In Jiangnan, Yun Fan was discussing the construction of the Ghost Valley formation with several Senior Sisters.
As the Dark Era approached, Yun Fan knew that with the current conditions, they could barely cope.
However, he sensed a crisis. Although he was powerful, he had family. If the Dark Era arrived and he was away, the Ghost Valley base could be easily breached, and the danger would be unpredictable. Therefore, he decided to create the Ghost Valley formation at the Ghost Valley base.
The Ghost Valley formation was all-encompassing, with both defensive and offensive formations, but none were complete, which was why he had previously shelved the idea.
Now, with the complete formation left by a Ghost Valley ancestor from the Abyss Forbidden Land, he could fill in the gaps.
After the discussion, Leng Ningshuang was put in charge, with the other Senior Sisters assisting.
The materials needed for the formation would be provided by the Myriad Beginning Holy Land and the Jade Pond Holy Land, as these two major holy lands had considerable resources.
This formation, within Yun Fan's budget, could cover an area of about ten li.
This was the current limit of construction. While expanding it was not an issue, doing so would weaken its effectiveness.
This was not what Yun Fan wanted.
After the discussion, as Yun Fan walked out, he saw Ye Ji arriving in a panic.
"Little brother, something's wrong!"
"What is it?"
Yun Fan asked, puzzled.
Ye Ji said, "I just went to Qingcheng's room and found she was gone. There was also a letter left on the table!"
"A letter?"
Yun Fan took the letter and his eyes instantly turned cold, as the letter was signed by the Yuwen family.
The Yuwen family had a long history. Their peak was during the eras when Emperor Wen and Emperor Yang reigned supreme.
This family was not in the small world and was not considered an imperial clan. They lived in seclusion in the secular world. Yun Fan had not bothered with them before.
This was because the family had always been law-abiding, with no merits but no faults.
Unexpectedly, they dared to kidnap Ye Qingcheng this time. He didn't know what made the Yuwen family so audacious to anger him. It was no different from seeking death.
"Don't worry, I'll go have a talk with the Yuwen family. If they don't know what's good for them, then don't blame me for being impolite!"
Yun Fan was about to leave when Yang Can said, "Yun Fan, I'll go with you!"
"Looking back, a thousand years ago, their Yuwen family also served our Yang family. If it's truly a misunderstanding, I can mediate."
In fact, Yun Fan had no intention of mediating. At this juncture, since they had offended him, the price would be death.
Yang Can knew this too, so he said to Yun Fan, "Miss Ye was kidnapped by them. I can mediate to get them to release Miss Ye. After that, I won't interfere further!"
"Thank you, Uncle!"
Yun Fan said gratefully.
"It's nothing, it's what I should do!"
Yang Can nodded.
Then, the two of them set off for Jinling, as the Yuwen family resided in Jinling, living a reclusive life.
People had no idea how much strength they possessed. Even when Yun Fan stirred up Jinling last time, this family had not appeared.
In Yun Fan's opinion, this family's inaction back then was likely because his master had not yet met with an accident.
Now that his master had met with an accident, these forces could no longer sit still. It seemed his deterrence was still insufficient.
...
Jinling, Yuwen Family.
"Father, I've brought the person!"
The contemporary eldest young master of the Yuwen family, Yuwen Yuan, said excitedly.
He hadn't expected the trip to Jiangnan to be so smooth in kidnapping a woman. Perhaps it was because Ye Qingcheng wasn't living in the Ghost Valley base.
Therefore, he easily abducted her. If Ye Qingcheng had been living in the Ghost Valley base, he wouldn't have dared to act rashly.
The head of the Yuwen family, Yuwen Kuo, said, "Well done. Were the people from the Long family also kidnapped?"
"They've all been brought here, we're just waiting for that kid to come to us obediently!"
Yuwen Kuo nodded with satisfaction. "Excellent! The Dark Era is an era of despair for most people, but for my Yuwen family, it is an opportunity!"
Their ambitions were great. They had gone to great lengths to kidnap Yun Fan's people because they wanted to claim the throne in this era.
Although the era of emperors had ended more than a hundred years ago, the Yuwen family believed that the Dark Era was the best opportunity.
In the past, they would have to worry about the Heavenly Master's suppression, and even if they claimed the throne, they would need the recognition of the Fengshan land.
But now, there was no need to worry. Firstly, the Heavenly Master had perished, and secondly, the Fengshan land had been closed.
They only needed the world's recognition to be legitimate. Therefore, Yun Fan became the primary target of the Yuwen family.
Currently, Yun Fan's reputation in China was unshakeable. As long as Yun Fan submitted to them, the world would have no doubts.
Once the Yuwen family stabilized their imperial position, they would deal with Yun Fan, as the Ghost Valley was a significant problem for an imperial family.
"Father, although we have everything ready, lacking only the opportune moment, what if that kid doesn't fall for the threat and acts directly?"
Yuwen Yuan voiced his concern. Although the Yuwen family seemed formidable, they were no match for Yun Fan.
If Yun Fan acted without restraint, no one in the Yuwen family could compete with him.
In response, Yuwen Kuo patted his shoulder. "Don't worry! I've arranged everything. Our ancestor is at a critical stage of revival. Once our ancestor fully recovers, let alone that kid, even his deceased master wouldn't be able to change the outcome!"
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Yuan was completely relieved. Their ancestor was the second most powerful expert of the late Sui Dynasty. With their ancestor present, the Yuwen family could establish themselves in the Dark Era, and after the Dark Era passed, the world would belong to the Yuwen family.
"I'll congratulate you in advance on ascending the throne, Father!"
Yuwen Yuan flattered him.
Yuwen Kuo let out a wild laugh. "The world will be yours in the future anyway, but you mustn't slack off in your cultivation!"
"Yes!"
Yuwen Yuan asked, "Father, should we capture the Heavenly Emperor too?"
"No!"
Yuwen Kuo said, "He is still the Heavenly Emperor of Great Xia, the supreme ruler of the secular world, unshakeable in the hearts of the people! Therefore, if we capture him, the world might turn its attention to our Yuwen family!"
"However, you don't need to worry. The reason the Heavenly Emperor can still sit in that position is because of that kid Yun Fan. As long as Yun Fan submits, the Heavenly Emperor will naturally abdicate. He won't affect our Yuwen family's ambition!"
"Yes!"
Yuwen Yuan said, and with a look of excitement, he left. However, Yuwen Kuo saw through his thoughts.
"Do you have designs on that woman?"
Hearing this, Yuwen Yuan did not hide anything and admitted, "Father, Ye Qingcheng is as beautiful as a celestial being. I intend to take her as my own!"
"You... come here!"
Yuwen Kuo beckoned with a blank expression.
Yuwen Yuan obediently walked over.
Unexpectedly, at that moment, Yuwen Kuo suddenly slapped him across the face.
"Slap!"
This slap almost sent Yuwen Yuan reeling.
"Scoundrel!"
Yuwen Kuo roared, "You cannot touch this woman, at least not now. If you do, who knows if that kid Yun Fan won't tear us apart? And we still need him!"
Yuwen Yuan listened and asked unwillingly, "Father, our ancestor has revived, do we need to be afraid of him?"
"Slap!"
He was met with another resounding slap.
"We don't need to be afraid of him, but his prestige is too high. We need him, do you understand?"
"Yes!"
Although Yuwen Yuan was very unwilling, he could only abandon this plan.
Yuwen Kuo said, "When our Yuwen family ascends the throne, you can choose any beauty in the world!"
"I understand, Father!"
Outside, Yuwen Yuan was filled with rage. "Old man, you still control me at this point? If I have the chance one day, I'll replace your throne immediately!"
Then, he angrily drove his sports car out to vent.
Although the women outside were not as beautiful as Ye Qingcheng, for now, he needed a target for his frustration.
However, his car had only traveled a little over a thousand meters when suddenly, a figure descended from the sky and landed heavily on the hood, instantly shattering the front of the car.
"Seeking death!"
Before Yuwen Yuan could even see who it was, he lashed out in anger. After all, he was about to become the Crown Prince, and someone dared to provoke him.
However, at this moment, a hand grabbed him by the neck and lifted him, throwing him out of the window.
Yuwen Yuan tried to resist, but then saw Yun Fan's foot step on him.
"Yun Fan, let me go!"
Yuwen Yuan's expression changed. He hadn't expected Yun Fan to come after him so quickly. His strength was pathetic, and he was no match for Yun Fan.
"Where is she?"
Yun Fan asked coldly.
At this moment, Yuwen Yuan gradually recovered. Facing Yun Fan's threat, he showed no fear.
Although Yun Fan was always powerful and a hero in the eyes of the world, don't forget that the Yuwen family had an ancestor guarding them. Even Yun Fan was nothing before their ancestor, so his courage grew.
"Yun Fan, I admit you have some skills, but I advise you not to trouble me, otherwise, my Yuwen family will not let you go!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Yun Fan applied a little more force, and Yuwen Yuan felt his internal organs shatter.
"Ah!"
In pain, he let out a roar.
"I'll ask you one more time, where is she?"
Yun Fan asked coldly.
This time, Yuwen Yuan was scared. He hadn't expected Yun Fan to be such a decisive and ruthless man.
So, he quickly said, "At my Yuwen family!"
"Take him away!"
After incapacitating Yuwen Yuan, Yun Fan handed him over to his subordinate, Tianying, and then the group headed to the Yuwen family together.
Yuwen Kuo was still lost in his daydreams, not expecting Yun Fan to storm into the Yuwen family with his men.
He didn't understand why Yun Fan was so arrogant. However, when he saw his son being held captive by Yun Fan, he cursed Yuwen Yuan for being a fool.
At this point, wasn't it better to surrender to Yun Fan when he arrived? He had to go out and be reckless, and now there was little capital for negotiation.
"Young friend Yun, welcome to my Yuwen family!"
Yuwen Kuo said with a smile.
"Father, save me!"
Yuwen Yuan quickly pleaded for help, but Yuwen Kuo ignored him.
Yun Fan said, "Release Qingcheng and the Long family people, otherwise, don't blame me for leveling your Yuwen family!"
Yang Can also stepped forward. "Patriarch Yuwen, I am from the Yang family. I hope you will give me some face and release the people, otherwise, the consequences will be unpredictable!"
Upon hearing this, Yuwen Kuo laughed. "So, it's Patriarch Yang. If your words were from a thousand years ago, they might still hold some weight. After a thousand years, we have no more connections, and your words are no longer effective!"
At this, Yang Can was extremely angry. Without his Yang family, how could the Yuwen family have achieved their glory? But after all, a thousand years had passed, and everything had faded.
"If you don't release them, then I'll deal with your son!"
Yun Fan lost his patience.
However, Yuwen Kuo said with certainty, "I have plenty of sons. If killing him can appease your anger, then kill him!"
At these words, Yuwen Yuan was almost scared out of his wits. He hadn't expected this old man to be so ruthless.
To achieve his goal, he was willing to sacrifice his own son without hesitation.
The most heartless are the imperial families, let alone the Yuwen family, who had not yet become an imperial family!
"Do you think I don't dare?"
Yun Fan snorted coldly and was about to act.
Just then, Yuwen Kuo spoke again. "Young friend Yun, in fact, I invited you here this time because I want to cooperate with you!"
"Cooperate on what?"
Yun Fan asked disdainfully.
He said, "Of course, we'll cooperate on a great undertaking. My Yuwen family wants to claim the throne in this era. As long as you publicly declare that my Yuwen family has the demeanor of an emperor and acknowledge our claim to the throne, I will release your people and promise to protect you during the Dark Era."
Hearing this, both of them realized the schemes of the old fox, Yuwen Kuo.
So, Yang Can said, "Patriarch Yuwen, times have changed. Your Yuwen family is going against the tide and is destined to disappear into the river of time!"
"Hmph!"
Yuwen Kuo snorted, "My Yuwen family is in accordance with heaven's will. How can we be going against the tide? This era is destined to be our Yuwen family's!"
"What if I don't agree?"
Yun Fan asked coldly, dreaming of claiming the throne.
Yuwen Kuo said confidently, "If you don't agree, not only will your people die, but you will also die!"
"Do you have that strength?"
Yun Fan's tone was filled with deep disdain. He didn't know who gave this old fox the courage.
Yuwen Kuo, who was prepared, asked, "Have you heard of Yuwen Chengdu?"
At these words, Yang Can's expression changed. The second strongest expert of the late Sui Dynasty, Yuwen Chengdu, apart from that fool with peerless divine strength, could be described as the number one in the world back then.
So, this was the source of his confidence.
"I'll give you time to consider. You are a smart person, you know what to choose. My ancestor can protect you, and he can also destroy you!"
Yuwen Kuo said triumphantly. He knew that with their ancestor present, not only Yun Fan, but even those sleeping warriors would have to yield. This was the power of their ancestor.
However, Yun Fan directly replied, "No need to consider further. Your Yuwen family is not worthy of claiming the throne!"