"Haha...
If it weren't for your timely arrival, I might not have been able to enter the Tianying Ancestral Land so smoothly. To be honest, I owe my return to peak condition to your help."
Tianying Wang laughed heartily, radiating with vigor and vitality now that he had regained his former supreme strength.
"You flatter me, Tianying Wang," Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
He understood that Tianying Wang's rapid recovery to his peak must have involved some tremendous opportunity within the Tianying Ancient Hall. However, Ye Yunfei did not inquire further, as this was a secret of the Tianying Clan.
When Ye Yunfei first encountered Tianying Wang on the Tianxuan Continent, he was merely a remnant soul. Yet by their next meeting, he was already a Half-Emperor expert.
One could say Tianying Wang's cultivation speed was astonishing—not inferior to Ye Yunfei's in the slightest, and perhaps even superior!
Having once been an expert at the Heavenly Emperor level himself, Tianying Wang possessed the vision, knowledge, and cultivation experience of that realm. His starting point was on par with Ye Yunfei's.
"Tianying Wang, let me introduce you to an Elder," Ye Yunfei suddenly said.
"Introduce an Elder to me?" Tianying Wang was taken aback.
"Yes. Moreover, this Elder is from your Tianying Clan."
Ye Yunfei nodded with a smile.
"An Elder from our Tianying Clan? Where?"
Tianying Wang was both shocked and overjoyed at Ye Yunfei's words and immediately asked.
After all, the Tianying Clan had suffered a near-extinction calamity in the past, with countless clansmen dead or injured. The survivors now were only a small portion.
Thus, increasing the clan's population was the Tianying Clan's most urgent priority.
At such a time, having an ancient Elder of the clan return would undoubtedly be a great boon.
Ye Yunfei focused his mind and teleported a grey-robed elder from the Heavenly Dao Pagoda.
This grey-robed elder had been confined within a palace on the second floor of the Heavenly Dao Pagoda and was a Half-Emperor expert—one of the hundred Half-Emperor experts under Ye Yunfei's command.
He was a member of the Tianying Clan, and it was he who had imparted the Hidden Shadow Secret Art to Ye Yunfei.
"Elder, let me introduce someone to you. This is the current Tianying Wang," Ye Yunfei said, smiling at the grey-robed elder.
"The current Tianying Wang?"
The grey-robed elder was somewhat surprised. Following Ye Yunfei's words, his gaze immediately turned toward Tianying Wang.
As an ancient powerhouse of the Tianying Clan, he was naturally very familiar with its members and could instantly identify which Tianying clansman present was most likely Tianying Wang.
"He truly is a powerhouse of our Tianying Clan!"
Tianying Wang and the ten elders of the Tianying Clan stared at the grey-robed elder, sensing the energy aura emanating from his body, expressions of excitement appearing on their faces.
"You... are Elder Yueying!
The clan records contain information about you, including your appearance and soul body aura."
Suddenly, one of the elders stepped forward and asked in a trembling voice, seeming to recognize the grey-robed elder's identity.
This elder was currently in charge of the Tianying Clan's genealogical records and thus was quite familiar with some of the clan's ancient members.
Elder Yueying!
Upon hearing this elder's words, Tianying Wang and the other nine elders were greatly startled, recalling an ancient elder of the Tianying Clan.
"That's right. I am indeed Elder Yueying."
The grey-robed elder, gazing upon so many clansmen of the Tianying Clan before him, was also somewhat moved. He nodded, acknowledging his identity.
"So it truly is Elder Yueying! Welcome back, Elder Yueying!"
Seeing the grey-robed elder nod, Tianying Wang said excitedly.
Now was precisely the time when the Tianying Clan needed more capable members. The sudden return of an ancient elder would enhance the clan's overall strength even further!
"Elder Yueying, you suddenly went missing back then. Our Tianying Clan dispatched many search parties to look for you, but we never found any trace.
Elder Yueying, what exactly happened back then?"
The elder who had recognized Elder Yueying asked curiously.
"To tell the truth, it was simply my own misfortune. Back then, I unintentionally offended a Heavenly Emperor-level powerhouse, who captured and imprisoned me, holding me captive until now."
Elder Yueying sighed, then replied.
Captured and imprisoned by a Heavenly Emperor-level powerhouse?
Upon hearing Elder Yueying's words, Tianying Wang and the ten elders were all stunned.
Hearing this, Ye Yunfei immediately knew that the Heavenly Emperor-level powerhouse Elder Yueying spoke of was none other than Great Emperor Gu Huang.
"Which powerhouse exactly dares to capture a member of our Tianying Clan! Elder Yueying, who is this powerhouse? I shall seek justice on your behalf! Our Tianying Clan is not one to be bullied!"
Tianying Wang's expression turned furious as he asked.
"Although this Tianying Wang is now a Heavenly Emperor-level expert, seeking justice from Great Emperor Gu Huang would be utterly impossible. Gu Huang's strength far surpasses his."
Hun Lao listened to Tianying Wang's words and sneered coldly.
"Forget it. That powerhouse has long since disappeared, his whereabouts unknown. Besides, I truly provoked him first back then."
Elder Yueying glanced at Ye Yunfei, then shook his head.
In his heart, he had long since regarded Ye Yunfei as Great Emperor Gu Huang's successor.
During this period of following Ye Yunfei, he had witnessed with his own eyes the young man's astonishing growth speed and displayed talent.
This was a rare, monstrous young genius in this world!
He knew Ye Yunfei would undoubtedly become a top-tier powerhouse within the Three Thousand Worlds in the future!
He could also tell that Ye Yunfei shared a good relationship with Tianying Wang.
Therefore, he hoped the Tianying Clan could befriend this monstrous young genius, Ye Yunfei, rather than become his enemy.
"Elder Yueying, do not worry. A Heavenly Emperor-level powerhouse cannot intimidate our Tianying Clan! Who exactly is that powerhouse..."
Tianying Wang asked. He believed Elder Yueying refused to speak out of reluctance to bring a powerful enemy upon the Tianying Clan.
"Let it be. The events of the past are over. I no longer wish to pursue the matter."
Before Tianying Wang could finish, Elder Yueying waved his hand.
"Hmph, at least this old fellow knows what's appropriate," Hun Lao remarked.
"Well... all right."
Seeing Elder Yueying's resolute attitude, Tianying Wang could only nod and cease his inquiries.
Although he was Tianying Wang, this Elder Yueying held a seniority higher than even his.
"Elder Yueying, from now on, you should remain within the Tianying Realm and assist Tianying Wang," Ye Yunfei said, smiling at Elder Yueying.
"Young Master Ye..."
Hearing Ye Yunfei's words, Elder Yueying trembled slightly.
He understood Ye Yunfei's meaning—he was being granted his freedom.
He was still under Ye Yunfei's control, as the young master held a token that could command his life or death.
"The Tianying Clan and Tianying Wang need you.
As I understand it, you possess certain lost cultivation methods and legacies of the Tianying Clan. These can now be utilized to allow the clan to develop and prosper."
Ye Yunfei nodded toward Elder Yueying.
Lost cultivation methods and legacies!
Hearing Ye Yunfei's words, Tianying Wang and the ten elders trembled involuntarily, their expressions filled with ecstatic joy.
It was true; after the near-extinction calamity, many of the Tianying Clan's cultivation techniques and legacies had indeed been lost.
"Very well. Thank you, Young Master Ye!"
Elder Yueying said gratefully.
"All right, Tianying Wang, honorable elders, now that your Tianying Clan has successfully returned to your ancestral land, my business here is done. It is time I took my leave," Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
"Young Master Ye, wait!
This time, the Tianying Clan's smooth return to our ancestral land is greatly indebted to your assistance. These items are a small token of our clan's gratitude."
Tianying Wang hastily spoke, flicking his fingers and sending ten spatial rings before Ye Yunfei.
"Are these Shadow Crystals?"
Ye Yunfei sensed the ten spatial rings, withdrawing a grey crystal from one of them as he asked.
"Yes.
Young Master Ye, these are our Tianying Clan's specialty—Shadow Crystals.
They are treasures specifically used to cultivate movement speed and techniques. After refining and absorbing these Shadow Crystals, the Hidden Shadow Secret Art I imparted to you can reach an even higher level.
Unfortunately, you are not a member of our Tianying Clan. Only those possessing our Tianying bloodline have the potential to cultivate the Hidden Shadow Secret Art to its highest realm," Elder Yueying said to Ye Yunfei.
Hidden Shadow Secret Art!
Hearing Elder Yueying's words, Tianying Wang and the ten Tianying Clan elders were greatly astonished.
The Hidden Shadow Secret Art was one of the Tianying Clan's core legacies, yet it had been lost.
Who would have thought this Elder Yueying possessed the Hidden Shadow Secret Art and had even imparted it to Ye Yunfei?
"The Tianying Clan's bloodline..."
Upon hearing Elder Yueying's words, an idea sparked in Ye Yunfei's mind. His gaze turned toward Tianying Wang.
After all, Tianying Wang's bloodline was undoubtedly the most supreme within the entire clan.
"Tianying Wang, might I borrow some of your Bloodline Essence?" Ye Yunfei pondered briefly before asking directly.
The Chaotic God Vein possessed a miraculous function—the ability to fuse with the bloodlines of various races and make them its own!
"Borrow my bloodline?" Tianying Wang was taken aback.
"Very well."
Tianying Wang thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement. With a wave of his hand, a small portion of his Bloodline Essence flew from his body, landing before Ye Yunfei.
Seeing Ye Yunfei request Tianying Wang's Bloodline Essence, Elder Yueying and the other ten elders found it somewhat strange, but they restrained themselves from asking.
"Thank you."
Ye Yunfei retrieved a jade vial and stored Tianying Wang's Bloodline Essence within.
"I intend to go into seclusion for a while," Ye Yunfei said.
He planned to first fuse with this Bloodline Essence.
Subsequently, Ye Yunfei found a quiet palace within the Tianying Ancestral Land, entered it, and then proceeded into the Phantom Tower to begin fusing with Tianying Wang's bloodline.
Utilizing the Chaotic God Vein, Ye Yunfei successfully fused with Tianying Wang's Bloodline Essence not long after.
Next, Ye Yunfei withdrew a large batch of Shadow Crystals and began cultivating the Hidden Shadow Secret Art.
Having fused with the Tianying Clan's Bloodline Essence and combined it with the Shadow Crystals, Ye Yunfei discovered that his cultivation of the Hidden Shadow Secret Art was exceptionally effective!
Roughly a year passed within the Phantom Tower before Ye Yunfei ended his seclusion.
This year of cultivation had resulted in a qualitative leap in Ye Yunfei's mastery of the Hidden Shadow Secret Art!
His movement speed had increased dramatically!
Moreover, he could utilize the Hidden Shadow Secret Art to conceal his aura even more perfectly!
One could say that now, as long as Ye Yunfei employed the Hidden Shadow Secret Art, Half-Emperor-level experts would absolutely be unable to detect his traces!
Even more astonishingly, for a short period, even Heavenly Emperor-level experts might not be able to instantly lock onto Ye Yunfei's figure!
"I've gained another trump card."
Ye Yunfei was highly satisfied with these results.