"So, Senior, you've never heard of Sword God Lord Jian Shenzi."
Ye Yunfei was a bit disappointed.
"Judging by the name, it should refer to a Deity. Why? Could it be you've had dealings with him? Hmm, young man, you indeed carry quite a few karmic threads involving ancient Deities. You likely have a connection with this Jian Shenzi as well."
The old man inquired.
"To be frank with you, Senior, the sword dao inheritance I currently cultivate was passed down from Sword God Lord Jian Shenzi. From that perspective, I could be considered half a disciple of Lord Jian Shenzi."
Ye Yunfei answered truthfully, knowing it was risky and unnecessary to lie before such a powerful being. This old man's realm and strength were terrifying; his perception and divination skills surely surpassed his own. Any lie would probably be seen through at a glance.
"I see. Perform the sword dao inheritance you cultivate for me to see."
The old man said.
"As you wish."
Ye Yunfei took a few steps back, invoked the Myriad Swords Unifying Grand Method, and swept his hand to strike in another direction. A thick sword radiance instantly appeared, carrying a torrent of sword light, extremely dazzling.
The space in that direction was directly cleaved open, creating a spatial rift from which numerous fragments of time and space fluttered out.
"Hmm, quite good. This sword technique compresses the practitioner's cultivated sword energy, sword intent, and fighting will together, condensing them into a single sword radiance to strike out. The more compressed and solid the radiance, the greater its power. Such a sword technique is a bit domineering."
The old man glanced at the sword radiance Ye Yunfei had unleashed and couldn't help but praise. Given this old man's immense strength, for him to offer praise indicated the Myriad Swords Unifying Grand Method was truly a profound sword dao inheritance.
"Actually, in the Ancient Era, the Chaotic Void Sea also had similar sword dao inheritances. However, I don't know if your 'Jian Shenzi' was a Deity from the Ancient Era Chaotic Void Sea. The number of Deities in that era was vast; one could say Deities were as numerous as rain."
After a moment's thought, the old man spoke again.
"Senior, I believe Lord Jian Shenzi is most likely a Deity belonging to the Ancient Era Chaotic Void Sea."
Ye Yunfei replied.
He recalled that when he entered the Tianyan World, the leading elder of the Fire Bird Clan had told him that Lord Jian Shenzi had once visited the Tianyan World to discuss cultivation paths with the Tianyan Divine Bird. The Tianyan Divine Bird was an ancient divine bird of the Chaotic Void Sea. Since Lord Jian Shenzi had interactions with it, he was likely a Deity of the Chaotic Void Sea. Otherwise, why would a Deity from the Outer Void come to the Chaotic Void Sea? In the Ancient Era, beings from the Outer Void were considered invaders and enemies.
"Possibly. The number of Deities in the Ancient Era Chaotic Void Sea was indeed enormous. Especially the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds you come from—they were one of the core world clusters of the Chaotic Void Sea in that era. Talents emerged in great numbers, and their overall strength was formidable. It's not strange that you obtained some legacies left behind by ancient Deities. Furthermore, you have absorbed quite a few residual energy auras and laws from ancient Deities within your body."
The old man nodded.
"You are correct, Senior."
Ye Yunfei was somewhat startled. It seemed this old man could already discern the Deity-level energy auras and laws within him. Ye Yunfei had previously refined that Yin Seed, so his body retained some energies and laws left by ancient Deities in the void of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, though they were very faint, mere traces or auras.
"Senior, are you also a figure from the Ancient Era?"
Ye Yunfei looked at the mysterious and powerful elder before him and finally couldn't hold back, carefully inquiring.
"How should I put it... I am, but also not entirely. You need not know my identity for now; it's quite complex. Sometimes, even I am not entirely clear. Perhaps one day, you will understand."
Hearing Ye Yunfei's question, the old man fell silent for a moment before letting out a soft sigh.
Naturally, Ye Yunfei dared not ask further.
"Young man, I summoned you here to ask you to contribute strength for the sake of the Chaotic Void Sea."
The elder said.
"Contribute how?"
Ye Yunfei's heart stirred. He knew the elder was finally going to reveal his true purpose.
"First, train seriously for a period to enhance your combat power. Then, go hunt those Watchers. Recently, those Watchers have been active everywhere, preventing Perfected Demigods in the Chaotic Void Sea from undergoing their Divine Tribulations. Any Perfected Demigod they target will find it extremely difficult to successfully transcend the tribulation. Your responsibility will be to stop those Watchers and protect the Perfected Demigods about to undergo their tribulations. Ideally, help them successfully ascend to Deityhood."
The elder stated.
"Senior wants me to stop the Watchers and protect those Perfected Demigods undergoing their tribulations?"
Ye Yunfei was taken aback.
"Yes. Our fragment of the Chaotic Void Sea, after enduring a Deity-less Era, has finally managed to accumulate some divine fortune and spiritual luck. This divine fortune can enhance the overall quality of this Void Sea. Conversely, as the Void Sea's overall quality improves, the divine fortune will grow more prosperous, potentially giving rise to even more Deities. The task of those Watchers is to hunt Perfected Demigods undergoing their tribulations, thereby stifling the divine fortune of the Chaotic Void Sea and preventing its overall quality from rising. Therefore, the Watchers are the common enemy of all beings in the Chaotic Void Sea, and everyone has the duty to eradicate them."
The elder nodded in affirmation.
"But, Senior, the Watchers' strength is overwhelming. Nearly every Watcher possesses combat power equivalent to a Perfected Demigod, some even reaching the peak perfection of the Ninety-Nine Returning to Origin level. I'm afraid my current strength is inadequate."
After hearing the elder's words, Ye Yunfei stared blankly for a long while, unsure how to respond. He knew this was a thankless task. He had witnessed the Watchers' power in the Gudao World Cluster; each was immensely strong, especially the Watcher Captain who appeared last—his might was truly terrifying. Ye Yunfei estimated that even a hundred versions of himself wouldn't be a match for that Watcher Captain.
Moreover, given Ye Yunfei's current state of mind, he wasn't particularly willing to protect *all* the Perfected Demigods in the Chaotic Void Sea undergoing tribulations. Especially those from major factions—like the Dark Faction, Heavenly Deity Hall, Demon Race, and Demon Clan—he would prefer their tribulations to fail. Otherwise, if these major factions gave birth to Deities, they would surely come looking for trouble for him and the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds.
"You need not worry about your strength. Given your talent, after cultivating under my guidance for a time, you are certain to make significant improvements. Young man, I hope you will not refuse. This concerns the entire Chaotic Void Sea. Someone must stand up to undertake this task, to protect our Void Sea. If no one cares, eventually, our Void Sea will be completely controlled by those Watchers, decline further, and become a true prison. All beings within would be sinners for generations, perpetually atoning."
The elder looked at Ye Yunfei, his expression somewhat grave.
"Senior, to be honest, I have made numerous enemies across the Chaotic Void Sea. Vengeful foes could come for me at any moment. Also, I have many people I care deeply about who need my protection, including the world cluster of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds—my homeland—which also needs my safeguarding. If I become preoccupied dealing with the Watchers, those people and the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds could fall into danger at any time."
Ye Yunfei thought for a moment before answering.
"Rest assured. I will grant you a flying treasure that allows swift movement through the Chaotic Void Sea. When you fix the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds as a coordinate, no matter where you are, you can return within moments; it's extremely convenient. Moreover, after cultivating here for a while, your strength should see considerable improvement. Wouldn't that then allow you to better protect the people and world clusters you care about?"
The elder smiled.
"If that is the case, then I shall follow your wishes."
Seeing the conversation had reached this point, Ye Yunfei had no choice but to nod in agreement.
"You seem to possess significant potential in the sword dao. I have here a sword scripture. Take it and comprehend it; it will aid you in improving your sword techniques. This scripture was personally created by a Grand Elder of a major sword dao force in the Ancient Era; its rank is excellent. Also, you have already mastered seven types of Great Dao Laws and once refined a rare treasure that enhances comprehension and perception of Great Dao Laws, giving you a great advantage in law cultivation. I have here a "Law True Interpretation" specifically explaining the principles of laws at the level of Great Dao Laws. Take it and study it carefully. Perhaps you'll manage to comprehend several more Great Dao Laws."
The elder waved his hand, and two ancient-looking cultivation technique jade slips flew out, landing before Ye Yunfei.
"Thank you, Senior!"
Ye Yunfei felt somewhat excited. It seemed taking on this task came with benefits—techniques acquired immediately. Given this old man's realm and power, any technique he casually produced was likely exceptional.
"Additionally, here are some resources for you. Among them are quite a few Perfected Demigod-level magical artifacts. You've cultivated the Tianjin Clan's Secret Art of Transforming into a Tool; fuse these with it to enhance your physical strength."
"Also, I can see you've cultivated the physical inheritance of the Great Strength Demon God. However, I suspect the Great Strength Demon God you encountered was merely an incomplete Soul Power avatar. Therefore, the physical inheritance he passed on to you seems either incomplete or erroneous in some aspects. Otherwise, with your current physical strength, you should be able to cultivate several of the Great Strength Demon God's physical martial techniques. Here, I happen to have a few complete Great Strength Demon God physical martial techniques. Take them, compare, and cultivate them."
The elder perceived Ye Yunfei's physique and then waved his hand again. Another jade slip flew out, landing before Ye Yunfei.
"Furthermore, due to your special constitution, you can already cultivate using divine energy. Have these divine crystals."
The elder sent a spatial ring floating to land before Ye Yunfei.
"Thank you, Senior!"
Seeing the elder produce so many items all at once, Ye Yunfei was quite moved, accepting them all.
At the same time, he felt secretly shocked. This elder seemed able to see through all his secrets at a glance—his perception was terrifyingly sharp. Before him, Ye Yunfei seemed to have no secrets.
"Very well. The shattered continent outside used to be a world where Deities gathered. Though now broken and in ruins, it still retains relatively high-level energy and laws. Find a place on that continent to go into seclusion and cultivate."
The elder nodded, then waved his hand. A powerful teleportation energy instantly enveloped Ye Yunfei and began to teleport him.
"Senior! I still have a question! Did the Master of Xiaoliang Temple succeed in his Divine Tribulation? Did he become a Deity?"
Ye Yunfei, noticing his body had already begun to teleport, remembered he hadn't asked this and hurriedly called out loudly.
"His situation is complex. In truth, though I fought off a powerful enemy for him and witnessed the first half of his Divine Tribulation, he suddenly vanished together with his Divine Tribulation in the end. So, I do not know whether he succeeded in deification."
The old man's voice reached Ye Yunfei's ears.
The next moment, Ye Yunfei found himself outside the spatial realm where the elder resided, appearing before the cave dwelling's main entrance.
The middle-aged man who had brought him earlier was now waiting outside.
"The Master actually vanished together with his Divine Tribulation in the end? What happened?"
Standing outside the cave dwelling, Ye Yunfei thought about what the elder had just said, feeling bewildered.
"Young man, just follow the instructions and first find a place on this continent to cultivate. Don't worry, this continent is absolutely safe. It can be considered one of the safest places in the Chaotic Void Sea."
The middle-aged man smiled and said.
"Understood, Senior."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"On this continent, you can choose any unoccupied spot. I won't take you around; you can look for your own cultivation place wherever you wish."
The middle-aged man said, then flashed and soared into the air, departing.
"Since I'm here, I might as well settle in. Fine, I'll cultivate here for a period of time."
Ye Yunfei transmitted his thoughts to Hun Lao.
Then, he walked around the continent and found Demigods everywhere, all of whom were strangers, unfamiliar faces. He couldn't help but be inwardly astonished. To think this remote space concealed such a large number of Demigod experts! If they went out into the wider world and formed a faction, they could rival any superpower, perhaps even dominate the Chaotic Void Sea.
However, being a newcomer, Ye Yunfei wasn't acquainted with the people on this continent. At most, he exchanged brief smiles as a form of greeting when they met.
Finally, Ye Yunfei found an uninhabited desolate mountain on the continent. Using Earth Divination Arts, he carved out a cave dwelling within it, set up a small formation-controlled space, and then entered the Illusionary Shadow Pagoda.
"So many divine crystals!"
Ye Yunfei first took out the spatial ring holding the divine crystals. Infusing it with Soul Power, he excitedly exclaimed.
Inside this spatial ring were at least over ten thousand divine crystals!
"That Senior is truly incredibly generous!"
Ye Yunfei was deeply grateful.