At the same time.
Eastern Territory.
Within the ancient battlefield where Ye Yunfei had once participated in Hudao Academy's entrance examination.
The sounds of fierce fighting and billowing demonic aura filled the air everywhere.
Suddenly.
Boom! Boom!...
Countless patches of ground cracked open, and numerous ferocious, towering figures surged up from beneath the earth.
All of them were Ancient Demon Race members!
"We pay our respects to Demon General!"
All the Ancient Demon Race members knelt toward one particular figure, the tallest among them.
"Hahaha…
This general has finally revived!
Tianxuan Continent, I have returned!"
This Demon General threw back his head and roared with laughter.
"Move out!
Let us find the Teleportation Altar our great army planted on the Tianxuan Continent in those bygone years.
Once we activate that altar, our great army can descend upon the Tianxuan Continent once more through it!"
The Demon General waved a hand and led a large contingent of Ancient Demon Race members away from the ancient battlefield in a grand procession.
At the same time.
In the other three regions of the Tianxuan Continent—the Western Wasteland, Southern Ridges, and Northern Plains—more Ancient Demon Race members revived and emerged into the world.
At Hudao Academy.
After three days in seclusion, Ye Yunfei emerged.
The moment he left seclusion, Ye Yunfei sensed something amiss.
Xie Changkong, the six Guardian Elders, and quite a few ordinary elders were gathered in the council hall, lamenting with heavy sighs, their faces filled with distress.
"Dean Xie, what has happened?"
Ye Yunfei walked into the council hall and asked.
"Dean Shangguan took a few deans to attend the Alchemy Tower's Alchemy Competition Conference. On the way back, they were ambushed. Their whereabouts are now unknown, and we don't know if they are alive or dead.
Dean Zhou, upon receiving the news, rushed to investigate, was also ambushed, and returned severely wounded.
Initially, I had not intended to send anyone to attend this session of the Alchemy Tower's Alchemy Competition Conference.
However, Dean Shangguan said the Alchemy Tower had sent an invitation and that if our Hudao Academy did not send representatives, we risked earning the Alchemy Tower's enmity. In the future, Hudao Academy might never have another chance to request elixirs from the Alchemy Tower.
Thus, Dean Shangguan insisted on going.
I never imagined something like this would happen." Xie Changkong explained.
"It must be the work of those top-tier forces!"
Ye Yunfei's expression darkened involuntarily.
"Unfortunately, our severe injuries have yet to heal. We cannot act and can only sit here anxiously."
A Guardian Elder sighed.
"Recently, although those top-tier forces have not directly attacked our Hudao Academy's various branch strongholds again, they are using every possible means to ostracize us.
Now, nearly all forces and individuals across Central Continent dare not do business with our Hudao Academy, lest they face retaliation.
Therefore, the survival of our academy's branch strongholds has become extremely difficult."
An ordinary elder added.
"Their primary target is the Hudao Stele.
They will not rest until they obtain it."
A Guardian Elder stated slowly.
"Yes."
Xie Changkong nodded.
Legend had it that the Hudao Stele contained a clue to an ancient, mystic realm. It was said that Hu Dao Shangren's rapid rise to become the strongest expert on the Tianxuan Continent was due to the benefits he gained from that realm.
Precisely because of this legend, countless martial artists on the Tianxuan Continent coveted the Hudao Stele.
The top-tier forces in Central Continent were also cooperating against Hudao Academy for this very reason.
"Currently, all Heaven Realm experts in our academy are injured.
Not a single one can fight.
Apart from hiding within the academy, we have no other recourse.
Fortunately, we have the Hudao Stele guarding this place, so they dare not enter the academy's vicinity.
Otherwise, Hudao Academy would have been annihilated long ago."
A Guardian Elder sighed softly.
The other high-ranking members fell silent for a moment.
Indeed, Xie Changkong, the six Guardian Elders, and Dean Zhou were all severely wounded.
Dean Shangguan's fate was unknown.
None of Hudao Academy's Heaven Realm experts were in any condition to fight.
They simply stood no chance against those top-tier forces!
Just at that moment.
"Dean Xie, someone delivered this, specifying it was for you."
Suddenly, a dean hurriedly entered the council hall and handed a jade slip to Xie Changkong.
It was a communication jade slip.
Xie Changkong activated it.
"If you wish to save Shangguan Han, use the Hudao Stele and Ye Yunfei in exchange.
If the Hudao Stele is not surrendered within three days, Shangguan Han dies!"
A low voice, carrying a bone-chilling killing intent, transmitted from the jade slip, causing everyone's hair to stand on end.
Bang!
After hearing this, Xie Changkong flew into a rage and crushed the jade slip into powder.
"Dean Xie, I saw Dean Shangguan!
Tied up on a mountain peak near our academy!"
Suddenly, another dean rushed in, shouting.
In an instant, everyone stood up.
"Let's go take a look!"
Xie Changkong's figure flashed as he led the charge out of the council hall.
The next moment.
Hudao Academy's high-ranking members soared into the air one after another, looking toward a tall mountain peak near the academy.
Atop that peak, there was a clearing. In the clearing, Dean Shangguan was bound to a tall iron pillar, his body stained with blood, unconscious.
"It really is Dean Shangguan!"
The expressions of Hudao Academy's leaders grew fierce, their eyes nearly bursting with rage.
"Dean Shangguan's injuries are quite severe, but they haven't reached a life-threatening point yet."
Ye Yunfei sensed Dean Shangguan's aura and felt slightly relieved.
"Hehe, surrender the Hudao Stele and Ye Yunfei within three days. Otherwise, Shangguan Han will lose his life."
A hazy, illusory figure slowly materialized beside Dean Shangguan, looked across the distance at Hudao Academy's high-ranking members, and sneered, its voice as unpleasant as an owl's cry.
"Of course, during these three days, you at Hudao Academy are welcome to try your hand at rescuing Shangguan Han, if you have the capability."
The figure sneered once more, then vanished.
"On that mountain peak, there are at least a dozen or more Heaven Realm experts hidden."
Xie Changkong released his Soul Power to investigate briefly, his face extremely grim.
"That's correct."
A Guardian Elder nodded.
Under these circumstances, Hudao Academy simply lacked the power to perform a rescue.
The academy's high-ranking members stared from afar at the bloodstained Dean Shangguan, fury blazing in their eyes, yet utterly helpless.
"Dean Xie, let us return inside first.
I have something to discuss with you all."
Ye Yunfei suddenly spoke.
"Oh?
Very well.
Let us return."
Xie Changkong was taken aback for a moment, then nodded.
Subsequently, everyone returned to the council hall.
"Everyone, two days from now, we shall go and rescue Dean Shangguan."
Ye Yunfei stated.
"What?!"
Upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, all the high-ranking members were both shocked and bewildered.
Ye Yunfei waved his hand.
Hundreds of jade bottles appeared before the assembly.
"Dean Xie, here are eight Marrow Vein Heavenly Pills. You, the six deans, and Dean Zhou shall each take one. In two days, your injuries will be completely healed.
Then, in two days, we will rescue him."
Ye Yunfei pointed a finger, and one of the jade bottles flew to hover before Xie Changkong. Inside were eight sparkling Four-Grade Treasure Pills emitting astonishing energy.
Instantly, the gazes of every high-ranking member in the hall locked onto that jade bottle, each pair of eyes erupting with incredible, ecstatic delight.