Ye Zichen gave a signal, and the pagodas yao servants stepped aside, creating a path. There was no longer anything standing in the Xiao Familys way.

Xiao Tings gaze was as cold as ice and dark as a deep pool, but no matter how firm he looked, this time, hed suffered a loss. Despite his best efforts to capture Xiao Yan, Xiao Hu, and their allies, he was leaving empty handed.

He hadnt suffered a loss in the traditional sense; none of his subordinates had died or even been injured, nor had he expended an inordinate amount of resources.

No, what hed lost was his dignity.

Hed lost a lot of face!

He was returning without his targets, shame-faced and overpowered.

This was a huge insult to the Lightning Emperor, an expert whod towered over the Divine Mountains for countless years.

Youre really just letting them go? said Yang Jian with a scowl.

Ye Zichen nodded, not denying it. Once Xiao Ting and his followers had left, he took a deep breath, then turned to face the veiled woman. Yumei?

Everyone present gazed at the veiled women. All they knew was that Ye Zichen had changed his mind as soon as she asked him too, without the slightest hesitation. If not for her, he would never have let Xiao Ting go.

Xiao Yans expression shifted dramatically. He suddenly looked Ye Zichen up and down appraisingly.

When Ye Zichen called out her name, the woman took off her veil, revealing a familiar, beautiful face and a warm, radiant smile. Did you miss me?

What do you think? Ye Zichen laughed. She smiled back, and they sunk into a deep embrace.

As soon as she entered his arms, Xiao Yumeis eyes brimmed over with tears. Soon, they dripped down her cheeks like falling pearls, then splattered on Ye Zichens shoulders.

I really missed you.

I Miss you too.

Pu Jingwan was standing to the side, still holding An Lus little hand. When Xiao Yumei took off her veil, she couldnt help but compare herself with her. Shed always been proud of her appearance, yet before Xiao Yumei, she didnt feel the slightest bit superior.

Of course, that didnt mean she was inferior, either. At most, they were evenly matched. Thats all it was.

Yang Jian was stunned too.

Xuao Yumei!

He was definitely familiar with her.

When disappeared from the Moon Palace without a trace, he heard news that Xiao Yumei had disappeared alongside her.

Yang Jian waited silently to the couples side, but as soon as they seperated, he walked right up to them. Is Fairy Change on the Divine Mountains too?

Xiao Yumei was stunned. Shed met Yang Jian before, but back then, he was wearing rather ordinary immortal garb. Seeing him now in a Hawaiian shirt, she didnt quite recognize him.

Its me, Yang Jian! he pointed at his nose.

Only then did Xiao Yumeis gaze fill with enlightenment. Its you! No, Change isnt here. She went back to the liches.

The liches werent affiliated with any of the Upper Three Realms or three races. Furthermore, must like the Outsiders, they were reclusive and lived in isolation.

Their numbers were far lower than any of the three main races, but all twelve of their leaders, the Twelve Liches, were on par with the Three Realms emperors.

They had a transcendent status. They werent quite on the Outsides level, but they were fairly close.

To think Fairy Change was connected to the Liches! Yang Jian and Ye Zichen couldnt help but find it rather strange.

But before long, they realized a possible explanation.

Houyi.

As soon as the thought popped into his head, Yang Jian glanced at Ye Zichen, his expression rather strange.

Everyone knew that before Fairy Change found herself in the Moon Palace, shed been the beloved of Houyi. It was only because she swiped his immortal medicine that Houyi was left behind, unable to ascend to the Moon Palace.

If Change had returned to the Liches because of her relationship with Houyi, well, given Ye Zichens ambiguous relationship with Change

Well, it seemed like this was going to be a bit troublesome.

Little did he know, Ye Zichen was worried about the same thing.Hed worried about Houyi ever since a marriage string had first connected him to Change.

Now it seemed like the inevitable was finally rearing its ugly head?

Xiao Yumei watched them exchange glances. She couldnt help but cover her mouth and laugh. Given her cleverness, she could naturally guess roughly what they worried about.

But she didnt expose their thoughts. Instead, she laughed and walked up to Xiao Yan. Let me introduce someone to you. This is my little brother, Xiao Yan.

Xiao Yan!

When those present heard that, they were stunned despite themselves, especially Ye Zichen. Earlier, Xiao Yan had said his worthless son was staying here, in Ye Zichens manor.

At the time, hed had no idea. Ye Zichen just assumed Xiao Ting was making up an excuse to antagonize him.

This Xiao Yan.

Had to be the worthless son Xiao Ting was looking for.

But that didnt matter. What mattered was what Xiao Yumei had just called him.

Her little Brother?

Didnt that mean Xiao Yumei was off the Lightning Emperors Xiao Family too? She was even Xiao Tings daughter!

Dont overthink things. Xiao Ting and I have been estranged for a long time. Besides, dont you know me better than anyone? Xiao Yumei flashed him a warm, gentle smile. She could easily see through Ye Zichens concerns.

Next, she turned to Xiao Yan and introduced him to Ye Zichen. This is your brother-in-law. Greet him.

Xiao Yan really didnt want to.

He was keenly aware of who the man standing before him was. Even if he died and disintegrated into ash, hed never forget.

Back then, the Xiao Family had broken the rules, sending an unprecedented number of lightning bolts, all in an attempt to destroy Ye Zichen and prevent him from ascending. He never would have guessed that even after all that, Ye Zichen would one day stand before him.

Furthermore, Ye Zichen had opposed the Xiao Family more than once. The Xiao Family members whod died at Ye Zichens hands were all Xiao Yans trusted subordinates.

What are you waiting for? Hurry up? Xiao Yumei chastised him.

Although just looking at Ye Zichen displeased him, he couldnt refuse his sister. Besides, during Ye Zichens brief but direct confrontation with Xiao Ting, Xiao Yan had witnessed Ye Zichens terrifying might firsthand.

The Yao-Sealing Pagoda! The Xuan-Yuan Sword!

A group of rulers large enough to compete with the Divine Mountains Holy Lands!

He had to admit it: this type of man was worthy of his older sister.

Brother in law. Xiao Yan lowered his head, but he was still visibly unwilling. Ye Zichen smiled bitterly back. The Xiao Family, who hed targeted for so long, had shockingly become his in-laws!

But perhaps that wasnt quite the case.

Based on Xiao Tings earlier attitude, there was some sort of grudge between the Lightning Emperor and his children.

Mm. Ye Zichen nodded, then turned to Wei Jie. Arrange for rooms for Xiao Yan and his companions.

Youd best prepare a few extras while youre at it, said Xiao Yumei.

What for?

We brought about three hundred people with us. Theyre all currently staying in nearby inns and taverns.

Ye Zichens expression shifted. He glanced at Wei Jie. Are there enough rooms?

For now, but when the others ascend. Wei Jie hesitated.

Well worry about that when it happens. Go make the arrangements.

At the end of the day, their new base was just too small. The place Wei Jie had arranged was, at most, suitable as the residence of a wealthy businessman.

It was comfortable to live in, but as a factions base of operations, it was just too small and too cramped.

Wei Jie nodded and went off to make arrangements, only for Ye Zichen to suddenly recall something.

He turned to Wei Jie and called him back. Can you contact Bai Xiaosheng for me and ask him about his real name?