Chapter 3352

The Demon-Sealing Stele had sensed the demonic energy here as well. It emerged on its own and repeatedly smashed into the demons and demonic cultivators.

Seeing how effortlessly it smashed martial cultivators in the early stage of the Ninth Level of Unity, Ye Liuyun reckoned that by the time they reached the Sacred Demon Galaxy, the Demon-Sealing Stele would become a major asset in their campaign against the demons.

However, in order to let everyone spar with powerful opponents, he had his first clone lead the group while he took the Demon-Sealing Stele to help the main army.

The Demon-Sealing Stele was more than happy to go with him. After all, there was a large army of demonic cultivators over there, so it could focus on smashing the demonic experts among them without anyone competing with it.

The corpses of the demons and demonic cultivators killed by the first clone were also left for it to absorb slowly later.

Before long, martial cultivators on the planet began fleeing one after another, escaping to other nearby planets. Ye Liuyun and the others did not stop them, merely continuing to kill the demons and demonic cultivators who were still resisting.

After completely clearing out the planet, they began gathering resources everywhere instead of hurrying to the next one. However, they did not take the planet with them. Instead, they left it behind as a future foothold for the army.

Only then did they head for the next planet.

Over the course of a month, they swept through six nearby planets. When they reached the seventh, all the demons there had unexpectedly withdrawn in advance, leaving behind only some local demonic cultivators.

Those demonic cultivators showed no intention of fighting them either. Instead, they sent a representative to surrender directly to Ye Liuyun.

“The demon experts will arrive in about half a month. These people are surrendering to us—could they be trying to stall for time? It might also be a trap, meant to strike at you ahead of time.”

Yu Xiaofeng and several other commanders had already spotted several demon flying vessels hurriedly approaching through the starry sky. They did not know any of the Demon Holy Sons, but by seeing through the vessels, they could tell that nearly all the demon experts aboard were in the late or peak stage of the Ninth Level.

The demon leading them had a blue face and sharp fangs, as well as red-scaled armor. They guessed that he belonged to the Crimson Demon clan, whose soul power should be relatively formidable.

There were six flying vessels, carrying roughly two hundred people in total. They were heading straight for the planet Ye Liuyun and the others had just entered.

Ye Liuyun knew it was very likely a trap, but he still had to go over and take a look.

“But since they say they’re surrendering, we can’t refuse to send someone over. Let’s go take a look first. These people aren’t very strong, so there’s no need to worry about them.

Prepare yourselves to fight. I’ll take my clones over myself. The rest of you wait here and be alert for a sneak attack by the demon experts.”

After giving his instructions, Ye Liuyun took only two black-armored guards transformed from his clones and walked straight toward the demonic cultivators.

“Young master, are you the commander of this army? May I ask how I should address you? I am Peng Wei, the city lord of the main city here.”

A slightly older demonic cultivator came over and saluted Ye Liuyun.

“That’s right. I’m the commander of this army, Ye Liuyun. City Lord Peng, there’s no need to be so formal. Since you’re willing to surrender, let’s discuss the terms directly!”

Ye Liuyun introduced himself as well, then went straight to the point.

Peng Wei had already guessed that Ye Liuyun was the leader from the way the commanders and martial cultivators around him treated him. He had asked merely to confirm it.

Seeing Ye Liuyun admit it, he immediately put on an ingratiating smile and said, “Mr. Ye, you’re so young, yet you can command such a large army. You’re truly extraordinary!

“Since we’ve surrendered, of course we won’t make any demands. Whatever Mr. Ye asks, we’ll do.

“It’s inconvenient to stand here and talk. Why don’t you come into the city and discuss things in our city lord’s residence? I can introduce you to the resources here and, at the same time, entertain the commanders?”

Hearing this, Ye Liuyun inwardly scoffed, “They just said they were surrendering, and now they want to bring me and the commanders into the city lord’s residence. Is this guy an idiot, or does he think we are? Does he really think we’ll believe him?”

But outwardly, he remained composed and replied, “There’s no need for them to come. I’ll go into the city with you. Lead the way!”

With that, he gave Peng Wei and the others no chance to speak and strode forward.

“Very well. Please follow me!”

Peng Wei hesitated for a moment, but then hurried after him to lead Ye Liuyun the way.

He had never expected Ye Liuyun to agree to bring all the commanders inside. They had previously worried that Ye Liuyun would search their souls. Yet, unexpectedly, Ye Liuyun entered the city just like that, without demanding any safeguards at all.

By then, Ye Liuyun and his clones’ divine senses had already detected quite a few experts stationed around the city lord’s residence, all waiting in full readiness.

“This is supposed to be a trap? These demonic cultivators really underestimate us!” Ye Liuyun muttered inwardly as he walked.

Peng Wei had been somewhat nervous at first, but after Ye Liuyun entered the city lord’s residence, he relaxed considerably.

He believed that he had stationed a large number of martial cultivators in and around the city lord’s residence. As long as Ye Liuyun and his people dared to enter, they would never be able to escape, even if they grew wings. Moreover, the defensive formation here could seal off both the interior and exterior.

In fact, their trap was extremely simple, and they had never expected to deceive Ye Liuyun into coming inside. As far as they were concerned, killing even a somewhat higher-ranked commander would already be an excellent achievement.

They had never imagined that Ye Liuyun would come in person, bringing only two guards.

Peng Wei was now grinning sincerely at Ye Liuyun, feeling that he was about to earn great merit.

They had received word from the Demon Holy Son earlier, instructing them to pretend to surrender and trick an important person from the opposing side into coming inside so they could kill him. That alone would count as meritorious service. Then they could flee amid the chaos and go to the Sacred Demon Galaxy to claim their reward.

Ye Liuyun also found Peng Wei amusing. He actually hoped Peng Wei would activate the formation soon, giving him a chance to stretch a little. Once the fighting began, it would become clear who was the hunter and who was the prey.

“Mr. Ye, you’re truly bold and confident in your abilities. You dared to come with us with only two guards!”

Peng Wei was still probing Ye Liuyun’s strength. He could not see Ye Liuyun’s realm, but he could sense that both guards were at the peak of the Ninth Level.

Although they had no particularly powerful experts here, they did have demonic cultivators in the early and middle stages of the Ninth Level of Unity. If the other demonic cultivators held off the two guards, Ye Liuyun would be left alone, making him easy to deal with.

Ye Liuyun played along and said, “Mm, it’s an old habit. I don’t like having too many people follow me!”

Hearing this, Peng Wei felt that they were about to enter the main meeting hall of the city lord’s residence, so it was time to make his move.

He secretly ordered his subordinates to attack and activated the formation in the city lord’s residence. At the same time, he said to Ye Liuyun, “Some people end up getting themselves killed by their own habits!”

The moment he finished speaking, more than thirty martial cultivators in the early and middle stages of the Ninth Level rushed out from various parts of the city lord’s residence. The defensive formation also suddenly activated, but it defended inward, while many more martial cultivators in the early and middle stages of the Ninth Level charged in from outside.

“Hehe, City Lord, you really underestimate me. This habit of mine does need changing. From now on, I’ll never underestimate anyone!”

Yet Ye Liuyun remained completely calm, continuing to chat idly with Peng Wei.