However, the Third Prince was now heavily injured and could only stay here to focus on recuperating.
"I can't let some kid disrupt my thinking. This is the Void Secret Realm; exploring and treasure hunting are the main tasks. Once we leave the Void Secret Realm, there will be plenty of time to settle accounts with that kid! For me now, the most important thing is to heal quickly and then continue exploring and seeking treasures in this secret realm!"
Soon, the Third Prince calmed down and began to focus on his recovery.
*Boom...*
A white sphere shot out from his body, erupting with rolling radiance that accelerated the flow of time in the surrounding space.
This white sphere was a very high-level time artifact capable of speeding up the passage of time within a certain spatial range. Especially when activated in a sealed chamber, it could accelerate the time flow inside, granting much more cultivation time.
As the Third Prince of the Heavenly God Hall, his status was exalted, and he carried many precious treasures on his person.
By this time, Ye Yunfei was already long gone.
Shortly after Ye Yunfei departed, an old man leading a group of men arrived before the city they had just left. After hesitating for a moment, they entered.
Since the Heart-Refining Tower had absorbed over half of the city's Mental Force energy and Mental Force Laws, the danger level had drastically decreased. Therefore, although these Black Wind Group members still suffered some suppression from the remaining Mental Force energy and laws inside the city, it was no longer strong enough to hinder them from moving around.
"Trouble! All of our Black Wind Group members who entered this city are dead!"
After a thorough search, they finally found many scattered remains of flesh and blood belonging to their comrades. They couldn't help but feel both shocked and furious.
"Our members entered this city primarily to pursue the Xiao family twins. Why are they all dead?"
A Golden Immortal at the Great Perfection level from the Black Wind Group asked in confusion.
"Even Elder Ma died here! I can sense the residual aura of his Soul Body! Elder Ma was a Heavenly Immortal expert, and even he fell here! Could this city conceal some terrifying, lethal danger? If so, we must be cautious and best leave this dangerous place quickly."
Another Great Perfection Golden Immortal spoke, his voice trembling slightly.
Hearing his words, the other Black Wind Group members immediately became vigilant.
"No, they were all killed by someone. And I faintly saw a blurry figure, somewhat familiar, like that surnamed Ye kid! If my guess is right, it's probably related to that kid."
The old man leading the Black Wind Group activated a highly advanced perception secret technique, forcibly tracing back the events on this street. He saw scenes of a large number of people being mysteriously killed here, and also caught a glimpse of a blurry figure with his hands behind his back, radiating an aura of complete composure.
"Moreover, not just our Black Wind Group members. It seems many people from other forces were also killed! It must be the handiwork of that surnamed Ye kid! He must have used that sophisticated Mental Force energy-type magic treasure to kill so many experts!"
The old man added, both furious and astonished. He discovered that besides Elder Ma, many Heavenly Immortal experts from other forces had also been mysteriously slain on this street. And throughout the process, Ye Yunfei was present!
"Even Elder Ma was killed by that surnamed Ye kid! The losses he has inflicted upon our Black Wind Group are too great! Elder Qi, we absolutely cannot let that kid go! Otherwise, our brothers who died by his hands will never rest in peace!"
A Great Perfection Golden Immortal with bloodshot eyes exclaimed angrily.
This was a middle-aged man who was actually Elder Ma's personal disciple. His master's death was a heavy blow to him.
"Immediately spread the news from here! Say that the kid surnamed Ye has killed many members of major forces, including numerous Heavenly Immortal experts! Once the news spreads, that kid will become an enemy to the world and will undoubtedly die! No matter how strong or monstrous he is, he cannot possibly oppose so many major forces at once!"
The old man, addressed as Elder Qi, pondered for a moment and spoke in a grave tone.
"Let's go!"
Elder Qi waved his hand and led the Black Wind Group members away from the city. He knew the city had likely been thoroughly explored and probably held no valuable items left behind.
Not long after, the Black Wind Group members disseminated the news.
Many members of major forces, including Heavenly Immortals, had been killed by a youth named Ye Yunfei from the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds! The forces involved included the Dark Faction, Demon City, Fiend City, Great Nether Realm, Heavenly God Hall, and others!
Once the news spread, it immediately caused a minor stir.
A kid from a remote world cluster dared to provoke so many major forces simultaneously? He was simply courting death!
Upon hearing the news, members of these major forces—the Dark Faction, Demon City, Fiend City, Great Nether Realm, Heavenly God Hall—all flew into a rage, swearing to settle accounts with that surnamed Ye kid!
"Ye Yunfei from the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds? That must be Brother Ye, right? This certainly matches Brother Ye's style. It seems Brother Ye is beginning to make a name for himself within the Chaotic Void Sea. At least within the domains of Golden Immortals and Heavenly Immortals, Brother Ye's fame is now widespread."
At this moment, in a certain space within the Void Secret Realm, a man in white robes heard the news. He was momentarily stunned, then smiled, speaking in an admiring tone.
If Ye Yunfei were here, he would immediately recognize this white-robed man as the one surnamed Meng who had treated him to Immortal Terrace Wine back in the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds.
"Brother Meng, it seems you hold that kid from the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds in high regard. With Brother Meng's discerning eye, there are only a handful of youngsters across the entire Chaotic Void Sea who can earn your admiration. For instance, the three Crown Princes of the Heavenly God Hall, several Nether Crown Princes of the Great Nether Realm, the Demon Crown Prince of Demon City, the Fiend Crown Prince of Fiend City, and a few Blacks from the Dark Faction... I haven't usually heard you praise them, yet you heap praises on that Ye Yunfei. It makes me intensely curious. I'm rather eager to see just what extraordinary qualities that surnamed Ye kid possesses."
A man beside him with prominent temples and a dignified, ancient-looking face spoke curiously.
"Those major forces like the Heavenly God Hall and the Great Nether Realm broadly recruit talented young geniuses from across the Chaotic Void Sea, then rely on ancient legacies and abundant wealth to force-feed and produce a few monsters. What's so praiseworthy about that? In contrast, Brother Ye hails from a remote world cluster like the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. His background, foundation, resources, inheritance, and so on are far inferior to the core disciples of those major factions. Yet, through his own efforts, he has attained such strength. That is truly worthy of praise. If I were placed in such a backward, remote world cluster to grow, I certainly couldn't compare to him."
The white-robed man said with a smile.
"Well said! Listening to your analysis, I too am beginning to feel a bit of admiration for that surnamed Ye kid. I'm even more eager to meet him now."
The man with the ancient features nodded.
"There will be an opportunity," the white-robed man said.
"By the way, Brother Meng, are you certain this Void Secret Realm is the one left behind by the legendary ancient Xuwu God?"
The man with ancient features suddenly asked softly.
"Not completely certain, but it's highly possible. Since ancient times, this secret realm has been called the Void Secret Realm, and this name happens to coincide with that of the ancient Xuwu God," the white-robed man nodded and replied.
"Aren't you being a bit arbitrary, judging the realm's origin based solely on its name?"
The ancient-featured man questioned.
"Moreover, according to legends, Xuwu God was one of the most powerful Deities of ancient times. If this secret realm truly is something he left behind, given Xuwu God's power and status, anything he casually left behind would be unimaginably valuable. Not just us, even Demi-Deities, or even true Deities, would desire it. However, we've been in this Void Secret Realm for some time now. Although we've gained quite a few precious treasures during this period, we've hardly encountered any Deity-level artifacts. What's going on?"
The ancient-featured man continued.
"Perhaps we just haven't encountered them yet. Be patient. If we can find something left behind by Xuwu God, we'll hit the jackpot," the white-robed man said with a laugh.
* * *
At this moment, Ye Yunfei was traveling through the chaotic, misty space of the Void Secret Realm with the two Xiao sisters and the two Peng siblings. As he advanced, a cultivation jade slip hovered within his soul sea, where one of his Soul Bodies was reading and comprehending it.
This jade slip was obtained earlier in that city.
"This jade slip indeed contains all sorts of technique inheritances from the Heart Gate! From now on, I finally possess a complete inheritance pertaining to Mental Force energy!"
Ye Yunfei thought excitedly as he comprehended the jade slip. Although he had cultivated his Mental Force energy to a quite proficient level, the Mental Force energy-related techniques and combat skills he had practiced were actually very limited. Currently, his most formidable Mental Force energy-type combat skill was the Formless Heart Sword. When employing Mental Force energy against enemies, Ye Yunfei repeatedly used the Formless Heart Sword. Of course, the Formless Heart Sword was also one of Ye Yunfei's strongest offensive methods!
Now, with the inheritance of the Heart Gate, Ye Yunfei could cultivate many more, higher-level Mental Force energy-type inheritances.
"Choose one technique to cultivate," Ye Yunfei thought to himself.
"Mental Force Lock!"
After perusing the jade slip for a while, Ye Yunfei's face suddenly lit up with joy. He selected a combat skill named Mental Force Lock.
The Mental Force Lock utilized Mental Force energy and Mental Force Laws to simulate an invisible shackle. During combat, it could suddenly clamp onto an enemy's body, restricting their movement. Since Mental Force energy was difficult to detect, enemies would struggle to detect and evade it before being shackled. Once restrained by the Mental Force Lock, breaking free would be extremely difficult. Therefore, it was an exceptionally tricky and insidious technique.
"Hmm... Aside from Mental Force Lock, there's also Mental Force Domain and even Mental Force World. The underlying principles of these three technique skills seem similar, but with my current Mental Force energy level, I can only cultivate the Mental Force Lock. I'm not yet qualified to cultivate Mental Force Domain or Mental Force World."
Flipping through the various inheritances recorded in the jade slip, Ye Yunfei mused internally.
"Good. I'll start cultivating Mental Force Lock immediately! The Formless Heart Sword focuses on offense, Mental Force Lock focuses on restraint. When combined, their power will be even greater!"
Ye Yunfei declared to himself. He then began using one of his Soul Bodies to comprehend the Mental Force Lock. Having two Soul Bodies allowed him to focus on different matters simultaneously. Thus, Ye Yunfei could easily continue traveling while also contemplating techniques.
About half a day later...
"The time is ripe. First, find a place to cultivate Mental Force Lock!"
Ye Yunfei had fully comprehended the essence of the Mental Force Lock technique and was ready to begin cultivation.
Without delay, Ye Yunfei found a secluded spot, used several dozen Formations to construct a small formation space, entered it, and then proceeded into the Phantom Tower.
The two Xiao sisters and the two Peng siblings were also brought by Ye Yunfei into the Phantom Tower. The four of them were very cooperative upon learning Ye Yunfei needed to cultivate.
Ye Yunfei then took out the Heart-Refining Tower and entered its interior space, settling into a cross-legged sitting position. Cultivating within the Heart-Refining Tower would yield better results!
*Rumble...*
Soon after Ye Yunfei entered the Heart-Refining Tower, vast and mighty waves of Mental Force energy and Mental Force Laws surged towards him from all directions, pressing down on his body as if he were bearing dozens of invisible, heavy divine mountains. However, Ye Yunfei understood that this environment was highly beneficial for his Mental Force energy!
With a wave of his hand, Ye Yunfei extracted a large quantity of cultivation resources related to Mental Force energy. In the palace within the city, he had obtained ten spatial rings, each filled with an astonishing amount of Mental Force energy-type resources. For a considerable period, he wouldn't need to worry about lacking such resources.
Next, Ye Yunfei began refining and absorbing the Mental Force energy cultivation resources placed around him while simultaneously practicing the Mental Force Lock.
Another half a day passed.
"I've finally succeeded in cultivating the Mental Force Lock! And my Mental Force energy level has also improved somewhat."
Inside the Heart-Refining Tower, Ye Yunfei suddenly opened his eyes and spoke.
"With Mental Force Lock plus the Formless Heart Sword, I can now deal with Primary Heavenly Immortals even more easily. Even if I encounter an Intermediate Heavenly Immortal, I can confidently engage in battle!"
Ye Yunfei stood up, speaking with confidence.
When Ye Yunfei first left the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds and entered the Chaotic Void Sea, encountering Heavenly Immortal-level experts forced him to retreat and evade. But now, he possessed the strength and confidence to fight them!
"However, my strongest combat power currently lies in Mental Force energy and sword techniques. My capabilities in other aspects are relatively weak and underdeveloped. This is my weakness. Especially my cultivation realm... it's too low! So next, I need to properly focus on raising my realm."
Ye Yunfei assessed his own strength and muttered to himself.
"Alright, onward to more exploration!"
Ye Yunfei exited the Heart-Refining Tower, then led the two Xiao sisters and the two Peng siblings out of the Phantom Tower, collected the several dozen Formations he had previously set up, and ventured forth into the chaotic, misty space ahead.