"I've just received word that Dugu Huan is being pursued!"
Dean Sima reported.
The Heavenly Dao Academy was one of the major forces in the Northern Barren Domain and had established its own intelligence network long ago. Since the founding of Qingyun Palace, Dean Sima had dispatched even more personnel to form a comprehensive information system. After all, any significant faction would have dedicated personnel for gathering intelligence.
"Who is after him?" Ye Yunfei asked, a chilling glint flashing in his eyes.
"It's not entirely clear. I've just received a report that Dugu Huan appeared in the Sacred Domain, being hunted down, and seems to have been injured," Dean Sima answered.
"The Sacred Domain..." Ye Yunfei's gaze shifted towards the direction of the Sacred Domain.
The Sacred Domain was the region with the strongest power in the Xuanhuang Star Domain and also its core.
"I'll make a trip to the Sacred Domain," Ye Yunfei said after a moment's thought.
Back at the Hudao Academy on Tianxuan Continent, Dugu Huan had already been following Ye Yunfei. Over the journey, they had built a deep friendship. Now that Dugu Huan was in trouble, Ye Yunfei naturally could not stand by.
"The seven of you, together with the two Supreme Elders, will be responsible for safeguarding the headquarters. However, do not announce your identities publicly for the time being," Ye Yunfei said, looking at the Seven Great Bandits.
With the bandits' current strength, plus the Giant Arm and Hun Lao, this already formed a formidable force. Even if the Pang and Miao Clans launched a full-scale assault, they could be easily repelled.
"Palace Master, do you need us to assist?" Yang Tianhu asked.
"That won't be necessary," Ye Yunfei replied.
"Xiao Hui is also in the Sacred Domain. I'll take Yuan Dayong along as well, so the siblings can meet," Ye Yunfei suddenly recalled Xiao Hui.
Back at the Hudao Academy on Tianxuan Continent, Xiao Hui had suddenly disappeared, leaving only a note saying she had gone to cultivate under the Violet Mountain Deaconess. The Violet Mountain Deaconess was a well-known powerhouse in the Sacred Domain of the Xuanhuang Star Domain.
Thus, Ye Yunfei found Yuan Dayong and asked him to accompany him to the Sacred Domain.
A short while later, a starship quietly departed from Qingyun Palace headquarters, heading towards the Sacred Domain.
With Ye Yunfei's current wealth and resources, the starships he used were naturally of the highest quality available in the Heaven Net Star Sea. In less than half a day, the ship arrived within the Sacred Domain.
Upon arrival, Ye Yunfei immediately contacted the informant Dean Sima had stationed in the Sacred Domain.
"This subordinate pays respects to Palace Master Ye!"
A tall, lean man hurried over, bowing respectfully to Ye Yunfei. This man was Liu Fu, one of the over two hundred people Ye Yunfei had rescued from the Miao Clan's Silver Glow Star prison. He possessed late-stage Imperial Realm strength and was now a deacon of Qingyun Palace, dispatched to the Sacred Domain to gather various intelligence. The future plan was to establish a Qingyun Palace branch here.
"What is Dugu Huan's current situation?" Ye Yunfei inquired.
"Dugu Huan is being pursued in the Myriad Beasts Forest. I personally entered the forest to search for him but couldn't find him. However, I encountered a group of people hunting him and was injured by them," Liu Fu answered.
Liu Fu's complexion was somewhat pale, and a faint scent of blood seeped from him, confirming he was indeed injured.
"Which faction do those pursuing Dugu Huan belong to?" Ye Yunfei's gaze sharpened as he asked.
"There are people from the Nine Li Imperial Dynasty, the *** State, and also, it seems, from the Pang Clan," Liu Fu replied.
"Just as I suspected," Ye Yunfei said coldly.
When Ye Yunfei heard the news of Dugu Huan being pursued, he had guessed that it was likely aimed at him. It was probable that someone, or some faction, wanted to capture Dugu Huan to use against him.
"Take this healing pill."
With a flick of his finger, Ye Yunfei sent a pill floating before Liu Fu.
"Many thanks, Palace Master Ye!"
Liu Fu said gratefully, accepting and immediately swallowing the pill. His injuries healed almost instantly upon ingestion.
"Let's go. We'll head to the Myriad Beasts Forest immediately."
Ye Yunfei promptly took Liu Fu and set off towards the Myriad Beasts Forest.
A short time later.
A vast mountain range appeared ahead, with endless rolling peaks stretching as far as the eye could see. Lush, primitive jungles blanketed the sky and blotting out the sun. Roars of beasts and cries of birds rose and fell in an unending chorus.
Upon approaching this mountain range, one could immediately sense dangerous, fierce auras emanating faintly from its depths. It was evident that many powerful demonic beasts lurked within this mountainous terrain.
Simultaneously, quite a few martial artists moved in and out of these mountains.
This was a relatively famous danger zone within the Xuanhuang Star Domain, a gathering place for demonic, monstrous, and beastly creatures. Many martial artists, especially the younger ones, used it as a training ground, entering the forests to battle the demonic beasts.
"It seems Dugu Huan came here for training," Ye Yunfei remarked after examining the Myriad Beasts Forest ahead.
"That should be the case," Liu Fu answered respectfully, following beside Ye Yunfei.
Yuan Dayong also accompanied them.
"Let's go, we'll take a look inside."
Ye Yunfei strode forward, entering the Myriad Beasts Forest. Liu Fu and Yuan Dayong hurriedly followed.
As soon as he entered the Myriad Beasts Forest, Ye Yunfei's vast Soul Power spread out like an invisible net in all directions, sensing for any aura or traces related to Dugu Huan.
Rumble...
Ye Yunfei's current soul perception ability was extremely powerful. Wherever it swept, he could sense the surrounding mountainous terrain with crystal clarity, as if examining the lines on his palm.
At the same time, countless demonic beasts were intimidated by Ye Yunfei's formidable Soul Power aura. They trembled uncontrollably, prostrating on the ground in terror, some even losing control in their fear, as if encountering their natural nemesis.
After all, demonic beasts possessed a far keener perception of danger than humans. The aura of Soul Power Ye Yunfei released instilled a deep-seated dread in their very souls.
"What's happening?"
The martial artists training in the Myriad Beasts Forest were baffled as they suddenly saw one demonic beast after another prostrating and trembling.
Ye Yunfei, leading Liu Fu and Yuan Dayong, stepped onto the air and advanced, delving deeper into the forest.
"Dugu Huan's aura!"
Suddenly, Ye Yunfei's expression shifted. His figure flashed, landing on a particular mountain ridge.
This ridge area showed widespread destruction: large swathes of forest were ruined, the ground was crisscrossed with massive fissures, and huge rocks had been reduced to piles of gravel.
Moreover, the lingering space here was saturated with an overwhelming, domineering saber intent!
There were also over a dozen bloody corpses!
"This is the saber intent of the Thousand Extinction Saber. Dugu Huan fought here!"
Ye Yunfei stood amidst the mountain ridge area, sensing the residual traces, and spoke slowly.
"It seems Dugu Huan's saber techniques have improved significantly during this period. He can now slay late-stage Imperial Realm experts."
Ye Yunfei's gaze fell on one of the corpses.
It was the body of a late-stage Imperial Realm expert, with half of its head cleaved off!
"Brother Dugu Huan's saber path grows ever more formidable!" Yuan Dayong couldn't help but exclaim with admiration.
"He fled in that direction. Let's go take a look!"
Ye Yunfei waved his sleeve, releasing a powerful force that lifted both Liu Fu and Yuan Dayong. They soared into the air, shooting towards the core region of the Myriad Beasts Forest.