"By the Young Master's order, seize them! Take them back to the City Lord's Manor to await the Young Master's judgment!"
The cyan-robed old man suddenly issued the command.
Immediately, the forces of the Sword Emperor Pavilion began moving, closing in from all sides towards Ye Yunfei and his companion.
"Master, let me handle this. I've had several successive bloodline breakthroughs recently, and my Illusion Art has improved greatly. I could use some practical experience," Hu Miao said to Ye Yunfei.
"Alright," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"So, does your Young Master fancy me? Does he think I'm beautiful?"
Hu Miao smiled coquettishly, her words dripping with thousandfold grace and allure. As she spoke, she was already activating the Ancestral Illusion Art of the Ancient Heavenly Fox Clan. Countless invisible illusionary realms silently enveloped the Sword Emperor Pavilion forces, including the cyan-robed old man himself. In an instant, they all stood frozen, their gazes glazed over as they stared intently at Hu Miao.
"Yes... you are so beautiful..." the Sword Emperor Pavilion personnel murmured dazedly, their eyes locked on Hu Miao.
"You..." After all, the cyan-robed old man was an early-stage Heavenly Boundary Realm expert with relatively strong Soul Power. Sensing something was amiss, his expression changed drastically.
"Am I not beautiful?" Hu Miao urged the illusionary energy onward, one illusory realm after another continuously sweeping over the cyan-robed elder.
"Beautiful... so beautiful..." The cyan-robed old man felt as though his whole body was weighed down, as if he were sinking into mire, making movement difficult. His very thoughts also seemed to gradually fall under Hu Miao's control. He stared at her, his gaze vacant.
"Impressive. Alright, let's go. We should withdraw for now and wait until Senior Xuanlong arrives."
Seeing this, Ye Yunfei couldn't help but laugh. He turned and began to walk away.
"I'll let you off for now."
Hu Miao stuck her tongue out at the Sword Emperor Pavilion personnel, then hurriedly followed after Ye Yunfei.
"What just happened? Weren't those Sword Emperor Pavilion people about to attack? Why did they suddenly all seem to be hit by some immobilizing spell?"
The other beings in the vicinity watched as the Sword Emperor Pavilion members stood there in a daze, unsure of what had occurred. They were all greatly astonished.
Moments later.
"Wake up! Everyone, wake up!"
The cyan-robed old man was the first to recover his senses. He was both shocked and furious, shouting loudly.
Boom...
He released his Soul Power, shaking it towards the soul seas of the Sword Emperor Pavilion forces to help disperse the illusions.
Soon, all the Sword Emperor Pavilion personnel awoke, their eyes bewildered, unclear about what had just transpired.
"Dammit, we were hit by that wench's illusions! After them! Don't let that scum couple escape!"
Roaring in rage, the cyan-robed elder led his Sword Emperor Pavilion subordinates and angrily pursued in the direction Ye Yunfei and his companion had departed.
However, after the cyan-robed old man and the Sword Emperor Pavilion people combed through the entire Zhangjian City, they could no longer find any trace of Ye Yunfei and Hu Miao.
At this moment, Ye Yunfei had already entered the Phantom Shadow Tower, awaiting Xuanlong Daozhang's arrival.
"Kid, judging by your current Soul Power strength, I estimate you can probably open the fourth or even the fifth level of the Heavenly Dao Tower. Aren't you curious to go take a look?"
Hun Lao suddenly spoke to Ye Yunfei.
"No rush. After I've dealt with the affairs with the Sword Emperor Pavilion and Heavenly God Palace, I'll find time to enter the levels above the fourth floor of the Heavenly Dao Tower,"
Ye Yunfei thought for a moment before replying.
"Suit yourself. Regarding cultivation, it seems I don't have much qualification to guide you anymore,"
Hun Lao said.
A day later.
Xuanlong Daozhang finally arrived.
"Young Master Ye, we meet again."
In the outskirts of Zhangjian City, as soon as Ye Yunfei entered a small grove, the five elders of the Celestial Gold Race immediately stepped forward to greet him.
Besides these five elders, within the grove were Xuanlong Daozhang and a group of Celestial Gold Race powerhouses.
"Five Elders, why have you brought so many clansmen with you?"
Seeing the Celestial Gold Race contingent, Ye Yunfei was somewhat surprised.
When Ye Yunfei sent Xuanlong Daozhang back to the Celestial Gold Forbidden Grounds, his intention was simply for the five elders to come and assist. He didn't expect they would bring an entire group of their clansmen.
"We asked Senior Xuanlong about the specifics of the situation and thought bringing more people would be more secure. Besides, my clansmen have been confined in that Small World for a very long time, without any real combat experience. It's high time we let them out for some practical training,"
the Grand Elder said with a smile.
"Young Master Ye, don't worry. The bodies of our Celestial Gold Race are famed for their hardness, highly resistant to strikes, with astonishing vitality and tenacity. We won't be easily injured,"
the Second Elder added.
"Alright then. We'll make our move immediately. There's a Half-Emperor within this city. We'll deal with him together. After killing this Half-Emperor, we'll head straight for the Sword Emperor Pavilion's headquarters to settle accounts with them!"
Ye Yunfei declared.
"Five Seniors, during this operation, please conceal your identities as much as possible. I don't wish to implicate you all because of my affairs. I have many enemies. If they come to know about the Celestial Gold Race's connection with me, it would inevitably cause trouble for you in the future,"
Ye Yunfei pondered briefly before speaking again.
"Very well. But even if outsiders learn of our Celestial Gold Race's relationship with you, Young Master Ye, our race would have no cause to fear. To put it bluntly, with our Celestial Gold Race's current overall strength, even if we aren't ranked first among the three thousand worlds, we are definitely among the top-tier major powers. There are few forces capable of making our Celestial Gold Race afraid,"
the Fifth Elder said confidently.
"That's certainly true,"
Ye Yunfei nodded.
One had to know, the Celestial Gold Race possessed five Half-Emperors, and all of them were veteran Half-Emperors! That fact alone was enough to make them a major force within the three thousand worlds!
"Five Elders, please enter my spatial treasure first. You can emerge when your assistance is needed,"
Ye Yunfei said.
"Understood."
The five elders of the Celestial Gold Race led their contingent into the Phantom Shadow Tower.
Ye Yunfei and Xuanlong Daozhang soared into the air, heading towards Zhangjian City not far away.
"Master, I'll fight alongside you!"
Hu Miao appeared by Ye Yunfei's side.
"Very well,"
Ye Yunfei nodded.
Soon, Ye Yunfei re-entered the city.
"You scoundrel, you wench! So you were here all along! Excellent! You've kept me searching for over half a day! Now surrender yourselves obediently!"
As soon as Ye Yunfei, accompanied by Xuanlong Daozhang and Hu Miao, showed their faces within Zhangjian City, a cyan-robed elder happened to spot Ye Yunfei and Hu Miao.
Following Ren Shenyu's command, this cyan-robed elder had spent the entire day leading Sword Emperor Pavilion forces repeatedly scouring inside and outside the city for Ye Yunfei and Hu Miao. Unexpectedly, he had finally found them now.
"Immediately report this good news to the Young Master! Tell him I have located that scum couple!"
The cyan-robed elder instructed a man beside him.
"Yes, I will send word to the Young Master immediately,"
The man took out a jade slip and began transmitting the message.
"To me! Seize this scum couple!"
The cyan-robed elder waved his hand. Immediately, a group of Sword Emperor Pavilion personnel closed in to surround Ye Yunfei.
BOOM...
Xuanlong Daozhang took a step forward, releasing a rolling wave of energy pressure that sent all the Sword Emperor Pavilion personnel flying backwards.
"You..."
The cyan-robed elder was also forced back over a dozen steps, his face paling with shock.
He was at the early-stage Heavenly Boundary Realm, while Xuanlong Daozhang was at the late-stage Heavenly Boundary Realm—a difference of two cultivation levels. Xuanlong Daozhang's energy was more than enough to overwhelm him.
"'You' what?
Perish!"
Xuanlong Daozhang swept his horsetail whisk forward, slamming the cyan-robed elder away before slaughtering all the other Sword Emperor Pavilion personnel in the vicinity.
"Murder!
They actually dared to kill Sword Emperor Pavilion members within Zhangjian City!"
Many witnesses in the surroundings were utterly shocked, exclaiming in alarm.
Swoosh!
Ye Yunfei arrived directly above the City Lord's Manor. He activated his Body Divine Ability. One of his feet continuously enlarged, resembling a golden mountain as he stood high above, stomping down towards the City Lord's Manor.
Boom rumble...
Over three thousand draconic jin of physical strength erupted forth, shaking the very heavens and earth violently.
With a deafening roar, the tall, imposing City Lord's Manor was crushed beneath Ye Yunfei's foot. Countless structures collapsed instantly, leaving a colossal footprint at the center of the manor.
The entire City Lord's Manor had been reduced to ruins!
"Who dares?!"
Sharp, ferocious auras continuously appeared. A great mass of Sword Emperor Pavilion forces surged out from every corner of the city, roaring as they swarmed towards Ye Yunfei.
BOOM!
A ray of sword light carrying terrifying energy shot towards the sky. The vast, mighty sword radiance split the sky and earth, carving out countless dark spatial rifts.
In the next moment, the sword light halted in mid-air, revealing an old man.
A Half-Emperor expert from the Sword Emperor Pavilion!
Following this, a host of Sword Emperor Pavilion powerhouses appeared, surrounding Ye Yunfei.
"You wench! It's you!
Well! You actually dare to appear within Zhangjian City again! Where is that brat? Where has he fled to?!"
Suddenly, a voice rang out. A young man pointed at Hu Miao and shouted loudly.
It was none other than Ren Shenyu!
Since Ye Yunfei had now resumed his original appearance, Ren Shenyu couldn't recognize him at first glance. However, Hu Miao had always maintained her real appearance, so he immediately identified her.
Swoosh!
Ye Yunfei activated the One Thought Soul-Devouring Flower. A white flower bud immediately blossomed within Ren Shenyu's soul sea.
"Agh... What demonic thing is this? Get out!"
Ren Shenyu immediately clutched his head, screaming in agony.
The power of the One Thought Soul-Devouring Flower, empowered by Ye Yunfei's current Soul Power energy, was extremely fearsome. Ren Shenyu simply couldn't withstand it.
"Yu'er! What happened? What's wrong?"
Seeing this, Zhangjian City's City Lord, Ren Qian, rushed over to support Ren Shenyu, anxiously inquiring.
"Ye Yunfei, you've finally shown yourself."
The Half-Emperor expert's gaze fixed on Ye Yunfei as he slowly spoke.
Ye Yunfei!
That brat is Ye Yunfei!
Hearing the Half-Emperor's words, everyone present was utterly astounded.
"I understand now! Ye Yunfei, so it was you before, disguised and entering Zhangjian City! You were that brat from earlier!"
Feeling as if his head were splitting apart, Ren Shenyu suddenly realized the truth. He pointed at Ye Yunfei and screamed.
"You're only realizing it now?
Fool."
Hu Miao stuck her tongue out at Ren Shenyu.
With a flick of his mind, Ye Yunfei simultaneously deployed the Heavenly Soul Sword and the Puppet Soul Thread Secret Technique, launching an attack on Ren Shenyu's soul sea.
Agh...
This time, Ren Shenyu completely collapsed, unable to endure any longer. He fell to the ground, writhing and screaming desperately.
"Ye Yunfei, you are indeed audacious! Daring to attack and injure someone right before my eyes!
Come here!"
The Sword Emperor Pavilion Half-Emperor's expression darkened. He spoke coldly, then abruptly thrust out a large hand, grabbing towards Ye Yunfei.