"You saved Huanhuan and Yueyue on two previous occasions, and now you've saved us as well, young man. Our Xiao Family owes you a debt of gratitude. Rest assured, our Xiao Family has always upheld clear boundaries between gratitude and grievance. We will remember this favor," Liu Laolao said once more.
Ye Yunfei gave a faint smile but didn't say anything further. In truth, he didn't pay much attention to Liu Laolao's words. For Ye Yunfei, personal strength was the most reliable guarantee. Favors others spoke of were perhaps just talk.
"Senior, there is something I'd like to remind you of. Your Xiao Family may have a traitor within. It's highly likely that someone from your family colluded with Zhan Yuan to deal with Miss Huanhuan and Miss Yueyue. As the saying goes, it's easier to block a spear in front than a dagger hidden behind. I think besides being careful of the Zhan Family and the Black Wind Group, you must be even more cautious of the traitor within your own family," Ye Yunfei pondered for a moment before speaking to Liu Laolao.
"You can be at ease. Huanhuan and Yueyue have already mentioned it to me. It seems there really is a traitor within our Xiao Family. I will definitely investigate and deal with the matter," Liu Laolao's expression turned grave upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words. Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue had already raised this issue with her earlier.
Based on various signs from before, Liu Laolao had already realized that there might indeed be a traitor within the Xiao Family.
"That's good then." Ye Yunfei didn't say anything more.
"I was injured in the previous battle. I may need to go into seclusion within this spatial treasure of yours to recover for a period of time," Liu Laolao said to Ye Yunfei.
She had already noticed that the interior of Ye Yunfei's spatial treasure possessed unique time-law properties, flowing much faster than the space outside. Healing here would afford her ample time.
"That's fine. You can enter seclusion and heal here," Ye Yunfei nodded.
Then, Liu Laolao found a quiet spot nearby and began closed-door healing. Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue, however, pulled Ye Yunfei aside, asking him this and that. The two sisters were not only deeply grateful to him but also utterly admiring, almost treating Ye Yunfei like an idol to be worshipped. Xiao Yueyue even nearly clung to his arm. In the depths of the sisters' hearts, Ye Yunfei occupied an increasingly important position.
However, Ye Yunfei wasn't in the mood to accompany the two sisters. Freeing himself from them, he found a place within the Phantom Tower and sat down cross-legged.
"I wonder what use this Stone God Pool actually has?" Ye Yunfei waved a hand, and a lake appeared before him. It was precisely the Stone God Pool he had seized not long ago. Even now, he still didn't know its exact purpose. Yet one thing was certain: this Stone God Pool must be exceptionally precious; otherwise, the Yaodu demon clans wouldn't have regarded it so highly.
Ye Yunfei released his Soul Power energy to probe the Stone God Pool before him, beginning to study it. However, even after several days of thorough research, he didn't gain any clues.
"Forget it. Let's leave it aside for now. I'll study it in detail later when I have time." Ye Yunfei put the Stone God Pool away.
"I now possess combat strength capable of dealing with Primary and Intermediate Heavenly Immortals. But that's still not enough.
Within the Chaotic Void Sea, many major factions have Half-God level experts holding the fort. Moreover, even if I were to encounter an Advanced or a Perfected Heavenly Immortal now, I wouldn't necessarily be a match. Though if I encountered an Advanced Heavenly Immortal, even if I can't defeat them, they likely couldn't do much to me either, so there wouldn't be much danger. But if I encountered a Perfected Heavenly Immortal, that would be a different story.
All in all, my current strength is still insufficient."
Ye Yunfei roughly assessed his current level of power.
"Next, I should focus on breaking through my realm, striving to become a Heavenly Immortal as soon as possible," Ye Yunfei muttered to himself.
Ye Yunfei's current cultivation was that of an Intermediate Golden Immortal. To break through to Heavenly Immortal, he first needed to advance to a Perfected Golden Immortal, then weather nine heavenly tribulations to become a Nine-Nine Returned True Immortal, before finally breaking through to Heavenly Immortal. There were still several steps to go in this process.
"Next, I need to allocate time to properly cultivate the Nine-Yang Ancient Sutra." Ye Yunfei said softly.
Ye Yunfei's primary cultivation art currently was the Nine-Yang Ancient Sutra. This technique was gifted to him by a mysterious old man from the world of Three Thousand Realms. According to that old man, the Nine-Yang Scripture was also a creation of his.
Ye Yunfei took out a large amount of cultivation resources and placed them around his body, beginning to cultivate the Nine-Yang Ancient Sutra.
Once he circulated the technique, the eight chaotic divine meridians within his body manifested, erupting with powerful suction force that began absorbing the energy contained in the cultivation resources around him. Unbeknownst to him, over half a month passed within the Phantom Tower.
Then Ye Yunfei received a message from Huang Shang. He immediately exited the Phantom Tower, put away all dozens of formations he had previously set up, and saw a ghostly figure rapidly rushing out from within the swamp.
"How was it? A good haul, I presume?" Seeing Huang Shang's beaming face, Ye Yunfei asked.
"It was truly excellent. I've turned that swamp upside down. There are probably several hundred crocodile demons currently in a state of violent fury, either cultivating or lying dormant. The people from the Zhan Family and the Black Wind Group are being besieged by those crocodile demons. Who knows if they'll have a chance to walk out," Huang Shang said with a laugh.
"Then let's go. No need to concern ourselves with them for now," Ye Yunfei said.
This was the Void Secret Realm. There were still many treasures and resources waiting to be explored. Ye Yunfei didn't want to waste time on the Zhan Family and Black Wind Group members. If they wanted revenge, there would be plenty of opportunities later.
Ye Yunfei activated his movement technique and headed into the distance, disappearing without a trace in moments.
Roughly half a day after Ye Yunfei left, over a dozen disheveled figures frantically escaped from the swamp.
"Damn it! There are so many crocodile demons in this swamp!" An old man at the forefront turned to look deep into the swamp, grinding his teeth in anger. This old man was an Intermediate Heavenly Immortal from the Zhan Family.
At this point, less than ten members of the Zhan Family remained. Only four Heavenly Immortals, Zhan Yuan, and a few other offspring of notable status within the family managed to escape. The Black Wind Group only had three escapees, one of them being that Primary Heavenly Immortal.
"Our losses this time are immense! Almost all the Heavenly Immortal-level Warbeasts we brought with us perished," a Primary Heavenly Immortal from the Zhan Family said despondently.
Not long ago, inside the swamp, the forces of the Zhan Family and the Black Wind Group were besieged by hundreds of crocodile demons, perilous situations kept cropping up. The Zhan Family and Black Wind Group personnel struggled desperately, and most were ultimately killed by the crocodile demons.
At the critical moment, the four Heavenly Immortals of the Zhan Family chose to sacrifice the Heavenly Immortal-level Warbeasts and only managed to barely escape. The Primary Heavenly Immortal of the Black Wind Group closely followed these Heavenly Immortals of the Zhan Family, bringing two trusted subordinates, also barely managing to escape.
Recalling their recent experience in the swamp, the Heavenly Immortals who escaped all looked pale, their hearts still racing with fear.
"Strange. When we entered, we couldn't see a single crocodile demon in this swamp, nor did we provoke them. Why did those crocodile demons suddenly go mad when we were coming out? Who provoked them?" the middle-aged man from the Black Wind Group said, puzzled.
"When those crocodile demons went mad, that ghostly shadow kept appearing nearby. I think it's very likely that ghostly shadow was the one causing trouble!" a Primary Heavenly Immortal from the Zhan Family said.
"I remember that kid Ye Yunfei had a ghost cultivator by his side!" At this moment, a Black Wind Group member suddenly exclaimed in surprise.
"That ghost cultivator by Ye Yunfei's side? So it’s highly likely Ye Yunfei was the one behind all this!" Hearing the Black Wind Group member's words, the others were startled first, then furious expressions spread across their faces.
"It must have been that kid's doing! The Zhan Family will remember this grudge!" a Heavenly Immortal from the Zhan Family said, his face twisted with anger, speaking coldly.
Recalling their recent ordeal, everyone wished they could find Ye Yunfei immediately for revenge!
"Ye Yunfei! You've caused me to lose nearly half of my Warbeasts! This is a grudge I, Zhan Yuan, swear to remember! Just you wait! If I, Zhan Yuan, do not avenge this, I vow not to be considered human!" Zhan Yuan was shaking all over with fury, his eyes blazing with fire, his fists clenched so tightly the veins popped.
Inside that swamp just now, he had lost most of the Warbeasts he brought from his family! Even his beloved fiery lion, the one that had accompanied him since childhood, as dear as a sibling, was torn to pieces by those crocodile demons!
At this time, Ye Yunfei had already continued exploring and treasure-hunting throughout the Void Secret Realm, making several decent gains along the way.
During this process, the two Xiao sisters—Huanhuan and Yueyue—and the Peng siblings—Rou and her brother—stayed by Ye Yunfei's side, following him into world after world and secret realm after secret realm.
Liu Laolao and the other members of the Xiao Family remained within the Phantom Tower, recovering in seclusion.
In the following days, Ye Yunfei encountered members of the major factions like the Dark Faction, the demon clans, the Devil Clan, and the Heavenly God Hall from time to time. This time, with the Void Secret Realm open, these major factions had dispatched many people. After entering the secret realm, the forces of these factions all operated in separate groups, each divided into numerous small teams. Every time he encountered people from these factions, Ye Yunfei showed no mercy, striking directly. After killing the members of these major factions, he would also strip them of all their valuables.
Over ten days later.
"Young Master Ye, my injuries have fully healed," Liu Laolao said, emerging from the Phantom Tower with the Xiao Family members.
While only ten days had passed outside, a very long time had passed inside the Phantom Tower. The injuries of Liu Laolao and these Xiao Family members had all completely healed.
"Liu Laolao, your injuries are better?" Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue were thrilled upon hearing Liu Laolao's words and immediately rushed over. They had grown up under Liu Laolao's care, and their bond was deep.
"Yes, my injuries are healed. During my recovery, Young Master Ye provided me with some excellent healing pills and various treasures. That is one of the reasons my injuries were able to heal so quickly," Liu Laolao said with a smile.
"Liu Laolao, our harvest during this period has been immense! Look, all of these are treasures we obtained!" Xiao Yueyue took out over ten spatial rings and showed them off to Liu Laolao.
"You were able to gain these primarily because of Young Master Ye. Based on your own strength, you couldn't have made such a great harvest," Liu Laolao stated.
Although she had been in closed-door healing within the Phantom Tower these past days, she could still sense the various events happening outside. She was aware of how Ye Yunfei had taken the two Xiao sisters and the two Peng siblings treasure-hunting and exploring. She knew very well that if it weren't for Ye Yunfei, based solely on the strength of Xiao Huanhuan and Xiao Yueyue, there were many places they wouldn't even have the strength to enter. Even if they managed to get in, they likely wouldn't have gained much. Her favorable opinion of Ye Yunfei increased a bit more.
"Young Master Ye, I plan to go search for a core secret realm within this Void Secret Realm—the Xuwu Realm," Liu Laolao said to Ye Yunfei.
"The core secret realm of the Void Secret Realm? The Xuwu Realm?" Hearing Liu Laolao's words, Ye Yunfei was a bit curious, as this was the first time he'd heard of it.
"The Xuwu Realm? This old lady actually plans to go to the Xuwu Realm! Could she know where it is?" Suddenly, the remnant soul exclaimed in surprise.
"Senior, do you know about the Xuwu Realm?" Ye Yunfei immediately sent a mental transmission.
"Of course I know about the Xuwu Realm. When I came to explore the Void Secret Realm in the past, I had heard of it. However, the Xuwu Realm is merely a legendary secret realm. Nobody knows if this realm truly exists. During my exploration of the Void Secret Realm, many people from major factions, after entering, searched everywhere for the Xuwu Realm's whereabouts, so I heard its name back then too. But from start to finish of that exploration, rumor has it nobody managed to find the Xuwu Realm. So later everyone speculated that this legendary Xuwu Realm most likely didn't exist, merely being a fabricated secret realm. I never thought that during this exploration, there would be people searching for it again," the remnant soul said.
"What is the specific content of the legend regarding the Xuwu Realm?" Ye Yunfei asked curiously.
"This legend about the Xuwu Realm was first circulated among some ancient, major factions. It is said that the Void Secret Realm was actually a world created and left behind by an extremely powerful deity from ancient times. That deity was called the Deity of Void. Within the Void Secret Realm, there is a very special world named the Xuwu Realm, which was the cultivation cave abode of the Deity of Void. It is said the Deity of Void left behind a vast number of treasures within the Xuwu Realm. Entering the Void Secret Realm, if one can find the Xuwu Realm, one can obtain the true treasures and inheritance left by the Deity of Void. Therefore, every time the Void Secret Realm opens, many people from major factions specifically search for the Xuwu Realm. Initially, it was members of some ancient major factions who searched for it. Later, as the news gradually spread, more and more people from major factions wanted to find it. However, in my time, rumor has it nobody found the Xuwu Realm," the remnant soul explained.
"I see," Ye Yunfei felt it was quite novel.