Back in the Hudao Academy, the two Venerable Ones also caught wind of this matter.
They immediately dispatched people to investigate.
As a top-tier power on the continent, the Hudao Academy's reach was extensive; it wasn't long before they found some leads.
"What?!"
"The branch and over a dozen outposts of the Tianyou Tomb in the Eastern Region were actually all wiped out?"
"Only twenty or thirty people remain?"
"Just who has the Tianyou Tomb offended, to provoke such a shockingly ruthless character?"
Upon receiving the investigation report, the two Venerable Ones couldn't help but stare in shock and disbelief.
"Only a Yuan Foundation Realm expert personally taking action could possibly achieve this.""Perhaps it was a certain Yuan Foundation Realm expert from the Eastern Region who attacked and destroyed the Tianyou Tomb?"
"Impossible!""Even if it were a Yuan Foundation Realm expert, it would be very difficult to destroy the Tianyou Tomb's branch in the Eastern Region!""Their Eastern Region branch has a Yuan Foundation Realm expert presiding over it.""Furthermore, all Tianyou Tomb members cultivate a movement technique that allows them to become invisible at will; killing them is extremely difficult.""Much less destroying an entire branch and over a dozen outposts?"
The two Venerable Ones were merely speculating.
"Do you think... could Ye Yunfei be behind this?" one Venerable One said.
"Ye Yunfei?""No, how could that be? Even if Ye Yunfei isn't dead yet, he shouldn't have the ability to pull off such a world-shaking, earth-shattering deed." The other Venerable One shook his head.
"Let's just wait. This matter will come to light sooner or later.""However, no matter what, the Tianyou Tomb will certainly not let this go." one Venerable One remarked.
"That's true. Let's just wait and see how it unfolds." The other Venerable One nodded.
Similarly.
The three Sacred Lands, five great clans, and nine major sects—all major powers—each uncovered some information regarding the Tianyou Tomb, and all were utterly astonished.
One had to understand, the Tianyou Tomb was the most mysterious organization in the Eastern Region, a name that struck fear into everyone.
Now, its sudden destruction was a major event for the entire Eastern Region.
For a time, discussions and various speculations ran rampant within these mighty sects and clans.
Within the Chen Clan's headquarters.
"This matter... could it possibly be related to that youngster?""Impossible!""That youngster is already dead!""And yet... why do I keep having a bad premonition?"
In a certain secluded chamber, a reclusive elder of the Chen Clan muttered to himself.
This particular recluse was fond of divination arts. While not a master, he often studied and practiced them.
He was currently engaged in divination concerning the Tianyou Tomb's fate when suddenly, the figure of Ye Yunfei flashed across his mind!
However, he quickly forced himself to dismiss the thought.
"Hah, I'm overthinking this.""Even if that little whelp Ye Yunfei is not yet dead...""he absolutely lacks the capability to wipe out the Tianyou Tomb's Eastern Region branch."
The reclusive elder couldn't help but shake his head and laugh at his own foolishness.
Meanwhile.
Inside the Small Alchemy Tower.
First Floor.
Ye Yunfei sat cross-legged, continuously absorbing the Soul Force Energy present on this level.
Two days later.
Finally, all the Soul Force Energy existing on the first floor had been completely absorbed by Ye Yunfei.
He then proceeded to the second floor and began absorbing the Soul Force Energy there.
Time flowed on.
Day after day passed.
Unknowingly, a month had gone by.
Finally, Ye Yunfei had completely absorbed all the Soul Force Energy present from the first to the ninth floor of the Small Alchemy Tower.
"My Soul Power has increased by at least five to six times.""The maximum range my Soul Power can now perceive extends to roughly eighty thousand meters!""This far surpasses that of an ordinary Yuan Foundation Realm cultivator!"
On the ninth floor of the Small Alchemy Tower, Ye Yunfei slowly opened his eyes, his face filled with pleasant surprise.
"If I employ my Flying Sword Art and the 'One Thought, Birth of Demons' technique now, their power will surely have increased tremendously."
Ye Yunfei smiled faintly, radiating confidence.
After his rebirth, starting from the pitifully weak Body Forging Third Stage and cultivating to his current height, he possessed enough self-preservation strength within the vast lands of the Eastern Region.
However, Ye Yunfei's ambitions were not confined to a mere corner like the Eastern Region.
His aim was to reclaim his position as Heavenly Emperor and once again stand atop the summit of all realms!
"With my current level of Soul Power, I can now just barely begin cultivating the Eighteen Soul Immortal Art.""This is a profound technique specifically for cultivating Soul Power, exceedingly rare in the world."
Ye Yunfei murmured to himself.
Cultivating the Eighteen Soul Immortal Art allowed for extreme tempering and refinement of Soul Power, elevating its level.
In this world, cultivation techniques for spiritual energy were as common as hairs on an ox, beyond counting.
Those for training the physical body were relatively fewer.
However, techniques dedicated solely to cultivating Soul Power were exceptionally precious and rare.
A high-level Soul Power technique like the Eighteen Soul Immortal Art was akin to phoenix feathers and qilin horns—few and far between in the world.
In his previous life, as a Heavenly Emperor, it had taken immense effort and nine-ox-two-tiger strength to finally obtain this set of the Eighteen Soul Immortal Art.
"Good. There's no time to waste. I shall begin cultivating the Eighteen Soul Immortal Art immediately!"
Ye Yunfei declared.
First, he repeatedly studied and analyzed the technique.
The Eighteen Soul Immortal Art consisted of eighteen forms in total.
It was divided into three stages.
The first stage comprised Forms One through Six. It specialized in compressing and tempering Soul Power, not only increasing its quantity but, more importantly, enhancing its quality.
At this stage, the shape of Soul Power would transform into a gaseous state.
The second stage comprised Forms Seven through Twelve.
Cultivation at this stage increased the density of Soul Power, producing a qualitative metamorphosis, causing its shape to become liquid!
The third stage comprised Forms Thirteen through Eighteen.
This stage continued compressing and tempering Soul Power, causing its shape to ultimately transform from liquid into a solid state.
At this point, Soul Power could be shaped into various forms of weapons, as hard as magical treasures!
Deploying it in battle held infinite wondrous uses, aiding in conquering foes and securing victory like a divine blessing!
"Time to begin cultivation."
After thoroughly studying the Eighteen Soul Immortal Art many times over, Ye Yunfei entered a state of cultivation.
Inside the Small Alchemy Tower.
Ye Yunfei sat cross-legged, his hands rapidly forming a series of intricate hand seals.
Following the method of the First Form, he began the practice.
Moments later.
A faintly discernible projection of a celestial being slowly manifested within Ye Yunfei's Soul Sea.
Thousands of rays of immortal light!
Mysterious and ancient celestial hymns continuously resounded, echoing within the Soul Sea.
Inside the Soul Sea, the projection of the celestial being sat cross-legged, mirroring Ye Yunfei's movements, its hands continuously forming peculiar hand seals.
Rumble...
The celestial being radiated resplendent immortal light from its entire body, illuminating Ye Yunfei's Soul Sea down to the finest detail.
Ye Yunfei could feel his Soul Power being continuously compressed and tempered, becoming increasingly refined, fraction by fraction, inch by inch, glowing brighter.
This sensation was extraordinarily marvelous.
It was akin to a blade being constantly sharpened on a whetstone, polished brighter and brighter, sharper and sharper.
His Soul Power was precisely this blade!
Time slowly trickled by.
Within the Phantom Tower, time was abundant, so Ye Yunfei didn't worry about its passage in the slightest.
Unbeknownst to him, over five days had passed in the outside world.
"Finally, I've cultivated to the Third Form!"
At a certain moment, Ye Yunfei suddenly opened his eyes and murmured softly.