Eastern Region, Tianfeng City.
As one of the most prosperous metropolises in the Eastern Region, Tianfeng City sprawls across a vast area and is home to tens of millions.
The powers within the city are intricately intertwined, but the true Dominator is undoubtedly the Ye Family.
The Ye Family estate sits in the east of the city, covering a full hundred li; pavilions and towers stretch without end, spiritual mist coils, and the scene is magnificent.
Deep within the estate lie several independent Secret Realms—the true core of the Ye Family.
At this moment, the atmosphere in the Ye Family council hall was heavy.
Patriarch Ye Lingyun sat high upon the main seat, his Face gloomy.
Below, more than a dozen core Elders of the Ye Family stood on either side, every one of them grave.
Just moments ago, the life tokens of Third Elder Ye Zhenyue and ten Qingfeng Guards had shattered simultaneously!
The news exploded like thunder among the Ye Family's upper echelons.
'Have we confirmed it?'
Ye Lingyun's voice was icy.
An Elder in charge of intelligence rose, his expression ugly.
'Patriarch, according to the final report from Luoxing City, Third Elder clashed with that mysterious woman shortly after arriving, and then… the life tokens shattered.'
'At the time, the entire sky was blotted out and a terrifying pressure descended. When it lifted, Third Elder and the Qingfeng Guards were gone without a trace.'
Gone without a trace!
As those four words rang out, gasps echoed through the hall.
A Fusion Peak Elder, ten well-trained Soul Transformation Qingfeng Guards who excelled at joint strikes, plus an Earth Rank Medium Grade Thunderclap Flying Boat—and they hadn't even had a chance to flee?
'What cultivation level is that woman?'
A white-haired Elder asked in a deep voice.
The intelligence Elder shook his head.
'Unfathomable. A scout from the branch relayed that she merely waved her hand…'
A casual wave of the hand had wiped out a Fusion Peak Cultivator, ten Soul Transformation guards, and an Earth Rank flying boat?
An ordinary Mahayana Cultivator couldn't manage that; it would take at least mid-to-late Mahayana.
The hall fell silent.
If their opponent truly existed at that level, the Ye Family would have to treat this seriously.
Ye Lingyun's brows were locked, his fingers drumming unconsciously on the armrest.
He had assumed that a Cultivator from the Southern Region couldn't be stronger than Fusion.
Sending Third Elder had already given ample Face.
Never had he expected…
'Patriarch, we must proceed with caution,'
a kindly-looking old man said slowly. He was Grand Elder Ye Mingyuan, early Mahayana, and held great prestige in the clan.
'That mysterious woman erased Zhenyue with a wave; her cultivation is likely above ours.'
'More critically, she hails from the Southern Region yet dares act this way—either she's wildly arrogant, or she has backing.'
'Backing?'
a hot-tempered Elder snorted coldly.
'Behind our Ye Family stand Old Ancestor Ningshuang and Empress Qing Xuan! No matter how strong she is, can she surpass the Old Ancestor and Her Majesty?'
Ye Mingyuan shook his head and sighed.
'They are indeed our greatest reliance, but both the Old Ancestor and Her Majesty have been in seclusion for nearly a thousand years.
'Disturbing them over such a minor matter would be inappropriate.'
'So we just let it go?
Zhenyue died for nothing? And what of the Ye Family's Face?'
'Of course we can't let it go,'
Ye Lingyun said slowly, his voice regaining its usual steadiness.
'But the enemy's strength is unclear; we mustn't act rashly again.'
He swept his gaze across the assembly.
'Pass the order: activate the clan-protecting grand formation and raise the highest alert. At the same time, send someone to summon the Azure Dragon Guard.'
Azure Dragon Guard!
Hearing those two words, every Elder's expression shifted.
The Azure Dragon Guard was the most mysterious force of the Qing Xuan Imperial Dynasty.
Each member was a battle-hardened veteran, their cultivation at minimum Mahayana.
The Ye Family's Old Ancestor had been the first commander of the Azure Dragon Guard, leading them in countless campaigns for the Qing Xuan Imperial Dynasty.
Thanks to that connection, the Ye Family could still receive the Azure Dragon Guard's support.
This was also why, even though the Old Ancestor had been in seclusion for nearly a thousand years and the family had no Tribulation Crossing Stage expert,
they remained a top-tier clan in the Eastern Region with only three Mahayana Cultivators.
Deploying the Azure Dragon Guard meant the Patriarch was truly set on killing!
'In addition,'
Ye Lingyun continued,
'in my name, send a message to the Qingyun Holy Land in the Southern Region and inquire about the background of the Yaochi Immortal Palace.
'I want to see exactly what this newly emerged power is!'
'Yes!' the assembly answered in unison.
While the Ye Family made frantic preparations, the space above Tianfeng City rippled.
A crack quietly appeared, and three figures stepped out.
They were Gu Han, A Yao, and Ye Linger.