"Good. Our Dark Realm does not need to contact the Dark Faction."
Lü Dandan nodded.
"I have received news that the Dark Faction plans to launch another World-Destroying War. A terrifying conflict between them and the Light Faction is inevitable in the near future," the pitch-black creature reported.
"Let the two factions fight among themselves. Previous World-Destroying Wars have never affected our Dark Realm, and this time, our Dark Realm will not participate either."
Lü Dandan thought for a moment before continuing. "Even if the Dark Faction annihilates the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, it will have no impact on our Dark Realm."
"Understood, Queen Majesty," the pitch-black creature replied.
"By the way, immediately dispatch personnel to investigate the current situation of the Primordial Continent and the Canghuang Realm," Lü Dandan added after further contemplation. "Also, focus your investigation on two individuals: Lü Yugang, the head of the Sifang Trading Company's main branch on the Primordial Continent, and Ye Yunfei, the Palace Master of the Qingyun Palace. Once you have a clear picture of their circumstances, report to me in detail."
"Yes, I'll do it at once!"
Though the pitch-black creature was filled with curiosity, unable to comprehend why the Dark Queen would be interested in two ordinary worlds, he dared not voice his question.
At the same time.
In an extremely remote and nearly unknown bizarre Small World among the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds.
This Small World was saturated with thick yellow mist, and massive dragons continuously emerged from underground, soaring through the high skies.
These dragons came in various colors—white, azure, black—and there were also a great number of golden ones. They exuded powerful energy fluctuations, sometimes gliding high in the air, other times plunging back underground and swimming back and forth beneath the surface.
If Ye Yunfei were here, he would immediately recognize these dragons as Earth Dragons!
This Small World teemed with an astonishing number of Earth Dragons!
The yellow mist was none other than pure, concentrated terrestrial energy!
It could be said that such an environment was the ideal training ground for an Earth Master.
At this moment, within a certain yellow-hued palace located somewhere in this Small World.
An old man clad in a yellow robe sat cross-legged in the very center of the palace hall. A young man stood beside him.
Two figures clad in black robes from head to toe stood before the Yellow-Robed Elder.
Their faces were also concealed within dark hoods, making it impossible to discern their true appearances.
"Well, Earth-Concealment Sage, are you willing to cooperate with our Dark Faction?"
"Last time we came to discuss with you, you promised you would give us an answer this time."
One of the black-robed figures spoke in an icy voice.
"Furthermore," the other black-robed figure continued, "after we returned and consulted, our Dark Faction's higher-ups decided to double the reward previously promised to you, Earth-Concealment Sage. Moreover, from now on, you, Earth-Concealment Sage, will be an honored guest of our Dark Faction."
"Our Dark Faction is the strongest force in this region of space-time. There are many benefits to becoming our honored guest; I trust I do not need to explain them to you in detail."
"This is..."
"Very well. Since your Dark Faction holds me in such high regard, I am willing to cooperate with you."
After listening to the two black-robed men and pondering for a moment, the Earth-Concealment Sage nodded his agreement.
"Excellent, Earth-Concealment Sage. From this moment on, we are on the same side."
"You must also know, Earth-Concealment Sage, that our Dark Faction's greatest enemy is the Light Faction. Starting now, please assist us in dealing with the Light Faction," one of the black-robed figures spoke, clearly satisfied with the Sage's answer.
"I know."
"You can rest assured. Since I have agreed to cooperate with your Dark Faction, I will lend my hand to aid you," the Earth-Concealment Sage nodded.
"This is our Dark Faction's communication token. I will use it to contact you in the future, Earth-Concealment Sage."
A black-robed man took out a black token and handed it to the Earth-Concealment Sage.
After that, the two black-robed men turned and left.
"Master, are we really going to cooperate with the Dark Faction?"
"The Dark Faction launches World-Destroying Wars and is determined to annihilate the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. If we cooperate with them, wouldn't we become enemies of all those worlds?"
Once the two black-robed figures were gone, the young man standing beside the Earth-Concealment Sage spoke up.
If Ye Yunfei were here, he would immediately recognize this young man as Du Fan!
"What does it matter to me if the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds are destroyed? I care only about tangible benefits. Whether it's the Dark Faction or the Light Faction, whoever gives me advantages, that's who I'll help."
"You need not concern yourself so much with the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. Your sole focus should be on cultivating diligently, on continuously making yourself stronger, and eventually stepping out of this space-time to explore other regions."
"Do you remember?"
The Earth-Concealment Sage spoke slowly.
"Master, I remember," Du Fan nodded in reply, having no choice but to accept his master's words.
After all, all of Du Fan's skills and abilities had been imparted to him by the Earth-Concealment Sage.
Throughout these years of following his master, Du Fan's strength had improved by leaps and bounds, filling him with deep gratitude towards the elder.
"Du Fan, remember this: a true master must minimize his own entanglements and attachments. Only then can he focus wholeheartedly on cultivation."
"When you truly possess the strength to crush all before you, you will realize that the weak world you once lived in and the beings within it are nothing worth clinging to," the Earth-Concealment Sage added, casting a glance at Du Fan.
*Does Ye Yunfei support one faction? If he stands with the Light Faction and I end up on the side of the Dark Faction, wouldn't we become enemies?*
*But my master insists on cooperating with the Dark Faction; I cannot stop him.*
*Forget it. I'll find a time to go back and ask Ye Yunfei myself, to see which side he supports,* Du Fan thought secretly.
"By the way, which of the Earth Dragon Eighteen Methods have you cultivated up to?" the Earth-Concealment Sage asked.
"Master, I've cultivated up to the Ninth Method," Du Fan answered.
"A standard pace. Not fast, nor slow."
"Then, how many Earth Dragons have you successfully fused with?" The Earth-Concealment Sage nodded and inquired further.
"Master, I have fused with over twenty thousand Earth Dragons," Du Fan replied.
"Just barely passable. But it's still far from enough."
"You must continue to strive harder," the Earth-Concealment Sage said.
"Please rest assured, Master. I will definitely cultivate diligently," Du Fan quickly assured him.
"Very well. Continue with your training."
"Once you cultivate the Earth Dragon Eighteen Methods to the Tenth Method, you may leave this place to travel and gain experience in the outside world," the Earth-Concealment Sage stated.
*Wonderful! I'll finally be able to travel freely! I must go back and see how they're doing!*
Du Fan felt a surge of excitement in his heart.
Although the Earth-Concealment Sage told him not to cling to his old world and people, for Du Fan, they were the most important things in his heart. How could he possibly forget them?
Throughout all these years of following his master, Du Fan had never forgotten his former world and the people in it.
"Up ahead is the entrance to the Main World."
At this moment, Ye Yunfei and his group arrived at a certain location within the Chaotic Void. Yan Xiaoquan pointed ahead as she spoke.