Southern Frontier, Tianhai City.
At the City Lord's Manor.
"Commander Ye, a large number of martial artists from the Southern Frontier are requesting to join our army," Cui Tianguo reported to Ye Yunfei.
"Only accept those at the True Manifestation Realm and above. Send back anyone whose strength is insufficient," Ye Yunfei pondered for a moment and then said.
Currently, Ye Yunfei commanded an army of six hundred thousand, which was already sufficient in number. Therefore, Ye Yunfei now sought quality over quantity.
"Understood," Cui Tianguo nodded.
Finally, after Cui Tianguo's selection, only tens of thousands of Southern Frontier martial artists met the requirements and became part of Ye Yunfei's army.
"Pass down the order: rest for one day. In one day, we march to the Western Plains!" Ye Yunfei commanded.
"Yes!" Cui Tianguo replied.
In front of the Tianxuan Army, he was the high and mighty Deputy Commander. But before Ye Yunfei, his demeanor was utterly humble, like a loyal old servant!
One day later, Ye Yunfei led his army towards the Western Plains.
At the same time.
Xuanhuang Star Domain.
Guyao Realm.
Within a massive palace seething with malevolent demonic aura.
"Truly unexpected that a junior from a lower-level continent could inflict such heavy losses upon our Ancient Demon Race," said a towering Ancient Demon, exuding terrifying demonic power pressure, seated at the center of the hall. His voice was cold as he spoke.
His voice resonated like peals of thunder and lightning, almost echoing throughout the entire Guyao Realm!
The Ancient Demon Race had three Demon Kings, and he was one of them. In the Xuanhuang Star Domain, he was a mighty figure whose name commanded respect across entire regions! The invading armies sent to the Tianxuan Continent were dispatched by him.
"Great Demon King, that Ye Yunfei has already slain hundreds of Grotto-Heaven Realm experts we sent and destroyed hundreds of thousands of our troops. Furthermore, he has also killed several experts at the Ninth-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm." An Ancient Demon race expert stepped forward, respectfully reporting to the Demon King.
"Great Demon King, regarding our next course of action... we await your instructions." The Ancient Demon expert continued.
"During this period, dealing with Ye Yunfei has caused our Ancient Demon Race to suffer significant losses. Let's change our approach. Alright then. Our Ancient Demon Race will issue a wanted notice across the entire Xuanhuang Star Domain.
Whoever can enter the Tianxuan Continent and capture Ye Yunfei to bring him to me will be rewarded with ten Fifth-Grade Dao Pills, ten Fifth-Grade Dao Herbs, and three Innate Magic Treasures. Moreover, they will receive the future protection of our Ancient Demon Race." The Demon King considered for a moment before speaking.
Hisss!
Upon hearing the Demon King's words, every being in the palace couldn't help but draw a sharp, cold breath.
It had to be noted that only experts at the Grotto-Heaven Realm were capable of entering the Tianxuan Continent. And the bounty offered by the Demon King was, to a Grotto-Heaven Realm expert, a reward that could drive one insane! Its value was immeasurable!
It was estimated that once this wanted notice was issued, virtually every Grotto-Heaven Realm expert across the entire Xuanhuang Star Domain would be driven wild with greed!
One could imagine that countless Grotto-Heaven Realm martial artists would subsequently scramble to flood into the Tianxuan Continent, lured by this monstrously high bounty.
This would spell a terrifying disaster for the Tianxuan Continent!
"In short, you must capture Ye Yunfei for me! If you cannot capture him alive, kill him! In any case, I want to see him alive or find his corpse! A mere ant from a lowly continent dares oppose our Ancient Demon Race like this? I will make sure he understands the consequences." The Demon King said coldly.
"We understand, Great Demon King," the other beings in the palace answered with nods.
Soon, a wanted notice issued by the Ancient Demon Race rapidly spread throughout the Xuanhuang Star Domain.
This notice immediately aroused intense attention from almost all Grotto-Heaven Realm martial artists.
Ten Fifth-Grade Dao Pills!
Ten Fifth-Grade Dao Herbs!
Three Innate Magic Treasures!
And the protection of the Ancient Demon Race to boot!
As each of these staggering rewards was announced, every Grotto-Heaven Realm martial artist across the Xuanhuang Star Domain couldn't help but gasp sharply, their eyes blazing with greed.
Numerous Grotto-Heaven Realm martial artists were moved.
"Immediately summon all members of our Heavenly Wolf Mercenary Corps! Prepare to enter the Tianxuan Continent and apprehend Ye Yunfei!"
"All members of the White Flower Society, enter the Tianxuan Continent in force to capture Ye Yunfei!"
"We, the Thirteen Great Thieves of Mount Sky Eagle, cannot miss this golden opportunity for fortune. We depart for the Tianxuan Continent immediately."
...
The first to react were those mercenary groups and bandit organizations within the Xuanhuang Star Domain. These mercenaries and thieves usually made their living on the edge of a blade, taking money to do others' dirty work. Faced with such a lucrative opportunity, they would certainly not let it pass.
Thus, a large number of mercenary groups and bandit organizations began to move, flocking to Guyao Realm to await arrangements and prepare to enter the Tianxuan Continent. The reason being, the teleportation channels leading to the Tianxuan Continent were controlled by the Ancient Demon Race.
Simultaneously, aside from these mercenary groups and bandit organizations, a vast number of other Grotto-Heaven Realm martial artists also made decisions one after another, rushing to Guyao Realm to prepare for entry into the Tianxuan Continent.
The rewards offered by the Ancient Demon Race were simply too lavish, too enticing!
Even many disciples from great sects and clans set out, intent on entering the Tianxuan Continent to capture Ye Yunfei while also using it as an opportunity for training.
Jihai Star.
A fairly large cultivation star within the Xuanhuang Star Domain, populated by countless beings, full of vitality.
Jihai Star was the headquarters of the Jihai Divine Sect.
"Master, my cultivation has been stagnant for the past half year. Most likely, it's due to insufficient experience and accumulated insights. Yesterday, by chance, I heard about the wanted notice issued by the Ancient Demon Race. The bounty is extremely high.
The fact that the Ancient Demon Race is willing to spend so much and issue such a bounty indicates the task's difficulty must be extraordinary. Therefore, your disciple wishes to accept this task, enter the Tianxuan Continent, and test myself." On a vast expanse of ocean, a young man in blue robes standing amidst towering waves addressed an exquisitely dressed, beautiful woman.
"Hmm, go. It is indeed time for you to undergo proper training," the exquisitely dressed, beautiful woman replied, seated cross-legged amidst the sea. She seemed to merge with the ocean itself, yet not a single drop of seawater clung to her.
"Master, your disciple prepares to travel to the Tianxuan Continent for training and has come specifically to bid farewell." On a planet named Tianjian Star, a young man in white, his body swirling with intense sword qi, stood before a frail, small, and thin old man as he spoke.
"Go. Take care of yourself," the old man said feebly, yet a startlingly sharp sword light occasionally flashed within his opening and closing eyes.
"Hahaha, master, rest assured. With my current swordsmanship level, a mere lower-level continent holds no danger for me!" the young man in white laughed heartily. Then, transforming into a stream of sword light, he shot into the sky and vanished over the horizon in an instant.
"Ai, impetuous youth. I hope he won't suffer losses on this trip to Tianxuan Continent. However, being my, Divine Sword Master's, disciple, who would dare to kill him? Otherwise, it would spell doom for their entire clan or sect!" the old man muttered to himself, his tone carrying a hint of sternness.
...
In short, countless Grotto-Heaven Realm martial artists across the entire Xuanhuang Star Domain began to move, intending to enter the Tianxuan Continent due to the wanted notice issued by the Ancient Demon Race.
And the name Ye Yunfei also began to circulate widely throughout the Xuanhuang Star Domain.
Though Ye Yunfei had not yet taken a single step beyond the Tianxuan Continent, his name was already stirring up the winds and clouds within the Xuanhuang Star Domain, attracting countless attention!