"There seems to be more than one such temple in this world; there are many of them!"
Hun Lao sent a sound transmission.
Ye Yunfei activated his movement technique, constantly traversing space. After surveying the land of this world for a while, he indeed found many similar temples, each one enshrining the same demon statue and emanating billowing demonic aura.
Countless native beings of this world continuously flocked to these temples from all directions, offering sacrifices and performing worships.
All these worshipping beings were native inhabitants of this world.
"This is strange. Why are these beings worshiping demons?"
Ye Yunfei felt extremely curious.
"There's no need to ask; they must have been coerced by the demons!"
Hu Miao declared.
"The Demon Race forced the natives of this world to worship their statue, but for what purpose? Let's capture a few people and interrogate them."
Ye Yunfei pondered a moment and spoke to himself.
Soon after, Hu Miao used illusion techniques to capture over a dozen native beings from this world and brought them into the Phantom Tower.
Utilizing her illusions, Hu Miao interrogated these dozen-plus beings.
Under the influence of the illusions, these beings answered every question truthfully.
As Hu Miao had said, the reason the native beings of this World Cluster worshiped the demon statue was indeed due to coercion by the Demon Race.
It turned out that after the Demon Race invaded and conquered this world, they immediately issued orders to launch large-scale construction projects across the land, building numerous temples that all enshrined the same demon statue.
Once the temples were built, the Demon Race decreed that all beings in this world must visit the temples to worship more than ten times a month, with each session lasting no less than two hours.
In the beginning, many beings in this world did not comply with the demon's orders. As a result, they were all mercilessly slaughtered by the Demon Race.
Thus, the beings in this world had no choice but to follow the Demon Race's demands.
Therefore, these temples saw astonishing foot traffic in a short period, with worshipping beings arriving in an endless stream and incense smoke thriving.
"This is strange. Why would the Demon Race force the beings of this world to worship their statue?"
After questioning those dozen-plus beings, Ye Yunfei still hadn't found the answer.
However, Ye Yunfei faintly sensed that the Demon Race surely had some purpose in doing this.
"Let's check other worlds."
Ye Yunfei thought for a moment, then quietly left this world. Shortly after, he arrived in another nearby world.
The situation there was the same: numerous temples dotted the land, all enshrining demon statues identical to the one in the previous world.
Next, Ye Yunfei visited several other worlds within the Ice-Snow World Cluster. The results were the same.
In every world he entered, he discovered numerous temples, all enshrining the same demon statue.
Each temple attracted large crowds of worshippers, with incense smoke curling upwards and noise clamoring to the heavens.
"After the Demon Race occupied the Ice-Snow World Cluster, they forced the beings within this cluster to build temples on a massive scale to worship a certain strong demon. They must have some purpose, right? Hun Lao, can you tell?"
Ye Yunfei asked.
"I can't tell. But there surely must be some reason why the Demon Race makes the entire world worship that demon statue."
Hun Lao shook his head.
"Let's go take a look."
Ye Yunfei grew inquisitive. Blending in with the crowd of worshippers heading towards the temples, he arrived before one of them.
At that moment, the temple, both inside and out, was packed with worshippers. At a glance, it was crowded with worshippers, packed shoulder to shoulder.
Demon Race personnel also maintained order around the temple.
Ye Yunfei mingled with the crowd and entered the temple interior.
Inside, an enshrined demon statue emanated rolling demonic aura. Countless beings knelt around it, constantly kowtowing and worshiping.
According to Demon Race regulations, each worshipping session for a being must last no less than two hours. Moreover, those who were particularly enthusiastic in their worship would receive commendations from the Demon Race. Consequently, some beings worshiped with exceptional diligence and seriousness.
In the distance, Demon Race patrol teams monitored this temple.
Ye Yunfei's gaze fell upon the demon statue being worshipped by the multitudes, extending his Soul Power perception towards it.
"Do you notice something? It seems like some kind of substance is being released from the bodies of these worshipping beings, continuously converging into that statue's form."
Suddenly, Hun Lao sent a sound transmission.
"Something like that?"
Ye Yunfei was somewhat startled.
"Indeed. I can perceive it too."
After Hun Lao's reminder, Ye Yunfei quickly perceived it as well. Indeed, some substance was continuously being released from the bodies of the worshipping beings, then flowing like streams across space to converge into the demon statue's form, like rivers flowing into the sea.
"It looks like... white mist..."
Ye Yunfei continued perceiving.
"White mist is merely its appearance. Essentially, it resembles some kind of energy or a manifestation of some law."
Hun Lao observed carefully and spoke.
"Some kind of energy... That does seem plausible."
After listening to Hun Lao, Ye Yunfei couldn't help but nod.
"Could it be that the Demon Race is using this statue to collect this kind of energy? Is that the reason they built so many temples within this Ice-Snow World Cluster?"
Ye Yunfei frowned.
"I think I know what this energy is!"
Hun Lao suddenly exclaimed.
"What energy?"
Ye Yunfei hurriedly pressed.
Hun Lao possessed the racial memories of the Chaos World Tree. These memories were engraved deep within his body. As his strength continuously improved, they slowly surfaced. Therefore, over time, Hun Lao's knowledge steadily increased.
"If I'm not mistaken, this should be Faith Power!"
Hun Lao answered.
"Faith Power? Like the kind used in Buddhism?"
Ye Yunfei was a bit surprised upon hearing this.
"Who said only Buddhism possesses Faith Power? Besides Buddhism, there's Daoism, as well as many other ancient sects with similar traditions that utilize Faith Power. Generally speaking, Faith Power comes from the worship of myriad beings. When living beings make offerings, they generate a form of faith. This faith possesses energy and is considered a rather special form of energy in the world."
Hun Lao explained.
Within ancient sects like Buddhism and Daoism, many experts specialize in cultivating Faith Power. To cultivate Faith Power, one must extensively collect the worship and faith of the myriad beings across the world. The greater the amount of Faith Power collected, the mightier its strength becomes."
"So the reason the Demon Race built so many temples within the Ice-Snow World Cluster and forced the beings here to worship is precisely to collect their Faith Power. Could it be that a certain demon expert is cultivating this Faith Power?"
Ye Yunfei said.
"Based on what we see now, that should be the case."
Hun Lao affirmed.
"The Demon Race possesses countless demonic arts. This demon expert doesn't cultivate demon arts but instead cultivates Faith Power."
Ye Yunfei shook his head.
"Why not? As they say, mastering multiple skills doesn't burden one. For a Demon Race expert to have such breadth of vision might precisely be a reason for their race's strength."
Hun Lao responded.
"That makes sense."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Let's leave. If we stay here any longer and the demons recognize you, it'll be troublesome."
Hun Lao urged.
"Alright, we'll leave now."
The purpose of returning to the Ice-Snow World Cluster was to bring Bai Shuang back for a look. Since that was accomplished, there was no need to linger.
However, at that very moment.
"You there! How audacious! Since you've come here, why aren't you kneeling in worship! Do you intend to rebel! Go, apprehend that young man!"
A loud shout rang out in the distance.
Then, a team of Demon Race patrol members quickly surrounded Ye Yunfei.
Turns out, Ye Yunfei had entered the temple without performing any worshiping gestures. Instead, he stood there perceiving the surroundings, which contrasted sharply with the enthusiastic worshippers, drawing the Demon Race patrol's attention.
The Demon Race patrol arrived swiftly, quickly encircling the temple.
"That young man is too audacious! Coming here and daring not to worship the Demon Deity? Isn't that seeking death?"
Seeing this, the worshipping beings hurriedly distanced themselves from Ye Yunfei, discussing animatedly.
"Why should I worship a mere demon?"
Ye Yunfei sneered coldly while simultaneously taking out the Space Teleportation Token, ready to activate it and leave at any moment.
Of course, Ye Yunfei wasn't afraid of these ordinary-level demons. Even if there were Demigods in this Ice-Snow World Cluster, by the time any demon Demigods received word and rushed over, Ye Yunfei believed he would have long since departed with ease.
"You insolent madman! You dare profane the Demon Deity with your words? You deserve a thousand deaths!"
Upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, the Demon Race patrol members were furious. Energy erupted from their bodies as they prepared to deal with Ye Yunfei.
"What if I profane this demon? Not only will I profane it, but I'll also blow it to smithereens."
Ye Yunfei sneered coldly and then threw a punch.
BOOM!
Ye Yunfei's fist expanded continuously, unleashing terrifying physical strength, pressing towards the statue like a sacred mountain.
"You human whelp! You dare destroy my divine image!"
An angry cry emanated from the demon statue, and then an apparition identical to the statue materialized. It was a Soul Power imprint.
"So this statue conceals a Demon Race expert's Soul Power imprint. That demon expert is likely collecting Faith Power from these beings through this imprint."
Hun Lao expressed mild surprise.
With a thought, Ye Yunfei activated his Soul Swords, aiming to destroy that Soul Power imprint.
"Let me handle it!"
Huang Shang suddenly appeared. His glossy black ghost body instantly materialized before the demon Soul Power imprint, with billowing ghost mist instantly engulfing it.
"You despicable Ghost Cultivator dare target me! Aren't you afraid my true self will seek revenge on you later!"
Seeing Huang Shang, the demon revealed a horrified expression.
He knew Ghost Cultivators were natural nemeses of all Soul Bodies and soul-type energies in the world. Although his Soul Power imprint had collected some Faith Power, it was still relatively weak and probably couldn't handle a Ghost Cultivator.
"Hahaha... Welcome for your true self to come seek revenge. When that time comes, I'll capture your Soul Body as well!"
Huang Shang laughed heartily.
BOOM!
Enraged, the demon suddenly unleashed torrents of white mist from within its form, shaking the surrounding space.
A white three-pronged trident then appeared in its hand, thrusting towards Huang Shang. This white trident was condensed from pure Faith Power he had collected at this temple over time.
"Heh heh, if your true self came, I might be somewhat wary. A mere Soul Power imprint is nothing but an ant to me."
Huang Shang sneered disdainfully.
WHOOSH!
A surge of powerful ghostly force erupted, enveloping the demon.
In less than one breath, the demon issued a miserable scream, then with a bang, exploded into smithereens.
BOOM!
Ye Yunfei followed up with a punch, directly blasting the enshrined demon statue within the temple to pieces.
"Wretched! He actually destroyed the Demon Deity statue! This is blasphemy against the supreme Demon Deity, a heinous crime!"
Seeing Ye Yunfei smash the demon statue with one punch, the Demon Race patrol members were both shocked and furious.
They were responsible for maintaining order around this temple. Now that the statue was destroyed, they would be implicated and held accountable.
"Kill that brat!"
The lead demon shouted in anger.
"You think you can kill me, given your caliber?"
Ye Yunfei sneered contemptuously.
BOOM!
A powerful surge of immortal power instantly erupted, sweeping outward like a typhoon passing through.
BAM! BAM! BAM!
The demons surrounding Ye Yunfei burst like bubbles one after another, utterly vanishing.
As a Perfect Golden Immortal with a perfected Nine Revolutions return-to-primal foundation, Ye Yunfei could pulverize these ordinary demons just by releasing his immortal power.
"Who is he? How dare he kill demons! This is a death sentence!"
"Not only him, but we'll probably be implicated too!"
"Indeed, the Demon Race is too tyrannical. If they learn that the temple here was destroyed and demons killed, they definitely won't let it go easily. When the investigation comes, probably none of us here can escape!"
"Then what should we do?"
"What else can we do? The only option now is for us to work together, capture this young man, and hand him over to the demons. Only then might we placate their wrath!"
Seeing the demons killed, the beings around grew frightened, fearing they would be implicated. Many quietly discussed joining forces to deal with Ye Yunfei.
"Whoever dares to make a move will die!"
Ye Yunfei's icy gaze swept over the restless beings around, his cold words causing billowing killing intent to spread out, instantly plunging the temperature in this space.
"How terrifying!"
The surrounding beings, intimidated by Ye Yunfei's aura, didn't dare make any move.
"Young master, spare them. They're just afraid of being implicated."
At this moment, Bai Shuang sent a sound transmission to Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei nodded, took out the Space Teleportation Token, and prepared to teleport away.
BOOM!
Suddenly, an aura of terrifying demonic power appeared high above this world, then coalesced into a colossal demon hand that slapped down towards Ye Yunfei's location.
"Not good, it's a Demon Race Demigod expert! You've caught the attention of another Demigod!"
Hun Lao immediately shouted.
"You brat, you truly have gall daring to run back here! Do you hold our Demon Race in such contempt?"
A demon elder appeared high in the sky of this world, his gaze fixed intently on Ye Yunfei.
At that moment, Ye Yunfei had already activated the Space Teleportation Token in his hand and begun his teleportation.
"You cannot escape before me!"
The Demon Race Demigod sensed the teleportation energy and immediately knew what Ye Yunfei was doing, snorting coldly.
The colossal demon hand in the sky abruptly accelerated, smashing down towards Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei waved a hand, tossing out a handful of formation flags, instantly arranging dozens of large-scale formations that formed layers of formation barriers, blocking the demon hand.
Simultaneously, hundreds of magical treasures were activated—some Golden Immortal-grade, some Heavenly Immortal-grade—all soaring upwards to bombard the demon hand.
Although these attacks couldn't stop the demon hand, they did dissipate a portion of its offensive might.
Ye Yunfei, the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm, Hun Lao, Huang Shang, and Hu Miao erupted together, releasing all their energy. They negated most of the demon hand's suppressing force in one go. Then, Ye Yunfei activated the Space Teleportation Token and teleported away.
BOOM!
Only after Ye Yunfei teleported away did the demon hand in the sky smash down, causing the space where he had just stood to collapse continuously, creating a massive spatial void.
A moment later, Ye Yunfei's figure appeared outside the Ice-Snow World Cluster, rushing into the distance.
"Brat, you cannot escape!"
The Demon Race Demigod's speed was also astonishing as he gave chase. While pursuing at full speed, he roared in fury.