Ren Ping’s brow furrowed upon hearing the name. "Wang Yibiao, that name… sounds very familiar!"
After a moment of thought, his expression shifted slightly. He pulled out his phone and typed in the name. Soon, all the information about Wang Yibiao appeared. He gasped, "No wonder the Wang family could produce a master like Wang Zun. Wang Yibiao was also a Martial King back in the day!"
Ye Tian's interest was piqued. "Back in the day?"
Ren Ping clarified, "To be precise, Wang Yibiao broke through to the Martial King realm fifty years ago."
Ye Tian mused, "Fifty years ago, he was forty-eight. That means he had at least twelve years to break through."
Huang Yanran inquired, "Why twelve years? Can't people cultivate past sixty?"
Ye Tian explained, "Sixty marks a full cycle. It's extremely difficult for most people to break through at that age. Of course, if someone becomes an Earth Immortal, age wouldn't be a factor."
Ren Ping found it strange. "It's odd that such a powerful figure, a Martial King, has remained so obscure for decades."
Ye Tian added, "He's likely more than just a Martial King."
Ren Ping's heart stirred. "Oh? Not a Martial King, could he be an Earth Immortal?"
Ye Tian raised his wine glass. "Possibly, or somewhere in between."
Huang Yanran’s curiosity was piqued. "What's that?"
Ye Tian elaborated, "A Half-step Earth Immortal. Earth Immortals can undergo positive evolution. Before becoming an Earth Immortal, the body undergoes significant changes. This phase, the transformation before becoming an Earth Immortal, is called the Half-step Earth Immortal stage."
Ren Ping pondered, "Wang Yibiao is ninety-eight. Could he already be an Earth Immortal?"
Ye Tian replied, "No."
Ren Ping asked, "Brother, what makes you so certain?"
Ye Tian explained, "If he were an Earth Immortal, he would have condensed his primordial spirit. But I don't sense any primordial spirit masters here, so he isn't."
Huang Yanran suggested, "Could he be intentionally hiding it?"
Ye Tian glanced at Huang Yanran. "If he were an Earth Immortal, what do you think he would fear that would prevent him from revealing himself?"
Huang Yanran continued, "According to you, he might be a Half-step Earth Immortal. Is a Half-step Earth Immortal powerful?"
Ye Tian stated, "If someone has been stuck at the Half-step Earth Immortal stage for a long time, it indicates a problem with their transformation. Of course, this is all speculation. To truly know Wang Yibiao's situation, I need to meet him in person."
Huang Yanran smiled. "Meeting him is easy. Today is his birthday, and all the prominent figures in Yu Ye City will be attending to offer their congratulations."
Ye Tian replied, "My plan is to protect Old Ren. Other matters are not part of my plan."
Huang Yanran chuckled. "Old Ren is practically immortal. He's survived so many assassination attempts and is still alive and well, isn't he?"
Ren Ping ignored her and said to Ye Tian, "Brother, I'll accompany you to the birthday banquet. It's also a good opportunity for you to meet Wang Zun. You'll have to deal with him sooner or later."
Ye Tian asked, "Are you really going?"
Ren Ping nodded. "We'll buy some gifts and just take a look from a distance."
Ye Tian agreed, "Alright, I'll go with you."
By the time they finished their meal, it was already afternoon. Wang Yibiao's birthday celebration lasted the entire day due to the sheer number of guests.
Huang Yanran remained in a safe location. Ye Tian and Ren Ping bought two gifts and then took a car to the Wang family residence to offer their birthday wishes.
The Wang family's compound was located in the suburbs and was a large estate with over fifty years of history. At the entrance, a designated person announced the names of arriving guests.
Ye Tian presented his business card, which bore only two characters: Ye Tian.
The announcer frowned slightly. If Ye Tian hadn't exuded an air of extraordinary presence and a powerful aura, he would have been turned away. Instead, he announced, "Mr. Ye Tian is here to offer birthday wishes!"
Ye Tian and Ren Ping entered the compound. Their gifts were received by an attendant, who then guided them to pay their respects to the elder Wang.
The courtyard was bustling with people. They arrived at the main hall and saw a rosy-cheeked old man with a youthful countenance and white hair seated in the most prominent position. Guests were lining up to offer their congratulations.
The queue for birthday greetings was long. Ye Tian stood among the crowd and took a distant look.
Ren Ping quietly asked, "What do you think?"
Ye Tian withdrew his gaze and replied calmly, "We'll discuss it later."
After a while, he looked up again, scanning the hall. He noticed a young man standing not far from the elder. He took only a brief glance before looking away.
He asked a servant of the Wang family nearby, "Could you show me to the restroom?"
The servant called over a subordinate to escort Ye Tian and Ren Ping to the restroom.
They left the main hall and walked a short distance to the left. After passing through a small bamboo grove, they reached a sumptuously built restroom.
The attendant did not follow them. Once they reached the bamboo grove, Ye Tian saw that they were alone and pulled Ren Ping behind a rockery.
Ren Ping chuckled, "Brother, what are you doing? You're acting like a thief."