Throughout the journey, Ye Yunfei no longer paused to explore for treasures, instead pushing his movement technique to its limits and flying at top speed.
This was because, if what Senior Brother Xiao said was true and that mysterious mountainous region did indeed contain a Demigod herb, then it would represent the greatest opportunity within the Divine Fall Land!
"Could there really be a Demigod herb in this Divine Fall Land?"
Ye Yunfei couldn't help but silently wonder. To be honest, he had always doubted that a secret realm within the Xuanhuang Star Domain could truly house a Demigod herb. After all, Demigod herbs were far too precious! But what if there actually was one? So Ye Yunfei decided to go and find out for himself.
"You are all too slow. I'll carry you," Ye Yunfei said, noticing the five academy students' speed was lacking. With a flick of his sleeve, he released a surge of spiritual power that enveloped and lifted the five students.
Whoosh!
Activating his Heavenly Shadow Robe for a tenfold speed boost, Ye Yunfei soared forward like a fleeting shadow, his speed reaching an incredible peak. The five students felt fierce gales roar past them as they traversed vast distances in an instant; the scenery along the way was nothing but a blur, filling them with awe.
Gradually, more and more martial artists began appearing along the route. Most were headed in the same direction. Clearly, these martial artists were also aiming for that mysterious mountainous region.
"Stop! You won't get away!"
"Damn! This punk sure can run. He made us chase him for half the day!"
While racing forward, Ye Yunfei's Soul Power suddenly sensed over a dozen warriors shouting and clamoring in the distance, pursuing someone.
"I have no grudge with any of you. Why are you chasing me?"
A young martial artist was scrambling away ahead, looking utterly miserable as he glanced back and angrily demanded an answer. Stained with fresh blood, he was clearly injured, and his fleeing speed was steadily slowing.
"Haha, it's true you have no grudge with us," one of the pursuers mocked. "But the Wu Clan and the Ancient Demon Race have put up a massive bounty for any Heavenly Dao Academy student—capture or kill one, and you get a hefty reward!"
"You Heavenly Dao Academy kids might be weak, but you're sure worth a lot. Since we've bumped into you, we can't pass up the chance. Easy money like this—why not take it?"
"Kid, save your energy. You can't escape, so why bother trying?" another pursuer added with a laugh.
"A Heavenly Dao Academy student!"
Ye Yunfei's Soul Power swept toward the fleeing young martial artist and confirmed he was indeed a fellow academy member.
"Seeking death," Ye Yunfei's expression turned cold.
"Hahaha... Got you now!"
Moments later, the Heavenly Dao Academy student was finally caught. A dozen warriors swarmed in and surrounded him. Covered in blood and grime, his face pale and his aura feeble, the student clearly had no strength left to run. Already injured, his desperate, prolonged escape had nearly exhausted his spiritual energy.
"I'll fight you to the death!"
Driven by despair, the student raised his sword and charged at the surrounding warriors.
"Hmph! You're only at the Middle Primordial Soul Realm. Even uninjured, I could kill you with one hand. What are you fighting us with? Die!"
A man at the Late Stage Primordial Soul Realm sneered, taking a swift step forward and striking out with his palm.
Boom...
A massive palm imprint blasted from his hand, swelling with the wind until it was as large as an acre of land, then roaring toward the student.
"You just wait! Senior Brother Ye will avenge me!"
Seeing that colossal, thunderous palm imprint bearing down on him and knowing he could neither block nor avoid his inevitable death, the student suddenly thought of Ye Yunfei and shouted fiercely. For these Heavenly Dao Academy students, Ye Yunfei was a colossal pillar of support in their hearts.
"Haha, you must mean Senior Brother Ye Yunfei," the attacking man laughed. "Right now, the Wu Clan and Ancient Demon Race have bounties out for Ye Yunfei everywhere. He can't even protect himself, let alone avenge you. What a pipe dream. Just die!"
Amidst the loud laughter, the massive palm imprint, brimming with formidable energy, was about to smash into the student.
Just then, suddenly—
Whoosh!
A figure, swift as lightning, abruptly appeared beside the student. A sleeve gently flicked out.
Poof!
That acre-sized palm imprint burst like a bubble, instantly vanishing without a trace.
Who was that?
Everyone was shocked, their eyes darting toward the figure that had so suddenly materialized.
"Senior Brother Ye!"
The student immediately recognized Ye Yunfei and cried out in immense relief. At the same moment, a wave of relaxation washed over him. His body swayed unsteadily, his steps faltered, and he almost collapsed. Facing such overwhelming foes, he had been forcing himself to hold on. Seeing Ye Yunfei now, he knew instantly that he was safe. This sudden release of tension brought a profound sense of weakness.
"Junior Brother Yan Tian, it's you!"
Five other students rushed over from nearby and supported their fellow disciple.
"Senior Brother Liu! It's all of you!"
The student named Yan Tian grew even more delighted seeing the five familiar faces.
"Take this healing Dao Pill first." With a flick of his finger, Ye Yunfei sent a Dao Pill flying in front of Yan Tian.
"Thank you, Senior Brother Ye," Yan Tian said, immediately swallowing the pill. Instantly, a potent medicinal force erupted within his body.
Yan Tian's injuries visibly and rapidly began to heal.
"Huh?! My wounds... They're more than half gone! I'm almost fine!"
Within mere breaths, Yan Tian discovered his injuries had healed significantly; the lacerations on his body were closing up at a staggering rate!
"So you're Ye Yunfei..."
Meanwhile, the dozen or so warriors were eyeing Ye Yunfei with uncertainty and doubt. These men weren't from the Xuanhuang Star Domain and didn't know much about Ye Yunfei. However, the fact that Ye Yunfei had deflected a Late Stage Primordial Soul Realm attack with a mere flick of his sleeve made them wary of his strength.
"Junior Brother Yan, were you injured by them?" Ye Yunfei asked Yan Tian.
"Yes! It was them!" Yan Tian nodded, glaring angrily at the group.
"Members of our Heavenly Dao Academy do not suffer losses. Now, it's your turn to hit back. Go. Kill them all."
"Me? Kill them all?" Yan Tian was taken aback.
Among those warriors, four were at the Late Stage Primordial Soul Realm. Yan Tian was only at the Middle Primordial Soul Realm.
"Go. With me here, you have nothing to fear."
"Alright!" Gritting his teeth, Yan Tian charged forward, heading straight for the Late Stage Primordial Soul Realm man who had attacked him.
"Seeking death!" the man roared in fury.
Just as he was about to make a move, however, Ye Yunfei unleashed his Heavenly Soul Sword, piercing directly into the man's soul sea.
"Ahhh!"
The man screamed, feeling as if his skull was splitting apart. He clutched his head, howling in agony.
"Die!"
Yan Tian closed the distance, gripping his sword and thrusting it forward.
Pfft!
Unable to offer the slightest resistance, the man was impaled through the heart by Yan Tian's blade. His body stiffened, then toppled over, dead.
"Run!"
The remaining warriors, seeing this, turned pale with fright and immediately tried to flee.
But Ye Yunfei wasn't about to let them escape. With a thought, the Heavenly Soul Sword shot out like lightning. With Ye Yunfei's current level of Soul Power, his Heavenly Soul Sword could handle even Late Soul Formation Realm experts—using it on these Primordial Soul Realm warriors was like using a cannon to kill a fly!
Immediately, all dozen warriors collapsed to the ground, shrieking in pain.
"We are disciples of the Divine Lion Sect from the Tianma Star Domain! Ye Yunfei, kill us, and the consequences will be dire!" they all cried out.
"Kill them all," Ye Yunfei said indifferently.
"Yes, sir!"
Gripping his sword, Yan Tian rushed over. One thrust per target—in the blink of an eye, all were dead.
"Senior Brother Ye, nearby... other Heavenly Dao Academy students are also being hunted! We must go save them!" Yan Tian exclaimed urgently after finishing off the enemies, suddenly remembering something crucial.
"I also know Du Fan's whereabouts. He's seriously injured and seems to be being pursued by the Wu Clan!" Yan Tian added.
"Let's go! We're rescuing them!"
Upon hearing this, Ye Yunfei immediately flicked his sleeve, using his spiritual power to lift Yan Tian and the other five students. "We're off!"