Morning.

Flame Palace.

Outside the gate, crowds of people are holding tickets, waiting for the park to open.

Suddenly, a message arrives, and an announcement is immediately posted on site, accompanied by a broadcast.

"Dear visitors, please note... Due to a malfunction, Flame Palace will be closed for three days for maintenance... We apologize, please pay attention to the notification for the specific reopening date..."

Flame Palace, closed!

The crowd is buzzing with rumors and various speculations, but they all leave.

With the park closed today, no one can go in.

However, before the crowd disperses, teams of people rush into Flame Palace, sealing off all entrances.

In the blink of an eye, Flame Palace transforms into a heavily guarded fortress!

"What's going on?"

"Could it be that foreign leaders have arrived again?"

"No, what's this about?"

"Could something have happened?"

"I heard there's a well inside! It makes strange noises every night—is something crawling out of it?"

"Come on! Don't be ridiculous!"

"Surely someone's coming for a visit; they're just tidying up in advance to prepare for the guests!"

"Maybe!"

...

In fact, these people were sent by the old chief to ensure security as he described.

This security work is just the outer layer.

The interior setup is handled by Master Ye.

At this moment, Master Ye is also busily arranging personnel, positioning guards almost every three steps and a pavilion every five steps.

The Ye family.

Ye Liangcai is deeply worried.

Since yesterday, Ye Liangcai has had a sense that something is off, but Master Ye is very assertive and doesn't explain, so he is left in the dark.

After inquiring with the security guards, Ye Liangcai learned some things that increased his worry.

He was aware of some issues with the Shangqing Sect back then, but he never had direct contact.

Now seeing the people from Shangqing Sect come and get into a fight with Ye Xin and Yang Chen indicates bad intentions!

Now knowing that Master Ye has dispatched a significant number of people to set up defenses at Flame Palace makes Ye Liangcai even more anxious.

He now has no choice but to wait for Ye Xin and Yang Chen to come out and ask them what is really going on.

...

Wei Xueqing finds everything today really strange.

Usually, by the time she gets up, Ye Xin is already nowhere to be seen.

But today, when she called out to Ye Xin after getting up, there was no response, and finally, in a hurry, Ye Xin just mumbled, "You guys go have fun, I'm sleeping in a bit more..."

Today, for a rare occasion, Ye Xin slept in late.

Similarly, Yang Chen also didn't get up today.

Last night's whiskey had been finished off by Yang Chen alone.

According to Yang Chen, he offered half the bottle to the moonlight, leaving none to toast the sunrise, so he intended to sleep until noon.

Past nine o'clock.

Ye Xin and Yang Chen drowsily make their way to the hall.

Coincidentally, they both arrive at the hall almost simultaneously.

The two exchange a smile, sensing a strong mutual understanding.

Ye Liangcai sees them and quickly asks, "Xinxin! Come here quickly, I need to ask you something!"

Upon hearing this, Yang Chen indicates for Ye Xin to go over while he plans to head to the gym for a workout.

Seeing this, Ye Liangcai promptly says, "Xiaoyang, you come too, I have something to ask you!"

Hearing this, Yang Chen follows Ye Xin over.

He can more or less guess what Ye Liangcai intends to ask.

Yang Chen thinks, being Ye Xin's father, Ye Liangcai indeed has the right to know.

Both sit in front of Ye Liangcai.

Ye Liangcai asks, "Xinxin, let me first ask you, where did your grandfather go?"

"I don't know!" Ye Xin says, "I just got up, how would I know where my grandfather went? Isn't he at home? If he's not in good health, he shouldn't wander off, you should have someone keep an eye on him!"

Hearing this, Ye Liangcai feels a bit helpless and says in a deep voice, "I'm asking you what exactly happened last night? The guards told me you guys got into a fight with a group of people in ancient costumes. What really happened? Also, your grandfather went to see the old chief early this morning and is now busy at Flame Palace, what on earth is going on? What are you all hiding from me?"

Seeing her father angry, Ye Xin quickly says, "Dad, calm down, ask one question at a time, and I'll answer them one by one."

She also hesitates, unsure if she should reveal the truth to Ye Liangcai.

All along, Ye Liangcai only had a partial understanding, just knowing she went out to learn skills, not the deep involvement with powerful forces like the Shangqing Sect.

Ye Liangcai looks at Ye Xin without saying a word.

He knows Ye Xin's abilities; from a young age, she has a photographic memory, so he doesn't believe Ye Xin can't remember these few questions.

Seeing Ye Liangcai's gaze, Ye Xin understands his intent, letting out a sigh.

Ye Xin thinks for a moment and slowly says, "Dad, I can tell you, but you must promise me not to tell Mom, and definitely not anyone else!"

She fears her mother couldn't handle the pressure.

With a heavy heart, Ye Liangcai nods slowly, "Rest assured, go ahead!"

Ye Xin slowly continues, "First, the people who came yesterday were from the Shangqing Sect; do you know about them?"

Ye Liangcai nods, "I know, aren't they the ones who took you to learn martial arts back then? Why did you get into a fight with them? Do you know what kind of stature they hold in our Flame Country? Although no one officially acknowledges the existence of such an organization, among us they are considered very powerful, and their influence surpasses even mine!"

Ye Xin nods, aware that Ye Liangcai knows a bit but only from collated specialized information, not firsthand understanding or insight.

"The reason for the fight is simple!" Ye Xin explains, "They wanted to make a move on Yang Chen, which I would never allow!"

"Make a move on Yang Chen?" Ye Liangcai frowns, "Why?"

"Because when he was protecting me, he crippled a member of Shangqing Sect."

"While protecting you?" Ye Liangcai is thoroughly puzzled, frowning, "Wait a minute, I don't understand. Isn't Shangqing Sect technically your own Sect too? Why would you say Yang Chen injured a member of Shangqing Sect while protecting you? Something doesn't add up! Did you get it wrong?"

Ye Xin shakes her head, "No!"

She looks deeply into Ye Liangcai's eyes and says, "I went to Shangqing Sect in the first place because it was agreed that I would return there someday. It was just a matter of time, and now... the time has come!"

"The time has come?" Ye Liangcai's eyes widen, "How... but... this... what is going on?"

Ye Liangcai is in a daze, frowning, "Why do they demand you to join their Shangqing Sect? Can't you come back? Or..."

Ye Xin looks at Ye Liangcai, saying nothing. Ye Liangcai pauses, understanding Ye Xin's implication.

If Ye Xin joins Shangqing Sect, she might never return!

"What is your grandfather doing?" Ye Liangcai asks.

Ye Xin thinks and responds, "He's protecting me!"

Hearing this, Ye Liangcai stands up immediately, "Then I'm going too!"

With these words, Ye Liangcai strides towards the door.

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