Ye Yunfei's shocked gaze was fixed intently on the young Daoist boy. Suddenly, the boy raised his head, his serene gaze also landing on Ye Yunfei.
Although he appeared to be merely a little Daoist child, his eyes were unfathomably deep, carrying a profound sense of time's vicissitudes, as if he were a wise old man who had seen through all worldly matters.
"Young man, if I am not mistaken, you should hail from the Three Thousand Worlds. Your body is tainted with the aura of many Deities from that spacetime, and your fortunes are quite favorable. You are promising material.
I'll gift you this Alchemy Furnace. There was a period in the past when I frequently used this furnace for alchemy. It has recorded a portion of my alchemy methods and experiences. I don't know if it will be useful to you.
You can take it and contemplate it."
The young Daoist boy's voice sounded within Ye Yunfei's Soul Sea.
"Many thanks, senior!"
Overjoyed, Ye Yunfei immediately transmitted a message of gratitude.
These were the alchemy methods and experiences of a Deity! Their value was simply inestimable.
Boom…
At this moment, the Alchemy Furnace placed before the young Daoist boy suddenly trembled violently, then soared into the air, leaving a series of afterimages before vanishing completely.
"The furnace has returned to me!"
Ye Yunfei suddenly wore an expression of pleasant surprise, for the furnace that had flown out earlier had suddenly returned, settling back into its original place within him.
Ye Yunfei understood in his heart that it was the Deity who had sent it back, using an extremely covert method to avoid attracting attention as much as possible.
Now, although there was still a furnace in front of the young Daoist boy, it was merely an illusion. The real furnace had returned to Ye Yunfei.
Meng Wu and Lu Jun saw the change in Ye Yunfei's expression and inwardly found it strange. However, they did not voice their questions, choosing instead to stand by and wait. They knew Ye Yunfei must have discovered something.
"What's going on? That furnace seemed to have stirred suddenly!"
Master Dan Yuanzi was still intently observing the young Daoist boy inside the palace. He saw the boy open his eyes and glance in Ye Yunfei's direction, then he saw the furnace in front of the boy soar up and vanish.
However, when he calmed himself and looked carefully, the furnace was still placed before the young Daoist boy, seemingly unchanged.
"Strange, this furnace seems to have become somewhat transparent!"
Dan Yuanzi was an experienced alchemist, very familiar with all sorts of furnaces, and possessed formidable perception. He vaguely sensed that the furnace before the young Daoist boy seemed to have turned a bit transparent. A conjecture arose in his mind.
"Could it be that the furnace has already returned to that young man? If that's the case, excellent! Once we leave this place, I'll seek him out. No matter what means I must use, I must obtain that furnace!"
Dan Yuanzi's gaze turned to Ye Yunfei. Seeing the fleeting look of pleasant surprise on Ye Yunfei's face made him even more convinced that the furnace had likely returned to Ye Yunfei's possession.
At this time, many of the people who had entered this world were moving toward other areas, preparing to continue exploring.
According to legend, this Xuwu Realm was the core world within the Xuwu Secret Realm. In ancient times, the Xuwu God cultivated and resided here, so everyone believed there should be many treasures and opportunities left behind by the ancient god.
"Senior, thank you for gifting the furnace."
Ye Yunfei was still focused on the young Daoist boy in that palace, respectfully sending a sound transmission.
But the young Daoist boy remained seated there with his eyes closed, as if he hadn't heard Ye Yunfei's transmission.
"Have you noticed? Within this palace complex, although there are many young Daoist children, they are all identical in their attire, appearance, even their auras.
It's like many shadows of a single person. I suspect all these young Daoist boys here belong to the same individual."
Hun Lao suddenly spoke to Ye Yunfei.
As part of the Chaos World Tree, Hun Lao was extremely sensitive to space. He had discovered that the auras of all the young Daoist boys in this area were identical.
"Hun Lao, you're right! These young Daoist boys truly are identical. Could they really be the same person?"
Hearing Hun Lao's words, Ye Yunfei was startled. He immediately probed all the young Daoist boys within the palace complex and found it was indeed so. Their attire, appearance, expressions, demeanor, even their auras were all the same.
"This senior probably doesn't wish to pay attention to me anymore. I shouldn't disturb him further."
Seeing that the young Daoist boy in the palace hadn't acknowledged him, Ye Yunfei thought to himself.
"Brother Meng, Brother Lu, I'll look elsewhere."
Therefore, Ye Yunfei bowed respectfully in the direction of the young Daoist boy, then sent a sound transmission to Meng Wu and Lu Jun.
Subsequently, the three turned to leave.
Although Meng Wu and Lu Jun were puzzled by Ye Yunfei's actions, they didn't ask. They understood it was Ye Yunfei's secret; unless Ye Yunfei volunteered the information, it wasn't appropriate to inquire.
Dan Yuanzi, from a distance, was attentively observing every move Ye Yunfei made.
"This kid suddenly bowed to that young Daoist boy in the palace. Without a doubt, he must have gained some benefit.
That young Daoist boy is a Divine Pill Master, capable of refining Divine Pills. So whatever that kid obtained is definitely of astonishing value. I must find a way to get it."
Dan Yuanzi looked at Ye Yunfei, his gaze somewhat feverish.
Although he was renowned throughout the Chaotic Void Sea, and his alchemy skills were widely recognized as highly advanced, he himself was not satisfied.
For many years, he had been striving to elevate his alchemy to the next level, but had been stuck at his current stage. Now, he suddenly saw a glimmer of hope. If he could obtain the treasure or legacy of a Divine Pill Master, the benefits would be boundless, and he could certainly advance his alchemy further.
"Master Dan Yuanzi, that kid is leaving now!"
Someone next to Dan Yuanzi spoke at this moment.
Four Heavenly Immortal experts stood beside Dan Yuanzi — one Perfected Heavenly Immortal and three Advanced Heavenly Immortals.
"Let's follow them!"
Dan Yuanzi waved his hand and took the lead, chasing after Ye Yunfei's trio.
"Young man, please wait!"
Dan Yuanzi himself was a Perfected Heavenly Immortal, with considerable strength, so his speed was naturally not slow. In less than a breath's time, he was in front of Ye Yunfei.
"Master Dan Yuanzi!"
Meng Wu and Lu Jun were somewhat surprised to see Master Dan Yuanzi suddenly appear before them.
"Master Dan Yuanzi, is there something you need?" Meng Wu asked.
After all, Dan Yuanzi was a somewhat famous alchemist, so Meng Wu was still being polite.
"I'm looking for this young man."
Dan Yuanzi looked at Ye Yunfei.
"You need something from me?"
Seeing Dan Yuanzi, Ye Yunfei couldn't help but frown.
Previously, through conversations between others and Dan Yuanzi, Ye Yunfei had learned he was a master alchemist. Now that he suddenly came seeking him out, it was highly likely he wanted to ask about the furnace, as he had inquired once before.
"Young man, just now the Alchemy Furnace on you was summoned by that young Daoist boy. What exactly happened?
Has that furnace now returned to your hands?" Dan Yuanzi asked directly.
"It seems this old thing has noticed something. He actually knows the furnace has returned to you!" Hun Lao was somewhat surprised, sending a sound transmission to Ye Yunfei.
"It goes without saying, he has his eye on your Alchemy Furnace," Hun Lao added.
"Yes, I already knew earlier that he's after my Alchemy Furnace."
Ye Yunfei, being an alchemist himself, understood how alluring a good furnace was to someone like Dan Yuanzi.
"Sorry, I have no comment."
Ye Yunfei answered blandly.
"Young man, my inquiry comes from genuine sincerity.
If the furnace really has returned to you, could you take it out and let me have a look? Being an alchemist, I'm very interested in all kinds of furnaces. I think your furnace is quite good. I'm willing to pay a high price to buy it. Rest assured, in the Chaotic Void Sea, my reputation holds some weight. The price I offer will definitely satisfy you."
Dan Yuanzi was unwilling to give up and continued speaking, appearing very enthusiastic.
"I said, I have no comment. If there's nothing else, I must take my leave.
Brother Meng, Brother Lu, let's go."
Ye Yunfei answered indifferently, then prepared to leave.
"You..."
Seeing Ye Yunfei's attitude, Dan Yuanzi was momentarily at a loss for words.
Given his status and position, he rarely encountered such cold treatment.
Usually, juniors like Ye Yunfei would display utmost admiration and respect in his presence, eager to curry favor. Who would adopt such an attitude, keeping others at arm's length like Ye Yunfei?
"Kid, don't be ungrateful. Do you dare not even give Master Dan Yuanzi face?"
The four Heavenly Immortal experts beside Dan Yuanzi all showed expressions of anger. One of them stepped forward, blocking Ye Yunfei's path.
"Young man, I heard you come from the Three Thousand Worlds. That's a remote and backward cluster of worlds, so perhaps you haven't heard of Master Dan Yuanzi's reputation.
Master Dan Yuanzi is a highly renowned master alchemist. In the Chaotic Void Sea, countless people desire to request pills from him yet cannot obtain them. Even the major powers within those core world clusters respectfully invite Master Dan Yuanzi to refine pills for them.
As a junior, to receive Master Dan Yuanzi's favor, for him to actively seek you out to speak with you, this in itself is a great honor.
If you can win Master Dan Yuanzi's appreciation, in the future while traveling through the Chaotic Void Sea, you will face far fewer troubles!"
This Heavenly Immortal looked at Ye Yunfei with a piercing, intimidating gaze, speaking in a low voice.
During this period, Ye Yunfei had provoked several major forces. Those factions had already widely circulated Ye Yunfei's portrait and Soul Body aura to hunt him down. Thus, many people already knew Ye Yunfei.
Dan Yuanzi and his four Heavenly Immortal experts also knew Ye Yunfei's name and origins. In their view, the reason Ye Yunfei appeared so indifferent towards Dan Yuanzi was mainly because he didn't understand Dan Yuanzi's status.
"Kid, Master Dan Yuanzi has taken a liking to your Alchemy Furnace. Name your price. You can be bold. Don't worry, money is nothing to Master Dan Yuanzi. You will be satisfied."
Another Heavenly Immortal said.
"Kid, your chance to strike it rich is here.
The immortal pills Master Dan Yuanzi refines have always been highly sought after in the Chaotic Void Sea. Just casually producing some immortal pills yields astonishing value.
Kid, as long as you sell that Alchemy Furnace to Master Dan Yuanzi, you'll become immensely wealthy immediately!"
Yet another Heavenly Immortal spoke.
Meng Wu and Lu Jun, standing by observing this scene, felt displeased.
However, they didn't speak up because Dan Yuanzi, as a master alchemist, truly had immense wealth and was extremely rich.
"I'm not interested.
Brother Meng, Brother Lu, let's go."
Ye Yunfei had no intention of continuing the conversation. He spoke coldly, then without further delay, turned to leave.
Meng Wu and Lu Jun also remained silent, following Ye Yunfei, as they too were displeased with Dan Yuanzi and his Heavenly Immortals' attitude towards Ye Yunfei.
"You..."
Dan Yuanzi, seeing Ye Yunfei's action, couldn't help but be taken aback.
"Kid, don't be so insolent!
With Master Dan Yuanzi's status, when has he ever spoken so cordially to a junior like you? Don't be so ungrateful. You're being offered an honor and yet refuse to accept it!"
An Advanced Heavenly Immortal said furiously.
Swoosh!
This Advanced Heavenly Immortal's figure flashed as he charged toward Ye Yunfei, wanting to intercept him.
Ye Yunfei's expression turned frosty.
"Brother Ye, you go ahead first. The two of us will deal with them!" Meng Wu said in a low voice. He feared Ye Yunfei would suffer losses, given the other side had three Advanced Heavenly Immortals and one Perfected Heavenly Immortal, and Dan Yuanzi himself was also a Perfected Heavenly Immortal.
"Many thanks for your kind intentions, but let me handle this myself."
Ye Yunfei replied.
The next moment, Ye Yunfei unleashed an Invisible Heart Sword, attacking into the Advanced Heavenly Immortal's body.
Simultaneously, he employed a Mental Force Shackle, an intangible restraint that clamped onto the Heavenly Immortal's body.
The Advanced Heavenly Immortal's movements suddenly halted, both startled and furious.
"Kid! What wicked art are you using?!"
The Advanced Heavenly Immortal was simultaneously contending with the Invisible Heart Sword and the Mental Force Shackle. Unable to break free immediately, he stood there, his face alternating between pale and flushed, roaring loudly.
"Brother Meng, Brother Lu, let's go.
They can't do anything to me."
Ye Yunfei said, then activated his movement technique, continuing forward into the distance.
"Impressive!"
Meng Wu and Lu Jun exchanged a glance, somewhat astonished.
They believed they could also deal with that Advanced Heavenly Immortal, but such an eerie method as Ye Yunfei's, instantly rendering the Heavenly Immortal immobile, was something they couldn't achieve.
"What's going on?"
Dan Yuanzi and the other three Heavenly Immortals, seeing this scene, were greatly startled.
"That kid used some bizarre, evil art! It's extremely strange! An invisible sword attacked into my body, and an invisible shackle clamped onto my frame, rendering me immobile.
I couldn't sense any attacking energy or laws beforehand. I couldn't evade it. It's too bizarre!"
The Advanced Heavenly Immortal said angrily.
"This should be an attack from Mental Force energy!"
Dan Yuanzi said with a grave expression.