"You should enter your space treasure to cultivate. Time is more ample inside," the dark figure said.
"As expected of an immortal realm powerhouse. He must have long since seen through everything you have on you," Hun Lao couldn't help but exclaim.
"Understood. I shall go in now," Ye Yunfei replied respectfully before entering the Phantom Tower and sitting down cross-legged.
"First, read and study the Heart Sutra manual carefully. I will then guide your cultivation," the dark figure transmitted via Sound Transmission to Ye Yunfei.
Following that, Ye Yunfei secluded himself within the Phantom Tower to cultivate the Heart Sutra.
During this process, the dark figure would occasionally guide Ye Yunfei's cultivation through Sound Transmission.
Ye Yunfei discovered that this dark figure possessed astonishing attainments in Mental Force energy. Often with just a few words, he would directly point out the essentials, enlightening him instantly.
"Mental Force energy is a mysterious energy more profound and elusive than Soul Force Energy. Soul Force Energy is the energy of the Soul Body; it is observable and palpable. Almost all living beings possess Soul Force Energy, as the Soul Body perceives the outside world through it. Mental Force energy, on the other hand, is a rare and intangible energy born from thought and will. To put it simply, it is power conjured by the mind. One simply needs to think and intend, and the energy is born."
Under the dark figure's guidance, Ye Yunfei's understanding of Mental Force energy grew increasingly deeper.
However, Mental Force energy was reputed as one of the hardest types of energy to cultivate in the world. Understanding was one thing; being able to truly cultivate it was another.
Inside the Phantom Tower, Ye Yunfei sat cross-legged on the ground, motionless like an old monk deep in meditation. According to the Heart Sutra's techniques, he practiced over and over.
He discovered that truly condensing Mental Force energy was incredibly, incredibly difficult!
Unknowingly, over a dozen years passed inside the Phantom Tower, yet Ye Yunfei still could not condense any Mental Force energy.
"When cultivating Mental Force energy, the hardest part is the initial entry phase. This is the decisive stage. If you cannot condense Mental Force energy, you can never cultivate it. But once you successfully condense it, subsequent cultivation becomes much easier. Most importantly, you must not rush the cultivation of Mental Force energy. The more impatient you are, the less likely you are to succeed. Because Mental Force energy is, in essence, power born from thought and will. If you cannot control your own thoughts and will, keeping them calm and stable, you will be unable to condense Mental Force energy if your mind is restless and agitated."
Just as Ye Yunfei was starting to feel impatient and somewhat restless, the dark figure's transmitted voice resounded within Ye Yunfei's Soul Sea.
"Exactly! At its core, Mental Force energy is a special power born from a living being's thoughts and will. If one cannot even control their own thoughts and will, it is impossible to give birth to Mental Force energy!"
Hearing this, Ye Yunfei felt a jolt of realization.
Afterward, Ye Yunfei began to calm himself, gradually entering a state of unity with all things.
Outside the Small World.
"That kid has been holed up in there for over a month now and still hasn't come out! Could he be dead inside? Even we dare not enter this Small World. That kid staying inside could get himself killed at any moment," one of the Heavenly Emperors, having grown impatient from the long wait, couldn't help but say. The Soul Emperor and the dozen-plus Heavenly Emperor experts had not left, continuing to guard the Small World entrance.
"No. That kid isn't dead yet. I can still sense his Soul Body inside," the Soul Emperor shook his head and said gravely.
"This kid's life is truly tenacious! He barged into this terrifying Small World and hasn't had an accident yet. But if he never comes out, do we just wait here indefinitely? I don't have that much time to waste on him!" another Heavenly Emperor complained.
"I don't believe he'll stay in there forever! He'll surely come out, and it won't be long. This Small World is too dangerous; he can't possibly stay inside for an extended period! Most likely, this kid knows we're guarding the outside and has found a safe spot to hide. He's waiting for us to leave before sneaking out. Alright then, let's all conceal ourselves, restrain our auras, and wait quietly for him to emerge. Once that kid can't sense our auras, he'll think we've left. At that time, he'll definitely come out!" the Soul Emperor pondered for a moment and said.
"Very well, we'll wait a little longer," the other Heavenly Emperors nodded.
These Heavenly Emperors harbored intense killing intent towards Ye Yunfei; they were not willing to give up without killing him. Subsequently, the Heavenly Emperors began to employ various techniques to conceal their auras, hiding within space itself without a trace.
Inside the Phantom Tower.
Unknowingly, another ten-plus years passed.
One day.
"It seems I've condensed a wisp of Mental Force energy!" Suddenly, Ye Yunfei, who had been meditating with his eyes closed, revealed an expression of ecstasy and couldn't help but whisper excitedly.
"Not bad. This young man has condensed Mental Force energy! I have finally encountered a young man with talent in Mental Force!" Deep within the Small World, inside the ancient tomb, the dark figure looked at Ye Yunfei within the Phantom Tower and nodded in appreciation.
"Continue cultivating. For now, you've only condensed a single wisp of Mental Force energy, which is far from enough," the dark figure transmitted to Ye Yunfei.
"I understand, Senior," Ye Yunfei heard and immediately reined in his excitement, continuing his cultivation.
After condensing that wisp of Mental Force energy, Ye Yunfei felt his cultivation had become somewhat easier.
Following that, Ye Yunfei condensed more and more Mental Force energy.
Time flew by, and another ten-plus years passed within the Phantom Tower.
By now, Ye Yunfei had achieved a certain level of skill in Mental Force energy. With a mere thought, he could produce a considerable amount of Mental Force energy.
"Good, you now possess a certain amount of Mental Force energy. Next, I will teach you how to employ it for combat," the dark figure's transmitted voice suddenly echoed in Ye Yunfei's Soul Sea at this moment.
"Thank you, Senior!" Ye Yunfei promptly replied.
From then on, the dark figure began instructing Ye Yunfei on how to utilize Mental Force energy.
"Mental Force energy has a characteristic: it is very difficult to defend against. It can be said that the majority of beings in the world do not know how to defend against it and can only endure it head-on. Using Mental Force energy suddenly during battle, invading the opponent's body and restraining their movements, can often yield miraculous results. Furthermore, Mental Force energy has another wondrous effect: it can forcibly control the opponent's will, causing them to lose their focus instantly."
The dark figure explained in detail to Ye Yunfei.
"Truly remarkable!" Ye Yunfei listened joyfully.
Ye Yunfei believed that after mastering Mental Force energy, his combat prowess would increase substantially.