"Ye Yunfei, all members of our Tianyuan Sect are ready. We can depart at any time."
The Reclusive Elder was waiting outside the small pavilion. As soon as he saw Ye Yunfei, he stepped forward to report.
"Good. Gather everyone," Ye Yunfei nodded.
A moment later, all members of the Tianyuan Sect were assembled in a large square.
After giving a few brief instructions, Ye Yunfei teleported every single person from the Tianyuan Sect into the Phantom Tower.
The interior space of the Phantom Tower spanned nearly a hundred square kilometers, more than enough to accommodate a vast number of people.
Next, Ye Yunfei went to the mountain peak where the Ye Family resided and teleported all of its members into the Phantom Tower as well.
"Old Huang, I entrust the Phantom Tower to you temporarily. If the situation turns dangerous, leave immediately," Ye Yunfei handed the tower to Huang Shang.
As a Ghost Cultivator, Huang Shang could attach himself to any physical object. Even experts at the True Manifestation Realm would find it difficult to detect him.
"Understood. Ye Yunfei, rest assured. I will do my utmost to guarantee the safety of the Tianyuan Sect and the Ye Family," Huang Shang nodded.
"Elder Zhang, enter the Phantom Tower," Ye Yunfei said, then teleported Elder Zhang inside as well.
Elder Zhang's cultivation was at Saint Realm Late Stage. Against True Manifestation Realm experts, he would be of no help to Ye Yunfei.
"Master, I will enter the Inner Core. If necessary, I can assist you," Hu Miao said, transforming into a wisp of demonic aura and vanishing into the Inner Core.
Hu Miao's current Illusion Art level was high enough to instantly bewitch True Manifestation Realm experts. Thus, she could be of aid to Ye Yunfei when needed.
Ye Yunfei walked out of the Tianyuan Sect headquarters, hands clasped behind his back, heading toward the valley near the sect.
Meanwhile, high in the sky, within a space veiled by white clouds, two figures stood.
"Knowing full well there's a tiger in the mountain, yet he marches toward it. Knowing it's a trap, he still goes to rescue others. Truly commendable courage, this youngster," one of the figures remarked.
"This battle should allow us to see his true strength and talent," the other figure replied.
"Indeed. So we must watch closely. We shouldn't let such promising sapling meet with mishap," the first figure said.
At that moment, amidst the peaks surrounding the Tianyuan Sect, many more figures with sharp, intimidating auras lay concealed.
"Look, Ye Yunfei has appeared!"
"He actually has the courage to go and rescue them."
"Hmph! Such a reckless fool has no brains at all. Presuming he has a bit of skill, he doesn't know his own limits. He's done for this time."
"As soon as Ye Yunfei enters that valley, he won't be able to use that bizarre movement skill of his. Then, he'll be meat on the chopping block, to be dealt with as we please."
...
Fragmented discussions constantly arose.
A short while later, Ye Yunfei arrived just outside a valley entrance and stood motionless.
The valley was quite large, with surrounding cliffs hundreds of meters high and a relatively narrow entrance. Furthermore, the entire valley was shrouded in countless white mists.
Upon arriving, Ye Yunfei immediately understood why his opponents had chosen to lure him to this particular valley.
Its unique topography made it most suitable for arranging spatial Formations.
"It seems those major powers intend to use spatial Formations to seal the space. That way, they can prevent me from escaping into the void," Ye Yunfei thought to himself.
He sent his Soul Power forth, probing into the valley.
"As expected, this valley is already filled with Formations. Spatial Formations, isolation Formations, illusion arrays... Heh, it seems they've really gone all out to deal with me." Sensing the various Formations within the valley, Ye Yunfei couldn't help but sneer.
"However, in the entire Eastern Region, there is absolutely no one whose skill with Formations surpasses mine." Ye Yunfei confidently mused internally.
He then began to analyze each Formation within the valley.
Ye Yunfei had once been a Heavenly Emperor. Even god-level Formations from ancient eras were nothing new to him. Therefore, most Formations in the mortal world were, in Ye Yunfei's eyes, nothing more than child's play.
"Ye Yunfei, since you're here, why not enter?" A voice echoed from within the valley.
"You so-called great sects and clans have certainly invested no small effort to deal with a mere junior like myself," Ye Yunfei responded coldly.
Silence met his words from within the valley.
"Enough nonsense. If you want to save them, come in," another voice rang out after a pause.
Ye Yunfei didn't move, remaining stationed at the valley entrance, his Soul Power tirelessly analyzing every Formation inside.
About the time it takes an incense stick to burn.
Finally, Ye Yunfei lifted his foot and stepped into the valley.
Walking to a central location, Ye Yunfei saw a platform erected up ahead. On this platform, three wooden stakes had been set up. Bound to each stake was a person.
Zhou Mu, the Empress Dowager, and the emperor.
"Brother Fei!" Upon seeing Ye Yunfei, Zhou Mu shouted out.
"Zhou Mu, it's been a while," Ye Yunfei smiled.
"Brother Fei, I'm sorry for causing you trouble," Zhou Mu said, looking at Ye Yunfei's smiling face with a trace of shame.
"Haha, Zhou Mu, since when have you gotten so polite with me?" Ye Yunfei laughed.
"Brother Fei, you should leave. Don't worry about me. They have strength in numbers, while you are alone," Zhou Mu suddenly urged.
"Zhou Mu, what are you saying? Have you forgotten? Back at the Yuanyue Academy, I already said that from now on, only we bully others. No one gets to bully us. Now, someone has actually come to bully us. How could I possibly let this go?" Ye Yunfei replied.
"Grandmaster Ye Yunfei, leave quickly! Don't concern yourself with us! They are True Manifestation Realm experts!" the Empress Dowager cried out.
"Yes! Grandmaster Ye Yunfei, get out of this valley! They've set up many Formations here; it's a trap!" the emperor also shouted.
"Hahaha, how touching! Such deep sentiment, one and all. Pity, Ye Yunfei. Since you've entered this valley, you cannot escape even if you grew wings!" A figure suddenly shot across the sky from deep within the valley. It was an elder in white robes, wreathed in white mist, standing in the air as if an immortal.
This elder's strength was at the Early Stage True Manifestation Realm.
"Hahaha, boy Ye Yunfei, I must admit I admire you. Knowing this is a trap, you dared to barge in. If we weren't enemies, perhaps we could even become friends despite our age difference!" Amidst loud laughter, another elder, with three long strands of beard hanging from his chest, stepped through the void, approaching step by step.
This elder was also at the Early Stage True Manifestation Realm.
"Is it just the two of you? To deal with me, that seems a bit insufficient," Ye Yunfei said, his hands still clasped behind his back, expression unchanging. He shook his head slightly.
"Ye Yunfei, I've seen many arrogant juniors. But one as arrogant as you, I'm truly seeing for the first time," an icy voice rang out. Then, a dazzling sword radiance shot over from the distance. The light halted, and a scholarly-looking man appeared before the crowd.
Another Early Stage True Manifestation Realm!
*Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!...*
Following that, figure after figure rushed out from within the white mists.
In the end, a total of ten True Manifestation Realm experts stood encircling Ye Yunfei, completely surrounding him.
Among them, eight were at the Early Stage True Manifestation Realm, and two were at True Manifestation Realm Mid Stage!