How outrageous! It's that brat Ye Yunfei again!
At the main base of the Invader Army within the Tianlan Star Sea, on Tianlan Star, a group of high-ranking officers from the invasion force had gathered in a conference hall. Upon receiving the news, they all roared in fury.
To think that a mere junior could cause us such significant losses," Yue Mo said through gritted teeth.
Sect Master Yue, I think the true leader of the Qingyun Army is likely that old fellow who emerged from the Trial Ancient Land. While Ye Yunfei possesses decent strength, a youngster alone lacks the capability to raise an army to oppose us. That ancient relic from the Trial Ancient Land is a leftover from the ancient civil war—he is anything but simple!" A red-robed elder beside him said solemnly.
Hmm, that is a possibility. That old geezer is indeed no ordinary character." Yue Mo mused thoughtfully.
I instructed you to send people to gather intelligence on the Qingyun Army. What have you learned?" Yue Mo asked.
We have learned some details about the Qingyun Army. Its main composition consists of people from the Ziyang Star Sea and Yuexiu Star Sea. Besides Ye Yunfei and that old fellow from the Trial Ancient Land, there are three other experts at the early Dao Entry Realm." A middle-aged man to the side spoke up.
Just two mediocre star seas' forces, three at the early Dao Entry Realm, plus Ye Yunfei and that old geezer—how could they possibly have retaken seven star seas in a row from our troops? This Qingyun Army must have other peculiarities. Continue sending people to investigate! Furthermore, prepare to mobilize a contingent of our army, concentrate our forces, and go deal with the Qingyun Army. Otherwise, if we let them carry on like this, our losses will only grow greater." Yue Mo said.
At the same time.
Within the Taiyi Star Sea, the main base of the Canghuang Alliance.
On an enormous planet.
Inside a grand palace.
The Qingyun Army is really making a name for itself these past few days." A middle-aged man wearing a purple-gold tall crown and exuding an air of majesty sat cross-legged on a high seat, speaking slowly.
This crowned man was Lü Wutian, the Hall Master of the Sacred Temple, one of the three superpowers of the Canghuang Realm!
Only our Canghuang Alliance can represent the legitimate Canghuang Realm army. This so-called Qingyun Army is merely small-time skirmishes. I estimate it won't be long before this Qingyun Army suffers a savage encirclement and suppression from the Invader Army, doomed to perish. Does that Ye Yunfei truly believe that with just a junior brat and a few forces from ordinary star seas he can resist the invader's army? Too naive." An old man to the side sneered.
That makes sense." The crowned man nodded.
No. I feel we shouldn't underestimate this Ye Yunfei too much. His origins are mysterious, and the Qingyun Palace he founded is no ordinary place either. More importantly, he is also a member of our Canghuang Realm. Right now, the invader's iron hooves are trampling the territory of our Canghuang Realm; we should unite with all forces that can be united. How about this: we send someone to recruit this Qingyun Army, have Ye Yunfei lead it and join our Canghuang Alliance?" At this moment, a lean Taoist priest wearing a robe slowly spoke.
This Taoist priest was the Mountain Lord of Mount Bulao!
Mm, I think the Mountain Lord's proposal is excellent. Let this Qingyun Army join our Canghuang Alliance and become a force under our command." A beautiful woman in palace attire spoke.
This woman was the Palace Lord of the Moon Palace, another of the three superpowers of the Canghuang Realm!
Very well. Since both the Mountain Lord and the Palace Lord wish to recruit this Qingyun Army, I agree as well. Send someone to extend the recruitment immediately." Lü Wutian, Hall Master of the Sacred Temple, nodded and said.
Good, we agree too." Within the palace, other high-ranking members of the Canghuang Alliance also nodded one after another.
Hongluan Star Sea, the Su Clan headquarters.
Although the Su Clan's strength could not match that of the three superpowers of the Canghuang Realm, it was still ranked among the top ten great clans within the realm. Its headquarters were vast, with abundant spiritual energy and an imposing atmosphere.
On one of the beautiful mountains within.
Inside a cultivation cave abode.
Su Qingluo sat cross-legged, quietly meditating.
Qingyun Army... just like Qingyun Palace, the 'Qing' character refers to me." Having received news about the Qingyun Army, Su Qingluo had been constantly concerned about it. Reciting the name 'Qingyun Army', a smile touched her lips.
No, I must find a way to leave the Su Clan, join the Qingyun Army, and fight alongside Ye Yunfei. Without me, the Qingyun Army lacks its true meaning." For a moment, Su Qingluo smiled, then her expression turned anxious again.
Last time she returned to the Su Clan headquarters, she originally intended just to visit her parents, inform them, and then go find Ye Yunfei again. Her real goal was to come clean with her parents and declare her relationship with Ye Yunfei. However, when the Su Clan higher-ups found out, they were furious and firmly opposed her association with Ye Yunfei.
According to the Su Clan higher-ups, Su Qingluo must marry a core disciple from a major sect or great clan ranked among the top ten within the Canghuang Realm—preferably a core disciple of the three superpowers! Because core disciples of these major powers would have the chance to become core higher-ups of these powers in the future, ascending to become prominent figures within the Canghuang Realm! Although Ye Yunfei had made a name for himself within the Canghuang Realm during this period, in the eyes of the Su Clan elders, they always looked down on his origins, believing Ye Yunfei lacked a powerful faction as backing; his activities were merely small-time, ultimately unsustainable. The Su Clan elders even placed Su Qingluo under house arrest on this very mountain, preventing her from sneaking out to find Ye Yunfei.
I must get out!" After some thought, Su Qingluo bit her lip and declared.
Night fell, the moon was bright and the stars sparse. Su Qingluo quietly emerged from her secret chamber. Taking advantage of the darkness, she executed her movement technique, transforming into an almost imperceptible illusory shadow as she made her way out of the Su Clan headquarters.
The defense of the Su Clan headquarters was extremely tight, but the movement technique Su Qingluo employed was an advanced one recorded within the Chaotic Heaven Maiden Art, capable of thoroughly concealing both form and aura of Soul Power. Therefore, the personnel assigned to guard the perimeter of Su Qingluo's mountain actually failed to detect her departure.
She was on the verge of exiting the Su Clan territory.
Qingluo, go back." Suddenly, a voice spoke as if from a ghost. Then, an old woman appeared ahead, holding a dragon-head staff, blocking Su Qingluo's path.
Qingluo, stop thinking about going to find that Ye Yunfei. That Ye Yunfei is just some wild brat who crawled out from a Small World; he is unworthy of matching the pearl of our Su Clan. Qingluo, you are the most outstanding girl among the Su Clan's younger generation. The person you marry must be the most exceptional man from those major sects and great clans—a man destined to become a prominent figure in the Canghuang Realm in the future! Only such men are worthy of the pearl of our Su Clan!" The old woman spoke slowly.
Sixth Grandaunt, I have long decided that in this lifetime, if it's not Ye Yunfei, I will not marry! No matter how much the family pressures me, it will be useless. My mind is set!" Su Qingluo looked at the old woman, saying each word with emphasis.
How dare you! Your marriage is a major affair that must be decided by the family! How can you be allowed to act so wilfully and whimsically on your own?!" Hearing this, the old woman became greatly angered. Her dragon-head staff struck heavily against the ground, causing a large area of the earth to collapse, sending dust and debris billowing.