Chapter 960: Mysterious Man

Upon hearing the Ling Family Head's words, Wanqi Zifeng came to his senses, smiled and shook his head, "Ling Family Head, the nine‑tailed fox is merely a sealed object of our Wànlíng Xuégōng; Ye Qingran's ability to harness its power truly exceeds all our expectations. You just saw it yourself—Hua Chong Master and other such strongmen are no match for the nine‑tailed fox. Please understand that I am also powerless!"

Wanqi Zifeng spread his hands as he spoke, adopting an attitude of helplessness that made the Ling Family Head quite angry.

"Great!"

Lu Qiqi, upon seeing the nine‑tailed fox, felt hopeful; with its aid, Yun Zhonghe would be saved! As long as he stays within the Wànlíng Xuégōng, nothing will happen!

Ling Qiye saw Lu Qiqi's delighted expression, squinted his eyes, and a dark glint flashed in his gaze.

"Qiqi, don't get too happy yet; unless Yun Zhonghe remains forever in the Wànlíng Xuégōng, he is still doomed to die! Moreover, do you think that having the nine‑tailed fox means they can rest easy?"

Lu Qiqi turned his head toward Ling Qiye, "What do you mean by that?"

Ling Qiye curled the corner of his mouth, did not answer Lu Qiqi, but took a few steps forward, looked at Ye Qingran, and declared, "Ye Qingran, I must say, you have exceeded my expectations."

Ye Qingran stared quietly at Ling Qiye, waiting for his next words.

"Do you think that possessing the nine‑tailed fox will keep you perpetually invincible?" Ling Qiye's smile was full of contempt. "The moment you released the nine‑tailed fox, the great demons of the Beast Clan sensed its presence; they have probably already sent someone here!"

Hearing Ling Qiye's words, everyone present changed expression.

Ling Qiye was not wrong at all; the nine‑tailed fox is a totem of the Beast Clan. Though the Beast Clan has acted low‑key in recent years, they have never ceased searching for the fox's whereabouts. If members of the Beast Clan learn that the nine‑tailed fox is currently in the Wànlíng Xuégōng, they will certainly dispatch experts to rescue it!

At that point, without the nine‑tailed fox's aid, how could Ye Qingran and her companions possibly match the Ling Family and the Lu Clan?

The Ling Family Head looked at Ling Qiye with satisfaction, nodded, and held his outstanding son in high regard.

Lu Hongwei felt the same. He worked hard to pair Lu Qiqi with Ling Qiye, not only because Ling Qiye has the Ling Family background, but also because he is exceptional, unrivaled in the Spirit Realm.

Ling Qiye stared directly at Ye Qingran, awaiting her reply; he wanted to see how this woman would cause trouble without the nine‑tailed fox.

However, to his surprise, Ye Qingran remained completely unruffled and said lightly, "Is that so? Then let's wait and see!"

Ling Qiye squinted, gave a cold snort, "Even when death is at hand, you still talk back!"

The night was like water.

"A Ran, I never expected you to be my niece!"

Yun Zhonghe still found it unbelievable, as if he were in a dream; everything felt so unreal.

Although he had always believed his sister was alive, he never imagined her daughter had grown so big!

For him, this was undoubtedly a tremendous surprise!

Ye Qingran returned a faint smile, "Uncle, your reaction is just like that of Grandfather, Second Uncle, and Third Uncle."

When Yun Batian and the others were mentioned, a warm reminiscence and longing flickered in Yun Zhonghe's eyes.

"How are they doing?"

Ye Qingran thought for a moment, "They're all fine; Second Uncle and Third Uncle have also come to Xuyu, though I don't know where they went. As for Grandfather, you'd better bring your wife and children when you return, otherwise he'll definitely break your legs!"

Yun Zhonghe gave a helpless smile.

"You say Second Brother and Third Brother also came to Xuyu?"

Ye Qingran nodded and gave a brief explanation of how she used the Cloud Map to transport everyone to Xuyu.

Yun Zhonghe and Ye Qingran talked until late, then he grew serious, "A Ran, you should leave the Wànlíng Xuégōng at once!"

"Hmm?"

"Ling Qiye was right; the Beast Clan will surely take the nine‑tailed fox to the Beast Clan, and without the nine‑tail, we…"

Ye Qingran smiled and shook her head, "Uncle, rest assured, the Beast Clan cannot break the Seal on the nine‑tail."

Yun Zhonghe was stunned.

The next day, Ye Qingran swaggered out of the academy's main gate with her Uncle and her sons; everyone who saw her was stunned.

"Didn't she just offend the Ling Family and the Lu Clan yesterday? How does she still dare to leave the Wànlíng Xuégōng?"

"And what about Yun Zhonghe? Isn't he afraid the Ling Family will kill him outside the academy?"

The reckless behavior of Ye Qingran surprised everyone. After all, if it were them, they'd surely stay hidden in the academy, like a turtle pulling its head in.

"Mother, where are we going to play?" Xiao Hu Xiao Chen said with an unafraid, even cheerful face.

Today, the person accompanying them to play was an additional Uncle.

"Let's eat first; we haven't had a proper meal with your Uncle yet."

"Yay!"

Yun Zhonghe naturally had no objection, looking indulgently at his niece and grand‑nephews, but then his expression grew increasingly solemn.

"Uncle, don't worry; Auntie is fine," Ye Qingran said, having sensed Yun Zhonghe's concern, and comforted him.

"Hmm."

The group soon arrived at the most bustling Wine House in Wànlíng Chéng. Just as they were about to enter, they heard a bizarre, yin‑yang voice.

"Is this someone who knows death is near and is seizing the moment to revel?"

Yun Zhonghe's complexion instantly darkened; he looked up sharply and saw a pale Lu Qiqi beside Ling Qiye.

"Domineering?!"

Lu Qiqi had been very reluctant to go out with Ling Qiye, but under the threat of her father, Lu Hongwei, she had no choice.

She never expected to actually encounter Yun Zhonghe.

"A He!" Lu Qiqi's eyes lit up, and she seemed to be revitalized.

Ling Qiye's gaze darkened, and he seized Lu Qiqi, "Qiqi, did you forget what you promised me?"

Lu Qiqi's whole body stiffened, as if doused with ice water.

"Mother, this person is so annoying, always bullying Uncle's wife; give him a lesson!" Xiao Hu whispered to Ye Qingran.

"Mother feels the same!"

Ye Qingran looked at Ling Qiye, squinting, and was already calculating what kind of lesson to give him so that it would leave a deep impression.

"Get out of here!"

At that moment, a cold, ice‑like voice, devoid of any anger, sounded, making listeners feel as if they had fallen into an ice cellar.

Between them a silhouette was shrouded beneath a black cloak, its features unseen.

However, they stood there like a demon, causing people to instinctively keep their distance.

Even though Ling Qiye had seen much of the world, they couldn't help being startled by this person, feeling an unprecedented fear emanating from them.

Ling Qiye's attendant, without a word, struck, but as the Nirvana Emperor's aura had just been released, the figure kicked them away.

Ling Qiye was instantly frozen in place.

One move sent the Nirvana Emperor flying?

They immediately sensed something was wrong, instinctively stepped back two paces, saw Ling Qiye move aside, and the black‑clothed man did not continue to trouble Ling Qiye.

They shifted a step aside, opening a path, and as they moved, the scene behind them was revealed.

Behind the black‑clothed man stood a black‑clothed male, without a cloak, his face fully exposed; when that face was seen, everyone's gaze solidified!

In this world, could there truly be such a peerlessly handsome man?

Ling Qiye's looks were already considered exceptionally handsome, Yun Zhonghe was also stunningly beautiful, yet before this man both faded into the background!

Ye Qingran's expression at that moment was as if she had seen a ghost.

Because this person is no one else,