This elder possessed strength at the Sixth Level of the Grotto-Heaven Realm!
Rumble rumble…
As he spoke, a powerful spiritual force pressure swept forward like a gale.
Argh…
Those dozen-odd martial artists were merely at the Xuan Du Realm—how could they withstand the spiritual pressure of a Sixth-Level Grotto-Heaven Realm expert? They were instantly sent flying, each and every one of them either injured or maimed.
"Humph! Vermin-like things, daring to gossip recklessly about our Fengyun Family! Starting now, anyone who dares to speak ill of our Fengyun Family will be executed without mercy!" the Fengyun Family elder shouted coldly.
At this moment, the high-level members of the four top-tier forces all cast cold, gloomy gazes over the surrounding martial artists, their intimidation palpable.
Immediately, everyone was frightened into silence, not daring to speak out of turn any longer.
The four top-tier forces combined had over a hundred and twenty Grotto-Heaven Realm experts present! This was a terrifying power. Anyone who dared to provoke them now would be committing suicide!
It was only now that everyone remembered: these were the four top-tier forces of the Central Continent! Each had a long heritage and profound foundations, having dominated the Tianxuan Continent for ages. They were not to be trifled with!
Just then,
"Gentlemen, 'it is always better to resolve a feud than to keep it open.' Could you honor this one request from me, Gu? Let the grievances between your four forces and Hudao Academy be written off." City Lord Gu led a contingent of troops, walking through the air from afar to a position before the camps of the four top-tier forces, and announced with cupped hands.
"City Lord Gu, our feud with Hudao Academy must be settled today," said the Fengyun Family Head.
"City Lord Gu, it's best you don't concern yourself with this matter, lest you make things difficult for us," the Shenfeng Sect Master said indifferently.
The other high-ranking members of the four forces all wore cold expressions, showing no particular respect for City Lord Gu. The combined true strength of the four forces was enough to overwhelm Hujie City! Therefore, these high-level figures did not hold City Lord Gu in high regard!
"You…!" City Lord Gu flared with rage. As the city lord of Hujie City, City Lord Gu had always held a venerable position. Wherever he walked in the Tianxuan Continent, he was met with nothing but respect. He never expected to be so cold-shouldered now.
"Very well. I never imagined your four forces had hidden your true strength so deeply. There are actually five or six at the Ninth Level of the Grotto-Heaven Realm!" City Lord Gu said slowly as his gaze swept over the high-ranking members of the four top-tier forces.
"We're going in!" Then, City Lord Gu flicked his sleeves and led his Hujie City contingent into the headquarters of Hudao Academy.
"City Lord Gu, we hope you won't pick sides recklessly. Otherwise, you'll bear the consequences," the Fengyun Family Head said coldly.
"Humph!" City Lord Gu snorted coldly, not turning his head.
"This old fellow is looking for death!" The faces of the high-ranking members of the four top-tier forces sank, their eyes flashing with killing intent.
"Xie Changkong, you of Hudao Academy, give us an explanation immediately! Otherwise, today, we will raze Hudao Academy to the ground!" The Shenfeng Sect Master took a step forward and shouted loudly. His voice, amplified by spiritual power, surged toward the Hudao Academy headquarters like roaring tidal waves.
"Forward! Surround Hudao Academy!" The Fengyun Family Head waved his hand and shouted.
Immediately, the members of the four top-tier forces surged forward like a tide, completely surrounding the Hudao Academy headquarters in moments, making it airtight.
"What explanation do you want!" Xie Changkong's voice transmitted out at this moment.
Then, Xie Changkong led the Hudao Academy forces as they charged out from the headquarters, confronting the forces of the four top-tier forces.
City Lord Gu led the Hujie City contingent and also stood with the Hudao Academy forces. City Lord Gu's stance was very clear: he was siding with Hudao Academy.
"Humph! Xie Changkong, over these past few days, your Hudao Academy forcibly seized over a dozen of our Fengyun Family's assets and killed over a hundred of our people! This blood feud cannot be easily dismissed! Now, hand over the killers. Furthermore, allow us to freely choose among Hudao Academy's assets—whichever we fancy will belong to us. Also, hand over the Hudao Stele as compensation," the Fengyun Family Head said with a cold laugh.
"Correct! Our Shenfeng Sect is the same!" "Our Xiao Clan as well!" "Our Tianyan Sect too!" The Shenfeng Sect Master, Xiao Clan Head, and Tianyan Sect Master all voiced their stances one after another, appearing extremely aggressive.
"Hahaha… You really think Hudao Academy is easy to bully?! These past days, it was clearly your four forces who actively provoked and seized many of our Hudao Academy branch strongholds. Our Hudao Academy was merely forced into a normal retaliation! And you still want compensation? Whatever you plan to do, just bring it on!" Xie Changkong laughed loudly.
"Since that's the case, there's nothing left to say!" The Shenfeng Sect Master gave a cold smile.
"All of you, hear my order! Prepare to attack! Kill your way in! Today, we wipe out Hudao Academy!" the Fengyun Family Head shouted loudly.
"Trying to wipe out my Hudao Academy is not so easy!" Xie Changkong roared.
Rumble rumble…
Within Hudao Academy, a huge stele rumbled loudly, traversing the sky to emerge and hover above Xie Changkong's head, emanating dazzling radiance.
"Formations!" The Hudao Academy forces shouted and assembled into two killing formations, each over four thousand strong. A rolling tide of killing intent shot straight into the heavens!
"Our Hujie City forces will advance and retreat together with Hudao Academy!" City Lord Gu roared.
Immediately, the Hujie City contingent took out their weapons, preparing for battle. This time, City Lord Gu had brought over thirty Grotto-Heaven Realm experts, all long-trained confidants of his. During the previous war with the Otherworldly Army, Hujie City had lost many experts, leaving very few remaining!
Simultaneously, within the spatial rift in front of Hujie City.
A massive Roc remained quietly suspended within the spatial rift.
Inside the Roc, Ye Yunfei had been sitting cross-legged all along, cultivating space energy.
At a certain moment.
"Done. This spatial rift is finally finished being modified and has been thoroughly consolidated." Ye Yunfei suddenly opened his eyes and murmured to himself.
Then.
Rumble rumble…
The colossal Roc suddenly stirred, flew into Ye Yunfei's back, and vanished.
Ye Yunfei stood up.
"My level of spatial energy is much stronger than before." Ye Yunfei extended his hand, and a powerful spatial energy rippled out from his palm, causing the surrounding space to tremble immediately.
"From now on, the Tianxuan Continent can be considered safe. There's no need to worry about invasion by powerful foreign enemies." Ye Yunfei nodded with satisfaction.
"Next, after handling a few matters on the Tianxuan Continent, I should leave. This is not where my stage lies. Someday, returning to the position of Heavenly Emperor, seeking revenge on Tian Luo, Jin Wu, and You Yue, then undergoing the godly tribulation again and breaking through to become a Deity—that is my true pursuit!" Ye Yunfei clasped his hands behind his back. His profound gaze stretched toward distant, unknown realms of space and time as he silently contemplated.
Then, with a flicker of his body, Ye Yunfei disappeared within the spatial rift.