At the headquarters of the Zhao Family in the Eastern Barrens, inside the main hall.
Patriarch Zhao and a gathering of the Zhao Family's upper echelons were all assembled there, each wearing a worried expression.
After the main forces of the Corpse World were annihilated, Patriarch Zhao had immediately returned here, ordering the gates of the Zhao Family headquarters shut. During this period, all members of the Zhao Family were forbidden from leaving or entering.
"Patriarch, we've just received news. The Corpse World's forces in the Eastern Barrens have basically been wiped out," a senior member of the Zhao Family slowly spoke up.
Hearing this, all the other Zhao Family upper echelons remained silent.
The atmosphere in the hall was heavy and oppressive.
Because the Zhao Family had also once been a part of the Corpse World's army!
"Patriarch Zhao, do you think that Su Fei kid will come looking for trouble with our Zhao Family?"
After a long pause, another Zhao Family elder spoke.
"That Su Fei kid is cruel, merciless, and holds grudges. He will most likely come for our Zhao Family," answered another senior member.
"Patriarch, we must find a way. We cannot just sit around waiting for death," an elder of more advanced years said with deep concern.
"Report!
Sect Master Ba has arrived!"
At this moment, a steward of the Zhao Family hurriedly entered the hall and announced.
"Quickly, invite him in!"
Patriarch Zhao's spirits lifted, and he immediately replied.
The sect master of the Beast Taming Sect was Ba Dong!
Soon, Ba Dong entered the hall accompanied by several high-ranking members of the Beast Taming Sect, all frowning with worry.
"Report!
Patriarch Gan, Patriarch Meng, and Patriarch Lu are here!"
As the Beast Taming Sect party had just entered the hall, the same Zhao Family steward hurried in to report again.
"Invite them!"
Patriarch Zhao said promptly.
Moments later, Patriarch Gan, Patriarch Meng, and Patriarch Lu each entered the hall with several of their own family's high-ranking members, and they took their seats as hosts and guests.
The complexions of the upper echelons of the five major powers were all extremely grim and carried a trace of fear.
All five of these major powers had joined the Corpse World army and had publicly declared to the entire Eastern Barrens that they were now subordinate forces of the Corpse World.
Now, with the Corpse World army destroyed, the people of these great powers were each filled with panic, constantly frightened and anxious, like frightened birds at the mere twang of a bow.
It must be noted that the forces of these five powers had, at the time, followed the Corpse World troops all over the Eastern Barrens, capturing cities, seizing territories, slaughtering sects, and exterminating clans. They had committed countless bloody atrocities. There was no telling how many forces and families in the Eastern Barrens hated these five great powers to the bone.
Now, with the Corpse World army annihilated, it was easy to imagine that these five major powers would become the next target for all.
Regarding this point, the upper echelons of these five powers understood it all too well. So, they had arrived at the Zhao Family headquarters, as if by prior agreement, to discuss the matter.
"Everyone, we must find a solution. Otherwise, that Su Fei kid will eventually come for our five powers," Ba Dong spoke first.
"Indeed.
Given that kid Su Fei's temperament, he definitely won't let matters rest easily," Patriarch Meng nodded.
"With that kid Su Fei's strength and that of the Tianxuan Army, if they come after us, our five powers will definitely be no match. Besides, I hear that old horned dragon of the Demon Race is on very good terms with Su Fei. The Demon Race forces and the Tianxuan Army are essentially in an alliance. That kid Su Fei has already established his influence in the Eastern Barrens. No one dares to provoke him anymore," Patriarch Gan said with a light sigh.
"Patriarch Zhao, your Zhao Family has the closest relationship with the Corpse World. Can you establish contact with the Corpse World's main headquarters?" Patriarch Lu suddenly asked.
Hearing this, Ba Dong, Patriarch Meng, and Patriarch Gan all stirred inwardly and turned their inquiring gazes toward Patriarch Zhao.
"I've tried contacting the Fifth Prince, and I've also attempted to reach an elder at the Corpse World headquarters. But so far, I haven't received any response," Patriarch Zhao shook his head.
Upon hearing this, Ba Dong and the others revealed disappointed expressions.
"Then what should our five powers do now? Do we just wait like this, waiting for that Su Fei kid to come knocking at our door for trouble?" Patriarch Meng sighed.
Everyone fell into silence.
"Everyone, I have an idea. How about we contact the Tianyou Tomb, pay a huge price, and hire assassins to deal with that Su Fei kid?"
Suddenly, Ba Dong slowly spoke up.
Tianyou Tomb!
Everyone was startled.
In the Eastern Barrens, the Tianyou Tomb was a very mysterious, very low-profile assassination organization.
Moreover, legends said that the Tianyou Tomb had deep, profound foundations, with branches spread across the entire Primordial Continent. It had even penetrated into various other large and small worlds, with extremely extensive connections.
When Ye Yunfei had traveled from the Canghuang Realm to the Primordial Continent, he had done so via a teleportation altar located within the Tianyou Tomb's main stronghold in the Canghuang Realm.
In fact, the Tianyou Tomb in the Canghuang Realm had originally been transmitted over from the Primordial Continent!
"That's a good idea. I agree," Patriarch Zhao nodded.
"I agree as well."
"Agree."
...
The others nodded one after another.
"Good, then. Let our five powers pool our money together, immediately send someone to contact the Tianyou Tomb, and hire Tianyou Tomb assassins to assassinate Su Fei!" Patriarch Zhao made the final decision.
"Also, Patriarch Zhao, you must continue trying to contact the Corpse World headquarters. The future development prospects of our five powers depend on the Corpse World. It would be best to receive clear instructions from them regarding how our five powers should proceed from here on out," Ba Dong said to Patriarch Zhao.
"Understood. Don't worry, everyone. Our Zhao Family will find a way to establish contact with the Corpse World headquarters," Patriarch Zhao nodded.
At the same time.
Shuyue City.
Inside the Shadow Tower.
For the past few days, Ye Yunfei had been staying inside the Shadow Tower, in closed-door cultivation.
In the great battle at the True Sun Sect headquarters, Ye Yunfei had taken the possessions of all those Dao Yuan realm experts he had slain.
Treasures from several hundred Dao Yuan realm experts had all fallen into Ye Yunfei's hands.
Ye Yunfei took stock and sorted out a massive quantity of cultivation resources.
Ye Yunfei took out all these cultivation resources, piling them up around his body. He then released all nine divine beasts of his Nine Palace Totem Wheel, allowing each to absorb and refine energies of different attributes.
After more than half a month, the nine divine beasts had completely absorbed and refined all the cultivation resources, increasing their strength once more.
The Taotie, in particular, was able to absorb energies of any attribute, so it refined and absorbed the most energy. Its strength had improved the most significantly.
"My Blood Clan Clone's current combat power should be close to the early Primordial Chaos realm, perhaps even the middle stage."
Ye Yunfei released his Blood Clan Clone, standing it before him for close examination.
During this time, the Blood Clan Clone had devoured far, far too much Origin Essence Blood, causing its strength to soar rapidly.
Now, Ye Yunfei could easily suppress the vast majority of experts in the Eastern Barrens relying on this clone alone!
"I should spend some more time in secluded contemplation, pondering the 'One Sword To Pacify the World' technique."
Ye Yunfei murmured to himself.
Recently, Ye Yunfei had deployed the One Sword To Pacify the World numerous times against foes, gaining many insights. He was ready to properly digest and absorb them.
Thus, Ye Yunfei continued his closed-door cultivation, refining his comprehension of the One Sword To Pacify the World.
Meanwhile, in Shuyue City, under Ye Yunfei's command, the upper echelons of the Tianxuan Army were distributing the various resources collected from cleaning up the battlefield. Every member was required to receive a share!
During their previous period of marauding through the Eastern Barrens, the Corpse World forces had looted immense amounts of wealth.
Now, a significant portion of that wealth had fallen into the hands of the Tianxuan Army.
Every member of the Tianxuan Army received a substantial quantity of cultivation resources. Jubilant, they all began closed-door cultivation to recuperate.
At this moment, no one noticed that several faint, elusive black shadows had appeared amidst the mountains near Shuyue City. They gazed towards the city, cold, murderous intent flickering in their eyes.
Then, these dark shadows vanished.