"This is bad!
There seem to be over two thousand monsters—it's an entire monster army! There's no way we can fight them. We're doomed!"
"Heavens!
How can there be so many monsters?!
With this many monsters surrounding us, we couldn't even fly away!"
…
Those disciples of the Taiyi Temple, who had been desperately fighting to break through the encirclement, were utterly terrified when they saw the sudden appearance of so many monsters. Their legs turned weak, and a cold chill ran down their spines.
Although the over two thousand monsters were following behind Ye Yunfei, there was some distance between them. This confused the Taiyi Temple disciples about what was actually happening.
In fact, these disciples subconsciously believed that the monsters in the rear were probably chasing after the three people ahead—Ye Yunfei and his companions!
Boom! Boom!...
Senior Brother Yuan also revealed a look of horror. Suddenly unleashing desperate attacks, the war halberd in his hand erupted with astonishing energy pressure, instantly blasting the six or seven monsters blocking his path to pieces.
Boom! Boom!...
The war halberd was like a thick flood dragon. Wherever it struck, it forced the monsters to retreat repeatedly.
In just a few breaths, this Senior Brother Yuan forcibly carved out a bloody path and fled toward the distance.
Senior Brother Yuan himself was originally a talented disciple of the Taiyi Temple, possessing the strength of the Acupoint Opening Realm and exceptional combat prowess. Now, suddenly erupting with his full power and performing beyond his normal level, he managed to fight his way out in a short time.
"Not good!
Senior Brother Yuan abandoned us and ran away alone!"
"Without Senior Brother Yuan holding the line, we'll be torn to shreds by these monsters in an instant!"
"Senior Brother Yuan, come back quickly and take me with you!
I don't want to die here!"
…
The Taiyi Temple disciples screamed in terror, completely thrown into chaos.
But Senior Brother Yuan had vanished without a trace in the blink of an eye. There was no way he would turn back.
At this moment, the two monsters possessing Acupoint Opening Realm strength also looked toward the over two thousand monsters behind Ye Yunfei with questioning gazes, temporarily halting their attacks on Xiao Xue and Qiqi.
One of the monsters still held Cai Yan in its bloody maw.
"You two beasts!"
Ye Yunfei's gaze suddenly shifted to the two Acupoint Opening Realm monsters, his expression darkening.
Swoosh!
Ye Yunfei suddenly flashed forward, appearing before Xiao Xue and Qiqi.
Swish, swish...
The Soul-Nourishing Tree hovered above Ye Yunfei's head, suddenly shooting out a large number of roots to attack the two Acupoint Opening Realm monsters.
The two monsters sensed the aura of the Soul-Nourishing Tree and grew extremely wary, repeatedly retreating.
Although these two Acupoint Opening Realm monsters were powerful, the Soul-Nourishing Tree happened to be their natural counter!
"I wonder if using the Heavenly Soul Sword against these monsters will be effective," Ye Yunfei pondered inwardly.
Hiss!
Following his thoughts, the Heavenly Soul Sword surged forth, simultaneously striking the heads of both monsters in the same instant.
Roar! Roar!...
Simultaneously attacked by the Soul-Nourishing Tree and the Heavenly Soul Sword, the two monsters showed great pain, emitting mournful roars.
Boom! Boom!...
Ye Yunfei suddenly appeared beside one of the monsters. Unleashing his physical strength, he raised his fist and landed several consecutive punches on the monster's head.
That monster's expression contorted in agony. Its mouth opened, releasing Cai Yan, who had been clenched in its jaws all along. With a flick of his sleeve, Ye Yunfei swept up Cai Yan and retreated back beside Qiqi.
Ye Yunfei had just seen Xiao Xue and Qiqi turn back for Cai Yan, so he saved him on a whim.
"Cai Yan!"
Xiao Xue cried out joyfully, immediately rushing over to support Cai Yan.
"Xiao Xue…" Cai Yan called out weakly. He was drenched in blood, with two rows of deep bite marks that nearly pierced through his body. Half the organs in his body were shattered.
"Miss, Cai Yan is severely injured!" Xiao Xue exclaimed in alarm.
"Take these few medicinal pills; he'll be fine."
Ye Yunfei took out several pills and handed them to Xiao Xue.
At this moment, Xiao Xue was frantic with worry. She took the pills and immediately fed them to Cai Yan.
By now, the over two thousand monsters had arrived, surrounding this street from all directions, sealing it tightly.
Especially the two Acupoint Opening Realm monsters and those that had been attacking the Taiyi Temple disciples—they were all completely encircled.
"Ye Yunfei, how can there be so many monsters?!
Are they chasing you three?
What do we do now? It'll be very difficult for us to escape!"
Qiqi looked at the over two thousand monsters surrounding the street, her pretty face pale with fear, and asked with a trembling voice.
"Escape?
We don't need to escape.
These monsters are all my subordinates.
You are perfectly safe right now."
Ye Yunfei was momentarily stunned, then realizing Qiqi's misunderstanding, smiled as he spoke.
"What?!
These monsters are your subordinates?
How is that possible?!"
Hearing Ye Yunfei's words, Qiqi's first reaction was disbelief. She shook her head repeatedly.
"What my master says is true.
Miss Qiqi, rest assured. You are now the safest person in this palace."
Hu Miao walked over, giggling as she spoke.
Pan Yi stood to the side, somewhat speechless.
She knew that if she were in Qiqi's position, she definitely wouldn't believe it either.
Swish, swish...
Ye Yunfei suddenly pointed a finger. The Soul-Nourishing Tree flew out, shooting forth a large number of roots that swiftly struck the monsters that had been attacking the Taiyi Temple disciples.
A moment later, apart from the two Acupoint Opening Realm monsters, all the other monsters had been subdued. They stood together obediently with the other monsters.
As for the two Acupoint Opening Realm monsters, Ye Yunfei did not attack them further.
These two Acupoint Opening Realm monsters were tightly encircled by the over two thousand monsters, utterly unable to move.
They considered the other monsters as kin and wouldn't launch attacks.
"These monsters… are they really your subordinates?"
At this moment, Qiqi saw that the surrounding over two thousand monsters stood perfectly still, showing not the slightest intent to attack. Moreover, dozens of monsters with Sea Transformation Realm late-stage strength were closely gathered behind Ye Yunfei, as if protecting him. She couldn't help but start to believe.
"Of course, it's true."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"How did you manage to do this?!"
Qiqi couldn't hold back a shout, now filled with intense curiosity. After all, this matter was truly unbelievable.
"Just a small trick."
Ye Yunfei smiled faintly.
"Cai Yan, your injuries seem to have improved significantly!"
At this moment, Xiao Xue's attention had been focused on Cai Yan the entire time. Suddenly, she cried out in pleasant surprise.
"My injuries are indeed recovering rapidly! Xiao Xue, those few pills you gave me were miraculous!"
Cai Yan's consciousness had fully cleared up.
"Alright, let's continue onward."
Ye Yunfei waved his hand and took the lead, walking forward.
Boom! Boom!...
The over two thousand monsters simultaneously began marching, following Ye Yunfei as he moved ahead.
Hu Miao and Pan Yi also stepped forward.
"So these monsters are really your subordinates!"
At this moment, Qiqi finally fully believed, crying out in delight.
"Miss Qiqi, my master generally doesn't lie—especially not to a beautiful young lady like you.
Let's go."
Hu Miao took Qiqi's jade-like hand and dragged her forward.
"It's amazing! Ye Yunfei, how did you actually manage it?!"
Xiao Xue, her curiosity reaching its peak, shouted loudly.
Ye Yunfei smiled without answering.
"Ah, right. Not long ago, our Taiyi Temple disciples sent a message, saying that in the core area of this Illusion Palace, there's a grand palace containing many treasures.
Dozens of initial Dao artifacts, Transformation-Grade herbs, and Transformation-Grade pills—each worth a fortune.
Supposedly, the projections of treasures we saw outside this Illusion Palace earlier were cast by that palace in the core area.
Now, the forces of various major factions are all heading toward that palace.
We also received this news, rushed here led by Senior Brother Yuan, and ended up surrounded by those monsters we just encountered."
Qiqi suddenly said.
"Dozens of initial Dao artifacts, Transformation-Grade herbs, and Transformation-Grade pills!"
Hearing this, Ye Yunfei's spirits rose.
"Good, let's go take a look immediately!"
Ye Yunfei, now interested, declared.