"At the fastest possible speed, return to Yuanyue City?"
Upon hearing Ye Yunfei's question, Reclusive Elder Ren and Elder Du were both momentarily stunned.
"I have a tamed fifth rank Crimson Flood Demon Horse. Riding it, you could probably return to Yuanyue City in a single day. This might be the fastest method," Elder Ren said.
This tamed fifth rank Crimson Flood Demon Horse was a treasured possession of his, priceless. Under normal circumstances, he would be unwilling to lend it to anyone. However, Ye Yunfei now held an extremely important position in his heart—far more important than that demon horse.
"Elder Ren, lend me the Crimson Flood Demon Horse immediately. I owe you a favor," Ye Yunfei said.
"Ye Yunfei, no need for such formalities. I will summon it right now," Elder Ren replied without hesitation. He could see Ye Yunfei was truly in a hurry.
He then took out a whistle, placed it in his mouth, and blew softly. Immediately, a sharp whistle sound pierced the air.
A moment later, a tall, red demon horse galloped over. The steed was powerfully built and robust, covered in fiery red hair, and seemed to contain boundless energy within its body.
"Elder Ren, thank you!"
Without another word, Ye Yunfei immediately mounted the horse and charged off towards the Tianyuan Sect's mountain gate.
The speed of this Crimson Flood Demon Horse was indeed astonishing. When galloping, it was at least ten times faster than an ordinary swift horse! Like a crimson cloud, it moved rapidly along the road, leaving behind large, blurred afterimages.
In just moments, Ye Yunfei on his tall demon steed had rushed past the mountain gate, speeding in the direction of Yuanyue City.
"A Niu, come here. What is it that has made Ye Yunfei so desperate to return to Yuanyue City?" Elder Ren pondered, watching Ye Yunfei's figure vanish into the distance, and called A Niu before him.
"Elder, I'm not sure either. I dared not peek at Senior Brother Ye Yunfei's letter," A Niu answered truthfully, not even daring to lift his head before the elder.
"I believe there's only one possibility that could make Ye Yunfei so anxious—that his father, or the Ye Family, might be in trouble. Ye Yunfei's father is the patriarch of the Ye Family in Yuanyue City. He holds deep affection for his family," Elder Du chimed in from the side.
"Right! Elder Ren, have you forgotten! Ye Yunfei killed Water Peak disciple Li Yichen. It's said Li Yichen was a direct descendant of the Imperial City Li Family, and a grandson of one of their elders. Once news of Li Yichen's death is reported back, the Imperial City Li Family will certainly not let it rest. Most likely, they will seek revenge for Li Yichen. While Ye Yunfei is within our Tianyuan Sect, the Li Family fears our sect and won't dare send people to trouble him here for now. However, they might send people to Yuanyue City to trouble his family," Elder Du suddenly slapped his own head and exclaimed.
"It seems this is the most likely reason," Elder Ren nodded.
"Elder Du, immediately lead a contingent of our Tianyuan Sect members to hurry to Yuanyue City and assist Ye Yunfei," Elder Ren instructed.
"Elder Ren, in that case, our Tianyuan Sect would be making an enemy of the Imperial City Li Family. Our sect has always stayed out of the conflicts between any powers within the Great Qin Empire. Is this... appropriate?" Elder Du hesitated slightly.
"This young man, Ye Yunfei, is absolutely a true dragon among men! His future achievements will undoubtedly reach a height we cannot match nor even imagine! Therefore, our Tianyuan Sect must do everything we can, right now, to gain his goodwill. Even if, in the future, we cannot keep Ye Yunfei within the Tianyuan Sect, we must still make him feel gratitude towards us. I have a premonition that someday, our Tianyuan Sect may truly soar because of Ye Yunfei. We could not only become the most powerful sect in the Great Qin Empire but step out into the Eastern Region and genuinely restore our former glory. Remember, in the past, our Tianyuan Sect was among the top-ranked major powers in the entire Eastern Region!" Elder Ren took a deep breath and spoke slowly but earnestly.
"Good, Elder Ren, I understand!" Elder Du nodded emphatically.
Soon, Elder Du organized a group of Tianyuan Sect members, mounted swift horses, charged past the mountain gate, and galloped in the direction of Yuanyue City.
At that moment.
On the main road between Tianyuan Sect headquarters and Yuanyue City, a fiery red demon horse, like a streak of crimson cloud, moved rapidly.
"Ye Family, you must hold on!"
Sitting atop the horse, Ye Yunfei's heart felt as if it were on fire. He yearned to instantly return to Yuanyue City.
He knew the Imperial City Li Family's strength vastly surpassed that of the Ye Family. Facing the Li Family's forces, the Ye Family of Yuanyue City had no capacity for resistance; they would be slaughtered at will!
"Imperial City Li Family, just wait. Soon, I will go to the imperial city myself. Then, I will personally wipe out the Li Family!" Ye Yunfei gritted his teeth and spoke with pure hatred.
"Master, don't worry. When the time comes, I will also act and face the Li Family with you. Daring to provoke my Master—they're truly seeking death!" Hu Miao's voice rang out.
Hu Miao was within her inner core, but she was aware of all that happened in the outside world.
Meanwhile.
Yuanyue City.
Outside the city gates.
Noon.
Several hundred iron rods, baked by the blazing sun, were intensely hot. The hundreds of Ye Family members bound to them were already barely human in appearance for the most part. Their heads slumped down, they remained motionless; no one could tell if they were dead or alive.
It was already the second day! A full day of starvation, scorching exposure, thirst, and exhaustion tormented these Ye clansmen.
Suddenly.
From within the city gates, a large group of people emerged. At their head was the black-robed elder.
"Pathetic garbage," the elder said upon arriving before the rows of iron rods, looking at the hundreds of Ye clansmen breathing their last. His expression was one of disgust.
"This! This is the fate for provoking our Imperial City Li Family!"
The black-robed elder slowly swept his gaze across the distant onlookers, speaking with a cold laugh.
"Starting now, kill five Ye clansmen every hour. Continue until they are all exterminated."
The elder's voice was sinister, tinged with cruel indifference.
Immediately, five burly men behind the elder, holding large sabers, began walking step by step towards the iron rods.
"Now, savour the feeling of watching your own kin killed, one by one, before your very eyes," the black-robed elder sneered.
"You beast! I, Ye Tianpeng, even as a ghost, will never let you off! If you have the guts, come at me!"
Suddenly, Ye Tianpeng roared in fury.
"You are the father of that little bastard Ye Yunfei. I won't kill you so quickly. I still need you to lure that whelp out."
The black-robed elder laughed coldly.