"That youngster Ye Yunfei is mysterious in origin and widely experienced. Even if they are merely three clones, they might still be of help to our Allied Army. Furthermore, Ye Yunfei has done great services for our Allied Army before. We cannot stand idly by and watch them perish," Chu Ji said.
"Indeed! Ye Yunfei is far too mysterious. The things he understands, the knowledge he possesses, seems to surpass even us old-timers!" an elderly man beside Chu Ji sighed.
"It's said Ye Yunfei has mastered many types of extremely advanced techniques and secret arts, especially techniques related to cultivating spatial energy. Despite his youth, he's cultivated spatial energy to a stunning level, capable of freely traversing space. Not to mention in our remote star domains, even in those powerful Central Star Domains, it's likely few experts can freely traverse space."
"Even though Ye Yunfei's main body has run into trouble, his clones surely possess his main body's memories!"
"Sound reasoning!"
...
One by one, the high-ranking officers of the Allied Army gathered around revealed greedy expressions.
"It's best you don't entertain any designs regarding Ye Yunfei," Chu Ji said evenly, his gaze sweeping deeply around the gathered Allied Army leaders.
A short while later, Chu Ji, leading a contingent of the Allied Army, quietly made his way towards the North Wilds Domain.
At that moment, the fierce battle continued above the Underground Cave Complex.
The three Clones Ye Yunfei had left behind weren't exceptionally powerful, but wielding the Artifact Control Mantra, they each manipulated a hundred artifacts to fend off a large force.
Furthermore, the three Clones also controlled the defense and offense of several hundred Formations, unleashing powerful effects.
The 142 Imperial Realm slaves forming the Eightfold Heavenly Dragon Battle Formation stubbornly held back the attacks of three Star Bridge Realm experts!
Having consumed the Blood-Melting Vitality Pills, these Imperial Realm slaves were burning their potential, performing beyond their usual level, and fighting with reckless abandon!
"Damn it!" roared the tall man from the Expeditionary Army, a Star Bridge Realm mid-stage cultivator, as he attacked the 142 Imperial Realm slaves ferociously, yet for a while, seemed unable to achieve any significant effect.
At the same time, inside the Underground Cave Complex...
"Elder Tang Wu, let's go out and join the fight as well," a large group gathered around Elder Tang Wu, Elder Tang Biaoguang, and the Houtu Sect Leader, all shouting fervently, their fighting spirit blazing.
"How proficient has everyone become with the three battle formations?" Elder Tang Wu asked, his gaze sweeping over everyone.
"Elder Tang, ever since receiving the formations, we've been drilling day and night! We are ready for the battlefield!"
"Correct! We are proficient enough to go out and slay our foes!"
...
The crowd shouted in unison.
"Everyone, remember this: The Jiaoxiu Kingdom's Expeditionary Army is far too powerful. We must not choose a head-on clash. For now, our primary mission is to break through the encirclement and escape! Once the time is right, we break out together. We will be divided into three groups. Each group will form one battle formation. This way, should we encounter enemy forces during our escape, we have something to fight with."
"But remember this well: No matter what, do not get caught up in pointless battles! To break out and preserve our strength is our current primary mission! I don't wish for anyone to act brazenly or be arrogant only to end up dead. 'As long as the green hills remain, you'll never lack firewood' — there will be time for revenge later! Is that understood?" Elder Tang Wu thought for a moment, then spoke clearly and loudly.
"Understood."
After hearing Elder Tang Wu's words, everyone fell silent for a beat before answering in unison.
"Elder Tang Wu, what exactly happened to Boss right now?" Wu Heishan suddenly spoke up, asking Elder Tang Wu.
Dugu Huan, Wen Zi, Yuan Dayong, Long Yingying, Ye Xue, and the others all simultaneously stepped forward, their faces filled with concern.
Everyone gathered around also fixed their gazes tightly on Elder Tang Wu, awaiting an answer.
After all, within this Underground Cave Complex, Ye Yunfei was the absolute core and the spiritual pillar!
"The news I received is that Young Master Ye was either killed or captured by the Star Sky Pang Clan," Elder Tang Wu said. "Of course, this is merely a rumor spreading outside. No one knows the real situation. I believe, with Young Master Ye's capabilities, he shouldn't be in any real trouble."
"The Star Sky Pang Clan. I've remembered it. If Ye Yunfei truly gets into trouble, I will go settle accounts with this organization in the future," Dugu Huan said slowly, word by word.
As he spoke, a terrifying surge of saber Qi erupted from his body, soaring skyward. All those around felt as though countless sharp blades were cutting into their skin. Traces of saber Qi, like a school of deep-sea fish, swirled around Dugu Huan's body, the scene both startling and intimidating.
"Such frightening saber Qi!"
Everyone drew a sharp intake of cold air.
It could be said that Dugu Huan had become the most powerful combatant within the cave complex — excepting those 142 Imperial Realm slaves, of course.
"Brother Dugu, rest assured. If Boss truly is in trouble, I swear I'll accompany you to settle scores with that shitty Star Sky Pang Clan! Even if I, Wu Heishan, have to risk my life, I'll avenge Boss!" Wu Heishan declared, thumping his chest.
"Pfft! You all seriously think that freak will get into trouble? I've known that freak for more than a day or two. You all just wait and see!" Wen Zi snorted disdainfully.
"Alright, everyone. Let's get ready to break out," Elder Tang Wu interrupted Wu Heishan and the others.
After that, under Elder Tang Wu's command, everyone was divided into three groups. Each group was just the right size to form a single battle formation.
Regarding the three battle formations passed down by Ye Yunfei, Elder Tang Wu had already ensured everyone had drilled until they were thoroughly familiar, forming true combat capability.
"Action!"
Elder Tang Wu waved his hand.
Thus, the group split into three, starting to leave the Underground Cave Complex from three different directions.
Leading the way for each group were Houtu Sect experts. Using geomancy techniques, they excavated underground tunnels to facilitate their escape.
However, just as these three groups began moving along their respective tunnels...
Boom! Boom!...
Ferocious blasts of power slammed down from the surface.
Instantly, multiple craters were blasted open. The underground tunnels for all three groups were severed!
"Hahaha...
Our reinforcements are finally here! All of you — Ye Yunfei's three clones and everyone else — are all going to die!" The tall man from the Expeditionary Army laughed maniacally from the surface.
An entire troop from the Expeditionary Army had just arrived, deploying an impenetrable net around the area. Even spots several thousand meters underground were sealed!
"Kill!
Slaughter them all!"
A black-robed elder waved his hand sharply, barking out the command.
The newly-arrived Expeditionary Army soldiers surged down from the surface toward the underground depths.
The earth was blasted full of craters. All those hiding below were now exposed.
"Form the battle formations! Face the enemy!"
Seeing that the battle was now unavoidable, Elder Tang Wu shouted.
Consequently, everyone underground organized into the three battle formations. All three formations originated from Ye Yunfei, and their might was potent.
Above one formation, a giant crimson greatsword manifested.
Above another, a golden nine-story pagoda materialized.
Above the third, a hideous-looking black Yaksha emerged, holding a trident.
Quickly, the three battle formations clashed fiercely with the forces of the Expeditionary Army.
On the surface, Ye Yunfei's three Clones, the 142 Imperial Realm slaves, and several hundred Formations were also holding back a sizeable portion of the Expeditionary Army.
However, the newly arrived main force of the Expeditionary Army was simply too massive in number, boasting dozens of Star Bridge Realm experts as well!
And the strength of Elder Tang Wu's group was truly too weak. Even with battle formations, they couldn't truly match up against the Jiaoxiu Kingdom Expeditionary Army!
Very quickly, the three battle formations were forced to retreat again and again. Defeat loomed imminent.
"Hmph!
Shameless! Relying on your strength to bully the weak!"
Suddenly, a cold snort rang out. A group approached from a distance.
The Five-Domain Allied Army had arrived!
Leading them was none other than Chu Ji.
"Slay the enemy!"
Chu Ji waved his hand and charged forward at the head of the Five-Domain Allied Army troops.
For a time, the scene became one of utter chaos as both sides engaged in a fierce, world-shaking slaughter!
Right at that moment, a starship was quietly approaching Xuanhuang Star.
"It seems the Jiaoxiu Kingdom's Expeditionary Army has already occupied the Jiaoxiu Star Domain and is now attacking the Xuanhuang Star Domain," murmured Ye Yunfei inside the vessel, watching the dense ranks of Expeditionary Army encampments visible in the starry sky ahead with a frown.
"First, I'll return to Xuanhuang Star to assess the situation."
Ye Yunfei left the starship, stored it away, then stepped directly into the void, quickly traversing the spatial depths as he headed toward the North Wilds Domain.