There weren't many people from the four academies who had appeared near the devilsand bug territory. After all, most of them were stuck in the second layer, and many who had entered the third layer had perished. Just getting near the area was in itself a decent accomplishment.

As for the top geniuses who hadn't shown themselves, it didn't mean that they couldn't reach this place. Rather, they might be in search of other opportunities, or perhaps they were busy tempering themselves. In any case, there was still plenty of time for everyone to gather more devilsand. Furthermore, there was quite a lot of devilsand in the area. It wouldn't be easy for anyone to gather all the available devilsand.

Thus, many people weren't in too much of a rush to come to this place. In any case, just because one had arrived didn't mean that one would be able to obtain some devilsand.

At the territory, the disciples joined hands with the overseers from their respective academies to look for ways to lure the devilsand bugs away as they gathered the devilsand.

Unfortunately, the devilsand bugs were too smart. They refused to go far from their nests. It wouldn't be easy to lure them away. There were tens of thousands of these bugs in the area, which was quite a terrifying number. It wouldn't be easy to penetrate their defensive perimeter.

The participants had tried charging through several times, but few had succeeded so far. At this time, Yu Caidie, who had maintained a low profile, finally displayed her strength.

As she rode her phoenix, a terrifying phoenix flame rippled out from her. The flame was of extreme yang and could burn anything. Not even the devilsand bugs, with their incredibly tough shell, could approach her. They scattered away from her and her flame. Like a streaking meteor, she charged through the bugs, gathered some devilsand, and retreated. Behind her, a large number of devilsand bugs were roaring and unleashing a barrage of venomous attacks toward her.

Yu Caidie became one with her phoenix and displayed a speed comparable to a peak Sovereign's. In her current state, only a Devil Saint would be able to threaten her. When Yu Ziyang saw Yu Caidie successfully leave with some devilsand, he commanded, "Stop the pursuing devilsand bugs!"

There were about 100 people around him. At his command, they attacked with all their strength, throwing numerous attacks toward the bugs. The Dragon Phoenix Academy's overseers were also helping. After all, Yu Caidie was the first to obtain some devilsand, and she represented the Dragon Phoenix Academy's glory. It was important that they protect her.

The stunning strength she had just displayed was not as simple as it seemed. In fact, she was displaying a strength reaching Baili Yixiao's level. As someone younger than the others in their batch, it was a remarkable accomplishment to catch up to Baili Yixiao and reach fourth-stage Soul Foundation Realm. Even the likes of Zhan Wushuang and Yu Ziyang had been surpassed.

Despite her cultivation, she had kept a low profile. Only now did she display her strength. If she had revealed her strength earlier, she would have taken the number two position from Zhan Wushuang long ago.

Yu Caidie had successfully snatched some devilsand, but it had caused the devilsand bugs to go mad. A number of them charged out, and not even the Dragon Phoenix Academy overseers could stop their advance.

The bugs attacked the Dragon Phoenix Academy disciples madly, causing more and more disciples to be injured, forcing Yu Caidie to stop fleeing and participate in the battle as well. The flame she emanated with her phoenix was something the bugs feared. The bugs didn't even dare to approach her and could only attack from far away.

Working together with her phoenix, Yu Caidie displayed incredible combat strength. A large number of bugs were injured, and some were even burned to ashes. Fighting while retreating, they eventually managed to repel the bugs.

Many had suffered injuries, and some had even perished. This single clash had greatly weakened their overall strength, but it was a price worth paying for some devilsand. However, trouble came knocking before they could celebrate their success in getting some devilsand.

Some unknown people appeared and surrounded them. The unknown people seemed to also be participants of the Devil Hunting Expedition. Most were Soul Foundation Realm cultivators, and five of them were at peak Soul Foundation Realm.

The newcomers numbered about 50 in total and could be considered a powerful group. Their goal in surrounding Yu Caidie's group was also rather clear.

A masked man stepped out. He was none other than Situ Dilin. To be precise, his actual identity was Di Lin.

When Xiang Shaoyun had killed Di Lin, Situ Mingyu had resurrected Di Lin with a treasure and sent his son's soul into Di Lin's headspace in the hope of giving his son an opportunity to live again. Ultimately, Di Lin had devoured Situ Mingyu's son and obtained his memories, allowing his path of cultivation to become smoother.

Di Lin had also received Situ Mingyu's full support, making it possible for him to grow rapidly. He had long reached fifth-stage Soul Foundation Realm due to his rapid progress.

No other disciple in the Dragon Phoenix Academy had reached such a cultivation level. Even among the four academies, few had reached such a level. With Di Lin's unique Innate Flame Physique, he also had a terrifying combat strength that allowed him to punch above his class.

But since he didn't want others to know of his resurrection, he had worn a mask since then. He had also assumed the name Situ Dilin both to obtain Situ Mingyu's trust and remind himself that he was someone who had died once. His survival was for the sake of revenge.

He showed Yu Caidie's group an elder's token and said, "You may leave."

The Dragon Phoenix Academy overseers seemed conflicted. They did not wish to see the Dragon Phoenix Academy disciples fight amongst each other, but they also couldn't disobey an elder's command. After all, they were expected to treat someone wielding an elder's token like the elder himself. The only thing they could do was to leave.

"So you're Situ Dilin?" asked Yu Ziyang.

Di Lin had showcased his talent once after his revival and had built quite a reputation for himself.

"That's right. She may stay. The rest of you can leave," said Di Lin as he pointed at Yu Caidie.

"Don't think that you can push me around just because you have Elder Situ's protection," said Yu Ziyang.

"Stay if you want. All of you will just die here," said Di Lin as his eyes flickered with intense killing intent.

He stopped talking and waved his hand, commanding his people to attack. He completely disregarded that they were fellow disciples. He was truly intending to kill them.