The Xuandao Star Territory, Northern Barren Territory.
Qingyun Palace headquarters.
By now, Qingyun Palace had rapidly developed into one of the most powerful factions within the Tianluo Star Sea!
After Ye Yunfei personally destroyed the Miao Tribe and forced the Pang Clan to submit, Qingyun Palace's reputation had soared straight upward.
The fact that the Seven Great Bandits announced their allegiance to Qingyun Palace, and among them, Yang Tianhu and Jiang Wu had both broken through to become Sea Transformation Realm experts, had shaken the entire Tianluo Star Sea.
At this moment.
Inside the grand hall of the meeting hall.
The Seven Great Bandits, Chu Ji, Dean Sima, and other high-level members of Qingyun Palace were all present. The atmosphere was somewhat oppressive, each leader appearing deeply worried.
"Everyone, I think we all know that our Qingyun Palace has been surrounded by several groups over the past few days.
I personally went out to confront them and was severely injured.
However, I did manage to ascertain their origins. There are people from the Jiang Clan of the Tianfu Star Sea, from the Taihuang Sect, and from the Guangming Ancient Sect.
I estimate they are most likely here for the Palace Master."
Yang Tianhu said.
White bandages were wrapped around his body, his aura diminished, clearly wounded.
"They are definitely waiting for the Palace Master.
Otherwise, they would not merely surround us without attacking.
They are waiting for the Palace Master to return."
Chu Ji said.
"Yes."
The other leaders nodded in agreement.
"Everyone, I've just received reports from our scouts. Over the last few days, more and more powerful strangers have been arriving in the Northern Barren Territory, all seemingly targeting our Qingyun Palace."
Jiang Wu suddenly said.
As former bandits specializing in robbery, the Seven Great Bandits had long cultivated an efficient intelligence network, dedicated to gathering necessary information across the Tianluo Star Sea.
"Everyone, the current situation is extremely unfavorable for our Qingyun Palace.
The Jiang Clan, the Taihuang Sect, the Guangming Ancient Sect — these are all influential powers renowned throughout the starry skies. Once they launch an attack, it is unlikely our Qingyun Palace will be able to withstand them."
Dean Sima suddenly spoke.
"We must prepare for the worst and be ready to face the enemy's attack at any moment!
But there's no need for excessive worry. Since those outside are here for the Palace Master, it means the Palace Master will return before long.
As long as the Palace Master and the two Supreme Elders return, we will have nothing to fear."
Yang Tianhu said gravely.
"Right! We’ll meet troops with barriers, and water with earth to dam it. At worst, we'll fight them to the death!
We must show them that Qingyun Palace is not to be trifled with!"
Jiang Wu said firmly.
"Yes!"
The other leaders all gave heavy nods.
At this moment.
Outside the Qingyun Palace headquarters.
On a mountain peak sat a large group, each wearing white robes, barefoot, with traces of white light flickering faintly around their bodies.
These were the forces of the Guangming Ancient Sect!
"Everyone, I've received word that Ye Yunfei has emerged alive from that incomplete Chaos Universe. I believe he will return to the Qingyun Palace headquarters soon. If we keep watch here, we will inevitably encounter him!"
A middle-aged man said.
"Ye Yunfei, I look forward to seeing you again!"
A tall, heroic young man sat under a tree, his entire body radiating a rolling light, meditating with eyes closed as he murmured to himself.
If Ye Yunfei were here, he would immediately recognize this young man as Nangong Yong, an outstanding disciple of the Guangming Ancient Sect.
Within that Illusion Palace, Ye Yunfei had already clashed with him multiple times!
"Nangong Yong, ever since you emerged from that incomplete Chaos Universe, you broke through directly to the mid-stage of the Acupoint Opening Realm, opening ten more Vital Acupoints within your body. The total number of Vital Acupoints you've opened has now reached twenty-eight!
Among the younger generation of our Guangming Ancient Sect, your strength has now soared into the top ten!"
The middle-aged man looked at Nangong Yong, speaking in a fawning tone.
"Your praise is excessive, Steward Mo. By the way, when the time comes, let me deal with Ye Yunfei personally. All of you just watch from the sidelines.
I want to personally slice off Ye Yunfei's head!"
Nangong Yong said indifferently.
On another mountain peak.
"Everyone, Ye Yunfei was responsible for the death of Fifth Elder, and within that incomplete Chaos Universe, he slaughtered so many of our Jiang Clan disciples. He is a sworn enemy of our Jiang Clan with whom we share not the same sky!
We will wait here for Ye Yunfei's return.
As soon as Ye Yunfei appears, everyone is to act immediately, capture Ye Yunfei, and then annihilate this Qingyun Palace!"
A grim-looking elder said coldly.
A large group stood before this elder.
These were all the forces of the Jiang Clan from the Tianfu Star Sea!
"A mere Ye Yunfei is not worth us all taking action together.
I will handle him myself.
I, Jiang Ziping, will tread upon Ye Yunfei's corpse to establish my renown."
A man dressed in a blue robe, hands clasped behind his back, cast a cold and arrogant gaze as he spoke lightly.
"Excellent!
Ziping, you are a core disciple favored by our Jiang Clan's elders. By personally slaying Ye Yunfei, you will indeed elevate your fame among the younger generation of the Canghuang Realm.
Moreover, you have already broken through to the mid-stage of the Acupoint Opening Realm, having opened twenty-seven Vital Acupoints. Killing Ye Yunfei should be a trivial matter."
The elder nodded.
On yet another nearby mountain peak.
"Ye Yunfei, you dared to lay hands on my master's grandson. I, Ruan Qiang, will kill you myself!"
A young man in a green robe said coldly.
"Ruan Qiang, within that Illusion Palace, Ye Yunfei slew thirty-two Acupoint Opening Realm experts in a single battle. Be careful; do not underestimate him."
A middle-aged man standing beside him cautioned.
"Hmph!
I've already investigated. The only reason Ye Yunfei could slay thirty-two Meridian Opening experts in a single battle is entirely due to that Illusion Palace being saturated with vast quantities of Illusion Dao energy and Illusion Dao laws, creating a unique environment.
He obtained a high-grade soul-type artifact within that Illusion Palace, which happened to allow him to utilize the Illusion Dao energy and laws present.
Once he left that palace, bereft of that Illusion Dao energy and those laws, he'd be utterly powerless!
Moreover, most of those so-called Meridian Opening experts slain by Ye Yunfei within that palace were weaklings who'd only opened a few Vital Acupoints within their bodies.
Nangong Yong, Qin Yue, and Ximen Yi all emerged from the Illusion Palace unscathed.
I have now broken through to the mid-stage of the Acupoint Opening Realm and opened twenty-nine Vital Acupoints within my body. Even within that Illusion Palace, I could easily deal with Ye Yunfei.
Out here in the normal environment, killing Ye Yunfei would be as simple as snapping my fingers!"
Ruan Qiang scoffed.
"Indeed, Ruan Qiang, your reasoning is sound."
The middle-aged man listened and repeatedly nodded in agreement.
"However, I've heard that the incident of Ye Yunfei slaying thirty-two Meridian Opening experts in a single battle within that Illusion Palace has spread throughout the entire Canghuang Realm.
Besides you, many other young talents at the Acupoint Opening Realm level within the Canghuang Realm are now rushing here to kill Ye Yunfei, hoping to make a name for themselves with this opportunity.
So, Ruan Qiang, if you wish to kill Ye Yunfei, your greatest opponents are not Ye Yunfei himself, but the other young Meridian Opening geniuses from these great powers."
The middle-aged man said.
"Disciples of our Tianlin Tribe are no worse than those of any other major power!"
Ruan Qiang said slowly.
"Haha...
Such ambition!
Our Tianlin Tribe precisely needs young talents like you!"
Hearing this, the middle-aged man was greatly pleased, and couldn't help but let out a hearty laugh.