At a position up ahead, dozens of ferocious flying beasts and wild creatures were roaring and snarling, completely encircling over a dozen people.
Men from the Zhan Family stood upon the backs or beside each of these fierce creatures.
Among them were four Heavenly Immortals: two Intermediate Heavenly Immortals and two Primary Heavenly Immortals.
The gazes of these four Heavenly Immortals were utterly cold as they stared icily at those who were surrounded.
Standing on the back of a flaming red lion was a young man with a smug expression.
This young man was none other than Zhan Yuan!
The lion beneath his feet appeared fiery red because its body was perpetually wreathed in crimson flames, giving it an extraordinary and divine look.
“You old hag, trying to stop me from getting my hands on those two bitches Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue is like treading where you shouldn't! So today, you're dead for sure!”
Zhan Yuan declared in a loud voice, looking down on her from a superior position.
“Arrogant brat of the Zhan Family!
How dare you set your sights on our Xiao Family members!
Are you trying to start a war between our two families?”
Among the dozen or so people trapped in the middle was an old woman—Liu Laolao. Trembling with rage, she pointed a finger at Zhan Yuan and demanded harshly.
“Zhan Guangfeng! What is the meaning of this? Your Zhan Family surrounds our Xiao Family members and has killed so many of us!
Have you considered the consequences?
Our Xiao Family is not to be bullied!”
Liu Laolao then shifted her furious gaze to an Intermediate Heavenly Immortal of the Zhan Family, asking through gritted teeth.
“There will be no consequences for what happens today. This is the Void Secret Realm. Explorers and treasure seekers from every faction suffer casualties. As long as we eliminate all of you Xiao Family members here, no one will ever know what transpired!”
The Zhan Family Intermediate Heavenly Immortal named Zhan Guangfeng answered expressionlessly, his voice cold.
“Hahaha…
Did you hear that, old hag? Don't think yourself so important. Even if we finish you off, nothing will come of it!
And so what if it sparks a war between our families? Do you think our Zhan Family fears your Xiao Family?”
Zhan Yuan burst into loud laughter.
“Zhan Guangfeng!
You've miscalculated!
With just the few of you, you might not necessarily manage to kill me. And if you commit such an act, our Xiao Family will surely uncover the truth. Don't fantasize about covering it up!”
Hearing Zhan Guangfeng's words, Liu Laolao's face first paled slightly before she spoke again in anger.
“Whatever you say is useless. You are dead today!
If you die, your Xiao Family might know nothing. But if you remain alive, *that* might cause conflict between our two families. Therefore, the best choice is to kill you, and the other Xiao Family members by your side.
And that pair of twins from your Xiao Family? Our Zhan Family wants them. After dealing with you, we will go find those twins. They will belong to Young Master Zhan Yuan.
Enough talk. Let's get to it.”
Zhan Guangfeng stated coldly.
“Thank you for your help, Seventh Uncle!”
Zhan Yuan grew even more pleased with himself.
“Hear that, old hag? Those two little sluts Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue won't escape my grasp!
Once I catch them, I'll make sure they get a proper taste of me. I guarantee they'll kneel on the ground and submit to me obediently!”
Zhan Yuan laughed loudly again.
“I won't let you succeed! All of your Zhan Family are beasts of the same ilk!
Just wait! Our Xiao Family will not let this rest easily!”
Liu Laolao trembled all over with fury, cursing vehemently.
“Begin the attack. Wipe out all these Xiao Family members. Don't waste any more of our time.”
Hearing Liu Laolao's words, Zhan Guangfeng's face darkened.
ROAR!
As soon as Zhan Guangfeng's words fell, all of the Zhan Family's Warbeasts roared ferociously, unleashing overwhelming auras of bestial might.
Then, all the Warbeasts began charging forward, launching fierce assaults.
The Zhan Family members also joined the attack alongside their beasts.
The Zhan Family was a traditional beast-taming lineage. Every member began raising their own Warbeast from childhood, growing and cultivating together, becoming one entity with perfect synergy and telepathic understanding.
It could be said these Warbeasts represented half the combat power of each Zhan Family member.
“Prepare for battle!
Once the fight starts, don't get caught up in prolonged combat! Look for opportunities to escape. Save as many as you can! After escaping, immediately find our Xiao Family's main force and report this incident!”
Seeing the ferociousness of the Zhan Family's offensive, Liu Laolao knew this battle was fraught with peril. She secretly sent a voice transmission to the Xiao Family members.
Liu Laolao and the dozen or so Xiao Family members moved simultaneously, clashing with the Zhan Family members and their Warbeasts.
The Zhan Family had greater numbers, and their Warbeasts' attacks were savagely powerful. In just moments, they gained complete dominance, pushing the Xiao Family members back continuously with little chance to retaliate.
Liu Laolao was besieged by two Warbeasts: one a white fierce tiger, the other a massive eagle.
Both Warbeasts possessed combat power equivalent to an Intermediate Heavenly Immortal and had immense strength, putting tremendous pressure on Liu Laolao.
“Third Aunt, I'll hold them off! You cover everyone's breakout! Remember, once you break out, leave this place immediately and find our Xiao Family's main force!”
Assessing the balance of power, Liu Laolao knew continuing this fight meant certain defeat for her Xiao Family companions, and most likely total annihilation. Gritting her teeth, she sent a voice transmission to a middle-aged Xiao Family woman nearby.
This middle-aged woman, Third Aunt, was a Primary Heavenly Immortal with decent combat prowess. However, she was currently surrounded by four or five Warbeasts with Primary Heavenly Immortal-level power, putting her in a dire situation.
“Liu Laolao, let's fight our way out together!”
Third Aunt was startled by Liu Laolao's words. She understood the implication: if Liu Laolao stayed behind alone, her chances of survival were slim.
“No, under these circumstances, a joint breakout is nearly impossible. We cannot all die here, otherwise our family won't even know how we died.
It's decided. I'll hold them off and cover your escape!”
Liu Laolao transmitted back.
After speaking, she produced a deep red pill and swallowed it in one gulp. Instantly, blazing crimson flames erupted from her body, and her aura surged violently.
“Liu Laolao! Did you just take an Immortal Burst Pill?”
Third Aunt exclaimed in horror.
The Immortal Burst Pill could forcibly unleash one's potential in a short time to boost combat power, but its dangers were immense. If not controlled properly, it could cause the body to explode. Once the pill's effects were exhausted, one's strength would plummet instantly, becoming extremely weak, and there would be severe after-effects.
“Third Aunt, don't worry about that now! I'll hold off these Zhan Family people. You lead the others in breaking out!”
Liu Laolao transmitted.
BOOM!
The energy aura radiating from Liu Laolao's body grew increasingly wild and violent, its intensity rising continuously. Within a few moves, she forced back the two Warbeasts with Intermediate Heavenly Immortal power.
“This old hag seems to have taken an Immortal Burst Pill! She's throwing her life away!”
A Zhan Family Intermediate Heavenly Immortal, witnessing Liu Laolao's state, was also shocked and cried out.
BOOM! BOOM!
Liu Laolao attacked madly, trying to push back even more Warbeasts and Zhan Family members. As an Intermediate Heavenly Immortal herself, her combat power was already formidable. Now, having swallowed the Immortal Burst Pill to stimulate her potential, the combat power she displayed was even more terrifying.
“Third Aunt! Why aren't you covering the others' escape yet? What are you waiting for? Do you want us all to die here?
If that happens, our family won't even know how we died!
Don't wait any longer!”
Liu Laolao shouted to Third Aunt.
“Let's go!”
Seeing this scene, Third Aunt felt frantic but knew the situation left no other choice. Gritting her teeth, she took the lead and charged towards a gap that Liu Laolao had forcibly created. The other Xiao Family members followed closely behind.
The four Zhan Family Heavenly Immortals and the Warbeasts with Heavenly Immortal-level power tried to rush over and block them, but Liu Laolao erupted with divine might. Astonishingly, she alone held back all four Zhan Family Heavenly Immortals and every Heavenly Immortal-level Warbeast simultaneously.
“Stop them! They can't be allowed to escape!”
a Zhan Family Intermediate Heavenly Immortal shouted.
If these Xiao Family members got away, news of today's events would reach the ears of the Xiao Family's upper echelons. The Xiao Family would certainly demand an explanation, potentially triggering a real war between the two families.
Although the Zhan Family did not fear the Xiao Family, an all-out conflict would result in tremendous losses regardless of the outcome.
“Thinking of escaping in front of me? Not so easy!”
Seeing this, Zhan Yuan suddenly yelled. A dozen or so black cloth sacks appeared in his hands, which he tossed forward.
ROAR! ROAR!
From each sack charged over a dozen Warbeasts. Well over a hundred Warbeasts appeared simultaneously, roaring and bellowing as they pounced together towards the Xiao Family members.
Although these Warbeasts were all at the Golden Immortal level, their numbers were extreme. Swarming forward en masse, they placed immense pressure on the Xiao Family.
Third Aunt, in particular, found herself frantically besieged by thirty or forty Warbeasts at once. Caught off guard momentarily, she was utterly overwhelmed and unable to assist elsewhere.
Consequently, the Xiao Family members were plunged back into a desperate predicament.
“Zhan Yuan! To think you brought so many Warbeasts!”
A Zhan Family Intermediate Heavenly Immortal said happily.
“Hahaha...
Before setting out, I went to plead with Fourth Elder, who oversees the Clan's Beast Realm. I begged for several days and even used my grandfather's influence to bring out this many Warbeasts. They are my greatest confidence for exploring and treasure-hunting in the Void Secret Realm!”
Zhan Yuan laughed smugly.
“So that's how!”
The Zhan Family members listening understood, their confusion clearing.
Normally, members of the Zhan Family were only permitted to carry a few Warbeasts with them, usually the ones they had been raised alongside since childhood.
The majority of the Zhan Family's Warbeasts were kept in a secretive realm called the Beast Realm, guarded by the clan's experts. These collectively kept Warbeasts were one of the Zhan Family's primary foundational assets, under strict supervision.
Whoever wished to take clan Warbeasts out of the Beast Realm required approval from several of the clan's core elders. Ordinary clan members had no such opportunity.
Zhan Yuan's grandfather held a very high status within the Zhan Family. This time, he had likely leveraged his grandfather's influence to bring out over a hundred Warbeasts from the Beast Realm—a somewhat staggering number.
“The situation for your Xiao Family people isn't looking good.”
At this moment, Ye Yunfei had perceived the entire situation clearly and relayed the specifics to Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue.
“What?
Liu Laolao took an Immortal Burst Pill?
This… What should we do now?”
Upon hearing that Liu Laolao had swallowed an Immortal Burst Pill, Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue were both horrified and cried out simultaneously.
They both knew the effects of the Immortal Burst Pill, and they also knew its dangers.
Although Liu Laolao's combat power soared after taking the Immortal Burst Pill, the moment the pill's effects wore off, the consequences would be dire.
“Young Master Ye…”
Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue were extremely anxious. However, they felt awkward about urging Ye Yunfei to go and intervene, especially since the Zhan Family had superior numbers and so many Warbeasts.
“The two of you stay inside the Phantom Tower. I'm going over to save them now.”
Ye Yunfei stated.
WHOOSH!
Simultaneously with his words, Ye Yunfei activated his Time Boots. With a flash, his figure shot towards the battleground.
At that moment, the dozen-odd Xiao Family clan members were under siege by over a hundred Warbeasts and a group of Zhan Family members, fighting with great difficulty.
Fortunately, Third Aunt, being a Heavenly Immortal, was blocking most of the attacks.
“Men of the Zhan Family! Come over here and accept your death!”
Third Aunt roared harshly, her palm strike smashing a Warbeast's head into a pulpy mess.
She had already killed over a dozen Warbeasts. Wherever she went, she forced the Zhan Family members and Warbeasts to retreat constantly, inflicting casualties repeatedly.
After all, she was a Heavenly Immortal!
“Send someone to deal with that shrew!”
a Zhan Family Intermediate Heavenly Immortal shouted.
Immediately, a Zhan Family Primary Heavenly Immortal led a Warbeast and charged towards Third Aunt.
After taking the Immortal Burst Pill, although Liu Laolao displayed terrifying combat power, besieged by the Zhan Family's four Heavenly Immortals and six or seven Heavenly Immortal-level Warbeasts, her initial overwhelming momentum faded as time wore on.
Earlier, Liu Laolao alone had held back all of the Zhan Family's Heavenly Immortals and Heavenly Immortal-level Warbeasts. But now, the Zhan Family Heavenly Immortal experts had recovered and could counterattack.
“It seems all of us Xiao Family members are doomed to die here today.”
Liu Laolao glanced at Third Aunt and the others, letting out a quiet sigh in her heart.
Originally, right after she swallowed the Immortal Burst Pill and suddenly revealed her enhanced power—before the Zhan Family could react—it was the best opportunity for Third Aunt and the others to escape.
But Zhan Yuan's sudden release of over a hundred Warbeasts had reversed the situation, trapping the Xiao Family members once more.
“Hahaha...
How about it, old hag? Now you know what you're up against? You're dead today!”
Seeing the expression of despair on Liu Laolao's face, Zhan Yuan couldn't help but laugh loudly.
“Don't worry. After you die, I'll take good care of those two little sluts Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue for you!”
Zhan Yuan added.
Right at that moment.
A figure appeared like a ghost at the very center of the battlefield.
“Who is it?”
Everyone was startled, their gazes swinging towards the newcomer.
“Brat surnamed Ye! It's you!
You actually dare to come here!”
Zhan Yuan was the first to recognize Ye Yunfei and immediately yelled.
Because Ye Yunfei had ruined his plans on multiple occasions, Zhan Yuan harbored a deep-seated hatred for him. He was already intimately familiar with Ye Yunfei's appearance and Soul Body aura, having sworn that once he found Ye Yunfei, he would tear him to pieces.
So now, seeing him face to face, he recognized him instantly.