"Senior, rest assured, I won't pursue them into it."
Ye Yunfei stood firm. The spatial channel was already fading, and he knew it would be difficult to chase after them now. Moreover, even if he did cross over to the other realm, he would undoubtedly face a frenzied siege from its inhabitants. With his current strength, it would be very hard to handle.
In the blink of an eye, the spatial channel vanished completely.
"Boy, just you wait!"
An angry voice transmitted out from the channel just before its disappearance.
"They will come back. They will use every means possible to return, all for the sake of the Canghuang Origin."
The grey-clothed elder and Ye Yunfei stood where the channel had been, as the elder spoke up.
"Yes, and next time they come, the scale will definitely be greater."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
The grey-clothed elder and Ye Yunfei both fell silent for a moment.
"Where is the Canghuang Origin?"
Ye Yunfei suddenly asked.
"I don't know. Ever since that civil war of old, the Canghuang Origin has been missing. Those guys crossed realms mainly with the goal of finding the Canghuang Origin. But no matter what, we'll face it head-on when the soldiers arrive and seal it up when the water flows! I will continue to guard here. If they dare to come again, they'll have to get through me first!"
The grey-clothed elder declared, a look of unwavering determination in his eyes.
"My brothers..."
The grey-clothed elder looked at Ye Yunfei.
Boom...
Ye Yunfei's massive one hundred and fifty zhang tall body trembled slightly and began to shrink continuously, returning to normal size in an instant.
Swoosh, swoosh...
Figure after figure flew out unceasingly from within Ye Yunfei's body.
The War Remnant Souls!
After a short while, all hundreds of remnant souls had left Ye Yunfei's body, standing within the starry expanse.
"Brothers, thanks to this young man's actions today, we have routed the enemy! It feels immensely satisfying! Brothers, please return to your posts!"
The grey-clothed elder said loudly to the remnant souls.
The hundreds of remnant souls collectively bowed to Ye Yunfei, then flew towards over a dozen ancient warships floating in the distant starry sky.
"Thank you for your efforts, Seniors!"
Ye Yunfei hurriedly returned the courtesy.
In an instant, all the remnant souls returned inside the dozen or so warships. Generally, remnant souls required special environments or some kind of treasure to exist for a long time. These warships served as the dwelling places for these remnant souls.
"Young man, you have surprised me."
The grey-clothed elder waved his sleeve, storing the warships away, then looked at Ye Yunfei, his gaze still carrying shock.
"For our Canghuang Realm to produce a young genius like you is truly fortunate for this world."
The elder sized Ye Yunfei up and down, appearing quite pleased.
"Alright, let's head back."
The grey-clothed elder flicked his sleeve and led Ye Yunfei towards the distant starry sky.
Moments later, they returned to the dilapidated continent deep within the starry expanse.
"What's happened to your hair? Why is so much of it white!"
As soon as Su Qingluo saw Ye Yunfei, she rushed forward in surprise.
By now, a quarter of Ye Yunfei's hair had turned white, standing out starkly.
"It's nothing."
Ye Yunfei smiled.
"How is that nothing! Master, your appearance has also become much more weathered. It's as if you've aged more than a dozen years suddenly!"
Hu Miao also rushed up to scrutinize Ye Yunfei, exclaiming. Having followed Ye Yunfei all this time, she was very sensitive to changes in his appearance.
"What on earth happened?"
Su Qingluo reached out and stroked Ye Yunfei's cheek, asking with worry.
"It's fine. The battle just now was too intense. I lost some lifespan, but it'll be fine after some rest and recovery."
Ye Yunfei answered vaguely.
"Sister Qing Luo, don't worry. Such a loss is nothing to my master. I believe Master will recover quickly."
Hu Miao said.
Hu Miao was aware of Ye Yunfei's true identity and capabilities. Losing some lifespan was nothing; even if his body were smashed to pieces, he could still recover.
"Senior, I am ready to leave."
Ye Yunfei looked towards the grey-clothed elder.
"Oh? So soon? I feel like I have met an old friend at first sight. I wished to keep you here for a proper visit."
The elder said.
"It is time for me to return."
Ye Yunfei said.
Ye Yunfei understood that during this period, he had provoked many major powers. Those powers would certainly investigate his origins, which meant both the Qingyun Palace and the Tianxuan Continent could be in danger! Therefore, Ye Yunfei was already burning with anxiety, eager to return.
"Very well. This starry sky is open to you. You may return anytime. There are many Small Worlds in this starry expanse suitable for young people to temper themselves. I reckon you haven't finished exploring all the Small Worlds here yet. Come again next time you have the chance."
The grey-clothed elder said to Ye Yunfei.
"Senior, can you enter those Small Worlds in this starry expanse?"
Ye Yunfei asked curiously.
"I cannot enter most of them, as I would be repelled. Therefore, I don't know what lies within them. Only for a portion of them can I send a soul avatar inside to check the situation. Like the Illusion Palace you entered not long ago – for that Small World, my soul avatar can barely enter."
The grey-clothed elder replied.
"Senior, what exactly is the origin of those Small Worlds?"
Ye Yunfei couldn't help but ask, his curiosity piqued.
"This starry expanse was a famous training ground in the ancient times of our Canghuang Realm. Back then, every hundred years, major powers of the Canghuang Realm would organize groups of exceptional young people to enter these Small Worlds for tempering. However, as for the origin of these Small Worlds, no one knows."
The grey-clothed elder answered.
"I see."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Senior, I am preparing to depart."
Ye Yunfei said to the grey-clothed elder.
"Alright. If you wish to find me in the future, come directly here. Take this token. I plan to seal off this starry expanse, after which entering from the outside will be difficult. If you want to enter, simply send me a message. I will open the starry expanse for you."
The grey-clothed elder took out a silver token and handed it to Ye Yunfei.
"Thank you, Senior."
Ye Yunfei accepted the token.
"Very well, you may go."
The grey-clothed elder sat cross-legged on the continent, addressing Ye Yunfei.
"Understood. Farewell!"
Ye Yunfei soared into the sky with Su Qingluo, Hu Miao, and Xiao Hui, heading towards the distant starry expanse.
"Master, it seems Huang Shang hasn't come out yet."
Hu Miao said.
"Yes, let's go check on Senior Huang's current status."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
Not long after, Ye Yunfei brought the three women, Su Qingluo, Hu Miao, and Xiao Hui, to a Stellar Path in the starry sky. This path led to a Small World. Huang Shang had been secluded in cultivation within that Small World, and he still hadn't emerged.