After searching within the Reincarnation Passage for over ten days, Ye Yunfei and the high-ranking members of the Reincarnation Palace emerged.
Ye Yunfei left behind a clone sitting cross-legged near the entrance to the Reincarnation Passage. This clone was a substitute statue, possessing roughly eighty percent of his main body's current combat power. Even with just eighty percent strength, it was considered one of the top experts in this region of spacetime.
After leaving his clone, Ye Yunfei told the Reincarnation Palace's high-ranking members that he would be leaving the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds for some time to explore other regions of spacetime beyond.
The Reincarnation Palace's leaders weren't too surprised. The Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds were now completely open; beings from outside were coming in, and many native inhabitants were leaving. Furthermore, a prodigious young talent like Ye Yunfei would naturally seek out the wider world; he couldn't stay forever in the relatively backward region of spacetime that was the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds.
"I should say my goodbyes to everyone before leaving," Ye Yunfei said softly as he left the Reincarnation Realm, looking out at the familiar chaotic void before him.
Then, Ye Yunfei arrived at the Hongmeng Continent. He had ventured on this world for a time in the past and was somewhat familiar with it, knowing quite a few people as well.
On the Hongmeng Continent, Ye Yunfei visited the factions and individuals he knew from before, informing them that he was about to leave the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds to wander outside.
Hearing that Ye Yunfei was leaving this region of spacetime, everyone was a bit reluctant to see him go. However, all understood that someone like Ye Yunfei could never stay forever in one place; he was destined to move towards increasingly vaster realms of spacetime.
Ye Yunfei discovered that Lü Dandan was at the headquarters of the Four Directions Commerce Guild, staying with her father Lü Yugang these past days. Having fully recovered her former memories and personality, Lü Dandan naturally regarded the Four Directions Commerce Guild as her home. However, Lü Dandan also held another identity: the Dark Queen of the Dark Realm. Thus, a large group of experts from the Dark Realm followed her to the Eastern Wilds of the Hongmeng Continent.
"So you really plan to leave? Sister Qing Luo's whereabouts are still unknown; aren't you going to keep searching for her?" Lü Dandan asked, her beautiful eyes fixed on Ye Yunfei.
"Actually, during this time I've also dispatched many people from the Dark Realm to search everywhere for clues about Sister Qing Luo, but we haven't had any luck yet. Don't worry, I've instructed the beings of the Dark Realm to continue searching for Sister Qing Luo and the Reincarnation Ancestor until they are found," Lü Dandan continued.
"Thank you. However, the situation surrounding Qing Luo's disappearance is quite complex. I've been searching for her all this time as well but haven't made any headway. The only silver lining is that Qing Luo should still be alive. Next, I plan to leave here first and see what lies outside," Ye Yunfei replied, a trace of desolation in his voice as Lü Dandan mentioned Su Qingluo.
"Going out to see the world is a good idea. The Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds are indeed rather backward. Staying here longer won't benefit your development much. Perhaps I'll leave here someday too, to see the outside world," Lü Dandan nodded.
"Oh? Miss Lü, you also plan to leave the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds?" Ye Yunfei was slightly taken aback.
"Yes, I've been considering it for a long time. However, during this period I want to spend some quality time with my father. After all, if I leave for the outside world in the future, who knows when I'll return," Lü Dandan answered.
"Indeed," Ye Yunfei nodded. He understood well. With Lü Dandan's strength and talent, she was bound to have the same inclination as him—to explore the world beyond and seek greater opportunities.
"Not long from now, a secret realm called the Void Secret Realm out in the wider world will open. I plan to go. Would you like to come together?" Ye Yunfei asked Lü Dandan.
"I need to spend time with my father first. That period I spent in the Dark Realm had issues with my emotions and memories, which worried him greatly. I need to make it up to him now and set aside time to be with him. As for secret realms, I believe the outside world is so vast, there will be plenty of them. Missing one isn't a big deal. Furthermore, even if I were to leave, I'd need to return to the Dark Realm to properly handle various affairs there. So, I won't be leaving the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds any time soon," Lü Dandan explained.
"Alright, you consider it carefully then. Here, I'll impart to you the specific spacetime coordinates of that Void Secret Realm. If you wish to go later, you can travel there directly," Ye Yunfei said, nodding.
Not long after, Ye Yunfei left the Hongmeng Continent and returned to the Canghuang Realm.
"Uncle! You came back to see me!" The moment Ye Yunfei stepped into the Canghuang Realm, a little girl appeared, her face full of delighted surprise.
This little girl was the source spirit of the Canghuang Realm. Perhaps due to the destruction of the outer layer of seals around the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, the quality of most worlds within was rising recently—the Canghuang Realm included. This girl was the Canghuang Realm's spirit; as its quality improved, her strength also grew.
"Yes, I came back to see you, because soon I will be leaving this region of spacetime," Ye Yunfei told the girl directly of his plan to depart.
"What? Uncle, you're leaving this region? Where are you going? What will I do if I want to see you later?" Hearing Ye Yunfei's words, the girl grew anxious. As the spirit of the Canghuang Realm, she wouldn't normally manifest and communicate with others. In her heart, Ye Yunfei was her only family.
"I'm just temporarily going out to see the world. I'll come back to visit you later. Besides, I'll be leaving several clones in this region of spacetime. Those clones will come see you often as well," Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
"Uncle, how long will you be away for?" The girl was still reluctant.
"I can't say exactly, but don't worry, I will definitely return to see you in the future," Ye Yunfei comforted her.
"Alright then, Uncle. Remember to come back to see me," the girl said.
Then, Ye Yunfei walked all around the Canghuang Realm with the girl.
Finally, Ye Yunfei arrived at the location of the Qingyun Palace headquarters in the Canghuang Realm. Most of the Qingyun Palace's forces had already been moved by Ye Yunfei to the Small World within Mr. Liu's Mountain Hamlet in the Tianpo Realm. Those remaining at headquarters were those who were older or had deeper sentimental ties to this place.
Seeing Ye Yunfei return, those remaining at the Qingyun Palace headquarters were all extremely excited.
Ye Yunfei took out a large batch of cultivation resources and gifted them to those at headquarters, and also imparted several cultivation technique and martial skill legacies, before leaving once more.
"Let's go back to the Tianxuan Continent and have a look," Ye Yunfei murmured. Arriving at the entrance of the Tianxuan Continent, he crossed directly over and returned.
Although many Small Worlds' natural laws repelled powerful beings from outside, Ye Yunfei's current strength and cultivation realm were vastly superior compared to the Tianxuan Continent's level. Moreover, his attainments in the time and space laws were now extremely profound. After restraining his aura, he entered the Tianxuan Continent without encountering any resistance.
Walking across the Tianxuan Continent, Ye Yunfei found this Small World to be serene and peaceful, just like a paradise untouched by the outside world.
"Hahaha… Brother Ye, you've returned too!" The moment Ye Yunfei arrived above the Hudao Academy, a man leading a young girl soared into the sky and appeared before him.
It was Tang Yang and his sister Xue'er.
"I was wondering why I didn't see you, Brother Tang, in the Canghuang Realm. So you came into the Tianxuan Continent," Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
"I was the number one figure of the Tianxuan Continent back in the day. Returning here is like returning to my own territory," Tang Yang answered.
"I know that. When the Tianxuan Continent was invaded by enemies from outside, it was Brother Tang who led everyone in resisting the aggressors. Brother Tang, you are a great contributor to this Small World," Ye Yunfei said.
"Alright, now you go visit the Hudao Academy too. Everyone dearly misses their illustrious star disciple. I notice your reputation in the Hudao Academy seems higher than even mine, the Academy Founder's," Tang Yang joked.
"As the Academy Founder commands," Ye Yunfei replied. The Hudao Academy on the Tianxuan Continent was indeed founded by Tang Yang himself; he was its true patriarch.
"Hahaha… Brother Ye, you jest. I wouldn't dare consider myself your patriarch now. Your strength far surpasses mine," Tang Yang laughed heartily, pulling Ye Yunfei down into the Hudao Academy headquarters.
Back when Ye Yunfei was developing his power in the Canghuang Realm, he had taken a portion of the Hudao Academy's members out with him. However, a considerable number remained behind, continuously recruiting new students and helping the academy grow and prosper. In the history of the Hudao Academy, there were two most famous figures: the first was Founding Patriarch Tang Yang, and the second was the academy's strongest and most influential young genius disciple of all time, Ye Yunfei.
Tang Yang's recent return to the academy headquarters had caused quite a stir. Now Ye Yunfei suddenly returning caused another wave of excitement.
Ye Yunfei spent a few days at the Hudao Academy headquarters before leaving once more. Upon departing, he left behind a large batch of cultivation resources and legacies, resources of immeasurable preciousness to the academy's members.
Next, Ye Yunfei returned to the Eastern Region of the Tianxuan Continent to wander around. This place held many of Ye Yunfei's past memories and many acquaintances.
However, Ye Yunfei did not go disturb those old acquaintances in the Eastern Region, for the gap between them and him now was far too vast; they would essentially have no intersections in the future.
Walking through the Eastern Region, Ye Yunfei left behind some cultivation resources and legacies covertly for the familiar factions and people he encountered, or stepped in to help them resolve some trouble they faced. Then, he quietly left the Tianxuan Continent.
"Uncle, you have to remember your promise. You absolutely have to come back to see me in the future," the little girl repeatedly implored, holding Ye Yunfei's hand with great reluctance as he was about to leave the Canghuang Realm.
"Rest assured. When has Uncle ever broken a promise to you? Uncle will definitely return to see you. Besides, I've left a clone here in the Canghuang Realm. If you miss me, you can go chat with my clone," Ye Yunfei said, smiling as he patted the girl's head.
Ye Yunfei had indeed just left a clone in the Canghuang Realm, possessing roughly sixty percent of his main body's strength. That was more than enough to deal with ordinary Golden Immortal experts.
Then Ye Yunfei departed the Canghuang Realm, wandering through the chaotic void of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds.
"Alright, I'll return to the Tianpo Realm for a look, then set out," Ye Yunfei murmured softly after walking in the chaotic void for a while.
However, at this moment, Ye Yunfei suddenly glanced towards a particular spot in the distance.
"If my memory serves me right, that location should be where the Sword Grave lies," Ye Yunfei spoke.
"That's correct. That's precisely the location of the Sword Grave," Hun Lao confirmed.
Ye Yunfei had entered the Sword Grave in the past, obtained fortuitous encounters within, and increased his power greatly. The [Ten Thousand Swords Return to One Major Method] was also obtained inside the Sword Grave.
"Let's go in and take a look, and pay our respects to that senior while we're at it," Ye Yunfei thought, his mind picturing a man in a green robe. It was precisely this man in the green robe who had imparted the Ten Thousand Swords Return to One Major Method to him.
With a flicker of his silhouette, Ye Yunfei arrived at the entrance of the Sword Grave.
Entering the Sword Grave, a sight of densely packed, ubiquitous Sword Qi greeted the eye. However, these Sword Qi couldn't inflict any damage whatsoever on Ye Yunfei's physique now.
Ye Yunfei traveled deep within, and before long he arrived before a large, tall city. Endless Sword Qi rushed out from within that city, whistling and spiraling ceaselessly, presenting an imposing and startling sight.
Ye Yunfei entered the city directly and eventually arrived before a massive tomb located deep within. At the base of this tomb lay a platform, and on this platform stood a transportation altar.
"You've returned again." As soon as Ye Yunfei arrived on the platform, an old man appeared.
Ye Yunfei knew this was a remnant soul tasked with guarding this tomb. In fact, this tomb concealed its own Small Space within.
"Yes, Senior. I've come to pay a visit," Ye Yunfei replied respectfully.
"Young man, it seems your progress over these years has been significant. You've actually become a Golden Immortal," the old man said in a praising tone, sizing Ye Yunfei up.
"Senior, how can you tell I am a Golden Immortal?" Ye Yunfei was taken aback by the old man's words.
When Ye Yunfei first came here, he hadn't even reached the Heavenly Emperor realm. Back then, he encountered the tombs of numerous Sword Path experts at the Heavenly Emperor level within this Sword Grave and reaped fortuitous encounters. Hence, Ye Yunfei always assumed that the energy, laws, and the remnant souls encountered within this Sword Grave—including this old man before him and that man in the green robe—were all experts at the Heavenly Emperor level.
Heavenly Emperors were incredibly powerful to Ye Yunfei back when he first entered the Sword Grave, but compared to his current strength, they seemed far too weak. In theory, a remnant soul possessing Heavenly Emperor-level strength shouldn't be able to sense his current cultivation realm. Yet this old man before him seemed to discern his realm with a single glance.
It was very strange that a Heavenly Emperor could, at a glance, determine the cultivation realm and strength of a Golden Immortal-level expert.
"It seems this Sword Grave is even more mysterious than what I knew or imagined!" Ye Yunfei mused inwardly.