Hearing the Lord of the Moon Court's words, the court's high-ranking members were all taken aback. The leaders of the other powers were also momentarily speechless. What the Moon Court's Lord said was the truth.
With Ye Yunfei's current strength, conquering the entire universe would be far too easy! No single faction possessed the power to resist!
"Lord, we will follow your lead."
Finally, an Ancestral Elder of the Moon Court let out a soft sigh and spoke. This elder held an even higher status within the court than the Lord himself!
Seeing this Ancestral Elder state his position, the other Moon Court officials tacitly agreed, none daring to speak further.
"So, the Moon Court truly intends to submit to me?"
Ye Yunfei asked coolly.
"We do," the Lord affirmed with a firm nod.
"Very well. I won't say I'm giving you no chance. However, you should think this through carefully. Once you pledge allegiance to me, betrayal is not an option. Otherwise, I will personally slaughter every last one of you."
Ye Yunfei spoke with indifference.
"Lord Ye of the Palace, please rest assured. Since our Moon Court has pledged allegiance to you, we will not betray you," the Lord declared.
"Good."
Ye Yunfei finally withdrew his fist and gave a slight nod.
"Thank you, Lord Ye, for sparing my life!"
The Lord, who had been pinned down by the terrifying pressure of Ye Yunfei's fist intent and unable to move, finally relaxed completely, nearly collapsing on the spot.
"We pay our respects to Lord Ye of the Palace!"
The Lord led the Moon Court's forces in bowing to Ye Yunfei, then they collectively moved to stand behind him.
"As for the rest of you..."
Ye Yunfei's gaze swept over the remaining forces, filled with killing intent. It had to be remembered that these factions had gathered here with the very purpose of dealing with him. Ye Yunfei had no intention of letting them off easily.
His gaze soon landed on the Sect Master of Xiaoyao, a cold smile playing on his lips as a single step brought him before him.
"Lord Ye, our Carefree Sect is willing to submit to you!"
The Sect Master acted decisively. Seeing Ye Yunfei coming for him and knowing escape was impossible, he immediately declared.
"Everyone, hurry, pay your respects to Lord Ye!"
Fearing a fatal blow from Ye Yunfei, the Sect Master hastily shouted to his assembled followers. He knew Ye Yunfei could end him in an instant.
"We pay our respects to Lord Ye!"
The other high-ranking members of the Carefree Sect hesitated for a beat before gritting their teeth and calling out.
"We pay our respects to Lord Ye!" The rest of the sect followed suit.
"We also pledge allegiance to Lord Ye! From this moment on, we shall follow your orders!"
Soon, the leaders of the other major powers also made their decisions, stepping forward one after another to prostrate themselves before Ye Yunfei.
In the end, all the gathered powers chose to submit to Ye Yunfei. Everyone understood that, in this situation, refusal likely meant annihilation!
In the starry void, a dense, neatly-formed multitude stood arrayed before Ye Yunfei, their attitudes respectful. This army, originally assembled here to deal with him, had now all sworn allegiance, becoming Ye Yunfei's subordinates!
"That's enough. You may all return. Go about your business. If I need you, I will be in touch."
"Remember, since you have chosen to submit to me, you must follow my commands. Betrayal is unacceptable, or I will have no mercy," Ye Yunfei said flatly.
"Lord Ye, rest assured. We understand," the leaders of all the factions chorused, the unified sound rippling through the void.
"Lord Ye, please grace our Moon Court headquarters. Allow us to prepare a banquet in your honor," the Lord of the Moon Court stepped forward, eager to please. As the first to submit, he wanted to perform well and gain Ye Yunfei's favor.
"Indeed! Let us all celebrate Lord Ye's arrival!"
The leaders of the other factions also chimed in, all hoping to curry favor.
"There is no need. I intend to wander this realm and enjoy its sights," Ye Yunfei shook his head, declining. He had no interest in wasting time on feasts with these people.
With that, Ye Yunfei, holding the little girl's hand, took a single step and vanished.
When he reappeared, he was already hundreds of thousands of miles away. Such terrifying speed left the masses behind struck speechless, staring in awe.
After Ye Yunfei left, all who remained in that patch of starry sky stood motionless, gazing at the spot where he had just stood. Their hearts were a muddle of conflicting emotions, uncertain whether to feel joy or sorrow.
"Let us return," the Lord of the Moon Court finally waved his hand, breaking the silence. With a rumble, his followers departed like a rolling tide.
"We should also go back," the Sect Master of Xiaoyao sighed softly, leading the Carefree Sect's forces away.
"From this day forth, Ye Yunfei shall be the master of the Canghuang Realm. This is an unalterable fact. Let's go," the Valley Master of the Shifting Flower Valley lamented, departing with his followers.
The other factions also dispersed.
Not long after, word of these events spread to every single faction, every star in the entire universe. The realm was sent into an uproar. A young man named Ye Yunfei had subdued dozens of the realm's most powerful factions!
The news electrified every martial artist.
"Master of the Canghuang Realm! Ye Yunfei has truly become the rightful Master of the Canghuang Realm!"
Countless voices proclaimed.
"You dare to address Lord Ye directly by his name? Have you no regard for your life?"
Some promptly warned those who had been careless. The offenders gasped in fear, hurriedly correcting themselves to "Lord Ye."
Meanwhile, the little girl was leading Ye Yunfei on a thorough scavenging tour across the realm, hunting for cultivation resources. With her guidance, Ye Yunfei found massive amounts of materials and ventured into several small worlds and perilous realms in search of treasures.
As these small worlds and perilous realms were all born alongside the Canghuang Realm, their natural laws were virtually identical. Ye Yunfei and the girl entered these places as naturally as a fish in water, encountering no danger whatsoever. Instead, they reaped a bountiful harvest of cultivation resources and treasures.
"Let's stop here."
"I can't very well strip this entire Canghuang Realm of every last resource. I must leave something for others," Ye Yunfei decided, halting his collection after a few days.
In truth, at each location he visited, Ye Yunfei only took a portion of the resources available, never completely cleaning them out. With the little girl's help, it was akin to cheating—if he were truly to take everything due to greed, he could indeed loot every last bit of cultivation wealth from the entire Canghuang Realm.
But if he did that, other martial artists would find it exceedingly difficult to locate cultivation resources in the future. For the Canghuang Realm as a whole, such an act would spell disaster.
"Uncle, when will we make the two halves of the split Canghuang Realm merge back together?"
The little girl suddenly asked. As the realm's World Origin, she deeply yearned for its two halves to rejoin, becoming a single, complete world.
"How well have you comprehended the World Origin Art I taught you?" Ye Yunfei inquired.
"I've already memorized it perfectly and understood it. I've even started cultivating according to the methods within it," the girl replied.
"Excellent. Then let us begin merging the Canghuang Realm immediately," Ye Yunfei nodded.