"Senior Brother Ye, that direction. That's the way I fled from earlier." Yan Tian pointed as he spoke to Ye Yunfei.
*Swish!*
Ye Yunfei activated the Heavenly Shadow Robe, gaining a tenfold speed boost. He moved so fast he was like a fleeting afterimage, his speed astonishing.
"The Wu Clan, the Ancient Demon Race…" Killing intent surged like a tide within Ye Yunfei's heart.
*Swish!*
Ye Yunfei's speed increased even further.
"Eh? I just felt someone pass right by me. But my eyes saw nothing, and my Soul Power couldn't sense anything! Could it be a trick of the mind?"
"No one passed by us at all. It must have been your imagination."
Due to Ye Yunfei's extreme speed, he brushed past groups of martial artists along the way, yet none could perceive his passage!
A short while later.
"Haha… You few fellows from the Heavenly Dao Academy! Don't bother running anymore! It's just a waste of effort. Wouldn't it be better if you just let me give you a clean cut, so I can take your heads to claim the reward? That would save everyone a lot of time, isn't that nice?"
A mocking laugh suddenly rang out ahead.
"Senior Brother Ye! They're students from our academy!" Yan Tian exclaimed.
Ye Yunfei projected his Soul Power forward and discovered over a dozen martial artists chasing three Heavenly Dao Academy students. Among the pursuers was an expert at the Early Soul Formation realm. He was the one who had just let out the derisive laugh.
The three students were covered in blood, clearly wounded.
*Shii!*
Ye Yunfei focused his will, and the Dark Thorn shot out.
The Dark Thorn had been refined into a flying sword by Ye Yunfei. Anywhere his Soul Power could reach was within the Dark Thorn's range!
"Heh heh, you seven, do you really think you can escape from me? Stop!"
At that moment, the Early Soul Formation expert suddenly accelerated, catching up to the three students in moments and laughing wildly.
Right then...
*Thup!*
From the empty space behind his head, a black light streak abruptly shot out and instantly pierced through his skull.
Although the Early Soul Formation expert sensed the danger and tried to dodge, it was too late. With Ye Yunfei's current strength, the Dark Thorn attack he unleashed could even land on a Late Soul Formation expert, let alone an Early Soul Formation one.
Immediately after, the Dark Thorn transformed into a black streak, striking at the other fleeing pursuers.
"Ahh… Ahh!"
Shrieks of agony rang out continuously.
In less than the time it takes to breathe, over a dozen pursuers were all slain by the Dark Thorn.
"What happened?"
The three Heavenly Dao Academy students were dumbfounded by this sight. They thought death was certain, only for all their pursuers to be killed in the blink of an eye.
"Senior Brother Lu!"
Yan Tian and the five students charged forward.
"Yan Tian! It's you!"
The three students were overjoyed.
"Senior Brother Ye is here! You're safe now!" Yan Tian shouted.
"Senior Brother Ye!"
Seeing Ye Yunfei, the three students were extremely elated.
Without much ado, Ye Yunfei gave them a few brief instructions and directly teleported all the students into the Phantom Tower.
"Let's continue rescuing our people!"
Ye Yunfei flicked his sleeve, sweeping up Yan Tian, and spoke.
Then, activating his movement technique, Ye Yunfei vanished into the distance in an instant.
According to Yan Tian, he had initially been traveling with a large group of Heavenly Dao Academy students. After being hunted, they were forced to split up and flee.
Over the next few hours, Ye Yunfei rescued two or three more groups of Heavenly Dao Academy students being pursued.
Some students had already been killed.
Later that day, Ye Yunfei had rescued a total of thirteen students.
Combined with those he saved earlier, he now had twenty-two students gathered around him!
Along the way, Ye Yunfei also encountered the corpses of four Heavenly Dao Academy students. Their heads had been severed, likely taken to claim the bounty!
Ye Yunfei collected all four corpses, intending to bring them back to the Heavenly Dao Academy for burial.
Staring at the headless corpses, Ye Yunfei's heart boiled with murderous rage.
"Rest assured, I will avenge you. Not a single person involved in this will escape."
Ye Yunfei declared each word clearly.
Next, Yan Tian led Ye Yunfei toward a specific area to search for Da Di Daozhang. According to Yan Tian, he had heard Da Di Daozhang was being hunted there.
However, when Ye Yunfei brought Yan Tian to that region and conducted a thorough search, he found no sign of Du Fan.
"Does anyone know Du Fan's whereabouts?" Ye Yunfei inquired.
At this moment, all twenty-two students stood before Ye Yunfei.
"Senior Brother Ye, I was together with Du Fan and a few other students before. But we were suddenly pursued by disciples of the Wu Clan. To minimize casualties, we had no choice but to split up and flee. Since then, I haven't seen Du Fan again, and I have no idea where he is now," one student reported.
"It seems we can only search slowly then," Ye Yunfei couldn't help but frown.
Being hunted, Da Di Daozhang was likely fleeing all over the place. It truly was difficult to locate him quickly.
Subsequently, Ye Yunfei led the twenty-two students toward the legendary region of mysterious mountains where Demigod herbs were said to be.
"Senior Brother Ye, we should be careful. People from the Wu Clan and the Ancient Demon Race are everywhere searching for us. Moreover, disciples of the Wu Clan and Ancient Demon Race have issued wanted notices for us Heavenly Dao Academy students, especially you, Senior Brother Ye—they've posted an extremely high bounty. Many wish to earn the reward and are actively hunting for Academy students and you, Senior Brother."
One of the students warned Ye Yunfei.
"That's right. Senior Brother Ye, to avoid unnecessary trouble, we should proceed discreetly, avoiding others' notice as much as possible," another student added.
These students, having been hunted previously, carried some psychological baggage.
"There's no need for us to avoid others' notice. On the contrary, we should make our presence loud and clear. Alright, immediately create a large banner. Write 'Heavenly Dao Academy' in large characters on it, and let this banner lead our way."
Ye Yunfei instructed.
What?!
Hearing Ye Yunfei's words, all the students were shocked.
"Senior Brother Ye, if we do this, I'm afraid a large number of people will come for us before long," one student cautiously pointed out.
"That's exactly the effect I want. It'll save me the time of having to find them. Do as I say. Don't worry, with me here, nothing will happen. It's time they learn our Heavenly Dao Academy is not to be trifled with," Ye Yunfei stated.
"Everyone! Let's do as Senior Brother Ye says! With Senior Brother Ye here, we have nothing to fear. Besides, as Heavenly Dao Academy students, we must not be cowards who fear death. If anyone dares provoke us, we'll fight them to the end!"
Yan Tian suddenly exclaimed loudly.
"Alright!"
The other students nodded as well.
Soon, a large banner was crafted. Emblazoned across it were the four large characters: Heavenly Dao Academy!
A student with late-stage Yuan Soul realm cultivation hoisted the banner high, walking at the very front. The banner flapped and snapped in the wind, as if stirred by heavenly gales.
Ye Yunfei and the other students strode boldly behind him.
"Remember, from this moment forth, anyone who dares offend our Heavenly Dao Academy shall be slain without mercy," Ye Yunfei said indifferently.
"We understand!"
At this moment, all the students felt a stirring, boiling passion within their chests!