It could be said that the Black Cloth Bag Ye Yunfei had taken out had truly enraged this black-robed person. In his fury, both his main body and his three Clones simultaneously attacked.
In fact, this black-robed person had been dealing with Ye Yunfei's party of five with a teasing attitude up until now. With his strength, killing five juniors like Ye Yunfei should have been effortless—a mere flick of the wrist!
Boom...
A tsunami of black energy, vast and boundless, rolled forth. Even before the black-robed person's attacks arrived, Ye Yunfei and the other four felt as though they were trapped in mud, their bodies difficult to move, let alone resist.
“Old bastard, you may be strong, but killing us won't be that easy!”
Ye Yunfei roared, unleashing his power with everything he had. At this moment, all the energies within his body erupted like a volcano, instantly released.
This included physical strength, Immortal Energy, Soul Power, Mental Force, and various other energies such as Spatial Energy and Temporal Energy.
Hun Lao, the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm, Hu Miao, and the dozen or so Heart-Devouring Demons also unleashed all their energy.
Those Heart-Devouring Demons were not only proficient in emotion energy; their own demonic power was all at the True Immortal level, which combined represented a not-insignificant force.
Under the combined effect of so many energies, Ye Yunfei's body was finally free again.
Ye Yunfei stretched out both hands, each grabbing a large handful of formation flags, which he continuously tossed outwards.
Instantaneous Formations!
Formations were one of Ye Yunfei's greatest trump cards! They were also his most effective means against Earth Immortal-level experts.
Previously, within the Ancient God Ruins, the Formations Ye Yunfei had laid out had enraged those Earth Immortal experts from the Main World, forcing them to spend time dismantling them.
Ye Yunfei possessed two Soul Bodies. Under normal circumstances, one would handle various external affairs, while the other would seclude itself within the soul sea for cultivation, studying various techniques, martial skills, or Formations.
Ye Yunfei had always been studying the Tianzhen Secret Record, and his Formation proficiency was continuously improving. Therefore, Ye Yunfei's current Formation skills were significantly stronger than before.
Boom boom...
Formation after Formation materialized, shielding the five of them in the center.
Rumble...
The tidal wave of black energy released by the black-robed person was entirely blocked by the Formations.
“Follow me! Let's fight our way out!”
Ye Yunfei shouted to Yan Xiaoquan and the other three.
Then, Ye Yunfei charged in one direction. Yan Xiaoquan and the other three were all injured, their combat power diminished. Hearing Ye Yunfei's words, they hurriedly followed behind him.
“Hmph!”
Seeing the Formations Ye Yunfei had deployed, the main body of the black-robed person's expression darkened slightly as he snorted coldly.
Merely a few juniors. Under normal circumstances, he could annihilate them all with a wave of his hand. But today, he had been entangled by these juniors for so long, making him feel extremely displeased and a bit humiliated.
“All of you, die!”
The black-robed person growled.
Rumble...
An infinite flood of Soul Power Energy surged forth from his main body like a stampede of ten thousand horses, crushing towards Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei's Formations blocked a portion of the Soul Power Energy released by the black-robed person, but some of it still forcefully pierced through and attacked the Soul Bodies of the five.
“That old bastard's power is too terrifying!”
Wu Wang cried out.
Boom...
Ye Yunfei also released his own Soul Power Energy to block it.
“The Soul Power Energy of that old bastard is terrifying!”
Ye Yunfei's body shook violently. His soul sea churned like a raging sea, almost causing him to lose his footing.
However, Ye Yunfei's two Soul Bodies were fused—one with the Soul Sword, the other with the Nurturing Soul Tree. Both the Soul Sword and the Nurturing Soul Tree were soul-type treasures, incredibly sturdy and possessing powerful defensive capabilities. Therefore, Ye Yunfei's two Soul Bodies remained unaffected, as stable as a mountain.
Originally, Ye Yunfei had intended to use the Soul Sword and Nurturing Soul Tree against the black-robed person. Now, he realized that not even the Soul Sword and Nurturing Soul Tree could affect the black-robed person!
“Move!”
Ye Yunfei took the lead, bellowing.
“Where do you think you're escaping to?”
Just as Ye Yunfei and his four companions fled into the distance, one of the black-robed person's Clones blocked their path, its palm striking out like lightning.
The reason the black-robed person had split into three Clones to guard the other three directions was precisely to prevent Ye Yunfei and his group from escaping.
He could tell Ye Yunfei was proficient in Spatial Energy and might possess some bizarre and ingenious escape techniques.
The fact that Ye Yunfei had been able to move freely across the battlefield with so many Light Faction War Remnant Souls earlier had already astonished him.
“Old bastard, die!”
At that moment, Zhou Ye suddenly roared, brandishing a fiery red talisman paper and immediately activating it.
Rumble...
The talisman exploded, releasing a thick pillar of red energy that blasted forward, directly punching a clear hole through the abdomen of the black-robed person's Clone.
“Zhou Ye, I never knew you had a talisman too!”
Wu Tianyu exclaimed in surprise.
“Of course! My master's strength isn't weaker than your master's, and his resources aren't inferior either. Since your master gave you a life-saving talisman, mine could do the same!”
Zhou Ye replied.
Previously, while crossing that dark region, Wu Tianyu had once taken out an Impervious Myriad Laws Ancient Talisman gifted by his master.
“Go!”
Seeing the two of them discussing such matters at a time like this, Ye Yunfei flicked his sleeve, pulling them both along as he charged into the distance.
“A surprise! A few ants nearly destroying one of my Clones. I was careless.”
The black-robed person stared at the Clone with a gaping hole, his face extremely dark.
At this moment, Ye Yunfei and his four companions were fleeing at full speed into the distance.
“Excellent! Zhou Ye, that talisman from your master was incredibly useful! It saved our lives!”
Wu Wang said to Zhou Ye.
“We might not necessarily escape. After all, this is his domain. Regardless, let's flee for now.”
Ye Yunfei said with a bitter smile.
“Hehe… You are right. This is my domain. You cannot escape.”
Just then, another black-robed person appeared before them, sneering. Another Clone.
“Don't you know? I've been in this battlefield for a long time and have placed many Clones here. No matter which direction you flee, one of my Clones will be waiting.”
The Clone before them sneered. Meanwhile, the main body of the black-robed person watched Ye Yunfei and his group from behind, also sneering.
“This time, I won't give you five any chances. Die.”
The Clone before them said coldly.
Rumble…
In the next moment, a small black mountain peak appeared in its palm, releasing an aura so terrifying it caused the surrounding space to crumble incessantly, instantly creating a small patch of black vacuum.
Rumble…
The small black mountain peak soared into the air, rapidly enlarging until it transformed into a massive Black Great Mountain within the blink of an eye, emanating a horrifyingly eerie pressure as it came crashing down towards Ye Yunfei's group.
“No! This is an Earth Immortal-level treasure! And it's inscribed with numerous bizarre dark-type laws! It seems capable of suppressing and dissolving space! Its power far exceeds that of ordinary Earth Immortal treasures!”
Yan Xiaoquan exclaimed in alarm, her pretty face paling.
“Yes, little girl, you are quite discerning. Very well, I'll start with you. Taste the power of my treasure.”
The black-robed person's cold gaze fell on Yan Xiaoquan, his voice icy.
Rumble…
The black mountain trembled violently, then surged down towards Yan Xiaoquan.
Yan Xiaoquan immediately sensed a feeling of mortal danger rising within her heart—instinctive warning—indicating the terrifying power of the Black Great Mountain.
“Ye Yunfei, listen. Among the five of us, your strength is the greatest. I will hold off this old bastard. You seize the chance to escape with the other three. Your strength is high, you have many techniques, and you must still have some trump card up your sleeve. Get them out!”
Gritting her teeth, Yan Xiaoquan transmitted her voice to Ye Yunfei.
As a young genius of the Light Faction, she was apprenticed to a senior expert within the faction, who had also gifted her a life-saving trump card. At this critical juncture, she decided to gamble everything, hoping to create an opportunity for Ye Yunfei and the other three to escape.
“You absolutely must not do anything foolish. We are a team. I will not abandon you and run. If we fight, we fight together. If we flee, we flee together. Understand?”
Ye Yunfei, fearing Yan Xiaoquan might resort to desperate measures like self-detonation in a moment of despair, hurriedly replied.
“Interesting.”
Deep within this ancient battlefield, in that valley above the crystal coffin, the incomparably beautiful woman who had been observing every move of Ye Yunfei's group couldn't help but nod slightly.
Boom…
After speaking to Yan Xiaoquan, Ye Yunfei flashed and stood before her.
Swish…
Ye Yunfei waved his hand, scattering a large number of formation flags. Formations materialized one after another.
“Shatter!”
The black-robed person whispered.
Bang bang…
The Formations Ye Yunfei deployed shattered like mere bubbles before the Black Great Mountain.
Boom!
The Black Great Mountain swept through the air, directly colliding with Ye Yunfei's body.
“What are you doing—?!”
Yan Xiaoquan cried out in shock and horror. She never imagined Ye Yunfei would use his physical body to shield her from the Black Great Mountain. She wanted to help Ye Yunfei, but it was already too late.
Bang!
Ye Yunfei's body was smashed apart, utterly disintegrated.
“No!”
Yan Xiaoquan screamed.
“Brother Ye!”
Wu Wang also roared. Wu Tianyu and Zhou Ye were both shocked and furious.
“Let's fight that old bastard together! Avenge Brother Ye!”
Wu Wang bellowed furiously. After spending this time together, he had long held Ye Yunfei in high esteem and forged a friendship. Seeing Ye Yunfei shattered to pieces now sent him into a complete rage.
“I'm not dead yet!”
Less than two seconds later, Ye Yunfei's flesh and blood reassembled, and he reappeared before everyone.
Given the quality of Ye Yunfei's physical body at this stage, a single dismemberment wouldn't result in immediate death.
“Hmph! I want to kill this little girl. Do you think you can save her?”
The black-robed person snorted coldly.
Rumble…
The Black Great Mountain pressed down on Yan Xiaoquan at an astonishing speed, instantly immobilizing her.
“Who dares to kill my disciple?”
A voice rang out. Then, an old man's figure emerged from within Yan Xiaoquan's head. This elder spat out a pure white Nine-layer Pagoda from his mouth, which shot towards the Black Great Mountain.
“Hmph! Just an Earth Immortal. Even your main body wouldn't be my match, let alone a mere Clone!”
Seeing the elder, the black-robed person wore an expression of disdain. Yan Xiaoquan's master was a high-level Earth Immortal who had left a Clone within his disciple's soul sea. This was Yan Xiaoquan's trump card!
Clang!
The Nine-layer Pagoda and the Black Great Mountain collided with a deafening sound. The Nine-layer Pagoda was sent flying backward.
“Xiaoquan, I'll hold him off. Run!”
Yan Xiaoquan's master shouted.
Boom…
Yan Xiaoquan's master's body burst into intense flames, unleashing a violent surge of energy. Holding the white Nine-layer Pagoda aloft, he charged towards the black-robed person.
“Hmph! What good will desperation do?”
The black-robed person sneered, waving a hand. A massive black net appeared out of thin air, instantly trapping both the elder and the white Nine-layer Pagoda.
Boom!
Yan Xiaoquan's master and the white Nine-layer Pagoda exploded simultaneously, releasing energy of horrifying intensity.
The terrifying energy caused the black net to swell rapidly, like a massive black balloon. However, the net was incredibly sturdy and soon returned to its original form.
Rumble…
The Black Great Mountain once again pressed down above Yan Xiaoquan.
“Kid, try to save her now.”
The black-robed person wore a mocking expression.
Bang…
With no other choice, Ye Yunfei could only rush before Yan Xiaoquan again, employing every technique at his disposal to block the Black Great Mountain.
Given Ye Yunfei's physical body, and with his two Soul Bodies protected by the Soul Sword and Nurturing Soul Tree respectively, even being shattered by the Black Great Mountain several times might not be fatal. But Yan Xiaoquan certainly couldn't endure that. If struck by that mountain, she would likely perish, body and soul obliterated, in a single hit.
So, with no other option, Ye Yunfei was forced to shield her.
“Ye Yunfei, what are you doing?!”
Seeing Ye Yunfei rushing to block the Black Great Mountain for her again, Yan Xiaoquan couldn't help but cry out. Her eyes reddened, her heart overflowing with immense gratitude.
In the world of cultivators, most beings prioritized self-interest. They wouldn't hesitate to turn against their masters, family, or even lovers for profit. Such a willingness to sacrifice one's own life to protect another was exceedingly rare.
Moreover, when it came down to it, she and Ye Yunfei hadn't known each other for very long.
Bang!
Unsurprisingly, despite Ye Yunfei using every technique, he was still blasted apart by the Black Great Mountain.
“If I'd known it would come to this, I should have refined those nine Doppelganger Statues. In a crisis, they could serve as substitutes, allowing me to escape.”
Ye Yunfei felt a pang of regret. Within the Ancient God Ruins, in that small mountain village, when he and Su Qingluo were guests at Mr. Liu's house, Mr. Liu gave them gifts upon their departure.
Within the Spatial Ring Ye Yunfei received were nine stone statues, named Doppelganger Statues. By filling them with a sufficient amount of Immortal Energy, one could create nine Doppelgangers with strength identical to the main body and near-identical auras!
These Doppelganger Statues could not only be used for combat but also, in dire situations, serve as decoys to absorb attacks, an effect of the first class.
Those nine Doppelganger Statues were incredibly sturdy. Ye Yunfei suspected that even an Earth Immortal might not be able to shatter them, at most destroying the Immortal Energy within.
It was a pity Ye Yunfei hadn't had the time to refine them. Now, in the blink of an eye, it was too late.
The next moment, Ye Yunfei's flesh re-formed, appearing before Yan Xiaoquan and the other three once more.
However, Yan Xiaoquan and the others clearly sensed Ye Yunfei's energy aura had significantly diminished.
“Again! Kid, your physical body quality is quite good. I wonder how many times you can save this little girl.”
The black-robed person sneered.
Rumble…
The Black Great Mountain crashed down once more, still targeting Yan Xiaoquan.
“Ye Yunfei, don't be foolish! I'll block it. Find a way to take the other three and escape!”
Gritting her teeth, Yan Xiaoquan actively charged towards the Black Great Mountain, intending to burn her origin essence blood to hold off the black-robed person.
Under full exertion, even burning her origin essence blood, her body actually managed to move under the pressure of the Black Great Mountain!
“You're the one who shouldn't be foolish.”
Ye Yunfei executed the Time-Space Annihilation Art. Moving countless times faster than Yan Xiaoquan, he reappeared before her, striking out to block the Black Great Mountain.
Boom boom…
Countless artifacts shot out from Ye Yunfei's body, simultaneously igniting. Actually, Ye Yunfei still possessed Earth Immortal-level treasures. However, given his Immortal Energy level, he could at most refine high-level True Immortal treasures. He couldn't refine Earth Immortal artifacts.
“You may have many artifacts, but it's useless. Like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.”
The black-robed person laughed.
Bang!
The Black Great Mountain, with its terrible force capable of crushing everything, dissolved all of Ye Yunfei's defensive measures and once again slammed into his body, shattering him.
What followed was the black-robed person repeatedly manipulating the Black Great Mountain to strike at Yan Xiaoquan time after time. Each time, Ye Yunfei rushed ahead to shield her.
Ye Yunfei's body was shattered again and again, his aura continuously declining.
Yan Xiaoquan, Wu Wang, Zhou Ye, and Wu Tianyu desperately wanted to help, but under the pressure of the Black Great Mountain, even moving was difficult, let alone attacking.
“This is very likely a Peak-Perfected Earth Immortal treasure! If this continues, you won't be able to withstand many more hits!”
Hun Lao shouted.
“Ye Yunfei, have you gone mad?!”
Yan Xiaoquan screamed, tears now streaming down her face.
No man had ever shattered his body for her, time and time again.
“Mmm. Sentiment and righteousness.”
Deep within the ancient battlefield, in that valley above the crystal coffin, witnessing this scene, the incomparably beautiful woman was also somewhat moved and murmured softly.
“Very well, I shall save you.”
The woman nodded.