Inside the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, within the Canghuang Realm, inside a formation-enclosed Small World and the Phantom Tower, Ye Yunfei began closed-door cultivation for several consecutive months in the outside world.
This cultivation session involved him focusing on several areas simultaneously. The first was Mental Force energy. One of Ye Yunfei's Soul Bodies sat cross-legged inside the Heart Refinement Tower, cultivating immortal energy while absorbing the abundant Mental Force energy and laws within the tower. Back in the city within the Secret Realm of Nothingness, there had been a massive amount of Mental Force energy. Later, Ye Yunfei used the Heart Refinement Tower to absorb and take away the vast majority of that energy from the city. Thus, the amount of Mental Force energy stored within the Heart Refinement Tower was astonishing. However, this energy was now continuously transforming into Ye Yunfei's own Mental Force energy, and his Mental Force energy level was growing increasingly stronger.
"The Mental Force Chains and Formless Mental Force Swords I can now unleash pose a significant threat to primary Demigods, can injure intermediate Demigods, and can even play a certain role against advanced Demigods," Ye Yunfei thought to himself, silently assessing his current Mental Force energy level.
While cultivating Mental Force energy, Ye Yunfei's other Soul Body had been practicing the Myriad Swords Return to One technique throughout this period. Back when he was leaving the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, Ye Yunfei had obtained what could be considered an advanced version of the Myriad Swords Return to One technique. However, during his travels in the Chaotic Void Sea, he never had much time for deep immersion in this sword art. Lately, he had spent nearly half his time on this sword technique.
Concurrently, Ye Yunfei also took out a large amount of cultivation resources for the Nine Divine Beasts to continuously devour. The quantity of various cultivation resources Ye Yunfei now possessed was truly immense. The Nine Divine Beasts devoured non-stop inside the Phantom Tower for several years, consuming roughly only one-sixth of Ye Yunfei's total cultivation resources. Ye Yunfei realized that the higher the cultivation level of the Nine Palaces Totem Wheel technique, the greater the amount of resources required to advance another tier. However, the effects were also remarkably clear. After the Nine Divine Beasts continuously consumed cultivation resources for three years inside the Phantom Tower, Ye Yunfei found that their current combat power was approaching that of an intermediate Demigod! If all Nine Divine Beasts acted together, unleashing the ultimate combat stance of the Nine Palaces Totem Wheel—where they jointly propelled the massive wheel in battle—they could likely easily defeat ordinary intermediate Demigods.
"Still not enough! The strength of these Nine Divine Beasts must continue to improve!" Ye Yunfei declared, looking at the Nine Divine Beasts radiating various elemental energies in the distance.
Although he had driven away all the external forces from the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds during this time, Ye Yunfei still felt a sense of crisis, creating an urgent need to become stronger quickly.
Ye Yunfei took out another large batch of cultivation resources for the Nine Divine Beasts to devour.
Thus, Ye Yunfei cultivated Mental Force energy, sword techniques, and the Nine Palaces Totem Wheel simultaneously. Throughout this period, he had not cultivated the Nine-Yang Ancient Scripture because further advancement in it required finding another treasure of the utmost Yang attribute in the world. Such treasures were chance encounters, not something one could seek; they were simply unobtainable for now.
Unknowingly, another two or three months passed in the outside world.
"My progress in sword techniques has been immense lately. My Myriad Swords Return to One technique has now reached the level of 1.3 million swords returning to one!" Ye Yunfei stopped practicing the sword technique inside the Phantom Tower, a pleasantly surprised expression appearing on his face. "Perhaps it's because my Soul Power and Mental Force energy have been continuously improving, making progress in cultivating and comprehending sword techniques faster," he thought to himself.
Ye Yunfei estimated that the level of 1.3 million swords returning to one should allow him to deal with intermediate Demigods effortlessly.
"My Mental Force energy level has also seen significant improvement during this time," Ye Yunfei perceived his Mental Force energy, feeling quite satisfied.
"Next, I should cultivate the Soul Force technique gifted to me by that senior in the Tianpo Realm."
Information about an advanced Soul Force Martial Arts technique began surfacing in Ye Yunfei's Soul Sea. Not long ago in the Tianpo Realm, the mysterious expert acquainted with Mr. Liu had gifted Ye Yunfei this Soul Force Martial Arts technique. According to that expert, he had obtained it after killing a Soul God long ago. Recalling his words now, Ye Yunfei roughly guessed that the so-called 'Soul God' was likely a Deity of the Soul Race. The Soul Race specializes in Soul Force Martial Arts, making a technique left behind by a Soul Race Deity incredibly precious!
Next, one of Ye Yunfei's Souls continued cultivating Mental Force energy inside the Heart Refinement Tower, while another Soul Body began comprehending this Soul Force Martial Arts technique.
The name of this Soul Force Martial Arts technique was Soul Force Astral Art.
After repeatedly reading and pondering over this Soul Force Martial Arts technique more than ten times, Ye Yunfei gained an initial understanding. The so-called Soul Force Astral Art involved cultivating a planet within the Soul Sea, formed from the condensation of Soul Force Energy and Soul Force laws. Through continuous cultivation, this planet could be strengthened further. Once it reached a certain level, this planet could change form at will, boasting endless marvelous uses.
"Alright, regardless, I'll cultivate it first," Ye Yunfei declared, taking out a large batch of Soul Force energy crystals and piling them beside him. At the stone table within the plaza in the Secret Realm of Nothingness, Ye Yunfei had obtained several spatial rings. One contained a large number of energy crystals, including a significant quantity of high-quality Soul Force energy crystals.
"Let me also refine a batch of Soul Force energy-type pills to aid cultivation. That can boost the speed," Ye Yunfei thought for a moment, then took out over a dozen alchemical furnaces. He separated out a dozen avatars and began refining Soul Force energy-type pills.
Several days later, Ye Yunfei's dozen-plus avatars refined a large batch of Soul Force energy-type pills.
"Now I can begin cultivating the Soul Force Astral Art."
Ye Yunfei looked at the large pile of pills before him and spoke.
Ye Yunfei began focusing on cultivation in the following time. His original Soul Power level was already strong, and with so many high-quality energy crystals and pills to aid his cultivation, the process proceeded relatively smoothly.
Inside the Phantom Tower, roughly six months later.
A brilliant star emitting terrifying Soul Force energy appeared within Ye Yunfei's Soul Sea. This star was entirely condensed from Soul Force Energy and Soul Force laws; vast amounts of Soul Force continuously swirled across its surface.
"This technique can be considered as having entered the initial stage," Ye Yunfei said, looking at this Soul Force planet with a diameter already exceeding a thousand meters.
"Let's see its marvelous uses." With a thought from Ye Yunfei, the Soul Force planet within his Soul Sea transformed into his main body's appearance, appearing beside him.
"Indeed, it can change according to my will," Ye Yunfei nodded.
The Ye Yunfei transformed from the Soul Force planet then began executing the various techniques and martial skills Ye Yunfei normally cultivated. Each technique and martial skill unleashed was powerful. Especially when performing Soul Force Martial Arts, their power was identical to those unleashed by Ye Yunfei's main body—even slightly stronger.
"Essentially, this Soul Force planet is equivalent to a third Soul Body for me. Moreover, it can exist independently, apart from my main body," Ye Yunfei nodded, watching the avatar performing various techniques and martial skills.
"Also, this Soul Force planet can, like a Soul Sword, instantly invade an enemy's Soul Sea and attack their Soul Body. Once the opponent's Soul Body is destroyed, it can occupy their Soul Sea, thereby controlling their physical body. What's even more marvelous is that this Soul Force planet can mimic the aura of the opponent's Soul Body. This way, outsiders wouldn't be able to tell that the person has been possessed. So, this Soul Force planet also serves as a highly sinister Soul Force offensive martial skill," Ye Yunfei continued.
"Are there other marvelous uses?" Hun Lao asked curiously upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words.
"This Soul Force planet has many marvelous uses. It also acts as a third Soul Body for me. When I cultivate Soul Force energy in the future, my two Soul Bodies and this Soul Force planet cultivating together will be equivalent to three Soul Bodies cultivating Soul Force energy simultaneously. Also, when I comprehend any techniques, martial skills, Formations, or other secret arts, I can use this Soul Force planet to assist, equivalent to three Soul Bodies comprehending together. So, my comprehension ability will be at least three times that of other beings at the same level," Ye Yunfei elaborated.
"What else? An inheritance passed down by a Soul Race Deity should have even more uses, right?" The Golden Horned Dragon Silkworm pressed further, filled with both envy and curiosity.
"Of course there are other uses, but they are not limitless," Ye Yunfei said with a smile. "For example, this Soul Force Astral Art can ultimately cultivate up to eighty-one Soul Force planets. However, given my current Soul Power level, it's simply impossible for me to cultivate that many Soul Force planets," he added.
"Eighty-one Soul Force planets! That's astonishing! Wouldn't that be equivalent to having eighty-one Soul Body avatars?" The Golden Horned Dragon Silkworm felt deeply shocked.
"Truly an inheritance left by a Soul Race Deity! If you could cultivate eighty-one Soul Force planets, and if that many were cultivating Soul Force energy together, how terrifyingly fast the cultivation improvement speed would be!" Hun Lao was also filled with awe.
"Indeed, this is truly an extremely advanced Soul Force Martial Arts technique!" Ye Yunfei felt immensely satisfied with this technique. With this technique, his cultivation in Soul Force energy would inevitably yield twice the results with half the effort going forward.
"Starting now, let this Soul Force planet continuously cultivate Soul Force energy without pause."
Ye Yunfei took out another large batch of Soul Force energy-type cultivation resources and placed them into his Soul Sea for the Soul Force planet to absorb, refine, and cultivate meticulously.
Then, Ye Yunfei emerged from the Phantom Tower.
"Uncle, have you finished your cultivation?" The little girl appeared before Ye Yunfei just as he stepped out of the formation-enclosed Small World and called out affectionately.
"Yes, I consider this session of cultivation complete," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Those four uncles have come looking for you several times," the little girl said. The four uncles she referred to were Old Man Chu, Chan Master Tianwu, Kong Lao, and Ouyang Tao.
"Oh, really? They might have business with me. I'll go see them now."
In a single step, Ye Yunfei left the Canghuang Realm and soon appeared before Old Man Chu and Chan Master Tianwu.
"Ye Yunfei, you've ended your seclusion," Old Man Chu and Chan Master Tianwu were pleased to see him.
Kong Lao and Ouyang Tao sensed Ye Yunfei's emergence and immediately rushed over from afar, arriving by his side.
"Young Master Ye, over the past few days, several World Clusters surrounding the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds were suddenly attacked. Two have already been occupied," Kong Lao reported.
"Was it done by those major forces again?" Ye Yunfei's face darkened.
Recently, those major forces entered the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, causing great chaos. Now they've begun moving against the World Clusters around the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds? They really are never ceasing to haunt this place!
"Yes. The scouts I sent out to gather news report that the situation within the Chaotic Void Sea has grown increasingly chaotic lately. Those major forces seem to have accelerated their actions in seizing territory. More and more World Clusters are facing invasion from those forces," Kong Lao answered.
"However, no major force has invaded the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds yet, probably because they harbor some fear towards you, Young Master Ye," Ouyang Tao added.
"It seems the actions of those major forces in seizing territory have finally started spreading to the area of the void where the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds are located," Ye Yunfei thought inwardly.
In fact, Ye Yunfei had long anticipated this day; it was one of the reasons he hurried back to the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds not long ago.
"Let's go. We'll go out and take a look," Ye Yunfei thought for a moment and said to Old Man Chu and the others.
Then Ye Yunfei led Old Man Chu and the other three out of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, arriving in the void outside.
"Young Master Ye, there are a total of five World Clusters near the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. Two are relatively close, while three are farther away. Of the three farther World Clusters, two have already been occupied. The Celestial Market World Cluster has been occupied by the Demon Race, and the Profound Square World Cluster has been taken by the Demon Capital's army," Ouyang Tao stood nearby and explained to Ye Yunfei.
"I just received news. While the Thousand Seas World Cluster, which is relatively close to our Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, hasn't been occupied yet, a large group of the Dark Faction's forces have appeared there. It's estimated that the Dark Faction's forces have their eyes on the Thousand Seas World Cluster," Ouyang Tao continued.
"The Thousand Seas World Cluster itself has many factions that are affiliated forces of the Dark Faction. So, it's no surprise that the Dark Faction is targeting it," Ye Yunfei nodded, recalling the Golden Sand Gang he encountered when he first left the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. Even back then, the Golden Sand Gang was already an affiliated force of the Dark Faction.
"Let's go. We'll head to the Thousand Seas World Cluster now," Ye Yunfei contemplated briefly, then walked towards the direction of the Thousand Seas World Cluster.