"Come to visit me?
I dare not presume," Ye Yunfei said with his hands behind his back, his tone indifferent.
These two groups were clearly targeting the Heavenly Dao Tower, undoubtedly because they had divined Hun Lao's aura and thus deliberately came to Qingyun Palace's headquarters for investigation.
As the saying goes, those who come with ill intentions are not to be treated kindly; given Ye Yunfei's nature, he naturally wouldn't be polite to them.
"Palace Master Ye, there's no need to be overly modest. We are from the Tianlin Clan. We, too, have come specifically to pay a visit to Palace Master Ye today."
A voice rang out as another group arrived, stepping through the air and landing before Ye Yunfei in the blink of an eye. The one at the lead was a man swaying a folding fan, elegant and refined.
A gaunt black-robed elder followed by this man's side, his sinister gaze assessing Ye Yunfei.
This gaunt black-robed elder exuded dense Samsara Laws and Spatial-Time Laws, clearly cultivating some form of divination art, and at a fairly high level.
"Palace Master, both the Tianlin Clan and the Taihuang Sect hail from the Central Star Sea. The Tianlin Clan is ranked among the top fifteen major forces in the cosmic starry skies, while the Taihuang Sect belongs among the top twenty.
The Guangming Ancient Sect comes from the Radiant Star Sea. Though not from the Central Star Sea, they occupy an entire star sea, operate in a low-profile and mysterious manner. Rumor has it their strength isn't much inferior to the Taihuang Sect's and can also rank within the top twenty in the universe."
Chu Ji secretly sent a voice transmission to Ye Yunfei.
Since becoming an elder of Qingyun Palace, Chu Ji had been in charge of intelligence work. By spending enormous resources, he established an efficient Intelligence Hall in a short time. As one of Qingyun Palace's several major halls, it specialized in collecting all sorts of intelligence from across the cosmic starry skies.
Thus, Chu Ji was now very familiar with the major forces of the universe.
"What is it, Palace Master Ye? Are you not welcoming us?"
At that moment, the Hemp-Clothed Elder from the Taihuang Sect spoke up with a smile.
"Rest assured, I've now suppressed all aura of the Heavenly Dao Tower. Given the level of these individuals, they can't possibly divine me."
Just then, Ye Yunfei received Hun Lao's voice transmission.
The Chaos World Tree was rumored to be a divine tree existing since the creation of the Chaos World, possessing inconceivable Spatial-Time Laws. Though Hun Lao resided within the Heavenly Dao Tower, he had a clear grasp of everything happening outside.
"Very well. Guests, please come in," Ye Yunfei said after a moment's thought, his tone indifferent as he gestured for them to enter.
Ye Yunfei understood that even if he refused these people entry, it wouldn't dispel their suspicions. On the contrary, it might provoke further speculation and draw more forces.
"Receive the guests."
Ye Yunfei flicked his sleeve back.
Boom boom…
Within Qingyun Palace headquarters, layer after layer of formations opened with loud rumbles like blooming lotus flowers.
Ye Yunfei had personally set up hundreds of formations here at headquarters!
"A force from a remote star sea actually possesses these guardian formations—it's quite impressive."
The people from the Tianlin Clan, Taihuang Sect, and Guangming Ancient Sect watched in slight surprise as formations continuously opened.
"Guests, please come this way quickly!"
Chu Ji stepped forward to receive them.
Ye Yunfei, meanwhile, turned and walked into headquarters.
"Haha, we won't stand on ceremony then."
The Taihuang Sect's Hemp-Clothed Elder laughed heartily and led the way, following behind Ye Yunfei.
The others hurried to follow as well.
As soon as they entered Qingyun Palace, the Taihuang Sect's Hemp-Clothed Elder, the Tianlin Clan's black-robed elder, and the Guangming Ancient Sect's bald middle-aged man secretly made hand signs, forming one mysterious seal after another.
Knowing they were performing divinations, Ye Yunfei couldn't help but sneer coldly.
Moments later, Ye Yunfei ushered them into a grand hall, where they were seated according to the order of host and guests.
Chu Ji ordered spiritual tea and fruits served to entertain the visitors.
Ye Yunfei sat upright in the high seat, paying little attention to the three factions' representatives; it was mainly Chu Ji who engaged in conversation with them.
The Hemp-Clothed Elder, the black-robed elder, and the bald middle-aged man quietly continued their divination art, repeatedly forming strange seals as they studied Qingyun Palace headquarters.
"Palace Master Ye, I heard that Qingyun Palace has two Grand Elders—a massive arm and a tree. I'm quite curious; would it be possible to meet them in person?"
Suddenly, the Tianlin Clan's black-robed elder spoke up.
"That's right. I also wish to personally pay respects to Qingyun Palace's two Grand Elders," the Guangming Ancient Sect's bald middle-aged man said.
"Palace Master Ye, I share the same desire," the Taihuang Sect's Hemp-Clothed Elder added.
Ye Yunfei's heart stirred; he knew the three had likely sensed something through divination. After all, Hun Lao had resided in Qingyun Palace headquarters not too long ago and might have left traces.
"My palace's two Grand Elders are in secluded cultivation recently and aren't available to receive guests," Ye Yunfei replied indifferently.
"Palace Master Ye, please let the two Grand Elders show themselves so we may meet them. Could it be that Palace Master Ye doesn't even grant this little face to our Tianlin Clan?"
The Tianlin Clan man waving the folding fan spoke, his words polite but with a trace of disdain in the depths of his gaze.
One must know, the Tianlin Clan was a major force ranked among the top fifteen in the universe. Coming to a remote star sea felt like nobles on tour—naturally leading to a condescending air.
"The fact that I personally receive you already shows great respect. Do you think my Grand Elders are someone you can see whenever you please? Chu Elder, see the guests out."
Ye Yunfei swept his sleeve.
"Palace Master Ye, is this how Qingyun Palace treats its guests?" the man's face darkened as he asked coldly.
"Hmph! Ye Yunfei, don't be ungrateful! This is Ruan Qing, grandson of our Tianlin Clan's Sixth Elder! How dare a mere Qingyun Palace refuse to grant such a simple request?"
The black-robed elder said icily.
"Palace Master Ye, I suggest you bring out the two Grand Elders so we can meet them. Otherwise, we won't leave," the Taihuang Sect's Hemp-Clothed Elder added flatly, his attitude noticeably colder.
"Get out!" Ye Yunfei stood up.
"In that case, there's nothing more to say. Move out—find that giant arm and tree!"
Ruan Qing coldly ordered.
Boom!
A blue-robed middle-aged man stepped forward from behind Ruan Qing, unleashing a torrential Spiritual Energy pressure—he was actually a late Sea Transformation Realm expert!
Boom!
The Hemp-Clothed Elder strode forward, Spiritual Energy cascading from his body—also a late Sea Transformation Realm expert!
Boom!
The bald man activated as well, his body radiating dazzling beams of light.
Yet another late Sea Transformation Realm expert!
Three late Sea Transformation Realm experts!
Instantly, terrifying Spiritual Energy pressure filled the grand hall, causing it to tremble violently.
Chu Ji and the others from Qingyun Palace were forced back, stumbling until they huddled behind Ye Yunfei, barely managing to steady themselves.
"There is indeed something peculiar about you; no wonder you have made such a name for yourself despite your youth."
Seeing Ye Yunfei stand unwavering under the pressure of three late Sea Transformation Realm experts, the Tianlin Clan's black-robed elder commented.
"Men, cripple all of them and throw them out," Ye Yunfei said calmly.
"Cripple us? Haha… Ye Yunfei, talk big all you want! I've investigated Qingyun Palace. At most you have eight or nine Heavenly Thunder Realm members, of which perhaps two may have reached early Sea Transformation Realm. You yourself only match early Sea Transformation Realm in strength.
With Qingyun Palace's puny might, you still want to cripple us? That's a joke!
Let me enlighten you, Ye Yunfei—we have a total of eight Sea Transformation Realm experts here: three late Sea Transformation Realm and five mid Sea Transformation Realm!
I'd like to see how you can cripple us!
Everyone, let's go—see if he can cripple us!"
Ruan Qing laughed maniacally.
Boom boom…
As soon as Ruan Qing finished speaking, five mid Sea Transformation Realm experts emerged from the three factions' ranks, unleashing their Spiritual Energy pressure.
Sure enough, there were eight Sea Transformation Realm experts!
"Everyone, I suggest we simply annihilate this Qingyun Palace today, and plunder the place while we're at it. Whether or not we find traces of the Heavenly Dao Tower, it'd still count as a gain," Ruan Qing declared loudly.
The others' eyes flickered with gleams upon hearing his words, evidently tempted by the idea.
"I originally intended to merely cripple you as a mild punishment, but now I've changed my mind.
Men, kill every one of them."
Ye Yunfei scanned the three factions' members with icy eyes, hands still behind his back.
"Haha… Ye Yunfei, you're asking for trouble!
Everyone, what are you waiting for? Make your move!"
Ruan Qing guffawed.
At that very moment.
Roar, roar…
Beastial roars resounded as eight colossal figures charged into the grand hall.
Eight ferocious, murderous demon beasts!