“Excellent! The Zhuque Divine Grotto is finally opening!”
Many members of the Miao Clan were excited, especially the younger generation, who rubbed their hands together eagerly, wishing they could enter the grotto immediately.
Ye Yunfei had numerous slaves within the Vermilion Bird Realm, so he naturally received this news at once.
“The Zhuque Divine Grotto is opening? Is that true?”
When Ye Yunfei told Xiao Fei the news, she immediately became excited, itching to go.
“Xiao Fei, do you want to enter this Zhuque Divine Grotto too?” Ye Yunfei asked.
“Of course I do. The Zhuque Divine Grotto is the ancestral birthplace of our Miao Clan! It houses the most primal, purest, and supreme Vermilion Bird bloodline. If one can obtain it, the benefits for future cultivation would be immense!” Xiao Fei nodded.
“Alright then. Let me see if there's a way to slip you in,” Ye Yunfei said after thinking for a moment.
In any case, Xiao Fei's Vermilion Bird Divine Meridian was fundamentally among the highest-grade existences within the entire Miao Clan. If she could additionally obtain the most primal and purest Vermilion Bird bloodline, the benefits for her future cultivation would indeed be enormous. Given such an advantage, Ye Yunfei naturally didn't want Xiao Fei to miss out on it.
At this moment, after deliberation, the Miao Clan's higher-ups announced two things.
First, they would hold a grand wedding to marry Xiao Fei off to the Jiao Clan's Second Prince.
Second, after the wedding concluded, the Miao Clan would immediately enter the Zhuque Divine Grotto. Furthermore, the number of clansmen permitted to enter the grotto this time was exceptionally large, and the conditions were very lenient. It was said that the environment within the Zhuque Divine Grotto was highly suitable for the Miao Clan's cultivation. Therefore, the clan's upper echelons intended to allow a greater number of clansmen to enter. Even if they didn't find anything else inside, they could still cultivate using the realm's innate conditions, thereby raising the overall strength of the entire Miao Clan.
Half a day later.
Ye Yunfei arrived at the territory of the Third Prince.
The Vermilion Bird King had three sons, who were the three princes of the Vermilion Bird Realm.
The First Prince and the Second Prince had both awakened their Vermilion Bird Divine Meridians. Their strength was immense; they were both masters at the Half-Emperor level and were deeply favored by the Vermilion Bird King.
Only the Third Prince's bloodline was exceedingly ordinary. He had not awakened a Vermilion Bird Divine Meridian and thus was not particularly liked by the Vermilion Bird King. He held little status within the entire family and had always been marginalized.
Consequently, the Third Prince's territory was very small, governing only three cities. He usually resided within Luori City.
Due to the Third Prince's low standing, even this Luori City appeared somewhat desolate and quiet, with few pedestrians.
After all, within the Vermilion Bird Realm, the Third Prince's situation was well-known. Generally, no one wished to associate with the Third Prince or visit his territory.
In contrast, the territories of the First and Second Princes were filled with bustling cities teeming with people, a scene of prosperity and liveliness—utterly different.
When Ye Yunfei entered Luori City, he immediately released his Soul Power, sending his perception towards the location of the City Lord's Manor.
Bang…
Very soon, Ye Yunfei sensed a massive formation tightly enveloping the entire City Lord's Manor. It was quite powerful.
“Hmm. Although this Third Prince isn't popular, he is still the Vermilion Bird King's son, so some basic protective measures are in place,” Ye Yunfei thought to himself as he activated the Hidden Shadow Secret Art. In a single step, he arrived before the City Lord's Manor and examined it.
Ye Yunfei stood before the City Lord's Manor, releasing his Soul Power to sense it for a moment. Not long after, he had thoroughly analyzed the Manor's great formation.
Then, Ye Yunfei lifted his foot and walked directly into the City Lord's Manor.
Since Ye Yunfei was using the Hidden Shadow Secret Art, even though numerous beings passed by his side, none had the ability to detect him.
Moments later, Ye Yunfei came to a halt in front of a study.
Inside this study was an old man, sitting cross-legged with his eyes closed, resting.
Earlier, Ye Yunfei had already sensed the vast majority of living beings within the entire City Lord's Manor. He deduced that this old man was most likely the Third Prince!
Because the bloodline within this old man's body was almost identical to Miao Ziqiong's!
As he sensed the old man inside the study, Ye Yunfei's mood became somewhat complex.
By blood relation, this old man was Miao Ziqiong's father—Ye Yunfei's maternal grandfather.
Ye Yunfei did not harbor hatred towards this grandfather, but neither did he hold much affection. This time, Ye Yunfei had come looking for him not for any family sentiment, but simply to ask some questions.
Ultimately, Ye Yunfei felt no affection for any clansman of the Miao Clan in the Vermilion Bird Realm!
“Young man, if you're looking for me, come in.”
After Ye Yunfei stood outside the door for a few moments, before he had even stepped in, the old man inside the room suddenly spoke softly.
“Oh? He knows I'm here?” Ye Yunfei was somewhat surprised.
He knew very well that with his current level of strength, the Hidden Shadow Secret Art he employed was difficult to detect even for Half-Emperor experts.
Yet this old man had casually called him out with a single sentence.
After thinking for a moment, Ye Yunfei's expression remained unchanged as he lifted his foot and walked in, coming to a stop before the old man.
Now, Ye Yunfei was not using the Hidden Shadow Secret Art but stood directly before this old man. Since he'd already been detected, there was no need to remain hidden.
This old man before him was the Vermilion Bird Realm's Third Prince!
Within the Miao Clan, a figure who was almost entirely marginalized!
“Young man, you are unfamiliar. Who are you? And why have you come to find me?” The Third Prince looked up, examining Ye Yunfei, and asked slowly, appearing extremely calm, as if Ye Yunfei's arrival hadn't startled him.
“I've come to you to ask about some things,” Ye Yunfei said.
“Ask about some things? What things?” The Third Prince seemed curious.
“Where is the Vermilion Bird King? What is his current strength?” Ye Yunfei asked directly.
“You're asking about my father? Young man, who are you, exactly?” At this, the Third Prince's expression finally changed, and his gaze grew sharp as he stared at Ye Yunfei.
“Don't concern yourself with who I am. I merely wish to know the Vermilion Bird King's current status,” Ye Yunfei pressed.
“I have nothing to say. Young man, you should leave,” the Third Prince said after staring at Ye Yunfei for a while.
“I will leave once I have my answers. Tell me. I don't want to use force on you.”
Ye Yunfei took a step forward.
Rumble…
A powerful energy aura erupted from Ye Yunfei's body, vast and profound like an abyss, washing over the Third Prince.
Ye Yunfei noticed that this Third Prince was merely at the mid-stage Heavenly God realm. Faced with his own Half-Emperor aura, he shouldn't be able to withstand it.
Of course, Ye Yunfei had no intention of harming the Third Prince; he merely wished to apply some pressure.
“It's useless, young man. Leave,” the Third Prince said indifferently, showing no reaction in the face of Ye Yunfei's energy pressure.