Could it be that the Fire Clan possesses some hidden depth I'm not aware of?
Ye Yunfei thought for a moment before speaking slowly.
Ye Yunfei had interacted with Cui Hong before while in the Fire Clan and knew him to be well-traveled, astute, and cautious—one could even say the wizened and crafty type.
Since he could confidently deliver such a statement, perhaps the Fire Clan genuinely possessed some formidable hidden means to resist a Deity.
After all, the Fire Clan had been an immensely powerful race in ancient times, producing many Deities. Even if they had declined for a long period, it wouldn't be strange for them to retain some deity-level reserves.
"I wonder if the Fire Clan can truly handle the Yuanhuojiao Ancestor. Should I report this to the Restorer Faction and request assistance?"
Ye Yunfei could not make up his mind for a moment, his thoughts churning.
"I think since the Fire Clan made that statement, they must be somewhat confident. Perhaps they really can handle the Yuanhuojiao Ancestor," Hun Lao said.
"In that case, let's just head to the Fire Realm to see for ourselves. If I discover the Fire Clan cannot cope with the Yuanhuojiao Ancestor, I'll immediately request aid from the Restorer Faction," Ye Yunfei thought it over before speaking.
Once decided, Ye Yunfei emerged from the Phantom Tower, retrieved his vessel, quietly departed the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, and headed towards the Fire Clan's location.
Along the way, Ye Yunfei suppressed his aura and even used several secret techniques to alter his appearance and the aura of his Soul Body.
Ye Yunfei now possessed twenty Soul Power planets, and he had devoured many soul bodies using the Soul Power Star Technique.
Every soul body devoured by that technique retained its memories and unique Soul Body aura. These could be utilized at any time if needed, allowing Ye Yunfei to now emulate countless different Soul Body auras.
A Demigod-level expert simply could not discern the deception, though Ye Yunfei wasn't sure if his methods could evade the perception of a Deity.
Not long after, Ye Yunfei's vessel approached the vicinity of the Fire Realm. He disembarked, found a spot near the realm's entrance/exit, and arranged over a hundred concealment formations, along with more than a dozen large-scale geomancy arrays.
Layer upon layer of formations and geomancy arrays created a small pocket of space. Ye Yunfei entered this enclosed array space, holding the teleportation token in his hand, ready to activate it and depart at a moment's notice.
Within this array-formed small space, several very effective teleportation formations were also arranged, capable of instantly sending Ye Yunfei far into the void.
Then, Ye Yunfei hid himself here, waiting quietly.
For according to the report from Kong Lao, the Yuanhuojiao Ancestor was estimated to arrive at the Fire Realm during this very period.
Ye Yunfei's Soul Power energy stretched out to sense the Fire Realm's entrance. He discovered a squad of Fire Clan members patrolling there, with occasional movement of higher-ranking Fire Clan experts entering and exiting. They didn't seem to carry an air of tension, as if facing a formidable enemy.
Ye Yunfei waited at this spot for a full two days.
At a certain moment two days later, the distant void suddenly trembled with rolling waves of energy.
A terrifyingly extreme power swept through the distant void, and then vast stretches of the nearby emptiness abruptly ignited into raging flames.
"The Yuanhuojiao Ancestor has indeed come!"
Ye Yunfei watched as sea after sea of fire blossomed in the void, his gaze tightening as he thought to himself.
He had encountered the Yuanhuojiao Ancestor several times before and was naturally very familiar with his aura.
Soon, a figure appeared in the distant void, striding forward, its entire body shrouded in blazing fire. Vast swathes of flames billowed outwards, forming layer upon layer of fire seas, setting the endless sky ablaze.
That figure was, of course, the Yuanhuojiao Ancestor. Behind him trailed a large contingent of the Source Fire Sect's forces.
Soon, the Yuanhuojiao Ancestor led the sizable Source Fire Sect force, moving with great momentum, arriving before the Fire Clan's entrance. They halted and fanned out in a line, radiating fierce, threatening auras.
"Listen, members of the Fire Clan! Our Yuanhuojiao Ancestor has arrived in person. Everyone, come out immediately and kneel to welcome him!"
A Source Fire Sect elder stepped forward and shouted loudly.
The Yuanhuojiao Ancestor stood at the forefront of the group, hands clasped behind his back, standing proudly and loftily, his cold gaze fixed on the Fire Clan's entrance.
The Source Fire Sect's forces stood behind their Ancestor, each one radiating bloodlust and an imposing aura.
Recently, the Source Fire Sect had expanded rapidly, swiftly claiming territories throughout the Chaotic Void Sea, transforming into a superpower within a short timeframe.
With a living Deity Ancestor overseeing them, no one in the entire Chaotic Void Sea dared provoke them!
By the time these Source Fire Sect forces arrived, the Fire Clan patrols originally stationed at the entrance had long since retreated inside.
After the Source Fire Sect elder finished his announcement, complete silence fell over the Fire Realm. No response came.
"Have you Fire Clan members gone deaf? Why haven't you crawled out to welcome our Ancestor? Do you truly not fear death?"
The same Source Fire Sect elder, seeing no response from the Fire Realm, roared in fury.
Yet still, no response came from within the Fire Realm.
"Ancestor, in my humble opinion, those Fire Clan folks likely soiled themselves the moment they heard of your arrival. They're probably huddled in there now, too terrified to come out," the shouting elder turned back and flattered the Ancestor.
"No matter. Regardless of their intentions, in the face of absolute power, everything else is illusion. Let us charge in directly. Wipe out every single member of the Fire Clan from top to bottom, leaving not one behind. Starting today, this Fire Realm returns to our Source Fire Sect, becoming a subsidiary stronghold."
The Yuanhuojiao Ancestor waved his hand dismissively, speaking in a bland tone.
Although he knew an energy avatar of a Deity resided within the Fire Realm, he paid it no mind. He was a genuine, true-blue Deity; why would he fear a mere energy avatar?
"Enough. Let's not waste time. We'll enter and eliminate the Fire Clan."
Seeing that the Fire Realm still offered no response, the Yuanhuojiao Ancestor lost the patience to wait any longer. He strode towards the Fire Realm's entrance.
"Move out! We follow the Ancestor to charge in and wipe out the Fire Clan!"
The Source Fire Sect forces, each and every one radiating fierce killing intent, followed closely behind their Ancestor.
In their minds, their Ancestor was a Deity. Wiping out a mere Fire Clan would be effortless.
Very soon, the Yuanhuojiao Ancestor took the lead, arriving directly before the Fire Realm's entrance, preparing to step through.
At that very moment, a long arrow suddenly shot out from within.
The arrow seemed to be condensed from pure flame, radiating scorching energy.
The Yuanhuojiao Ancestor sneered dismissively, not treating it seriously at all. He flicked a finger to swat the incoming arrow away.
However, the moment his finger contacted that arrow, his expression changed dramatically. He felt an immensely fearsome divine energy surge forth from the arrow.
"How is this possible?"
The Yuanhuojiao Ancestor felt both shock and fury.
The finger he had flicked exploded on the spot, dissolving into a bloody mist. His entire body trembled violently, his internal blood energy churning turbulently. He was forced to retreat continuously.
BOOM!
The Yuanhuojiao Ancestor hurriedly summoned a divine artifact, holding it before him. This artifact had been gifted to him by the Guardian Faction.
With a resounding clang, the arrow slammed into the divine artifact the Ancestor had deployed.
The blazing Fire Arrow and the divine artifact clashed, locked in a standoff for a brief moment before the arrow slowly dissipated, transforming into scattered flames that dispersed into the surrounding void.
The Yuanhuojiao Ancestor's body was shaken backward several steps again. The divine energy undulating from his towering form sent all the Source Fire Sect members trailing behind him flying through the air.
This was because the Ancestor had been ambushed and was caught off-guard, unable to properly control his surging energy, thus striking down his own followers.
"How is this possible? That arrow just now contained powerful divine energy. It must have been fired by a Deity, or perhaps launched using an incredibly high-grade divine artifact."
The Yuanhuojiao Ancestor stood there, his gaze fixed intently on the Fire Clan's entrance, an uncertain look flickering across his face.
"Scram right now if you value your life! Should you dare take a single step into our Fire Realm, you will definitely regret it."
At that moment, an icy voice sounded from within the Fire Realm.
"That's Senior Cui Hong!"
Standing within his array-enclosed small space in the distance, Ye Yunfei felt immense relief hearing this voice from the Fire Realm.
"So the Fire Clan truly possesses hidden deity-level reserves we knew nothing about. That arrow managed to force the Yuanhuojiao Ancestor to retreat a considerable distance; its power is evident," Hun Lao said in astonishment.
"Senior Cui Hong, although merely an energy avatar, retains ancient memories—memories of a Deity. Such a thing is no simple matter. Moreover, the Fire Clan was a highly formidable race in ancient times, having produced many Deities. It's no wonder they left behind deity-level reserves," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"I refuse to believe that a race that has declined for so long can still bar my path."
After staring at the Fire Clan's entrance for a while, the Yuanhuojiao Ancestor suddenly let out a cold snort.
Divine energy surged throughout his body, causing a massive stretch of the surrounding void to tremble violently. Countless chains of law rattled as they stretched out continuously from the surrounding void, hovering around his form, enhancing his majestic, awe-inspiring presence and radiating an intimidating pressure.
As his words fell, the Yuanhuojiao Ancestor raised his foot once more, advancing towards the Fire Clan entrance. Before even reaching it, he directly deployed his divine artifact, causing it to erupt with fearsome deity-level energy that blasted into the Fire Realm's entrance.
Simultaneously, he pointed a finger, and the surrounding chains of law transformed into tens of thousands of arrows, shrieking as they streaked towards the Fire Realm's entryway.
BOOM!
At this moment, terrifying booms of energy thundered from within the Fire Realm. Everyone saw another thick, perpetually burning Fire Arrow shoot out from within.
This arrow was larger than the previous one, its power noticeably greater.
With a clang, the Yuanhuojiao Ancestor's divine artifact was directly blasted backward and away. The thick arrow aimed straight for the Ancestor's head.
"Impossible! Could the Fire Clan truly harbor such a fearsome power?"
Watching the shrieking arrow hurtle towards him, the Yuanhuojiao Ancestor's face paled, convinced this must be a shot fired by a terrifyingly powerful expert.
He retreated rapidly while roaring in fury, thrusting a fist forward. Torrents of divine energy surged forth from his body, coalescing before his fist into an energy shield.
This was a shield constructed purely from condensed divine energy—unbelievably sturdy.
However, the next instant, with a loud bang, the thick arrow pierced through this divine energy shield, then struck the Yuanhuojiao Ancestor's fist, causing it to directly explode. Following that, his entire arm exploded as well, utterly destroyed.
Fortunately, at this critical moment, the Yuanhuojiao Ancestor exerted every ounce of his strength, retreating at his maximum speed and finally opening a distance from that arrow.
The arrow slowly came to a halt, then dissipated into clusters of flame before vanishing completely.
"How can this be? The Fire Clan possesses such hidden depths?"
Besides the Yuanhuojiao Ancestor, many other powerful experts were hidden within the distant void. Each one observing the Ancestor's pathetic state wore expressions of utter shock and disbelief.
Actually, aside from the Yuanhuojiao Ancestor, several other Deities had followed covertly, wanting to gauge the strength of this ancient race.
They never expected to witness such an astonishing scene.
The Source Fire Sect forces, brimming with fierce confidence and bloodthirsty intent mere moments ago—fully believing that, led by their Ancestor, they would easily storm into the Fire Realm, run rampant, and destroy the Fire Clan—now watched in shock as their Ancestor lost an arm.
Every single member was seething with anger and resentment, wholly unwilling to accept this outcome.
"Excellent! It seems the Fire Clan indeed possesses the power to stand against the Source Fire Sect."
At this moment, Ye Yunfei finally relaxed completely.
"I will say this one more time: scram! Otherwise, don't even think about leaving."
At this very moment, another voice, laced with absolute authority and overflowing with imperious confidence, rang out from within the Fire Clan.
"The Fire Clan is far too audacious, addressing a Deity in such a manner!"
Numerous experts who had come from afar to spectate, hearing this voice from the Fire Clan, were all profoundly shocked.
Ye Yunfei recognized this voice as Cui Hong's.
The Yuanhuojiao Ancestor stood before the Fire Clan's entrance, staring intently at it, his fury reaching the heavens, eyes bloodshot, fists clenched tight.
As a Deity, being admonished like this was, of course, utterly unacceptable; he burned with the desire to charge into the Fire Realm and crush the speaker into a million pieces.
However, he dared not act rashly. He had already lost an arm earlier. Should he engage again, he couldn't guarantee whether he'd suffer further injuries.
Ever since becoming a Deity, he had been wounded repeatedly. First by the Heavenly God Coffin, then later in the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds by that mysterious gray figure. Now, arriving at the Fire Realm, he sustained yet another injury. Although, as a Deity, his recovery ability was potent, suffering repeated injuries in a short time frame inevitably impacted his battle prowess.