"This is a Remnant Soul of Patriarch Bei! It's real!"
Within the headquarters of Tianyi Sect, even several reclusive, long-secluded elder figures who normally paid no heed to worldly affairs emerged from their cultivation retreats and rushed before the Soul Force imprint of the former Patriarch Bei Jinhao, shouting in agitation.
"No! Everyone, do not be deceived by this unknown intruder! He is using a profound Illusion Art! This Remnant Soul of Patriarch Bei was fabricated through his illusions, it's not real! He is trying to trick us all!"
Seeing Bei Jinhao's Remnant Soul, Luo Qiantao couldn't help but be greatly alarmed. With his level of cultivation, he naturally perceived immediately that this Remnant Soul truly belonged to Bei Jinhao. But how could he ever admit it? In this situation, he knew he had to cut through the chaos like a hot knife through butter—kill this stranger who had suddenly appeared and destroy Bei Jinhao's Remnant Soul. Only then could he continue concealing the truth of that year.
Luo Qiantao immediately gave a meaningful glance to the three elders standing beside him. These three elders had all been personally promoted by him over the years, new appointees loyal to him.
BOOM…
Luo Qiantao and the three elders didn't hesitate. They attacked instantly, unleashing their energies, blasting towards Ye Yunfei and Bei Jinhao's Remnant Soul.
Luo Qiantao was an intermediate Heavenly Emperor. Of the three elders, one was an initial Heavenly Emperor, and the other two were Half-Emperors. The combined energy pressure unleashed by these four figures was utterly terrifying, instantly shaking heaven and earth and forcing everyone else to hastily retreat.
"All of you, hear my command! This young man is using illusions to deceive us; he must have some ulterior, sinister motive! We must all attack and stop him! Anyone who kills or captures him will be heavily rewarded!" Luo Qiantao roared, his figure flashing as he charged towards Ye Yunfei.
CLANG!
A majestic great steel blade appeared in his hand. It continuously enlarged, transforming in the blink of an eye into a sky-scraping giant saber. Surging, tyrannical saber radiance erupted from it, sweeping towards Ye Yunfei.
The other three elders also unleashed their most formidable techniques and martial skills, transforming them into a torrent of ferocious attacks that reached Ye Yunfei in an instant.
BOOM RUMBLE…
Luo Qiantao unleashed a powerful wave of Soul Force Energy, blasting towards Bei Jinhao's Remnant Soul.
He knew that to prevent the truth of that year from being exposed, he first had to annihilate Bei Jinhao's Remnant Soul. Otherwise, the senior leaders of Tianyi Sect would eventually realize this Remnant Soul was genuine, and they would inevitably learn how he had ambushed and killed Bei Jinhao all those years ago.
Upon Luo Qiantao's demand, the three elders hesitated briefly, then immediately released their own Soul Force Energy, pouring it all towards Bei Jinhao's Remnant Soul.
"Patriarch Luo, what are you doing?! That's my father!"
Bei Jiajia, seeing this, was aghast. Her figure flashed as she rushed forward, trying to block the attacks from Luo Qiantao and the three elders.
Her intuition told her this Remnant Soul of Bei Jinhao was real. That familiar feeling born from kinship, that innate sense of connection—it couldn't be faked.
In this moment, she too began to suspect Luo Qiantao!
Under Luo Qiantao's orders, several other high-level members of Tianyi Sect also attacked directly, charging towards Ye Yunfei.
Watching as a barrage of ferocious attacks was about to strike Ye Yunfei and Bei Jinhao's Remnant Soul in the next instant, Ye Yunfei had no reaction whatsoever. His hands were clasped behind his back as he stood there calmly, not moving an inch.
"So, this guy is a worthless bag of hot air. That's perfect. Kill him, then annihilate Bei Jinhao's Remnant Soul. With no living evidence, this matter can be laid to rest."
Seeing Ye Yunfei standing motionless as if completely unable to resist, Luo Qiantao secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
The next moment…
BOOM BOOM…
The storm of fierce attacks slammed directly onto Ye Yunfei's body.
Instantly, everyone was dumbstruck. All those attacks hitting Ye Yunfei's form was like mud sinking into the sea—there was not the slightest reaction, like fists striking cotton.
Meanwhile, all the bursts of Soul Force Energy aimed at Bei Jinhao's Remnant Soul seemed to vanish without a trace in an instant.
And so, without Ye Yunfei so much as twitching a finger, every single attack instantly became ineffective.
"How is this possible?!"
Luo Qiantao and the three elders were the first to realize something was very wrong. They discovered this stranger before them seemed terrifyingly powerful, far beyond anything they had imagined!
"Luo Qiantao, you beast! Even reduced to a mere Remnant Soul, you still won't let me be! In vain I once treated you like a blood brother, poured every resource into cultivating you, and personally promoted you to vice-patriarch! Yet you, this beast, repaid kindness with treachery, ambushing me on the battlefield, striking me dead! Then you retreated mid-battle and ran back to the headquarters to seize the position of patriarch! You beast! I must have been blind to misjudge a person like you!"
Seeing Luo Qiantao attacking his Remnant Soul, Bei Jinhao couldn't contain his fury, pointing at Luo Qiantao as he cursed vehemently.
Hearing Bei Jinhao's words, everyone froze.
"Luo Qiantao, what is the meaning of this?! Is what my father said true?! Did you ambush and kill him on the battlefield that year?!"
Bei Jiajia, who had already rushed to Bei Jinhao's side, pointed at Luo Qiantao and loudly demanded an answer.
"You are not Patriarch Bei's Remnant Soul! You are a fake! Who are you?! Why do you use illusions to bewilder us?! What are your true intentions?!" Luo Qiantao's face underwent drastic changes. Suddenly, he pointed at Ye Yunfei and shouted in furious accusation.
"Everyone, your Soul Force Energy isn't strong enough to see through this man's trickery! This Remnant Soul of Patriarch Bei is fake, created from illusion energy! My Soul Force Energy is strong; I can sense this clearly! This person has come specifically to sow discord and divide our Tianyi Sect! Don't believe a word he says!" Luo Qiantao added hastily.
"No! I dare to swear my father's Remnant Soul is real! Luo Qiantao, you are the liar!" Bei Jiajia yelled.
Ye Yunfei stood to the side, a cold smile on his lips, saying nothing.
With Ye Yunfei's strength, dealing with this Luo Qiantao was truly simple—one slap was enough to annihilate him.
But Ye Yunfei planned to expose his true face first, then support Bei Jiajia in ascending as Tianyi Sect's patriarch. That would also fulfill the promise to Bei Jinhao.
"Elder Xiao, remember the year we explored the Little Sky Realm together? When I was attacked by that ferocious magical beast, and you took the blow from its claw for me in that crucial moment? Otherwise, my head would have been pulverized by that beast long ago. Thank you."
Bei Jinhao's gaze suddenly turned towards a white-haired elder of Tianyi Sect as he spoke with a smile.
"Patriarch Bei! It really is you, Patriarch Bei!"
The white-haired elder trembled upon hearing these words, crying out in excitement.
Because the incident in the Little Sky Realm that year was known only to him and Bei Jinhao; they had never mentioned it to a third person afterwards.
"Elder Liang, your Soul Body hasn't experienced any pain in recent years, has it? The hereditary Soul Force forbidden technique of our Tianyi Sect has formidable power, but the cultivation process is rather intricate. One wrong step can easily injure the Soul Body."
Bei Jinhao's gaze now fell on another elder as he spoke with a smile.
"Patriarch Bei! It really is you! Thank you, Patriarch Bei, for helping me heal my Soul Body injury that year and guiding me onto the proper path of Soul Power cultivation!"
Hearing these words, that elder also became immediately agitated, confirming that the one before him was indeed the Remnant Soul of Bei Jinhao.
Because that year, while cultivating one of Tianyi Sect's hereditary Soul Force forbidden techniques, he almost went berserk due to qi deviation. In that perilous moment, it was Bei Jinhao who intervened just in time to save him.
This incident was known only to the two of them—it couldn't be faked!
Following that, Bei Jinhao directed a few short statements towards several other Tianyi Sect high-level figures, each remark touching upon extremely private or confidential matters.
After hearing Bei Jinhao's words, these senior members of Tianyi Sect also instantly realized that the Remnant Soul before them truly was Bei Jinhao's. It wasn't fake.
"Father, you really are Father! Not fake, but real!"
With this, Bei Jiajia became even more certain—the one before her eyes was indeed a Remnant Soul left behind by her father.
"Jiajia, I am indeed your father. I never imagined I would be able to return and see you again." Bei Jinhao gazed at his daughter, his face filled with affection.
"Jiajia, quickly thank Young Master Ye. If he hadn't been willing to intervene and assist, our father and daughter would likely never have had this chance to meet." Bei Jinhao said to Bei Jiajia.
"Thank you, Young Master Ye, for your aid!"
Bei Jiajia immediately bowed to Ye Yunfei in thanks.
"No need for such formality. Since I promised Patriarch Bei, it was only natural for me to do my utmost." Ye Yunfei replied with a smile.
"Luo Qiantao! Now what do you have to say for yourself?! To think that my father died by the hand of a beast like you! After all my father did for you back then, cultivating you personally! Yet you harbored such monstrous ambition and ambushed him! How can you face your own conscience?!"
Bei Jiajia suddenly pointed at Luo Qiantao, launching into a furious tirade.
Indeed, events had progressed to this point. Everyone surrounding them understood: if the Remnant Soul of Bei Jinhao before them was real, then the words Bei Jinhao spoke were naturally also true.
The former patriarch had been killed by Luo Qiantao all along!
The gazes of many in the crowd toward Luo Qiantao began to shift.
"Everyone! Patri—I mean, Sect Leader Luo, is now the Sect Leader of our Tianyi Sect! Sect Leader Luo is an intermediate Heavenly Emperor, one of the most powerful experts in the Xianling Realm! He is undoubtedly capable of leading our Tianyi Sect to continuous growth and development, becoming one of the strongest factions across the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds!
Whereas Bei Jinhao is just a Remnant Soul, and Bei Jiajia only possesses Half-Emperor strength. Their words are simply not worthy of our trust! Back on the battlefield that year, Bei Jinhao was killed by the enemy, leaving only a Remnant Soul. Now he has this stranger bring his Remnant Soul back, wanting to join forces with Bei Jiajia—father and daughter working from inside and outside to re-seize the patriarch position! Such good fortune won't happen so easily!
Everyone, don't hesitate! Now, Bei Jinhao and his daughter have become traitors to our Tianyi Sect! Capture them immediately!"
At that moment, one of the elders standing beside Luo Qiantao took a step forward, pointing at the father-daughter pair as he proclaimed loudly.
WHOOSH!
Hearing this elder's words, Ye Yunfei raised a hand. A powerful suction force materialized, instantly dragging that elder over by force, holding him in the palm of his hand.
With a light tremble—PFFT!—all the meridians, channels, and dantian within that elder's body were shattered, completely crippling his cultivation.
"By your own logic, the words of whoever is strongest are the truth. So now that you are a cripple, what credibility do your words hold?" Ye Yunfei gave a cold chuckle and casually tossed the elder to the ground beside him.
"Ahhhh...! You... you actually crippled my cultivation!" The elder immediately began to wail in anguish.
"Alright, let's not waste my time. End this farce.
You three, come here."
Ye Yunfei gestured towards Luo Qiantao and the two remaining elders beside him, unleashing another powerful suction force.
He directly dragged all three of them over by force.
In their terror, Luo Qiantao and the two elders struggled desperately, but it was utterly futile. Their bodies were no longer under their control. They were directly pulled before Ye Yunfei, then completely sealed and suspended in mid-air.
"Patriarch Bei, Miss Bei, how do you wish to deal with these three traitors?" Ye Yunfei asked, smiling.
"So strong!"
The other Tianyi Sect senior leaders witnessing Ye Yunfei's effortless display were all thoroughly intimidated. No one dared to move a muscle.
"Everyone, do you believe Luo Qiantao's words, or do you believe mine?"
Bei Jinhao slowly swept his gaze across the gathered Tianyi Sect high-level figures before asking.
"Patriarch Bei! I certainly believe you! Back in your days at Tianyi Sect, you treated us all like sworn brothers and showered us with grace. Whatever the circumstances, I always choose to believe you!"
That Elder Liang who had spoken earlier was the first to step forward, declaring loudly.
"Patriarch Bei, I believe you! Knowing you for so long, having gone through countless life-and-death battles with you—do I not know your character by now?"
The white-haired elder also stepped forward to express his stance.
One by one, more and more high-level members stepped forward, voicing their support for Bei Jinhao.
Everyone clearly understood in their hearts: even though Bei Jinhao was now merely a Remnant Soul, extremely weak in strength, the stranger he had brought back was far too terrifying. Defeating Luo Qiantao with a single gesture meant that probably the entire leadership of Tianyi Sect combined wouldn't be a match for this person!
In the end, every single senior leader of Tianyi Sect chose to stand on Bei Jinhao's side.
Seeing this scene, Luo Qiantao's face turned ashen with despair. He knew he was finished.
Of course, he knew Bei Jinhao's ability to return to the headquarters and successfully overturn the situation was entirely due to the stranger standing before him!
Finally, Ye Yunfei personally crippled Luo Qiantao and the two elders.
Then, Ye Yunfei made another move, exterminating all the confidants and subordinates Luo Qiantao had nurtured over the years. Not a single one was left.
Thus, Luo Qiantao's power base within Tianyi Sect was completely eradicated.
Ye Yunfei gathered all the Tianyi Sect senior leaders and had them pledge support for Bei Jiajia to become sect leader, to assist her fully in the future.
The strength Ye Yunfei had displayed was simply too fearsome; these Tianyi Sect leaders didn't dare utter even half a word of refusal.
Besides, the presence of a genuine Remnant Soul of Bei Jinhao also meant the sect's high-ranking members harbored no resistance towards Bei Jiajia.
Finally, Ye Yunfei personally took action. In the deepest reaches of Tianyi Sect's headquarters, he set up several Formations specifically designed to nourish and warm Soul Bodies. He had Bei Jinhao's Remnant Soul reside within these Formations, allowing it to be nourished slowly over time.
"Patriarch Bei, if an opportunity arises in the future, I will go to that battlefield and retrieve the Remnant Soul you left there. Then your Remnant Soul can become much stronger.
Perhaps afterwards, you can linger in this world for an extended period, akin to being alive." Ye Yunfei said to Bei Jinhao.
"Young Master Ye! Thank you! You are my great benefactor!"
Bei Jinhao expressed endless thanks to Ye Yunfei.
"Young Master Ye, from now on, our Tianyi Sect shall obey your commands completely! Whenever you have any tasks requiring our sect, simply send word directly to me!"
Bei Jiajia, standing nearby, declared respectfully.
"Yes, Young Master Ye. This is a decision reached by Jiajia and I, along with our fellow leaders of Tianyi Sect after discussion. Our Tianyi Sect wishes to follow and serve you!" Bei Jinhao added immediately.
Bei Jinhao and Bei Jiajia had indeed discussed this with the other Tianyi Sect leaders. After deliberation, everyone unanimously agreed that Ye Yunfei was possibly a Mystic Immortal, or perhaps an expert with even greater strength. Therefore, they had all consented for Tianyi Sect to pledge allegiance to Ye Yunfei!
Because the situation in the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds was relatively complex right now. Powerhouses from the Primary World and various Special Worlds were continually emerging. Furthermore, the Dark Faction was also openly appearing, vying for territory everywhere. An era of chaos had truly begun. For ordinary major powers like Tianyi Sect, aligning themselves with a powerful backer would naturally be a good thing.
"Very well. If I ever require Tianyi Sect for any task, I will send word."
After a moment's consideration, Ye Yunfei didn't refuse the offer. He retrieved a self-crafted transmission jade slip, handing it to Bei Jiajia, then bid farewell to them both. Turning around, he took a single step and vanished completely.