The golden-haired man glared fiercely into the distance for a while before finally turning to leave.
At this moment, he could no longer sense Ye Yunfei's aura at all.
Previously, he had been able to track Ye Yunfei because he had secretly placed a trace of his own aura on Ye Yunfei's body using a secret technique, allowing him to pursue his tracks. Now that trace had been extinguished by Ye Yunfei.
"That fellow's soul body aura definitely isn't real—it must have been simulated using some extremely profound secret technique.
However, after fighting him once, I've gained some understanding of his energy and his various skills and secret arts. If I encounter him again, I'll definitely be able to recognize him.
Just you wait, kid. We'll meet again," the golden-haired man muttered to himself as he departed.
"I struggled through hardship just to wait out to this new era. In this lifetime, I will definitely shine brilliantly. Not only will I become a deity again, but I will absolutely refuse to settle for being a low-level deity. I will become a True God who holds a Fruit Position!" Intense confidence erupted from the golden-haired man's gaze.
"There shouldn't be any other auras left on us."
Inside the Phantom Tower, Ye Yunfei spent another month meticulously examining his own body. And it wasn't just himself—he also used Mental Force Energy to carefully inspect Hun Lao, Hu Miao, Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm, and the Blood Clan Clone. He found no aura left by the golden-haired man.
Finally, Ye Yunfei performed a divination using the Hunyuan Heavenly Secrets Canon. The result indicated he was no longer being tracked by anyone. Only then did he relax completely, letting out a sigh of relief and speaking.
Being tracked by that golden-haired man all this time wasn't a pleasant feeling.
"That tracking technique is genuinely a bit frightening. I don't even know exactly when that fellow's aura managed to attach itself to me.
If he hadn't been tracking me all along, making me suspicious, it would have been incredibly difficult for me to discover the aura he left on my body.
If I encounter a similar tracking secret technique in the future, how should I break it?" Ye Yunfei couldn't help but frown.
"Even *detecting* it is extremely difficult, let alone breaking it," the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm spoke up.
"True. Even detection is hard. You fall for that fellow's trick without even realizing it," Ye Yunfei said with a bitter smile.
"Don't worry. I believe that as long as you continuously improve your Mental Force Energy, you might eventually be able to easily detect this type of tracking secret technique in the future.
The perception ability of Mental Force Energy is stronger than that of Soul Power Energy," Hun Lao offered.
"Hun Lao, you make a good point. It seems I need to cultivate my Mental Force Energy to a stronger level. If my Mental Force Energy is powerful enough, perhaps I can easily deal with this type of tracking technique," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"It seems that with the advent of this new Era of Deities, not only will our era see the emergence of many geniuses and powerhouses, but those geniuses and powerhouses left over from ancient times are also beginning to appear one after another, seeking to make their mark in this era.
Next, this Void Sea will welcome a grand, flourishing age.
For you, this has both advantages and disadvantages.
The advantage is that such a flourishing age will inevitably bring many opportunities, allowing you a chance to grow to higher levels—even a chance to become a deity.
The disadvantage is that the competition you face will become increasingly fierce. The fellow you just encountered is proof. You might even encounter more of these powerhouses left over from ancient times in the future," Hun Lao said to Ye Yunfei.
"No need to worry. They may be powerhouses, but I'm not necessarily weak. Didn't we just snatch four wooden stakes from that fellow?
If we encounter him again, I'll help you seize the other six stakes as well," Ye Yunfei said with a laugh.
"Hahaha… That's true. Though they are strong, you are no weakling either," Hun Lao couldn't help but laugh heartily upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words.
"Alright. Now, let's return to the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds," Ye Yunfei said to the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm.
The Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm sped up, heading back towards the direction of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. For the following period, Ye Yunfei remained secluded in cultivation within the Phantom Tower.
Ye Yunfei mainly focused on cultivating Mental Force Energy, Soul Power Energy, and sword arts. Simultaneously, he used his Mental Force Energy, Soul Power Energy, and essence blood to nourish that Flying Sword. This sword was forged from deity-grade materials and could be considered the most powerful magical treasure on his person.
Ye Yunfei understood in his heart that if he could train this flying sword technique to a higher level, he could absolutely use this Flying Sword to deal with the deity-level foundations possessed by major powers within the Chaotic Void Sea—such as the deity-level magical treasures left by ancestors of those major powers, deity energy bodies, deity soul power avatars, or soul power imprints, and the like.
In plain terms, this Flying Sword was equivalent to a deity-level magical treasure. However, this sword required its wielder to continuously nourish it with their own various energies. Moreover, it needed to be paired with flying sword arts to truly unleash its full power.
Ye Yunfei's current level of flying sword arts could only be considered as having just begun; he was still far from being able to unleash the sword's true power.
"I should take some time to properly cultivate the Hunyuan Heavenly Secrets Canon. This deity-level divination technique can allow me to foresee heavenly secrets, approaching fortune and avoiding calamity. It's extremely useful," Ye Yunfei thought to himself. He then began to study and cultivate the Hunyuan Heavenly Secrets Canon using his two Soul Force planets.
At the same time, at the edge of the Chaotic Void Sea, within a certain secret world that had become a ruin, there was a continent exuding an ancient aura.
Sitting cross-legged at the center of the continent was a massive figure.
This figure was enveloped in a layer of profound lawly radiance, making it impossible for anyone to perceive his true appearance.
"The new Era of Deities finally approaches.
I wonder if, in this Age of Deities, we will have a chance to shatter this accursed prison and regain our freedom.
No matter what, we must strive."
This massive figure slowly raised his head, two beams of dazzling light shot from his eyes, piercing through space to survey the entire Chaotic Void Sea. Then he sighed softly and spoke.
As this massive figure spoke, one dark lightning bolt after another erupted continuously in the surrounding space. A destructive, thunderous aura pervaded the entire continent.
If a Demigod expert were to come here now, they would likely be instantly reduced to dust and vanish into nothingness under the force of these destructive thunderous auras.
"Those damned jailers are about to move again. I must stop them. I cannot let them destroy our hope," the massive figure continued.
Then, over a dozen of his avatars walked out from his main body. They strode off in all directions, disappearing into the void.
At this moment, the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm, carrying the Phantom Tower, finally returned to the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds.
The situation within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds was relatively calm, much the same as when Ye Yunfei had left.
Some time ago, several major forces launched consecutive attacks on the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. That mysterious old man suddenly appeared, displaying terrifying power, and even produced a deity-level magical treasure, forcefully repelling the forces of those major powers. Since then, the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds had become much more peaceful.
The forces of those major powers did not dare to invade again.
"Young Master Ye, you've returned!"
As soon as Ye Yunfei entered the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, nine figures flew over from afar to welcome him—all nine were Demigod experts.
When Ye Yunfei left, the Alliance Army already had twelve Demigods. Ye Yunfei took five with him, leaving seven behind.
"Young Master Ye, Lu Wu and Jia Qi successfully broke through one month ago and became Demigods," one of the Demigods reported to Ye Yunfei.
"Very good."
Ye Yunfei's gaze fell upon Lu Wu and Jia Qi. These two were previously Perfected Heavenly Immortals within the Alliance Army. Ye Yunfei had provided them with ample cultivation resources, allowing them to finally achieve their breakthrough.
"Take these. You've just broken through, and your realms aren't very stable yet. First spend time stabilizing your foundations," Ye Yunfei said, sensing their energy auras. With a wave of his hand, he produced two spatial rings, sending them to float in front of the two men.
"Thank you, Young Master Ye!" Lu Wu and Jia Qi hurriedly accepted the rings and replied respectfully.
All the Demigods under Ye Yunfei understood clearly: although Ye Yunfei was merely a Heavenly Immortal, his actual combat power could easily slay primary-stage Demigods. Their cultivation realms might be high, but in front of Ye Yunfei, they were insignificant.
"Elder Gan, I leave the cultivation management and supervision of all Perfected Heavenly Immortals in the Alliance Army to you.
These cultivation resources are for you to allocate based on need.
Let everyone focus on cultivation. Strive to have more Demigods appear within our Alliance Army."
Ye Yunfei took out over a dozen spatial rings and handed them to Gan Changfeng.
Within the Chaotic Void Sea, Demigod experts were the high-end combat strength of a force and the key factor determining the overall strength of a power. Naturally, the more Demigods, the better.
"Please rest assured, Young Master Ye. I know what to do," Gan Changfeng replied, accepting the rings.
"Also, allocate these cultivation resources as needed to advanced-stage Heavenly Immortals and those of lower strength.
In short, ensure every member of the Alliance Army diligently cultivates."
Ye Yunfei waved his hand again, producing over a hundred spatial rings and handing them to Gan Changfeng.
Not long ago, Ye Yunfei obtained the things left behind by the ancestors of two merchant houses. This included a staggering quantity of various energy crystals, magical treasures, pills, medicinal herbs, as well as various treasures from heaven and earth and a large batch of technique manuals. These were items left by the two merchant house ancestors for their descendants, but they had all ended up in Ye Yunfei's hands.
Now, Ye Yunfei planned to use these things to support the cultivation and improvement of the Alliance Army.
The things left by two Deities were sufficient to allow Alliance Army members to cultivate for a very long time.
"I understand," Gan Changfeng said, accepting the over hundred spatial rings.
"Young Master Ye, I would like to report to you on the overall situation within the Chaotic Void Sea during this period," Elder Kong and Ouyang Tao suddenly approached from a distance, landing before Ye Yunfei. Elder Kong spoke.
Elder Kong and Ouyang Tao held high positions within the Alliance Army. Although they had been in seclusion cultivation during this period, they had dispatched a large number of scouts into the Chaotic Void Sea to gather information everywhere. The scouts returned to report periodically, so these two were very knowledgeable about the various developments in the Chaotic Void Sea during this time.
"Good. Let's go to the council hall. Gather all high-ranking members of the Alliance Army so everyone can listen," Ye Yunfei nodded and said.
Not long after, within a certain world of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, inside a resplendent golden hall, Ye Yunfei sat in the central position. High-ranking members of the Alliance Army were seated on either side in order.
"Young Master Ye, I will report various news collected by my subordinates during this period," Elder Kong stepped forward and announced clearly.
"Very well. Speak." Ye Yunfei nodded.
The other Alliance Army leaders also quieted down, curious expressions on their faces.
According to Ye Yunfei's instructions, during this period, most members of the Alliance Army, from top to bottom, had been diligently cultivating. Therefore, apart from those scouts specifically sent out to gather information, most members were not very aware of the situation outside.
"Young Master Ye, the most significant event in the Chaotic Void Sea during this period was the emergence of the Jinhua God Temple within the Jinhua World Cluster.
It's said that the top experts of many major forces entered the Jinhua God Temple, seeking to obtain the treasures and legacy left by the Jinhua God. However, they disturbed the Jinhua God's Divine Corpse left within. A soul power imprint within the corpse, provoked by the intruding top experts seeking treasure, began a great massacre, killing many top experts.
It's said only one-third of the top experts who entered managed to escape.
Soon after the Jinhua God Temple appeared, descendants of the Jinhua God returned, taking control of the temple and announcing the official return of the Jinhua Clan," Elder Kong said.
"Such a thing actually happened!" Many Alliance Army leaders, hearing about the Jinhua God Temple for the first time, were greatly shocked.
However, Ye Yunfei had been in the Jinhua World Cluster at that time and had personally seen the Jinhua God Temple, so he was well aware of the details.
"Furthermore, during this period, those major forces in the Chaotic Void Sea have continued to send armies to invade and occupy other world clusters everywhere.
Currently, within the Chaotic Void Sea, at least over a hundred world clusters have been occupied by those major forces," Elder Kong continued.
"Also, a certain rumor is currently spreading rapidly within the Chaotic Void Sea—the reason why those major forces are invading and occupying so many world clusters everywhere.
It is said that the purpose of those major forces invading and occupying so many world clusters is to establish temples within the invaded clusters, enshrining statues of powerful individuals from their own forces. These statues conceal a soul power imprint used to perceive the energy and laws of those world clusters.
Moreover, those major forces force the native living beings of the invaded world clusters to enter these temples and worship, thereby collecting the faith power of billions of living beings within those clusters.
It is said that the more faith power collected, the greater the divine fortune gained will be, increasing the likelihood of successfully forging a Deity Soul Body during ascension," Elder Kong elaborated.
"So that's the reason," Ye Yunfei murmured, nodding slightly upon hearing this.
"So the reason my homeland was invaded and occupied by the demon race army, resulting in so many lives lost miserably, was actually because the powerful ones among the demons wanted to collect faith power!
Damn them!
Just for their own cultivation and power increase, they sacrifice our world clusters!" Someone immediately roared in anger.
All the members of Ye Yunfei's Alliance Army came from those world clusters that had been occupied by various major forces.
Now, hearing Elder Kong's words, people from every world cluster were filled with fury, roaring in outrage one after another.