"Senior, from what I understand, a new era has indeed arrived. In this new era, Deities will be born," Ye Yunfei replied.
"The new era has indeed come. However, Deities have always existed in our part of the void; it's not a matter of them being born or not," the old man said.
Deities have always existed in our part of the void! Hearing the old man's words, Ye Yunfei was somewhat shocked.
"I think he makes a point. It's entirely possible that Deities have always existed within this part of the void, but remained hidden throughout past ages. Setting aside other places, the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds alone is far from simple. Not only are there mysterious and terrifying places like the Colorless Abyss, but also this formidable Senior before us. This suggests that there are likely more powerful beings lurking in the shadows than we imagine. It wouldn't be strange if some Deities were among them," Hun Lao transmitted to Ye Yunfei after hearing the old man's words.
"That makes sense," Ye Yunfei nodded in agreement upon hearing Hun Lao's analysis.
"I have a feeling that perhaps this old man before us is a Deity himself. Otherwise, how could his strength be so overwhelming?" Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm suddenly interjected.
"What? You're saying this old man is a Deity? That can't be so exaggerated! Are we sitting with a Deity right now?" Hu Miao exclaimed in disbelief upon hearing Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm.
"What's so exaggerated about that? In this era, seeing one or two Deities emerge is perfectly normal," Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm retorted.
"I cannot perceive this Senior's aura; I don't know if he is a Deity," Ye Yunfei said. Hearing the exchange between Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm and Hu Miao, he couldn't help but grow suspicious himself. He stole a glance at the old man sitting opposite him. Could he really be a Deity?
"Hehe, Young Master Ye, you need not doubt. I am not a Deity. To be precise, I am not a living entity. I am merely a lingering obsession left behind by a certain powerful figure from ancient times," the old man suddenly said to Ye Yunfei with a smile.
What? Hearing his words, Ye Yunfei, Hun Lao, Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm, and Hu Miao were all stunned, scarcely able to believe it. They had all witnessed this old man's terrifying power—defeating a foe who was possibly stronger than a Guardian Captain with mere gestures. To think he was merely a strand of obsession! At the same time, Ye Yunfei and the others suddenly realized that the old man seemed to be able to perceive their Sound Transmissions to each other.
"Senior..." Ye Yunfei gave a bitter smile, at a loss for words.
"It's true. I truly am a strand of obsession left in this world by a certain ancient powerhouse. However, after eons of evolution, it has formed an independent spiritual entity. I have existed for far too long, so long that I am almost forgetting my original self. Perhaps, I have become a new spiritual entity altogether," the old man said.
"Senior, I don't quite understand. How can a mere strand of obsession exist for such an immense length of time?" Ye Yunfei asked, mustering his courage.
"For a sufficiently powerful expert, even a single lingering obsession can endure for eons. That is most likely my case. However, being a spiritual body developed from a strand of obsession, my strength is worlds apart from the original self. I am actually very weak now. To be honest, strength doesn't matter much to me. As long as I am carefree and can exist for a long time, I am content," the old man said with a smile.
Ye Yunfei listened, deeply shocked. It seemed what the old man said was probably true.
"A single strand of obsession, enduring for eons and still possessing such power... It's truly astounding. One can only imagine how immensely powerful the original entity of this obsession must have been!" Hun Lao couldn't help but transmit to Ye Yunfei, sighing in amazement.
"Indeed, Senior's original self must have been a terrifyingly formidable existence," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Don't transmit carelessly. Senior can perceive our transmissions," Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm reminded.
Ye Yunfei and Hun Lao immediately stopped their Sound Transmission.
"Young Master Ye, to be honest, I have been aware of you since you were still within that Small World called Tianxuan Continent. Watching you emerge from Tianxuan Continent, struggle all the way, and reach where you are today... it hasn't been easy. I truly admire a young person like you. If this world-cluster had more young talents like you, perhaps it could restore its former glory," the old man said with a smile.
"You flatter me, Senior," Ye Yunfei was surprised, never expecting such a powerful being had been watching him since his days in Tianxuan Continent.
"Actually, the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds were truly remarkable in the past, reputed to have 'Deities numbering in the thousands,' and even gave birth to numerous Heavenly Gods and even higher-level Deities. It's a pity that after the Chaotic Void Sea was shattered and split apart, this fragment where the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds reside has been continuously declining. The Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds declined along with it, eventually developing into the state you see today," the old man said, his tone tinged with melancholy.
"I witnessed this entire process with my own eyes. That's why I'm filled with sentiment. I am deeply familiar with everything about the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. Having lived here for so long, I've come to regard it as my home," the old man continued.
Deities numbering in the thousands! Upon hearing the old man's words, Ye Yunfei and his companions were all greatly astonished. In this current era, a single Deity was cause for amazement. Any faction within the Chaotic Void Sea that produced a single Deity could dominate and suppress the entire Void Sea. The idea of 'Deities numbering in the thousands'—such a terrifying overall strength was unimaginable.
"It seems this Senior has existed for an alarmingly long time, personally witnessing the decline of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds," Ye Yunfei thought to himself.
"Senior, isn't the continuous decline of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds and this part of the void due to those Watchers? From what I understand, it's precisely because those Watchers have been suppressing the development of this void, especially interfering with the local beings' attempts to become Deities, that the Chaotic Void Sea has become so weak," Ye Yunfei asked.
"That is part of the reason, but not the whole story. Ultimately, the rise, fall, survival, and demise of all things under heaven seem to follow a predetermined course, something even I cannot fully articulate. I always feel there is a mysterious force guiding all developments across the various Void Seas. It is an incredible power. I once spent a long time researching it, but I could never fully comprehend this mysterious force," the old man sighed.
Ye Yunfei did not interject, for the content the old man spoke of was still far beyond his current reach. With his present strength, it was impossible for him to grasp.
"Hehe, I've digressed. Young Master Ye, have a few more cups of tea. These tea leaves have been in my collection for a long time; they have a nourishing effect on the Soul Body," the old man chuckled.
"This junior accepts respectfully," Ye Yunfei said, drinking several more cups of tea. Each cup seemed to bring immense benefits to his Soul Body, continually enhancing his comprehension.
"Young Master Ye, you are currently at the Advanced Demigod realm. Continuing your cultivation, you will reach the Perfected Demigod level of the Ninety-Nine Return to True Immortal tier, and then you can attempt to break through to the False God realm. When you face your Deity Ascension Tribulation, you can choose a place within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds to undergo it," the old man suggested.
"Senior, choosing a suitable location to undergo the Deity Ascension Tribulation can increase one's chances of success. Is the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds a suitable place for such a tribulation?" Ye Yunfei inquired.
"Of course it is. Among this shattered fragment of the Void Sea, the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds is absolutely the most suitable place for undergoing the Deity Ascension Tribulation. You mustn't underestimate the accumulated heritage of this world-cluster. In any case, you won't be wrong to listen to my advice," the old man assured.
"Very well, I shall follow Senior's suggestion," Ye Yunfei promptly replied.
"The various cultivation arts and martial skills you are currently cultivating are all quite good, suitable for your present stage. Moreover, you have yet to fully tap into the potential of those arts and skills, so there's no need for me to gift you any. Regarding the legacy of Heart Gate you obtained earlier, it seems you haven't cultivated it much. Heart Gate was an ancient, immensely powerful faction, and the various Heart Force martial skills they left behind are excellent. You should find time to properly cultivate them," the old man said.
"He actually knows I obtained the Heart Gate legacy!" Ye Yunfei was stunned upon hearing the old man's words. He had obtained the Heart Gate legacy in the Void Secret Realm and had later cultivated one or two skills from it. The Heart Gate inheritance actually contained many different kinds, but Ye Yunfei had not yet cultivated the other, more profound Heart Gate martial skills. At this moment, Ye Yunfei felt as if he had no secrets before this old man. Everything about him seemed to be known to the other party.
"Senior, I have only cultivated one or two of the legacy martial skills from Heart Gate. This is because the advancement of my Mental Force energy has slowed down recently. I usually spend my time honing and improving the intensity of my Mental Force energy. As for the various legacy skills of Heart Gate, I haven't had the time to cultivate them yet, as I believe enhancing the intensity of Mental Force energy is the most important," Ye Yunfei answered honestly.
"Mmm, your thinking is correct. Well then, I have some Heart-Moon Crystals here. After refining them, you should be able to significantly improve the intensity of your Mental Force energy," the old man nodded. With a wave of his hand, a spatial ring appeared before Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei extended his Soul Power perception into it and found the ring indeed contained a large number of energy crystals exuding a rich aura of Mental Force energy.
"Senior, these are too valuable!" Ye Yunfei said.
"Accept them. I've been storing these things for a long time and have little use for them myself. Leaving them with me would only be a waste," the old man said with a smile.
"I also have some Divine Crystals here. I'll give them to you as well," the old man added. He then extended his hand again, sending another spatial ring to float before Ye Yunfei.
Hiss! Ye Yunfei sent his Soul Power perception into the ring and immediately drew a sharp breath, utterly shocked. This spatial ring contained a massive quantity of Divine Crystals! At least ten thousand pieces!
"We're rich!" Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm's first reaction was to exclaim about striking it rich.
"Indeed we are! Master, we won't be lacking Divine Crystals now!" Hu Miao was also extremely excited.
"Senior..." Ye Yunfei stared blankly at the perception of ten thousand Divine Crystals, somewhat afraid to reach out and take them. So many Divine Crystals were far too precious.
"Accept them. These are nothing much. These are only low-grade Divine Crystals. Divine Crystals in this world are divided into four grades: low-grade, mid-grade, high-grade, and supreme-grade. Low-grade Divine Crystals are not extremely valuable. Of course, for someone at your current stage, these Divine Crystals are quite useful. For me, their utility is rather limited," the old man explained.
"Senior, I am indeed in need of these Divine Crystals. Then, I shall gratefully accept," Ye Yunfei collected himself and said appreciatively, then accepted both spatial rings.
"Cultivate well and strive to ascend to Deityhood as soon as possible," the old man urged.
"Also, within the bounds of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, I can keep an eye out and ensure your safety for the time being. However, once you venture outside, you must be careful and rely on yourself," the old man added.
"Thank you, Senior! Senior, rest assured, I will be cautious whenever I go outside in the future," Ye Yunfei hurriedly assured.
"Alright. Young Master Ye, let's chat again when there's time. You may go attend to your matters," the old man said.
Upon finishing his sentence, the old man waved his sleeve. A powerful energy of teleportation instantly manifested, directly enveloping Ye Yunfei and initiating a teleportation.
The next moment, Ye Yunfei found himself in a certain location within the void of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds.
"Hun Lao, do you have any impression of the location of that world from before?" Ye Yunfei released his Soul Power, scanning the distant void while trying to recall which world within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds he had just been in with the old man.
"Strange... I actually can't tell which world that was just now. That's impossible. I should be able to identify any world I've entered!" Hun Lao immediately released his own Soul Power to perceive the surrounding worlds. However, to his astonishment, despite his spatial energy proficiency, he couldn't perceive the direction or location of the world they had just left.
"What in the world is going on? It seems I can't find that world either! How is that possible? I'm familiar with every single world in the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, yet I can't think of, nor locate, the specific position of the world we were just in!" Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm also exclaimed in surprise.
"I suspect that Senior likely doesn't want us disturbing him, so he employed some method to conceal that world, preventing us from perceiving or even recalling it accurately. Forget it, let's go," Ye Yunfei pondered for a moment and decided to stop searching for the previous world.
"Hmm, that's possible. Since he doesn't wish to be disturbed, we shouldn't try to find him," Ye Yunfei said.
"Here are these Divine Crystals. Everyone, take what you need for cultivation," Ye Yunfei addressed his companions.
"Give me a few hundred Divine Crystals first. I need to improve my strength," Hun Lao requested first.
Ye Yunfei immediately took out several hundred Divine Crystals and gave them to Hun Lao.
"I want a few hundred too!"
"Master, me too!"
Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm and Hu Miao exclaimed almost simultaneously.
"Alright," Ye Yunfei gave several hundred Divine Crystals each to Hun Lao, Hu Miao, and Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm.
"With so many Divine Crystals, my bloodline can ascend another grade!" Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm was extremely excited.