Seeing this, Ye Yunfei immediately worked together with all members of the Fire Clan to activate the Fire Bow Grand Formation and shoot out another arrow. The power of this arrow was stronger than before because at this moment, the vast majority of the Fire Clan members had already recovered the energy they had consumed previously and were at their peak condition.
When this arrow shot out, it immediately repelled all attacks from the Guardian Faction outside, forcing even the dozen or so Deities to retreat some distance. The power of the Fire Bow Grand Formation was simply too strong; these Deities dared not confront it head-on, otherwise, their bodies might possibly be blasted apart.
The two sides exchanged blows back and forth, locked in a stalemate. The Guardian Faction's forces could not breach into the Fire Realm, nor could the Fire Clan inflict heavy casualties on them. For now, both sides were simply wearing each other down.
"Damn it, how can the Fire Clan possess such a powerful battle formation?"
The dozen or so Deities from the Guardian Faction were now growing somewhat flustered and exasperated. Initially, they thought the fiery arrows shooting out from the Fire Realm were shot by Cui Hong himself using a treasure, as everyone knew Cui Hong possessed a fire bow of extremely high grade that had already been famous in ancient times. But now, these Deities of the Guardian Faction had discovered that those arrows were actually shot out by a battle formation.
"Everyone, since the Fire Clan is using a battle formation, then we of the Guardian Faction can also use battle formations to launch our attack. Let's immediately notify Master Gong, our faction's formation master, to come support us.
Master Gong has mastered several very advanced battle formations. They definitely won't be inferior to the Fire Clan's formation."
One of the Deities suddenly spoke up.
"Good, I will send someone immediately to invite Master Gong here. Let's see whose battle formation is stronger—the Fire Clan's or our Guardian Faction's?"
Another Deity nearby immediately nodded in agreement.
This Deity was the person-in-charge of this operation, a minor leader.
After saying this, the minor leader immediately dispatched someone back to notify Master Gong.
"For now, let's continue our assaults to wear down the energy of those Fire Clan fellows."
The dozen or so Deities of the Guardian Faction resumed their attacks. The rest of the Guardian Faction's army also joined in, launching a fierce offensive.
Ye Yunfei and the Fire Clan members also immediately used the Fire Bow Grand Formation to retaliate. And so, the two sides continued their back-and-forth, persisting in the struggle.
"The Fire Clan is actually able to withstand the continuous assaults of the Guardian Faction!"
"It seems these worlds with ancient legacies cannot be underestimated.
The Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds were like that, and the Fire Realm is also like this."
...
One after another exclamation of surprise sounded in the void around the Fire Realm.
By this time, word of the battle between the Guardian Faction and the Fire Clan had long spread, attracting more and more creatures who came to watch the spectacle. Seeing that the Fire Clan could hold on for so long against the Guardian Faction's offensive, repelling the Guardian Faction's troops again and again, everyone was deeply astonished.
After all, the Guardian Faction had now become the most powerful super-faction in this part of the Chaotic Void Sea. No faction could contend with them. Yet now, a small clan like the Fire Clan was actually able to resist to such an extent. It was truly remarkable.
"Master Gong has arrived!"
Not long after, the dozen or so Deities of the Guardian Faction suddenly revealed expressions of pleasant surprise. They turned around simultaneously to see an old man wearing white robes striding over from the distance, surrounded by a group of subordinates. He quickly arrived before the dozen or so Deities.
"Master Gong, we appreciate you making the trip.
The Fire Clan has used a battle formation to stand against our Guardian Faction up to now. That Fire Clan formation is quite powerful; it has repelled our army's assaults many times already.
We humbly request Master Gong to take action and lead our Guardian Faction's army to form battle formations to deal with the Fire Clan's formation."
One of the Deities immediately addressed Master Gong.
"I see. Very well, let's not waste any time then. Now, everyone immediately organize yourselves according to my arrangements and form the battle formations. Begin the attack."
Master Gong nodded and spoke.
Soon, under Master Gong's direction, the personnel of the Guardian Faction, including the dozen or so Deities, formed three distinct battle formations. Above one formation, a crimson long spear manifested. Above another formation, an oddly-shaped long blade appeared. Above the third formation, a phantom figure of an ancient Deity materialized.
This Deity had a burly physique, bare-armed, with well-developed muscles, its entire body brimming with explosive power. With every move it made, the surrounding space quaked, constantly twisting, disintegrating, and collapsing.
"Good, commence the attack!"
Following Master Gong's command, the Guardian Faction's three battle formations began a fierce assault.
Indeed, after forming the battle formations, the offensive power of the Guardian Faction increased significantly.
As the three formations took turns attacking, the Fire Clan members' consumption grew greater and greater. Although every arrow shot out could barely withstand the assaults from the Guardian Faction's three formations, the energy drain was enormous.
Ye Yunfei's several Clones were tirelessly refining various pills containing Yang-Attribute Energy within the Phantom Tower, providing them to the Fire Clan members to replenish their energy. But as the battle raged on, the consumption of these Fire Clan members became increasingly heavy. Even with the pills Ye Yunfei refined for them, they were still struggling terribly.
"That old fellow's formation expertise shouldn't be inferior to mine. Moreover, the three battle formations he commands are all very powerful. The Guardian Faction's foundation depth is truly not to be underestimated."
Ye Yunfei watched the three battle formations of the Guardian Faction outside and inwardly sighed.
"I wonder when Senior Cui Hong will return?
There's no other way. For now, I can only play it by ear and try to drag this out for as long as possible."
Ye Yunfei thought to himself.
In the time that followed, the Guardian Faction's assault became even more ferocious. Under the command of that Master Gong, the three formations unleashed wave after wave of attacks in rotation.
After a period of time, all members of the Fire Clan began to show signs of severe fatigue. Ye Yunfei's Clones in the Phantom Tower were refining all sorts of pills containing Yang-Attribute Energy at their fastest speed, a continuous stream flowing out like water to be delivered to the hands of the Fire Clan members outside. Yet, they still couldn't replenish all the Fire Clan members' consumption in time.
Because this consumption wasn't just of energy; there was also the fatigue of mind and will.
"Everyone, today's battle concerns the future fate of our Fire Clan, and also relates to our Fire Clan's image. If we lose, we will probably have to retreat into our ancestral land again and resume our previous life of being confined there, isolated from the world.
Moreover, if our Fire Clan, after coming out into the world, is forced to seal ourselves away again, we will become a laughingstock in this void. So no matter what, everyone must hold on. Hold on until Patriarch Cui Hong returns.
The patriarch said before he left that when he returns, he will definitely be able to lead us in repelling the Guardian Faction's attack."
Seeing all Fire Clan members showing exhaustion, the Fire Clan Grand Elder immediately declared loudly.
"Elder, please rest assured. Every one of us in the Fire Clan is a passionate man; we will absolutely not retreat!"
"Indeed, Elder please be at ease. Every one of us will persist until the very last moment."
...
Hearing the Grand Elder's words, the Fire Clan members' morale rallied, each of them shouting with determination.
"The Fire Clan people are clear about gratitude and grudges, and their temperaments are fiery and unyielding. They indeed won't easily admit defeat or give up."
Seeing the fighting spirit rekindled in the Fire Clan members, Ye Yunfei mused inwardly.
"These Fire Clan fellows are truly too stubborn. They've actually persisted for so long."
Outside the Fire Realm, the expressions of the dozen or so Deities were somewhat grim.
"Everyone, don't worry. The Fire Clan cannot hold on much longer. I can sense the power of the formation they've assembled is already growing weaker and weaker. It won't be long before we can breach the Fire Realm."
Master Gong, appearing completely confident, said with a smile.
Indeed, not long after, following Master Gong's command, the three battle formations simultaneously charged forward, forcibly sending the fiery arrows shooting out from the Fire Realm flying aside. Seizing this opportunity, Master Gong led the three formations and instantly forced their way into the Fire Realm.
"Our energy consumption is too great, and the three great formations of the Guardian Faction are also very powerful. With their rotating attacks, they have ultimately broken through."
Watching the continuous stream of Guardian Faction troops pouring into the Fire Realm, Ye Yunfei couldn't help but inwardly sigh.
"Hahaha, we have finally breached the Fire Realm!"
The dozen or so Deities of the Guardian Faction each laughed heartily.
"Young Master Ye, our Fire Realm can no longer be held. To preserve the strength of our Fire Clan, I plan to lead all clan members into the ancestral land."
The Fire Clan Grand Elder sighed, feeling the tide had turned, and then said to Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei wanted to say something, but looking at the endless stream of Guardian Faction troops swarming into the Fire Realm, he couldn't help but inwardly sigh.
"I thought I could hold on until Senior Cui Hong returned. But it seems I still underestimated the Guardian Faction's strength."
He lamented secretly in his heart.
"Alright then, Elder. Organize the Fire Clan people now to take refuge in the ancestral land. I will hold them off and buy you time."
Ye Yunfei said to the Fire Clan Grand Elder.
Ye Yunfei understood that if he let these Fire Clan members accompany him here in resistance any longer, they would risk being surrounded by the Guardian Faction's army by the time. The consequences would be unpredictable. Thus, he made the decisive choice.
"Hahaha...
People of the Fire Clan, listen! Today is your last day. I advise you to abandon resistance, accept your fate quietly. That is your only outcome."
The dozen or so Deities of the Guardian Faction, along with Master Gong, commanded their three formations, encircling the Fire Clan forces.
"Grand Elder, act immediately! Have everyone withdraw into the ancestral land!"
Ye Yunfei knew they could wait no longer. He spoke with a soft, urgent tone. He was already somewhat sorry for failing to live up to Cui Hong's entrustment since he could no longer control the Fire Bow Grand Formation to withstand the Guardian Faction's attack. If anything happened to the Fire Clan members now, he would feel even worse.
Upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, the Grand Elder immediately sent a voice transmission to all members of the Fire Clan, ordering them to begin the retreat.
However, right at this moment.
"The Guardian Faction is truly too overbearing. Do you really think this void is ruled solely by your Guardian Faction?"
A clear, cold woman's voice rang out.
"Who dares?!
Who dares to challenge the authority of our Guardian Faction?"
Hearing this woman's voice, the dozen or so Deities and Master Gong of the Guardian Faction were enraged. They immediately turned to look, and then saw petals raining down from the sky. A flower sedan, escorted by a group of women, slowly approached.
Wherever this group of women passed, vast amounts of fresh flowers continuously drifted down in the void. Waves of floral fragrance spread far and wide, intoxicating to the mind and spirit.
Every woman in this group was beautiful, belonging to the top tier: their features were delicate, their figures graceful, and each emanated a faint, enticing fragrance.
In the midst of these women was a flower sedan emitting dazzling, resplendent light. This sedan was carved with numerous flower patterns.
Within moments, this group of women, flanking the flower sedan, arrived before the assembled crowd.
"Who spoke just now?
Do you, a bunch of mere women, dare to challenge the authority of our Guardian Faction? Are you tired of living?"
One of the Guardian Faction Deities looked at the beautiful women slowly approaching and couldn't help but show a disdainful expression. He took a step forward and spoke.
"Is the Guardian Faction's authority such a big deal?
I specifically choose to challenge you. What can you do about it?"
The same woman's voice sounded again. This time, everyone heard clearly; the voice came from inside the flower sedan.
"Hiding your head and concealing your tail, playing tricks and pretending to be mysterious. Tired of living? Get the hell out here."
The Guardian Faction Deity who had just spoken now wore a dark expression. He stretched out his hand and grabbed towards the flower sedan.
His palm continuously enlarged, transforming into a huge, gigantic hand that released a terrifying pressure of energy, descending upon the flower sedan like a dark cloud.
Faced with this Deity's attack, the women flanking the sedan remained calm, not showing the slightest reaction. They all stood in place, some even wearing cold smiles on their faces, as if they simply didn't regard this attacking Deity with any importance.
"You little sluts! You truly refuse to show any fear until you see your own coffins!"
The Deity who attacked, seeing the women's expressions, couldn't help but fly into a rage.
However, just at this moment, around these women, the flowers that had earlier drifted down from the void suddenly began to whistle and swirl. Each flower released potent energy. Then, these numerous flowers rapidly gathered together, coalescing to form a large hand that radiated formidable energy pressure, rumbling as it rushed upwards to meet the palm grabbed by the Deity.
With a thunderous boom, the two attacks collided.
"How is this possible?"
The Deity was actually forced to retreat over a dozen steps before he could barely steady himself, his face revealing an expression of disbelief.
He felt as though the other party hadn't even truly attacked formally; they merely used some conjured flowers to force him back. Such power was simply astounding.