The Second Prince of the Jiao Clan is a notorious lecher with a harem of wives and concubines, as is well known throughout the lands. Yet, the Miao Clan's high officials have decided to marry Xiao Fei to him? It's like pushing her straight into a pit of fire!"
Situ Kong'er spoke through clenched teeth.
Having obtained all of Miao Chen's memories, he was fully aware of the Jiao Clan Second Prince's notoriety.
"Young Master, I heard this matter is primarily the old Wizard's doing. He is the one who pushed this marriage forward," the middle-aged man reporting offered.
"The old Wizard! So, one of the culprits harming my mother and Xiao Fei is definitely that old bastard. That old creature has outlived his usefulness!"
Murderous intent surged wildly within Ye Yunfei's heart.
"But right now, the most important thing is to first figure out a way to infiltrate Fengyang Palace and rescue my mother and Xiao Fei. Revenge can be dealt with later."
Ye Yunfei forcefully suppressed the raging fury in his heart. The safety of his mother and Xiao Fei was paramount!
"Brother Ye, let's rescue them first, then take revenge," Situ Kong'er transmitted to Ye Yunfei. Ever since learning they came to the Vermilion Bird Realm to save Ye Yunfei's mother and sister, he had been extraordinarily motivated.
"Yes," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Right, have you managed to find out when exactly the Zhuque Divine Grotto will open? Is there a definite date?" Situ Kong'er asked the middle-aged man.
"I haven't yet discovered the exact date for the grotto's opening. I heard that currently, the old Wizard and several clan elders are conducting divinations, but a specific date hasn't been finalized," the middle-aged man replied.
"Young Master, are you interested in entering the Zhuque Divine Grotto? With your status, if you return and plead with the Second Elder, you might have a chance to get a spot," the middle-aged man suddenly inquired.
"Let's see how things develop first," Situ Kong'er answered casually.
"Young Master, Elder Ba is here."
Suddenly, a servant entered and informed Situ Kong'er.
"Young Master, the Second Elder sent me to deliver a message. He wants you to prepare yourself. Once the Zhuque Divine Grotto opens, you are to enter and see if you can obtain any opportunities."
A gray-robed old man walked in and addressed Situ Kong'er.
"Alright, I understand. Thank you for your trouble, Elder Ba."
Situ Kong'er stood up to reply. This gray-robed elder was a close confidant of the Second Elder, and Miao Chen was quite familiar with him.
"Young Master, these are cultivation resources the Second Elder asked me to bring for you. Take them. Well, I've delivered the message. I'll be taking my leave now."
The gray-robed elder flicked his finger, sending a spatial ring to float before Situ Kong'er. After speaking, he seemed unwilling to linger and turned to leave.
"Fine. You continue to gather information as well. Report any new developments to me immediately, especially regarding Fengyang Palace," Situ Kong'er instructed.
"Understood, Young Master," the middle-aged man nodded and withdrew.
"How strange. The young master never used to care about any clan affairs before. He wouldn't pay attention to such matters," the middle-aged man thought to himself after exiting the main gate, feeling puzzled. However, he didn't dwell on it and led his men to continue gathering information on Fengyang Palace. Situ Kong'er's transformation technique was too masterful and convincing; even if a Half-Emperor expert were present, they would have trouble recognizing him.
"Brother Ye, I didn't expect I'd also get a chance to enter the Zhuque Divine Grotto. But, since I'm not a member of the Miao Clan and lack the Vermilion Bird bloodline, even if I go in, it's probably useless. Besides, this spatial ring is filled with cultivation resources rich in fire-attribute energy, which aren't much use to me either," Situ Kong'er said with a smile, handing the spatial ring to Ye Yunfei.
"These resources will be useful for Xiao Fei. Regardless, saving them is our highest priority right now."
Ye Yunfei took the ring, his voice heavy.
"Brother Ye, we could just charge straight into Fengyang Palace and rescue your aunt and Xiao Fei. With your strength, there's no need to fear the Miao Clan," Situ Kong'er suggested.
During this time, he had become fully aware of Ye Yunfei's terrifying power, especially witnessing him effortlessly slaughter those Half-Emperors not long ago in the chaotic void.
"No, it's better for us to be cautious. Don't underestimate the Miao Clan. It's a powerful race with a long, ancient heritage. Especially the Vermilion Bird King—no one knows his current level of strength. If the Vermilion Bird King possesses Heavenly Emperor-level power, we must be extremely careful," Ye Yunfei said with a grave and serious expression.
It could be said that within the entire Vermilion Bird Realm, the only entity Ye Yunfei truly wariness was the Vermilion Bird King.
Although the Vermilion Bird King hadn't appeared publicly in the realm for many years, he was most likely hidden away in some secluded corner of the realm, cultivating in seclusion.
Should any major upheaval occur within the Miao Clan, especially if they faced a crisis, he might very well emerge.
"Really? The Vermilion Bird King is a Heavenly Emperor-level master?" Situ Kong'er couldn't help but be startled upon hearing this.
"We don't know yet. Hopefully not. But we must be cautious," Ye Yunfei stated.
"Alright. Next, we find an opportunity to infiltrate Fengyang Palace. And save them!"
After a moment of thought, Ye Yunfei declared.
"Good. I'll immediately send all our people out to find out exactly who is allowed to enter and exit Fengyang Palace. Then we'll use the old method—I'll transform into one of them and slip in," Situ Kong'er said.
"Here's an idea. Have all of Miao Chen's subordinates who are at the World Fusion Realm intermediate stage or below come in one by one. I'll subdue and control them all. That way, they will absolutely follow our orders without making any mistakes," Ye Yunfei said after thinking for a moment.
"Alright," Situ Kong'er immediately issued orders for all of Miao Chen's subordinates at the World Fusion Realm intermediate stage or below to enter the room sequentially.
Ye Yunfei used the Soul Marionette Thread Secret Technique to subdue all these beings, turning them into slaves.
In fact, the vast majority of Miao Chen's followers were at World Fusion Realm intermediate stage or below. Those at the World Fusion Realm late stage and above numbered only a little over a dozen.
Following that, Situ Kong'er dispatched all of Miao Chen's forces to gather intelligence on the personnel within Fengyang Palace.
"Let's go, you and I will also head out. I intend to subdue every Miao Clan member at World Fusion Realm intermediate stage or below that I encounter within the Vermilion Bird Realm, making them all my slaves," Ye Yunfei mused aloud to Situ Kong'er.
"What? Brother Ye, if you do that, you'll control nearly half of the entire Miao Clan!"
Situ Kong'er was taken aback by this statement.
"Heh. Since the Miao Clan dares to bully my mother and sister, how can I not teach them a profound lesson?" Ye Yunfei replied with a cold smile.
"True! Let's go, we'll act immediately. Controlling half of the Miao Clan—now that is a grand enterprise!"
Situ Kong'er wholeheartedly agreed and nodded vigorously.