"If not siding with the Guardian Faction, are we supposed to side with your Lingxiao Sect? The clever bird chooses the tree to perch on. This is perfectly normal. Moreover, our Tianhai Sect and the Guardian Faction are in an alliance relationship. It's not a matter of one siding with the other."
The short man sneered.
"An alliance? In the eyes of the Guardian Faction, all beings in this world are sinners, prisoners. A mere sect wants to form an alliance with them? That's sheer wishful thinking."
Ye Yunfei couldn't help but let out a cold laugh upon hearing this.
"Nothing to be done. No matter which Void it is, there are always forces like the Tianhai Sect. They don't care about the bigger picture at all. As soon as the Guardian Faction offers them some petty immediate gains, they immediately throw in their lot."
Hun Lao sighed with emotion.
"True,"
Ye Yunfei shook his head and agreed.
"Last chance. Where is Lu Shi? Tell us. Otherwise, don't blame us for being impolite."
At that moment, one of the Guardian Faction members spoke coldly.
On the valley clearing, several groups had gathered, now divided into two opposing sides locked in a stalemate.
"Sir, there are many people from major forces ahead, including the Guardian Faction. After we find Lu Shi, you can go claim your reward from them,"
the six men who were guiding the way stopped and looked back at Ye Yunfei, sending a sound transmission.
Until now, these six men still believed Ye Yunfei wanted to find Lu Shi solely for the purpose of claiming a reward from the Guardian Faction. He might even use the opportunity to get on the Guardian Faction's good side.
"Didn't you say you personally saw Lu Shi enter this mountain range? Then why can't all these people find him? Moreover, the Lu Family members are also here. If Lu Shi were truly here, shouldn't his family have found him already? Did you deceive me?"
Ye Yunfei's face darkened as he asked.
"Sir, we absolutely dare not deceive you! Not long ago, we truly saw with our own eyes that Lu Shi entered this mountain range. Also, just now, the six of us used our tracking technique and did indeed capture a faint but clear trace of residual aura left by Lu Shi here. So Lu Shi is most likely still within this mountain range. He must be hiding somewhere. Perhaps the Lu Family knows his whereabouts but refuses to reveal it."
Seeing Ye Yunfei's grim expression, the six men were startled and hurried to explain. They knew someone of Ye Yunfei's strength could kill them in an instant.
"Sir, rest assured. The six of us will immediately continue using our tracking technique to help you find Lu Shi,"
the leader assured Ye Yunfei, worried he might really kill them in a fit of anger, leaving them no chance to even weep.
The six men began performing their tracking technique again, continuing to sense and investigate clues of Lu Shi's whereabouts.
In the clearing ahead, the two opposing forces were still in a stalemate. Both sides had substantial overall strength, rather evenly matched. If a fight broke out, it would be intense, so neither side acted rashly.
Of course, these people had long since perceived Ye Yunfei and the six men. However, apart from them, many others were coming and going nearby. It was the final stage of the Yangming King Secret Realm's opening period; everyone was moving about, hoping to find more resources and treasures in the last moments.
Many people had entered this mountain range to explore. Since Ye Yunfei had long used an invisibility talisman to conceal his true appearance and soul aura, the two sides paid him no mind.
"Sir! We seem to have discovered traces of Lu Shi! He should be in this direction. Let's hurry and search!"
At that moment, the six men all revealed delighted expressions. Their leader pointed in a direction and spoke to Ye Yunfei.
"Good. Take me there immediately,"
Ye Yunfei was also somewhat delighted and nodded.
It had to be said, these six men's tracking technique was indeed quite good.
The six men immediately led the way deep into the mountains. Not long after, they arrived before a vast, sprawling primeval forest.
"Sir, if our senses are correct, Lu Shi should have entered this primeval forest. At this spot, we can clearly capture the residual aura he left not long ago near here."
The six men turned to look at Ye Yunfei, and the leader spoke.
In fact, following them, Ye Yunfei had also been using the Chaos Heavenly Secrets Art all along to deduce Lu Shi's aura. Here, he could indeed deduce Lu Shi's presence even more clearly.
Right then, Ye Yunfei's gaze suddenly shifted to a specific spot nearby. There was a very faint marker, clearly left by Lu Shi, and it seemed to have been placed recently.
"Excellent. Then let us immediately enter to search,"
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"These six fellows' tracking technique indeed has its unique merits,"
Hun Lao couldn't help but send a sound transmission.
"They managed to capture Lu Shi's aura slightly earlier than we did. Not bad. The tracking art they cultivate is quite unique,"
Ye Yunfei nodded in agreement.
The six men led Ye Yunfei into the primeval forest. It was vast and dense, with a canopy of towering ancient trees that blotted out the sky. Walking into the forest plunged them into pitch darkness. The ground was covered with layers of decaying leaves and branches piled up over countless ages, along with many animal carcasses, emitting a foul odor reaching a foul and unbearable level.
Shortly after entering, Ye Yunfei and the six men encountered dozens of thick demonic serpents and other dangerous beasts. However, they were all instantly annihilated by Ye Yunfei.
"This young man's strength is truly terrifying!"
Each time Ye Yunfei made a move, the six men felt their hearts pound with awe and fear.
"Sir, besides us, several other groups have also entered. They seem to be searching for someone too. They are likely here for Lu Shi."
Suddenly, the leader among the six sent a discreet sound transmission.
"Yes, I sensed them too. But pay them no mind. Just focus on finding Lu Shi. Rest assured, if you find him, not only will I spare you, I will also compensate you with some Divine Pills."
Ye Yunfei nodded and replied via sound transmission.
Hearing this, the six men felt invigorated and more actively applied their tracking technique to search.
Ye Yunfei, at this point, sensed several other groups had charged into the forest and were searching about.
"Sir! Good news! We've basically pinpointed Lu Shi's location!"
Suddenly, the leader turned and sent a transmission.
"Really? That's wonderful!"
Ye Yunfei was pleasantly surprised.
"However, Lu Shi's situation seems not good. He is already seriously wounded. And besides us, others also seem to have found him and are closing in on his hiding spot."
The leader informed Ye Yunfei.
Upon hearing this, Ye Yunfei immediately released his soul force energy and indeed quickly discovered that a distant spot was already surrounded by several groups, each consisting of two or three people. Lu Shi was definitely there, as Ye Yunfei now clearly perceived his aura.
"Let's hurry!"
Ye Yunfei shot into the air, charging toward that direction.
"Is this young man planning to capture Lu Shi and deliver him to the Guardian Faction for a reward?"
Seeing Ye Yunfei's action, the six men hesitated for a moment, then also flew after him.
"Don't worry, everyone. We've already helped him find Lu Shi. He said he wouldn't kill us and even give us some Divine Pills. It would be foolish not to take them. We might as well lend him a hand. Perhaps he'll think favorably of us and we can befriend such a formidable young man,"
the leader transmitted to the other five.
"If we could befriend this mysterious and terrifying youth, it would indeed be a great boon."
The others all agreed.
Soon, Ye Yunfei landed near where Lu Shi was.
"Lu Shi, no need to hide anymore. You've been discovered."
Just as Ye Yunfei's figure landed, a cold laugh sounded ahead. Three men appeared and walked towards Lu Shi's concealed position.
"One Perfected Void God, two Advanced Void Gods,"
Hun Lao informed Ye Yunfei.
"Lu Shi, I must admit you hid well. So many searched for you so long, never expecting you'd be hiding in such a remote spot,"
another voice came from a different direction, where three men appeared, led by a cold-speaking man.
"Everyone, truthfully, I discovered Lu Shi's traces long ago. So, Lu Shi was found by us first,"
yet another voice declared. From another direction, two men emerged, quickly approaching.
"Everyone, rest assured. You will all receive rewards from our Guardian Faction. We are never stingy and are always generous to those willing to assist us."
At that moment, five figures stepped through the air from afar and instantly landed in the area where Lu Shi was.
A hazy glow of laws shrouded their bodies, obscuring their true appearance—a unique secret art of the Guardian Faction.
"Hahaha...! Good. The Guardian Faction indeed keeps their word, making our search for this Lu Shi worthwhile all this time. Alright, Lu Shi, stop hiding. You are surrounded with no escape. Submit peacefully."
A man laughed loudly, then stepped forward, pulling out a handful of formation flags. He threw them towards Lu Shi's hiding place.
With loud rumbles, as the flags embedded in space, the area shook violently. Then, dozens of formations slowly surfaced one after another, layer upon layer. From the outside in, radiant light from each formation shimmered.
Indeed, within the innermost layer sat a figure covered in blood—Lu Shi.
"Brother Lu, I've finally found you."
Seeing Lu Shi severely wounded but alive, Ye Yunfei let out a sigh of relief. Back at the plaza, the moment Lu Shi was teleported away, Ye Yunfei had anticipated he might be hunted because of their connection.
"I never thought you whelps would still find me. Since you're seeking death, come at me then!"
Lu Shi sat cross-legged within the central formation, continuously swallowing various healing pills. Many were given by Ye Yunfei and highly effective, so his injuries were more than half recovered.
"Get out of the formation and face your death now!"
Someone pointed at Lu Shi and shouted sharply.
"Haha... If I come out just because you tell me to, wouldn't I lose face? If you've got guts, come into the formation and make your move."
Lu Shi looked at the crowd encircling him and laughed loudly. He intended to use the formations as cover to recover further. He sat back down and took out more healing pills.
He knew every young elite who had sought him out was powerful. Once a fight started, it would be fierce, so he needed to restore his spirit and energy.
"You think hiding behind these formations makes you untouchable? Mere formations can only delay our steps."
One of the Guardian Faction members frowned, then retrieved a handful of Formation-Breaking Flags, continuously tossing them towards the formations.
As flag after flag struck the formations, the shimmering screens began to shake violently.
The breaking flags were potent. Moments later, one layer was already broken through.
Ye Yunfei stood at a distance, watching coldly.
He was confident. Now that he was here, no one could touch Lu Shi.
"Sir, we've found Lu Shi."
The six men behind Ye Yunfei, and their leader, spoke up.
"Wait a moment,"
Ye Yunfei said lightly.
The formations around Lu Shi were being broken through one by one.
"Damn it! How are his breaking flags so powerful? These formations were laid using the formation flags Elder Ye gave me. Who knew they'd be broken so quickly!"
Lu Shi, seeing his defenses being dismantled, felt a mixture of shock and anger. He had hoped to heal more, but now battle seemed imminent. He stood up, gripping his thick stone club, energy surging turbulently within him, his battle intent soaring, ready for a fierce fight.
"Still thinking of resisting on death's door,"
the Guardian Faction members sneered at Lu Shi's posture.
Moments later, the final formation was also breached by the flags.
"The Guardian Faction's foundation is indeed impressive. These formations were created with my formation flags and should be quite potent. Yet they were all broken so quickly. Those breaking flags must be the work of a supremely skilled formation master,"
Ye Yunfei thought to himself, glancing at the flags.
"Lu Shi, you now have two choices," one of the Guardian Faction said coldly after the last formation fell and everyone closed in. "First, cooperate with us to lure out the person you were with earlier. Second, die. And after you die, we will still settle accounts with your Lu Family. Choose."
"I choose the third option: turning all of you whelps into pulp!"
Lu Shi took a step forward, raised his stone club, and swung it out mightily, initiating the fight himself.