As Xiao Yan rushed out of the alchemy room, he saw the graceful figure of Little Healer Immortal outside. He hurried over and furrowed his brows, asking, “What’s going on?”
Looking at Xiao Yan’s worried face, Little Healer Immortal shrugged and said, “The Ye Family is in some trouble…”
“Trouble? There are people causing problems for the Ye Family now?” Xiao Yan scanned the surroundings and noticed that the usual Ye Family guards had been completely evacuated. Clearly, this was no ordinary matter. After the great battle in Ye City, few dared to provoke the Ye Family. So, who was it now?
“This time, it’s not just any ordinary force…” Seeing Xiao Yan’s puzzled look, Little Healer Immortal seemed to know what he was thinking. She smiled and said, “It’s the Cao Family, one of the Five Great Families of the Pill Region.”
“The Cao Family?” Xiao Yan frowned. He had heard of the Five Great Families of the Pill Region, and the Cao Family was indeed one of them. Of course, this family was incomparable to the declining Ye Family. The Cao Family constantly produced talented alchemists, which boosted their reputation. Among the Five Great Families, except for the most low-key Pill Family, the Cao Family was likely the strongest. Additionally, the Cao Family held a high position in the Pill Tower. With such backing, even a force like the Ice River Valley would not dare to provoke them. After all, the strength of the Pill Tower was known to almost everyone in the Central Plains.
“Due to this, the Cao Family has been thriving in recent years, growing in influence within the Pill Region. Compared to the declining Ye Family, it’s like they’re in heaven while we’re in hell.”
“Why are they causing trouble for the Ye Family?” Xiao Yan pondered. He hadn’t expected the Cao Family to get involved.
“It seems to be because of a marriage proposal involving Xing Lan. When the Ye Family was in dire straits, they planned to marry Xing Lan off to the Cao Family to pass the evaluation. However, this would inevitably lead to the Ye Family being gradually absorbed by the Cao Family. After you appeared, the Ye Family abandoned the marriage plan. But now, the Cao Family has suddenly arrived, insisting on taking Xing Lan away…”
Hearing this, Xiao Yan’s expression darkened. The Cao Family was indeed domineering, demanding Xing Lan as if trying to swallow up the Ye Family. “Where is Elder Yao?” “He is stationed in the front courtyard to prevent the Cao Family from forcing their way in.”
Xiao Yan nodded slightly and then turned toward the front courtyard. “Let’s go. I want to see what makes the Cao Family so special! It’s my first time seeing someone forcibly take a person!”
Little Healer Immortal smiled and followed closely behind. In the front courtyard, a large group of people gathered, creating a tense atmosphere. The spacious area was divided into two distinct camps: one side naturally consisted of the Ye Family and their allies, while the other side was a group of nearly a hundred people in light red robes. These figures stood upright, exuding a domineering aura. Their eyes looking at the Ye Family carried a sense of superiority. Given the Cao Family’s current status in the Pill Region, the Ye Family couldn’t compare to them.
At the forefront of the Cao Family group were two crimson-robed elders with indifferent expressions, exuding a powerful presence. Their hands were tucked into their sleeves, and it was clear they were no ordinary individuals. However, the most attention-grabbing ones were a gray-robed elder and a man in a purple alchemist robe standing before these two elders.
The gray-robed elder looked very old, his face deeply wrinkled. Despite his appearance, he stood at the forefront, indicating his remarkable status. Anyone with some strength could sense that while his aura wasn’t as overwhelming as the crimson-robed elders, the faint but dangerous aura he exuded far surpassed theirs.
The man in the purple alchemist robe was young and handsome, though his arrogance was unmistakable. Yet, with the badge on his chest, no one would question his confidence. The badge was light blue, seemingly enveloped in flame, with a tower inside, seven brilliant purple-gold stars sparkling on its surface.
A grade-seven alchemist! And a badge awarded by the Pill Tower!
This young man, who looked no more than thirty, was a grade-seven alchemist!
“Young Master Cao Shan, our Ye Family retracted our previous agreement, and it was wrong of us. But before today, the Cao Family didn’t raise any objections. What does your grand arrival mean today?” Ye Chong, slightly vexed, faced the group of unfriendly visitors.
“Ha ha, Elder Ye, you’re joking. Marriage is no trivial matter. How can you retract your offer after making it? How can our Cao Family explain this to others?” The young man in the purple alchemist robe smiled faintly, holding a flickering flame between his fingers, then glanced at Ye Chong. “Is Elder Ye mocking us?”
Ye Chong’s face changed slightly. “Cao Shan, don’t try to twist the facts. Everyone knows about the Cao Family’s ambitions. Stop using this as an excuse to swallow our Ye Family!”
Xing Lan, her face turning pale, couldn’t bear Cao Shan’s arrogance. “Cao Shan, you bully!”
The young man smiled at the irate Xing Lan. “Xing Lan, I’m still your fiancé. It’s too disrespectful to shout at me like this. Once you join the Cao Family, I’ll teach you some manners.”
“Young Master Cao Shan, the engagement was only a preliminary consideration. It was never finalized. So our Ye Family has the right to retract it,” Ye Chong said sternly. “Xing Lan won’t marry into the Cao Family. We consider this engagement non-existent. We hope Young Master Cao Shan will not press further.”
Cao Shan’s eyes narrowed, and he laughed. “The Ye Family is quite capable now, isn’t it, Elder Ye? You really think your family can return to its former glory after the great battle in Ye City? We are not the Ice River Valley!”
Ye Chong’s face turned sullen. “Cough, Elder Ye, once you say something, it’s hard to retract. If you retracted it, it would embarrass the Cao Family. Besides, marrying into the Cao Family brings many benefits to your family…” The gray-robed elder finally spoke. “Today, we come under the orders of the Cao Family head. We must take Xing Lan…”
Ye Chong’s face changed, and he warily looked at the elder. “Even the revered Ku Yi is here. The Cao Family really values our Ye Family… Marrying into the Cao Family may solve immediate problems, but later, the Ye Family would have to change its name. This cannot be allowed.”
The gray-robed elder shook his head and stepped forward, his terrifying aura surging. The weaker Ye Family members turned pale instantly.
“Ah!” As the elder’s aura exploded, a venerable figure suddenly appeared before Ye Chong and the others, stomping the ground. A ripple spread, and a vast aura arose, blocking the elder’s fierce aura. “The Cao Family is strong, but using your power to bully others lacks the grace of a great family.”
It was Heavenly Fire Venerable. His gaze locked onto the gray-robed elder. “A Dou Zun?”
Heavenly Fire Venerable’s sudden appearance startled the gray-robed elder.
“Senior, I’m Cao Shan. This is a matter between the Cao Family and the Ye Family. We hope you do not interfere. If you need alchemical services in the future, perhaps the Cao Family can help…”
Cao Shan frowned and bowed. “Today, we are here on the order of our head. Xing Lan must come with us. No one should stand in our way or face our wrath!”
Cao Shan’s words made the Ye Family’s faces turn grim.
“Heh, the Cao Family is mighty, but I will ensure Xing Lan is safe today!” In the silence, a cold, dismissive voice echoed, bringing joy and surprise to Ye Chong and Xing Lan.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage