The newcomers were naturally from the Cao family, a total of ten people.
Moreover, these ten individuals were all peak experts at the Divine King realm.
Six were at the early stage, three at the middle stage, and one at the late stage.
Sensing the aura emanating from them, a flicker of shock quickly crossed Zi Linling's eyes, but it was only shock.
Xuanyuan Xun, Rong Guang, Shangguan Yulin, and Shen Liuxing also adopted a solemn expression.
Although the four of them were Divine Kings, they were only at the early stage.
Four against ten was an overwhelming disparity in strength.
"Young Master, you summoned us in such urgency, have we encountered any trouble?"
The late-stage Divine King expert respectfully asked Cao Chunyu.
Seeing the reinforcements arrive, Cao Chunyu's confidence grew considerably. He pointed at Zi Linling and the other four, saying, "These people have unknown origins. They are likely spies from the Crimson Source Blood Domain, here to gather intelligence on our Crimson Blood City!"
"It's just that they had bad luck and ran right into this young master. This young master now commands you to capture them immediately. Oh no, capture that woman. As for the men... kill them without mercy!"
"Yes, Young Master!"
The late-stage Divine King expert responded with a cold expression and then addressed the other nine, "Don't you hear what the Young Master said? Hurry up and do as ordered!"
A middle-stage Divine King expert glanced at Zi Linling and the five with arrogance. "Four early-stage Divine Kings and one peak Great Divine realm? We three don't need to make a move, do we?"
The other two middle-stage Divine King experts nodded in agreement and stepped aside.
The six early-stage Divine King experts exchanged glances and were about to pounce on Zi Linling and the five.
Just then, another ten figures swiftly arrived.
These people were from the Gou family, led by Gou Fugui's father, Gou Shiren.
Gou Shiren had nearly lost his soul when he saw the distress signal his son had sent.
After all, Gou Fugui was his lifeline. Any mishap would leave the Gou family without an heir.
Therefore, he personally led his men to rush over.
When he saw Gou Fugui among the crowd, the stone in his heart finally settled.
He first bowed to Cao Chunyu with a fawning smile, "Young Master Cao, has Zi Ran been unruly and angered you?"
Cao Chunyu shook his head and said with an arrogant smile, "Uncle, we'll discuss Zi Ran's matters later. Let's deal with these spies from the Crimson Source Blood Domain first!"
Only then did Gou Shiren notice the tense confrontation and his expression shifted slightly. "Fugui, what's going on?"
Gou Fugui quickly explained, "Father, these people appeared out of nowhere. Not only did they injure our household guards, but they also injured me. Oh, and they almost injured Young Master Cao!"
"Young Master Cao and I suspect they are spies sent by the Crimson Source Blood Domain, trying to gather intelligence on our trip to Snow City!"
Upon hearing this, Gou Shiren knew it was a fabrication.
But what did it matter?
Having injured his precious son and nearly injuring the young master of the Cao family, they had inevitably become enemies of both the Gou and Cao families.
"Since they are spies from the Crimson Source Blood Domain, then kill them!"
Gou Shiren said this and then added with a fawning smile to Cao Chunyu, "What do you think, Young Master Cao?"
He asked for Cao Chunyu's opinion naturally to curry favor with the Cao family.
Cao Chunyu's unrestrained gaze swept over Zi Linling, and he said, "Leave that woman. You can deal with the rest as you please!"
The late-stage Divine King expert of the Cao family instantly understood Cao Chunyu's intentions. He subtly gave a gesture to the six early-stage Divine King experts of the Cao family, signaling them not to act rashly.
Since there were dogs to use, why dirty their own hands and lower the Cao family's standing?
The six early-stage Divine King experts understood, their taut auras instantly dispersed, and they adopted a posture of watching a play.
To curry favor with the Cao family, Gou Shiren was willing to offer his own daughter, so he naturally wouldn't pass up this opportunity to show off.
Thus, he said to the Gou family experts behind him, "Do as Young Master Cao commands!"
"Yes!"
The nine individuals brought by Gou Shiren were all early-stage Divine King experts.
They responded, and eight of them attacked Xuanyuan Xun, Rong Guang, Shangguan Yulin, and Shen Liuxing.
The remaining early-stage Divine King expert charged towards Zi Linling.
Xuanyuan Xun, Rong Guang, Shangguan Yulin, and Shen Liuxing were prepared and immediately engaged the eight individuals.
Although the combat strength of the four was not comparable to monstrous talents like Zi Linling and Ye Lingyuan, they were all heavenly prodigies. Fighting one against two, they handled it with ease.
The Overlord Spear, Vermilion Bird Feather Fan, Primordial Poison Tree, and Black Long Flute flickered with spiritual energy, striking awe into the hearts of Gou's eight Divine Kings.
Even Cao's Divine Kings were shocked.
The Divine King who rushed towards Zi Linling looked at her with disdain.
In his opinion, it was a humiliating task for him, an early-stage Divine King, to deal with a peak Great Divine realm woman.
The words "easy as pie" were clearly written on the Divine King's face.
Little did he know that this woman he considered a mere peak Great Divine realm, who was so easy to capture, was actually the most terrifying one.
Having underestimated Zi Linling, being slapped in the face was a foregone conclusion.
He formed a claw with his right hand and lunged for Zi Linling's neck.
Zi Linling's eyes turned cold, her aura suddenly chilling, and a cold smile curled at the corner of her lips.
Her foot slipped, and she employed the Phantom Dragon Step, her entire body shifting. She lightly dodged the Divine King's grab.
The Divine King, having missed his attack, showed an expression of disbelief.
"Huh?"
He let out a slight exclamation and this time lunged towards Zi Linling's neck.
A dismissive smile appeared on Zi Linling's face, and she used the Phantom Dragon Step again.
The Divine King's attack naturally missed again.
He paused, then said contemptuously, "Your footwork is not bad, but if this is all you rely on, I advise you to surrender!"
Zi Linling chuckled coldly, "Surrender? Are you worthy? You're just a dog. Who gave you such confidence?"
"Hmph! Since you don't know what's good for you, don't blame me for not holding back!"
The Divine King said, then struck out with his palm towards Zi Linling.
If earlier he had only intended to capture Zi Linling, then now he intended to teach this sharp-tongued brat a good lesson.
Zi Linling smiled coldly and met his palm with her own. In a contest of strength, she had never lost.
"Bang!"
The two palms collided, emitting a dull thud.
A massive wave of energy rippled out from between them, kicking up a cloud of dust from the ground.