Song Mingqin and Qu Fei frowned, exchanging a glance. Shangguan Chengtian's words, in a way, negated Song Mingqin's speculation. After all, no sect or family currently possessed the capability to eliminate multiple peak Core Formation stage powerhouses at once. The number of cultivators nearing the peak of the Core Formation stage was already scarce.
However, besides Song Mingqin's explanation, there was no other logical interpretation for the situation.
"Regardless, the Cherry Blossom Island people are gone, which means all the threats we faced have vanished," Shangguan Chengtian stated. "This is good news for us."
Song Mingqin nodded and said, "Let's head back first. This place is not suitable for lingering."
Currently, Song Mingqin worried that if the people behind the Cherry Blossom Island culprits decided to target them, he and his companions would likely be unable to escape death.
The three quickly returned to the main camp. By then, Ye Bufan and Ye Qingyi had already arrived.
Upon hearing this news, the leaders of the various sects and families found it hard to believe what Song Mingqin, Qu Fei, and Shangguan Chengtian had said. It was only after repeated confirmations that they finally believed them.
"Cherry Blossom Island had at least four mid-stage Core Formation cultivators, and over a hundred other cultivators of various levels, and they're all gone?" Bai Zizhen stood there, momentarily stunned. "I propose we shouldn't stay here any longer. We need to evacuate this forest quickly."
Ye Bufan watched the discussion from afar and couldn't help but smile. He turned to Ye Qingyi, who was explaining matters of the underground city to Ling'er and Xun'er.
After receiving ten spirit ores from Ye Bufan, Ye Qingyi, to Ye Bufan's surprise, directly gave two of them to Xun'er and Ling'er.
Following this, the major sects and families unanimously agreed to Bai Zizhen's suggestion, ordering their disciples to pack up and depart immediately.
Meanwhile, in the northern forest where the Demonic Sect was located.
Living Yama, along with his subordinates and other Demonic Sect members, had suffered heavy losses during the relentless onslaught from the Cherry Blossom Island forces.
They had prepared for the worst, intending for their respective sect leaders to find an opportunity to escape if they couldn't break through, while the disciples would fight to the death, carving out a bloody path.
It was at this moment that the Demonic Sect members discovered that the Cherry Blossom Island forces had miraculously retreated.
When unusual circumstances arise, there is often a hidden reason. Living Yama ordered his subordinates not to act rashly and ventured alone into the Cherry Blossom Island camp to gather information.
Through the conversations of the Cherry Blossom Island people, he learned that the group pursuing the orthodox sects and families had been completely annihilated. Their side had suffered the loss of five mid-stage Core Formation cultivators.
Hearing this, Living Yama's heart pounded. He believed that the orthodox sects alone could not have achieved such a feat, and he began to suspect the emergence of a fourth party, one with immense power.
This had led to the heavy losses suffered by Cherry Blossom Island, and they now believed it was not worth the risk to continue. Pushing on further might result in more losses than gains.
The Cherry Blossom Island forces quickly organized their remaining cultivators and prepared to withdraw from the forest rapidly.
Living Yama pondered for a moment, not daring to delay. He wondered how powerful the force must be that could annihilate a contingent led by five mid-stage Core Formation cultivators. Living Yama himself was unsure if he could escape alive from such an opponent.
Thus, the orthodox factions, the Demonic Sect, and the Cherry Blossom Island forces, all under the shadow of the Cherry Blossom Island group's annihilation, began to retreat swiftly into the primeval forest.
For a time, panic spread. The "mysterious force" that appeared in the forest became the subject of investigation by all parties.
However, it was regrettable that no one could uncover any information about this "mysterious force." Even the Yin Corpse Sect, which was behind the Cherry Blossom Island, was unable to comprehend the situation for a while. They worried if this "mysterious force" might also be from another world, having arrived on the Blue Star through some teleportation array.
After two days and two nights of rapid travel, Ye Bufan, along with Song Mingqin and Song Xinghai, returned to a hotel under the Red Sword Sect's banner.
Along the way, Bai Zizhen, Yan Se, Yan Yuzhu, Song Mingqin, Song Xinghai, Qu Fei, and Ying Yao continuously analyzed the origins of the "mysterious force."
Even as they parted ways, everyone agreed to contact the major sects and discuss countermeasures if any clues emerged.
Every time they witnessed their earnest discussions, Ye Bufan and Ye Qingyi couldn't help but exchange glances, suppressing laughter that nearly burst out.
"Where are you planning to go next?" Song Mingqin asked.
"Back to Kyoto," Ye Qingyi replied.
"I'll probably return to Jinhe," Ye Bufan said.
"If you have nothing else, I'd like to invite you to visit our Red Sword Sect," Song Mingqin chuckled. "Our Red Sword Sect has a considerable foundation in swordsmanship, which might be of help to your cultivation in the way of the sword."
Ye Bufan pondered for a moment and replied, "Thank you for your generous invitation, Senior. However, I promised Miss Chu that I would return to Jinhe in about two weeks to a month. I've been out for some time now and need to go back first before heading to the Red Sword Sect."
Upon hearing this, Song Mingqin burst into laughter. Even Xun'er and Ling'er, who rarely smiled, couldn't help but giggle.
"I thought it was something important, but it turns out someone in Jinhe is waiting for you to return," Song Mingqin remarked.
"Alright! Then give me a time. I'll take you there then. Traveling to the Red Sword Sect isn't that easy," Song Mingqin produced a jade slip. "When you come, according to the coordinates I give you, once you reach the designated location, crush the jade slip I'm giving you, and I'll come to find you."
Ye Bufan accepted the jade slip from Song Mingqin and thanked him. He had previously heard Song Mingqin mention that the minor cultivation world where the Red Sword Sect was located seemed to be shared with a cultivation family.
This was Ye Bufan's first time traveling to the minor worlds inhabited by cultivation families and sects since he descended the mountain.
Finally, after staying a night at the hotel under the Red Sword Sect, everyone departed.
Under Song Mingqin's arrangement, Ye Bufan headed to the nearest airport.
Traveling by car, they moved through the landscape, transitioning from one forest to another. Ye Bufan frowned as he observed the scenery.
"This doesn't seem like the road to the airport, does it?" Ye Bufan asked.
The outer disciple driving the car glanced at Ye Bufan through the rearview mirror and replied, "This is the fastest route, it will save us twenty minutes."
As the words fell, Ye Bufan vanished from the back seat of the car.