In that battle, facing four alone, the Ancient Covenant ended up shattering three of the palms. The pale hand that stretched out from the Netherworld, seeing the situation turn unfavorable, had slipped away earlier.
"The Ancient Covenant is far too powerful!"
Many beings within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds felt profoundly shocked and stirred.
Ultimately, the Ancient Covenant existed to protect the order of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, so most of its inhabitants held a favorable view of it.
"The Ancient Covenant's heritage foundation remains, but its strength is nowhere near what it was in the past."
"If it were the old days, anyone who dared provoke it would be swiftly and mercilessly slain. But today, the Ancient Covenant didn't manage to kill a single one of the challengers. This indicates that its confidence is lacking."
"Hehe…
Just wait and see.
It won't be long before the Ancient Covenant becomes history!"
…
Within the Netherworld, the Demon Realm, and some other mysterious, unique worlds, grim, icy laughter could be heard.
* * *
"Ye Yunfei, your immediate crisis has been resolved."
Ye Yunfei, the Fat Monk, and the old soldier were still within the same Small World. The three had landed on a tall mountain peak and sat cross-legged atop it. It was the Fat Monk who spoke to Ye Yunfei.
"Yes," Ye Yunfei replied with a bitter smile.
The crisis had only been temporarily resolved.
Initially, after killing the three Heavenly Emperors—the Golden Crow, Ghost Moon, and the Palace Lord of Heavenly God Palace—Ye Yunfei's primary enemies were just the Dark Faction. But now, it seemed many more foes had been added.
For example, the Demon Race. Although Ye Yunfei hadn't killed a single demon today, the Demon Race would likely view him as an enemy.
Then there were the two major forces, the Demon Race and the Netherworld, both clearly hostile to the Ancient Covenant.
The very reason the Ancient Covenant had appeared today was to protect Ye Yunfei.
From now on, it was likely the beings of the Demon Race and the Netherworld would harbor no goodwill towards Ye Yunfei!
"Strength… my strength is still far too lacking!
I can deal with Emperor-realm opponents with ease.
But against immortal-level experts, I appear utterly helpless."
Ye Yunfei thought this to himself, feeling a deep sense of urgency to improve his power.
"Honored Seniors, the situation in the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds is becoming increasingly chaotic. The time until the next World-Destroying War must be drawing closer," Ye Yunfei asked aloud.
"Yes.
It is drawing ever closer.
Therefore, you must improve your strength as quickly as possible.
Now that you are a Heavenly Emperor, once the next World-Destroying War begins, you will undoubtedly be a primary target. There will be no escaping it," the old soldier nodded and replied.
"I understand," Ye Yunfei nodded.
Ye Yunfei had already encountered many experts at the Heavenly Emperor level who had perished or been injured in the previous World-Destroying War—such as Emperor Yan, the Suanni who had previously secluded itself in Canghuang Realm, and Ancient Desolate Emperor.
These three were all experts of Heavenly Emperor caliber, and they were definitely among the stronger ones within that realm!
Yet they had either died or been wounded!
"In truth, it's not just Heavenly Emperors. In a World-Destroying War, even immortal-level experts can fall.
In the last World-Destroying War, I witnessed a vast number of immortal-level experts meet tragic deaths," the Fat Monk sighed.
*A vast number of immortal-level experts, tragically dead!*
Ye Yunfei was somewhat shocked.
So, it seemed the sheer brutality of a World-Destroying War far exceeded Ye Yunfei's imagination!
"If even immortal-level experts can fall in a World-Destroying War, then with my current strength, I am still far, far from sufficient!"
Ye Yunfei inwardly sighed once more.
Since breaking through to the Heavenly Emperor realm, Ye Yunfei increasingly felt weak and inadequate.
Of course, this was mainly because the power level of the enemies he was now facing was different.
"Honored Seniors, is the World-Destroying War certain to happen again?
Is there no way to prevent it?" Ye Yunfei inquired.
"It cannot be prevented.
To prevent a World-Destroying War, the only way would be to annihilate the Dark Faction. But the Dark Faction is far too powerful. Currently, there is no force within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds that possesses the strength to destroy the Dark Faction," the old soldier shook his head and said with a light sigh, appearing somewhat despondent.
"Not even the Light Faction?" Ye Yunfei asked again.
"No.
In the previous World-Destroying War, our Light Faction suffered far too many casualties.
Even now, many of our powerful members remain unaccounted for.
If those experts were to return, perhaps we might still have the strength to confront the Dark Faction head-on," the Fat Monk said.
"Many of the Light Faction's powerhouses have not returned?
Are their fates unknown?" Ye Yunfei asked curiously.
"No. Some of our Light Faction's experts, although missing, are still alive because their Soul Candles are still burning.
If a Soul Candle still burns, it proves its owner is still alive," the old soldier explained.
"I see," Ye Yunfei understood.
Soul Candles, refined through secret arts, held a certain mystical connection with the soul body of a living being. If a being died, the Soul Candle connected to it would extinguish.
If a Soul Candle still burned, it indicated that being was still alive.
"Honored Seniors, what is the relationship between the Demon Race, the Demon Race, and the Netherworld with the Dark Faction?
Are they allies?" Ye Yunfei asked again.
"No.
They are not allies.
The reason why the Demon Race, the Demon Race, and the Netherworld acted against the Ancient Covenant is because powerhouses of these three forces were suppressed by the Ancient Covenant in the past, so they harbor a deep grudge.
In the previous World-Destroying War, the three forces of the Demon Race, the Demon Race, and the Netherworld were scarcely affected and managed to preserve their strength well. After the war ended, seeing every world in the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds had grown exceptionally weak, they seized the opportunity to cause trouble, attempting to dominate the entire Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. As a result, they were suppressed by the Ancient Covenant," the Fat Monk said.
"So that's how it is!"
Upon hearing this, Ye Yunfei couldn't help but feel enlightened, finally understanding why the experts from these three forces had attacked the Ancient Covenant.
"Hehe…
These three forces believe the Dark Faction won't move against them. Just wait and see—in this coming World-Destroying War, these three forces absolutely will not be able to stay aloof from events.
The imminent World-Destroying War will absolutely affect every single force within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds!
I suspect that the Dark Faction aims to launch the final World-Destroying War, the most terrifying one yet. If the Dark Faction emerges victorious, then every living being within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds will perish, life will be annihilated!"
The old soldier spoke with a grave expression.
"Senior, have you divined or foreseen something?" Ye Yunfei asked.
"Indeed, I've glimpsed some images… some very troubling images…"
The old soldier sighed, appearing deeply worried.
"Never mind, Ye Yunfei, don't ask so many questions for now. You should focus on cultivation and improving your strength.
Strength is what matters most!
Only possessing sufficiently formidable strength provides the confidence to face any crisis," the Fat Monk advised.
"Understood, Seniors. I understand."
In truth, Ye Yunfei still had many questions he wished to ask, but he had no choice but to hold his tongue for now.