The Tianjin Mountain Range was located within the Wutang Empire of the Central Continent.
The Wutang Empire was a first-rate force in the Central Continent. In terms of strength, it was second only to a few top-tier forces such as the Fengyun Family. It was said that the empire's royal court was garrisoned by Grotto-Heaven Realm experts.
"Ancestor, large numbers from several of the Central Continent's top-tier forces have already entered our empire's territory. How should our royal court respond?"
Within the Imperial Palace of the Wutang Empire's capital, in a quiet side chamber, a middle-aged man dressed in a dragon robe and radiating an air of authority stood respectfully before an elderly man who appeared to be on his last legs.
This middle-aged man was the Emperor of the Wutang Empire!
The old man looked ancient, his skin covered in folds like the bark of an old tree. However, the occasional gleam in his narrowing eyes shot out astonishing, sharp radiance.
"Play host to them well, but do not involve yourselves in any of their affairs," the ancestor replied slowly.
"Ancestor, I've heard from a friend in the Shenfeng Sect that there is another reason why several top-tier forces in the Central Continent are making such a big show of dealing with Ye Yunfei. It is because Ye Yunfei possesses several highly advanced cultivation techniques and combat arts. Those techniques are even more advanced than the Fengyun Family's inheritance! Ancestor, if our royal court could obtain those techniques, our overall strength would surely advance another step. Perhaps we'd even have a chance to join the ranks of the Central Continent's top-tier forces in the future." A hint of greed flashed in the emperor's eyes.
"You wish to invite calamity upon yourself?" The old man's eyes suddenly snapped wide open as he stared at the emperor.
"Ancestor..." The emperor was startled.
"Even if Ye Yunfei truly possesses those advanced techniques and arts, do you think our Wutang Empire can compete for them against those top-tier forces? Furthermore, Ye Yunfei represents the Hudao Academy. The Hudao Academy was personally founded by the Hudao Patriarch in the past. It must never be underestimated. Our Wutang Empire cannot afford to provoke them.
Moreover, I sense that this Ye Yunfei absolutely cannot be underestimated either. Relying on his own power alone, he dares to provoke several top-tier forces of the Central Continent simultaneously, and he remains alive and well to this day. This youngster is far from simple. In short, in this matter, our royal court will stand by and watch." The ancestor spoke, his voice imbued with immense authority.
"I understand, Ancestor," the emperor quickly nodded.
The Tianjin Mountain Range was situated in the northern part of the Wutang Empire. A dozen or so mountain ridges, each resembling a giant dragon, lay across the earth, forming a vast mountainous region. Towering peaks stretched continuously, seemingly boundless in their majestic expanse. Pristine, dense forests were everywhere, with roars of beasts and cries of birds resounding endlessly.
On one peak within these mountains,
Ye Yunfei sat cross-legged, his Soul Power stretching far outward, sensing this entire mountainous region. Within a radius of four hundred thousand meters, every mountain and rock, every bird and beast, every blade of grass and tree entered the perception of his Soul Power as clearly as observing the lines on his palm.
Behind Ye Yunfei stood seven deans from the Hudao Academy and over a hundred students, looking at him with eyes full of awe and reverence. These deans and students were all people Ye Yunfei had rescued from the hands of those top Central Continent forces.
Looking at the young man sitting cross-legged before them, as still as an old monk in deep meditation, the seven deans recalled their experiences over the past few days, still feeling utterly shocked and almost unable to believe it.
In just these past few days, Ye Yunfei had led them in a single go, destroying over thirty branch strongholds of those top-tier Central Continent forces! The wealth they had seized was astonishing! Furthermore, they had captured a large group of people!
Right now, these seven deans and the hundred-plus students admired Ye Yunfei to an extreme degree. Recalling the scenes of Ye Yunfei dealing with those Mystic Liquid Realm experts made them feel their blood boil with excitement!
Whether facing early-stage or Mid Stage Mystic Liquid Realm opponents, Ye Yunfei could decisively suppress them. Moreover, he had even led these seven deans to jointly defeat two Late Stage Mystic Liquid Realm experts! Those two experts were now imprisoned, their cultivation sealed by Ye Yunfei!
"Hmm, this mountainous region conveniently has thirty-six peaks and seventy-two smaller mountain heads. It subtly aligns with the numbers of the thirty-six Heavenly Stars and seventy-two Earthly Fiends. This is a special topography naturally formed by heaven and earth. It's perfect for setting up the One Hundred and Eight Heavenly Stars and Earthly Fiends Array!"
While sensing with his Soul Power, Ye Yunfei meticulously calculated. Only after an hour did he open his eyes and nod in satisfaction.
"I plan to deploy a series of formations in this area. I'll need your assistance." Ye Yunfei stood up and waved his hand. Over a hundred space rings flew out, hovering in front of the seven deans and the hundred-plus students.
These space rings were all filled with formation materials and a large quantity of Formation Flags. These materials were specifically collected by Ye Yunfei during the past few days. The Formation Flags were personally refined by Ye Yunfei.
"Ye Yunfei, you know how to set up formations?!" The seven deans were greatly surprised.
It must be noted that in the Tianxuan Continent, the number of formation masters was relatively small. Every formation master was highly sought after. Those with profound formation attainments, known as Formation Masters, were esteemed guests at the major powers, receiving immense respect.
"Just follow my instructions. You should move as quickly as possible," Ye Yunfei said.
"Alright. Ye Yunfei, tell us how to proceed." All seven deans nodded.
Thus, under Ye Yunfei's command, the seven deans and the hundred-plus students sprang into action, busying themselves within this mountainous region.
Having once been a Heavenly Emperor, Ye Yunfei had studied the various major arrays of the world, and even the divine arrays left behind in ancient ruins. Therefore, his level of skill in formations far surpassed most Formation Masters in the world.
At the same time,
The area near the Tianjin Mountain Range was already filled with numerous martial artists. There were people from the top-tier forces of the Central Continent, as well as martial artists who had specifically come to watch the spectacle.
The news that Ye Yunfei demanded a prisoner exchange had spread throughout the Central Continent. For a junior to publicly challenge several top-tier forces in such a manner was incredibly shocking. Thus, a large number of martial artists had flocked here, wanting to witness the outcome of this event.
One could say that the Tianjin Mountain Range had become the focal point of attention for the entire Central Continent these past few days.
The nearest city to the Tianjin Mountain Range was called Tianjin City. Tianjin City was the second-largest city in the Wutang Empire, only surpassed by the imperial capital. For the past few days, the flow of people in Tianjin City had been extremely high. It was nearly overwhelmed by the continuous stream of martial artists flooding in!
"Look! The Shenfeng Sect has arrived!"
A shout rang out in Tianjin City.
Across the distant sky, a fleet of battle ships arrived, imposing and menacing. Drawing closer, everyone saw more than ten ships in total.
Then, members of the Shenfeng Sect emerged from the ships.
"Look! It's He Tiange, the leading figure among the Shenfeng Sect's younger generation! He's here too! I heard his strength is already at the Mid Stage Mystic Liquid Realm, and his combat power is formidable." The crowd saw a tall, imposing man with exceptional bearing and sword-like eyes leading the Shenfeng Sect disciples with dragon-tiger strides.
"Aside from He Tiange, many famous young disciples from the Shenfeng Sect have come. It seems that to deal with Ye Yunfei, the Shenfeng Sect is truly sending out all their elites!" a martial artist exclaimed.