Boom! Boom! Boom!
The scout's words had barely finished echoing when everyone was still steeped in shock. From the distant void came the rumble of surging energies.
The vast expanse of void in the distance then began to quiver violently, like chaff being sifted. Then, from the far end of that void, an army as dense and relentless as a tidal wave appeared, sweeping forth like a cosmic deluge.
As that mass of dark figures materialized, that section of void instantly dimmed.
The number of troops was astonishing; their ends were unfathomable even with spiritual sense. This was because the auras emanating from this army were too terrifying, severely hindering the perception of Soul Force Energy.
From afar, a sky-obscuring, earth-covering murderous intent permeated the void, making all things tremble. The cold gleam of armor and the killing intent radiated by weapons and magical treasures plunged that boundless void into a pitch-black gloom.
Banner after banner billowed defiantly against the cosmic gale. The foremost banner was especially eye-catching, towering exceptionally tall, its cloth so vast it seemed like a swaying sea.
Five large characters were inscribed on its surface: Guardian Faction!
The characters were strikingly vivid, each emanating a staggering presence, like five savage beasts poised to seize and devour prey.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
When that banner shook, it emitted a thunderous roar, as if a giant deity were pounding drums or the heavens themselves vented their fury, shaking souls and chilling the blood.
"As expected of the strongest superpower in our Sixth Void," everyone said with altered expressions, their hearts filled with awe and silent amazement as they watched the Guardian Faction army emerge in the distant void.
"Dammit! Did the Guardian Faction army deliberately choose to arrive at this moment?" Seeing the Guardian Faction troops pouring in from afar, the high-level members of the Lingxiao Sect all wore ugly expressions. Someone couldn't help but voice their suspicion.
"Make immediate preparations for battle!" the Sect Leader of Lingxiao Sect commanded grimly.
Following his order, the Lingxiao Sect headquarters quickly erupted into activity. Waves of personnel surged out like a tide.
In moments, the entire army of the Lingxiao Sect stood arrayed behind its high-level members. Their numbers were astonishing, forming an endless human tide stretching from outside the headquarters all the way back inside.
When Ye Yunfei had arrived earlier, the Lingxiao Sect had not considered him or the Alliance Army a major threat. Their main forces had thus remained inside their headquarters. Now, with the Guardian Faction army here, the Lingxiao Sect finally deployed their full military might.
"It seems the Lingxiao Sect's preparations were also very thorough. The scale of their army doesn't seem any smaller than the Guardian Faction's." Observing the size of the Lingxiao Sect army, the spectators couldn't help but whisper among themselves.
"Though unfortunately, the Lingxiao Sect already lost quite a few Heavenly Gods earlier. If you added those Heavenly Gods back, their strength and confidence would be even greater." Some were thinking of the Lingxiao Sect Heavenly Gods slain by Ye Yunfei earlier.
Within this vast void, the momentum radiating from both armies was astonishing. They stood facing each other in a tense standoff.
Seen from afar, within each army, ranks of elite soldiers stood in disciplined formation, their armor glinting and killing intent palpable. Every single one was strong, every one a seasoned warrior.
Despite their immense numbers, both armies stood neatly arranged within the void, orderly and disciplined. Their formations and imposing aura clearly resulted from rigorous training.
At this moment, the Lingxiao Sect Leader and his high-level members found the situation ahead quite a headache. Earlier, via Sound Transmission, they had decided to move to eliminate Ye Yunfei. But then, the Guardian Faction army had suddenly arrived, disrupting their plans.
Now, the Lingxiao Sect had to face both the Guardian Faction army and Ye Yunfei.
"Everyone, the situation is not favorable for our Lingxiao Sect. Therefore, for now, we will disregard the Alliance Army and this kid surnamed Ye. We will focus our strength to deal with the Guardian Faction army. As for the Alliance Army and this Ye kid, we must find a way to placate them and ensure they do not side with the Guardian Faction," the Lingxiao Sect Leader said via Sound Transmission, his gaze sweeping between the fiercely hostile Guardian Faction army in the distance and Ye Yunfei.
Besides the Lingxiao Sect high-level members, a large group of elders from other forces had also emerged from the headquarters alongside their own troops.
"Sect Leader Ye," the Lingxiao Sect Leader transmitted to Ye Yunfei, earnest and urgent. "Regardless of past grievances, the Guardian Faction is the common enemy of all powers in the Sixth Void. I believe at this time, we should set aside past prejudices and disagreements and unite against the Guardian Faction first. Once the Guardian Faction is defeated, our Lingxiao Sect will certainly give the Alliance Army an answer. Any necessary apologies will be made, any deserved compensation paid. Sect Leader Ye, for the prosperity and stability of our Sixth Void, I hope you will cooperate with our Lingxiao Sect."
He understood that in this situation, Ye Yunfei was a significant variable. Whichever side he aided would gain a considerable advantage. After all, Ye Yunfei was the vicious monster who could single-handedly confront over twenty Heavenly Gods.
Upon receiving the transmission, a cold smile touched Ye Yunfei's lips. He offered no reply.
Ye Yunfei had clearly perceived earlier that the Lingxiao Sect elders intended to deal with him. If not for the Guardian Faction army's sudden arrival, those elders would likely have already besieged him.
"Sect Leader Ye is truly a youth of remarkable accomplishment," a voice suddenly rang out from amidst the Guardian Faction army, clear and deliberate. "You are the most monstrous young talent I have ever seen."
As these words echoed, a handsome, almost beautiful-looking man strode forward, step by step, his gaze fixed on Ye Yunfei.
"He is the Prison Master of the Sixth Void's Guardian Faction." Seeing this man, Ye Yunfei's heart stirred.
Ye Yunfei had devoured the Soul Bodies of numerous Guardian Faction True Gods and Heavenly Gods, absorbing their memories. Thus, he instantly recognized this man's identity.
This man appeared young, handsome to the point of prettiness – he looked almost like a delicate pretty boy, even emanating an air of slight flamboyance. Yet, he was the supreme commander of the Sixth Void's Guardian Faction, the Prison Master, one of the most powerful experts in all the Sixth Void.
He stood there, seemingly casual. Yet, everything in the surrounding space, including time, space, energy, auras, and all laws, abruptly froze. It was as if an mysterious force had imprisoned it all, turning it into a static painting.
"He's extremely powerful," Hun Lao whispered urgently after sensing his aura. "He's at least a peak-stage Heavenly God, possibly even stronger. Because I cannot discern his true cultivation level or power."
"Indeed, this fellow is very strong," Ye Yunfei replied with a grave nod.
Even Ye Yunfei himself could not fully perceive the true cultivation level and power of this handsome man. If even Ye Yunfei's current Soul Force Energy intensity couldn't pierce through it, it proved just how terrifying this man was.
As Ye Yunfei tried to probe him, he felt a seemingly irresistible tide of Soul Force Energy rolling over him, submerging him instantly as that energy began to scrutinize him in return.
Ye Yunfei frowned slightly, knowing the Prison Master was sizing him up.
He promptly activated the Jade Ruyi pendant, releasing a layer of profound aura to isolate the Prison Master's probing. Simultaneously, Ye Yunfei, Hun Lao, the Golden Horned Dragon Silkworm, Hu Miao, and Huang Chang each mobilized their own Soul Force Energy and spatial-temporal secret arts to jointly counter the Prison Master's spiritual inspection.
"He's truly formidable. If he used Soul Force Energy to attack me, I'm not sure I could handle it," Ye Yunfei thought inwardly, startled by the sheer scale and power of the Prison Master's spiritual onslaught.
"Excellent. To possess such strength at such a young age is truly extraordinary," the Prison Master remarked, a look of surprise flickering across his face as he observed Ye Yunfei generating a formidable barrier of Soul Force Energy and spatial-temporal power to deflect his own. He then smiled, his eyes filled with appreciation.
"Sect Leader Ye," the Prison Master's voice was calm yet carried absolute authority across the void. "I've heard tales of how the Lingxiao Sect treated your Alliance Army in recent times. In the past, you dispatched forces from your Alliance Army to aid the Lingxiao Sect against my Guardian Faction. By all accounts, you were benefactors. Yet, instead of gratitude, they repaid kindness with enmity. They attacked your people, resulting in many Alliance Army casualties. They even dispatched agents throughout the Sixth Void to track your headquarters, openly threatening to annihilate your entire force."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "Such acts brand the Lingxiao Sect as nothing more than ingrates who returned kindness with enmity, unworthy even of pigs and dogs."
A predatory, inviting smile graced his handsome features. "Sect Leader Ye, why not consider this? Let your Alliance Army ally with my Guardian Faction. Together, we can eradicate the Lingxiao Sect and exact justice for your fallen members."
A cloaked elder shrouded in a flowing robe materialized silently beside the Prison Master.
"Sect Leader Ye, our Prison Master's proposal is most sensible," the cloaked elder interjected smoothly, his voice mellifluous but laced with cold calculation. "If the Lingxiao Sect rejects your Alliance Army, why force an alliance with them? Why not ally with us, the Guardian Faction? At the very least, our faction treats its allies well. Many powers within this Sixth Void have flourished precisely because of our...support and alliance."
He leaned forward slightly, his hidden gaze seeming to pierce Ye Yunfei's defenses. "Should your Alliance Army choose to join us, we would happily provide our full support to help it grow and strengthen." He then gestured dismissively. "True, there have been minor disagreements between you and our faction in the past. But those who seek great achievements must not be bound by trivial grievances. In light of the greater benefits this mutual alliance could bring, we trust Sect Leader Ye would not let minor unpleasantries mar the potential...friendship between our two forces."