426 - Rebirth of a Star: Another Day, Another Drama

Chapter 426: The Fall of the Huo Family The space ability had always been Ye Ling Long's greatest asset. Every time she found herself in danger, she could rely on the space to escape unharmed. Gradually, she had become dependent on it. Never had she imagined that one day, the space would fail her. "Heh heh~ Trying to use spatial teleportation to escape? Don't bother. I've already set up a barrier formation, sealing the space within a hundred-mile radius. You can't run away," Bai Li Ran declared. Bai Li Ran hadn't expected Ye Ling Long to possess such an extraordinary space that could accommodate living beings. He assumed that she might use some special method of spatial teleportation. After all, methods like that weren't uncommon even in the Upper Immortal Realm. In a sense, Bai Li Ran's guess wasn't entirely off the mark. Ye Ling Long's heart sank. Given her current condition, she had no hope of confronting an immortal emperor-level expert. Just then, Qian Jun's voice echoed in her mind, "Bai Li Ran has no intent to kill you right now. Don't resist for the time being. Once your injuries heal, I can use your body to break open the space with the Qian Jun Sword." Qian Jun's words were like a beacon of hope for Ye Ling Long, and she felt a wave of relief wash over her. So, when Bai Li Ran bound her with the celestial weapon, she didn't resist and allowed herself to be securely tied up. "Bai Li senior, could you leave Ye Ling Long to the Huo family? She's the reason for our current plight. I need to make her suffer to quell the rage in my heart!" Huo Qian Xiong pleaded desperately after seeing Ye Ling Long subdued. His eyes were filled with malice and hatred as he glared at Ye Ling Long. Without Bai Li Ran's presence, Huo Qian Xiong seemed like he would have lunged at her to tear her apart. However, Ye Ling Long felt safest precisely because Bai Li Ran was there. Bai Li Ran's recognition of her unique array ability indicated that the book of formations was linked to the Bai Li family, and her blood could unlock such formations. This connection made her contemplate her mysterious ancestry, likely tied to the Bai Li family. Yet, being from the Lower Realm while the Bai Li family resided in the Upper Immortal Realm confused her because the passage between the two had been sealed for millennia. How had she ended up in the Lower Realm if she were indeed a child of the Bai Li family? This puzzled Ye Ling Long endlessly. However, within a family, bloodlines could be lost for various secretive and sordid reasons. Perhaps they initially wanted to end her life due to some conspiracy, and they weren't aware she had survived. Based on her years of acting and reading novels, Ye Ling Long quickly deduced some truths. Bai Li Ran's gaze momentarily lingered on Ye Ling Long, but he was interrupted by Huo Qian Xiong's entreaties. Annoyed, he turned to him, "This woman is of use to me. I can't hand her over," he said grumpily. Despite his irritation, he didn't lash out, respecting the years of allegiance from the Huo family. But Huo Qian Xiong, oblivious to Bai Li Ran's growing impatience, tried to curry favor. "Bai Li senior, if you give Ye Ling Long to the Huo family, we're willing to hand over half our mines to you." His own strategic considerations led him to this offer, as the Huo family were unlikely to hold onto their mines. Presenting them to Bai Li Ran could deter others from offending the Bai Li family. Regrettably, he had overestimated the value of his offer. The worth of half the Huo family's mines paled in comparison to Ye Ling Long in Bai Li Ran's estimation. Before Huo Qian Xiong could understand his mistake, he felt a sharp pain in his chest, spat out a mouthful of blood, and was sent flying by an invisible force. Already injured, his condition only worsened. "Huo Qian Xiong, don't you understand my words? I said she is useful to me. You dare speak out of line? If the Huo family hadn’t behaved until now, I’d have scattered your soul!" Bai Li Ran warned, then added, "Enough! I have matters to attend to in the Upper Immortal Realm. I'm leaving." With a wave of his hand, a small flying shuttle appeared. It was similar to the airship Ye Ling Long used before, only smaller and faster, accommodating only two people — just enough for Bai Li Ran and Ye Ling Long. Bound and unable to resist, Ye Ling Long was taken aboard the shuttle, vanishing swiftly from Huo Qian Xiong's sight. For a long time after, Huo Qian Xiong stood amidst the ruins of his family's ancestral home, despair etched in his every breath. He crawled to his feet, staggering off into the distance. The Huo family was finished. ... Seven days passed, and the landscape of the Middle Immortal Realm underwent substantial upheaval. Previously, the Huo family reigned supreme, commanding nearly all significant mining veins in the region and amassing vast amounts of celestial crystals. These resources enabled them to nurture countless family experts and elders. Yet overnight, the upper echelons of the Huo family were decimated, their most formidable figures perished. The powerless Huo family became easy prey. Soon enough, enemy clans, seizing the opportunity, exacted revenge, annihilating the remaining members of the Huo family — a downfall that became the talk of all cultivators in the Middle Immortal Realm. Speculation about the identities of the assailants emerged, but the Huo family's past arrogance and frequent enmity provided no shortage of suspects. Unable to pinpoint the true culprits, the matter was left unresolved. The remnants of the Huo family's mines and territories were quickly divided among various sects and family powers. The fastest to act, and the one who gained the most, was the Tong Tian Merchant Association. Inside the Tong Tian Merchant Association, several individuals carried a large burlap sack into the main hall. Positioned above them was Yuan Qing Feng, the young master of the association. Seated to his side were Master Hai, Zou Guan Qing, and Feng Li. With a dull thud, the sack hit the ground, and a muffled groan — evidently male — escaped from within, suggesting there was a person inside. Yuan Qing Feng motioned with his chin, prompting someone to open the sack, revealing a bloodstained, tightly bound man.