"You there — step forward!
Kneel down!
Tell us honestly, what trick did you pull to deceive the Sect Leader and Elder Yan into making you a Saint?!"
Suddenly, a man in purple robes stepped forward, shouting at Ye Yunfei.
*Whoosh!*
Before his words had even finished echoing, Ye Yunfei activated his Shadowgale Robe and appeared before him, standing face to face.
Ye Yunfei unleashed the Heavenly Soul Sword.
"Argh!"
A pained scream escaped the purple-robed man's lips.
"Kneel!"
Ye Yunfei's right hand shot out like lightning, pressing down on the top of the purple-robed man's skull, his voice icy cold.
*Rumble...*
A formidable wave of physical strength erupted from Ye Yunfei's palm, bearing down like a mountain on the purple-robed man.
Immediately, the man felt as if he were carrying a massive weight, his spine bending inch by inch.
"Rraaagh!"
Humiliated and furious, the man in purple roared, channeling the spiritual energy within his body in a desperate attempt to resist the immense physical pressure Ye Yunfei was exerting.
But it was useless. Ye Yunfei's physical power was simply too overwhelming.
His waist bent, vertebrae by vertebrae.
"Grahhh!"
The man in purple let out an enraged roar, forcing himself until his face flushed crimson and veins bulged furiously.
"Stop!
This is Xiao Wu! His older brother is Xiao Liang, who ranks in the top three of the Houtu Sect's talent rankings! If you hurt Xiao Wu, Xiao Liang will never let this go!"
Several other Core Disciples nearby shouted in alarm.
Yet, Ye Yunfei didn't even bother to listen.
A few breaths later.
*Thump!*
The purple-robed man named Xiao Wu finally succumbed. His legs gave way, and he knelt directly before Ye Yunfei.
"Argh! Bastard, you're looking for death!
I won't let you get away with this!
You're dead meat!"
Utterly humiliated and enraged, Xiao Wu screamed with reckless abandon.
A flicker of cold light passed through Ye Yunfei's eyes. His palm pressed down with a surge of force.
*Thud!*
Xiao Wu's head was smashed downward by a terrifying force, crashing violently against the ground. The impact left a crater, burying his head deep within.
Struck by such a heavy blow, Xiao Wu's head was battered and bloody, and he passed out on the spot.
*Whoosh!*
The gazes of the surrounding Core Disciples towards Ye Yunfei changed completely.
No longer the earlier contempt and disdain.
Now, it was replaced by deep apprehension!
Among these dozens of Core Disciples, over a dozen were at the initial Minor Mystic Pill Realm, with strength comparable to Xiao Wu's.
"Now, all of you — get out. You are not permitted to stay here and disturb my cultivation."
Ye Yunfei's gaze swept over the remaining Core Disciples.
"You dare order us to leave?!"
Hearing Ye Yunfei's words, the Core Disciples flew into a rage.
This group belonged to the most elite disciples within the Houtu Sect. Each had entered the sect over a hundred years ago. Even the higher-ups in the sect would show them a measure of deference.
And now, someone was telling them to get out!
"I will count to three. If you don't leave, don't blame me for not showing mercy."
Ye Yunfei clasped his hands behind his back, speaking coldly.
"One..."
Ye Yunfei began to count.
"Everyone, charge together! I refuse to believe that he alone can take on all of us!"
One Core Disciple shouted.
*Whoosh!*
Ye Yunfei immediately unleashed the Heavenly Soul Sword, driving it straight into that disciple's soul sea.
"Ah!"
The Core Disciple let out a bloodcurdling scream and stumbled back dozens of steps, his face ghostly pale as he stared at Ye Yunfei in terror.
"Two..."
Ye Yunfei said.
The Core Disciple who had just been struck by the Heavenly Soul Sword suddenly turned and fled.
He had already developed a deep fear of Ye Yunfei!
The other Core Disciples hesitated momentarily but, before Ye Yunfei could reach "three," they all began to file out.
One of the disciples also carried the unconscious Xiao Wu out.
The fifth floor of the Earth Pagoda now only contained Ye Yunfei and Da Di Daozhang.
"Hahaha... Now that was satisfying!"
Da Di Daozhang laughed heartily.
"The earth-attribute energy here is indeed incredibly concentrated."
Ye Yunfei sat down cross-legged and remarked.
"Indeed.
Let's cultivate here for a while."
Da Di Daozhang also sat down cross-legged.
The two began their cultivation.
Ye Yunfei's mastery of Geomancy was already on par with Da Di Daozhang's, if not surpassing it. Therefore, his comprehension of Geomancy was growing ever deeper. Geomancy was based on earth-attribute energy and earth laws. The stronger one's earth-attribute energy and the deeper one's understanding of earth laws, the more powerful the Geomancy spells and techniques one could unleash.
As for comprehending earth laws, Ye Yunfei faced no difficulty whatsoever. All he needed to do now was cultivate and accumulate earth-attribute energy!
* * *
Meanwhile, on a certain peak within the Houtu Sect.
Ouyang Feng stood with his hands clasped behind his back.
"Holy Son, I have offered Xiao Wu a considerable reward, and he has agreed to deal with Su Ye within the Earth Pagoda."
A disciple reported to Ouyang Feng.
"Mm, well done."
Ouyang Feng nodded in approval.
"Xiao Wu possesses power at the initial Minor Mystic Pill Realm. Dealing with Su Ye shouldn't be a problem."
The disciple added.
"It would be best if Xiao Wu could injure or cripple Su Ye.
However, even if he fails, it doesn't matter.
Xiao Wu's older brother is Xiao Liang. If Xiao Wu suffers, Xiao Liang will definitely not stand idly by.
Let those two brothers deal with Su Ye. We just need to watch the show unfold from the sidelines."
Ouyang Feng said slowly.
"A brilliant move, Holy Son!"
The disciple flattered.
Right then.
"Holy Son! News has just arrived! Xiao Wu was knocked unconscious by Su Ye inside the Earth Pagoda and has been carried back to his cultivation peak!"
Another disciple hurried over to deliver the report.
"So it seems this Su Ye's strength is even greater than I imagined."
Ouyang Feng couldn't help but frown.
"But that's fine too.
Xiao Liang will absolutely not let him off the hook.
Now we'll truly have a good show to watch!"
Ouyang Feng sneered.
* * *
Back inside the Earth Pagoda.
On the fifth floor, Ye Yunfei and Da Di Daozhang cultivated for two full days.
Ye Yunfei felt that his earth-attribute energy had advanced significantly.
"I am prepared to go down to the sixth floor.
The fifth floor offers diminishing returns for my cultivation."
Ye Yunfei suddenly stood up and said.
"Me too."
Da Di Daozhang stood up as well.
Thus, the two descended to the sixth floor and began cultivating there.
*Hiss... Whoosh...*
Intense waves of earth-attribute energy pressure transformed into streams of yellow mist, flowing incessantly towards Ye Yunfei's body.
This time, Ye Yunfei cultivated on the sixth floor for an entire month.
A month later, Ye Yunfei realized that the earth-attribute energy pressure on the sixth floor no longer provided much benefit for his cultivation.
"I'll go take a look at the seventh floor."
Ye Yunfei stood up and said.
"What?
Ye Yunfei, your progress is simply astounding!"
Da Di Daozhang said in astonishment.
Within the Earth Pagoda, the deeper one went, the stronger the earth-attribute energy pressure became. If one couldn't withstand it, it was easy to suffer internal injuries, or even be crushed to death.
Of course, if one *could* endure such pressure, cultivating in such an environment offered immense benefits for improving earth-attribute techniques and spells.
"I haven't even fully adapted to the energy pressure on the sixth floor yet.
You'll have to go down to the seventh floor on your own.
Remember, the deeper you go in the Earth Pagoda, the more terrifying the earth-attribute energy pressure becomes.
It's best to act within your means and not force your way in recklessly.
Also, beneath the Earth Pagoda, there's an earthen cave.
Legend has it that within that cave resides an Earth Dragon that has gained sentience. Its power is extraordinarily fearsome. You must not enter that cave under any circumstances."
Da Di Daozhang cautioned.
"An Earth Dragon that has gained sentience?"
Ye Yunfei couldn't help but be taken aback.