Time flowed on. Late into the night, Ye Xuan arrived at the entrance, but the Teleportation Array was not there.
Every time the Zhang family activated the Teleportation Array, it required a massive amount of energy. It was impossible for them to keep the Teleportation Gate open at all times. In other words, he couldn’t get out right now.
"How could I forget? The Teleportation Array won’t open for another two days." Ye Xuan furrowed his brows, a sense of unease creeping into his heart.
How long the Illusion Array could trap Zhang Wuzong was a massive question mark. It was highly likely that Zhang Wuzong would destroy it by tomorrow. Ye Xuan knew better than anyone that the array left behind by the Array Fool was only a Level 4 Array. With Zhang Wuzong’s strength, he might be able to break it open using brute force.
If Zhang Wuzong broke out before the Secret Realm’s Teleportation Array opened, Ye Xuan would absolutely be unable to escape. What should he do?
Should he consume the Beast Pill right now? But he had to consolidate his cultivation base first. Even if he actively consolidated it, it would still take two or three days. That was unless he disregarded the harm caused by forcefully accelerating his growth. In short, he didn’t have enough time.
"Wait, there is another way to leave this place!" Suddenly, Ye Xuan’s eyes lit up. He could absolutely activate the Teleportation Array from the inside!
Although Ye Xuan didn’t know how to set up a Teleportation Array, why would he need to? He only needed to know that this kind of two-way Teleportation Array could be opened from the outside as well as the inside. All he had to do was activate the array from within.
Setting up an array was difficult, but activating one was much easier. He merely needed to provide energy to the Teleportation Array. Ye Xuan didn’t have that many Soul Crystals, but he had Array Banners.
He now knew what those flags in his Storage Ring were. They were energy-infused Array Banners specially forged by the Array Fool. Their power could activate and sustain an array.
Soon, Ye Xuan stood at the entrance. If he remembered correctly, the Teleportation Array was situated right here. He tossed out the Array Banners, planting them into the ground to form a circle. Then, using his own Spiritual Qi as a guide, Ye Xuan activated their power.
Suddenly, dense array patterns materialized on the ground. These patterns seemed to emerge from deep underground. However, the number of Array Banners was clearly insufficient. Ye Xuan threw down dozens more, and the Teleportation Array finally took shape.
Looking at the glowing Teleportation Gate that had just materialized, Ye Xuan smiled. Even if Zhang Wuzong really made it out of the ruins, he probably wouldn’t expect that Ye Xuan had already left the Secret Realm.
Stepping into the Teleportation Array, Ye Xuan appeared in the Zhang family’s courtyard.
After his departure, the light of the Teleportation Array began to flicker. The power of the Array Banners was quickly exhausted. The moment the power ran dry, the Array Banners spontaneously combusted, turning into nothingness.
One hour later, at the entrance of Wuzong Main Town.
Ye Xuan glanced back at the Flaming Lion flag fluttering in the wind, sharp glints flashing in his eyes. One day, he would trample this flag under his feet. And that day was coming soon.
For now, it was time to go home. He needed to enter seclusion immediately to elevate his cultivation base. He knew that his blood feud with the Zhang family had officially begun.
One day later, Ye Xuan returned to the Ye family. As soon as he arrived, he found Ye Zeyun and handed over all the Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 Beast Pills he had obtained from the Secret Realm.
"Grandpa, distribute all these Beast Pills. I want the members of the Ye family to grow stronger as fast as possible."
"Ye Xuan, this many Beast Pills... You really are... I don’t even know what words to use to describe you," Ye Zeyun said, his expression incredibly complex.
Previously, he would have been utterly shocked, but now, he seemed to have grown accustomed to it. Resources that others dreamed of but could never obtain seemed so easy for Ye Xuan to get his hands on.
"Grandpa, I still have things to do, so I need to go into seclusion. Oh, right, warn the people of our affiliated factions—if they see anyone with a Flaming Lion embroidered on their chest appearing at the town gates, notify me immediately."
"What’s wrong? Are they important guests?"
"They are enemies," Ye Xuan said coldly.
"More enemies?" Ye Zeyun didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, but he didn’t ask how strong these enemies were. "Alright, I’ll notify you the moment it happens."
"Grandpa, you don’t need to worry. They shouldn’t arrive that quickly. Anyway, I’m heading into seclusion now." With that, Ye Xuan entered the underground training room.
He sat cross-legged and spent another day consolidating his cultivation base. The next day, he took out a Level 4 Beast Pill, preparing to use its power to elevate his cultivation to the 8th, or even the 9th Layer of the Frenzy Spirit Realm.
At the exact same time, just as Ye Xuan prepared to consume the Beast Pill, back in the Secret Realm of Wuzong Main Town...
The seven-day limit was almost up. The Town Mayors of the fifty affiliated towns led their clansmen back to the entrance one after another. Of the original ten-thousand-strong expedition, less than half remained.
At this moment, the Fourth Elder and his entourage appeared before the crowd. As the sun set in the west, it was time to open the Teleportation Array.
Within the Niu family’s ranks, Niu Tong glanced around but couldn’t spot Ye Xuan.
He figured that Mr. Ye Xuan still hadn’t come out, but decided there was no need to wait for him since he probably didn’t want to go back with them anyway. Niu Tong looked ahead, quietly waiting for the big shots of the Zhang family to open the Teleportation Array.
However, the Elders of the Zhang family made no move to do so. This greatly confused Niu Tong. In the past, the Teleportation Array would be opened as soon as the sun set. What were they waiting for this time?
After a good while, the Ninth Elder of the Zhang family finally spoke, "The people from all fifty towns have returned."
"Have they all returned? Good." The Fourth Elder nodded, his body suddenly erupting with a terrifying aura.
The previously noisy scene instantly fell dead silent. Everyone realized that the atmosphere was completely off.
"Some unexpected incidents occurred within the Secret Realm this time. Boy, if you are here, step forward immediately. Don’t drag your clansmen down with you, otherwise, your entire clan will die," the Fourth Elder’s voice rang out.
As his words fell, everyone’s eyes widened in shock. It sounded like someone had offended the Zhang family. Who would be so bold?
"Hm? Not stepping forward? Do you think hiding in the crowd will save you?" The Fourth Elder sneered coldly. A portrait appeared in his hand, and the person depicted on it was none other than Ye Xuan.
"A portrait..."
"Who is this?"
Most of the people from the towns looked bewildered. Only Niu Tong and the members of the Niu family experienced a drastic change in expression.
Wasn’t this Mr. Ye Xuan of the Ye family?
Niu Tong’s heart skipped a beat. Could it be that Ye Xuan had provoked the Zhang family inside the Secret Realm? Yes, it was highly likely! Ye Xuan was a man who returned every grievance and never suffered a loss in silence.
They were doomed. Completely doomed. The Niu family was the one who had brought him in!
"Look around you and see if anyone recognizes this person," the Fourth Elder commanded once more.
At his words, everyone began looking around.
"My lord, no one here."
"Not here either."
"Never seen this guy."
The Fourth Elder’s expression remained unchanged as he continued, "Does anyone know this person? Which town is he from? Anyone who knows but refuses to report—kill! Anyone who lies—kill!"
The Fourth Elder suddenly waved his hand. Spiritual Qi swept out in all directions like raging waves.
The thousands of people present staggered backward. Those with weaker cultivation bases immediately bled from their seven facial orifices.
Loud gasps rang out.
Then, the scene instantly fell into a pin-drop silence. No one dared to speak up carelessly.
At this moment, where the Niu family was gathered, the members all looked toward Niu Tong, as if silently asking how they should handle this situation.
"My lord!" Finally, Niu Tong spoke up.