Gradually, the golden sphere representing the third yang continued to expand, growing larger and larger.
Half a day later.
"The third yang has finally reached its peak state," Ye Yunfei remarked softly, observing the golden sphere above his head, which now measured nine kilometers in diameter.
"Next comes the fourth yang." Ye Yunfei shifted his focus inward to his Dantian, where a new golden sphere representing the fourth yang had already taken shape.
Whoosh...
With a thought, this small golden sphere flew out and began absorbing the energy from the resources piled around him.
Gradually, the sphere's volume increased.
This time, Ye Yunfei had prepared ample resources. He had used only one-tenth of the huge batch of Silence-Grade Pills and spirit crystals he had stockpiled!
Ye Yunfei intended to push the fourth yang to its peak state in one go.
The Nine-Yang Scripture was one of the world's supreme cultivation methods. Every breakthrough greatly enhanced its power.
In truth, if he wished, Ye Yunfei could rapidly elevate the Nine-Yang Scripture to even higher realms in a short time.
However, advancing a spiritual cultivation technique too quickly could easily lead to an unstable foundation.
Thus, Ye Yunfei had always consciously restrained his pace.
Unaware of time's passage, over half a year had elapsed within the Phantom Tower.
Ye Yunfei suddenly realized all the cultivation resources surrounding him had been completely exhausted, yet the golden sun representing the fourth yang still hadn't reached its peak.
"The Nine-Yang Scripture requires far too many resources," Ye Yunfei couldn't help but wryly smile.
But since he had decided to cultivate the fourth yang to perfection this time, he took out another large batch of resources.
"Nearly half my wealth is depleted now." He felt a pang of heartache.
Next, Ye Yunfei continued cultivating the Nine-Yang Scripture.
Unaware once more, over another half-year passed.
One day.
"Finally! The fourth yang is perfected!" Ye Yunfei suddenly opened his eyes and let out a long exhale.
Above his head, four enormous golden spheres bobbed up and down, emitting terrifying energy pressure.
"With the fourth yang perfected, I can now manifest the 'Four Suns in Thunder Abyss' phenomenon." He murmured to himself.
Four Suns in Thunder Abyss was the fourth mystical phenomenon of the Nine-Yang Scripture. Once manifested, it could summon rolling heavenly thunder, transforming the world's principles into domineering lightning.
"My physical strength, Soul Power, and the Nine-Yang Scripture's level have all greatly improved. My overall combat power is now comparable to that of a Dao Origin Realm cultivator.
Coupled with my Heavenly Emperor soul remnant and other various methods, I can now move freely across the Eastern Barrens."
Ye Yunfei stood up, an expression of confidence on his face.
He didn't even need to mention other factors—his supernal Woodbody of the Green Emperor alone meant few in the Eastern Barrens could kill him now.
Next, Ye Yunfei waved his hand. Three magical treasures flew out and hovered before him. These were three World-Destroying Treasures.
However, these three treasures were ruined. Their inner essence and governing principles had been completely drained by that youth to maintain the normal operation of the Pure Land.
Yet the materials composing these three treasures remained intact.
The materials used to forge World-Destroying Treasures were among the most supreme in the world, far surpassing those used for Sentient Treasures.
Therefore, even as ruined artifacts, these three World-Destroying Treasures still held great utility for Ye Yunfei.
At present, Ye Yunfei had two choices: first, incorporate these materials into his Five Elements Spiritual Swords; second, fuse them with the Sentient Treasure.
"I'll fuse the materials from these World-Destroying Treasures into that longsword instead. That sword is already a Sentient Treasure. Infusing it with such supreme materials will surely double its power, allowing it to crush other Sentient Treasures."
After brief contemplation, Ye Yunfei made his decision.
Ye Yunfei exited the Phantom Tower and arrived at the back mountain of the Ziwei Sect to search for a suitable location for artifact refinement.
Artifact refinement had many intricacies. Choosing the right location and alignment could achieve twice the result with half the effort.
"This spot will do." He stopped near the Ziwei Sect's Puppet Hall, surveying the area and feeling satisfied.
This location had, in ancient times, been where experts of the Ziwei Sect practiced artifact refinement.
For beneath it lay a highly concealed Earth Vein—and a large-scale one at that.
Through the long river of history, its memory had gradually faded. Only Ye Yunfei remembered it.
"Su Fei, what are you doing here?" Shortly after Ye Yunfei arrived, Ning Zhongqi sensed his aura and used a movement technique to appear.
"I intend to refine an artifact here," Ye Yunfei answered honestly.
"Su Fei, you know how to refine artifacts?" Ning Zhongqi was somewhat surprised.
"But you possess the Secret Manual of the Heavenly Artisan. It's not strange for you to know refinement." He caught himself immediately, recalling that the very Secret Manual of the Heavenly Artisan he himself was cultivating had been given to him by Ye Yunfei.
"Su Fei, you know too many things." Ning Zhongqi couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
"Elder Ning, you flatter me. Your puppet techniques alone dominate the Eastern Barrens; they are not weaker than my own skills." Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
"Su Fei, may I observe while you refine artifacts?" Ning Zhongqi's curiosity was piqued.
"Of course," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"However, before refining the artifact, I must first open the Earth Vein below." He added.
"Earth Vein? Su Fei, you mean... the ancient Earth Vein of our Ziwei Sect still exists here?" Upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, Ning Zhongqi was greatly astonished.
"Correct. That Earth Vein has always remained.
It was just gradually forgotten by everyone.
I will open it now. Elder Ning, you can come here to draw fire when needed later." Ye Yunfei nodded in confirmation.
In fact, refining puppets was also a branch of artifact refinement and required vast amounts of fire energy.
"Su Fei, if you can uncover this Earth Vein, of course I will come here for fire later!" Ning Zhongqi replied excitedly.
"Elder Ning, before opening that Earth Vein, I need to refine a batch of Formation Flags to anchor this region's landmass. That will make it easier to expose the vein.
Please assist me in refining the Formation Flags." Ye Yunfei said to Ning Zhongqi.
"Understood!" Ning Zhongqi was very excited. He understood Ye Yunfei's true intent—on the surface, asking for help refining flags, but in reality, teaching him the method to open an Earth Vein.
If it were any other young man, Ning Zhongqi naturally wouldn't pay heed, nor think of learning anything from them. But Ye Yunfei was different. After witnessing the many miracles from this young man, he knew the youth before him possessed far greater knowledge than himself!
Next, Ye Yunfei and Ning Zhongqi began refining the Formation Flags together.
Throughout the process, Ning Zhongqi exclaimed in astonishment time and again, learning many new things.
A day later, the two had refined a large batch of Formation Flags.
"Alright, Elder Ning. Now we will use these flags to anchor this landmass. This will prevent the Earth Vein below from wandering away.
Place these flags at the positions I instruct, in their specific sequence." Ye Yunfei instructed Ning Zhongqi.
"Understood!" Ning Zhongqi held a large pile of Formation Flags and nodded firmly.
Following that, Ye Yunfei stood to the side, guiding Ning Zhongqi to insert the flags at different locations according to a particular sequence.
A moment later.
Boom...
The ground abruptly shook violently.
"It's ready. I will now open the Earth Vein.
Elder Ning, observe my hand movements and the procedure carefully," Ye Yunfei said to him.
"Yes," Ning Zhongqi nodded emphatically, fixing his gaze intently upon Ye Yunfei.