By now, the figure sitting cross-legged beneath the tribulation clouds had fully solidified, revealing his true appearance and aura.
It was an old man dressed as a Daoist priest.
When Ye Yunfei saw the Daoist, his gaze sharpened in surprise.
"Master of Xiaoliang Temple!" Hun Lao exclaimed in astonishment.
That Daoist was none other than the Master of Xiaoliang Temple whom Ye Yunfei had encountered in the past.
"Yes, it's him, I recognize him too!" the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm also cried out in shock.
Previously, the Master of Xiaoliang Temple had attempted his Divine Tribulation in public but ultimately failed.
During that lightning tribulation, many had assumed the Master had perished, yet he later suddenly reappeared, wishing to sense the energy and laws within Ye Yunfei's body.
This was because after Ye Yunfei refined and absorbed the Yin Womb, his body contained energy and laws left behind by the ancient Deities of the Three Thousand Worlds.
Precisely for this reason, Ye Yunfei and the Master of Xiaoliang Temple had crossed paths.
However, since that encounter, Ye Yunfei had never seen him again. Who would have thought the Master of Xiaoliang Temple would suddenly reappear now, and right here to undergo his Divine Tribulation?
This would be the Master of Xiaoliang Temple's second attempt at the Divine Tribulation.
"That Daoist looks familiar; he seems to be the Master of the Miniscule View Sect!"
But at this moment, it wasn't only Ye Yunfei; quite a few others also recognized the Daoist's identity.
One must know that the Master of Xiaoliang Temple was a somewhat famous figure within the Chaotic Void Sea, especially after he publicly underwent his Divine Tribulation all those years ago, drawing many spectators.
Although everyone later believed he had perished in that lightning tribulation, the Master of Xiaoliang Temple's name had already spread throughout the Chaotic Void Sea.
"The Master of Xiaoliang Temple? How can that be? Didn't he perish within the lightning tribulation? I was personally there watching when he underwent his Divine Tribulation publicly, and I saw him perish within the thunderbolts. How could he appear here again, and furthermore, be about to undergo his Divine Tribulation here?"
After recognizing the Master's identity, many people felt extremely shocked and found it hard to believe this Daoist before them was the renowned Master of Xiaoliang Temple.
"He is indeed the Master of Xiaoliang Temple. I recognize his appearance and the aura of his Soul Body; it absolutely cannot be faked. I was also present at his last public Divine Tribulation."
Someone carefully sensed the Master of Xiaoliang Temple for a moment before speaking in a definite tone.
"So it seems, during the previous lightning tribulation, this Master of Xiaoliang Temple didn't perish but secretly left instead. After cultivating for so many years, he is beginning his Divine Tribulation again. I wonder if he'll succeed this time?"
Many people engaged in scattered discussions.
At this time, more and more people gathered in the surroundings, watching the Master of Xiaoliang Temple's lightning tribulation.
"Look! Those are members of Xiaoliang Temple; they are guarding the Master all around."
"I recognize them; those four are Xiaoliang Temple's Four Great Guardians. It's said each possesses the strength of a Perfected Demigod."
"More than ten of Xiaoliang Temple's elders have also arrived, all top experts within the sect."
...
Everyone saw many imposing experts appear around the tribulation perimeter. These were all Xiaoliang Temple's elite forces, each vigilant and sensing all movements in their surroundings.
Boom! Rumble...
High in the sky, the pitch-black tribulation clouds grew increasingly turbulent. Tremendously thick bolts of lightning continuously cracked and roared, releasing destructive electric energy that pervaded the air, making everyone present tremble with fear.
Even Demigods felt their legs go weak facing this level of lightning.
"No wonder it's the Divine Tribulation! The power of those lightning bolts is too terrifying! If they targeted me, I'm afraid they could reduce me to ashes in an instant."
Someone standing far away watched the wildly leaping, terrifying bolts of lightning, their face paling with fright.
"For the Temple Master to undergo his tribulation here safely will be a bit difficult."
At this moment, Ye Yunfei had faintly sensed over ten figures exuding powerful energy auras traversing space from the distance, rapidly approaching.
Without needing to ask, they were surely those mysterious experts of unknown origin.
"Prepare to engage the enemy and protect our Temple Master!"
The elite forces of Xiaoliang Temple also seemed to have sensed something. One of the guardians shouted loudly.
The Four Great Guardians of Xiaoliang Temple were the sect's top experts apart from the Temple Master and a few reclusive ancestors. Normally, while the Temple Master was in seclusion for cultivation, these four guardians handled the sect's various affairs.
Soon, everyone saw over ten figures emerge, each enveloped in a hazy halo of light. Every one of them exuded a powerful energy aura, and their movement speed was extremely fast. After appearing, they immediately pounced towards the Master of Xiaoliang Temple from all directions.
Led by their Four Great Guardians, Xiaoliang Temple's forces responded by launching attacks against these dozen-or-so hazy figures.
"What fiends dare to offend our Xiaoliang Temple?"
One of the guardians roared, then extended a hand. A pagoda, the size of a fist, appeared in his palm, then soared into the air, continuously enlarging.
The other three Xiaoliang Temple guardians also each produced an identical pagoda. Four pagodas soared simultaneously, echoing one another, forming a set treasure battle formation.
These four pagodas were all Perfected Demigod-level treasures, each possessing formidable power. Formed into a treasure battle formation, their power was amplified significantly, instantly forcing several of the hazy figures back.
Boom! Bang! Crash...
Those few hazy figures waved their hands, each casting out a treasure, which they activated to unleash rolling Divine-level radiance.
"How is this possible? The treasures these fellows took out are all Divine-level! Are Divine-level treasures so common nowadays? Just what origin do these fellows have? Their background is truly astonishing!"
Hun Lao couldn't help but exclaim in shock.
Following that, several more hazy figures successively took out Divine-level treasures. After activating them, they charged forward.
Although Xiaoliang Temple's experts were strong, they were quickly forced to retreat constantly when facing these hazy figures, clearly not their match.
"Everyone, listen! Form battle formations at once!"
A Xiaoliang Temple guardian shouted loudly.
Immediately, Xiaoliang Temple's experts began gathering together, forming several battle formations.
The four guardians of Xiaoliang Temple each guarded a direction, every one leading a battle formation in combat.
Those dozen-or-so hazy figures intensified their offensive at this point, pressing forward step by step and continuously tightening their encirclement.
Although Xiaoliang Temple's forces were greater in number, they were essentially surrounded by those dozen-or-so hazy figures.
"Do you truly believe our Xiaoliang Temple is easy to bully?"
One of Xiaoliang Temple's guardians said angrily.
Then, he opened his mouth and spat out, a dazzling long sword shooting forth.
The other three guardians also simultaneously spat out long swords from their mouths. Four swords soared into the sky, each transforming into a resplendent draconic serpent.
These four swords turned out to be four Divine-level treasures. Every sword emanated shocking killing intent, slicing through space with ease wherever they went, as if cutting through soft tofu.
After Xiaoliang Temple's forces deployed their battle formations and unleashed these four Divine-level treasures, their overall combat power immediately increased significantly. The offensive momentum of those dozen-or-so hazy figures began to slow.
At this moment, the Master of Xiaoliang Temple in the center had risen to his feet, lifting his head to gaze at the menacing lightning tribulation above.
"Success or failure rests on this one throw," the Master of Xiaoliang Temple said softly, glancing at the terrifying, thick bolts of lightning looming overhead.
Everyone could tell his tribulation was about to begin.
"I think for this Divine Tribulation, the Master of Xiaoliang Temple must have prepared very thoroughly. Moreover, this space contains a large quantity of high-level Deity energy and laws, so his chances of successfully undergoing the Divine Tribulation this time are very high. But the biggest problem is those dozen-or-so mysterious figures. Their strength is truly formidable. If Xiaoliang Temple's people cannot withstand their offensive, they might disturb the Master's tribulation."
Observing the situation before them, Hun Lao sent a Sound Transmission to Ye Yunfei.
"Yes, those dozen-or-so fellows are the biggest source of interference," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"However, judging from the current situation, Xiaoliang Temple's forces seem to have stabilized the situation," the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm said.
"Not necessarily. Each of those mysterious experts is very strong, and they command so many Divine-level treasures. Fighting on like this, they'll likely gain the upper hand. And don't forget, within this Gudao World Cluster, there are still many such mysterious experts—at least several dozen. If they all rush here to stop the Master of Xiaoliang Temple from undergoing his tribulation, Xiaoliang Temple will probably be outmatched."
Ye Yunfei shook his head.
"True, there are many of these mysterious fellows within this Gudao World Cluster. If they all rush here to stop the tribulation, Xiaoliang Temple's people really wouldn't be a match. So, the Master choosing to undergo his tribulation here is truly an unwise decision. I wonder why he's doing this. Could it be there is no other better location for the tribulation, and he's taking such a risk to increase his chance of ascension to Deity? Though the path to becoming a Deity is extremely difficult. Many would take such a gamble for that goal."
Hun Lao nodded.
"Be prepared. When necessary, we'll also lend a hand," Ye Yunfei thought for a moment before transmitting to everyone.
"What? You want to help the Master of Xiaoliang Temple? You just finished helping Xiaoyao Banshen, and presumably those mysterious fellows are still looking for you. Appearing now would likely lead to them recognizing you immediately. Moreover, they have the numbers. Even if we intervene, it's not certain we can help Xiaoliang Temple."
Hearing Ye Yunfei's words, the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm jumped in fright and spoke out.
"I have ties with the Master of Xiaoliang Temple. How can I stand by with folded arms now, watching him in trouble?"
"Besides, although these fellows are strong, that doesn't mean I must fear them."
"I knew you'd end up doing this," the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm said helplessly, knowing he couldn't dissuade Ye Yunfei.
Right at this moment.
"Look! That fellow over there is approaching with such ferocity. I wonder which side he's on."
The Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm pointed at a figure in the distance and cried out in surprise.
This figure's speed was astonishing. With each step, he traversed a great stretch of space, arriving at the combat zone in an instant.
He threw out a fist, directly sending a Xiaoliang Temple Demigod expert flying far away, whether dead or alive unknown.
Seeing this, one of Xiaoliang Temple's guardians flew into a rage and charged forward with a battle formation.
As a result, that figure threw out another fist, actually directly pounded the Xiaoliang Temple guardian back step after step, forcing the battle formation led by this guardian to retreat continuously.
"How is this guy so strong?"
Everyone was greatly shocked.
With a *hum*, after being forced back, the Xiaoliang Temple guardian pointed a finger. A dazzlingly brilliant long sword whistled forward for a slash.
This sword radiated brilliant Divine light, its sword qi terrifying.
An attack from a Divine-level treasure, even a casual one, was exceptionally formidable.
That figure neither evaded nor dodged, still throwing a fist forward, actually striking that long sword and sending it flying backward.
"That fellow seems to be wearing an extremely sturdy gauntlet. He can actually block a Divine-level treasure head-on!"
Hun Lao noticed that the figure's striking fist was enveloped by a gauntlet. Because of this gauntlet, he dared to directly block the Divine-level treasure.
Boom! Crash...
That figure threw out a series of punches, striding forward step by step, actually leaving that Xiaoliang Temple guardian utterly unable to fight back.
The battle formation led by this guardian was also forced to retreat.
Finally, all Xiaoliang Temple forces blocking this direction were forced back by this figure. Then, this figure strode directly towards the Master of Xiaoliang Temple.
"Sir, who exactly are you? With your skills, you certainly wouldn't be an unknown entity within the Chaotic Void Sea."
The Master of Xiaoliang Temple, preparing for his tribulation, also noticed this figure approaching him. His expression shifted slightly as he asked.
Of course, the Master of Xiaoliang Temple could see this mysterious figure possessed immense strength, so he didn't dare show the slightest neglect.
Boom... Rumble...
That figure didn't speak, directly taking action. Still, he threw a fist towards the Master of Xiaoliang Temple.
A massive fist imprint instantly appeared, continuously enlarging as it advanced.
One after another, dazzling, brilliant Law Chains materialized, coiling around that enormous fist imprint.
"You have comprehended so many Great Dao Laws!"
The Master of Xiaoliang Temple stared at the fist imprint pressing down towards him, noticing that the Law Chains entwined around it all belonged to the Great Dao Laws.
Moreover, their number was vast—at least several dozen. This indicated that this figure before him possessed terrifying attainment in the cultivation of Laws.
The higher one's realm, the more emphasis was placed on cultivation regarding Laws because Laws were equivalent to the rules of this world. The more Great Dao Laws one comprehended and mastered, the more terrifying their strength became.
That this mysterious figure before him had mastered several dozen types of Great Dao Laws indeed marked him as a formidable and terrifying opponent.
"This fellow is truly fearsome!"
Observing the numerous Great Dao Laws coiled around the fist imprint thrown by that figure, Ye Yunfei also felt deeply shaken within.
Clearly, this figure's cultivation attainment in Laws far surpassed his own.
"I am no match for him."
After gauging that figure's strength, Ye Yunfei's expression turned slightly grave, and he shook his head.
"Truly, there are heights beyond heights, and people beyond people. The Chaotic Void Sea actually has experts of this caliber. Compared to him, I still fall very far short."
Ye Yunfei couldn't help but sigh.
In fact, Ye Yunfei's current strength allowed him to easily contend with ordinary Perfected Demigods. Therefore, Ye Yunfei considered himself among the top-tier experts within the Chaotic Void Sea. But now, seeing this figure launching attacks against the Master of Xiaoliang Temple, he realized that compared to true top experts, he was still far inferior.