While the two ancestors were fighting desperately, the members of the two merchant houses had also reached a fever pitch in their battle.
The Demigod experts of the two merchant houses had also entered a stage of direct, brutal confrontation. The overall strength of the two merchant houses was actually quite similar.
Furthermore, due to their close dealings in the past, both sides understood each other's cultivated techniques and secret arts intimately. After fighting for a period of time, everyone's energy consumption was significant, and they inevitably resorted to this head-on, brutal style of combat.
This situation was similar to the fight between the two ancestors.
And so, as the two merchant houses fought on, the scene grew increasingly gruesome. Some even lunged over to grapple with their opponents, aiming to perish together.
Duan Rong's current opponent had formidable combat power, manipulating a complete set of seven long sabers. This was a full set of magical treasures; the seven long sabers coordinated with each other, forming a combat formation that boasted fearsome offensive might.
However, Ye Yunfei was long familiar with such combat formations formed from magical treasures. Moreover, Ye Yunfei himself possessed many such sets of formation-style magical treasures. So, such sets held no mystery for Ye Yunfei, who could handle them with ease.
Still, Ye Yunfei was not in a hurry. He controlled Duan Rong to fight the opponent to a standstill.
Because what Ye Yunfei needed to do now was wait for the two merchant houses to fight until they were mutually weakened, allowing him to reap the spoils as the fisherman.
Duan Rong's opponent was consuming more and more energy, his aura clearly beginning to decline.
"Look, those two ancestors are now fighting with no semblance of technique—purely engaging in a war of attrition with their own energy! It shows the two old fellows have begun to reach the end of their rope!" Hun Lao suddenly sent a Sound Transmission to Ye Yunfei.
"I think you can start considering where exactly the treasures they left behind are hidden. When those two ancestors perish together, you can make your move to seize them," Hun Lao continued.
Both ancestors were Deities before their fall. They each had left behind one imprinted wisp of Soul Power. Even if they were merely two such imprints, the Soul Power of a Deity remained immensely powerful. Ye Yunfei might not be able to handle them.
But now, these two imprints had expended vast amounts of energy during the fight and were already greatly depleted and feeble. When they perished together, Ye Yunfei would have nothing to worry about.
Of course, each merchant house had a Wizard and an Advanced Demigod here, but now those Wizards and Advanced Demigods were also fighting fiercely, having entered a desperate stage with massive energy consumption.
So, the Wizards and Advanced Demigods of the two merchant houses also posed no threat to Ye Yunfei.
Especially the two Wizards, who had now fought to the point where both were continuously vomiting blood, their faces as pale as paper.
As it turned out, during the fight, both Wizards had employed some secret arts of divination and deduction, even resorting to some mysterious curse techniques to curse each other. The result was both suffered heavy injuries, constantly spitting blood.
Later, neither Wizard could stand normally. They could only sit cross-legged, set up an altar table, and engage in a magical duel at a distance using special magical treasures.
"These two Wizards are severely injured, starting to fail. They pose no threat to you," Hun Lao said with a laugh.
In short, the situation was developing favorably for Ye Yunfei!
Ye Yunfei only needed to keep waiting!
Just then, Ye Yunfei felt a stirring in his heart and received a Sound Transmission.
It turned out that the powerhouses of those major forces, after a fierce battle, had finally breached the Golden God's hall.
In the process, quite a few Demigod experts from the major forces perished on the spot. Only the topmost experts of each major force managed to enter the Golden God Hall, with some bringing their sect's Deity-level foundational reserves. It was only through their combined efforts that they managed to break in.
As for those average-strength Demigods, they simply lacked the capability to enter the Golden God Hall. Forcing their way in would have been suicide.
This information was sent by Chen Zhong of the Myriad Methods Merchant House.
Chen Zhong's situation was the same as Duan Rong's—his Soul Body had been devoured by Ye Yunfei's Soul Power planets; now their Soul Bodies had become Ye Yunfei's Soul Power planets.
"It's said the Golden God was a powerful figure among the ancient Deities. Even if those guys manage to enter the Golden God Hall, it will certainly be fraught with dangers. Obtaining the treasures left by the Golden God won't be easy.
Look at the ancestors of these two merchant houses before us. They are clearly only quite ordinary Deities in terms of strength. They left behind only two imprints of Soul Power, yet they are still this strong.
A high-level Deity like the Golden God, if he left behind a single wisp of Soul Power, those who have forced their way in will surely regret it profoundly," Hun Lao said.
"Let's not worry about that situation for now! Let's see if these two ancestors left anything good," Ye Yunfei said, his attention firmly fixed on the fight between the two ancestors.
By this point, the energy auras emanating from the two ancestors had grown increasingly weak. Their struggle had also clearly lost much of its force, no longer possessing the earth-shattering power behind each move and style like at the beginning.
"Wu Yuan! To think after all this time, we still have to perish together!" Bai Cang, the ancestor of the Eternal Fortune Merchant House, suddenly gave a wretched laugh. After the intense battle, his wisp of Soul Power was tattered, illusory, and dim.
"Yes, Bai Cang. Back in the day, we were friends who shared life and death. To think for the sake of profit later, we turned on each other and perished together. And now, after so many years, the Soul Power imprints we left behind once again fight each other to mutual destruction. In the end, it all comes down to profit!" Wu Yuan sighed with emotion.
"Forget it. If we keep fighting like this, not only will both of us perish, but our descendants will also die together. How about we shake hands and make peace?" Wu Yuan continued.
"Fine. We are both in this state now; there's no point in fighting on. Let's cease hostilities," Bai Cang nodded in agreement.
By now, both ancestors were at death's door. They simultaneously stopped.
Seeing this, the other members of the two merchant houses were dumbfounded. One moment the two ancestors were fighting desperately, and their own people were obeying the ancestral commands, suffering heavy casualties. Now, the two ancestors suddenly wanted to make peace.
The members of the two merchant houses also temporarily stopped, standing there at a loss, their eyes fixed on their respective ancestors.
At this moment, both ancestors were panting heavily. They sat down on the spot to rest. Everyone could see that both ancestors were extremely weak.
However, right then, Bai Cang, ancestor of the Eternal Fortune Merchant House, suddenly snapped his eyes open, revealing an expression of rage.
A very dim figure appeared behind him. This figure was none other than Wu Yuan, ancestor of the Myriad Methods Merchant House.
"It's too late, Bai Cang. I've fought you for so long. Today I shall utterly destroy you!" Wu Yuan let out a cold laugh, holding a long sword. His movements were extremely swift, delivering a single slash to Bai Cang's head.
"Wu Yuan, you treacherous fiend! Your Soul Power imprint is already this weak, yet you still force yourself to split off a clone to assassinate me. But even if you destroy my Soul Power imprint, your own won't survive either!" Bai Cang let out a mournful cry. Then, his head exploded on the spot, followed by his body.
After delivering that sword thrust, Wu Yuan's already dim figure also began to slowly fade away.
At the same time, another Wu Yuan sat cross-legged not far away, watching this scene with a cold smirk.
It turned out that Wu Yuan's Soul Power imprint had forcibly split off a clone to appear behind Bai Cang. It could sustain itself for at most a few breaths.
"Hahaha... Bai Cang, I have finally completely eradicated you! In our long struggle, I am the ultimate victor!" Wu Yuan's now severely weakened Soul Power imprint laughed heartily.
"Disaster! Our ancestor has been killed!" The members of the Eternal Fortune Merchant House were shocked and furious, crying out in alarm.
"Although that Wu Yuan destroyed the opponent's Soul Power imprint, his own wisp is also depleted of energy and will soon dissipate," Hun Lao transmitted to Ye Yunfei.
"Yes," Ye Yunfei nodded, watching Wu Yuan's body grow increasingly faint.
These two Deities were friends in life, yet ended up perishing together. Now even the Soul Power imprints they left behind had perished together.
"Kill them! Avenge our ancestor!" At this moment, seeing their ancestor killed, everyone from the Eternal Fortune Merchant House was filled with grief and indignation. The leading Demigods had bloodshot eyes, their gazes burning with fury toward the members of the Myriad Methods Merchant House. Then, at the order of their Advanced Demigod, they led their men in a charge to slaughter their foes.
Although it wasn't the ancestor's true body but merely a wisp of Soul Power imprint that was destroyed, for the Eternal Fortune Merchant House, this was a significant loss.
If they could have brought their ancestor's Soul Power imprint back to headquarters, the memories it possessed would have surely brought immense benefits to their house.
The memories of a Deity were in fact a massive fortune.
First, this Soul Power imprint of their ancestor could completely pass on all the techniques and inheritances he had mastered in his lifetime to the upper echelons of the Eternal Fortune Merchant House.
Additionally, the experience of a Deity and their understanding of the Chaotic Void Sea were not something ordinary people could compare to. Having an ancestor's Soul Power imprint stationed at headquarters, offering advice and strategies, could elevate the overall strength of the Eternal Fortune Merchant House by a huge margin.
Fueled by rage, the Eternal Fortune members threw themselves fiercely at the Myriad Methods members, fighting desperately.
"Everyone, annihilate the Eternal Fortune scum! Then we will welcome our ancestor back to headquarters, ensuring our Myriad Methods Merchant House prospers greatly!" Facing the murderous Eternal Fortune members, the Advanced Demigod of the Myriad Methods Merchant House also waved his hand and actively advanced, launching another fierce battle.
This time, the fight between the two sides was even more brutal, a life-and-death struggle with no quarter given.
In moments, a large number from both merchant houses fell. The Demigods from both sides had entered a bloody melee, with nearly every one starting to get injured.
"Fight! The fiercer the fight, the better for us," Hun Lao said, unable to help but laugh as he watched the two merchant houses resume their battle.
On one of the altars, Wu Yuan, ancestor of the Myriad Methods Merchant House, watched all this with a complicated expression, lost in thought.
Wu Yuan's Soul Power wisp had grown increasingly illusory, fading in and out as if it might vanish at any moment.
He sat cross-legged next to his skeletal remains, appearing on the brink of death.
"No matter what, Bai Cang, I have ultimately completely eradicated you," Wu Yuan finally said, looking toward the other altar with a victor's smile.
"You few, go kill that old bastard Wu Yuan!" At that moment, the Advanced Demigod of the Eternal Fortune Merchant House suddenly shouted, pointing at Wu Yuan.
"Don't be afraid! This old thing is already spent, exhausted—barely able to withstand a single blow!" the Advanced Demigod of the Eternal Fortune Merchant House added.
Immediately, two Eternal Fortune Demigods, whose eyes were already bloodshot from killing frenzy, charged toward Wu Yuan. Many Eternal Fortune Heavenly Immortals also rushed toward Wu Yuan.
"Protect our ancestor!" The Myriad Methods members grew frantic seeing the opponent aiming to swarm their ancestor. Their Advanced Demigod cried out.
Instantly, Myriad Methods members rushed towards Wu Yuan's location to protect him.
Because everyone from the Myriad Methods Merchant House could see the ancestor was extremely weak and possessed almost no combat strength.
"The time to act finally arrives," Ye Yunfei said slowly, watching Wu Yuan's increasingly illusory form which seemed on the verge of disappearing.
At this moment, the forces of both merchant houses began yet another fierce battle around Wu Yuan's altar.
In fact, fighting to this point, both sides were utterly exhausted. In their previous clashes, they had fought savagely, holding nothing back and exhausting vast amounts of energy.
"Old wretch, die!" Suddenly, an Eternal Fortune Demigod broke through the encirclement and reached the altar where Wu Yuan sat. He activated a massive seal, hurling it toward Wu Yuan.
Wu Yuan pointed a finger, repelling the seal. But he stumbled back repeatedly, his form growing even more illusory. Now his body seemed nearly transparent, only faintly visible as an outline.
"Hahaha... Old wretch, you're done for! Die!" the Eternal Fortune Demigod laughed heartily, leaping into the air to charge onto the altar.
Suddenly, a Myriad Methods Demigod rushed up behind this Eternal Fortune Demigod and punched, crippling half his body, then followed with another fist, utterly annihilating him.
Then several more Demigods from both sides reached the foot of the altar, launching a fierce and bloody battle.
Moments later, several Demigods fell in succession.
In the end, the two Advanced Demigods from each side also suffered severe injuries.
"This is truly a terrifying bloodbath," Hun Lao couldn't help but sigh, seeing the heavy casualties on both sides.
"Men of the Myriad Methods Merchant House, hear me! All the words I wish to leave you are here. My inheritance is also here. I am failing." Just then, Wu Yuan on the altar suddenly tossed out a jade slip, which instantly arrived before the Advanced Demigod of the Myriad Methods Merchant House.
After tossing the jade slip, Wu Yuan's figure began to slowly fade away. The energy of his Soul Power imprint was completely exhausted.
The Advanced Demigod of the Myriad Methods Merchant House reached out to grab the jade slip.
But at that moment, the Advanced Demigod of Eternal Fortune had already manifested a giant hand that reached out. Surging energy transformed into a howling gale, and numerous chains of laws densely wrapped toward the jade slip.
"How dare you!" The Advanced Demigod of Myriad Methods flared with rage. He threw a punch at his opponent with one hand, while the other burst forth with torrential energy to snatch the jade slip.
Precisely then.
Without anyone noticing, Duan Rong had approached.
Although the two Advanced Demigods were injured—and heavily so—the energy pressure released by their battle remained immense. Ordinary Heavenly Immortals wouldn't dare approach.
Yet Duan Rong was unaffected. In a flash, he arrived before the two Advanced Demigods and snatched the jade slip.
"Duan Rong..." Recognizing Duan Rong, the Advanced Demigod of Myriad Methods was first stunned, then called out, face full of confusion.
"Senior Peng, I will safeguard this jade slip for now," Duan Rong said.
"You... Fine, you hold onto it first." Senior Peng of Myriad Methods saw something was off about Duan Rong. He wanted to press him but, considering the situation, restrained himself, giving Duan Rong a deep look.
"Disaster! The ancestor is vanishing!" Suddenly, someone from the Myriad Methods Merchant House shouted.
At that moment, on the altar, Wu Yuan's figure slowly faded before vanishing completely into nothingness.
Thus, the Soul Power imprints left by the two Deities vanished completely.
Swish!
Duan Rong's figure flashed, arriving on the altar, standing before his own skeleton.
After all, it was the skeleton of a Deity. Though completely devoid of life, it still contained astonishing energy, releasing a rolling torrent of pressure that nearly made Duan Rong lose his footing.
Luckily, earlier when Wu Yuan and Bai Cang fought, they had consumed most of the residual energy within the skeleton. So now the energy pressure was much weaker. Otherwise, even a Demigod would have difficulty approaching.
Of course, the present Duan Rong was, in essence, Ye Yunfei's clone. His every move was controlled by Ye Yunfei's Soul Power planet.
"A small space is hidden within these skeletal remains. Wu Yuan's relics should be stored within. This small space was originally maintained by Deity-level energy, making it difficult to perceive or break. But during the fight, Wu Yuan consumed most of the energy within the skeleton. I should be able to break open this space and retrieve the items inside," Hun Lao transmitted to Ye Yunfei.
After all, Hun Lao possessed the bloodline and inheritance of the Chaos World Tree, granting him deep insight into spatial structures. No matter where he went, he could immediately comprehend the surrounding space, easily discovering hidden small spaces—a talent even Ye Yunfei could not match.
"Indeed. I can also sense a small space hidden within this fellow's skeleton, holding many treasures!" the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm chirped.
The Silkworm was highly sensitive to treasures of all kinds, keenly detecting where riches lay.
"Hun Lao, do you wish to act personally?" Ye Yunfei asked, sensing Wu Yuan's skeleton.
"Yes, let me handle it personally. You could likely open it too, but it would take some time. It is, after all, a small space set up by a Deity," Hun Lao replied.
The next moment.
Rustle...
A great tree appeared beside Duan Rong, extending countless roots that thrust toward Wu Yuan's skeleton like spears.
"Duan Rong, what are you doing?!" At that moment, every Demigod of the Myriad Methods Merchant House sensed something was wrong.
Duan Rong's actions were inexplicable to them.
The sudden appearance of Hun Lao left them utterly bewildered.
"Got them. I've acquired everything Wu Yuan left behind. Worthy of skeletal remains left by a Deity, although much of the energy within Wu Yuan's skeleton is depleted, it still vibrated intensely, nearly shaking me apart," Hun Lao said, withdrawing his roots with a laugh to Ye Yunfei.
"Are you truly Duan Rong?" The Advanced Demigod of the Myriad Methods Merchant House, knowing things were amiss, soared into the air and charged toward Duan Rong.
At the same time, the Advanced Demigod of Eternal Fortune swung his hand, leading his men in a charge toward the altar housing Bai Cang's skeleton.
It suddenly occurred to this Advanced Demigod that the most important thing now was to see if their ancestor had left any treasures!
However, before the Eternal Fortune members could reach Bai Cang's altar, a figure enveloped in light had already preemptively appeared there.
It was Ye Yunfei!
While manipulating Duan Rong's body to acquire Wu Yuan's treasures, his own true self had quietly arrived at Bai Cang's altar.
Ye Yunfei used a secret technique to conceal his appearance and had a Soul Power planet simulate a soul body, emitting an unfamiliar soul aura. Even Demigods who knew Ye Yunfei would not recognize him here.
This was another wondrous use of a Soul Power planet—perfect camouflage, hiding one's true face.
Boom! Boom...
Ye Yunfei waved a hand, slashing out over a dozen thick sword beams that instantly forced back all Eternal Fortune members, including their Advanced Demigod.
"Hun Lao, come quickly! Bai Cang's situation seems the same. A hidden small space is within his skeleton; his relics must be inside," Ye Yunfei transmitted to Hun Lao.
On the other altar, Duan Rong took out a spatial teleportation token, activated it, and began teleporting away with Hun Lao.
"You are not Duan Rong! Who are you? Halt!" By now, Myriad Methods' Senior Peng had charged toward Duan Rong, shouting angrily.
Boom...
He directly attacked Duan Rong, reaching out with a giant hand to seize him.
Boom!
A dozen thick sword beams howled as they slashed toward him, while at the same time, an invisible shackle materialized instantly, settling over his body and weighing him down.
In the next moment, Duan Rong and Hun Lao had teleported to Bai Cang's altar.
Hun Lao immediately extended his branches and leaves. Sure enough, he also found a concealed small space within Bai Cang's skeleton and emptied it of all contents.
"Alright, we've taken everything left by the two Deities. Let's go," Hun Lao said to Ye Yunfei.
"Right, let's leave," Ye Yunfei nodded.