Chapter 135: Meeting the Altar Once More

Along the way, Yao Ye felt anxious. He longed to inquire about the current state of the Sky Demon Wolf Clan, yet he feared that doing so might lead to misunderstandings. He could only hope to reach the clan’s sanctuary as quickly as possible.

"Big brother, what is your name? Where are you from? Why do I feel such a sense of kinship with you?"

Faced with A-Li’s questioning, Yao Ye smiled faintly. "You can call me Yao Ye. As for where I am from, let’s discuss that later. By the way, how were you captured? And where are the rest of your people?"

A-Li hung her head in embarrassment. "Grandfather wouldn't let us leave, but I just wanted to go out for a walk. Besides, look—I had all these guard brothers protecting me!"

Yao Ye laughed heartily. "Then how did you end up getting captured?"

"It’s because the Young Lady was too trusting of others. Once she was caught, we had no choice but to surrender!"

"Don't you dare say that!"

A-Li’s indignant, blushing reaction drew laughter from the group. Throughout the journey, Peng Yu had been observing Yao Ye’s joyful expression, growing increasingly curious about his true identity.

The group eventually stopped at the edge of a cliff. Yao Ye walked forward, took a look, and asked curiously, "Why have we come here? Don't tell me this is where you live."

The group chuckled and leapt off the edge. A-Li grabbed Yao Ye’s arm and explained, "This is how our ancestors protect us. There is another world beneath this cliff. You'll see once we go down!"

With that, A-Li jumped first. Peng Yu, unable to resist, ran to the edge to peer down.

"Big Brother, how did they just vanish? I can't even detect them with my spiritual sense. Should we jump?"

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Don't tell me you're not even as brave as a girl? She isn't even as high-level as you are!"

"Jump it is, then! Who cares!"

Peng Yu stood at the edge, hesitant. Yao Ye shook his head slightly, stepped forward, and leapt into the void. Peng Yu took a few deep breaths, closed his eyes, and followed. Yao Ye scanned his surroundings as he descended, when suddenly, a scream erupted from above.

"Ah! I’m going to die! Help me!"

Peng Yu hit the ground hard. As he scrambled up, spitting out mouthfuls of dirt, A-Li and the others burst into laughter.

Seeing Peng Yu’s disheveled state, even Yao Ye couldn't help but smile. At that moment, a group of people dressed in animal skins rushed over, weapons in hand, eyeing Yao Ye and Peng Yu with extreme caution.

A young man wielding a large hammer charged at Yao Ye while shouting, "Protect the Young Lady! You scoundrel, how dare you show your face here? I’ll kill you!"

Yao Ye frowned, dodging the attack with a light movement. A-Li quickly ran over and stood in front of him.

"Brother Yao Ming, stop! You’ve made a mistake!"

"Young Lady, move aside! Stay away from him!"

Yao Ye let out a cold snort, intending to teach the man a lesson, when an old man slowly approached.

"That is enough."

Seeing this, A-Li ran forward, threw her arms around the old man’s arm, and leaned against his chest. "Grandfather, don't make things difficult for Brother Yao Ye. He saved me; without him, we wouldn't have made it back!"

"Haha, my sweet granddaughter, I will handle this. Stand aside for now."

The old man stepped forward, appraised Yao Ye, and said, "I thank you, young man, for saving my granddaughter. I am willing to offer you a reward as a token of my gratitude, but you must leave now!"

Peng Yu, hearing this, could no longer contain his anger. "Hey? How can you all be like this? We saved you, you won't even let us stay the night, and now you’re kicking us out? Is this how you treat guests?"

Yao Ye patted Peng Yu on the shoulder and stepped forward, signaling him to be silent. He bowed to the old man.

"Yao Ye, Young Patriarch of the Western Theater’s Sky Demon Wolf Clan, greets you, Senior!"

Upon hearing this introduction, the old man rushed forward, grabbed the lapels of Yao Ye’s robe, and said with great agitation, "What did you say? Say it again!"

The crowd erupted in murmurs. A-Li ran to Yao Ye’s side, staring at him in astonishment. "Are you really from my Sky Demon Wolf Clan?"

Yao Ye smiled softly and remained silent, instead releasing an aura unique to the Sky Demon Wolf Clan.

The pressure of this aura washed over the crowd, causing them to instinctively drop to their knees. Seeing A-Li and the old man beginning to kneel as well, Yao Ye quickly withdrew his aura.

"Senior, surely you believe me now!"

The old man’s eyes welled up with tears as he looked toward the heavens and cried out, "Ancestors! After all our time in exile, we have finally waited for the one you sent!"

Once he finished speaking, he pulled A-Li and led the others in bowing once more.

"I, Yao Shan, greet the Patriarch. I apologize for my earlier offense; I beg for your punishment!"

"Greetings, Patriarch!"

Hearing the unified response of the group, Peng Yu stared at Yao Ye, pointing a finger at him in utter disbelief.

Yao Ye pulled Yao Shan to his feet. "Everyone, please rise. You have suffered greatly in exile to uphold the ancestors' command; what crime could you possibly have committed?"

Yao Shan pulled Yao Ye along. "Patriarch, come with me. Our ancestors entrusted our branch with a secret task: to build an altar here. Once it was completed, the Old Ancestor descended upon it and commanded us to wait for your arrival, saying that when you finally came, we were to take you to the altar immediately!"

The group followed Yao Ye into the depths of the valley. Peng Yu marveled at his surroundings—towering trees, babbling brooks, and butterflies dancing amidst the flowers. He couldn't help but take a deep breath.

"This place is beautiful! A perfect spot for seclusion!"

"Indeed, this is our home. By the way, since you are Brother Yao Ye’s friend, could you tell me more about him?"

Hearing A-Li’s question, Peng Yu snapped out of his trance and scratched his head. "Well, truth be told, I don't know much either. Like you, I was saved by Big Brother. Without him, I wouldn't be who I am today!"

Both of them turned their gazes toward Yao Ye, who looked helpless as Yao Shan dragged him toward the deepest part of the valley.

Upon reaching a secret chamber, Yao Ye looked around with curiosity. He reached out to gently touch the altar before him.

"Patriarch, this is what the ancestors left for you. I shall take my leave now. Call for me if you need anything; I will be guarding outside."

"Grandfather Yao Shan—I hope you don't mind me calling you that—please, stop calling me 'Patriarch,' just call me Yao Ye. Also, I trouble you to look after my friend."

"A Patriarch is a Patriarch; we cannot forsake protocol. As for how you address me, that is up to you! As for your friend, he is a guest of the Sky Demon Wolf Clan. Rest assured, Patriarch!"

Yao Shan bowed and retreated. Yao Ye watched his retreating figure, shook his head with a sigh, and turned to the altar. He whispered, "Old Ancestor, thank you for your care. I have no way to repay you, but in this lifetime, I will certainly lead the Sky Demon Wolf Clan back to its former glory!"

Yao Ye bowed deeply and let a drop of his blood fall onto the altar. The blood vanished instantly, and a majestic figure began to manifest.