"What kind of damn place is this? It's so desolate, there seems to be nothing at all, just these annoying white mist everywhere."
At that moment, voices sounded again in the distance, and several figures approached from afar.
"People from the Blade Realm are here as well," Hun Lao sent a Sound Transmission to Ye Yunfei.
"Yes, they are people from the Blade Realm," Ye Yunfei nodded.
Soon, five figures whose bodies were radiating sharp blade-light drew closer and closer.
"That brat ran really fast. We've chased for so long and haven't even caught a glimpse of his shadow," one of the Blade Realm people said.
"It seems these guys are specifically here to track you," Hun Lao spoke again.
"Indeed. Since they've come, I won't hold back."
Ye Yunfei nodded and said with a cold laugh.
Right at that moment, a large group of Illusion Beasts swarmed towards the few Blade Realm cultivators.
"What are these monsters? Get lost!"
Those Blade Realm members drew their long blades one after another, slashing out domineering arcs of blade-light that directly caused the bodies of the Illusion Beasts to explode.
However, even if the bodies of these Illusion Beasts exploded, as long as their beast cores remained intact, it wasn't a big issue. They could quickly absorb the Illusion Dao energy and laws around them to condense a complete body once more.
More and more Illusion Beasts charged towards the people from the Rune Sacred Land and the Blade Realm. Soon, members of these two major forces noticed each other.
"We should join forces to deal with these monsters!" a person from the Blade Realm shouted towards the Rune Sacred Land group.
"So it's friends from the Blade Realm. Very well, let's join hands against these monsters. There are far too many of these creatures, endless and seemingly impossible to finish off. We've probably barged into their nest. This is no place to linger; our priority is to find a way to leave. Do not prolong the battle," a person from the Rune Sacred Land replied loudly.
"Still thinking about leaving? Is that even possible?"
Ye Yunfei, watching their every move from a distance, sneered.
What surprised Ye Yunfei was that the Illusion Beasts were continuously besieging the Rune Sacred Land and Blade Realm people but paid him no heed at all. Some Illusion Beasts even appeared nearby, but upon seeing him, they actually detoured and charged towards the distant Rune Sacred Land and Blade Realm people.
"I think it might be because of Hu Miao," Hun Lao speculated.
"Have you noticed? It seems all these Illusion Beasts are emerging from that stone monument," the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm suddenly said.
"Yes, these Illusion Beasts indeed all come from within the monument," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Never mind them. It's best if they don't attack me. Fighting these Illusion Beasts for no reason would be a pure waste of time."
Ye Yunfei smiled.
"Since these fellows have stumbled into my hands, I won't hold back."
Ye Yunfei said coldly.
Then, with a thought, Ye Yunfei began to activate his Mind Reading Art, first targeting the few Rune Sacred Land members to cause interference.
"What's going on? Why have I suddenly birthed these strange thoughts? I actually want to give up resisting!"
The Rune Sacred Land member with the weakest Soul Power energy was the first to cry out in alarm. His movements began to slow. He had taken out two talismans intending to throw them, but at this moment, he started to hesitate because a thought had arisen in his heart – to abandon resistance.
"No! I cannot give up resisting, or I'll be torn to shreds by these monsters!"
This Rune Sacred Land member desperately fought against the bizarre thoughts continuously arising within his mind.
But at that very moment, fifteen Illusion Beasts simultaneously broke through his defense, directly tearing his body apart.
As the man screamed and attempted to reconstitute his physical body, dozens of massive orbs of light whistled over, surrounding his Soul Body before forcibly devouring it.
In less than the time for two breaths, the Soul Body of this Rune Sacred Land member was completely consumed.
Ye Yunfei then used the same method to deal with the other Rune Sacred Land members. Although these members carried a considerable number of talismans, they had no good defense against the Mind Reading Art unleashed by Ye Yunfei.
A short while later, all these Rune Sacred Land members, due to the interference of Ye Yunfei's Mind Reading Art, were swarmed by the numerous surrounding Illusion Beasts and had their bodies torn apart. Ye Yunfei then seized the opportunity to execute his Soul Power Star Technique and devour their Soul Bodies.
After consuming the Soul Bodies of these Rune Sacred Land members, Ye Yunfei naturally acquired their memories.
"So this is the Dao of Runes..."
Ye Yunfei carefully read the memories of these Rune Sacred Land members and gained some insights into the arcane art of runes.
These individuals didn't hold very high positions within the Rune Sacred Land, so the rune arts they could access were not particularly profound. To obtain the more advanced rune arts, one would need to contact Rune Sacred Land members of higher status and strength.
Nonetheless, through these few members, Ye Yunfei had made preliminary contact with the rune techniques of the Rune Sacred Land.
Moments later, Ye Yunfei had reviewed all the rune arts recorded in the memories of these Rune Sacred Land members.
"Now, first to eliminate these Blade Realm fellows."
Ye Yunfei's gaze shifted to the few blade cultivators from the Blade Realm, a thick killing intent flashing within.
Ye Yunfei then began employing the Mind Reading Art to disturb the thoughts and intentions of these blade cultivators.
Relying on their domineering blade techniques, the blade cultivators continuously slew the Illusion Beasts swarming towards them. At first, they managed to hold their ground, but as time passed, they began to tire. Combined with the interference from Ye Yunfei's Mind Reading Art, their situation grew increasingly dire.
Soon after, the weakest among the blade cultivators was set upon by dozens of Illusion Beasts. His body was torn apart on the spot, a miserable sight.
Ye Yunfei seized the chance to unleash his Soul Power Star Technique, systematically devouring the Soul Bodies of these Blade Realm members as well. He then acquired their memories.
"Indeed. This time, both the Rune Sacred Land and the Blade Realm, these two major powers, have sent formidable experts into Tianmu Shenjun's cave. It seems the attraction of Tianmu Shenjun's cave is truly immense, drawing in the experts from these ancient organizations."
Ye Yunfei couldn't help but voice his amazement.
"Of course. Tianmu Shenjun was a major figure from antiquity who suppressed several eras and is hailed as one of the world's top powerhouses. His cave likely holds treasures or legacies from his lifetime. The temptation is too great. Any ancient organization that receives the news will surely send people," Hun Lao said.
"Also, these guys ended up here indeed to hunt me down. Both factions have already issued orders for my capture."
Ye Yunfei added.
"Both the Rune Sacred Land and the Blade Realm are formidable major powers with terrifying strength. From now on, you must be even more careful," Hun Lao warned.
"These fellows left behind some treasures as well."
Ye Yunfei's figure flashed as he arrived at the site of the recent battle. He then saw some items left on the ground, including several long blades and some spatial rings.
These items were left behind by the people from the Rune Sacred Land and the Blade Realm. Ye Yunfei, of course, showed no mercy. With a wave of his sleeve, he collected them all, then returned to his previous spot where he had been resting, sitting cross-legged once more.
"These spatial rings belong to the Rune Sacred Land members."
Ye Yunfei retrieved four spatial rings, suspending them before him as he spoke.
Ye Yunfei then extended his Soul Power perception into these four rings, and his face immediately lit up with pleasant surprise.
"Indeed, they've left behind quite a number of talismans."
Ye Yunfei found dozens of stacks of talismans within these four spatial rings.
Having already obtained the memories of those Rune Sacred Land members, Ye Yunfei was now very familiar with these talismans and knew how to use them.
There was quite a variety of talismans: some for attack, some for defense, some for assistance, and others specifically for breaking formations or increasing speed, and so on.
"The rune arts of the Rune Sacred Land are truly excellent,"
Ye Yunfei said with a smile after inventorying the talismans found in these four spatial rings.
"The art of runes is, of course, marvelous. I think you might as well try to see if you can cultivate the Rune Art. This art highly values talent. Those with talent can easily begin, while those without may never achieve mastery no matter how much time and effort they expend," Hun Lao said to Ye Yunfei.
Hun Lao knew Ye Yunfei possessed two Soul Bodies and dozens of Soul Power Stars. Moreover, his innate talent was high—he could even cultivate the esoteric Heart Power energy. Perhaps he could cultivate the Rune Art.
"Alright. I'll try immediately to see if I have talent for the Rune Art. If I truly do, then such talent shouldn't be wasted."
In truth, Ye Yunfei had long planned to find time to try cultivating the Rune Art. Now that he had obtained the rune arts of those four Rune Sacred Land members, he naturally wouldn't waste the opportunity.
Thus, for the following period, Ye Yunfei began to comprehend and cultivate the rune arts recorded in the memories of those four Rune Sacred Land members.
The spatial rings left by those four also contained many cultivation resources specifically for practicing rune arts.
To prepare for this expedition into Tianmu Shenjun's cave to seek treasures, the Rune Sacred Land had equipped each participating member with a substantial amount of cultivation resources. Now, all of it had conveniently fallen into Ye Yunfei's hands.
As time passed, Ye Yunfei became increasingly familiar with the rune arts left by those Rune Sacred Land members and gradually developed some insights.
No one knew how much time had passed before Ye Yunfei opened his eyes. With a wave of his hand, he retrieved a stack of blank talisman paper, a red brush, and a box of special pigments.
This paper, brush, and pigments were specially crafted by the Rune Sacred Land, using high-grade natural treasures as raw materials. Especially that box of pigment was ground from a treasure called Taiyi Heavenly Cinnabar.
Taiyi Heavenly Cinnabar was highly valuable and generally difficult to find. One might not be able to purchase it even with money. However, the Rune Sacred Land's headquarters was rich in this particular cinnabar. These four members had carried substantial amounts of this specialized cinnabar pigment for drawing talismans.