"Very well."
The Valley Master nodded, understanding that given the circumstances, he had no choice but to comply.
"Su Fei, I surrender to you as well. I have cultivated for so long; I cannot bear to die like this."
At this moment, one of the Supreme Elders suddenly let out a soft sigh and addressed Ye Yunfei.
"Good. The nine of you, open your Soul Seas now."
Ye Yunfei selected nine high-ranking members, including the Valley Master and the Supreme Elders.
With sizzling sounds…
Ye Yunfei released the nine remaining Puppet Soul Threads, shooting them into each of their Soul Seas where they coiled toward their Soul Bodies.
Ye Yunfei pointed a finger, and the flames enveloping these nine individuals were instantly extinguished.
Moments later.
"We greet our Master!"
The Valley Master and the Supreme Elders, along with the eight other high-ranking members, bowed respectfully to Ye Yunfei in unison.
Once afflicted by the Puppet Soul Threads, a deep-seated sense of submission arose from their very souls, making betrayal absolutely impossible!
And so, all ten of the Puppet Soul Threads Ye Yunfei had previously condensed were now expended!
"I must condense more Puppet Soul Threads when I have the time," Ye Yunfei mused inwardly.
These threads were not only useful for controlling others but were also immensely powerful in combat.
"Senior Brother Su Fei, have mercy! We are all willing to submit to you!"
At this point, the remaining members of Zidan Valley completely broke down. One by one, they knelt before Ye Yunfei, kowtowing and pleading for mercy.
With their ancestor dead and their Valley Master and nine high-ranking members having surrendered, there was no point in holding out any longer.
"Hahaha…
Unthinkable! The Ziwei Sect declined for so long, yet it has produced such a monstrous talent. It seems heaven itself wishes to destroy our Zidan Valley!"
Suddenly, one of the Supreme Elders burst into mad laughter. His body was already ablaze, transforming into a ball of fire. Knowing he could not endure much longer… this Supreme Elder preferred death over surrender!
The next instant.
Hissing whooshes filled the air as fiery chains shot forth, piercing his body. With a violent twist, the Supreme Elder was instantly shredded into dust.
"Su Fei, I hope you honor your promise and allow our Zidan Valley's legacy to continue," roared the last remaining Supreme Elder. Then, he struck his own head with a palm, ending his life.
By now, nearly half of Zidan Valley's members were dead.
"Enough," Ye Yunfei said softly, sweeping his gaze across the scene.
"Valley Master, take everyone out."
Ye Yunfei addressed the Valley Master.
"I will spare your lives for now. Remember the pledges you made while begging for mercy. I am never lenient with betrayers."
Ye Yunfei's gaze slowly swept over the survivors as he spoke calmly.
He then waved his hand, and a crack suddenly appeared on the solid surface of the massive Pill Cauldron.
The Valley Master led the remaining members of Zidan Valley as they quickly rushed out through the opening.
"Next, it's time to refine the Primordial One Divine Treasure Pill."
Ye Yunfei muttered to himself.
"Shrink!"
With a light shout from Ye Yunfei…
The enormous cauldron trembled violently and then began to shrink continuously.
After a moment, it had reduced to the size of an ordinary pill cauldron, hovering before Ye Yunfei.
The pill fires within still blazed fiercely, radiating astonishing heat.
Ye Yunfei sat cross-legged before the cauldron and began concentrating on controlling the flames.
"Lead the others and thoroughly clean up this headquarters.
From now on, Zidan Valley's affairs will continue as usual, under your direction."
Ye Yunfei sent a Sound Transmission to the Valley Master.
"Yes," the Valley Master replied respectfully.
At this moment, he felt only a profound sense of submission toward Ye Yunfei and would absolutely carry out his commands to the letter!
Since the Valley Master and the other nine high-ranking members were now under the control of Puppet Soul Threads, and everyone else was thoroughly terrified, Ye Yunfei felt assured in letting the Valley Master manage the situation.
Afterward, Ye Yunfei ignored everything else, focusing solely on alchemy as he sat before the cauldron, occasionally adding various medicinal materials into the mix.
A full day and night later.
"Pill Formation!"
Ye Yunfei suddenly stood up and gave a light shout.
Boom…
Tremendous rumbling erupted from within the Pill Cauldron, resembling the roar of thunder.
Then, dark clouds actually gathered in the sky above, accompanied by flashes of lightning and claps of thunder. Bolts of lightning began to strike downward.
"How is this possible!
Senior Brother Su Fei's pill refinement has actually summoned lightning tribulation!"
Everyone in Zidan Valley was utterly stunned by this sight.
"Legend says that if a pill reaches supreme perfection, it will incur the jealousy of heaven and earth, attracting a lightning tribulation, much like cultivators undergoing their own tribulations.
This is the legendary tribulation for supreme-grade pills," explained a Supreme Elder who stood with Zidan Valley's leaders at a distance, staring at the Pill Cauldron before Ye Yunfei in an astonished tone.
"Tribulation for a supreme-grade pill?"
Everyone felt deeply shaken upon hearing this.
Clang! Clang!
At this moment, continuous bolts of lightning struck the Pill Cauldron before Ye Yunfei, each impact producing a clear metallic clang.
Boom…
Deafening roars also emanated from within the cauldron.
Suddenly, Ye Yunfei slapped the Pill Cauldron. A blood-red pill flew out from within, unleashing rolling crimson radiance that illuminated the surrounding space.
Boom…
Streams of lightning ceaselessly struck the pill.
Only after some time did the lightning gradually subside.
"Disperse!"
Ye Yunfei pointed at the Pill Cauldron.
Boom…
Vast amounts of Five Elements' essence energies surged out from the cauldron, plunging into the ground below and disappearing.
The three foundational Earth Lung Fire Veins also shot out from the cauldron and burrowed underground.
The Pill Cauldron grew increasingly illusory, eventually becoming completely transparent before vanishing altogether.
Only the blood-red pill remained, suspended in place.
"Master, what rank is this pill?"
The Supreme Elders, Valley Master, and other leaders couldn't help but gather around, studying the pill with intense curiosity.
"It has no rank. This pill was refined using the essence energies and laws of heaven and earth as the cauldron, and the divine treasures within human bodies as the ingredients, supplemented by various medicinal herbs. To be precise, this is a pill born of heaven and earth, equivalent to a natural treasure. It can also be called a 'Different Pill.' It differs from ordinary pills, so it cannot be classified by rank," Ye Yunfei explained after some thought.
"A Different Pill?"
The Supreme Elders and other leaders were somewhat taken aback.
"Pill Markings!
Look! There is a Pill Marking on it!"
The Valley Master suddenly exclaimed.
The others focused their eyes and indeed saw a pattern resembling a lightning bolt on the blood-red pill, emanating an aura of profound mystery.
"It is said that when a pill reaches supreme perfection, Pill Markings will appear. The legend holds true!" A Supreme Elder couldn't help but marvel.
"Only one Pill Marking is far from the pinnacle.
Truly top-tier pills in this world possess nine markings," Ye Yunfei said, shaking his head.
"I have seen a pill with a single Pill Marking for the first time in my life. As for a top-tier pill with nine markings… I fear I will never have the chance to see one in my lifetime," the Valley Master sighed with emotion.
"Gather all the alchemists of Zidan Valley. I will personally guide them in the art of alchemy.
I will refine some pills to help all of you break through your cultivation realms and enhance your strength," Ye Yunfei declared.
"Excellent!"
The leaders standing before Ye Yunfei were invigorated.
"After handling the affairs here at Zidan Valley, it will be time to attend the Lesser Lantai Gathering.
The gathering itself holds little appeal for me, but near its venue lies a place worth exploring," Ye Yunfei contemplated inwardly.