Chapter 169 The Yun Family Crisis

Yun Li and Murong Wan had known each other since childhood, which Ye Fan had known for a long time; he had even heard Yun Li mention that she actually hailed from the Central Continent.

The Yun Family and the Murong Family were both located in Lizhou City of Canglan Prefecture in the border region, but their influence was significantly weaker than that of the Murong Family. There was no Golden Core Realm Cultivator overseeing the clan, and their strongest member was only around the fifth or sixth layer of the Core Formation Realm.

In a place like the Central Continent, the Yun Family couldn't even be considered a third-rate power; they could only regularly offer tributes to the Murong Family to seek protection.

The original Murong Family could be described as the overlord of Canglan Prefecture. Every Family on this small patch of land had to live at their beck and call, but everything fell into chaos following the death of Murong Longcheng.

Although the Murong Family tried everything to block the news, such a thing couldn't be hidden for long and eventually leaked out. Once the news broke, it caused a sensation in Lizhou City and even the entire Canglan Prefecture.

In the past, the Murong Family had relied on the presence of a Golden Core Realm Great Cultivator to lord it over Lizhou City for hundreds of years. While they appeared majestic and carefree on the surface, they had actually offended many people.

With Murong Longcheng around, they naturally didn't dare to act out, but without this "Great Buddha," many long-suppressed forces bared their fangs one after another.

If the Murong Family hadn't anticipated this and already moved most of their clansmen, they might have faced total extermination this time.

Although the Murong Family was domineering in the past, Canglan Prefecture was relatively peaceful under their heavy pressure, and the Yun Family's life was manageable. However, everything changed after the Murong Family fell.

Among the various forces within Lizhou City, the Yun Family could only barely be ranked in the middle. While they lacked the power to strive for hegemony, they were strong enough to protect themselves.

Most of the other forces were similar in strength, and it was unlikely a victor would emerge in the short term. Lizhou City would clearly be in chaos for a while, giving the Yun Family more opportunities to watch and wait for changes.

But unexpectedly, the Luo Family, which had originally been the most low-profile, actually hid a ninth-layer Core Formation Realm expert. Having endured for many years, their sudden outbreak was unstoppable, and they quickly swept through the various forces in Lizhou City.

Now, they had issued an ultimatum to the Yun Family, demanding they leave Lizhou City within a set time, or else not a single soul would be left alive.

The Yun Family didn't have the foundation of the Murong Family. Even without a Golden Core Realm Expert, the Murong Family could barely survive by migrating to other regions.

Once they left Lizhou City, there would be no place in the world for them to stay. In their displacement, countless clansmen would surely meet a tragic end.

Now, the Yun Family had no other choice but to fight with their backs to the wall.

To preserve the Family's legacy, they sent away many young clansmen. It was at this time that Yun Li received a letter from the clan.

The Yun Family valued every clansman highly. Even if one's cultivation Aptitude was poor, they would find ways to plan other paths for them.

Clansmen like Yun Li, though unable to Cultivate at home, would be sent to Sects on other continents, which was considered a decent placement.

Yun Li's father was the younger brother of the current head of the Yun Family, so he naturally had to stay and face life or death with the Family.

The original intent of this letter was to settle final affairs, but Yun Li refused to agree to anything and insisted on rushing back to share the Family's fate.

For this reason, she had even sought help from Chu Qingdai, wanting her to discuss with the Sect Head about sending some experts from the Joyous Union Sect to protect the Yun Family, saying any conditions could be negotiated.

But when this was brought up, Qing Mingzi was somewhat conflicted and could only state that the Joyous Union Sect was powerless to help.

It turned out that there had long been an unwritten rule between the various continents: outside forces could not interfere in local power struggles.

Otherwise, it would be akin to a declaration of war, and the resulting chain reaction would be far beyond imagination.

If they acted to save the Yun Family under the banner of the Joyous Union Sect, it would inevitably provoke dissatisfaction among the local forces.

The various forces in the Central Continent were deeply intertwined. If someone used this as an excuse to cause trouble, it would not be a good thing for the Joyous Union Sect.

The only way now was for someone to act in their personal capacity. However, interfering in a Family conflict of this level with one's own power was clearly not something an ordinary person could achieve.

The Ye Fan of the past might have indeed had this ability, but now his cultivation had fallen to the Foundation Establishment Realm. He had enough trouble protecting himself, so how could he have the spare energy to handle such matters?

Therefore, Yun Li had been keeping it from Ye Fan, planning to return to her Family alone to face the situation.

Naturally, Chu Qingdai wouldn't allow her to do such a foolish thing, so she placed Yun Li under house arrest, intending to let her calm down first.

But she never expected that Ye Fan had given Yun Li so many Magic Treasures. This Little Girl actually managed to break through the Restriction and leave the Joyous Union Sect.

By the time Chu Qingdai discovered it, Yun Li had already been gone for many days, leaving behind two letters for her Master and Ye Fan respectively.

Ye Fan hurriedly opened the letter, and his expression instantly became somewhat complex.

The content of the letter was actually very simple, consisting of nothing more than some of Yun Li's affectionate words and apologies.

She told Ye Fan that as a member of the Yun Family, she could not stay out of it and had to return to face everything with her Family. She asked Ye Fan to forgive her for this one last act of willfulness.

"If there's a next life, I must become my Stinky Senior Brother's Dao Companion."

Looking at the playful hand-drawn smiley face at the signature, Ye Fan was filled with emotion for a moment. Recalling all the details of his acquaintance with Yun Li, his expression became increasingly determined.

"May I ask Peak Master Chu, how long has Yun Li been gone?"

"I found out early this morning. Looking at the time, it might have already been over half a month."

"Over half a month..."

Ye Fan thought for a moment; at this time, Yun Li should still be on the way, so he might still have a chance to catch up.

"Thank you, Peak Master Chu, for coming to inform me. I will come to thank you in person after I save the Yun Family," Ye Fan said with a cupped-fist salute.

"Oh? You're going to save the Yun Family?" Chu Qingdai said with some surprise.

"Otherwise? Since Peak Master Chu came to tell me this, wasn't it because you wanted me to go?"

"This..."

Chu Qingdai was slightly stunned. She only wanted Ye Fan to go and persuade Yun Li to come back, not for him to get involved in the Yun Family's affairs.

Ye Fan quickly understood what Chu Qingdai was thinking. He smiled slightly and revealed his Core Formation Realm aura.

"Your cultivation has recovered?!"

After a moment of hesitation, Chu Qingdai couldn't help but be overjoyed. If that were truly the case, with Ye Fan's methods, he might really be able to save the Yun Family.

"Good, good, good! There's still over a month until the deadline given by the Luo Family. You should still be able to make it in time," Chu Qingdai said with some excitement.

Ye Fan nodded, unwilling to delay any longer. After bidding farewell to Chu Qingdai, he went to find Su Ningxue to inform her of the matter, which, not surprisingly, gave her a fright as well.

"I'll go with you. In case anything happens, we can look out for each other."

Su Ningxue was now a ninth-layer Core Formation Realm expert. Even in the Central Continent, she would be considered a powerful figure. Unless a Golden Core Realm Expert appeared, almost no one would be her match.

But Ye Fan rejected her proposal. After all, Su Ningxue still held the title of Profound Spirit Peak's Peak Master.

If someone with ulterior motives found out, it might bring trouble to the Joyous Union Sect.

"Then you're still the Daozi of the Joyful Union Sect," Su Ningxue said with a frown.

Ye Fan chuckled and said that he could use another identity.

"Yun Li's Dao Companion."

"You..."

Su Ningxue gave a light huff, inwardly cursing that she should have known what he was planning.

...