‘If you hadn’t come soon, I would have been struggling to cope,’ the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm grumbled.
‘You’ve got some nerve saying that. With your abilities, you clearly could have left this place. Why stay here waiting to die?’ Ye Yunfei said with a hint of annoyance.
‘Because there’s a huge opportunity here, and it might even be a divine one. Now that I’ve discovered it, naturally I can’t let it slip away so easily,’ the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm replied with a laugh.
By this time, Ye Yunfei had ventured deep into this mountainous region.
He discovered that this area was densely packed with bare, towering peaks. These peaks, arranged in a certain pattern, formed an intricate Earth Formation, emanating an aura of ill omen. Merely entering the area made one feel an ominous atmosphere.
Furthermore, Ye Yunfei realized that this Earth Formation possessed remarkably sophisticated illusionary and concealment properties. If he weren’t proficient in geomancy arts, he would have likely lost his bearings in this mountainous terrain or become trapped in some eerie illusion.
‘It seems this entire landmass might have been turned into a colossal Earth Formation by a Deity-level Geomancer. What’s more, numerous smaller Earth Formations are scattered across this land, each resonating with the overarching formation to create a formation within a formation,’ Ye Yunfei thought as he traversed the area.
While walking, he simultaneously released his Soul Power to perceive his surroundings and employed his geomancy arts to communicate with the earth's energy, studying this mountainous landscape.
‘Fortunately, the topography here is extremely complex, which is why the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm hasn’t been easily discovered while hiding here. Otherwise, those five Demigods would have sensed his aura long ago,’ Ye Yunfei transmitted silently to Hun Lao.
‘Why worry about him? The Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm race is innately gifted in the Dao of Space and highly sensitive to all types of spatial phenomena. There aren’t many places in the world that can truly trap a member of their clan. Even if those five Demigods discovered him, they wouldn’t necessarily be able to catch him. Otherwise, with the chase he's had, he’d have been captured ages ago,’ Hun Lao replied.
‘True enough,’ Ye Yunfei answered with a smile.
By now, Ye Yunfei could sense the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm was right ahead.
He could now make out the Silkworm’s figure. The Silkworm was using a spatial secret technique to create a small pocket space in which he hid. Ye Yunfei had seen this technique used by him before—it was an advanced secret art of their clan. It was said that when mastered to a profound level, one could create an Absolute Spatial Domain. Within such a domain, the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm wielded absolute control, becoming virtually invincible. It was precisely by relying on this small pocket space he had created that the Silkworm had evaded the perception of those Demigods and the pursuit of the Sun-Moon Tower assassins.
‘Don’t move, wait for me to approach,’ Ye Yunfei transmitted silently to the Silkworm as he made his way towards his position. He had to be careful not to be too obvious, as the five Demigods had begun to notice his presence.
Ye Yunfei also detected many figures employing peculiar stealth movement techniques, quietly approaching this mountainous area. Their bodies seemed to merge with space, becoming one with it, making them difficult to detect. Moreover, their forms were shrouded by a profound rule that could isolate Soul Power.
‘Those must be Sun-Moon Tower assassins. Their movement techniques are quite remarkable,’ Ye Yunfei noted, slightly surprised.
If even Ye Yunfei praised them, the techniques were undoubtedly advanced.
‘Duan Rong, have you discovered something?’ At that moment, the Duan elder under Ye Yunfei’s control suddenly received a sound transmission.
It was from a Demigod of the Myriad Methods Merchant House!
This Demigod had noticed Duan Rong’s sudden entry into the mountainous area and was immediately paying attention.
‘Reporting to Elder Peng, nothing specific yet. I entered because I noticed the complex terrain and decided to investigate,’ Duan Rong replied.
Of course, Duan Rong’s original Soul Body had long been consumed. The being currently controlling Duan Rong’s every move was a Soul Power star transformed by Ye Yunfei to mimic his soul.
‘The terrain of these mountains is indeed complex. Not just these mountains, but the geography of this entire continent seems somewhat intricate, almost as if a master geomancer laid down a massive Earth Formation here,’ the Demigod said.
‘How could that be? The entire continent being a massive Earth Formation? Isn’t that a bit far-fetched!’ Duan Rong pretended to be shocked.
‘Why not? Legendary Deity-level Geomancers can turn an entire world into a major Earth Formation. There are even supreme Deity-level Geomancers who can transform an entire World Cluster into a super-large formation. Never mind, let’s not discuss this now. You’ll understand when you reach that level. Also, I suspect the place where our Myriad Methods Merchant House's ancestor secluded himself before his death might actually be on this continent. Everyone should be diligent. Not only must we locate the leader of the Golden Dragon Merchant House, but, more importantly, we must see if there are any special hidden pocket spaces or Small Worlds on this continent,’ Elder Peng transmitted back.
‘What? Elder Peng, do you truly believe that the secluded place of our ancestor’s final years is on this continent? Is that certain?’ the figure Ye Yunfei controlled through Duan Rong asked in feigned astonishment.
From Duan Rong’s memories, Ye Yunfei already knew that the Myriad Methods Merchant House forces had come in full strength to the Jinhua World Cluster not just to hunt down the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm, but also to locate the seclusion site of a certain ancestor before their death. Combining these memories with the Silkworm’s message, Ye Yunfei had largely surmised what the Silkworm’s ‘digging up the ancestral grave’ plan was about.
‘If our merchant house’s ancestor’s final secluded place is truly within this World Cluster, then this continent has the highest probability. You relay orders—everyone must be extremely thorough, see if we can find it! Remember, the ancestor’s seclusion site is most likely a concealed pocket space, a Small World, or perhaps a cultivation chamber of some sort,’ Elder Peng transmitted.
‘Understood,’ Duan Rong responded.
This Duan Rong was deeply trusted by the Myriad Methods Merchant House's upper echelons, often assigned to handle many matters.
And so, Ye Yunfei promptly controlled Duan Rong to take out a communication jade slip and transmit orders to other members of the Myriad Methods Merchant House.
‘Additionally, I plan to lure the Eternal Fortune Merchant House and the Sun-Moon Tower assassins away from this location. That way, only our Myriad Methods Merchant House people will remain here,’ Elder Peng transmitted further before ceasing communication with Duan Rong.
At this point, Ye Yunfei, controlling Duan Rong, had already reached the location of the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm. Then, with a flicker, Ye Yunfei’s true form darted directly into the small pocket space the Silkworm had created.
Meanwhile, under Ye Yunfei’s control, the Duan Rong body aimlessly wandered the surrounding area.
Inside the small pocket space...
Ye Yunfei immediately saw the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm. He was lounging comfortably on a long couch, before him were several large trays of spirit fruit, as well as immortal-grade tea and elixirs as refreshments. He was enjoying his tea in a leisurely manner, as if on a vacation, looking completely unlike someone being hunted down.
‘Master, see how comfortable he is! What did I say? We didn’t need to bother with him at all!’ Hu Miao exclaimed, immediately infuriated by the Silkworm’s behavior.
‘Hu Miao, what’s that supposed to mean?’ the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm retorted with displeasure.
He and Hu Miao were used to quarreling, it had become a habit.
‘Our master, as soon as he learned of your situation, rushed over from afar, tracking your every move, fearing for your safety. And this is how you repay him? Lounging around sipping tea! Do you feel any shame?’ Hu Miao cried out.
‘I only knew you were coming, so I was waiting! Besides, with my capabilities, there's no need to worry about my safety at all. If I wanted to leave, I could have done so long ago,’ the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm retorted.
‘Have you discovered something specific?’ Ye Yunfei asked curiously.
According to Elder Peng’s implication, one of the Myriad Methods Merchant House ancestors before his death might have secluded himself in a hidden pocket space or Small World somewhere on this landmass. The fact that the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm had come here so purposefully suggested he might have made a discovery.
‘Correct. Didn’t I send you a message saying I was going to dig up their ancestral grave? The grave should be somewhere on this very landmass,’ the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm said.
‘So have you found it?’ Ye Yunfei pressed.
‘I haven’t made a definitive find yet. However, I can sense there’s something unusual about this landmass. You also know that we, the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm race, have an innate sensitivity to all kinds of treasures, strange spaces, and unusual topographies. Ever since I entered this landmass, I’ve had the distinct feeling that something extraordinary must be hidden here,’ the Silkworm explained.
‘Since he says so, it seems the possibility of the Myriad Methods Merchant House ancestor’s final seclusion place being here is real,’ Hun Lao transmitted to Ye Yunfei.
‘If the ancestor was a Deity, then even if we know the exact location of his grave, we wouldn’t dare dig it up,’ Ye Yunfei told the Silkworm.
‘I know that. But if we don’t dig, someone else will! Haven’t you noticed? An increasing number of powerful experts are pouring into this World Cluster, all aiming to dig up that grave! So I figured we could join the crowd. Perhaps we’ll get a chance to scoop up some benefits,’ the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm replied.
‘Could it be that the huge gathering of powerful individuals in the Jinhua World Cluster is all for the purpose of digging up the Myriad Methods Merchant House’s ancestral grave? Has this matter become public knowledge?’ Ye Yunfei was somewhat astonished.
‘Exactly! That’s precisely why so many powerful experts have come to the Jinhua World Cluster,’ the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm nodded.
‘This is how it happened. Previously, I inadvertently obtained a piece of information: the upper echelon of the Myriad Methods Merchant House had discovered clues indicating that one of their ancestors, prior to his death, had gone into seclusion in a certain location and passed away there. They were organizing personnel to find the specific place. Because that ancestor was a Deity. The secluded place of a Deity before death is bound to hold valuables of shocking worth. So, after getting this information, I deliberately approached people from the Myriad Methods Merchant House. Initially, I wanted to glean the exact location from them, but I didn’t expect the Merchant House was already plotting against me. They laid an ambush and launched a sudden attack against me, but fortunately, I managed to escape. Afterwards, I was chased all the way. During this pursuit, I kept investigating the specifics of their ancestor’s grave, and finally, where there is a will, there is a way—I found it. Considering how despicable the Myriad Methods Merchant House people are, once I pinpoint their ancestor’s precise place of demise, I most certainly won’t hold back!’ the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm explained.
‘The place where a Deity fell is bound to be perilous in the extreme. Even if found, one might not dare to take the treasures left behind. Have you forgotten how terrifying that Deity Corpse back in the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds was? Even if a Full Completion Demigod came, they probably wouldn’t dare to provoke such a corpse, let alone you. So you absolutely cannot act recklessly,’ Ye Yunfei advised after a moment’s thought.
‘No, after entering the Jinhua World Cluster, I discovered another piece of information. It seems that the ancestor of the Myriad Methods Merchant House wasn’t alone when he entered his final seclusion. Another Deity was secluded with him there. In other words, two Deities secluded themselves in that place. Both were severely injured, and ultimately, both Deities fell there,’ the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm suddenly said.
‘No way! Two Deities fell in the same place!’ Upon hearing this, Ye Yunfei was utterly astounded. Two Deities perishing in the same location was indeed startling news.
‘If that’s the case, that place is even more hazardous. Because it means there might be two Deity Corpses present! One Deity Corpse is enough to wreak havoc, but two are simply terrifying in the extreme. Who would dare provoke that?’ Ye Yunfei said.
‘Who says nobody dares? The Myriad Methods Merchant House’s people dare. One of those two Deities is their own ancestor; his descendants should be able to approach him, right? Have you forgotten the ancestor of the Tiande Celestial Dynasty? He was also a terrifying Deity Corpse, yet his descendants could approach,’ the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm argued.
‘That’s true,’ Ye Yunfei nodded.
‘Moreover, I’ve heard that descendants of the other Deity have also arrived and are searching for the spot where the two Deities fell. As the news spreads, more factions and experts will be drawn here, all wanting a slice of the pie. After all, two Deities falling in one place means the lifelong collections and legacies of both might be left behind. These are divine-level treasures! Such an enormous temptation—who wouldn’t be tempted? So, I expect any faction or individual who receives the news will flock here, even knowing the dangers, hoping for a chance to acquire what the Deities left behind,’ the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm elaborated.
‘Yes, the lure of divine-level treasures is indeed immense,’ Ye Yunfei sighed, recognizing the temptation himself. Even he felt a stirring of interest.
‘So, are you interested? Let’s locate that place, then venture in and claim the treasures,’ the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm proposed.