Just as Ye Yunfei and his group left the Hudao Academy, back within the academy, inside a cultivation cave...
“Everyone, I’ve received reliable news. Ye Yunfei has left the Hudao Academy. He accepted a mission with its destination in the Ten Thousand Beasts Empire,” a man in yellow robes announced.
Gathered in the cave were over a dozen students, all from the Eastern Region. These were veteran students—mid-level and high-level—all hailing from major sects and clans in the Eastern Region. They had gathered here specifically to discuss how to deal with Ye Yunfei.
“This time, with Ye Yunfei leaving Hudao Academy, it’s the perfect opportunity to kill him. We absolutely cannot miss it!” a man whose robes were embroidered with a huge green python said through gritted teeth, eyes blazing with resentment.
This man was Chen Wulong, from the Chen Clan of the Eastern Region. The Chen Clan had been humiliated by Ye Yunfei barging into their headquarters, blocking their main gate, and killing dozens of True Condensation realm experts. In the end, the clan’s six Grand Elders were forced to capitulate and pay a hefty sum in reparations. After receiving that news, Chen Wulong had already marked Ye Yunfei as his number one sworn enemy, a nemesis whom he could not coexist with under the same sky!
“True. This is indeed the best chance to kill Ye Yunfei. So, those among us at the Foundation Establishment Realm level, please exert yourselves. Make a trip to the Ten Thousand Beasts Empire and find an opportunity to deal with him,” the yellow-robed man proposed.
“Good, that’s the plan.” The other Eastern Region students gathered in the cave all nodded in agreement.
At the same time, within the freshman area of Hudao Academy, in the small courtyard belonging to Feng Yun'ao...
“Senior Brother Feng Yun, Ye Yunfei has already left the academy. He is heading to the Ten Thousand Beasts Empire,” a student rushed into the courtyard to report.
“The Ten Thousand Beasts Empire, hmm... Good. Immediately contact Prince Zhenshou. He is the eldest prince of the Ten Thousand Beasts Empire. Since Ye Yunfei is going there, let Prince Zhenshou use his connections to deal with him,” Feng Yun'ao said after a moment's thought, then continued with a cold snort, “Humph! Ye Yunfei, you’ve come to the Central Continent. Let’s see how you compete with me here! You humiliated me, and I’ll have your life!” His eyes gleamed with thick, undisguised killing intent.
Three days later.
Ye Yunfei and his group arrived within the borders of a sprawling empire. As their flying vessel passed overhead, they could see the vast, magnificent land below. Ye Yunfei saw many tall soldiers atop giant tigers, lions, rhinoceroses, elephants, and various other savage beasts training on the grasslands. And from time to time, they witnessed tens of thousands of massive beasts charging forward together, roaring and bellowing, their hooves trampling the earth with thunderous, terrifying booms.
No wonder this nation was called the Ten Thousand Beasts Empire!
“Ahead is the imperial city of the Ten Thousand Beasts Empire. We will enter the city first to contact the king and clarify the situation. Then we’ll decide how to rescue his two children,” Dongguo Xiong ordered coldly.
“We will follow Senior Brother Dongguo’s arrangement in all things! Senior Brother Dongguo’s strength is formidable and his schemes grand. He will undoubtedly lead us to complete this mission successfully!” the other three veteran students immediately agreed, taking the opportunity to lavish him with flattery.
As the flying vessel approached the imperial city, a primitive and rough-hewn metropolis came into view. The city walls were extremely tall, easily several hundred meters high! Within the walls, numerous structures built in a bold and unrestrained style rose from the ground. Waves of ferocious, heaven-shaking aura emanated from the great city, soaring into the sky, causing anyone who looked at it to pale. Roars—ear-splitting bellows—echoed intermittently.
“It’s said the Ten Thousand Beasts Empire specializes in raising beasts for war. It indeed lives up to its reputation.”
“I heard the Ten Thousand Beasts Empire was once a first-rate power in the Central Continent, ranking at the very top among the many first-rate factions. It's only later that its national power gradually declined, eventually relegating it to a second-rate force. Still, it shouldn’t be underestimated. After all, even a broken ship has some solid nails remaining.”
“I’ve heard about why their national power declined. It’s said that in the past, the Ten Thousand Beasts Empire raised three Totem Beasts—all Beast Venerables! Just imagine how terrifying the strength of three Beast Venerables would be. It was precisely because those three Beast Venerables kept watch that the Ten Thousand Beasts Empire was once able to stand as a first-rate power in the Central Continent. Later, those three Beast Venerables began to age, their vital energy waned, and their strength declined year after year. Consequently, the nation’s power dwindled as well, sinking to a second-rate force.”
Thus chattered the three veteran students on the flying vessel.
“Three Beast Venerables… If I could obtain the blood essence heritage of three Beast Venerables, I would definitely be able to refine the fifth layer of my Heavenly Demon Blood-Refining Body Art. Unfortunately, given my current strength, I’m certainly no match for three Beast Venerables. What a pity,” Ye Yunfei mused inwardly.
“Alright. We’ve reached the imperial city. Let’s head inside,” Dongguo Xiong said, leading the way off the flying vessel.
Ye Yunfei and the others also disembarked. Dongguo Xiong stored the flying vessel away, and the group of five entered the imperial city. The city was vast, covering a tremendous area.
Most people walking in the city were tall, robust, endowed with strong vital energy and innate godly strength. Most noticeable were the many people leading various savage beasts through the city streets as if they were mere pets. Even some children were leading ferocious beasts—giant tigers, lions, and the like—which had clearly been domesticated, being docile and utterly obedient.
Ye Yunfei and his companions strolled along the main avenues, observing the local customs.
ROAR...
Suddenly, an earth-shattering beastly roar swept across heaven and earth. Though somewhat indistinct, the roar carried a horrifying, heart-palpitating force. The moment it sounded, it pierced the clouds, shaking the heavens and causing the very sky and earth to change color.
From a certain location within the imperial city, a wave of terrifying, heaven-challenging beastly aura unfurled, instantly blanketing the entire city.
“What an immensely powerful savage beast’s aura!” Dongguo Xiong couldn’t help but pause, looking in that direction with grave respect in his eyes.
“Too frightening! Even my Soul Body feels weak!” The three veteran students paled even more, their legs going soft from fear.
“Judging by the sound, that should be one of the legendary three Beast Venerables of the Ten Thousand Beasts Empire,” Ye Yunfei thought to himself as he also looked towards that location.
Of course, within Ye Yunfei’s sea of consciousness, there remained a trace of his Heavenly Emperor’s Soul Power. The mere beastly aura of a single Beast Venerable posed absolutely no pressure for him.
“Alright. We shall head directly to the imperial palace now. The Ten Thousand Beasts Empire is merely a second-rate force in the Central Continent now. Compared to our Hudao Academy, it is no different from an ant. Therefore, having come to the Ten Thousand Beasts Empire, we must remember our lofty status and have no need to fear anything. Remember, do not sully the dignity of our Hudao Academy,” Dongguo Xiong commanded.