"I already told you, I dislike the way you operate."
The Hemp-Clothed Youth's voice was cold, giving off an unapproachable vibe.
"Is that your own sentiment, or the position of the organization behind you?"
The Green-Robed Man stared intently at the Hemp-Clothed Youth as he asked.
This Hemp-Clothed Youth's identity was incredibly mysterious, unknown to most. However, the Guardian Faction had already investigated him and knew he likely hailed from a legendary, ancient, and enigmatic power.
While the Guardian Faction possessed profound heritage and terrifying overall strength, they weren't without their own reservations. The high-level members of the Guardian Faction had once issued an order forbidding their members from provoking certain mysterious and ancient powers, even providing a detailed list. This Hemp-Clothed Youth's organization was on that list.
"Meaning? What does meaning matter?
Is the Guardian Faction, a mere bunch like you, worth me expending so much thought?"
A look of disgust appeared on the Hemp-Clothed Youth's face.
As soon as the words left his mouth, he threw another punch. His fist technique appeared unremarkable at a glance, yet it contained highly sophisticated laws. The punch seemed to deliver calm winds and still waters, but in reality, its terrifying fist power had already permeated the entire heavens and earth, leaving his target with no escape.
*Boom!*
Another member of the Guardian Faction was sent flying.
The Hemp-Clothed Youth then threw a series of punches, sending the Guardian Faction members surrounding Ye Yunfei flying one after another with apparent ease, as if he were casually swatting away a few bothersome flies.
Those struck had no power to resist.
"This guy is truly strong."
Hun Lao couldn't help but send a Sound Transmission to Ye Yunfei.
"Indeed. His strength far surpasses his realm, and the cultivation techniques and martial skills he practices are extremely advanced.
The fist technique he just used may have looked bland as water, but it's actually one of the most powerful fist techniques I've encountered so far. With a single punch, his opponent is suppressed by the fist power converging from all sides before they even realize what's happening, leaving them with no escape.
If I'm not mistaken, that should be a fist technique primarily cultivated using a high-level understanding of Water Laws."
Ye Yunfei, who had been observing the Hemp-Clothed Youth's combat the entire time, nodded and replied via Sound Transmission.
"You..."
The Guardian Faction members were both alarmed and furious.
"This should be my fight; he doesn't need to step in for me."
Ye Yunfei suddenly erupted into action as well, throwing a punch that forced the Green-Robed Man into a continuous retreat.
"Let's go."
The Green-Robed Man and the tall, skinny man engaged in a rapid Sound Transmission exchange, then shot Ye Yunfei a fierce glare before turning and leaving.
They knew both Ye Yunfei and the Hemp-Clothed Youth, young powerhouses on their own, were difficult opponents. Now that the two were together, it was even more challenging.
More importantly, they felt some apprehension towards the force behind the Hemp-Clothed Youth.
"You wait, kid. Our Guardian Faction isn't one to be trifled with. You'll regret this soon enough."
The Green-Robed Man threw a last, threatening remark at Ye Yunfei before departing.
The Hemp-Clothed Youth made no move to stop the Guardian Faction members from leaving.
In moments, all members of the Guardian Faction had vanished into the distance.
"My brother, I thank you for your assistance."
Ye Yunfei turned to look at the Hemp-Clothed Youth and spoke.
Even though Ye Yunfei and the Hemp-Clothed Youth had clashed over treasures in the ancient herb garden previously, they didn't harbor any deep enmity. Now that the other party had helped him, Ye Yunfei felt his impression of him had significantly improved.
"No need to thank me. I intervened firstly because I dislike the Guardian Faction's methods, and secondly because you are an exceptionally rare opponent for me.
I once vowed that one day I would defeat all the young geniuses of the Sixth Void and become the number one among my generation. All the young powerhouses in this void are targets for me to temper myself against and surpass.
You are one of my main competitors. Defeating you would undoubtedly allow me to ascend further. So I don't want anything to happen to you prematurely. Keep cultivating well. One day, you and I are destined to have a decisive battle. Wait for it."
The Hemp-Clothed Youth gazed at Ye Yunfei with cold eyes and spoke unhurriedly.
Hearing this, Ye Yunfei couldn't help but be taken aback.
"Master, this guy is way too arrogant! Why don't we just beat him up now!"
Hu Miao grumbled, feeling displeased.
After finishing his piece, the Hemp-Clothed Youth turned and left directly, disappearing beyond the horizon after just a few steps.
"He may be a bit arrogant, but he does have the capital to back it up. Moreover, he just helped me. How can we just turn around and beat him up?"
Ye Yunfei looked in the direction the Hemp-Clothed Youth had departed and said with a smile.
"I need to go find Senior Brother Lu immediately. If something happens to him, I will have indirectly caused his demise."
Ye Yunfei began using the Chaos Heavenly Secrets Art to deduce Lu Shi's location as he began his search.
"Hmm? This is a mark left by Senior Brother Lu."
A moment later, Ye Yunfei suddenly found an extremely well-hidden soul power mark. It was concealed excellently, and its aura was incredibly faint.
"That means he's still alive,"
Hun Lao said to Ye Yunfei.
"Indeed. As long as he's alive, everything is manageable."
Ye Yunfei nodded and rushed forward rapidly while continuing to employ the Chaos Heavenly Secrets Art.
"The Yangming Secret Realm has a time limit. This opening period will be over soon,"
Qin Xiaoyu sent a Sound Transmission to Ye Yunfei.
"I know that, of course. But I must find Senior Brother Lu first. Other matters are secondary."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"There's another marking left by Senior Brother Lu ahead!"
Suddenly, a delighted expression appeared on Ye Yunfei's face. He flashed forward, picking up speed and arriving in an instant beside a dense forest.
Near this forest, at the base of a massive rock, was an exceedingly discreet mark. It was drawn with a faint trace of soul power energy. Due to its incredibly weak energy, it appeared faint and wavering. Without focused perception, even a perfected Void God passing by wouldn't necessarily notice it.
However, Lu Shi had previously explained the characteristics of these marks to Ye Yunfei. So by focusing his perception and employing his deduction techniques, Ye Yunfei could quickly locate them.
"Senior Brother Lu passed by this area earlier."
As Ye Yunfei arrived next to the rock and saw the special mark that was on the verge of completely dissipating, he thought to himself.
Using this mark, Ye Yunfei quickly performed another deduction and soon locked onto a direction. However, just as Ye Yunfei was about to head in that direction, two figures swiftly approached from afar.
"Lu Shi definitely passed by this spot. I've detected some very faint traces."
One of them spoke softly.
Sensing something, Ye Yunfei immediately activated an invisibility talisman to conceal his figure and aura.
A moment later, the two arrived beside the rock, stopping to both sense their surroundings and perform their own deductions.
"The energy aura within these two people is very similar to the energy aura cultivated by Lu Shi. If I'm not mistaken, they should belong to the Lu Family. It seems besides us, the Lu Family is also searching for Lu Shi,"
Hun Lao said to Ye Yunfei via Sound Transmission.
"Yes, these two are probably Lu Family members,"
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"I just received news that besides people from the Guardian Faction, several other forces and some mysterious individuals are also pursuing Lu Shi. How did he manage to offend so many people?"
One of the Lu Family members spoke up.
"These people probably aren't after him because of something Lu Shi did. Rather, they're targeting that young man with the mysterious identity.
Previously, Lu Shi was consistently together with that young man, and their close relationship was seen by everyone. The main reason they're pursuing Lu Shi is likely to use him as leverage against that mysterious youth.
But our Lu Family isn't so easily bullied. No matter what, we must find Lu Shi and then use the Lu Family's power to protect him, ensuring he returns alive."
The other Lu Family member said.
"It seems these Lu Family members are decent folks, willing to step up to protect their clan's own,"
Ye Yunfei thought to himself with a nod.
As Ye Yunfei had concealed himself with the invisibility talisman, the two Lu Family members didn't notice him nearby.
"Let's go. Let's pick up the pace and try to find Lu Shi as soon as possible.
That guy Lu Shi has really stirred up big trouble this time. When we find him, I'll definitely teach him a proper lesson."
The two Lu Family members rose into the air and sped forward, one of them speaking decisively.
"Besides the Guardian Faction, several other forces and mysterious individuals are pursuing Lu Shi?
Excellent. If I run into any of these people, I'll kill them all."
Recalling what the two Lu Family members had just said, Ye Yunfei let out a cold chuckle.
He then continued using the Chaos Heavenly Secrets Art to deduce his path while following the direction indicated by Lu Shi's marks, speeding forward to continue his search.
"Look, there's one traveling alone over there! Moving solo! Quick, surround him, don't let him escape!"
Some time later, while Ye Yunfei paused to perform a deduction, five or six men approached from afar. Spotting Ye Yunfei, their faces lit up with glee, and they immediately rushed over to surround him.
"Kid, we'll give you one path to survival. Hand over everything you're carrying right now, and you can leave alive.
Otherwise, don't blame us brothers for being impolite."
One of the men said with a cold smirk.
"Oh? So you intend to rob me?"
Hearing this, Ye Yunfei's expression darkened.
"Hahaha...
Kid, isn't that obvious?
If you want to live, do as we say immediately. Choose your money or your life carefully."
Upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, the group of men roared with laughter.
"The opening of the Yangming Secret Realm will soon be over. Anyone who entered and managed to survive this long probably has some harvest on them. Everyone's a fat target.
Especially a lone wolf like you, kid. It's only natural you'd get robbed.
We Six Brash Heroes of Guanzhong haven't done this sort of thing infrequently in the past. It never occurred to us we'd also get to enjoy a bout of robbery fun after entering the Yangming Secret Realm.
Enough nonsense. Hand everything over now."
One of the men stepped forward, unleashing a crushing wave of Advanced Void God-level energy pressure towards Ye Yunfei.
Among the six men present, four were Advanced Void Gods, and two were Intermediate Void Gods. Together, they formed a group with considerable collective strength.
"It seems with the opening period of the Yangming Secret Realm drawing to a close, many scoundrels are getting crooked ideas and starting to specialize in robbery,"
Hun Lao remarked to Ye Yunfei.
"We've done our fair share of robbery in the past too. They're trying to rob us now? It's like robbing the grandmaster himself!"
Golden Horned Dragon Silkworm said with a cold sneer.