"What?! He's actually that person's disciple?"
"Remember, you are absolutely forbidden from speaking of him saving you! Sever any and all connections with him!"
...
When that dozen or so young men and women told the experts from their respective forces about today's events and also revealed Ye Yunfei's identity, the people from those major forces, upon learning that Ye Yunfei was the disciple of the person wanted by Tianliang Sacred Land, all became alert and sternly instructed these youths.
"Everyone, that person should be worth quite a fortune."
Some individuals from several major forces even began to look at Ye Yunfei with malicious eyes.
Tianliang Sacred Land had offered an astonishingly high bounty for the pursuit and capture of Zisheng Zhenjun.
If they captured the disciple of the wanted man and handed him over to Tianliang Sacred Land, there would likely be a reward. Even if there wasn't, it would be a great opportunity to curry favor with Tianliang Sacred Land.
How formidable was Ye Yunfei's Soul Power? He perceived every single movement and intention of those people with perfect clarity. He could not help but let out a faint inward laugh, completely unperturbed.
Given his current strength, Ye Yunfei simply did not take these so-called major force members before him seriously. If they dared make a move, he wouldn't mind going on a killing spree.
However, the people from those major forces did not make a move; they all departed instead.
Ye Yunfei urged his flying ship forward, heading in the direction where Xuanlong Daozhang's cave abode was located.
Shortly after, Ye Yunfei discovered someone was tailing him. He responded with a cold smile and piloted his ship at a deliberately unhurried pace.
Gradually, Ye Yunfei found the number of people following him increasing.
"Xuanlong Daozhang's cave should be right ahead, not far now," Ye Yunfei muttered to himself, looking at the land ahead roughly half an hour later.
At this moment, many flying ships could be seen roaring in from all directions towards a particular mountainous area ahead. It was bustling with activity; clearly, that was where Xuanlong Daozhang's cave was located.
That mountainous terrain was vast and open, with tall peaks standing erect and dense jungles blanketing the slopes. It was a place where earth's qi converged, and the Spiritual Qi was especially rich. It was indeed a suitable location for secluded cultivation.
"Halt!"
Just then, a loud shout suddenly rang out from behind. Over a dozen flying ships then came rumbling forth, immediately surrounding Ye Yunfei's ship.
Then, from each ship, a group of men with sharp, menacing auras charged out.
"Looks like it's just a young brat. Ridiculous that those youngsters thought he was some senior expert. Pah! Clearly just a worthless kid!"
Those people sized up Ye Yunfei, and one couldn't help but curse.
"Careful. This brat's realm seems to be the early Star-Gazing Realm. And he's that old bastard's disciple. His strength likely isn't weak," someone, noticing Ye Yunfei's power level, warned. But those beside him immediately sneered dismissively. "What's there to fear? We're all at the Star-Gazing Realm, and there are dozens of us! Are we afraid we can't defeat him?"
"Brat! There's no escape now. Submit peacefully and be bound!" A man in green robes pointed at Ye Yunfei and shouted harshly.
"What do you want with me?" Ye Yunfei walked out slowly from his flying ship, hands clasped behind his back, his voice icy.
"Kid, be honest! Are you really that old freak's disciple?!" A burly man stepped forward, pulled out a jade slip, activated it directly, and a clear figure materialized — none other than Zisheng Zhenjun.
"Correct. He is my master," Ye Yunfei nodded from within the ship.
"Excellent! Brat, your master's a fugitive scum, so you're likely no good either. Don't think about resisting! Submit and be bound!"
The burly man was overjoyed. He moved in a flash, charging over, wanting to seize Ye Yunfei first and gain the upper hand.
"First capture this brat, then interrogate him for his master's whereabouts. Capture both master and disciple together! They're worth a fortune!"
Everyone else around also wore looks of excitement, rushing forward to surround Ye Yunfei's ship.
"Mere small fry like you, daring to provoke me? All of you shall die!"
Ye Yunfei sat cross-legged. His cold voice echoed out of the ship.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM...
Massive bolts of thunder erupted from within the flying ship, like gleaming blades of lightning, carrying terrifying thunderous power as they slashed towards the oncoming attackers.
These thunderbolts were condensed from pure lightning energy and laws, not only devastating in power but also incredibly fast.
Those rushing from all directions didn't even have time to react before they were all cleaved in half by the fearsome thunder. Scorched limbs and shattered flesh scattered across the ground.
In less than a single breath's time, Ye Yunfei had slain dozens of Star-Gazing Realm cultivators!
Then, Ye Yunfei urged his ship forward, charging towards the location of Xuanlong Daozhang's cave abode ahead.
Moments after Ye Yunfei departed, several more groups arrived. Seeing the ground littered with charred remains, they were struck dumb.
Bear in mind, there were dozens of Star-Gazing Realm experts here, all from major sects and clans within Tianxiong Domain. Collectively, they were a considerable force, yet they had been utterly smashed to pieces by someone.
"It seems we underestimated that man's strength!" A grey-robed elder spoke gravely, his expression solemn.
"Hmph! So what if he's somewhat capable? He's killed so many from major forces; he'll definitely provoke public fury. Next, he'll face frenzied encirclement and slaughter from many major sects! Spread the news immediately!" a tiger-backed, bear-waisted man said with a furious expression.
"Right now, everyone is preparing to enter Xuanlong Daozhang's cave abode. Let's set aside that brat's matter for now. After exploring Daozhang's cave, we'll settle accounts with him," another man in silver robes said. Then he soared into the air, heading towards Xuanlong Daozhang's cave.
At this moment, Ye Yunfei had already entered a vast mountainous area and saw a large, actively erupting volcano ahead.
The volcano burned fiercely with raging flames that soared skywards, dyeing the heavens red. Within the circular crater, billowing magma boiled, emanating a frightening heat that made people sweat profusely even from a great distance.
Even more astonishing was that inside the crater floated an ancient palace amidst the magma, emanating an aura of immense antiquity.
A large number of cultivators were gathered around this volcano, their eyes fixed on the palace within the crater. Among them, some experts with particularly formidable strength were already standing on the crater's edge, gazing at the palace with fiery, covetous eyes.
Ye Yunfei knew that the palace floating and sinking in the searing magma must be Xuanlong Daozhang's cave abode.
"Interesting. Truly fitting for a Heavenly Boundary Realm mighty expert, building his cultivation cave in such a Land of Extreme Yang to collect the earth's yang energy. Moreover, this cave also serves as his tomb. Anyone who builds a tomb in lands of extreme yin or yang does so to utilize the unique terrain to preserve their body's latent power, even hoping to be reborn in the future.
Tombs like these often mean the tomb's occupant might not be truly dead, but clinging to a sliver of life, awaiting the chance for revival.
Therefore, exploring such tombs usually doesn't yield significant gains, as any resources or treasures might have already been consumed by the slumbering tomb owner in their coffin.
Moreover, entering such tombs is incredibly dangerous. Once you awaken the tomb's occupant, they will fight you tooth and nail, becoming a presence that slaughters even gods and obliterates buddhas who stand in their way."
Ye Yunfei only gave a brief survey of the volcano and the surrounding terrain before quickly recognizing this location as a Land of Extreme Yang. He couldn't help but shake his head, somewhat disappointed.
Looking at the palace within the crater, Ye Yunfei couldn't help but recall the tomb of Ancient Sage Gu Yao in the Eastern Barrens of the Hongmeng Continent. Ancient Sage Gu Yao built his tomb upon the Heaven's Omen Solitary Star terrain, a type of extreme yin land. Essentially, he hoped to utilize that terrain to achieve nirvanic rebirth and live another life.
"Everyone, let's go in. Xuanlong Daozhang's cave seems to be protected by quite a few ancient formations. Let's first join forces to break the formations and breach the entrance. Then we'll rely on our individual abilities to obtain the opportunities and treasures inside," a towering man over four meters tall, holding a massive axe, declared in a clear voice. This giant was not human; his upper body was covered in silver scales that appeared radiantly brilliant under the magma's glow.
"Good! We'll join forces and attack!" A human expert shrouded in soaring purple energy moved, leading the charge towards the palace in the crater.
The other experts followed suit, charging forward, then collectively unleashed a variety of terrifying ultimate attacks, hurling wave after wave of violent assaults towards the palace's main gate.
The palace gates indeed held several powerful ancient formations. Upon receiving the attacks, one formation light barrier after another continuously manifested, blocking the experts' strikes.
"Everyone, come up! Launch a collective assault! Forcefully shatter these formations!" a powerful cultivator shouted.
Hearing this, the others around swarmed forward like a tide. Some summoned magic treasures, others performed techniques and martial arts, unleashing attacks dense and numerous like a swarm of locusts, continuously bombarding the formation barriers.
"Senior Sister Keqi, let's go too!"
Ye Yunfei heard a clear, youthful female voice and couldn't help but turn his head. Sure enough, he saw Zhu Ziyan and Zhu Keqi.
Zhu Ziyan had rolled up her sleeves, revealing her smooth, fair wrists, looking eager and rather adorable. However, since their attention was entirely focused on the palace, they didn't notice Ye Yunfei in the distance.
"Alright, let's also go help." Zhu Keqi nodded and, pulling Zhu Ziyan along, rushed towards the crater, intending to join the crowd attacking the formations.
Just then, a sudden change occurred! The boiling magma within the crater violently churned, transforming into several terrifyingly hot magma dragons that soared upwards, pouncing towards the crowd attacking the formations.
AAAAAHHH!!
Immediately, many who couldn't dodge in time were engulfed by the fearsome magma. Their physical bodies and Soul Bodies directly evaporated into nothingness, dissipating into wisps of smoke.
"Be careful, everyone!"
The powerful experts all changed expression, each exerting all their methods to protect their faction's members.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM...
The palace within the crater suddenly began to tremble violently, erupting with a terrifying surge of energy pressure visibly spreading outwards in all directions.
"Those who dare disturb my peace shall die!"
An aged voice resonated from within the palace.
"Oh no! It seems Xuanlong Daozhang is still alive! Run!"
Hearing this voice, everyone was scared witless. They turned and fled.
Bear in mind, Xuanlong Daozhang was once a mighty expert who shook the entire Tianxiong Domain!
If he was still alive, he would be a terrifying master nearing the Half-Emperor level. No one in the entire Tianxiong Domain would be his match.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM...
The palace suddenly shot out from the crater at high speed. Wherever it passed, batches of people were utterly pulverized. They didn't even have time to scream before their bodies and spirits were annihilated.
"RUN!"
Everyone began desperately fleeing, including the powerful experts who led the attack.
However, the palace's movement speed was too fast. Those who were just attacking the palace earlier simply couldn't escape.
"Ziyan! We have to flee now!"
Zhu Keqi ran alongside Zhu Ziyan, but Zhu Ziyan's speed was noticeably slower. Instantly, she fell behind. Even more frighteningly, the palace was rushing precisely towards her location, emanating such terrifying energy pressure that she was completely immobilized.
"Senior Sister Keqi! You escape quickly! Don't worry about me! This palace's pressure is too immense. Even if my grandfather came, he probably couldn't handle it!"
Zhu Ziyan's face turned pale, but she didn't call for Zhu Keqi to return and save her, knowing that even if Keqi returned, she definitely couldn't save her and would only die alongside her.
"Ziyan!"
Zhu Keqi hesitated briefly but ultimately turned back. She forced herself forward against the horrifying pressure, rushing back to Zhu Ziyan's side, wanting to pull her along to flee.
But she also found she couldn't move.
Thus, the two beautiful girls stood there, helplessly watching as the terrifying palace rolled towards them, about to crush them to dust.
"Sigh... I suppose I'll save them once more," Ye Yunfei sighed inwardly upon seeing this scene. He moved, instantly appearing beside the two sisters. His sleeves swept around them, carrying them away as they traversed space in an instant.
The sisters, having already resigned themselves to certain death, were suddenly saved. In their surprise and delight, both pairs of beautiful eyes stared blankly at Ye Yunfei, gratitude flooding their hearts.