"Even a mere stretch of ruins could still make me feel a sense of danger. To have such deep reserves left after being destroyed for so long... the Divine Sword Sect truly lives up to its name as one of the three great sword sects of the ancient Sword Realm Continent," Ye Yunfei couldn't help but softly sigh as he gazed at the ruins before him.
"Back then, the Tianjian Sect's strength overshadowed the Divine Sword Sect's. That implies the reserves the Tianjian Sect preserved are certainly no weaker than those of this Divine Sword Sect. Sword Elder's Remnant Soul is but one of the legacies the Tianjian Sect left behind," Hun Lao, hearing Ye Yunfei's words, transmitted his voice to the young man.
"Indeed, the Tianjian Sect must have left many more reserves behind, it's just that I don't know about them yet," Ye Yunfei nodded in agreement after listening to Hun Lao.
"This Sword Realm Continent appears to be a wasteland on the surface, but in truth, it possesses numerous deep reserves. That's why the Blade Realm has never been at ease and continues to think of ways to deal with the Sword Realm to this day. Without completely obliterating these preserved legacies on the Sword Realm Continent, the Blade Realm will never truly be reassured," Hun Lao spoke again.
"If that's the case, then why doesn't the Blade Realm simply organize an army to invade the Sword Realm again, and utterly destroy this continent?" Golden-horned Silkworm interjected.
"I speculate that in the final battle that destroyed the Sword Realm back then, many powerful figures from the Sword Realm managed to escape to the outside world. Moreover, based on the memories of the traitors I devoured, there are actually many hidden realms and small worlds preserved intact on the Sword Realm Continent from that ancient conflict. Over the years, the Blade Realm has constantly sought ways to discover those hidden realms and small worlds. There was even one time when the Blade Realm organized an army again to enter this forsaken Sword Realm Continent, stationed forces here, attempting to occupy it and wipe out all the ancient legacies that remained. However, later on, many mysterious sword path experts returned from the outside world. Large numbers of remnant souls also surfaced across the continent. And from within some hidden realms and small worlds, mysterious and powerful forces would occasionally emerge and attack. During that period, the Blade Realm's forces suffered constant ambushes, and their casualties grew increasingly severe. Eventually, they could not sustain it and had to withdraw from the Sword Realm Continent in shame," Ye Yunfei explained.
Ye Yunfei had devoured many of the traitors' soul bodies, obtaining a wealth of memories.
"So that's how it is. It seems the Sword Realm was only destroyed on the surface, but many forces were preserved. That's why the Blade Realm fears the Sword Realm might truly be rebuilt one day, rising once more, and has been actively working to sabotage it," Golden-horned Silkworm said.
"I think this is good for you. You are the successor of the Sword Realm. Since the Sword Realm has preserved considerable strength, you won't be facing the Blade Realm alone in the future; you'll have many allies," Golden-horned Silkworm added.
"Yes, the more strength the Sword Realm has preserved, the better for me," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Actually, during this period, I have occasionally sensed some extremely formidable sword path auras on this continent. Those auras would flash and disappear, but they cannot escape my perception. In truth, so far, my scope of activity on this Sword Realm Continent is still quite limited. Many areas remain unexplored," Ye Yunfei spoke, his gaze sweeping across the vast expanse of the Sword Realm Continent.
When Ye Yunfei first arrived at the Sword Realm Continent, Sword Elder had warned him not to wander around recklessly, lest he provoke some dreadful beings. That's why Ye Yunfei had not engaged in extensive exploration.
Afterwards, Ye Yunfei found a secluded spot nearby and set up a formation-sealed small space. He then entered it to quietly cultivate and recuperate.
Nonetheless, Ye Yunfei kept his perception focused on the stretch of ruins that was the Divine Sword Sect's headquarters. He was guarding against that earlier remnant soul suddenly attempting an escape.
"The sword path energy and laws of the Sword Realm existent here are far more pure and advanced than the outside world. Since I've entered the Sword Realm Continent, I should take the time to properly cultivate and elevate my own," Ye Yunfei thought to himself, sensing the dense sword energy and profound laws in the surrounding space.
He then began to cultivate and comprehend the sword path. His two soul bodies and all his Soul Power stars began participating together, all focused on training his sword path. Being on the Sword Realm Continent, with its uniquely advantageous environment for sword cultivation, Ye Yunfei naturally would not waste the opportunity.
An unknown amount of time passed.
"Who's there?!"
Suddenly, an angry shout came from the distance. Ye Yunfei snapped his eyes open and looked over.
"There's an aura of blade path energy!" Hun Lao exclaimed in surprise.
"Indeed. Blade path aura. Someone is employing a blade technique," Ye Yunfei nodded, then flashed out of the formation-sealed small space. In an instant, he arrived before the ruins of the Divine Sword Sect headquarters.
Then, Ye Yunfei saw seven figures radiating blade path energy engaged in combat with the descendants of the Sword Realm. Over a dozen corpses, all belonging to Sword Realm descendants, already littered the ground nearby.
"Blade Realm infiltrators have actually snuck into the Sword Realm Continent," Ye Yunfei thought, seeing the seven figures each wielded a long saber, their bodies erupting with surging blade radiance. He immediately knew they were members of the Blade Realm, and all of them were Sovereign Gods.
"Young Master Ye, these fiends burst out from within these ruins! They launched a sneak attack so suddenly, we couldn't react and already lost over a dozen people!" Elder Zheng and Elder Qin were overjoyed at seeing Ye Yunfei. Elder Qin immediately reported.
Just as he spoke, the seven figures suddenly turned as one, charging towards Ye Yunfei with murderous intent.
"I have a feeling these fellows are specifically targeting you," Hun Lao remarked, seeing the approaching figures.
Ye Yunfei, with a thought, instantly unleashed his Thought Reading Technique, Soul Force Star Method, Heart Sword, and Puppet Soul Thread Secret Art, striking separately at the seven figures.
At the same time, Ye Yunfei drew his longsword and executed the Myriad Swords Return to the Origin great method. A single slash sent forth a massive, brilliant sword radiance that continuously expanded, attacking all seven simultaneously.
Facing Ye Yunfei's assault, the seven figures erupted with soaring killing intent. They raised their long sabers together, each unleashing a sinister black blade light. Formidable blade path energy surged in all directions, instantly shaking the surrounding heaven and earth.
"These are all Seventh Level Sovereign Gods! And the techniques they execute are pure Blade Realm blade path heritage! Excellent! The Divine Sword Sect's headquarters actually hide so many blade practitioners. This certainly points to a serious problem," Hun Lao recognized their cultivation realm at a glance and could not help but speak.
"Indeed. This Divine Sword Sect is very likely the ancient mole hidden within the Sword Realm Continent. It may well have been the main reason for the fall of the ancient Sword Realm," Ye Yunfei's gaze turned icy.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
As he spoke, Ye Yunfei's sword flashes became incredibly swift. He sent out over a dozen massive sword radiance arcs in succession, forcing the seven figures to retreat. The various Soul Power martial techniques and heart force martial techniques Ye Yunfei unleashed even more forcefully suppressed the seven's soul bodies.
It had to be remembered, Ye Yunfei's current level of Soul Power far surpassed that of ordinary Ninth Level Sovereign Gods, let alone a few Seventh Levels.
"Not good! This brat's Soul Power is too strong! The Soul Power martial techniques he wields are also terrifying. We are probably no match!" At this point, the seven faces of those who wanted to rush Ye Yunfei all showed expressions of wariness.
"You Blade Realm scum dare to trespass into the Sword Realm? Today, you'll be buried in this very land," Ye Yunfei gripped his sword, his voice cold, dripping with killer intent.
With that, Ye Yunfei activated his movement technique, took a step forward, moving so fast he disappeared from sight.
"A snot-nosed whelp dares to boast like that!" The seven figures, all blade practitioners from the Blade Realm, flew into a rage upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words. But once Ye Yunfei's movement technique was unleashed, they could no longer keep track of his figure, a fact that filled them with shock and prompted them to begin retreating.
The next instant, Ye Yunfei materialized before one of the blade practitioners. His sword erupted with dazzling radiance, sweeping horizontally. At the same time, Ye Yunfei unleashed various Soul Power and heart force martial techniques, invading this cultivator's soul sea and suppressing his soul body.
The blade practitioner's expression changed drastically, trying to evade, but it was too late. His soul body was forcefully suppressed, and his physical form was also pressed down by the powerful sword path energy unleashed by Ye Yunfei, making it difficult to breathe.
With a sickening crack, his body was cleaved in two by Ye Yunfei's single strike.
"So strong!" The other blade practitioners, seeing their comrade bisected in one stroke, were horrified.
Just at that moment, a loud boom resounded. From within the ruins of the Divine Sword Sect ahead, erupted a terrifying wave of sword path energy, surging forth like a golden ocean. It instantly enveloped the space around Ye Yunfei.
In an instant, Ye Yunfei felt as if countless towering divine mountains were crushing down on his body, making it unbearably heavy.
"Not good! A formidable sword path practitioner is releasing sword energy to suppress you!" Hun Lao sensed the terrifying pressure and cried out in alarm.
"Brat, you're finished!" The seven blade practitioners grinned ferociously simultaneously.
They could see Ye Yunfei was under terrible suppression. Each brandished their long sabers and rushed forward, all hacking towards Ye Yunfei.
At this moment, Elder Zheng and Elder Qin, leading other Sword Realm descendants, had already charged over, launching attacks and unleashing a dazzling storm of sword light aimed at the seven blade practitioners.
But that powerful surge of sword energy erupting from the Divine Sword Sect ruins instantly blocked all of Elder Zheng, Elder Qin, and the other descendants' attacks.
"This sword energy is generated by the lingering restrictions the Divine Sword Sect left in its headquarters! I'll help you block it!" Just then, Sword Elder's voice rang out in Ye Yunfei's sea of consciousness.
Then, with a great boom, a vast, ocean-like sword path energy soared across the void from the direction of the Tianjian Sect headquarters, instantly flooding the area where Ye Yunfei stood. The sword energy that had burst from the Divine Sword Sect ruins was shattered to pieces, annihilated. Ye Yunfei immediately felt a great weight lift from him.
And Ye Yunfei's longsword in his hand slashed out mercilessly, cleaving three of the blade practitioners' bodies in half on the spot.