The Interdimensional Phantasm had done its job. None of the Soul Kings from either the Water, Crafting, Wind and Lightning, and Soul Refining Schools were within the Phantasm. Only Xiao Qi, Xiao Binzi, and the soul refiner could be found here.

But...Bai Yunfei and Yue Kuangfeng were nowhere to be seen!

“Yunfei!!”

Xiao Qi cried out again, craning his neck everywhere to look for where Bai Yunfei might be. He couldn’t find head nor tail of either soul cultivators, however, and not even their auras could be detected.

Since Xiao Qi had the Beast Taming Ring, that meant he had control over the Interdimensional Phantasm and could sense the same things it could. He knew...Bai Yunfei wasn’t in the Phantasm!

The moment of panic faded away when Xiao Qi suddenly whipped his head up, “He’s up there!!”

‘Up there’ didn’t refer to the skies within the Phantasm, but ‘up’ in the skies of the real world!

“But how...?” Xiao Qi asked himself, “How did he suddenly appear high up there!! That’s...”

“Kekeke...that’s right! Bai Yunfei is currently...in the Ninth Heavens, the domain of chaotic energy!!”

The soul refiner cackled, interrupting Xiao Qi’s train of thoughts at once.

Surprisingly, their plan to transport Bai Yunfei away to another place just as Bai Yunfei had planned for them had gone off without a hitch!

“That item must’ve been...a teleportation-type soul armament!!” Xiao Binzi snapped his fingers, “One that allows teleportation between two soul armament markers...and that destination was within the chaotic energy?!”

“Exactly! The domain where only Soul Saints may tread! However...the Windcloaked Pagoda of Yue Kuangfeng will protect him from even the most volatile chaotic energy! He shall be fine, but Bai Yunfei will not! A mere Early-stage Soul Emperor...would never be able to survive there, haha!! Despair, despair!! You will all...”

“Ah...so he’s way up there...geez, that really scared me...”

The Soul Emperor was prepared to cackle and enjoy the despair of his opponents. He expected them to mourn over the death of Bai Yunfei. But instead, Xiao Qi was just muttering to himself...

‘Really scared me’...that’s it?!

The soul refiner thought he was hearing things—did his enemies not know Soul Emperors would never be able to survive for long in the Ninth Heaven? The Ninth Heaven was a place perilous for anyone not a Soul Saint! The chaotic energy within that place would tear any lesser being to bits! And Bai Yunfei was right there! Why was Xiao Qi so calm then?!

“I see...so Bai Yunfei was sent there? You expected that to stop him, I suppose?” Xiao Binzi stated. Like Xiao Qi, he was looking rather calm. The only sign of any other emotion was the small smirk on his lips as if he was mocking the Mid-stage Soul Emperor.

“I admit I was rather frightened myself, for a moment...”

“......”

The soul refiner was speechless. Speechless beyond relief—was this the way they were supposed to react? Were they struck dumb in their despair?! Weren’t they worried Bai Yunfei would be killed by Yue Kuangfeng?!

“First elder, let’s take care of this guy before Bai Yunfei comes back! We have the advantage here in the Phantasm!!”

Xiao Qi chirped, a chilling aura began to radiate from him as he spoke.

A similar transformation was taking place within Xiao Binzi. A brilliant ring of fire appeared by his side; within the ring shined an orangish-brown speck of light. “Very well then! Allow me to try out my newly upgraded Warding Pearl! A Mid-stage Soul Emperor...prepare yourself!!”

“Boom! Boom!!”

Xiao Qi and Xiao Binzi exploded with soulforce at once. Taking off in two distinct rays of light, the two flew straight for the enemy!

............

......

Meanwhile, up high in the Ninth Heaven...

“Whoosh!!”

Two figures appeared within the chaotic air.

“This place...” Bai Yunfei glanced warily around himself. He knew he had fallen for his enemy’s trap and was on high alert. But when he realized where he was, Bai Yunfei began to look surprised.

“Haha!! I didn’t believe you’d fall for our plans so easily, Bai Yunfei! I’d like to see you survive within this domain!”

Yue Kuangfeng boomed with mad laughter. Standing a fair distance away from Bai Yunfei was Yue Kuangfeng. Surrounding him was a faint-green bubble of light; the light came from the floating Windcloaked Pagoda next to him. Apparently, the power of the Windcloaked Pagoda was strong enough to deflect and redirect any strand of chaotic energy away from him and protect Yue Kuangfeng from harm.

“Was that...a teleportation-type soul armament?!” Bai Yunfei thought, thinking about how he was brought here.

Then a strange expression began to appear on his face as he realized the implications...

Yue Kuangfeng let out a pleased smile on his face upon seeing Bai Yunfei’s expression. Like a cat toying with a mouse, he gave Bai Yunfei a cold smile. “How is it? Do you know this place? Then allow me to enlighten you—this is the Ninth Heaven, a place where chaotic energy gathers! I’ve heard of your ability to use a strand of that same energy, but how could that strand possibly compare to an ocean of it!? Can you possibly control any of the chaotic energy in this domain? Haha! Do you feel any despa—!?”

Yue Kuangfeng hadn’t even finished speaking yet when he realized something was wrong. The smile froze on his face and his eyeballs began to bulge on his face as he noticed a shift in the chaotic energy around him. He looked as if he had seen a ghost, the look on his face was absolutely terrifying to see!

He expected to see Bai Yunfei struggle valiantly to ward off the volatile chaotic energy. Bai Yunfei should’ve been desperately using up his soulforce to protect himself! There should’ve been despair! But...but...

Bai Yunfei was just standing there! There was a smile on his face as he allowed the chaotic energy to flow around him! Strands of the chaotic energy were even entering his body! But he was unharmed! Completely unharmed!!

“N—no! This...this can’t be!!”

A shrill shriek came out from Yue Kuangfeng’s throat. He couldn’t believe his eyes at what he was witnessing!

Bai Yunfei smiled sadistically at the frightened expression of Yue Kuangfeng. “And here I was wondering how I should deal with you. Who knew I’d be brought to the ‘best’ battlefield by you of all people. I don’t even know what to say...”

He tapped a finger to his chin to think.

“Thank you...” He laughed.

“Well then...” The laughter died in favor of Bai Yunfei to glare at him, “it’s time for you to die!!”