"Could it be that kid is unafraid of the sword energy here precisely because of that tree's protection?"
Someone speculated.
"That's possible! No matter what, that tree exudes an extraordinary aura; it must be extremely precious. It could probably be used for Body Tempering or artifact forging. Since we've encountered it, we cannot let it slip by! Let's chase after him and seize that tree!"
A group of beings set their sights on Ye Yunfei and began pursuing him.
Above this group, a silver umbrella continuously rotated, emanating streams of dazzling divine radiance that cascaded down from on high like shimmering silver waterfalls, protecting the beings below.
"These fools are seeking death!"
Hun Lao's perception was astoundingly powerful. He perceived this group's words clearly and couldn't help but feel furious.
Although Hun Lao's true form was a tree, back when he followed the Gu Huang Great Emperor, he was treated as a friend. Now that he followed Ye Yunfei, Ye Yunfei respected him with the courtesy due a senior. His status had always been honorable.
Now, these beings actually planned to seize him for Body Tempering or artifact forging—how could he not be angry?
"Hun Lao, don't worry. If they dare make a move, I will definitely vent your anger for you," Ye Yunfei said.
"These fellows come from the Main World. If you intend to kill them, it's best to do so discreetly. It's said the Main World's strength is utterly terrifying; even Heavenly Emperor-level experts entering there are nothing special. These beings possess such strength at a young age; they likely hail from major forces within the Main World. If we can avoid provoking them, we should try not to," Hun Lao said to Ye Yunfei after a moment's thought.
"If they actively come to provoke us, then I'll have no choice," Ye Yunfei replied.
As they spoke, Ye Yunfei and Hun Lao strode forward. Ahead, dense sword energy surged towards them like a rainstorm, the clanging sounds incessant. Meanwhile, the beings behind them also charged forth eagerly.
"Damn it, that kid's movement speed is too fast! This desert is filled with sword energy everywhere, yet he can still advance so quickly!"
"It must be because of that tree! That tree is protecting him!"
...
Some beings from behind tried to catch up to Ye Yunfei, but they found his speed was simply too fast; they were having difficulty keeping pace.
"By the way, which faction do you think that kid belongs to? Is he a being from our Main World?" someone suddenly asked.
"No! That kid definitely isn't from our Main World! Carefully sense his aura. The energy and laws he radiates contain not a trace of our Main World's essence. He must be a being from one of the worlds within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds!" answered a being with particularly strong perception.
"Yes, the energy and laws within this kid clearly don't belong to our Main World!" others nodded in agreement.
"It seems this fellow should be a monstrous genius from some world among the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. Young as he is, he's already a Primary Half-Emperor. While such a realm isn't much within our Main World, in those outside worlds, he's probably considered a peerless genius," someone else chimed in.
"Hmph! A mere Primary Half-Emperor, what does that count for? Compared to the young geniuses of our Main World, it's simply not worth mentioning! Among our Main World's most monstrous young geniuses, which one doesn't possess strength at the Heavenly Emperor level or above? Everyone, since we've encountered a so-called young genius from the outside worlds, how about this: let's play a game together and have a competition. Hunt down this young genius from the outside world and see who kills him first! What do you say?" Suddenly, a tall and sturdy youth declared loudly.
"Haha... Let's compete then! Whoever kills that kid first gets the tree beside him; no one else is allowed to snatch it!" Immediately, a youth in white robes laughed and agreed.
"Everyone, haven't you noticed? Apart from that kid, there's another group of beings who are definitely also from the outside worlds! And that group are all sword cultivators, likely from some sword-related force. How about this, let's include that group within our hunting scope! I really want to see whether the sword path of our Main World is superior, or the sword path of the outside worlds," a handsome man with bright, starlike eyes said, pointing at a group of beings in the distance.
"Good! Starting now, within this Sword Grave, all beings belonging to the outside worlds are targets for our hunt. Let's see who kills the most!" The others all nodded in agreement.
Thus, these young beings from the Main World each began to radiate a ferocious killing intent.
In the distance, the disciples of the Sword-Guarding Manor started noticing something was wrong.
"Senior Sister Xiao, those beings from the Main World all seem to be looking at us with murderous gazes! We'd best be careful!" one Sword-Guarding Manor disciple nervously said to their leader, Senior Sister Xiao.
"Don't be afraid, everyone. Let's keep as low a profile as possible, stay far away from those Main World beings, and avoid provoking them if we can. We should be fine. Also, we must stick together and stay united. We cannot get separated!" Senior Sister Xiao, their leader, reassured them.
At that very moment, Ye Yunfei and Hun Lao suddenly stopped and looked ahead.
They had reached the end of the desert. Ahead stood a majestic, ancient city radiating an aura of antiquity. Around and above this city surged boundless sword energy. Thick beams of sword energy crisscrossed the skies in every direction, each containing astonishing sword path power, slicing through space with a sizzling sound.
Under the relentless cutting of that staggering amount of sword energy, the space surrounding the city was completely shattered. Countless fragments of spacetime mixed with densely-packed sword energy formed a vast, howling tempest, even generating vortex storms—a truly terrifying sight.
"This is the real Sword Grave!" Ye Yunfei said, looking at the majestic, ancient city ahead.
The elder from the Sword Emperor Pavilion had not only told Ye Yunfei the Sword Grave's specific location but also its general situation within. The true, ancient Sword Grave was this city before their eyes! Back then, the ancestors of the Sword Emperor Pavilion and the Murong Family had obtained the 'One Sword to Pacify the World' sword art within this very city.
"We need to find a way to enter this city," Ye Yunfei said, gazing at the towering city.
"The sword energy surrounding this city is too terrifying. With your strength, you probably cannot withstand it," Hun Lao said, sensing the sword energy around the city. It made him feel a sense of trepidation.
"According to the Sword Emperor Pavilion elder, the sword energy around this city has one characteristic: it's like the tides, with a clear strong and weak cycle. We'll wait until it weakens and seize the opportunity to enter," Ye Yunfei said solemnly.