"In that case, let's search outside first."
After a moment's thought, Ye Yunfei flashed and shot out of the Dark Faction's headquarters, appearing in the void just outside. He immediately began releasing his Soul Power energy to sense the surrounding void.
At the same time, Hu Miao, the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm, Huang Shang, and Hun Lao also began utilizing their respective secret techniques to conduct a detailed sensory sweep of the void around the headquarters.
"That guy did indeed leave the Dark Faction headquarters, but he's disappeared now. I can't find any trace of him," the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm announced a short while later.
"There's a trace of Soul Race aura left in that patch of space, but only a tiny bit. I can't sense which direction he went," he continued, pointing to a location in space not far away.
"Indeed, that Soul Race member was here. I sensed his aura as well, but now I also cannot track his direction or whereabouts," Hun Lao chimed in.
Both Hun Lao and the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm possessed exceptionally sharp perception when it came to spatial matters.
Ye Yunfei immediately released a wave of Soul Power energy to probe the location the Dragon Silkworm had indicated and began performing deductions using the Chaos Heaven Secrets Art.
"I've caught the scent of that Soul Race member too. He was definitely here, but his current whereabouts are unknown now," Ye Yunfei soon said, confirming the aura.
"That guy is truly troublesome. Even with the combined abilities of us few, we still can't track him," the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm couldn't help but exclaim.
"I've memorized his aura. If I encounter him again in the future, I'll definitely recognize him. However, my Soul Power level is still not strong enough. I need to work on improving it; otherwise, if I encounter a Soul Race expert of this caliber again, I still won't know how to handle it."
"In the past, I'd only seen some memories in my racial records about the Soul Race being troublesome. Now I've finally experienced it personally. A single powerful Soul Race member has put us on the back foot like this. If we encountered multiple Soul Race experts, or ones with even greater strength, it would be even more troublesome," Hun Lao added.
"That guy is too despicable! Next time I run into him, I'll definitely teach him a lesson!" the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm ground his teeth angrily.
Just then, Ye Yunfei received a voice transmission from Lü Dandan.
"That Soul Race member has already left our Dark Faction headquarters."
Upon receiving the transmission, Ye Yunfei immediately returned to the Dark Faction headquarters.
"Our Dark Faction's Elder Priest and I just activated one of our hidden assets and conducted a thorough, carpet-like search of our headquarters. The results show that Soul Race member has left," Lü Dandan explained to Ye Yunfei.
"However, he could return at any time in the future," she added, her expression darkening once more.
"Since he's already left, let's leave it be for now," Ye Yunfei said, resignation in his voice.
He had just done a sweep both inside and outside the headquarters and hadn't found a single clue about the Soul Race member's whereabouts. For now, he had to abandon the chase.
"Our Elder Priest has already set up an inescapable net within the headquarters. If that Soul Race member dares to cause trouble here again in the future, we will definitely detect him immediately," Lü Dandan stated.
"Although the Soul Race is difficult to deal with, our Dark Faction isn't one to be bullied. We have our own methods. If that Soul Race member dares to return, I will definitely make him understand the might of the Dark Faction," Lü Dandan declared through gritted teeth.
For a mighty faction like the Dark Faction to be thrown into such disarray by a single Soul Race member left the Dark Queen naturally seething with rage.
"That's excellent," Ye Yunfei replied.
* * *
"Damn it! That human brat definitely used the Soul Force Star Art! This inherited technique was lost within our Soul Race long ago. Even I haven't cultivated it! How could a human possibly obtain an inheritance technique that our race has lost? And he's cultivated it to such a level, able to manifest dozens of Soul Force Stars in one go. As a human, how is this possible?!"
"Furthermore, the level of his Soul Power energy is clearly far higher than his cultivation realm! It seems this kid definitely has secrets, and they are most likely related to our Soul Race!"
"I can't let him go so easily. I must learn his secrets, and at the very least, retrieve the lost inheritance techniques of our Soul Race from him!"
"Kid, just you wait. I'll definitely come find you!"
At this moment, a figure concealed in a patch of void far from the Dark Faction headquarters was muttering to himself, his face twisted with anger.
If Ye Yunfei were here, he would immediately recognize this figure as Elder Liu of the Dark Faction — of course, this Elder Liu was already under control.
"What a pity I actually got injured during the fight earlier. It's been a long time since I've tasted the feeling of being wounded. To think I was now injured by that human brat and that damned Dark Queen! How hateful!"
"I must have my revenge for this. Otherwise, the rage in my heart will not be quelled!"
As he recalled the scene earlier in the headquarters, where Ye Yunfei and Lü Dandan led the charge to surround and attack him, uncontrollable fury erupted within him. He had been injured during the confrontation at the headquarters, and had only managed to escape by activating an extremely profound Soul Race escape art amid the chaos when the situation turned critical. He knew that if he had remained any longer, his life would have been in danger.
"Luckily, before I left, I swept clean all the Soul Force cultivation resources from one of the Dark Faction's treasuries. These cultivation resources are perfect for recovering from my wounds."
"Just you wait, Dark Faction. I will definitely return, and when I do, I will control your entire faction!"
"Few powers or races that catch my eye can escape my control." he coldly declared, glancing in the direction of the headquarters.
Then, while controlling Elder Liu's body, he took out a flying ship, boarded it, and vanished from that patch of void in an instant.
* * *
"I plan to lead the Dark Faction's army to eradicate those few major forces that dared to provoke us before," Lü Dandan told Ye Yunfei inside the headquarters.
"I'll go with you," Ye Yunfei said after a moment's thought.
He knew Lü Dandan shared certain aspects of his temperament, such as her unwavering resolve to pay back debts of enmity.
Not long after, a mighty army marched out of the Dark Faction headquarters with a fierce and imposing aura, advancing through the void.
"Report, Your Majesty! The Tianmen Sect headquarters is just ahead," a scout reported respectfully to Lü Dandan after the army suddenly halted some time later.
"What is the overall strength of this Tianmen Sect?" Lü Dandan asked, turning to an Elder who was in charge of the faction's intelligence operations.
"Reporting to Your Majesty, the Tianmen Sect possesses five Early Stage Sovereign Gods and two Mid-Stage Sovereign Gods. Their overall strength is relatively average."
"Their headquarters has been sealed during this period, according to our information, most likely out of fear of retaliation from our Dark Faction," the Elder promptly replied.
"Those who provoke the Dark Faction must pay the price. It's time the world learns of the Dark Faction's methods," Lü Dandan stated, her voice icy cold.
"Begin the attack. Just charge straight in."
With a wave of her hand, Lü Dandan gave the order. Detailed battle plans had already been formulated by the high-level members before departure. Now, with her command, the Dark Faction's army instantly charged forth like a churning black ocean, sweeping toward the Tianmen Sect headquarters.
"We can't lag behind. We must keep up with the army or we'll miss out!" the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm immediately urged Ye Yunfei. After speaking, he emerged from the Phantom Tower, transforming into a streak of golden light that shot forward and vanished in an instant.
Next, Huang Shang also emerged, transforming into a shadowy ghostly figure that drifted forward with an eerie, swaying motion. He appeared to be moving unhurriedly, but in reality, his speed was extreme.
Ye Yunfei knew the Dragon Silkworm's goal was to collect treasures and valuables left on the battlefield, while Huang Shang primarily sought to collect corpses and soul bodies.
"You and I will focus on dealing with the Tianmen Sect's Sovereign Gods," Lü Dandan said to Ye Yunfei.
Even though she had refined the Dark Heart, she understood that Ye Yunfei's strength was not much inferior to her own.
"Agreed."
Ye Yunfei nodded, then strode towards the Tianmen Sect headquarters. If any Tianmen Sect members blocked his path, a slight release of energy from him was enough to send them flying.
"Kid! You dare to trespass on our Tianmen Sect? Die!"
A Perfected Heavenly God suddenly appeared, blocking Ye Yunfei's path. Having just witnessed Ye Yunfei blast dozens of their members away in succession, he was furious and charged over immediately to deal with him.
Ye Yunfei reached out with his hand, which rapidly enlarged as it rumbled toward the Perfected Heavenly God. Not long ago, Ye Yunfei had refined ten Dark Bodhi Fruits, causing his physical strength to skyrocket. This casual grab was a physical body divine ability. Formidable physical power rolled off his palm, instantly sealing the space ahead, including this Tianmen Sect's Perfected Heavenly God. He found himself trapped, unable to move.
"How is this possible? How can this kid's strength be so terrifying?" The Heavenly God's face changed dramatically as he sensed the terrifying physical power emanating from Ye Yunfei's palm, unable to believe it.
Ye Yunfei grabbed, snatching up the Heavenly God as easily as one would grab a chick, and then casually sealed him.
Subsequently, Ye Yunfei seized and sealed every Tianmen Sect Heavenly God he encountered. These Heavenly Gods were valuable cultivation resources to him. Moreover, he intended to find a time later to see if he could use his Soul Force Martial Arts to turn these Heavenly Gods into his own clones.