"Senior, you are too kind," Ye Yunfei said gratefully.
"In any case, Young Master Ye, you focus on your tribulation with peace of mind," Bing Laozu continued. "You have shown grace to our Ice-Snow World Cluster. I, Bing Laozu, am one who distinguishes clearly between gratitude and grievances. I will surely repay your kindness."
As he spoke, a transparent spear appeared in Bing Laozu's hand. This spear, forged from an extremely rare and high-grade material, contained profound ice-and-snow energy and laws of frost.
The transparent spear quivered, instantly transforming the space ahead into a frozen landscape—a thousand-li expanse of ice with snowflakes drifting for ten thousand li.
Those who drew near all felt an intense chill permeating their bodies, affecting even their Soul Bodies. Some of the weaker Demigods found their Soul Bodies trembling violently from the cold.
"Bing Laozu's strength seems to have improved tremendously!" Ye Yunfei thought inwardly, surprised by the power displayed in Bing Laozu's attack. It was clear that his current combat prowess had undergone a qualitative leap compared to before.
"Bing Laozu, is this the Young Master Ye Yunfei you spoke of?" At that moment, two Demigods appeared beside Bing Laozu, looking at Ye Yunfei with curious eyes.
"Indeed, this is Young Master Ye. Didn't you both say before that you wished to pledge yourselves to him? Now that Young Master Ye faces trouble, you must do your part to aid him!" Bing Laozu replied immediately.
"Young Master Ye, let me introduce you," Bing Laozu said while still unleashing attacks to fend off the Demigods charging towards them. "These two are my good friends, both from the Tiansheng World Cluster. Their world cluster has been occupied by the Shangqing Sect. Their sect has suffered heavy casualties, and they are now in a state of homelessness, so they intend to seek refuge with you, Young Master Ye."
"So that's how it is. If the two seniors do not mind my humble offer, you are welcome to join my Alliance Army in the Three Thousand Greater Worlds," Ye Yunfei nodded in reply. Ye Yunfei understood Bing Laozu's character well; those befriended by him likely had decent character. Moreover, the Alliance Army had already accepted members from so many world clusters; a few more wouldn't matter.
"Thank you, Young Master Ye!" The two Demigods were overjoyed upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words.
"Enough talk now!" Bing Laozu said to the two Demigod experts. "Let's work together to help Young Master Ye through this current predicament first!"
"Rest assured," the two experts said in unison, stepping forward together and preparing to attack. "Since we are here, we certainly will not stand idly by."
Even as they began to move, Ye Yunfei could tell their strength was roughly equivalent to Bing Laozu's.
At the same time, the Fire Clan's Demigod experts had all taken action, positioning themselves around Ye Yunfei and engaging in fierce combat with the swarming Demigods.
Together with Bing Laozu and his two friends, there were now fourteen Demigods on Ye Yunfei's side, slightly easing the pressure.
"For the Fire Clan to produce this many Demigod experts in such a short time, they truly live up to being a powerful race renowned since ancient times," Ye Yunfei mused. He had personally witnessed the Fire Clan's emergence within the Fire World; their overall strength back then was not high, with only Ancestor Cui Hong and not a single Demigod. However, Ye Yunfei knew this was because the Fire Clan's members had been sealed within that Small World for far too long, causing their realms to plummet severely. The realm and strength they displayed upon their emergence weren't their true ones. Upon reappearing, their strength and realm were bound to recover rapidly. Thus, in a short period, a large group of Demigod experts had emerged from the Fire Clan. Furthermore, these Demigods were actually relics of the ancient era, each possessing formidable combat power.
Just as the number of Demigod experts on Ye Yunfei's side increased, so did the number among their foes. Now, roughly sixty Demigod experts encircled Ye Yunfei, each exerting their full power to break through and stop his tribulation.
Ye Yunfei noted that the Shen Family alone had over a dozen Demigod experts present, and combined with experts from the other major powers, the overall force was terrifying.
Moments later, Ye Yunfei's group began to be pushed back step by step, finding it increasingly difficult to hold their ground.
*BOOM!*
Amidst the battle, Hun Lao was struck by a combined attack from seven Advanced Demigods, sending him flying backward, nearly crashing into Ye Yunfei who was undergoing his tribulation amidst the billowing thunder.
"It seems my true body needs to intervene," Ye Yunfei thought, seeing that Hun Lao was thoroughly overpowered. Continuing like this would be extremely dangerous. In the earlier clashes, many of Hun Lao's branches had been snapped and broken off, indicating that he had already sustained significant injuries.
"Hun Lao, take these divine crystals. Do not partake in the battle any further. Enter the Shadow Tower now, refine and absorb these divine crystals, and focus on healing," Ye Yunfei waved a hand, sending a spatial ring to hover before Hun Lao as he transmitted his voice.
"But if I enter the Shadow Tower to recover, who will block the enemy's Advanced Demigods?" Hun Lao asked.
"Do not worry. I'll handle them," Ye Yunfei replied.
"Although they have numbers, I should be able to manage barely. Don't forget, I still have trump cards I haven't used—all those Formations and Earth Formations I've prepared aren't activated yet. Moreover, my Lightning Tribulation is nearing its end. As long as I can hold out until the tribulation concludes and I successfully break through, I'll have even less to fear from these fellows."
Seeing Hun Lao injured, Ye Yunfei knew forcing him to continue blocking those Advanced Demigods risked even more severe harm, with unimaginable consequences. Hun Lao had worked hard to reach his current cultivation and power. If he were crippled in this battle, his realm and strength could plummet drastically, forcing him to start cultivation from the beginning again—something Ye Yunfei was unwilling to see.
It wasn't just Hun Lao. The Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm, Hu Miao, Huang Shang, the Blood Clan Clone, Ye Yunfei's several avatars, Bing Laozu, and the Fire Clan's Demigods were all struggling bitterly and had begun to sustain injuries. However, their situations were better than Hun Lao's. Previously, Hun Lao alone had withstood the pressure of seven Advanced Demigods, enduring the heaviest burden and thus suffering far more grievous wounds.
"How much longer will this tribulation of mine last? If this drags on further, I fear Hu Miao and the others might also sustain heavy injuries, even life-threatening ones. If they can't hold on, I'd be left facing so many Demigod experts alone. My tribulation would most likely be forcibly interrupted," Ye Yunfei thought with growing anxiety as he glanced upward at the surging sea of thunder above. How could he have known that choosing this place to undergo his tribulation would ultimately attract so many enemies, with over sixty Demigod experts appearing to stop him?
Eventually, after persuasion, Hun Lao reluctantly accepted the divine crystals from Ye Yunfei and entered the Shadow Tower to begin closed-door healing. Hun Lao understood Ye Yunfei's capabilities well and believed he could hold out for some time.
"That tree vanished! I guess he must have entered a spatial treasure on this brat Ye Yunfei. Everyone, let's kill Ye Yunfei first!" One of the Advanced Demigods, seeing Hun Lao disappear, immediately grasped the situation and spoke coldly.
The Advanced Demigods then attacked simultaneously.
*BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!...*
Seven Advanced Demigods unleashed their energy auras, going all-out from the start. They released their advanced Demigod treasures and executed various powerful secret techniques and cultivation methods they had mastered.
Their attacks were merciless from the outset, aimed at taking Ye Yunfei's life.
"Show me some real skill if you want to kill me," Ye Yunfei retorted coldly.
*BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!...*
Formation after Formation was activated, appearing continuously.
These Formations were of various types—offensive, defensive, isolating, even illusionary. The shimmering, multi-colored barriers of these Formations rose like giant umbrellas, protecting Ye Yunfei. He had set up all these Formations before starting his tribulation.
As Formation after Formation manifested, the attacks of those seven or eight Advanced Demigods were blocked by the shimmering barriers.
Ye Yunfei drew a long sword and began unleashing the Myriad Swords Return technique, slashing out torrents of colossal sword beams.
Simultaneously, he stomped the ground, triggering dozens of Earth Formations instantly. They erupted, forming dangerous terrain and zones of death, manifesting bizarre and surreal illusions.
So many Formations and Earth Formations now surrounded Ye Yunfei, blocking all attacks from the Advanced Demigods.
"So this brat was already prepared—having laid so many Formations and Earth Formations here! He's known to be proficient in Earth Divination Art. Indeed, each of these Earth Formations is quite powerful," the Advanced Demigods noted with some surprise as they sensed the energies emanating from the Formations and Earth Formations.
"Young man, I've found you at last," a voice rang out. An elder walked forth through the air, fixing his gaze on Ye Yunfei as he spoke unhurriedly.
"Elder Fang of the Heavenly God Hall has arrived!"
Seeing this elder, the seven Advanced Demigods besieging Ye Yunfei perked up. They recognized him as Elder Fang of the Heavenly God Hall—a Perfected Demigod!
"Elder Fang, this Ye Yunfei possesses unusually peculiar combat strength, and the Formations and Earth Formations he's arranged here are very powerful. Please, take him on!" one Advanced Demigod shouted immediately.
"Very well. I'll break these Formations and Earth Formations. You all go deal with him," Elder Fang said after sensing the energies of the myriad Formations and Earth Formations around Ye Yunfei. He knew that if the Advanced Demigods were to try and dismantle these arrays, it would consume considerable time before they could possibly unravel Ye Yunfei's preparations.
"To think that old bastard has come as well! This makes the situation even worse for us," the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm couldn't help but complain inwardly upon seeing Elder Fang's arrival.
Making matters worse, over a dozen Demigod experts from the Heavenly God Hall followed Elder Fang to the battlefield, immediately joining the fray. This placed Ye Yunfei's side under even greater pressure.
Everyone on Ye Yunfei's side was now straining to hold their ground, each pushed to their limit on the verge of collapse.
The Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm had been knocked flying several times by the enemy, golden blood now flowing openly from wounds on its body surface.
Hu Miao's situation wasn't much better. She was besieged by over twenty Demigod experts, each manipulating one or several Soul Power-type treasures designed specifically to counter the illusions she created. At first, she could barely manage, but after prolonged fighting and severe depletion of her energy reserves, she found it increasingly difficult to sustain.
"Young man, I must say, you are indeed exceptionally monstrous. But you are too flamboyant and provoke far too much trouble. Therefore, your journey is destined to be short," Elder Fang assessed Ye Yunfei before speaking in a frosty voice.
*RUMBLE...*
Elder Fang acted decisively. From his head emerged a radiant white orb, erupting with streams of mysterious talisman symbols.
"It's the legendary Formation-Breaking Pearl! It's said to be able to effortlessly unravel any Formation in the world!" someone nearby recognized the white orb and exclaimed in shock.
*RUMBLE...*
The white orb rapidly expanded, rolling forward and instantly destroying several Formations and Earth Formations laid by Ye Yunfei.
*A Formation-Breaking Pearl!* Ye Yunfei stared at the white orb, somewhat alarmed within. He could perceive that this treasure possessed a unique property—it seemed specifically forged for dismantling Formations.
Sensing the energy and laws radiated by the white orb, Ye Yunfei realized this energy could easily demolish the Formations and Earth Formations he had arranged.
"Let's join forces and kill Ye Yunfei!"
Seeing Elder Fang attacking the arrays, the seven Advanced Demigods seized the chance to launch their assault on Ye Yunfei.
Treasures and torrents of energy attacks surged majestically toward Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei attempted to mobilize the surrounding Formations and Earth Formations to defend against these Advanced Demigods' attacks, but immediately, the white orb came crashing forth, suppressing and then unraveling the arrays.
"Hahaha... Ye Yunfei, your death has finally arrived!" The Advanced Demigods exuded chilling killing intent.
"Exercise caution. Do not get too close to his tribulation. Attack from a distance," Elder Fang warned promptly as he saw the seven Advanced Demigods drawing ever closer to Ye Yunfei—even stepping into the range where furious thunderbolts were striking down around Ye Yunfei.
"Elder Fang, rest assured," one Advanced Demigod replied confidently. "Ye Yunfei's cultivation is merely at the Perfected Heavenly Immortal realm, trying to break into the Demigod realm. For us Advanced Demigods, a tribulation of this level is insignificant—it poses no threat whatsoever."
"Indeed," chimed in another Advanced Demigod. "The tribulation of a Perfected Heavenly Immortal cannot inflict any harm upon us Advanced Demigods."
*BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!...*
The seven Advanced Demigods charged to Ye Yunfei's immediate vicinity and unleashed their attacks together.
Standing amidst the raging thunderbolts, with one massive lightning strike after another crashing onto his body, Ye Yunfei now faced the encircling assaults of seven Advanced Demigods and genuinely felt pressure.
No matter how monstrous a being, undergoing a Lightning Tribulation inevitably diminished one's strength. Combat ability was always somewhat weaker than usual during this period.
"Hahaha! Take advantage of his weakness to claim his life!"
One Advanced Demigod threw a full-force punch straight at Ye Yunfei's head. His fist continuously enlarged, resembling a colossal mountain rumbling forth. The sheer force of the fist caused Ye Yunfei's hair and clothes to whip violently about as though he stood within a tempest.
*RUMBLE...*
Ye Yunfei didn't hesitate and threw a punch straight back.
*CRACK!*
A scream erupted from the Advanced Demigod opposite him. His fist exploded directly, and his entire arm snapped at the middle, white bone protruding.
"How is this possible? This brat's physical body strength is actually this terrifying?!" The Advanced Demigod's expression twisted into horrified dismay as he retreated repeatedly.
*BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!...*
Ye Yunfei's fists moved continuously, punching out repeatedly in all directions. The raw physical strength within his body poured forth unreservedly, augmenting each punch. Each impact shook the surrounding space violently. With a series of punches, he forcefully repelled all the encircling Advanced Demigods a step back.
*RUMBLE...*
Just then, an enormous energy palm materialized out of thin air, slapping across and forcing Ye Yunfei to stumble back several paces.
It was Elder Fang from the Heavenly God Hall intervening!
Seeing Ye Yunfei displaying such shocking power and repelling several Advanced Demigods with mere punches, Elder Fang acted directly.
With Elder Fang now attacking alongside the cooperating Advanced Demigods, Ye Yunfei immediately found himself at a disadvantage.
Coupled with the constant barrage of thick thunderbolts crashing from above, Ye Yunfei began to feel immense pressure.
*RUMBLE...*
Suddenly, Ye Yunfei felt an overwhelming surge of Soul Power Energy, akin to a tumultuous ocean, rushing towards his consciousness. Elder Fang and the Advanced Demigods were releasing their Soul Power energies in an attempt to overwhelm and suppress him.
Ye Yunfei immediately unleashed his own Soul Power and Mental Force Energy in defiance.
Given his current Soul Power and Mental Force alone, facing one or two Advanced Demigods would let him easily suppress them. But engaging seven or eight Advanced Demigods plus a Perfected Demigod simultaneously was a different matter. Under these circumstances, relying solely on his Soul Power and Mental Force to suppress the enemy became impossible. Even in this battle of wills and Soul Power, he began losing ground.
Making matters worse, about twenty Intermediate Demigods had now swarmed to Ye Yunfei's surroundings, joining the besieging horde.
Facing a Perfected Demigod, seven or eight Advanced Demigods, and over twenty Intermediate Demigods while still undergoing his tribulation, Ye Yunfei experienced immense pressure.
Fortunately, Ye Yunfei kept periodically activating the pre-laid Formations and Earth Formations around him to block some attacks.
Before the tribulation began, Ye Yunfei had set up a multitude of Formations and Earth Formations throughout this region of space. Though the Formation-Breaking Pearl destroyed arrays continuously, many remained and helped block a portion of the enemy onslaught. Without these arrays, Ye Yunfei believed he couldn't have held out this long against the combined might of so many powerful Demigods.
"Hehehe... Youngster... I've waited long enough. Now, finally... your state of mind grows more agitated and restless... more unsettled... unstable. Hand over all these negative emotions... and your Soul Body... and offer them all to me!"
Suddenly, a sharp, chilling sneer pierced the air beside Ye Yunfei.
Not far away, a torrent of demonic energy erupted. A Demon Race expert with bizarre features appeared there.
*An expert of the Heart-Devouring Demon Clan!*
Ye Yunfei's mind stirred as he recognized this Demonic race's identity.
Having subdued several members of this clan as slaves before, Ye Yunfei was keenly familiar with their aura. The Demigod Heart-Devouring Demon manifested and promptly released a rolling tide of sinister energy surging towards Ye Yunfei.
The attack methods of the Heart-Devouring Demon clan were insidious; they took great delight in devouring the various negative emotions generated by living creatures.
Just earlier, under mounting pressure, Ye Yunfei had begun producing negative emotions—restlessness and irritability, unease, anxiety, etc.
This Demigod-level Heart-Devouring Demon had been lurking nearby, detecting Ye Yunfei's negative emotions and swiftly emerging to feast upon them. If these emotions were devoured, the demon could potentially manipulate Ye Yunfei's emotional state, plunging him into utter chaos, generating even greater negativity, until ultimately, Ye Yunfei might fall under the demon's control entirely.
*Whoosh!* A flood of sinister energy from the Heart-Devouring Demon washed over Ye Yunfei, bringing overwhelming auras of negativity: anxiety, unease, annoyance, loneliness, fear, anger, despair... layers of negative emotion enveloped Ye Yunfei's body.
"Under these circumstances, you only have one option left—to strive for survival from a hopeless situation," Hun Lao's transmitted voice suddenly arrived in Ye Yunfei's mind. "Simply provoke your own tribulation proactively. Let it become even more violent, producing more formidable thunder, and pull all these fellows into enduring the tribulation alongside you!"
"Provoke the tribulation... make it even more violent?" Ye Yunfei was momentarily stunned.
"Indeed, my racial memories contain knowledge on this very point," Hun Lao continued. "If a creature undergoing the Lightning Tribulation actively provokes it, they might provoke the will of the tribulation, enraging it, causing it to become even more furious and unleash more cataclysmic energies. If the tribulation enters a state of rage, every creature nearby will become implicated. Since all these fellows encircle you to attack, why not provoke your own tribulation and pull them all down with you?"
"Is such a method viable?" Ye Yunfei inquired doubtfully. "The tribulation I'm facing merely involves advancing from Perfected Heavenly Immortal to Demigod. Can this level of thunder truly pose a threat to Advanced Demigods and even a Perfected Demigod?"
"If you don't try it, how will you know whether it'll work or not? In any case, the situation cannot become much worse. With the quality of your physical body, you should still be able to withstand even more violent and powerful thunder," Hun Lao reasoned via mind transmission.
"You're right. The quality and strength of my physical body surpasses theirs. What I can endure, they may not withstand. Very well, I'll give it a try now," Ye Yunfei nodded, looking at the encircling Demigod attackers pressing in relentlessly.