Huang Shang and the Blood Clone had acted!
During this period, the Soul Bodies of nearly all the Golden Immortals Ye Yunfei had slain had been refined and absorbed by Huang Shang, while their bloodline essences were absorbed by the Blood Clone. As a result, Huang Shang and the Blood Clone had long since attained combat prowess at the Golden Immortal level, approaching that of a Complete Golden Immortal!
Moreover, the techniques and secret arts possessed by Huang Shang and the Blood Clone were extremely esoteric, giving them combat strength surpassing that of ordinary Complete Golden Immortals. Now, acting simultaneously, the Xiao Family woman, who only had the strength of an Intermediate Golden Immortal, was utterly incapable of resisting.
In the next instant, the Blood Clone grabbed this limp Xiao Family woman and brought her before Ye Yunfei.
By this time, most of the two hundred-plus Black Wind Group members from earlier had been killed by Ye Yunfei, with only a small portion managing to escape.
The tall, thin man who had led them was caught up by Ye Yunfei. Within less than three moves, his body was cleaved into several pieces, leaving only a Soul Body behind. Ye Yunfei sealed his Soul Body and imprisoned it within the Phantom Tower.
Of the over two hundred Black Wind Group members, at most only twenty or thirty had fled.
The Xiao Family woman was brought before Ye Yunfei. She had just witnessed firsthand Ye Yunfei's ruthless slaughter, cutting down those two hundred-plus Black Wind Group members like melons and vegetables moments ago. Seeing the murderous aura radiating from Ye Yunfei now, she was terrified out of her wits, unable to stand steadily and collapsing limply on the spot.
Since she was the one who had personally deceived Ye Yunfei and brought him here, she knew there was no way he would let her off.
"Speak. Where are Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue now?" Ye Yunfei asked coldly, his gaze icy as he looked at the Xiao Family woman.
"Don't kill me! I truly don't know where they are now. Before, when I came to this location with the two of them, the Black Wind Group appeared and began hunting them. I seized a chance to leave, tasked with bringing you here."
The Xiao Family woman, staring at Ye Yunfei's murderous, icy-cold eyes, answered in a trembling voice.
"Think carefully. If you don't want to suffer, answer my questions properly."
Ye Yunfei's tone was filled with disgust.
This woman before him was too malicious. Being from the same Xiao Family, she had actually schemed against the two sisters, letting them fall into the hands of the Black Wind Group, and then gone to deceive Ye Yunfei.
Thus, Ye Yunfei was brimming with killing intent towards this Xiao Family woman. If she uttered one wrong word, he would strike and kill her immediately.
"Don't kill me! I'm from the Xiao Family. If you kill me, the Xiao Family won't let you off!" the woman cried out.
*Slap!* Huang Shang appeared beside her and slapped her face, swelling half of it.
"Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue are also women of the Xiao Family. Weren't you afraid the Xiao Family wouldn't let you off for harming them like this?" Huang Shang asked in an eerie, ghostly voice.
"Answer the questions honestly. Otherwise, I'll make you suffer greatly."
As he spoke, Huang Shang employed a strange ghostly technique. A massive amount of ghostly mist instantly enveloped the Xiao Family woman. Chilling, sinister energy seeped into her body, making her flesh and Soul Body feel as if they had fallen into a ten-thousand-year glacial cave, shivering uncontrollably from the cold.
"I truly don't know where Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue are now. But I believe it's most likely they have fallen into the hands of the Black Wind Group. With so many Black Wind Group members surrounding and capturing them, it should be very difficult for them to escape given their strength."
The Xiao Family woman trembled continuously from the cold. Layers of black frost began rapidly forming on her flesh, and even her Soul Body was starting to freeze. She had never experienced such terrifyingly cold Yin energy in her entire life.
"Was it that Zhan Yuan from the Zhan Family who paid the Black Wind Group to capture Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue?" Ye Yunfei asked.
Ye Yunfei had previously heard from the two sisters that it must be Zhan Yuan who hired the Black Wind Group to capture them, but that was ultimately just the sisters' conjecture, lacking solid proof. This Xiao Family woman before him might know the inside story.
As Ye Yunfei questioned, Huang Shang channeled even more ghostly energy, pouring it ceaselessly into the woman's body. The Xiao Family woman, her Soul Body included, shivered violently from the cold, her face full of terror. How could she dare conceal anything now? "Yes, exactly. It was Zhan Yuan from the Zhan Family who paid the Black Wind Group to capture Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue."
The Xiao Family woman hurriedly answered.
"Why does Zhan Yuan want to capture the two sisters? Is it because he fancies them?" Ye Yunfei asked again.
"Young Master Ye, you actually don't know the reason?" Hearing Ye Yunfei's question, the Xiao Family woman was momentarily stunned, seeming very surprised.
"How would I know the reason?" Ye Yunfei's expression darkened.
"It seems Young Master Ye truly doesn't know. I thought Young Master Ye was with Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue for the same reason."
The Xiao Family woman said.
"Just what is the reason? Say it directly. Don't talk in circles before me."
Ye Yunfei said coldly.
"Young Master Ye, haven't you heard that our Xiao Family's ancestor was the Heavenly Mermaid Goddess? The bloodlines of us Xiao Family descendants all contain the bloodline of the Heavenly Mermaid Goddess, especially the female clan members.
Among each generation of our Xiao Family's young women, there are always several who exhibit a particularly high bloodline purity, a phenomenon of ancestral reversion. These young women with exceptionally high bloodline purity can compete for the position of the family's Sacred Maiden. The family selects three to four Sacred Maidens from each generation of young women, concentrating resources to nurture them as key talents.
Among this generation's young women, both Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue have relatively high bloodline purity. Both are qualified to participate in the competition for Sacred Maiden."
The Xiao Family woman explained.
"What does that have to do with Zhan Yuan capturing them? Does Zhan Yuan want to interfere in your Xiao Family's Sacred Maiden competition?" Ye Yunfei asked impatiently.
"Young Master Ye, haven't you heard? The women of our Xiao Family all inherit the bloodline legacy of the Heavenly Mermaid Goddess. If a man can obtain the 'first time' of a woman from our Xiao Family, he may receive the legacy of the Heavenly Mermaid Goddess. Even if he doesn't receive the Heavenly Mermaid Goddess's legacy, he is certain to obtain the ancestral energy and laws of our race, while also improving his cultivation talent.
In short, if a man obtains the 'first time' of a woman from our Xiao Family, he will definitely receive great benefits. As for Xiao Family women like Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue, who have particularly high bloodline purity, if a man can obtain their 'first time,' he can gain enormous benefits, even experiencing a complete transformation."
So that's how it is!
Hearing these words, Ye Yunfei finally understood why that Zhan Yuan had repeatedly sent people to capture Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue—it was to obtain their 'first time'.
"What she says is true. When I traveled the Chaotic Void Sea in the past, I also heard that the descendants of the ancient Heavenly Mermaid Goddess formed a large family. If young women within this family have high bloodline purity, phenomena of ancestral reversion may occur.
If a man can obtain their 'first time,' he also has a chance to receive the legacy of the Heavenly Mermaid Goddess. So this family protects its young women, not allowing them to casually interact with men from outside. I never imagined it was this Xiao Family."
At this moment, the Remnant Soul that had been staying inside the Phantom Tower suddenly spoke up. Having traveled extensively throughout the Chaotic Void Sea in his time, he knew many things.
"Is the Heavenly Mermaid Goddess a Deity? She must be very powerful, right?" Ye Yunfei asked curiously.
"The Heavenly Mermaid Goddess is certainly strong. According to legends, the Heavenly Mermaid Goddess is not only a Deity, but even among Deities, she was an existence of especially terrifying strength, can be called a Deity among Deities."
The Remnant Soul said.
"A Deity among Deities!"
Ye Yunfei was somewhat shaken by the Remnant Soul's words. For ordinary beings in the world, even a regular Deity was already a lofty, unapproachable existence. If she was a Deity among Deities, that was truly terrifying.
"It seems the origins of this Xiao Family are substantial, actually being the descendants of such a terrifyingly powerful Deity."
Ye Yunfei couldn't help but sigh.
"That's about right. Actually, within the Chaotic Void Sea, besides this Xiao Family, there are quite a few other families descended from Deities as well. After generations and generations of inheritance, the bloodline within these descendants of Deities becomes increasingly diluted. Their strength is far inferior to their ancestors'. But occasionally, within these families, some individuals appear who exhibit ancestral bloodline reversion. These people with ancestral reversion have exceptionally high talent, generally possess considerable strength, and have the potential to become Deities in the future."
The Remnant Soul said.
"Have the potential to become Deities!"
Ye Yunfei felt somewhat shocked.
"Yes," the Remnant Soul nodded. "These individuals with ancestral reversion have very high bloodline purity, approaching that of their Deity ancestors, thus possessing the potential to become Deities."
The Remnant Soul answered.
"As for Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue, don't look at their current strength being relatively weak. If their bloodline truly exhibits ancestral reversion and they cultivate diligently in the future, they might have a chance to become Deities."
The Remnant Soul added.
"So that's it. Having a Deity ancestor truly brings many benefits."
Ye Yunfei sighed.
"That's certainly true," the Remnant Soul said.
"Young Master Ye, I've already told you everything you wanted to know. I beg you, spare me, don't kill me."
At this moment, the Xiao Family woman began pleading with Ye Yunfei for her life.
"Why did you harm Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue? Was it to compete with them for the family's Sacred Maiden slot, or were you acting under Xiao Qinglian's orders?"
Ye Yunfei thought for a moment and asked again.
"I have no qualifications to compete with them for the family's Sacred Maiden slot. It was Xiao Qinglian who made me do this. Xiao Qinglian has the support of several seniors within the clan. In recent years, her reputation within our Xiao Family has grown, and she has been competing for the Sacred Maiden slot of our generation.
She promised me a reward satisfactory to me, to lure Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue out. Moreover, Xiao Qinglian threatened me, saying that if I didn't do as she instructed, she would kill me after becoming the family's Sacred Maiden. So I had no choice but to follow her instructions.
Young Master Ye, I beg you, don't kill me! I know I was wrong! If you want to save Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue, go find the Black Wind Group. They have most likely fallen into the Black Wind Group's hands."
The Xiao Family woman answered.
"You're so sure?" Ye Yunfei asked.
"That's right. The two Xiao Family women you are looking for have already fallen into the hands of our Black Wind Group.
Kid, you've killed so many of our Black Wind Group members. This is a deep sea of blood feud. Rest assured, I will repay this hatred most thoroughly.
First, I will capture you. Then, I will investigate your identity and origins. After that, our Black Wind Group will go to your homeland and use every means possible to kill all beings related to you, especially your family members, clansmen, sect, and partner. Not a single one will escape!"
Right at this moment, a voice filled with killing intent suddenly rang out from the chaotic spacetime in the distance.
Then, Ye Yunfei saw a relatively tall, gray-robed elder walking towards him step by step at a startling speed.
"Be careful! This is a Heavenly Immortal, and an Intermediate Heavenly Immortal at that! His strength is formidable!"
The Remnant Soul immediately sent a voice transmission to warn Ye Yunfei.
"I know."
Ye Yunfei answered, his gaze grave as he watched the gray-robed elder walking towards him step by step from afar.
"Kid, I don't care what your identity or origins are. You've killed so many of our Black Wind Group members. There's only one path for you—death. Even if you have a Demigod backing you, I won't let you off."
The gray-robed elder's gaze was as sinister as a venomous snake, fixed on Ye Yunfei.
"An Intermediate Heavenly Immortal is indeed very strong."
Ye Yunfei thought inwardly, sensing the energy pressure released by the gray-robed elder.
Although this gray-robed elder had not yet reached Ye Yunfei's location, the energy he released had already flooded the space where Ye Yunfei stood. Powerful spatial energy and temporal energy continuously manifested into one strange rune after another, engraving themselves into this space.
This was an incredibly powerful secret technique for sealing space, intended to seal the space where Ye Yunfei stood.
Ye Yunfei knew he had to leave immediately. Otherwise, once that gray-robed elder arrived, escape would be absolutely impossible. Because the opponent's strength was clearly far superior to his own.
With his current strength, if facing a Primary Heavenly Immortal, Ye Yunfei could still barely manage to hold his own for a while. But now, facing an Intermediate Heavenly Immortal, he had almost no chance of victory.
Although Ye Yunfei had always possessed cross-realm combat prowess enabling him to challenge opponents above his level, the difficulty of such challenges increased with higher cultivation realms. Ye Yunfei was currently only an Intermediate Golden Immortal. Being able to possess combat strength equivalent to a Primary Heavenly Immortal was already monstrously exceptional.
*Boom!*
Ye Yunfei released all his energy in an instant—physical strength, immortal energy, Soul Power, heart force energy, and various other types of law energy. This energy formed a massive energy shield that tightly protected Ye Yunfei's body, resisting the energy pressure emanating from the gray-robed elder within the surrounding space.
Then, Ye Yunfei retreated rapidly, trying to break free from the gray-robed elder's energy suppression and leave this place.
But the gray-robed elder had already sensed Ye Yunfei's intention to flee. How could he easily let Ye Yunfei leave?
With a grab of his hand, an enormous, invisible palm instantly caused the space around Ye Yunfei to continuously shatter. Ye Yunfei felt his body suppressed by a terrifying energy, as if dozens of divine mountains were simultaneously pressing down on his shoulders.
Ye Yunfei let out a great roar. With his right hand, he drew a longsword and swiftly unleashed one huge sword radiance after another, densely attacking the gray-robed elder.
At the same time, Ye Yunfei also employed Soul Sword, invisible heart sword, Worldly Space Array, Heaven-crippling Step, Earth-crippling Palm, World-Annihilating Finger, and various other powerful techniques and secret arts, unleashing them all toward the gray-robed elder.
"This youngster has cultivated so many formidable techniques and secret arts! Just what are his origins?"
The gray-robed elder felt somewhat startled looking at the various attacks Ye Yunfei unleashed.
Right at this moment, Ye Yunfei waved a hand, and hundreds of magical artifacts appeared. Simultaneously activated, they blasted towards the gray-robed elder.
Ye Yunfei had already inscribed various attack formation patterns onto these artifacts. The hundreds of artifacts combined to form several large-scale battle formations, their power extremely fearsome.
Facing an Intermediate Heavenly Immortal, Ye Yunfei dared not hold anything back.
"This youngster has also cultivated such an advanced secret art for employing artifacts!"
Recognizing Ye Yunfei's method of using artifacts, the gray-robed elder was greatly shocked.