"While that may be so, our Dark Faction went through a rather long period of weakness and has only just begun to develop again. Compared to the Guardian Faction's overall strength, our Dark Faction is still quite weak. Therefore, when dealing with the Guardian Faction next, we must employ some clever methods. For now, we cannot clash head-on with them."
Lü Dandan thought for a moment before speaking.
"Lady Lü, you needn't worry. Within the Chaotic Void Sea, many factions and individuals wish to deal with the Guardian Faction. Your Dark Faction will not be fighting alone," Ye Yunfei spoke up.
"Dark Queen, in my opinion, it isn't necessarily required for our Dark Faction to oppose the Guardian Faction. We could send someone to negotiate with them and try to replace hostility with harmony. The Guardian Faction is currently the most powerful super faction in the entire Chaotic Void Sea. If our Dark Faction can avoid making enemies of them, it would be a good thing."
Suddenly, an elder spoke.
Upon hearing this elder's words, Ye Yunfei's gaze immediately snapped towards him, a sense of displeasure stirring in his heart.
However, this elder was, after all, a high-ranking member of the Dark Faction. As the faction's leadership was currently discussing their affairs, and it was only natural for differing opinions to arise, it wouldn't be appropriate for him, Ye Yunfei, to forcefully intervene. So, after a glance at that Dark Faction higher-up, he said nothing.
Lü Dandan's gaze also shifted towards that higher-up.
"Elder Yan, the truth is, our Dark Faction has never provoked the Guardian Faction, nor have we ever considered them an enemy. The fact is, despite there being no conflict between us, the Guardian Faction is now secretly employing various means to target our Dark Faction. Even if we sent someone to talk peace with the Guardian Faction now, they might not even admit that they were behind those previous incidents."
After some thought, Lü Dandan addressed the elder.
"The Dark Queen is right! Our Dark Faction has never taken the initiative to oppose the Guardian Faction. In the past, whenever we encountered the Guardian Faction, we would even proactively avoid them. Yet, the result was still being secretly targeted everywhere by them. This is clearly the Guardian Faction trying to bully our Dark Faction. Yet now, we would send people to sue for peace with them? That would just make our Dark Faction look even more easy to bully! We absolutely cannot do such a thing!"
After hearing Lü Dandan's words, quite a few high-ranking members of the Dark Faction angrily spoke up.
"I think everyone shouldn't act on impulse. Although this matter seems like the Guardian Faction is bullying our Dark Faction, there's one point we cannot deny: the Guardian Faction's strength is indeed formidable, far surpassing ours. If our Dark Faction chooses to oppose the Guardian Faction, it would be an absolutely foolish move. Our faction could appropriately yield to the Guardian Faction, even befriend them to improve relations. If we gain the Guardian Faction's recognition, then in the future, it'll be like our Dark Faction has gained a powerful backing. No one would dare provoke us while moving through the Third Void. Elder Liu, don't you think so?"
The Elder Yan spoke again.
Despite most of the high-ranking members in the hall advocating opposing the Guardian Faction, this Elder Yan appeared unmoved, still persisting in his views. As he spoke, he glanced at another elder beside him. His eyes flashed, his pupils carrying a hint of an unusual glimmer.
"This... Elder Yan, what you said certainly holds some truth. I can't quite grasp the intricacies of the matter at the moment."
The Elder Liu beside him, hearing Elder Yan's question and seeing that peculiar look, momentarily seemed dazed and bewildered, his words becoming somewhat disjointed.
Though Ye Yunfei didn't agree with Elder Yan's words, he hadn't voiced any rebuttal. After all, everyone was entitled to their own opinion. The Dark Faction's leaders were here discussing faction affairs; all sorts of opinions being put forward was allowed.
However, seeing Elder Yan's gaze now, Ye Yunfei couldn't help but feel a stir in his heart. His gaze towards this Elder Yan began to turn sharp.
"I have a feeling this fellow is a bit off," Hun Lao transmitted via Sound Transmission at this moment.
"Yes, there's something odd about him. Just now, he interfered with the Soul Body of Elder Liu beside him, causing Elder Liu to briefly fall into a confused state. That must be a very advanced Soul Power Martial Art. Elder Liu is a Primary Level Sovereign God. To affect the Soul Body of a Primary Level Sovereign God, the Soul Power Martial Art he used must be extremely high-level," Ye Yunfei said.
As Ye Yunfei and Hun Lao were paying attention to Elder Yan, Lü Dandan's gaze towards the man also began to turn somewhat icy.
"Lady Lü, have you also noticed that this Elder Yan is acting a bit off?" Ye Yunfei immediately transmitted to Lü Dandan.
"Yes, this guy's behavior today is very different from usual. It's like he's a different person. He's not usually like this," Lü Dandan replied via transmission.
"Like a different person?" Hearing this, Ye Yunfei's gaze at Elder Yan grew even more piercing.
By now, Ye Yunfei was already activating Mind Reading Technique to perceive Elder Yan's thoughts and intentions.
Just as Ye Yunfei targeted Elder Yan with the technique, Elder Yan's gaze suddenly revealed shock before he turned his head to look at Ye Yunfei.
"He actually detected that I was using Mind Reading Technique on him," Ye Yunfei thought, feeling even more astonished at Elder Yan's reaction.
"This fellow's body actually contains two distinct consciousnesses. It's like two different Soul Bodies are hidden within a single physical body."
Continuing his Mind Reading, Ye Yunfei discovered that this Elder Yan's Soul Sea actually harbored two different consciousnesses.
"I know what's going on. Elder Yan's Soul Sea holds two distinct Soul Bodies. One Soul Body is incredibly furious but has been sealed, and is desperately resisting. This desperately resisting Soul Body should be Elder Yan's own. The other Soul Body belongs to an intruder, who is temporarily controlling Elder Yan's physical body, dictating his words and actions."
Soon, Ye Yunfei had clearly perceived the situation within Elder Yan's Soul Sea. He transmitted to Hun Lao.
"So that's it! Another Soul Body has invaded Elder Yan's Soul Sea and even seized the initiative? Could this intruder be attempting to seize Elder Yan's body? Elder Yan is a Primary Level Sovereign God. To seize the body of a Primary Level Sovereign God, that intruder's strength must be terrifying. Could it be some old-timer who lost his own body, looking for one to continue existing?" Hun Lao speculated.
"No, I think the intruder in Elder Yan's Soul Sea might be a member of the Soul Race."
Ye Yunfei had been continuously sensing that intruder. Soon, he detected a familiar aura. He transmitted back.
"The Soul Race? So a powerful Soul Race member invaded Elder Yan's Soul Sea, attempting to take over his body. The Soul Race lacks their own physical bodies; they generally seize the bodies of other living beings and inhabit them. In the Chaotic Void Sea, the Soul Race is already considered a rare, almost extinct race. To think a powerful member of the Soul Race is here."
Hun Lao transmitted back, his voice full of shock.
By then, Ye Yunfei had already informed Lü Dandan about the possibility that Elder Yan's Soul Sea had been invaded by a Soul Race entity.
Upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, Lü Dandan's face showed shock and anger.
"What does it matter if it's the Soul Race? Those who dare provoke our Dark Faction will not be shown mercy!"
Lü Dandan looked at Elder Yan with icy eyes. Visible killing intent continuously emanated from her, causing the temperature within the entire hall to drop drastically.
The other high-ranking members of the Dark Faction in the hall immediately sensed the killing intent Lü Dandan was releasing.
"Looks like Elder Yan has angered the Dark Queen. He's in for trouble now," they all secretly thought.
Some time ago, after Lü Dandan refined the Dark Heart and became the ruler of the Dark Faction, she employed some extremely firm, even ruthless, methods to consolidate the faction. This left a deep impression on all members.
Seeing the dense killing intent emanating from Lü Dandan now, they assumed she was about to take action against someone within the faction again.
"Elder Yan, apologize to the Dark Queen immediately! How our Dark Faction should face the Guardian Faction still requires collective discussion and a unified decision. Your previous statement was too hasty. Apologize now."
Another elder who was usually on good terms with Elder Yan stepped forward and spoke. He was actually trying to protect Elder Yan. He knew that although Lü Dandan was a junior and hadn't been in control of the Dark Faction for long, the ruthless and decisive methods she displayed were terrifying. She was absolutely someone who could kill decisively. If she really took action, Elder Yan wouldn't be a match and might even be in mortal danger.
"Dark Queen, I merely voiced my opinion earlier. I believe this approach benefits our Dark Faction and suits our long-term development. That's why I dared to speak boldly."
Elder Yan met Lü Dandan's icy gaze without any apparent fear. His attitude was neither subservient nor arrogant.
"Elder Yan, as a high-ranking member of our Dark Faction, certainly has the right to express his differing views. However, outsiders do not have that right. Especially outsiders who dare to violate our Dark Faction—they are unequivocally our enemy! You actually dare to come here and bully our Dark Faction? Such nerve!"
Lü Dandan's voice suddenly turned cold and sharp. Her eyes, full of killing intent, locked onto Elder Yan, ready to attack at any moment.
"What? Outsider?" Hearing Lü Dandan's words, the other high-ranking members were startled, not understanding why she would call Elder Yan an outsider.
"An outsider? Dark Queen, I don't understand what you mean. I am a member of the Dark Faction. All these years, I may not have rendered great service to the faction, but I've surely worked hard. How can you say I'm an outsider?" Hearing Lü Dandan, Elder Yan immediately seemed displeased. He took a step back and spoke, his tone tinged with anger.
"Elder Yan certainly has rendered great service to our Dark Faction. He can be considered one of our Dark Faction's meritorious members. But you… you actually dared to lay hands on Elder Yan? You must be tired of living!"
By this time, Lü Dandan and Ye Yunfei had already moved to specific positions, flanking Elder Yan on his left and right.
"What… What on earth is the Dark Queen saying? Why is she saying Elder Yan isn't one of our own?" The surrounding high-ranking members were all bewildered.
"Dark Queen, what exactly is going on here? Is it that he isn't Elder Yan but an enemy in disguise who infiltrated us?" A different elder could not help but ask, addressing Ye Yunfei.