Ye Yunfei stored the flying boat and entered the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. Releasing his Soul Power, he spread his senses across the world cluster.
The Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds were tranquil and peaceful, with every race and every world seemingly experiencing thriving development and buzzing with vibrant prosperity.
Ye Yunfei returned to the Alliance Army headquarters in just a few steps, entering the main hall of assembly and taking a seat in the center.
"Young Master Ye is back!"
Soon, all the high-ranking members of the Alliance Army sensed Ye Yunfei's aura and were overjoyed, rushing to the assembly hall one after another.
Shortly after, most of the Alliance Army's senior members had gathered in the hall, each taking their seats.
Ye Yunfei's gaze swept across the room and he noticed that only a few were absent, away on external assignments.
"Young Master Ye, during this time, our Alliance Army has gained many more Demigod experts! At the very least, more than a dozen, and in the not-too-distant future, there will be even more, because we already have many Perfected Heavenly Immortals within the Alliance Army preparing to attempt their breakthrough to the Demigod realm!" Kong Lao stepped forward and reported excitedly.
"Hmm, excellent. Have everyone continue striving hard to constantly improve their strength. The stronger they become, the better," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"The Demigods have also appeared in our Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds! And quite a few of them, too! I truly never thought we would see the day when our Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds would have its own Demigods!" Old Man Chu stepped forward, looking very excited.
"Yes, the development of our Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds is extremely rapid right now. If we continue with this momentum, it will certainly become a powerful world cluster in the future," Master Tianwu also chimed in.
Although Old Man Chu and Master Tianwu were high-ranking members of the Alliance Army, they were also the two major leaders of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. Seeing its rapid development naturally filled them with excitement.
"Everyone, a new era has already arrived. In this new era, not only will the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds and the Alliance Army advance, but other world clusters and forces will also continuously improve. In short, we should never be complacent. The stronger we become, the better," Ye Yunfei declared clearly.
"Young Master Ye makes a good point. Right now within the Chaotic Void Sea, many world clusters and forces are flourishing. This stretch of the Void Sea seems to be entering a glorious age," Kong Lao said.
"Kong Lao, have there been any significant news within the Chaotic Void Sea during this time? Please, share it with us," Ye Yunfei asked.
Kong Lao was the one responsible for intelligence gathering within the Alliance Army, commanding a large force of scouts, thus possessing many information channels.
"Young Master Ye, during this period, it seems those major forces have once again begun dispatching armies to conquer and occupy other world clusters. Rumor has it that because many Perfected Demigod experts from these major forces, who were about to undergo their Divine Tribulation, were injured in the Ancient Path World Cluster some time ago, they now require even more resources and divine fortune to attempt godhood. This has led to these major forces sending out troops again to plunder resources and divine fortune," Kong Lao reported.
"They've started again, have they," Ye Yunfei murmured, a cold glint flashing in his eyes. He wondered, *"Why doesn't that old senior put a stop to the actions of these major forces?"* The thought of the mysterious old man sparked a flicker of confusion in his heart.
"Yes. According to scout reports, just this month, three world clusters have been conquered, done by three major forces: the Zhan Family, the Demon Race, and the Monster Race. The armies of these three forces slaughtered the experts of those three world clusters, leaving rivers of blood, with casualties beyond count. Then they erected numerous temples within those world clusters, forcing countless living beings to enter daily and worship there," Kong Lao continued his report.
"Heh, these so-called 'major forces' are all a bunch of jackals and wolves," Ye Yunfei said with a cold smile.
"Oh, yes, Young Master Ye, there's another situation. Those major forces are now sending out a great number of scouts to investigate the identities and whereabouts of the Watchers. The name 'Watchers' has already spread throughout the entire Chaotic Void Sea, and people speak their name with dread," Kong Lao said.
"Some speculate that these Watchers might originate from an extremely terrifying major force, one that might possess the power to suppress the entire Chaotic Void Sea. Many world clusters, families, and factions within the Chaotic Void Sea have now issued orders to avoid offending the Watchers in the future. If encountered, one should immediately give way and keep their distance," Kong Lao went on.
"The Watchers are indeed strong," Ye Yunfei nodded, having learned quite a bit about them from the old man.
"However, everyone, be at ease. Those Watchers generally do not target ordinary people. Their goal should be those Perfected Demigod experts who are about to undergo their Divine Tribulation," Ye Yunfei spoke up.
"So that's how it is." Upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, all the high-ranking members in the hall were astonished. They knew Ye Yunfei's character; he wouldn't say something without being sure.
"Young Master Ye, does that mean those terrifying Watchers pose little threat to beings like us who are not Perfected Demigods?" a Initial Demigod asked.
"Based on what I know at present, that is indeed the case. But how the situation might develop in the future is unknown. Regardless, everyone should seize the time to cultivate," Ye Yunfei nodded and replied.
Then Ye Yunfei took out a batch of cultivation resources and handed them over to Kong Lao and Old Man Chu for distribution among the ranks.
"Young Master Ye, another part of my Xiao Family has found its way to the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds and wishes to join the Alliance Army. I wish to seek your approval," Xiao Ziming stepped forward and addressed Ye Yunfei.
"Since they are of the Xiao Family, naturally there is no issue. Elder Xiao, you are now a senior member of the Alliance Army. In the future, for matters like this, you and the others can convene a council of elders and discuss it together. If it's not something overly significant, there's no need to seek my permission," Ye Yunfei replied with a nod.
"I understand," Xiao Ziming said.
"By the way, Elder Xiao, what is the current situation of your Xiao Family? The Zhan Family lost one of their Ancestors in the Ancient Path World Cluster, which must have significantly weakened their overall strength. What's the remaining strength of your Xiao Family? Can you still not contend with the Zhan Family?" Ye Yunfei asked.
"Young Master Ye, it's true that the Zhan Family lost one Ancestor in the Ancient Path World Cluster, and many other Zhan Family experts died alongside him while protecting that Ancestor. This has indeed greatly weakened the Zhan Family's overall power. However, our Xiao Family suffered a devastating invasion orchestrated by the Zhan Family in collusion with several other major forces before. The casualties were extremely heavy. Of our three Ancestors, two are said to have already fallen, and the fate of the last one remains unknown. Most of the Xiao Family clansmen who remain alive are now in hiding across the Chaotic Void Sea, evading the Zhan Family's pursuit. Fearing that our Xiao Family might lie low and resurge in the future to settle accounts, the Zhan Family has never ceased their pursuit. Therefore, our Xiao Family is currently no match for the Zhan Family at all," Xiao Ziming replied, his tone a mixture of anger and sorrow.
"I see," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"One Ancestor of the Zhan Family has fallen. How many do they have remaining?" Ye Yunfei asked.
Generally speaking, the major forces within the Chaotic Void Sea would have several Ancestors safeguarding them.
"The Zhan Family also had three Ancestors. Having lost one, they should have two left," Xiao Ziming answered.
"Hmm, with two Ancestors remaining, their overall strength is still intact, still qualifying them as a major force," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Yes. Furthermore, the Zhan Family is a traditional beast-taming family, raising a large number of battle beasts. It's said their strongest battle beasts are at the Perfected Demigod level, and there are quite a few of them too. Therefore, the Zhan Family's overall power is still considerable. Our Xiao Family currently simply lacks the strength to take revenge. However, I believe that one day in the future, our Xiao Family will surely have our reckoning!" Xiao Ziming said.
"Young Master Ye, good news! Just now, our Alliance Army has gained three more Initial Demigods. They chose a place outside headquarters to undergo their tribulation and have already succeeded, returning to headquarters," At this moment, Ouyang Tao reported happily to Ye Yunfei.
"Oh? That's good. Have them come here," Ye Yunfei nodded.
Soon after, three members of the Alliance Army walked in. These three had been Perfected Heavenly Immortals not long ago. Having experienced the lightning tribulation, they were now Initial Demigods. Of course, Initial Demigods were now insignificant in Ye Yunfei's eyes, something he could defeat with a single hand. Nevertheless, having three more Initial Demigods strengthened the Alliance Army's power by another fraction, a good thing, naturally.
"Young Master Ye!" Seeing Ye Yunfei, the three newly-minted Initial Demigods were both startled and delighted, immediately rushing forward to bow in greeting.
"No need for formalities," Ye Yunfei said lightly.
The next instant, Ye Yunfei's expression suddenly shifted slightly. His gaze turned teasing as he looked at the Initial Demigod on the far left, a faint, enigmatic smile playing on his lips.
"What is your name?" Ye Yunfei asked.
"In reply, Young Master Ye, I am Zhao Xingfan, from the Thousand-Leaf World Cluster," that Initial Demigod, seeing Ye Yunfei's particular attention on him, could not help but flash a trace of puzzlement deep in his eyes, before immediately answering respectfully.
"That's right, Young Master Ye. Xingfan is indeed from our Thousand-Leaf World Cluster, a young genius of the Zhao Clan. He was already renowned across the Thousand-Leaf World Cluster, ranking highly among the young talents of the entire cluster. After joining the Alliance Army, he cultivated even more diligently, finally becoming a Demigod now," an elder stepped forward and said to Ye Yunfei. This elder was one of the Alliance Army's senior members, a Mid-Level Demigod from the Thousand-Leaf World Cluster.
"Hmm, Zhao Xingfan, a young genius of the Thousand-Leaf World Cluster. Very good, very good indeed. It's a shame, truly a pity. Heaven often envies true talent. When he was on the verge of becoming a Demigod, he actually fell victim to a sneak attack by a Heart-Eater, losing his life as a result. This is a loss for the Thousand-Leaf World Cluster and a loss for our Alliance Army," Ye Yunfei said indifferently.
"What?! Zhao Xingfan lost his life?!" Hearing Ye Yunfei's words, everyone in the hall was shocked, not understanding why Ye Yunfei would suddenly say such a thing.
"Young Master Ye, you... What do you mean? Why are you saying that I have already died?" Zhao Xingfan was left dumbfounded, looking at Ye Yunfei with an innocent face as he could not help but ask.
*"To think another Heart-Eater has managed to infiltrate the Alliance Army. Thankfully, you discovered it, otherwise the consequences would be unthinkable,"* Hun Lao sent a transmission to Ye Yunfei.
*"The Heart-Eater race is too sly and difficult to guard against. They take advantage of the moment when people are undergoing tribulation to launch surprise attacks, devouring and taking control of others' Soul Bodies. Just sensing this race disgusts me,"* the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm added.
*"Something's not right! I sense the auras of several more Heart-Eaters! It seems there isn't just one!"* Just at this moment, Hun Lao suddenly exclaimed in shock.
*"Good, very good. It appears the Heart-Eater race intends to declare war on me,"* Ye Yunfei's expression also turned ice cold.