"You're dead!"
At that moment, the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm engaged another Demigod of the Dark Faction. After exchanging blows for a short while, he roared, rushed forward, and pummeled that Dark Faction Demigod into shattered pieces.
Given the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm's current strength, dealing with Initial Demigods had become remarkably effortless. He had refined and absorbed a vast quantity of god crystals some time ago, undergoing several successive bloodline breakthroughs.
"You cannot escape."
Right then, Ye Yunfei's gaze suddenly shifted to a specific spot in the distance, where a faint, almost intangible black shadow flickered.
This was a Mid-Level Demigod expert of the Dark Faction. Having heard the commotion, he had rushed out from his secluded cultivation spot, intending to confront the attackers. However, before he could even get close enough to act, he recognized Ye Yunfei and dared not step forward to fight. Instead, he immediately utilized a concealment technique to slip away quietly.
But Ye Yunfei's perception was incredibly acute; he detected his figure instantly.
The Dark Faction Mid-Level Demigod, seeing that Ye Yunfei had spotted him, panicked and accelerated, trying to flee this world cluster.
Ye Yunfei activated the Shadowless Doppelganger Technique. In a flash, three identical Ye Yunfeis appeared, encircling the Mid-Level Demigod from different directions.
The Shadowless Doppelganger Technique not only produced three identical avatars to confuse the enemy but also boasted extreme speed.
The three identical figures instantly surrounded the Dark Faction Mid-Level Demigod.
"You cannot escape," Ye Yunfei said with a cold laugh.
"Of these three Ye Yunfeis, only one must be the true body. The other two are just clones," the Dark Faction Mid-Level Demigod thought. Gritting his teeth, he chose a direction and charged forward at full speed, believing the Ye Yunfei blocking his path was likely a clone.
However, he had no understanding of the profound mystery of the Shadowless Doppelganger Technique.
In truth, all three Ye Yunfeis were doppelgangers. Ye Yunfei's true body had long since secretly dived into the depths of space, arriving silently behind the Mid-Level Demigod. He appeared suddenly and launched a furious assault.
This Mid-Level Demigod was no match for Ye Yunfei to begin with. Combined with the element of surprise, he was blown apart by Ye Yunfei's fist in less than three moves, reduced to a cloud of blood mist.
Ye Yunfei then discovered another fleeing Dark Faction Mid-Level Demigod. He immediately activated his Spatial Teleportation Talisman and pursued, chasing him out of the world cluster into the chaotic void beyond, where a battle ensued.
Having witnessed the previous Mid-Level Demigod being killed by Ye Yunfei within two or three moves, this Demigod utterly refused to engage in combat.
But helplessly, Ye Yunfei's movement speed was too great. Escape proved impossible. Ultimately, this Dark Faction Mid-Level Demigod was also struck dead by Ye Yunfei's fist.
At the same time, Huang Shang, the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm, and Hu Miao, within the world cluster, had respectively slain several more Demigod experts of the Dark Faction.
There were a total of seven Dark Faction Demigod experts stationed in this world cluster.
All seven were completely wiped out in mere moments.
As for the other members of the Dark Faction, Ye Yunfei relentlessly hunted them down with his flying swords. In the end, only a handful managed to escape the world cluster out of sheer luck.
Thus, within just a short span of time, nearly every Dark Faction member in this previously occupied world cluster was slain.
"Have... have all the Dark Faction members died?"
Countless beings inhabiting the world cluster stared at the Dark Faction corpses scattered everywhere, each filled with a mix of shock and disbelief.
"Too wonderful!"
Moments later, thunderous cheers erupted throughout the entire world cluster.
Ever since this world cluster had been occupied by the Dark Faction some time ago, its native inhabitants had lived lives worse than livestock.
Not only had they lost most of their possessions to plunder, but they had also been enslaved, forced to serve the Dark Faction with utmost care. The slightest dissatisfaction on their masters' part resulted in beating or cursing.
Now, suddenly, all those invaders lay dead before their very eyes!
The inhabitants of this world cluster felt a profound weight lift from their beings, a fierce sense of satisfaction and vengeance fulfilled.
At that moment, over a dozen figures appeared in the distance, each cautiously observing Ye Yunfei. Their status seemed significant, as they were followed by a large crowd.
After a moment of careful scrutiny, the leader, an elderly man, gathered his courage and approached Ye Yunfei.
"Might I ask if this young master is Young Master Ye of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds?"
The old man did not dare get too close, stopping at a distance. With utmost respect, he first performed a deep bow before speaking.
"Oh? Do you recognize me?"
Ye Yunfei glanced at the old man before responding.
"It is indeed Young Master Ye!"
Hearing Ye Yunfei's reply, the old man knew he had not mistaken the person and could not help but become excited.
"Young Master Ye, your reputation has long spread throughout the Chaotic Void Sea. Information about the aura of your Soul Body and your appearance circulates everywhere. So, although I had never met Young Master Ye in person before, I was able to recognize you," the old man explained respectfully.
"I see," Ye Yunfei nodded, then turned to leave.
Ye Yunfei had entered this world cluster primarily to deal with the Dark Faction. Having eliminated them all here, he saw no reason to stay.
"Young Master Ye, please wait!"
Seeing Ye Yunfei about to depart, the old man hurriedly called out.
"Do you have something else?" Ye Yunfei paused and looked back.
"Young Master Ye, our Ziyun World Group was occupied by the Dark Faction half a year ago. All the people in our world cluster were reduced to slaves of the Dark Faction. In the eyes of the Dark Faction, our Ziyun World Group now belongs to them. Although the Dark Faction members stationed here have all been slain by you, Young Master Ye, they will certainly not let the matter rest. They will send another army soon to reoccupy our Ziyun World Group. When that happens, all of us in Ziyun will face the Dark Faction's terrifying wrath. Our entire world group will suffer unspeakable devastation, with countless casualties. We, these major powers and great families, will bear the brunt; we might be slaughtered completely. Young Master Ye surely knows that the Dark Faction, the Demonic Race, and the Demonic Beasts are inherently savage and bloodthirsty. Therefore, we dare not remain in the Ziyun World Group. If Young Master Ye would not disdain us, all the factions and families of the Ziyun World Group are willing to join the Alliance Army and follow Young Master Ye henceforth," the old man declared.
"We are all willing to join the Alliance Army, follow Young Master Ye. Please accept us!"
At that moment, the dozen-plus people behind the old man stepped forward together, collectively bowing to Ye Yunfei as they spoke in unison.
"The energy within your bodies has been sealed, correct?"
Ye Yunfei looked over the group. He knew they were all Demigods, yet the energy inside them had been sealed by some secret art, rendering them incapable of taking action. This was precisely why a dozen-plus Demigods had been suppressed by just seven Dark Faction Demigods within this world cluster.
"Yes, Young Master Ye. Previously, over twenty Demigod experts from the Dark Faction, including Advanced Demigods, led an army to conquer our world cluster. Our Ziyun World Group was no match. In the end, we Demigods had our energy sealed, leaving us unable to resist," the old man nodded.
Ye Yunfei used his perception to examine the inner state of the Demigods. He discovered their energies were indeed suppressed by an esoteric restrictive force, preventing their use.
"This is Dark Faction technique. Moreover, the seal was likely applied by a particular Advanced Demigod of the Dark Faction," Hun Lao assessed after perceiving their condition.
"A petty trick," Ye Yunfei sneered, having sensed the restrictions for a moment. He then released his own energy, sending strands separately into each Demigod's body, forcibly erasing the restrictive seals. Immediately, the Demigods regained their strength.
"Thank you, Young Master Ye, for your aid!"
Finding their internal energies fully restored and freely usable once more, the dozen-plus Demigod experts of the Ziyun World Group were overjoyed. They stepped forward one by one to respectfully salute Ye Yunfei, expressing their gratitude.
Simultaneously, their inner respect for Ye Yunfei's power grew deeper.
After their energies were sealed, they had constantly and covertly sought ways to break the restrictions. Yet, no matter how hard they tried, they could not succeed.
Now, Ye Yunfei had broken all the restrictions within them in mere moments. To them, such capability was astonishing.
"My energy seems capable of suppressing Dark Faction energy," Ye Yunfei transmitted mentally to Hun Lao.
During the recent combat against the two Mid-Level Demigods, Ye Yunfei noticed his own immortal power seemed to counter the dark energy of the Dark Faction. When breaking the restrictions just now, he felt the same property.
"Dark energy is fundamentally of a yin-negative category. The Nine Sun Ancient Scripture you cultivate belongs to the yang-positive type of technique. Thus, it is not strange that your energy counters the dark energy of the Dark Faction," Hun Lao replied.
"That makes sense," Ye Yunfei nodded. In truth, he had already reached the same conclusion.
"If the energy I cultivate truly counters Dark Faction energy... then things could get interesting," Ye Yunfei said with a cold smile.
The Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds bore an irreconcilable enmity with the Dark Faction. As a member of those worlds, Ye Yunfei naturally wished to kill them all.
"Young Master Ye, will you take us in?"
At this moment, the dozen-plus Demigods of the Ziyun World Group looked at Ye Yunfei with hopeful eyes, posing the question once more.
"Young Master Ye, please rest assured. From now on, we will follow your commands completely," the lead old man asserted.
"Very well. You may follow me back to the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds," Ye Yunfei thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
These Demigods from Ziyun had a deep-seated vendetta against the Dark Faction, so Ye Yunfei didn't mind accepting them.
The Alliance Army was already composed of people from dozens of world groups; adding one more wouldn't matter.
"Thank you for accepting us, Young Master Ye!" Hearing Ye Yunfei's words, the Demigod experts were immensely moved.
"Young Master Ye, please wait a moment. We will return now to gather our forces, then follow Young Master Ye back to the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds," the lead old man said excitedly.
"Go ahead," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Ah, right, Young Master Ye. After occupying our Ziyun World Group, the Dark Faction established numerous temples across each world. Those temples enshrine clones of certain Perfected Demigod experts from the Dark Faction. The Dark Faction forced all beings in our world group to enter these temples and offer worship at regular intervals. I heard that the clones of those Perfected Demigods are collecting the faith of the world's inhabitants while simultaneously contemplating the laws of each world within our cluster. It is said this method allows them to gather fortune conducive to achieving deity status," the old man suddenly stopped and turned back to inform Ye Yunfei.
He sensed Ye Yunfei might be interested in this information.
"I'll go take a look," Ye Yunfei indeed nodded upon hearing the old man's words.
Following that, the dozen-plus Demigods of the Ziyun World Group departed to gather their respective factions. Ye Yunfei casually entered one of the worlds and soon discovered over a dozen temples shrouded in churning black mist.
Dark energy emanated from those temples. There was no need to ask; they undoubtedly housed clones of Dark Faction experts.
Ye Yunfei's figure flickered as he appeared before one such temple.
Rumble...
Powerful dark energy roiled around the temple. Streaks of dark laws coalesced into thick black chains, protecting the entire structure while radiating immense pressure. Only a narrow entrance was left unsealed.
A cold smile on his face, Ye Yunfei walked inside, his gaze landing on a black statue enshrined at the temple's center.
Just as expected, it was the clone of a Perfected Demigod!
With a single glance, Ye Yunfei knew this black statue concealed the clone of a Perfected Demigod.
The clone within sat cross-legged, eyes closed, seemingly meditating or contemplating something. It showed no concern for events outside. Even though Ye Yunfei had just slaughtered so many Dark Faction members, this clone seemed utterly unaware, remaining here in secluded cultivation. It didn't even react to Ye Yunfei's entry.