Sure enough, just as those dozen or so black-clothed women were sending their sound transmissions, the group lying in ambush in the corners had already begun to move quietly. They first dispersed, surrounding the dozen or so black-clothed women from different directions.
"Oh no, it seems we're surrounded!"
Moments later, Sister Cao, the one leading them, suddenly paled drastically. She sensed figures stealthily closing in from all sides and immediately transmitted a message to the other black-clothed women.
"It seems this branch stronghold has already been taken by the enemy. We must leave at once!"
Sister Cao’s figure flashed as she shot into the air, intending to leave the city. The other black-clothed women also unleashed their movement techniques one after another, following closely behind Sister Cao.
But right at that moment, several hundred beings suddenly surged out from the surroundings, completely surrounding these dozen or so women.
"Haha... Finally, we've waited for you remnants of the Dark Faction. All of them are women, and every one looks quite pretty."
"Don't kill them just yet. Capture them all first. Let us all have some good fun."
"Old Luo, you’ve been cultivating for so long, you’re already an Advanced True God. I never thought you’d still be so obsessed with women. Be careful now, lust often leads to a blade hanging over your head."
...
The several hundred beings surrounding them all looked at the dozen or so black-clothed women with ferocious expressions and ill intentions.
"It's bad, Sister Cao! We're surrounded!"
The dozen or so black-clothed women huddled tightly around Sister Cao, their faces filled with panic. They had been hunted this entire time, even fleeing to the Seventh Void. If they hadn’t encountered Ye Yunfei, they might still be being chased down and would have long become birds frightened by the mere twang of a bowstring.
Who would have thought that the moment they returned to the Third Void, they were immediately discovered and surrounded by the enemy again.
"Fight our way out. We have no other choice. Let as many escape as can. After escaping, find a place to hide immediately.
Remember, do not casually enter any of our Dark Faction’s former branch strongholds, as every one of them might already be occupied by the enemy.
Those who escape must first find a place to hide, then quietly gather news on our Dark Faction’s current situation, and find a way to contact other members of our faction."
Sister Cao's face was grave as she looked at the several hundred beings encircling them. She knew that misfortune was far more likely than good fortune this time.
After all, the overall strength of the several hundred beings surrounding them was formidable. They, on the other hand, only numbered a dozen or so. The disparity in power was huge; escaping would be extremely difficult.
Hearing Sister Cao’s words, the other black-clothed women immediately took out their magic treasures, prepared for a bloody fight.
"Oh, looks like these dozen little ladies are ready for a fight. How overambitious of them."
"If you fight too hard now, it won’t be any fun later."
...
Seeing the women’s actions, the encircling beings burst into loud laughter, their words filled with foul language.
"These scum deserve to die!"
Listening to the filth constantly spewing from the surrounding beings, the dozen or so black-clothed women ground their teeth in anger. Yet, outnumbered and overpowered, there was nothing they could do despite their fury.
"Since they want to fight, let’s oblige them. Everyone, attack!"
Someone yelled, and immediately dozens of beings charged forward from all sides, ready to attack the dozen black-clothed women.
"Go easy on them. Don’t injure them too badly, or we’ll all feel sorry for them."
At this moment, there were still people uttering ill-intentioned words.
"Looks like you'll have to intervene again, otherwise these dozen women are in danger," Hun Lao said to Ye Yunfei.
"They may all be related to Miss Lu. Of course I can't stand by and watch them die," Ye Yunfei replied.
However, just as Ye Yunfei was about to make his move, a cold snort suddenly rang out.
"You filthy wretches dare lay hands on members of our Dark Faction? You must be tired of living."
Following the sound, a figure shrouded entirely in black robes appeared beside the dozen black-clothed women.
"Elder Han! It’s you!"
Seeing this figure, the dozen black-clothed women were overjoyed, and one immediately cried out.
With one glance, Ye Yunfei could tell this Elder Han was an old woman, a Initial Heavenly God. The moment she appeared, she released the energy pressure of the Heavenly God realm, directly blasting away the dozens of beings who had charged forward to attack.
"Not good! It's Elder Han of the Dark Faction!"
The other surrounding beings were greatly alarmed upon seeing Elder Han, for everyone knew she was not only a Heavenly God but also notoriously ruthless, typically killing without mercy the moment she struck.
Sure enough, after those dozens of beings, sent flying, landed in the distance, they all bled from their seven orifices and had no trace of life left.
"Run! This old creature is viciously fierce. They say she never leaves anyone alive!"
Those beings who were just spouting vulgarities moments ago now paled and tried to flee. But it was already too late.
With a rumble, an enormous black palm imbued with eerie dark energy instantly materialized above their heads, unleashing billowing black mist.
Bam! Bam! Bam!...
The black palm continuously slammed down from the air. Each palm strike killed dozens of beings. In less than two breaths, the several hundred beings surrounding them were almost entirely wiped out. The few scattered survivors desperately fled into the distance.
"Thinking of escaping in my presence? Is that possible?"
Elder Han snorted coldly, her figure flickering as she transformed into a black speck and gave chase.
However, right at that moment, Elder Han’s expression changed drastically, for five figures radiating formidable auras had appeared not far away, quietly moving to encircle her.
"Hahaha! Old hag Han, we’ve finally caught you!"
One of the figures laughed loudly.
"So this was a trap all along."
Elder Han was extremely fast. She returned to the side of the dozen black-clothed women in an instant, waving her sleeve and enveloping them all. Then she snorted coldly.
As she spoke, Elder Han soared up and shot away at an astonishing speed toward another direction.
"Old hag Han, now that you've come, just stay here."
The five figures transformed into five streaks of radiance, moving with incredible speed as they gave chase.
"Han, I really don’t understand. With your seniority, why would you follow that so-called ‘Dark Queen,’ who hasn’t even grown all her feathers yet.
If you surrender to us and lead us to that Dark Queen, I guarantee I can arrange a position as an Elder for you. Your status, position, and benefits wouldn’t only remain the same, but would be even better than before."
One of the figures chasing from behind spoke up.
"The ‘Dark Queen’ they're talking about sounds more and more like Miss Lu," Ye Yunfei, concealed high in the sky, heard the words clearly and transmitted his thoughts to Hun Lao.
"Since these are Miss Lu’s people, you can’t stand by and watch her be killed," Hun Lao said with a laugh.
"Of course not. With me here, how could these five fellows possibly kill her?" Ye Yunfei replied with a smile.
As he spoke, Ye Yunfei had already quietly followed.
Elder Han was now standing on a black longsword—a Heavenly God-level magic treasure—that continuously pierced through space, moving forward at great speed. But the speed of the five figures behind her was also extremely fast.
Ye Yunfei sensed that among the five figures, one was an Intermediate Heavenly God and the other four were Initial Heavenly Gods.
Elder Han was only a Initial Heavenly God. In comparison, she was clearly no match.
Naturally, Elder Han also knew that if a fight broke out, she would definitely not be their opponent. So she exhausted all her strength, constantly fleeing while taking the dozen black-clothed women with her.
"Old hag Han, are you listening to what I’m saying or not?
I’m telling you, our patience has limits. If you remain obstinately deluded, then don’t blame us for being impolite."
Seeing that Elder Han paid him no heed whatsoever, the one who had spoken earlier became slightly angered and spoke with a gloomy expression.
"Talking so much nonsense with this old hag Han is useless. Everyone knows this old hag has the most stubborn temper."
Another figure nearby sneered coldly.
"Our Dark Faction and your Ziyang Sect have never had any conflict. In the past, we were even in a semi-alliance state.
Now, your Ziyang Sect has suddenly moved against our Dark Faction and killed so many of our members. This is truly treacherous ambition.
Just wait. Our Dark Faction will definitely not let this rest. One day, we will settle accounts properly with your Ziyang Sect."
Elder Han spoke with clenched teeth.
"Hahaha! Your Dark Faction is nearly finished, yet you still delude yourselves about settling accounts with our Ziyang Sect? You refuse to give in until you're cornered!
Just wait and see. It won’t be long before your Dark Faction is utterly wiped out. However, you might not live to see that time."
One of the figures behind suddenly burst into loud laughter, then instantly sped up and gave chase toward Elder Han. The distance between them began to continuously shrink.
This was an Intermediate Heavenly God!
Sensing the astonishing movement speed of this Intermediate Heavenly God behind her, Elder Han felt both alarmed and furious, immediately increasing her own speed.
She first took out several pills and swallowed them to replenish her energy, then pushed the black longsword under her feet to its fastest speed with all her might, constantly traversing through space.
But the Intermediate Heavenly God behind was slightly faster, and the distance between them still shrank.
After another moment, the Intermediate Heavenly God behind had closed in even further on Elder Han.
A look of despair appeared on Elder Han’s face. She knew she likely couldn't escape anymore. After all, her opponent was an Intermediate Heavenly God, with greater strength and methods than her own.
"You must seize the chance to escape. I'll block the pursuers.
Remember, more than half of our Dark Faction’s branch strongholds have already fallen and been occupied by enemies. The Queen is currently gathering our main forces to prepare for a counterattack.
After you escape, take this identity token of mine and contact the main force of our Dark Faction to rendezvous with them.
Also, if you learn of the whereabouts of other Dark Faction members, immediately contact them and guide them to join the main force."
Elder Han suddenly spoke to the dozen or so black-clothed women.
"Elder Han, we'll stay and fight with you!"
Hearing Elder Han’s words, the dozen or so women were greatly shocked. They naturally understood Elder Han’s intention: to give them the chance to flee. Once Elder Han turned back to engage those Heavenly Gods, her chances were slim.
"Enough nonsense. I’ll turn back and hold them off. You leave this place immediately. That’s an order!"
Elder Han’s face darkened as she spoke coldly.
After speaking, Elder Han took out an airship, pushed all the black-clothed women into it, and activated the vessel with a humming sound. The airship then flew swiftly into the distance.
Elder Han stood in place, slowly turned around, and fixed a cold gaze on the five Heavenly Gods behind her.