C19 Prepare the Stage and Wait for the Show to Begin

The undercurrents of the outside world were swirling, and Ye Chen was well aware of the brewing storm. He maintained his usual routine at the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

Aside from his daily cleaning duties, he spent time accompanying his rotund senior brother in Body Tempering cultivation, followed by his own solitary practice, walking, and check-ins.

However, since the day he sensed someone spying on him, Ye Chen couldn't shake the feeling that even a seldom-visited place like the Imperial Ancestral Temple wasn't as secure as he'd thought.

Still, it seemed safer here than anywhere else, so he chose to remain in hiding.

He continued to check in quietly and focus on strengthening his cultivation.

He resolved not to reveal his abilities until he reached a level where he could confidently emerge from seclusion.

He was determined to live discreetly, only emerging when he was unmatched by any.

And so, time swiftly passed.

Life around the Imperial Ancestral Temple was tranquil. Nearby, ancient ginkgo trees had turned a brilliant gold, their fan-shaped leaves standing out and lending an intoxicating touch of autumnal charm to the area.

Ye Chen's days, apart from work, consisted of check-ins and feigning Body Tempering cultivation alongside his hefty senior brother, Lee Zhenfeng.

Thanks to his check-ins, he had a bit of knowledge about everything: swordsmanship, pill refining, weapon forging, runes, and more.

He didn't need to seek out any special techniques, martial skills, or resources; his check-ins were enough to sustain his cultivation journey.

At times, he even masqueraded as a mysterious sage, offering guidance to Zhenfeng.

While others might find such a life dull, Ye Chen found joy in it.

Lately, disciples had started visiting the Imperial Ancestral Temple to seek guidance from Lee Zhenfeng.

The presence of these disciples put Ye Chen on alert.

If this had always been the case, he wouldn't have been concerned. But their arrival shortly after the mysterious surveillance incident made him suspect a potential plot.

Ye Chen, ever vigilant, hadn't forgotten the unresolved issue of a hidden traitor within Polaris. The recent demon incursion could very well have been orchestrated with information from this spy.

An open enemy is far less frightening. No matter their strength, you can prepare for them. But the most terrifying adversary is the venomous snake lurking in the shadows, silent and unseen. You never know just how dangerous it could be, nor when it might strike with a vicious bite.

"I hope I'm just being paranoid."

Ye Chen whispered to himself as he watched his fellow disciples seek guidance from the rotund eldest senior brother.

He chose not to warn Lee Zhenfeng about his suspicions, considering it premature to act on mere conjecture. After all, these disciples might genuinely be seeking advice, with no ulterior motives at play.

Badmouthing and plotting against others was not in Ye Chen's nature.

"Let's just go with the flow."

"After all, if the sky were to fall, there would be tall ones to hold it up."

"Moreover, those foul-smelling weasels won't be an issue as long as I can detect their stench when they come near the Imperial Ancestral Temple."

Ye Chen glanced at the disciples consulting with Lee Zhenfeng and decided not to fret over these concerns, opting instead to carry on with his life as he always had.

Still, he couldn't help but keep a closer watch on the Imperial Ancestral Temple after the disciples' visits, curious to see if any weasel was attempting to infiltrate the mausoleum.

To Ye Chen's surprise, it seemed as though these individuals were genuinely here for Lee Zhenfeng's advice, with none venturing too close to the Imperial Ancestral Temple.

At most, someone would place a few sticks of incense at the memorial tablets in front of the temple and then leave, showing no interest in entering the mausoleum.

"This is quite the enigma. Among these people, it's hard to discern who is genuine and who might be a ghost. It's impossible to tell if there's someone with a hidden agenda, a snake in the grass."

Ye Chen observed the disciples who occasionally came for guidance, his concern growing heavier.

The impenetrable fog indicated that the weasel hiding in the darkness had grander schemes afoot.

"Let it be. If the hidden snake does harbor a plot, it won't remain inactive forever. Once there's movement, a flaw will surely reveal itself."

"Moreover, I have a good idea of what their target is—the altar at the very heart of the Imperial Ancestral Temple. They aim to disrupt this nexus node to impact the grand formation within the Tower of Binding."

Ye Chen had stopped paying attention to the disciples seeking his guidance, as he only needed to keep watch over one specific area to immediately detect any movement from the weasels and venomous snakes.

He had set the stage for these demons and spirits, just waiting for the weasels to burrow in and the snakes to show their heads.

He was curious to see who exactly was orchestrating such a play from the shadows.

"There's a saying that it's a pleasure to have friends come from afar, and the show is about to start—we're just missing the lead actor," Ye Chen mused to himself, maintaining an air of ignorance. He spent his days either cleaning or wandering around the stone house, practicing in seclusion.

As time ticked by, the past half-month had seen an influx of over thirty Polaris disciples visiting the Imperial Ancestral Temple to seek guidance from Lee Zhenfeng.

Initially, Lee Zhenfeng didn't think much of it, but the frequency of the visits started to raise his suspicions.

While it was not uncommon for other disciples to seek his advice, having more than five in a month was already a lot.

Yet, in this brief half-month period, the number had soared to over thirty—an extraordinary occurrence.

One day, an inner sect disciple approached Lee Zhenfeng for instruction in swordsmanship, prompting him to finally voice his concerns: "Mingyu, while I have no issue offering you guidance in swordsmanship, I do have a question. You all haven't previously sought my expertise so eagerly. What has brought about this sudden surge in diligence, with you seeking my advice so frequently?"

When things are out of the ordinary, there's usually a reason, and Lee Zhenfeng couldn't shake the feeling that someone was plotting against him.

"Eldest senior brother, are you unaware? The Sky Fiends have been wreaking havoc across the martial world, indiscriminately slaughtering innocents, all because you killed their young master. They've been particularly targeting our Polaris disciples. I've heard that in three days, they plan to assault a small city under Polaris's jurisdiction. Tuoba Le, the eldest senior brother of the Sky Fiends, will lead the charge to decimate the city as a show of force against our Polaris."

Several of our senior brothers have already stationed themselves in the small city. They're waiting to see how Tuoba Le plans to decimate it and ensure none of them return. We all wish to descend the mountain and seek enlightenment before doing so. That's why we've come to seek guidance from our eldest senior brother, to enhance our combat abilities and ensure those demons meet their end."

Chen Mingyu's words were steadfast, his speech devoid of fear, his eyes brimming with an unyielding will to fight.

"Why am I in the dark about this?" Lee Zhenfeng's brow furrowed as he regarded Chen Mingyu with suspicion. "Many disciples have sought my guidance recently. Why has no one mentioned this?"

It was difficult for him, the eldest senior brother of Polaris, to come to terms with being uninformed about such a significant event.

Chen Mingyu offered a wry smile. "Eldest senior brother, you've been confined for slaying the young master of the Sky Fiends Sect. The Sect Master has even tasked you with guarding the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Moreover, the Sky Fiends Sect is desperate to kill you. If you were to step outside the Holy Land, they would undoubtedly pursue you relentlessly. That's probably why the other senior brothers have been hesitant to share this news with you."

"Senior Brother, let's pretend I was never here today."

With those words, Chen Mingyu quickly departed.

Lee Zhenfeng watched him go, his frown deepening, a glint of determination in his eyes. "So many junior brothers coming to me for advice... there must be truth to this. It looks like I'll need to check it out myself in three days."

Unbeknownst to Chen Mingyu, shortly after his departure, a shadowy figure materialized behind him.

"Could that be the weasel?"