A day later.
News spread throughout the Central Continent.
Ye Yunfei had issued a message: order the Fengyun Family, Xiao Clan, Shenfeng Sect, and Tianyan Sect to immediately release the captives. Otherwise, he would hunt down these four forces until they release those hostages!
The moment this news spread, the entire Central Continent erupted in an uproar.
Everyone realized that Ye Yunfei had clashed with the four top-tier powers once again!
"Why do I feel like Ye Yunfei and those four top powers are just born mortal enemies? They clash at regular intervals!"
"I heard that this time, it's because those four powers sent people to the Eastern Region and captured Ye Yunfei's family members and sect members. They've even laid a trap in Shenfeng City, specifically waiting for Ye Yunfei to come rescue them!"
"So that's what happened!"
...
Discussions raged everywhere across the Central Continent.
"Looks like we're in for another spectacle this time!"
"Who do you think will win this round, Ye Yunfei or the four top powers?"
"Why even guess? Ye Yunfei is going solo. No matter how strong he is, his power has limits. Meanwhile, those four powers have a great number of Grotto-Heaven Realm experts stationed there. If Ye Yunfei dares to go to Shenfeng City to rescue them, he's doomed without a doubt!"
"I actually think the Hudao Academy might step in."
"So what if the Hudao Academy intervenes? No matter how strong they are, can they really stand against the combined force of four top powers?"
"Regardless, we can't miss this commotion!"
...
Soon, countless trouble-seekers began heading towards Shenfeng City.
Even many major forces and experts from all over began converging on Shenfeng City.
Everyone understood that a major battle was unavoidable.
If the Hudao Academy also joined in, standing on Ye Yunfei's side, then this battle would be exceptionally thrilling.
After all, these would be clashes among Grotto-Heaven Realm experts!
Countless martial artists across the Central Continent, upon hearing the news, prepared to witness this spectacular battle.
Shenfeng City had utterly become the focal point of the entire Central Continent.
Even the attention on the Otherworldly Army diminished somewhat because of it.
"Ye Yunfei, hurry and come crawling to Shenfeng City to die!"
"Ye Yunfei, come to Shenfeng City immediately, kneel down, and die alongside your family and sect!"
...
In response to Ye Yunfei's message, the four top powers each made their own declarations.
Particularly the younger generation from these four forces. They openly sneered and mocked Ye Yunfei for overestimating himself, saying he was an ant trying to shake a mighty tree, and his fate would undoubtedly be death.
Hudao Academy.
In the council hall.
"What sheer impudence!"
"They've gone too far!"
...
The upper echelons of the Hudao Academy, upon receiving the news, all erupted in fury. Several tabletops were even smashed in their rage.
"Headmaster Xie, let's go to Shenfeng City immediately to rescue them!"
"Right! Those four forces bullying Headmaster Ye like that is tantamount to bullying our Hudao Academy! We can't swallow this insult!"
...
The elders and deans roared, demanding to set off at once for Shenfeng City to save the day.
Finally, everyone's gaze fell upon Xie Changkong.
"Half a day ago, I received a message from Headmaster Ye. He told our Hudao Academy not to get involved in this matter."
Xie Changkong spoke slowly.
"However. It is inevitable that our Hudao Academy and those four powers will clash sooner or later. It's better to take the initiative than be passive. Therefore, this time, our Hudao Academy will fight side-by-side with Headmaster Ye!"
Xie Changkong continued.
"Our Hudao Academy has already obtained all the techniques and martial arts left behind by the Academy's Founder. Moreover, thanks to Headmaster Ye, our academy gained more than a dozen new Grotto-Heaven Realm experts a while back! Right now, our Hudao Academy boasts over twenty Grotto-Heaven Realm experts! This time, let the world truly witness the might of the Hudao Academy!"
Xie Changkong emphasized each word.
"Excellent!"
Upon hearing this, everyone's spirits were bolstered.
Indeed, the Hudao Academy's strength had significantly increased compared to before. From the upper echelons to the mid-level, and down to the disciples, every tier had made leaps and bounds in progress.
There were two main reasons for this. First, Ye Yunfei had fully comprehended all the techniques and martial arts left by Founder Hudao within the Hudao Monument. Second, Ye Yunfei had provided the Hudao Academy with massive quantities of spirit pills and treasure pills, enabling members from top to bottom to continually break through realms. In particular, it had allowed the academy to produce more than a dozen new Grotto-Heaven Realm experts!
At this moment.
A flying vessel was racing across the lands of the Central Continent at full speed, heading towards Shenfeng City.
Inside the vessel.
Within the Phantom Tower.
The diameter of the golden sphere hovering above Ye Yunfei's head had now reached three hundred meters!
It had increased by a full ten times!
Meanwhile, that small lake-like mass and the several hundred treasure pills previously suspended before him had completely vanished.
"I barely managed to reach the intermediate phase of the First Yang Stage."
Ye Yunfei opened his eyes with a bitter smile.
The Nine-Yang Scripture's grade was too high; even Ye Yunfei found it impossible to cultivate and advance rapidly.
"However, being at the late stage of the Mystic Liquid Realm, coupled with the intermediate phase of the Nine-Yang Scripture's First Yang Stage, the intensity of the spiritual power within my body is now equivalent to the Fifth Level of the Grotto-Heaven Realm!"
Ye Yunfei stated confidently.
This was the terrifying aspect of the Nine-Yang Scripture!
It was no joke that the Nine-Yang Scripture was hailed as one of the highest-grade cultivation arts in the world.
"For the remaining time, I'll cultivate the Eighteen Soul Immortal Art!"
Ye Yunfei decided to continue his cultivation.
The flow of time within the Phantom Tower was a hundred times faster than the outside world.
Ye Yunfei estimated that reaching Shenfeng City would take at least another day's travel.
So, there was still time to cultivate the Eighteen Soul Immortal Art.
While Ye Yunfei was cultivating within the Phantom Tower...
A significant event occurred in Shenfeng City.
On an empty field outside Shenfeng City, a massive platform was suddenly erected.
Upon the platform stood row upon row of thick metal posts.
Each post had someone bound to it.
There were several thousand people in total!
All were members of the Ye Family, the Tianyuan Sect, and the Luohai Trading Company.
Among them, those bound to the foremost row included Ye Tianpeng, several elders of the Ye Family, Elder Ren, Shi Zongyang, a number of elders from the Tianyuan Sect, Ren Xuantang, Elder Wu, the Divine Medicine Valley Patriarch, and others.
Additionally, a large number of sturdy men carrying shiny ghost-headed broadswords marched onto the platform. They stood guard with palpable killing intent, watching over the thousands of bound captives.
"In one day's time, all these people will be beheaded as a public spectacle!"
An elder ascended the platform and announced loudly.
By this time, the interior and exterior of Shenfeng City were already packed with martial artists who had flocked from all over to witness the spectacle. Upon hearing the elder's words, a wave of shocked murmurs swept through the crowd.
"That's Elder Lü from the Shenfeng Sect, an expert of the Fifth Level of the Grotto-Heaven Realm!"
Someone recognized the elder who had mounted the platform.
"It seems the four top powers have prepared thoroughly, just waiting for Ye Yunfei to willingly walk into their trap!"
"Given the combined might of the four top forces, even if Ye Yunfei is exceptionally formidable, there's no way he can rescue all his family and sect members."
"Right. If Ye Yunfei dares to come, his only outcome will be death."
...
Many sighed in private.
Unbeknownst to all.
Half a day passed.
Half a day in the outside world meant over a month within the Phantom Tower!
"I've finally cultivated the Eighteen Soul Immortal Art to the Ninth Form! My Soul Power has increased by another significant leap!"
Ye Yunfei slowly opened his eyes.
"Using the Heavenly Soul Sword I can now now engage a Sixth-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm expert with ease!"
After sensing his current Soul Power level, Ye Yunfei stated confidently.
"With half a day left, I'll strive to merge some more Profound Yellow Heavy Qi!"
With a thought, the Profound Yellow Tower appeared before him.
Ye Yunfei waved a hand, and a strand of Profound Yellow Heavy Qi flew out from the tower body.
Then, Ye Yunfei began merging the Profound Yellow Heavy Qi.
Ye Yunfei understood that a fierce battle lay ahead, so he had to elevate his strength in every possible aspect.
Only then would he have a good chance of rescuing those people.