"Master Ye Yunfei, Mother Empress, there are too many eyes and ears here. Let us return to the imperial palace to discuss matters further."
The Emperor stepped forward and spoke.
"Agreed. Master Ye Yunfei, please proceed to the imperial palace. I have words for you."
The Empress Dowager added.
"Wait. The purpose of my visit to the Li Residence has not yet been completed."
Ye Yunfei's gaze turned towards Li Jianjun.
Upon hearing this, Li Jianjun's face turned ashen.
"Ye Yunfei... can you spare some of our Li Family bloodline?"
This was Li Jianjun's final sentence.
Szzz!
A pitch-black dagger abruptly appeared and plunged between his eyebrows, blood splattering wildly.
Szzz... Szzz...
Under Ye Yunfei's control, the Void Blade transformed into a streak of black light, mercilessly reaping the lives of the Li Family members.
On this day, within the Li Residence, corpses littered the ground and blood-red light soared towards the sky!
Everyone in the Li Family with cultivation at the Body Tempering stage five and above was slaughtered by Ye Yunfei.
Only those below the Body Tempering stage four were spared.
Thus, some bloodline of the Li Family remained.
But, the Li Family was finished!
A great clan that had once shaken the Great Qin Empire was destroyed within a single day.
When the news spread, it caused an uproar and immense shock.
***
Imperial Palace.
Inside a secretive small hall.
Though the hall was small, its decorations were exceedingly luxurious.
The Empress Dowager, the Emperor, and Ye Yunfei were gathered within this hall.
"Master Ye Yunfei, I trust you have perceived it. Within the imperial household, our Qin Family's position is no longer secure. That old scoundrel Xiao Tiande and Sima Ling have long coveted the imperial authority. Xiao Tiande has rallied a large group of court ministers, while Sima Ling even more so holds military power. Both wield immense influence at court. In contrast, our imperial Qin Family is gradually declining."
The Empress Dowager said to Ye Yunfei.
"I can see that."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Master Ye Yunfei, you have offended Xiao Tiande and Sima Ling. They will not let this matter rest. Therefore, I believe, Master Ye Yunfei, it would be best for you to leave the imperial capital."
The Empress Dowager advised.
"Mother Empress speaks wisely. Xiao Tiande and Sima Ling are ambitious men. Over these years, they have been secretly developing their strength; their power is not weak. Master Ye Yunfei, you would do well to avoid them for the time being."
The Emperor also spoke.
"Heh, rest assured. With just them, I do not even consider them a concern. If they dare to provoke me, the Li Family is the best example."
Ye Yunfei gave a faint smile.
"Master Ye Yunfei, although you possess the strength to kill Capital Army Commander Leng and cripple the Li Family's ancestor, both Xiao Tiande and Sima Ling are Profound Realm Mid Stage experts with formidable power. Moreover, I have received news. Xiao Tiande's eldest son, Xiao Wushang, will return to the imperial capital tomorrow. That Xiao Wushang is a disciple of the Desolate Heaven Sect, a major sect of the Eastern Region. Master Ye Yunfei, you killed Xiao Wuhen; I fear Xiao Wushang will take action against you."
The Empress Dowager disclosed.
"Oh? The Desolate Heaven Sect?"
Ye Yunfei's eyes narrowed slightly.
"Master Ye Yunfei, the Eastern Region's territory is boundless, with countless various forces, as numerous as the sands in a river. However, among them, the strongest are the Three Sacred Lands, the Five Great Clans, and the Nine Major Sects, abbreviated as the Three Holies, Five Clans, and Nine Sects. The Desolate Heaven Sect is one of the Nine Major Sects of the Eastern Region; its overall power is extremely formidable. Our Great Qin Empire is merely a remote, small country, weak as ants before the Desolate Heaven Sect. It is said that Xiao Wushang has already become an inner disciple of the Desolate Heaven Sect. His sudden return to the Great Qin Empire this time is likely with ill intent. Therefore, Master Ye Yunfei, it would be best for you to leave the imperial capital and hide outside for a while."
The Empress Dowager urged.
"Thank you for the warning, Empress Dowager. I am aware of the situation."
Ye Yunfei nodded and replied mildly.
"Then, perhaps... Master Ye Yunfei, please take this communication jade slip. Within the range of the imperial capital, if you encounter any danger, crush this jade slip. I will immediately sense your location and rush to assist."
The Empress Dowager sighed softly, took out a jade slip, and handed it to Ye Yunfei.
She could tell that Ye Yunfei essentially disregarded her advice.
"I killed Xiao Wuhen. The feud between me and Xiao Tiande and his sons is one of life and death. Empress Dowager, you help me like this; are you not afraid they will target you and the Emperor?"
Ye Yunfei was slightly surprised, glancing at the Empress Dowager.
"Xiao Tiande is fiercely ambitious. He has long been cultivating factions within the court and harbors intentions to usurp the throne. Even if I do not help Master Ye Yunfei, he and his sons would still target me. Moreover, Yue Su's life was saved by Master Ye Yunfei. If Master Ye Yunfei faces trouble, Yue Su naturally cannot stand by idly. In short, please be cautious of everything during this period, Master Ye Yunfei."
The Empress Dowager said, using her real name.
"Thank you for the reminder."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Empress Dowager, I need these materials. Could you trouble the imperial household's channels to procure them for me?"
Ye Yunfei handed a jade slip with recording functions to the Empress Dowager.
The jade slip recorded all the materials Ye Yunfei intended to collect for forging the Five Elements Spirit Sword.
"Master Ye Yunfei, set your mind at ease. I will dispatch people to handle this immediately."
The Empress Dowager took the jade slip.
Subsequently.
Ye Yunfei left the imperial palace and returned to the Third Prince's residence.
"Master Ye Yunfei! You've returned safely! I heard you were in trouble at the Li Residence and immediately gathered men, intending to rush to your aid. However, I had just reached the main gate of the Li Residence when I encountered His Majesty the Emperor and the Empress Dowager, who scolded me harshly and sent me back. Master Ye Yunfei, it's good that you are unharmed."
Upon seeing Ye Yunfei return, the Third Prince was overjoyed and hurried forward to greet him.
"The Third Prince's concern is appreciated."
Ye Yunfei smiled faintly.
"Master Ye Yunfei, I have prepared a banquet to settle your nerves."
The Third Prince offered.
"That won't be necessary. Third Prince, I wish to rest quietly for a while."
Ye Yunfei declined.
"Well...alright then."
The Third Prince had to acquiesce.
***
"Tomorrow should be an interesting day."
Inside the room, Ye Yunfei sat cross-legged, a cold sneer playing on his lips.
The next day.
A day of gentle breeze and warm sunshine.
The imperial capital was bustling and prosperous as usual, with heavy traffic and lively crowds.
Suddenly.
Rumble! Boom!...
A terrifying sound, as if crushing the void itself, echoed from the horizon, approaching from afar towards the direction of the imperial capital!
The commotion was astonishingly vast and imposing.
It caused everyone in the entire imperial capital to stop their actions and instinctively look up, searching for the source of the sound.
"What is that?"
Everyone felt somewhat startled.
Soon.
On the horizon, high in the sky, a giant, radiantly shimmering carriage appeared, tearing through the air as it arrived!
A great azure-feathered beast, dozens of meters long, its entire body shimmering with cyan light and emanating a powerful aura, pulled the carriage as it soared across the vast sky, advancing in an awe-inspiring procession.
In mere moments.
The giant carriage arrived above the imperial capital, hovering in mid-air, looking down upon the capital city from above with an imposing air.
From afar, over a dozen figures could be seen standing proudly with hands behind their backs on the carriage!