Outside the Fire Realm, the three powerhouses—Wu Tao, Lord Zhou, and Lord Gongyang—simultaneously halted their steps, their faces registering expressions of shock. Behind them, the dozen or so Deities of the Guardian Faction and all their troops also came to a complete stop.
“What on earth just happened?”
Lord Gongyang couldn’t help but ask in a trembling voice as he looked back towards the vast, misty void in the distance.
Even a powerhouse of his caliber felt some inner unease from the recent disturbance.
At that very moment, the three powerhouses suddenly took out a Communication Jade Slip each. These jade slips were specially made by the Guardian Faction for sending messages over long distances.
“Listen,” Lord Gongyang proclaimed clearly. “From this moment, leave five Deities here to guard the Fire Realm and prevent any of the Fire Clan from escaping.
The other Deities will follow the three of us to carry out another mission. We will return here to continue the assault on the Fire Realm once the other task is complete.”
“Go carry out another mission?”
The dozen or so Guardian Faction Deities were momentarily stunned upon hearing Lord Gongyang's words. However, once given a mission, members of the Guardian Faction were obliged to carry it out immediately and could not question it. Therefore, none of the Deities dared to ask for details.
“You five, stay here. The rest will follow us. We depart now,” Lord Gongyang said, pointing out five of the Deities.
Then, together with Wu Tao and Lord Zhou, he led the other Deities away, vanishing into the distant void in an instant.
“What could have happened?
Why have the Guardian Faction Deities left so suddenly?”
“Don’t they plan to continue attacking the Fire Realm?”
“I have a feeling their sudden departure is connected to that massive explosion just now and that intense spatial tremor…”
…
Some living beings lurking in the darkness at a distance watched the Guardian Faction Deities depart abruptly and felt somewhat puzzled, unable to help but speculate.
Meanwhile, inside the Fire Realm.
“Reporting to the Great Elder! Over half of the Guardian Faction Deities outside have suddenly left! Only five remain to stand guard, and their offensive has also temporarily halted!”
A middle-aged man of the Fire Clan arrived before the Great Elder and reported loudly.
This man was in charge of intelligence for the Fire Clan, managing their information network. He commanded many scouts and had established numerous channels dedicated to gathering all sorts of news from the outside world.
“I’ve already sensed it. Why have those Guardian Faction fellows suddenly stopped their attack?
What new trick are they trying to play?” the Great Elder replied.
In truth, everyone had already sensed the events transpiring outside.
“They must have gone to carry out another mission,” Ye Yunfei commented.
His Soul Power energy was formidable. He had long since perceived every single move made by the Guardian Faction outside the Fire Realm with perfect clarity.
“Could it be… that heartless bastard Cui Hong actually managed to open that place?”
At this moment, a voice filled with surprise sounded from the floral palanquin of the Flower Goddess Palace in the distance. It belonged to the Third Palace Master.
“Young Master Ye,” a voice suddenly spoke up. It came from the illusory figure of Cui Hong, which had been standing near the Fire Bow Grand Formation all this time. The figure began to solidify gradually and then opened its mouth to speak. “The Guardian Faction will pause their assault on our Fire Realm next.
Because a major upheaval has occurred within this expanse of the Chaotic Void Sea, the Guardian Faction will shift their focus for the coming period.
And it's not just the Guardian Faction. Likely, all the powerhouses in this stretch of the void who are aware of the details will rush to that location.
Young Master Ye, I will help you leave the Fire Realm now. Follow my guidance to a certain place. There may be an opportunity waiting for you there.”
Ye Yunfei couldn't help but be astonished upon hearing this. This illusory figure of Cui Hong was meant to mislead the Guardian Faction Deities. It was not supposed to possess consciousness, merely a phantom. Yet now it suddenly spoke and was radiating formidable Soul Power energy.
“Senior, which place do you wish me to go to?” Ye Yunfei quickly grasped the situation. Cui Hong must have left many Soul Power imprints within the Fire Realm. The one speaking now was likely one of those imprints merging with the illusory figure.
“No need to ask for now. Follow my guidance, and I will take you there,” Cui Hong said.
The moment Cui Hong's illusory figure began to speak, the floral palanquin in the distance, surrounded by the Flower Goddess Palace maidens, slowly drifted over and then landed right in front of Cui Hong.
Ye Yunfei could distinctly sense two sharp, piercing gazes looking out from within the palanquin, fixed intently on Cui Hong's figure.
“Cui Hong. Since you see me, aren't you planning to say anything?
Do you intend to ignore me completely?”
The icy voice emerged from the palanquin, carrying notes of anger and resentment.
“A Fang, it’s been a long time since we last met,” Cui Hong's figure said softly, its gaze directed at the palanquin. His tone suddenly became much gentler.
“Yes, it truly has been a long time.
Back then, you promised me you would come to the Flower Goddess Palace to find me. Did you ever keep your promise?
You made me wait bitterly in the Flower Goddess Palace for so many endless years. Cui Hong, has your conscience been eaten by dogs?”
The Third Palace Master's voice rang out from the palanquin.
“A Fang, I know you harbor resentment. But I had no choice. Truly, I wanted very much to go to the Flower Goddess Palace and find you, it's just that…” Cui Hong began.
“Cui Hong, I didn’t come here to listen to your useless explanations. With your strength, what could possibly stop you if you truly wanted to come to the Flower Goddess Palace and find me?
It's clear you did this deliberately. You must give me an explanation today, or this matter is far from over,” the Third Palace Master said furiously.
“A Fang, I…” For a moment, Cui Hong didn’t know what to say.
“Seems like there's some history between those two, quite a bit of past grievances and entanglements. And from how they talk, it sounds like it might be… *that* kind of relationship between a man and a woman.
Could it be that Senior Cui Hong really let down this Third Palace Master?
Does that mean Senior Cui Hong might be a heartless scoundrel?” the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm suddenly spoke up.
“If you don't know the details, don't talk nonsense! When did Senior Cui Hong say their relationship was *that* kind of relationship between a man and a woman?” Hu Miao immediately retorted.
“Do you need it spelled out so bluntly?
Just listen to the content, tone, and demeanor of their conversation. You can guess instantly they probably had *that* kind of relationship before,” the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm said, curling its lip.
“A Fang, the situation is not as you imagine. I do have my difficulties. You can rest assured, I will certainly give you an explanation. However, this Soul Power imprint of mine must guide Young Master Ye to that place now,” Cui Hong sighed and then spoke.
“Fine then. I will see what kind of explanation you can offer me when the time comes,” the voice from the palanquin fell silent for a moment before the Third Palace Master's words sounded once more.