咚咚咚。
“Haha, you little brat, it’s worth it for me to take you down with me before I die!”
“Explode for me!”
Instantly, the man in black exploded!
Bang bang bang.
The immense power leveled the entire palace!
“Ye Fei!”
“Ye Fei, where are you?”
“Ye Fei, are you alright?”
Shangguan Xue’er, not far away, cried out hysterically upon seeing the palace explode.
The others were also filled with worry, fearing that Ye Fei had perished there.
“You all wait here, I must go in and find him!”
Receiving no response, Shangguan Xue’er said to those beside her.
“Sister, I’ll go with you!”
“Brother-in-law is in this predicament because of us, I must go find him, or I won’t be able to rest easy.”
Shangguan Ming said directly.
Shangguan Xue’er had initially wanted to dissuade him, but seeing his resolute expression, she knew he had made up his mind.
She knew her younger brother’s character all too well.
Therefore, she didn’t say anything further.
“Alright, then you come with me!”
After a few words of instruction to the others, Shangguan Xue’er and her brother went towards the palace ruins.
However, before they could enter, a cough was heard from nearby.
“Who’s there!”
“Come out!”
Shangguan Xue’er immediately became alert, thinking it was a stray enemy.
“It’s me!”
“Quick, I’m pinned down, help me move these rocks off me!”
Ye Fei said hoarsely, quite helplessly.
The siblings exchanged glances, their realization dawning, and then they quickly rushed forward, locating where Ye Fei was trapped.
“Ye Fei, are you okay?”
“Hold on, we’ll move the rocks now!”
Ye Fei was pinned in the center by several massive rocks.
Fortunately, these rocks were stacked in such a way that they created a space just large enough for one person, preventing Ye Fei from being injured.
After a brief discussion, the siblings immediately set to work.
After a few struggles, the rocks on Ye Fei were finally moved, and he was freed.
“Ye Fei, that’s wonderful, I thought I would never see you again!”
Shangguan Xue’er, overcome with emotion, hugged Ye Fei tightly, her voice trembling with relief.
With the beauty embracing him willingly, Ye Fei felt a ripple in his heart.
Especially Shangguan Ming, who was smiling and winking at Ye Fei, made Ye Fei sigh with a touch of exasperation.
It wasn’t until Ye Fei’s cough reached Shangguan Xue’er’s ears that she seemed to snap back to reality. She then fled from Ye Fei’s chest as if escaping and stood beside Shangguan Ming.
Afraid of awkwardness, Shangguan Ming quickly changed the subject.
“Brother-in-law, we should leave as soon as possible!”
“We caused such a commotion just now, I reckon someone will come to investigate soon.”
“We just went through a fierce battle, so it’s best if we leave early.”
Shangguan Ming suggested.
“You’re right, that’s what I was thinking too.”
“Without further ado, let’s leave immediately!”
Upon discussing the matter at hand, both parties resumed their earlier composure, as if the previous incident had ceased to exist.
The three of them then led everyone away via a small path.
It was fortunate they took the smaller path, otherwise, they would likely have encountered the forces investigating the palace.
After a trek, Ye Fei and his group finally returned to the Shangguan family’s residence in the middle of the night.
The Shangguan residence was brightly lit. Ever since they had learned of everyone’s safety through the transmission jade pendant during the day and were rushing back, everyone had been waiting in the main hall.
Footsteps could be heard.
The crowd could no longer sit still and rushed towards the entrance.
“Grandfather, we’re back!”
“Father, I apologize for making you worry!”
Shangguan Xue’er said excitedly.
Shangguan Ming and the others had also already greeted everyone.
Upon hearing that a guard had tragically died at the hands of the black-clothed assailants, everyone’s spirits became somber.
It was only after Elder Shangguan made suitable arrangements for the deceased guard’s family that the matter was finally put to rest.
Of course, Ye Fei was the one who contributed the most to this matter.
If he hadn’t discovered Shangguan Yuer’s voice, none of what followed would have gone so smoothly.
It was at this very moment that the Shangguan family members, from the bottom of their hearts, accepted Ye Fei.
Especially Shangguan Xue’er’s father, who greatly approved of Ye Fei as his future son-in-law.
“Xiao Fei, I, this old man, sincerely thank you here!”
“You saved the lives of these children. From now on, you can command them for anything!”
“If anyone disobeys you, just tell me!”
Elder Shangguan said gratefully.
“Elder, there’s no need for you to say that.”
“You have also taken good care of me, and since I can help, I naturally won’t shirk my responsibilities.”
“Alright, I’m really exhausted, I’ll go rest now.”
Ye Fei said, yawning repeatedly.
With that, everyone dispersed and returned to their rooms to rest.
Everyone had been on edge for the past few days, and now they could finally get a good night’s sleep.
They slept soundly through the night.
The next day, Ye Fei and Shangguan Xue’er returned to the Martial Sect early.
Due to Ye Fei’s outstanding performance in the ancient ruins last time, his name was now included in the upcoming joint competition of the Four Great Sects.
As for his senior sister, Li Qingqing, her name was listed before Ye Fei’s, as expected.
It seemed that the competition she had mentioned earlier was likely this joint competition between the Four Great Sects.
The senior brother who came to notify Ye Fei to go down to the plaza for assembly then left.
Ye Fei, realizing he had no idea about this so-called joint competition of the Four Great Sects, immediately headed towards Li Qingqing’s courtyard.
Knock, knock, knock.
“Come in!”
Li Qingqing’s voice reached Ye Fei’s ears.
Upon entering the courtyard, Ye Fei saw Li Qingqing making her final preparations.
“Senior Sister, what exactly is this joint competition about?”
Ye Fei asked urgently.
Seeing that it was Ye Fei, Li Qingqing stopped her work and sat down to explain the rules of the joint competition to him.
The Four Great Sects held a joint competition every year.
Each sect would send twenty elite disciples to participate in the Trial Tower.
The Trial Tower was divided into nine levels, with higher levels presenting greater difficulty.
The competition would last for ten days.
The rankings would be determined by the level reached in the Trial Tower.
Furthermore, the top ten participants would have the opportunity to study at the sect hosting the event, with lectures given by elders.
The top three finishers would receive additional rewards.
This year, the hosting sect for the joint competition was the Artifact Sect.
“I see!”
“Thank you, Senior Sister, for clarifying this for me!”
Ye Fei said, cupping his fists.