Streaks of sword energy and slashes of blade energy tore through space, cascading forward without end. At the same time, a stick of Dream Incense appeared above Ye Yunfei's head and began to burn, releasing languid tendrils of smoke.
The Dream Incense was Ye Yunfei's secret weapon. The smoke released upon its burning was rich with dense dream energy and the Laws of Dreams. It could silently affect the Soul Bodies of living beings in the vicinity, even pulling them into a dream state where they would be at his mercy.
“Let's go check somewhere else.”
Ye Yunfei's primary purpose in coming here was for the Blade Light Sword Shadow phenomenon, not to fight these Sovereign Gods. If he spent time fighting them here, he might miss the spectacle appearing in other locations. So, with a wave of his hand, he gathered the Guhai Sect members behind him, activated his movement technique, and sped toward the distance.
The six Sovereign Gods roared in fury and immediately gave chase.
“Strange. Every time I fight this kid, I feel held back, unable to fully unleash my power. Every time I attack him, I suddenly hesitate, even wanting to abandon the assault,” one Sovereign God spoke.
“I feel the same way. In front of this kid, I also have this constant sense of being restrained, unable to bring forth my true strength,” another Sovereign God chimed in immediately.
“Me too.”
“Same here.”
...
The other Sovereign Gods all voiced their agreement.
“Esteemed fellows, this must be some exceedingly high-level Soul Art. I somewhat suspect this kid might be a member of the Soul Race. Only Soul Arts performed by Soul Race experts could be so bizarre, with the potential to affect us Sovereign Gods,” one of them who seemed to be leading the discussion added.
“The Soul Race?” The other Sovereign Gods were shocked upon hearing this.
“If this kid is truly from the Soul Race, then this is a monumental matter. It would mean the Soul Race has reappeared in the world. I believe we should make this public, turn that kid into a target everyone shoots at,” another Sovereign God declared.
“No. I just probed that kid's Origin Bloodline. Although his bloodline is a bit peculiar, he should not be from the Soul Race. It's highly likely he's human. Because within his Origin Bloodline, human bloodline components hold the majority. Moreover, I carefully sensed his Soul Body's aura. He should indeed be human,” a different Sovereign God countered.
Hearing his words, the others fell silent. They knew this particular Sovereign God not only possessed powerful Soul Power, but also cultivated a profound art related to Origin Bloodlines and was extremely sensitive to the bloodlines of various races.
“Regardless of what race he belongs to, now that he's fallen into our hands this time, we cannot let him off lightly. Let's join forces and kill him, to cut off future troubles!” one Sovereign God shouted, increasing his speed as he chased after Ye Yunfei. The others also hurried their pursuit.
The members of the factions these six Sovereign Gods belonged to all followed behind them. A large host of men and horses surged forward across this ancient battlefield, stirring up towering clouds of yellow sand.
“Look! Another Blade Light Sword Shadow spectacle over there!”
At that moment, a cry of delight rose from somewhere in the distance.
Hearing this, Ye Yunfei immediately headed toward that location. Sure enough, he soon saw another Blade Light Sword Shadow phenomenon.
Ye Yunfei immediately led the Guhai Sect members over, sat down cross-legged, and began sensing and contemplating.
More and more living beings began to arrive, having heard the news, and started pondering the Blade Light Sword Shadow here.
Ye Yunfei summoned his thousands of clones to appear, sitting around his main body. He also set up numerous grand formations and minor geomancy arrays.
The six Sovereign Gods led their large contingent rolling to a stop. Seeing the Blade Light Sword Shadow phenomenon here, they hesitated slightly but ultimately did not attack Ye Yunfei. Instead, they found spots to sit down and also began to contemplate. They knew if they started a fight here, they would inevitably disturb the beings currently contemplating the spectacle. Inciting public outrage then would bring great trouble. After all, everyone had traveled a great distance to this ancient battlefield mainly for these Blade Light Sword Shadow phenomena. Causing disruption now would be hindering others from obtaining their potential fortunes.
The Sect Master of the Guhai Sect and its members had been constantly chased by these six Sovereign Gods and their large forces while following Ye Yunfei, making them all feel rather on edge. However, up until now, they had not suffered any harm. Furthermore, seeing Ye Yunfei's completely calm expression eased their minds considerably.
“Everyone, don't worry. With Young Master Ye here, we will be fine,” the Guhai Sect Master transmitted via Sound Transmission, seeing the worried looks on his members' faces.
Ye Yunfei himself was wholly focused on capturing and contemplating the sword energies, with no mind for anything happening around him.
As time passed, Ye Yunfei gradually began to receive fragments of sword art inheritances again. Although not complete, they steadily elevated his swordsmanship level. This was because the sword art inheritances contained within the sword energies in this battlefield shared the same origin as his Myriad Swords Return to One Great Art, with many similarities. This made it easier for Ye Yunfei to comprehend the sword legacies within these current energies.
Moreover, Ye Yunfei had the advantage of his two Soul Bodies, dozens of Soul Power planets, and thousands of clones all contemplating together – conditions no one else could match.
Gradually, dazzling sword rays began to manifest around Ye Yunfei's body. This was because his swordsmanship was continuously improving, his cultivated Sword Path Laws continuously deepening, automatically condensing into these sword energies.
Suddenly, Ye Yunfei's gaze locked onto the central area of that Blade Light Sword Shadow spectacle. There seemed to be a long sword there. That sword was shrouded in a dense, brilliant web of sword energies, as if wrapped within a dazzling cocoon.
As time flowed, the number of sword energies swirling around that sword grew, becoming more and more conspicuous. Thus, more and more beings quickly noticed this anomaly.
“Everyone, pay attention! There seems to be a treasure present. Prepare to seize it.”
Many faction leaders had already begun silently sending Sound Transmissions to their members.
“Young Master Ye, within this Blade Light Sword Shadow, there is very likely a precious sword or saber,” the Guhai Sect Master transmitted.
“Yes, I've already detected it,” Ye Yunfei nodded.
At this moment, his Soul Power had already reached out to sense that long sword, locking onto its position.
“Young Master Ye, we cannot act now. Because the Blade Light Sword Shadow is extremely dangerous. Once disturbed, it becomes volatile and will attack all living beings in the vicinity. It is said even Sovereign Gods cannot necessarily withstand it. Therefore, one must strike swiftly just before this Blade Light Sword Shadow spectacle begins to fade, and only then might it be possible to seize the artifact inside. And one cannot wait until it completely disappears, for the treasure within will vanish along with it. In short, we must seize the perfect timing.”
“I see.”
Ye Yunfei nodded.
“Then we shall wait for now.”
The Blade Light Sword Shadow spectacle before him was still ongoing. Taking action now would surely invite the frenzied attacks of those blade energies and sword energies.
In the following period, Ye Yunfei continued to contemplate the sword and blade energies, as did the other beings around. The only difference was that everyone had now locked onto the long sword at the center. Once this spectacle began to fade, everyone would make their move to snatch it.
“There are at least a dozen Sovereign Gods here, and among them, four are Intermediate Sovereign Gods. Under these circumstances, trying to get your hands on that sword will be quite difficult,” Hun Lao said to Ye Yunfei.
“Indeed. But with a treasure like this before me, I must at least give it a try,” Ye Yunfei nodded in response.
“Have you noticed how the sword energies are clustered around that long sword, almost as if deferring to it? Therefore, I surmise that sword's owner was likely a formidable swordsman from the Sword Realm. The sword energies here might even have been released by that very sword. When the moment for seizing it arrives, you might want to try unleashing your Myriad Swords Return to One Great Art. See if that has any effect.”
Hearing Hun Lao's Sound Transmission, Ye Yunfei immediately understood his meaning.
“Old Hun, you think the Myriad Swords Return to One Great Art could attract those sword energies and the sword itself?”
“Correct. It's worth a try. Because the Myriad Swords Return to One Great Art you cultivate is an inheritance from the Sword Realm. I believe this is your advantage.”
“Very well.”
Ye Yunfei nodded.
As more time passed, Ye Yunfei felt his swordsmanship level rise yet another notch.
“Look! The sword energies and blade energies are starting to thin! It seems this Blade Light Sword Shadow spectacle is beginning to fade!”
A brief while later, someone suddenly shouted loudly.
Instantly, everyone's spirits lifted. Their gazes shot toward the central area, where a dense clump of dazzling, twisting sword energies writhed continuously, looking like countless radiant little serpents.
BOOM!
A large golden net suddenly shot into the air, unfurling toward the location of that long sword.
But in the next moment, over a dozen magical artifacts soared up, smashing the golden net aside and sending it flying. No one was willing to just watch as another person seized the sword.
“Now!”
Shouts erupted one after another from all around. Almost all the beings began moving simultaneously, employing all sorts of means to seize that long sword. Some sacrificed magical artifacts, others unleashed advanced spatial arts and secret techniques, some condensed massive energy hands, and still others simply charged directly toward the spot...
While trying to seize the sword themselves, every being simultaneously attacked to prevent others from getting it.
In a flash, this area of space became extremely chaotic.
Ye Yunfei immediately acted as well. He unleashed the Nine Dragons Sovereign Steps, complemented by his immense physical power, charging forward.
BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!
One after another, beings blocking his path were instantly blasted away by his violent physical strength. Nine colossal divine dragons continuously materialized behind Ye Yunfei, releasing overwhelming draconic majesty.
And then, an ancient, hazy silhouette of an Emperor appeared high above. Instantly, an Emperor's Aura—an imperial domain—descended, crushing down on everything in its path.