Fang Zhentian’s body shook violently, but his heart was even more terrified. His Fang Tian Tower was an Immortal Artifact—absolutely a legendary Immortal Artifact! On the Dou Hun Continent, all Soul Artifacts were categorized into four tiers: Heaven, Earth, Black, and Yellow. His pagoda, however, was a supreme treasure surpassing the Heaven tier. Even his full-force strike couldn't scratch the tower in the slightest. Yet, that fellow used some kind of green ancient bell to lightly chip away the very pinnacle of his tower. How could this not shock him?

What startled him most was that he couldn't sense any energy signature from the green ancient bell whatsoever. In other words, if he hadn't witnessed the bell with his own eyes, he wouldn't have even known it existed. What kind of treasure was this?

It wasn't just Fang Zhentian who was stunned; the eight figures weaving the protective barrier in the void also showed a flicker of surprise. Each of them turned their gaze towards Ye Jingyu with an expression akin to decades-starved wolves suddenly spotting a ravishing young maiden lying naked before them...

It was a look so covetous, so bright, so dazzlingly brilliant...

Fang Zhentian’s inherent strength was roughly equal to theirs, perhaps even inferior to some among them. But simply because he possessed the Fang Tian Tower, such a supreme Immortal Artifact, his power firmly surpassed everyone else's, securing him the position of the Sub-Alliance Leader. He had secretly manipulated the Yuan Ling Sect, procuring untold benefits for the Fang family from the Dou Hun Continent over the years.

If they could obtain that green ancient bell, wouldn't they be able to decisively dominate the other families?

At this thought, the minds of the eight figures surged with desire...

However, since the eight were currently joining forces to maintain this barrier, seizing such a supreme treasure outright could fully ignite the rules of the Heavenly Dao. Under the ensuing Heavenly Punishment, even they would suffer complete soul annihilation. This was a risk no one dared to take...

Though unwilling to commit their full strength to the plunder, the divine senses of the eight figures transformed into eight colossal hands, lunging towards Ye Jingyu and Dugu Bacheng. Dugu Bacheng’s life force was already more than halfway depleted, his strength greatly diminished. As for Ye Jingyu, he was merely a minor ant at the Sixth Heaven of the Martial God realm. They held them in utter contempt.

Fang Zhentian’s eyes naturally burned with envy. His Fang Tian Tower had been shattered. If he could seize such a supreme treasure, what did it matter if his own life was forfeit? Ignoring his injuries, he lashed out a massive hand, reaching for Ye Jingyu and Dugu Bacheng as well...

When Xuanyuan Jue witnessed the green ancient bell striking and damaging the tip of the Fang Tian Tower, his heart leaped violently. Dugu Bacheng’s all-out, life-draining strike couldn't even chip that treasure, yet the green ancient bell did so with such casual force. How immense must the bell's true power be? Ye Jingyu’s current strength was far too insufficient to participate in a battle of this caliber, yet he managed to smash the Fang Tian Tower using that bell—how astonishing!

Seeing Fang Zhentian and the others in the void simultaneously reaching for Ye Jingyu and Dugu Bacheng only solidified Xuanyuan Jue’s resolve regarding the green ancient bell. How could such a powerful artifact fall into the hands of those few great families? If any single family acquired such a treasure, they would be powerful enough to unify the entire Gu Hua Continent, leaving the Dou Hun Continent with no hope whatsoever...

Unleashing every remaining reserve of power within him, Xuanyuan Jue transformed into a colossal, heaven-piercing sword, directly plunging towards those huge spectral hands...

Ye Jingyu supported Dugu Bacheng with one arm while gripping the Heavenly Venerable Blade tightly in the other. He activated the Shadow Star Step beneath his feet, attempting to escape. But the eight giant hands had completely sealed off his path. For the moment, escape was impossible. Just as he was about to be seized by the hands, a brilliant sword gleam illuminated the entire sky...

"Take him and go!" Xuanyuan Jue’s authoritative voice rang out beside Ye Jingyu...

Ye Jingyu’s expression tightened. He intended to express his thanks for saving both his and Dugu Bacheng’s lives at this critical juncture, but suddenly felt the near-dead Dugu Bacheng grab his shoulder and immediately vault toward the void...

In just a few steps, they were tens of thousands of meters away. Ye Jingyu only then realized Xuanyuan Jue had been speaking to Dugu Bacheng...

"Pfft..." A mouthful of blood sprayed out. Dugu Bacheng swayed precariously, nearly falling.

Fortunately, Ye Jingyu was quick enough to steady him...

"Hurry, get away from here! That fellow Xuanyuan Jue won't last long!" Dugu Bacheng was practically at the end of his rope...

Ye Jingyu dared not linger. Supporting Dugu Bacheng, he rushed toward the Dou Hun Continent...

Although his strength was less than Dugu Bacheng's, utilizing the Shadow Star Step meant he wasn't much slower, given its sheer speed.

It took nearly an hour, and Ye Jingyu’s inner starlight power was almost completely exhausted by the time they arrived at the Dou Hun Continent. Liang Xiaoke and the others, who had prepared in advance, were already waiting in the cave where Dugu Bacheng had originally resided in the Southern Wilderness Barbarian Forest...

The two collapsed onto the ground. Dugu Bacheng coughed violently, spitting out several more mouthfuls of blood...

"Master, are you alright?" Seeing Dugu Bacheng’s ashen face, devoid of color, Ye Jingyu felt a wave of worry...

Liang Xiaoke immediately ordered Gongsun Lu to continuously channel the Azure Wood Qi into Dugu Bacheng’s body, hoping to restore his vitality...

Dugu Bacheng glanced at Liang Xiaoke, then at Gongsun Lu, and finally at the others standing behind Ye Jingyu. He shook his head: "It's useless. My life source is already damaged. Her Azure Wood Qi won't help me!"

"Master..." Hearing Dugu Bacheng say this, Ye Jingyu’s heart ached.

"Alright, send them all away. My time is short; there are things I must tell you!" Dugu Bacheng waved his hand gently...

Upon hearing this, before Ye Jingyu could speak, Liang Xiaoke, Luo Ling'er, Chi Yixiu, and Bing Ming directly walked toward the edge of the forest. Even Hei Ming Shixuan obediently followed Luo Ling’er as they departed.

Dugu Bacheng’s gaze swept over Hei Ming Shixuan, and he sighed softly: "You returned from the Demon Realm so quickly; have you learned something?"

"Yes..." Ye Jingyu quickly relayed all the information he had obtained from Medusa to Dugu Bacheng.

"That damned hag, why is she so gossipy?" After hearing Ye Jingyu's narrative, Dugu Bacheng cursed loudly.

"Master, why didn't you tell us about something this significant?" Ignoring the conflict between Dugu Bacheng and Medusa, Ye Jingyu pressed the question.