Everyone came to a halt, gazing at the three towering figures blocking their path.
"What are these three things?"
"They are three puppets," a tall, thin elder dressed in green robes quickly stepped forward and said.
"It's July Elder! Senior July, I've heard you are a master of the Puppet Art, personally crafting many sophisticated puppets. Your reputation is celebrated. Since these three are puppets, we have nothing to fear with Senior July here."
Someone immediately recognized the green-robed elder's identity and spoke excitedly. So this was the renowned July Elder. Many in the surroundings had long heard of his name but never expected to see him here.
July Elder was most famous for his mastery of the Puppet Art, and many major factions would seek him out to purchase powerful puppets.
"These three puppets were left here by ancients. They are extraordinary, and I intend to take them back for thorough study," July Elder declared, his eyes blazing with fervent interest as he looked at the three Bronze Men. With a wave of his sleeve, over a dozen figures rushed out from it.
Everyone's eyes narrowed; these were more than a dozen puppets.
After being released, these puppets immediately grew tall and imposing. They wielded various weapons and magical treasures, emanating powerful energy auras.
The dozen puppets swarmed forward, encircling the three Bronze Men.
"Everyone, since Senior July is dealing with these puppets, let's head forward to explore," some Deities, seeing July Elder engage the Bronze Men, immediately had ideas. They wanted to skirt around and rush ahead to the ancient building zone to search for treasures.
Several Deities flashed into motion, their body techniques propelling them forward, attempting to bypass the conflict.
Just then, the three Bronze Men ahead suddenly moved. They simultaneously raised their thick stone clubs.
Boom! Boom! Boom…
The movements of the three Bronze Men were startlingly fast. Their stone clubs swept out repeatedly, each strike blowing apart a puppet. In less than the time it takes to breathe, the dozen-odd puppets released by July Elder were all smashed into pieces, scattering like sky-filling debris.
The three Bronze Men flashed, positioning themselves before the Deities trying to bypass them. Raising their massive stone clubs, they struck out—one club, one Deity—instantly turning three or four Deities into pulped meat on the spot.
Although these Deities were all Primary Void Gods, they were instantly slain without a chance to fight back.
The combat power displayed by these three Bronze Men was terrifyingly formidable!
"How is this possible?"
Seeing this, the other Deities wore expressions of shock and disbelief.
"My puppets may not match true Primary Void Gods, but they can at least withstand them for a period. Yet they were all destroyed instantly. The strength of these three Bronze Men is unimaginable!" July Elder exclaimed, his face paling with fright as he watched his puppets being annihilated.
Hearing July Elder's words, everyone grew even more wary of the three Bronze Men.
"To think ancient times possessed such powerful puppets!" Ye Yunfei thought, deeply shocked as he looked at the Bronze Men blocking the path.
"Master, the ancients could actually craft puppets capable of slaying Deities. That's truly incredible!" Hu Miao said to Ye Yunfei.
"The Puppet Art is one of the ancient legacies passed down from remote antiquity, among the world's oldest crafting techniques. It is certainly no trifling matter."
"Hun Lao, have you recalled some memories related to the Puppet Art?" Ye Yunfei immediately asked.
"Yes. In my racial memories, the Puppet Art is a branch of artifact forging. A skilled puppet master's popularity often rivals that of a pill refining master," Hun Lao replied.
"These three Bronze Men before us were undoubtedly crafted by a skilled puppet master of ancient times. In truth, upon reaching the Deity realm, most cultivators know some rudimentary puppet techniques. But to craft Deity-level puppets, that can only be done by the legendary, exceedingly skilled puppet masters.
There are even fewer skilled puppet masters than skilled pill refining masters, making them all the more precious. Think about it: ancient master puppet masters could create Deity-level puppets. If such puppets were put up for sale, it would surely cause a frenzy. Who wouldn't want to buy a group of Deities to serve as enforcers?" Hun Lao transmitted to Ye Yunfei.
"That's indeed true," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"It seems we must join forces and destroy these three puppets first before we can venture deeper into this mountain range to search for treasures," a Mid-Level Void God said loudly.
"Good. Then let's act together and combine our strength to destroy these three puppets," July Elder spoke.
He waved his sleeve again, releasing another dozen or so puppets.
"Everyone, once my puppets attack, follow suit. I believe that if all of us unite, we can certainly deal with these three puppets," July Elder declared in a clear voice.
In truth, he had already developed a keen interest in the three Bronze Men ahead. He wanted to use everyone's combined power to subdue and capture them, then take them back for study.
If he could obtain the ancient Puppet Art legacy from these Bronze Men, his own puppet-crafting skills would undoubtedly improve by leaps and bounds.
"Alright, let's attack together."
The other Deities all nodded in agreement, as everyone was impatient to head to the ancient building zone to search for treasures.
Rumble…
July Elder pointed a finger. The dozen puppets he had just released rushed forward simultaneously. Then, all the other Deities also launched their attacks at that moment, unleashing a violent assault on the three Bronze Men ahead.
Sensing the attacks, the three Bronze Men moved. They raised their thick stone clubs and swung them violently forward.
Rumble…
The three stone clubs continuously enlarged, transforming in an instant into three towering pillars that seemed to prop up the heavens.
Feeling the terrifying power of the three stone clubs, all the Deities felt fear in their hearts. Yet no one retreated. Each one poured their full strength into attacking the three Bronze Men.
Sure enough, with so many Deities attacking together, they could hold their own against the three Bronze Men for the moment.
However, after fighting for a while, everyone was shocked to discover that the three Bronze Men did not retreat a single step under the combined assault. The three massive stone clubs blocked all the attacks.
Although everyone was unharmed for the time being, they also could not force the Bronze Men back. Both sides were locked in a stalemate.
At that moment…
"Impressive. They are merely three puppets, yet possess such combat power. The ancient puppet masters were truly extraordinary."
Suddenly, a voice rang out, clearly reaching everyone's ears.
Everyone then felt a terrifying energy pressure emanating from behind them, making their bodies feel heavy and their faces show shock.
Obviously, a formidable expert had arrived!
Next, everyone saw an elder striding into the mountain range with his hands clasped behind his back.
An Advanced Void God!
Seeing this elder, everyone's eyes narrowed as they instinctively made way.
The elder instantly arrived in front of the three Bronze Men.
"Heh, these three puppets are quite good. I can take them back to guard my mountain gate," the elder said, glancing at the Bronze Men.
"There are three puppets. How about letting me have one?"
Scarcely had this elder finished speaking when another voice was heard. In a blur, everyone saw another elder appear before the three Bronze Men. He wore coarse hemp clothes and had a leisurely, relaxed demeanor.
Another Advanced Void God!
"These three puppets are very good. Our Guardian Faction is also interested. I wonder if you two gentlemen would be willing to yield them?"
No sooner had the coarse-clothed elder spoken than another figure appeared beside them. This figure's body was shrouded in dazzling laws, making his true appearance indistinct.
A third Advanced Void God.
Although this continent was governed by the terrifying Law of Gravity, the movement speed of these Advanced Void Gods was still astonishingly fast, far surpassing that of Primary and Mid-Level Void Gods.
All three Advanced Void Gods had arrived before the crowd in an instant.
"Excellent! Lord Yin has finally arrived!"
Seeing this last Advanced Void God to arrive, a dozen or so Deities immediately rushed over from a distance, exclaiming excitedly.
These dozen or so were all members of the Guardian Faction. The reason they hadn't dared to get too close earlier was their fear that Ye Yunfei might attack them.
Now that Lord Yin was here, these Guardian Faction Deities instantly felt emboldened.
"Lord Yin! That youngster is Ye Yunfei from the Three Thousand Big and Small Worlds! He is arrogant and domineering, repeatedly provoking our Guardian Faction and killing several of our Deities! The hatred runs as deep as the sea! We beseech you, Lord Yin, to strike him down!"
A Primary Void God from the Guardian Faction pointed at Ye Yunfei, shouting sharply.
This Primary Void God had his body shattered by one of Ye Yunfei's punches earlier, and his soul body was also injured. He harbored deep fear of Ye Yunfei, but also intense resentment.
"Oh? A Peak Half-God?"
Lord Yin's sharp gaze immediately swept over toward Ye Yunfei.
Rumble…
Ye Yunfei immediately felt an utterly terrifying surge of Soul Force Energy suppressing him, rolling over like the wrath of the heavens, imposing and overwhelming.
Along with the Soul Force Energy, a dreadful Deity Power swept across the sky in surging waves, crushing toward Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei dared not be negligent. He immediately exerted all his Soul Power and Heart Power to resist.
Two Soul Bodies and over twenty Soul Force Planets, along with his Soul Nurturing Tree, erupted together. Vast Soul Power, like tempestuous waves, surged upward to contend with the Soul Force Energy Lord Yin was suppressing him with.
While using Soul Power to resist, Ye Yunfei also exerted his physical strength and Deity Power to withstand Lord Yin's Deity Power.
A moment later, Ye Yunfei was forced back over a dozen steps.
"An Advanced Void God is indeed terrifying," Ye Yunfei couldn't help but give a bitter smile.
Although Lord Yin was also suppressed by the continent's Law of Gravity, he was, after all, an Advanced Void God. The combat power he could exert on this continent was far greater than that of Primary and Mid-Level Void Gods.
Even Ye Yunfei was no match for him!
Cui Hong and Xiao Xiao immediately stepped forward, attacking together to help Ye Yunfei resist Lord Yin.
But soon, Cui Hong and Xiao Xiao were also forced back dozens of steps, and blood even began seeping from the corners of their mouths. They were clearly outmatched.
In fact, on this continent, Cui Hong and Xiao Xiao could not exert combat power comparable to Ye Yunfei.
"His strength is too dreadful. Even if we join forces, we are not his opponent," Cui Hong immediately transmitted to Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao.
"Advance! Kill them all," Lord Yin said coldly, striding towards Ye Yunfei's group of three.
"Does the Guardian Faction plan to act here?"
The coarse-clothed elder asked.
"Killing two or three weaklings won't waste much time," Lord Yin replied indifferently.
Boom…
While speaking, he erupted into action, throwing a punch towards Ye Yunfei. Numerous chains of Dao Laws materialized simultaneously, making Ye Yunfei feel as if the surrounding space had instantly solidified into an iron plate, rendering his body immovable.
"It seems Advanced Void Gods' comprehension of Dao Laws has reached an astonishing level," Ye Yunfei thought inwardly.
Rumble…
With a great roar, Ye Yunfei furiously outputted his physical strength. The four massive golden spheres within his dantian erupted together, releasing surging energy. The eight divine veins within his body also manifested simultaneously, appearing like eight golden divine dragons.
At that moment, Ye Yunfei was exerting himself to the limit.
Instantly, Ye Yunfei broke free from Lord Yin's suppression and rapidly retreated.
Lord Yin's strength was too fearsome. In just a few moves, he rendered Ye Yunfei nearly helpless, with little chance to retaliate.
And this was because Ye Yunfei was not heavily suppressed by the Law of Gravity on this continent, while Lord Yin was definitely affected. If this were outside, anywhere else, Ye Yunfei estimated he would have lost in a single move.
"Haha! I told you! As soon as Lord Yin acts, he will surely slaughter that little beast Ye Yunfei!"
Seeing this, the other Watchers from the Guardian Faction laughed heartily with satisfaction.
At this time, the other two Advanced Void Gods had already approached the three Bronze Men and attacked together.
Advanced Void Gods were indeed incredibly powerful. As the two attacked, they immediately forced the three Bronze Men to retreat repeatedly.
"This man's strength is formidable. We cannot face him head-on. The consequences would be severe. We must leave this place as soon as possible," Cui Hong transmitted to Ye Yunfei.
Cui Hong, Ye Yunfei, and Xiao Xiao all wanted to leave this mountain range. However, Lord Yin clearly saw their intent. Through his attacks, he sealed off their escape routes.
The other Watchers also took up positions, blocking Ye Yunfei's group's path of retreat.
"Senior Cui Hong, Miss Xiao Xiao, let's enter that ancient building zone," Ye Yunfei said, quickly glancing around and noticing that the three Bronze Men were already suppressed by the other two Advanced Void Gods.
"Enter that ancient building zone?" Cui Hong and Xiao Xiao were both startled.
"Yes. Our retreat is cut off, and we can't defeat him. We might as well enter that ancient building zone, assess the situation, and then find a chance to escape," Ye Yunfei reasoned.
"Alright then."
Cui Hong was no coward. After a moment's thought, he nodded in agreement.
Xiao Xiao also indicated her consent.
Thus, the three of them attacked Lord Yin simultaneously, striking to retreat. After unleashing their attacks, they immediately turned and charged toward the ancient building zone within the mountain range.
At that moment, the three Bronze Men were suppressed and unable to stop Ye Yunfei's group.
"They've charged inside!"