Following Ye Yunfei's orders, the forces of the Alliance Army immediately sprang into action, sealing off the surrounding space tightly. No one was allowed to approach.
Boom! Rumble...
At the spot where Xiaoyao Banshen was undergoing his Lightning Tribulation, torrents of thunder descended ceaselessly.
Standing amidst the tempest of lightning, Xiaoyao Banshen actually adapted to this level of Lightning Tribulation quite quickly. Letting out a long roar, he strode upward into the sky step by step, appearing mighty and extraordinary as he resisted the bombardment.
“As expected of Xiaoyao Banshen, who once shook the Chaotic Void Sea in his time. His accumulated foundation and talent are both sound. There is a high probability he will succeed in overcoming his tribulation and become a Deity.”
Ye Yunfei watched Xiaoyao Banshen in the distance and couldn't help but nod, speaking aloud.
The period when Xiaoyao Banshen had roamed the Chaotic Void Sea freely was an era devoid of gods, and Perfect Demigods were already the pinnacle experts. Thus, he had been a prominent figure who could dominate a region within the Chaotic Void Sea at that time.
“Young Master Ye, are you saying Elder Xiaoyao Banshen will succeed and become a Deity? Then will our Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds give birth to a Deity?”
When the high-level commanders of the Alliance Army standing around Ye Yunfei heard his words, they were all both shocked and delighted.
“Indeed, a Deity might very well be born here. However, he is not originally from our Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. It’s hard to say whether he will stay here after becoming a Deity. In any case, staying or leaving is entirely up to him.”
Ye Yunfei thought for a moment before replying.
At this time, the power of the Lightning Tribulation grew increasingly violent, layer upon layer, overlapping and rolling down endlessly. Moreover, there were now thunderbolts of five different colors.
“Truly worthy of a Deification Tribulation. Just getting slightly closer to this level of tribulation would probably reduce me to ash, let alone standing within it.”
Many Demigods watching the terrifying lightning felt their hearts palpitate with fear. They kept backing away, putting distance between themselves and the tribulation site.
“Without sufficient accumulated foundation, one should not lightly attempt the Deification Tribulation. Otherwise, they risk perishing, body and dao both annihilated within the thunderstorm.”
Ye Yunfei also felt a secret alarm in his heart.
Of course, given the quality of Ye Yunfei’s current flesh body, even if he walked into Xiaoyao Banshen's thunder tribulation, he might not necessarily be in mortal danger.
“Without the approval of our Guardian Faction, no one is permitted to undergo the Deification Tribulation arbitrarily. Violators shall die!”
Right at that moment, a grand voice suddenly transmitted into the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds from the void outside, forming reverberating echoes that caused the entire world cluster to tremble faintly.
“So the Guardian Faction has finally come after all.”
Ye Yunfei’s face sank, and his gaze swept outward beyond the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds.
A full ten Deities stood outside the world cluster, each emanating vast streams of divine radiance that illuminated a large swath of the void.
“You lot from the Guardian Faction truly are like a lingering bad odor. You dare come to our Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds again? Are you really that unafraid of death?”
At that moment, six old men suddenly appeared in the void of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, confronting the ten Deities outside. They were Kang Wan and the others.
Originally, all six of them had been in secluded cultivation within a world, but sensing the arrival of the ten Deities, they immediately came out.
“Not bad. He possesses the bearing of one capable of achieving godhood.”
The six old men glanced at Xiaoyao Banshen enduring the tribulation and nodded one after another.
“In this region of the void, no matter who wants to undergo the Deification Tribulation, they must first apply to our Guardian Faction, obtain approval, swear eternal loyalty to our faction, and only then are they permitted to attempt ascension. No one is allowed to undergo the tribulation without authorization.”
The voice from before rang out again, its soundwaves rolling into the void of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds like the wrath of heaven itself.
“Scram if you don't want to die! The rules of your Guardian Faction hold no sway over our Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds.”
Kang Wan's resonant voice boomed forth, its waves rushing outward to form echoing reverberations in the void.
“This entire region of the void is under the jurisdiction of our Guardian Faction, the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds being no exception. If they dare continue to defy our faction, their fate will be but one — destruction.”
One of the Deities from the Guardian Faction said coldly.
“You people are far too presumptuous. Enough idle talk. Those who seek death, roll on in and accept your fate!”
Ding Qianjie took a step forward and shouted.
Boom!
A powerful energy erupted from within his body. Like an ocean, its pressure diffused outward.
The other five old men also simultaneously unleashed their energies, pressing outward.
The combined energy pressure released by the six elders erupting together immediately caused the void outside the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds to shake violently.
Feeling the energy aura released by these six old men, the eleven Deities from the Guardian Faction all wore somewhat unsightly expressions.
Not long ago, they had fought fiercely against these six and knew their combat prowess was formidable. Although they had eleven members, a fight might not necessarily give them an advantage.
“Everyone, our main task today is to stop that fellow from overcoming his tribulation. Do not concern yourselves with others for now.”
At that point, one of the Guardian Faction Deities spoke.
“Ha ha ha...
You think you, the Guardian Faction, can stop someone within our Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds from undergoing their tribulation?”
Hong Xingui threw his head back and laughed heartily.
“What? Ten Deities coming to stop my tribulation? The Guardian Faction is truly too overbearing.”
Seeing the ten Deities outside and feeling immense pressure, Xiaoyao Banshen, who was amidst the lightning storm, couldn't help but think this.
Given his current strength, even a single Deity was terrifying to him, let alone ten.
“Focus on your tribulation. Don't be influenced by those fellows outside. We will deal with them.”
Turning his head, Kang Wan spoke to Xiaoyao Banshen.
During a tribulation, if one's will is not firm and they are disturbed, it could easily lead to failure. This was especially true for the Deification Tribulation; absolute determination was required.
“Then I'll trouble you six venerable seniors.”
Hearing Kang Wan's words, Xiaoyao Banshen immediately felt much calmer.
He had learned their identities through Ye Yunfei and knew they all possessed combat strength at the Deity level, so his heart settled considerably.
“Don't let them distract you. Rest assured, we will do our utmost to protect your cultivation session. Your main task now is to focus single-mindedly, with unwavering determination, on overcoming the thunder tribulation and striving to succeed as quickly as possible.”
Ye Yunfei spoke to Xiaoyao Banshen.
“Indeed, we're all here to protect you. Those six elders are six Deities! You can set your heart at ease. Whatever you do, don't drop the ball and waste our efforts and this spectacle!”
The Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm also shouted at Xiaoyao Banshen.
“Very well. You have my word; I will remain resolute and focused on the tribulation.”
Xiaoyao Banshen replied.
“Without the consent of our Guardian Faction, you cannot succeed.”
By now, cold smiles had appeared on the faces of the eleven Deities outside. One of them slowly began to speak.
With a wave of his hand, a black piece of cloth shot out from within his body, continuously expanding. As its area grew larger, it began to obscure a vast expanse of the void.
Gradually, the void surrounding the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds started to be wrapped up by this black cloth. Within just a few breaths, the space around the world cluster was completely enveloped and shrouded by it.
Looking out from within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, one could only see darkness in all directions.
“This is bad! That's a spatial treasure. It can sever the connection between the space inside the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds and the outside void. Moreover, it continuously drains away the grand dao laws from inside, turning the interior into a space devoid of dao laws!”
Seeing the world cluster now surrounded by darkness, the six elders, Kang Wan and the others, all paled. Ding Qianjie couldn't help but cry out.
“Venerable Seniors, has the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds been enveloped by that black cloth?”
Hearing Ding Qianjie, Ye Yunfei was alarmed and a sense of foreboding arose in him. He immediately moved beside the six elders and asked.
“Yes. That black cloth is an exceedingly profound spatial treasure. It can completely envelop a world cluster, severing its connection to the outside space-time. Moreover, it can drain away all the grand dao laws within.
A space wrapped by that cloth becomes a Lawless Realm devoid of any dao laws. Now, during the Deification Tribulation, there is a stage where one must comprehend the grand dao laws of the surrounding space and guide them into one's body. These laws are used to temper and forge the flesh body, transforming the mortal vessel into a divine physique. This is a necessary stage in the process.
Now that the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds are enveloped by that cloth outside, vast amounts of grand dao laws are being continuously drained away.”
Kang Wan said with a grave expression.
“In that case, Xiaoyao Banshen's Deification Tribulation is going to fail?”
Ye Yunfei felt a lurch in his heart. The situation seemed dire.
“Yes, the situation is very unfavorable for him now. His tribulation could be interrupted and fail at any moment, unless we can break the seal of that black cloth outside.”
Ding Qianjie answered.
“I never imagined the Guardian Faction possessed such an extraordinary spatial treasure.”
Ye Yunfei's expression was extremely grim.
“Xiaoyao Banshen had his Deification Tribulation interrupted once before. If it is interrupted again this time, it may leave grave hidden dangers in his cultivation base. Whether he would ever get another chance would be very difficult to say.
Let's do our best to help him. We'll act together and break that black cloth's blockade.”
Kang Wan stated.
After speaking, he waved his hand. A somewhat tattered great banner flew out from the depths of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds' void, continuously enlarging.
“Agreed. Let's act together to break that black cloth's blockade.”
Ye Yunfei nodded, also preparing to make a move.
“Ha ha ha...
Now you see the foundation of our Guardian Faction? In this region of the void, no one can even dream of undergoing the Deification Tribulation without our approval.
All living beings in this void are sinners, and our Guardian Faction exists specifically to manage you lot. If you disobey our governance, our faction has countless methods to deal with you.”
From the void outside, the Deity who had deployed the black cloth laughed triumphantly.
“Xiaoyao Banshen, now you have only two choices before you.
First, pledge allegiance to our Guardian Faction. Swear eternal loyalty to us from this moment onward. In that case, we will approve your tribulation and even provide assistance, guaranteeing you will succeed and ascend without fail. Once you become a Deity, you will also receive a batch of deity-level treasures bestowed by our Guardian Faction.
The second choice is to refuse us. If so, you will have absolutely no chance of success. Moreover, from this moment on, you will be hunted by our faction. Your ultimate fate will be only one — death.
Xiaoyao Banshen, which of these two do you choose?
I hope you think clearly. Do not make the wrong choice, or you will be doomed for all eternity.”
The Deity who had been speaking suddenly turned his gaze toward Xiaoyao Banshen amidst the tribulation, speaking coldly.
“Master, they're trying to recruit Xiaoyao Banshen.”
Hu Miao spoke up.
“What do you think? Will that guy waver? The conditions offered by the Guardian Faction seem quite good, especially the guarantee of success.”
The Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm said.
“Let's see what he thinks himself.”
Ye Yunfei looked toward Xiaoyao Banshen and whispered.
“Damn it!
That wretched black cloth seems to be having a huge impact on my tribulation!”
By now, Xiaoyao Banshen began to realize something was wrong.
After the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds were wrapped by the black cloth outside, his thunder tribulation began to become unstable, growing increasingly violent, as if the entire tribulation was about to erupt and destroy everything. Moreover, he felt the surrounding space becoming more and more bizarre, as if something vital was disappearing—and these vital things would affect his Deification Tribulation.
He had this feeling because the grand dao laws in this region of the void were being continuously drained away by that black cloth outside.
“This is troubling. That cloth seems to greatly affect my tribulation!”
Xiaoyao Banshen couldn't help but send a sound transmission to Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei immediately transmitted back the dangers posed by the black cloth.
“You damnable scum of the Guardian Faction! Last time you interfered and stopped my Deification Tribulation. Now you're back at it again. Did I murder your fathers or dig up your ancestral graves?
Why are you always fixated on me?
Just you wait! Once I become a Deity, I will storm the gates of your Guardian Faction, exterminate all of you, and beat every one of you into nothingness, body and soul destroyed, forever barred from reincarnation!”
After hearing Ye Yunfei's transmission, Xiaoyao Banshen instantly flew into a rage, roaring.
“Oh?
You dare challenge the dignity of our Guardian Faction? So you refuse to submit?”
The speaking Deity outside frowned coldly.
“Do I look like the kind who surrenders?
My bones are of steel!
You Guardian Faction scum are all utterly repulsive. I, Xiaoyao Banshen, have lived my life with integrity and honor. Associating with you would be beneath my dignity!”
Xiaoyao Banshen roared in fury.
“Well said!
Hard to believe. Though this guy is usually greedy and cunning, he proves reliable at a crucial moment. It seems I shouldn't constantly talk back to him anymore.”
The Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm cheered loudly upon hearing Xiaoyao Banshen's words.
“Ha ha, Young Master Ye, you have fine friends indeed. It's not in vain that we six old fellows are helping him.
Very well, let's take action.”
Ding Qianjie laughed and said.
Boom! Rumble...
Within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, Kang Wan and the other five elders acted together, channeling their power into the great banner, which shot skyward, continuously enlarging as it launched an attack outward.
Ye Yunfei also prepared to attack.
Although he was still only a Perfect Demigod, Ye Yunfei already possessed a divine physique and power at the Deity level, fully capable of facing an Initial Void God in combat.
The ten Deities who had come outside were all Initial Void Gods, so Ye Yunfei felt confident he could put up a fight.
“That black cloth truly is an exceptional spatial treasure. It can sever the internal-external spatial connection of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds and continuously drain away its grand dao laws. However, I can try to prevent it from draining the laws here.
As long as the grand dao laws within this world cluster aren't drained away, Xiaoyao Banshen's tribulation won't be affected.”
Right at that moment, Hun Lao suddenly spoke to Ye Yunfei.
“Senior Hun, you can prevent the black cloth from draining the laws?”
Ye Yunfei was overjoyed.
“I'm not certain if I can succeed. That cloth outside is a very high-level treasure. Even if I can hinder its draining effect, it will likely only be for a limited time.
But it should last until Xiaoyao Banshen succeeds.
Additionally, you and the six elders must continuously attack those Deities outside. That black cloth's function is maintained by them channeling energy into it. If you can disrupt their energy transmission, it will be much easier for me to hinder its draining effect on this world cluster's dao laws.”
Hun Lao explained further.
“I didn't know the Chaos World Tree Clan possessed such profound methods. If you need assistance, I can help alongside you. Our Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm Clan also has some heritage techniques for stabilizing space that could serve as support.”
The Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm offered from the side.
“Excellent. The two of you begin casting your techniques immediately to hinder that cloth. I will go out and disrupt them.”
Ye Yunfei said.
He then transmitted Hun Lao's words to Kang Wan and the other six elders.
“He is of the Chaos World Tree Clan! Their race is innately skilled in spatial heritage. He might actually be able to do it!”
Hearing Ye Yunfei, the six elders, Kang Wan and the others, all showed expressions of pleasant surprise.
“Good! We will act now to disrupt those ten fellows outside.”
Kang Wan declared.
“Your Guardian Faction has come again and again to cause trouble in our Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. Do you truly think we are so easy to bully?!”
With a flash of his figure, Ye Yunfei strode out ahead of the others. As he walked, he spoke coldly, his voice resonant.
“This lad has some boldness!”
“He possesses combat strength at the Deity level; he has some foundation to back it up. No need to worry.”
...
Seeing Ye Yunfei's action, Kang Wan and the other six elders were pleasantly surprised and found themselves looking upon him with increasing favor.