"I am the Third Prince's man! How dare you attack me! The Third Prince will not let you off!"
The City Lord crawled to his feet, disheveled, and shouted.
"The Third Prince's man?"
The black-robed elder paused for a moment.
"So what if you are the Third Prince's man? Our Li Family only recognizes the First Prince! The Third Prince has no authority over our Li Family. Scram! Otherwise, die!"
Immediately afterward, the black-robed elder sneered coldly.
The imperial family of the Great Qin Empire had a total of five princes. These five princes, in their struggle for the position of Crown Prince, had long been engaged in both open and covert contention, each gathering their own factions. The Li Family belonged to the First Prince's faction.
Recently, the First Prince's influence had been growing stronger and stronger. News from the imperial palace indicated that he was most likely to be established as the Crown Prince. Therefore, the Li Family dared not even regard the Third Prince with respect anymore.
"You...!"
The City Lord was furious. However, his cultivation was merely at the Late Stage Earth Realm. He could not possibly be a match for this black-robed elder, whose strength was at the Late Stage Heaven Realm. Furthermore, among the men the black-robed elder had brought were over a dozen Heaven Realm Experts.
The disparity in strength was far too great. The City Lord knew that relying on himself alone, he could not possibly save the Ye Family. Forcibly intervening would only result in a meaningless death.
"I must report this matter to the Third Prince immediately. However, Yuanyue City is quite far from the Imperial City. Even if I use a carrier pigeon, it would take at least six days for the Third Prince's reinforcements to arrive. I'm afraid that six days from now, the Ye Family will already be finished.
Still, no matter what, I must fulfill my duty. I hope the Ye Family can hold on a little longer. Right, I also need to write a letter and send it by carrier pigeon to the Tianyuan Sect to inform Young Master Ye Yunfei. This is all I can do. I hope the Ye Family can survive this trial."
The City Lord sighed softly, then turned and left.
At the same time.
To the west of Yuanyue City, inside the Lingzhen Pavilion.
"Tell me, what's the situation now?"
A white-robed elder stood with his hands behind his back, gazing in the direction of the Ye Family as he questioned a shop assistant beside him.
"Shopkeeper, all members of the Ye Family have been captured now. They are being escorted out through the city gate," the shop assistant replied.
"The Ye Family has offended the Imperial City Li Family. It seems they cannot escape this calamity," the white-robed elder sighed.
"Shopkeeper, aren't you planning to save the Ye Family? Before the young mistress left, she instructed that the Ye Family is our Lingzhen Pavilion's partner," the shop assistant asked, taken aback.
"Save them? How? I am only a Heaven Realm Initial Stage cultivator. The Li Family has sent over a dozen Heaven Realm Experts. Do you want me to go die? Furthermore, how could a mere small family from a minor city have the merit or ability to become a partner of our Lingzhen Pavilion? I believe the young mistress was just caught up in a momentary whim, a game of sorts. She will soon forget about it. So, from now on, we will no longer involve ourselves in matters concerning the Ye Family. Alright, that's all. I am going into seclusion to recuperate. Unless something major happens, do not disturb me again."
After saying this, the white-robed elder flicked his sleeve and returned to his room.
Half a day later.
Outside the gates of Yuanyue City.
The scorching sun was like a fiery god descended upon the world, baking the ground until smoke rose.
Along the city wall, hundreds of iron pillars stood. Tied to each pillar was a member of the Ye Family. Under the sun's blistering heat, the pillars were scalding hot—hot enough to roast meat.
Hundreds of the Ye Family's people, regardless of gender or age, were tightly trussed with thick hemp ropes. Each person's body was covered in whip marks, their clothes tattered.
A large group of martial artists from the Imperial City Li Family stood guard nearby, their expressions fierce, wearing cold smirks.
At the city gate entrance, many people gathered to watch. Some pitied them, some sighed with emotion, and others gloated at their misfortune.
"Mom... I want water... I'm so thirsty..."
Suddenly, a little girl called out weakly. Having been bound here and exposed to the sun for over half a day, her lips had already cracked dry.
"Shut up!"
A whip, studded with barbs, lashed through the air, striking the little girl's frail body.
"So pitiful!"
The onlookers shook their heads and sighed. No one could have imagined that the Ye Family, the most powerful force in Yuanyue City just a day ago, could fall to such a state within a single day.
Tianyuan Sect.
For two consecutive days, Ye Yunfei had stayed inside his room, circulating the Nine-Yang Scripture over and over again to temper his foundation of Spiritual Qi.
Ye Yunfei knew that recently, his Spiritual Qi realm had broken through far too quickly—all the way from Body Tempering Third Level to Late Stage Earth Realm—in less than a month!
Such a rapid rate of breakthrough had caused Ye Yunfei to feel that his spiritual power had begun to show signs of instability and an unsteady foundation. Therefore, Ye Yunfei had specifically dedicated time to carefully temper his spiritual power foundation, compacting and solidifying his base.
During these two days, the Secluded Elder of the Tianyuan Sect had come to the front of Ye Yunfei's small pavilion several times. However, seeing that Ye Yunfei had not yet emerged from seclusion, he forcibly restrained himself and did not disturb him.
Two days later.
After two full days of meticulous tempering, Ye Yunfei felt that the spiritual power within his body was finally solid enough.
Thus, Ye Yunfei emerged from seclusion.
"Haha! Ye Yunfei, you've finally emerged. No wonder you possess such formidable strength at such a young age. This kind of cultivation dedication is truly commendable!"
Learning that Ye Yunfei had left seclusion, the Secluded Elder immediately rushed over. The moment they met, he praised him profusely.
"You flatter me, Elder," Ye Yunfei replied with a faint smile.
In truth, Ye Yunfei held a certain measure of goodwill toward this Secluded Elder.
"That's right, Ye Yunfei... about that ancient formation..."
The Secluded Elder hemmed and hawed. In fact, he wanted to ask about the ancient formation.
"Elder, I will activate the ancient formation now for you to see. Come with me," Ye Yunfei said.
"Really?! That's wonderful!"
Upon hearing this, the Secluded Elder was so excited he nearly jumped for joy, enthusiastically rubbing his palms together.
"This old man is actually quite amusing," Ye Yunfei chuckled helplessly, then strode up towards the summit of Jin Peak.
The Secluded Elder hurriedly followed, walking alongside Ye Yunfei.
"Huh? Look, it's Senior Brother Ye Yunfei! Greetings, Senior Brother Ye Yunfei!"
Along the way, many disciples from Jin Peak became extremely excited upon seeing Ye Yunfei, greeting him from afar with loud shouts.
Now, the vast majority of disciples on Jin Peak regarded Ye Yunfei as their idol, worshiping him intensely. Many female disciples on Jin Peak even considered Ye Yunfei the male god in their hearts, harboring secret romantic feelings.
"Wow, look! It's Senior Brother Ye Yunfei! So handsome!"
"I wish my future partner could be like Senior Brother Ye Yunfei."
"Heehee, little girl, starting to feel fluttery inside, eh?"
...
Many female disciples of Jin Peak, at the sight of Ye Yunfei, stars practically sparkled in their eyes. They squealed excitedly, appearing utterly infatuated.
However, the next moment, these Jin Peak disciples spotted the Secluded Elder walking beside Ye Yunfei and instantly became dumbfounded. They hurriedly moved far away, not daring to approach.
"Senior Brother Ye Yunfei is actually walking with the Secluded Elder!"
"Why do I get the feeling the Secluded Elder's expression towards Senior Brother Ye Yunfei seems a bit... ingratiating?"
...
Beside the path, many Jin Peak disciples whispered amongst themselves.
Moments later.
Ye Yunfei and the Secluded Elder arrived at the summit of Jin Peak.
"Greetings, Elder Ren."
Elder Du appeared. He was the Peak Master of Jin Peak, and his residence was situated on the peak summit.
"Elder Du, I am about to activate the ancient formation. Join us and take a look," Ye Yunfei said with a smile to Elder Du.
Within the Tianyuan Sect, the person Ye Yunfei held the most favor towards was Elder Du.
"Yes, yes, yes! Do come along and take a look! Ye Yunfei is about to activate that legendary ancient formation!"
The Secluded Elder's tone was full of excitement, his face flushed with exhilaration.
Moments later.
Ye Yunfei reached a certain spot on the peak summit, stood still, and settled himself.
"Let's do it here," Ye Yunfei said.