Upon hearing this, Hu Miao couldn't help but shudder.
She recalled that trace of Heavenly Emperor's Soul Power Ye Yunfei had displayed back at Tianyuan Sect headquarters, beneath the Demon-Trapping Cliff.
Now, the look Hu Miao directed at Ye Yunfei wasn't just one of admiration, but one of deep reverence!
"Alright, Master, I'm off to cultivate."
Hu Miao threw Ye Yunfei a seductive glance, gave her alluring slender waist a slight twist, and transformed into a wisp of demonic wind as she entered her inner core.
Ye Yunfei also sat cross-legged and began to rest and recuperate.
**Xiaoyao Pavilion Headquarters.**
"Pavilion Master, big trouble!"
An Elder from the Xiaoyao Pavilion hurriedly approached the Master of the Xiaoyao Pavilion.
"What is it?"
The Master of the Xiaoyao Pavilion couldn't help but frown.
"That Saint Realm expert from the Huangtian Sect, along with the five disciples he brought, were all killed by Ye Yunfei!"
the Elder reported.
"Impossible!"
The Master of the Xiaoyao Pavilion was utterly shocked.
"Pavilion Master, this matter is true beyond a shadow of a doubt. I had a spy planted within Tianyuan Sect, and this spy witnessed it with his own eyes."
"So, Ye Yunfei actually possesses the power to kill a Saint Realm expert..."
The Master of the Xiaoyao Pavilion was shaken to the core. For a moment, he fell silent, a deep sense of apprehension filling his heart.
"Immediately dispatch someone to report this matter to the Huangtian Sect by the fastest means possible. Also, pass down the order: from now on, members of our Xiaoyao Pavilion absolutely must not provoke Ye Yunfei, nor are they to provoke anyone from Tianyuan Sect."
The Master of Xiaoyao Pavilion thought for a moment before speaking slowly.
"Yes."
That Elder acknowledged the order and turned to leave.
"Truly unimaginable. In such a short time, Ye Yunfei has actually grown to this extent. By comparison, Qin An is simply not worth mentioning. Back in Yuanyue City, Elder Ding should have recruited Ye Yunfei, of all people!"
The Master of Xiaoyao Pavilion couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
"However, it doesn't matter now. Having provoked the Huangtian Sect, Ye Yunfei is undoubtedly doomed! And the Tianyuan Sect will be buried along with him! When that happens, our Xiaoyao Pavilion can take the opportunity to annex Tianyuan Sect's territory. Moreover, having connected with the Huangtian Sect, it won't be long before our Xiaoyao Pavilion dominates the entire Great Qin Empire!"
Thinking this, the Master of Xiaoyao Pavilion couldn't help but reveal a smug smile.
**Eastern Region.**
In a certain desolate, remote wilderness.
Beneath the ground existed a sprawling complex of underground palaces.
Within a certain underground hall.
The lighting was dim. Seated cross-legged in the hall were four individuals completely shrouded in black robes. All four wore ghost-face masks.
Suddenly.
A middle-aged man dressed in black walked into the hall.
"These are our Tianyou Tomb's income for this month. Please review them, honorable Elders."
The middle-aged man waved his hand, and dozens of spatial rings flew out, suspending themselves in front of the four black-robed figures.
One of the black-robed figures reached out and drew the spatial rings over, extending his perception into them.
"This month's income seems a bit less compared to last month. What's going on? Is business not good?"
That black-robed figure asked.
"Reporting to Elder, the main reason is that some of our assassins ran into a bit of trouble in a small country called the Great Qin Empire. We lost five Heaven Realm-level assassins and two Profound Realm-level assassins. That's why this month's income is slightly less than last month's."
That middle-aged man explained.
"So many assassins lost in just one small country? Tell me exactly what happened."
That black-robed figure's voice carried a hint of displeasure.
"I've investigated. In the Great Qin Empire, a client offered a heavy reward, demanding that our Tianyou Tomb dispatch enough assassins to guarantee the death of a young man named Ye Yunfei. As a result, all the assassins we sent vanished without a trace. They were most likely killed."
That middle-aged man said.
"What is this Ye Yunfei's cultivation level?"
The black-robed figure inquired.
"According to the news sent back, Ye Yunfei should be at the Late Stage Earth Realm. However, there is a demon beast by his side whose strength is not weak. It's highly possible the beast killed our Tianyou Tomb assassins."
That middle-aged man answered.
"Hmph! Be it human or beast, daring to kill assassins of our Tianyou Tomb—this matter cannot simply let stand. Otherwise, word gets out, and it would be a blow to our Tianyou Tomb's reputation. Send assassins immediately to kill this Ye Yunfei. And the demon beast by his side must die as well."
That black-robed figure snorted coldly.
"Understood, Elder."
That middle-aged man replied.
"Also, in a little over a month, the Tianying Small World will open. At that time, the major sects and clans of the Eastern Region will all dispatch elite disciples to enter. Our Tianyou Tomb will also send some elite assassins in to search for treasure. You go make the arrangements."
The black-robed figure instructed.
"Yes."
That middle-aged man replied and then walked out of the underground hall.
**The next two days.**
Within the Great Qin Empire and a dozen or so surrounding countries, both large and small, a huge batch of Fifth-Grade Spirit Pills suddenly appeared on auction. Each of these Fifth-Grade Spirit Pills was of perfect quality, and there was a wide variety: some for healing injuries, some for increasing spiritual energy, some for aiding in breaking through cultivation bottlenecks...
Very quickly, these Fifth-Grade Spirit Pills caused a frenzy of bidding among countless martial artists.
**Two days later.**
The Emperor once again arrived at Tianyuan Sect headquarters.
"Grandmaster Ye Yunfei, these are the items you instructed me to purchase."
The Emperor found Ye Yunfei and produced dozens of spatial rings. Each spatial ring was packed full with spirit herbs, spiritual weapons, and other various resources.
"Excellent."
Ye Yunfei took the spatial rings and nodded in approval. He had to admit that having the Imperial Family handle purchasing these things indeed made things very fast.
"By the way, stay here today. Return to the Imperial City tomorrow."
Ye Yunfei said to the Emperor.
"Alright."
The Emperor nodded without asking for reasons. Right now, he obeyed Ye Yunfei's every word, because he knew that only by clinging to Ye Yunfei, this great tree, could the Imperial Family have a more lasting future.
**Inside the small reception hall on the first floor of the pavilion.**
Ye Yunfei took out a massive amount of spirit herbs, filling the entire hall almost to the brim, leaving barely any room to stand.
"Elder Huang, I need your help refining a few types of spirit pills."
Ye Yunfei took out two Pill Cauldrons, placing them at the center of the hall, and spoke to Huang Shang. One of the Pill Cauldrons was the one Huang Shang resided within; the other was a new one Ye Yunfei had the Emperor purchase. Its quality was average, but it would suffice.
"Very well."
Huang Shang drifted out from within the Pill Cauldron.
"The Seventh-grade Qianxuan Pill, Seventh-grade Violet Origin Pill, and Seventh-grade Green Bamboo Pill—these three spirit pills I will refine myself. There are also a few formulas for Sixth-Grade Spirit Pills here, Elder Huang. You take care of those."
"No problem."
Huang Shang nodded.
Thereafter, Ye Yunfei and Huang Shang began taking action to refine pills. Both Pill Cauldrons began blazing with intense pill fires. One spirit herb after another was continuously thrown into the two cauldrons.
"Elder Huang, when controlling the fire, remember, four parts gentle, six parts firm..."
"Elder Huang, your liquid condensation technique can be further improved. Try doing it like this..."
...
Throughout the pill-refining process, Ye Yunfei occasionally gave Huang Shang pointers, imparting some ingenious alchemy techniques or experiences to him.
"Ye Yunfei, your alchemy level is simply too incredible! Even at my peak, I was absolutely no match for you!"
Huang Shang couldn't help but exclaim in shock and admiration.