"It seems there must be a formation master behind that fellow."
Breaking the more than hundred formation flags in an instant, Ye Yunfei couldn't help but mutter to himself.
Although the formations unleashed by those flags earlier hadn't delayed Ye Yunfei for too long, Shen Jie and that old man had already taken the chance to flee far away.
A formation capable of blocking Ye Yunfei's advance was naturally of no low grade.
After some thought, Ye Yunfei chose not to pursue.
Because he wanted to seize the time to search for treasures.
"Young Master Ye, I'm sorry to have brought you trouble again."
Peng Rou said apologetically.
"No need for that.
Just what is Shen Jie's background?"
Ye Yunfei waved his hand and asked.
At that moment, Ye Yunfei had already led everyone forward again, moving through the disorienting space.
"Shen Jie comes from the Shen Family. The Shen Family is one of the ancient clans of the Thousand Depths World Cluster, glorious in ancient times and famed throughout the entire Chaos Void.
Although the Shen Family's reputation is not as great as it was in ancient times, their foundation is still deep, and their overall strength is formidable.
The Shen Family and our Peng Family are old family friends, close in ancient times.
But now, interaction between our Peng Family and the Shen Family has diminished significantly.
Over these years, Shen Jie has persistently harassed me. It's truly annoying. The moment I see him, I want to hide."
Peng Rou replied.
"The Thousand Depths World Cluster, is it one of the seven core world clusters of the Chaos Void Sea?"
Ye Yunfei remembered that the Meng surname man who had treated him to Xian Tai wine had mentioned the Thousand Depths World Cluster, saying it belonged to one of the seven core clusters.
"Yes, the Thousand Depths World Cluster is one of the seven core world clusters. The Shen Family is a major clan within it."
Peng Rou nodded.
"So that's it."
Ye Yunfei nodded, though he didn't take it too much to heart.
Shen Jie belonged to an ancient clan from a core world cluster, so their overall strength was likely quite considerable.
For the average person, offending a major ancient power like the Shen Family would naturally be troublesome.
But for Ye Yunfei, another debt didn't weigh him down!
The Dark Faction, Demon Capital, Heavenly God Hall, Great Netherworld, even the Zhan Family — Ye Yunfei had essentially offended them all. Adding one more Shen Family made little difference.
"Look! There's a world up ahead. Let's go in!"
Right at that moment, the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm cried out.
Seeing an entrance to a world appear ahead in the disorienting space, with many people entering, Ye Yunfei said.
"Good, let's go in and look!"
Ye Yunfei immediately increased speed, leading Xiao Huanhuan and the other four as they rushed into the world ahead.
It was an ancient world, imbued with an air of passing ages, emanating a sense of profound antiquity.
Across the vast earth were thick, primordial forests, and colossal cities of enormous scale crouched on the ground like giant beasts.
These giant cities were all built with thick, rough-hewn stones, a style of great ruggedness.
Looking around, this world was filled with a great many massive stone blocks, scattered everywhere across the earth.
"Quick, go look over there! Seems like they've found something up ahead!"
Suddenly Ye Yunfei saw a crowd surging in one direction up ahead.
Ye Yunfei hurriedly led the four of them to also rush in that direction.
A short while later, they arrived in an enormous ancient city.
Right in the center of this city was a lake that looked rather peculiar.
Five-colored water surged within the lake.
These waters weren't actually water, but a kind of viscous liquid, emitting a strange aura of energy.
At this moment, many people had already gathered around the lake, observing it.
"Look! At regular intervals, a giant stone is tossed out of the lake and falls onto the earth of this world.
Could it be that the vast number of giant stones in this world were all born from this strange lake?"
Someone shouted loudly.
Indeed, every dozen or so breaths, a giant stone would fly out of the lake, then like a shell fired from a cannon, shoot off into the distance and land somewhere on the earth of this world.
"A lake that gives birth to giant stones! I've truly never heard of such a thing! It's a miracle!"
Another person exclaimed.
"I wonder if the things in that lake are treasures?"
Someone eyed the five-colored liquid in the lake with anticipation.
"Probably not. It's strange that the lake can continuously give birth to stones.
But what's the use of giving birth to stones?
When we confront enemies, do we create stones to smash them with?
I think it's completely useless.
This lake is simply a waste of our time. Let's go, look elsewhere."
Someone shook his head and started to turn to leave.
Right at that moment.
*Whoosh whoosh…*
The air trembled with monstrous demonic energy as a large group of the Demon Race crossed the skies and landed before the lake.
"Stone God Pool!"
A Demon Race expert with a sharp aura gazed at the five-colored lake ahead. An excited expression immediately appeared on his face; unable to control himself, he blurted out.
Stone God Pool?
Upon hearing the Demon Race expert's words and seeing his expression, all the onlookers instantly realized the lake must be extremely precious.
"Fellow demon cultivators, is this lake called the Stone God Pool?
What are the mysteries of this Stone God Pool? Please enlighten us."
Someone spoke up.
The Demon Race expert who had just spoken shifted his gaze, his expression calming as he looked around at the surrounding crowd.
"Everyone, this pool is of great use to our Demon Capital, but of little use to you all.
So, please leave.
Our Demon Capital thanks you for your understanding."
This Demon Race expert said in a clear, loud voice.
*Rumble rumble…*
His voice was thunderous, like the tolling of a giant bell, shaking the surrounding space and producing rolling echoes like a tidal wave, fearsome in power.
This was a Demon Race expert with the strength of an Intermediate Heavenly Immortal!
He produced such sound to establish dominance, warning the onlookers not to contend for the lake with his race.
"Since the Demon Race values this lake so much, it must be very precious indeed!"
Everyone immediately understood upon hearing the Demon Race expert's words.
But this Demon Race expert possessed the strength of an Intermediate Heavenly Immortal and was now unleashing a terrifying energy pressure that seemed to seal the space around the lake, making most feel immense pressure. They retreated one after another.
"Senior, this lake is called the Stone God Pool. What exactly is its mystery?"
Standing some distance away, studying the strange lake, Ye Yunfei sent a mental transmission to the Remnant Soul within the Phantom Tower.
"This is the first I've heard of a Stone God Pool, though I have heard of the title Stone God.
The Stone God was a Deity of immense strength in the Chaos Void Sea during ancient times. It is said that even among deities, the Stone God was one who suppressed all, a formidable existence.
This pool being called the Stone God Pool suggests it might be related to the legendary Stone God.
If so, then this pool must be an invaluable treasure.
Think about it. Anything left behind by a powerful deity from ancient times would hardly be ordinary."
The Remnant Soul replied via transmission.
"So, if this Stone God Pool was truly left behind by the Stone God of ancient times, it would indeed be extremely precious.
Well then, I mustn't miss the opportunity if it presents itself."
Hearing the Remnant Soul's words, Ye Yunfei immediately grew highly interested.
Although Ye Yunfei still didn't know the specific function of the Stone God Pool, anything left behind by a powerful deity from ancient times must be a precious treasure!
"Everyone, please leave now!"
At this moment, the Demon Race expert spoke again, his tone full of threat.
"I think we arrived here first. You demons just got here and want to chase us all away. Isn't that a bit overbearing?"
Someone voiced dissent softly.
*Rumble rumble…*
The moment that person finished speaking, a demonic claw radiating terrifying demonic energy shot towards him. The frightening demonic energy immediately immobilized the man, whose face filled with terror.
Demonic runes were appearing one after another, each as heavy as a sacred mountain, seemingly about to crush the space.
"Spare me!"
That man was scared out of his wits, begging loudly for mercy.
*Puff!*
The demonic claw showed no mercy. It grabbed the man and pressed down gently as if crushing an egg, instantly obliterating him, body and soul.
"My temper isn't very good, and my patience is limited. Don't want to die? Then leave."
The Intermediate Heavenly Immortal Demon Race expert said with icy coldness.
*Rustle rustle…*
Seeing this scene, most were frightened and quickly retreated, moving away from the lake.
Though treasures are precious, life is most valuable. Without life, the most precious treasure is meaningless.
Nevertheless, some remained near the lake, unwilling to leave.
"Those unafraid of death can try to seize this pool from our Demon Race."
The Demon Race expert swept his cold gaze over those still remaining and spoke coldly.
"Make your move!"
Then the Demon Race expert gave a low command.
*Boom boom boom…*
Following his order, the other demon cultivators threw out demonic banner after demonic banner, which fluttered in the wind, growing larger.
Brilliant Demon Race runes rose from the banners' surfaces, releasing powerful demonic energy.
Eventually, a total of seventy-two demonic banners were tossed out, inserted into the space above the lake, forming a large banner formation.
Myriad demonic runes poured out, swiftly saturating this stretch of heaven and earth.
*Rumble rumble…*
The formation pressure created by the seventy-two banners was too terrifying, instantly suppressing the area.
Even the lake below, which had been churning violently moments before, became calm and tranquil.
"That's Demon Capital's Seventy-Two Demon King Formation!"
Someone exclaimed, unable to restrain himself.
"So the Demon Race also has skilled formation masters."
Ye Yunfei looked at the grand formation composed of seventy-two banners and said in quiet surprise.
"The Demon Race does not.
But in ancient times, the Demon Capital was closely associated with a power skilled in formations.
It's said many major formations in Demon Capital were laid down with the help of that power's formation masters.
If I remember correctly, that power skilled in formations is called the Ancient Formation Sect.
A progenitor of the Ancient Formation Sect is revered as the divine formation master with the highest level of formation expertise in the entire Chaos Void Sea.
These seventy-two demonic banners were likely refined by formation masters of the ancient Ancient Formation Sect and have been passed down to this day."
The Remnant Soul explained.
"Is the Ancient Formation Sect that powerful?
Does it still exist now?"
Hearing this, Ye Yunfei couldn't help asking curiously.
"That I don't know.
But the Ancient Formation Sect has always been a very low-profile power. Typically, they seldom interact with people from other factions.
Back in ancient times, the Demon Race made great efforts to establish a good relationship with this sect before finally succeeding.
In my time, before my misfortune, when I was still adventuring in the Chaos Void Sea, I spent time investigating the Ancient Formation Sect and asked many formation masters, but to no avail.
No one knew whether the sect's legacy persisted.
Later, when I met with misfortune and was trapped in the three thousand worlds for such long years, I had even less idea if the Ancient Formation Sect still existed."
The Remnant Soul said.
"So that's how it is.
Truly, this Ancient Formation Sect appears to be a very low-profile and mysterious sect."
Ye Yunfei nodded in understanding.
"Truly.
Low-profile and mysterious.
But their formation legacy is renowned. It's said that in ancient times, countless powers and families in the Chaos Void Sea wished to invite formation masters of the Ancient Formation Sect to help lay down formations."
The Remnant Soul added.
At this moment, the formation created by the seventy-two demonic banners had completely suppressed that space.
"We three Heavenly Immortals are the main force. Let's act together to retrieve this Stone God Pool."
The Intermediate Heavenly Immortal Demon Race expert said gravely.
Having spoken, he stepped forward.
Two other Demon Race experts simultaneously advanced.
All three Demon Race experts were exceptionally tall, their demonic physiques constantly radiating intimidating demonic power auras.
The three Demon Race experts all sat down cross-legged beside the Stone God Pool.
The other Demon Race members also sat down one after another.
*Rumble rumble…*
The next moment, all Demon Race members unleashed their demonic energy, vast and mighty like oceans, sealing the space around the Stone God Pool.
*Boom…*
Next, an enormous demonic claw appeared above the Stone God Pool and, with the aid of the seventy-two demonic banners, grabbed downward towards it.
"It seems this Stone God Pool is somewhat dangerous. Otherwise, the Demon Race wouldn't be so cautious, employing such a terrifying major technique to retrieve it."
Someone guessed in a low voice.
*Rumble rumble…*
Indeed, the next moment, as if provoked, the Stone God Pool below began to shake violently. The lake surface, which had become calm, began to churn wildly once more.
*Boom…*
The giant demonic claw penetrated the ground surrounding the pool, causing the surrounding space and the earth below the pool to begin disintegrating, eventually turning to dust and dispersing.
Now, the position of the Stone God Pool was empty above, below, and all around. Everything had vanished, leaving only a five-colored pool floating in place.
"So this Stone God Pool was already embedded in that location in space, rooted deep within.
What an ingenious space law!"
Ye Yunfei quickly realized the principle, noticing that although the Stone God Pool seemed suspended, it was actually embedded and deeply rooted in space.
"These demons are trying to pull the Stone God Pool out of space with combined efforts. Let's wait for now and snatch it when the chance comes!"
The Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm transmitted to Ye Yunfei.
"Brilliant plan!
Then, let's get ready!
Celestial materials and earthly treasures belong to the fated, each according to their means. Now, with a treasure before us, we certainly won't give way."
Ye Yunfei smiled upon hearing the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm's words. In truth, he'd had the same idea all along.