"Let's run!"
The five Heavenly Immortals from the Great Netherworld felt a chill in their hearts when they saw the murderous intent in Ye Yunfei's eyes.
They had just witnessed Ye Yunfei's battle with the clone of the Eighth Temple King Yama. They knew that with their own strength of five, they stood no chance against Ye Yunfei.
Without hesitation, the five Heavenly Immortals from the Great Netherworld turned to flee. Simultaneously, other members of the Great Netherworld forces within the Netherworld received the order to escape, immediately turning and swarming towards the Netherworld's exits.
"Do you really think you can escape?"
Ye Yunfei gave a cold laugh, activated the Time Boots, and in one step closed in on the five fleeing Heavenly Immortals. He then unleashed his Heart Force Locks.
"No good, I can't move!"
"This... this feels like a Heart Force martial technique!"
...
Each of the five Heavenly Immortals was immediately shackled by an invisible lock. Their bodies stiffened, frozen in place, unable to move any further. They cried out in panic.
"Old Huang, the Soul Bodies of these five fellows are yours," Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
"Excellent. Five Heavenly Immortal Soul Bodies... they'll serve as a nice little supplement for me," Huang Shang's pitch-black and gleaming ghost form appeared, issuing a sinister chuckle as it floated before the five Great Netherworld Heavenly Immortals. His eyes gleamed.
"This time, I want to devour their Soul Bodies whole. Please help suppress them for me," Huang Shang said.
"Certainly," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Esteemed Ghost Practitioner, the arts you cultivate are ghost techniques. They share the same origin as those of our Great Netherworld. Speaking of it, you are destined to have ties with our Great Netherworld. Why must you side with this Young Master Ye and instead oppose us?
Why don't you release us and return with us to the Great Netherworld? With your talent and strength, esteemed Ghost Practitioner, you would undoubtedly be highly valued by our upper echelons.
Moreover, our Great Netherworld's Dark Book Tower houses numerous ancient, high-level ghost cultivation techniques handed down through time. You would then have the opportunity to cultivate ancient ghost arts," one of the Great Netherworld Heavenly Immortals surreptitiously transmitted to Huang Shang.
"Oh, is that so? The Dark Book Tower of the Great Netherworld houses ancient ghost cultivation techniques?" Huang Shang immediately revealed a greedy expression upon hearing this. After all, ghost cultivation legacies circulating in the world were exceedingly rare. Many ancient ghost cultivation arts had long been lost. If the Great Netherworld truly possessed such ancient legacies, they would indeed be exceptionally precious.
"Of course, it's true. Ghost cultivation techniques and our Great Netherworld's legacies indeed share the same source.
It is said many of our Great Netherworld's cultivation techniques and arts can also be practiced by ghost cultivators.
Esteemed Ghost Practitioner, as long as you save the five of us and follow us back to the Great Netherworld, we will vouch for you with all our might, ensuring you prosper greatly within the Great Netherworld," one Great Netherworld Heavenly Immortal answered.
"Oh? You hold me in such high regard?" Huang Shang couldn't help but laugh upon hearing the words of that Great Netherworld Heavenly Immortal.
"You certainly possess the capital to warrant our attention. And seeking refuge in our Great Netherworld is truly the best choice for you.
Because ghost cultivators and members of our Great Netherworld are essentially one and the same, on the same side," thinking Huang Shang was already tempted, that Great Netherworld Heavenly Immortal hurriedly added.
"A pity you've provoked him. His enemies are my enemies. Thus, we are destined to be adversaries, not allies," Huang Shang said with mockery.
"Esteemed Ghost Practitioner, why must you insist on staying with this Young Master Ye?
He has offended so many major forces; he is bound to come to a bad end.
I think you should start considering your own future, to distance yourself from him sooner rather than later. That is the wise path to self-preservation," that Heavenly Immortal continued to persuade.
"How could I possibly distance myself from him?
Everything I have was given by him. Without him, there would be no me.
Enough nonsense. Offer up your Soul Body obediently." Huang Shang sneered.
He then immediately moved behind the Great Netherworld Heavenly Immortal who had spoken and began to employ ghost arts to devour his Soul Body.
"You dare!"
This Great Netherworld Heavenly Immortal paled in terror, shouting loudly. He unleashed all his Soul Power energy, wrapping his Soul Body in a protective layer.
However, Ye Yunfei immediately unleashed a soul sword, wounding his Soul Body in a single stroke. Then, Huang Shang employed a high-level ghost technique, forcibly dragging the Heavenly Immortal's Soul Body out from his soul sea and devouring it whole.
Subsequently, with Ye Yunfei's help, Huang Shang easily devoured the Soul Bodies of the other four Great Netherworld Heavenly Immortals.
As for the other Great Netherworld personnel, they had already fled from the Netherworld.
"Where do you think you're escaping to?"
The people of the Qianfang World Cluster had already received Ye Yunfei's earlier transmission and were waiting outside the Netherworld's exits.
The moment the Great Netherworld forces rushed out, they were intercepted by the Qianfang World Cluster's army. After a fierce charge and slaughter, the Great Netherworld forces were routed, suffering heavy casualties. Only a very few managed to luckily escape the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds.
After Ye Yunfei dealt with the Great Netherworld forces, The Farmer and several villagers approached him.
"Young Master Ye, we are prepared to bid you farewell," The Farmer spoke to Ye Yunfei. "Your current strength now surpasses our own. With you here in the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, there is no longer a need for us to provide protection.
We wish to return to the Tianpo Realm to recuperate for a while. Of course, if in the future Young Master Ye should require our assistance again, we can emerge at any time.
Because before Mister Liu's main body departed, he instructed us to help you, Young Master Ye, protect the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds."
"Esteemed Seniors, it is fine for you to return and recuperate. In the recent period, it was only thanks to the intervention of you esteemed seniors that the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds were protected. On behalf of all living beings in these worlds, I thank you," Ye Yunfei replied.
Indeed, Ye Yunfei's current strength surpassed that of these few subordinates of Mister Liu. As long as Ye Yunfei remained in the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, there was truly no need for them to intervene.
"Young Master Ye, there is no need for such formalities. We were merely carrying out orders," The Farmer smiled, then turned and departed with the other villagers.
Not all the villagers who had emerged from Mister Liu's small mountain hamlet to protect the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds were present here. Many more were stationed across different parts of the realms.
"Go and free all your imprisoned clansmen first," Ye Yunfei said to the Seventh Holy Son, who was currently in seclusion recovering from his injuries inside the Phantom Tower.
After receiving the healing pills Ye Yunfei had concocted for him and recuperating inside the Phantom Tower for some time, the Seventh Holy Son's injuries had greatly improved, as the pills Ye Yunfei crafted were extremely effective.
"Master, I will go immediately," the Seventh Holy Son emerged from the Phantom Tower and respectfully replied before turning to free his imprisoned clansmen.
At this time, a number of Heavenly Immortal experts from the Qianfang World Cluster had already entered the Netherworld. Ye Yunfei had these Heavenly Immortals accompany the Seventh Holy Son. With their protection, even if the Seventh Holy Son encountered any mishaps, he wouldn't easily come to harm.
Not long after, the Seventh Holy Son released a batch of imprisoned Flying Sky Yin Monkeys. He then managed to contact the Grand Elder from within the ancestral lands of the Flying Sky Yin Monkey Tribe. The Grand Elder had previously led a group of clansmen into hiding within the void. Now, he returned with those clansmen.
Thus, the Seventh Holy Son once again had a contingent under his command and began organizing the Netherworld and underworld.
Ye Yunfei left behind a portion of Qianfang World Cluster's Heavenly Immortals and forces within the Netherworld to assist the Seventh Holy Son, then departed himself.
"Young Master Ye, our forces have already established numerous checkpoints around the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, completely sealing them off. Furthermore, I have sent people to several nearby World Clusters to proclaim that from now on, the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds will be blockaded, allowing no arbitrary entry or exit."
Ouyang Tao came before Ye Yunfei to report.
"Additionally, there were originally forces from various major factions stationed around the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. I have sent people to clear them out. Some were killed, while others fled," Ouyang Tao continued.
"Very good.
Continue sending people to block all entry and exit passages around the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. Anyone who enters without permission shall be executed," Ye Yunfei nodded and said.
Next, Ye Yunfei traveled across the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, seeing that order had been restored to the various realms. Forces from the Qianfang World Cluster were patrolling various locations, maintaining order across this World Cluster.
The overall strength of the Qianfang World Cluster's forces far exceeded that of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. With such a powerful external force maintaining order, peace had been thoroughly restored within a short time.
Before long, Ye Yunfei arrived at the former entrance site of the Colorless Abyss.
"The entrance to the Colorless Abyss has closed," Ye Yunfei gazed at a patch of void space ahead for a moment before speaking in a heavy tone.
Previously, a vast ocean existed at the site of the Colorless Abyss entrance. Now, that ocean had vanished without a trace, leaving only an expanse of hazy void.
Ever since the Deity Corpse emerged from the Colorless Abyss, no one dared to easily approach this section of void space where the entrance was located.
A Deity Corpse's power of deterrence was simply too great. Never mind the native inhabitants of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds; even the external powerhouses, unless absolutely necessary, would definitely avoid setting foot in this void space.
Who knew whether that Deity Corpse might suddenly walk out again?
"Now that we have begun to enter the Deity Era, the Colorless Abyss will one day be reopened," Ye Yunfei stood at a distance, looking towards the location of the Colorless Abyss entrance. After a moment, he said softly.
Back in the Fire Realm, Cui Hong had prophesied that the Deity Era was about to arrive.
Ye Yunfei believed Cui Hong's words, after all, Cui Hong was a Deity!
As long as the Deity Era truly arrived, this Colorless Abyss containing a Deity Corpse would inevitably be targeted.
Because the corpse of an ancient Deity was itself an invaluable treasure.
Never mind Demigods, even genuine Deities would likely wish to enter the Colorless Abyss for a look.
A moment later, Ye Yunfei turned and left.
Not long after, Ye Yunfei returned to the Canghuang Realm and arrived before the little girl.
The little girl was still in deep slumber, but her condition seemed to have improved greatly.
"She will awaken before long," sensing the little girl's condition for a while, Ye Yunfei felt much relieved.
Ye Yunfei then left the Canghuang Realm and arrived within the Vermilion Bird Realm.
"Ye Yunfei, you've come!" The Vermilion Bird King led a group of high-ranking figures to meet Ye Yunfei.
Previously, the Vermilion Bird King had once led this realm's forces to seek refuge in Mister Liu's small mountain hamlet within the Tianpo Realm, but later they had returned to rebuild the Vermilion Bird Realm.
A while ago, when numerous external factions entered the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, their first move was to target realms and people connected to Ye Yunfei. Among them, the Vermilion Bird Realm was a key focal point.
Forces from several major factions had intended to attack the Vermilion Bird Realm. Fortunately, Mister Liu's subordinates arrived promptly, protecting this realm.
Thus, the Vermilion Bird Realm hadn't suffered much damage.
After learning the situation from the Vermilion Bird King and confirming the realm's safety, Ye Yunfei felt reassured and then departed.
Shortly thereafter, Ye Yunfei arrived at the Sky Shadow Realm.
As soon as he entered the Sky Shadow Realm, the Shadow King came to welcome him, accompanied by a group of high-ranking officials.
The situation in the Sky Shadow Realm was similar to that of the Vermilion Bird Realm.
It had also been besieged by forces from several external major factions. Fortunately, Mister Liu's subordinates arrived in time, resulting in minimal losses.
"Young Master Ye, I just received news that you unleashed your might, driving out all those external factions and even slaying many Heavenly Immortal experts.
Young Master Ye, just how strong are you now?" The Shadow King asked Ye Yunfei curiously.
"My current strength... roughly equates to that of an ordinary Demigod," Ye Yunfei answered truthfully without concealment.
"A Demigod expert!"
Upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, the Shadow King and the Sky Shadow Realm high-ranking officials beside him all drew sharp breaths, feeling deeply astonished.
For the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, a Heavenly Immortal expert was already considered extremely formidable. A Demigod expert? That was akin to a divine dragon in the heavens, utterly beyond reach.
"Young Master Ye, to possess Demigod strength at such a young age is truly astounding!" The Shadow King and the other high-ranking figures all exclaimed in amazement.
"By the way, Young Master Ye, I plan to lead our Sky Shadow Race forces to leave the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds after some time," the Shadow King suddenly said.
"Oh? Why is that?" Ye Yunfei was somewhat surprised.
"Not long ago, while conducting a worship ceremony at our ancestral lands, we unexpectedly established contact with the legendary Mother World of our race... and even obtained the space-time coordinates of that Mother World.
Truthfully, I didn't know before that our race had a Mother World.
Now that we know, we intend to return to the Mother World, as that place is undoubtedly more suitable for the habitation and cultivation of our race.
It seems our Shadow Race has no significant room for further development if we remain within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. Perhaps returning to the Mother World presents an opportunity for us," the Shadow King explained to Ye Yunfei.
"I see," Ye Yunfei was somewhat surprised by the Shadow King's words.
However, Ye Yunfei suddenly thought of the Phantom Tower. He had long ago guessed that the Phantom Tower was most likely a Deity-level magical treasure. Given the Shadow Race's current strength, they were incapable of refining such an advanced treasure.
Particularly the astonishing flow of time within the Phantom Tower—not even Demigod experts possessed the ability to craft something like that. The fact that the Shadow Race possessed such a Deity-level treasure, passed down through generations, indicated that this race's origins must be significant.
Thus, hearing now from the Shadow King that their race had a Mother World didn't overly shock Ye Yunfei.
"If your race truly possesses a Mother World, then returning there would indeed be an excellent choice," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Yes. All the high-ranking members of our Sky Shadow Race have repeatedly discussed this over several meetings and ultimately decided that the entire race will set out together in search of our Mother World," the Shadow King said.