After that, dozens more fire-red crocodiles rushed out from the volcanic craters surrounding Ye Yunfei.
Some of these crocodiles had the strength of Heavenly Gods, while others possessed Initial Demigod-level power. Moreover, they had extremely tough hide and could actually withstand the force of Ye Yunfei's fists.
Fortunately, there weren't many Initial Demigod-level crocodiles—just a few occasional ones—with the majority being Heavenly God-level.
Ye Yunfei blasted away one crocodile with almost every punch, and his speed wasn't affected in the slightest.
Before long, Ye Yunfei arrived at the central area within this expanse of volcanoes. In the middle stood an exceptionally tall volcano, towering into the sky, with numerous ribbon-like black mists winding around its slopes.
Atop this volcano was a massive volcanic crater.
However, it seemed to be in a dormant period at this moment; only some fiery-red, scalding-hot magma continuously flowed out from the crater and down the mountainside. Rivers of crimson magma snaked down from the peaks, forming flowing paths across all sides.
On the mountainside of this volcano stood a group of people dressed in red garments. Surrounding the volcano were many forces from the Shen Family and the Demon Race, who had completely encircled the mountain.
"If you want to stay alive, then confess honestly. Where exactly are the treasures left behind by the Celestial Flame Divine Bird?
In particular, the Tianyan Divine Pearl—hand it over immediately.
Otherwise, I will slaughter all of your race and exterminate it completely!"
A tall Demigod expert from the Demon Race took a step forward, a demonic saber emitting billowing demonic aura gripped in his hand, as he shouted fiercely.
This was an Advanced Demigod expert from the Demon Race. While speaking, his towering demonic body released waves of demonic energy that pressed down towards the red-clad individuals standing halfway up the mountain.
"What's going on?
Who are those people?
Could they have some connection with the Celestial Flame Divine Bird?"
Ye Yunfei stood behind a volcano in the distance, observing the already-surrounded red-clad individuals, feeling somewhat puzzled.
"Did you notice?
The energy aura emanating from those people is almost identical to the energy aura present within this world.
This indicates that these people should be indigenous inhabitants of this world. The Shen Family and Demon Race forces who entered this world discovered them and thus acted against them.
These natives have lived in this world for a long time and are indeed the ones most likely to know where the treasures left behind by the Celestial Flame Divine Bird are located."
Hun Lao communicated this to Ye Yunfei.
"Indeed. The energy aura they emit is definitely the same as the energy aura existing within this world," Ye Yunfei perceived briefly and then nodded.
"You foreign invaders, get out now!
The Celestial Flame Divine Bird is the guardian deity of our world, sacred and inviolable, and not to be blasphemed!"
An elderly man wearing a red cloak, tall and thin in stature, stood on the mountainside of that towering volcano. His face was full of sorrow and indignation as he shouted loudly.
Behind this powerful elder stood several hundred people clad in red garments, all looking at the Shen Family and Demon Race forces with furious eyes.
These people were all injured to varying degrees; clearly, they had already experienced a dreadful battle.
"Hahaha…
Sacred and inviolable? Save your nonsense! If you don’t want to die, hurry up and hand over all the treasures left behind by the Celestial Flame Divine Bird. Otherwise, your entire race will be annihilated.
Who would have thought that a race like yours actually lives within the Tianyan Realm?
In the past, explorers and treasure seekers who entered the Tianyan Realm often met misfortune, with heavy casualties. It seems your race is responsible for that.
All these years, your race has monopolized the Tianyan Realm and hogged the treasures left by the Celestial Flame Divine Bird. Now it’s time to hand them over."
A Demigod expert from the Shen Family broke into hearty laughter.
"Hog? It is the duty of our race to guard the Tianyan Realm; this was the command bestowed upon our race by the Celestial Flame Divine Bird.
The Tianyan Realm is the Celestial Flame Divine Bird’s abode; how could outsiders like you barge in as they please!"
Behind the powerful red-cloaked elder, a young man wearing red shouted angrily.
"Who says the duty of your race is to guard the Tianyan Realm?
How could the Tianyan Realm belong only to your race?
Obviously, your race fabricated this to monopolize the Tianyan Realm and the treasures left behind by the Celestial Flame Divine Bird. The Celestial Flame Divine Bird perished in antiquity; what nonsense commands could remain?
From now on, this Tianyan Realm shall be guarded by our Shen Family, and all the items left behind by the Celestial Flame Divine Bird shall be guarded by us, too.
Enough idle talk. Tell us immediately, where are the treasures left behind by the Celestial Flame Divine Bird, especially the Tianyan Divine Pearl?
You must know!"
That Shen Family Demigod sneered as he spoke.
"Their race's duty is to guard this world, and this was a command issued by the Celestial Flame Divine Bird?
It seems this race has lived in this world for a very long time. The reason previous outsiders encountered all kinds of danger when exploring and seeking treasure in the Tianyan Realm, and some even perished here, was mostly because this race acted from the shadows. This race is hostile towards outsiders."
Standing afar, Ye Yunfei listened to the red-clad youth’s words and couldn’t help pondering silently.
"Do not waste words with these wicked bandits. They came here with the sole purpose of seizing what belongs to us.
Prepare for battle! Our race's warriors will not retreat!
For the honor of the Celestial Flame Divine Bird, we will fight to the last man, to the last drop of blood!"
The tall, thin elder at the forefront, draped in a crimson robe, raised a red spear in his hands and cried out with tragic determination.
Hearing the powerful elder’s words, all the red-clad individuals behind him raised their weapons or treasures, each wearing an expression ready to fight to the death.
"It seems there’s nothing left to discuss. Very well, let’s make our move."
A Demigod expert from the Demon Race sneered.
Right at this moment.
Roar rumble rumble…
From the distant sky came the sounds of energy rumbling. Then, two large cyan-colored birds pulling a golden palanquin surged forward, charging into this vast volcanic cluster and arriving instantly at the central area.
"That must be the princess of that great power… the legendary Immortal Maiden Qingxia!"
Seeing the two large golden birds and the entirely golden palanquin, experts from the Shen Family and Demon Race immediately recalled a princess from an ancient and powerful clan within the Chaos Void Sea, all revealing wary expressions.
In recent times, many ancient major forces and powerful clans had emerged within the Chaos Void Sea, demonstrating astonishing strength. Even the Shen Family and Demon Race dared not provoke those newly-emerged forces lightly.
Next, over a dozen maids surrounded a tall and graceful woman with refined features as she emerged from the palanquin.
This woman wore a long, peach-colored dress with tinkling pendants. The moment she appeared, an enchanting fragrance diffused throughout this expanse of volcanoes.
"Your clan is the legendary Fire Bird Clan, correct?
In antiquity, your clan followed the Celestial Flame Divine Bird, serving as its bodyguards.
After the Celestial Flame Divine Bird fell, you remained to guard this world. For so many years, your loyalty is truly rare.
I have come this time not for anything else, only needing one Tianyan Divine Pearl."
The Immortal Maiden Qingxia glanced at her surroundings, then fixed her gaze on the tall, thin elder wearing the crimson robe as she spoke unhurriedly.
Her tone was cool. Though it sounded very calm and gentle, it carried an aloofness and a sense of keeping others at arm's length, with an air of authority that seemed to brook no opposition.
"Esteemed lady, please return.
Our world does not welcome outsiders. Nothing that belongs to the Celestial Flame Divine Bird may be taken away by outsiders."
The powerful elder clad in crimson saw that Immortal Maiden Qingxia actually knew the history of their race and couldn’t help feeling secretly startled. Yet outwardly, he remained composed and immediately replied.
Hearing this, Immortal Maiden Qingxia immediately cooled her expression, then stood there silently without a word.
"What bold, insolent rabble!
You dare disobey our princess? Our princess possesses a lofty status and merely wants a single Tianyan Divine Pearl. Yet your Fire Bird Clan dares refuse—you truly have gone too far!
And, judging by the situation, your clan is in a perilous state right now.
If your clan proactively offers up the Tianyan Divine Pearl, our princess may very well lend assistance, ensuring your race’s safety and averting genocide.
The implications are clear. Think carefully before you answer!"
One of the maids by Immortal Maiden Qingxia’s side stepped forward, pointing at the members of the Fire Bird Clan as she sternly rebuked.
"The Fire Bird Clan… fascinating.
Truly unexpected that such a race exists within this world."
A voice rang out in the distance, and then a dozen figures rushed into this broad volcanic cluster, quickly arriving at the central area.
Ye Yunfei swept his gaze and saw that among them was Jin Yuehai.
"Look, that fellow has come too."
Hun Lao suddenly said excitedly.
Ye Yunfei’s gaze looked over and, sure enough, he saw that young man who previously possessed ten Innate Jianmu pieces.
Coincidentally, at that moment, that young man's eyes looked over from afar, landing upon Ye Yunfei.
"So you are also here. What a small world!"
The young man named Xu Tianjian saw Ye Yunfei and immediately revealed a cold smile, saying icily.
"It seems this kid's body quality has improved by a large margin compared to before. Good, his current physical strength has reached the standard for my possession. After I take over his body, my cultivation will certainly advance to another level.
Moreover, his Soul Power level also seems rather impressive. After devouring his Soul Body, the quality of my own Soul Body should also increase."
Xu Tianjian’s eyes sized up Ye Yunfei while simultaneously sensing the aura of Ye Yunfei’s physique and Soul Body, an unkind expression on his face.
"Last time we snatched four of his Innate Jianmu pieces. It seems he bears a grudge and will definitely strike against you."
Hun Lao noticed Xu Tianjian's expression and immediately Sound Transmitted to Ye Yunfei.
"Even if he doesn't move against me, we'll still move against him.
Don’t forget, he still has six Innate Jianmu pieces on him."
Ye Yunfei smiled and replied.
"That’s true enough. It’s rare we’ve run into this fellow now, a precious opportunity.
From now on, as soon as we get the chance, we must immediately strike at him to seize those six Innate Jianmu pieces he possesses.
Previously, you used Earth Formations against him, and he used his ten Innate Jianmu pieces to break them.
So, when it comes time to fight, remember to set up some Earth Formations to lure him into deploying those six Innate Jianmu pieces."
Hun Lao Sound Transmitted to Ye Yunfei.
"Understood."
Ye Yunfei nodded secretly.
At this time, seeing Immortal Maiden Qingxia arrive and then another group of powerful and intimidating experts appear, the expressions of the Demigod experts from the Shen Family and Demon Race turned somewhat ugly.
Many of these experts present they recognized; a large number came from shocking backgrounds.
"Look, that kid Ye Yunfei has also come."
A Demigod expert of the Demon Race turned and looked from afar towards Ye Yunfei.
Though Ye Yunfei stood behind a volcano, the senses of these Demigod experts were powerful; they had already perceived Ye Yunfei’s figure and aura earlier.
"Let’s make our move. Capture these Fire Bird Clan members and force them to reveal the location of the treasures left behind by the Celestial Flame Divine Bird. That way, we’ll have a chance to obtain the treasures of the Celestial Flame Divine Bird ahead of others."
The Demigod experts of the Shen Family and Demon Race used Sound Transmission to discuss with each other.
"Attack!"
Soon after, a Demigod expert from the Demon Race waved his hand and led the charge towards the towering volcano at the very center.
The others from the Shen Family and Demon Race also moved, surging forward together as they rushed towards the Fire Bird Clan members.
"Attack!"
The tall, thin elder of the Fire Bird Clan, wearing the crimson robe, raised the red spear in his hand and shouted.
The powerful elder gripped the spear shaft with both hands and thrust forward. Instantly, a vast surge of crimson spear shadows appeared, densely filling the space ahead and sweeping outward.
At the same time, a fiery-red massive bird projection erupted from within his body, suspending above his head. It spread its two crimson wings, like a pair of crimson celestial blades, and fiercely slashed forward.
At this moment, other Fire Bird Clan members also began to act. Blazing hot energy erupted from their bodies like erupting volcanoes, soaring into the heavens.
The techniques and martial arts cultivated by these Fire Bird Clan members were all fire-attributed or yang-attributed. With their actions, the temperature of this space immediately began rising continuously.
This volcanic zone was already scorching hot; now the temperature soared even higher. Blistering heat waves surged, oppressive and scorching, making everyone feel as if they were inside a furnace, being burned by raging flames.
"Such profound Fire Great Dao Laws!"
Seeing the myriad invisible chains of Fire Great Dao Laws appear in the space around those Fire Bird Clan members, Ye Yunfei couldn’t help marveling inwardly.
Every member of the Fire Bird Clan possessed formidable strength and were proficient in Fire Great Dao Laws. However, they were relatively few in number. In total, they had only seven Demigod experts: two Advanced Demigods, two Intermediate Demigods, and three Initial Demigods. Moreover, all seven Demigod experts of the Fire Bird Clan were already injured.
Combined, the Shen Family and Demon Race Demigod experts numbered over twenty, with Advanced Demigods alone reaching eight. By comparison, the disparity in strength between both sides was too great—no wonder the Fire Bird Clan had been hunted and forced to retreat to this place.
"Although there are few of these Fire Bird Clan members, they seem to have the advantage of favorable terrain.
Because this area is suffused with vast amounts of fire-attribute energy and fire-attribute laws, they can continuously draw supplements from the surrounding space and laws during combat.
Furthermore, look at that towering volcano behind them. The red magma constantly flowing from the crater also seems to contain incredibly high-level energy. Those Fire Bird Clan members all try to fight while standing within that magma."
At this moment, Hun Lao suddenly Sound Transmitted to Ye Yunfei.
It must be said that Hun Lao's spatial perception was truly remarkable, and his observation was very meticulous.
"Indeed!"
Ye Yunfei nodded.
He saw that the Fire Bird Clan members indeed all fought while standing on the mountainside, their feet firmly planted, engaging the enemy.
Because at the mountain peak's crater, a continuous stream of scalding-hot magma flowed out, coursing downwards, forming many fiery-red magma rivers.
These Fire Bird Clan members all strove to stand within these rivers of magma, feet planted firmly as they fought. During battle, they could not only continually absorb energy and laws from the surrounding space but also draw energy and laws from the fiery-red scalding magma beneath their feet.
The tall, thin elder clad in the crimson robe stood in a river of magma, brandishing the fire-red spear in his hands. Fighting alone against eight enemy Advanced Demigods, although appearing somewhat harried, he managed to hold his ground temporarily.
However, the Fire Bird Clan members ultimately lacked strength in numbers. After fighting briefly, they soon found themselves in dire straits, forced into constant retreat. Clearly, they were about to collapse and had already started to sustain casualties.
Many Fire Bird Clan members were swarmed by the forces of the Shen Family and Demon Race, torn to shreds.
"Call forth the Ancestral Saint Souls!"
At this time, the tall, thin elder wearing the crimson robe suddenly retreated, weaving his hands into a peculiar seal gesture while shouting loudly.
The other Fire Bird Clan members immediately joined the cry. The shouts of several hundred Fire Bird Clan people gathered together, a rolling tide of sound soaring skywards, causing this expanse of heaven and earth to begin trembling.
In the next moment, from the summit crater of the towering volcano behind them, five projections of crimson giant birds erupted forth.
These five crimson giant birds were immensely huge. Soaring into the sky, each one blotted out a vast portion of the firmament, emitting terrifying energy pressure.
These five projections of crimson giant birds seemed bathed in rolling seas of fire, soaring high in the sky, and igniting the space wherever they passed.
"Be careful. These things are strong!"
An Advanced Demigod of the Demon Race looking at the five crimson avian projections high in the sky promptly gave a warning.
"These five giant birds should be Soul Power imprints left behind by the five great bodyguards who attended the Celestial Flame Divine Bird. Though they are only five Soul Power imprints, their strength is still noteworthy. After all, they once followed the Celestial Flame Divine Bird."
At this time, Immortal Maiden Qingxia, standing in the distance, looked at the five crimson giant bird projections in the sky with slight surprise, then spoke.
She seemed remarkably well-informed about the Celestial Flame Divine Bird.
"Today I have the honor to meet Immortal Maiden Qingxia—truly delightful.
Immortal Maiden Qingxia is breathtakingly beautiful. Seeing you truly surpasses what I've heard!"
At this moment, a young man from afar stepped through the air, approaching until he stood beside Immortal Maiden Qingxia as he spoke.
"You hail from the Tianhuang Forbidden Lands, right?"
Immortal Maiden Qingxia turned her head and glanced at the young man, then asked.