In the main hall of the Tianyuan Sect headquarters, all the top-level figures of the sect were gathered.
The atmosphere was somewhat oppressive.
"Steward Zhang, is it true what you saw? The dozen or so Profound Realm youths Ye Yunfei killed... were all inner disciples of the Eastern Region's Huangtian Sect?" asked Shi Zongyang, the Sect Leader of the Tianyuan Sect, his voice heavy.
"It's true. Those young men were indeed inner disciples of the Huangtian Sect. They came with Xiao Wushang. As everyone knows, Xiao Wushang joined the Huangtian Sect several years ago and became one of their disciples. Moreover, every one of those youths possessed Profound Realm strength. Only the great sects and families of the Eastern Region could possibly cultivate so many outstanding young geniuses."
These words were spoken by a slightly stout and short middle-aged man in the hall. This man's surname was Zhang; he was a steward of the Tianyuan Sect. He had just returned from the imperial capital and thus was extremely clear about the events that had transpired there.
"Venerable Elder Ren, Sect Leader, given that Ye Yunfei killed so many Huangtian Sect disciples, I'm afraid this matter won't be easily resolved. Once the Huangtian Sect learns of this and investigates, they will absolutely not let Ye Yunfei off. And it's possible our Tianyuan Sect might also be implicated," Luo Fengyang stated.
"That's right. Compared to the Huangtian Sect, our Tianyuan Sect is as weak as ants. If the Huangtian Sect finds out Ye Yunfei is a disciple of our sect, destroying us would be as easy as snapping their fingers," Su Deqing added.
The other high-level members of the Tianyuan Sect in the hall remained silent. After all, what Luo Fengyang and Su Deqing said was indeed reasonable.
The Huangtian Sect was one of the nine major sects of the Eastern Region. To the Tianyuan Sect, it was a colossal, lofty entity beyond any comparison.
"Venerable Elder Ren, Sect Leader Shi, I think it's time for our Tianyuan Sect to draw a clear line between ourselves and Ye Yunfei. Otherwise, the legacy our sect has built over several centuries could be implicated because of him," Su Deqing proposed.
"Moreover, that boy Ye Yunfei has a flamboyant personality, causing trouble everywhere he goes. For our Tianyuan Sect, severing ties with him sooner rather than later can save us a lot of future headaches," Luo Fengyang nodded in agreement.
"Hmph! The origin of this incident lies with those arrogant, bullying Huangtian Sect inner disciples who used their power to intimidate others! They wanted to help Xiao Tiande usurp the throne and overthrow the imperial family. As the National Scholar, it was perfectly reasonable for Ye Yunfei to act against them! I believe Ye Yunfei did nothing wrong! His talent is monstrous; at less than twenty years old, he possesses such heaven-defying combat power that he can slaughter over a dozen Profound Realm warriors. If he's allowed to continue growing, his potential is limitless. He's sure to reach a height we cannot even imagine. As long as we hold onto him firmly, in the future, Ye Yunfei will definitely elevate the Tianyuan Sect to unimaginable heights! So, everyone, Ye Yunfei is the greatest hope for our Tianyuan Sect's rise!" This was voiced by Elder Du.
"Hmph! Ye Yunfei's talent is indeed good. But only a genius who truly grows to maturity is called a true genius. Ye Yunfei has provoked the Huangtian Sect; he is doomed. No matter how monstrous his talent, it's meaningless now. Du Changqing, I hope you won't drag our Tianyuan Sect down for your own selfish motives," Luo Fengyang sneered.
"Luo Fengyang, you...!" Elder Du was furious but found himself at a loss for words.
The other Tianyuan Sect leaders remained silent. Everyone's gaze turned towards the Secluded Elder and Sect Leader Shi Zongyang. The real decision-making power lay with these two.
After a tense silence that lasted for a moment, the Secluded Elder let out a soft sigh.
"Let's all disperse for now. We'll discuss this matter later," he said.
Then, the Secluded Elder stood up, his figure flashing as he walked out of the meeting hall and disappeared from sight.
"We'll discuss it later," Sect Leader Shi Zongyang also stood up and left the hall.
The other leaders looked at each other, then scattered one by one.
---
At the same time, outside the Tianyuan Sect headquarters, a carriage descended from the sky to land near the main gates.
Ye Yunfei put away the carriage and entered the Tianyuan Sect grounds, heading directly towards the small mountain peak where his Ye family clansmen were staying.
"Ye Yunfei, you're back!" The Ye family members, especially Ye Tianpeng, were overjoyed to see Ye Yunfei's return and rushed forward to greet him.
"Father, is everyone well?" Ye Yunfei asked with a smile.
"Ye Yunfei, the Tianyuan Sect has been too good to our Ye family! Not only have they taken great care of our daily needs, but they've also provided a large amount of cultivation resources. Ye Yunfei, you must properly thank the Tianyuan Sect's leaders!" Ye Tianpeng exclaimed as soon as he saw his son.
"That's good," Ye Yunfei replied with a smile.
Though internally, he noted that he had previously gifted ten Fifth-Grade spirit pills to the Tianyuan Sect. For them, that was an enormous treasure. So, Ye Yunfei felt it was only right they treated his clan well.
"Father, these spirit pills are for our Ye clansmen's cultivation. These techniques and martial arts are specifically for our clansmen. The techniques and martial arts our Ye family possessed in the past are too outdated; we can discard them all."
Ye Yunfei took out over a hundred jade bottles and a dozen technique jade slips, handing them to Ye Tianpeng.
The jade bottles were all filled with Fourth and Fifth-Grade spirit pills—the fruits of Huang Shang's alchemy labors during this period.
"So many!" Ye Tianpeng stared at the spirit pills and technique jade slips before him, both shocked and elated.
"By the way. These techniques and martial arts are extremely valuable. Instruct our clansmen that they must never be leaked. Otherwise, they could bring disaster upon our Ye family," Ye Yunfei added.
These techniques and martial arts were compiled by Ye Yunfei from his memories. While they weren't considered advanced by his standards, they were indescribably precious to the Ye family members. Ye Yunfei believed that once his clansmen began practicing these techniques and martial arts, the entire family's overall power would surge within a short time!
The techniques and martial arts compiled by a Heavenly Emperor were no joke. It was no exaggeration to say that even the heritage techniques and martial arts possessed by the great sects and families of the Eastern Region paled in comparison to what Ye Yunfei had just produced!
"Starting now, all members of our Ye family must devote all their time to cultivation. Any who dare slack off will be directly expelled from the clan. For those who cultivate diligently, I will provide sufficient cultivation resources and reward them handsomely. Our Ye family is too weak. We must become stronger!" Ye Yunfei continued.
"Ye Yunfei, you're absolutely right. Our Ye family must become stronger!" Ye Tianpeng said fervently.
At that moment, he was filled with ambition and resolve. He knew there was hope now for the Ye family's rise!
---
After leaving the small peak where his clansmen resided, Ye Yunfei returned to Gold Peak and his own little pavilion.
Upon returning to his pavilion, Hu Miao suddenly spoke up. "Master, the attitude of the Tianyuan Sect leaders seems off. They must know you're back. Yet, not a single one has come to see you."
"They have reservations. I killed so many Huangtian Sect inner disciples. Once the Huangtian Sect finds out, they're unlikely to let it go. The Tianyuan Sect leaders are afraid I'll implicate them," Ye Yunfei said with a faint smile. This point was obvious to him upon brief reflection.
"Forget about them for now. At the moment, I have more important things to do." Ye Yunfei continued.
The Five Elements Spirit Swords! The most important purpose of Ye Yunfei's return to the Tianyuan Sect headquarters this time was precisely to forge the Five Elements Spirit Swords!
Ye Yunfei estimated that once the Five Elements Spirit Swords were successfully forged, his combat power would increase exponentially!
---
In the first-floor parlor, all the tables, chairs, and furniture had been cleared out.
Ye Yunfei stood in the center of the small hall. With a wave of his hand, over a dozen spatial rings appeared, floating in front of him.
These spatial rings contained all the materials needed to forge the Five Elements Spirit Swords. Most of these materials had been procured personally by the Empress Dowager, utilizing the imperial family's power. Some were purchased from prominent, well-known large merchant houses or powerful sects and families within the Eastern Region.
Within the Great Qin Empire, it was simply impossible to gather a complete set.
Ye Yunfei reached out and took one of the spatial rings, giving it a light wipe.
Boom!
An enormous furnace over two meters tall materialized in the small hall. This furnace was the artifact forging furnace! It had been procured by the Empress Dowager through the imperial family's channels. Its quality was merely average, but for Ye Yunfei's current needs, it would suffice.