Not long after, all members of the Autumn Wind Group had been slain by Ye Yunfei.
Having slaughtered these eighteen Autumn Wind Group members, Ye Yunfei also claimed all the wealth they left behind.
Eighteen Deities exploring and treasure-hunting within the True Phoenix Tomb naturally had considerable spoils. It could be said Ye Yunfei had made another substantial profit, a fact that left him quite satisfied.
"Those seven fellows turned out to be little wealth-bringers, delivering quite a tidy sum your way," the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm said with a laugh.
"Alright, everyone, I've finished helping you with what you asked. Our cooperation has been pleasant," Ye Yunfei said to the seven Deities, then turned and sped off, making a dash for the entrance and exit of the True Phoenix Tomb.
Ye Yunfei understood he could no longer remain within the True Phoenix Tomb; the longer one stayed here, the greater the danger became.
"Sister Ju, we should hurry and leave too. Let's depart the True Phoenix Tomb now. This place is no longer safe to stay in," the seven Deities said urgently, seeing Ye Yunfei's swift departure.
In their minds, Ye Yunfei was not only incredibly powerful but also astute. If he was in such a rush to leave the True Phoenix Tomb, it meant the tomb had indeed become extremely perilous. The sooner they escaped, the better.
"What?
Leave the True Phoenix Tomb now?
We went through so much trouble just to get in here. An opportunity to explore and seek treasures within the True Phoenix Tomb is once-in-a-lifetime. How can we simply abandon it so easily?
We should stick together and continue exploring this tomb properly," Sister Ju, Liu Ju, immediately shook her head in disagreement.
The True Phoenix Tomb was a rare, once-in-a-generation site for exploration. Now that they were inside, she was unwilling to leave prematurely before the very last moment.
"Sister Ju, please trust us. Something truly dreadful has occurred within the True Phoenix Tomb; it has become extremely dangerous. We must leave immediately, the faster the better," the seven Deities were startled to hear Liu Ju still wanted to explore and hunt for treasure, and they all rushed to persuade her.
"You're saying a terrible incident has happened inside the True Phoenix Tomb?
Is that true? Why haven't I sensed anything?
Did you discover or witness something?" Liu Ju asked the seven Deities.
"And I know you seven usually aren't the most reliable. Did you encounter some danger in the tomb that scared the wits out of you, and now you're desperate to flee?
You must understand, exploration and treasure hunting are inherently dangerous endeavors. Encountering perils along the way is perfectly normal. But if you want to reap rewards, you must endure these risks.
All of you have cultivated to become Deities. Don't tell me you still don't grasp this basic principle?
Fine, if you lot are truly scared, then go ahead and leave. I won't force you. I'll continue exploring on my own," Liu Ju, seeing the flustered expressions on all seven Deities, couldn't help but frown before speaking.
"No, Sister Ju, listen to us. Something truly horrifying *has* happened in the True Phoenix Tomb. It's not that we're afraid of danger.
Look, even that formidable expert who helped us just now fled in a hurry. How much more so for us?
Alright, I'll transmit to you all the various situations we encountered earlier," one of the Deities said.
He then pointed a finger, sending a stream of Soul Power information straight into Liu Ju's soul sea.
Liu Ju immediately examined the Soul Power information, and her expression instantly turned grave.
"So that's how it is. If what you experienced is true, then it suggests something dreadful might have truly occurred within this True Phoenix Tomb," Liu Ju said slowly.
"Exactly, Sister Ju. Please don't hesitate any longer. Let's get out first, and discuss the rest later.
Look, that young man from before is almost out," the seven Deities urged anxiously.
At that very moment, numerous figures suddenly appeared in the surrounding void, all rushing swiftly towards the True Phoenix Tomb's entrance and exit, clearly desperate to leave.
Witnessing this, Liu Ju had no choice but to believe them.
"Very well. Although an opportunity to explore a forbidden land is rare, if the risks are too great, it's not worth it. After all, our lives are what matter most. Let's leave now," Liu Ju finally made up her mind.
"Excellent, Sister Ju! Let's go now!"
Hearing Liu Ju's words, the seven Deities breathed a collective sigh of relief. Then, they and Liu Ju hastened towards the tomb's entrance and exit.
By this time, more and more people were appearing, all fleeing from various worlds and planets within the True Phoenix Tomb. They all looked as if they had experienced something terrifying, their faces etched with panic. Even advanced Void Gods wore expressions of alarm.
Everyone was rushing towards the tomb's entrance and exit with all their might.
"Who would have thought... The True Phoenix Divine Clan isn't truly extinct after all.
It seems this ancient, powerful clan intends to re-emerge into the world," an elder in a green robe appeared in the void. He kept glancing back as if watching something, his expression extremely grave. Moreover, his hands were constantly forming one seal after another, rapidly performing calculations.
"Fine, this ancient clan is not one to be trifled with. They have just emerged; they might do something to establish their prestige. The further we stay away during such times, the better," the green-robed elder finally shook his head with a sigh and accelerated, charging towards the True Phoenix Tomb's entrance and exit.
"Master Ge, are you certain the True Phoenix Divine Clan isn't extinct and is now about to re-emerge?"
A dozen or so Deities surrounded the green-robed elder, and one couldn't help but ask.
"Based on my calculations, it's highly likely the True Phoenix Divine Clan is not truly extinct and may well re-emerge.
In any case, this True Phoenix Tomb has become extremely dangerous.
We should focus on getting out," Master Ge nodded.
Then, the dozen-plus Deities surrounded Master Ge as they quickly rushed out of the True Phoenix Tomb.
"Dammit, I almost died in there.
Send a message immediately, ordering all our Guardian Faction members to evacuate this True Phoenix Tomb at the fastest possible speed. Otherwise, when the time comes, wanting to leave might no longer be an option," a group of a dozen-plus Deities suddenly arrived from the distance, each looking utterly bedraggled. Their leader, a Deity, said in a deep voice.
If Ye Yunfei were here, he would immediately recognize this leader as Lord Yin of the Guardian Faction.
He had led his Guardian Faction followers, who had narrowly escaped with their lives after a brush with death in that earlier city, all the way here.
"This expedition into the True Phoenix Tomb has cost our Guardian Faction dearly. We've lost more than half our people, their lives claimed here," Lord Yin looked back towards the vast void behind them, a complex expression on his face as he sighed slowly.
"Lord Yin, besides those who died during the exploration, a portion of our Guardian Faction casualties were killed by that little bastard Ye Yunfei," an Intermediate Void God beside him said through gritted teeth.
"Once we're out, we will immediately track down Ye Yunfei's whereabouts. If we discover he has come out alive, we will eliminate him at all costs," Lord Yin's face darkened at the mention of Ye Yunfei.
At the same time…
"We've finally escaped the True Phoenix Tomb," Ye Yunfei whispered as he swiftly passed through a massive spatial rift, then looked back at the rift that resembled a monster's gaping maw.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh…
No sooner had Ye Yunfei spoken than eight figures shot out from the spatial rift.
"Great! We made it out!" one of them exclaimed in relief, visibly excited.
"They've come out too."
Ye Yunfei glanced at the group of eight—seven men and one woman, the seven Deities and Liu Ju—and thought to himself.
"Where is that young man?
Let's go look for him.
Since we've encountered such a monstrously talented youngster, we should try to befriend him properly," one of the Deities said.
The seven Deities and Liu Ju all began looking around and sensing, searching for Ye Yunfei.
However, immediately after exiting, Ye Yunfei had changed his appearance once again and altered his soul body's aura. Thus, even though Ye Yunfei was standing not far away, the seven Deities and Liu Ju could not recognize him.
Besides Ye Yunfei, many others who had fled the True Phoenix Tomb also stopped to look back at the tomb's entrance and exit, filled with emotion.
Many who entered the True Phoenix Tomb this time had lost their lives within. There was no denying that the tomb was indeed an extremely perilous place for exploration.
But those who managed to emerge all reaped significant harvests; some even obtained heaven-defying resources within, experiencing explosive growth in strength, or brought out treasures of immeasurable value.
In short, every person emerging from the True Phoenix Tomb wore a complex expression.
"It seems he doesn't want any further contact with us.
Forget it, there's no need for us to seek him out either. We'd better hurry back.
What a pity. That young man's talent is truly exceptional. He's the most monstrous genius I've ever encountered among all the young people I've met.
He's merely at the Perfected Demigod realm, yet he could defeat Intermediate Void Gods.
In the past, I'd never have believed such a thing possible. But after spending this time with him, I've learned that there truly are geniuses in this world so monstrous they defy belief.
What a shame, we didn't get a chance to properly befriend such a talent," one of the Deities said in disappointment after searching the surrounding void and failing to find Ye Yunfei.
"Though, that fellow's talent might be exceptional, his heart is also rather ruthless. He took a whole slew of treasures from us. I'd say at least two-fifths of the spoils we gathered inside ended up in his hands. Just thinking about it makes my heart ache," another Deity said with a pained expression.
"Forget it. What else can we do? We were no match for him.
Besides, although we lost quite a bit of wealth, we at least managed to emerge alive. If he hadn't intervened to help, none of us seven, or even Sister Ju, might have made it out alive. Paying a price is normal; otherwise, why would someone help us for no reason?" another Deity spoke up.
Hearing this, the others fell silent.