Zhao Shi was so deferential. This guard was unexpectedly a martial artist in the late stage of Hidden Energy, and from the looks of it, his strength even surpassed Zhao Shi’s.

For someone at the late stage of Hidden Energy, Zhao Shi’s position as an elder within the Qi Union Sect was well-earned. Yet, here was a guard, far stronger, relegated to standing watch at the gates.

This alone proved the Shangguan Family’s reputation was no exaggeration!

After hearing Zhao Shi’s introduction, the guard nodded slightly, then turned his gaze to Ye Fei. "Is he part of the Qi Union Sect, too?"

"This is..."

"Ye Fei from Yuntai!"

Before Zhao Shi could explain, Ye Fei immediately spoke up.

Zhao Shi quickly followed up with a laugh, "Yes, yes! Brother Ye from Yuntai!"

"Yuntai has martial artist families? Never heard of them!" The guard frowned instantly.

Zhao Shi panicked inwardly!

All he wanted was to lure Ye Fei to the Martial Arts Conference and seize an opportunity to make his move. But Ye Fei’s naïve, out-of-place demeanor meant he obviously had no powerful background.

If the guard decided to block their entry, wouldn’t Zhao Shi’s plans fall apart?

So, Zhao Shi hurriedly smiled apologetically and said, "Sir, this young brother Ye is a dear younger friend of mine. Might I ask for a small favor to let him in and have a look around?"

"A favor?"

Hearing this, the guard sneered and extended his hand—a gesture whose meaning couldn’t have been clearer.

Want a favor? Only if you offer something in return!

Moreover, as a guard of the Shangguan Family, he wouldn’t deign to accept anything ordinary.

Zhao Shi hesitated momentarily but, thinking of the Vitality Pill in Ye Fei’s possession, gritted his teeth and reluctantly retrieved a herb from his robes. Offering it to the guard, he said, "Sir, this is a Hundred Spirit Grass, capable of curing all poisons. I came across it by sheer luck, and now I present it as a gift to you!"

The guard took the Hundred Spirit Grass, his previously furrowed brows relaxing as he broke out into a rare smile. "Very well, then, you may go in. But don’t say I didn’t warn you—there are many big shots inside. Make sure this kid behaves himself."

"Of course, of course!"

Zhao Shi nodded fervently, dragging Ye Fei inside as if reluctant to glance back at the Hundred Spirit Grass for fear of his own regret.

Witnessing the scene, Ye Fei’s lips curved upward ever so slightly.

Such a hefty price paid, all in pursuit of his Vitality Pill—wasn’t this what one would call losing the bait while trying to catch the fish?

Soon enough.

Under Zhao Shi’s guidance, Ye Fei arrived at the mansion’s main hall, where numerous martial artists had already gathered.

According to Liu Fei’s explanation, the Martial Arts Conference typically lasted a full half month.

The initial days, as attendees arrived in succession, served as an opportunity for everyone to interact, exchange information, and perhaps scout for desired items.

Of course, as with any gathering of cultivators, sparring matches would be inevitable.

But those were matters for later.

While Ye Fei casually glanced around, Zhao Shi appeared to spot an acquaintance and eagerly stepped forward to greet him.

"Iron Head Monk of the Vajra Sect! Haha, it’s been ages!"

"Oh! Flying Eagle King Lu Yidao! Looks like your strength has grown yet again!"

Following Zhao Shi’s greetings, a tall, burly monk and a thin, wiry man approached.

"Elder Zhao, long time no see! You seem to be running late today," Iron Head Monk said with a hearty laugh.

Lu Yidao quickly chimed in, "We’ve already been waiting for a while. Are you here for some treasure this time?"

"Oh no, nothing like that, just here to take a look around," Zhao Shi replied with a laugh.

The three exchanged polite, meaningless pleasantries while subtly probing each other’s motives for attending the Martial Arts Conference.

However, the probing remained superficial, and when Lu Yidao realized he couldn’t extract much from Zhao Shi, he shifted his gaze to Ye Fei and smiled. "Elder Zhao, you usually don’t bring disciples along. This time, though, you’ve brought someone, but his strength seems a bit lacking, doesn’t it?"

"Oh, a misunderstanding!"

Zhao Shi waved his hand with a laugh. "This is my dear younger friend, Ye Fei from Yuntai!"

"Surnamed Ye?"

Lu Yidao chuckled. "Haha, it’s this kid’s fortune to have earned Elder Zhao’s favor. But these days in Su Province, there seem to be quite a few with the surname Ye!"

"Oh? What do you mean by that?" Zhao Shi asked curiously.

Lu Yidao smirked slightly. "It seems you haven’t heard. Rumor has it that a Ye Mister has emerged in Su Province—a mere seventeen or eighteen years old but said to be an Innate Martial King! Haha, he’s become quite the talk of the town!"

"A seventeen or eighteen-year-old Innate Martial King? What a joke!"

Before Zhao Shi could reply, Iron Head Monk immediately dismissed it. "If someone like that truly existed, wouldn’t it just mean we’ve all been training for nothing?"