65 Dark Guild's Headquarters are destroyed

As the night grew late, Alan and Ye Ziyun returned to the City Lord's Mansion, the moon casting a silvery glow upon their path. They reached her room without incident, and Alan paused at her door, holding her hands in his.

Before leaving, he had one final surprise for her. With a sly grin, he presented a small, ornate box. "Ziyun, I have a special gift for you. I hope you like it."

Ye Ziyun's eyes sparkled with curiosity as she opened the box. Inside lay a beautiful, miniature orb within which was Demon Spirit named Divine Ice Phoenix.

It was no ordinary phoenix; it was a mutated Demon Spirit, its presence tinged with an air of divine elegance.

"It's a Divine Ice Phoenix with a God-level Growth Rate," Alan explained, his voice filled with warmth. "I thought it would be a perfect companion for you, matching your cultivation technique and helping you grow even faster."

Ye Ziyun's heart swelled with gratitude as she marveled at the exquisite gift. She threw her arms around Alan, showering him with kisses and words of thanks.

"Oh, Alan, this is incredible! Thank you so much!" she exclaimed, her eyes shining with happiness.

Alan accepted her affection with a contented smile, his heart filled with joy at her response. "I'm glad you like it, Ziyun. Just remember, it's there to help you on your journey, and I'll always be here to support you."

Their tender moment lingered, sealed with love and the promise of a brighter future. With one last loving gaze, Alan left her room and made his way out of the City Lord's Mansion, his thoughts filled with the memory of their wonderful date and the hope for many more to come.

As Alan made his way out of the City Lord's Mansion, completely unnoticed by the guards or anyone else, Shen Hong was discreetly working behind the scenes, setting up a complex plan to ensure the Dark Guild would target the Snow Wind Family.

Over the next couple of days, Shen Hong masterfully unveiled information about the Dark Guild's headquarters, creating a subtle but deliberate trail that led to the Snow Wind Family's attention.

Ye Zong, the leader of the Snow Wind Family, didn't waste a moment. He immediately mobilized the formidable experts of the Snow Wind Family, along with their loyal allies, forming a united front to confront the potential threat posed by the Dark Guild.

As the conflict unfolded, the clash between the Snow Wind Family's experts and the Dark Guild's forces ignited with an intensity that was palpable throughout Glory City.

The Sacred Family also participated in the shadows, their involvement shrouded in secrecy, such that no expert in the battle detected their presence.

The streets of Glory City echoed with cheers and celebration following the triumphant victory of the Snow Wind Family and their allies against the Dark Guild. The people rejoiced in the victory, relishing the hard-fought success.

However, within the ranks of the Dark Guild, there was a seething undercurrent of fury and restlessness. The relentless and calculated assaults by the Snow Wind Family on their headquarters had pushed the guild's powerful members to the brink of madness. Among them, Gui Sha, the Third in Command of the Dark Guild, emerged as one of the most formidable and furious figures. He demanded an audience with Shen Hong, the Patriarch of Sacred Family.

Gui Sha shouted aloud, his voice a torrent of anger, "Shen Hong, how dare you withhold your support from us? The Snow Wind Family and their allies have razed our headquarters, leaving our comrades in ruins and driving us to the precipice of ruin!"

Shen Hong, maintaining a composed demeanor, responded, "Gui Sha, I empathize with your frustration. However, you must understand that I had to safeguard the interests of my family. The timing for action was not right."

Gui Sha, clenching his fists, his voice laced with urgency, retorted, "We've suffered severe losses and cannot bear this any longer. We need a plan to obliterate the Snow Wind Family, and we need it immediately!"

Shen Hong, thoughtfully, sought to temper the storm of emotions, "Gui Sha, I share your sentiments. But charging headlong into battle is not the answer. We must be strategic and patient; remember, 'Revenge is a dish best served cold.'"

Frustrated and desperate, Gui Sha exclaimed, "We can't afford to wait any longer. The Snow Wind Family has crossed a line that cannot be ignored. They must pay for their actions!"

Shen Hong, his thoughts racing, presented an alternative, "I propose a plan, Gui Sha, one that harmonizes with our goals. The moment for revenge will come, but we must wait for the right time, a moment when we can strike at the Snow Wind Family when they least expect it."

Gui Sha, albeit reluctantly, urged Shen Hong to continue, "Go on..."

Shen Hong, with confidence in his voice, elaborated, "We must gather our strength and bide our time. In the interim, we'll divert our attention to other targets—ones that are less formidable. The Snow Wind Family will grow complacent, thinking they've emerged victorious, and that's when we will strike back, shattering them when their guard is down."

Gui Sha, after a contemplative pause, conceded, "I can't promise my fellow guild members will embrace patience, but I will present your plan to them. If it offers a genuine chance at success, it might quell some of their rage."

Shen Hong, his smile sly and subtle, acknowledged Gui Sha's decision, "Gui Sha, I have faith in your leadership. Let's not underestimate the impact of a well-timed and coordinated retaliation."

As the balance of power teetered on a precipice, the fate of Glory City hinged on the next move in this intricate and calculated game of manipulation and revenge.

As Alan discreetly observed Gui Sha's departure from the Sacred Family's Mansion, a thin smile curved upon his face. His intricate plan was set in motion, and the pieces were falling into place.

With the Dark Guild and the Sacred Family temporarily laying low, Alan sensed that the timing was ripe to embark on the adventure he had promised to Xiao Ning'er—the journey into the enigmatic realm of the Heavenly Sacred Border.