It took a moment before that Vermilion Bird finally made a sound, one that was high-pitched and distant, seeming to travel from another remote stretch of time and space, echoing above the altar.
"For one of our descendants to have such bloodline purity is quite good!"
"Now, I will examine both of you to see who more closely meets the requirements. The one who meets them shall receive the sum of my knowledge and teaching."
The Vermilion Bird spoke again.
As soon as the words fell, numerous red motes of light flew out from within the Vermilion Bird's body.
These red motes of light were minute runes. A dense mass of these glowing red runes drifted toward Miao Ziqiong and Xiao Fei, mother and daughter, engulfing them in moments.
Those densely packed glowing red runes drifted down onto the surfaces of their bodies, looking as if they had been draped in dazzling crimson outer garments. An aura of sacredness seemed to hang about them.
"This is the most ancient energy aura of our clan."
Feeling those red runes, Vermilion Bird King was so moved his body trembled slightly.
Miao Ziqiong and Xiao Fei knelt unmoving before the altar.
After a moment.
"What is your name?"
The Vermilion Bird upon the altar focused its two crimson gazes on Xiao Fei.
"It seems the ancestor has chosen Xiao Fei."
Seeing this scene, everyone immediately understood.
"Esteemed Ancestor, my name is Xiao Fei."
Xiao Fei replied respectfully at once.
"Xiao Fei, your bloodline purity is very good. A manifestation of ancestral reversion has already occurred."
"From now on, I shall personally guide your cultivation, granting you a great opportunity."
"This Void is about to change. A new era is about to begin. If you can seize the opportunity, within this new era, you may become one of the powerhouses of this Void."
The Vermilion Bird's voice grew gentle.
Xiao Fei raised her head to look at her parents and Ye Yunfei, a questioning look in her eyes.
"Xiao Fei, this truly is a great opportunity for you. Do not hesitate."
Ye Yunfei had been sensing that Vermilion Bird all along, knowing it truly was an ancestor of the Miao Clan. The energy aura and aura of laws it emanated could not be faked; they were indeed passed down from the same lineage as the secret arts and cultivation methods the Miao Clan of Vermilion Bird Realm now practiced.
At this moment, Miao Ziqiong was also transmitting a message to Xiao Fei, urging her to agree.
"Many thanks for your great favor, Esteemed Ancestor."
After receiving Ye Yunfei and her mother's sound transmissions, Xiao Fei did not hesitate either, replying loudly at once.
Because she truly did want to become stronger. Especially after seeing her brother become a Demigod master, she had secretly made up her mind—she must also become a powerful expert just like her brother.
"Now I must take you to a mysterious space for cultivation. Is there anything you need to say to your family and clansfolk? Go and do so now."
The Vermilion Bird nodded and then spoke again.
"Father, Mother, Big Brother."
Xiao Fei immediately went before her parents and Ye Yunfei, her face full of reluctance to part.
"Go, Xiao Fei."
"Don't worry. The ancestor will protect you."
Miao Ziqiong stroked her daughter's head, her gaze full of doting affection and reluctance. However, she knew that once children grew up, there would inevitably come a day when they would leave their parents' side and go out to make their way in the world. Just like Ye Yunfei, who had been roaming outside year after year.
"Xiao Fei, mother is right. This is a very rare opportunity for you; you absolutely must not miss it."
"Now that the ancestor wishes to personally guide your cultivation, you should go with him."
Ye Yunfei also stroked Xiao Fei's head, then spoke.
"Take these cultivation resources with you."
Ye Yunfei retrieved a few spatial rings and pressed them into Xiao Fei's hands.
These spatial rings contained a small portion of divine crystals, as well as various rather precious treasures Ye Yunfei had acquired in the past.
When Ye Yunfei handed these spatial rings to Xiao Fei, the Vermilion Bird upon the altar suddenly looked over.
Because it could sense that the spatial rings Ye Yunfei gave contained quite a few extremely precious treasures, even items of Deity level.
"The purity of the bloodline within your body is actually not bad either, but you have only half the bloodline of our clan, intermixed with far too much blood from various other races."
"For our clan, that is effectively a wasted lineage. A pity!"
The Vermilion Bird's two crimson gazes fell upon Ye Yunfei's body, sweeping up and down, then spoke in a tone of regret.
"Now, I shall impart to you the remnant refined soul of a certain expert from our clan. Once you fuse with it, your strength should increase considerably."
At this moment, the Vermilion Bird's gaze turned to Miao Ziqiong and it spoke.
As soon as the words fell, an incomplete and ragged illusory form of a Vermilion Bird slowly emerged from within that Vermilion Bird's body, floating to a spot above Miao Ziqiong's head.
"Is this another ancient ancestor of the Miao Clan?"
"Judging by the looks, this ancestor's strength was also quite impressive."
Hun Lao observed the incomplete, illusory Vermilion Bird figure above Miao Ziqiong's head, feeling somewhat astonished.
"Indeed!"
"It should be another ancient ancestor of the Miao Clan."
"However, it seems the Soul Power clone left behind is already incomplete and damaged. That ancestor likely suffered rather severe injuries and fell back then."
Ye Yunfei sensed the illusory Vermilion Bird above Miao Ziqiong's head and nodded.
At this moment, the Vermilion Bird upon the altar, its body blazing with rolling divine radiance, extended a claw and gave a light press toward Miao Ziqiong. A large crimson rune flew out from its claw.
This crimson rune came to rest above Miao Ziqiong's head, merging with that incomplete, illusory Vermilion Bird, then rushed into Miao Ziqiong's body.
"Next, you must spend time striving to fully fuse with this refined soul, making it a part of your own cultivation."
The Vermilion Bird said to Miao Ziqiong.
Then the Vermilion Bird's gaze shifted back to Xiao Fei.
"Now, you follow me."
The Vermilion Bird spoke.
"Esteemed Ancestor, where do you plan to take Xiao Fei for cultivation?"
Miao Ziqiong could not help but ask.
"To a secret space."
"Set your mind at ease. From now on, she is my successor. She will not be in danger."
The Vermilion Bird could of course see Miao Ziqiong was Xiao Fei's mother and knew she was worried for Xiao Fei's safety.
Hearing the Vermilion Bird's words, Miao Ziqiong dared not ask further.
"Xiao Fei, then you should go with the ancestor to cultivate."
"Remember to cultivate diligently and conscientiously. Do not fail the ancestor's expectations of you."
Miao Ziqiong held Xiao Fei's hand, a little unwilling to let go.
She and Xiao Fei had gone through many hardships together in the past. Now, faced with sudden separation, she felt reluctance and worry.
But she also knew this was a tremendous opportunity for Xiao Fei, not to be missed.
"Mother, don't worry, I will cultivate hard."
On the verge of parting, Xiao Fei held her mother's hand firmly and nodded emphatically. Though she also felt some reluctance, she did not want to abandon this opportunity.
"Big Brother, you wait. When I come back next time, my strength might surpass yours."
Xiao Fei said to Ye Yunfei.
"Father, take good care of Mother."
Xiao Fei said to Ye Tianpeng.
Then Xiao Fei bid farewell one by one to the other members of the Ye Family.
Following the Vermilion Bird's requirement, she walked onto that ancient altar and stood beside the Vermilion Bird.
With a boom, a powerful energy erupted from within the Vermilion Bird, shaking the altar beneath it and the surrounding space violently. Then, with Xiao Fei in tow, it vanished from the altar via teleportation.
Ye Tianpeng, his wife, and Ye Yunfei gazed at the spot on the altar where Xiao Fei had disappeared, unwilling to part.
"Do not worry. This is a rare opportunity for Xiao Fei. The ancestor will surely protect her well."
Vermilion Bird King came over and spoke.
"Zi Qiong, the ancestor just transmitted a refined soul into your body. You should quickly go into closed-door cultivation now, striving to achieve complete fusion sooner."
Vermilion Bird King said to Miao Ziqiong.
"Very well. I will return immediately to begin closed-door cultivation."
Miao Ziqiong nodded in response.
"Mother, let's return to the mountain hamlet where Mr. Liu resides. That place is safer."
Ye Yunfei thought for a moment, then spoke to his mother.
Though this was the Miao Clan headquarters within the Vermilion Bird Realm, it certainly could not compare in safety to that little mountain hamlet where Mr. Liu lived.
That mountain hamlet, after Mr. Liu's arrangements, could likely not be breached even by a Complete Demigod. Ye Yunfei naturally wanted his parents to stay in the safest place possible.
Thus, Ye Yunfei took his parents back to Tianpo Realm, entering the Small World within the mountain hamlet where Mr. Liu resided.
Then Miao Ziqiong began closed-door cultivation.
"I can sense that refined soul the Vermilion Bird transmitted into your mother's body is quite remarkable. It might cause a qualitative leap in your mother's realm and strength."
Hun Lao said to Ye Yunfei.
"Let's hope so."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"I also need to undertake a period of closed-door cultivation."
Ye Yunfei said after some thought.
Then, within this Small World, Ye Yunfei found a relatively quiet spot, set up a small spatial formation, entered the Phantom Shadow Tower, and began closed-door cultivation.
For this cultivation session, Ye Yunfei primarily focused on his Soul Power energy, Mental Force energy, sword techniques, and the Nine Palaces Totem Wheel.
Among these, the method for cultivating the Nine Palaces Totem Wheel was the simplest: he only needed to have those nine divine beasts devour large amounts of cultivation resources.
Ye Yunfei activated the Nine Yang Ancient Scripture, and all eight of the Chaos Divine Meridians within his body manifested simultaneously. Vast and mighty Mental Force energy surged and raced within his frame.
"I wonder when I'll be able to find more Yang-attribute treasures needed to cultivate the Nine Yang Ancient Scripture."
Sensing the Mental Force energy within his body, Ye Yunfei could not help but murmur.
For Ye Yunfei to advance his Nine Yang Ancient Scripture realm now, he must find new Yang-attribute treasures. It was a hard requirement.
However, those precious Yang-attribute treasures in the world—where were they so easy to find?
From then on, Ye Yunfei devoted his mind to cultivation.
"I am only at the Initial Demigod realm. I must seize time to elevate my realm, striving to reach the Complete Demigod realm soon. And I must also cultivate the Demigod realm at the ninety-nine returns, ultimate truth celestial level, only then can I attempt to charge toward becoming a Deity."
Ye Yunfei pondered to himself.
He knew that the era of Deities would inevitably arrive.
If he himself did not become a Deity, then he would never truly belong among the true powerhouses of this Void.
About a year passed within the Phantom Shadow Tower.
After a year, Ye Yunfei ended his closed-door cultivation and emerged from the Phantom Shadow Tower. He then bade farewell to his parents and returned to the Alliance Army headquarters.
Ye Yunfei had previously selected thirty Demigod masters, preparing to set out to snatch the Soul Clones those major forces were venerating in various World Clusters.
Ye Yunfei had already plundered and refined a batch of Soul Clones and knew the immense benefits of refining and absorbing those clones. Naturally, having gotten a taste for it, he hoped to plunder another batch to aid his cultivation.
Ye Yunfei had deep grievances with those major forces. Moreover, to venerate those Soul Clones, those major forces sent troops everywhere to invade other World Clusters, slaughtering the innocent and amassing countless bloody atrocities.
Ye Yunfei felt absolutely no psychological burden about taking their things.
After returning to the Alliance Army headquarters, Ye Yunfei immediately began to muster the troops. Besides the thirty Demigod masters selected earlier, he also picked a group of capable members to form a large force, then prepared to depart.
Just at that moment.
"Something's wrong, Young Master Ye! One of our Initial Demigod masters in the Alliance Army has died under strange circumstances. We don't know the reason yet."
Old Man Chu suddenly rushed over and reported to Ye Yunfei.
"Such a thing happened?"
Ye Yunfei's face darkened.
"Where? Lead the way at once."
Ye Yunfei said.
Old Man Chu immediately led the way, taking Ye Yunfei off in a certain direction.
Other high-ranking members of the Alliance Army who heard Old Man Chu's words were greatly shocked and followed behind.
Moments later, they entered a world, arriving at a tall mountain peak.
The location of this mountain peak was excellent, with dense spiritual energy. It was an ideal cultivation site.
"Inside this cave abode."
Old Man Chu pointed at the entrance of a cultivation cave abode on the mountain peak and said to Ye Yunfei.
"So it is."
Ye Yunfei's Soul Power energy probed within and indeed discovered the interior of the cultivation cave abode held a mutilated corpse, the body of a Initial Demigod.
Ye Yunfei waved a sleeve, releasing a powerful surge of energy that directly collapsed the entire cultivation cave abode, revealing its interior.
"It's Elder Mu! He's actually dead!"
The Alliance Army Demigods following Ye Yunfei all exclaimed in surprise upon seeing the corpse inside the cave abode.
Many of the Alliance Army's Demigod masters usually practiced closed-door cultivation at the headquarters, but some Demigods who preferred tranquility left the headquarters to seek out cultivation sites they liked within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds.
This Elder Mu had come to this world and opened a cultivation cave abode here. When nothing urgent came up, he would cultivate here in seclusion.
No one expected he would die here.
At this moment, Ye Yunfei's Soul Power energy was already sensing Elder Mu's corpse.
"There don't seem to be any traces of a fierce struggle here. This Elder Mu was probably ambushed, killed before he could even make a move to resist."
Hun Lao said to Ye Yunfei.
"Possibly."
Ye Yunfei sensed the energy of this piece of heaven and earth and indeed found no signs of battle having taken place, including energy and laws remaining from combat.