As Ye Ling and Ye Qingyan were chatting, Zhang Qi and Tian Yi stood opposite each other, and the atmosphere in the courtyard became increasingly oppressive.
Although Zhang Qi was a full rank higher than Tian Yi, this was, after all, the Heavenly Net Ghost City, the territory of the Heavenly Net Ghost King.
If the commotion here became too great, attracting the Heavenly Net Ghost King and Duke Hui Ling…
Zhang Qi believed that with his current strength, he could not take Xu Shuya away under the encirclement of two eighth-rank异士 (yi shi - extraordinary individuals).
Zhang Qi had to quietly deal with Tian Yi, causing as little disturbance as possible.
Therefore, the first thing he had to do was suppress his aura and then strive for a swift kill.
Seeing that the atmosphere in the courtyard was not right, Ye Qingyan stopped teasing Ye Ling and seriously observed the situation in the courtyard. She transmitted her voice to Ye Ling, saying, "This Zhang Qi probably wants to kill Tian Yi with one blow. Tian Yi is also a hothead, not escaping even though he knows he will die. Should we intervene?"
"Or just watch?"
Ye Ling said, "Intervene. These people are more useful alive than dead. The moment they make a move, I'll deal with the eighth-rank one, and you take down Tian Yi."
"Okay."
Ye Qingyan nodded, secretly activating her Tai Yi Sword Art, spreading her spiritual power throughout her meridians, ready to erupt at any moment.
With her strength, a surprise attack would be enough to take down Tian Yi in an instant.
At this moment, Zhang Qi locked his aura onto Tian Yi. A playful smile curved his lips, and his sleeves billowed!
The sword in Tian Yi's hand vibrated intensely, even letting out a long hum!
Ready to strike!
"Now!"
Ye Ling shouted and disappeared from his spot.
Ye Qingyan did not hesitate and rushed directly towards Tian Yi, her eighth-rank aura suddenly erupting, pressing down on Tian Yi!
Ye Qingyan's sudden appearance caused everyone in the field to change their expressions.
Before Tian Yi could react, he was suppressed by Ye Qingyan's aura. He was directly pinned to the ground by Ye Qingyan, his meridians sealed, unable to move!
"Damn it!"
Zhang Qi's expression changed drastically when he saw Ye Qingyan interfering. He hurriedly retracted his attack and was about to retreat, completely unaware that Ye Ling had already appeared above him!
"Brother Zhang, be careful above!"
Xu Shuya screamed. Zhang Qi looked up abruptly and saw Ye Ling rapidly approaching him, grabbing his head with one hand.
Bang!
Zhang Qi felt a tremendous force strike him, and he couldn't resist at all!
Zhang Qi was directly slammed to the ground by Ye Ling, creating a large pit, and he fainted.
Xu Shuya looked at Zhang Qi and Tian Yi, who were instantly dealt with, in horror. Her mind went blank, not knowing what had happened.
"Who are you guys?"
Tian Yi, pinned to the ground by Ye Qingyan, looked at Ye Ling, who had knocked Zhang Qi unconscious with one move, and a hint of fear appeared in his eyes!
He knew Zhang Qi was eighth-rank, and he also knew that fighting Zhang Qi would likely result in him being killed with one blow!
However, to protect Xu Shuya, he had to fight.
This way, Xu Shuya might realize Zhang Qi's ill intentions from his death!
But the person he was prepared to fight to the death against was now so easily crushed by Ye Ling…
Tian Yi couldn't imagine how strong Ye Ling was!
Ninth-rank mortal immortal?
"Don't worry, we have no ill intentions towards you. We're just here to investigate something and deal with that menace, the Heavenly Net Ghost King."
Ye Ling threw the unconscious Zhang Qi aside and smiled at Xu Shuya and Tian Yi, "Of course, after I ask my questions, if you insist on siding with the Heavenly Net Ghost King, I don't mind dealing with you as well."
"You!"
Hearing Ye Ling's words, Tian Yi's pupils contracted sharply. He didn't expect Ye Ling to speak so boldly!
Killing the Heavenly Net Ghost King meant destroying his Heavenly Net Ghost City!
However, judging by the strength Ye Ling had displayed, he had the ability to do so!
"You, you're here to kill us?"
Xu Shuya also looked at Ye Ling with a terrified expression, backing away repeatedly, full of fear.
Ye Qingyan tied up Tian Yi. Seeing Xu Shuya's terrified look, she said to Ye Ling, "Don't scare the little girl. Although she's an evil spirit, she's been imprisoned here for over a hundred years. What bad things could she have done?"
"I'll try my best."
Ye Ling showed Xu Shuya a kind smile.
However, in Xu Shuya's eyes, Ye Ling's smile was more like a devil's smile!
Ye Ling had just said he would kill her father and them. How could she believe Ye Ling had no ill intentions towards her?
Seeing Xu Shuya's current state, Ye Ling sighed slightly and gave up on comforting the frightened girl. He took out the Phoenix Eye and asked, "Girl, do you recognize this bead?"
Xu Shuya exclaimed in surprise when she saw the bead floating in Ye Ling's hand, "Phoenix Eye?"
"You really recognize it."
Seeing that Xu Shuya named the Phoenix Eye at a glance, Ye Ling's smile became even brighter. He brought the Phoenix Eye closer to Xu Shuya, "I came here to ask about the origin of this Phoenix Eye."
Xu Shuya was afraid of Ye Ling and dared not refuse him. She said, "It, it's my mother's bead. I saw it when I was young. Back then, Mom often infused spiritual power into the Phoenix Eye and let me wear it."
"It's actually Zhang Muya's item…"
Hearing Xu Shuya's words, Ye Ling was slightly stunned. He didn't know how his Ye family got involved with Zhang Muya.
However, the Phoenix Eye had been passed down in the Ye family for a hundred years, and Zhang Muya was also a figure from a hundred years ago. It wasn't impossible for his Ye family ancestors to have some connection with Zhang Muya.
In this case… Ye Feng was a traitor to the Heavenly Concealment Pavilion, stealing the Heavenly Diagram of Fate. Then, for some reason, the Heavenly Diagram of Fate in Ye Feng's hands fell into Ye Ling's grandfather's hands.
This was also the direct reason why Ye Feng destroyed the Ye family with the help of the Jiang family.
He wanted to get the Heavenly Diagram of Fate back.
And delving further, the destruction of the Ye family was inextricably linked to the Heavenly Net Ghost King, Zhang Muya, and the Mortal World Pavilion.
Ye Feng's actions against the Ye family were probably not just because of the Heavenly Diagram of Fate.
Because of the destruction of the Ye family, Ye Ling transmigrated to the Eastern Profound Continent, and Ye You was still taken away by a mysterious sword immortal and has not been seen since.
These events might not be a coincidence.
The entanglement between the Ye family ancestors, Zhang Muya, and the Heavenly Net Ghost King, and the role Ye Feng played in it, the mystery of these matters would probably only be partially unraveled after finding the core figure, Zhang Muya.
After pondering for a moment, Ye Ling put away the Phoenix Eye and said to Xu Shuya, "Little girl, if I say I'm here to save you, will you believe me?"
"Save me?"
Xu Shuya was slightly stunned. She didn't expect Ye Ling to say such a thing!
"Miss, don't believe him! You are an earthbound spirit and can only live in the Heavenly Net Ghost King's manor. If you go out, you will surely die!"
"They all want to use you!"
Tian Yi, who was held down by Ye Qingyan, roared, trying to make Xu Shuya sober up.
And Xu Shuya, due to Ye Ling's actions against Zhang Qi, instinctively felt afraid of Ye Ling. After hearing Tian Yi's words, her wavering resolve instantly solidified, and she took a few steps back, moving away from Ye Ling.
"I don't believe you!"
Ye Ling didn't care about Xu Shuya's disbelief and smiled, "Since you don't believe me, how about we make a bet?"
Xu Shuya was confused, "A bet?"
Ye Ling smiled slightly and said to Xu Shuya, "I bet that the Heavenly Net Ghost King will offer you as a sacrifice today."
"And only I can save you."