Zhang Po also whispered to Xiao Yifei through a sound transmission: "We can't agree rashly, this might be a bit suspicious."

Xiao Yifei naturally knew that the invitation from the Xiao Family couldn't be accepted lightly, but if he refused Xiao Zhentian's invitation in front of so many people, Xiao Zhentian might feel embarrassed, making it even harder for him to spare him.

To go or not to go, that is the question. Besides, he had never been to this so-called Holy Mountain of the Xiao Family before, and who knows how many secrets are hidden inside. The Xiao Family has already made the biggest concession by giving an invitation, but he didn't expect anyone from the Xiao Family to guide him.

Xiao Yifei was caught in a dilemma, hesitating.

"What do you think, young brother Xiao Yifei?" Xiao Zhentian asked, seeing that Xiao Yifei hadn't responded after pondering for a long time, stroking his beard and urging him.

Xiao Zhentian gave the elders behind him a look, and they immediately understood, increasing the pressure surrounding them. Xiao Yifei and his companions suddenly felt a suffocating feeling wash over them, forcing them to break away from their thoughts and resist the elders' pressure with all their might.

"Xiao Yifei!" Zhang Po grit his teeth, standing firmly in front of Chang Wei. Due to his own cultivation level, Chang Wei was already showing signs of fainting under the pressure of the elders, but he still stood resolutely behind Xiao Yifei without retreating.

"Damn it! It seems that the Xiao Family is determined this time, and I miscalculated this move." Xiao Yifei thought to himself, realizing that if things continued like this, he and the contestants behind him would be crushed by the elders, so he had to temporarily adopt a gentle strategy.

"I agree with you! Please have the elders disperse this pressure quickly, the juniors can't withstand it any longer." Xiao Yifei shouted with the last bit of strength he had left.

"Hmph, overestimating yourself." One of the elders gave a cold snort, deliberately saying it loudly enough for Xiao Yifei and the others to hear. This elder was the one Zhang Po had schemed against, and it was clear this sentence was directed at Zhang Po.

"That's more like it. A wise man submits to circumstances, and since our Xiao Family has already offered such tempting conditions, young brother Xiao Yifei, if you don't accept, you'll be disrespecting me, Xiao Zhentian. Besides, a young person like you in the mere Golden Elixir realm is able to mobilize several of our Xiao Family's experts to appear and call on him. You should feel honored; don't refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit." Xiao Zhentian's mouth curled in disdain, feeling that today's demonstration of power was sufficient.

Even if Xiao Yifei and his companions were belligerent, they wouldn't be foolish enough to walk into their deaths. They were well aware of the gap in power between themselves and the Xiao Family elders, and even with Xiao Zhentian's arrogant remarks, they could only temporarily avoid the sharp edge, knowing that any sign of disrespect would be certain death.

Zhang Po, though possessing an indomitable spirit, found himself powerless against such overwhelming force, and had no choice but to clasp his hands toward the elders and say, "I apologize for today's events, senior."

The elder snorted coldly and turned his head away, no longer sparing Zhang Po and his companions another glance.

"Since you have agreed, then we'll settle on tomorrow morning. Early tomorrow, our people from the Xiao Family will take you up the mountain. The honor that the previous 'Martial Artist Conference' champions had is yours now, kid." Xiao Zhentian, reveling in the authority he had imposed on them, continued to apply pressure.

"Xiao Yifei thanks Senior Xiao." This time, Xiao Yifei directly knelt on one knee on the ground, performing a grand gesture to Xiao Zhentian, which in the eyes of others seemed tantamount to submission to the Xiao Family.

Seeing Xiao Yifei's actions, Xiao Zhentian was very satisfied. He laughed heartily several times and said, "Very well, such juniors are worth mentoring. We'll leave it at that then. Tomorrow morning, someone will come to take you away, so wait for it."

With that, Xiao Zhentian waved his hand grandly and departed with his group, leaving the contestants who had come to the gathering standing there, staring at each other in surprise.

Xiao Yifei remained kneeling as if frozen, reluctant to get up and ignoring the concern and small talk of the others. Seeing his attitude, they could only shake their heads and disperse, returning to their respective camps.

"Are you alright?" Zhang Po stepped forward and asked with concern.

Xiao Yifei shook his head and didn't speak; his heart was a jumble of emotions, feeling very uncomfortable.

The Xiao Family's move could be said to be very successful. Originally, Xiao Yifei planned to gather everyone to make a show of force in front of the Xiao Family, believing that winning people's hearts could conquer the world. However, he hadn't anticipated the Xiao Family would use absolute strength to show him what true power was.

As a result, not only did Xiao Yifei's intended display of might fail, but he also lost the momentum of everyone, ending in both gains and losses.

"Xiao Zhentian, just you wait." Xiao Yifei gritted his teeth, and this setback only fueled his determination, firing him up with rage and resilience.

After Xiao Zhentian left, Xiao Yifei spent the whole night immersed in his thoughts. As a doctor, was it wrong to heal the sick? Was a person's kindness so cheap? Even among the Seven Ancient Clans, must two families engage in both overt and covert struggles to the death?

Xiao Yifei had long seen the Xiao Family's invitation as a trap, ostensibly inviting him to the Holy Mountain to cultivate, but actually embedding many dangers within. Moreover, Sunburn Sacred Mountain was the Xiao Family's sacred mountain—a place not easily accessible to outsiders. Anyone outside the Xiao Family entering it was bound to face many unexpected challenges.

However, given the situation at the time, Xiao Yifei had no choice but to bravely accept the Xiao Family's invitation. Otherwise, if the Xiao Family's experts caused trouble on the spot, everyone present might suffer, and Xiao Yifei couldn't bear to bring such hardship upon others.

Zhang Po and Chang Wei seeing that Xiao Yifei couldn't fall asleep, tried to offer some words of comfort. Zhang Po even suggested using his position as the Family Head of the Zhang Family to negotiate with Xiao Zhentian, but Xiao Yifei refused. He didn't want his mistakes to involve his friends, and instinctively felt that this journey to Sunburn Mountain might not entirely be a bad thing.

Thinking of Xiao Zhentian's smug, small-minded demeanor at such an old age, Xiao Yifei felt indignant and finally, after much deliberation, made a decision.

This time, I will definitely go to Sunburn Sacred Mountain.

A sleepless night ensued, and early the next morning, as if fearing Xiao Yifei would backout, Xiao Zhentian sent several of his trusted aides from the Xiao Family to escort Xiao Yifei on his way.

Though only one night had passed, the events of the previous night—particularly Xiao Yifei's special invitation to Sunburn Sacred Mountain—had quickly spread. Many contestants were aware of it and came early to confirm the authenticity by inquiring outside the room of Team Fifteen, where Xiao Yifei stayed.

Just in time, the scene of Xiao Yifei being taken away by members of the Xiao Family was witnessed by those curious contestants, and the news quickly ignited heated discussions among the crowd.

"Is he really going to Sunburn Sacred Mountain?"

"Yes, how is that fair? We worked hard to compete here for a chance like this, and this kid does nothing and gets it!"

"What qualifies him, Xiao Yifei, to deserve such an honor?"

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