"Prison Master, there's nothing more to say to these arrogant bastards. Let's attack. I refuse to believe that with the strength of our Guardian Faction, we can't deal with these nobodies."
A powerfully built, burly man radiating an overbearing aura took several steps forward. Holding a long blade in his hand, he pointed it menacingly at the silver-robed elder from a distance as he spoke.
"That man's strength is not weak. Be careful," said the Prison Master, his gaze fixed on the silver-robed elder and the middle-aged daoist nun as he spoke gravely.
He could tell that both the silver-robed elder and the middle-aged daoist nun were at the Perfected Heavenly God realm, and their auras were profound and steady. Their combat power was certainly formidable.
"Prison Master, they have at least over a hundred Heavenly Gods. Strange, when did such a powerful force emerge within our Seventh Void? I have no recollection of this whatsoever," the old mage, standing beside the Prison Master, had been sizing up the overall strength of the army behind the silver-robed elder and middle-aged daoist nun. He frowned as he spoke.
"These people are indeed strong, but our Guardian Faction should be able to handle them. The number of our Heavenly Gods is at least twice theirs!" The Prison Master was also assessing the forces of the Alliance Army. Though secretly astonished, he still held great confidence in the Guardian Faction's strength.
"Old Mage, the army before us must be the crisis you predicted earlier, the one looming over our Guardian Faction. As long as we eliminate this army, the crisis hanging over our faction will be dispelled," stated the Prison Master.
"Prison Master, this army is indeed the crisis I foresaw. I have just performed another divination!" The old mage nodded in confirmation.
"Report!"
A scout rushed in just as the Prison Master and old mage were talking. "Nearly all the forces from our Guardian Faction's branch strongholds and affiliated factions have arrived."
"Prison Master, it seems those branch strongholds and affiliates rushed to reinforce headquarters as soon as they received the news," said a nearby high-ranking member.
"Prison Master, in my opinion, something seems off. According to regulations, every branch stronghold and affiliated faction must receive direct orders from headquarters before mobilizing forces, let alone on such a large scale. I recall no such order being issued. How could all of them have arrived now?" Another high-ranking official nearby frowned as he spoke.
"The situation is indeed somewhat odd. However, right now, the most important task is to deal with this mysterious army before us. We can investigate why all the branch strongholds and affiliates have sent forces to headquarters after the battle," advised the old mage.
The old mage specialized in divination, and his instincts were far sharper than others'.
"The Old Mage makes a good point. Then so be it. Let's move now, eliminate this army, and let the beings of this void see the consequences of opposing our Guardian Faction. Attack!" The Prison Master declared coldly.
"In this Seventh Void, our Guardian Faction is the absolute ruler. Whoever dares challenge us shall pay the price!"
The burly man holding the long blade flashed through the air, leaping up and striding towards the silver-robed elder and middle-aged daoist nun.
This burly man was a Perfected Heavenly God, one of the Prison Master's most capable generals.
"Be careful. Those two are not weak," the Prison Master warned.
"Prison Master, rest assured! Apart from yourself in this Seventh Void, there is no one else who warrants my caution!" The burly man, gripping his long blade, strode forward with swift, powerful steps, laughing maniacally, his speed reaching an extreme.
The silver-robed elder took a step, ready to meet him.
But at that moment.
"Oh, is that so?
A mere you? I think you're overestimating yourself somewhat."
A calm voice rang out. Then, with a flicker, a young man stood ahead, blocking the burly man's path.
"Young Master Ye! He's finally here!"
Seeing this young man, the silver-robed elder, the middle-aged daoist nun, and the senior members of the Alliance Army were elated, for they hadn't been able to spot Ye Yunfei since their arrival here.
Ye Yunfei had walked out from within the Guardian Faction's headquarters.
Since Ye Yunfei's speed was overwhelmingly fast, and given the tense standoff between the two armies, no one had noticed Ye Yunfei emerging from the Guardian Faction's base.
"Kid, you dare block my path? Do you have a death wish?" The burly man saw a junior recklessly blocking his way and couldn't help but flash a ferocious grin.
"Do you think this is your chance to show off?
Why don't you take a good look at who you're dealing with?
How laughable!"
As a Perfected Heavenly God, how could this burly man possibly give any regard to a junior? He didn't even care to discern Ye Yunfei's exact cultivation level. He abruptly raised the long blade in his hand and swung it down at Ye Yunfei.
Boom!
A massive blade phantom instantly materialized, cleaving the space ahead directly in two.
Compared to this gigantic blade phantom, Ye Yunfei's figure seemed rather small. However, Ye Yunfei stood there, not moving at all, utterly dismissive of evading it.
Ever since studying the blade arts of Autumn Wind Group Leader's master, Ye Yunfei would always allocate over a dozen Soul Power planets specifically for practicing blade techniques each time he secluded himself for cultivation.
Coupled with his continuously rising cultivation realm and overall strength, Ye Yunfei's current proficiency in blade arts far surpassed that of the Autumn Wind Group Leader and his master.
Although the blade technique of this burly man before him was impressive, to Ye Yunfei, it was nothing special.
Boom!
The enormous blade phantom kept swelling relentlessly, growing larger and larger until it filled a vast swathe of the void. Carrying terrifying blade energy, it simultaneously conjured countless blade qi, flooding the area like an ocean, seemingly intent on drowning Ye Yunfei's insignificant figure.
"Hahaha…
Kid, regretting your decision now?
Daring to seek attention on such a stage—now you'll even lose your life."
Seeing Ye Yunfei immobile, the burly man thought Ye Yunfei was already suppressed by his blade qi and burst into wild laughter.
He had mistaken Ye Yunfei for an overambitious, brash youngster from the opposing army, trying to make a heroic showing.
However, witnessing this scene, the silver-robed elder, the middle-aged daoist nun, and the high-ranking members of the Alliance Army remained unmoved because they understood just how powerful Ye Yunfei was.
Back in the Sixth Void, Ye Yunfei had once cleaved that Prison Master in two with a single, overwhelming slash from his blade, and then chased away that old shaman in a panic.
This burly man was merely a Heavenly God; he certainly couldn't harm Ye Yunfei.
Thus, the silver-robed elder, the middle-aged daoist nun, and the Alliance Army's high-ranking members offered no assistance.
Just then, a cold smile suddenly appeared on Ye Yunfei's face, and he activated the Mind Reading Art.
The burly man, brimming with murderous intent, was wholly focused on slashing Ye Yunfei to death with a single blow. But at that moment, a strong thought arose: he should withdraw this slash.
"No! I must kill this kid with one slash to establish my authority in battle!" the burly man roared inwardly.
Yet, the sudden impulse was far too strong, even affecting his movements. His blade-swinging motion slowed, and the energy gathered upon the long blade began to weaken continuously.
"Damn it! What's going on? I was about to kill this brat, why do I suddenly want to change my mind? What am I thinking?" The burly man struggled fiercely within himself.
Suddenly, Ye Yunfei took a step forward, his movement reaching an extreme speed. His right fist shot out.
A phantom of an ancient emperor materialized behind him, unleashing a billowing imperial pressure, instantly forming an energy field that enveloped the burly man.
Boom!
Ye Yunfei simultaneously utilized his physical strength, complemented by his cultivation techniques and his Intermediate Heavenly God cultivation realm. With this single punch, he sent the burly man flying backward.
"How can this be?!"
The onlookers saw Ye Yunfei, facing the burly man's terrifying slash, not only fail to dodge but instead send the man flying with a single punch. It was an instant defeat.
This burly man was considered one of the top experts within the Seventh Void's Guardian Faction. Yet now, he was sent flying with a single punch from a junior? It was truly hard to believe.
After being sent flying by Ye Yunfei's punch, countless blood-red fissures appeared all over the burly man's body. With a resounding boom, his huge body directly exploded, shattering into pieces.
"Damn kid, you actually destroyed my physical body!"
The burly man swiftly reformed his body, his fury reaching its peak, eyes blazing like fire.
Being publicly destroyed by a junior was an utter disgrace for him.
"Kid, I will kill you! Otherwise, I can never quell this anger in my heart!"
After reforming his body, his first reaction was to raise his long blade once more and charge towards Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei remained motionless, his gaze icy as he watched the charging man.
"This kid is not simple. Everyone, prepare to attack," the Prison Master, observing Ye Yunfei's demeanor, turned slightly grim. He immediately transmitted a message to those beside him.
"Prison Master, although this young man is young, he possesses strength sufficient to challenge Perfected Heavenly Gods. He must have an extraordinary background. An ordinary force could not produce such a monstrous young talent. It seems a very powerful faction is acting against our Guardian Faction," the old mage said with a solemn expression.
"It makes no difference. I don't believe any faction within this Seventh Void can truly rival our Guardian Faction. After I eliminate this army before us, I will investigate their origins and personally go to settle the score," the Prison Master vowed through gritted teeth.
At this moment, the burly man, gripping his long blade, charged to Ye Yunfei's front once again.
Whoosh!
Holding the blade with both hands, he cleaved down towards Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei's indifferent gaze fell upon him. With a mere thought, Ye Yunfei activated the Mind Reading Art once more, instantly reading this man's thoughts and starting to interfere with his mind.
"Damn it, what's happening? I want to withdraw my blade again? What on earth am I thinking?"
The burly man suddenly found himself gripped by a strong impulse—to withdraw this strike and avoid harming Ye Yunfei.