The actions of the Cyan Profound Mansion had ignited Yi Tianyun’s fury. From the moment he first saw that Bloodthirsty Ancestor, he knew something was off—the man sustained himself by absorbing the Essence Blood of others. To think he was now absorbing the Essence Blood of children to extend his life... It was worse than an animal!

These Upper-Rankers would do anything to survive and enhance their cultivation. They had completely descended into madness.

"DING! Hidden Quest ’Rescue the Trapped Children from the Demon’s Clutches’ completed. Received 100,000 Experience Points, 100 Character Value Points!"

At that moment, the system’s voice rang in his ears, adding a full one hundred Character Value Points. This should have been a happy occasion, but he couldn’t feel any joy at all. In fact, he was furious!

If he hadn’t destroyed the Cyan Profound Mansion, this kind of thing would have undoubtedly continued. Countless children from families all over the Earth Realm Continent would have been abducted. As long as someone continued to practice this Evil Technique, they would surely do the same.

This time it was the Bloodthirsty Ancestor; next time, who knew what kind of ancestor it would be. The Black Soul Ancestor he had encountered before was just like that, lording over a mountain and sacrificing who knows how many innocent lives to that evil Black Dragon Spiritual Vein.

It was undeniable that his hands were stained with blood, but at least he never attacked the innocent! He would never attack good people, and he certainly wouldn’t be the one to strike first.

If others didn’t provoke him, he would never attack without reason. ’I won’t attack unless I’m attacked. But if I am attacked, I will retaliate a hundredfold!’ This had always been his bottom line.

"Tianyun, don’t overthink it. There are some things we can’t control, but at least there are some things we did take action on." Shi Xueyun gave him a radiant smile.

Yi Tianyun let out a long, heavy breath, then nodded and said, "I’m fine. I was just lost in thought for a moment. Let’s go. Let’s take these children back!"

He signaled for the Black Dragon to descend, then helped the group of children climb onto its back. At first, the children were terrified, but after Shi Xueyun comforted them, they weren’t so scared anymore.

"Let’s go!"

Yi Tianyun directed the Black Dragon to fly them back toward the Celestial Sinking Ruins, leaving the flame-engulfed Cyan Profound Mansion behind. After the fire died down, only a field of ruins would remain. Not long after they had departed, a figure flickered into view, watching their retreating forms.

’The Cyan Profound Mansion was annihilated... Just what is that kid’s background? Even a Black Dragon is willing to be his mount. Unless it was tamed from birth, it’s very rare for one to become a mount...’ The middle-aged man narrowed his eyes, his gaze dark as he watched them disappear. ’It seems I must report this to the Great Emperor. A restless power seems to be rising on this continent...’

Immediately after, his figure gradually became transparent and soon vanished without a trace.

Soon, Yi Tianyun and the others returned to the Celestial Sinking Ruins. The place had already changed considerably; everything was running in an orderly fashion. With the destruction of the Cyan Profound Mansion, their area of activity had expanded, and Zhu Yuwei had begun to go out constantly to procure various materials.

They had collected a great deal of spoils, so their financial strength had surged. With this, they had enough funds to strengthen Merak Palace.

As they returned, they heard the sound of pleading voices.

"Purple Pavilion Master, we beg you to come back and be our Pavilion Master! Celestial Rain Tower cannot be without you!"

"That’s right! That was all Elder Yu’s mistake. It had nothing to do with us! If we had been here, we would have helped without a moment’s hesitation!"

"Exactly! We’ve always been on good terms with Merak Palace. Even against the Cyan Profound Mansion, we still would have helped!" 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

As Yi Tianyun and the others returned, they saw a group of people up ahead pleading with Zhu Yuwei from afar. They were calling her Purple Pavilion Master, apparently unaware of her real surname.

Zhu Yuwei’s expression was icy as she said, "Is that so, Pavilion Master Wang? Didn’t you place Elder Yu by my side just to monitor me? To correct my mistakes?"

She was no fool; she had long known Elder Yu’s true role. She might have been the Pavilion Master, but Elder Yu’s words carried more weight than hers. He was the elder who was in constant contact with the Main Pavilion, and any move she made had to be reported up the chain.

This time, when she chose to support Merak Palace, Elder Yu was naturally against it. She believed the Main Pavilion had already made up its mind about the situation long ago.

Now that the winner and loser were decided, they were acting like classic armchair generals, only now begging her to reconsider and return to the Celestial Phoenix Tower to be its Pavilion Master again. In Zhu Yuwei’s eyes, it wasn’t because she was capable, but because Yi Tianyun had emerged victorious from this great battle!

Being able to flatten the Cyan Profound Mansion meant that Yi Tianyun possessed terrifying power, so of course they would do anything to cozy up to him.

The middle-aged man in the lead was extremely embarrassed. He was none other than the Grand Pavilion Master of the Celestial Rain Tower, a powerful expert whose cultivation had reached the eighth level of the Core Formation Stage. Yet now, he was acting like a dog, begging Zhu Yuwei to return.

Zhu Yuwei had backed the right horse. If she returned to them, she would surely bring Yi Tianyun’s support with her. How could they pass up such an opportunity? They had to beg her to return, even if it meant groveling.

"That’s not what we meant. In our hearts, we have always been willing to be on good terms with Merak Palace. In the future, no matter what happens, we will help... If you’re willing, I will have you come to our Main Pavilion to serve as Vice Pavilion Master! You’ll be granted the highest authority..."

"Pavilion Master Wang, say no more. Please go back! Some opportunities, once missed, are gone forever. I can understand why you chose to play it safe and protect yourselves, but I have already joined Merak Palace now. I will give my all for Merak Palace, so there’s no need for further words!" Zhu Yuwei cut off their persuasion and gestured for them to leave.

She refused without hesitation. She had been abandoned twice already; to fall for it a third time would make her a fool.

"Well said!" Yi Tianyun clapped as he walked in, smiling. "Thank you all for thinking so highly of her. If not for you, I really wouldn’t have been able to recruit such a talent. If there’s nothing else, we have important matters to attend to. This way, please!"

When Pavilion Master Wang saw Yi Tianyun return, his eyes lit up, and he hurriedly started bootlicking, "You must be Elder Yi! Such a young hero... We were planning to provide support before, but who could have expected Elder Yu to do something so foolish... I know what’s done is done, but we can provide even greater support! For all materials, we’ll only charge you fifty percent!"

This was a ruinous offer, made at a staggering loss. But unfortunately for them, Yi Tianyun wasn’t impressed in the slightest.

"We don’t really need anything at the moment. Please leave." Yi Tianyun gestured for them to depart.

Pavilion Master Wang sighed, filled with bitter regret. He had lost the chance to cozy up to a powerful faction. If they could have latched onto that great mountain of support, their Celestial Rain Tower could have done as they pleased... But it was a pity. That chance was now gone.

"Then... we’ll take our leave..." They were furious inside at being driven away like this, but other than swallowing their frustration, there was nothing they could do.