This young man who had suddenly appeared was none other than Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei saw that the girl named Ziyan was lively and cute, not some wicked or evil person. Unable to bear watching her die in the mouths of the vicious leopards, he intervened to save her.
"All of you, stand back."
Ye Yunfei said calmly, then raised his hand and slashed out. Streaks of thunder radiance, each measuring tens of feet long, flew from his palm with a rumbling sound. A full hundred or more of them shot towards the vicious leopards.
With scarcely a sound, all of those leopards were sliced into pieces by the multitude of thunderbolts. Severed limbs and shredded flesh, blackened and charred, lay scattered, sending forth a tantalizing aroma of roasted meat.
The leopard with combat power at the Mind Star Realm was included; not one of them could withstand a single move from Ye Yunfei.
"How is this possible?"
The dozen-plus young men and women were dumbfounded, watching Ye Yunfei annihilate all the vicious leopards with a single move, an act simpler than swatting a swarm of flies.
"Zhu Keqi of the Zhu Family of Tianxiong Domain pays her respects to Senior. Many thanks for Senior's life-saving grace!"
After a moment, the senior sister Keqi came to her senses and immediately stepped forward to salute Ye Yunfei respectfully.
Although Ye Yunfei's appearance was exceedingly young, the combat prowess he displayed was far too astonishing. He was most likely a senior expert, so she dared not address him as an equal.
There were far too many older-generation powerhouses in the world skilled in the art of preserving their youth; even after living for vast ages, their appearance could still resemble that of a teenager.
The others also hurried forward to salute Ye Yunfei, reporting their backgrounds and origins. They all came from relatively famous great sects and clans.
"Hmm.
What are you all doing here?"
Ye Yunfei swept a glance over these young men and women and asked indifferently.
This was the former headquarters of the Ziwei Sect. Though it had been desolate for years, in Ye Yunfei's mind, it was still territory belonging to the Ziwei Sect.
"We report to Senior, we were merely passing through this area. Hearing this was the ancient headquarters site of some Imperial Dao Tradition, our curiosity was piqued, so we gathered here to see if we might encounter any opportunities.
As a result, we ran into this pack of vicious leopards and almost lost our lives to them. Luckily, Senior intervened and saved us."
Zhu Keqi answered respectfully.
"Since you know this is the headquarters of an Imperial Dao Tradition, you should hold it in awe and not casually desecrate it," Ye Yunfei stated.
Upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, the young men and women all stared blankly.
This place was already a wasteland, now territory for demonic beasts. Anyone could come here; what sort of desecration was there to speak of?
Nevertheless, these young people regarded Ye Yunfei as a senior expert, and none dared to contradict him.
"Senior, might you also have come to the Zhenying Sacred Kingdom because of Xuanlong Daozhang?"
The young girl named Ziyan suddenly asked.
"Xuanlong Daozhang?"
Ye Yunfei was taken aback.
"Indeed! Now everyone in Tianxiong Domain knows that Xuanlong Daozhang's cavern dwelling has emerged in the Zhenying Sacred Kingdom. Countless great sects and clans are organizing groups to come, hoping to seize the treasures and inheritance left behind by Xuanlong Daozhang.
We also came following the elders of our sect, aiming to explore Xuanlong Daozhang's cavern dwelling. Yesterday we passed through this region, resting temporarily in a nearby city. The few of us heard this was the ancient headquarters site of an Imperial Dao Tradition, and out of curiosity, we gathered here to take a look."
Ziyan spoke straightforwardly and rapidly to Ye Yunfei.
"So that's the case."
Ye Yunfei nodded slightly.
The Tianxiong Domain was vast and expansive, comprising over a dozen Sacred Kingdoms, among which the Zhenying Sacred Kingdom was one of the more powerful ones. The Ziwei Sect's headquarters was located within the borders of the Zhenying Sacred Kingdom.
This was something Ye Yunfei had long known, for in his previous life, he had stayed in Tianxiong Domain for a period.
"They say Xuanlong Daozhang was once the most powerful expert in ancient Tianxiong Domain. With his cavern dwelling emerging, no wonder so many are interested," Ye Yunfei mused.
"So Senior knows about Xuanlong Daozhang? It seems you are also from our Tianxiong Domain. I was thinking Senior came from elsewhere,"
Ziyan replied immediately upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words.
Her voice was crisp and clear, like large and small pearls dropping onto a jade plate, extremely pleasant to the ear, making one involuntarily feel a sense of affinity.
"Of course I know Xuanlong Daozhang.
Has the specific location of Xuanlong Daozhang's cavern dwelling been discovered?"
Ye Yunfei smiled slightly and asked.
Xuanlong Daozhang was a mighty power at the Heavenly Boundary Realm. During an ancient era, he had once dominated the entire Tianxiong Domain, a fact known to all.
"It has. The forces of various sects and clans are all hurrying there now.
We also plan to go take a look.
Senior, would you like to go see? Why not come with us," Ziyan suggested.
"Ziyan!
A Senior of his stature would not travel with us. Do not disturb the Senior!"
Zhu Keqi's expression changed slightly upon hearing Ziyan's words.
Although Ye Yunfei had saved their group, he was of unknown origin and unclear allegiances. Inviting such a terrifyingly powerful stranger to accompany them so rashly was a very imprudent act.
"Alright, I'll come along with you all to take a look."
After a moment's consideration, Ye Yunfei nodded.
A cavern dwelling left behind by a Heavenly Boundary Realm powerhouse might still harbor some valuable items, so Ye Yunfei also wished to see it.
In the Feixian Continent, a cultivator at the Heavenly Boundary Realm could be considered a top-tier expert capable of dominating a region.
Above the Heavenly Boundary Realm was Half-Emperor, and above Half-Emperor was Heavenly Emperor!
"Excellent! Senior, let's set off now!"
Ziyan was overjoyed to hear Ye Yunfei agree, clapping her hands happily.
"Well then.
Senior, let us depart."
Seeing Ye Yunfei agree, Zhu Keqi dared say no more. She produced a flying ship, which expanded as it met the wind, and respectfully invited Ye Yunfei aboard. The other young men and women also entered the ship one after another, before it soared skyward and sped away in an instant.
"Might I ask which power in Tianxiong Domain Senior hails from?"
Inside the flying ship, Zhu Keqi proactively made conversation with Ye Yunfei, trying to probe into his background.
"I am merely a wandering cultivator, you could say without sect or faction."
Ye Yunfei replied indifferently.
Initially, Ye Yunfei wanted to say he was from the Ziwei Sect, but on the Feixian Continent, the Ziwei Sect had vanished for a long time and was considered a perished force in the minds of many.
A wandering cultivator?
The dozen-plus other young men and women were somewhat startled. Having witnessed Ye Yunfei's formidable strength, they had assumed he came from a major power in Tianxiong Domain.
"Senior, I am the Sixth Prince of the Zhenying Sacred Kingdom. If Senior truly has no sect affiliation, why not come to our Zhenying Sacred Kingdom and serve as an honored guest?
As an honored guest of our Sacred Kingdom, you would enjoy generous provisions from the imperial family. Moreover, on ordinary days, you would have almost nothing to do—complete freedom and lack of restraint. Only when our Zhenying Sacred Kingdom faces a major crisis would we require the honored guests to lend their aid."
A youth in purple clothes, upon learning Ye Yunfei was a wandering cultivator, immediately became exceedingly enthusiastic, even showing signs of wanting to recruit him.
"If Senior has any interest in coming to our Zhu Family, our Zhu Family can also provide satisfactory treatment!"
Zhu Keqi also spoke up.
Subsequently, several other young men and women opened their mouths, each trying to recruit Ye Yunfei for the forces they represented.
These young men and women all hailed from significant powers within Tianxiong Domain. Convinced that Ye Yunfei was a powerful senior expert, they all had intentions of recruiting him.
"You are the Sixth Prince of the Zhenying Sacred Kingdom. The Ziwei Sect's old headquarters lies within the borders of your Sacred Kingdom. I'd like you to help me inquire about someone."
After pondering briefly, Ye Yunfei addressed the Sixth Prince.
"Senior, just name the person you wish to inquire about and give the order. I guarantee I will mobilize all my resources to assist Senior."
The Sixth Prince patted his chest, promising unreservedly.
"I wish to inquire about this senior."
Ye Yunfei pointed a finger, and an elderly figure materialized before him.
It was precisely Zisheng Zhenjun!
The gazes of the Sixth Prince and the dozen-plus men and women fell upon Zisheng Zhenjun.
"So it's him!"
The next moment, this group of men and women all exclaimed in unison, as if they all recognized Zisheng Zhenjun.
"Senior, why are you inquiring about him?
Could it be that you also want to hunt him down and claim the bounty from Tianliang Sacred Land?
I hear Tianliang Sacred Land recently increased the bounty once more. It's quite enticing."
The Sixth Prince probed.
"What's going on?
Has Tianliang Sacred Land offered a bounty to hunt down this senior?"
Ye Yunfei's expression sank upon hearing this, and he asked sharply.
Zisheng Zhenjun was Ye Yunfei's master. For someone to offer a bounty for his master's head was something Ye Yunfei absolutely could not tolerate.
"Did Senior not know that Tianliang Sacred Land has always been offering a reward to hunt this man?
Senior, what is your relationship with him..."
The dozen-plus men and women in the flying ship were somewhat shocked by Ye Yunfei's words.
"He is my master!"
Ye Yunfei answered directly.
What?
The faces of those dozen-plus men and women changed completely upon hearing Ye Yunfei's declaration. A few of them even discreetly took several steps back, putting distance between themselves and Ye Yunfei, as if wanting to dissociate themselves from him.
"Senior, could it be you've mistaken him for someone else?
He... this senior is truly your master?"
Zhu Keqi inquired cautiously.
"He is indeed my master.
Speak. What exactly is going on?
Why would Tianliang Sacred Land post a bounty for my master's head!"
Ye Yunfei's face darkened as he spoke coldly.
An intensely frigid murderous aura burst forth from Ye Yunfei's body, permeating the interior of the flying ship. Instantly, the dozen-plus men and women felt their entire bodies turn cold, as if they had fallen into a ten-thousand-year glacial cavern. Their physical bodies and even their Soul Bodies shivered uncontrollably from the cold.
Ye Yunfei regarded Zisheng Zhenjun as the most significant benefactor in his life, the person he respected most in his heart. That someone was hunting Zisheng Zhenjun was even more unforgivable than hunting Ye Yunfei himself!
"Who will speak."
Ye Yunfei's icy gaze swept over the dozen-plus men and women.
One by one, those men and women retreated continuously, trembling all over, terrified to the extreme.
In their eyes at this moment, Ye Yunfei was like a world-destroying demon king. The mere release of some of his killing intent suppressed them until they could barely breathe.
"Senior..."
Zhu Ziyan gathered her courage and started to say something.
"Ziyan!
Let me speak!"
Zhu Keqi immediately stepped forward, shielding Zhu Ziyan behind her. Gritting her teeth and bolstering her courage, she spoke up.
She feared Zhu Ziyan saying something careless would bring trouble.
"Senior, I once heard the elders of my family say that this senior killed an important and high-ranking elder of Tianliang Sacred Land, and also slew a large number of Tianliang Sacred Land's forces.
Thus, in a fit of rage, Tianliang Sacred Land posted a generous reward to hunt this senior.
It seems this matter occurred several decades ago.
Back then, Tianliang Sacred Land replicated this senior's appearance and soul aura in countless copies and distributed them throughout Tianxiong Domain, wanting to mobilize even more people to hunt him.
Therefore, the image and soul aura of this senior became virtually common knowledge within Tianxiong Domain.
Especially for young people like us who come from major powers, we know even more details."
Zhu Keqi said these words.
"Why would my master act to kill members of Tianliang Sacred Land?"
Ye Yunfei asked again.
"That, I do not know," Zhu Keqi replied.
"Hmph!
Tianliang Sacred Land dares to place a bounty on my master's head? Fine. Master, this grievance I will help you settle."
A boiling murderous intent surged within Ye Yunfei's heart.
Ye Yunfei's greatest worry was whether something had happened to Zisheng Zhenjun.
Because in his previous life, Ye Yunfei had not spent a long time with Zisheng Zhenjun. After bringing Ye Yunfei back to the Ziwei Sect, Zisheng Zhenjun had only stayed for a year or two, imparting some basic cultivation techniques and combat skills before leaving, never to be seen again.
Back then, Ye Yunfei's strength was still extremely weak; he couldn't possibly discern Zisheng Zhenjun's true level of cultivation.
Thus, up to this day, Ye Yunfei did not know what Zisheng Zhenjun's actual cultivation realm was.
Yet Tianliang Sacred Land was one of the three most powerful forces in Tianxiong Domain, teeming with experts and possessing immense influence.
The bounty order issued by Tianliang Sacred Land was sure to garner responses from many powerful figures. Therefore, within Tianxiong Domain, there would undoubtedly be numerous experts everywhere investigating Zisheng Zhenjun's whereabouts.
Right at this moment...
Rumble...
Ahead, over a dozen flying ships came rolling forth. Each vessel was luxuriously decorated and imposing.
"Senior Sister Keqi! It's the experts from our factions who've arrived!"
A few young people exclaimed excitedly.
"Bah! Coming only now? If we had waited for them to rescue us, we'd have been long dead."
Ziyan pursed her lips and scoffed.
Soon, those dozen-plus flying ships came to a halt before them. From each ship emerged several experts radiating powerful auras, coming to receive the dozen-plus young men and women who were with Ye Yunfei.
Each flying ship represented a major faction from Tianxiong Domain.
"Let's hurry out!"
The young men and women rushed out of Ye Yunfei's flying ship one after another.
The pressure Ye Yunfei had just exerted on them was too great; they simply did not wish to remain by his side any longer.
Moreover, after learning that Zisheng Zhenjun was Ye Yunfei's master, they dared not stay with Ye Yunfei even more.
Because Zisheng Zhenjun was a target hunted by Tianliang Sacred Land. If Tianliang Sacred Land were to misunderstand that they had any relationship with Ye Yunfei, they would be in deep trouble.
"Ziyan, members of our family have also arrived. Let's go out."
Zhu Keqi took Zhu Ziyan's hand and spoke.
"But what about this Senior? He's coming with us to Xuanlong Daozhang's cavern dwelling. Let's bring him along."
Zhu Ziyan pointed at Ye Yunfei.
"Ziyan, don't make trouble. This matter is critical; don't be willful!"
Zhu Keqi's expression turned stern as she forcibly pulled Zhu Ziyan out of the flying ship.
"Senior, I dare to say this.
Revealing your identity publicly earlier was not a wise move, Senior. I fear it won't be long before your identity spreads, and many experts will inevitably come hunting you.
Especially Tianliang Sacred Land—they will certainly come looking for trouble with you, Senior.
I advise Senior to leave immediately and find a place to hide.
The best course is to hurry and leave Tianxiong Domain.
Once you leave Tianxiong Domain, Tianliang Sacred Land's influence will diminish considerably."
Suddenly, Ye Yunfei received a Sound Transmission from Zhu Keqi.
"Thank you.
May I ask the specific location of Xuanlong Daozhang's cavern dwelling?"
Ye Yunfei transmitted back.
"What?
You still plan to explore Xuanlong Daozhang's cavern dwelling?"
Zhu Keqi's expression changed.
"I know my limits.
Please tell me.
After all, I am considered your savior."
Ye Yunfei replied indifferently.
"Very well."
Zhu Keqi gritted her teeth and told Ye Yunfei the general location of Xuanlong Daozhang's cavern dwelling. Then, without looking back, she pulled Zhu Ziyan out of the flying ship.