Upon hearing Ye Yunfei's question, the seven Deities and Liu Ju couldn't help but glance at each other.
"Young man, since we've gotten to know each other, and you're a principled and righteous person who has even helped us, there's no harm in telling you. All eight of us came here by utilizing an ancient Teleportation Formation. With our strength—unable to tear through space and lacking high-level spatial treasures—it would have been impossible for us to traverse between two different void fragments on our own," one of the Deities spoke up.
"So that's how it is," Ye Yunfei nodded. In truth, he had already guessed that there were only two possibilities for how these eight had come to the Eighth Void: either via an ancient Teleportation Formation or by possessing an exceptionally powerful spatial treasure. After all, their strength was inferior to his.
"Everyone, what is your view on the Guardian Faction?" Ye Yunfei looked at Liu Ju and the eight Deities and asked another question.
"The power we belong to is merely a first-rate force in the Sixth Void. We possess no strength to contend with the Guardian Faction and are often forced to yield to them. However, the old sorcerer in our sect once said that the Guardian Faction is our enemy. Even if there is no conflict for now, we will inevitably clash with them in the future. So, the Guardian Faction will be our foe sooner or later. This is the consensus held by all within our sect," the seven Deities and Liu Ju exchanged glances again before Liu Ju answered.
"To be frank with everyone, the Guardian Faction and I are now locked in a life-or-death struggle. More intense confrontations between us are inevitable. Furthermore, I might even have to deal with the Guardian Faction from other outside void fragments in the future. I hope that when that time comes, we can be friends, not foes," Ye Yunfei looked at the seven Deities and Liu Ju, his gaze sharp and keen, as he spoke slowly.
"Young man, rest assured, we will not become enemies," one of the Deities spoke up.
"Indeed, young man, to be honest with you, in our Sixth Void, many powers have already secretly communicated, preparing to unite against the Guardian Faction. The reason is that we forces are forced to pay hefty 'protection fees' to the Guardian Faction at regular intervals. Moreover, the amounts demanded are growing larger and larger; we can hardly bear the burden anymore. If this continues, even first-rate forces like ours will go bankrupt," another Deity added.
"Protection fees? The Guardian Faction forces you to pay protection fees?" Ye Yunfei couldn't help but be taken aback.
"Yes, in the Sixth Void, the majority of forces are compelled to pay a large sum to the Guardian Faction every so often. Any power that dares refuse payment is quickly suppressed by the Watchers, or even attacked by the Guardian Faction's armies. In the past, several forces were directly wiped out by Guardian Faction armies because they couldn't afford the fees," yet another Deity explained.
"So it's like that. It seems regardless of which void fragment, the Guardian Faction is rife with evil deeds, a true common enemy for all!" Ye Yunfei sighed upon hearing this.
"Yes, the Guardian Faction is indeed steeped in evil. These past years, the amounts they demand for protection fees have grown larger and larger. Many forces can no longer bear the burden. In our Sixth Void, many powers now harbor resentment towards the Guardian Faction. Though they dare not voice it openly, there are already plans in the works to unite against them," Liu Ju nodded in agreement.
"In that case, everyone, the Guardian Faction is our common enemy. Perhaps in the future, we will have the opportunity to join forces against them," Ye Yunfei immediately said. He knew he would inevitably face the Guardian Faction from other voids later, so securing some allies in advance was essential.
"A powerhouse like you willing to ally with us is something we could only hope for. Very well, I will tell you the specific location of the ancient Teleportation Formation that connects the Sixth and Eighth Voids. This way, we can visit each other in the future," after the seven Deities and Liu Ju discussed briefly, Liu Ju spoke.
"That's fantastic!" Ye Yunfei felt a surge of excitement.
Having said that, Liu Ju pointed with her finger, sending a stream of Soul Power information directly into Ye Yunfei's sea of consciousness.
Ye Yunfei quickly skimmed the information and found it indeed contained details about an ancient Teleportation Formation. This meant Ye Yunfei could travel to the Sixth Void in the future!
"Alright, young man, we must return to the Sixth Void now. We've offended the Autumn Wind Group. We don't even know if their members had already used special communication methods at the time to transmit our appearances and auras back. So we must hurry back. The Autumn Wind Group might already be tracking us down," one of the Deities said to Ye Yunfei.
"I see. Very well, in that case, you should head back first. We can gather for a proper meeting when there's time later," Ye Yunfei nodded.
Subsequently, Liu Ju and the seven Deities bid farewell to Ye Yunfei and quietly departed.
Ye Yunfei emerged from the world cluster he was in, arriving in the void outside.
He then spotted several Deities passing through the distant void.
"These Deities should be from other outside voids. The exploration of the True Phoenix Tomb is over, so why haven't they returned? What do they intend to do by staying in this void fragment of ours?" Hun Lao, seeing the Deities in the distance, couldn't help but remark.
"These Deities from other voids are all very powerful. Their staying here certainly bodes no good," Ye Yunfei said slowly, his brow furrowed.
"However, we should return to the Fire Realm first. I wonder if the Guardian Faction is still besieging it? It would be best if their armies are still there. That way, we can indulge in a satisfying massacre," Ye Yunfei added with a cold laugh.
If nothing else, Ye Yunfei now possessed several dozen puppet warriors at the Deity level. Dealing with the Guardian Faction's armies would be quite simple. With his current strength and foundations, only encountering a high-level Void God would give him any pause.
Ye Yunfei then brought Cui Hong and Xiao Xiao out from the Phantom Tower. During this period, both had been in seclusion within the tower, and thanks to the ample cultivation resources obtained from the True Phoenix Tomb, their strength had improved.
"Senior, let's hurry back to the Fire Realm," Ye Yunfei said to Cui Hong.
"Yes, we leave immediately," Cui Hong nodded, equally anxious.
Then, Cui Hong promptly led the way to the Teleportation Formation they had used before. With Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao, he initiated the teleportation.
Not long after, Cui Hong, Ye Yunfei, and Xiao Xiao returned to the void region where the Fire Realm was located.
"Oh no! The Guardian Faction's army has already invaded the Fire Realm!" Cui Hong's face immediately paled with alarm as he sensed something amiss.
At the entrance to the Fire Realm, a large group was stationed on guard—all were members of the Guardian Faction.
Without a word, Cui Hong flashed forward, charging towards the Fire Realm's entrance. Ye Yunfei and Xiao Xiao stayed close behind him.
The next moment, the trio arrived at the entrance.
"Halt! Who are you?" Seeing someone approach, the Guardian Faction personnel guarding the entrance all stepped forward. The leading captain angrily shouted.
However, before he could finish his words, Cui Hong's palm strike blasted him apart. Not just the captain, but every single person stationed at the entrance was obliterated by Cui Hong's strike, exploding into puffs of blood mist.
Cui Hong, Ye Yunfei, and Xiao Xiao then charged into the Fire Realm.
"Hahaha… It seems your Flower Goddess Palace is determined to perish together with the Fire Realm. Very well, I shall grant your wish. However, Palace Lord, I can offer you a path to survival. If you agree to follow me, warm my bed, and serve me well, I might consider sparing you. Otherwise, today will be your final day!"
Just as Cui Hong, Ye Yunfei, and Xiao Xiao entered the Fire Realm, they heard a haughty, booming laughter.
"Seeking death!" Hearing that laughter, Cui Hong erupted with fury in an instant.
"Senior, rest assured, not a single Guardian Faction member who has entered the Fire Realm will leave here alive," Ye Yunfei said coldly.
As the words left his mouth, Ye Yunfei took out a black bag and directly poured out thirty puppets.
Thirty puppets possessing Deity-level strength!
Boom…
An enormous flower materialized beside Xiao Xiao, slowly rotating and emanating a terrifying aura.
"Master, set your mind at ease. Anyone who has dared to offend you will not be allowed to live," Xiao Xiao declared, her willow-leaf brows drawn together in fury, her voice icy.