Chapter 6: Ambush and Crisis

This sudden marriage alliance kept both of the great longevity families on edge.

After exchanging perfunctory pleasantries with Shen Xian, the Ye Family delegation was eager to begin their return journey.

On the surface, the Shen Family appeared impeccably courteous, not only preparing an escort for the return trip but also offering generous gifts.

However, the escort itself was another matter entirely.

“A gaggle of Foundation Establishment cultivators? The Shen Family’s sincerity is truly overwhelming!” Ye Tong, a Golden Core Realm True Person, swept his icy gaze over the Shen Family guards, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

His eyes fell on Shen Xian, the legitimate son, filled with displeasure.

Only then did Shen Xian notice that the strongest guards provided by his family were merely at the Foundation Establishment Realm. There were even… Qi Refining Realm cultivators mixed in among them.

Clearly, this was the handiwork of his second brother, designed specifically to humiliate him.

Was this petty retaliation for the incident with the Spirit Gathering Array earlier?

A faint glint flashed in Shen Xian’s eyes. Instead of making a scene, he smiled and walked over to Ye Tong, lowering his voice. “Uncle, the arrangements were made in haste. Some discourtesy was unavoidable…”

He then whispered something into Ye Tong’s ear. Whatever was said, it was enough to make the dissatisfied Golden Core True Person drop the issue, though he still issued a cold command: “Let’s go!”

Ye Tong led his own people onto the spirit boat. Shen Xian yawned lazily and followed, landing on the deck. Behind him, his maid, Xiang’er, diligently brought over a cushioned lounge chair so he could recline in comfort.

Ye Qingxian, clad in a dress whiter than snow, stood aloof on the far side of the deck. Her expression was indifferent, as if none of this concerned her, her gaze fixed resolutely ahead.

“Depart!” Ye Tong ordered impassively.

The group boarded the spirit boat. It lifted off from the ground, pierced through the air, and vanished into the sea of clouds.

Meanwhile, on a high balcony of a Shen Family pavilion, Shen Li stood with his hands clasped behind his back, dressed in black and gold brocade robes. He watched the distant spirit boat depart, a cold sneer playing on his lips, his eyes full of calculation.

“The Millennium Longevity Celebration… Hah. I wonder how the Ye Family will treat my dear younger brother when they discover our ‘return gift’…”

…

The spirit boat soared through the sky, wreathed in mist and clouds as the scenery blurred past.

Inside the boat, the Ye Family guards communicated via sound transmission, occasionally casting disdainful glances toward Shen Xian.

“The dignified Third Young Master of the Shen Family can’t even muster a decent guard detail. What a joke!”

“I heard he has a ninth-grade spiritual root but is stuck at the second layer of Qi Refining. His cultivation is hopeless; the Shen Family gave up on him long ago.”

“Pity our Young Mistress. Even though she lost all her cultivation, she is still the Azure Province’s number one beauty. To be married off to such a useless coward…”

…

At this moment, Shen Xian lay on his lounge chair, hands pillowed behind his head, eyes closed in rest. He paid no heed to those looks.

It was rare for him to travel so far; naturally, he should take this chance to properly enjoy the scenery.

Boom!

However, just as Shen Xian was leisurely enjoying the peace, the spirit boat suddenly jolted violently.

A sharp sword light slashed out from the clouds, striking the boat’s automatic defensive array. A dazzling shower of spiritual light erupted.

“Formation!”

Ye Tong reacted the fastest. He barked the order while simultaneously unhooking a jade pendant from his waist. He poured spiritual energy into it and thrust it forward.

The deep crimson pendant flared with intense flames as he scanned their surroundings warily.

The Ye Family guards swiftly summoned their magical instruments and channeled their spiritual power. A brilliant array blossomed around them, shielding everyone aboard.

As for the guards sent by the Shen Family…

They huddled in a corner the entire time, faces pale. Several had already inched toward the edge of the spirit boat, looking ready to abandon ship at a moment’s notice.

“A mere early-stage Golden Core brat actually possesses a top-grade magic treasure!” A figure strode through the air from deep within the clouds.

Immediately after, other spirit boats materialized all around them. Each vessel was packed with cultivators who quickly encircled them completely.

As the only Golden Core True Person present, Ye Tong stared ahead intently, his brow furrowed deeply.

He kept an extremely low profile within his clan. How did these people know his strength so precisely?

Could it be that these weren’t ordinary bandit cultivators?

“You have some nerve! Do you know who you are blocking?” he roared sharply, attempting to probe them.

“Hah!” The masked man gave a cold laugh and raised his dark red sword once more. Immediately afterward, an overwhelming pressure descended like a collapsing mountain.

Even through the protective array formation, everyone could feel the immense weight pressing down on them.

Mid-stage Golden Core!

“Trash of the Shen and Ye Families! Today is your burial day!” The masked man shouted, swinging his sword again. Another massive beam of sword light crashed down toward them!

Ye Tong instantly realized these attackers were indeed well-prepared. He urgently channeled energy into his jade pendant to bolster their formation against this new assault.

The other guards also acted in unison to help disperse and deflect the incoming attacks from various directions. More enemies surged toward their vessel from all sides, and spells rained down upon their protective barrier like hailstones, creating a cacophony of crackling explosions.

In that initial moment when danger erupted, Shen Xian had instinctively moved closer to where Ye Qingxian stood, though he stopped himself upon seeing that the defensive formation was holding firm for now.

The situation looked dire; clearly, these assailants had come fully prepared, leaving no doubt about their intentions.

Although he possessed top-tier magic treasures himself, his cultivation was only at the second layer of Qi Refining. He wouldn’t last long trying to activate such powerful items under these circumstances.

Right now… his greatest reliance lay right beside him—the Empress herself!

Shen Xian glanced sideways at Ye Qingxian’s calm, expressionless face. Given who she truly was deep down, she surely had some life-saving means up her sleeve, despite appearing unconcerned by the danger surrounding them.

But… given her cold, detached nature—what if she simply stood by and watched him die without lifting a finger?

After all, although they were nominally husband and wife, their emotional foundation was basically zero.

No!

He needed to give her something else. If the System could trigger a rebate and return a better life-saving item, then a perfect outcome was all but guaranteed!