Just as Ye Yunfei left Qingyun Palace, a fleet of majestic battleships in orderly formation, emanating dense, roiling killing intent, entered Tianluo Star Sea, advancing directly toward the Profound Yellow Star Territory.
Among them, one vessel secretly slipped into Tianluo Star Sea. Avoiding notice as much as possible, it traveled inconspicuously toward Qingyun Palace.
Sitting cross-legged inside this ship were two young women. One wore five-colored garments, her appearance lovely and beautiful — it was Qiqi. The other was dressed in white, none other than Xiao Xue.
'Young Master Ye... so many powerful forces have dispatched their armies this time to deal with Qingyun Palace... Will he be able to handle it?'
Worry was thick on Qiqi's face.
Over this period, she had been closely following news of Ye Yunfei and Qingyun Palace, experiencing both joy and anxiety.
Upon hearing that eight major powers had simultaneously sent large forces to deal with Qingyun Palace, and had even deployed numerous Elder-level experts, she could sit still no longer. Taking Xiao Xue with her, she had sneaked out from the main headquarters of Taiyi Temple, determined to go to Qingyun Palace and find Ye Yunfei.
'Young Lady, you needn't worry too much. Ye Yunfei is blessed with fortune, nothing will happen to him.' Xiao Xue tried to comfort her.
'Those major forces are utterly detestable!' Qiqi gnashed her teeth. 'Qingyun Palace is just a newly established sect! Young Master Ye is also still young! To deal with Qingyun Palace and Young Master Ye, those major powers actually collectively sent so many troops, even mobilizing Elder-level experts! How shameless can they be!'
In another part of the starry sky, a different ship was traveling swiftly.
Inside, a young woman of outstanding beauty wearing white garments looked anxious. It was Pan Yi.
'I hope he stays safe this time.'
As she urged the ship forward, Pan Yi sighed softly.
Half a day later.
At Qingyun Palace headquarters, everyone from the upper echelons down to ordinary disciples was on high alert, their nerves stretched taut.
The news that forces from eight major powers were coming to annihilate Qingyun Palace had long since reached them!
That's because the war fleets of those eight powers were extraordinarily brazen and ferocious, arriving with great fanfare, completely undisguised. It had practically become common knowledge.
The Seven Great Bandits, Chu Ji, Dean Sima, Elder Tang Wu, and the Houtu Sect Leader — each of the palace's top-ranking members stood atop a tall peak within the headquarters, gazing far into the horizon.
Suddenly.
Boom… rumble…
In the distant sky, massive battleships abruptly appeared within everyone's line of sight.
Each vessel emanated a terrifying, oppressive killing intent. They advanced across the sky, causing mists and clouds to churn, as if a thousand armies were charging forth in unison.
The very heavens and earth trembled and shook!
'They're finally here!'
The gazes of all Qingyun Palace's higher-ups sharpened.
'I'll activate the Earth Formation immediately!' the Houtu Sect Leader stated.
'Wait, don't be hasty.'
At this moment, Ye Yunfei's Clone abruptly appeared.
'Palace Master!'
The many high-level members hurriedly saluted. Seeing Ye Yunfei's Clone appear set their minds a little at ease.
In the blink of an eye, the armada of battleships arrived before Qingyun Palace's headquarters.
Then, from these battleships emerged row upon row of troops.
Each group of soldiers wore gleaming armor; at a glance, they were the elite. Every single one appeared battle-hardened, emanating an aura of cold, disciplined slaughter.
The leaders among them — all experts — stood with hands clasped behind their backs. Some radiated blinding light from their entire bodies, others were shrouded in dense clouds of spiritual mist, yet others had terrifyingly sharp beams shooting from their eyes. Their presence was awe-inspiring, shaking heaven and earth.
'Heavens!
In total, twenty Dao Entry Realm experts have arrived!
Among them, eight are at the mid-level of the Dao Entry Realm!
With such a terrifying array of forces, apart from the three central star seas and the Bright Star Sea, they could sweep across any other star sea without issue, right?"
'Jietian Sect, Taihuang Sect, Guangming Ancient Sect, the Jiang Family of Tianfu Star Sea, Sword Palace, Yin Corpse Valley, Tianlin Clan, Raksha Sect… Every single one of these powers holds a prestigious, earth-shaking reputation across the starry expanse. Yet today, they've collectively mobilized their forces to deal with a single Qingyun Palace!"
'All eight major powers have sent their elite elite. It seems they are fully determined this time, resolved to annihilate Qingyun Palace!'
In the distance, a crowd of onlookers had already gathered, eagerly discussing the spectacle.
Centered around Qingyun Palace headquarters, the vast surrounding region — both in the sky and on the ground — was astir with activity, teeming with people and buzzing with a cacophony of voices.
Looking from afar, before Qingyun Palace's mountain gate, the battleships hovered in the air in formation. Swords and sabers clamored while spears stood like a forest; armor shone with a cold gleam. A surging tide of murderous intent rolled toward Qingyun Palace like a raging torrent.
Yet, within Qingyun Palace headquarters, it was deathly quiet. Not a single sound could be heard.
Even the disciples who usually guarded the mountain gate were nowhere to be seen.
'It looks like the people of Qingyun Palace are too scared to show themselves!'
'Of course! The forces of eight major powers arrive, with twenty Dao Entry Realm experts coming together! How could a mere Qingyun Palace possibly resist?"
Discussions erupted among the crowd.
'However, I heard Qingyun Palace has six demon beasts with strength equivalent to the Dao Entry Realm, plus a great many demon beasts at the Star Gathering, Acupuncture Opening, and Sea Transformation Realms! Don't underestimate them!" someone said.
'Those six demon beasts are only at the early Dao Entry Realm! And right here, we have eight mid-level Dao Entry Realm experts! They'd be like straw before a scythe! Just wait and see. Today, Qingyun Palace will certainly be destroyed! There is no doubt about it!" someone retorted immediately.
'People of Qingyun Palace! Come out and meet your deaths! Hiding is futile!'
At this moment, a middle-aged man stepped forward. Gathering his energy, he raised his voice and shouted clearly.
His voice, augmented by spiritual power, was like dozens of thunderclaps exploding simultaneously. It shook the heavens and earth, making mountains tremble and countless people's ears buzz.
'That's Elder Xie Tiantang of the Taihuang Sect! An early Dao Entry Realm expert!'
Someone immediately recognized the man's identity, whispering urgently.
Yet, within Qingyun Palace headquarters, there was only silence. No response came.
'The Qingyun Palace people really are terrified, hiding, not daring to come out!"
'Under these circumstances, hiding and not coming out is actually the wisest course of action!"
'But is hiding useful? Once the forces of the Eight Major Powers charge in together, won't they still uproot Qingyun Palace from its very foundation and crush it flat?"
Witnessing this, the surrounding observers broke into discussions once more.
However, right at that moment…
'A ten-mile radius around Qingyun Palace headquarters is a restricted zone. No one may trespass without permission, lest they incur the catastrophe of death!'
A stern, fierce shout rang out from within Qingyun Palace.
Hearing that voice, everyone immediately fixed their gazes toward the interior of Qingyun Palace headquarters.
The next moment, Ye Yunfei appeared, followed by over ten high-level members of Qingyun Palace.
'Let me offer you all a piece of advice. Leave immediately. Otherwise, you will die here!'
Ye Yunfei walked to the forefront of the mountain gate, sweeping his ice-cold gaze across the assembled forces of the eight major powers as he spoke coolly.
What?!
He dares to say such a thing?
For a moment, everyone present was somewhat dumbstruck.