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"All clansmen of the Huyan Family, hear me!"
"The Sacred Nether Family — all members, listen well!" The Sacred Nether Family's patriarch spoke in a deep, commanding voice. "This is a personal writ the City Lord entrusted to me this afternoon. If anyone from the Sacred Family dares leave this hall — kill them!"
The atmosphere in the great hall shifted dramatically, and battle was on the verge of erupting. Every family head had been caught off guard — none of them had imagined the situation would escalate to such a serious degree. If it had only been Ye Xiu, Huyan Xiong, and the others moving against the Sacred Family, they might still have wavered. But the Sacred Nether Family's patriarch had personally stepped forward, and he held the City Lord's own writ. They could hardly say a word in the Sacred Family's defense now. Of the three supreme families, both the Sacred Nether Family and the Wind Snow Family had united on the same side — what was left to hesitate about?
Even the Sacred Nether Family had come forward.
Could it have been that brat
Fortunately, he had already made preparations. Otherwise, they might all die here today!
"How heartwrenching this is!" Shen Hong cried out loudly. "My Sacred Family has contributed so much to the
"Shen Hong, since you bring up contributions, perhaps we should discuss exactly how the Sacred Family clawed its way up to become one of the three supreme families of the City of Radiance," Nie Li said with a cold laugh. "Shall we lay out the casualty lists of the Sacred Family from every past beast tide? In every single one, the Sacred Family suffered the smallest losses — virtually negligible. In every major battle, the Sacred Family contributed the least and hoarded its strength, all to gradually become one of the three supreme families. And the other families you suppressed along the way — did you not do plenty of that? Speaking of contributions, any family here has contributed more than your Sacred Family!"
Hearing Nie Li's words, the many family heads recalled it all. The Sacred Family's losses really had been the smallest every time. In each beast tide, the other families suffered devastating casualties, yet the Sacred Family alone emerged with its status and power steadily rising — from a minor family all the way to one of the three supreme families!
"This is nothing but provocation and division!" Shen Hong glared at Nie Li with barely contained fury. "Our Sacred Family did suffer minimal losses, but we gave our all in every beast tide — not a shred was held back!"
"Not a shred held back? What a laughable notion." Nie Li sneered. "The Sacred Family's true conduct has been witnessed by all the other families. Your denials are futile, Patriarch Shen. Furthermore, we have obtained irrefutable evidence of the Sacred Family's collusion with the
"Accusations so eager to be believed need no justification?" Shen Hong's fists clenched with an audible crack. "How tragic, how lamentable — after everything the Sacred Family has done for the City of Radiance, we are brought to this! When the lips are gone, the teeth feel the cold. Today it is the Sacred Family — who knows which family will be next!"
This old fox Shen Hong certainly had a glib tongue. Even Ye Zong understood that no matter what conclusive evidence was produced, Shen Hong would deny everything to the death. And making the Sacred Family surrender meekly was impossible — in the end, it would have to be settled by force.
Just then, a grey-robed elder swept into the hall and landed beside Shen Hong, whispering a few words in his ear. Shen Hong's expression changed dramatically.
"Ye Xiu and his lot have betrayed the City of Radiance!" Shen Hong bellowed. "They used a diversion to lure us all here, and now the City of Radiance is under attack by the Dark Guild! All Sacred Family clansmen — fight your way out with me!"
Even now, the cunning Shen Hong was still trying to muddy the waters. Hearing his words, aside from the Huyan Family, the Sacred Nether Family, and a few others who firmly stood with the Wind Snow Family, every other family head hesitated. What if their own families really were under attack by the Dark Guild?
Even so, they dared not leap into the fray. They only rushed to send people back to check on their families.
Experts from the Wind Snow Family, the Sacred Nether Family, the Huyan Family, and several other clans had already locked in battle with the Sacred Family. Chaos erupted throughout.
Shen Hong took the lead, scattering dozens of Wind Snow and Huyan Family experts with blow after blow.
In the City of Radiance, Shen Hong was the third most powerful figure after
Experts from the Wind Snow and Huyan Families pursued them outside, and the battle grew even more chaotic.
Ye Xiu soared through the air, heading to activate the Myriad Demon Spirit Grand Formation. Once it was activated, Shen Hong and his people would have nowhere to run.
The moment Ye Xiu moved, three black shadows lunged at him. All three were Black Gold–level powerhouses.
"If you look down on my Sacred Family, you'll pay the price!" Shen Hong snorted coldly. His gaze fell on Nie Li in the distance, and killing intent blazed in his eyes. Everything that had brought the Sacred Family to this dire state was connected to Nie Li. "You damn brat — watch me tear you to shreds!"
Shen Hong roared and shot toward Nie Li like a bolt of lightning.
In Shen Hong's mind, with his level of strength, killing Nie Li and withdrawing without a scratch would pose absolutely no problem!