Outside, near the Thunder King's Mansion, in a dense forest.
Shua~
At a certain moment, hundreds of figures appeared in the field.
Although the number was not large, their strength was extremely formidable. The weakest were First-tier Venerables, numbering around fifty. Next were thirty Second-tier Venerables, fifteen Third-tier Venerables, four Fourth-tier Venerables, and one Fifth-tier Venerable!
"Tenth Elder, the people are all here!"
A master from the Zhao family respectfully addressed the old man at the forefront. This elder was named Zhao Tianyun, a powerful figure from a branch of the Zhao family. His position as a Tenth Elder of the Zhao family clearly indicated his strength had reached the Fifth-tier Venerable realm, not far from the peak.
This operation was led by him!
"Hmph~"
"The Dragon Yang Emperor has always harbored intentions of suppressing our Zhao family. This time, they wish to use the successor of the Heaven-Breaking Thunder King from a hundred thousand years ago as a pawn. If this brat dies, let's see how the Dragon Yang Emperor will continue to suppress our Zhao family."
Zhao Tianyun paused, then continued, "This operation is taking place within the imperial capital. Our objective is to kill that brat named Ye Xuan and then retreat!"
"Remember, no one is to linger in battle!"
As orders were issued, Zhao Tianyun gave his final instructions, then said, "That brat is truly seeking death. Not only did he disrespect our Zhao family before, but he has now become our enemy. If this child doesn't die today, how will our Zhao family establish itself in the Dragon Yang Imperial City in the future!"
"Anyone who obstructs this operation, regardless of who they are, will be killed without mercy!"
"Yes, Tenth Elder!!"
As Zhao Tianyun's voice fell, the over a hundred people around him nodded solemnly, for they understood the gravity of the matter and could not afford any carelessness.
"Operation!"
Feeling the cold wind blowing, Tenth Elder Zhao Yuntian's gaze fell towards the Thunder King's Mansion, his eyes brimming with undisguised killing intent. "Brat, it's your misfortune to be associated with the Heaven-Breaking Thunder King, and even more so to stand against my Zhao family."
"Choose your path more wisely in your next life!"
With a cold snort, Zhao Yuntian was about to make a move, but at that moment.
"Ah~~"
A piercing scream echoed, and the next moment, a First-tier Venerable of the Zhao family was killed on the spot. The assailant was a man in a black robe.
"Bastard, kill him for me!!"
Upon seeing the arrival, Zhao Yuntian immediately ordered his subordinates to attack. Subsequently, all over a hundred subordinates, from First-tier to Fourth-tier Venerables, engaged.
"Kill me?"
The man in the black robe curled his lips in mockery. "People of the Zhao family, you all deserve to die!"
Boom~!
The man in the black robe unleashed a palm strike, and an invisible energy palm instantly annihilated all the Zhao family experts, including the Fourth-tier Venerable, in a single blow. The scene was incredibly shocking.
"What!"
Seeing this, Zhao Yuntian's expression turned grave. "Who... who are you!?"
"Such strength, at least a Seventh-tier Venerable realm!!"
Bang~~
Before Zhao Yuntian could ponder further, he was struck in the chest by the man in the black robe's palm. As the black robe flickered, Zhao Yuntian's pupils widened as he saw a face that shocked him immensely.
Long Bayu!
The foremost of the twelve thrones of the Dragon Yang Empire, a peak Eighth-tier Venerable!
And... the biological younger brother of the Dragon Yang Emperor, Long Baye!!
Damn it, how could it be him??
However, with this information, Zhao Yuntian unwillingly turned into a corpse, thudding heavily onto the ground, his body rapidly cooling.
And this was just the first location. Around the Thunder King's Mansion, countless individuals from various major forces had arrived.
They wished to eliminate Ye Xuan in one fell swoop and receive generous rewards!
But without exception, they were all killed by Long Bayu's subordinates. To allow his elder brother, Long Baye, to focus on handling the affairs of the Dragon Yang Empire, Long Bayu had, as expected, taken over the command of the Long family, becoming Long Baye's most trusted and capable assistant.
As a result, under the concerted efforts of the two brothers, the Dragon Yang Empire's national destiny flourished.
How could anyone sleep soundly beside the Emperor's couch!
The Zhao family, with their influence at court and the backing of hundreds of thousands of years of their heritage, acted with impunity, placing themselves above the law. This was something no emperor could tolerate. Moreover, the Zhao family was the most likely entity to surpass the Dragon Yang Empire.
It could be said that the Long family harbored a deep-seated resentment towards the Zhao family.
In an instant, the Thunder King's Mansion became a grinder for various factions, and countless powerful individuals perished as a result.
Of course, all of this was happening in secret, as no one dared to bring it to the open.
...
Half a day later, in the Zhao Family Estate.
Inside the grand hall.
"Crack~"
Upon hearing the report from near the Thunder King's Mansion, Zhao Tianchou's face contorted with cold rage. "The Tenth Elder and his entire force have been annihilated!"
"Good!"
"Such exquisite maneuvering!!"
Zhao Tianchou looked towards the Thunder King's Mansion. "It seems that brat Long Baye is serious this time."
Zhao Yuntian did not know that from the very beginning, he was merely a pawn, a disposable piece to test the waters.
Although the Zhao family's Tenth Elder was dead, Zhao Tianchou knew that this time, Long Baye was unwilling to hold back any longer. Thus, he would now commence the plan that had been brewing for hundreds of years.
"Since Long Baye intends to make a move against the Zhao family, it is time for the Dragon Yang Empire to change hands."
Shua~
At this moment, a figure appeared in the hall. This person was Zhao Yuntai, Zhao Tianchou's eldest son, a peak Eighth-tier Venerable, on par with Long Bayu, and the designated successor to the position of Zhao family head.
"Father!"
Upon entering the hall, Zhao Yuntai bowed.
Seeing his eldest son, Zhao Tianchou nodded. "Yuntai, inform the family elders to convene an emergency meeting."
"Furthermore, notify the Lanling Emperor, and tell him that the plan of hundreds of years is about to begin. After its success, the Zhao family and the Lanling Empire will divide the Dragon Yang Empire."
"This..."
Hearing Zhao Tianchou's words, Zhao Yuntai was taken aback. "Father, why so sudden?"
"Lingyun hasn't fully prepared yet. Rushing things might significantly diminish the outcome."
Zhao Tianchou raised his hand, stopping Zhao Yuntai's words, and briefly recounted the matter of the Tenth Elder. Upon hearing the full story, Zhao Yuntai fell silent.
At this point, they had no choice but to proceed.
"Alright, I will inform them immediately!"
"The Dragon Yang Empire will only belong to my Zhao family!!"
Zhao Yuntai's eyes flickered with ambition and greed. Hundreds of years of clandestine plotting was a long time, but fortunately, the plan could finally be implemented.
On the other side.
Deep within the Dragon Yang Imperial Palace.
After receiving the information from Long Bayu, Long Baye's eyes flashed with sharp ferocity. "The Zhao family, finally unable to conceal themselves any longer?"
"However, they truly spared no expense. Merely for a probe, they dispatched a family elder, a Fifth-tier Venerable expert, Zhao Tianchou, Zhao Lingyun. After centuries of dormancy, I will make your entire Zhao family vanish from the Dragon Yang Empire."
"Guards, summon all the guest retainers of the Dragon Yang Empire who are currently outside!"
"This time, I shall see how many trump cards the Zhao family has accumulated over the years!!"
"Yes, Your Majesty!!"
Hearing Long Baye's command, a confidant immediately withdrew from the hall. The ensuing struggle was bound to turn the Dragon Yang Empire into a river of blood. As for the future of the Dragon Yang Empire, no one knew.