"Within the Chaotic Void Sea, Divine Arts represent the highest secrets. Each art is profound and limitless. Extracting and manipulating time is one such legendary secret technique," the Remnant Soul said.
"Senior, are you implying the original owner of this alchemical furnace was a Deity?" Ye Yunfei asked, astonished upon hearing the Remnant Soul's words.
"Yes. The master of this furnace was undoubtedly a Deity," the Remnant Soul nodded.
"Why don't you first collect all the medicinal ingredients and pills. We'll see if you can take the furnace afterward," the Remnant Soul suggested.
"Understood," Ye Yunfei nodded.
He then began collecting the herbs and pills from the medicine racks lining the wall.
"Most of these ingredients are at the Heavenly Immortal level!" Ye Yunfei declared after sensing them. For his current strength, Heavenly Immortal-level herbs and pills were ideal.
"These three pills inside this vial are of Demigod grade!" Ye Yunfei suddenly exclaimed with joy.
"What's the big deal? I estimate that what remains here are simply items the furnace's master considered trash, left behind. The truly valuable treasures were taken long ago. Don't underestimate me. In my time, I wouldn't have spared such things a glance either," the Remnant Soul remarked.
"That might be true, but trash left by a Deity is exceedingly precious treasure for me. We're on different levels, no need to compare," Ye Yunfei chuckled.
Moments later, Ye Yunfei had gathered a batch of Heavenly Immortal-level herbs and pills, plus three Demigod-grade pills, leaving him extremely satisfied.
He then turned his gaze to the alchemical furnace standing in the center of the room. The furnace appeared solid and tangible, yet its surroundings were veiled by an exquisite layer of Time Laws, making it exceedingly difficult for outsiders to physically touch.
"Here's what we'll do. Let's join forces, all utilizing time energy and Time Laws, and see if we can secure this furnace. A furnace left by a Deity must be exceptional," the Remnant Soul suddenly emerged from the Phantom Tower, standing beside Ye Yunfei, and spoke.
"Take out all the time-related treasures you've obtained before," the Remnant Soul instructed Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei complied, producing all the treasures he had acquired since entering this world.
Hu Miao, the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm, Huang Shang, and Hun Lao all came out as well.
"Everyone, refine and absorb a batch of these treasures first to enhance your comprehension of time," the Remnant Soul said.
Following his instructions, everyone began refining and absorbing the treasures.
About one hour later.
"Now, I'll impart a mind method related to time to all of you. Cultivate it carefully. Once done, we shall act together and see if we can claim this furnace," the Remnant Soul announced.
With a wave of his hand, he sent a fragment of Soul Force information into each person's mind. It was indeed an extremely profound time-related mind method.
Everyone felt deep gratitude. After all, this remnant soul was once a Demigod-level expert. Though his current strength was diminished, his memories remained intact, ensuring any secret technique he imparted was of the highest order.
After receiving the mind method, everyone returned inside the Phantom Tower to meditate and practice.
Inside the Phantom Tower, approximately a month later.
"Good. We can try now," the Remnant Soul declared.
They all followed the Remnant Soul out, reappearing in the alchemy room and gathering around the furnace.
"Now, everyone simultaneously execute the time mind method I taught you to disrupt the Time Laws surrounding this furnace," the Remnant Soul commanded.
They all did as instructed, immediately deploying the newly-cultivated mind method to interfere with the Time Laws encasing the furnace.
Soon, the Time Laws around the furnace began to tremble and waver like layers of rippling water.
Not long after, the time energy and laws grew chaotic, shaking violently.
"Haha… Although these Time Laws were laid down by a Deity, making them exceedingly profound, their potency has diminished considerably after enduring so many eons in this vast, yellow-sand desert. Our combined efforts have severely disrupted them!" the Remnant Soul said excitedly.
"Strike now, claim the furnace!" Seeing the opportune moment had arrived, the Remnant Soul whispered urgently.
Prepared, Ye Yunfei's figure blurred. He reached out swiftly toward the furnace. This time, his hand made successful contact.
To Ye Yunfei's shock, a mighty wave of energy crashed towards him, sending him flying sideways to smash heavily against a wall.
"Again!" Unwilling, Ye Yunfei charged back beside the furnace, unleashing his bodily strength and grabbing for it.
Boom…
This time, Ye Yunfei exerted his full power. All the energy within his body boiled simultaneously, clashing against the energy emanating from the furnace.
To his surprise, the energy released by the furnace was so vast it nearly suppressed him to the point of suffocation.
Rumble…
Suddenly, Ye Yunfei was shocked to discover that an incredibly majestic energy pressure was also erupting from within his own body, confronting the furnace directly.
"What is this?" Ye Yunfei was momentarily stunned, unaware of when such powerful energy had resided within him.
"This is Deity-level energy and laws! Since when did you harbor this level of power?" the Remnant Soul also asked in an astonished tone.
"I know! It's because of that Yin Seed! You refined that Yin Seed, which contained energy and laws left behind by ancient Deities of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. It's been latent within you, probably stimulated now, thus bursting forth!" Hun Lao suddenly interjected.
"That is plausible!" Hearing Hun Lao's words, Ye Yunfei grasped the explanation as quite reasonable.
"So that's it. I never imagined your body hid such Deity-level energy and laws," the Remnant Soul nodded. Having heard Ye Yunfei mention the Yin Seed before, he understood immediately.
"Well then, quickly use that Deity-level energy and laws within you to suppress the furnace!" the Remnant Soul urged Ye Yunfei.
Rumble…
Ye Yunfei stretched out his hand and pressed towards the furnace. Moments later, he finally succeeded in truly touching the furnace.
Moreover, to Ye Yunfei's greater delight, the furnace's resistance weakened rapidly.
"It must be because your body possesses Deity-level energy and laws, so the furnace is beginning to submit and ceases to reject you. This is excellent! The furnace's original master was a Deity. Only Deity-level energy and laws can make it submit. Seize this chance to tame it!" the Remnant Soul said to Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei also sensed the furnace no longer resisted him. He reached out, grabbed the furnace, and lifted it.
At this moment, the furnace held no resistance against Ye Yunfei whatsoever!
Ye Yunfei released his Soul Power, probing inside. He found no trace of any residual soul energy.
"It seems that Deity completely abandoned this furnace. Such a precious treasure, discarded here!" Ye Yunfei exclaimed in amazement.
"What's strange about that? A furnace incredibly precious to you might be mere trash in that Deity's eyes. Perhaps he possessed many more, higher-grade furnaces. Take me for example; I once owned a vast number of Demigod-level magic treasures. And any Demigod-level artifact I deigned to keep was top-tier. Ordinary ones? Worthless in my eyes. Discarding a few casually was perfectly normal," the Remnant Soul stated.
"That makes sense," Ye Yunfei nodded.
Since the furnace held no soul imprint and currently didn't resist him, Ye Yunfei easily stowed it away inside the Phantom Tower.
"Luck is on your side to obtain an artefact left by a Deity," the Remnant Soul said.
"I can claim this furnace mainly thanks to your guidance, Senior. Based on my own strength alone, I could never have obtained it," Ye Yunfei expressed his gratitude.
"No need for courtesy. To receive my help is also part of your destiny," the Remnant Soul replied.
"Well then, you've emptied this palace. Hurry and explore other areas," the Remnant Soul urged Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei left the palace and headed towards other nearby structures.
Not long after, he found several more time-related treasures, including pills and herbs.
Ye Yunfei also discovered a white, spherical bead perpetually emitting dense time energy and laws.
"This is a Demigod-level magic treasure, and it's related to time!" the Remnant Soul exclaimed softly upon seeing the white orb.
When Ye Yunfei attempted to claim the white orb, he found a soul imprint hidden within—a Soul Force imprint left by a Demigod-level expert.
Rumble…
An immense pressure of Soul Force erupted from that imprint, surging towards Ye Yunfei like raging tides, intending to suppress him.
"Let's deal with him together!" The Remnant Soul appeared beside Ye Yunfei and shouted.
Boom…
Ye Yunfei and the Remnant Soul attacked simultaneously, each employing soul secret arts against the soul imprint inside the white orb.
"Friend, this is my magic treasure. Please don't snatch it," the soul imprint inside the white orb spoke upon seeing the Remnant Soul standing beside Ye Yunfei. Recognizing it was a remnant soul of a Demigod expert, he was somewhat startled.
He was merely a soul imprint, vastly inferior to a remnant soul. He knew he was no match.
A remnant soul, although incomplete, still constituted an imperfect Soul Body, retaining the form and some of the power of a soul. A soul imprint, on the other hand, was akin to a symbol left by a soul body, preserved only through special soul law principles, far lower in rank than a remnant soul.
"Hmph! Celestial treasures belong to those destined to acquire them. Your true form left ages ago. What's the point of a mere imprint guarding this treasure? Do you wish it buried here forever?! My advice: dissipate voluntarily and relinquish this treasure! Otherwise, I will shatter you!" the Remnant Soul growled.
"Dream on!" The soul imprint grew a bit angry.
"Attack! No need for courtesies!" the Remnant Soul said to Ye Yunfei.
Rumble…
Joining forces, Ye Yunfei and the Remnant Soul launched ferocious assaults.
Ye Yunfei summoned his Soul Sword, which whistled through the air, slashing toward the soul imprint with formidable power. He also employed the Invisible Heart Sword in tandem.
The Remnant Soul's attacks were even more terrifying. Utilizing Soul Force energy, he conjured a magnificent golden nine-story tower. With earth-shaking rumbles, it pounded against the soul imprint, each strike causing it to fade perceptibly.
Boom…
Suddenly, the white orb activated, erupting with vast, mighty tides of time energy that immediately controlled the surrounding space's time, freezing it in place.
This was indeed a time-related magic treasure!
"A Demigod-level treasure is truly fearsome!" Ye Yunfei found his body completely immobilized.
"Senior, perhaps we should give up. He possesses a Demigod-level treasure; we might not overcome him," Ye Yunfei said to the Remnant Soul.
"Don't be afraid. He has a Demigod-level treasure, but you possess a Deity-level one! Although you can't fully activate that furnace yet, and it isn't an offensive-type artifact, it remains a Deity-level treasure. Summon it—it can certainly counteract this orb," the Remnant Soul insisted.
"Alright! I'll try!" Ye Yunfei's spirits lifted at these words. He immediately released the alchemical furnace.
Rumble…
As if provoked by the white orb, the furnace erupted with immense energy pressure, bearing down on the orb.
Pressed down, the white orb was forced to retreat some distance before falling completely silent, losing all aggressiveness.
"It actually works!" Ye Yunfei was overjoyed.
"I said it would. Good, now let's join forces and finish this fellow," the Remnant Soul chuckled.
Moments later, under the combined assault of Ye Yunfei and the Remnant Soul, the soul imprint grew increasingly feeble. Finally, with a pop, it directly exploded and vanished without a trace.
Thus, Ye Yunfei obtained another treasure—a Demigod-level magic artifact.
"Excellent," Ye Yunfei spoke with excitement, holding the white orb in his palm.
Right at that moment.
"That kid definitely came here. I sense his aura!" a voice called from the distance.
"Those Dark Faction members have tracked us here!" Hun Lao exclaimed in surprise.
Ye Yunfei's Soul Power sensed outward and indeed saw the three Heavenly Immortals of the Dark Faction, leading over a dozen other members.
"Others have also entered!" Hun Lao added.
Ye Yunfei perceived this as well. Aside from the Dark Faction members, numerous other beings had entered this ancient city, scouring it for treasures.
This was only natural. A great number of Golden Immortals and Heavenly Immortals had entered the Void Secret Realm. Many hailed from superpowers within the Chaotic Void Sea, possessing profound foundations and myriad methods. Since Ye Yunfei found his way here, other beings naturally could as well.
Simultaneously, at the core region of the world encompassing this vast desert.
"Another batch of outsiders have come seeking treasures. This space periodically opens to allow outside beings in. So bothersome. All this trouble stems from Void God, setting up such an annoying rule," a somewhat ethereal-looking man gazed into the distance and commented.