"Haha, Dean Shangguan, Dean Zhou, congratulations on your successful breakthrough."
Suddenly, a hearty laugh rang out.
Ye Yunfei strode forth with vigorous steps, walking through the air towards them.
Having broken through to the Yuan Foundation Realm, Ye Yunfei's aura seemed increasingly ethereal, detached from worldly dust and untouched by mundane aura.
One must know, Ye Yunfei possessed the Chaos Divine Meridians and cultivated the Nine-Yang Scripture, a top-tier cultivation technique in the world. This bestowed upon him a unique and extraordinary temperament.
"Dean Ye, your realm…"
Xie Changkong watched Ye Yunfei, who was approaching through the air like a divine scion, and his eyes suddenly narrowed with immense shock.
"Dean Ye, a few days ago, your spiritual power realm seemed to be at the mid-stage True Manifestation Realm. Now, it's the mid-stage Yuan Foundation Realm?"
Following Xie Changkong's words, the other higher-ups also came to their senses. One of the Guardian Elders couldn't help but ask.
"A fortunate breakthrough," Ye Yunfei replied indifferently as he descended onto the mountain peak.
Hisss!
To leap from mid-stage True Manifestation Realm to mid-stage Yuan Foundation Realm in just a few days! Such a speed of advancement was simply unbelievable! It completely defied the martial common sense these higher-ups had accumulated over the years.
The academy's higher-ups stared in stunned silence.
"Dean Ye, you broke through three consecutive realms in a few days, yet your spiritual power foundation appears exceptionally solid and steady. This is truly a miracle!" Another Guardian Elder, sensing Ye Yunfei's spiritual power fluctuations, exclaimed again.
"Marvelous, Dean Ye, you are truly marvelous!" The higher-ups exclaimed one after another.
They could all tell that Ye Yunfei's spiritual power foundation was incredibly solid, vigorous, and deep.
"Dean Xie, Guardian Elders, your meridians are severely damaged, reaching the point of harming your martial foundation. Remember, do not employ spiritual power again until your injuries are healed. Otherwise, your cultivation will be completely lost, and you will become ordinary mortals devoid of any strength," Ye Yunfei said with a frown as his gaze swept over Xie Changkong and the six Guardian Elders.
"Indeed. Our injuries were already serious to begin with. The battle a few days ago has aggravated them further. There is almost no possibility of recovery," Xie Changkong said somewhat dejectedly, shaking his head and sighing.
Mentioning their injuries, the six Guardian Elders also hung their heads, their spirits sinking.
Right at this moment.
"Dean Xie, grave news!" A standard elder descended hurriedly onto the mountain peak. It was Elder Fang, who had previously led the team to the Crystal Mine Small World.
"Elder Fang, what is it?" Xie Changkong couldn't help but frown. Elder Fang had a steady disposition and wouldn't normally act in such a panic.
"Many of our Hudao Academy branch strongholds across the Central Continent are being attacked one after another. Property is being looted, personnel are being detained," Elder Fang reported.
"What?! Who is doing this?!" Xie Changkong was furious upon hearing this.
As one of the top forces in the Central Continent, Hudao Academy had established branch strongholds in numerous locations, managing many businesses. After all, the academy had over ten thousand students, and the resources needed for their cultivation constituted a massive expenditure. Therefore, the academy's leadership had always strived to increase its revenue, establishing branch strongholds in the Central Continent and even in the Eastern Region, Western Plains, Northern Wastes, and Southern Frontier.
"From the news I've received, members from factions like the Fengyun Family, Xiao Clan, Shenfeng Sect, and Tianyan Sect have all been involved. Recently, rumors have been spreading throughout the Central Continent, claiming that all our Hudao Academy's higher-ups are critically injured, on the verge of death, that Hudao Academy is finished and soon to decline. In short, our academy's reputation has plummeted. Furthermore, not only are those top-tier forces acting, but even some first and second-rate forces are taking advantage of the chaos to attack our academy's branch strongholds and loot property. If this continues, I'm afraid all our branch strongholds will be destroyed and all our properties divided before long," Elder Fang added.
"They are going way too far!" Xie Changkong trembled with anger upon hearing Elder Fang's words.
"Unacceptable! They truly hold no regard for our Hudao Academy!" The other higher-ups were also seething with fury.
"Dean Xie, should we take action?" Elder Fang inquired.
"We should set off immediately and show them some power!" one of the more hot-tempered Guardian Elders said angrily.
"Absolutely not. Dean Xie and the six Guardian Elders must not employ spiritual power again under any circumstances. Otherwise, the consequences will be severe. Moreover, one reason those top-tier forces are destroying our academy's branch strongholds is likely to lure you out… and then take action against you," Ye Yunfei interjected.
"Dean Xie, you seven are the pillars of Hudao Academy. With you here, Hudao Academy remains a top-tier force. But if anything happens to you seven, no one in the Tianxuan Continent will regard Hudao Academy as a top-tier force anymore," Ye Yunfei continued.
Xie Changkong and the six Guardian Elders fell silent. They knew Ye Yunfei's words held reason.
"Dean Ye is right," Dean Shangguan and Dean Zhou nodded in agreement.
"Dean Xie, more terrible news! Three of our elders and over a dozen stewards have gone missing. Rumors suggest they might have been captured by those top-tier forces like the Fengyun Family." Suddenly, a steward flew over in haste and landed on the mountain peak.
"Going way too far! Unacceptable!…" Immediately, the higher-ups all erupted in fury, roaring angrily.
"Heh, seems those top-tier forces have completely torn off all pretenses, disregarding everything to declare war on Hudao Academy!" Ye Yunfei also chuckled coldly.
"Dean Xie, just now, someone delivered a Message Jade Slip requiring your personal receipt." At this moment, another steward arrived in a hurry and handed a Message Jade Slip to Xie Changkong.
Xie Changkong took the jade slip.
"Xie Changkong, you have three days to hand over the Hudao Stele and Ye Yunfei. Otherwise, Hudao Academy is finished! Hahaha…" A voice emanated from the jade slip, followed by triumphant, maniacal laughter.
Xie Changkong trembled with anger.
The other higher-ups also had bloodshot eyes. Indeed, the situation facing Hudao Academy was extremely severe. Clearly, those top-tier forces in the Central Continent had disregarded all caution and united to act against Hudao Academy. Yet, Xie Changkong and the six Guardian Elders were all severely injured and unable to fight. Thus, Hudao Academy had little strength left for retaliation. For a moment, the academy's higher-ups felt utterly stifled and humiliated. As one of the Central Continent's top forces, they had been pushed to such a dire strait.
"Dean Xie, I'll make a trip out to check on those branch strongholds," Dean Shangguan suddenly offered.
"I'll go too," Dean Zhou also said.
"Very well. The two of you, maintain a low profile and avoid conflict with them. Also, do your best to bring our academy members back," Xie Changkong sighed.
"No. The two of you cannot leave the academy. Right now, Hudao Academy only has you two Grotto-Heaven Realm experts capable of martial action. Therefore, you two must garrison the academy. Otherwise, if enemies attack again, the entire academy will have no one capable of resisting. Let me go," Ye Yunfei said.
"You?" The other higher-ups were all taken aback.