Inside the Phantom Tower.
Ye Yunfei had been cultivating the Time Reversal Art the entire time.
During the cultivation process, Ye Yunfei continuously absorbed and refined Time Crystals, and his Time Energy level steadily improved.
It must be said, this time-based technique was far too profound. If not for Ye Yunfei's previous deep study of the Laws of Time, he would have been utterly incapable of cultivating it.
He didn't know how much time had passed.
"Finally, I've achieved a tiny bit of success.
Within a range of a hundred meters, I can now reverse time by roughly the span of two breaths.
This can barely be considered reaching the beginner stage."
Ye Yunfei opened his eyes and spoke with a wry smile.
"I'll stop here for now.
I'll continue cultivating this when I have time later."
Ye Yunfei pondered for a moment and decided to temporarily halt his cultivation.
The Time Reversal Art wasn't a technique that could be mastered with just Time Energy Crystals; it required more accumulation and insight. He couldn't rush it—it needed to be taken slowly.
"However, my Time Energy level has improved quite a bit.
If I use Time Slash now, it should be much easier. I won't drain large amounts of lifespan at the slightest exertion."
Ye Yunfei sensed his current level of Time Energy and revealed a smile.
At this point, he had consumed roughly one-third of the Time Crystals given by Hun Lao.
"Cultivating the Time Reversal Art sure burns through energy crystals."
Ye Yunfei couldn't help but laugh bitterly.
Then, Ye Yunfei exited the Phantom Tower and stepped out of the secluded cultivation chamber.
"Su Fei has exited seclusion!"
Not long after Ye Yunfei appeared, Sect Leader Liu and the other high-ranking members received the news and came rushing over one after another.
"Su Fei, our Ziwei Sect is in trouble!"
The high-ranking members arrived before Ye Yunfei at their fastest possible speed and said urgently.
"What kind of trouble?"
Seeing the expressions of deep worry and anxiety on their faces, Ye Yunfei immediately asked.
"Over this period, our Ziwei Sect has lost at least three to four hundred people.
Moreover, our sect members across the entire Eastern Barrens are now being hunted and killed. The situation is extremely dire.
The specific circumstances are..."
Sect Leader Liu had been waiting for Ye Yunfei's exit from seclusion this whole time. As soon as he saw Ye Yunfei, he immediately recounted in detail all the various incidents that had occurred within the Ziwei Sect during this period.
"This is clearly targeting me!
If it's not the Corpse World, then it's the Tianyou Tomb. And judging by the style, it seems even more like the Tianyou Tomb's doing."
After listening, Ye Yunfei immediately made his judgment.
"Su Fei, during this time, our Ziwei Sect has already lost three elders, over a dozen deacons, and a large group of outstanding disciples. Now, panic runs rampant throughout the entire sect.
The members who were out and haven't returned are also constantly being hunted, forced to hide and flee. If this continues, I fear our Ziwei Sect will suffer even greater losses."
Sect Leader Liu appeared deeply troubled.
"Sect Leader Liu, rest assured. No matter who is targeting our Ziwei Sect, I will make them pay the price in blood!"
Ye Yunfei's gaze turned icy. Startling killing intent swept out from him, causing the temperature of the surrounding space to plummet sharply.
"Palace Master!
Deacon Qian, Deacon Zhong, and Deacon Xie are all missing!
Six days ago, the three of them led a few dozen of our Qingyun Palace people away from headquarters to a nearby city to purchase some supplies. But they haven't returned until now."
At that moment, three elderly men hurriedly arrived before Ye Yunfei and transmitted a message to him.
These three elders were from the Qingyun Palace of the Canghuang Realm, and they were three of the Eight Great Bandit Kings!
Back then, a large group from Qingyun Palace had been captured by the forces of the Heavenly God Palace and brought to the Primordial Continent.
This included Du Fan, Dugu Huan, three of the Bandit Kings, seven deacons, and several hundred Qingyun Palace members.
They were later all rescued by Ye Yunfei, who then incorporated them into the Ziwei Sect, making them members of the sect.
However, in the hearts of these people, they still considered themselves part of Qingyun Palace. In private, they still addressed Ye Yunfei as Palace Master.
"Alright, I understand.
Don't worry, I will do my best to find them and bring them back."
Ye Yunfei nodded and offered comforting words.
In truth, Ye Yunfei didn't know whether those three missing deacons were still alive.
"Su Fei, Ji Yue has been away for many days and hasn't returned at all!
She might be in trouble!"
Right at that moment, Ji Yan hurried over, landing before Ye Yunfei, her face full of anxiety.
"Senior Sister Ji Yue, what did she go out to do?"
Ye Yunfei quickly asked.
"She told me at the time that she intended to follow the sect's Deacon Ding to escort a shipment of medicinal herbs, saying she'd be back in about five or six days.
Now it's been almost half a month, and she still hasn't returned. Deacon Ding hasn't returned either."
Ji Yan said.
Ji Yue was a core disciple of the Ziwei Sect and often went out to perform various missions for the sect.
"I already dispatched several groups of scouts to look for Deacon Ding, but we haven't been able to find any trace of him.
Deacon Ding and the dozen or so disciples he took with him are most likely in trouble."
Sect Leader Liu said with a frown.
He naturally knew Ye Yunfei was on good terms with Ji Yue. So after learning of Deacon Ding and Ji Yue's disappearance, he specifically sent out several groups to search, but there had been no news until now.
A bad feeling welled up in Ye Yunfei's heart.
There was no need to ask; Ji Yue was most likely in trouble.
"Have you sought help from our allied core forces, like the Demon Race, the Four Directions Trading House, the Great Thunderclap Temple, and the Tianxuan Army, asking them to assist in the investigation?"
Ye Yunfei thought for a moment and asked.
The current Ziwei Sect maintained close relations with many major forces in the Eastern Barrens. As long as the word was sent out, those major forces would definitely help.
"I've already dispatched several groups of messengers to contact those forces and have sent information multiple times via jade slips, but there's been no response at all.
I feel as if there is some mysterious power preventing our Ziwei Sect from seeking help from those major forces."
Sect Leader Liu said.
"So that's how it is."
Ye Yunfei frowned.
"If you want to investigate this matter, I suggest you start from the areas surrounding the Ziwei Sect. During this time, there have been people constantly peeking and spying on our Ziwei Sect from nearby.
The area around the headquarters is now under strict surveillance by those guys.
I suspect that most of the missing personnel were targeted as soon as they left headquarters, and then encountered misfortune."
A massive figure, that of the Mysterious Turtle, came speeding over from a distance, appearing beside Ye Yunfei in a flash, and spoke up.
During this period, the Mysterious Turtle had been secretly observing the situation around the Ziwei Sect headquarters.
"Alright."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Sect Leader Liu, immediately dispatch a group of experts. Have them leave headquarters quietly, and their actions must be as low-key as possible."
Ye Yunfei thought for a moment and said.
"Dispatch a group of experts to leave headquarters?"
Hearing Ye Yunfei's words, Sect Leader Liu couldn't help but be startled.
"Su Fei, in this current situation, sending more people out would likely lead to even greater casualties."
An elder said.
"Just do as Su Fei says.
This is called luring the snake out of its hole."
The Mysterious Turtle understood Ye Yunfei's intention.
"Lure the snake out of its hole?
Su Fei, you intend to draw those people out?"
Sect Leader Liu and the other high-ranking members were stunned at first upon hearing the Mysterious Turtle's words, but then they understood Ye Yunfei's meaning. Sect Leader Liu asked.
"Yes.
All of you, just follow my instructions.
Remember, instruct those dispatched to be as low-key as possible. The more low-key and concealed their actions are, the more likely the enemies hiding in the shadows will be drawn out."
Ye Yunfei nodded and said.
"Understood. I will make the arrangements."
Sect Leader Liu replied.