A choice between life and death
Although the Hall of Souls had instigated this, it was also their own ambition—to annex the Jia Ma Empire. Otherwise, Little Fairy Doctor's later attempt to withdraw her troops would have been opposed by all three forces. 🍓☮ 🐲✎
This shows that they had planned this all along, but they were just lacking a starting point.
The addition of the Hall of Souls was their best breakthrough point, because the Hall of Souls had already taken control of the Mist Yun Sect, which Chu Yun Empire and the other two major empires to attack the Jia Ma Empire with impunity.
As for the Xiao Clan, Qian Ye believes that the Xiao Clan is the Xiao Clan and Xiao Yan is Xiao Yan, and the two are not contradictory. Moreover, Xiao Yu and Xiao Mei are both his people, so he naturally wants to help the Xiao Clan overcome this crisis. After it's over, he plans to get a piece of land for the Xiao Clan so that they can live in peace in the capital.
When Qian Ye and Yao Ye arrived at the door, they saw that the people from the Mist Yun Sect were already waiting in the sky ten feet away. Of course, they were elders of the Mist Yun Sect who could Dou Qi Wings.
Judging from the original book, Elders Yun Sha and Yun Du have now broken through to the strength of Dou Huang. Although their advancement was not very stable due to the help of the Hall of Souls, their strength as Dou Huang cannot be denied.
"Dou Huang! When did Yun Du and Yun Sha break through to the Dou Huang level?" Mittel Tengshan exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the two.
It's no wonder they were shocked, considering that Dou Huang level expert is extremely rare even in a small empire like the Jia Ma Empire.
If this were a place like Central Plains, where Dou Zong Battle Masters) are everywhere, Dou Huang) would be worthless, like dog shit.
"This... this is impossible!" Not to mention Mittel Tengshan, Hai Bodong was shocked and couldn't believe it when he saw that the two of them had broken through to the Dou Huang level in just a few years.
Hearing their words, Ya Fei turned pale and looked at Elders Yun Sha. It was indeed true. "Old Hai, it seems we are outnumbered in this battle. I didn't expect the Mist Yun Sect to have two more Dou Huang in just a few years. It seems Yun Shan didn't come this time, but instead, Yun Du and the other two are leading the team."
Hai Bodong: "Yes, Yun Sha and the other two have already broken through to the Dou Huang. Combined with the dozen or so Dou Wang elders and the elite disciples of the Mist Yun Sect, Yun Shan didn't have to personally go."
"Alas, is this the end for our Mittel Clan?" Mittel Tengshan said dejectedly.
Seeing that the opponent had two more Dou Huang experts, his morale weakened by three points even before the battle began.
The members of the Mittel Clan were even more terrified when they saw that the other side had two more Dou Huang.
These people are used to living a life of luxury under the protection of the royal family of the Jia Ma Empire. Unlike the Mist Yun Sect, which focuses on cultivation, the Mittel Clan is mainly engaged in business. Therefore, the members of the family are not willing to waste their time and energy on cultivation, but instead focus on business. As a result, their strength is mediocre, their combat power is average, and they rarely have experience or actual combat. Most of them hire others to help them.
Once a crisis arrives, they're like ants on a hot pan; their legs go weak with fear even before the enemy arrives. They wish they could hand over the Xiao Clan as soon as possible and make peace with the Mist Yun Sect, hoping to avoid a fight altogether. 🐼♡ ❻9şĤǗX.ⓒόⓂ 🍮♪
On the other hand, the Mist Yun Sect is indeed powerful. Not to mention that the Mittel Clan, with its average martial prowess, cannot deal with it, even the royal family of the Jia Ma Empire is afraid of it.
"Patriarch, how can we fight like this? We must hand over the Xiao Clan, or our Mittel Clan will be truly finished this time!"
"Indeed! The Mist Yun Sect has gained two more Dou Huang, so is there any need to fight anymore? Even the royal family dares not provoke such a powerful force, how could our Mittel possibly withstand it?"
"Clan Chief Ya Fei, please heed my advice. Only by handing over the Xiao Clan can we save the Mittel Clan. I don't think you want to see the Mittel Clan destroyed in your hands, do you?"
"Yes! Hand over the Xiao Clan family members, and we'll save the Mittel Clan..."
Seeing that they were no match for her, the members of the Mittel Clan put pressure on Ya Fei, demanding that she hand over the Xiao Clan and reconcile with the Mist Yun Sect.
Although Mittel Tengshan didn't speak, he conveyed the same meaning. As the eldest elder of the Mittel Clan, he naturally wanted to protect his own side in this critical moment.
Ya Fei remained silent. In truth, she was in a difficult position. If it were simply the Xiao Clan, she wouldn't be willing to help them, nor would she. However, behind them stood Xiao Yan, and in front of her was Xiao Ding, her elder brother, who was sitting in a wheelchair. If she dared to push Xiao Ding and the other members of the Xiao Clan out today, she would never have the face to see Xiao Yan again.
Therefore, she did not intend to make a decision, but instead looked at Hai Bodong. After all, Hai Bodong's relationship with Xiao Yan was not much worse than hers; they were close friends despite their age difference. Moreover, Xiao Ding's acceptance by the Xiao Clan was actually related to Hai Bodong.
Moreover, Hai Bodong's position in the Mittel Clan is equivalent to that of a supreme elder. As long as he says a word, she, the patriarch, would not dare to object. After all, he was the one who helped her to become the patriarch. In addition, the Mittel Clan has developed to its current state under Hai Bodong's protection. Otherwise, with the strength of the Mittel Clan members, without a strong protector, they would probably have been devoured by other forces.
On the other hand, it was the support of the Jia Ma Empire that prevented others from interfering with the Mittel Clan's business.
However, since the Mittel Clan has offended the Mist Yun Sect this time, the royal family of the Jia Ma Empire cannot intervene on their behalf.
Normally, dealing with smaller factions is a piece of cake.
"No, the Xiao Clan cannot be handed over. I have already promised Xiao Yan that I would help him protect the Xiao Clan," Hai Bodong finally couldn't help but say.
Upon hearing Hai Bodong's words, the disciples dared not utter another sound. They knew that angering this Supreme Elder would have serious consequences. If he simply left, the Mist Yun Sect would become even more unscrupulous. No one knew whether the Mist Yun Sect would let the matter rest and retreat after they handed over the Xiao Clan.
"Alright then!" Xiao Ding finally spoke expressionlessly, "Let me and some of the Xiao Clan members stay, and you can help me move the rest out. That way, the family line won't be extinguished. I'll already be very grateful!"
The elders and members of the families, including Ya Fei and Mittel Tengshan, were speechless upon hearing Xiao Ding's words. They had no idea how to respond to such a statement.
This is tantamount to suicide, exchanging one's life for another, sacrificing the lives of most of the family members and oneself in order to save the lives of a small number of family members so that the Xiao Clan line can continue.
"Stop talking, Xiao Ding. I, the Ice Emperor, will not allow this to happen. Moreover, even if we hand you over, the Mist Yun Sect may not let it go!" Hai Bodong sighed.
He didn't want the Mittel Clan members to get involved in this conflict, but it had already come to this point, and it was too late to regret it. He could only go down this path to the bitter end.
"Brother Xiao Ding, you don't need to do this. I actually have two plans. I've already evacuated some family members in advance. Even if the remaining family members die in battle, our Mittel Clan will not be cut off. Of course, in case we are defeated, I will also have someone evacuate the remaining members of your Xiao Clan in advance, so you don't have to go out and die."
"Besides, haven't we lost yet?"
"Besides, given my relationship with Old Hai and Xiao Yan, how could I possibly stand idly by?"
After hearing Ya Fei's words, Xiao Ding looked up at her and saw the resolute and indifferent look on her face. He realized how deep her scheming was and admired Xiao Yan for being able to make such a confidante and for Hai Bodong's great help. If it weren't for the two of them, the Mittel Clan would have kicked them out long ago to protect themselves.
"Clan Chief Ya Fei, Old Jia, on behalf of the Xiao Clan family and my third brother, thank you!"