At the same time, within the Vermilion Bird Realm.
In a bustling, prosperous metropolis.
"I wonder how Fei'er is doing now.
It's been a very long time without any news of him.
I hope he is safe."
At the city center, inside an exquisite small hall within a grand red palace that glittered with gold and jade, a beautiful and dignified middle-aged woman sighed, her face full of worry.
This woman was none other than Miao Ziqiong.
"Don't worry too much. Fei'er was born with destiny's favor; I feel he will be alright.
I've witnessed him taking steps all these years myself. Fei'er is truly someone who has weathered great storms. He's far more capable than the two of us combined.
You should put your mind at ease."
Ye Tianpeng, who was beside her, spoke words of comfort.
This city was a renowned, bustling metropolis within the Vermilion Bird Realm. It used to be the residence of the Vermilion Bird Realm's Great Imperial Uncle. After the Great Imperial Uncle's demise, the Vermilion Bird King had awarded this fief to Ye Tianpeng.
Thus, this city and the vast territory surrounding it now belonged to the couple, Ye Tianpeng and his wife.
The city had since been renamed, called Tianpeng City!
Ye Tianpeng and his wife resided in the City Lord's Manor at the city center.
Usually, Xiao Fei also lived with her parents within the City Lord's Manor of Tianpeng City.
"I used to worry about Xiao Fei all the time. Now it's my turn to worry about Fei'er.
Tell me, what karma did I accumulate in my past life that my two children in this life face such constant misfortune?
If only our family could live together peacefully and quietly, how wonderful would that be!"
Miao Ziqiong said.
"I've always harbored that same wish. Let's hope one day it becomes a reality."
Ye Tianpeng also sighed softly.
"Brother Ye, pardon the interruption.
I have some free time today, so I made a special trip to visit, hoping to chat with Brother Ye."
At that very moment, a hearty, cheerful laugh rang out from beyond the City Lord's Manor.
"It's Brother Song!
Please invite Brother Song to the reception hall immediately!"
Upon hearing this voice, Ye Tianpeng quickly instructed a servant beside him.
The servant hastily rushed out to greet the guest.
A short while later, an imposing man clad in purple robes strode in and arrived at the reception hall.
Ye Tianpeng and his wife were already waiting there.
"Brother Song, it's been over half a month since you last came to visit.
You must have been busy cultivating."
Ye Tianpeng warmly invited the purple-robed man to sit down as he asked.
"That's right.
For the past half-month, I've been in closed-door cultivation.
I only just emerged today and thought I'd specially come to pay my respects to Brother Ye.
I hope I'm not disturbing you."
The purple-robed man laughed.
"Brother Song and I became close friends as soon as we met, like kindred spirits. You're always welcome whenever you wish to visit!"
Ye Tianpeng said candidly.
It turned out this purple-robed man's surname was Song, and his given name was Ming. He had entered the Vermilion Bird Realm from the outside world half a year ago and, by chance, encountered Ye Tianpeng. The two found their interests aligned and their temperaments similar, quickly becoming bosom friends who often gathered to converse about all things, forging a deep friendship.
"Ah, by the way, Brother Ye, I've heard that your daughter, Xiao Fei, is one of the most extraordinary young geniuses within the Vermilion Bird Realm's Miao Tribe. The Vermilion Bird Divine Meridian within her is said to be the highest grade of divine vein in the entire Vermilion Bird Miao Tribe.
I wonder if Xiao Fei is currently in the manor. I truly wish to see this exceptional young prodigy of the Vermilion Bird Realm for myself!
It is precisely this kind of young talent that I admire the most!"
Song Ming suddenly said.
"Oh?
Brother Song wishes to see Xiao Fei?"
Ye Tianpeng was taken aback.
"Yes.
But if it's inconvenient, then forget it.
It's just a passing fancy of mine, wanting to see the most monstrous talent in the Vermilion Bird Realm. No other meaning intended."
Song Ming said.
"This...
Well, it's not particularly inconvenient. Since you are her elder, Brother Song, Xiao Fei should indeed come out and pay her respects.
Alright then, I'll call Xiao Fei out now."
Ye Tianpeng thought for a moment and spoke.
"Zi Qiong, please go and ask Xiao Fei to come out and greet Brother Song."
Ye Tianpeng said to Miao Ziqiong.
Miao Ziqiong gave Song Ming a questioning look, feeling deep down that something seemed a bit off.
However, thinking that they were within the Vermilion Bird Realm where the Vermilion Bird King personally presided, and that the King had even specially dispatched several Half-Emperor experts to lie in wait within Tianpeng City specifically to protect the safety of the family of three—Ye Tianpeng, his wife, and their daughter—her unease lessened somewhat.
Furthermore, a contingent of elite troops was also stationed around Tianpeng City.
Thus, Tianpeng City was a relatively safe place.
Besides, this Song Ming possessed only Celestial World-realm strength, which hardly made him a formidable expert within the Vermilion Bird Realm.
"Alright."
Miao Ziqiong rose and went to fetch Xiao Fei.
A short while later, Miao Ziqiong returned with Xiao Fei to the reception hall.
"Xiao Fei, come forward quickly and pay your respects to Uncle Song.
Uncle Song is a good friend of your father. You may call him Uncle Song."
Ye Tianpeng said.
"Haha...
Excellent, truly worthy of being counted among the top young prodigies of the Vermilion Bird Realm. Her cultivation is quite impressive.
And look at her—radiant and fresh as a dewdrop! Truly adorable!"
Song Ming looked Xiao Fei up and down, suddenly bursting into loud laughter.
At that moment, a mocking expression appeared on Song Ming's face.
"Tianpeng, something's wrong with this Song Ming! Let Xiao Fei leave!"
Always perceptive, Miao Ziqiong immediately sensed that Song Ming's expression and tone of voice were off. Shocked, she quickly sent a Sound Transmission to Ye Tianpeng.
Simultaneously with the transmission, she grabbed Xiao Fei's hand, intending to drag her out of the hall.
"Brother Song seems off?"
Upon hearing Miao Ziqiong's Sound Transmission, Ye Tianpeng couldn't help but be stunned.
"Hmph!
Trying to leave now is too late! Get over here!"
Song Ming suddenly snorted coldly, thrusting out a large hand to seize Xiao Fei and Miao Ziqiong.
"Brother Song, what are you doing?! Control yourself!"
Witnessing this, Ye Tianpeng was both startled and furious, immediately shouting.
Boom… Boom…
The moment Song Ming made his move, four formidable auras simultaneously erupted within Tianpeng City. Following that, four old men appeared, charging into the City Lord's Manor with astonishing speed and heading straight for the reception hall.
These were four Half-Emperor experts dispatched by the Vermilion Bird King to Tianpeng City specifically to protect Ye Tianpeng's family of three!
"Hehe…
Who wants to be brothers with an ant like you? I've come specifically to capture your family of three. Today, the opportunity has finally arrived!"
Song Ming sneered.
"Everyone, come out.
Our reinforcements have arrived. We can begin the operation now!"
Song Ming declared.
Whoosh! Whoosh!…
One figure after another began soaring out from Song Ming's body.
Dozens of beings in total!
Half of them were Half-Emperor experts!
Song Ming possessed a spatial treasure. All these beings had been hiding within that spatial treasure.
"Song Ming, who are you really?!"
Miao Ziqiong shouted angrily.
"Haha…
I have come by the orders of the Three Great Heavenly Emperors, specifically to capture your family of three.
Your son, Ye Yunfei, offended the Three Great Heavenly Emperors, and now you must suffer the consequences.
Blame it on your son, Ye Yunfei!"
Song Ming roared with mad laughter.
"Where is my Fei'er now?!"
Hearing Song Ming's words, Miao Ziqiong quickly asked.
"Ye Yunfei offended the Three Great Heavenly Emperors and is now on the run everywhere.
However, the Three Great Heavenly Emperors wield boundless powers; they will find him soon enough.
That brat Ye Yunfei is as good as dead!"
Song Ming laughed coldly.