"A splendid teleportation treasure!"
Liu Laolao was rather surprised, sensing how Ye Yunfei had instantly teleported away.
She had actually locked onto Ye Yunfei just now and even exerted pressure on the space where he stood to suppress him. Yet she was completely unable to prevent his teleportation. This indicated that Ye Yunfei must possess an exceptionally advanced teleportation treasure to escape so swiftly before a Heavenly Immortal.
Of course, Liu Laolao didn't know that while Ye Yunfei's cultivation realm was low, his actual strength was formidable; the pressure she exerted couldn't truly pin him down.
"Look, Liu Laolao!" Xiao Qinglian immediately shouted. "That rascal wouldn't have fled if he didn't have a guilty conscience! Moreover, he injured one of our Xiao Clan's members! Xiao Huanhuan, Xiao Yueyue, this person you brought injured our clansman. His intentions are clearly malicious."
"Huanhuan, Yueyue," Liu Laolao said, her expression a bit grim as she looked in the direction Ye Yunfei had left. "That person earlier was far from ordinary. In the future, you must cease contact with him, keep your distance. As women of our Xiao Clan, you must know how to protect yourselves."
"Liu Laolao, you misunderstand. Young Master Ye means us no harm..." Xiao Yueyue hurriedly explained.
"Enough, Yueyue! Stop talking!" Liu Laolao's face darkened as she rebuked her. "Haven't you two caused enough trouble already?"
"Yueyue, don't say anymore," Xiao Huanhuan said, seeing the situation and knowing further explanations were useless. She quickly stopped Xiao Yueyue.
"Very well, let us go," Liu Laolao spoke again. "Huanhuan, Yueyue, besides me, several other elders from the Xiao Family have also come this time. You should go pay your respects to them."
She then led the Xiao Clan members away.
"Liu Laolao, will you be entering the Void Secret Realm with us?" Xiao Yueyue asked curiously.
"Yes," Liu Laolao nodded in reply. "Although my age far surpasses yours, I am a Heavenly Immortal, qualified to enter the Void Secret Realm. So I will be entering with you."
"That's wonderful!" Xiao Yueyue said happily. "With you by our side, Liu Laolao, we're sure to be safe."
At that moment, in a distant space, Ye Yunfei stood silently watching the Xiao Clan's departure.
"How does it feel?" the Remnant Soul transmitted mentally. "Rather unfair, isn't it? You labored to protect those two Xiao girls all the way to the Tiange World Cluster safely. Not only are the Xiao Clan ungrateful, but they also grow suspicious of you, even moving to attack. Was it worth it?"
"I don't feel anything in particular," Ye Yunfei answered calmly. "The reason I protected the two sisters to the Tiange World Cluster is because they paid me remuneration. They owe me nothing, and I owe them nothing. The matter is settled."
"As for the Xiao Clan's suspicion towards me, that has nothing to do with the two sisters."
"For the time being, I plan to find a secluded place for closed-door cultivation while awaiting the Void Secret Realm's opening," Ye Yunfei said after a moment's thought.
Ye Yunfei then searched within the Tiange World Cluster, finding a relatively remote world and a nondescript space. There, he arranged a large batch of advanced Formations, using them to create a sealed mini-space.
He entered the Formation-sealed space, then proceeded inside the Phantom Tower to begin his cultivation in seclusion.
"The items contained within these three spatial rings are just right for cultivation," Ye Yunfei said, waving his hand and taking out three spatial rings. These were the remuneration Xiao Huanhuan and her sister had given Ye Yunfei for agreeing to let them accompany him to the Tiange World Cluster.
True to being a major clan, the cultivation resources stored within the three spatial rings were extremely precious, containing rare Heaven-and-Earth treasures, energy crystals, medicinal pills, and magical treasures, all quite beneficial for Ye Yunfei's cultivation.
"Everyone gets a share. Take whatever you need," Ye Yunfei summoned Hu Miao, the Gold-Horned Dragon Silkworm, Huang Shang, and Hun Lao, letting them pick cultivation resources from the rings.
Although Hu Miao, Huang Shang, the Gold-Horned Dragon Silkworm, and Hun Lao's cultivation levels and strength hadn't kept pace with Ye Yunfei, they spent most of their time cultivating within the Phantom Tower. Their actual cultivation time far exceeded Ye Yunfei's, giving them a very solid foundation, and their realms were also steadily improving.
Take Hu Miao, for example. She spent the majority of her time within the Phantom Tower cultivating, never having to worry about cultivation resources since Ye Yunfei provided her with sufficient amounts periodically.
Her bloodline continuously evolved, her realm and strength now equivalent to an Early Golden Immortal's.
Moreover, as her bloodline broke through repeatedly, she awakened many racial supernatural abilities. Her actual combat power now approached that of a Higher Golden Immortal, or even a Peak Golden Immortal.
The Gold-Horned Dragon Silkworm and Huang Shang's situations were similar.
For the following period, Ye Yunfei engaged in secluded cultivation within the Phantom Tower.
Meanwhile, in another world of the Tiange World Cluster, within an opulent palace...
"What?!"
"Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue have already rendezvoused with their clan?!
How absurd! The Black Wind Group took my money but didn't complete the task? They actually allowed Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue to reach the Tiange World Cluster! Now those two have joined their family. Trying to capture them will be immensely more difficult!"
Inside the palace, a robust-bodied young man raged in fury.
This robust young man was none other than the Zhan Clan's Zhan Yuan!
"And what's even worse, if Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue learn that I hired the Black Wind Group to capture them, they'll definitely tell the Xiao Clan elders. When the Xiao elders come to our Zhan Clan demanding answers, we'll be in serious trouble."
The angrier he grew, the more he threw things and overturned tables, turning the palace interior into a mess. His furious roars shook the entire structure, making it quiver.
However, this was a Zhan Clan outpost, sealed off by many heavy-duty arrays. No matter how loud his shouts, they wouldn't transmit outside.
"Send someone to contact the Black Wind Group immediately!"
"Make them return every last ounce of the payment I gave them!"
"They think they can take my money without getting the job done? Not a chance!"
Feeling his rage had nowhere to vent, Zhan Yuan roared at an elderly man in black.
"Please calm your anger, Young Master Zhan. I will contact the Black Wind Group at once and have them return the money," the black-robed elder hastily replied.
"Young Master Zhan, I have a report!"
Just then, a Zhan Clan servant rushed in hurriedly.
"Get out!" Zhan Yuan was fuming and in no mood to hear reports.
The servant flinched in fright.
"Young Master Zhan, someone just delivered a transmission jade slip, insisting it be handed directly to Young Master Zhan Yuan. They said it concerns Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue," the servant bravely ventured after a moment's hesitation.
"What?! Something about Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue?!"
"Alright, give it here immediately!"
Hearing this, Zhan Yuan immediately became interested.
The servant cautiously passed a transmission jade slip to Zhan Yuan.
He snatched it, immediately sensing the contents inside. Soon, his expression turned pleasantly surprised.
"Young Master Zhan?" the black-robed elder inquired, puzzled. He was Zhan Yuan's confidant, serving a similar role to a strategic advisor. Zhan Yuan would consult him on matters and decisions.
"Good news! Someone within the Xiao Clan wants to use me to deal with Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue. They will provide me with the twins' whereabouts and even create opportunities for me to send men to act," Zhan Yuan explained.
"Young Master Zhan, why would someone within the Xiao Clan want to target Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue? Could this be a trap? It might be best to proceed with caution," the black-robed elder suggested after some thought.
"Have you forgotten? Xiao Huanhuan is one of the top contenders for the position of Saintess among the Xiao Clan's younger generation. Isn't it perfectly normal for someone inside the clan to want to deal with her?"
"Moreover, I won't send my own men; I'll have the Black Wind Group handle it. That way, we won't need to worry."
"If anything goes wrong later and the Xiao Clan seeks to settle scores, they can go find the Black Wind Group. I'll deny everything to the bitter end. What can the Xiao Clan do to me then?"
"No matter what, I must obtain those twins! I heard the purity of the bloodlines within their bodies is extremely high, making them particularly useful!"
"After capturing them, I'll engage in some 'interesting cultivation' with them both. It will surely greatly enhance my talent and strength."
"This concerns my future rise to prominence, so this operation must succeed; failure is not an option!" Zhan Yuan stated slowly.
"Young Master Zhan, are you suggesting the reason someone within the Xiao Clan wants to deal with Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue is competition for the Saintess position?"
"Precisely!"
"The Xiao Clan holds a Saintess competition for its young women every generation, reportedly fiercely competitive. If that's the case, then what's said in this jade slip has a high probability of being true," the black-robed elder said delightedly after hearing Zhan Yuan's words.
"Good. Now you immediately contact the Black Wind Group. Tell them to await my orders. The moment there's news on Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue, I'll notify them right away to go capture the targets."
"There's another piece of information in this jade slip. The one who protected Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue all along was a young fellow. The Black Wind Group members killed were surely slain by that guy. Both his appearance and Soul Body aura are recorded in this jade slip. Have them duplicated right away and delivered to the Black Wind Group," Zhan Yuan instructed.
"I believe the Black Wind Group definitely won't let that youngster off easily," Zhan Yuan added with a cold laugh.
"Understood, Young Master Zhan. I'll attend to this at once," the black-robed elder replied.
He then took out another jade slip, imprinted Ye Yunfei's appearance and Soul Body aura onto it, and left.
Meanwhile, Ye Yunfei was still cultivating in seclusion within the Phantom Tower.
"It's time to break through," Ye Yunfei thought at a certain moment, sensing an opportunity for a breakthrough. He was currently at the Early Golden Immortal stage.
Cultivating the Nine Cycles Return to True Immortal technique involved suppressing the heavenly tribulation only after perfecting each major realm.
Since Ye Yunfei was merely at Early Golden Immortal, he could simply break through directly.
The cultivation resources within the three spatial rings gifted by Xiao Huanhuan were exceedingly precious. Over this period inside the Phantom Tower, Ye Yunfei had refined and absorbed many valuable cultivation resources, accumulating a considerable amount of energy within his body.
Coupled with experiencing many battles recently, breaking through now was a natural progression, like water flowing along a channel.
Boom! Rumble...
More than half a day later, dense, dark clouds suddenly gathered above the mini-space where Ye Yunfei was. The oppressive, leaden cloud layer swiftly coalesced, resembling a vast swath of black cloth covering the space overhead.
Thick bolts of lightning, like brilliant, shining dragons, were dazzlingly resplendent, radiating terrifying thunderbolt energy.
Ye Yunfei emerged from the Phantom Tower, rose into the air, and began his tribulation.
The location he'd chosen was quite remote; generally, no living beings would pass by—an ideal spot for his tribulation.
Soon, thunderbolts crashed down from the sky as the heavenly tribulation officially commenced.
Ye Yunfei's accumulations were more than sufficient, and his fleshly body quality was exceptionally tough. He appeared quite relaxed in the face of these tribulation strikes.
Just then, Ye Yunfei received a mental transmission.
"Master! It seems... one of my own kind has come!"
"However... this kin of mine is far too powerful. Easily millions of times stronger than me!"
"I suspect this kin isn't from the Demonic Realm within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, but originates from the legendary Demon Capital! Only a place like the Demon Capital could give rise to such a terrifying Heart-Devouring Demon!"
"Your own kind?"
"So, a Heart-Devouring Demon has come nearby?" Ye Yunfei was somewhat taken aback upon hearing the transmission.
The one who transmitted to Ye Yunfei was a demon race creature he had subdued earlier—a Heart-Devouring Demon.
Heart-Devouring Demons were a unique subspecies among the demon race, specialized in feeding on the various negative emotions of living beings—especially the negative emotions that surfaced during cultivation or breakthrough attempts.
Ye Yunfei had been ambushed by a Heart-Devouring Demon during a breakthrough attempt in the past. Later, he discovered using heart force energy was highly effective against them. Consequently, he subdued several Heart-Devouring Demons into becoming slaves.
These subdued demons usually resided within the Phantom Tower; Ye Yunfei rarely had a use for them.
"Yes, Master. We Heart-Devouring Demons possess a powerful mutual sense among our kind. I sensed a kin nearby, radiating an immensely terrifying emotional energy."
"Master, he's definitely coming for you. Be careful!" the Heart-Devouring Demon transmitted.
"Alright, I'll be cautious," Ye Yunfei replied. "Help me sense precisely where your kin is, in which direction and at what location."
He simultaneously released his Soul Power energy, extending his spiritual sense in all directions, meticulously searching.
During this time, Ye Yunfei's heavenly tribulation continued. Endless thunderbolts poured down from the heavens, indicating an exceptionally formidable tribulation.
Heeheehee...
At that moment, a shrill, bizarre laughter pierced the air.
Instantly, roiling demonic energy erupted, flooding towards Ye Yunfei from all directions.
This demonic energy carried infinite sinister, chilling auras, infused with various kinds of oppressive, even despair-inducing emotional energies.
Agitation, anxiety, worry, alarm, fear, terror, loneliness, despair, helplessness...
A myriad of negative emotional energies transformed into roaring gales of energy, howling forth.
In an instant, Ye Yunfei felt utterly plunged into a state of isolated helplessness, as if all hope was gone, his heart filled with despair.
"It truly is a Heart-Devouring Demon!" Ye Yunfei, already prepared, inwardly shuddered upon sensing the dreadful negative emotions surrounding him.
"Master, this kin of mine is truly powerful!" the several subdued Heart-Devouring Demons cried out in alarm.
"No need to worry. I can handle it for now," Ye Yunfei reassured them.
Although Ye Yunfei dedicated most of his time cultivating fleshly body strength and immortal energy, he would often allocate periods to cultivate heart force energy and Formations. Having two Soul Bodies allowed him to cultivate two different energies simultaneously much of the time.
Ye Yunfei's current heart force energy was far stronger than before.
Hence, facing the deluge of negative emotions pouring towards him, Ye Yunfei could still cope—for the time being.