The expressions on everyone's faces were filled with disbelief. Sixteen Martial Saints—that level of power was absolutely capable of swaying any courtly affair. If it hadn't been for Ye Jingyu this time, those sixteen Martial Saints alone would have been enough to utterly devastate the Southern Cloud Empire. Even if Luo Xiaofeng had reached the Martial God realm, he would have stood no chance against sixteen Martial Saints. Yet, these sixteen were merely peripheral members of the Yuan Ling Sect. Just how powerful was the Yuan Ling Sect? What kind of organization were they?
It wasn't just the crowd left bewildered; even Zhuge Yi Shi's brow was deeply furrowed. Did such a powerful sect truly exist in this world?
The Zhuge family was also an ancient lineage. He knew of the Yuan Ling Sect's existence on this continent, and he knew the sect was always shrouded in mystery. Most people understood the sect was immensely powerful, but no one could have imagined they possessed strength reaching this terrifying degree...
Perhaps only old monsters like Dugu Ba Chen held some knowledge of them...
"This is what I learned from Long Yi's memories. Yes, our current strength has certainly increased significantly compared to before. Even if we encounter Xuanyuan Xiao Zhan again, I am fully confident I can keep him here. But the problem is, when the Yuan Ling Sect intervenes in the continental structure, what can we possibly do? If outer members possess the strength of Martial Saints, how powerful must their core members be? Martial Gods? Martial Venerables? Or something more..." Ye Jingyu's tone was incredibly grave. The power he commanded now was sufficient to vie for supremacy across the realm, yet facing the mysterious Yuan Ling Sect, he felt utterly devoid of certainty...
"The Yuan Ling Sect will indeed meddle in continental affairs, but over the years, there hasn't been much news of them actively participating in territorial disputes. At most, they gifted the Tianyuan Empire's royal family sixty Yuan Ling Cannons; beyond that, their presence is barely felt. So, if my assessment is correct, they likely operate through covert control. Even though we just eliminated sixteen Martial Saints, they won't attack head-on. They will only resort to methods like assassination..." Zhuge Yi Shi's brow tightened, and for the first time, a note of uncertainty entered his voice...
Indeed, the Yuan Ling Sect was too mysterious. Perhaps, apart from those who had directly dealt with them, no one truly grasped what the sect was. Even with Zhuge Yi Shi's wisdom, drawing firm conclusions remained nearly impossible...
"That is just a speculation. But regardless, the fact that the Yuan Ling Sect mobilized so many people this time was to eliminate anyone connected to Qin Yan. In other words, their target is me. If they truly intend to make a move, it will be directed at me... As long as I leave the Southern Cloud Empire, given their transcendent status, they surely won't target the empire itself..." Ye Jingyu shook his head...
"General..." Upon hearing Ye Jingyu utter those words, Ye Longyi and the others instantly grasped his intention and moved to speak, but Ye Jingyu cut them off.
"This is merely one of my conjectures. It's very possible that in the eyes of the Yuan Ling Sect, those sixteen Martial Saints mean absolutely nothing. My primary reason for leaving the Southern Cloud Empire this time is not what you imagine; I simply need to ascertain exactly what kind of organization the Yuan Ling Sect is!" Ye Jingyu stated with profound seriousness.
Long Yi's memories had delivered too great a shock. He absolutely refused to let the entire Southern Cloud Empire be dragged into trouble because of him. Until his own strength was sufficient to confront the Yuan Ling Sect, he had to leave...
"This is indeed the best course of action right now, but..." Zhuge Yi Shi instantly understood Ye Jingyu's objective...
"Rest assured, even if the Yuan Ling Sect is truly unfathomable, killing me will not be so simple. As for you all, while I am away, you must diligently assist His Majesty!" Ye Jingyu declared with confidence. Even knowing the unfathomable nature of the Yuan Ling Sect, he showed not a shred of fear...
Hearing Ye Jingyu say this, everyone understood that a decision made by him would not be reversed, though worry flickered in their eyes...
"General, so you are leaving? What about the Princess?" Ye Longyi, recalling something, inquired...
"Ling'er will naturally accompany me. She has never left Cloud Capital City; I want to take her out to see the world. It is also her greatest wish!" Ye Jingyu said calmly. In truth, regardless of the Yuan Ling Sect's appearance, Ye Jingyu would have taken Luo Ling'er with him. After all, the Southern Cloud Empire was now entirely under Luo Ruofeng's control, and with Zhuge Yi Shi assisting him, there was little to worry about. The continent was currently balanced in a tripod stance, and large-scale wars were unlikely in the short term—even if conflict arose, it wouldn't be widespread. He had no need to worry...
Of course, had Ye Jingyu known the tasks assigned by Yuan Tian, he certainly wouldn't have thought this way. Only the high echelon of the Yuan Ling Sect could afford to disregard the survival of the common people while instigating war at such a juncture...
"Young Master, may I accompany you?" At this moment, Lin Xiaoyi suddenly spoke up...
"Of course..." Ye Jingyu nodded. Lin Xiaoyi was the person closest to him since he arrived in this world. Though years had passed and he was no longer the dissolute young master he once was, Lin Xiaoyi remained the loyal page boy...
"Young Master..." Hearing Ye Jingyu agree to Lin Xiaoyi's request, Gongsun Xiangyi also started to speak, but Ye Jingyu interrupted her before she could finish...
"Xiangyi, you have a more crucial mission this time; you must remain in Cloud Capital..."
"Ah, Young Master, Xiao Hua is gone, I..." Hearing that she couldn't stay by Ye Jingyu's side, Gongsun Xiangyi felt a slight disappointment. However, ever since Xiao Hua passed, she had lacked confidence, feeling increasingly useless to Ye Jingyu. Now, hearing Ye Jingyu entrust her with a task, she felt a surge of joy...
"Xiangyi, the Yuan Ling Sect is truly too powerful and mysterious. We must build a force capable of opposing them. But normally, creating such a force quickly is impossible. However, we possess eight True Pills—that represents the power of eight Martial Saints, enough to significantly boost our strength. I need you to refine some elixirs for me to elevate everyone's power..." Ye Jingyu spoke with earnest gravity. Eight Martial Saint True Pills—this was power far purer and mightier than the internal cores of Saint Beasts. If used properly, while it might not create eight Martial Saints, it could easily forge hundreds of Grandmasters...
Sensing the looming strength of the Yuan Ling Sect, Ye Jingyu was forced to plan for the future...