Depeo responded to Radu’s discontented gaze with a cold stare and said in a solemn tone, "Do not attempt to provoke that man. He has already proven his place with his strength. Your brother, after learning how to master Divine Artifact fusion and Power of Origin under a supreme figure, was still utterly defeated by him. If you challenge him, it will only..." 𝑓𝘳𝘦𝑒𝑤𝑒𝘣𝘯ℴ𝘷𝘦𝓁.𝑐𝑜𝑚

"Don’t equate me with my brother anymore. He has become the family’s outcast and, one could say, a disgrace!" Radu retorted with a flushed face.

"Your brother is making sacrifices for the family! You cannot look at him this way!" Depeo’s voice grew harsher. Having witnessed one child of the Vlad family suffer due to arrogance, he could not watch another make the same mistake. He hoped his sternness could dissuade the child before him from his foolish notions.

Clearly, his hopes were dashed. This handsome young man, celebrated as the Handsome Prince by the family, had lived under his brother’s shadow since childhood. Now that his brother had fallen from grace, forever excluded from the line of succession, he was desperate to do something to overshadow his brother and prove himself. Above all, he hated being compared to his brother.

"Sacrifice? Defeated time and again by low-level cultivators in those so-called energy deserts? Or perhaps turning into a woman to marry into other families for the clan?" Radu sneered disdainfully, mocking, "If it’s the latter, then he has made a tremendous sacrifice indeed! Depeo, you know our family has become a laughingstock among other Blood Race clans because of this, right? Those inferior families dare to mock me with such affairs! When I control the Vlad family, I will ensure they pay the price! As for Pei Yan..."

Raising his head arrogantly to Depeo, Radu declared, "You all overestimate him. He’s just a lucky guy who rose by borrowing supreme-level power. People like him will eventually run out of luck. Last time, he narrowly escaped because he wasn’t at the attack site, or my father would’ve already struck him down. How could we let him live today to insult our family’s honor?"

Seeing that his persuasion had no effect on Radu, Depeo had to issue his final warning, "I don’t care how you view Pei Yan, but I won’t permit you to rashly confront him or any Child of Origin. You must promise me that after rescuing your brother in the upcoming battle, we withdraw immediately without entanglement! If you can’t agree, I will order this mission aborted, and I will bear all consequences!"

"Alright, alright! I never said I intended to provoke that lunatic! There’s no need to be so anxious. Aren’t you also worried about my brother? This might be the last opportunity to rescue him." Radu knew this old man, who was highly valued by his father, would stick by his word once he made up his mind. Failing the mission would undoubtedly lead to his father’s punishment. So, softening his tone with a sigh, he said, "Though my relationship with that guy was never good, we are brothers after all. His humiliation is the Vlad family’s humiliation at large. That much I can see clearly! This mission is primarily about rescuing him, and we’ll deal with everything else later."

"That’s good." Depeo finally breathed a sigh of relief upon Radu’s statement. Just then, Wu Xiuping approached quietly again and said, "The match has reached its final stages. Pei Yan has withstood eighty-one strikes of the heavenly tribulation, and our people are engaged in a fierce struggle with him, with no clear outcome. To ensure Pei Yan’s safety, the Investigation Chamber’s forces are all tied up at the arena! Now is the perfect moment to launch a surprise attack."

"Oh? So Pei Yan has withstood eighty-one heavenly tribulation strikes and can still fight one against three? I can’t tell whether he’s too strong or if your contestants are simply useless." Radu was slightly stunned by the news, his surprise at Pei Yan’s formidable strength leading to an inevitable jab at the incompetence of the participants.

"Mr. Radu! We’ve shown you and your family enough respect. We’re delivering information and sending support to rescue your brother. Please watch your words!" Wu Xiuping, after enduring repeated insults, couldn’t conceal the anger in his voice as he coldly retorted.

"Wu! Now is not the time for disputes between us. You also mentioned it’s the perfect timing. The battle on the stage changes swiftly. We must seize the opportunity, so please give the order for your people to launch the attack! The operation can start now." Depeo was deeply worried by this discourteous young master. Seeing the conflict about to erupt, he hastily interjected between the two to shift the topic.

"Alright, Mr. Depeo, I hope you remember the events of these days and report our efforts in this operation to Prince Delakuri afterward." Initially angry, Wu Xiuping took a step back once someone mediated, leaving a diplomatic remark before turning away and assigning tasks to his men, ignoring Radu altogether.

Three minutes later, two prepared teams stormed the dwelling of the sects’ prominent figures, quickly locating Yirong Pavilion according to their intelligence. After using Bloodline Technique again to confirm the target’s presence, the rescue surprise attack commenced.

Boom!

A thunderous explosion erupted as the first wave of people scaled the walls. Watching the collapsing courtyard walls and several subordinates being flung skyward, Wu Xiuping’s face turned grim. Only one person stood in their way—a woman.

"Hah, just to guard against people like you launching assaults, I didn’t even attend the final match. I wonder how Pei Yan is faring now?" Xia Yuzhan muttered, standing unflinchingly amid the overwhelming onslaught of enemies and turning her eyes toward the match direction.

Radu, recognizing this woman from the intelligence as one of the Children of Origin, recalled how she once narrowly survived thanks to his father’s mercy. Now, seeing her valiant demeanor, he couldn’t help but feel a surge of desire to battle and conquer her.

Seeing through his intent, Depeo promptly reminded with a stern warning, "Marquis! Remember our earlier agreement: the fighting and entanglement are for others to handle! Our primary objective is to rescue Master Cai Peishen and withdraw quickly."

"I know! You don’t need to remind me again!" Depeo’s words were like a splash of cold water calming Radu’s heated thoughts, though displeased, they also brought him back to his senses. As he saw team after team dive into battle against Xia Yuzhan, he could only sigh helplessly, leading his men in a mad dash toward the basement holding his brother.