The crowd turned their heads to see the arrival of Liu Yuxin's parents, who had appeared outside the Water Lily Secret Realm before.
Although Wan Lei had not met them, the Lei Di Hall's intelligence system had submitted a list of strong figures from opposing factions, along with their appearances, to Alliance Leader Wan's desk.
Alliance Leader Wan smiled knowingly. The timing was perfect.
"Greetings, Elder."
Everyone bowed in unison.
"Father, save me!"
Liu Yuxin, playing her part perfectly, screamed.
"I don't want to die, Father, hurry and save me."
These piercing cries of distress stabbed into Liu Luo's heart like sharp thorns.
Liu Luo, a cultivator at the peak of the Mahayana stage, had his eldest son, Liu Ao, killed in the Ten Thousand Prodigies Ranking, and his youngest daughter, Liu Yuxin, a peerless prodigy, was currently imprisoned for treason.
Originally, this pair of children were both prodigies. His eldest son, Liu Ao, was the foremost expert in the Liu family's first sequence, the most talented young man, and Liu Luo had pinned all his hopes on him.
After his eldest son came of age, he had a younger daughter, whom he doted on endlessly. Liu Ao, in turn, was extremely fond of his sister, always protecting Liu Yuxin, teaching her martial arts and cultivation, and clearing all obstacles for her.
But fate is unpredictable. Liu Ao died at Wan Lei's hands during the final battle of the Ten Thousand Prodigies Ranking, plunging Liu Luo into despair. He poured all his efforts and paternal love into his younger daughter.
Fortunately, his younger daughter's talent was even greater than her brother's, which rekindled hope in Liu Luo and made him even more determined not to let anything happen to his daughter again.
And his daughter was also promising, having suffered few defeats since her debut. Most importantly, she held a deep-seated hatred for her brother's enemy and swore to exact revenge.
However, during the Water Lily Secret Realm incident, Liu Yuxin's betrayal and defection to Wan Lei's side shocked the world.
Some people cursed Liu Yuxin for being ungrateful and abandoning her heritage, even betraying the family that raised her.
Others said Liu Yuxin was young and had been blinded by infatuation with Wan Liuchuan, causing her to act rashly.
Only Liu Yuxin knew that she was clearer-headed than anyone, had her own bottom line, and would defend it.
Since then, Liu Yuxin had been imprisoned.
Despite Liu Yuxin's foolish actions, she was still his own daughter. Liu Luo had only this one daughter and could not abandon her.
He sought the clan leader's intercession and offered gifts to other elders, asking them to speak on his daughter's behalf. This ultimately resulted in her not being executed directly but being imprisoned, with further decisions to be made later.
After her imprisonment, Liu Luo went to bribe Liu Luhang. It was a significant humiliation for a Mahayana Elder to curry favor and offer gifts to a mere Nascent Soul cultivator.
However, Liu Luhang, although somewhat unyielding and refusing gifts, agreed to let his daughter stay in the best room, and any spirit stones or treasures Liu Luo sent would be delivered to his daughter without fail.
In Liu Luo's opinion, Liu Luhang was one of the few upright, incorruptible, and honest individuals in the Liu family.
It was not until a month ago, with the arrival of the demon race, that Liu Luo learned what had happened. But it was too late, and he was alone and powerless, so he could only follow the general trend.
However, half a month ago, with the establishment of the Lei Di Hall and the disastrous retreat of the demon race, a forbidden area appeared in the family. As an Elder, he naturally received some news, learning that Liu family clansmen were taken to the forbidden area daily and never returned.
This made Liu Luo anxious, as Liu Yuxin was still in prison.
After half a month of constant worry, the most feared event had occurred.
"Elder Liu Luo, what is the meaning of this? Why are you obstructing us?"
Liu Luhang stepped forward, adopting an air of integrity.
"Steward Luhang, where are you taking my daughter?"
Liu Luo and his wife flew to the front of the group.
"Under the command of the Old Ancestor, we are taking three clan criminals to the forbidden area."
"Do you know that no one who enters ever comes out alive?"
Upon hearing this, the other two Core Formation criminals immediately became terrified, wetting themselves and crying hysterically.
"Elder Liu Luo, I am unaware of this, nor is it my place to know. Please do not make things difficult for us; we still have the Old Ancestor's mission to carry out."
"Why are you arresting my daughter specifically when there are so many other prisoners?"
Liu Luo was clearly enraged, speaking somewhat carelessly. But he had only this one daughter, and seeing her pitiful crying, Liu Luo vowed in his heart that he would save his daughter no matter what.
"Elder, other prisoners also have parents."
Liu Luhang said coldly.
The implication was that if everyone pleaded for leniency, it would lead to chaos.
The more Liu Luo thought about it, the more anxious he became. With so many people watching, he couldn't offer Liu Luhang a gift.
Moreover, judging by Liu Luhang's unyielding demeanor, offering gifts might be futile.
"I understand, I understand... Can you possibly make an exception and take my daughter back first, so I can seek the clan leader's plea before a decision is made?"
"Elder, this is an order from the Old Ancestor to bring people in. Your seeking the clan leader will be of no use.
Furthermore, we select prisoners with more serious offenses to take. There's no reason to let someone who committed a minor mistake bear the burden of a death sentence, would their families agree?
Everyone in prison is surnamed Liu and has parents and family. If you were to obstruct us like this, the Old Ancestor might be displeased if he knew."
"Oh dear, what... what should be done..."
Liu Luo was so anxious he scratched his ears and jaw, blocking Liu Yuxin and the others, refusing to let them pass, and desperately racking his brain for a solution.
Seeing her father pleading in a low voice for her life, Liu Yuxin felt extremely distressed. This further strengthened her resolve to take her parents away from the Liu family, this den of vipers, and never suffer at anyone's hands again.
"Father, save me! Your daughter doesn't want to die! Go and beg the Old Ancestor! What use is seeking the clan leader?"
Liu Yuxin cried out loudly. Liu Luo's heart was in turmoil. He stomped his foot.
"I will personally go and see the Old Ancestor to plead. This Elder wants to see what he intends to do with the lives of our Liu clan members.
If lives must be taken, then I will use my own life to exchange for my daughter's life!"
With that said, Liu Luo turned and looked at the guards.
"Open the formation. This Elder intends to enter and question the Old Ancestor directly."
As a Mahayana Elder, he naturally had the authority to enter any part of the Liu family.
The guards hurriedly opened the formation, and a thick, foul smell of blood assailed them, making them feel nauseous.
Liu Luo and his wife strode into the formation.
Liu Luhang immediately gave Wan Lei a look and pushed Liu Yuxin towards the formation.
Wan Lei and his companion, along with Lu Zheng and his companion, also quickly escorted the other two prisoners into the formation.