On the raised platform in the eastern square of Liu City.
Patriarch Liu Yuanjie of the Liu Family, draped in a vibrant red robe, cast occasional glances into the distance.
Behind Liu Yuanjie, a large group of high-ranking Liu Family members stood ready, vigilant.
Surrounding the platform, a large contingent of Liu Family elites gripped gleaming weapons and magical tools, their killing intent palpable.
This display looked far more resembling preparations for battle than a wedding procession.
"Patriarch, we've been waiting for quite a while now. Could it be that Ye Yunfei isn't coming?" a Liu Family Elder whispered.
"Don't worry. According to my divination, Ye Yunfei will definitely come today," Patriarch Liu Yuanjie had yet to answer when a gray-robed elder beside him spoke up. "In fact, he may have already arrived and is hiding in the shadows right now."
"Since Elder Ruan says Ye Yunfei will come, then he surely will. Let's be patient," Liu Yuanjie said.
This gray-robed elder was an Elder from the Tianji Sect. The Tianji Sect's divination arts were renowned throughout the land, and no one dared question them.
"In that case, bring Jiang Yanran up and announce the start of the wedding ceremony. If Ye Yunfei has come, he should reveal himself," that Elder Ruan suggested.
"Good! Bring Jiang Yanran up! And make sure the Jiang Family cooperates properly, otherwise, I'll have their entire family executed!" Liu Yuanjie instructed in a low voice.
"All of you, stay alert. The moment Ye Yunfei appears, activate all the Space-Locking Formations immediately and seal this platform completely," Elder Ruan declared solemnly. "If Ye Yunfei wants to save someone, he will definitely try to get onto this platform. Therefore, we must guard it tightly and not allow him to snatch anyone away."
"The auspicious hour is almost upon us! Prepare for the wedding ceremony! I present the bride!" a Liu Family manager proclaimed loudly at this moment.
Soon, under the gaze of the crowd, Jiang Yanran, as if illuminated by surrounding stars, appeared, elegantly walking up to the platform amidst a retinue of maids and older matrons.
Today, Jiang Yanran wore a light purple gown trailing on the ground, adorned with extremely expensive jewelry. With light make-up applied, her beauty was breathtaking.
Especially the string of faintly glowing pearls adorning her neck—she herself resembled precious jade, making it impossible for onlookers to look away.
Jiang Yanran was originally one of the goddesses of the Heavenly Dao Academy. Even without make-up, her beauty was akin to a flower. Today, with this deliberate embellishment, she was simply astonishing.
"Beautiful! Too beautiful!" At this moment, countless men stared intently, their eyes fixed on Jiang Yanran.
Traditionally, the most glorious moment in a woman's life is her wedding day.
Yet, Jiang Yanran's face now wore a look of sorrow, tinged with resentment and despair.
At the same time, deep within her gaze flickered a faint thread of hope.
The moment she appeared, she began scanning her surroundings, as if searching for something.
"Has he come?" whispered a beautiful middle-aged woman who was closely following beside Jiang Yanran.
This middle-aged woman was Jiang Yanran's mother.
After glancing around, Jiang Yanran's expression turned to disappointment, her sorrow deepening.
"It seems he won't be coming," her mother sighed.
"He really hasn't come," Jiang Yanran murmured, her heart sinking upon hearing this.
"But it's right that he didn't come. It would be far too dangerous for him if he did." She unconsciously touched a spatial ring on her hand.
Within this spatial ring was a magical artifact. This artifact could be used without the need for spiritual power.
Her cultivation had been sealed; she couldn't muster even a trace of spiritual power. However, she could use this artifact.
Her plan was to end her own life with this artifact should the situation become dire!
At this moment.
From deep within the distant space, Ye Yunfei's Soul Power was intently watching Jiang Yanran.
"I am the one who implicated her," Ye Yunfei felt a pang of guilt.
The Liu Family targeted Jiang Yanran entirely because of him.
"On that platform alone, there are at least over thirty Space-Locking Formations deployed. Around the platform and across the square, there are no less than a hundred and fifty more. Heh… They're truly willing to invest heavily to deal with me," Ye Yunfei conducted a detailed sensory scan of the platform and let out a cold sneer.
"Huang Shang, I'll trouble you to go break the formations and rescue her. I'll guide you on how to dismantle those arrays," Ye Yunfei said to Huang Shang.
Huang Shang was a Ghost Cultivator. Without a physical body, he was akin to a ghost, capable of attaching to any tangible substance.
Moreover, the ghost cultivation technique Ye Yunfei taught Huang Shang was obtained from a famous ghost cultivation sect back in his days; it was extremely profound.
Huang Shang's current combat power was equivalent to the Yuan Soul realm. However, if Huang Shang deliberately hid himself, even a Soul Formation realm master would be unable to detect him.
The arts of ghost cultivation were indeed profound and unpredictable; their reputation was not unfounded!
"Hu Miao, you will assist Huang Shang in the rescue. At a critical moment, your Illusion Art can be of great use," Ye Yunfei instructed Hu Miao.
Not long ago, Hu Miao experienced a breakthrough in her bloodline. Both her enchantment skills and Illusion Arts had greatly improved.
If she were to suddenly unleash an illusion, it could affect not only Yuan Soul realm cultivators but would likely cause even a Soul Formation realm master to momentarily lose their senses.
"Understood," both Hu Miao and Huang Shang acknowledged.
Then, Huang Shang transformed into an ethereal, semi-transparent ghostly shadow, stealthily sinking into the ground and blending into the square unnoticed.
Hu Miao, meanwhile, remained within the Phantom Tower, which Huang Shang carried with him.
"The auspicious hour has arrived! Now, let the wedding ceremony commence!" a Liu Family manager atop the platform in the square called out loudly.
Everyone's spirits perked up.
However.
Just at that moment.
"Now is indeed an auspicious hour. However, it is not the hour for a wedding ceremony, but the hour for slaughter," a bland voice rang out.
Ye Yunfei had come!
Many who had been waiting for a long time felt their spirits surge.
"Ah! He still came after all!" On the high platform, Jiang Yanran, upon hearing this voice, couldn't help but let out a soft exclamation.
"Who is that? Tired of living? This is Liu City, and today is the joyous occasion of the Liu Family Patriarch taking a concubine. How dare someone speak so provocatively?" Those unaware of the true situation were dumbfounded, unsure of who would dare challenge the Liu Family in such a manner.
Everyone turned to look.
They saw a young man standing with his hands clasped behind his back in the distant sky, his gaze fixed on the high platform in the square.
At this moment, countless powerful strands of Soul Power tightly locked onto Ye Yunfei's figure.
"Ye Yunfei, your woman is here! If you have the guts, come save her! If you don't, she will become mine!" Liu Yuanjie's eyes bore into Ye Yunfei as he spoke.
"After today, there will be no Liu Family left in this world," Ye Yunfei met Liu Yuanjie's gaze and enunciated each word.
"Arrogant!"
"Seeking death!"
"A mere brat thinking he can annihilate our Liu Family? Utterly delusional!" The Liu Family's upper echelons erupted in furious denunciations.