"Young Friend Su Fei, now that the three Corpse World experts have been eliminated, it's time to deal with the Corpse World's army. May I ask what your plan is?" The Demon Race Patriarch suddenly inquired.
"The foundations of the Corpse World are deep, senior. We must not underestimate them," Ye Yunfei replied after a moment of thought.
"Young Friend Su, are you implying that aside from the three experts just now, the Corpse World might send even more powerful individuals?" The Demon Race Patriarch's heart stirred, his expression turning solemn as he asked.
"It's hard to say for sure. It depends on how much importance the Corpse World places on the Eastern Barrens," Ye Yunfei stated gravely.
"How powerful is the Corpse World, exactly?" asked the Demon Race Patriarch.
"Very powerful. Moreover, the Corpse World has the Netherworld behind it. The Netherworld is one of the mightiest powers among the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. Not to mention a mere Eastern Barrens, even if all the forces of the entire Primordial Continent combined, they would not be a match for the Netherworld," Ye Yunfei answered.
"The Corpse World has the Netherworld behind it?!" Upon hearing this, the Demon Race Patriarch breathed in sharply. As one of the most ancient and venerable experts in the Eastern Barrens, he naturally had heard of the Netherworld's formidable reputation.
"Is the Netherworld the name of a world or the name of a faction?" the Demon Race Patriarch asked suddenly.
"It is both the name of a world and the name of a faction. Moreover, legend has it that the Netherworld controls the passage of Samsara and rebirth within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds," Ye Yunfei explained.
"Is the Netherworld a Core World?" the Demon Race Patriarch asked again.
Within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, worlds were ranked from low to high as Lower Worlds, Intermediate Worlds, Advanced Worlds, and Core Worlds. Core Worlds were the highest-ranking worlds! Some Core Worlds were even ones that experts at the level of Heavenly Emperors would not willingly provoke at random! Such as the Netherworld!
"Yes, the Netherworld is a Core World, and one of the most mysterious Core Worlds within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. Let me put it this way: even our Ziwei Sect in ancient times, when the Great Emperor Ziwei was still present, would not casually provoke the Netherworld. You can imagine how terrifying the strength of the Netherworld is," Ye Yunfei nodded and replied.
"Even the Great Emperor Ziwei was unwilling to provoke the Netherworld? Are you saying that the experts of the Netherworld are stronger than a Heavenly Emperor?" The Demon Race Patriarch was utterly shocked, finding it hard to believe.
"The experts of the Netherworld are not necessarily stronger than a Heavenly Emperor. To put it this way: a Heavenly Emperor would be unwilling to provoke the Netherworld, but conversely, the Netherworld would also be unwilling to provoke a Heavenly Emperor. A Heavenly Emperor possesses the strength to fight their way into the Netherworld. However, the Netherworld is a place filled with inauspiciousness. Unless absolutely necessary, even a Heavenly Emperor would be reluctant to wage war within it," Ye Yunfei explained.
The reason Ye Yunfei knew this so clearly was because, in his previous life as a Heavenly Emperor, he had once clashed with the Netherworld. In a fit of rage, he had almost fought his way in. But after extensive investigation, Ye Yunfei abandoned this impulsive course of action and chose to negotiate with the Netherworld instead. In the end, the Netherworld apologized and compensated with a hefty sum of treasure, settling the matter without further escalation.
"If the Netherworld is so terrifying, and the Corpse World has it backing them, doesn't that mean our Eastern Barrens fundamentally cannot resist the Corpse World and will inevitably be conquered sooner or later?" The Demon Race Patriarch's mood grew heavy.
"No. While the Netherworld is powerful, its experts cannot set foot on our Primordial Continent. Our Eastern Barrens cannot resist the Netherworld, but we might barely be able to oppose the Corpse World," Ye Yunfei stated.
According to the Primordial Accords, experts from higher-level worlds were not permitted to casually enter lower-level worlds!
"That's good then. As part of the Eastern Barrens, we absolutely must not allow it to fall into the hands of the Corpse World," the Demon Race Patriarch said.
"Good. Next, our Tianxuan Army will join forces with your Demon Race to eradicate the Corpse World's forces together and restore peace to the Eastern Barrens," Ye Yunfei said.
"Excellent! I had precisely this intention!" The Demon Race Patriarch nodded.
"I shall return immediately to mobilize our Demon Race army to encircle and suppress the various Corpse World forces in the Eastern Barrens, and then march on the Zhao Family headquarters," the Demon Race Patriarch stood up and declared.
"I will also lead the Tianxuan Army to take action," Ye Yunfei nodded in agreement.
"However, senior, you are still injured. Be careful and guard against the Corpse World sending more experts to the Eastern Barrens," Ye Yunfei said to the Demon Race Patriarch.
"Alright, Young Friend Su Fei, you can rest assured. Though injured, I am not someone to be trifled with either," the Demon Race Patriarch stood up and replied confidently.
"If senior's injuries were completely healed, the Corpse World wouldn't casually come looking for trouble with you," Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
"Senior, I possess a healing technique I can share with you for reference. Perhaps it will be of help to your injuries." Ye Yunfei pointed a finger, sending a fragment of Soul Power information containing the technique into the Demon Race Patriarch's soul sea. After spending some time together, Ye Yunfei had already gained a rough understanding of the Patriarch's physical injuries.
"It truly is a healing technique!" After a cursory scan of the healing technique Ye Yunfei had transmitted, the Demon Race Patriarch couldn't help but reveal an expression of pleasant surprise. He found that the technique seemed quite useful!
"Many thanks, Young Friend!" the Demon Race Patriarch said gratefully.
With that, the Demon Race Patriarch bid farewell to Ye Yunfei and strode away.
"Old Turtle, this time things are urgent. When I have time later, I'll come find you for a proper gathering," the Demon Race Patriarch transmitted a voice message to the Mysterious Turtle.
"No need. There's nothing for us to gather over. Just leave a dozen or so leaves of premium Enlightenment Tea," the Mysterious Turtle, lying basking in the sunlight, lazily replied.
"Haha... Do you think my premium Enlightenment Tea is something just anyone is qualified to drink?" The Demon Race Patriarch laughed heartily as he departed.
"Miser," the Mysterious Turtle closed its eyes and muttered to itself.
"Pass down the order. Have everyone make preparations. Our Tianxuan Army is readying for a campaign!" Ye Yunfei said, heading back towards the Ziwei Sect headquarters with Hu Miao. Lü Yugang, Sect Master Liu, and others had already come out to greet them.
"Understood," Sect Master Liu nodded.
"Our Earth Core Race will also dispatch forces to join the Tianxuan Army in resisting the Corpse World's troops," came a voice at that moment. The old shaman of the Earth Core Race suddenly appeared before Ye Yunfei.
The Earth Core Race people had been staying within the Ziwei Sect headquarters during this time.
"I have already sent someone back. Our forces will arrive before long," the old shaman added.
"Oh? Aren't your Earth Core Race afraid of being discovered by the Corpse World?" Ye Yunfei asked.
These Earth Core Race people had previously been trying everything to evade the Corpse World's forces, hence Ye Yunfei's question.
"We were afraid before. But after seeing your Ziwei Sect's heritage earlier, we're not afraid anymore. I believe that with your Ziwei Sect present, we can certainly defeat the Corpse World's forces," the old shaman replied.
"That's fine as well. Welcome to joining the Tianxuan Army," Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
In truth, whether the Earth Core Race joined or not made little difference to Ye Yunfei. However, he naturally wouldn't refuse others' enthusiastic offer.
"The Great Thunderclap Monastery's Celestial Thunder, Celestial Slaughter, and Celestial Extinction Zen Masters have arrived with a contingent from the monastery," a steward hurriedly reported at that moment.
"They have come to join the Tianxuan Army. Quick, extend them a proper welcome," Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
"The Great Thunderclap Monastery is also joining our Tianxuan Army!" Everyone present felt their spirits greatly bolstered upon hearing this.
"With this, the strength of our Tianxuan Army has already surpassed that of the Eastern Barrens Army! How laughable it is that those guys refused to let the two of us join the Eastern Barrens Army before. Who cared about it anyway!" Lü Yugang exclaimed with a hearty laugh.