Ye Liuyun was currently contemplating how to deal with those foreign spirits.

Mu Xi arrived at the Hall of the Underworld King with a horde of hostile spirits, their menacing aura filling the air. But the moment they laid eyes on Ye Liuyun, the foreign spirits froze in shock.

"You again? Everywhere I go, there you are!"

Mu Xi immediately sensed the overwhelming presence of Ye Liuyun, the true ruler of the underworld. Some of the weaker spirits couldn’t help but bow instinctively, their bodies trembling under his authority.

"ROAR!"

With a furious bellow, Mu Xi unleashed his own oppressive aura, snapping the other spirits out of their daze.

Ye Liuyun merely smirked, his voice dripping with disdain. "I could destroy you when you were alive—and I can do it again now that you’re dead. No amount of howling will change your fate."

"KILL HIM!"

Mu Xi roared, channeling every ounce of his power into a devastating strike aimed at Ye Liuyun. Behind him, several three-eyed spirits attempted to unleash beams of white and black light, hoping to obliterate their enemy.

Zhuge Feiyu and the others watched with bated breath, eager to witness just how formidable Ye Liuyun truly was.

"Scatter."

With a single, softly spoken word from Ye Liuyun, all of the spirits’ attacks dissolved into nothingness—vanishing as if they had never existed.

This not only shocked Zhuge Feiyu and the others, but even the foreign tribes recoiled in terror, taking a step back.

Ye Liuyun himself suddenly realized, "So this is what it feels like to be the Lord of the Netherworld. Just like in my spatial domain, I am the absolute ruler. Everything bends to my will!"

With that thought, he willed the boundless pressure of the Netherworld to surge toward the foreign tribes.

Immediately, the invaders were crushed to the ground, trembling as they prostrated themselves in submission. Only Mu Xi, relying on the power of his own spatial domain, barely managed to hold on.

"Hmph! A mantis trying to stop a chariot!"

Ye Liuyun let out a disdainful snort.

Yet that single sound struck Mu Xi like a sledgehammer, making his vision blur and his head spin as his soul nearly shattered. He collapsed to the ground, utterly defeated.

"Seal him away."

Ye Liuyun spoke indifferently to Zhuge Feiyu.

Only then did Zhuge Feiyu snap out of his daze, waving his Soul Banner to absorb Mu Xi’s spirit into the Hundred Refinements Soul Banner.

As for the remaining foreign tribes, Zhuge Feiyu selected a few of the three-eyed ones and the most powerful among them, sealing them into his spatial world to prevent future unrest.

Though Ye Liuyun was formidable, he wouldn’t remain in the Netherworld forever. With these strong captives under control, they could better handle any future invasions by powerful foreign entities.

Meanwhile, the weaker spirits among the still-suppressed invaders had already begun to dissipate. Their agonized wails sent chills down the spine.

Yet Ye Liuyun didn’t relent until every last trace of their souls had vanished into nothingness. Only then did he withdraw his oppressive aura.

"Any who dare defy me again will meet the same fate—utter annihilation!" Ye Liuyun declared coldly.

The foreign tribesmen were kowtowing frantically like pounding garlic, thoroughly convinced now. The agonized wails of their kin still echoed in their ears.

When they first arrived in the underworld, they had realized they were already dead. But to die again here would mean complete annihilation—no chance of reincarnation, no hope of an afterlife.

Meanwhile, Xiuluo, Bai Su, and the others exchanged uneasy glances. None had expected Ye Liuyun to have reached the level where his words became law. They had all felt the overwhelming surge of underworld power moments ago, proof that he had fully mastered its forces.

"Well, problem solved. The rest is up to you!" Ye Liuyun turned to them with a cheerful grin.

"Understood!" Xiuluo and Bai Su responded promptly, leading their subordinates to deal with the subdued tribesmen.

Zhuge Feiyu watched Ye Liuyun with a proud smile, genuinely pleased by his friend’s growing strength.

"When it really counts, you’re the one we rely on," he remarked with a sigh.

"Just happened to be in the right place at the right time. You all would’ve figured it out without me," Ye Liuyun replied modestly, ushering everyone back to the main hall.

Later, Zhuge Feiyu shared crucial news with him.

Recently, a significant number of low-ranking tribesmen had entered the underworld. Upon interrogation, they revealed that their kind were devouring the weak to enhance their power.

More alarmingly, they had learned that Sangda was leading a force toward the Sacred Land—and even uncovered detailed intel on his team’s strength.

"Should we mobilize the underworld forces to assist?" Zhuge Feiyu asked.

"Not yet. Let me test their strength first. If things go south, I’ll call for backup," Ye Liuyun replied.

He hadn’t expected such vital intelligence from the underworld. This information was invaluable, giving both him and the Sacred Land time to prepare.

However, Ye Liuyun had no intention of relying on the Netherworld for assistance. He was determined to confront the alien invaders with his own strength.

Though the enemy had numerous formidable warriors, so did he. The odds were not entirely against them.

Zhuge Feiyu nodded in understanding. If Ye Liuyun didn’t need help, it likely meant he had some confidence in facing Sangda. Still, he offered his advice: "In my opinion, the Sacred Land won’t hold out forever. You might as well relocate it to your spatial world now."

Ye Liuyun frowned, his voice tinged with concern. "It’s not the right time yet. They haven’t realized they need my protection. Besides, constantly absorbing worlds into my spatial realm isn’t a solution. The alien invasion won’t stop, and I can’t just keep swallowing entire worlds to save them."

Zhuge Feiyu countered, "But at least it would make you stronger. Once you’ve grown powerful enough, you’ll naturally find a way to deal with the invaders."

Ye Liuyun considered this and nodded slowly. "Hmm. You’re right. I’ll assess the situation. At the very least, I can ensure the Sacred Land is protected before it falls into enemy hands."

After their conversation, Ye Liuyun toured the Netherworld, intimidating any restless spirits that dared to defy him. By now, his might was known throughout the realm, and none dared challenge the Lord of the Netherworld.

Minor conflicts between smaller factions didn’t concern him—Zhuge Feiyu and his subordinates could handle those. As long as the Netherworld remained stable overall, his goal was achieved.

Returning to the Sacred Land, Ye Liuyun sought out Xiao Mu’an and Liu Kui, briefing them on Sangda’s impending invasion so they could prepare mentally. He held nothing back, laying out the full truth. Meanwhile, he dispatched a team of scouts to gather precise intel on the aliens’ movements and positions.

As for Xiao Mu’an’s final stance, Ye Liuyun didn’t dwell on it. His role was merely to inform the Sacred Land’s rulers. If they chose to resist, they could start preparing. If they preferred surrender, he wouldn’t stop them.

The Sacred Land had vast numbers of martial cultivators and soldiers, but their lack of elite fighters meant little in the grand scheme. If Xiao Mu’an surrendered without a fight, Ye Liuyun would feel no burden.

But if the Sacred Land’s warriors resolved to stand their ground, he would regard them with newfound respect. Even if he eventually absorbed their world into his spatial realm, he would ensure they retained a place of honor.