Ye Yunfei then entered the Samsara Passage once more, though this time proceeding with great caution. He even brought along a few core elders from the Reincarnation Palace, instructing them to continuously release Samsara energy aura the entire way.
Upon reaching the end of the passage, the six cave openings remained as before, sealed and impassable.
'Where do these openings ultimately lead?' Ye Yunfei wondered silently, gazing at the sealed tunnels. 'Where did Qing Luo and the Reincarnation Ancestor go after entering these six passages? Qing Luo should be living in another spacetime now. I don't know when I will be able to see her again. Perhaps... when my strength is sufficient, I can force my way into these six passages, all the way to the spacetime where Qing Luo now resides. Then I might have a chance to see her again.'
Though Ye Yunfei and Su Qingluo's feelings for each other were deep, fate was fickle; the two had always spent more time apart than together.
'With insufficient strength, protecting those you care about is difficult enough. Possessing enough power... that is what truly matters,' Ye Yunfei sighed inwardly.
'Young Master Ye,' an elder of the Reincarnation Palace reported. 'Recently, massive amounts of Samsara energy have been continuously surging out from within the Samsara Passage, replenishing the energy of our Reincarnation Realm. I believe our Reincarnation Realm is now among the worlds within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds with the highest-tier energy and laws. Consequently, the overall strength of our Reincarnation Palace has been steadily rising.'
'Good,' Ye Yunfei nodded. 'This is excellent news for the Reincarnation Palace. You must use this opportunity to develop well.'
'Rest assured, Young Master Ye,' another elder nearby replied. 'The entire Reincarnation Palace is burning with a shared resolve; the vast majority of our time is spent on cultivation.'
After leaving the Reincarnation Realm, Ye Yunfei planned to cultivate in the region where the mysterious old man resided. Although that ancient space appeared somewhat dilapidated, the energy and laws there were exceptionally advanced, making it highly suitable for cultivation.
Returning to the headquarters of the Alliance Army, Ye Yunfei again assembled the high-ranking officers to discuss and issue instructions. Then, he departed the headquarters, taking out his flying vessel and heading towards the direction of that ancient space where the mysterious old man stayed.
*Swoosh!*
The vessel tore through space at incredible speed, swiftly leaving the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds.
*RUMBLE!*
Suddenly, Ye Yunfei's expression changed drastically. A gigantic palm abruptly materialized before the flying vessel, swatting towards it.
The vessel instantly froze in place, incapable of moving even a fraction. An utterly terrifying energy pressure sealed the space around the vessel. Even Ye Yunfei inside found movement extremely difficult.
'Let's work together to break this sealed space!' Hun Lao cried out.
Immediately, Hun Lao, the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm, and Ye Yunfei all released spatial energy and unleashed spatial martial skills. With their combined efforts, they finally shattered the sealed space inside the vessel. Ye Yunfei swiftly employed a movement technique to charge out.
*BANG!*
The vessel was sent spinning sideways by the blow.
'So this is the kind of vessel you Restorers use,' a voice rang out. 'I'll take it back for a proper study.'
A blurry figure appeared, raised a hand, and drew Ye Yunfei's flying vessel over, landing it in the palm.
'To possess such strength at such a tender age,' the figure spoke coldly, turning its gaze towards Ye Yunfei. 'You are a rare young prodigy indeed. Even back in the previous era of Deities, your aptitude would rank at the forefront. Pity. You've risen to prominence too early. Before you have truly grown and gained corresponding power, you already act so conspicuously. This destiny ensures you won't get far.'
Ye Yunfei immediately felt a raging tide of energy pressure sweep over and suppress his body, making his waist feel immensely heavy.
'This guy's strength is monstrous!' the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm wailed mentally. 'He might be even stronger than those Watcher Captains from before! This is bad! Why would such a powerful expert specifically come to deal with you?'
'Don't overthink it. Find a way to escape. We definitely can't defeat him,' Hun Lao transmitted urgently.
*BOOM! BOOM!*
Of course Ye Yunfei knew this. The figure before him was far too formidable. Defeat was impossible. The only option was to flee.
'Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm,' Ye Yunfei asked mentally. 'You take everyone and escape. I'll buy time by engaging him. What do you say?'
When it came to fleeing by traversing space, the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm possessed unique skills, ones Ye Yunfei himself admired.
'What else can we do?' the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm sighed helplessly. 'Even if it's beyond our abilities, we have to try. We'll have to gamble on it.'
*BOOM! BOOM!*
Ye Yunfei flung out a massive number of formation flags. Formation after formation instantly solidified before him, sweeping towards the figure.
*BOOM...*
Alongside the formations, Earth Augmentation arrays continuously manifested, distributing themselves in the space around Ye Yunfei and forming a protective ring.
Simultaneously, Ye Yunfei unleashed Soul Power martial arts and Heart Force martial skills against the figure.
*Swoosh!*
Ye Yunfei attempted to enter the Phantom Tower, intending for the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm to take the tower and escape.
However, the figure seemed to see through Ye Yunfei's intention.
'Indeed well-versed in formations and geomancy. Heart Force energy is also quite decent,' the figure remarked flatly. 'But before me, these tricks of yours are useless.'
*BOOM! BOOM!*
The figure merely pointed a finger. Giant talisman characters surged from its fingertip like massive boulders, continuously smashing the formations and Earth Augmentation arrays Ye Yunfei had deployed.
*RUMBLE...*
The figure waved a hand, and a colossal energy descended, sealing the space where Ye Yunfei stood. Ye Yunfei felt as if immobilized by a binding technique, unable to move. He couldn't even enter the Phantom Tower anymore.
'Disaster! How can there be such a terrifying master?' cried the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm, who had emerged from the Phantom Tower intending to carry it away once Ye Yunfei entered. Now also paralyzed, it could only complain bitterly. 'With just casual moves, he's utterly suppressed us. The strength gap is too vast! Our resistance is futile!'
At this moment, Ye Yunfei was struggling with all his might, but the figure's energy was too dreadful. He found himself completely unable to break free from the suppression.
'Young man,' the figure spoke coldly. "'The wind scythes down the tallest trees in the forest first.' You should have waited until you had fully matured before emerging. Pity. A young genius is about to fall.'
*Humph!*
Just when Ye Yunfei saw no way out, a cold snort sounded.
Then Ye Yunfei felt a sudden lightness, his body instantly regaining freedom.
Next, a plain-looking old man appeared beside Ye Yunfei, standing with him.
'Senior! It's you!'
Seeing this elder, Ye Yunfei was overjoyed.
This was the elder who had once appeared when Ye Yunfei's struggle against the Dark Faction within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds was at its fiercest, gifting Ye Yunfei three items: the Nine Yang Ancient Scripture, the Great Freedom Heart Sutra, and the Spear and Shield Formation. Ye Yunfei hadn't seen this elder again since.
He had assumed the elder had left the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. He never expected the elder to reappear suddenly at this critical juncture. Moreover, the power the elder displayed left Ye Yunfei utterly awestruck.
'You noticed me in the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds and have been tracking me all the way here?' the blurry figure opposite inquired.
'Indeed,' the elder replied lightly. 'If you think you can lay hands on a young genius from our Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, I naturally cannot stand idly by. Our world's younger generation is not for outsiders to chastise.'
'The Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds truly live up to their reputation as one of the core world groups of the ancient era,' the figure sneered. 'To think such a powerhouse remains clinging to life here. However, if I insist on teaching your world's juniors a lesson, what of it? To have survived in hiding until now is no easy feat. Don't be so foolish as to come out and seek death now.'
'Based on... you?' The elder standing beside Ye Yunfei chuckled coldly.
*RUMBLE...*
The opposite figure said no more, directly launching a forceful attack. A hand stretched out, continuously expanding until it resembled a vast cloud, descending to smother Ye Yunfei and the elder.
Ye Yunfei immediately felt endless, terrifying energy pressure surging towards him, nearly knocking him off his feet.
'Begone!'
Beside him, the elder let out a cold hum. Then, extending a single finger, he gave a simple poke.
*BANG!*
The descending hand was directly punctured, exploding violently into a mist of blood.
'Impossible!'
The opposite figure cried out in shock, retreating over a dozen steps in succession. He hadn't expected this seemingly ordinary elder to possess such dreadful power, able to shatter his palm technique with a single finger.
'Excellent,' the figure spoke after staring at Ye Yunfei and the elder for a moment. 'Never imagined the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds still harbored such a master.' Having said that, it turned and began to leave.
'Come as you please, leave as you please? It's not that simple,' the elder beside Ye Yunfei spoke up. 'Having provoked the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, you must pay the price.'
The elder took a single step. Time and space swirled. In a flash, he appeared right behind the departing figure and threw a punch.
*BOOM!...*
Terrifying fist power erupted, shaking the endless void violently. Time and space seemed to freeze at this moment. Everything else seemed to vanish, leaving only that fist slowly advancing forward.
*BANG!*
The figure exploded upon impact.
'Aaaaah!'
A scream echoed as flesh and blood sprayed wildly across the void.
'That'll teach you to put on airs,' the elder remarked plainly.
'I will remember today's grievance!' A miserable cry sounded from the distance.
Only then did Ye Yunfei realize the figure had actually succeeded in fleeing.
'Remember all you like. I'll be waiting for you to come seeking revenge,' the elder retorted disdainfully.
'Young Master Ye,' the elder turned to Ye Yunfei with a smile. 'Let's first return to the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds and find a place to chat.'
'I follow your command, Senior!' Ye Yunfei wouldn't dare refuse, responding respectfully at once.
'Haha, Young Master Ye, no need for such formalities with me. Let's return.' The elder flicked his sleeve, lifting Ye Yunfei, and took a step.
*BOOM!*
Ye Yunfei immediately felt the surrounding spacetime begin to whirl at extreme speed, space and time alternating frantically. In just a few breaths, the spacetime began to stabilize.
Ye Yunfei was astonished to find he had already returned within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, on a mountain peak within an ordinary world, inside a small pavilion.
The elder stood opposite him. Inside the pavilion, two pigtailed young attendants were busy brewing tea. There was a stone table and eight stone stools. The stone table held teapots and other tea utensils.
'Please, Young Master Ye,' the elder said to Ye Yunfei.
'That speed is utterly terrifying!' the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm exclaimed mentally. 'I didn't even have time to grasp the direction before we returned to the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds!' As a member of a race with an innate talent for traversing space, the fact that it had felt completely disoriented during the elder's return journey was shocking.
'It seems he must be a powerhouse from the ancient era of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds,' Hun Lao inferred mentally. 'And he has been secluding himself here all along. With such an expert safeguarding it, the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds has nothing to fear!'
Ye Yunfei entered the pavilion and sat down. The elder sat opposite.
By now, the two young attendants had placed a freshly brewed pot of tea on the table.
The elder personally poured a cup of tea for Ye Yunfei.
'Please, enjoy the tea, Young Master Ye,' the elder raised his own cup and said genially.
Ye Yunfei hastily picked up his cup and took a sip.
Immediately, an indescribably wondrous sensation blossomed within his soul sea. His Soul Body felt supremely comfortable and at ease. In this moment, Ye Yunfei felt as lucid as he had ever been; his comprehension seemed to have at least doubled.
'Senior, what kind of tea is this?' Ye Yunfei asked in astonishment. 'It seems... it can elevate the state of one's Soul Body?'
'Haha,' the elder smiled. 'These are some ancient tea leaves I plucked long ago from the tea garden of a Heavenly God. I specially brought them out today for you to taste, Young Master Ye.'
Ancient tea leaves... plucked from a Heavenly God's tea garden! Hearing the elder's words filled Ye Yunfei with immense shock. Ye Yunfei had gained some understanding of the Deity hierarchy. Heavenly Gods were powerful beings among Deities, far stronger than ordinary ones. The Heavenly God Coffin they had encountered before was the coffin left behind by a Heavenly God.
'This tea does indeed offer some assistance in elevating the state of one's Soul Body,' the elder continued with a smile. 'If you don't find it unworthy, Young Master Ye, feel free to have a few more cups.'
'Then... I shall humbly accept, Senior!' Ye Yunfei hurriedly replied.
How could he possibly disdain tea grown by a Heavenly God? He promptly poured himself another cup and began sipping.
'The era of this void sea is shifting once again,' the elder also sipped his tea, placed the cup down, and let out a soft sigh.