Time flew like an arrow, and in the blink of an eye, it was dawn the next day.

The wedding at Violet City had turned into an enormous farce. People were already laughing about it throughout the Yao Realm. Even so, City Lord Hui showed the visiting members of the Zi Family his full hospitality.

All of this was due to the Great Sage and his terrifying Yao King-level cultivation. Nervermind Hui Liu; even his clans elders had to look up to an expert like that!

The time Gu Li designated for their meeting was quickly coming up, so their group didnt linger in Violet City. Furthermore, they were sure that Hui Liu was eager to see off his unwanted guests. And indeed, when they announced their imminent departure, the city lord fired off a few insincere compliments, but he made no real attempts to keep them.

Before the eastern city gate.

The Great Sage and Fairy Zi Xia were in matching purple and white robes. Zi Xias gaze never left the Great Sage. Her hands were on her jaw, and her eyes glittered with infatuation.

Zi Yun wore his armor, as usual. All of them hovered around ten miles over the city.

Ye Zichen wore brand-new, long black robes. He was here too, but he stood a ways away from the others. From time to time, notifications popped onto his screen.

A hundred breaths of time later, he put his phone away and walked back to the group.

Howd it go? The Great Sage hefted his staff and narrowed his eyes. He knew Ye Zichen had just gone to contact

Theres no point hoping they show up. There simply isnt enough time, said Ye Zichen.

That was for sure!

He and the Great Sage reached the Yao Realm quickly, but that was because theyd gone through Heavenly God Citys transfer array. However, the Northern Kingdom possessed no such spiritual formations. That was why they went first to the Southern Kingdom, then made their way north on their own. Even with Ye Zichen and the Great Sages power, it took a full day of travel.

Moreover, Gu Li had designated Jadewave City as their meeting place. Even if hed contacted the God Realm the night before, there just wasnt enough time.

At most, they can meet us in the Yao Realms Southern Kingdom, at the edge closest to the north. Once weve saved the Zi Clan, we can simply rush towards the meeting point. However, whatever happens here in the north, well have to handle it ourselves.

This was the result of Ye Zichen making contact with Xiao Yumei and the others. Theyd only just reached the Southern Kingdom. Even if they rushed north, at best, theyd at most make it to the border between the two kingdoms in time.

Furthermore, that was only if things went well!

The Southern Kingdom wasnt as hospitable or friendly to gods as the north. Of the four kingdoms of the Yao Realm, the Southern Kingdom was the most warlike, and their relationship with the God Realm was the tensest.

If Xiao Yumei were to lead a group through the south, shed have to proceed with the utmost caution. Furthermore, shed only be able to take so many people with her.

Worse, if she led too many rulers into the Yao Realm, the Southern Kingdom might take it as an act of war. They might even use it as an excuse to attack god race territory.

That will be enough. The Great Sage nodded. Hed already planned for the worst. Now, Ye Zichen was telling him that he could arrange for allies to meet them at the border. The way he saw it, that was already excellent news. Now, his biggest concern was how to save their targets. So long as they saved the Zi Family, the rest wouldnt be as difficult as hed first imagined.

Then lets head out right now. Wed be better off getting there before noon, and Jadewave City is a ways away from Violet City, said the Great Sage.

Gu Li isnt just sitting around waiting. He has definitely set some kind of trap for us. Ye Zichen furrowed his brows, then turned to the Zi Siblings. I already told you the details of our plan last night. When the time comes, you just have to act in accordance with what we agreed. As for the safety of your family members, leave it entirely up to me and the Great Sage.

Alright. Fairy Zi Xia nodded gleefully. There was no sign of anxiety in her expression at all; shed been smiling non-stop ever since the Great Sage reappeared at her side.

In stark contrast with her lively cheerfulness, Zi Yun was somber and solemn.

When Ye Zichen gave his orders, he simply nodded heavily and clenched his fists.

Youd best be mentally prepared for the worst. Ye Zichen turned to Zi Yun, who nodded. He knew what Ye Zichen was trying to say: it was entirely possible that Gu Li had already killed all his captives.

Given how demons had behaved in the past, it wasnt even unlikely that theyd take this that far!

And dont forget our earlier agreement!

You dont have to worry about that. Since I agreed to give it to you, Ill give it to you. Theres naturally no way Id renege on our agreement. Besides, even if I wanted to, I couldnt, now could I?

Thats the right attitude. Ye Zichen nodded. Lets go, then.

Jadewave City.

In order to obtain the Divine Mausoleum key fragment, Gu Li hadnt stopped at seizing control of the Zi Family; hed taken the entire city.

Although the city lords manor was still running the place, in truth, Gu Li was the one giving orders behind the scenes.

What time is it? Gu Li sat in a wicker chair, his fingers interlaced and his eyes closed. He faced the sun directly.

Almost noon, said the attendant on his left.

No one in the city lords estate has been up to any tricks, have they?

They havent! said the attendant on the right. The city lord is currently in our hands, and his subordinates are all soft and easy to control. The city lords estate is now our puppet, and the citys defenders have been completely replaced with our subordinates. Furthermore, theyre all New Demons; their auras are indistinguishable from yao.

I beg of you, let my wife and daughter go. Hed kept silent all this time, going unnoticed, but there was a salt-and-pepper-haired old man kneeling prostrate before Gu Li. This was none other than the current lord of Jadewave City.

It seems youre quite concerned about your family, said Gu Li with a cold laugh. But then, thats to be expected. Youre so old, yet you have such a young, pretty wife. Its only natural that youd worry about her. But you neednt fear. So long as you obediently do as you're told, I guarantee that your wife and daughter will return to your side without so much as a scratch.

What are you trying to do? Ill whatever you say, so so please.

Silence! Gu Lis eyes glinted coldly. Unless you wish to see your beloved wife and daughter die, shut your mouth!

When he heard that, Jadewave Citys city lord dared not utter another sound.

Gu Lis eyes remained closed as he basked in the sunlight and its warmth.

He was sitting here, looking at the sun, in large part because that made it easier to gauge the time.

In truth, internally, he could hardly wait. Hed been counting down the hours ever since designating when and where theyd meet.

Hed laid a foolproof trap, all for the sake of welcoming Ye Zichen.

Whatever you do, dont you dare disappoint me. You have to come! Gu Li muttered to himself, a hideous smile tugging at his lips.

A crisp breeze blew past, rustling the leaves. Time went on, just like that, until finally, noon arrived.

Its time. Gu Li suddenly opened his eyes and cracked his neck. Go. See whether theyve come or not.

He grinned, and his eyes filled with cold light. The attendant on his left nodded, then left the courtyard. Just a few breaths of time, he returned to his place by Gu Lis side, then said with the utmost respect, Theyre already here!