"We'll settle accounts with the Lingxiao Sect for sure, but right now we need to return to the Xuanhuang Continent first and secure the Alliance Army.
The Alliance Army hasn't been doing well lately. Now, yet another large force from the Guardian Faction has the Xuanhuang Continent surrounded, and they are about to launch a new offensive. The Guardian Faction won't rest until they have wiped out the Xuanhuang Continent.
Furthermore, I suspect that old Wizard may have already deduced the connection between the Xuanhuang Continent and the Alliance Army. Otherwise, he wouldn't keep sending army after army to deal with the continent."
Ye Yunfei said solemnly.
"That old Wizard's divination art is indeed terrifying. If it weren't for his continuous, precise tracking of you earlier, we wouldn't have been forced to flee into the Ancient Desolate Sea.
With his predictive abilities, it was only a matter of time before he discovered the Xuanhuang Continent was the Alliance Army's headquarters."
Hun Lao nodded and said in agreement after hearing Ye Yunfei's words.
At this moment, Ye Yunfei was seated within an airship, speeding back towards the Xuanhuang Continent at full speed.
During this journey, Ye Yunfei continuously connected with the various Clones he had subdued earlier, constantly reading their memories.
Thus, his understanding of all the events transpiring in the Sixth Void during this period grew deeper by the moment.
Meanwhile, the Xuanhuang Great World, which housed the Xuanhuang Continent, was surrounded by a large force. The area outside the entry points to the Xuanhuang Great World was particularly heavily guarded. Not only was there a large group of True Gods from the Guardian Faction, but also three Heavenly Gods.
In the previous battles, the Guardian Faction had never deployed Heavenly Gods.
It was common knowledge that the three elder ancestors of the Earth Demon Clan were merely True Gods. The upper echelons of the Guardian Faction believed that dealing with a mere Earth Demon Clan did not require the deployment of Heavenly Gods. For any major power, Heavenly Gods were among their core assets and were generally not dispatched lightly—it would be considered a waste.
However, after several engagements, the Guardian Faction finally realized that they could not eradicate the Earth Demon Clan without sending Heavenly Gods. Thus, this time they dispatched three Heavenly Gods at once.
"A mere Earth Demon Clan actually forcing our Guardian Faction to send troops so many times—speaking of which, it's a disgrace to our Guardian Faction," one of the Heavenly Gods said coldly, looking with disdain at the entrance to the Xuanhuang Continent.
The other two Heavenly Gods standing nearby also wore expressions of utter contempt.
The other True Gods followed behind these three Heavenly Gods like stars surrounding the moon.
"You three might not be aware, esteemed lords," a Perfected True God stepped forward respectfully. "According to our intelligence, the strongest members of the Earth Demon Clan are their three elder ancestors, all of whom are only High-Level True Gods.
We assumed dealing with three High-Level True Gods would be a simple matter. Yet, once we engaged their armies, we discovered the Earth Demon Clan had likely concealed their true strength.
They actually deployed several hundred True Gods, including many Perfected True Gods. Moreover, the Xuanhuang Continent possesses many high-level Earth Formations with formidable power. This is why our Guardian Faction's successive attacks have failed to wipe out the Earth Demon Clan."
This Perfected True God was the previous commander responsible for leading the forces against the Earth Demon Clan. He had already led the Guardian Faction's army in assaults against the Xuanhuang Great World three or four times in a row, suffering heavy defeats and retreating in disarray each time.
"And you dare make excuses? What does it matter if the Earth Demon Clan has several hundred True Gods?
Our Guardian Faction has as many True Gods as we could possibly need. The only explanation is your own incompetence," one of the Heavenly Gods glanced at the Perfected True God and said irritably.
"The lord's reprimand is justified," the Perfected True God immediately fell silent, not daring to speak further.
"Though it is true the Earth Demon Clan has hidden themselves quite deeply, with several hundred True Gods. But it's nothing. They're just True Gods, insignificant," that Heavenly God spoke again. "Alright, let's not waste any more time. We'll charge straight in and exterminate every single living being inside."
"Indeed, let's just charge in. A tiny Earth Demon Clan can be wiped out with a snap of the fingers. They're not worth us wasting so much time on," another Heavenly God nodded in agreement.
At this moment, inside the Xuanhuang Great World, the three elder ancestors of the Earth Demon Clan and a host of other high-ranking officials from the Alliance Army stood in the sky above the Xuanhuang Continent, their expressions grave and eyes filled with worry.
"To think the Guardian Faction would send three Heavenly Gods just to deal with our Earth Demon Clan. They truly hold us in high regard!" one of the elder ancestors said heavily.
The Alliance Army's leadership had received reports that the Guardian Faction had dispatched three Heavenly Gods this time. Moreover, everyone could already sense the terrifying energy auras emanating from the three Heavenly Gods standing outside the Xuanhuang Great World's entrance.
"Heavenly Gods are indeed powerful. Everyone, we cannot fight them head-on. Prepare to retreat.
Young Master Ye previously arranged a way out for us. We'll proceed according to the original plan," an old man said gravely.
This old man was the Liu Family Ancestor, one of the most senior veterans within the Alliance Army's ranks. He had been a high-level officer since the very moment Ye Yunfei founded the Alliance Army.
"I wonder if, by leveraging the geographical advantages of the Xuanhuang Continent, we might be able to resist a Heavenly God?
If we could, then we wouldn't have to leave our home and wander adrift," one of the Earth Demon Clan's elder ancestors glanced down at the vast expanse of the Xuanhuang Continent and spoke.
This was the hometown he had lived in since childhood. If possible, he did not wish to leave.
In recent conflicts, the Alliance Army had managed to repel successive attacks from the Guardian Faction's forces precisely by utilizing the Xuanhuang Continent's unique geographical features.
The Xuanhuang Continent possessed rich earthy energy, earth laws, and was densely packed with Earth Formations.
Some of these Earth Formations were relics from ancient times, while many others were laid down by Ye Yunfei.
In the previous battles, whenever the Alliance Army found themselves hard-pressed, they would activate the Earth Formations across the continent.
One after another, Formations would manifest, creating numerous treacherous terrains and death zones, unleashing the various powers of Earth Formations to block the Guardian Faction's advance and inflict heavy casualties upon their forces.
"No one can say for sure. Moreover, I believe the Guardian Faction, having suffered so many setbacks before, must have come prepared this time.
It's possible they have already devised a means to counter the Xuanhuang Continent. Therefore, we must still prepare to retreat. After all, the Guardian Faction is the strongest superpower in the Sixth Void, with an extremely deep accumulation of heritage cultivated over countless eons.
If they have indeed prepared countermeasures, we stand no chance against them," another high-ranking officer opined.
"Not good! Esteemed lords! The Guardian Faction's forces outside have begun their assault!"
Just then, a general of the Alliance Army rushed anxiously before the high command to report.
"Relay the orders. Prepare to retreat."
The Alliance Army's entire leadership exchanged glances, and each made the decision.
Everyone understood that with three Heavenly Gods from the Guardian Faction present, this battle was simply unwinnable.
Not to mention three Heavenly Gods—they couldn't even withstand a single Heavenly God. Furthermore, besides these three Heavenly Gods, the scale and overall combat strength of the force the Guardian Faction had dispatched this time were even greater than in previous assaults.
Even without the three Heavenly Gods, the Alliance Army might not hold.
As orders were issued from the high command, most of the troops within the Xuanhuang Continent prepared for evacuation at any moment.
Ye Yunfei had previously laid down a large number of teleportation Earth Formations on the Xuanhuang Continent. By activating these formations, the Alliance Army's forces could be teleported away immediately.
The Alliance Army had long ago prepared numerous secret bases, all located within extremely remote and hidden Small Worlds.
"Trying to escape now is already too late."
However, before the Alliance Army's forces could officially begin their retreat, three figures had already arrived in the skies above the Xuanhuang Continent, standing opposite the Alliance Army's leadership.
"Oh no, the three Heavenly Gods are here."
All the high-ranking officers of the Alliance Army felt a chill in their hearts upon seeing those three figures, their expressions turning extremely solemn.
RUMBLE…
The moment the three Heavenly Gods appeared above the Xuanhuang Continent, they released their energy pressure. An avalanche of energy torrents surged wildly, cascading down to suppress the entire continent.
The collective energy pressure unleashed by three Heavenly Gods was overwhelmingly terrifying for the Alliance Army, creating a monstrous energy hurricane.
Moreover, the Heavenly Gods intentionally directed their pressure against the continent, manifesting three colossal energy avatars that rumbled downward toward the Xuanhuang Continent.
The three gigantic energy avatars raised their massive feet and stomped down with a thunderous roar. Instantly, the entire Xuanhuang Continent was thrown into upheaval, shaking violently like a sieve under the combined pressure of the three Heavenly Gods.
Seeing this, the Alliance Army's key leaders paled in alarm and hurriedly activated every single Earth Formation on the continent, including some ancient formations buried deep beneath the earth.
Luminous barriers of activated formations rose into the air like clusters of shimmering mushrooms, protecting the entire continent.
"It's said the Earth Demon Clan is proficient in earth energy—that appears to be true. But attempting to block us with these mere tricks is not so easy," all three Heavenly Gods let out a cold laugh.
Then, one of the Heavenly Gods stretched out a hand and tossed something into the air. An old, yellow-colored Compass soared upwards, appearing above the Xuanhuang Continent.
This yellow Compass was crafted from wood, carved with a multitude of profound runes. A golden needle floated above the compass, radiating waves of golden light as it pointed diagonally down towards the Xuanhuang Continent.
RUMBLE…
The moment this Compass appeared, it unleashed its powerful efficacy, even forcibly tapping into and communicating with the earth energy and earth laws beneath the continent.
Under the Compass's interference, the Earth Formations on the Xuanhuang Continent began to shake unsteadily, with many even developing cracks.
"How can this be?"
Seeing this, horrified expressions surfaced on the faces of the Alliance Army's leadership.
Some of these Earth Formations on the Xuanhuang Continent were ancient relics, while many were laid by Ye Yunfei, each possessing formidable power. Yet now, under the interference of that Compass, many formations showed signs of rupturing.
"Activate the most ancient Earth Formations buried deepest underground immediately!"
The three elder ancestors of the Earth Demon Clan shouted almost in unison.
The most ancient Earth Formations buried deep underground within the Xuanhuang Continent were the Earth Demon Clan's ultimate trump card.
According to their clan's legends, these deep underground formations were personally arranged by an ancient Earth Demon Clan ancestor, a master of earth-divining arts, to protect the safety of the entire Earth Demon Clan.