Witnessing this sudden development, Ye Yunfei's face also changed slightly.
Because Ye Yunfei knew full well the terror of this Celestial Tomb.
In his previous life, when he was a Heavenly Emperor, Ye Yunfei had specifically come to the Cangmang Sea to attack this Celestial Tomb, but was ultimately unable to break in and left disappointed.
Even a Heavenly Emperor couldn't deal with this tomb—imagine how terrifying it was!
'Hun Lao, stand ready to activate the Heavenly Dao Tower at any moment! If this Celestial Tomb really attacks, I won't be able to handle it!'
Ye Yunfei immediately said to Hun Lao.
'You've likely caused big trouble, kid!' Hun Lao also sensed the dreadful aura of the Celestial Tomb before them. Not daring to be negligent, he prepared himself to activate the Heavenly Dao Tower at a moment's notice.
Simultaneously, a large group of Mermaid Clan members, upon receiving the clan leader's orders, immediately rushed over, clustering around Ye Yunfei in a tight formation. As these Mermaids were tomb guardians, the Celestial Tomb normally wouldn't harm them.
'Young Master Ye, let's leave immediately!' a Mermaid elder urged anxiously.
'Alright!' Without hesitation, Ye Yunfei turned and left, moving swiftly away surrounded by the large contingent of Mermaids.
Meanwhile, the Old Clan Leader had already led a large group of his people to kneel before the Celestial Tomb, praying loudly and beseeching the tomb to spare Ye Yunfei.
Even as he swiftly retreated, Ye Yunfei kept his Soul Power trained on the Celestial Tomb. To his pleasant surprise, the tomb seemed to be calming down.
'Clan Leader! Look! There's a figure on the tomb!' Suddenly, a high-ranking Mermaid cried out in astonishment.
'A figure?' The Old Clan Leader immediately looked towards the tomb. All the other Mermaids also turned their gazes that way.
'There is indeed a figure!' Ye Yunfei also heard the Mermaid's exclamation and looked back. Indeed, he saw someone standing atop the Celestial Tomb's peak! It was unclear when they had appeared.
'Who is that?' All the Mermaids and Ye Yunfei were secretly shocked.
It had to be understood that although these Mermaids had guarded this tomb for generations, they had never witnessed any figure appearing upon it. Under normal circumstances, no living being could even approach the tomb, let alone stand on its peak.
In the past, Half-Emperor level powerhouses had come here attempting to invade the tomb, only to be grievously wounded by its terrifying energy the moment they approached, fleeing in a wretched state!
Thus, one could imagine the shock in the Mermaids' hearts upon suddenly seeing a person standing atop the tomb's peak.
Knowing the circumstances of this tomb, Ye Yunfei was also profoundly astonished.
'It seems... to be a woman.' By now, the Celestial Tomb had calmed, no longer releasing its terrifying energy pressure. Ye Yunfei stopped and looked back to scrutinize the figure standing atop the tomb. He perceived a slender, ethereal and graceful figure, seemingly that of a woman as light as a drifting immortal.
However, she was shrouded by a layer of profound, misty immortal fog. Ye Yunfei couldn't make out her true features at all.
'You Mermaids have labored hard all these years. Rise, all of you,' the figure suddenly spoke. As suspected, it was a woman's voice, extremely pleasant to the ear.
As her voice resonated, all the Mermaids kneeling before the tomb were lifted by an irresistible force, instantly standing upright.
The Old Clan Leader and the high-ranking elders exchanged uncertain, bewildered glances, momentarily unsure how to respond.
'Young Master Ye, do you know what this is about? With your strength, can you make out that woman's face?' The Old Clan Leader sent a Sound Transmission to Ye Yunfei.
If Ye Yunfei couldn't see her features clearly, he certainly couldn't either.
'I don't know either,' Ye Yunfei replied after a moment of thought. 'However, I suspect this woman might very well be the master of this Celestial Tomb, or a being connected to its master. In any case, she bears no ill will towards your Mermaid Clan. Just handle the situation carefully; there's no need to be afraid.'
'Mm, I think so too.' Hearing Ye Yunfei's words, the Old Clan Leader nodded, feeling much calmer.
'Thank you for your praise, Immortal Lady. Guarding this tomb is the duty passed down through generations of our Mermaid Clan,' the Old Clan Leader responded clearly.
'Hm.' The woman atop the tomb peak nodded slightly.
'Rest assured, those young members of your clan are unharmed. I brought them into the tomb. Their talents are not bad; I shall nurture them. Consider it a reward for your clan's guardianship all these years,' the woman said softly.
Though her voice was gentle, it clearly and pleasingly reached the ears of every being present.
So that's what happened!
Upon hearing her words, all the Mermaids felt a flash of understanding.
For a time, young Mermaids kept disappearing, worrying the entire clan and prompting exhaustive searches everywhere.
So, those missing young Mermaids had been taken into the tomb by this woman.
'Furthermore, these cultivation resources are a reward for your Mermaid Clan. Cultivate well. The next great upheaval is approaching swiftly. When it arrives, your clan will not be able to remain aloof,' the woman spoke again.
Then, without any discernible movement from her, several space rings shimmering with immortal radiance materialized before the Old Clan Leader.
'Thank you for your gifts, Immortal Lady!' The Old Clan Leader sent a wisp of Soul Power into the rings and discovered they were filled with staggering quantities of various cultivation resources, all of astonishingly precious value. Overcome with excitement, he repeatedly kowtowed in gratitude.
Just then.
Ye Yunfei suddenly felt the woman's gaze shift towards him.
Boom!
Ye Yunfei's body sank, as if an invisible divine mountain had descended from the heavens to press down upon him. He could barely move a muscle.
Then, Ye Yunfei sensed the woman seemed to be perceiving him.
'Interesting. To have a little one who underwent Samsara here. Hmm, your experiences are rather unique as well.' After perceiving Ye Yunfei for a moment, she withdrew her gaze and murmured to herself.
Thereafter, she paid him no further attention.
'Cultivate diligently and strengthen the overall power of your race. The next great upheaval will likely be extremely fearsome. By then, I may not be able to protect your Mermaid Clan.' Her gaze swept over the assembled Mermaids as she spoke slowly.
With that, the woman vanished.
'Clan Leader, it seems the Immortal Lady has returned to the tomb,' a high-ranking elder whispered after a while.
'Truly unexpected. After generations guarding this tomb, who knew an Immortal Lady resided within? It's too shocking,' another elder remarked.
'Enough, everyone. Since the Immortal Lady emerged from the Celestial Tomb, her status is undoubtedly supremely noble. From now on, we shall not discuss her. Understood? Very well, let us return.'
The Old Clan Leader declared with finality.