Chapter 284: Strength in Numbers

Zi Long even had Ye Liuyun take the Hell Mingshe's Yuan Dan and give it to him; he helped Ye Liuyun remove the dead qi inside the Yuan Dan. Though the loss was considerable, Ye Liuyun's absorption became much faster.

Soon, Ye Liuyun absorbed the entire Hell Mingshe Yuan Dan, and his realm rose to the half-step Yuan Dan realm.

"Don't rush the breakthrough! I suggest you keep refining the body. Your Soul is already strong enough; the rest you can improve at your own pace. As for Physical Body advancement, this is definitely a good chance," Zi Long advised.

"But it would be too hard on the seniors!" Ye Liuyun hesitated, not wanting them to strain themselves for him.

"Then let's not force it this time; improve as much as you can," Zi Long said, feeling pleased that Ye Liuyun, despite the temptation, still considered them.

"Very well! Young man here, thank you, seniors!" Ye Liuyun thanked them again.

Then several Dragon Souls flew back to the stone pillars, Ye Liuyun moved to the center of the Formation, the great array reactivated, and he used Divine Dragon Claw to seize, crushing a five‑colored Divine Dragon in one strike.

After half a day, the array halted again. A few Dragon Gods were so exhausted they fell asleep within the statues.

Ye Liuyun bowed to thank them.

"It's a trivial effort, no need to mind it. In the future, if you meet our Dragon Clan descendants, look after them if you can; then we won't have wasted our effort!" Gold Dragon said.

"Senior elders, rest assured! If I meet the Dragon Clan later, I'll treat them as family!" Ye Liuyun declared.

"With you saying that, we're relieved too! Put your companions into the Storage Ring, lest time runs out and you leave them here."

"Yes!" Ye Liuyun replied, then gathered everyone together.

Almost everyone's realm advanced. Lei Ming and Bai Hu rose to Yuan Dan Fourth Realm, Shi Yuan to Yuan Dan Third Realm. Wu Qingcheng broke through to Sea Transformation Seventh Layer, Yu Er to Sea Transformation Fifth Layer, Ru Yue to Sea Transformation Third Layer.

"It seems the lower the realm, the faster the boost!" Ye Liuyun glanced and called them all back.

Then he himself sat down quietly to cultivate.

His breakthrough this time must cross the Yuan Dan Realm and requires massive energy, so his speed is slower than the others.

He also possesses the Primordial Power of space that the Nine‑tailed White Fox gave him in the Blood Demon Sect Secret Realm. However, that Primordial Power is too strong; he'll save it for the breakthrough into the Heavenly Gang Realm.

He isn't in a hurry to breakthrough here. One reason is insufficient time; another is that with the Primordial Yuan Dan Zi Long gave him, it's better to find a stable place after leaving to breakthrough.

When the time arrived, spatial fluctuations echoed. Ye Liuyun bowed again to several Divine Dragons, then was transmitted out of this space.

"Tell me, can this youngster really resist the Foreign Tribe invasion?" a dragon asked bewildered.

"Just because he can't now doesn't mean he won't later! His talent is still strong!" Black Dragon sighed.

"Since he's the chosen one, it can't be wrong! We've done our best; overthinking won't help," Gold Dragon said, then fell silent.

"I need to get some sleep quickly! This just drained me completely!" Immediately, the space fell silent again, and the Dragon Souls all slipped into slumber.

After leaving, Ye Liuyun found himself back in the Grand Hall where he had entered.

The master of the Divine Sword Palace asked nothing further and sent him back directly.

When Ye Liuyun returned, he saw Grand Elder and others waiting for him, which warmed his heart.

"We figured many outside want to kill you, so we stayed. We even plan to borrow your light and fight another round!" Hao Chengfeng laughed, patting his shoulder.

"Thank you, Master, all the Elders, and senior brothers and sisters!" Ye Liuyun thanked them.

"Don't mention it! If you're moved, quickly bring out some food and wine so we can feast, then set off!" Jiang Yuan suggested.

"Haha, no problem! After we're full, we'll charge back!" So Ye Liuyun immediately produced plenty of beast meat and wine, and ate together with everyone.

After everyone ate and drank their fill, they boarded the Flying Boat and set off for the Sacred Martial Academy.

They were mentally prepared; the journey would not be peaceful.

Who could have known that the previous days had been unusually calm.

It wasn't until the fourth day that they met resistance—a blockade formed by several groups, totaling about two hundred people.

"Looks like these people learned to be clever, not daring to come alone. With many people and great force, they just want to intimidate us, right?" Hao Chengfeng laughed.

"Never mind, they're all here to deliver resources. Take as many down as come!"

This time, Ye Liuyun not only released the ferocious beasts but also let Wu Qingcheng join the battle, only assigning Bai Hu and Shi Yuan to watch over her a bit. The opponent also fielded several Sea Transformation Seventh Layer Martial Cultivators, perfect for her to gain experience.

All of Ye Liuyun's group had grown stronger, fighting more fiercely. For Martial Cultivators above Yuan Dan Fifth Realm, Ye Liuyun used Spiritual Soul Attack; for those below Yuan Dan Fifth Realm, he practiced Divine Dragon Claw and Bà Tiān Divine Fist.

The enemy also comprised almost all Martial Cultivators above Yuan Dan Fourth Realm, all targeting Ye Liuyun. He welcomed every challenger; even their strongest, a Yuan Dan Eighth Realm warrior, was annihilated by Ye Liuyun's Spiritual Soul Attack.

He took a few heavy blows, but his injuries healed quickly. His Physical Body now rivals a spirit vessel; a strong opponent at this level couldn't kill him unless they kept up relentless attacks.

Ye Liuyun's Spiritual Soul Attack creates a Soul Domain that can envelop a large crowd, devouring their Souls.

Thus, relying on his monstrous Physical Body, Ye Liuyun eradicated all those strong foes and then began voraciously devouring Souls.

The Monster Beasts, after guidance from those Divine Dragons, grew stronger. When facing opponents of the same tier, they could wipe them out at a glance.

Wu Qingcheng did not disappoint Ye Liuyun; several same‑tier Martial Cultivators were also slain by her. Though she employed the Sacred Artifact Mitian Realm to block a few attacks, fighting one against many, her victory was commendable.

After the battle, once everyone cleared the field, Jiang Yuan remembered to ask Ye Liuyun, "Who is that beauty?" referring to Wu Qingcheng.

"She's my fiancée; don't make any moves!" Ye Liuyun replied with a smile, then introduced Wu Qingcheng to the group.

It was Ye Liuyun's first time publicly introducing Wu Qingcheng as his fiancée. Wu Qingcheng blushed immediately and greeted everyone in turn.

Wu Qingcheng's bearing truly deserved the phrase 'a beauty who could topple a nation.' By contrast, Liu Shengnan looked far too masculine.

Liu Shengnan stared at Wu Qingcheng, suddenly feeling a hollow emptiness inside.

Hao Chengfeng, obliviously, said, "Every woman around my junior brother is a beauty! Unlike some people who keep a cold face all the time, lacking any femininity!"

Liu Shengnan, already upset, heard Hao Chengfeng's mockery and swung a sword fiercely.

Hao Chengfeng quickly raised his blade to block. Feeling the force of Liu Shengnan's strike, he startled and shouted, "Tomboy, I was just joking, why take it seriously?"

"Enough, enough, save your energy! We still have battles ahead! Stop squabbling here!" The others pulled the two apart and returned to the Flying Boat.