Originally, this valley was lush with vegetation, its ancient trees verdant and vibrant, teeming with life. However, the ruin before them was desolate and decaying, littered with broken walls and shattered remains, even flying sand and shifting stones, with dust and smoke billowing about.
Many beings were moving about within this expanse of ruins.
"Young Master Ye, our Celestial Gold Race members are trapped inside an ancient formation within," the Third Elder said.
"Alright, let's go in," Ye Yunfei nodded.
Subsequently, Ye Yunfei and the Third Elder walked into these ruins deep within the valley.
"There's a large-scale space formation!"
The moment Ye Yunfei stepped into the ruins' perimeter, he detected fluctuations of spatial energy.
It turned out these ruins deep in the valley were covered by a large-scale spatial formation.
It was precisely because of this spatial formation that these ruins had remained undiscovered until now.
Not long ago, this formation underwent sudden changes, which was why these ruins deep in the valley were finally revealed.
"This spatial formation is exceptionally advanced. If I hadn't cultivated the Heavenly Formation Secret Record some time ago, I likely wouldn't be able to see through it," Ye Yunfei mused after releasing his Soul Power to study this spatial formation, feeling slightly astonished.
"Looks like this might have been the headquarters of some ancient sect in the past," Ye Yunfei speculated, gazing at this expanse of ruinous remains.
After entering these ruins, Ye Yunfei discovered they actually constituted their own Small World; the energy and laws within formed an independent system, different from the valley outside.
Not only did Ye Yunfei see many structures, he even glimpsed a mountainous region deep within the ruins.
The Third Elder led the way ahead, guiding Ye Yunfei swiftly towards the location where the Celestial Gold Race contingent was besieged.
Along the way, they encountered many beings who had entered these ruins seeking opportunities.
Although most buildings within these ruins had crumbled into broken walls and rubble, a small number of intact structures remained—pavilions, towers, and palaces, as well as some ancient cultivation caves on mountain peaks. Within these places, there were numerous pills, magic treasures, cultivation technique manuals, and various Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures.
Beings seeking opportunities within these ruins frequently engaged in fierce clashes over loot, the roars of violent energy reverberating ceaselessly.
Ye Yunfei and the Third Elder detoured along their path, not participating in the struggles over treasures.
Ye Yunfei could tell the Third Elder was highly anxious, so he decided to prioritize rescuing the people.
Moreover, Ye Yunfei's Soul Power perceived that although the treasures those beings fought over were valuable, for him they were only ordinary—because Ye Yunfei currently possessed an immense wealth of assets.
Some time ago, Ye Yunfei had slain a great number of Heavenly Emperor-level experts and annihilated the Heavenly God Palace; the amount of spoils he harvested was simply incalculable.
Thus, ordinary treasures didn't hold much appeal for Ye Yunfei now.
Not long after, Ye Yunfei entered the depths of these ruins.
"Young Master Ye, our Celestial Gold Race members are trapped within that dense grove ahead," the Third Elder spoke, pointing towards a thick forest.
Ye Yunfei's figure flashed as he arrived before this grove, his Soul Power sweeping in to perceive its secrets.
"The trees in this grove are somewhat extraordinary; they contain vast amounts of high-grade energy! This energy seems to be a level higher than spiritual energy! Could this be... Immortal energy?" Ye Yunfei was somewhat surprised.
The dense grove before his eyes was radiant and magnificent, filled with auspicious mist, blindingly dazzling.
Each towering ancient tree had rugged trunks, glowing leaves, and branches like jade, brimming with astonishing vital life force.
Even more shocking were the fruits hanging from those ancient trees—each one crystal-clear and translucent, about the size of an adult fist, emitting a delicate fragrance, appearing extraordinarily sacred.
"There's indeed a formation here!"
Ye Yunfei quickly discovered that within this grove there indeed existed an exceedingly advanced formation.
"The fact that I didn't detect this formation the moment I arrived here earlier indicates this formation's grade is truly extraordinary. It seems I'll need to study it properly," Ye Yunfei thought.
Releasing his Soul Power, Ye Yunfei began researching the formation within the dense grove.
"Young Master Ye, our Celestial Gold Race members are surrounded and trapped within this grove. Please see if you can rescue them. They've been stuck inside for several days already; I don't know their current state," the Third Elder appeared extremely anxious.
"Third Elder, rest assured. I will break this formation, it will just take some time," Ye Yunfei said.
Swish, swish...
At that moment, many beings from afar activated movement techniques and rushed over, landing in the grove, curiously sizing up this resplendent and dazzling thicket.
Anyone could tell at a glance that this grove was extraordinary.
Especially those crystal-clear and translucent fruits, their fragrance alluring, making one crave a taste.
"Those fruits must be treasures, containing an extremely high-grade energy! They're certain to offer immense benefits for cultivation!" Some beings stared at the fruits on the ancient trees within the grove, practically drooling.
"Let's go! We'll head in and pick those fruits!" A few beings readied themselves to charge into the dense grove ahead.
"Everyone, be careful! This grove is peculiar. It seems beings have charged in these past few days, but not a single one has been seen coming out! There must be danger inside!" A voice cautioned nearby.
"Nonsense! As the saying goes, fortune favors the bold. Isn't it normal for dangerous places with treasures to exist? Let's go! We'll join forces, fight our way in, and pick those fruits!" Several beings disregarded the warning, taking the lead as they charged towards the grove.
Boom, rumble...
The moment these beings stepped into the grove, a formation manifested.
"What is this place?! Something is attacking me! Scram!"
"This place is too terrifying! Let's get out quickly!"
...
Soon, those few beings began shrieking in terror, each turning to try to escape the grove. However, they were already plunged into various different illusions, suffering all sorts of terrifying attacks. Given their strength, breaking free was simply impossible.
"Hmm, the formation in this grove not only has an isolating function, it also contains profound laws of the Illusion Dao, capable of constructing sophisticated, advanced illusions. Once living beings fall into the formation, they're trapped by those illusions," Ye Yunfei mused inwardly.
"This formation warrants proper study from me." Standing before the grove, Ye Yunfei projected his Soul Power inward, focusing intently on researching how to break the formation.
Swish, swish...
More beings rushed over from afar, landing near the grove, scrutinizing the dazzlingly brilliant ancient trees and crystal-clear fruits within.
In fact, over the past few days, beings continuously sought to enter this dense grove to pluck those fruits, but not a single one who went in had been seen to exit.
Consequently, beings whose strength wasn't sufficient simply dared not approach or provoke this grove.
"These are indeed the legendary Human Immortal Fruits! Hahaha... Excellent! These Human Immortal Fruits shall be mine! With these fruits, my chances at breaking through to the Mystic Immortal realm will increase even more!"
Suddenly, a youth in a blue robe came striding from afar. The moment he spoke he was still far off in the distance, but in a flicker, he materialized within the grove, his gaze fixed on the crystal-clear fruits hanging from the ancient trees inside, appearing extremely excited.