"Young Master Ye, the world ahead is a branch stronghold of the Western Sect. It is said that the Western Sect has connections to the Buddhist traditions. The majority of cultivation techniques and martial skills they practice have evolved from Buddhist foundational techniques." Elder Zhuge pointed at the spatial portal leading to a world ahead as he spoke to Ye Yunfei, who had led their forces to a halt before it.
"Indeed, the Western Sect's cultivation techniques and martial skills do bear some similarity to the foundational Buddhist arts," Ye Yunfei nodded in agreement.
"Young Master Ye, let's just charge straight in," urged another Perfected True Immortal standing nearby, already eager for action. Destroying dozens of branch strongholds belonging to those major factions in one go these past days felt exceedingly exhilarating.
"Wait, I have something to say," Ye Yunfei spoke after a moment's thought. "Everyone, our operations over this period must have surely drawn the attention of the Qingxuan Sect and those other major factions. I suspect it is highly likely they have already dispatched powerful experts and troops to deal with us. Therefore, starting now, we must exercise extreme caution. Everyone, remember this: if any sudden changes occur, converge on my position at your fastest possible speed. Then, I will find a way to get us all to safety."
Ye Yunfei's clear voice carried his warning. The Reincarnation Palace members who heard his words felt a chill run through their hearts. This was especially true for the True Immortal experts; they had already privately considered that the Qingxuan Sect and those other factions would definitely not allow their small force to continue wreaking havoc unchecked, and would surely send people to confront them. However, the smooth sailing during this recent period had unconsciously lulled everyone into a sense of ease. Now, hearing Ye Yunfei's reminder, a sense of crisis immediately arose in their hearts.
"Young Master Ye makes a valid point. Although the overall strength of our team is quite commendable, we lack a single Earth Immortal among us. If those major factions send just one Earth Immortal expert our way, we would be hard-pressed to handle it. So, everyone must remember Young Master Ye's words!" Elder Zhuge stated gravely.
"Young Master Ye not only possesses extraordinary strength but also understands the need to be mindful of potential dangers in times of peace, neither arrogant nor rash. Truly, such a monstrous prodigy is rare in this world. For the Light Faction to cultivate such a young monster, it is no wonder they are one of the most ancient major forces within our spacetime region!" Several Reincarnation Palace elders looked at Ye Yunfei with admiration, secretly sending sound transmissions to praise him. By now, everyone from the Reincarnation Palace knew that Ye Yunfei and Yan Xiaoquan and her four companions were the junior members of the Light Faction.
"Hun Lao, Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm, you two are most sensitive to spatial fluctuations. From now on, maintain constant awareness of the space around us. I'm worried an Earth Immortal might suddenly arrive," Ye Yunfei sound-transmitted to Hun Lao and the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm. Given his current strength, Earth Immortal experts were the only ones within this spacetime region that made Ye Yunfei apprehensive. He was not yet ready for a direct confrontation with Earth Immortal powerhouses.
"Don't worry. With me here, even if an Earth Immortal comes, I can detect it beforehand," the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm proclaimed boldly.
"Oh, by the way, give me some more spatial energy crystals. I feel my bloodline is about to advance again soon," it added immediately after.
"That's easily done," Ye Yunfei chuckled, directly taking out a large batch of spatial energy crystals and teleporting them before the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm.
"Rest assured. Starting now, I will extend all my roots, permeating the surrounding space. If any powerful expert arrives, my roots will sense it immediately," Hun Lao's voice sounded next.
"Oh? Hun Lao, you have this ability? I've never heard you mention it before," Ye Yunfei said with pleasant surprise.
"It's one of my newly awakened racial inheritances. The primal essence of a Chaos World Tree is a tree, with well-developed roots, and all these roots possess potent sensing capabilities, able to perceive any minute change in the surrounding space. Don't forget, legend has it that we Chaos World Trees are capable of birthing an entire world," Hun Lao replied.
"The Chaos World Tree is one of the legendary divine trees. Its reputation is indeed well-deserved," Ye Yunfei praised.
"Let's begin. Be swift and decisive!" Ye Yunfei's gaze fell upon the spatial portal leading to that world ahead as he spoke with determination.
"Charge inside!" Elder Zhuge waved his arm and shouted.
Boom! Boom!... A total of twenty Perfected True Immortal experts, including Elder Zhuge, rushed forward together, simultaneously launching attacks towards the spatial portal. These twenty Perfected True Immortals were all ordinary elders of the Reincarnation Palace who had been posted to various branch strongholds. Now, they had all gathered around Ye Yunfei. The size of the Reincarnation Palace contingent following Ye Yunfei had also grown considerably, already forming a proper army.
With the combined attack of twenty Perfected True Immortals, the spatial portal ahead could not withstand the assault. It trembled violently, repeatedly fracturing, and finally with a resounding crash, was completely shattered.
"How dare you! This is a Buddhist Pure Land! You ruffians actually dare to disturb the peace here!" Five Perfected True Immortal experts led the Western Sect forces out from within that world.
A great battle commenced.
Ye Yunfei summoned one Stand-in Statue, took out the Soul-Locking Bow, and began relentlessly shooting down members of the Western Sect. Ye Yunfei himself, meanwhile, charged towards the Western Sect's True Immortal experts, swiftly cutting down one True Immortal after another. The Blood Clan Clone and Huang Shang followed closely, continuously devouring the Flesh and Blood Essence and Soul Essence from the True Immortals Ye Yunfei had slain. With Ye Yunfei personally leading the charge, there was little suspense in this battle. Soon enough, the Reincarnation Palace forces gained the upper hand. The Western Sect's troops were utterly routed. Of their five Perfected True Immortals, Ye Yunfei had slain four, leaving only the last one bereft of any will to fight.
"He truly is the genius Old Man Chu and Chan Master Tianwu set their eyes upon. So young, at the Mystic Immortal realm, yet capable of effortlessly killing Perfected True Immortals. Such a young talent is probably rare even within this spacetime region," one of the two elderly men standing in a certain corner of distant void space sighed in admiration as they observed the battle.
"Heh, I've never doubted the judgment of Old Man Chu and Chan Master Tianwu. Since ancient times, every single person they have taken a fancy to—which one didn't eventually become a top-tier powerhouse capable of dominating a realm on their own?" the other gray-robed old man chuckled.
"It seems Ye Yunfei intends to aid the Reincarnation Palace all the way to the end. Should we allow him to proceed, or intervene and stop him?" the first old man said.
"Previously, our Light Faction had sent emissaries several times to make contact with the five major factions—the Qingxuan Sect and the rest—hoping to persuade them to ally with us against the Dark Faction. However, they gave no response. Instead, they secretly allied with the Dark Faction to jointly deal with the Reincarnation Palace. Once these five factions finish dealing with the Reincarnation Palace, they might very well help the Dark Faction turn against our Light Faction. Since those five factions have made such a choice, we need not be courteous anymore. Let Ye Yunfei have free rein to stir things up," the gray-robed old man said after some consideration.
"Makes sense. However, we should probably report Ye Yunfei's activities during this period to higher-ups," the other old man suggested.
"Yes, a report is necessary," the gray-robed old man nodded.
"Hahaha… This slaughter is too delightful!"
"Do you wretches understand what's what now? Did you really think our Reincarnation Palace was easy to bully?"
As time passed, the battle approached its end. The Western Sect suffered heavy casualties, while the Reincarnation Palace members roared with laughter, feeling utterly unburdened and gratified.
Right at this moment.
"Kid, your intuition is spot on! It seems an Earth Immortal has really come! Escape immediately! The faster, the better! Otherwise, we'll all get rounded up!" Ye Yunfei suddenly received the urgent sound transmission from the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm.
"The Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm is right! An Earth Immortal has indeed arrived! And this fellow's power seems far from ordinary—he's likely a mid-level, perhaps even an advanced Earth Immortal. Run!" Hun Lao also cried out.
"All elders, immediately have your Reincarnation Palace forces converge on my position at their fastest speed! An Earth Immortal is coming! It must be from the Western Sect!" Ye Yunfei instantly sent out sound transmissions to all the Reincarnation Palace ordinary elders.
Upon receiving Ye Yunfei's warning, the ordinary elders paled in shock, understanding the severity of the situation. They immediately issued orders for all Reincarnation Palace members to converge on Ye Yunfei's location. Yan Xiaoquan and her four companions had long since gathered by Ye Yunfei's side.
At this moment, within the starry void in the distance, a bare-footed arhat was continuously traversing space, striding forward with massive steps. Each step he took seemed to shrink the spatial distance, his speed terrifyingly extreme.
"Oh? Trying to run away? A pity, it's already too late." A cold smile appeared on the arhat's face, as if he had sensed something, and he spoke aloud.
Then, he reached out his hand, making a grabbing motion towards the distant area.
Right now, the Reincarnation Palace troops were rapidly surging towards Ye Yunfei's location.
"Faster!" The Reincarnation Palace ordinary elders were urging their members on, spurring them to rush towards Ye Yunfei.
Boom! Boom!… Suddenly, a terrifying, crushing energy descended from the heavens, bearing down upon this entire region of space, suppressing everyone within it.
"It's an advanced Earth Immortal! It seems the Western Sect is seriously enraged, sending an advanced Earth Immortal to deal with you!" Hun Lao exclaimed.