Chapter 3770: No Delay for Either

At that moment, the Magic Vine's realm broke through again to the Seventh Layer of Cave Heaven.

"Perfect timing, go out and help the Clone Puppet, and bring back some resources as well!" Ye Liuyun released the Magic Vine as well, letting it assist the Clone Puppet in continuing to search for treasures.

Chi Lian and Zhu Que were also sent out. Zhu Que can absorb the Yin Souls here, while Chi Lian can help the Clone Puppet deal with Martial Cultivators, absorbing their Bloodline Power to boost its strength.

If the two of them break through their realms again, they will reach the Cave Heaven Realm.

While arranging the Monster Beast, Ye Liuyun suddenly thought, "By this calculation, I'm the lowest in realm! No wonder the Demon Slaying Sword complained I was holding it back!"

So he immediately went to find some Great Void Ninth Level and Cave Heaven First Level puppets, using Divine Core to fight, accelerating the increase of Divine Core quality, striving to break through to the Cave Heaven Eight Layer as soon as possible.

Normally he has no time to demand anything, and during cultivation he doesn't use Golden Eggs, instead reserving that energy for when it's most needed. He cultivates using Spirit Stones collected from demons. He absorbs those Spirit Stones quickly; he just needs a larger quantity.

Inside the Soul‑refining cauldron, the remaining Dragon Soul was condensed into soul sources, and while cultivating, Ye Liuyun had already begun assimilating those soul sources.

He also tossed the Soul of the Golden Roc King that the Clone Puppet had absorbed into the cauldron for refinement; the refined soul source was split, giving half to the Clone Puppet so it could improve as well.

Outside, the Clone Puppet led its puppets in initial exploration when a squad of Martial Cultivators could no longer hold back, disembarking from a Flying Boat and surrounding Ye Liuyun's position.

The squad had a Sixth Layer Tongtian strongman stationed, two Cave Heaven Fifth Layer Martial Cultivators, and over twenty others ranging from Cave Heaven Second to Fourth Layer, appearing considerably stronger than Ye Liuyun's side.

The Clone Puppet remained calm, and once they approached, it suddenly had the Magic Vine encircle the people. Then it led the charge, rushing toward the Cave Heaven Sixth Layer strongman.

The strongman sensed the Clone's realm, detecting a Cave Heaven First Layer aura, and sneered inwardly that it came to meet its death.

But the next moment, his complexion changed, because the Clone Puppet, while charging, released its realm suppression, and its aura surged straight to the Seventh Layer of Cave Heaven.

When the strongman tried to flee, the Clone was already in front of him, delivering a crushing punch that shattered his sternum, leaving him sprawled on the ground, unable to move.

Then the Clone rushed toward another Cave Heaven Fifth Layer Martial Cultivator.

In no time, all twenty‑plus opponents were battered by him and his puppets, falling severely wounded and becoming captives.

The Clone sealed their True Essence, then had Chi Lian drain their Bloodline, while the Magic Vine simultaneously absorbed the energy within their True Essence; the two cooperated in their tasks.

Their Souls were also collected by the Clone into a Soul Sealing Pearl, kept for Sun Que to forge a vessel. Ye Liuyun has never shown mercy to anyone who dares to scheme against him.

After dealing with those people, the Magic Vine resumed full‑force excavation of underground treasures. Its efficiency far surpassed that of Wàn Xīnghǎi's crew—accurate, fast, yielding more than ten people per person. Moreover, its many vines allow it to fight and treasure‑hunt simultaneously without delay.

With the Magic Vine, the puppets no longer need to dig underground; they can search on the surface, saving a great deal of effort.

However, soon they faced continuous battles again. More Martial Cultivators charged at them, their numbers and strength steadily increasing.

Some Martial Cultivator squads, lacking individual strength, merged to surround them. Fortunately, the Clone Puppet was strong enough on its own, and with the Magic Vine's aid, it repelled wave after wave.

So far, none of the pursuing Martial Cultivators have surpassed the realms of the Clone Puppet and the Magic Vine; they have all held their ground.

Ye Liuyun estimates this is the strongest foundation among some Eastern factions. Eastern forces aren't very strong. A Cave Heaven Sixth Layer Martial Cultivator already counts as a high realm.

Chi Lian and the Magic Vine seized the chance to absorb plenty of energy, while the Clone Puppet gathered many Souls from mid‑stage Cave Heaven Martial Cultivators. Some strong ones were unintentionally slain, an unavoidable outcome in battle.

"Which wave is this? The seventh or the eighth?" From afar, Wàn Xīnghǎi and his companions, though claiming to be treasure‑hunting, kept watching Ye Liuyun's side.

"Brother Ye is too strong! He knocks out a Cave Heaven Sixth Layer strongman with a single punch, and after fighting this long he can still keep going. Does his True Essence never run out?" Jin Biao found it unbelievable.

"That's Ye's Clone Puppet; its Soul is his, but its Physical Body is not. As long as the puppet has energy, it can fight indefinitely," Wàn Xīnghǎi relayed the information to the other two.

"I see!" Jin Biao suddenly understood.

Xiao Qing replied knowingly, "Indeed, with his dangerous strength, his true form is better off staying put!"

At that moment, a Cave Heaven Fifth Layer Martial Cultivator fighting the Clone Puppet suddenly turned and ran toward Wàn Xīnghǎi and his group.

While running, he threatened the Clone Puppet, "Ye Liuyun, surrender now or I'll kill these three! I know they're your friends!"

The Clone gave him a glance, "Do as you wish, I'm not close to them!"

After speaking, it ignored him and continued slaying other Martial Cultivators.

"You really think I'm easy to deceive?" the Martial Cultivator hesitated briefly, then charged at Wàn Xīnghǎi and the others.

"You old corpse, have any shame? What does your fight have to do with us!" Wàn Xīnghǎi couldn't help but shout.

"Hmph, don't think I don't know—you are the Dragon Clan's Crown Prince, and Ye Liuyun is now the Dragon Clan's Elder; would he ignore you?" the Martial Cultivator said, still watching Ye Liuyun's movements.

But he realized Ye Liuyun truly paid no heed to Wàn Xīnghǎi, focusing intently on slaying the other Martial Cultivators.

The Martial Cultivator gritted his teeth; since he had already arrived, he had to test. He couldn't kill the Dragon Clan's Crown Prince, so he would first try killing two bystanders!

Thus he swung his palm toward Jin Biao and Xiao Qing!

But suddenly a terrifying pressure surged, pinning him firmly in place; the amassed True Essence was locked inside his Core Pill, unable to be released. Even his Divine Sense was instantly severed, leaving him unable to perceive anything behind him. Ai Dou was reading a book.

He tried to look back to see what caused such dreadful pressure, but a flash of Golden Light struck his occiput, blasting his head and Soul apart.

Ye Liuyun also sheathed the Godslaying Bow.

"Old thing, you couldn't fool me! Still, you will die!"

Ye Liuyun cursed, then had the Magic Vine dispose of that Martial Cultivator's corpse.

The faces of the three people with Wàn Xīnghǎi had already turned pale; they had no strength to resist such a strong opponent, and in the blink of an eye, the person was dead.