At this moment, Ye Yunfei had reached the end of the area of black flames. The scene ahead then changed, as if the heavens had cleared and the earth shone brightly.
At a glance, it seemed there was nothing there—only pitch-black land and an empty, spacious void. However, the light was abundant, so everything, even the fine black dust on the ground, could be seen clearly.
“Huh? Why are there no flames ahead?”
The Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm wondered, puzzled.
Although it had been inside the Phantom Tower the whole time, it could still perceive all the conditions outside clearly.
“No, there are still flames ahead. It’s just that the flames ahead are transparent now, completely colorless,” Ye Yunfei said, his expression growing slightly serious as he shook his head.
“Indeed! The flames ahead are transparent, so it seems like there’s nothing there. However, these transparent flames appear even more terrifying, with higher temperatures,” said the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm upon hearing Ye Yunfei’s words, soon discovering that the space ahead was indeed filled with transparent, colorless flames.
“If I’m not mistaken, this should be the core area of this fiery sea,” Ye Yunfei declared.
At this time, besides Ye Yunfei, over a dozen young prodigies had also stopped before this area of transparent flames, as everyone could perceive how dangerous the transparent flames ahead were.
Among them was a palace-dressed beauty whose beautiful eyes gazed into the transparent flames ahead. Her jade-like skin and slender, elegant figure radiated a sacred light, standing out conspicuously even within the black flame zone. A pure, crystalline aura flowed across her translucent skin, making every man unable to help but glance at her a few more times.
This was precisely Princess Taiping of the Tianhao Imperial Dynasty.
Standing beside Princess Taiping was a refined, graceful scholar who fanned himself with a folding fan, his face beaming with an ingratiating smile.
“Princess Taiping, rest assured. I will personally capture that Three-Legged Golden Crow and hand it over to you,” the graceful scholar said.
He was precisely Young Master Sun Ruyu.
“Thank you for your kind sentiments, Brother Sun. However, I believe I can also personally capture that Three-Legged Golden Crow and bring it back to present to His Majesty, the Emperor,” Princess Taiping said with a comparatively indifferent expression.
She didn’t even glance at Young Master Sun Ruyu, nor was she particularly inclined to engage with him.
An imperial seal, exuding a mighty emperor’s majesty, floated above her head, forming an energy domain within which everything was cool and refreshing. The surrounding flames simply could not invade.
“That Three-Legged Golden Crow belongs to our Sima Family,” a blue-robed youth suddenly spoke up coldly from a short distance away.
This blue-robed youth was precisely Sima Jie of the Sima Family.
“Haha, Brother Sima, with me here, it’s rather unlikely for you to claim that Three-Legged Golden Crow. Princess Taiping has traveled a great distance, aiming to bring the Golden Crow back to the Tianhao Imperial Dynasty as a birthday gift for His Majesty the Emperor. Such filial piety moves both heaven and earth; we should help fulfill Princess Taiping’s wish. Brother Sima, as a man of stature, you shouldn’t compete with Princess Taiping over this matter. Lest you lose your dignity!” Young Master Sun Ruyu chuckled, then replied gently.
“Heavenly treasures and earthly riches go to those fated to possess them. It all depends on who has the stronger fist. Since when do we talk about dignity?” Sima Jie snorted coldly, though he also knew this Young Master Sun Ruyu and that Princess Taiping were both quite formidable.
“That Three-Legged Golden Crow must belong to our Sima Family. I hope you all won’t compete with our Sima Family. Otherwise, don’t blame me for not being polite,” a voice suddenly rang out from behind at this moment. Then, everyone saw a youth radiating confidence, striding over with large steps.
“Brother Hao!” Sima Jie exclaimed with delight upon seeing this striding youth, immediately taking a step forward to call out.
“That fellow is Sima Hao,” Qin Xiaoyu abruptly transmitted her voice to Ye Yunfei.
“Oh, so this is your arranged marriage partner? Not bad at all—an imposing air and handsome appearance,” Ye Yunfei said with a smile after glancing at Sima Hao.
“What nonsense are you spouting? The mere sight of this guy, or even hearing his name, makes me sick to my stomach. If I truly had to marry him, I’d rather die,” Qin Xiaoyu retorted immediately.
“Why do you detest him so much, Sister Xiaoyu?” Hu Miao asked curiously, unable to resist.
“Because his intention to marry me is driven by ulterior motives. Moreover, although he hasn’t formally married yet, he already has three concubines. How could I possibly marry a man like that?” Qin Xiaoyu said through gritted teeth.
“What? He already has three concubines before marriage? How is that possible?” Hu Miao found it hard to believe.
“It’s absolutely true, and widely known,” Qin Xiaoyu stated.
“If that’s the case, then you really shouldn’t marry him, Sister Xiaoyu. How about this, Sister Xiaoyu: consider my Master instead. My Master is actually quite good—powerful and handsome, the capable and comely type,” Hu Miao joked with a laugh.
“You… What nonsense are you talking about? Young Master Ye is a true dragon among men—a phoenix among mortals. How could I possibly deserve him?” Upon hearing Hu Miao’s words, Qin Xiaoyu was first stunned, then instantly flushed crimson. She pinched Hu Miao and said, “Hu Miao, what are you saying?”
“Hu Miao, what nonsense are you spouting?” Ye Yunfei shot a glare at Hu Miao.
“Alright, I won’t say anything more,” Hu Miao stuck out her small, delicate tongue, covering her mouth as she chuckled.
“That Three-Legged Golden Crow should belong to our Lingxiao Sect,” a tall woman in a pink dress declared as two men and one woman arrived at that moment with large strides.
“These are core disciples of the Lingxiao Sect,” Qin Xiaoyu promptly transmitted her voice to Ye Yunfei.
In truth, having devoured so many Soul Bodies from people of the Sixth Void earlier, Ye Yunfei already understood much about the Lingxiao Sect, knowing that these two men and one woman were relatively famous core disciples.
“I wonder if Liu Ju and the others came to the Yangming Secret Realm?” Ye Yunfei secretly pondered.
He hadn’t been in the Sixth Void for long and hadn’t yet had the chance to look for Liu Ju and her companions. He never expected to encounter core disciples of the Lingxiao Sect here.
“That Three-Legged Golden Crow doesn’t belong to any particular faction. Whoever wants it should rely on their own abilities,” another voice suddenly sounded. Then, everyone saw a young man in coarse linen clothing, with thick eyebrows and large eyes, striding over.
Dazzling blade lights shimmered around his body, resembling living entities as they weaved and danced around him, emitting overwhelmingly powerful blade energy that repelled the surrounding flames.
“Yuan Yidao!”
Seeing this young man, everyone’s eyes tightened as wary expressions surfaced on their faces.
That was because Yuan Yidao was quite renowned in the Sixth Void. Although he didn’t belong to any major faction, relying on his terrifying blade cultivation, he had beaten countless young geniuses of the Sixth Void into submission.
Furthermore, Yuan Yidao’s origins were mysterious. Although he wasn’t affiliated with any major force on the surface, some speculated he might actually be a secretly nurtured monstrous genius under a certain ancient expert within the Sixth Void.
This speculation stemmed from an incident where Yuan Yidao killed a core disciple of a major faction and faced persecution from that faction’s higher-ups. However, quite a few of those chasing higher-ups died mysteriously. Later, that major force became extremely low-key, not only ceasing further pursuit but also issuing orders to everyone in their faction, forbidding them from provoking Yuan Yidao again.
After word spread, few in the Sixth Void dared to provoke Yuan Yidao again. Unexpectedly, he had also arrived here now to compete for the Three-Legged Golden Crow.
In the subsequent moments, over a dozen more famously brilliant young geniuses of the Sixth Void successively arrived.
“I suppose this ahead is the core region of this fiery sea. I’ve finally arrived. If I encounter that Three-Legged Golden Crow, I definitely won’t hold back—I will personally capture it and bring it back to the clan. Those old folks in the clan will surely credit me with great merit.”
At that moment, a burly man strode over, each step causing the ground to shudder, and declared.
It was precisely Lu Shi.
“Young Master Ye, these are all famously brilliant young geniuses of our Sixth Void,” Qin Xiaoyu told Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei showed no reaction.
“Don’t worry, Sister Xiaoyu. For my Master, these so-called young geniuses are hardly anything remarkable,” Hu Miao said.
“That’s true. These fellows indeed aren’t much compared to Young Master Ye,” Qin Xiaoyu nodded.
“That kid is indeed here. I just overtook those guys from the Guardian Faction, but they will catch up soon. They’re definitely going to make trouble for this kid,” Lu Shi shot a glance at Ye Yunfei, secretly pondering.
“Look, it seems like that kid is right ahead!”
Suddenly, from behind, an excited voice rang out.
“Indeed! It’s him! Finally caught up to him! Daring to kill members of our Guardian Faction—he must pay the price! Moreover, his background, family, relatives and friends—everyone connected to him will be pursued and punished, all nine lineages purged!” another voice resounded.
With Ye Yunfei’s immensely strong perception abilities, his face instantly turned somber.
“Seems like the Guardian Faction’s people have arrived,” Hun Lao said with a cold laugh.