"How dare you! You actually killed members of our Wu Clan…"
The other Wu Clan members present were both horrified and furious.
Members of the Wu Clan moved through the Xuanhuang Star Domain commanding respect and awe wherever they went, enjoying limitless prestige. They rarely encountered situations where they could be killed so casually by others.
However, these few dozen Wu Clan members here were only at the Sculpted God Realm. Intimidated by Ye Yunfei's fearsome reputation, none of them dared step forward to face him.
A few days ago, when news of Ye Yunfei slaying three more Imperial Realm experts had reached the Wu Clan, the entire clan was thrown into an uproar.
Most members of the Wu Clan had developed a deep-seated fear of Ye Yunfei.
"Who I'm killing are precisely members of your Wu Clan," Ye Yunfei replied with a cold laugh.
Then, with a point of his finger, the Five Element Spirit Swords simultaneously shot out to attack. Vast waves of sharp sword energy flooded the valley.
"Ahh…"
One miserable scream after another rang out in the valley.
In less than a breath's time, the few dozen Wu Clan members in the valley had all been reduced to mangled flesh and shattered bones by the Five Element Spirit Swords, leaving not a single one alive.
"Who are you?!
Why have you trespassed into our Heavenly Dao Academy!"
Just at that moment, an angry shout suddenly erupted from within the Heavenly Dao Academy headquarters.
"Looks like they can't wait any longer. They're making their move.
Since they're in such a hurry to die, I won't stand on ceremony," Ye Yunfei muttered, a flash of killing intent gleaming in his eyes.
Ye Yunfei knew that by now, every martial artist from the entire Xuanhuang Star Domain and several neighboring star domains firmly believed he possessed a Demigod herb.
Under these circumstances, any explanation he offered would be useless.
Only killing, continuing to kill until their courage withered in terror, would have any effect!
"Senior Sister Long, let's go."
Ye Yunfei flicked his sleeve, using his energy to lift Long Yingying into the air, then soared upwards and strode into the Heavenly Dao Academy.
At that moment, within the Heavenly Dao Academy, thirteen sharp and oppressive figures stood poised in the air.
Thirteen Imperial Realm experts!
However, all thirteen Imperial Realm experts wore masks on their faces, and their bodies were shrouded in a hazy mist, making it impossible to see their true appearances.
Having cultivated for exceedingly long periods, these Imperial Realm experts naturally possessed various secret techniques for concealing their true forms.
Ahead of them, a great formation protected a vast area.
Within the formation stood a group of Heavenly Dao Academy higher-ups.
This formation was the academy's Academy Protection Formation. Once activated in an emergency, it would serve as the final line of defense.
"Hand over Ye Yunfei immediately, or hand over Meng Qianzheng.
Otherwise, today marks the end of Heavenly Dao Academy," an Imperial Realm expert said in a frosty voice.
Boom…
The energy auras unleashed by the thirteen Imperial Realm experts surged vast and mighty, saturating every corner of the space.
The Academy Protection Formation ahead shuddered faintly under the pressure.
"Esteemed guests, Ye Yunfei is not within the academy. We do not know his current whereabouts.
As for Dean Meng, he bears no grudge against any of you. Why must you trouble him?" Dean Sima announced clearly.
"Enough nonsense.
Your Heavenly Dao Academy has only two choices. First, hand over Ye Yunfei. Second, hand over Meng Qianzheng.
Otherwise, wait to be exterminated," another Imperial Realm expert sneered.
As soon as his voice fell…
Whoosh!
A small black knife shot out from within this Imperial Realm expert's body, erupting with torrents of black blade radiance that swept out majestically, staining a large area of space black.
An Innate Treasure!
"That's right!
Hand over the man immediately! Otherwise, we'll wipe out the Heavenly Dao Academy!"
The other Imperial Realm experts also spoke up one after another, their voices equally ice-cold.
Boom… Boom…
Next, these Imperial Realm experts each released their own Innate Treasures, their roars shaking the heavens.
For a moment, the very heavens and earth seemed unable to bear the pressure and began to quake.
The Academy Protection Formation shook even more violently.
It was clear this Academy Protection Formation might not necessarily withstand the combined assault of thirteen Imperial Realm experts backed by so many Innate Treasures.
Within the formation, the faces of the Heavenly Dao Academy higher-ups were all extremely grim.
Everyone understood that in today's perilous situation, the slightest misstep could truly lead to the academy's utter destruction!
The Heavenly Dao Academy was only a second-tier force within the Xuanhuang Star Domain. It commanded some status in the Northern Wastes Domain, but was insignificant on the scale of the entire Xuanhuang Star Domain.
In the face of these Imperial Realm experts, saying they could be wiped out on a whim was no exaggeration!
"Dean Sima, our Heavenly Dao Academy has now reached a critical moment of life and death. I suggest we hand Meng Qianzheng over," Zou Yi suddenly declared.
He had always been at odds with Meng Qianzheng. Now, seeing this opportunity, he immediately added stones to the well.
"Zou Yi, you!" Meng Qianzheng raged.
"Dean Sima, I support Vice Dean Zou's suggestion.
The current situation is far too dangerous. If our Heavenly Dao Academy wishes to survive today's crisis, we must make some sacrifices!
Sacrificing Dean Meng alone can ensure the safety of our entire academy. It's worth it!" an elder with a sharp, gaunt face spoke up.
"Heh. Ma Zhiguo, it seems you also wish for my death," Meng Qianzheng replied with a cold laugh.
"Dean Meng, I am only considering the safety of the Heavenly Dao Academy.
If I were in your place, I would certainly step forward without the slightest hesitation to save our academy," the sharp-faced, thin elder said flatly.
This elder was named Ma Zhiguo, a very senior elder within the Heavenly Dao Academy. He was close to Zou Yi and had also always been at odds with Meng Qianzheng.
"Hmph!
What do you mean by this? With a powerful enemy at our gates, instead of thinking about how to confront the foe, you're only thinking about how to scheme against your own people!" a ruddy-faced elder angrily retorted.
"Confront the foe?
Wu Sheng, please tell me, given the strength of our Heavenly Dao Academy, how exactly are we to confront thirteen Imperial Realm experts?
Is confrontation even possible?
Wu Sheng, perhaps you should go out and confront them yourself," Ma Zhiguo sneered.
"You…!" Wu Sheng fumed.
Right at that moment…
Boom…
Suddenly, one of the Imperial Realm experts pointed a finger. An Innate Treasure hovering above his head abruptly shot out, instantly blasting a nearby mountain peak to rubble. Muck and stone fragments cascaded skyward, and the very heavens and earth seemed to lose their color.
"Will you hand over the man or not?!
I don't have much patience," that Imperial Realm expert barked coldly.
"Dean Sima, we must make a choice," Zou Yi said, looking towards Dean Sima.
Dean Sima's gaze remained fixed on the thirteen Imperial Realm experts outside the Academy Protection Formation, his brow furrowed tightly. He did not speak.
He naturally understood how perilous the current situation was, but Meng Qianzheng was his most capable assistant. How could he willingly hand him over?
"Very well. Since that's the case, let's take action and wipe out the Heavenly Dao Academy," the Imperial Realm expert who had just acted said coldly.
Boom…
The surging energy released by the Innate Treasure above his head resembled a terrifying storm, shaking the very earth and mountains.
"Then let's take action."
The other Imperial Realm experts also stepped forward, one after another.
Boom… Boom…
One after another, the Innate Treasures began to glow with activated light, their roars shaking the heavens.
These Imperial Realm experts all came from major powers. The forces they belonged to all possessed Innate Treasures, and they had specifically brought them this time to deal with Ye Yunfei and seize the Demigod herb.
"Dean Sima, we must hand Meng Qianzheng over. Otherwise, the Heavenly Dao Academy is finished!" Zou Yi urged Dean Sima.
"No.
Vice Dean Zou, have you forgotten? Our academy still has an ancient Teleportation Formation passed down through the ages.
Give the order. Assemble everyone immediately. We shall evacuate via that Teleportation Formation now," Dean Sima declared suddenly.
"Dean Sima, does this mean you intend to abandon our academy headquarters?
Once we leave, this headquarters will surely be destroyed.
It took our academy's painstaking efforts over a very long period to build this headquarters into its current scale. How can we abandon it!" Zou Yi argued.
"Yes, Dean Sima! You must reconsider!" Ma Zhiguo also chimed in.
"Say no more! As long as the mountain remains green, there will be no lack of firewood. For our academy, people are the most important asset.
Dean Meng is our academy's vice dean. We absolutely cannot hand him over.
Alright, everyone quickly pack what you need and prepare to leave via that Teleportation Formation!
We must move quickly. We must complete the evacuation before the Academy Protection Formation is breached," Dean Sima ordered.
"Right! Send the order, everyone must move swiftly!" Wu Sheng echoed loudly.
Right at that moment…
"Ha, ha, ha…
Dean Sima, it seems you truly cannot bear to part with Meng Qianzheng. For his sake, you'd even be willing to abandon the academy headquarters.
What a pity. It's too late for you to flee now.
That Teleportation Formation… I have already destroyed it."
Zou Yi suddenly burst into maniacal laughter.
As soon as his words fell, Zou Yi suddenly exerted his movement technique, darting out of the Academy Protection Formation with lightning speed before anyone could react.
Whoosh, whoosh…
At the same time, over a dozen other academy higher-ups followed Zou Yi, rushing out of the formation as well.
These dozen or so higher-ups were all members of Zou Yi's faction who usually supported him!
"Zou Yi, what is the meaning of this?!
You destroyed the Teleportation Formation?!
You've actually betrayed the academy!"
Upon hearing this, Dean Sima's expression drastically changed.