“That Fire Bow seems to be a rather high-grade artifact."
As he resisted the energy impacting from the flaming arrow, this Perfected Void God sized up the blazing Fire Bow hovering in front of Cui Hong within the Fire Realm. His eyes gleamed with keen interest.
Then, this Perfected Void God retreated a few steps. The flaming arrow pursued him for those few steps before its energy gradually dissipated and ultimately vanished.
“If that Fire Bow were in my hands, I could unleash far greater power with it. From this moment on, it belongs to me."
After speaking, he strode forward, intending to charge into the Fire Realm. The other nine Perfected Void Gods behind him each wore cold sneers, also preparing to enter the Fire Realm.
Inside the Fire Realm, Cui Hong's expression turned grim.
“Ten Perfected Void Gods... Our Fire Clan is no match for them."
Seeing that the Perfected Void God had actually blocked the arrow he fired with the Fire Bow head-on, Cui Hong was inwardly shocked.
*Clang! Clang!...*
Seeing the ten Perfected Void Gods about to enter, Cui Hong immediately drew the bow and fired a succession of five arrows.
Five blazing flaming arrows shot forth with astonishing speed, piercing through space in an instant and appearing simultaneously before the Perfected Void God at the forefront.
Previously, facing a single arrow, this Perfected Void God had appeared utterly composed. But now, with five arrows aiming at him at once, he felt immense pressure.
“Excellent! Truly excellent!
That Fire Bow can actually threaten me. It truly is a fine treasure.”
A look of pleasant surprise then spread across his face, his desire for the Fire Bow in front of Cui Hong growing even stronger. He waved a hand, and a silver shield materialized before him, rapidly expanding in size.
This was a Perfected Void God-level artifact. Once activated, it radiated a rolling Divine Radiance.
*Clang! Clang! Clang!...*
Five resounding clashes rang out in succession. The silver shield forcefully blocked all five flaming arrows. To his astonishment, however, the Perfected Void God discovered fine cracks had appeared on the surface of his silver shield.
“That Fire Bow possesses such formidable power!”
Even the nine Perfected Void Gods behind him now wore expressions of surprise.
“Worthy of an ancient race with a long heritage. Even though it has declined to this state, it still retains some foundation.”
The white-haired elder nodded and remarked calmly.
“And what of it?
The strongest in the current Fire Clan is only at the Advanced Void God level, and it seems there's only one. Their overall strength is insignificant in our eyes.”
Another Perfected Void God beside him spoke contemptuously.
“Let's not waste any more time. Hurry up and enter to wipe out this Fire Clan. There are still many cultivation resources in this void waiting for us to collect.”
Upon finishing his words, this Perfected Void God stepped forward, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the one at the front. Together, they began to move, both releasing the pressure of their energy as they advanced towards the entrance to the Fire Realm.
*Boom!*
A tremendous roar echoed as an immense fiery spear suddenly manifested. It howled forth from within the Fire Realm, aimed directly at the two Perfected Void Gods leading the way.
“This is also a treasure with considerable power.”
Both Perfected Void Gods in front felt their hearts stir. They then attacked simultaneously. One threw a punch forward, manifesting a gigantic fist imprint that carried terrifying energy to meet the massive spear. The other drew out a longsword and slashed out a torrent of sword energy.
*Clang! Clang!* Two deafening clashes rang out. The fiery spear that had surged out from the Fire Realm was jointly blocked by the two Perfected Void Gods.
*Rumble...*
At that moment, an enormous, ancient Deity apparition stormed out from within the Fire Realm.
This Deity was completely enveloped in rolling flames, gripping a blood-red battle halberd in hand, radiating a murderous aura.
This colossal Deity was an illusory phenomenon conjured by one of the battle formations of the Fire Clan.
Meanwhile, inside the Fire Realm, under Cui Hong's command, three battle formations had already been deployed. These three formations were all ancient legacies of the Fire Clan, part of its foundational heritage.
The power of these battle formations was immense, but they also had a flaw: they consumed a massive amount of energy. Every Fire Clan member participating in a formation had to constantly channel their energy into the formation as a whole to sustain its operation.
Every attack launched by the formation would weaken each member by a degree. Hence, despite their formidable offensive power, these battle formations inflicted massive energy drain on their users.
Under normal circumstances, the Fire Clan would not employ them lightly. But now, facing ten Perfected Void Gods, they had no choice but to bring out this foundational asset.
“Damn it! An apparition conjured by a single battle formation actually has this level of power.”
The two Perfected Void Gods leading the way watched the colossal Deity apparition surging out from the Fire Realm, their expressions turning rather unpleasant.
In their view, a declined ancient race should not have been able to hold them back. Yet, they had been stuck outside, unable to enter the Fire Realm all this while.
*Boom! Boom! Boom!...*
The two Perfected Void Gods attacked simultaneously, unleashing assaults on the towering Deity apparition that had charged out.
But soon, two other equally huge Deity apparitions rushed out from the Fire Realm.
As there were three Fire Clan battle formations in total, each had condensed a towering Deity apparition. Each apparition blazed with raging flames.
“Issue the order. All clansmen are to begin entering the Ancestral Land at their fastest speed. Also, have everyone take their valuables. Move all precious items into the Ancestral Land to avoid losses.”
Watching the situation outside, Cui Hong sighed and immediately issued the command.
He had already employed various means, all of them his strongest. While they had temporarily hindered the ten Perfected Void Gods outside, so far only two had actually taken action. Eight remained who had not even moved. Moreover, the two who had acted were pressing forward step by step; they were clearly about to break into the Fire Realm any moment. Cui Hong knew he could not possibly hold off these ten Perfected Void Gods.
Following Cui Hong's order, all personnel within the Fire Realm surged toward the Ancestral Land at full speed.
“Old Ancestor, I have just contacted our scouts deployed outside. I've already had them send word to the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. I believe Young Master Ye will soon know of this.”
At this moment, the Great Elder approached Cui Hong and reported.
“Great Elder, you must also enter the Ancestral Land immediately. Our Fire Clan is no match for those ten powerhouses outside. I suspect that in this void, only Young Master Ye can possibly deal with them.”
Cui Hong stated.
“Old Ancestor, you should enter as well. Those ten outside will soon breach our defenses.”
The Great Elder urged.
“No. I need to go to the Flower Goddess Palace.”
Cui Hong shook his head.
“Old Ancestor, it's too dangerous for you to venture out now.
I not only sent people to deliver the news to the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, I also instructed those scouts to ensure the message reaches the Flower Goddess Palace and the Restorationist Faction headquarters at the fastest speed possible. So Old Ancestor, don't worry about the Flower Goddess Palace. I believe Palace Master Fang will receive word very soon.”
The Great Elder was startled by Cui Hong's words and quickly spoke.
“No. The strength of these ten is far too dreadful. Moreover, I sense they are most likely experts of the Guardian Faction from other voids. Their reason for entering our void must be targeting several major powers like us. They are here for revenge. So they will certainly go to the Flower Goddess Palace. I am worried whether Ah Fang can withstand these ten.”
Cui Hong explained.
“Enough. Just follow my instructions.”
Cui Hong said firmly to the Great Elder.
“Then, Old Ancestor, you must take care.”
The Great Elder knew he could not persuade Cui Hong to change his mind. He opened his mouth but found no words, then simply nodded.
Urged by Cui Hong, the Great Elder soon led the members of the Fire Clan streaming continuously into the Ancestral Land.
“Let us all take action together. Don't waste any more time. If we drag on like this, the Fire Clan members might find an opportunity to escape.”
Just then, outside the Fire Realm, the white-haired elder seemed to sense unusual movements among the Fire Clan personnel within the realm. He frowned and spoke.
Hearing his words, all the other Perfected Void Gods simultaneously marched towards the entrance of the Fire Realm and struck together.
The combined attack of so many Perfected Void Gods was terrifying, capable of sweeping aside virtually anything.
All the flaming arrows shot by Cui Hong, that fiery spear, and the three colossal Deity apparitions were utterly obliterated in a short time. Then, all the Perfected Void Gods charged into the Fire Realm together.
Seeing this, Cui Hong knew he could no longer hinder the ten Perfected Void Gods. He sighed, made a summoning gesture, and recalled that massive fiery spear.
Simultaneously, all the Fire Clan members who had comprised the three battle formations now rushed towards the direction of the Ancestral Land at their fastest speed.
All other Fire Clan members within the Fire Realm had already entered the Ancestral Land earlier, leaving only these warriors who had manned the battle formations.
“You must be the Fire Clan's old ancestor, Cui Hong?
With strength like this, you dare block our advance? You truly have a death wish.”
The white-haired elder's gaze fixed directly on Cui Hong, and he spoke coldly.
“It seems the people of your Fire Clan are planning to hide away. But it's useless. All formations and restrictions in this void are insignificant before us.”
The ten Perfected Void Gods all saw that the Fire Clan members had retreated into a Small World—the Fire Clan's Ancestral Land.
However, the ten Perfected Void Gods paid it no mind. In their view, how could a mere Small World possibly stop them from entering?
No matter what formations and restrictions were set up in this Small World, they should be able to dismantle them with ease. Since entering this void, they had yet to encounter any formation or restriction capable of hindering them.
“You are from the Guardian Faction?”
Cui Hong, standing at a distance, looked at the Perfected Void Gods slowly advancing towards him and asked.
“Correct. We are of the Guardian Faction.
We've come to the Eighth Void to eradicate all forces and families that oppose our Guardian Faction. Additionally, to rebuild the Guardian Faction.
From now on, this Eighth Void will be under the rule of our Guardian Faction.
All beings within this Eighth Void are criminals who have committed heinous crimes and shall face the cruelest suppression and torment.”
The tall, burly middle-aged man sneered as he answered.
“You want to rule over our void? I fear you lack the capability for such a feat.”
Cui Hong retorted coldly.
Cui Hong had only been speculating before. Now, confirming that these ten Perfected Void Gods were indeed high-level experts of the Guardian Faction from other voids, he couldn't help but feel a stir of alarm deep within.
“What capability is needed to rule such a feeble void as this one?
The ten of us alone are more than sufficient. It's just a pity you won't live to see the day we rule this void. Because you will die very soon.”
The tall, burly middle-aged man stared sharply at Cui Hong, his gaze filled with disdain.
“Is that so?
Then we shall see.”
Cui Hong replied coldly, then suddenly retreated, moving with astonishing speed. In an instant, he darted towards a distant mountain range.
“Thinking of escaping in front of us?”
The tall, burly middle-aged man’s face darkened. He took a single step, instantly crossing a vast stretch of space with incredible speed, directly pursuing Cui Hong into that mountain range.
*Boom!*
A tremendous roar erupted as powerful teleportation energy instantly exploded.
It turned out an ancient grand teleportation array was hidden within that mountain range.
“This guy is trying to escape. Stop him immediately!”
Seeing this, one of the Perfected Void Gods immediately shouted.
The burly middle-aged man at the forefront directly attacked. Stretching out his hand, he made a pushing motion forward. Immediately, a gigantic palm manifested above the mountain range, radiating a fearsome aura of spatial energy. Countless chains of spatial laws densely materialized, rattling and wildly whirling about, sealing the entire mountain range to prevent Cui Hong's teleportation escape.
But this grand teleportation array was a legacy from the ancient Fire Clan, of very high grade. Its teleportation power was immense. The erupting teleportation energy forcibly tore open a spatial tunnel and spirited Cui Hong away.
“Stay right there!”
Seeing this, the burly middle-aged man grew anxious and let out a furious roar.
*Rumble...*
The enormous palm above the mountain range erupted with even more terrifying energy, descending violently upon the mountains below. Instantly, the entire mountain range shook violently. Countless towering trees exploded in a split second, reduced to a shower of fragments.
Then, peak after peak detonated like a string of firecrackers. In but a moment, that vast mountain range was utterly annihilated, leaving behind a colossal, deep palm-shaped crater.
The teleportation array that had been there previously had sunk deep into the ground, completely invisible now.
By this time, Cui Hong had already teleported away from the Fire Realm, appearing in a certain location of the void quite some distance away. He then sped off with extreme haste toward the direction of the Flower Goddess Palace headquarters.
Inside the Fire Realm, the ten Perfected Void Gods simultaneously appeared in the sky above the now-destroyed mountain range. Looking down at the immense palm crater below, each wore a rather unpleasant expression. They could no longer sense any trace of Cui Hong’s aura.
“Damn it!
That guy actually abandoned his clansmen and fled? Shameful for someone claiming to be a Fire Clan old ancestor.”
One of the Perfected Void Gods cursed angrily.
“The monk may flee, but the temple remains. The Fire Clan people have hidden in that Small World. That should be their Ancestral Land. We’ll go destroy the Fire Clan Ancestral Land, slaughter all its people, and then go find that fellow from earlier. As long as he remains in this void, he cannot escape our tracking.”
The white-haired elder said coldly.
The ten Perfected Void Gods then approached the Fire Clan Ancestral Land. However, they soon discovered that the Small World housing the Fire Clan Ancestral Land was now completely sealed. Several ancient Formations tightly sealed the entrance, along with a large number of high-level restrictions, and there was even very advanced spatial-temporal energy at play.
These ten Perfected Void Gods exhausted all their methods but ultimately failed to enter the Fire Clan Ancestral Land. Furious, they destroyed nearly every structure within the Fire Realm before departing.
Moreover, several of the Perfected Void Gods left clones behind within the Fire Realm to monitor the Ancestral Land, ready to kill any Fire Clan members emerging from it.
After leaving the Fire Realm, the ten Perfected Void Gods continued roaming the void. Whenever they encountered a world cluster, they would simply barge in, plundering all sizable forces and families within. Most of the plundered forces and families were annihilated by these ten Perfected Void Gods, almost utterly exterminated.
In the span of a short time, the entire void was plunged into a state of panic.
Before long, news reached the headquarters of the Flower Goddess Palace, the Restorationist Faction headquarters, the Xiaoliang Temple, and the Alliance Army headquarters, informing them of the identities of those ten Perfected Void Gods—experts from the Guardian Faction of another void.
Meanwhile, Ye Yunfei remained in seclusion within the Phantom Tower, immersed in cultivation. He had felt on the verge of a Lightning Tribulation for Deityhood many times, yet he had never taken that final step.
Ye Yunfei knew that the more critical the moment, the more patience was required. So he was not anxious, but patiently biding his time.