Even as they felt grateful, the five elders suddenly thought of another issue: the fact that Ye Yunfei could actually produce insights of the Heavenly Emperor level implied that behind Ye Yunfei might stand a Heavenly Emperor, or that he was a descendant of one, or perhaps he had inherited an emperor's legacy!
In any case, each of these possibilities indicated that Ye Yunfei's origins were terrifying!
Within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, any force or being connected to a Heavenly Emperor was a fearsome existence that no one dared to provoke!
"Everyone, Young Master Ye's background is definitely not simple!" the Great Elder sent a mental message to the other four elders.
"Actually, regardless of Young Master Ye's origins, he has done us a great kindness. We, the Celestial Gold Race, must never forget this! From now on, Young Master Ye is one of our own!" the Third Elder said.
"That goes without saying," the Great Elder nodded.
"Elders, I'm preparing to leave now. I entrust the people of the Mao Clan to your care," Ye Yunfei said after a moment's thought.
Ye Yunfei knew that he had many enemies. Staying too long within the Celestial Gold Race's territory might bring trouble to them.
"Young Master Ye, where do you plan to go?" the Great Elder asked.
"I intend to go to the Golden Crow Sect headquarters and take a look," Ye Yunfei said after considering for a moment.
Last time, Ye Yunfei had captured a group of Golden Crow Sect members in the Tianhuang Demon Forest, including an Elder Qiu. After obtaining the Profound Yellow Demon Fire in the Tianhuang Demon Forest, Ye Yunfei had entered the Phantom Tower to interrogate Elder Qiu, pressing him on whether he knew of any other exotic fires on the Feixian Continent. He learned that there was indeed an exotic fire within the Golden Crow Sect's headquarters.
Therefore, Ye Yunfei wanted to go to the Golden Crow Sect headquarters to see if he could obtain that exotic fire.
Such was the world of martial artists: competing for resources, vying for opportunities, survival of the fittest. Even Ye Yunfei was no exception!
"To the Golden Crow Sect headquarters? Young Master Ye, do you have grievances with the Golden Crow Sect as well? If so, we five old coots will go with you. The strength of the Golden Crow Sect is not much weaker than that of the Sword Emperor Pavilion. Going alone, you might not be able to handle them," the Great Elder said quickly upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, worried that Ye Yunfei might come to harm going alone.
"Yes, Young Master Ye, we five should go together," the other four elders nodded in agreement.
"That won't be necessary. A mere Golden Crow Sect, I can handle it myself. Don't worry, elders, I won't act without certainty," Ye Yunfei smiled.
The Heavenly Dao Tower held captive one hundred Half-Emperor experts whom Ye Yunfei could command at will—enough to crush the Golden Crow Sect. Truly, he had nothing to fear from them.
"Young Master Ye..." The Great Elder was still uneasy and wanted to say more.
"Great Elder, there's no need. I'll be fine, rest assured. Alright, I'm off now." Ye Yunfei waved his hand, bid farewell to the five elders, soared into the air, retrieved the Green Flying Boat, and flew out of the Tianjin Forbidden Land.
"Everyone, do you think Young Master Ye can handle the Golden Crow Sect? Should we follow to assist him?" the Fifth Elder asked, watching the receding green flying boat.
"Don't worry. Young Master Ye is not a reckless person. His vision, insight, and his wealth of experience and knowledge are likely even greater than ours five combined. So we truly don't need to worry about him," the Great Elder said softly.
"Yes, before Young Master Ye, even I, an old fellow, feel inferior. I have confidence in him. However, for the sake of caution, we should send out scouts to gather information about the Golden Crow Sect. We five should also be prepared. If we receive any bad news, we will immediately go to assist Young Master Ye," the Third Elder said after a moment's thought.
"Good, let's do that," the Great Elder nodded.
By now, Ye Yunfei had already left the Tianjin Forbidden Land far behind and was heading towards the Golden Crow Sect headquarters.
Inside the Phantom Tower, Ye Yunfei came before Elder Qiu.
"Tell me about the strength of your Golden Crow Sect," Ye Yunfei asked coldly.
"Young man, what are you planning? Do you intend to go against our Golden Crow Sect?" Elder Qiu was somewhat shocked by the question.
"You don't need to concern yourself. If you want to live, just answer my questions seriously. Otherwise, don't blame me for being impolite," Ye Yunfei said coldly.
"Young man, I bear you no grudge..." Elder Qiu felt unwilling. A dignified elder of the Golden Crow Sect had become a prisoner of a young junior—it made him feel utterly stifled.
"Keep talking nonsense, and you'll get to taste my poison pill," Ye Yunfei grew impatient, taking out a black pill as a threat.
"Alright, I'll talk." Seeing the poison pill in Ye Yunfei's hand, Elder Qiu paled, instantly sobering up. Last time, when Ye Yunfei had interrogated him, he had already been forced to experience the effects of that poison pill. The terrifying torment that targeted both body and soul body, the feeling of being unable to live or die, the despair-inducing agony—he did not want to experience it again.
"There are a total of nine Half-Emperor experts in our Golden Crow Sect. Among them, there is one Perfected Half-Emperor, two Advanced Half-Emperors, three Intermediate Half-Emperors, and three Initial Half-Emperors. As for ordinary elders at the Heavenly Boundary Realm level, there are at least several hundred. That is the upper echelon strength of our Golden Crow Sect," Elder Qiu said, glancing at Ye Yunfei with a hint of pride in his heart. He thought such a terrifying overall strength should intimidate Ye Yunfei. To his disappointment, however, Ye Yunfei showed no reaction at all upon hearing his words, appearing utterly calm.
In truth, a mere nine Half-Emperor experts were nothing remarkable to Ye Yunfei anymore.
"This kid simply doesn't cry until he sees the coffin. Hmph, if he really dares to provoke our Golden Crow Sect, he will surely die!" Elder Qiu secretly thought. He even felt a sliver of hope that Ye Yunfei would indeed go and provoke the Golden Crow Sect, which might give him a chance to be rescued.
"Now tell me about your Golden Crow Sect's exotic fire," Ye Yunfei asked again.
"Our Golden Crow Sect headquarters holds an exotic fire called the Heavenly Sun Flame. It is said to be a type of heaven fire among the exotic fires. That Heavenly Sun Flame has been passed down through generations of our sect, inherited from a very ancient past," Elder Qiu had no choice but to answer truthfully.
"The Heavenly Sun Flame is a fairly good heaven fire. Now I have four exotic fires; obtaining one more will make five. With five exotic fires, I can cultivate the Profound Fire Art," Ye Yunfei revealed a smile upon hearing this, feeling some anticipation. The Profound Fire Art was an exceptionally powerful technique. By mixing five or more exotic fires together and combusting them instantly, the released energy could scorch heaven and earth!
"Where within the Golden Crow Sect headquarters is the Heavenly Sun Flame hidden?" Ye Yunfei pressed.
"It is hidden beneath the foundations of the Heavenly Sun Pagoda. The Heavenly Sun Pagoda is a sacred cultivation ground for our sect's disciples. Usually, many disciples cultivate there, absorbing yang-attribute energy," Elder Qiu answered.
"I see," Ye Yunfei nodded.