Within the Shattered Valley, those responsible for searching for Ye Yunfei were all disciples from the major powers. Their strength levels were mostly mid and late-stage Great Mystic Pill Realm, or early-stage Primordial Soul Realm.
The higher-ranking officers and ordinary elders of those powers were all stationed outside the Shattered Valley.
Witnessing the combat prowess Ye Yunfei displayed, all these disciples felt a creeping sense of dread.
"Do you want to fight me?"
Ye Yunfei stood with sword in hand, his gaze sweeping his surroundings as he asked coldly.
"Ye Yunfei, we have orders to search for your whereabouts here. An unbreakable net has been laid outside as well. You cannot escape. I advise you to not resist and cooperate with us obediently..."
A burly man with a meaty face and a violent glare spoke as he approached from afar, his eyes fixed on Ye Yunfei.
Whoosh!
Before he could finish his words, Ye Yunfei took a single step and teleported before him in a bizarre blur.
"You want me to cooperate with you? Do you have that qualification?"
Ye Yunfei spoke coldly.
"Ye Yunfei, you are too arrogant! Take this!"
Startled and enraged, the man attacked with his full strength, throwing a punch towards Ye Yunfei. Mountain-toppling, sea-parting force surged forward.
Ye Yunfei swung his longsword, unleashing a razor-sharp sword beam. Its radiance was stunning, imbued with a terrifying sword intent that sliced the ferocious fist wind to shreds.
Schiiick!
The next moment, the sword beam pierced forward without impediment.
The man suddenly stiffened, the fury in his pupils instantly dimming. A tiny, grain-sized blood dot appeared on his forehead.
Then, this small blood spot rapidly expanded, forming a long crimson line that cleanly split the man's body into left and right halves. Blood fountained.
One sword, bisected!
"Too terrifying!"
All who witnessed this felt a chill rising from their spines.
Many couldn't help but quietly retreat a few steps.
At this moment, in the eyes of these disciples from major powers, Ye Yunfei was utterly fearsome.
Ye Yunfei stood with his sword, his gaze coldly scanning the area. Thick drops of blood continuously dripped from the blade.
Then, Ye Yunfei turned and strode towards the exit of the Shattered Valley.
"Go, keep your eyes on him!"
The disciples from the major forces around looked at each other, then gritted their teeth and followed behind Ye Yunfei.
Of course, they didn't dare follow too closely, maintaining a distance.
At this moment.
Outside the Shattered Valley.
The Jiuhua Sacred Land, Tianxuan Sacred Land, Li Clan, Heavenly Dao Academy, the Ancient Demon Race, the Liu Family...
At least seven or eight major forces had gathered their men, densely packed, blocking the exit. All were elite forces, the energy pressure they released crashing outwards in waves, shockingly immense.
Some weaker martial artists felt their hearts thumping and their legs going weak in the face of such a grand spectacle.
Moreover, besides the people from these major forces, many more martial artists had rushed over to spectate.
The events at the Shattered Valley had already lasted over a month and spread throughout the entire Beihuang Domain, drawing more and more troublemakers who enjoyed a spectacle.
The world would never lack those who loved watching the chaos!
"Almost all the famous major powers within Beihuang Domain are here! For a mere junior like Ye Yunfei to be able to mobilize so many major powers to go to such trouble—even if he dies here this time, his name is destined to be remembered by the entire Beihuang Domain!"
A tall, burly elder with a ruddy complexion couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
"However, with such a formation, I doubt Ye Yunfei will come out. Faced with a certain death trap, who would rush out?"
A stout middle-aged man beside him said.
"That's true. The most sensible thing for Ye Yunfei to do is to turtle up inside the Shattered Valley and wait until all these forces have withdrawn before coming out. These forces cannot guard this place forever; one day they will leave."
That elder nodded.
In another location.
Among the Heavenly Dao Academy's camp.
"Sister Ji, what should we do? Ye Yunfei has really appeared! I don't know what he's thinking. In this kind of situation, how could he show himself? Hiding would have been so much better!"
Jiang Yanran's heart felt like it was on fire as she spoke to Ji Mengyao.
"Sister Jiang, you shouldn't worry too much. I don't think Ye Yunfei is a reckless person. Since he dares to reveal himself under such circumstances, perhaps he already has a plan. He excels in spatial energy and can traverse through space to leave directly. If that's the case, no matter how many people there are, they can't trap him."
Ji Mengyao comforted her.
"But there are so many anti-spatial formations laid here! Even if Ye Yunfei excels in spatial energy, he might not necessarily be able to escape!"
Jiang Yanran seemed deeply troubled.
"Oh? Sister Jiang, I've noticed that your concern for Ye Yunfei seems a bit... excessive? When has the renowned Goddess Jiang of our Heavenly Dao Academy ever shown such concern for a man before? Could it be..."
Ji Mengyao suddenly laughed.
Seeing Jiang Yanran so distressed, she wanted to lighten the mood and help her relax a bit.
"Sister Ji! What time is this for you to be cracking jokes like that!"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Yanran immediately blushed crimson, her voice a mix of shyness and annoyance.
"Later, if Ye Yunfei gets besieged by everyone, will we help or not?"
Jiang Yanran suddenly asked.
Ji Mengyao was taken aback by the question, unsure how to answer.
"Sister Jiang, you must understand, there are some matters that are simply beyond our power."
After a moment of silence, Ji Mengyao sighed softly.
"Inside the Shattered Valley, it was he who saved my life. Jiang Yanran has always been someone who clearly distinguishes between kindness and grievance."
Jiang Yanran said, her gaze resolute.
Ji Mengyao shook her head with a bitter smile, already understanding Jiang Yanran's intention.
Elsewhere.
"Ye Yunfei, this time, you're dead for sure. This is the fate for anyone who dares oppose me!"
Heavenly Dao Academy's elite disciple, Murong Fu, sneered.
Far off.
Within the camp of the Jiuhua Sacred Land.
"Elder Ni, have you conveyed my thoughts to the Holy Master?"
Junior Sister Lu spoke to Elder Ni.
Senior Sister Song was also standing beside them.
Having received the news that Ye Yunfei had appeared, both were extremely anxious.
"I have already reported your meaning to the Holy Master."
Elder Ni replied.
"What did the Holy Master say then? Did he agree to step forward and save Ye Yunfei?"
Junior Sister Lu's eyes lit up.
"The Holy Master's meaning is that if Ye Yunfei is willing to hand over the Voidspace Fruits, our Jiuhua Sacred Land can guarantee his life."
Elder Ni answered.
"But, it's been over a month already. Those Voidspace Fruits have probably long been eaten by Ye Yunfei. Where would he have any left? How could the Holy Master be so muddled!"
Junior Sister Lu said unhappily.
Elder Ni could only offer a bitter smile.
Probably within the entire Jiuhua Sacred Land, only this Junior Sister Lu would dare publicly blame the Holy Master for being muddle-headed.
"Ye Yunfei, if you dare step out, I will kill you personally!"
Not far away, the Jiuhua Sacred Land's Senior Brother Wu stared fixedly at the entrance to the Shattered Valley, murderous intent blazing.
"Everyone, if Ye Yunfei comes out later, we must be the first to act. It would be best if we can capture Ye Yunfei and take him back to be handed over to Demon King Aoyue! So many anti-spatial formations are laid here—heaven is aiding us. I suspect Ye Yunfei cannot use that bizarre movement skill anymore."
A tall member of the Ancient Demon Race, leading dozens of Primordial Soul Realm experts, spoke in a low voice, hidden in an inconspicuous corner. Each of these dozen experts was on high alert, their eyes fixed on the Shattered Valley entrance, ready to be the first to charge forward and attack Ye Yunfei the moment he appeared.
Far away, a white-haired elder led a group of men, concealed within the crowd of spectators, also in full alert.
This white-haired elder was the Tang Clan's Elder Tang Wu!
"Young Master Ye is a great benefactor to our Tang Clan. Our Tang Clan has always been one that repays kindness. This operation is extremely dangerous; we might even die. But we cannot back down, understood?"
Elder Tang Wu secretly sent a voice transmission to the other clan members.
A group of sturdy men gathered around Elder Tang Wu, all Tang clansmen. Hearing his words, they all nodded firmly.
For the moment, outside the Shattered Valley, dark undercurrents roiled. Everyone waited, the atmosphere taut and tense.