In Ye Bufan's opinion, even if it wasn't a divine artifact, it was likely crafted to mimic one. Judging from its current appearance, this ancient pagoda was very likely a peak Heaven-tier artifact.
"Marvelous! This ancient pagoda is truly marvelous," Bai Zizhen exclaimed, gazing at the pagoda with admiration. "In front of this ancient pagoda, all our weapons are nothing."
Ye Bufan looked at the ancient pagoda, his thoughts turning to the reforged remnant sword. He knew the extent to which the remnant sword and the陨铁 (yun3 tie3 - meteoric iron) could fuse after their integration.
However, Ye Bufan had a rough idea. The original material of the remnant sword was already very special; it could easily destroy ordinary artifacts. Ye Bufan initially estimated it to be at least Earth-tier in quality. After being reforged, it might approach Heaven-tier.
"Buzz—"
The ancient pagoda emitted a series of buzzing sounds. The lights on its third floor flickered, and then several figures appeared from the position of the lights. These figures eventually fell onto the floor, utterly disheveled.
Ye Bufan and his men rushed forward, surrounding these figures. Seeing this, Ye Qingyi took out a thumb-sized camera from his pocket and hung it on his chest in an inconspicuous spot.
"Well, well! Isn't this a delegation of cultivators from overseas? How did you end up trespassing in our underground city's forbidden area? I seem to recall you don't possess the token required to enter the ancient pagoda," Ye Qingyi approached them with a mocking tone. "And here you are, triggering the ancient pagoda's defenses and getting unceremoniously tossed out."
"What business is it of yours!" Noda glared at Ye Qingyi, his face contorted with anger. No one had expected the ancient pagoda to act so erratically, causing them to be unable to withstand even a single move, and ultimately spitting up blood.
"What, you make a mistake and you're not even allowed to be told about it?" Qu Fei chimed in.
"All of you, step aside!" Johnsen took a deep breath. "Our plans have been completely ruined by this ancient pagoda in the underground city. Since that's the case, we won't pretend anymore. Today, this underground city is ours!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Johnsen produced a jade token and crushed it. The token turned to dust.
"Not good!" Ye Bufan's eyes narrowed. This was Johnsen calling for reinforcements. Clearly, they had made thorough preparations and had a detailed plan for this operation.
Ye Bufan exchanged a glance with Ye Qingyi. Ye Qingyi gave a subtle smile, causing Ye Bufan to pause.
"You... you took care of it?" Ye Bufan transmitted his voice.
"You'll know soon enough," Ye Qingyi replied, leaving a hint of suspense. The air was filled with silence, and Johnsen's expression shifted from surprise to impatience.
"Where are they? Where has everyone gone?"
Johnsen was furious. The cultivators from other regions behind him exchanged bewildered glances. Everyone seemed to be waiting for something, but with no movement from the underground city, their expressions changed.
Anthony turned to look at the group of cultivators led by Ye Bufan, his gaze finally settling on Ye Bufan.
"It's you! It must be you! You must have killed them, otherwise, why wouldn't they be here?" Anthony said in a somber tone.
Ye Bufan shrugged and replied, "I don't have that kind of capability, nor do I know who 'they' are. Why are you blaming me for this?"
"If not you, then who? Only you are at the late Core Formation stage. Otherwise, how could those at the late Core Formation stage not be here?" Anthony blurted out in his anger.
"Anthony, shut up!" Ranee quickly exclaimed. Ranee still harbored some hope, thinking that perhaps their people were merely delayed. If Anthony revealed their existence at this moment, Ye Bufan would be forewarned, and snatching the treasures of the underground city would become much more difficult.
"Oh? So there's another expert at the late Core Formation stage in hiding," Ye Qingyi stepped forward. "You intended to swap out your people and bring in those at the late Core Formation stage, didn't you?"
"So what if we did? And so what if we didn't?" Rupa stepped forward, a hint of panic in his eyes.
"Nothing much, it's just that she probably won't be able to come now," Ye Qingyi said. "Oh, right, the 'she' I'm referring to is the 'she' with the female radical."
"This..."
Behind Rupa, the faces of the overseas cultivators changed drastically as they exchanged glances.
"The City Lord knows what you intend to do. A few late Core Formation experts are no more than ants to the City Lord," Ye Qingyi said to them. "Would you like me to state the exact number?"
Hearing Ye Qingyi's words, Ye Bufan chuckled. It was clear that Ye Qingyi had been handling these matters behind the scenes, completely resolving the major threats.
Bringing up Yu Xing at this moment was undoubtedly to leverage his reputation to suppress the opposition.
"A few?" Noda, refusing to believe, gritted his teeth and continued to question, "I don't believe Yu Xing is still alive. Those at the Nascent Soul stage either have to sacrifice their cultivation to remain at the late Core Formation stage, or face certain death. Killing several late Core Formation experts at once is something no one here could do."
Ye Qingyi swept his gaze over them and replied, "Naturally, the City Lord has found a way to circumvent the limitations."
"If a way has been found, why don't you dare to show yourselves?" Noda pressed on. "I suspect you're just putting on a show."
"When the City Lord acts, does he need to explain himself to you?"
Ye Qingyi's expression changed, and a surge of energy descended from the sky, striking Noda. Noda immediately fell face-first to the ground, spitting out a mouthful of blood, his life hanging by a thread.
"Who!"
Rupa exclaimed in shock, his demeanor instantly becoming vigilant. All the overseas cultivators looked at the scene in disbelief. With just a surge of energy, Noda was reduced to this state.
"Who else could it be?" Ye Qingyi said. "I doubt even a late Core Formation expert could achieve this, could they?"
After speaking, Ye Qingyi turned to look at Ye Bufan. Ye Bufan immediately understood and waved his hand, saying, "I certainly couldn't do it."
"Yu Xing! If you're not dead, then come out! Hiding like this, what kind of hero are you?" Rupa shouted.
"Who is hiding now? Don't you have a clear understanding of yourselves? Our City Lord does as he pleases in his own domain. What business is it of yours?" Ye Qingcheng also stepped forward.
"We just wanted to challenge this ancient pagoda! Is cooperation only...?" Rupa tried to argue.
Ye Qingyi seemed to have anticipated their intentions. In the next moment, the circular sphere atop the ancient pagoda acted like a projector, displaying a segment of what they had said inside the pagoda.