"So Xiao Qinglian has betrayed the Xiao Family. The situation is really complicated.
But thankfully, both Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue are here. I came specifically to save those two. Other matters don't concern me much."
Ye Yunfei mused silently.
"When we first arrived just now, we only sensed Xiao Huanhuan and not Xiao Yueyue. She was probably stored inside a very sophisticated spatial treasure before coming out to join the battle later."
Hun Lao stated.
"The Xiao Family is also a large clan with a long heritage. It's perfectly normal for them to have some sophisticated spatial treasures."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Xiao Qinglian, the selection of the Saintesses concerns the overall interests of the entire clan. How could it be made to serve the struggles of your personal ambition!
Xiao Qinglian, I declare that from this moment, you are expelled from the Xiao Family and are no longer one of our disciples!"
Hearing Xiao Qinglian's words, Xiao Ziming could not help but roar angrily.
"Ha ha ha… Old fogey Xiao Ziming, the Xiao Family is on the brink of destruction right before your eyes, and you're still talking to me about this? Is that meaningful?
Ever since you old fossils helped those two little hussies Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue snatch away my Saintess position, I have long stopped being a member of the Xiao Family.
To be honest with you, I am now a member of the Zhan Family!"
Xiao Qinglian laughed. Her laughter was extremely grating.
"Xiao Ziming, you probably don't know yet. Your Xiao Family's young genius, Xiao Qinglian, has married into our Zhan Family. She belongs to our Zhan Family now."
Zhan Wu said smugly to Xiao Ziming.
"The reason why our Zhan Family understands your Xiao Family's situation so well and could precisely seize the opportunity to launch a sudden large-scale assault on your main headquarters… Xiao Qinglian's contribution was no small matter!"
At this point, Zhan Wu also gave a complacent laugh.
"Xiao Qinglian, did your father and grandfather know about your betrayal of our Xiao Family?"
Xiao Ziming suddenly thought of this point. Xiao Qinglian's father and grandfather both held rather high positions within the Xiao Family, and particularly, her grandfather was one of the Xiao Family's Elders.
"Of course my grandfather and my father know. But my grandfather, my father, and I are alike—we are all members of the Zhan Family now!"
Xiao Qinglian answered with a cold sneer.
"So it's like that. Your whole family has betrayed the Xiao Family!
The whole family consists of traitors!"
Xiao Ziming's expression turned extremely ugly.
"Damned traitor! Xiao Qinglian, just you wait! Our Xiao Family will definitely not let you get away with this!"
Xiao Yueyue said through gritted teeth.
"Xiao Yueyue, haven't you seen the situation clearly yet?
The Xiao Family is finished!
Young Master Zhan Yuan said that after the two of you little hussies are captured and brought back, he will definitely play with you both ruthlessly. Just wait, you’ll suffer.
After Young Master Zhan Yuan has had his fill of playing with the two of you, he will hand you over to me to deal with as I please.
Heh heh, at that time, you will definitely regret why you ever provoked me."
Xiao Qinglian shot a venomous glance at Xiao Yueyue and sneered.
"Xiao Qinglian, you traitor, die now!"
Upon hearing this, Xiao Yueyue could no longer restrain herself. She abruptly charged out, dashing toward Xiao Qinglian to kill her.
"Yueyue! Don't be impulsive! You mustn't go over there!"
Seeing Xiao Yueyue's action, Xiao Ziming's countenance drastically changed.
He knew Xiao Yueyue's rash move might have extremely serious consequences. Because the current battle was highly chaotic, the Zhan Family had a greater number of Demigods, and there were so many Warbeasts with Demigod-level strength. Once Xiao Yueyue charged over, it would be very difficult for the Xiao Family's experts to protect her.
But Xiao Yueyue was already so consumed by fury that her reason had deserted her. How could she consider so much? Before several Demigods of the Xiao Family could stop her, she had already activated a treasure that could increase her speed and instantly rushed in front of Xiao Qinglian.
That was simply Xiao Yueyue's personality; she often wouldn't listen to other people's dissuasion.
"Everyone listen, we must do our utmost to protect Yueyue!"
Xiao Ziming immediately sent a Sound Transmission to the other Demigod experts of the Xiao Family, while simultaneously moving covertly toward Xiao Yueyue's direction.
The other Demigod experts of the Xiao Family also began to shift their positions while engaging the enemy, attempting to move over to protect Xiao Yueyue.
However, Zhan Wu immediately saw through what the Xiao Family's Demigod experts intended to do and sent a Sound Transmission to all the Zhan Family's Demigods.
Upon receiving the transmission, the Zhan Family's Demigod experts immediately took action one after another, preventing the Xiao Family's experts from approaching Xiao Yueyue.
The Zhan Family had more Demigod experts, plus many Warbeasts of Demigod level. Once they formed a battle line, it became far more difficult for the Xiao Family's Demigods to force their way through to protect Xiao Yueyue.
Thus, at this moment, Xiao Yueyue had completely strayed beyond the protective range of the Xiao Family's Demigods.
"Yueyue, you are far too rash and immature!"
Seeing this scene, Liu Laolao was both alarmed and enraged. She immediately sent Xiao Yueyue a Sound Transmission.
However, she was merely a Heavenly Immortal, utterly powerless to go over and assist.
"Liu Laolao, don't worry, I'm fine. I can defeat this traitor Xiao Qinglian!
I'm going to kill her right now!"
Xiao Yueyue thought Liu Laolao was worried that she couldn't beat Xiao Qinglian.
"Xiao Yueyue, I will learn firsthand just how powerful the Xiao Family's Saintess is!
After I defeat you and trample you underfoot, the Xiao Family will know that I, Xiao Qinglian, am more qualified than you to be the Xiao Family's Saintess!"
Seeing Xiao Yueyue charging toward her, Xiao Qinglian immediately cried out.
Not long ago, after she failed in the competition for the Xiao Family's Saintess position, unable to accept the outcome, she secretly defected to the Zhan Family. Even her grandfather and her father followed suit, all defecting to the Zhan Family. They provided intelligence to the Zhan Family, found the opportunity, and successfully assisted the Zhan Family in attacking and occupying the Xiao Family's main headquarters.
Right now, Xiao Yueyue and Xiao Qinglian had already started fighting.
Both were among the outstanding members of the Xiao Family's younger generation. Xiao Qinglian had slightly more experience and tactical awareness in combat, but Xiao Yueyue's techniques and energies were stronger because she possessed a higher grade of her family's bloodline.
Last time, after Xiao Yueyue and Xiao Huanhuan returned to the family, they competed for the Saintess position. Eventually, the family's Patriarchs discovered that the bloodline within them was exceptionally pure, so they designated both of them as Saintesses.
Under the cultivation of the family's Patriarchs, both Xiao Yueyue and Xiao Huanhuan saw their realms and strength improve significantly in a short period.
Xiao Yueyue and Xiao Qinglian fought fiercely; for a short while, victory or defeat was undecided.
"Xiao Yueyue, you little hussy! I never expected your strength could improve so much in such a short time!
This is entirely because those old fossils of the family were biased. The treatment of a Saintess should have been mine to begin with!"
After exchanging dozens of moves with Xiao Yueyue, Xiao Qinglian discovered that Xiao Yueyue could now fight her to a draw. She was extremely jealous and spoke through gritted teeth.
In the past, to vie for the family's Saintess position, she secretly trained desperately. Her grandfather and father had also procured a great amount of precious cultivation resources for her, so her realm and strength were at the forefront among the Xiao Family's younger generation.
Moreover, to astound everyone with a remarkable display during the Saintess competition, she had previously kept her true realm and strength concealed all along, intending to reveal them suddenly at a critical moment to achieve a shocking effect.
But to her surprise, after meticulously scheming for so long, in the end, she still failed to become the Saintess. This caused her heart to twist completely, leading to her betrayal of the Xiao Family.
A moment later, Xiao Yueyue actually began to gradually gain the upper hand.
What she lacked was combat awareness and experience; her actual strength was already stronger than Xiao Qinglian's.
Moreover, under the influence of jealousy and anger, Xiao Qinglian's fighting prowess was affected to a certain extent.
Seizing an opportunity, Xiao Yueyue suddenly struck Xiao Qinglian's right shoulder with a palm strike, sending her flying backwards.
"Xiao Qinglian, you traitor, now do you know who is more qualified to be our Xiao Family's Saintess?!"
Having won a move, Xiao Yueyue was extremely pleased with herself.
"Now I'll kill you, this traitor!"
While speaking, Xiao Yueyue utilized her movement technique to chase after Xiao Qinglian.
"Alright, Qinglian, don't stoop to her level. Those two were specifically named by Young Master Zhan Yuan to be captured and brought back; no mishaps can be allowed.
Let me deal with her now."
Right at this moment, an Intermediate Demigod from the Zhan Family suddenly arrived, standing beside Xiao Qinglian and speaking indifferently.
Following behind this Intermediate Demigod were six Warbeasts. Two of them possessed Initial Demigod-level strength, while the other four possessed Complete Heavenly Immortal-level strength.
An Intermediate Demigod alone was already formidable. Adding in two Initial Demigod-level Warbeasts, such a combination was even more intimidating.
As soon as the Zhan Family's Intermediate Demigod finished speaking, he released his energy pressure. It swept toward Xiao Yueyue like a terrifying tidal wave, instantly suppressing her where she stood, rendering her unable to move.
"Stop making pointless resistance. Come back obediently with me to see Young Master Zhan Yuan.
If you can manage to please Young Master Zhan Yuan in the future, perhaps there will be a way out for you."
The Zhan Family's Intermediate Demigod spoke coldly, reaching out his hand to grab at Xiao Yueyue.
Facing an Intermediate Demigod, Xiao Yueyue had no ability to resist whatsoever. Standing there, her face filled with terror, she desperately wanted to flee, but she could not move a muscle.
"Yueyue, I'm coming to save you!"
Seeing this, Xiao Huanhuan gritted her teeth, raised a longsword, and charged over, trying to rescue Xiao Yueyue.
"Huanhuan! Don't be impulsive!
I order you to stop immediately!"
Watching Xiao Huanhuan's action, Xiao Ziming's face paled in fright.
Xiao Yueyue's situation was already extremely perilous. Now Xiao Huanhuan was also rushing over. This way, both Saintesses would fall into a hopeless situation.
At this moment, all of the Xiao Family's Demigods desperately unleashed their power, trying to charge over to protect the two sisters.
But how could the Zhan Family's Demigods easily let them pass?
They all desperately struck to block them. Even the Demigod-level Warbeasts became frenzied, roaring loudly as they pounced toward the Xiao Family's Demigods.
Under such circumstances, the Xiao Family's Demigods simply could not free themselves to rush over and protect Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue.
At this time, Xiao Huanhuan also rushed to Xiao Yueyue's side. Raising the longsword in her hand, she attempted to stab at the Zhan Family's Intermediate Demigod.
But the energy pressure released by the Zhan Family's Intermediate Demigod was too terrifying. It suppressed Xiao Huanhuan on the spot as well.
"Heh heh, so these are the Saintesses chosen by the Xiao Family? No sense of danger whatsoever. For the Xiao Family to select Saintesses of such caliber shows that the Xiao Family's doom has truly arrived."
The Zhan Family's Intermediate Demigod sneered.
Then his palm extended to a position right above Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue's heads, like a massive cloud, descending to grab down on the two sisters.
All the Demigods of the Xiao Family in the surroundings desperately unleashed their power, trying to charge over to protect the family's two Saintesses, but the Zhan Family's Demigods and the Demigod-level Warbeasts frantically obstructed them.
"Enough. The family bloodline purity of our Xiao Family's two Saintesses is exceptionally high. They were originally our Xiao Family's hope. But now, both Saintesses are about to fall into the hands of the Zhan Family. Perhaps this truly indicates that the Xiao Family's doom has arrived."
Witnessing this scene, Xiao Ziming felt despair and a wave of sorrow in his heart.
"Sister Huanhuan, I'm sorry. It was my recklessness that harmed you."
Now Xiao Yueyue finally realized that her earlier action was utterly rash and had ended up harming both herself and Xiao Huanhuan.
"What use is saying that now? We absolutely must not fall into the hands of the Zhan Family, or else we'll suffer endless humiliation and torment from that beast Zhan Yuan. Let's commit suicide together.
Retain the last shred of our dignity."
Xiao Huanhuan sighed softly as she replied. Of course, the two sisters were speaking via Sound Transmission.
"Right. Even if we die, we will not let that beast Zhan Yuan torment us!"
A look of resolute determination also emerged in Xiao Yueyue's eyes.
"Sister Huanhuan, I don't know why, but I suddenly thought of Young Master Ye.
Do you think… if Young Master Ye were here, could he save the two of us?
In the past, when the two of us traveled with him, no matter what danger we encountered, he was the one who stepped forward to protect us. That feeling was wonderful."
Xiao Yueyue suddenly thought of Ye Yunfei and spoke.
"Young Master Ye, despite being strong, even if he were here, he probably couldn't save the two of us.
Because the Zhan Family's power is too formidable. There are so many Demigods here, plus so many Demigod-level Warbeasts.
No matter how strong Young Master Ye is, he probably couldn't handle that."
Xiao Huanhuan shook her head as she answered.
"Ha ha ha…
Xiao Huanhuan, Xiao Yueyue, you two little hussies, now you know regret, don't you?
If you hadn't competed with me for the Saintess position back then, you wouldn't have ended up in this situation now!
It was you two little hussies who harmed the Xiao Family and ultimately harmed yourselves!
But now, your regret is useless. Just accept reality!"
Seeing that Xiao Yueyue and Xiao Huanhuan had been completely suppressed by the Zhan Family's Intermediate Demigod, unable to move, and were obviously about to be captured, Xiao Qinglian felt incredibly gratified. She couldn't help but burst into loud laughter.
"The actions you two just took were far too dangerous. In the future, you'd best learn a lesson from this."
Right at this moment, a figure suddenly appeared beside Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue, speaking.
This figure immediately drew the attention of everyone present.
"Young Master Ye! It's you!"
Hearing the voice, Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue simultaneously turned their heads to look, and then saw Ye Yunfei. They stared in shock, completely unable to believe it.
They had just been talking about Ye Yunfei moments ago. Never expecting Ye Yunfei would appear beside them in the next instant. How could there be such a coincidence in this world?
"Sister Huanhuan… I'm not hallucinating, am I? How could Young Master Ye suddenly appear beside me?"
Xiao Yueyue couldn't help but cry out.
"Of course not a hallucination. I came specifically looking for you two. Didn't you send people to ask for my help? So I've come."
Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
The strongest among these Zhan Family members before him was merely at the Advanced Demigod realm. Though their numbers were considerable, Ye Yunfei was not afraid.
The reason Ye Yunfei hadn't immediately acted when he first arrived was because he wanted to observe the actual combat prowess of both sides. Furthermore, he had targeted several Complete Heavenly Immortals of the Zhan Family, using his Soul Force Star Method to seize their Soul Bodies.
Ye Yunfei used the Soul Force Star Method against these Zhan Family Complete Heavenly Immortals primarily with the goal of reading their memories to obtain the Beast Taming Art they cultivated.
Although these Zhan Family Complete Heavenly Immortals cultivated Beast Taming Arts belonging to the Zhan Family heritage—which should be similar in major aspects—their individual Beast Taming expertise and the various insights and experiences accumulated over their lifetimes undoubtedly differed.
Recently, Ye Yunfei had acquired quite a few Warbeasts from the Zhan Family, which sparked his strong interest in the Zhan Family's Beast Taming Art. He wished to study it a bit.
"Kid, who are you?"
At this moment, the Zhan Family's Intermediate Demigod discovered that his outstretched palm had suddenly encountered terrifying resistance. The space where Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue stood seemed like a solid iron plate, solidifying his extended palm, rendering it immobile. He couldn't help but feel alarmed in his heart.