He hadn't even seen Ye Yunfei wield a sword yet, but his enemy was already unable to advance a single step. Such strength among the younger generation was simply astounding.
"The disciple of Sword Sovereign Lord cultivates such a wide array of techniques, martial skills, and methods. What's even rarer is that he has reached an extremely high level in every single one of them."
Inside the palace, a constantly shifting image hovered before the Fire Bird Clan elder, depicting the specific scene of Ye Yunfei holding off the other powerful figures.
"This young man's actual combat power seems to have already surpassed mine. If I were faced with so many powerful enemies, I doubt I could handle them.
Moreover, being Sword Sovereign Lord's successor, he must be skilled in sword techniques. If he also unleashed his swordsmanship, the destructive power of the battle would be even greater." The leading Fire Bird Clan elder spoke.
At that moment, another Fire Bird Clan elder hurriedly arrived beside him.
"Elder, the altar in the palace seems to have reacted!"
This elder spoke excitedly.
"What?
Diviner, is what you say true?
The Ancestral Hall altar has reacted?
Let's go see what's happening immediately!"
The leading Fire Bird Clan elder was also greatly stirred. He immediately turned and rushed towards the ancient altar in the center of the palace.
Sure enough, at this moment, this ancient altar was slightly trembling.
Surrounding the altar, a circle of Fire Bird Clan members knelt in worship. It turned out that just moments before, the Fire Bird Clan diviner had led over a dozen clansmen to perform a simple worship ceremony around this altar. Unexpectedly, the ancient altar suddenly reacted and began to tremble lightly.
"The descendants of the Fire Bird Clan pay homage to all past Ancestors!"
The leading Fire Bird Clan elder immediately knelt before the altar and shouted loudly.
Boom...
The ancient altar ahead trembled even more violently.
Then, phantom images of five giant birds slowly began to appear above the altar.
Following that, above these five giant birds, a majestic and noble-looking large bird appeared.
The feathers of this last-appearing great bird were a fiery red all over, looking from afar like a massive, bird-shaped red flame.
An ancient aura, as if originating from the primordial wilderness era, radiated from this great bird's body, instantly enveloping the entire palace.
Pulsating waves of baleful aura suddenly birthed, shaking the very space within the palace, as if a ferocious beast from ancient times had descended into this timeline.
"This is our clan's Protector Deity, the Celestial Flame Divine Bird."
The leading Fire Bird Clan elder, both awestruck and excited upon seeing this great bird, immediately roared out, then led the Fire Bird Clan members in successive bows of worship.
The uppermost great bird, surrounded by the other five, stood loftily and aloof, exuding an immense sense of oppression.
The members of the Fire Bird Clan all knew that the uppermost great bird was their clan's protector deity, the Celestial Flame Divine Bird.
"How dare someone come to damage my abode."
The Celestial Flame Divine Bird's gaze swept outside the palace, then it spoke slowly in a bland and indifferent voice.
As the Divine Bird's words faded, the palace erupted with a powerful energy and dazzling divine radiance.
At this moment, everyone outside the palace underwent a drastic change in expression, because an utterly terrifying energy pressure swept out from within the palace instantly, seemingly intent on annihilating everything.
This energy pressure was far too terrifying. Not a single person present had confidence in withstanding it. Even Ye Yunfei sensed immense danger. Stamping his foot, an Earth Formation for teleportation instantly activated beneath him, whisking him away.
Argh… Arghhh…
Cries of agony rang out one after another. Those people outside the palace gates who hadn't managed to dodge in time were swept by that terrifying energy pressure, their bodies instantly exploding into smithereens, then all the tattered clothing and flesh directly evaporated, disappearing without a trace.
"What's going on?!"
Everyone retreated a considerable distance from the palace before daring to stop and look back, all the while remaining prepared to flee again at any moment.
Even Ye Yunfei was dumbfounded because that terrifying energy pressure had been directed at everyone, himself included.
Had he not possessed formidable sensory ability and utilized an Earth Formation for teleportation to leave the area before the palace gates in time, his own fate would likely have been a narrow escape at best.
"What are those Fire Bird Clan members playing at?
We helped them resist the enemy, fought for so long, not even a word of thanks — fine, but why did they suddenly try to ambush you like that?" The Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm indignantly complained.
"Exactly!
That earlier strike was truly terrifying. I felt I had absolutely no ability to resist it.
The Fire Bird Clan wouldn't actually repay kindness with treachery, would they?" Hu Miao also spoke.
"Young man, I sincerely apologize.
That was the work of our clan's Protector Deity, the Celestial Flame Divine Bird. I hadn't had a chance to report your matter to the Celestial Flame Divine Bird yet.
Thankfully, you are unharmed. I will report to the Celestial Flame Divine Bird immediately and inform him that you are Sword Sovereign Lord's successor.
Once the Celestial Flame Divine Bird knows this, he certainly won't trouble you further."
Just as the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm and Hu Miao were grumbling, Ye Yunfei suddenly received a Sound Transmission from that Fire Bird Clan elder. The elder's tone was filled with remorse.
"What?
The Celestial Flame Divine Bird was the one who acted?"
Hearing the elder's words, Ye Yunfei couldn't help but feel startled.
"The Celestial Flame Divine Bird must have left behind an imprint of Soul Power, concealed within this palace all along. I only learned of it now.
The Divine Bird detected someone attacking the palace from outside and acted immediately.
This palace was the Celestial Flame Divine Bird's residence and cultivation grotto in ancient times." The Fire Bird Clan elder replied via Sound Transmission.
"I see.
I didn't expect the Celestial Flame Divine Bird to have left behind an imprint of Soul Power here."
Ye Yunfei nodded, feeling somewhat shocked.
"Ye Yunfei, tell the truth. Was it you who schemed just now?"
At this moment, some powerful figures in the distance glared at Ye Yunfei with furious eyes.
"Ye Yunfei, you have caused the deaths of so many from our Shen Family. Our Shen Family will definitely not let you get away with this."
A Demigod from the Shen Family stared at Ye Yunfei, his gaze brimming with resentment and venom.
Just moments before, nearly half of the Shen Family's forces had been slaughtered.
"Ye Yunfei, you damned cur!
I swear our Demon Race will grind you into a thousand pieces!"
An Advanced Demigod of the Demon Race roared with sky-shattering rage, pointing a finger at Ye Yunfei as he shouted loudly.
Just now, nearly half of the Demon Race's forces had also been killed. It could be said that both major powers, the Shen Family and the Demon Race, had suffered heavy casualties.
"You'd best give everyone an explanation."
Princess Qingxia looked at Ye Yunfei with a cold gaze, speaking slowly.
Earlier, two of her maidservants had been injured. Had she not intervened to save them in time, they likely would have perished.
"Outrageous!
Of my seven precious fans, four have been destroyed.
Ye Yunfei, I will definitely settle this debt with you in full."
The green-robed young man glared at Ye Yunfei with venomous eyes, snarling sharply.
Previously, one set of his magic treasures had been destroyed by Ye Yunfei, and now another set was ruined, pushing his anger to the extreme. Both these sets of treasures required prolonged nurturing and cultivation. He had invested immense effort, wealth, and time into nurturing them, only to have them destroyed.
Ye Yunfei's gaze remained cold, watching the various figures in the distance whose faces brimmed with wrath as they glared at him, not uttering a single word in response. Ye Yunfei understood in his heart that explaining would be futile.
Moreover, they were already enemies, and just moments before, they had been locked in intense combat. Therefore, there was no need for explanations.
"Young man, I have just reported the matter concerning you to the Celestial Flame Divine Bird. Rest assured, from now on, the Celestial Flame Divine Bird likely won't act against you.
Given that so many people outside are targeting you, perhaps you should enter our Ancestral Hall now to take shelter."
At this very moment, the Fire Bird Clan elder's Sound Transmission once again rang within Ye Yunfei's Soul Sea.
"Senior, I shall not enter."
After thinking for a moment, Ye Yunfei transmitted his reply.
This palace was where the Celestial Flame Divine Bird once resided and cultivated, and it still contained an imprint of his Soul Power. Judging by the terrifying energy pressure released earlier, even though the Celestial Flame Divine Bird had only left an imprint here, the power it could unleash was immensely dreadful. Ye Yunfei had no confidence in facing it.
So, after consideration, Ye Yunfei decided not to enter.
The Celestial Flame Divine Bird was an ancient powerful figure, and no one truly knew his temperament. Even though he himself was Sword Sovereign Lord's successor, and even though the Celestial Flame Divine Bird and Sword Sovereign Lord shared a friendship, Ye Yunfei still preferred not to confront this ancient powerhouse, lest he provoke his displeasure and face dire consequences.
After all, ultimately, Ye Yunfei's entry into this world was for the treasures left behind by the Celestial Flame Divine Bird, especially the Tianyan Divine Pearl. At some point, the Divine Bird would likely become aware of Ye Yunfei's objective.
"Young man, are you leaving now?"
The Fire Bird Clan elder sounded somewhat surprised.
"Indeed, I do plan to depart."
Ye Yunfei replied.
But Ye Yunfei did not immediately start his departure. He remained standing there, waiting.
Because earlier that Fire Bird Clan elder had mentioned he would gift a Tianyan Divine Pearl to him. Ye Yunfei wanted to see if the elder would actually fulfill that promise.
At this moment, the other powerful figures were still glaring at Ye Yunfei with anger.
Several of them stood in key positions, intentionally or not, blocking Ye Yunfei's routes of retreat.
"Ye Yunfei, last time you seized four of my treasure woods from me. This time, not only will I reclaim my treasures, I'll take your life as well."
A man stared fixedly at Ye Yunfei—this man was none other than Xu Tianjian, who possessed the Heavenborn Celestial Wood.
Previously, he had clashed with Ye Yunfei, resulting in Ye Yunfei and Hun Lao working together to rob him of four stalks of Heavenborn Celestial Wood. Just moments ago, outside the palace gates, Xu Tianjian had also participated in besieging Ye Yunfei. To his shock, however, Ye Yunfei's current strength was significantly greater than before. Even with the combined efforts of him and the other powerful fighters, they hadn't managed to gain any significant advantage.
This left Xu Tianjian feeling extremely resentful, while Ye Yunfei's growth rate also filled him with a sense of unease.
Had Xu Tianjian remained silent, but as soon as he spoke, Ye Yunfei and Hun Lao immediately shifted their gaze towards him.
"This fellow still has six stalks of Heavenborn Celestial Wood on him. By all means, I must obtain them, as they constitute an extremely precious cultivation resource for me.
This is truly an opportunity not to be missed."
Hun Lao said to Ye Yunfei.
"Rest assured, Hun Lao. From now on, I will keep an eye on this fellow. He won't escape."
Ye Yunfei replied.
"Gentlemen, what are we waiting for?
Let's act. It seems that unless we kill this kid, we have no way of entering that palace.
The fact that this kid has repeatedly obstructed us undoubtedly means he intends to monopolize the Celestial Flame Divine Bird's treasures.
With so many of us gathered here, we cannot allow him to succeed."
Xu Tianjian took a step forward, pointed at Ye Yunfei, and declared.
"Exactly! Gentlemen, let's attack together and finish off this kid!"
The green-robed young man also stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Ye Yunfei with killing intent as he spoke slowly.
Two sets of his prized magic treasures had been destroyed by Ye Yunfei in succession, filling his heart with potent murderous intent. However, he knew Ye Yunfei's strength was formidable; one-on-one, he most likely wasn't Ye Yunfei's match.
"Brother Ye. Even if you wished to monopolize the Celestial Flame Divine Bird's treasures, there was no need to attack us.
At the very least, you could have waited until we all stormed the palace, then each rely on their own abilities to fight for them.
This method of intercepting us halfway and launching surprise attacks on us is somewhat unreasonable."
Jin Yuehai looked at Ye Yunfei with a complex gaze, speaking unhurriedly.
"Or perhaps you have some other reason for targeting us?"
Jin Yuehai then probed further.
He always felt that Ye Yunfei's reason for attacking them and blocking their entry into the palace might not necessarily be to monopolize the Celestial Flame Divine Bird's treasures alone; there might be other, more intricate reasons.
"Kid, when Heaven grows arrogant, rain follows; when men grow arrogant, calamity follows.
Acting too insolently is a sure path to self-destruction."
The youth from the Wasteland Forbidden Land stared coldly at Ye Yunfei as he spoke.
Princess Qingxia remained silent, her gaze towards Ye Yunfei exceptionally frigid.
The others all glared at Ye Yunfei with anger, and everyone was slowly closing in, encircling him. Clearly, Ye Yunfei's earlier actions had provoked public wrath.
At the same time, they all contemplated that if they wished to enter that palace and obtain the treasures left behind by the Celestial Flame Divine Bird, they must first deal with Ye Yunfei. Otherwise, Ye Yunfei would continue hindering their entry.
The variety of techniques Ye Yunfei excelled at gave everyone a headache, especially the numerous Formations and Earth Formations he deployed—not only abundant in number but also formidable in power.
Earlier, they had broken through a portion of the Formations and Earth Formations, only for Ye Yunfei to retreat to the palace gates and deploy another batch. At this rate, no one knew how long the struggle would persist.
"Ye Yunfei, I know you are a rare young genius, but you are arrogant in character, erratic in conduct, and ruthless in killing.
Such a temperament inevitably limits how far you can go. Today shall mark your demise."
The Perfected Demigod from the Demon Race radiated sky-engulfing demonic energy. That demonic blade hovered above his head, boundless demonic power howling forth from it.
"Ye Yunfei. Far too many from our Shen Family have fallen by your hand.
Today, this debt must be thoroughly settled.
Debts must be repaid; murder must be recompensed with life. You cannot escape now."
The Perfected Demigod of the Shen Family held that Seven-Colored Treasure Vase aloft with his right hand, advancing towards Ye Yunfei step by step.