The Zhang family members in the secret realm were unaware that the Zhang family elders who were supposed to be guarding outside had already departed to the heavens.
After Lin Yan erased all traces, she rendezvoused with Zi Che Shao Hao. The affairs here were left to Zi Che Shao Hao's guards.
In truth, not much needed to be done here. The secret realm was already entirely controlled by the spirit of the "Cosmic Seal." Although it had only recently awakened, with the knowledge Lin Yan had infused it with, it could still handle these individuals.
Lin Yan herself had not wanted to accept Zi Che Shao Hao's help. With the "Cosmic Seal," she could at least immobilize that Supreme Elder for five breaths, enough to kill him. Even if she couldn't kill him, she could severely wound him, preventing him from being a threat.
Lin Yan had also researched some potent medicines. With these, she alone could annihilate the entire Zhang family.
However, Zi Che Shao Hao was unwilling. He didn't want Lin Yan to struggle so hard, nor did he want to see her injured.
"Yan Yan, we are future Dao companions. That means we are one. What's wrong with you relying on me a little? If it were a formidable enemy, you could say you were afraid of implicating me. But now, these are just insignificant clowns. Why must you be so distant with me?"
Zi Che Shao Hao's expression was a little hurt. While he respected Lin Yan, he also wished for her to rely on him more. Lin Yan had no choice but to agree.
Thus, on the surface, it was she and Zi Che Shao Hao who continued forward, but they were followed by many guards. That Ting Xue also remained hidden in the shadows, trailing them.
With such powerful protectors, Lin Yan felt a greater sense of security.
On the Zhang family's side, the Supreme Elder had emerged from seclusion and was now stationed within the family compound.
The death of the Grand Elder had infuriated the Supreme Elder, but he knew there was nothing he could do. He was currently in a critical stage; any use of spiritual energy would draw heavenly tribulation.
Although his cultivation had reached the late stage of tribulation transcendence, he knew his own limitations. If he were to face tribulation now, it would only lead to his utter destruction.
He desperately wanted to ascend to the Lingxiao Sword Sect and demand they hand over Tantai Wang Shu. He paid no heed to the Zi Che family, for as a cultivator at the tribulation transcendence stage, even the Zi Che family would show him some respect.
But none of this was possible. He was currently unable to use spiritual energy; any attempt would bring forth the heavenly tribulation.
News of the secret realm had not reached him. He knew that recently, the younger generation of their family had left, but he had never placed much importance on those juniors.
Furthermore, the soul lamps of the juniors who had left first were still brightly lit. Since nothing had happened to them, he saw no need to concern himself further.
During these days, their vigilance had slightly relaxed. The bustling prosperity of Yuyang City had returned. However, most of the Zhang family members had departed from their ancestral grounds, and almost no Zhang family members could be seen on the roads.
When Lin Yan and the others arrived outside Yuyang City, the sun was nearing its descent behind the mountain peaks. She gazed at the mortals returning home, her thoughts drifting to the mortals surrounding the Tantai family in the past.
These mortals served the Zhang family, cultivating spirit fields for them. These mortals had no freedom, belonging to the Zhang family.
Only if someone in their lineage possessed spiritual roots could they escape such a stratum. However, the spiritual energy in the Southeastern Region was sparse, and those with spiritual roots were one in ten thousand. Even if they had children, those children would merely continue to serve the Zhang family.
The city gates of Yuyang City were imposing. This was Lin Yan's second time here. She hadn't stayed long on her previous visit, but she was very familiar with the city's layout.
"Shao Hao, let's go in together," Lin Yan said, looking towards the city gates.
She wasn't ready to confront them directly yet. The day was already late; she planned to rest for the night and proceed in the morning.
"As you wish. Let Uncle Xue and the others wait outside the city; we'll go in first." Zi Che Shao Hao had also shed his previous ostentatiousness. The two of them entered Yuyang City very discreetly.
The entrance fee to Yuyang City was still one spirit pearl. Lin Yan and Zi Che Shao Hao both concealed their cultivation.
As Lin Yan entered the city, she surveyed the Zhang family's formation. Feeling that the formation plate had been fully embedded into the formation, she revealed a satisfied smile.
The next morning, Lin Yan changed into a new set of magical robes, re-styled her hair, and adorned the hair accessories prepared by Zi Che Shao Hao's mother.
These ornaments were all defensive magical artifacts. Knowing she was a sword cultivator and didn't require weapons, the Zi Che family had gifted her items for defense.
Zi Che Shao Hao also changed into new clothes, removing his disguise.
They appeared on the streets of Yuyang City without any concealment. However, there were no longer people constantly watching them. In the entire Yuyang City, very few people recognized them.
It wasn't until they arrived at the Zhang family's ancestral grounds that their identities were discovered.
When the gatekeepers saw them approaching, they immediately ran to inform the clan leader, even forgetting to close the gate.
Lin Yan unceremoniously strode through the Zhang family's entrance, with Zi Che Shao Hao standing beside her.
The Zhang family's clan leader emerged quickly. Lin Yan's arrival would not normally warrant his personal appearance, but with Zi Che Shao Hao accompanying her, he had no choice but to take it seriously.
"May I ask what brings you, esteemed couple, to our Zhang family?" He no longer cared about their uninvited entry.
The Zhang clan leader simply wanted to know how much they knew and why they had come.
Had they already discovered the identity of those who had attacked them? More seriously, had they even learned of the past grievances?
He couldn't reveal anything and could only proceed one step at a time.
"Clan Leader Zhang, why ask the obvious?" Lin Yan's voice was laced with sarcasm. "Didn't the Zhang family send someone to invite us?"
The undisguised sarcasm in Lin Yan's eyes made the Zhang clan leader realize that today's matter could absolutely not end amicably.
His current cultivation was no match for the Zi Che Shao Hao before him. He quickly signaled to the people behind him to inform the Supreme Elder.
Before the Supreme Elder arrived, they absolutely could not make a move. Although there were still many people in the Zhang ancestral grounds, their cultivation was too low; they were no match for the two before them.
It was the Supreme Elder. Even before he appeared, he heard the Supreme Elder's voice.
"Dao friends have arrived, why hide your forms?" It was the Supreme Elder's voice, one the Zhang clan leader was very familiar with; after all, he had heard it far too often recently.
A moment later, the Supreme Elder flew from his dwelling, hovering above the eaves behind the clan leader.
"Greetings, Dao friend." Ting Xue emerged from her hidden position and cupped her fists towards the Supreme Elder in greeting.
"I wonder about your identity, and why you have come to the domain of my Yuyang Zhang family?"
The Yuyang Zhang family had resided in this land for many years. The reason this place was called Yuyang was that there was once a very large elm tree here. It was because of this elm tree that people nearby survived during a spring drought that occurred once in a thousand years.
The people, grateful for the elm tree's benevolence, named the place Yuyang and erected a tablet for the tree, offering sacrifices to it.
"My identity is not worth mentioning. Today, we have come to seek justice from the Zhang family." Ting Xue's voice was very solemn, completely different from how Lin Yan had perceived her before.
"Justice? What kind of justice do you seek, esteemed sir?"
With two great cultivators at the tribulation transcendence stage present, these insignificant individuals could barely dare to move, let alone engage in banter and play.
They all focused their attention on the conversation between the two tribulation transcendence grandmasters, not noticing the departure of others.
Lin Yan had noticed, but she didn't care. They were merely insignificant clowns, and soon he would be brought back. This time, she would not let a single member of the Zhang family escape!