Ye Yun ignored Xing Wu's sarcastic remarks.
He looked towards Tian Lan Valley ahead and said with a light laugh.
"This gorge seems to be the only entrance. If I were the Holy Lord, I would surely set up a net to prevent others from interfering with the formation."
Upon hearing this, Lan Ao Tian raised an eyebrow.
"Does Elder Ye mean there might be an ambush?"
"It's better to be safe than sorry. Caution is always wise."
Ye Yun smiled faintly and summoned the Feng Lan Sword in his hand, saying, "Let's go, enter cautiously."
Seeing this, Yu Ruo Feng and Lan Ao Tian also summoned their weapons, their internal powers on high alert, and flew into Tian Lan Valley with Ye Yun.
As for Xing Wu, knowing it wouldn't be smooth sailing, she subtly retreated a few steps and flew to the rear of the group, as if possessed by a certain Han surname expert.
Tian Lan Valley was narrow, with violent thunderclouds covering the sky. Legend had it that the passage was created by the First Holy Lord, who, displaying immense divine power, cleaved through endless thunder mountains with a single saber to open this gorge leading to the Sacred Mountain.
Ye Yun led the way, charging into Tian Lan Valley with his sword. Xing Wu and the other two followed closely.
The four figures flew past. Initially, there was no sign of anything unusual. It wasn't until they reached the middle of the gorge that a sudden change occurred!
Instantly, the earth trembled, and countless black lights shot out from all around the gorge, converging above to form a massive black formation pattern.
Dense black mist surged down from within the formation, transforming into a colossal black curtain that enveloped the entire Tian Lan Valley, exuding a suffocating aura that made one feel as if they were stuck in a quagmire.
"As expected, there was an ambush..."
Ye Yun narrowed his eyes, observing the bizarre and chaotic formation and the four figures rapidly approaching. He let out a cold laugh.
"It seems like a grand welcoming ceremony."
Needless to say, the newcomers were the Black Dragon Demon Emperor and the three Demon Kings, Tian Gang, Di Sha, and Xuan You.
"Human, facing death, you still have the mood to joke around?"
A black figure flew towards them. Though he didn't reveal his identity, his arrogant expression allowed Yu Ruo Feng to recognize him at a glance. She immediately sneered coldly.
"The arrogant Black Dragon Demon Emperor himself resorts to such ambush tactics?"
Upon hearing it was the Black Dragon Demon Emperor, Ye Yun looked up, sizing him up. Indeed, he exuded a considerable amount of malevolent aura.
This fellow was significantly stronger than Mu Xuan Kong, whom he had killed previously. If they had encountered him before, it would have truly forced him to fight seriously.
At this moment, the Black Dragon Demon Emperor frowned at the mockery, his eyes instantly flashing with killing intent, and he let out a cold snort.
"You lot? Do you even deserve me to ambush you? If it weren't for the Holy Lord's orders, I could have torn you all apart with my bare hands!"
As he spoke, he seemed to notice something, and his sinister gaze quickly fell upon Ye Yun.
"Hmm? Who are you?"
Among these four, he had interacted with Yu Ruo Feng and Lan Ao Tian. He couldn't see through the other woman, but this young sword cultivator gave him a sense of threat.
"Me?"
Ye Yun raised an eyebrow and looked at the arrogant Black Dragon Demon Emperor, saying in a calm voice.
"I am Ye Yun. Remember this name, for he is the one who will kill you."
Upon hearing the name, a sharp glint flashed in the Black Dragon Demon Emperor's eyes, and he burst into loud, wild laughter.
"Ye Yun... So it's you! Good, good, good! You've come at the perfect time!"
The Black Dragon Demon Emperor opened his mouth in excitement, revealing a row of sharp fangs and a sinister smile.
"I heard you've been making quite a name for yourself among the humans. I was just wondering when I'd get a chance to kill you and establish my might. Today, I'll use your flesh and blood as my drink!"
As his voice fell, a cold, sinister aura rose from his body, and his hands began to glow with black light, transforming into claws that seemed capable of tearing space apart.
The Black Dragon Demon Emperor glanced at the three Demon Kings around him and said coldly.
"You three, go deal with those other three. This one," he pointed at Ye Yun, "is my prey!"
With that, his eyes fixed on Ye Yun, his gaze as fierce and focused as a beast eyeing its soon-to-be meal.
And on her, a scorching and dense demonic energy erupted, rising into the sky. Feeling this intense pressure, Yu Ruo Feng and Lan Ao Tian's expressions slightly sank.
"This guy has indeed broken through to the eighth level of Dao Construction. This is troublesome..."
Just as Yu Ruo Feng was about to remind Ye Yun to be extremely careful, he smiled faintly.
"This little dragonling is mine. You guys go deal with those three first. I'll help you once I'm done with him."
Hearing this, Yu Ruo Feng's delicate eyebrows rose. Was this guy joking? Help them? He should first worry about handling the Black Dragon Demon Emperor.
However, out of trust, she didn't say anything and turned her sword to face one of the Demon Kings.
The three Demon Kings, Tian Gang, Di Sha, and Xuan You, looked at Ye Yun and the other three.
Tian Gang's gaze fell on Yu Ruo Feng, and the corners of his mouth curled up.
"This beautiful and powerful Palace Mistress will be mine. You guys handle the rest."
Di Sha then sized up Xing Wu, who was behind them, and grinned.
"Yo, human woman, you look quite noble. I like conquering women like you. How about we play a bit? It'll be very comfortable!"
Xing Wu, who was already full of anger with nowhere to vent it, faced Di Sha Demon King's shameless provocation with a pure, spring-like smile.
"Alright, let's play together then."
The Di Sha Demon King, at this moment, had no idea what kind of heart-wrenching 'play' awaited him.
As for the last one, Xuan You Demon King, he had no other choice and looked at Lan Ao Tian indifferently.
"This human will be dealt with by me."
With their opponents chosen, the Black Dragon Demon Emperor's aura grew stronger. He fixed his murderous gaze on Ye Yun, his voice becoming increasingly chilling.
"Human, what did you just say you would finish later?"
His imposing and domineering presence was enough to make anyone tremble.
Ye Yun glanced at him and replied, "Are you a dragon, or deaf? Of course, it's you."
This retort enraged the Black Dragon Demon Emperor, who grinned menacingly.
"The last one who provoked me like this, I turned him into a specimen. You'll be the second!"
As his words fell, his entire body was enveloped in a bone-chilling black demonic energy. His claws, carrying a torrential force, tore through space and lunged at Ye Yun.
At this moment, the Black Dragon Demon Emperor was like an evil dragon with bared claws, pouncing on Ye Yun, as if to rip him to shreds with a single swipe.
Then... and then there was no then.
Ye Yun didn't even draw his sword. He condensed the supreme cold energy of his Ice Phoenix bloodline within his body.
A sharp glint flashed in his eyes. With a phantom flicker of movement, he directly kicked the Black Dragon Demon Emperor in the face.
"I asked, who are you talking to?!"
With a thunderous roar that shook the heavens and earth, the Black Dragon Demon Emperor, or rather, the entire demon, spun in mid-air like a Thomas whirl for thirty-six thousand degrees, flying backward like a shooting star until finally, with the force of an earth-shattering impact, he crashed onto the ground of the gorge.