No one knew exactly how he had appeared, nor whether he had been there all along. It was only when he revealed himself that everyone finally caught sight of him.
"The two old family heads speak too seriously," Yang Bai said, his gaze sweeping calmly over the assembled crowd, his demeanor utterly composed. "We did not come today with the intention of starting a war."
"No intention to start a war?" Yang Yinghao snorted coldly. "Then why did the Evil Lord and the Six Great Evil Kings come today?"
Yang Bai replied indifferently, "We came only to seek peace."
"Seek peace?" Everyone's expression grew strange. No one had expected Yang Bai to utter such words.
Ignoring the others, Yang Bai turned his gaze upon Yang Kai, studying him intently. His expression grew solemn, more serious than anyone had ever seen, and he spoke in a deep voice, "Grand-nephew, it has been a while."
"Grand-uncle, I trust you have been well!" Yang Kai grinned.
Yang Bai gave a slight nod. "This grand-uncle underestimated you. I never imagined you would become my greatest enemy. To have achieved such heights, you truly are no ordinary grand-nephew."
"You flatter me, Grand-uncle. Times make heroes. I must actually thank you for giving me the opportunity to demonstrate my abilities."
"We are family, no need for thanks." Yang Bai's face was gloomy, looking somewhat displeased. Although his methods were vast, he had indeed misjudged things. He never expected that a mere youth like Yang Kai could stir up such a tremendous storm, forcing him to show himself today.
"Grand-nephew, I have come today with the genuine desire to negotiate peace with you," Yang Bai said earnestly. "Although the strength you have gathered now likely surpasses my Holy Land, if we truly fight, how many on your side do you think will survive? Why don't we both simply cease hostilities now?"
"Very well." Yang Kai nodded emphatically. "Since you have this intention, how could your grand-nephew refuse? I also have no wish to face a master like yourself as an enemy."
"You are very agreeable, grand-nephew." Yang Bai chuckled softly.
Yang Kai's expression shifted, turning cold and sharp. "However, before we discuss peace, could Grand-uncle perhaps offer up some heads? My father and Grandmaster have been thinking of you ever so fondly!"
"How dare you!" Balian King roared. "You little brat..."
Before he could finish, Yang Bai raised a hand, silencing him.
Yang Bai slowly shook his head. "It seems my grand-nephew is determined to be my enemy."
He wore an expression of deep pain and regret, as if truly lamenting Yang Kai's decision.
"Grand-nephew, your decision will determine the fate of countless people. It will leave countless families torn apart. I hope you will reconsider carefully." Yang Bai made a final effort.
"Then ask these Eight Great Families! Ask all of Zhongdu if they are willing to make peace with you!" Yang Kai shouted coldly.
Yang Bai sighed softly. "In that case, there is nothing more to say."
As his words fell, the aura of everyone present surged.
Yang Kai fixed his gaze deeply upon Yang Bai, then suddenly let out a furious roar: "Attack!"
The powerhouses of the Eight Great Families charged forward as one. The martial artists of Yang Kai's manor, previously hidden within the crowd, also emerged. Thirteen Blood Guards, Lü Si, Li Yunchun, Ling Taixu, and the ten Supreme Realm experts who had joined later—each one erupted with their True Essence, converging upon the Six Great Evil Kings.
A sinister, cackling laugh rang out. Poison King's figure blurred, and a vast expanse of emerald-green toxic mist descended from the sky, blanketing the area below.
From Ghost King's body, waves of vengeful spirits and spectral entities shot forth ceaselessly. The wailing and howling of ghosts sent chilling winds sweeping through all of Zhongdu.
Thunder Shadow King transformed into a bolt of lightning, his speed so great that almost no one could track him. Only a shadow, like a tick attached to bone, clung tenaciously to his trail.
It was Shadow Nine!
Having advanced to the Supreme Realm, Shadow Nine still could not match Thunder Shadow King in pure speed, but he could at least restrain him slightly.
Battle King's earth-shattering roar erupted as he threw a savage punch. An unadorned strike, yet the explosive force behind it pulverized the Yang Family's heaven-worshipping altar. The ground within a radius of dozens of yards instantly caved in.
Thunder Beast King let out a shrill cry, and countless fifth and sixth-grade demon beasts rapidly closed in from the distance, led by the seventh-grade beast mother, the Spider Queen.
The powerhouses of Cang Yun Evil Land took to the air on swords or rode demon beasts, their momentum overwhelming as they surged forward.
Five of the Six Great Evil Kings attacked without hesitation.
Only Shan Qingluo, her expression hesitant and complex, quietly retreated some distance. She casually released her True Essence, radiating waves of bewitching energy.
She did not want to fight, but with Yang Bai present, she had to put on a show.
"Rebellious disciple! Today is the day you die!" Ling Taixu targeted Evil Lord Yang Bai directly, joining forces with several Supreme Realm experts from the Eight Great Families to attack him.
"Master..." Yang Bai gazed at him with pity, but did not engage them head-on. His figure simply shimmered, transforming into a streak of cyan light, and vanished.