The demon beast was about five or six zhang tall, resembling an oversized pangolin in its overall appearance.
The difference was that besides the four legs on the ground, it also had four ape-like arms extending from its chest.
Real Master Yunhua was instantly taken aback.
This creature looked similar to a Mòrì Beast, but Mòrì Beasts didn't have those monkey arms on their chests.
However, the surge of demonic energy emanating from the beast told him that this was indeed a Mòrì Beast...
A Mòrì Beast, an existence at the eighth level of the Nascent Soul stage!
If it were a one-on-one fight, he would absolutely turn and run right now!
After all, demon beasts of the same level were far stronger than cultivators of the same level.
Fortunately, they had numbers on their side now...
And as the white mist dissipated, the flow of true qi was finally unimpeded!
Real Master Yunhua and the others immediately unleashed their respective techniques, launching a counterattack!
With their strength restored, the demon beasts summoned by the vortex posed no threat to them!
Real Master Yunhua and the Sect Master of the Boundless Sect contained the Mòrì Beast, while the surviving elders dealt with the other demon beasts.
Then, everyone focused their attacks on the Mòrì Beast.
In a one-on-one fight, they were indeed no match for a Mòrì Beast of the same level.
But under a combined assault, the Mòrì Beast eventually faltered.
Fifteen minutes later.
"Boom—!"
The Mòrì Beast's massive body crashed to the ground.
The Sect Master of the Boundless Sect sighed.
What a mess this had become...
He had brought so many people here, only to nearly lose them all...
Such a loss would be devastating for the Boundless Sect!
Even if they managed to leave the ruins safely this time, the Boundless Sect's status would plummet.
Oh well...
They would deal with future matters later.
For now, they should try to do something to compensate: perhaps discuss the distribution of the Mòrì Beast with the Yunhua Sect.
A demon beast at the eighth level of the Nascent Soul stage was practically a treasure trove.
Whether he used it himself or sold it, it would be a significant source of wealth.
While it couldn't fully compensate for the Boundless Sect's losses, it was better than nothing.
Before he could speak, however, he saw a figure appear before the Mòrì Beast's corpse.
Then, with a wave of his hand, the Mòrì Beast's enormous body vanished...
"You..."
The Sect Master of the Boundless Sect pointed a trembling finger at Ye Fan, utterly speechless for a moment...
After all, he had never encountered someone as shameless as Ye Fan before...
Damn it!
His people were almost wiped out!
They had worked tirelessly to finally defeat this demon beast.
And then you just took it without even asking a single question?!
Where is your face?!
"Everyone has worked hard fighting for so long. Let me handle these dirty, tiresome tasks."
After stowing the Mòrì Beast's corpse, Ye Fan offered a genial smile to the Sect Master of the Boundless Sect.
"I don't have many virtues, but I do enjoy helping others."
With that, Ye Fan began collecting the corpses of the other demon beasts.
"Real Master Yunhua!" The Sect Master of the Boundless Sect ceased his bickering with Ye Fan and questioned Yunhua Zhenren, "Aren't you going to give me an explanation?!"
In his view, since Ye Fan was from the Yunhua Sect, he had to hold Yunhua Zhenren, the leader, accountable.
"I'm very sorry, but I really can't manage this matter," Real Master Yunhua shrugged innocently. "Our Yunhua Sect is merely in a cooperative relationship with young friend Ye, and he doesn't answer to us!"
"Good, good, good!" The Sect Master of the Boundless Sect laughed in anger. "You said that yourself!"
Then, his figure flickered, and he flew towards Ye Fan!
Since you, Real Master Yunhua, said that, then don't blame me for being impolite!
"Whoosh—!"
Real Master Yunhua flashed and followed, blocking the Sect Master of the Boundless Sect.
"Real Master Yunhua, what do you mean by this?!" The Sect Master of the Boundless Sect angrily questioned again.
"Let me clarify, I actually bear no ill will towards the Boundless Sect," Real Master Yunhua said with a straight face, uttering utter nonsense. "However, young friend Ye previously hired us to protect him, so I am acting under duress."
"You...!"
The Sect Master of the Boundless Sect pointed his sword at Real Master Yunhua, stammering for a long time, yet unable to utter a single word...
It wasn't that he feared Real Master Yunhua, but rather a question of worth.
The Boundless Sect could no longer afford more losses.
To fight Real Master Yunhua to the death at this point would clearly be a foolish choice.
If things escalated to a real fight, the situation might spiral completely out of control...
While the Mòrì Beast's corpse was precious, it was far from precious enough to risk his life and the future of his sect for...
He had to swallow this loss today...
Of course.
He wasn't planning to let it go just like that.
Who knew what other surprises awaited them in the subsequent exploration? No one could guarantee their survival.
He decided to take a gamble!
When they encountered danger again, the Yunhua Sect might not be able to weather it easily!
Or perhaps he could offer the Yunhua Sect a little "help" then!
For instance, while the Yunhua Sect was dealing with danger, he could stab Real Master Yunhua in the back.
In fact, he knew that Real Master Yunhua, that old fox, would probably see through his intentions.
But it didn't matter.
He was playing an open game.
I'll clearly state that I'm going to get you back, so what of it!
If you want to be wary, then be wary. In the end, you Yunhua Sect will be the one exhausted!
As for Ye Fan monopolizing the spoils, Real Master Yunhua had no objections.
After all, Ye Fan had saved his life previously.
He even considerately asked Ye Fan if his ring space was sufficient, and if he needed more.
"It's enough, it's enough," Ye Fan quickly replied. "This ring was given to me by you back then, don't you remember?"
Real Master Yunhua was a Nascent Soul stage powerhouse, so his ring space was undoubtedly vast.
Let alone these demon beasts, even if there were a hundred or a thousand times more, they would fit with room to spare.
In reality, Ye Fan knew that Real Master Yunhua was trying to curry favor with him.
It was just a bit excessive...
He was disregarding the bottom line of a Nascent Soul stage cultivator, acting like a sycophant...
Of course, Ye Fan didn't dislike Real Master Yunhua's attitude.
He needed the people of the Yunhua Sect for temporary safety, while Real Master Yunhua valued his skills and abilities.
Ultimately, it was just a mutually beneficial relationship.
And Ye Fan happened to prefer this kind of interest-based relationship the most.
Because as long as there was profit to be made, the other party wouldn't backstab him.
This was far more reliable than so-called alliances!
As for Real Master Yunhua's fawning over Ye Fan, he did so with a clear conscience.
Face was nothing but bullshit!
In the face of clinging to a strong patron, it was insignificant!
After all, this was the cultivation world.
Strength was everything!
As long as he firmly latched onto Ye Fan, why worry about lacking strength in the future?!
In fact, before coming here, Real Master Yunhua had only considered Ye Fan to be a formidable alchemist.
Although he had considered finding a powerful patron, he was still a Nascent Soul stage cultivator and retained a bit of pride.
But after experiencing all these events, Real Master Yunhua's mindset had completely changed!
He was a monstrous alchemist, capable of resolving issues beyond his comprehension, and even possessed peculiar mastery over formations!
All of this could no longer be simply described as monstrous!
Real Master Yunhua even harbored a delusion.
The bone age he saw on Ye Fan was only in his early twenties, which was clearly a deception!
It was highly likely that Ye Fan was an ancient monster who had lived for an unknown number of years!
Only then could his comprehensive knowledge be explained!
Regardless, the abilities Ye Fan displayed were undoubtedly unquestionable!
For this reason alone, he was worth fawning over!
Once his Yunhua Sect became strong with the resources Ye Fan possessed, who would dare to mock them?
Those people would likely envy him for having the opportunity to find such a powerful patron!
As for the Boundless Sect for now...
It was uncertain whether they would even survive leaving the ruins, and they were of no concern!
Even if they miraculously survived, their Yunhua Sect's strength would easily crush them. What reason would they have to mock them?
They would probably be too busy fearing that they might be wiped out to even think of mocking anyone!