Not long after, those Earth Masters who had come to pursue and kill Ye Yunfei were all slain by the various treacherous lands and forbidden zones that Shoudi Laoren had arranged.
“It seems Shoudi Laoren had long anticipated the rebellion of these fellows, thus prepared these arrangements in advance,” Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm spoke.
“Shoudi Laoren faced betrayal back then and suffered so much torment. His temperament and mentality underwent great changes. It’s likely that by now, no matter what he does, he will be extremely cautious and prepare various countermeasures in advance. Since he had already guessed there were still traitors inside Earth Gate, he would definitely make all kinds of preparations beforehand,” Hun Lao added.
“Young Master Ye is over there, let's hurry!”
At that moment, another group of Earth Masters surged in from the distance. Seeing Ye Yunfei standing atop the mountain peak, their faces lit up with delight before they rushed into this area.
“Master, these should be Earth Masters sent by Shoudi Laoren to protect us,” Hu Miao said to Ye Yunfei.
“Currently in Earth Gate, aside from Shoudi Laoren, we can’t trust anyone too much,” Ye Yunfei replied.
At this point, those Earth Masters had already arrived around the mountain peak where Ye Yunfei was, completely surrounding it. However, they did not come up but rather positioned themselves as guardians around the mountain's perimeter.
“Young Master Ye, rest assured, we are here to protect your safety,” one of the Earth Masters called out to Ye Yunfei.
“Then I thank you all,” Ye Yunfei nodded and said clearly, but afterwards said nothing more.
In the current environment, Ye Yunfei dared not trust anyone, so he had already quietly released his tens of thousands of Earth Dragons, which burrowed into the mountain beneath him. Moreover, he held tightly the token given earlier by Shoudi Laoren; if the Earth Masters around him attempted to make a move, he would react immediately.
In the distance on the earth, an intense battle was raging. Massive Earth Dragons soared into the sky, filling that stretch of heaven and earth with dragon shadows. Various Geomancy Technique treasures glowed with rolling divine radiance and terrifying power, ceaselessly smashing that part of the world.
Only, this land possessed astonishing regenerative capabilities. The earth that was shattered, including mountains and even dense forests, would quickly self-repair within a short period.
Ye Yunfei sat cross-legged at the mountain peak, watching the shocking battle in the distance and the various brilliant Geomancy Technique techniques employed by the Earth Gate high-levels. His heart was filled with great admiration. While watching, Ye Yunfei used the Divine Pupil at his forehead to study and deduce these advanced Geomancy Technique techniques, feeling greatly benefited. It was the first time Ye Yunfei encountered so many Geomancy Technique masters engaging in such a fierce battle together.
Watching those Geomancy Technique masters moving mountains, draining seas, shattering skies, and splitting the earth on that vast land, with each move drastically altering the terrain and topography of the entire ground, Ye Yunfei inwardly marveled repeatedly.
An unknowable amount of time passed before the battle on the distant earth suddenly began to gradually quiet down.
“It seems the battle is reaching its conclusion, and it appears Shoudi Laoren's side has gained the upper hand. Many of those traitors have been slain, even that Third Elder was struck and seems injured,” Hun Lao cried out in pleasant surprise.
“Yes, indeed Shoudi Laoren's side has gained the upper hand. More than half of the traitors who followed Third Elder have already been killed,” Ye Yunfei, who had been observing the entire time, nodded in confirmation.
“Young Master Ye, are you interested in devouring Third Elder's Soul Body? Third Elder is one of our Earth Gate's most accomplished Divine Geomancers. Also, a Grand Elder has betrayed us too. For these two individuals' Soul Bodies, if you need them, I can coordinate for you.”
Right at this moment, Ye Yunfei suddenly received a Sound Transmission from Shoudi Laoren.
Shoudi Laoren knew that Ye Yunfei could strengthen his own Soul Body by devouring other living beings' Soul Bodies. He even knew that after devouring their Soul Bodies, Ye Yunfei had a high likelihood of acquiring their cultivation. This was because earlier, at Sword Realm Continent, Ye Yunfei had devoured quite a few Sovereign Gods and Chaos Gods from Blade Realm, which then significantly elevated his saber arts level. As an ancient powerhouse, Shoudi Laoren's insight was naturally extraordinary.
“Senior, I am certainly interested! But both of them are very powerful. Do I have a chance to devour their Soul Bodies?” Ye Yunfei was both shocked and elated upon receiving Shoudi Laoren's message.
“Of course there is a chance. These two fellows are now cornered, and I absolutely cannot allow them to live on. If Young Master Ye has no interest in their Soul Bodies, then I will employ means to smash them to pieces and scatter their souls. If Young Master Ye is interested in devouring their Soul Bodies, I will create the opportunity for you. I will first cripple their Soul Bodies, allowing you to devour them. In any case, their end is but one – death,” Shoudi Laoren's voice transmitted.
“If that's the case, then I'll trouble you, senior,” Ye Yunfei suddenly stood up.
That Third Elder, as well as the Grand Elder who betrayed, were both Divine Geomancers. If he could devour their Soul Bodies, there would be an opportunity to obtain their memories and thereby acquire the Geomancy Technique cultivation they had practiced their entire lives.
Divine Geomancers who had lived for such long years possessed incredibly precious techniques, secrets, and all kinds of insights – rare and hard to come by. Now that there was such an opportunity, Ye Yunfei certainly didn't want to miss it.
“Young Master Ye, follow my instructions immediately, delve underground, and wait for your opportunity,” Shoudi Laoren instructed.
“I understand, Senior,” Ye Yunfei nodded, then his figure flashed as he directly burrowed underground.
The Earth Masters who had been protecting the mountain peak earlier had already received Shoudi Laoren's orders and departed.
Because the battle was nearing its end, Third Elder's side was utterly defeated, leaving only a few remaining traitors fleeing in disarray.
Ye Yunfei, having submerged underground as instructed by Shoudi Laoren, swiftly moved along one of the earth veins. Very soon, more and more Earth Dragons converged toward Ye Yunfei's location, swarming around his body as they rolled forward together. Shortly after, they arrived at the spot designated by Shoudi Laoren, where Ye Yunfei discovered at least sixty to seventy thousand Earth Dragons densely gathered, surrounding him and emanating strong earthy energy.
Just then...
Rumble...
Ye Yunfei sensed intense fighting erupting on the surface above this underground location.
His Soul Power energy immediately stretched upward to perceive, and he saw several powerful figures engaged in battle. One of them was undoubtedly Shoudi Laoren.
“Third Elder, you cannot escape. I advise you to surrender obediently. If you surrender and confess your crimes now, you might still have a chance to leave behind a decent reputation. Otherwise, you shall forever be nailed to the Pillar of Shame in our Earth Gate!” Shoudi Laoren's cold voice rang out.
“Nan Gongshi, don't you dare! Nan Gongshi, in this lifetime, it is destined for us to be irreconcilable. Either you die, or I perish! Asking me to bow my head to you? That's pure wishful thinking!” Third Elder's flustered and exasperated voice responded.
“If that's the case, there is nothing more to say,” Shoudi Laoren's voice grew increasingly icy.
“All Elders, Third Elder's betrayal of Earth Gate is verified by ironclad evidence. Moreover, he incited a large group of our Earth Gate members to collectively rebel, even shaking the very foundations of our sect. His crimes are heinous and unforgivable. There is no need to give him any more chances. Otherwise, if any Earth Gate member harbors dissatisfaction in the future, they could rebel, organize such large-scale revolts – what rules would our Earth Gate then have to uphold?” Shoudi Laoren addressed the other high-levels.
“Third Elder, due to dissatisfaction with the Gate Master's election, you conspired in secret, harmed so many fellow disciples, colluded with external enemies, targeted the Gate Master, and now organized such a large-scale rebellion. The Gate Master is right – your crimes are heinous and unforgivable. So do not blame us for abandoning the bonds of fellowship and showing no mercy. Everyone, let's make our move,” another Elder declared loudly.
The other high-levels of Earth Gate nodded in agreement.
Because Third Elder's actions truly brought serious harm to Earth Gate, evidence was conclusive. Nothing said now mattered; they could only act according to Earth Gate's rules, otherwise the long-inherited Earth Gate would descend into chaos.
Thus, these Earth Gate high-levels finally cast aside any reservations and attacked at full strength, jointly operating the Earth Formation with a roar, unleashing the most ferocious attack upon Third Elder.
Third Elder was already injured. Previously, the high-levels, considering their long-standing fellowship, were reluctant to directly kill him, which had dragged matters out until now. But now, with them fully committed, combined with Shoudi Laoren's earlier arrangements, Third Elder quickly felt terrifying pressure.
“Nan Gongshi, it seems you long foresaw today's events, preparing various arrangements on this land beforehand specifically to deal with me!” Third Elder fought on, yet grew more alarmed and terrified by the moment, for he discovered that the large Earth Formations Shoudi Laoren kept triggering had been prepared earlier. These large Earth Formations were massive, crafted from top-grade materials, and fearsomely powerful; they couldn't have been laid out in a short time.
“Indeed, Third Elder. I had long foreseen what would happen today. Ever since I returned to headquarters, I began making preparations to completely purge Earth Gate of its traitors. And I had long suspected that you might be the most significant traitor among us. Hence, half the offensive measures I prepared were specifically targeted at you. Today, death is your only escape.” Shoudi Laoren spoke coldly while pointing a finger. The Earth Formation in the high sky descended with rumbling force to press down upon Third Elder. Dozens of large Earth Formations erupted simultaneously from deep underground. Combined assault from sky and earth instantly sealed all of Third Elder's retreat paths.
The other Earth Gate high-levels no longer showed restraint, each attacking with full strength, charging toward Third Elder from different directions.
“Young Master Ye, be prepared. This fellow is reaching his limit; he will definitely try to escape underground,” Ye Yunfei received Shoudi Laoren's Sound Transmission at this moment.
“Senior, I am prepared,” Ye Yunfei replied. His left hand gripping his saber, his right hand his sword, over a dozen Geomancy Technique treasures had been activated, swirling around his body.