"Everyone, be careful. This lad is strange. Attack him together, coordinate your efforts.
Also, hurry and send a communication to Elder Hou! Report what's happening here to Elder Hou!"
The old man leading the group finally reacted, realizing they might have kicked an iron plate and encountered an extraordinarily monstrous young talent. He hurriedly shouted.
The other members of the Source Fire Sect immediately moved to surround Ye Yunfei together. The old man, meanwhile, continued to block the path of the red-clad girl, as her identity was special—she was someone the Source Fire Sect was very keen on capturing.
"So his strength is this formidable. I actually attacked him earlier. It seems he didn't take it to heart. Otherwise, with his level of power, I'd probably be dead by now."
Seeing the strength Ye Yunfei displayed, the red-clad girl felt a twinge of retrospective fear, but also a hint of pleasant surprise.
After all, Ye Yunfei's formidable power meant they wouldn't have to fear the Source Fire Sect members before them.
Watching the approaching Source Fire Sect members, Ye Yunfei's expression remained placid, his gaze cold.
"Attack together!" a man yelled loudly.
Then over a dozen Source Fire Sect members attacked simultaneously, converging on Ye Yunfei from all directions. All these members were Heavenly Immortals, and they all cultivated fire-attribute techniques and martial skills. In this world, they were like fish in water, their combat power amplified compared to the outside.
The simultaneous attack of over a dozen Heavenly Immortals instantly caused the space in this area to become violent. The flames suspended in the surrounding space were stirred into constant turmoil, churning like a pot of boiling water.
At that moment, Ye Yunfei suddenly made his move. His technique was extremely simple—directly throwing punches. Fearsome physical strength empowered his fists, and with each punch killing one Source Fire Sect member, it was as if he was popping bubbles, swift and effortless.
Facing Ye Yunfei's fists, those Source Fire Sect members were not only incapable of resistance, but even of moving or evading.
Three hundred fifty thousand Jiaos of physical strength was simply too terrifying. Heavenly Immortal masters were helpless against such overwhelming brute force.
In less than the time of a single breath, over a dozen Source Fire Sect members were all slain by Ye Yunfei, each killed with a single punch.
"How… how is this possible…"
The old man was utterly dumbfounded by the sight. He stood there, looking at Ye Yunfei with a horrified gaze, his mouth agape as if wanting to say something, but unable to form complete words. He simply couldn't believe his eyes.
"Too terrifying… He’s practically an ancient primordial beast…"
The red-clad girl, witnessing the astonishing power Ye Yunfei had displayed, was also shocked speechless, retreating several steps in succession.
She feared that Ye Yunfei, caught up in the heat of slaughter, might turn on her as well.
"Your Source Fire Sect has provoked me time and again. Did you really think I'm easy to bully?"
Ye Yunfei turned and walked step by step towards the old man, speaking in an icy voice.
"Lad, wh-what do you want?
Don't you dare act recklessly! Our Elder Hou from the Source Fire Sect is also within the Fire Realm. If he finds out you've killed so many of our people, he will absolutely not let you off.
Elder Hou is a Demigod!"
Seeing the murderous intent in Ye Yunfei's eyes, the old man trembled all over, retreating step by step, his voice filled with panic as he spoke.
"I've already killed this many of your Source Fire Sect members. One more won't make a difference."
Ye Yunfei continued walking step by step towards the old man.
"I'm different! I'm Elder Hou's trusted aide. If you kill me, Elder Hou will be furious. He'll come personally to settle the score with you.
Spare me, and when I return, I can even put in a good word for you with Elder Hou!"
Trembling all over as he watched Ye Yunfei approach step by step, the old man knew he was no match. Panicking, his words became desperate and incoherent.
"So what if he's a Demigod? I'm not afraid."
Ye Yunfei said flatly.
Suddenly, the old man turned and fled. He knew if he didn't leave now, his life would be forfeit.
However, Ye Yunfei's speed was far greater. With the assistance of the Time Boots, Ye Yunfei took merely a single step and materialized before him like a phantom, blocking his escape route.
Not daring to attack Ye Yunfei, the old man turned again and fled in another direction.
"Go to hell!"
Not wanting to waste any more time on him, Ye Yunfei caught up in a step, arriving behind him, then threw a punch.
Terrifying fist force immediately enveloped the old man. Following a miserable shriek, his body was smashed to pieces, reduced to a cloud of blood mist.
Then Huang Shang appeared, beginning to refine the Soul Body fragments left behind by the recently slain Heavenly Immortals. The Blood Clan Clone also appeared, activating a secret Blood Clan technique to refine and absorb the bloodline essence the Heavenly Immortals had left floating in the space.
"That one seems like a ghost cultivator... and that one looks like a Blood Clan…"
The red-clad girl was inwardly startled upon seeing Huang Shang and the Blood Clan Clone.
Soon, Huang Shang and the Blood Clan Clone finished refining and absorbing the Soul Body fragments and bloodline essence respectively, then returned inside the Phantom Tower.
All the fire-attribute herbs within this valley had also been collected by Ye Yunfei.
He glanced at the red-clad girl without saying a word, then turned and left.
"Hey… Wait…"
Seeing Ye Yunfei turn and walk away, the red-clad girl grew anxious, immediately chasing after him while calling out.
"What else is it?"
Ye Yunfei paused briefly and asked indifferently.
"You… You're so young, yet your strength is incredible. What exactly is your background?"
The red-clad girl was a little annoyed by Ye Yunfei's dismissive attitude, but thinking of his terrifying power, she dared not reprimand him. After a moment's thought, she asked curiously.
"What does my background have to do with you? If there's nothing else, I'm leaving."
Ye Yunfei answered flatly.
They were mere fleeting acquaintances; Ye Yunfei didn't wish to waste too much time.
"Wait… Hey… Wait!
How can you be like this? Can't we talk properly!
I plan on following you!"
Seeing Ye Yunfei continue walking into the distance, the red-clad girl hurriedly used her movement technique to chase after him.
"We aren't related. Don't follow me."
Ye Yunfei suddenly increased his speed, instantly putting a large distance between them.
"Hey… Wait for me!
I'm currently being hunted by the Source Fire Sect. I'm weak and alone against them; I'm no match. If I encounter them again, I'll be done for!"
Watching Ye Yunfei pull further and further ahead, unable to keep up, the red-clad girl cried out frantically.
"What does you being hunted by the Source Fire Sect have to do with me? Don't bother me."
Ye Yunfei simply didn't want to involve himself with this girl's affairs. Increasing his speed again, he vanished into the distance in an instant.
Ye Yunfei's speed was beyond compare; in less than two breaths, his figure disappeared into the distance.
"Hey! I'm a helpless young woman alone, now hunted by the powerful Source Fire Sect. Can't you help me?" the red-clad girl shouted at Ye Yunfei's retreating back.
"You came to this world surely for treasure as well. I am extremely familiar with this world, and I also possess many fire-attribute treasures. If you agree to take me with you, I can give you many treasures!
Moreover, whatever treasure you wish to find, I can lead you to it. Trust me, because I know this world like the back of my hand!"
Seeing Ye Yunfei truly ignoring her, the red-clad girl grew utterly frantic, shouting in the direction he had left, while exerting every ounce of her strength to give chase.
"You're very familiar with this world? You can lead me to find any treasure I want?"
Suddenly, a voice sounded. Ye Yunfei had already returned, standing before the red-clad girl as he asked.
The red-clad girl was currently sprinting forward at full speed, never expecting Ye Yunfei to suddenly reappear in front of her. Caught off guard, she lost control and threw her whole body crashing towards Ye Yunfei's chest.
"You…"
Finding herself about to tumble into Ye Yunfei's embrace, the red-clad girl flustered, losing her composure.
At the instant before their bodies collided, Ye Yunfei shifted his body slightly to the side, avoiding the impact.
Staggering forward several steps, the red-clad girl finally managed to stop and steady herself.
"How can you be like this…"
Stopping, she wanted to complain a little, but upon meeting Ye Yunfei's indifferent gaze, she immediately closed her mouth, remembering it was her who was currently seeking a favor.
"This guy is so rude!"
Recalling how she had almost thrown herself into the arms of this stranger, the red-clad girl's face flushed slightly red, a silent complaint forming in her heart.
"I want to find a fire dragon. Can you lead me to it?"
Ye Yunfei got straight to the point, asking bluntly.
"Fire dragon? So you're the same as the Source Fire Sect; you also want that fire dragon!"
The red-clad girl looked a little surprised.
"Correct. My primary goal in entering this world is precisely to find that fire dragon. Do you know where it is? Can you lead me to it?
If you can take me to find that fire dragon, then I can protect you and help you deal with the Source Fire Sect."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"That fire dragon is rather difficult to find. I've only seen it twice, and both times from afar. Before I could get close, it vanished.
Although that fire dragon hasn't developed true sentience yet, it possesses a self-preservation instinct and formidable strength. Trying to capture it is very difficult.
However, you're so strong. Perhaps you stand a chance of catching it."
The red-clad girl hesitated for a moment before replying.
"I can try to lead you to search for it," she added after some thought.
"Fine. Let's go find it now," Ye Yunfei said.
His main purpose for entering the Fire Realm was precisely to obtain that fire dragon. Since this red-clad girl had seen the dragon twice, having her lead the way was a good choice.
"Head in this direction," the red-clad girl pointed and said.
Then she took the lead, walking in that direction.
"I can't guarantee I'll definitely be able to lead you to the fire dragon. It comes and goes without a trace, appearing and disappearing unpredictably," the red-clad girl added.
"Actually, in this world, besides that fire dragon, there are many other fire-attribute treasures, such as Fire Crystals.
For those practicing fire-attribute techniques, Fire Crystals are extremely useful treasures."
The red-clad girl continued.
"Fire Crystals? Crystals imbued with fire energy?"
Ye Yunfei asked curiously.
"Yes. Fire Crystals contain concentrated fire energy that can be absorbed directly.
Look, this is a Fire Crystal."
The red-clad girl produced a red energy crystal and handed it over for Ye Yunfei to see.
"Indeed, it contains concentrated fire energy."
Ye Yunfei took it, sensing it, and nodded.
"If you want to find Fire Crystals, I can take you to look. I know a place where there are many Fire Crystals," the red-clad girl said immediately upon seeing Ye Yunfei's interest.
"You should focus on taking me to find that fire dragon first. That's what I need most."
Ye Yunfei stated.
"What's the rush? Do you think finding that fire dragon is so easy, that you'll find it immediately?
As I said, that fire dragon is elusive and erratic. Finding it requires patience and waiting for an opportunity. I've been sensing its aura this whole time, but haven't detected anything yet.
The reason I'm leading you in this direction is that the last time I encountered it was in this area.
But who knows where it's run off to now?
The Source Fire Sect fellows have spent so much time tracking that dragon and still haven't managed to capture it till now, yet you want to find it immediately? Is that even possible?"
Rolling her eyes at Ye Yunfei, the red-clad girl explained.
"Alright then. You continue sensing its aura. If you make any discovery, we'll head there immediately," Ye Yunfei, hearing her explanation, replied with some resignation.
Ye Yunfei cultivated heart force energy and could often discern whether someone was telling the truth or not. The words of this red-clad girl seemed genuine.
"How about this: I'll first take you to find some Fire Crystals. Consider it prepayment on my part, so that I don't know whether or not you might ditch me halfway through," the red-clad girl said.
As she spoke, she activated her movement technique, increasing speed and charging towards a mountainous region in the distance.
This world was everywhere ablaze with flames. From afar, the mountainous region ahead looked particularly intense, with towering flames.
Ye Yunfei took a single step, easily catching up to the red-clad girl, then followed unhurriedly behind her. In mere moments, they arrived before the previously seen mountainous region.
"Within this mountainous region, there are several Fire Crystal ore veins. However, there are also many powerful fire beasts inside. I've snuck in a few times before but was always discovered and driven out by those beasts.
With your formidable strength, the two of us can fight our way in, mine those Fire Crystal ore veins, and definitely obtain many Fire Crystals."
The red-clad girl said to Ye Yunfei.
"So you brought me here to have me help you deal with those fire beasts," Ye Yunfei was a bit speechless.
"If you don't deal with those fire beasts, how are we supposed to get those Fire Crystals?"
The red-clad girl countered.
"Alright then. Since we're here, let's go take a look," Ye Yunfei said, taking the lead and walking into the mountainous region before them.
The red-clad girl revealed a smile and hurriedly followed. She had been here before and discovered the several Fire Crystal ore veins within. She greatly desired to mine them, but the presence of numerous powerful fire beasts left her helpless.
Now, having brought Ye Yunfei as a powerful ally, her confidence had grown substantially.
Just as Ye Yunfei and the red-clad girl entered the mountainous region, elsewhere in the Fire Realm…
In a sea of fire characterized by shocking intensity, an old man sat cross-legged, drawing in the dense fire energy and fire laws from the surrounding heaven and earth while exhaling, as if cultivating some fire-attribute type technique.
"Elder Hou, it's bad! Over a dozen of our Source Fire Sect members have been killed!"
A man hurriedly entered this sea of fire, coming before the old man and anxiously reporting.
"Who dares be so bold as to kill our Source Fire Sect members?
Our Sect has so many people in the Fire Realm. Whoever enters should give our Sect some face. Yet now someone dares kill over a dozen of our members? Who did this?"
Elder Hou, who had been cultivating, opened his eyes and asked in an angry voice.