From the fake emperor to the concubine

“Yes, Master.” Wei Siling respectfully retreated to the door.

Zhang Yunfan took out a Nine-Turn Rejuvenating Pill, a top-grade pill for restoring spiritual power, which was extremely expensive. But he couldn't care less about that now and swallowed it directly.

The pill melted instantly upon entering his mouth, and a warm medicinal power spread throughout his body in an instant. Zhang Yunfan could clearly feel that his parched dantian was beginning to regain its vitality, and the meridians damaged by excessive consumption were slowly repairing themselves.

"Excellent pills." Zhang Yunfan exclaimed, then took out several more blood-replenishing pills and spirit-nourishing pills.

In order to kill the Black Dragon, he didn't hesitate to burn his life essence to unleash the "One Sword Light Chills Nineteen Provinces" technique, which caused considerable damage to his body. He needs to recuperate properly now, otherwise it may leave hidden dangers.

As Zhang Yunfan swallowed the pills, his complexion began to improve, and his breathing gradually stabilized.

"Senior, how was my performance just now?" Zhang Yunfan asked Zheng Yi through his divine sense.

"Excellent," Zheng Yi said approvingly. "To be able to kill a powerful enemy at the mid-stage of the Golden Core realm with only early-stage Foundation Establishment cultivation is extremely rare even in the cultivation world."

"Thanks to your guidance, senior," Zhang Yunfan said modestly.

"It's mainly due to your own talent and hard work," Zheng Yi said with a smile. "However, you did expend a lot of energy today and need to recover properly."

"Disciple understands." Zhang Yunfan nodded. "However, Senior, that Qi Yang should be coming to us soon."

"You mean the kidnapping of Zheng Chengbai?" Zheng Yi said in a deep voice.

“That’s right. Given Qi Yang’s current frenzied state, he definitely won’t let this go easily,” Zhang Yunfan analyzed. “Having lost two demon clan hall masters, he has no way out.”

"So what do you plan to do?" Zheng Yi asked.

“Wait,” Zhang Yunfan said calmly, “wait until he walks right into our trap.”

"Walking into a trap?" Zheng Yi asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Senior, do you think the Zheng family's protective mountain formation can withstand attacks from late-stage Foundation Establishment cultivators?" Zhang Yunfan suddenly asked.

“Of course,” Zheng Yi replied. “I personally set up the Zheng family’s protective array. Even a cultivator in the early Golden Core stage would need a very long time to break through it with their full power.”

"What if Qi Yang launches a frenzied attack on the great formation?"

“He’ll expend a lot of energy, and it’ll be difficult to achieve any results.” Zheng Yi immediately understood Zhang Yunfan’s meaning. “You want him to expend his energy on his own?”

“That’s right.” A glint of light flashed in Zhang Yunfan’s eyes. “Qi Yang has lost his mind. With just a little provocation, he’ll definitely do something impulsive.”

"Smart," Zheng Yi praised. "This way, once you've recovered, dealing with him will be much easier."

The two were talking when a violent tremor suddenly came from outside.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The entire Zheng family mansion was trembling, as if an earthquake had struck.

"As expected, they've arrived." Zhang Yunfan sneered and continued to focus on recovering his strength.

At this moment, in the square outside the Zheng family mansion, Qi Yang was frantically attacking the mountain-protecting formation.

His eyes had turned bloodshot, and he was like a madman, constantly unleashing various attack spells.

"Blood Demon Impact!"

"Heart-Eating Demon Claw!"

"Demonic energy is overwhelming!"

A barrage of crimson attacks bombarded the protective array, creating ripples. However, the array's defenses were extremely strong, remaining unmoved no matter how it attacked.

"Zheng Tianhao! Get out here!" Qi Yang roared madly, "You think you're so tough? Come out and fight me if you dare!"

"And that damned Zhang Yunfan! He killed my men, and now he's hiding in his turtle shell, too scared to come out. What kind of hero is he!"

Qi Yang's shouts echoed throughout the Zheng family, making sure that all the clansmen could hear them clearly.

In the council hall, several elders of the Zheng family gathered to discuss countermeasures.

"This Qi Yang is simply too arrogant!" An elder slammed his fist on the table in anger, "How dare he be so insolent in front of our Zheng family's gate!"

“Yes, this is an insult to our Zheng family!” another elder exclaimed indignantly.

"Elders, calm down." Although Zheng Tianhao was also furious, he remained rational. "Chengbai is still in their hands; we cannot act impulsively."

“But clan leader, are we just going to let him shout at the gate like this?” an elder asked unwillingly.

"Let's be patient for now," Zheng Tianhao said through gritted teeth. "We'll figure something out once Yunfan recovers."

"Yunfan?" an elder asked doubtfully. "Clan leader, do you have so much confidence in that young man?"

"Of course I'm confident," Zheng Tianhao said confidently. "You haven't seen it with your own eyes, so you don't know how terrifying Yunfan's strength is."

"With his early Foundation Establishment cultivation, he consecutively killed two mid-Golden Core demon clan hall masters! Even I couldn't achieve such a feat!"

The elders present were shocked upon hearing this.

They had only heard that Zhang Yunfan was doing well, but they never expected him to be so extraordinary.

"Really?" an elder asked incredulously.

“Absolutely true.” Zheng Tianhao nodded seriously. “I saw it with my own eyes; there’s no way it could be fake.”

"Then what is this kid's background?" an elder asked in confusion.

"We'll talk about that later," Zheng Tianhao waved his hand. "Right now, the most important thing is to wait for Yunfan to recover, and then figure out a way to rescue Chengbai."

While the Zheng family was discussing the matter internally, Qi Yang's attack outside intensified.

"Damn turtle shell! Break it open!" Qi Yang had completely lost his mind, and was willing to burn his own life essence to enhance his attack power.

"Blood Demon Burns the Body!"

Blood-red flames erupted from his body; this was one of the forbidden moves of the "Heart-Eating Demon Art," possessing immense power but also causing great damage to the user.

With the enhancement of the Blood Demon Flame, Qi Yang's attack power increased dramatically. But even so, the mountain-protecting formation remained as solid as a rock.

"Impossible! This is impossible!" Qi Yang shook his head frantically. "How could a mere mountain-protecting formation be so sturdy?"

What he didn't know was that the Zheng family's protective mountain formation was personally set up by a Nascent Soul stage expert like Zheng Yi. How could a late Foundation Establishment cultivator like him possibly shake it?
Just as Qi Yang was exhausted from his attack, a mocking voice suddenly came from within the mountain-protecting formation:

"Qi Yang, is this all you've got? You can't even break through a mountain-protecting formation, yet you dare to boast here?"

The voice came from Zheng An, the third elder of the Zheng family.

As an elder of the Zheng family, Zheng An had been seething with anger watching Qi Yang act so arrogantly in front of the gate. Now, seeing that the other party's attacks had been ineffective for so long, he finally couldn't help but speak up with sarcasm.

"Who? Who's speaking?" Qi Yang looked around angrily.

"It's me!" Zheng An's figure appeared at the edge of the great formation. "Qi Yang, you scoundrel of the demonic path, how dare you act wildly in front of our Zheng family's gate!"

“Zheng An?” Qi Yang recognized the man and sneered, “Very good, finally someone dares to show their face.”

"But you, a mere Foundation Establishment stage old trash, dare to be arrogant in front of me?"

"Old good-for-nothing?" Zheng An laughed angrily. "Qi Yang, it seems you still don't have a clear understanding of your own abilities."

"Today I'll show you what it means to be an old fox!" With that, Zheng An actually stepped out of the protective range of the mountain-guarding formation.

"Third Elder! No!" came the cries of other clansmen from within the formation.

But Zheng An had already made up his mind. As an elder of the Zheng family, he could not tolerate the enemy being so arrogant at his doorstep while he remained indifferent.

"Hahaha! Finally, someone's not a coward anymore!" Qi Yang laughed wildly. "But you old bastard, you actually dared to throw your life away! You're truly courting death!"

"Who dies is still uncertain!" Zheng An sneered. "Qi Yang, when I was dominating the cultivation world, you were still breastfeeding!"

"Enough nonsense, prepare to die!" Qi Yang waved his hand impatiently. "Blood Demon Thousand Blades!"

Countless blood-red blades shot out from his hands, densely attacking Zheng An.

Zheng An's expression turned solemn, and he immediately used his protective magic.

"Black Tortoise protects you!"

A yellowish-brown shield appeared in front of him, blocking most of the blood blade attacks.

However, Qi Yang's strength was indeed much greater than his, and several blood blades still managed to break through his defenses, leaving several wounds on his body.

"Hmph, as expected, an old piece of trash!" Qi Yang said disdainfully. "Is this the strength of your Zheng family elders? It's utterly disappointing!"

"Don't be so smug!" Zheng An gritted his teeth. "I haven't even used my full strength yet!"

"The Imprint of Mountains and Rivers!"

Zheng An took out an ancient seal, his natal magic weapon which he had cultivated for many years and which was quite powerful.

The seal rapidly enlarged in the air, growing to the size of a small mountain, and hurtled towards Qi Yang.

"A mere trick!" Qi Yang sneered as he met the attack. "Blood Demon Shakes Mountains!"

The blood-red fist imprint collided with the Mountain and River Seal, producing a tremendous roar.

To Zheng An's shock, his prized Mountain and River Seal was shattered by Qi Yang's single punch.

"What?" Zheng An's expression changed drastically.

The Mountain and River Seal was his natal magical artifact, connected to his divine consciousness. Its destruction caused him considerable backlash.

"Pfft!" A mouthful of blood spurted from Zheng An's mouth, and his aura instantly weakened considerably.

"Hahaha! This is what happens when you oppose me!" Qi Yang laughed triumphantly. "Old man, now you know how powerful I am, don't you?"

"Damn it." Zheng An gritted his teeth, but he knew in his heart that he was no match for him.

He was indeed at a disadvantage, being a mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator against a late-Foundation Establishment cultivator, especially since his opponent was practicing a powerful demonic art.

"Blood Demon Devours Souls!" Qi Yang decided to press his advantage and finish off this old guy completely.

The crimson demonic energy surged forth like a tide, attacking not only the physical body but also directly eroding Zheng An's consciousness.

Zheng An fought back desperately, but the difference in strength was too great, and he was soon surrounded by demonic energy.

"Ah!" A scream rang out as Zheng An was corrupted by demonic energy, and his life force was rapidly draining away.

"Third Elder!" came the exclamations of the clansmen from within the mountain-protecting formation.

Everyone could see that Zheng An was in a very dangerous situation, and he might lose his life if he wasn't rescued in time.

"Damn it!" Zheng Tianhao gritted his teeth. "I'm going to save him!"

"Clan leader, you mustn't!" an elder hurriedly stopped him. "This could very well be a trap set by Qi Yang; he wants to lure us out!"

"But Elder An..." Zheng Tianhao looked at Zheng An, who was suffering, and felt as if his heart was being torn apart.

Just then, Zhang Yunfan, who was in the cultivation chamber, suddenly opened his eyes.

"Almost there." He stood up. Although he hadn't fully recovered, he had regained about 70-80% of his strength.

"Master!" Wei Siling immediately greeted her, "How are you recovering?"

"Not bad." Zhang Yunfan stretched his limbs. "How's the situation outside?"

"That Qi Yang has been attacking the mountain-protecting formation, and Elder Zheng San went out to fight, so the situation is very dangerous now," Wei Siling hurriedly reported.

"Go out and fight?" Zhang Yunfan frowned. "Wouldn't that just cause trouble?"

He strode out of the meditation chamber and into the council hall.

"Yunfan! How are you recovering?" Zheng Tianhao greeted Zhang Yunfan immediately upon seeing him.

"It's alright." Zhang Yunfan glanced at the situation outside. "How is the Third Elder's injury?"

"It's very heavy. If we don't rescue them in time..." Zheng Tianhao didn't finish his sentence, but his meaning was clear.

“I’ll go.” Zhang Yunfan said without hesitation.

"No!" Zheng Tianhao quickly stopped him. "You've just recovered; it's not advisable for you to fight again. Besides, Qi Yang might be trying to lure you out."

“I know,” Zhang Yunfan said calmly, “but the Zheng family elders cannot die in front of me.”

"But..." Zheng Tianhao wanted to say something more.

"Clan leader, believe me." A confident glint flashed in Zhang Yunfan's eyes. "Qi Yang is no match for me now."

"Are you sure?" Zheng Tianhao asked doubtfully.

"I'm absolutely certain," Zhang Yunfan said confidently.

Seeing Zhang Yunfan's confident demeanor, Zheng Tianhao finally nodded: "Okay, but be careful. If things don't look good, retreat immediately."

"Understood." Zhang Yunfan nodded, then walked towards the entrance and exit of the mountain-protecting formation.

On the battlefield, Zheng An was on the verge of death. Qi Yang's Blood Demon Soul Devouring Technique was extremely powerful, not only attacking his physical body but also devouring his consciousness and life force.

"Old man, regretting coming out to your death, huh?" Qi Yang looked at Zheng An smugly. "But it's too late for regrets now. Just obediently die!"

Just as Qi Yang was about to launch his final attack, a familiar voice came from behind him:
"stop."

Qi Yang turned around abruptly and saw Zhang Yunfan slowly walking out of the mountain-protecting formation.

"Zhang Yunfan!" A crazed killing intent flashed in Qi Yang's eyes. "You've finally come out!"

"I've arrived," Zhang Yunfan said calmly. "Now, can you let the Third Elder go?"

"Let him go?" Qi Yang sneered. "Dream on! None of you will leave here alive today!"

"Is that so?" A cold glint flashed in Zhang Yunfan's eyes. "Then let's give it a try."

Although he has not fully recovered, Zhang Yunfan is confident in dealing with Qi Yang now.

Based on our observations, Qi Yang had already expended a great deal of power and even burned his life essence in order to attack the mountain-protecting formation. He was now practically at his limit.

"Hahaha! Give it a try?" Qi Yang laughed wildly. "Kid, do you think you're still the same as before?" (End of Chapter)