"Dark Queen, I have no idea what you are talking about. I *am* Elder Yan.
At the start, when you first took over the Dark Faction, it is true that I was dissatisfied for a time and deliberately went into seclusion. But later, you sent people to find me several times, and I proactively emerged to meet you and acknowledged your status as Dark Queen. You shouldn't bear a grudge against me for that, should you?
I don't understand why you are suddenly targeting me now."
Elder Yan retreated several more steps, speaking in a tone laced with grievance, innocence, and anger.
"That's right, Dark Queen, Elder Yan is truly loyal to you now. During this period, he has made contributions to the development of our Dark Faction."
Several high-ranking members with close ties to Elder Yan spoke up in his defense.
"Everyone, he is not Elder Yan," Lü Dandan declared clearly, glancing at those who had spoken. "He has merely taken possession of Elder Yan's Soul Sea and physical body, controlling his words and actions. The true Elder Yan's Soul Body has been sealed by him."
"What? That's not really Elder Yan?"
Hearing Lü Dandan's words, the other high-ranking members of the Dark Faction present wore expressions of shock.
Because the Soul Race was extremely adept at mimicking the auras of various Soul Bodies, this Soul Race entity had instantly simulated Elder Yan's aura upon invading his Soul Sea, making it impossible for the others to sense its true nature.
"Correct. This fellow is most likely a member of the Soul Race," Lü Dandan nodded.
Soul Race!
The faces of the other Dark Faction leaders turned grim.
"Dark Queen, how could I possibly be of the Soul Race?" Elder Yan, hearing Lü Dandan's accusation, was immediately incensed, his face flushing crimson. He nearly leaped up, shouting, "Even if you wish to make a move against me to eliminate dissent, you needn't defame me so baselessly!"
As he spoke, he retreated further, putting more distance between himself and Lü Dandan.
"No amount of deceitful speech from you will help. Leave Elder Yan's Soul Sea immediately, or I will scatter your soul to the winds," Lü Dandan's voice grew sharper, more imposing.
*Boom…*
As she spoke, vast, surging torrents of Dark Energy continuously erupted from within her form, transforming into gale-force energies that pressed down towards Elder Yan's location.
Elder Yan's body immediately bent slightly under the suppression.
This Elder Yan was himself a Primary Sovereign God, a formidable power, yet he was utterly unable to withstand the energy pressure released by Lü Dandan.
Meanwhile, Ye Yunfei had subtly shifted his position, approaching Elder Yan from another direction.
Throughout this process, he continued to utilize Mind Reading Art to perceive the thoughts and intentions of the Soul Race entity within Elder Yan's Soul Sea.
Simultaneously, Ye Yunfei used Mind Reading Art to persistently interfere with that entity.
"Damn it! This brat can actually influence my thoughts! What are his origins? The Soul Force Martial Arts he cultivates seem even more bizarre than those of our Soul Race!"
The Soul Race entity was profoundly shocked.
"Is it really possible that a Soul Race entity has invaded Elder Yan's Soul Sea and taken over his body?"
Seeing the actions of Lü Dandan and Ye Yunfei, the other high-ranking members in the hall were skeptical and unsettled.
"Everyone, you must not believe what the Dark Queen says! She undoubtedly feels my loyalty to her is insufficient and wants to use me as an example, to kill the chicken to scare the monkeys and establish her authority.
Her actions within our Dark Faction over the previous period are surely known to all.
Anyone who shows dissent is met with bloody slaughter immediately. So, do you still trust her words?"
Seeing Lü Dandan press him step by step, Elder Yan wore an indignant expression and called out to the other Dark Faction leaders.
Hearing Elder Yan's words, some of the high-ranking members couldn't help but show doubt, unsure of who to believe.
"Everyone, you must not be deceived by this impostor," Ye Yunfei stated. "The one speaking to you is not Elder Yan, but a member of the Soul Race.
Elder Yan's Soul Sea has been invaded by a powerful Soul Race member. Elder Yan's Soul Body is sealed within.
The real Elder Yan is struggling and resisting constantly."
"Young Master Ye, are you telling the truth? Has Elder Yan's Soul Sea truly been invaded?" one of the high-ranking officials asked Ye Yunfei.
"Of course it's true," Ye Yunfei nodded.
Still, a few remained half-convinced, half-doubtful. They harbored suspicions that Lü Dandan might be using Elder Yan as a pawn to establish authority and solidify her position of power within the Dark Faction.
"Get out of there!" Ye Yunfei suddenly commanded coldly. Then, he unleashed Soul Weapon Technique.
Over twenty weapons and five long spears simultaneously pierced into Elder Yan's Soul Sea, all aimed at a single Soul Body within.
Ye Yunfei's current level of Soul Force Energy had increased significantly compared to before, so the power of the Soul Weapon Technique he could now unleash was naturally greater. He could now materialize over twenty weapons for a simultaneous assault.
All twenty-plus weapons were formed from pure Soul Force Energy, capable of attacking both the opponent's Soul Body and physical form, and their speed was astonishing.
"Kid, the Soul Force Martial Arts you cultivate are indeed quite advanced!"
The Soul Race entity within Elder Yan's Soul Sea couldn't help but cry out.
The whistling attack of over twenty weapons and five spears coming from all directions made it perfectly clear that this young junior's strength was formidable.
*Boom! Boom! Boom!…*
Suddenly, a large number of golden shields appeared around the Soul Race entity, densely packed, forming an intricate shield formation. The Soul Race entity stood at its center.
The stream of weapons and spears continuously slammed against the golden shields, producing metallic clangs.
*Wham!* A longsword abruptly shot into Elder Yan's Soul Sea, instantly cleaving several golden shields aside.
"Kid, your Soul Force Energy is unexpectedly strong!"
The Soul Race entity was startled. This sword was precisely the Soul Sword, and its power grew ever greater as Ye Yunfei's Soul Force Energy advanced.
*Rumble…*
As Ye Yunfei moved into action, the Dark Energy released by Lü Dandan grew increasingly terrifying, transforming into rolling black mist that completely inundated the space around Elder Yan.
Unending torrents of Dark Energy and Dark Laws permeated into Elder Yan's Soul Sea.
Having inherited traditions across vast stretches of time, the Dark Faction naturally possessed its own high-level techniques, even methods to confront the Soul Race.
Lü Dandan was now unleashing one of the Dark Faction's forbidden secret arts against the intruder.
*Rumble…*
The Dark Heart manifested within Lü Dandan's body, causing all the Dark Faction leaders in the hall to feel their hearts tremble with fear.
"Dark Queen, Young Master Ye,
to be so aggressive… Fine. I will not keep you company any longer."
Faced with the joint assault from Ye Yunfei and Lü Dandan, the Soul Race entity finally began to show fear.
"Everyone, over these many years within the Dark Faction, I have toiled without complaint, always prioritizing the faction's interests. I believe you have all witnessed this.
Since the Dark Queen cannot tolerate me today, I shall take my leave and bid you farewell.
However, I remain a member of the Dark Faction, as I always have."
Elder Yan continued to retreat while speaking in a clear voice.
"Cease this nauseating display intended to deceive everyone," Ye Yunfei sneered coldly. "If you truly were Elder Yan, we would never take action against you. It is precisely to save Elder Yan that we move against you."
As he spoke, a slender, joss-stick-like artifact appeared above Ye Yunfei's head. It ignited quietly, releasing wispy smoke that drifted imperceptibly towards Elder Yan.
Meanwhile, the Dark Energy and Dark Laws released by Lü Dandan were also continuously pouring into Elder Yan's Soul Sea.
"Lady Lü seems to be employing a secret art that can 'blacken' another's Soul Body," Hun Lao suddenly conveyed to Ye Yunfei via Sound Transmission. "This essentially counts as a very high-level Soul Art."
"Yes, Lady Lü is attempting to corrupt this Soul Race entity," Ye Yunfei nodded.
At the same time, Ye Yunfei was unleashing a variety of different Soul Arts, launching a relentless stream of attacks against the Soul Race intruder.
"Master, allow me to assist you as well."
This came from Hu Miao.
She then employed her Illusion Art, conjuring one illusionary realm after another that swiftly streamed towards Elder Yan's head, clustering densely around his skull.
"A fox skilled in illusions!"
Soon, the Soul Race entity discovered yet another party attacking him with illusionary techniques.
"I'll also have a go at this fellow," Huang Shang's voice sounded at this moment.
"Elder Huang, has your foundation now completely solidified?" Ye Yunfei asked Huang Shang.
Not long ago, within the Dark Faction headquarters, Huang Shang had successfully broken through. He had then remained within the Phantom Pagoda in secluded cultivation to stabilize his new realm.
"My realm is now fully consolidated," Huang Shang replied. "And I am precisely in need of practical experience. This fellow will make a good practice target."
Huang Shang then began employing his Ghost Cultivation arts against the Soul Race entity in Elder Yan's Soul Sea.
Ghost Cultivators were inherently the bane of Soul Bodies, and the essence of a Soul Race member's form was precisely a Soul Body. Therefore, Huang Shang's Ghost Cultivation arts were particularly effective against their kind.
"A Ghost Cultivator is acting against me now.
Damnation!
Why have I encountered so many troublesome opponents today? And they are all joining forces to besiege me.
This won't do. I cannot remain here. I must leave immediately."
Sensing the Ghost Cultivation arts being deployed against him, the Soul Race entity was shocked and unnerved.