"Mo Chenzi, I truly never imagined you were so malicious.
All those years ago, I misjudged you; I actually accepted your invitation.
All these years of torment and suffering I have endured... they are retribution for my poor judgment."
Upon hearing Mo Chenzi's words, Shoudi Laoren opened his eyes and glanced at him, his voice filled with remorse.
"Hahaha... What's the use of saying that now?
Back then, the moment you heard there was a chance to share the treasures and legacies left behind by the Heavenly Net Sword God and the Blade Demon Patriarch, you rushed straight to the Sword Realm Continent.
Weren't you motivated by profit, in the end?"
Mo Chenzi immediately burst into loud laughter upon hearing Shoudi Laoren's reply.
"Yes, I was indeed blinded by greed back then," Shoudi Laoren nodded with a sigh. "I even associated with a vile character like you. That's what invited these years of pain and torment."
At that very moment, Ye Yunfei had completely gained control over the final dragon cauldron.
With a thunderous *rumble*, the entire Sword Realm Continent shuddered violently. Then, all the Earth Veins, terrestrial Qi energies, and Earth Dragons within the underground world fell under Ye Yunfei's command.
Back in the day, the Realm-Stabilizing Dragon Vein Formation that Shoudi Laoren had laid covered the entire continent. All the energy and laws of the continent served as the formation's power source. By seizing control of the nine dragon cauldrons, Ye Yunfei had thoroughly taken command of this Earth Formation, which was tantamount to controlling the entire Sword Realm Continent.
Ye Yunfei slowly rose to his feet, standing within the subterranean world.
At this moment, he could distinctly sense everything in every corner of the continent, naturally including the underground palace where Shoudi Laoren was imprisoned.
"That old dog Mo Chenzi is bullying Senior Shoudi again."
A flash of cold light passed through Ye Yunfei's eyes as he spotted the thirteen pitch-black, ink-like long needles floating before Mo Chenzi. He immediately recognized them as malicious treasures from the Great Netherworld, specifically designed to target the Soul Bodies of living beings.
Once those black needles pierced a being's Soul Body, they would inflict immense suffering.
"Young man, you've succeeded!"
The moment Ye Yunfei fully mastered the Earth Formation, Shoudi Laoren's heart stirred violently. Barely contained, wild joy flickered deep within his gaze, and he immediately sent a transmission: "Is it done?"
"Yes, Senior. I've completely mastered the Earth Formation. Right now, I will help you break free."
Ye Yunfei knew that if he waited any longer, Mo Chenzi would surely subject Shoudi Laoren to cruel torture.
"Good, good!
Young man, the moment you gained control, you immediately thought of me. I have not misjudged you."
Having endured endless torment over the years, Shoudi Laoren was on the verge of being overcome with emotion upon suddenly discovering someone concerned for his safety.
"What are you doing?"
Before Shoudi Laoren could finish, Mo Chenzi noticed that flash of barely suppressed elation deep in his eyes. Instantly sensing something amiss, he sharply demanded, "Answer me!"
As he spoke, Mo Chenzi pointed a finger. The thirteen pitch-black needles suspended before him instantly transformed into thirteen black streaks, shooting straight for Shoudi Laoren's Soul Body.
Shoudi Laoren's physical form and Soul Body were tightly bound by those jet-black chains, leaving him with absolutely no room to evade.
However, at that exact moment, the underground palace began to shake violently. Vast, rolling waves of yellow Earth Qi energy erupted from the ground, which split apart with multiple fissures.
The thick black pillar behind Shoudi Laoren was suddenly seized and violently yanked downwards toward the heart of the earth by several dozen high-level Earth Dragons.
Shoudi Laoren's body, still connected by the black chains, was pulled along with that thick pillar straight into the depths beneath the palace floor, vanishing from sight.
The thirteen black needles, before they could reach Shoudi Laoren, were intercepted by several hundred Earth Dragons that abruptly surged forth from the earth.
These Earth Dragons were part of the Realm-Stabilizing Dragon Vein Formation and possessed immense power. Their enormous dragon tails swept through the palace, while several dozen charged toward Mo Chenzi, aiming to attack.
"Shoudi Laoren, so you *do* have something up your sleeve!"
Mo Chenzi reacted with both shock and fury.
With a wave of his hand, a multitude of dazzling, brilliant sword rays materialized, shrieking through the air to hack at the oncoming Earth Dragons.
Meanwhile, the thirteen black needles locked onto Shoudi Laoren's Soul Body and swiftly gave chase.
"I have Great Netherworld treasures too."
A cold smile touched Ye Yunfei's lips. Immediately, over a hundred such artifacts from the Great Netherworld appeared simultaneously.
Some of these items had been plundered from Sovereign Gods of the Great Netherworld, while others were crafted by Ye Yunfei himself. Among them were dark square cauldrons, sinister black pagodas, ebony skulls, and diminutive black coffins. This assortment of sinister artifacts, exuding chilly energy auras, formed a blockade before the thirteen black needles, noticeably slowing their advance.
Subsequently, all the Great Netherworld treasures Ye Yunfei had conjured were detonated into fragments by the thirteen black needles.
After all, Mo Chenzi's cultivation realm and strength far surpassed Ye Yunfei's. Moreover, his thirteen black needles were exceptionally high-grade artifacts, vastly more powerful than Ye Yunfei's collection.
Thus, Ye Yunfei's defensive array was quickly shattered. His intention, however, was merely to delay the thirteen black needles ever so slightly, seizing the moment to transport Shoudi Laoren to safety.
By now, Shoudi Laoren's body was concealed within an Earth Vein. Wrapped in the Vein's surging energy, both the old master and the thick black pillar were teleported away at astonishing speed, putting immense distance between them and Mo Chenzi.
This Earth Vein was part of the Realm-Stabilizing Dragon Vein Formation. In other words, Shoudi Laoren had already entered the dominion of the Earth Formation.
"Shoudi Laoren, don't think you can escape!"
At this point, Mo Chenzi realized, to his consternation, that he was having difficulty detecting Shoudi Laoren's energy signature.
Fortunately, the thick pillar was also an artifact from the Great Netherworld. Though he could no longer sense Shoudi Laoren, Mo Chenzi could still perceive the pillar's aura.
"You cannot escape, Shoudi Laoren. Your Soul Body is bound by those law chains. At any moment, I can use them to reduce your soul to dust."
Mo Chenzi let out a cold chuckle. He then began releasing Soul Power energy, attempting to establish a connection with the jet-black chains piercing Shoudi Laoren's flesh and soul.
Those chains had been refined by him; they were his personal treasures.
However, when Mo Chenzi's Soul Power tried to connect with the black chains, he found them sealed and suppressed under an ocean-like torrent of Earth Vein energy.
At that moment, Shoudi Laoren was surrounded by over a dozen thick Earth Veins. Under Ye Yunfei's control, these veins unleashed a deluge of potent, isolating energy, forcefully severing all connection between the black chains and Mo Chenzi.
Simultaneously, Ye Yunfei released his full reserves of Soul Power and mental force. He employed various Soul Power martial techniques and mind arts to suppress those black chains.
Concurrently, profound beams of light shot from the divine pupil on his forehead, striking the black chains with the intent to dissolve their harmful effects on Shoudi Laoren.
"I'll help too!"
The Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm appeared beside Ye Yunfei.
Immediately, Ye Yunfei commanded an Earth Vein to instantaneously transport the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm to Shoudi Laoren's side.
Wasting no time, the creature employed its species' secret spatial arts, conjuring a vast quantity of golden spatial seals to forcibly suppress and isolate the space around Shoudi Laoren, cutting off all ties to the outside world.
Next, Hun Lao joined the effort, also employing his clan's spatial arts to assist the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm in isolating the space.
"Everyone, let us make a move as well!"
At this juncture, Sword Elder, having received Ye Yunfei's mental transmission, immediately activated a message jade slip, sending out successive bursts of communication.
Across the Sword Realm Continent, save for the God Sword Sect, all Remnant Souls from the other sword dao sects began unleashing their Soul Power energy in vast tides, transmitting it deep into the earth.
Ye Yunfei promptly utilized the Earth Formation to gather this collective Soul Power. In an instant, the immense energy was transmitted to Shoudi Laoren's location.
Then, under Shoudi Laoren's guidance, Ye Yunfei used the Earth Formation to condense and transform that terrifyingly vast quantity of Soul Power into one profound Soul Power seal after another. These seals surged into Shoudi Laoren's body, further suppressing the black chains.
This meant that Ye Yunfei, the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm, Hun Lao, and the countless Remnant Souls across the Sword Realm Continent were combining their efforts to forcefully sever the connection between those black chains and Mo Chenzi.
"How is this possible?
I can no longer sense the law chains. It feels as if they've been forcibly sealed away!"
At that moment, Mo Chenzi stared in shock. He could no longer connect to or control the black chains; he could not even sense the thick pillar anymore.
"Impossible! Shoudi Laoren could not possibly possess the means to cut off my connection to the law chains! Someone *must* be assisting him!"
Panic and rage gripped Mo Chenzi.
It was crucial to remember that all this time, he had relied on those black chains to control Shoudi Laoren. Now that he had lost his connection to them, it meant he could no longer control the old master.
"No! I have to find him. I will absolutely not let him escape my control. He dare not!"
Anxiety burned in Mo Chenzi's chest like fire. Grasping the nine Formation Flags, his figure blurred as he plunged into the ground.
"Shoudi Laoren, I've found you! You cannot flee!"
The moment he descended into the underground world, Mo Chenzi grew agitated and shouted loudly.
He had finally perceived Shoudi Laoren's aura. After all, the nine Formation Flags could be used to control the Realm-Stabilizing Dragon Vein Formation. Using them, he was barely able to discern the direction Shoudi Laoren had taken, and he gave chase at high speed.
Mo Chenzi had never cultivated any earth-scanning arts. His ability to control the Earth Formation relied entirely on those nine flags.
Mo Chenzi stood atop one of the Formation Flags while the other eight revolved around him, carrying him swiftly through the subterranean world.
Ye Yunfei cast a cold gaze toward the nine Formation Flags and let out a derisive snort.
These flags had been personally forged by Shoudi Laoren long ago. The old master had already informed Ye Yunfei of the method to crack them.
With a mere thought from Ye Yunfei, several thousand thick Earth Dragons materialized, surging from all directions to launch an overwhelming assault on Mo Chenzi.
"What in the world is happening?
By rights, these Earth Dragons are part of the Earth Formation. They *should* be under my control. Why are they attacking me instead?"
Seeing thousands of Earth Dragons rushing toward him, Mo Chenzi reacted with shock and fury.
Over the years, he had freely come and gone in the underground world, commanding these Earth Dragons at will thanks to the nine Formation Flags. Yet now, they had suddenly turned against him.
"Get away from me, all of you!"
With an enraged roar, Mo Chenzi pointed toward the nine Formation Flags. The flags immediately emanated vast waves of terrestrial Qi energy along with numerous special runes, attempting to regain control over the oncoming Earth Dragons.
However, just then, an earthen-yellow energy hand instantly coalesced beside him and forcefully grasped one of the Formation Flags. A powerful rub against the flag's surface ensued.
Instantly, Mo Chenzi felt the Soul Power imprint he had previously engraved upon that flag being completely erased, vanishing into nothingness.
Subsequently, that Formation Flag broke free from his control entirely. It transformed into a streak of light that shot into the distance, disappearing from sight in the blink of an eye.