Alright, Elder Ruan, let's go."Ye Yunfei stood within the teleportation formation, sweeping his cold gaze over the members of the five great factions surrounding them before speaking. "Everyone, attack! Destroy these formations!"
The dozen or so Seventh-Level Sovereign Gods, seeing Ye Yunfei preparing to teleport away once more, grew frantic and began shouting orders. They led their faction members in an all-out assault, attempting to dismantle the formations Ye Yunfei had set up.
Under the joint onslaught of the five factions, several of Ye Yunfei's large formations were quickly breached. However, by then Ye Yunfei had already activated the teleportation formation and begun the transfer.
With a thunderous boom, Ye Yunfei and the three elders of the Wanmu Ancestral Land teleported away.
In truth, Ye Yunfei could have used the teleportation token for the escape, but facing these Seventh-Level Sovereign Gods presented an excellent practical opportunity. It allowed him to test his current formation mastery and improve his skill through constant practice in battle. This was, in fact, one of the main reasons Ye Yunfei had been utilizing formations so frequently in combat lately. Practical application was, after all, the best means of improvement.
Another resounding boom echoed as Ye Yunfei and the three Wanmu Ancestral Land elders completed their teleportation and vanished from sight.
"Cease breaking the formations," a leading elder of the Guardian Faction said with a dark expression, seeing that Ye Yunfei and the others had already left. With them gone, further effort spent dismantling the formations held no meaning.
"Damn it! Just what kind of treasure was that Ye brat using earlier? Its power was utterly terrifying," a Seventh-Level Sovereign God from the Blade Realm ground his teeth in anger, recalling the scene of Ye Yunfei instantly killing over a dozen blade cultivators.
"Unless I am mistaken, that damned Ye brat was using a treasure imbued with gravitational energy," the lead Guardian Faction elder stated somberly.
"Treasures containing gravitational energy are rare. To think he obtained two of them. No doubt he found them within Tianmu Shenjun's cultivation cave mansion. That kid's luck is truly too good!" A Seventh-Level Sovereign God from the Blood Bandits wore an expression of envy.
"We continue the pursuit! We have thoroughly broken ties with the Wanmu Ancestral Land now; there is nothing left to be hesitant about," the lead Guardian Faction elder said coldly. With a sweep of his hand, he soared into the air, chasing in the direction Ye Yunfei and the others had just teleported away.
"Correct. We continue chasing. Once we leave Tianmu Shenjun's cultivation cave mansion, conflict with the Wanmu Ancestral Land is inevitable, so there's nothing to hold us back. The Wanmu Ancestral Land has now become a common enemy for our factions," a Seventh-Level Sovereign God from Skyfire Valley declared coldly. He then gestured and led his Skyfire Valley members in pursuit of the same direction.
The other factions' members swiftly followed suit. The direction Ye Yunfei had departed was, coincidentally, the route leading out of Tianmu Shenjun's cultivation cave mansion. Thus, even if these great factions weren't pursuing Ye Yunfei's group, they would still be heading that way to exit.
At this moment, Ye Yunfei and the three Wanmu Ancestral Land elders had already ceased their teleportation. Ye Yunfei then activated the teleportation token in his hand, carrying Elder Ruan and the other two Wanmu Ancestral Land elders with him in another teleportation. They quickly caught up to the main body of Wanmu Ancestral Land members. Ye Yunfei then transported all these Wanmu Ancestral Land individuals into the Phantom Tower.
"Those fellows behind us are catching up again," Hun Lao said to Ye Yunfei.
"Yes, they are catching up once more," Ye Yunfei replied. His Divine Pupil within his brow ridge opened as he looked back, and he saw the combined force of the five great factions rapidly closing in on his location. Ye Yunfei directly activated the teleportation token, teleporting toward the exit of Tianmu Shenjun's cultivation cave mansion.
The token had been forged by Tianmu Shenjun himself and worked exceptionally well within his cultivation cave. Soon, Ye Yunfei led the Wanmu Ancestral Land group through teleportation to the exit. Without hesitation, they rushed out, arriving in the absolute vacuum outside.
Looking back, they could see the entrance to Tianmu Shenjun's cultivation cave mansion: a gigantic spatial rift resembling a massive eye, complete with a pupil distinctly separated into black and white halves.
Thanks to the teleportation token containing a detailed map of the entire cultivation cave, Ye Yunfei was now very familiar with its layout, allowing for a swift exit.
Ye Yunfei released all the Wanmu Ancestral Land members.
"We've finally made it out," every member of Wanmu Ancestral Land exclaimed with relief, looking at the surrounding absolute vacuum. Having been hunted by the five great factions for so long, they had become like startled birds, single-mindedly yearning to escape Tianmu Shenjun's cultivation cave. Now, they were finally out.
"We should hurry back to headquarters. Those five factions will undoubtedly continue chasing us; they won't give up easily. Given that Wanmu Ancestral Land has now formally broken ties with them, we must return quickly to strategize our next move," an elder said in a grave tone.
"Indeed, those factions won't relent easily. We truly must consider how to respond," Elder Ruan nodded, his brows tightly knit. Although Wanmu Ancestral Land was an ancient heritage with formidable strength and deep reserves, simultaneously facing five great factions placed immense pressure upon them.
"Young Master Ye, we must depart quickly. The members of those five factions will emerge shortly. You should also leave promptly," Elder Ruan advised Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei then teleported all members of the Yang Family out.
"Elder, you should swiftly take your Yang Family members and leave. Upon returning, it would be best to consider your countermeasures," Ye Yunfei said to Yang Feng. Ye Yunfei knew that within Tianmu Shenjun's cave, the major factions had witnessed the Yang Family associated with him. To strike against him later, they would likely target the Yang Family.
"These items are gifts for your Yang Family. Take them. Additionally, these vials of divine elixirs can help you, Elder, break through to the Greater Sovereign God level within a short time," Ye Yunfei retrieved a large batch of cultivation resources, most of which he had acquired within Tianmu Shenjun's cave. During this period, Ye Yunfei had slain numerous Sovereign Gods, including a considerable number of Greater Sovereign Gods. All their possessions had fallen into his hands. Combined with his own harvests within the cave, the amount of cultivation resources and various treasures Ye Yunfei now possessed was beyond calculation. Moreover, Ye Yunfei had specially refined some divine elixirs to aid Yang Feng's breakthrough, tailored to his characteristics.
"Thank you, Young Master Ye. If not for your repeated assistance to our Yang Family, all of our members would likely have perished within. Young Master Ye, you are a great benefactor to our Yang Family. Starting now, our Yang Family wishes to follow you. Young Master Ye, should you have any tasks requiring our service, you need only command us." Yang Feng, gazing at the items Ye Yunfei placed before him, thought for a moment before suddenly clasping his fists and declaring clearly.
Yang Feng understood that Ye Yunfei possessed immense future prospects. If the Yang Family could forge ties with him, they might have the opportunity to rely on him for growth and prosperity. Furthermore, the Yang Family was likely already targeted by those great factions and urgently needed a patron—Ye Yunfei was the optimal choice. Having interacted with Ye Yunfei, Yang Feng knew his character: if the Yang Family befriended him, should trouble arise, Ye Yunfei would never refuse assistance but would ardently help. Thus, aside from befriending and even following Ye Yunfei, the Yang Family had no better alternative.
"Elder, you speak too gravely. This is a specially crafted communication token. Upon returning, you may send someone to the Sixth, Seventh, or Eighth Void to contact my people," Ye Yunfei thought briefly before taking out a communication jade slip and handing it to Yang Feng, transmitting his words directly.
"Young Master Ye, I understand," Yang Feng replied joyfully upon hearing this, knowing Ye Yunfei had accepted the Yang Family. Yang Feng stored the items Ye Yunfei gave him, then turned and led the Yang Family members away in haste.
"Young Master Ye, we should also hurry and leave. They will emerge soon," Elder Ruan urged Ye Yunfei.
"No, Elder Ruan. You all go first." Ye Yunfei slowly turned to look at the entrance to Tianmu Shenjun's cultivation cave mansion, his voice cold.
"Young Master Ye, what are you planning? Do you intend to return and confront them?" Elder Ruan asked, startled by Ye Yunfei's expression.
"Young Master Ye, the combined might of those great factions is formidable. Especially their Seventh-Level Sovereign Gods—they number over a dozen. It's best not to provoke them now. We can settle scores with them another day," Elder Wu from Wanmu Ancestral Land hastily advised.
"What of it if they are Seventh-Level Sovereign Gods? My principle has always been: Those who don't provoke me, I won't provoke. Those who offend me will be repaid tenfold." Ye Yunfei gazed at the distant entrance to Tianmu Shenjun's cave mansion with a cold smile. "Since they chose to provoke me, I'll give them a lesson they won't forget," Ye Yunfei stated.
"Young Master Ye, the combined strength of those five factions is considerable. Engaging in intense conflict with them isn't necessary. Some prudent concessions might be wise," Elder Ruan suggested after some thought.
"Even if I concede, those great factions will not. Once hands are raised, we must strike them hard enough to inflict pain. Only then might they think twice," Ye Yunfei shook his head.
"Elder Ruan, leave quickly now. I am going back inside," Ye Yunfei announced. With that, he turned, preparing to re-enter Tianmu Shenjun's cultivation cave mansion.
"Young Master Ye is right. Once we've fought, we must strike them hard enough to inflict pain. So many of our Wanmu Ancestral Land members were killed by those five factions this time. I have a score to settle with them. Young Master Ye, wait for me. I'll go back with you." At that moment, Elder Wu suddenly spoke out, stepping forward to stand beside Ye Yunfei.
"Elder Wu, you...?" Elder Ruan exclaimed in surprise.
"Both my disciples were slain not long ago. I must avenge them," Elder Wu stated his purpose plainly. "Young Master Ye, I shall also return with you. Our Wanmu Ancestral Land has always been low-profile and dislikes trouble, but that doesn't mean we are easy to bully. Since they raised their hands against us, they must pay the price." Suddenly, another Seventh-Level Sovereign God from Wanmu Ancestral Land also stepped forward, arriving beside Ye Yunfei.
"Elder Yan, you..." Elder Ruan started in surprise, but didn't know how to persuade him otherwise.
"Elder Ruan, take everyone back. Don't worry about us two. After all, we are both Seventh-Level Sovereign Gods; it won't be easy for anything to befall us," Elder Wu said.
"Very well. I shall lead them back then," Elder Ruan sighed softly after looking at the two elders and Ye Yunfei. He knew he had to swiftly escort the remaining Wanmu Ancestral Land members back to headquarters. Otherwise, once the forces of the five factions emerged, they would surely pursue and intercept them.