Although this blade cultivator's strength was formidable, the Heart Sword unleashed by Ye Yunfei was notoriously difficult to defend against. Heart-Force energy was known as one of the most indefensible energies in the world, a reputation not gained lightly.
While executing the Heart Sword, Ye Yunfei simultaneously cast Mind-Reading Art and Soul Art. He sought to disrupt the blade cultivator's thoughts while simultaneously besieging his Sea of Consciousness with over twenty condensed Soul Power weapons.
At the same time, the longsword in Ye Yunfei's hand unleashed the Ten Thousand Swords Return to One Grand Technique, sweeping out a massive beam of sword radiance that surged toward the blade cultivator.
"Damned brat, how dare you attack me!"
The blade cultivator's attack towards Ye Yunfei had been intercepted by Elder Ruan, and now he watched as Ye Yunfei boldly launched an assault against him. Normally, Heavenly God-level juniors would be trembling with obsequiousness in his presence, afraid to even take a deep breath. For a mere Heavenly God-level junior to now strike at him was, in his eyes, nothing short of treasonous defiance and cosmic rebellion. Fury instantly blazed within the blade cultivator.
However, he quickly discovered that the various attacks unleashed by Ye Yunfei were exceptionally potent. Especially the Heart Sword, which directly invaded his body and began ravaging his physical form. Moreover, he felt some bizarre thoughts beginning to surface in his mind. Of course, this blade cultivator was of a high cultivation level, his Soul Body extremely strong, and his Soul Power energy fearsome. He forcibly expelled Ye Yunfei's Mind-Reading Art in an instant.
But for that brief moment, his thoughts had indeed been disturbed.
"How is this possible? What kind of soul technique is this brat using that can actually affect me?"
The blade cultivator's expression slightly changed. Then, he swung his right hand, directly extinguishing the thick sword radiance Ye Yunfei had sent toward him.
Following that, he swung his hand repeatedly, unleashing several thick blades of light. Each blade radiance contained terrifying Blade Dao energy as they streaked across the sky, whistling as they sliced toward Ye Yunfei.
"Master, I'll assist you," Hu Miao said to Ye Yunfei via Sound Transmission.
A stone stele then materialized in front of Ye Yunfei, shielding him.
Elder Ruan snorted coldly. The massive, towering ancient tree from before reappeared, swinging countless branches of emerald green that densely interwove to form an immense green shield.
*Clang!*
The thick blade radiances descending upon Ye Yunfei were all blocked by the green shield, rebounding away with a tremendous shockwave.
The blade cultivator's face darkened at the sight. He gave a cold snort and flicked his sleeves, shattering all the rebounding blade radiances.
"Forget it. Our primary task right now is to cross this White River. That old hag from Wanmu Ancestral Land is incredibly strong. There's no need for us to waste time here, locked in a pointless struggle with her," another powerful expert from the Blade Realm suddenly interjected from the side.
"Very well. We'll let them off this time. But next time, they won't be so fortunate," the blade cultivator who had attacked declared. Having failed twice to gain any advantage, he realized Elder Ruan's strength was unfathomably deep, and even Ye Yunfei's power exceeded his estimations.
"Wanmu Ancestral Land. Good. I'll remember this," the blade cultivator snarled at Elder Ruan through gritted teeth. He then turned abruptly and advanced forward, venting his fury by slaughtering a large group of the white creatures swarming around them.
The other Blade Realm experts also ceased paying attention to Elder Ruan and Ye Yunfei, turning to press forward.
Seeing this, the several powerhouses from the Guardian Faction also cast cold glances at Ye Yunfei and Elder Ruan before continuing their advance.
"Young Master Ye, these fellows have you marked now. Be careful," Elder Ruan transmitted to Ye Yunfei.
"Rest assured, senior. I will be cautious. Thank you for shielding me from the enemy earlier," Ye Yunfei replied with a nod.
"These individuals are extremely strong. You are not yet their match. I cannot remain by your side constantly; you must ultimately rely on yourself," Elder Ruan advised via Sound Transmission before turning to proceed onward.
At this moment, the group was still in the central part of the White River, advancing step by step. At all times, vast numbers of white beings swarmed over them like tidal waves.
"That old bastard is indeed powerful, but I'm not completely powerless against him. I remember him. If our paths cross again in the future when my strength is sufficient, I will definitely kill him," Ye Yunfei declared with thick killing intent in his eyes as he stared at the blade cultivator who had attacked him, speaking to Hun Lao via Sound Transmission. His earlier application of the Heart Sword, Mind-Reading Art, and Ten Thousand Swords Return to One Grand Technique, while failing to injure the blade cultivator, had still managed to affect him, bolstering Ye Yunfei's confidence in his own strength.
By now, cultivators from more and more factions had stepped into the White River, seeking to cross it. However, most beings found themselves trapped in layers of illusions almost immediately after entering, unable to extricate themselves. They could only stand upon the river's surface, relying on their Soul Power energy and willpower to resist the invasive illusions.
Only the truly powerful ones could manage to reach the central part of the river, and then they faced the relentless assault of countless white beings. Those who reached the river's center were all elite powerhouses from their respective major factions.
Ye Yunfei observed that even major forces like the Blade Realm and the Guardian Faction only had a dozen or so experts qualified to reach the central river zone. Of course, there was one exception — the Yang Family Ancestor, Yang Feng.
Soon after entering the White River, Yang Feng had been invaded by dense layers of illusions, nearly getting stuck and unable to advance. Fortunately, Hu Miao had acted swiftly, utilizing the Primordial True Fox Stele's power to dispel the illusions for him. Upon reaching the central area, Yang Feng clung closely to Ye Yunfei's side, not daring to stray half a step away. He had long since recognized that Ye Yunfei's strength far surpassed his own, realizing that only by relying on Ye Yunfei could he possibly cross this river.
Ye Yunfei gripped his longsword, cleaving out strike after strike, each slash destroying swathes of white beings. This longsword was personally forged for him by Sword Elder back in the Sword Realm, having been fused with several high-level treasured swords left behind there. Moreover, the sword contained Sword Elder's Soul Power imprint, allowing it to unleash terrifying might.
"How can this young brat be so strong?"
The Blade Realm and Guardian Faction experts in the distance, watching Ye Yunfei effortlessly slay the white beings, were somewhat astonished. They had initially assumed that upon reaching the river's center, Ye Yunfei would only be able to continue advancing under the protection of Wanmu Ancestral Land's powerhouses. But now they saw him moving forward step by step relying on his own power. Of course, when Ye Yunfei attacked, Hu Miao, the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm, Huang Shang, and others often cooperated with occasional strikes.
"How strange, why hasn't Elder Hu arrived to join up with us? Logically, if he received the message, he would have rushed here immediately to enter Tianmu Shenjun's Cave core area together. Has something unexpected happened to him?"
Just then, Ye Yunfei heard someone speaking in the distance. Looking over, he spotted seven or eight experts clad in peculiar robes. Their robes were inscribed with a large number of strange runes — the distinctive attire of the Rune Sacred Land. Those bizarre runes on the robes themselves constituted talismans. Once these robes were inscribed with those special runes, they possessed formidable defensive energy. When attacked, the robes could automatically generate defensive energy and various defensive secret arts. Thus, these robes were virtually standard-issue for Rune Sacred Land members, becoming the symbol of this faction.
Ye Yunfei knew that the 'Elder Hu' mentioned by these Rune Sacred Land members was certainly the gray-robed middle-aged man he had killed earlier.
"In the future, if we get a chance to kill a few more of these Rune Sacred Land powerhouses, we can obtain even more talismans and rune inheritances. Moreover, experts of this caliber are bound to possess a massive collection of precious treasures," the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm said via Sound Transmission to Ye Yunfei as he looked at the Rune Sacred Land experts.
"Every single powerhouse from the Rune Sacred Land is terrifyingly strong. Even worse, they surely carry numerous high-level talismans on their persons. Killing them is no easy feat. The reason we were able to kill that unfortunate fellow earlier was because he was trapped in an illusion formation left by Tianmu Shenjun at the time — we essentially profited from another's misfortune," Hun Lao interjected.
"Young Master Ye, I never imagined your strength to be this impressive. Truly, heroes arise from the young!"
At this moment, Elder Ruan glanced back at Ye Yunfei, unable to help but nod in praise. The other Wanmu Ancestral Land experts also showed admiring expressions. For a young junior merely at the Heavenly God realm to reach the center of this White River and rely on his own power to contend with the besieging white beings as he steadily advanced forward — such strength was truly extraordinary and staggering for one of the younger generation.
"Aren't you going to help Sister Zhou? It seems Sister Zhou is trapped and can't advance."
Just then, Hu Miao suddenly spoke to Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei turned his head and saw that Zhou Wanqing had indeed been trapped amidst dense layers of illusions, her exquisite face wearing an expression of panic and tension.
"Hu Miao, go and assist her," Ye Yunfei instructed after a moment's thought.
Thus far, the main trials within this White River were still the illusions and the white beings conjured from the river water. Both types of trials were nothing significant for Hu Miao. In such an environment, only Hu Miao could provide effective aid to others. Of course, Hu Miao was also utilizing the power of that Primordial True Fox Stele.
"My master is truly the one who knows best how to cherish beautiful women! Fine, I'll go help Sister Zhou," Hu Miao said with a laugh. She then transformed into a streak of pink light, instantly arriving beside Zhou Wanqing.
Hu Miao released a powerful burst of Illusion Dao energy, enveloping Zhou Wanqing directly. She then began to employ secret arts, helping her break free from the surrounding illusions. The Primordial True Fox Stele within Hu Miao trembled continuously, releasing vast waves of Illusion Dao energy. Soon, with Hu Miao's help, Zhou Wanqing began to free herself from the illusions.
"Sister Hu! It's you."
Upon seeing Hu Miao beside her, Zhou Wanqing's face lit up with delight. Having known Ye Yunfei long ago and gone through several battles fighting side-by-side, she was already acquainted with Hu Miao.
"Sister Zhou, Master sent me to help you. Let's speed up and catch up with him," Hu Miao said to Zhou Wanqing before swiftly moving forward with her in tow.