With the Sect Leader's order given, the forces that the Cangyan Sacred Sect had dispatched soon turned around and went back.
"What?
The Cangyan Sacred Sect has withdrawn?"
Soon after, the upper echelons of the Beast Taming Sect, the Zhao Family, the Lü Family, the Gan Family, and the Meng Family received the news and were all stunned.
In truth, when the upper echelons of these five forces learned that three major powers—including the Eastern Wasteland Demon Race—had sent troops to aid the Ziwei Sect, they had already been considering whether to withdraw their own armies. They simply hadn't expected the Cangyan Sacred Sect to react so swiftly.
"Let's withdraw as well. There's no need to go head-to-head with the Eastern Wasteland Demon Race over a mere Ziwei Sect, especially not with the Great Thunderclap Monastery and the Four Directions Trading House also involved. Picking a fight with any one of these three powers is not in the Beast Taming Sect's best interests."
The Sect Leader of the Beast Taming Sect was the first to react. Heaving a light sigh, he gave the order.
At this time, the Beast Taming Sect's forces had already reached the border of Yan Country and were preparing to enter. Upon receiving the Sect Leader's command, they immediately turned back.
Next, the armies of the three great families—the Gan Family, the Lü Family, and the Meng Family—also received orders one after another and turned around to return.
Finally, only the Zhao Family's forces remained!
By now, the Zhao Family's forces had already entered Yan Country and were marching toward the Ziwei Sect headquarters.
Leading them was a Zhao Family Elder, a renowned expert of the Eastern Barrens. However, this Elder currently wore a deep frown, leading his army forward at a slow, deliberate pace.
He had already received news that the other five forces, including the Cangyan Sacred Sect, had withdrawn. Now, only his Zhao Family contingent was still proceeding toward the Ziwei Sect.
Meanwhile, the armies of the Eastern Wasteland Demon Race, the Great Thunderclap Monastery, and the Four Directions Trading House had already set out to aid the Ziwei Sect.
Thus, the situation had become one where the Zhao Family would be facing these three major powers alone. This Elder had absolutely no confidence in his heart.
The other leaders and captains of this Zhao Family army were also aware of the current situation, and every one of them wore an ugly expression.
At the Zhao Family headquarters.
Inside a resplendently decorated hall.
The Zhao Family Patriarch sat cross-legged on a high seat, his face gloomy, not uttering a word. Several other high-level members of the Zhao Family were also present.
"Patriarch, the current situation is rather unfavorable. I suggest our Zhao Family withdraws its troops as well.
Once we truly clash with the forces of the Eastern Wasteland Demon Race, the Great Thunderclap Monastery, and the Four Directions Trading House, settling this matter peacefully will be very difficult.
Especially the Demon Race—those Demon Kings are each temperamental and unpredictable. Offending them would bring endless trouble."
A highly senior Elder addressed the Zhao Family Patriarch.
"But that Su Fei brat caused our Zhao Family such heavy losses. Just letting him off would be far too lenient," said another Elder beside him.
"If we cannot act openly, we can move in the shadows.
He is merely a junior, his strength has its limits.
We can wait until he travels alone, then find an opportunity to eliminate him without anyone knowing.
By then, even if discovered, surely no power would continue to oppose our Zhao Family over a dead man," the senior Elder said.
"Good, let's proceed that way.
That kid Su Fei must be killed, but there's no need to provoke other major forces because of him."
After listening to this Elder, the Zhao Family Patriarch nodded.
"Transmit the order immediately. Have our Zhao Family army withdraw!" the Patriarch commanded.
At this moment, the Zhao Family army was getting closer and closer to the Ziwei Sect headquarters.
"Report! We estimate we can reach the Ziwei Sect headquarters in roughly the time it takes an incense stick to burn!" a scout hurriedly reported.
"Halt!"
The leading Elder raised his hand and shouted.
Immediately, the Zhao Family army came to a stop.
"Elder, what should we do?
Do we attack the Ziwei Sect, or not?"
A Zhao Family Deacon approached the Elder and asked.
Gazing in the direction of the Ziwei Sect headquarters, this Zhao Family Elder fell silent for a moment, unable to make a decision.
Just then, his expression suddenly shifted. He pulled out a communication jade slip and channeled his consciousness into it.
"All personnel, heed the command! Withdraw the troops at once!"
After receiving the transmission from the jade slip, the Elder let out a sigh of relief. Raising his voice with Qi, he bellowed the order.
Thereupon, this Elder led the Zhao Family army to turn around and march back.
Soon, news that the armies of six major forces—the Cangyan Sacred Sect, Beast Taming Sect, Zhao Family, Lü Family, Gan Family, and Meng Family—had all turned back halfway began spreading across the Eastern Barrens.
"It seems these six forces ultimately chose to back down!"
"But it's understandable.
The Eastern Wasteland Demon Race, the Great Thunderclap Monastery, and the Four Directions Trading House—none of these three major powers can be easily provoked.
Especially the Demon Race; its hidden power is at least as strong as the Cangyan Sacred Sect's, if not stronger!"
Many sighed with feeling.
"Remember, from now on, don't casually mess with the Ziwei Sect!
The consequences are severe!"
Countless martial practitioners warned each other.
Meanwhile, at the Ziwei Sect headquarters, three armies arrived one after another: the Eastern Wasteland Demon Race, the Great Thunderclap Monastery, and the Four Directions Trading House!
The Eastern Wasteland Demon Race contingent was personally led by the Vermilion Bird Demon King. The Great Thunderclap Monastery group was led by Heavenly Thunder Chan Master's junior brother, Heavenly Profound Chan Master. The Four Directions Trading House group was personally led by Elder Fang.
All three forces had dispatched true experts!
Ye Yunfei welcomed these three armies into the Ziwei Sect headquarters and hosted them warmly.
Not long after, news of the six major forces, starting with the Cangyan Sacred Sect, withdrawing their troops one after another reached the Ziwei Sect headquarters.
The entire Ziwei Sect erupted in cheers.
Sect Leader Liu and the other higher-ups all breathed a sigh of relief.
It seemed this crisis for the Ziwei Sect had passed.
"Young Master Su, I estimate that from now on, those fellows won't dare to target the Ziwei Sect so lightly.
However, spears in the open are easy to block, but hidden arrows are hard to defend against. You must be cautious when traveling through the Eastern Barrens from now on," the Vermilion Bird Demon King advised Ye Yunfei.
"Your Majesty can rest assured. I will be careful," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"I must leave now.
Someone has discovered a piece of Divine Crystal in the Northern Frigid Ancient Mining Area. Many experts are currently rushing over.
I plan to go and take a look as well."
The Vermilion Bird Demon King then added.
"A piece of Divine Crystal?"
Upon hearing this, Ye Yunfei felt a stir in his heart.
Above Law Crystals were Chaos Crystals. Above Chaos Crystals were Origin Crystals. And above Origin Crystals were the legendary Divine Crystals!
Divine Crystals were said to be the crystals used by Deities for cultivation!
One could imagine how precious Divine Crystals were.
For the martial practitioners of the Primordial Continent, Divine Crystals were merely treasures of legend.
Now, one had actually appeared in the ancient mining area!
Soon after, the Vermilion Bird Demon King departed with the demonic army.
Next, Elder Fang and Heavenly Profound Chan Master also left in turn.
"Divine Crystal?
In my previous life, there was indeed such news—several pieces of Divine Crystal appeared in the Eastern Barrens' Northern Frigid Ancient Mining Area, provoking fierce competition among many experts.
The news the Vermilion Bird Demon King received is probably inaccurate. It's not just one piece of Divine Crystal in the ancient mining area; there are several.
Or perhaps only one has been discovered for now.
Divine Crystals are incomparably precious. If I can obtain one, I might be able to strengthen the final trace of this Heavenly Emperor remnant soul within my Soul Sea!"
After the Vermilion Bird Demon King departed, Ye Yunfei mused inwardly.