"While I was performing divinations to locate that fellow from the Earth Core Race, I ended up in a long-distance magical duel. Unexpectedly, his power had vastly increased, and I was the one struck and gravely wounded."
The injured Taoist kept vomiting blood, his face pale, his aura withered and feeble.
"How could that be?
Didn't you say the previous duel left that old man from the Earth Core Race seriously injured?
How did his strength suddenly become so formidable?
Let me try testing him!"
The other Taoist found it hard to believe.
"Don't!
The attack just now was extremely powerful. Even you wouldn't be able to withstand it.
Don't act recklessly.
Wait until my injuries have healed, then we can deal with him together.
I've already used a secret art to place a mark on his Soul Body. He cannot escape."
The wounded Taoist hurriedly stopped him.
"Alright then, once your wounds recover, we'll settle the score with him.
But your injuries are this severe; how long will it take to recover?"
The other Taoist asked.
"I will go seek out Lord Heifang. He has a method to help me recover within a short period."
The injured Taoist said.
"Grand Commander Sangtian just received a message from headquarters telling us to accelerate the pace of unifying the Eastern Barrens.
Ah, right. It is said that the Fifth Prince will personally come to the Eastern Barrens to oversee the unification campaign.
So during this time, we must perform well in front of the Fifth Prince."
The other Taoist added.
"What?
The Fifth Prince is coming as well!
The Fifth Prince's status is noble. Why would he personally come to the Eastern Barrens?"
The wounded Taoist simply couldn't believe it.
"I heard that the Fifth Prince is here to gain experience. In recent years, the Fifth Prince has been deeply favored by the Realm Lord, hence this special assignment to the Eastern Barrens for tempering."
The other Taoist explained.
"I see.
Then we truly must perform our best in front of the Fifth Prince. If we can gain the Fifth Prince's appreciation, our future will be boundless!
I will go find Lord Heifang right now and ask him to heal my wounds."
The wounded Taoist stood up and walked out of the secret chamber.
At the main hall within the Murong Family headquarters...
"Good news, that fellow has been severely wounded by us!"
The old Wizard exclaimed with joy.
"Master Liuyun, I never imagined your attainments in the laws of samsara and causality were so profound!"
The old Wizard turned his gaze toward Ye Yunfei.
"Old Wizard, you flatter me."
Ye Yunfei replied with a smile.
"Old Wizard, it's time we departed and returned."
The gray-robed elder suddenly spoke to the old Wizard.
"I cannot return for the time being."
The old Wizard let out a soft sigh.
"Why?"
The gray-robed elder was taken aback.
"During the recent magical duel, a mark was placed on my Soul Body by the opponent. No matter where I go, they have a way to pinpoint my specific location. If I were to return, the Corpse World would soon find us."
The old Wizard sighed.
"What should we do then?"
Hearing the old Wizard's words, the gray-robed elder's face drastically changed.
"I need to find a way to eliminate that mark from my Soul Body.
However, this will require time."
The old Wizard said.
"Then where shall we take shelter during this period?"
The gray-robed elder frowned.
"Master Liuyun, I wonder if it would be convenient for you to take us in."
The old Wizard looked toward Ye Yunfei and asked.
"Are you worried that once the opponent recovers from his injuries, he will seek you out for another duel?
Being with me means you can join forces when necessary to confront the enemy, is that it?"
Ye Yunfei asked with a smile.
"That is indeed one concern. However, the more important reason is that Master Liuyun has an extraordinary origin and exceptional methods. Staying with Master Liuyun should be safer."
The old Wizard replied.
"To be frank, I am already targeted by the Corpse World. If you follow me, it's highly likely you will become implicated."
Ye Yunfei thought for a moment and answered.
"I trust my own senses. Staying with Master Liuyun, safety will ultimately be assured.
It's just a matter of whether Master Liuyun is willing to accept us."
The old Wizard said with a smile.
His divination skills were quite excellent, and he held considerable faith in his own intuition.
"Very well. Since the Old Wizard says so, then you may stay here."
Ye Yunfei nodded in agreement.
The Earth Core Race was exceedingly wealthy and also possessed significant strength. Forming a connection with them was certainly not a bad thing.
Next, Ye Yunfei instructed the Meng Family Patriarch to find accommodations for these people of the Earth Core Race.
"Next, it's time to seriously elevate my strength."
Ye Yunfei thought to himself.
During this period, Ye Yunfei had collected a massive quantity of cultivation resources, which could now be used for breakthroughs and advancement.
He then returned to his secret chamber, entered the Phantom Tower, and began closed-door cultivation.
"First, refine this Yellow Path True Gold!
Once that's done, my physical body quality can ascend another level!"
Ye Yunfei waved a hand, taking out ten chunks of Yellow Path True Gold.
Yellow Path True Gold could be used for forging artifacts, but also for body tempering.
Refining it into one's physical body, integrating it completely, could grant the flesh astonishing resilience and hardness.
In total, Ye Yunfei had obtained fifteen pieces of Yellow Path True Gold, keeping the remaining five in reserve.
For the time that followed, Ye Yunfei began refining these ten chunks of Yellow Path True Gold.
Half a year later.
Ye Yunfei had successfully refined all ten pieces of Yellow Path True Gold into his physical body.
At this moment, Ye Yunfei's body appeared as if cast from gold, brilliant and dazzling all over.
"With the current quality of my flesh, even a frontal strike from a Dao Origin Realm expert shouldn't cause much harm."
After refining the ten pieces of Yellow Path True Gold, Ye Yunfei's physical body quality had reached a truly astounding degree.
"Moreover, by fusing these ten pieces of Yellow Path True Gold, I can now raise my spiritual power realm significantly in a short time, without fearing an unstable foundation."
Ye Yunfei mused inwardly.
"Next, elevate the spiritual power realm!"
Ye Yunfei took out a massive amount of cultivation resources and arranged them around his body. Then, he activated the Nine-Yang Scripture.
Rumble...
Eight Divine Meridians manifested within his body, erupting with astonishing suction force, starting to absorb the spiritual energy contained within the surrounding resources.
A small golden sphere flew out from his dantian, floating above his head.
The small golden sphere representing the Fifth Yang!
Half a year later, Ye Yunfei began to break through—and continuously at that.
Every period of time saw him ascend to a new realm.
One year later.
Ye Yunfei broke through in a single breath, reaching the mid-stage Life Palace Realm!
"Now, relying on my spiritual power realm alone, I can engage in direct combat against Dao Origin Mirror experts!
Combine that with my physical body, Soul Power, and magical treasures... my overall combat power has already placed me among the top-tier experts in the Eastern Barrens!"
Ye Yunfei concluded his closed-door cultivation, slowly rising to his feet, a confident expression on his face.
In fact, possessing the Chaotic Divine Meridian, cultivating the supreme Nine-Yang Scripture, and carrying a thousand years of cultivation experience—significantly raising his spiritual power realm within a short time was a remarkably simple task for him!
"Next, it's time to settle matters in the Eastern Barrens."
Ye Yunfei stood up, slowly stating.
Ye Yunfei believed that with his current strength, sweeping through the Eastern Barrens was no longer a problem!