"Just tell me who those hungry wolves are directly, I'll handle it properly," Ye Huan said.

"If it were anyone else, even if they had done me a favor, I would refuse to answer this question and would keep advising against it."

"The reason is simple: the opposing power is too formidable."

"But you, Saint, are different. You are both a Saint of Huaxia and the Young Sect Leader of the Dragon Gate. I believe with your abilities, you can confront them, so I will tell you."

"The hungry wolves are the entire Ancient Martial Realm led by the Di Family!"

"According to the Chen Family's intelligence, the Di Family has always used the Xiao Family as their puppets in the Ancient Martial Realm to secretly attack the Xiao Family and have had the Xiao Family rally the Ancient Martial Realm to form an anti-Xiao Family alliance."

"The Chen Family and the Xiao Family have always had a good relationship, having once spoken well of the Xiao Family and opposed the Ancient Martial Realm forming an alliance against them. Unfortunately, the Ancient Martial Realm was determined, and Xiao Hailong even came personally, representing the Di Family Patriarch, Di Lunhui, to 'dissuade' us from joining the alliance."

"The Chen Family really did not want to get involved, but the power of the Di Family's alliance was too great, and all the connections of the Chen Family advised us to agree. The pressure was overwhelming, and the Chen Family had no choice but to end their cooperation with the Xiao Family under Xiao Hailong's coercion and inducement, and stop all support in terms of funds and medicinal materials."

"If my guess is correct, the Di Family is hypocritical, eyeing the Xiao Family's Divine Artifact. They don't want to grab it openly for the sake of reputation, so they set up a scheme to force the Xiao Family to offer the artifact voluntarily. The other families intend to rush in once the Xiao Family has completely declined, fighting for the remnants and laying claim to the Xiao Family's heritage. After all, although the Xiao Family is currently in decline, the heritage accumulated over a millennium is still formidable, a huge piece of fat meat."

"In other words, Ye Shao, by defeating the Xiao Family and kicking them out of the top sixteen this time, you have disrupted the Anti-Xiao Family Alliance's thirty-year grand plan, and they will not let this go easily."

"You can still withdraw now, and it's not too late. If you do not step back now, you will likely face the wrath of the entire Anti-Xiao Family Alliance. Weigh your judgments carefully."

The old lady from the Chen Family did not hold back, revealing all the intelligence the Chen Family had, the conjectures derived from it, and the stakes involved, telling it all to Ye Huan in one go.

Ye Huan tapped his index finger on the surface of the large round table before him twice, his brows tightly furrowed, and he nodded, "Alright, I understand."

"Ye Shao, let me remind you, from now on, you must remain vigilant. Your opponents indeed lost to you, but they surely have backup plans and will definitely become more frantic in remedying the situation," warned the old lady from the Chen Family in a stern tone.

Ye Huan was already aware of this, without the old lady needing to say so.

From the old lady's narrative, it was clear that the Di Family's meticulously prepared plan, thirty years in the making, was very thorough, implying they would likely have anticipated various contingencies and prepared corresponding plans to prevent their scheme from being disrupted.

"Ye Shao, last but not least, allow this old woman a toast to express my gratitude." The old lady from the Chen Family smiled appreciatively once more, raising a glass, filled it with Maotai, and drank it all in one go before glancing at Xiao Zhan beside her, then turning back and clasping her hands in salute, "I believe the Patriarch of the Xiao Family has much to discuss with you. If there's nothing else, I won't intrude further. Should you have any business with me later, feel free to contact me. Until we meet again."

"Until we meet again."

Ye Huan returned the salute in kind.

Once the old lady from the Chen Family and her daughter left, the magnificent first-floor hall of the small restaurant became eerily silent.

Originally, the Patriarch of the Xiao Family, Xiao Zhan, had spent a lot of money to host a grand banquet here to celebrate the Xiao Family making it into the top eight and to thank Ye Huan, and every member of the Xiao Family attended the meeting, each face brimming with joy.

Even Xiao Yu, who was extremely agitated after discovering that Di Asura had an illegitimate child outside, was exceptionally happy.

However, after hearing the old lady's words from the Chen Family, everyone present had the cheer instantly vanish from their faces, each turning pale, as if a heavy stone was pressing down on their hearts, making it impossible to breathe!

The Anti-Xiao Family Alliance was indeed led by the Di Family!

The main enemy facing the Xiao Family was not the Xiao Family, but the Di Family!

"What are you standing around for, eat and drink as you should, getting into the top eight is something to be happy about!"

After a full quarter of an hour of silence in the room, Xiao Zhan forcefully squeezed out a smile and said to everyone.

The words of the Patriarch still had some effect.

Everyone hurriedly picked up their chopsticks again and began indulging in the feast before them, but there wasn't a hint of joy on anyone's face.

About a while later, someone at the neighboring table to Ye Huan and Xiao Zhan suddenly slapped their chopsticks on the table and stood up with a complex expression, saying, "Patriarch, some days ago, Xiao Hailong approached me, asking me to switch allegiances and join the Xiao Family."

Xiao Zhan's face turned even worse, "And what did you mean?"

The person gritted their teeth and said, "At the time, I placated Xiao Hailong, saying I would consider it, but I actually wanted to see if the family had any hope of resurgence. After Ye Shao displayed his Divine Level Ancient Martial Medical Technique and helped the Xiao Family make the top eight, I saw hope for the family again and had nearly completely dismissed the notion of switching sides. But now... I believe, hope is gone!"

"Ye Shao is indeed strong and impressive!"

"But now, standing against the Xiao Family is the entire Ancient Martial Realm!"

"The entire Ancient Martial Realm led by the Di Family!"

"I do not believe Ye Shao can contend against the entire Ancient Martial Realm and save the Xiao Family!"

"He does not have this capability, nor does he have the need to help the Xiao Family!"

"So..."

"I am leaving the Xiao Family!"

The person declared loudly, fists clenched!

"Well said!"

Right after the person finished speaking, there was a sudden applause from outside the door!

Only to see a hook-nosed man in a kung fu suit, tall and upright, clapping with a mocking expression as he walked into the restaurant hall, smiling at the person and saying, "Congratulations, you have successfully switched sides and joined the Xiao Family."

The person, overwhelmed with delight, repeatedly nodded and bowed, complimenting, "Thank you, Patriarch! Thank you, Patriarch!"

"Xiao Hailong, what are you doing here!" Xiao Zhan glared with anger at the hook-nosed man, rage in his eyes!

"Brother, I used to be part of the Xiao Family, right? The Xiao Family is hosting a banquet, and I can't come?"

"You're not welcome here!"

Xiao Zhan's eyes widened in fury!

From the moment Xiao Hailong infuriated and started suppressing the Xiao Family, Xian Zhan had lost all brotherly feelings towards him!

Xiao Hailong sneered contemptuously, "If it weren't for Saint Ye Huan being here, I wouldn't have bothered to attend a banquet held by a washed-up family like yours!"

Finishing his words, he turned to look at Ye Huan, his expression becoming serious, as he said:

"Saint Ye Huan, the reason I am here is to sincerely say a few heartfelt words to you."

"About the Anti-Xiao Family Alliance, I believe you are already aware. Since this is the case, you should also know that the decline of the Xiao Family is already set in stone. If you wish to associate with the Ancient Martial Medicine Family, I believe my Xiao Family, along with my brother's Feng Family, are extremely good choices. Associating with a weak Xiao Family will not only yield nothing for you but will also cause great trouble!"

"You will be standing against the entire Ancient Martial Realm, enemies with the whole Ancient Martial Realm!"

"What the consequences will be, you need to consider carefully!"

Xiao Hailong spoke coldly, his words heavily laden with threat.

On regular days, he would never dare speak to Ye Huan in this manner.

But now, he had the entire Ancient Martial Realm, including the Di Family, backing him up!

This was where his confidence in threatening Ye Huan came from!

What he didn't expect was that Ye Huan, after being threatened, didn't show a hint of fear or panic.

"I should remind you, I hate threats the most." Ye Huan calmly sipped his tea, eyes suddenly flashing with a sharpness keener than a blade, and an overwhelmingly fierce killing intent in his voice, "And those who threaten me all without exception end up in Hell!"