It was only moments after the dog-headed creature and the old daoist had departed that the powerful experts who had been scrambling for the Soul Lotuses finally let out a sigh of relief.
"Was that really... the legendary Death Sovereign?"
One expert couldn't help but whisper the question.
The other experts glanced at each other, none daring to answer.
"Fortunately, they didn't want the Soul Lotuses. Otherwise, we would have had to return empty-handed."
Another expert said in a tone of relief.
However, the moment his words fell...
Boom...
The space above the small lake abruptly split open, and a large hand stretched out, covered in fur and somewhat resembling a dog's paw, exuding a heavy aura of death.
The Death Sovereign!
Bang! Bang!
Two experts who were standing too close were instantly shaken and sent flying, vomiting blood continuously.
All the other experts felt a chill down their spines. They stared at the giant hand, not daring to make the slightest move.
The giant hand reached out, grabbed all four remaining Soul Lotuses, and then retracted back, disappearing from sight.
"That was the Mighty Art of Distance Grasping!"
An expert exclaimed in a terrified, low voice.
Now, staring at the now empty surface of the lake, the hearts of the experts who had just been fighting over the lotuses were filled with complex emotions.
They had battled fiercely for most of the day over these four Soul Lotuses, and in the end, had not gained the slightest hair. This outcome left them feeling utterly aggrieved.
"It's all you bastards! Those Soul Lotuses were rightfully mine! I have guarded this place for countless years, but because you scum came to plunder, this is the consequence! You will all die!"
An enraged roar erupted from within the lake water. A ferocious, malevolent creature surfaced from the water. Its entire body was pitch black, as if cast from dark metal, radiating an eerie, baleful aura.
The creature somewhat resembled an ape, except it possessed three heads. The one in the middle was that of an ape, the one on the left was a black snake head, and the one on the right was the blue head of a bird—an extraordinarily strange appearance.
The creature seemed to have entered a frenzied state. It let out a shrill cry that caused the Soul Bodies of the surrounding experts to sway and tremble.
"Hmph! Did you think we'd be afraid of you?"
A large human-headed, snake-bodied man snorted coldly.
Boom...
The next moment, fierce battle erupted anew. The three-headed dark metal ape attacked the other experts madly.
At this moment, Hun Lao had long since fled far into the distance with the Heavenly Dao Tower.
Inside the Phantom Tower.
"Senior Sister Ji Yue, great news. I can heal your Soul Body's injuries now. This time, we can completely cure you!"
Ye Yunfei arrived before Ji Yue and spoke to her.
"Really?"
Ji Yue was very excited.
"It's true, I wouldn't lie to you," Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
With a single, intact Soul Lotus, combined with other Soul Power-related treasures, Ye Yunfei was confident he could fully heal Ji Yue's Soul Body.
"Senior Sister Ji Yue, during this time, cultivate peacefully and continue to train your Soul Power. Once I finish refining the medicine, I'll treat you," Ye Yunfei instructed.
"Alright," Ji Yue nodded obediently.
"Su Fei, thank you. If it weren't for you staying by my side all this time, I might not have held on."
Ji Yue gazed at Ye Yunfei with her beautiful eyes, speaking softly. A peculiar emotion gleamed within them.
"Ahem, Senior Sister Ji Yue, no need to be so polite. After all, you were injured because of me. Besides, we're companions. Alright, I'll go refine the medicine now," Ye Yunfei replied.
"Oh, is that it? If I hadn't been injured because of you, if we weren't companions, then you wouldn't care about me, is that it?"
Ji Yue stared directly at Ye Yunfei, her gaze intense, as she asked the question.
"This... Senior Sister Ji Yue, don't overthink it. Right now, the most important thing is to quickly cure your Soul Body's injuries," Ye Yunfei stammered momentarily, not knowing how to answer, and quickly changed the subject.
Having said that, Ye Yunfei hurriedly turned and left.
"What did he mean by that?" Ji Yue was left standing dumbly, watching Ye Yunfei's retreating back, for a moment appearing lost in thought.
Several days later.
Having meticulously refined a batch of Soul Power-related medicinal pills, Ye Yunfei once again stood before Ji Yue.
"Senior Sister Ji Yue, this time, not only will I cure your Soul Body's injuries, I will also elevate your Soul Power level by another tier!"
Ye Yunfei declared.
During the previous period, with Ye Yunfei's help, Ji Yue had refined and absorbed a large quantity of Soul Power treasures, significantly improving her Soul Power level.
"Senior Sister Ji Yue, refine and absorb these pills. I will merge the Soul Lotus into your Soul Body."
Ye Yunfei said, waving his hand and taking out a pile of medicinal pills that settled in front of Ji Yue.
"Alright."
Ji Yue sat cross-legged and began refining and absorbing the pills.
Ye Yunfei also sat cross-legged, facing Ji Yue.
A lotus flower appeared above Ji Yue's head, emanating a strong floral fragrance.
Ye Yunfei pointed a finger, and a powerful flow of Soul Power enveloped the Soul Lotus, slowly guiding it to merge into the top of Ji Yue's head.
What Ye Yunfei needed to do was fuse this Soul Lotus into Ji Yue's Soul Body, making it part of her very soul.
Inside the Phantom Tower, time passed swiftly.
In the blink of an eye, a month went by.
"Success!"
At a certain moment one month later, Ye Yunfei suddenly exclaimed softly.
Boom!
A powerful roar of Soul Power erupted from Ji Yue's Soul Sea.
In that moment, Ji Yue's Soul Body seemed to have broken through some kind of shackle and undergone sublimation.
Vast quantities of Soul Power energy, akin to a boundless sea, surged forth from within her head.
A halo formed of condensed Soul Power appeared floating behind her head, setting her off with an extraordinary, divine air.
"There. Senior Sister Ji Yue, the injuries to your Soul Body are now completely healed. Moreover, your Soul Power level is now equivalent to that of an expert at the late Origin Creation Realm.
If you were to return to Ziwei Sect now, aside from Senior Profound Turtle and Elder Ning, your strength should be the greatest.
Senior Sister Ji Yue, I'll teach you several Soul Power Martial Arts. Once you master them, you'll be able to defend Ziwei Sect in the future.
From now on, you will be Ziwei Sect's undisputed top disciple."
Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
Back when Ye Yunfei had first arrived at Ziwei Sect, Ji Yue had constantly harbored the desire to compete with him for the position of top disciple.
"Pfft! No matter how strong I become, I'll never be a match for a monster like you.
Your strength is simply abnormal," Ji Yue rolled her eyes at Ye Yunfei. Having been by Ye Yunfei's side all this time, she knew that experts of the Origin Creation Realm were nothing to him anymore.
"Su Fei, so now... you're going to send me back to Ziwei Sect, right? Do you find me a burden, tagging along by your side?"
Ji Yue asked.
"Senior Sister Ji Yue, please don't misunderstand," Ye Yunfei replied.
"Senior Sister Ji Yue, I am walking a path different from the ordinary. And it's an extremely dangerous path.
For me personally, this path is also fraught with perils.
I absolutely cannot guarantee the safety of those who follow me.
So, Senior Sister Ji Yue, for now, you should return to Ziwei Sect.
Ziwei Sect's rise to power needs you."
After a moment of contemplation, Ye Yunfei gave his answer.