Within the Qiudan Hall...
"So you three came to our Zidan Valley to steal pills, which means these Nascent Grade Second-Grade Pills belong to us. Deacon Lü, apprehend them! Don't let them escape!"
The white-haired Alchemist Yuan stood up, smirking.
He had been drooling over the ten Nascent Grade pills before Ye Yunfei ever since he saw them. Now was the perfect opportunity to seize them.
Whether the trio had truly come to steal pills was no longer important.
"Rest assured, Alchemist Yuan, these pill thieves won't get away," the middle-aged man who had led the guards replied respectfully.
This white-haired alchemist was a Transformation-Grade Alchemist, holding a relatively high status within Zidan Valley.
"So these three came to steal pills? How bold to dare steal from Zidan Valley!"
The people gathered to seek pills crowded around to watch the commotion, whispering among themselves.
"We didn't come to steal! We came seeking pills!"
Ruan Chan was completely flustered and hurriedly explained.
"Young Master Gan Hao, we were wrong to offend you before. Please show mercy and let us go."
Ruan Chan pleaded with Gan Hao.
She understood that what was happening was undoubtedly Gan Hao's revenge on their group.
"Hehe...
Do you think an apology is enough after offending Young Master Gan Hao? If you don't want to die, you should first accompany Young Master Gan Hao to bed. If you serve him well and make him happy, perhaps there's a path to survival for you. Otherwise, you'll soon understand the taste of a fate worse than death."
An elder beside Gan Hao sneered.
"Will you three submit peacefully, or must we take action?" Deacon Lü shouted at Ye Yunfei and the others.
"We truly came seeking medicine. Please investigate thoroughly, lords, and clear our names!"
Ruan Chan continued to plead.
"Hehe...
You say you came seeking pills, so it must be so? Stubborn words are useless. If you won't confess, we'll throw you into the dungeon and apply every major torture. Then you won't be so stubborn."
Deacon Lü sneered.
He naturally knew Ruan Chan had come seeking pills, but since he had promised Gan Hao to deal with the trio, he wouldn't hold back.
"Actually, it's true. I did not come seeking pills."
At that moment, Ye Yunfei suddenly spoke.
His words caused everyone nearby to freeze for a moment.
What was an outsider doing here if not seeking pills? Could he be here to cause trouble?
Everyone was somewhat confused.
"Kid, if you're not here for pills, then what are you here for? Did you really come to steal them?"
Alchemist Yuan was both annoyed and amused.
"It's been so long, and Zidan Valley's higher-ups still haven't contacted me. Looks like there's no need to wait any longer."
Ye Yunfei inwardly sneered.
Back in Zidan City, the jade slip Ye Yunfei gave the middle-aged man at the Pill Hall was a communication type. If Zidan Valley's leadership had any intention of contacting him, they could have sent a message at any time.
But after waiting this long without any response, Ye Yunfei already understood the valley leaders' attitude. There was no need to wait further.
"Kid, since you admit you're not here for pills, that means you confess to stealing! Take them! Apprehend these three pill thieves!"
Deacon Lü waved his hand and shouted.
Right at that moment...
Ye Yunfei suddenly opened his mouth and took a massive inhalation.
Boom...!
The single inhalation immediately caused the entire Qiudan Hall to shake violently, as if struck by a great earthquake. The air inside and outside the great hall churned like a vast ocean, roiling and churning like tempestuous seas, surging turbulently toward Ye Yunfei's mouth and being swallowed into his belly.
Everyone within the Qiudan Hall found it hard to stand firm, as if standing within the eye of a hurricane. Their clothes were sucked backward and billowed wildly.
"Su Fei, the senior brother of the Ziwei Sect, has come to pay his respects to Zidan Valley!"
In the next instant, Ye Yunfei utilized the Lion's Roar Technique of the Violent Lion Race and let out a thunderous shout.
The sound erupted outwards like rolling thunder, vast and mighty, instantly spreading throughout the entire headquarters of Zidan Valley.
Boom...!
Under the terrifying impact of the sonic energy, the entire Qiudan Hall exploded. Countless bricks, tiles, mud, and stones shot out in all directions like a torrential downpour.
The people who had been standing inside the hall felt the surroundings suddenly turn empty. Amidst billowing dust, the Qiudan Hall vanished, and they found themselves standing on an open, flattened piece of ground.
*Pay his respects to Zidan Valley!*
*Pay his respects to Zidan Valley!*
...
Echoes like peals of thunder, like the impact of giant cannons, reverberated again and again within Zidan Valley's headquarters.
"You?"
The surrounding crowd was dumbfounded, at a loss. Alchemist Yuan was even more shocked, pointing at Ye Yunfei with an expression of utter disbelief.
*
At this time, within the council hall of Zidan Valley's headquarters, the Valley Master and over a dozen high-ranking members were still discussing how to deal with Ziwei Sect's senior brother.
"Since everyone's opinions are aligned, then so be it. When that kid arrives, have him directly escorted out. Moreover, we must clearly tell him that our Zidan Valley no longer has any relationship with Ziwei Sect. Have him inform Ziwei Sect's leadership that from now on, no one from Ziwei Sect is permitted to set foot in our Zidan Valley. If they do, they will not be treated leniently!"
After some discussion, these high-ranking members of Zidan Valley had finally reached a consensus. The Valley Master slowly spoke, delivering his final summary.
"Let's proceed this way."
The other high-ranking members nodded one after another.
"However, since that kid submitted his visiting notice until now, he still hasn't shown up. Could it be he got cold feet, chickened out, and ran back?"
A certain elder frowned and said.
"Hehe...
That's possible, but it's for the best. Saves us the trouble."
Another elder sneered.
"Forget it. Send an order: post strict guards at the mountain gates. If that kid shows up, just drive him away. As for us, there's no need to mention him again. He has neither the opportunity nor the qualification to meet us."
Yet another elder spoke.
"Agreed."
The Valley Master nodded.
"By the way, the Lesser Lantai Gathering is about to begin. Which disciples should our Zidan Valley send to participate?"
An elder suddenly asked.
"The Lesser Lantai Gathering is a meetup of the most monstrous young talents in the Eastern Barrens. Our Zidan Valley established itself through alchemy. We are not adept in martial arts. Even if we send disciples, they likely have little chance of entering the Freak Minor Ranking. Let's just forgo it."
Another elder suggested.
"That's not entirely correct. The rapid development of our Zidan Valley in recent years is clear for all to see. I've noticed several good seedlings with decent aptitude have emerged within the valley. Let them give it a try. Besides, even if our disciples have no chance of entering the Freak Minor Ranking, this is an excellent opportunity for them to establish good connections with the monstrous geniuses of the Eastern Barrens. That would greatly benefit their future development. Don't forget, all our Zidan Valley disciples are skilled in alchemy. Even if their strength isn't top-tier, they will certainly be very popular."
The Valley Master thought for a moment and said.
"The Valley Master has a point.
Then let's select some outstanding disciples to participate in the Lesser Lantai Gathering."
Hearing the Valley Master's words, the other high-ranking members agreed.
*
Right at that moment, an earth-shaking roar like rolling thunder suddenly came from outside:
"Su Fei, the senior brother of the Ziwei Sect, has come to pay his respects to Zidan Valley!"
Inside the great hall, every high-ranking member of Zidan Valley instantly jumped to their feet, each wearing an expression of utter astonishment.
"He is here!"
An elder cried out.