"Congratulations, Young Master Ye, on your successful breakthrough!"
The moment Ye Yunfei finished enduring the Lightning Tribulation, the nine Demigods under his command gathered around him.
Sensing the oppressive energy aura emanating from Ye Yunfei's body, the nine Demigods were all secretly astonished.
Because they could feel that although Ye Yunfei was currently only a Perfected Heavenly Immortal, the intensity of energy within him wasn't much weaker than theirs, these Demigod experts.
"Is someone trying to impact the Demigod realm?"
Ye Yunfei nodded, his gaze suddenly looking into the distance.
"Yes, Pang Qing is impacting the Demigod realm and is about to face a Lightning Tribulation."
Gan Changfeng nodded and said.
"Let's go take a look."
Ye Yunfei immediately took the lead towards that direction, arriving shortly after in a nearby expanse of empty space.
This area of empty space was already covered in dark clouds, forming a vast, oppressively dark sea of tribulation clouds. Thick bolts of lightning dragons crazily swam about within the dark clouds.
A tall, thin middle-aged man appeared beneath the sea of clouds.
Ye Yunfei recognized this middle-aged man. He was a Perfected Heavenly Immortal from the world cluster where Cheng Zhi resided, named Pang Qing.
Seeing Ye Yunfei's arrival, Pang Qing immediately wanted to turn and offer a respectful salute.
"Never mind me. Focus on enduring the tribulation."
Ye Yunfei waved his hand, stopping his action.
Soon, Pang Qing's Lightning Tribulation began.
"His accumulation is sufficient. This tribulation won't be a problem."
Ye Yunfei sensed Pang Qing's energy aura and spoke.
Sure enough, after enduring the tribulation, Pang Qing successfully broke through to become a Initial Demigod.
"Thank you, Young Master Ye, for the cultivation resources and pills you've provided over this period."
After his successful breakthrough, Pang Qing was extremely excited. He came before Ye Yunfei and expressed his gratitude.
Although his accumulation had been sufficient, he understood in his heart that one important reason he could break through to become a Demigod so quickly was the ample cultivation resources and vast quantities of high-grade pills he'd received during this period.
"No need for such courtesy. We're all on the same side."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"You've just broken through, and your realm isn't consolidated yet. Hurry and spend time consolidating it properly.
These pills you can refine and absorb. They'll help you consolidate your Initial Demigod realm."
Ye Yunfei took out a bottle of pills and offered it to Pang Qing.
"Thank you, Young Master Ye!"
Pang Qing hurriedly accepted the pills.
Although he was now a Demigod expert, he dared not show the slightest negligence before Ye Yunfei.
Because he had previously witnessed Ye Yunfei slaying the Demigod experts of those major forces as easily as slaughtering livestock.
"Young Master Ye, as per your instructions, all members of our Alliance Army, from top to bottom, have entered a state of frenzied cultivation over this period. Everyone's strength and realm are improving.
Over this period, we've gained over eight hundred more Golden Immortals and over a hundred more Heavenly Immortals.
Also, Sun Wu is now impacting the Demigod realm. I just received his communication. He's about to face his Lightning Tribulation soon."
Gan Changfeng reported to Ye Yunfei.
"How is the Golden Dragon Merchant House?"
Ye Yunfei asked.
"At regular intervals, the Golden Dragon Merchant House sends back a batch of cultivation resources, and I've noticed the quantity of resources they send back is gradually increasing."
Gan Changfeng answered.
"Very good. Have everyone continue cultivating diligently.
Also, as per my previous instructions, heavily reward those members whose realms and strength improve relatively quickly."
Ye Yunfei nodded and spoke.
"Understood."
Gan Changfeng replied.
"By the way, Young Master Ye, the Golden Dragon Merchant House Manager sent someone back with a message. Because the Golden Dragon Merchant House has developed too quickly, it has attracted the attention of some established merchant houses within the Chaotic Void Sea. Now, many established merchant houses have begun competing with the Golden Dragon Merchant House, even finding ways to suppress it."
Gan Changfeng reported.
"This situation was bound to happen sooner or later. Send people to maintain close contact with the Golden Dragon Merchant House. Report any developments to me immediately.
You Demigods should also take turns going out on patrol, understanding the situation, and protecting the Golden Dragon Merchant House.
Of course, the most important thing is to protect the safety of personnel. If necessary, profits can be sacrificed, and personnel safety must be prioritized."
Ye Yunfei frowned, then spoke.
Ye Yunfei knew there were many established merchant houses within the Chaotic Void Sea. Those houses had developed over extremely long periods, with very deep foundations. Now that the Golden Dragon Merchant House suddenly emerged out of nowhere, with its business growing larger and larger, it was bound to provoke dissatisfaction from those established houses.
"Alright, Young Master Ye. We know what to do."
Gan Changfeng and the other Demigods nodded.
"Also, Young Master Ye, after deliberation over this period, the Alliance Army Elder Council feels that our overall strength has been growing stronger. It's time to take action.
We want to dispatch troops to reclaim the world clusters previously seized by those major forces. This would, on one hand, allow us to recapture our homes, and on the other hand, expand the territory of our Alliance Army."
Gan Changfeng reported to Ye Yunfei again.
"No.
Don't take such action for now.
Because although our Alliance Army's overall strength has increased considerably over this period, it still cannot compare to those few major forces.
Once our Alliance Army's forces leave the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, the Dark Faction, Demon Capital, Demon Race, and other major forces will surely dispatch troops to surround and suppress us.
Putting aside other factors, if just a few Perfected Demigods from those major forces come, or if those major forces deploy a Deity-level magical treasure, could you handle it?"
Ye Yunfei thought for a moment, then shook his head and spoke.
Ye Yunfei, of course, understood the feelings of these Demigods before him. Their hometowns had fallen into the hands of those major forces, and they were eager to go back and liberate them.
"Young Master Ye, you make a good point. Our considerations weren't thorough."
Hearing Ye Yunfei's words, Gan Changfeng and the other Demigods broke out in a cold sweat.
They then realized that although the Alliance Army's overall strength was quite good, it lacked high-end combat power and, for the time being, couldn't compare to those major forces in the Chaotic Void Sea.
"Alright, focus on cultivating and improving your strength.
Later, when our Alliance Army's strength is sufficient, we'll dispatch troops to go liberate your hometowns."
Ye Yunfei said.
"Young Master Ye, we understand."
All the Demigods answered in unison.
Then Ye Yunfei returned to the small spatial formation where he had previously been in closed-door cultivation, entered the Phantom Tower, and continued his closed-door cultivation.
Ye Yunfei's two Soul Bodies and three Soul Power stars cultivated different techniques and secret arts respectively.
"My realm has just broken through, so I'll focus on cultivating my physical body next."
Ye Yunfei thought to himself.
Then Ye Yunfei began cultivating the Taishang Zhou Tian Body Forging Art while simultaneously comprehending the Daoist Scripture.
With the assistance of the Daoist Scripture, cultivating the Taishang Zhou Tian Body Forging Art yielded extremely good results.
"Good. I have already opened three major human body secret realms with the Taishang Zhou Tian Body Forging Art: the Visceral Gods Secret Realm, the Dantian Secret Realm, and the Niwan Palace Secret Realm. The next is the Jade Pillow Secret Realm.
If I can open the Jade Pillow Secret Realm, then my physical body strength will receive a considerable boost."
Ye Yunfei thought inwardly.
As time passed, the position at the back of Ye Yunfei's head, the Jade Pillow area, began to show unusual activity, generating astonishing heat, like churning magma.
"It seems it won't be long before I can open the Jade Pillow Secret Realm."
Ye Yunfei felt somewhat excited and continued cultivating the Taishang Zhou Tian Body Forging Art.
As time passed, the Jade Pillow area at the back of his head trembled continuously. This was a sign of a human body secret realm being opened.
However, Ye Yunfei understood that opening a human body secret realm required time and wouldn't happen quickly.
While cultivating the Taishang Zhou Tian Body Forging Art, Ye Yunfei was also cultivating four other techniques and secret arts. He also took out a large batch of cultivation resources for the nine divine beasts to devour.
As time passed, Ye Yunfei's overall strength continuously increased.
Not long after, Ye Yunfei received a message from Gan Changfeng. Sun Wu was beginning to face his Lightning Tribulation, preparing to impact the Demigod realm.
Ye Yunfei immediately suspended his cultivation and arrived at the place where Sun Wu was enduring the tribulation. He saw that dark clouds had long since gathered in the high sky, with thunder rumbling.
Sun Wu stood beneath the towering tribulation clouds, already prepared.
Moments later, Sun Wu began enduring the tribulation.
After a baptism of lightning, Sun Wu successfully broke through, becoming a Initial Demigod.
Thus, the Alliance Army now possessed twelve Demigod experts. Its overall strength increased a bit more.
After Sun Wu finished his tribulation, Ye Yunfei intended to return to the Phantom Tower to continue his closed-door cultivation.
However, just as Ye Yunfei turned around, he saw Elder Kong hurriedly approaching, followed by a Perfected Heavenly Immortal.
The moment Ye Yunfei saw that Perfected Heavenly Immortal, his expression couldn't help but darken.
Because Ye Yunfei recognized this Perfected Heavenly Immortal as a high-ranking member of the Golden Dragon Merchant House, named Zhu Kun. Clearly, Zhu Kun was already severely injured.
Ye Yunfei immediately guessed that something might have happened to the Golden Dragon Merchant House.
"Elder Kong, what is it?"
Ye Yunfei asked.
"Report to Young Master Ye, our Golden Dragon Merchant House is in trouble.
When the Manager and several high-ranking members went out to discuss a major business deal, they were suddenly ambushed and attacked by unidentified experts. Half of our Golden Dragon Merchant House's high-ranking members and personnel present were killed on the spot. The Manager fought his way through, escaping with the remaining people.
After escaping, the Manager immediately sent messages to all the heads of our Golden Dragon Merchant House's branch strongholds, telling us to withdraw immediately from all branch strongholds, find places to hide, or find ways to flee back to the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds.
The moment our branch stronghold personnel left their posts, we discovered that all of our Golden Dragon Merchant House's branch strongholds were being attacked by unidentified forces.
Fortunately, we received the Manager's message in time and left a step ahead. Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable—total annihilation possible.
I was in charge of one of the more important branch strongholds. When I received the Manager's message, I didn't dare delay. I immediately led my people away from the stronghold.
Then, while quietly making my way back to the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, I tried every possible method to contact the Manager and the other branch stronghold heads.
Now I've managed to contact most of the other branch stronghold heads, but I still haven't been able to reach the Manager."
The moment Zhu Kun saw Ye Yunfei, he rushed over and reported frantically.
"How were you injured?"
Ye Yunfei asked.
"After I led my people away from the branch stronghold I was responsible for, I secretly sneaked back to see the situation. I ended up encountering an ambush. Luckily, I reacted quickly. After a bloody battle, although injured, I managed to escape."
Zhu Kun answered.
"You haven't been able to contact the Manager at all?"
Ye Yunfei asked.
What Ye Yunfei was most concerned about was the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm's safety.
"No. On the way back, I kept trying to contact the Manager while also inquiring about his whereabouts from the other branch stronghold heads. But I never got any news about the Manager."
Zhu Kun replied.
"Do you know the location where the Manager encountered the ambush during the business discussion?"
Ye Yunfei asked.
"I know. The Manager sent me information, telling me the exact location where he encountered the ambush."
Zhu Kun answered.
"Lead the way immediately."
Ye Yunfei said in a deep voice.
"Young Master Ye, are you going to handle this personally?
Shouldn't we go instead?"
Gan Changfeng and the other Demigods were standing nearby listening. When they heard Ye Yunfei intended to handle it personally, they immediately spoke up.
"Here's what we'll do. Half of you stay in the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. The other half follow me.
Also, draw out a portion of Heavenly Immortals and Golden Immortals to come along.
We need to be quick."
Ye Yunfei thought for a moment and spoke.
"Young Master Ye, I'll go assemble the men immediately!"
Gan Changfeng immediately replied, then turned and left.
Moments later, Ye Yunfei led five Demigod experts, over three hundred Heavenly Immortals, and over a thousand Golden Immortals, hurriedly leaving the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, heading towards the place where the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm had gotten into trouble.
Ye Yunfei continuously activated spatial teleportation talismans, performing long-distance teleportation.
"Young Master Ye, I think our Alliance Army needs to purchase some space ships. When we need to travel long distances in the future, we can utilize space ships.
Alternatively, we could consider paying fees to use some of the long-distance teleportation formations passed down from ancient times."
While Ye Yunfei was rushing, he suddenly received a message from Zhu Kun.
"Yes, we really should consider buying a batch of space ships.
However, most of those long-distance teleportation great formations within the Chaotic Void Sea are controlled by some ancient and mysterious forces. These ancient and mysterious forces have countless links to major forces like Demon Capital and Demon Race. So if our Alliance Army personnel use those long-distance teleportation great formations, it wouldn't be safe."
After listening to Zhu Kun's words, Ye Yunfei replied.
The Chaotic Void Sea was vast, practically boundless, containing countless world clusters. Traveling within the Chaotic Void Sea required considerable time and effort.
However, there was a type of flying treasure with astonishing speed, called a space ship.
Refining space ships required some extremely rare artifact crafting materials. Moreover, it required artifact masters with exceptionally high skill to personally craft them; only then was there a possibility of success.
The value of each space ship was astonishing.
Moreover, those highly skilled artifact masters generally wouldn't easily refine space ships for others. Unless personally invited by high-ranking members of major forces, they might possibly be moved to help.
Thus, within the Chaotic Void Sea, generally only those major forces had the qualifications to possess space ships.
The vast majority of forces and individuals would find it extremely difficult to obtain a space ship.
At the same time, space ships had staggeringly high prices. Ordinary individuals and forces couldn't afford them.
Besides space ships, to quickly traverse long distances within the Chaotic Void Sea, one could utilize some long-distance teleportation great formations passed down from ancient times.
The number of those long-distance teleportation great formations was relatively small, and they were all controlled by some ancient and mysterious forces.
These long-distance teleportation great formations were said to have been personally constructed by ancient Deities. Each activation required a staggering amount of spatial energy crystals.
Ordinary beings rarely had the chance to access these ancient long-distance teleportation great formations. Even if they did have the opportunity, they likely wouldn't have the money to use them.
Therefore, for the vast majority of ordinary beings, those long-distance teleportation great formations were merely legends—something they might never come into contact with in their entire lives.