At this moment, the Alliance Army forces were completely surrounded by members of the Lingxiao Sect. At the very least, over a dozen Complete True Gods from the Lingxiao Sect stared intently at the few high-ranking members of the Alliance Army with sharp gazes, ready to attack at any moment.
The Heavenly God from the Lingxiao Sect continuously released his energy aura, standing imposingly like an immovable divine mountain blocking the path.
Facing the energy pressure of this Heavenly God, every member of the Alliance Army could feel immense strain, utterly incapable of advancing even half a step further.
"Let's temporarily return to our garrison and then find a way."
The Alliance Army leaders immediately exchanged sound transmissions, deliberated secretly, and made a decision.
"We're going back."
Without a word, one of the Alliance Army's leaders waved his hand, leading the Alliance Army troops to turn back and return to their previous garrison.
Throughout the entire process, the Alliance Army leaders did not utter another word, but their eyes brimmed with fury.
"What's going on? Aren't those people from the Alliance Army? Why is the Lingxiao Sect surrounding them? And they nearly started a fight."
Members of other forces stationed nearby witnessed this scene, their curiosity piqued, and they couldn't help but murmur amongst themselves.
Aside from the Alliance Army troops, quite a few other factions had also dispatched forces to the Lingxiao Sect Headquarters to form an alliance and resist the Guardian Faction together. Therefore, at the very least, forces from over a dozen factions were garrisoned at the Lingxiao Sect Headquarters.
"From now on, assign people to keep an eye on these Alliance Army troops. Without permission, they are not to leave the garrison site.
Furthermore, starting now, they are to be provided with no cultivation resources or any other items they require.
This alliance likely won't continue after this battle concludes, so there's no need for us to waste supplies on them."
The Heavenly God watched the expressions and demeanor of those Alliance Army leaders and couldn't help but reveal a cold sneer, then secretly gave the order.
"The Lingxiao Sect are nothing but a pack of heartless ingrates! Our Alliance Army specifically sent people to help them resist the Guardian Faction, and to think they would treat us this way. Absolutely outrageous!"
After leading their troops back to the garrison, the Alliance Army leaders entered a tent and immediately deployed several formations, their suppressed rage finally boiling over as they roared.
Every leader was furious to the extreme. In the previous battle, the Alliance Army forces had suffered significant casualties. Not only did they not receive gratitude from the Lingxiao Sect, but they were met with this treatment.
Both the leaders and all members of the Alliance Army were filled with fury and resentment.
"We are now restricted by the Lingxiao Sect. Leaving this place probably won't be easy."
One of the leaders said.
"We need to figure out a way to report what's happening here to headquarters. Also, immediately send a message to Young Master Ye. Once headquarters and Young Master Ye receive the news, they will surely think of ways to rescue us.
Especially Young Master Ye. Although the Lingxiao Sect is powerful, Young Master Ye certainly won't fear them.
Since the Lingxiao Sect has treated our Alliance Army so terribly, Young Master Ye will undoubtedly stand up for us."
Another leader stated.
"We must calm down and find a way to report the events here to headquarters and Young Master Ye."
The other leaders also nodded in agreement.
"Don't worry, everyone. Our Alliance Army has special communication channels.
Elder Qi had already made arrangements in advance. Amongst the people here at the Lingxiao Sect Headquarters, our spies are concealed.
We just need to establish contact with them now."
One leader, having regained his composure, spoke gravely.
At the same time, within the Council Hall of Xuanhuang Continent at the Alliance Army Headquarters.
"Bad news! We've just received word that numerous unfamiliar forces have continuously appeared in the voids near Xuanhuang Continent.
Those are very likely from the Guardian Faction.
It seems the Guardian Faction is preparing to move against Xuanhuang Continent."
Some of the Alliance Army's leaders were in the Council Hall discussing the various situations in the Sixth Void lately when suddenly, a middle-aged man rushed into the hall to report.
"Are you sure they are from the Guardian Faction?"
Upon hearing the report, the expressions of over a dozen Alliance Army leaders in the hall instantly turned solemn.
"It seems the Guardian Faction is formally making its move against our Earth Demon Clan."
One of the Earth Demon Clan's elders said angrily.
Xuanhuang Continent was both the Alliance Army headquarters and the headquarters of the Earth Demon Clan. However, not many within the Sixth Void knew that the Alliance Army headquarters was located on Xuanhuang Continent, only knowing it as the Earth Demon Clan's headquarters. Clearly, the Guardian Faction was targeting the Earth Demon Clan.
"Report!
A large force from the Guardian Faction is heading towards Xuanhuang Continent. It appears they intend to attack it!"
Right at that moment, another scout urgently rushed into the hall, loudly reporting.
"So the Guardian Faction is truly coming!"
Upon hearing this report, all the Alliance Army leaders in the hall immediately stood up.
"Continue gathering intelligence. Find out the strength of the Guardian Faction's forces if possible."
One Earth Demon Clan elder instructed the scout.
"Everyone, we must prepare to face the Guardian Faction."
The elder from the Earth Demon Clan looked towards the other leaders and spoke.
"The Guardian Faction is truly too arrogant! They are about to engage in a decisive battle with the Lingxiao Sect, yet at such a time they still send forces to deal with Xuanhuang Continent. They simply do not put our Earth Demon Clan in their eyes!"
Another Earth Demon Clan elder said through gritted teeth.
"Our Earth Demon Clan's strength is too weak in the eyes of the Guardian Faction. We don't even have a single Heavenly God. The Guardian Faction would never consider us a threat.
I suspect the Guardian Faction's purpose in dispatching forces against our Earth Demon Clan at this time is to plunder resources.
After all, everyone in the Sixth Void knows that although the overall strength of our Earth Demon Clan isn't particularly high, we are very wealthy."
A third Earth Demon Clan elder remarked.
"That is indeed the case.
Based on various intelligence I've gathered recently, the Guardian Faction's frequent dispatch of troops to confront various factions across the Sixth Void recently is precisely for the purpose of plundering cultivation resources to strengthen themselves."
Elder Qi, who stood nearby, spoke up.
He was specifically responsible for intelligence within the Alliance Army.
"I wonder about the strength of the forces the Guardian Faction has sent against Xuanhuang Continent?
If no Heavenly God has come, then we should still be able to cope.
But if the Guardian Faction dispatches a Heavenly God, then we certainly won't be a match."
One leader voiced his concern.
"To deal with our Earth Demon Clan, the Guardian Faction likely wouldn't send a Heavenly God.
As is widely known, our Earth Demon Clan doesn't even have a Complete True God, so the Guardian Faction is unlikely to deploy a Heavenly God.
Furthermore, the Guardian Faction is surely preparing for the impending decisive battle with the Lingxiao Sect.
How could their Heavenly Gods afford to divert their attention to deal with our Earth Demon Clan?
Wouldn't that be overkill?"
One Earth Demon Clan elder said.
"Regardless, we must make the most thorough preparations, and once the situation becomes critical, we must utilize the escape routes Young Master Ye normally prepared. We absolutely must not fight recklessly.
As long as the green mountains remain, there will be firewood.
In short, if we can put up a fight, then let's engage the Guardian Faction once. If the Guardian Faction's forces are too strong, then we'll avoid direct confrontation."
A leader standing nearby spoke.
This leader was precisely the Liu Family Elder.
"Fine, we'll act according to this plan."
The other leaders listened to the Liu Family Elder's words and nodded in agreement.
Not long after, a Guardian Faction force arrived imposingly outside Xuanhuang Continent, spreading out in a straight line.
"Surround the entrances and exits of Xuanhuang Continent.
Hear this, Earth Demon Clan! Immediately emerge, kneel, and surrender! Announce your allegiance to the Guardian Faction and from now on obey the orders of the Guardian Faction.
Otherwise, when our Guardian Faction army charges in, the Earth Demon Clan will be wiped out completely, leaving not even a chicken or dog alive!"
From amongst the Guardian Faction army, a tall, burly middle-aged man stepped forward. He looked with disdain at the entrances of Xuanhuang Continent ahead and spoke arrogantly.
His voice, amplified by divine energy, rumbled as it surged into Xuanhuang Continent, creating vast echoes within that were deafening.
"It seems the Guardian Faction doesn't think highly of our Earth Demon Clan after all. The strongest expert they've sent to deal with us is merely a Complete True God.
Although there are several dozen True Gods in total, our Alliance Army has the power to fight.
In that case, there's no need for us to yield. Prepare for battle."
At this moment, dozens of Alliance Army leaders hovered in the sky above Xuanhuang Continent. One Earth Demon Clan elder gazed coldly at the Guardian Faction army outside the continent and spoke.
"Issue the order! Have everyone prepare for battle."
Another core leader of the Alliance Army said in a clear, loud voice.
Immediately, the Alliance Army assembled at the fastest speed. A large force stood ready high in the sky above Xuanhuang Continent, battle intent simmering.
"Young Master Ye is here!"
Suddenly, one leader exclaimed joyfully.
All the leaders quickly turned to look and indeed saw Ye Yunfei appear on the continent, hands clasped behind his back, steadily ascending into the air.
Of course, this wasn't Ye Yunfei's true body, but one of the clones he had left stationed on Xuanhuang Continent.
Following behind Ye Yunfei were a large group of puppets, as well as True God-level clones.
To bolster Xuanhuang Continent's defenses, Ye Yunfei had stationed a portion of his clones here.
"Young Master Ye, we're preparing for a hard battle against the Guardian Faction."
Seeing Ye Yunfei appear, all the leaders gathered around him.
"Then let's give them a proper fight."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
His gaze turned outward, already clearly discerning the strength of the Guardian Faction army outside.