One day later.
Central Divine Land, within a certain primitive forest.
Deep in this forest lay a stretch of ruins, with many broken walls and collapsed structures. It was clear that some of the buildings had once been magnificent, but now only desolation remained.
A green flying boat arrived from afar and halted in the air above this forest.
Ye Yunfei emerged from the green flying boat along with Situ Kong'er and Hall Master Mu.
"Hall Master Mu, the ruins below were once the ancient headquarters of your Earth Kill organization in the Central Divine Land," Ye Yunfei said, pointing at the ruins below. "In those days, the people of Earth Kill called this place the Earth Hall."
"Yes, that matches the records left in our ancient texts. This is indeed the Earth Hall," Hall Master Mu said.
In a flash, his figure landed amidst the ruins below. As he surveyed the surrounding broken walls, his gaze was exceedingly complex.
In ancient times, Earth Kill had been one of the most powerful super factions on the Primordial Continent. Now, however, it had completely declined, reduced to nothing but this desolate ruin before his eyes.
"How unpredictable the affairs of the world are," Situ Kong'er sighed. "Countless great powers that were once glorious have suddenly declined, some even vanishing entirely. Reaching the peak only to decline—perhaps that is simply part of the great Dao of heaven and earth. In truth, our Miaoshou Sect is no different."
"Indeed," Ye Yunfei nodded, standing beside him.
"Who are you people!"
As Ye Yunfei, Situ Kong'er, and Hall Master Mu walked amidst the ruins, a dozen figures suddenly emerged from the depths of the forest in the distance, approaching swiftly. A middle-aged man at the forefront sternly shouted.
"They're from the Tianyou Tomb!" Situ Kong'er's eyes narrowed.
"Tianyou Tomb people!" Hearing Situ Kong'er's words, Hall Master Mu's expression became one of both apprehension and fury.
"So the Tianyou Tomb has had people guarding this place all along. It seems they are determined to deny Earth Kill any chance to rise again," Hall Master Mu said angrily.
In truth, the reason Hall Master Mu had kept the remaining Earth Kill members hidden in the Eastern Barrens was precisely because the Tianyou Tomb had been relentlessly investigating whether any of Earth Kill survived.
He never imagined that Earth Kill's former headquarters was also being watched by Tianyou Tomb personnel. This was enough to show just how overbearing and aggressive the Tianyou Tomb was.
At this moment, the dozen Tianyou Tomb members arrived, landing not far away and fixing warning stares on the three of them.
"Who we are has nothing to do with you," Ye Yunfei said coldly.
"This is a forbidden land of our Tianyou Tomb. Unauthorized persons are strictly forbidden from approaching. Now get lost!" the middle-aged man with a sharp aura at the forefront stated sternly.
"From what I know, this place was originally Earth Kill's territory. How exactly did it become the Tianyou Tomb's forbidden land? You certainly have the nerve to say that," Ye Yunfei said flatly.
"You punk! Who are you! Are you connected to Earth Kill!"
Hearing his words, the dozen Tianyou Tomb members all grew vigilant and immediately surrounded them, hemming the trio in.
"Young Master Su, perhaps we should step back and avoid them. I don't want to expose my identity. If they learn that I am from Earth Kill, the trouble will be immense," Hall Master Mu said to Ye Yunfei via Sound Transmission, eyeing the Tianyou Tomb members.
"It's fine. Hall Master Mu, Earth Kill can't hide forever. The time has come for you all to reappear," Ye Yunfei replied.
"Reappear? Young Master Su, this is no trivial matter. It concerns the very survival of Earth Kill. If anything happens to this branch of Earth Kill forces, then our organization's inheritance will truly be severed completely within the Primordial Continent," Hall Master Mu said, his face drastically changing upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words.
"Hall Master Mu, do you trust me?" Ye Yunfei asked.
"This... Naturally, I trust you, Young Master Su."
"I will help Earth Kill reappear, and more than that, I will help it rise once more," Ye Yunfei stated.
"Help Earth Kill rise again? Young Master Su, are you serious?" Hall Master Mu asked, both shocked and elated.
If anyone else had said such words, he naturally wouldn't have believed them. But Ye Yunfei was different. Ever since meeting him, Hall Master Mu had been deeply impressed by the strength and various methods Ye Yunfei displayed!
"I am serious," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Attack! Seize these three first and we'll talk after!"
At this moment, the leading middle-aged man waved his hand and barked a stern order.
Swoosh, swoosh...
The dozen or so Tianyou Tomb members drew their swords and advanced menacingly.
"Hall Master Mu, take your people and kill these guys. Consider it collecting a little interest from the Tianyou Tomb," Ye Yunfei said.
"Very well!"
Hall Master Mu hesitated for a moment, then gave a firm nod.
Ye Yunfei waved his hand, teleporting a group of Earth Kill members out from within the Phantom Tower.
"Young Master Su, you previously transmitted one of Earth Kill's core inheritances to me. Our people have all been cultivating it together, and their strength has greatly improved in this period of time. Now see the results for yourself!" Hall Master Mu declared.
"Now, let you Tianyou Tomb scum witness Earth Kill's core inheritance! Let's see whose inheritance is superior—the Tianyou Tomb's or Earth Kill's!"
Having thoroughly set aside his reservations by now, Hall Master Mu drew his longsword, pointed it at the leading middle-aged man, and spoke coldly.
"Earth Kill! You people are from Earth Kill?" The middle-aged man was greatly alarmed upon hearing Hall Master Mu's words.
"Act now!" Hall Master Mu barked fiercely.
Swoosh!
In the next moment, Hall Master Mu and the several dozen Earth Kill members behind him simultaneously vanished from sight.
"Be careful!"
Seeing this, the leading Tianyou Tomb middle-aged man's expression changed, and he shouted a low warning.
Immediately after, this middle-aged man and his Tianyou Tomb followers also melted into space, disappearing without a trace.
"Earth Kill's movement technique is quite impressive. Compared to the Tianyou Tomb's movement technique, it's no weaker, if not superior," Ye Yunfei nodded slightly as he observed the Earth Kill members concealed within the fabric of space.
The cultivation levels of these dozen Tianyou Tomb members weren't particularly high, and Ye Yunfei knew Hall Master Mu could handle them.
Clang! Clang clang...
In the next moment, longswords extended out from the spatial void, clashing against one another in a series of dense metallic ringing sounds accompanied by continuously flying sparks.
Ah...
Soon, agonized screams rang out one after another, followed by Tianyou Tomb members tumbling out from space.
All of these Tianyou Tomb individuals had been struck in vital spots, each killing blow precise and fatal!
A moment later.
"You... you actually killed all my men!"
The leading Tianyou Tomb middle-aged man fell out from the spatial void, a sword wound on his right shoulder bleeding profusely. He looked utterly disheveled.
"Save your breath. Prepare to die!"
A voice transmitted from within the spatial folds, but Hall Master Mu's figure remained unseen.
"You Earth Kill remnants, just you wait!" the middle-aged man roared furiously before turning and fleeing, charging towards the distance.
Ssshht!
A moment later, when the man had fled some distance and was about to vanish from sight, a longsword abruptly emerged from the space ahead of him and stabbed straight through his heart.
Hall Master Mu's figure then appeared, gripping the hilt, his gaze ice-cold.
At this point, the other Earth Kill members also began to reappear one after another.
"Young Master Su, what do you think of our cultivation progress?" Hall Master Mu sheathed his sword and approached Ye Yunfei to ask.
"Quite acceptable. Earth Kill's core inheritance had been lost for a long time and was only recovered recently. To have cultivated to this level already is quite commendable," Ye Yunfei nodded in reply.
"Come, I'll take you now to meet some of the elders of your Earth Kill organization. Once there, you can seek their guidance properly. Your progress will certainly be much greater then," Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
"Young Master Su, what did you say? Elders of our Earth Kill organization?"
Upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, Hall Master Mu stood there dumbfounded.
The other Earth Kill members around them also looked on, each suspecting they had misheard.