"To think you also possess a divine-level treasure!"
The young man holding the long saber fixed Ye Yunfei with a sharp, penetrating gaze. His eyes themselves seemed to hold endless, sharp saber-light, clearly marking him as a formidable saber cultivator proficient in saber techniques.
"Indeed, the 3,000 Worlds is an ancient and mysterious world group. Though it degenerated into a remote and low-tier realm over the ages, it can still give birth to a young genius like you."
By now, the four young men who had attacked Ye Yunfei had completely surrounded him. They stood within the range of his Lightning Tribulation, just like Ye Yunfei, constantly enduring the thick bolts of lightning ceaselessly striking down from the heavens, yet they sustained no injury whatsoever. Their methods for resisting these lightning strikes seemed even more refined than Ye Yunfei's.
"These fellows are very strong, and they definitely have impressive backgrounds. Be careful," Hun Lao cautioned Ye Yunfei telepathically. He had been continuously sensing the auras of the four young men and their divine treasures, secretly alarmed.
"How much longer for your Lightning Tribulation?" Hun Lao then asked.
"I feel it should be soon," Ye Yunfei replied. He gauged the violent sea of thunder above his head and realized the power of his tribulation seemed to have diminished slightly. This indicated his tribulation was actually nearing its end.
"His tribulation is about to end! We must act quickly and ensure he doesn't succeed in his breakthrough. Let's seize this chance to kill him, then take all his possessions and his secrets," one of the young men said, glancing at the rolling thunder above Ye Yunfei's head. He too had discerned that Ye Yunfei's tribulation was approaching its final stage.
"Alright, let's do it."
The four young men moved simultaneously, activating the divine-level treasures they controlled.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Four divine-level treasures activated at once, erupting with terrifying, peak-level energy pressure, each one incredibly powerful. Moreover, the young men themselves were formidable. This combination gave Ye Yunfei a headache.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The four youths stepped forward in unison. Four divine-level treasures soared into the sky, each erupting with torrents of divine radiance. Instantly, the surrounding space was completely suppressed by these four artifacts. Even the thick lightning bolts were repelled by the artifacts' energy, unable to draw near.
"No wonder these four dare to enter the range of Ye Yunfei's tribulation to attack him. They indeed possess such confidence. You are now at the most critical juncture of your breakthrough. It's not advisable to keep fighting them," Hun Lao spoke up.
"Let us come out and hold them off for a while. If we can hold out until you successfully break through, the situation will improve significantly," Hun Lao suggested.
"No. They are too strong. You are no match for them," Ye Yunfei shook his head. He simultaneously manipulated his Flying Sword to defend against the four attacking divine treasures. Besides using the sword, Ye Yunfei also employed other techniques and secret arts to attack the four young men. Unfortunately, in this environment of overwhelming thunder, Formations and Earth Formations were unusable. Even if activated, they would be instantly destroyed by the dense barrage of lightning.
"To think your Mental Force is so powerful. It seems you must have obtained some exceptionally high-level Mental Force cultivation manual. You truly have many secrets on you," one young man exclaimed in surprise and a flicker of greed after being attacked by Ye Yunfei's formless Mental Sword. He knew that for Ye Yunfei to cultivate Mental Force to such a level, he must have acquired a very advanced Mental Force technique. In the Primordial Void Sea, high-level Mental Force techniques were extremely rare, as Mental Force itself was an esoteric energy type. Not many beings in the world could even begin cultivating it, and those who could reach Ye Yunfei's level were rarer still.
"And this Soul Power treasure of his also seems very high-grade, its attack power is quite good. If it were in my hands, it could surely play an even greater role," another young man, having noticed Ye Yunfei's Soul Sword, spoke with interest.
"His physical body strength is also remarkable. To endure thunder of this intensity with just his flesh up till now... I have a feeling he might very well be cultivating the legacy of the Great Strength Demon God! This guy indeed has many secrets. No wonder we made a special trip for him," yet another young man commented, focusing on Ye Yunfei's physique. After sensing it for a moment, he expressed some shock.
The Great Strength Demon God!
Hearing this, the other three young men all showed astonished expressions. They had all heard of the Great Strength Demon God's reputation. In an ancient era, he was a famed and illustrious Deity who achieved divinity through his physical body alone. His might once suppressed the other Deities of the Void Sea, making them dare not raise their heads. If one could obtain the Great Strength Demon God's legacy, cultivate the terrifying physique he once possessed, or even achieve divinity through the body, one would undoubtedly become a top-tier figure, one of the very best in this Void Sea.
As they spoke, the four youths pressed their attack step by step. The four divine treasures erupted with torrents of divine light, ceaselessly bombarding Ye Yunfei. While resisting the tribulation, Ye Yunfei also controlled his Flying Sword, constantly parrying the four divine treasures. For a time, he felt immense pressure, being forced back repeatedly, utterly outmatched.
With a bang, after several exchanges, the Flying Sword was sent flying backwards, and Ye Yunfei was also struck, sent tumbling sideways.
"We'll hold them off for a bit!"
Hun Lao appeared beside Ye Yunfei and immediately unleashed a high-level spatial secret art of his race, forcibly twisting the space around Ye Yunfei. At the same time, he brandished hundreds of verdant branches that transformed into hundreds of azure dragons, letting out roars as they pounced on the four young men.
"It's this tree again! This must be some extremely rare treasure tree! Excellent, it delivers itself to us. We'll seize it. Why do I feel like this fellow is just full of treasures?" one young man shouted loudly.
"Master, I'll help too!"
Hu Miao appeared beside Ye Yunfei, immediately unleashing Illusion Arts. Behind her, nine thick fox tails shot skyward, transforming into nine pillars supporting the heavens. They howled as they swept horizontally towards the four young men.
Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm appeared beside Ye Yunfei, transforming into a young man in golden robes. He then used a spatial secret art of his race. Immediately, a translucent long saber appeared in his hand, and he swung it towards one of the youths. This translucent saber was actually condensed from pure spatial energy and spatial treasure material.
"Senior Huang, you must not come out. You are a ghost cultivator; my Lightning Tribulation poses a great threat to you. In this tribulation environment, your strength would be reduced by more than half. You simply cannot fight them," Ye Yunfei telepathically transmitted upon sensing Huang Shang's intention to emerge and assist.
Receiving the message, Huang Shang hesitated but ultimately resisted the urge to exit the Phantom Tower. He knew Ye Yunfei spoke the truth; his strength as a ghost cultivator would be severely suppressed in this environment of overwhelming lightning.
At this moment, Ye Yunfei's blood race clone appeared beside him. Raising a crimson long saber, it released torrents of blood-red mist, attacking one of the young men. As soon as it appeared, the clone employed Blood Manipulation Art, causing the young man's blood to boil violently.
Ye Yunfei also released his four Doppelganger Statues at this time. They transformed into four avatars that charged simultaneously towards the four young men.
However, the four young men's combat power was formidable, and each controlled a divine-level treasure. After just a few exchanges, Ye Yunfei's four avatars, along with Hun Lao, Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm, and Hu Miao, were all sent flying backwards.
Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm coughed up several mouthfuls of blood. Hu Miao's face turned pale; she felt her blood and qi surging wildly within her body, nearly unable to stand.
"These guys are too terrifying!" Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm cried out.
"Hold on! We just need to endure a little longer!" Hun Lao transmitted urgently.
At this moment, Ye Yunfei felt the scale and power of his Lightning Tribulation gradually weakening. Previously, because Ye Yunfei kept provoking it, the tribulation had grown increasingly terrifying. After these four youths appeared, Ye Yunfei had stopped provoking it. Furthermore, the tribulation itself was nearing its end, so its power was naturally fading.
"You brat, don't think you can break through in front of us!"
The four youths now forced Hun Lao and the others back. They then manipulated their four divine treasures to attack Ye Yunfei simultaneously.
With a thought, Ye Yunfei positioned his Flying Sword in front of him. It clashed with each of the four divine treasures. Concurrently, Ye Yunfei threw out over a hundred Demigod-level treasures, activating them all at once.
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Those Demigod-level treasures were instantly shattered to pieces by the four divine treasures, unable to withstand a single blow. However, Ye Yunfei used this opportunity to rapidly retreat, putting a considerable distance between himself and his attackers.
"Not good! That kid's tribulation is about to end! Stop him quickly!"
The four youths also realized Ye Yunfei's tribulation was concluding. Once it ended, it would mean Ye Yunfei had successfully broken through.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
The four youths soared into the air, charging rapidly towards Ye Yunfei.
Hun Lao gritted his teeth. His figure flickered, blocking the path of the four young men.
"World-Shackling Formation!"
Hun Lao roared, releasing vast and mighty spatial energy and spatial laws. In the next instant, a massive, phantom-like world materialized above the heads of the four youths. This enormous world gradually solidified from its illusory state, releasing powerful suppression energy that cascaded down upon them.
This World-Shackling Formation was one of the inherited arts of the Primordial World Tree race. Hun Lao had taught this technique to Ye Yunfei in the past. Now, unleashed by Hun Lao himself, its power was immeasurably greater than when Ye Yunfei used it.
For an instant, the four young men felt their bodies grow heavy, actually being suppressed and held in place.
"Seal it!"
Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm also unleashed a high-level spatial sealing art of his race. Mystical runes connected to spatial laws emanated from his body, swimming like golden fish towards the space occupied by the four youths, aiming to seal that area.
"He's from the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm race!" one young man exclaimed in surprise, looking at the golden-robed figure.
Through the combined efforts of Hun Lao and Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm, they managed to briefly seal the four youths.
However, the four were incredibly powerful, and each possessed a divine-level treasure. The cost for Hun Lao and Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm to seal them was enormous.
At this moment, Ye Yunfei delightedly discovered that the vast sea of tribulation clouds above his head was gradually shrinking in area. The dense masses of lightning were also thinning out. Clearly, his tribulation truly was ending!
He also sensed the immortal power energy within his body slowly transforming, evolving into a more advanced form of energy.
"My realm is about to break through!" Ye Yunfei thought to himself.
However, he saw that Hun Lao and Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm were now struggling immensely. To maintain this brief seal on the four youths, they had completely overexerted themselves, releasing all their spatial energy and laws, even starting to burn their own origin blood and essence.
The four youths were in a furious state. They simultaneously released all the energy within their bodies, combining it with their divine-level treasures to resist the sealing energy in the surrounding space.
In fact, the seal Hun Lao and Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm imposed only lasted for a very brief period—about five or six breaths.
During those five or six breaths, Ye Yunfei had already fled a great distance from the four youths, still carrying his rolling tribulation with him. Moreover, his tribulation was already concluding.
Finally, with a resounding boom, the combined seal of Hun Lao and Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm was shattered completely. The backlash sent both of them flying far away.
"We need to run, now!"
Seeing the four youths had descended into a state of utter fury, Hu Miao quickly deployed her Illusion Arts. She used an illusionary landscape to protect Hun Lao and Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm, then carried them as she fled at full speed into the distance.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
As soon as Hu Miao and the others vacated their previous position, two divine treasures struck the spot simultaneously, shattering that space into fragments, leaving it in complete disarray.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
A dazzling, resplendent Flying Sword swept towards two of the young men. The two immediately recalled their own treasures to defend against the Flying Sword's attack.
Flying Sword Art was a technique specialized for long-range attacks, so using it from a distance did not diminish its power.
"Not good! His tribulation is about to end!"
The four young men also noticed that the sea of tribulation clouds above Ye Yunfei's head was shrinking further, the number of lightning strikes decreasing, their power waning.
"Let's attack together! Even if he breaks through, there will be a period of weakness immediately after. Seize this chance to kill him!"
One youth manipulated his divine treasure and soared into the air, chasing after Ye Yunfei. The other three followed closely behind. They were all powerful, and each held a divine-level treasure. Even if Ye Yunfei truly succeeded in his breakthrough, they would not regard him as a significant threat.
Ye Yunfei manipulated his Flying Sword to attack the four pursuers separately. Under the sword's harassment, their speed slowed somewhat.
"You can't escape, brat!"
The four youths used their divine treasures to send Ye Yunfei's Flying Sword reeling back repeatedly.
Ye Yunfei suddenly stomped his foot.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
Within the space around the four young men, one Formation after another rapidly manifested.
Now that the four were no longer within his Lightning Tribulation's range, Ye Yunfei could employ the Formations and Earth Formations he had previously prepared in this area. Part of his reason for quickly distancing himself was precisely to use these arrays against them.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
As Formations kept appearing, several Earth Formations also erupted beneath the four youths, releasing powerful offensive energy to attack them. Enveloped by these Formations and Earth Formations, the four were directly trapped.
"Get over here, all of you! Enter the Phantom Tower! My tribulation is about to end completely, and then we're leaving this place," Ye Yunfei urgently transmitted to Hun Lao, Hu Miao, and Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm.
At this time, the Lightning Tribulation above Ye Yunfei's head was slowly dissipating, and the energy within his body was undergoing a qualitative transformation. Ye Yunfei knew his tribulation was ending, and his breakthrough was succeeding.
"Excellent! Your tribulation is finally over!"
Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm, seeing this, felt a mix of relief and joy, almost crying from the ordeal. During the previous battle, he had sustained repeated injuries. If the fight had continued, he felt he might have died there today.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
However, at this moment, the four young men, wielding their four divine treasures, exerted their power simultaneously and instantly shattered all the surrounding Formations and Earth Formations.
The four then moved with extreme speed, charging towards Ye Yunfei like rolling waves.
Boom! Boom!
Before they even arrived, the four divine treasures, blazing like four scorching suns, bore down upon Ye Yunfei. Even from a distance, they exerted immense pressure.
But by this time, Ye Yunfei's Lightning Tribulation had completely ended.
"This tribulation was far too eventful! Luckily, the breakthrough succeeded in the end! I am now at the Initial Demigod realm!"
Ye Yunfei glanced at the now-vanished tribulation clouds in the sky, feeling the surging, torrential energy within his body. He let out a soft sigh of relief, thinking to himself.
He had already teleported Hun Lao and the others into the Phantom Tower.
"We will settle today's score another time."
Ye Yunfei looked back at the four young men and spoke calmly. Then, he directly activated his spatial teleportation token and vanished in an instant.