After questioning the assassins, Ye Yunfei learned that almost two-thirds of Ziwei Sect's missing members had been killed, while roughly one-third had been captured.
Furthermore, those who were taken were either individuals holding a certain status within Ziwei Sect or people relatively close to Ye Yunfei.
“Where are those who were captured?”
Ye Yunfei summoned one of the assassins in front of him and asked.
This assassin was a small squad leader. All five groups of assassins lying in ambush around the Ziwei Sect headquarters were under his command.
“I don't know.
Tianyou Tomb has a rule: each assassin is only responsible for carrying out their own mission. They must not ask about, nor should they know, any other matters.”
The assassin answered.
Hearing this, Ye Yunfei couldn't help but frown. Finding those who were captured would be somewhat tricky now.
“Master, the missions of our squad primarily consisted of two objectives. First, to ambush, kill, and capture anyone leaving the Ziwei Sect headquarters. Second, to surveil you, Master. The moment we discovered you, we were to immediately send a message back.
The primary purpose of capturing those Ziwei Sect members is to use them to coerce you.
I believe that as long as I send back information about your appearance, the other assassins are likely to bring the captives over to threaten you into submission.
Tianyou Tomb has conducted a detailed investigation of your strength and should not underestimate you, Master. They will employ all kinds of tactics!”
The assassin thought for a moment and explained.
“That makes sense.
Good. Immediately send back the news of my appearance!
Also, mention that my strength is formidable and I won't be easy to deal with.”
Ye Yunfei nodded.
“Rest assured, Master. I understand.”
The assassin nodded.
Thus, the assassin retrieved a message-transmitting jade slip and began sending the information.
“Master, you should be careful. Tianyou Tomb has dispatched a large number of assassins this time to deal with you, and they are sure to send experts stronger than me.”
The assassin said to Ye Yunfei.
His Soul Body was controlled by the Puppet Soul Threads, and he now prioritized Ye Yunfei's interests wholeheartedly.
“I want to see just what level of expert Tianyou Tomb has sent to deal with me.”
Ye Yunfei sneered.
“Master, Tianyou Tomb's plan is to lure you out from the Ziwei Sect headquarters, and only take action once you are far away.
Right now, rumors are circulating across the Eastern Barrens that Ziwei Sect has reactivated the deep resources left behind by Ziwei Great Emperor, and that the headquarters is a place where every corner bristled with perilous traps. No one dares to trespass recklessly.”
The assassin added.
“I'll first make thorough preparations, then I will travel far from the Ziwei Sect headquarters.
You all continue to stay in your original positions.”
Ye Yunfei pondered for a moment before replying.
“Understood, Master.”
The assassin replied.
Ye Yunfei turned and returned to the Ziwei Sect headquarters. He sought out Sect Leader Liu and others, informing them that Tianyou Tomb was responsible for the disappearance of so many Ziwei Sect members during this period.
“Sect Leader Liu, all the Tianyou Tomb assassins who were lurking around the headquarters have now pledged their loyalty to me. Their current mission is to protect our Ziwei Sect.
If you have any matters, liaise with them.”
Ye Yunfei took out a jade slip and tossed it to Sect Leader Liu.
“Alright. Understood!”
Sect Leader Liu's spirits were visibly uplifted upon hearing this.
He had already witnessed Ye Yunfei's ability to subdue enemies and turn them into slaves, so he didn't ask further questions.
Next, Ye Yunfei found a location within the headquarters where the energy of the Five Elements was exceptionally rich and began refining the Five Elements Spirit Swords.
Ye Yunfei currently possessed over two thousand spirit treasures and over one thousand Apocalypse treasures!
Ye Yunfei took out his artifact refining cauldron, channeled the earth's energy of the Five Elements, and began reforging the five spirit swords.
About half a day later.
"Swords complete!"
Ye Yunfei let out a soft shout.
Boom...
Five spirit swords shot out of the cauldron, transforming into five resplendent sword dragons that soared into the sky. The sword energy they radiated was like a vast, sea-like tide, covering the entire firmament!
Looking around, one could see endless, razor-sharp sword light raging between heaven and earth—a sight that struck awe into the heart.
For this reforging, Ye Yunfei had fused over three hundred Apocalypse treasures into the five spirit swords.
The quality of the five spirit swords had reached an astonishing level.
Ordinary Apocalypse treasures would be as fragile as eggs compared to these five spirit swords!
"Kid, I never imagined your artifact forging skills were this superb. With these five spirit swords, you could single-handedly suppress the entire Eastern Barrens."
Hun Lao appeared before Ye Yunfei. Staring at the five spirit swords soaring high in the sky, he spoke in a tone of surprise.
"These five swords are no ordinary weapons."
The Mysterious Turtle lifted its head, gazing intently at the five spirit swords high above, sighing in wonder.
Ye Yunfei pointed a finger. The five spirit swords turned around and descended, instantly returning to Ye Yunfei's side. Rising and falling, they pulsed with terrifying sword radiance, making the air for dozens of miles around thick with a cold, dense sword intent.
"Sect Leader Liu, continue to keep the mountain gate closed. No one is allowed to leave.
I'm going to bring back our Ziwei Sect members who were taken."
Ye Yunfei flashed and arrived before Sect Leader Liu, stating his plan.
"Alright. I understand."
Sect Leader Liu nodded.
"Tianyou Tomb possesses substantial strength. Are you confident going alone?"
The Mysterious Turtle suddenly arrived beside Ye Yunfei and spoke.
"Senior Mysterious Turtle, you focus on guarding the headquarters.
Rest assured, I'll be fine."
Ye Yunfei smiled.
Having said that, Ye Yunfei pointed a finger. The five spirit swords merged into one, transforming into a single long sword. It lifted Ye Yunfei and shot up into the sky.
Standing atop the long sword, his sleeves billowing in the wind, Ye Yunfei drove the sword forward in a rolling surge.
After leaving the headquarters, Ye Yunfei did not head in a fixed direction. He rode the sword, flying forward at a moderate, unhurried pace.
Half a day later, Ye Yunfei was already far from the Ziwei Sect headquarters.
"They should be showing up now."
A cold smile appeared on Ye Yunfei's face.
Sure enough, moments later, Ye Yunfei vaguely sensed faint, flickering black shadows beginning to appear in the distance, converging from all directions to surround him.
Tianyou Tomb's people had arrived!
Ye Yunfei simply let the sword come to a stop, hovering in mid-air. He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his eyes closed.
“Everyone, wait for me. I’m coming to save you.”
Ye Yunfei thought of those captured by Tianyou Tomb, a silent vow forming in his heart.
“What an arrogant brat!
He actually deliberately lured us out.”
Right at that moment, a cold shout rang out.
Then, one black figure after another manifested in the space around Ye Yunfei, surrounding him on all sides, dense as a wall, leaving almost no gaps for escape.
There were easily over two hundred assassins. All wore masks and black clothing—the standard uniform of Tianyou Tomb killers!
“One Origin Creation Realm!
Twenty Chaos Origin Realms!
And close to two hundred Dao Origin Realms!
Tianyou Tomb truly thinks highly of me.”
Ye Yunfei swept a glance over the assassins surrounding him and couldn't help but murmur softly.
To deal with a mere junior, they had actually dispatched an expert at the Origin Creation Realm. If this got out, it would likely cause a huge stir throughout the Primordial Continent.