"You three, follow by my side from now on," Ye Yunfei said to the three Early Stage Imperial Realm cultivators from the Nine Li Imperial Dynasty.
"Yes, Master," the three Early Stage Imperial Realm cultivators nodded respectfully.
They understood that from this moment forward, their life and death were entirely at Ye Yunfei's whim. They dared not harbor any rebellious thoughts.
Upon questioning, Ye Yunfei learned their names: Ren Chang, Fang Zhong, and Qi Jie.
"I must be on my way. I will notify you whenever I have tasks for you," Ye Yunfei said to the three Demon Kings.
"We understand, Master," the three Demon Kings hurriedly agreed.
Following this, Ye Yunfei teleported Tang Boguang and the more than thirty thousand troops into the Phantom Tower, left the Guyao Realm, and rushed back towards the Northern Wastelands.
One day later.
Ye Yunfei returned to the Northern Wastelands. As soon as he arrived, he headed for the headquarters of the Heavenly Dao Academy.
The moment he stepped into the academy grounds, Ye Yunfei realized something was indeed amiss.
Dean Sima, Meng Qianzheng, Elder Wu, Elder Qiu, and Elder Lu—each of the five was wielding an Innate Treasure—were confronting six formidable opponents.
Among those six experts was one Mid Stage Imperial Realm cultivator and five Early Stage Imperial Realm cultivators. Moreover, another Innate Treasure was in the hands of a tall man clad in white armor.
This white-armored man possessed Mid Stage Imperial Realm strength!
Furthermore, scattered throughout the Heavenly Dao Academy headquarters were many corpses, all of them belonging to mid-level members or students of the academy.
"Hmph! It's truly surprising that your Heavenly Dao Academy suddenly has five Early Stage Imperial Realm cultivators and five low-grade Innate Treasures," the white-armored man said coldly. "But so what? To our Nine Li Imperial Dynasty, your Heavenly Dao Academy is still no match. Dean Sima, those who understand the times are true heroes. I advise you to see the bigger picture. The Xuanhuang Star Domain will inevitably be conquered by the Star Nation's army. Your only way out is to pledge allegiance to our Nine Li Imperial Dynasty. Otherwise, the Heavenly Dao Academy will surely be wiped out!"
"Hmph! Even if our Heavenly Dao Academy's strength is weak, it is an enterprise painstakingly established by our ancestors through the generations," Dean Sima replied angrily. "We will never submit to your Nine Li Imperial Dynasty."
"Dean Sima, I'm afraid you have no choice in the matter. If you do not surrender, today will be the day the Heavenly Dao Academy is destroyed," the white-armored man said with a sneer.
"With just you few, you cannot destroy the Heavenly Dao Academy." However, at that moment, a voice rang out as a young man strode forward.
"Ye Yunfei!" Dean Sima and the others were overjoyed.
"Is that Ye Yunfei?!" The white-armored man and the other six were greatly shocked. Of course, they had heard of Ye Yunfei's famous name.
"Ye Yunfei, how audacious of you! Do you dare interfere in the affairs of our Nine Li Imperial Dynasty? I warn you, provoking our Nine Li Imperial Dynasty will bring you no good," the white-armored man said sternly.
"What's so great about the Nine Li Imperial Dynasty? It's not the first time I've provoked them," Ye Yunfei said lightly.
"Hahaha… Ye Yunfei, you are indeed exceedingly arrogant! However, encountering us today means your end has come!" the white-armored man suddenly burst into laughter.
"With just you few?" Ye Yunfei flicked his fingers dismissively, an expression of disdain on his face.
"Commander Shi, this is Ye Yunfei! Please show yourself!" the white-armored man shouted loudly.
"Excellent. My trip hasn't been wasted," a voice spoke up.
Then…
*Whoosh whoosh…* Several sharp, forceful figures emerged, surrounding Ye Yunfei's position from all directions.
In total, there were eighteen Imperial Realm experts! Among them, three Late Imperial Stage, five Mid Stage Imperial Realm, and ten Early Stage Imperial Realm.
Next, another group of soldiers surged into the Heavenly Dao Academy. Their shimmering armor was forged from refined bronze, and they held glaives in their hands, glinting coldly—clearly seasoned elite soldiers.
"It seems these men were hidden in a spatial treasure earlier. I was careless and didn't notice," Ye Yunfei thought, his brow slightly furrowed as he watched these suddenly appearing forces.
"Are you Ye Yunfei?" The leader, a man wearing battle robes and a helmet, looked down at Ye Yunfei with a superior gaze.
"I am Ye Yunfei. It appears you are members of the Star Nation's Expeditionary Army," Ye Yunfei replied.
"Correct. Since you know our identity, that makes things easier. Our Great General heard you possess a Demigod Herb and specifically sent us to retrieve it. Now, immediately hand over everything on your person, including the Demigod Herb! Oh, right. We've heard you have many rather unique techniques and martial skills. Hand them all over as well. Furthermore, you will surrender to our Star Nation immediately. The Great General promises you can start by serving as a minor commander in the army. Kid, having the opportunity to offer your items to the Great General is your good fortune. If the Great General is pleased and gives you a slight boost, your future will be limitless," the man declared arrogantly.
The Star Nation's army had come from afar to conquer this star domain, including all living beings within it. Therefore, in this man's eyes, all beings in this star domain must submit unconditionally.
"So it's for the Demigod Herb they came," Ye Yunfei realized inwardly.
"Why should I offer my belongings to your Great General? Get lost!" Ye Yunfei sneered.
"You ignorant, ungrateful dog! How dare you disobey the Great General's command! Men, kill this brat first, then take the Demigod Herb from his corpse!" The man flew into a rage, waving his hand as he growled.
*Whoosh whoosh…*
Immediately, one Early Stage Imperial Realm expert moved, closing in on Ye Yunfei.
A cold smile played on Ye Yunfei's lips. He neither dodged nor retreated, simply waiting in place.
"Arrogant brat, to act so boldly before us!" That Early Stage Imperial Realm expert was somewhat angered.
In the blink of an eye, the Early Stage Imperial Realm expert rushed to stand before Ye Yunfei.
"Die, brat!" The Early Stage Imperial Realm expert sneered, swatting casually towards Ye Yunfei with one palm.
This Early Stage Imperial Realm cultivator was a member of the Star Nation's Expeditionary Army, a seasoned veteran of countless battles, with richer experience and combat power far surpassing that of ordinary Early Stage Imperial Realm cultivators.
However, he utterly looked down on Ye Yunfei and didn't even bother using any martial skill, merely striking casually with his palm.
Ye Yunfei's expression remained indifferent. He, too, threw out a palm to meet the attack.
*Thump!*
Instantly, their palms collided.
*Crack…*
A crisp sound echoed as the Early Stage Imperial Realm expert's arm snapped on the spot, and he screamed in pain.
Ye Yunfei's palm continued forward, pressing directly onto the man's dantian. Activating a secret technique, Ye Yunfei sealed his cultivation on the spot.
Then, Ye Yunfei casually slapped the Early Stage Imperial Realm cultivator unconscious and teleported him into the Phantom Tower.
Ye Yunfei was now at the Late Soul Formation Realm. The intensity of his spiritual power was at least equivalent to that of a Mid Stage Imperial Realm cultivator. Defeating a mere Early Stage Imperial Realm cultivator was naturally effortless.
The reason Ye Yunfei didn't kill this Early Stage Imperial Realm cultivator was naturally to keep him as a slave.
"Oh? So your strength is a bit peculiar, capable of transcending realms in battle. You're somewhat of a minor genius. Brat, one final chance—surrender, or die," the leader exclaimed in surprise before stating coldly.