Vermilion Bird King!
At the cry, everyone present was shocked to the extreme.
As was widely known, the Vermilion Bird King had been famous for a long time; he was the strongest expert in the Vermilion Bird Realm and was renowned throughout the Three Thousand Great Worlds. However, the Vermilion Bird King had not shown his face for an exceptionally long period! There were many legends within the Vermilion Bird Realm regarding his whereabouts.
Who could have imagined that the Vermilion Bird King would appear now!
"Excellent, excellent! The bloodline of both is pure and untainted! No wonder they gained the recognition of the divine beast Vermilion Bird! To have such outstanding descendants appear among our Miao Clan is truly a blessing!"
While everyone's gazes were fixed on the Vermilion Bird King, his own eyes fell upon Miao Ziqiong and Xiao Fei, and he repeatedly nodded in admiration.
The moment this Vermilion Bird King appeared, Ye Yunfei immediately shifted his position discreetly, beginning to move closer to his mother and Xiao Fei, prepared to take them away at any moment.
Although this Vermilion Bird King looked weak and feeble, he was, after all, an Emperor-level Advanced expert. No matter how severely damaged, once he made a violent move, ordinary beings would surely be unable to withstand it.
"Father!"
Seeing the Vermilion Bird King suddenly appear, Da Wangye and the Second Prince first paled in fright, then their expressions grew exceedingly complex. Over these years, the two of them had constantly used every opportunity to suppress the Third Prince in their struggle for power and influence. It was beyond their expectation that the Third Prince would now suddenly emerge supporting the Vermilion Bird King.
"Father, it has been so long since I've seen you; I have missed you terribly!"
Finally, the Second Prince steeled himself and stepped forward, bowing to the Vermilion Bird King.
The Vermilion Bird King swept a faint glance over him and did not speak.
The Second Prince felt his scalp tingle a little, then retreated awkwardly to the side, not daring to utter another word.
As for Da Wangye, he stood there, a hesitant expression on his face, unable to decide for a moment whether to step forward and acknowledge his father or not.
The Vermilion Bird King didn't even spare a glance for Da Wangye.
"We pay our respects to the Vermilion Bird King!"
At this moment, a portion of Miao Clan experts had already rushed before the Vermilion Bird King, prostrating themselves before him, their eyes brimming with tears as they shouted loudly.
These Miao Clan experts had been fiercely loyal to the Vermilion Bird King in the past. Seeing him again now, their emotions remained deeply stirred, so they were the first to rush up and acknowledge him.
"What are you all waiting for? The Vermilion Bird King is here! Come and pay your respects!" shouted a Miao Clan expert.
Hearing this shout, another portion of Miao Clan members rushed over, kneeling and bowing to the Vermilion Bird King.
Then, more and more Miao Clan members came running to pay homage to the Vermilion Bird King.
However, the Vermilion Bird King seemed to look right through these Miao Clan members, completely ignoring them.
"I suppose that our Miao Clan's true Old Wizard has already been killed by you. Over these years you've lain hidden within our Vermilion Bird Realm; your primary target must be me."
At this moment, the Vermilion Bird King's gaze turned towards the Old Wizard as he spoke coldly.
"Hehehe... That's correct. The true Old Wizard has been lured to his death by me."
The Old Wizard opened its huge bird-like beak, emitting a piercing sound as it spoke.
What? Our Miao Clan's true Old Wizard is dead?
The surrounding Miao Clan members who heard the Old Wizard's words all had their faces change drastically. Especially Da Wangye and those Miao Clan elders who were closely associated with the Old Wizard—their expressions were wildly distorted as they stared at the Old Wizard with disbelief.
Over the years, this Old Wizard had held a position of great power and prestige within the Miao Clan, gathering a large number of Miao Clan experts and ordinary followers. Da Wangye's relationship with him was especially close!
To think this Old Wizard was an imposter!
For a moment, these Miao Clan members closely linked to the Old Wizard simply could not accept it!
Da Wangye, in particular, had a look on his face as grim as could be. It was common knowledge that within the Miao Clan, his relationship with the Old Wizard was the closest. For years, he and the Old Wizard had joined forces, forming factions within the Miao Clan, eliminating dissenters, contending for power and profit, and scheming against a great many Miao Clan members. Thinking back carefully, Da Wangye realized that he seemed to have been following the Old Wizard's suggestions in all his actions! Thinking deeper, cold sweat dripped down his back.
He had actually been tricked by an imposter Old Wizard for so long, becoming his accomplice!
"From this moment on, our Miao Clan has no Old Wizard. This Dark Faction creature is an enemy of our Miao Clan; everyone should wish to eliminate him!"
The Vermilion Bird King swept a glance over the Old Wizard and stated coldly.
"Hehehe... Vermilion Bird King, do you think I fear you? If you were at your peak, perhaps I wouldn't dare provoke you. But given your current state, I'm not afraid of you."
The Old Wizard sneered.
"Father..."
At this point, the Third Prince looked at Miao Ziqiong and Xiao Fei, who were receiving the legacy and bloodline from the Vermilion Bird Skeleton, his expression complex, unsure of what to say.
He had brought the Vermilion Bird King into the Zhuque Divine Grotto with the intention of obtaining that skeleton. But now it had been obtained by Miao Ziqiong and Xiao Fei.
"Say no more. All this is fate. Moreover, both of them are my descendants. For them to obtain the legacy of this Vermilion Bird skeleton is also a blessing for our Miao Clan; they will undoubtedly enable our Miao Clan to flourish in the future. As for me, I have truly grown old and should yield my position to the younger generation."
Gazing at Miao Ziqiong and Xiao Fei, the Vermilion Bird King sighed and spoke unhurriedly.
"This..."
The Third Prince was taken aback for a moment, not knowing how to respond.
"All of you, heed my command! Form our ancestral grand formation immediately and prepare to face the enemy! Also, you must protect the safety of these two at all costs! They represent the future of our Miao Clan!"
Suddenly, the Vermilion Bird King said in a heavy tone.
Upon hearing his command, the other Miao Clan members around hesitated. Moments ago, they had intended to wait until Miao Ziqiong and Xiao Fei entered their weakened period, then attack them together. Now the Vermilion Bird King was ordering them to protect the two.
"What? Does no one in the Miao Clan heed my words anymore?"
Seeing this, the Vermilion Bird King could not help but darken his expression and say coldly.
Hearing his words, the Miao Clan members jolted back to their senses: the being before them was the Vermilion Bird King! For generations, the Vermilion Bird King had been the spiritual pillar of the Miao Clan, possessing absolute authority!
Soon, many Miao Clan members obeyed the Vermilion Bird King's command, surging forward and forming a large circle to begin protecting Miao Ziqiong and Xiao Fei as they underwent their cultivation.
Seeing this action from the Vermilion Bird King, Ye Yunfei was slightly surprised. However, Ye Yunfei was still not fully at ease; his figure flickered as he moved even closer to his mother and Xiao Fei, ready to respond to any changes.
"This Vermilion Bird King seems to have rather admirable magnanimity," Hun Lao said to Ye Yunfei.
"Let's wait and see," Ye Yunfei replied.
"Hehehe... Vermilion Bird King, since you have revealed yourself, today is the day of your death. And this Vermilion Bird skeleton will also be mine!"
The Old Wizard gave a cold laugh. As his voice fell, he took out a strange, black flute and blew into it fiercely, releasing a succession of ear-piercing sounds.
The Vermilion Bird King's face darkened, knowing that this Old Wizard was summoning allies.
"It seems your Dark Faction has thoroughly infiltrated our Miao Clan," the Vermilion Bird King stared at the Old Wizard and asked coldly.
"You flatter me. Let me put it this way: within the Miao Clan, at least a quarter, or even a third, belong to my forces."
The Old Wizard sneered.
A moment later...
Boom! Boom!...
Outside the palace, terrifying, black-clad figures surged towards them like rolling waves. They were all Dark Faction beings!
"This is bad! Many more Dark Faction beings are coming from outside! It seems every single one has considerable strength," Hun Lao suddenly said to Ye Yunfei.
"Yes, things are starting to get tricky. I never imagined so many powerful members of the Dark Faction were lurking within the Vermilion Bird Realm," Ye Yunfei was also somewhat surprised, and simultaneously grew more alert.
"All Miao Clan members heed my order! Immediately form the ancestral grand formation and prepare to meet the enemy! Also, you must ensure the safety of these two at all costs! They represent the future of our Miao Clan!"
The Vermilion Bird King took a deep breath and said in a heavy voice.
"Hahaha... Vermilion Bird King, given your current state, you won't be able to stop us! Today, not only will you die, but your Miao Clan members, and those two sluts—all of them will die! Not a single one will remain!"
Upon hearing his words, the Old Wizard suddenly burst into wild laughter.
"Da Wangye, over these years you and I have joined forces to kill so many members of the Miao Clan. Especially for these two sluts, in order to increase the purity of the Vermilion Bird Divine Meridian within you, I had you use deceit to extract a bowlful of their origin essence blood daily, which was then refined into medicinal pills for you to consume. Da Wangye, to put it bluntly, you have already become a sinner of the Miao Clan. Therefore, I now sincerely invite you to join our Dark Faction. Rest assured, once our Dark Faction fully controls the Vermilion Bird Realm, you will be made the new Vermilion Bird King!"
The Old Wizard turned his gaze towards Da Wangye and spoke.
"You...!"
Hearing the Old Wizard say such things in public, Da Wangye was both shocked and furious. This was blatantly exposing his misdeeds, causing all the Miao Clan members to feel hatred towards him.
Sure enough, after listening to the Old Wizard's words, the gazes of most Miao Clan members towards Da Wangye began to change. Some Miao Clan elders and members who had originally stood behind Da Wangye began to quietly retreat, distancing themselves from him.
"Well, Da Wangye, you must make a choice," the Old Wizard said indifferently.
Da Wangye was a perfected Half-Emperor expert; the Old Wizard wanted to draw him into the Dark Faction's camp for his own use.
Da Wangye's expression was extremely ugly. Of course he did not want to betray the Miao Clan. However, the Old Wizard's words had already caused all the Miao Clan members to feel animosity towards him. He understood that if he remained in the Miao Clan, likely no one would want to associate with him, and he might even face ostracism. But to betray the Miao Clan and submit to another unfamiliar race—that he also could not accept.
Thus Da Wangye stood there, his face alternating between green and white, unsure of what to do.
It was at this moment...
Boom...
One black figure after another emitting violent energy auras charged into the palace from outside, landing beside the Old Wizard.
In the blink of an eye, at least several hundred figures arrived.
Each black figure was a Half-Emperor expert!
Several hundred Half-Emperor experts! And the energy aura each one emitted was extremely powerful, their imposing manner intimidating.
"Hahaha... Vermilion Bird King, your time has come!"
The Old Wizard laughed wildly.
"Fei'er, tell me, should we leave this Vermilion Bird skeleton for the Vermilion Bird King?"
Just then, Miao Ziqiong suddenly sent Ye Yunfei a Sound Transmission to ask.
"Haven't you finished refining and absorbing it yet?" Ye Yunfei asked.
"Xiao Fei and I have nearly completed the refinement and absorption of the bloodline and legacy within this Vermilion Bird skeleton. However, the skeleton itself is also an incredibly high-grade treasure. The skeleton's material quality is excellent, extraordinarily tough—it must have undergone forging and tempering countless times. I estimate that the skeleton's inherent value is not inferior to the bloodline and legacy it contains. Given Xiao Fei's and my current strength, refining this skeleton would likely take a very long time," Miao Ziqiong replied.
"Yes, Brother. This Vermilion Bird skeleton contains three treasures in total: the bloodline essence, the legacy, and the skeleton itself. The skeleton itself also seems to contain boundless energy. Mother wants to give it to Grandfather and have Grandfather decide what to do with it. Mother just spoke a lot to me; now I don't seem to dislike Grandfather so much," Xiao Fei also transmitted to Ye Yunfei.
Naturally, Xiao Fei also understood that giving the skeleton to the Third Prince meant he would inevitably hand it over to the Vermilion Bird King.
"You decide," Ye Yunfei thought for a moment, then whispered.
The Vermilion Bird King's actions just now had also given Ye Yunfei a favorable impression.
"Since that is so, this Vermilion Bird skeleton shall be given to the Vermilion Bird King," Miao Ziqiong nodded. She knew that it was only for her sake that her son was willing to make such a decision.
Thus, Ye Yunfei immediately sent a Sound Transmission to the Vermilion Bird King, telling him to go over and refine that skeleton.