Be careful! The main method of this Reincarnation Passage is to annihilate Soul Bodies. So you must protect your own Soul Bodies well. As long as your Soul Bodies are protected, you should be fine. Your physical body won't suffer much damage either."
The Remnant Soul, sensing the terrifying suppressive energy in the surroundings, hurriedly transmitted his voice to Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei immediately mobilized all of his Soul Force Energy to protect his two Soul Bodies. After refining so many Soul Immortal Crystals and that Soul Soup, the quality of Ye Yunfei's two Soul Bodies had undergone a qualitative leap. Therefore, although the surrounding suppressive energy was incredibly terrifying at this moment, Ye Yunfei's two Soul Bodies seemed able to withstand it.
Moreover, the Soul-Nourishing Tree and the Soul Sword were also protecting the two Soul Bodies.
Bracing against the pressure, Ye Yunfei walked step by step forward through the underground tunnel.
"It's fortunate I refined so many Soul Immortal Crystals and that Soul Soup. Otherwise, with the quality of my Soul Bodies before, I definitely wouldn't have been able to withstand this terrifying pressure," Ye Yunfei thought to himself.
And so, Ye Yunfei advanced a considerable distance through this underground tunnel.
*Boom... Rumble...*
Suddenly, Ye Yunfei sensed that the suppressive energy within the passage became even more terrifying. The surrounding space seemed to solidify as boundless, invisible pressure pressed forward like an iron slab, surging to annihilate Ye Yunfei's two Soul Bodies.
The suddenly intensified pressure instantly slowed Ye Yunfei's progress. Each step forward became extremely difficult, a slow, laborious shuffle.
"Kid, you must hold on! Don't you dare lose heart! If you can't withstand this, we'll both be in trouble!"
The Remnant Soul, sensing the increasingly horrifying suppressive energy in the surrounding space, seemed to also feel immense pressure and transmitted his voice to Ye Yunfei in a trembling tone.
"Young Master Ye, we'll assist you!"
The six elders and three mages from the Reincarnation Palace, following behind Ye Yunfei, saw him struggling so arduously and knew things had taken a turn for the worse. Simultaneously, they took out their identity tokens. A total of nine tokens were activated together, erupting with rolling waves of radiance.
The six elders and three mages rushed forward together to surround Ye Yunfei. The light blossoming from the nine identity tokens enveloped and protected Ye Yunfei, instantly weakening the suppressive energy around his body significantly.
"Thank you all for your assistance!"
Feeling the pressure suddenly drop drastically, Ye Yunfei couldn't help but feel pleasantly surprised and spoke out.
Ye Yunfei continued forward. With the help of the Reincarnation Palace's six elders and three mages, his speed increased considerably.
"Young Master Ye, we'll be out of this passage soon!"
After a short while, one of the elders said to Ye Yunfei.
"Excellent! After waiting all these years, I can finally leave this damned place!"
The Remnant Soul sounded extremely excited.
However, right at this moment...
*Boom... Rumble...*
Suddenly, from all directions, an even more terrifying suppressive energy was born, pressing down violently onto Ye Yunfei's body. His two Soul Bodies simultaneously felt immense pressure, trembling uncontrollably.
At this point, Ye Yunfei could no longer continue forward because his two Soul Bodies were being suppressed too unbearably.
"Not good! It seems this cursed Reincarnation Passage still refuses to let me leave!"
The Remnant Soul's voice changed, speaking with a tone of horror.
Ye Yunfei unleashed all of his Soul Force Energy, tightly protecting his head. The Soul-Nourishing Tree and the Soul Sword also erupted with full power, releasing endless amounts of Soul Force Energy.
The six elders and three mages from the Reincarnation Palace, seeing this, also paled. They raised their identity tokens high, encircling Ye Yunfei's body.
Although these six elders and three mages hadn't felt any suppressive energy from start to finish, seeing Ye Yunfei's expression, they knew things were dire. One by one, they released their Reincarnation Energy and Samsara Laws to protect Ye Yunfei's body.
*Boom... Rumble...*
The suppressive energy around Ye Yunfei's body was actually still increasing, becoming more and more terrifying.
"It can't be! Is my Remnant Soul going to be destroyed here?!"
The Remnant Soul cried out unwillingly.
"I told you, you shouldn't have agreed to help this guy. Now, even you are a clay Buddha crossing a river — barely able to protect yourself!" Hun Lao said to Ye Yunfei.
"Here's what: stop caring about this guy. Expel him from your body and let him fend for himself," Hun Lao added.
"I'm almost at my limit. If this continues, I'll have no choice but to expel him from my body and ignore him," Ye Yunfei nodded after listening to Hun Lao.
Right at this moment, suddenly, dazzling divine rays of light blossomed from within Ye Yunfei's body, instantly illuminating the originally dim underground tunnel in a blaze of glory.
As these brilliant divine rays appeared, Ye Yunfei delightedly discovered that the terrifying suppressive energy around him was slowly receding.
"What's going on?"
While thrilled, Ye Yunfei also felt puzzled, unsure about these brilliant divine rays suddenly emerging from his body.
"Young man, your body indeed contains the energy and laws of a Deity! Although the quantity is small, it's enough! Over the years, I've been stuck in this Reincarnation Passage and long ago deduced that if the *spirit* of a Deity entered this passage, it would be completely possible to withstand the pressure and leave.
You bear the aura of a Deity, which is now playing a major role. Now, hurry and charge outward, leave this passage quickly!"
The Remnant Soul cried out in joy.
"Oh? These divine rays are the energy and laws of a Deity?"
Listening to the Remnant Soul's words and looking at the dazzling divine rays blossoming from his body, Ye Yunfei was somewhat shocked. Without hesitation, he sped up and charged in large strides towards the exit of this underground tunnel.
By now, the suppressive energy around his body had weakened significantly, so Ye Yunfei's speed increased.
Moments later, Ye Yunfei burst out of the underground tunnel, finally returning to the outside world.
"Finally out!" Ye Yunfei sighed in relief.
"Hahaha... Trapped in that damned Reincarnation Passage for so many years, and now I'm finally out! This is truly gratifying!"
The Remnant Soul rushed out from Ye Yunfei's body, took a deep breath, and couldn't help but laugh heartily, utterly beside himself with joy.
This Remnant Soul had been trapped in the Reincarnation Passage for an immensely long time. Now, suddenly breaking free and regaining liberty, he directly fell into a state of ecstasy.
"Kid, you are truly my lucky star! To think you really brought me out. Very good! I'll remember this favor of yours!"
After laughing heartily for a moment, the Remnant Soul looked at Ye Yunfei and spoke.
"He promised earlier to impart a profound space-time movement technique to you. You should bring it up now, lest this guy tries to renege," the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm suddenly transmitted his voice to Ye Yunfei.
"The Soul Immortal Crystals and Soul Soup gifted to me by this senior have already caused my Soul Bodies to undergo a qualitative leap and my Soul Force Energy to soar. My current Soul Force Energy level is estimated to far surpass that of a Golden Immortal. I'm just not sure if it's reached the level of a Heavenly Immortal. Honestly, what this senior gave me is already more than enough compensation for my help," Ye Yunfei thought for a moment and replied.
"What kind of talk is that? He already promised you something; just ask for it boldly. Not taking benefits that are offered is foolish.
If you're too embarrassed to ask, I'll do it for you." The Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm pursed his lips upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words. The next moment, he appeared on Ye Yunfei's shoulder.
"Didn't you promise earlier that if Young Master Ye could get you out, you'd impart a profound movement technique to him?" The Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm asked directly.
"Kid, rest assured. I don't go back on my promises. I'll impart a profound space-time movement technique to you right now," the Remnant Soul replied.
Then he pointed a finger, shooting a thread of Soul Force information into Ye Yunfei's sea of consciousness.
Ye Yunfei slightly perceived this information and confirmed it was indeed a space-time movement technique.
"Thank you, Senior, for your gracious gift of this technique!"
Ye Yunfei expressed his gratitude. This Remnant Soul before him was, in ancient times, a Demigod, a master stronger than a Heavenly Immortal. The space-time movement technique he imparted was undoubtedly profound and valuable.
"No need for such courtesy. You've earned it," the Remnant Soul waved his hand dismissively.
"Huh? Something's off. Is this truly the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds? Did we go to the wrong place?"
At this moment, the Remnant Soul suddenly gazed at the surrounding space with a startled expression, revealing a look of confusion.
"Senior, this is one of the worlds within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, named the Reincarnation Realm. It is the headquarters of our Reincarnation Palace," one of the Reincarnation Palace elders spoke up.
"Something's not right. How could the space-time of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds become so weak? Both its energy and laws are so inferior... How can this possibly be the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds?
You must know, the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds of old were a spacetime capable of giving birth to Deities. Among the myriad realms of the cosmos, the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds were once a famously advanced spacetime," the Remnant Soul shook his head repeatedly, seeming not to believe it at all.
"Senior, this indeed is one of the worlds within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds," Ye Yunfei replied.
"I don't believe it. Come, let's go outside and look."
The Remnant Soul still wore a face full of doubt. Then, with a flicker of his figure, he charged towards the exit of the Reincarnation Realm.
The next moment, he left the Reincarnation Realm and emerged into the outer chaotic void. Ye Yunfei and the others also followed behind him.
"Is this truly the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds?"
The Remnant Soul examined the vast, boundless chaotic void around them, his face still filled with disbelief.
"Yes, Senior. This really is the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"How did it come to this? The Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds of old, whether in terms of energy or laws, were highly advanced. Now it has turned into such an inferior spacetime? What exactly happened?"
The Remnant Soul spoke with a tone of shock.
"Senior, the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds did indeed experience some... changes," Ye Yunfei said.
"Oh? What changes? Tell me," the Remnant Soul asked curiously.
So, Ye Yunfei recounted in detail how the Dark Ancestor's master had once deployed the Dark Faction's sealing secret arts to seal this spacetime of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, then used the energy and laws of this spacetime to nurture the Yin Seed.
"No. The Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds changing to what they are today is definitely not because of that reason. The ancient Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds were an immensely advanced spacetime. Even Deity-level experts would find it difficult to seal this spacetime. So the decline of this spacetime must have another cause," the Remnant Soul shook his head after listening to Ye Yunfei's account.
"Then I don't know," Ye Yunfei said.
"Senior, according to some ancient records of our Reincarnation Palace, the spacetime of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds was indeed a place capable of giving birth to Deities in the primordial era. Many Deities emerged from this spacetime in that age, shaking the heavens. That's why the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds of that time were incredibly famous, a holy land in the hearts of martial artists under heaven. But later, for unknown reasons, it declined and gradually evolved into its current state," a Reincarnation Palace mage spoke up.
As a mage of the palace, he was responsible for managing the ancient texts passed down through the Reincarnation Palace and thus knew many ancient secrets.
"This spacetime must have undergone some great calamity. Never mind, it has nothing to do with me anyway. I'm just curious," the Remnant Soul nodded and said.
"Young Master Ye, our Reincarnation Palace will continue searching for the Old Ancestor and Palace Mistress Su's whereabouts. Moreover, the several of us will once again enter the Reincarnation Passage to search. In short, we will not give up," a Reincarnation Palace elder said to Ye Yunfei.
"The three mages, according to your deductions, when Qingluo and the Old Ancestor entered the Reincarnation Passage, were they alive... or already dead?"
Ye Yunfei suddenly asked.
He had actually thought of this question long ago but hadn't dared to ask. Ye Yunfei couldn't accept the fact of Su Qingluo's death, so he had never dared to pose this question to the three mages until now, when he finally couldn't hold back.
"Young Master Ye, according to my deductions, I believe the Old Ancestor and Palace Mistress Su were likely still alive when they entered the Reincarnation Passage. At the very least, their Soul Bodies were alive, not belonging to lost spirits, because I did not deduce any aura of death on them," one mage replied.
"Really? That's wonderful!"
Hearing this mage's answer, Ye Yunfei couldn't help but heave a sigh of relief.
Although the three mages' cultivation wasn't exceptionally high, they were proficient in deduction arts. Moreover, they cultivated Reincarnation Energy and Samsara Laws, so their deductions regarding the Reincarnation Palace's Old Ancestor and Palace Mistress should be relatively accurate.
"It's strange. They clearly entered the Reincarnation Passage, yet they aren't inside. Where on earth did they go?"
Ye Yunfei turned around and looked back at the mountain cave entrance leading to the Reincarnation Passage, murmuring softly, feeling somewhat lost.
"Young Master Ye, rest assured, we absolutely will not give up searching for the Old Ancestor and Palace Mistress. In the time to come, the three of us will tirelessly deduce their whereabouts day and night until we find them," one mage said.
"Good. I will also continue to seek ways to find Qingluo and the Reincarnation Old Ancestor. If you have any discoveries or need my help in any way, just send me a transmission," Ye Yunfei replied.
"Senior, I intend to leave here now."
Ye Yunfei's gaze turned to the Remnant Soul as he spoke.
"I'll follow you for the time being. After being in the Reincarnation Passage for so long, suddenly returning to the outside world, I still need some time to recuperate and adapt.
So I'll stay by your side temporarily," the Remnant Soul immediately said.
"Very well."
Ye Yunfei thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement.
Just at this moment...
"Ye Yunfei! Where have you been all this time?"
Old Man Chu and Chan Master Tianwu suddenly rushed hurriedly into the Reincarnation Realm. Seeing Ye Yunfei, they were overjoyed and immediately came over.
"You two seniors, has something happened?"
Seeing that Old Man Chu and Chan Master Tianwu's expressions seemed somewhat off, Ye Yunfei immediately asked.
"The seal on our Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds has been broken. Recently, beings from our world and those from outside have been able to come and go freely. At first, nothing was amiss, but in the past few days, some external beings have suddenly started causing trouble within our spacetime.
Compared to the external beings, the power level of beings within our spacetime appears very weak. The majority of those who have entered from outside possess considerable strength.
So, gradually, these external beings have begun bullying the inhabitants of our spacetime. If you don't step forward, no one in our spacetime can handle those powerful external beings.
Several Perfect Golden Immortals of exceptional strength have started demanding that various worlds and forces within our spacetime pay them 'protection fees' on a regular schedule.
The strength of those Perfect Golden Immortals is roughly on par with the Dark Ancestor. Besides you, for now, no one can defeat them. So we've been looking for you these past few days.
If you don't show up, our spacetime is about to fall into disorder once more."
Old Man Chu explained, his expression bearing some anger.
"So that's what's happening!"
Upon hearing Old Man Chu's words, Ye Yunfei's expression darkened.