Here were three men identical in appearance—the same complexion, the same facial structure, the same height, the same blood-red eyes. The only difference lay in the expressions upon their faces.

The man on the far left held an air of utter detachment, like an ancient Buddha, seemingly beyond any complaint or grievance.

The man in the middle wore an expression of grim resolution, as if he would never regret any action he took.

The man on the far right, however, was imbued with a profound coldness, resembling an iceberg that permitted no one to draw near.

These three were the Blood-Eye Clan’s three Ninth-Rank Masters: Wu Yuan (No Complaint), Wu Hui (No Regret), and Wu Qing (No Emotion).

Upon sensing the trio’s immense aura, even Liang Xiaoke was startled into taking a step back, while everyone else involuntarily retreated, including the thousands of Minotaurs.

The only one who remained unmoved on the entire field was Ye Jingyu. It could be said that the instant these three appeared and their powerful presence was felt, even Ni Bo’s body instinctively tried to recoil backward, but he was forcefully held still by the sheer, overwhelming dominance that erupted from Ye Jingyu.

As for Hei Ming Shixuan, Ye Jingyu had already spirited her away to Feng Jiu’s side, placing her atop Yingzhao’s back.

Seeing Ye Jingyu remain utterly unfazed under the combined, potent pressure of their three auras, the trio’s facial expressions did not shift in the slightest, as if those three expressions were the only ones they possessed.

“Outsider, tell us why you have come here?” the man on the left spoke, his tone placid.

“Heh, didn’t I already say? We’re here for a friendly diplomatic visit!” Feeling the trio’s formidable power, Ye Jingyu felt no fear; quite the contrary, he was exhilarated. The stronger they were, the greater his own power would become once he subdued them, wouldn't it?

With a sharp whoosh, Wu Qing, the leftmost master, drew a blood-red longsword, his icy gaze locked onto Ye Jingyu, clearly signaling that if he didn't speak the truth, violence would follow.

Wu Yuan and Wu Hui made no move to stop him. Indeed, the look of fierce determination on Wu Hui’s face deepened, as if he, too, would immediately strike the moment his brother attacked.

“Very well, I will speak the truth. I have only one purpose for being here: to conquer you all!” As Ye Jingyu uttered the final word, the smile vanished entirely from his face, replaced by an expression of grave seriousness and an arrogance that sought to dominate the heavens.

With a swift swoosh, the longsword in Wu Qing’s hand shot toward Ye Jingyu’s chest, arriving almost instantaneously, without any discernible time interval.

Facing a thrust faster than lightning, not a single change registered on Ye Jingyu’s face. He merely extended his right hand with utter nonchalance—yes, truly nonchalant, as if lifting his hand casually.

Slowly, so slowly that everyone present could clearly see, he extended two fingers and simply caught the slender blade, which was meant to pierce his heart.

With a screeching hiss, sparks flew between the blood-red sword and his two fingers, accompanied by a grating sound. Just as the tip was about to slice through the fabric of Ye Jingyu’s clothing, it halted abruptly.

Wu Qing gripped the blood-red longsword tightly, straining to drive it into Ye Jingyu’s heart, but no matter how hard he pushed, the blade could not penetrate even a fraction of an inch further.

Looking up at Ye Jingyu, observing the faint smile playing on his lips, Wu Qing’s already frigid eyes turned even colder. From behind him, Wu Hui suddenly let out a cold snort, and in the next instant, his figure shot forward to stand before Ye Jingyu. He too drew a blood-red longsword and plunged it directly toward Ye Jingyu’s chest.

This thrust was faster, more precise, and deadlier than Wu Qing’s. The onlookers hadn't even registered Wu Hui drawing his weapon before the blade was already at Ye Jingyu’s front, piercing straight through unimpeded.

A sword through the heart!

“Ah!” Feng Jiu cried out in alarm, instinctively covering her mouth with her small hand. Hei Ming Shixuan, Hu Yanqi, and the others were all startled. Could Ye Jingyu really have been struck down so easily?

Only Liang Xiaoke looked completely calm, even taking the time to pull Monick closer and kiss her fiercely. If Ye Jingyu had been struck down so simply, how could he possibly subdue the Blood-Eye Clan? At his current display of arrogance, it was clear they wouldn’t need to intervene. Better to enjoy the spectacle, he thought, as his large hand drifted down to fondle Monick’s now substantially grand bosom…

As for Wu Yuan, who had remained still until now, his body suddenly launched forward the moment Ye Jingyu was seemingly impaled. A brilliant streak of multicolored blade light flashed through the void. If he had been even a fraction slower, he might have been cleaved in two.

And then, Ye Jingyu’s figure materialized in the empty air. The silhouette that Wu Hui had stabbed through the heart slowly dissolved, revealing to the stunned onlookers that it had merely been an afterimage.

“I never expected humanity to produce such a master…” Wu Yuan murmured, having narrowly avoided being sliced in half by Ye Jingyu’s blade. In his hand, a blood-red longsword appeared. A closer inspection would reveal that the swords held by all three were identical, crafted from some unknown material.

Ye Jingyu didn't respond immediately. He merely flicked the Heavenly Sovereign Blade, then, seemingly in slow motion, raised his head to fix his gaze upon Wu Yuan, Wu Hui, and Wu Qing.

“You three are capable, but you are still somewhat lacking compared to me. Surrender now. If you agree to yield, I believe your Blood-Eye Clan might yet survive. Otherwise…” Ye Jingyu left the consequence unstated, but the immense killing intent radiating from him, coupled with the simultaneous step forward taken by the thousands of Minotaurs, deeply conveyed to the three masters that they possessed more than enough strength to wipe out the Blood-Eye Clan.

“To demand our surrender? You must be dreaming,” Wu Qing replied coldly, facing Ye Jingyu’s overwhelming presence.

“Your Blood-Eye Clan currently numbers eight hundred and thirty-six souls. Are you truly unconcerned that I might order the extermination of your entire race?” Hearing Wu Qing’s retort, Ye Jingyu deliberately knitted his brows.

“Whatever your objective in trying to conquer us, I tell you this: it is impossible for the Blood-Eye Clan to surrender. As for extermination? Hmph, even if you wipe us out, how many do you think will remain?” Wu Hui scoffed coldly upon hearing Ye Jingyu’s words.