Cultivating the Sky-Piercing Divine Vine required the Law of the Great Dao as its foundation. Since Ye Yunfei had already mastered the Wood Dao Law, he possessed a solid base.
However, practicing this divine ability had another prerequisite: one needed to obtain a seed from a certain treasure vine or tree, which would then be nurtured using the Wood Dao Law.
This seed was the fundamental core of the Sky-Piercing Divine Vine ability. Ye Yunfei had long ago discovered a divine vine seed inside one of the two spatial rings.
It was a rare type of divine vine that Ye Yunfei had never seen before, and he didn’t know its specific name either. But judging from the rich wood-attribute energy aura emanating from the seed, he knew this vine was of an extremely high grade.
"That Senior really thought of everything! Very well, I shall use this seed to cultivate the Sky-Piercing Divine Vine," Ye Yunfei said as he took out the divine vine seed and examined it.
He understood that the elder must have deliberately placed this seed inside the spatial ring as a gift for him.
For the time that followed, Ye Yunfei divided his Soul Body and his Soul Power planets into two parts. One half focused on cultivating the Nine Yang Ancient Scripture, while the other half was dedicated to training the Sky-Piercing Divine Vine.
Simultaneously, he took out another batch of cultivation resources for the nine Divine Beasts within the Nine Palace Cosmic Wheel to devour.
Unknowingly, another five years passed inside the Phantom Tower.
On a certain day five years later, the closed-eye cultivating Ye Yunfei suddenly opened his eyes, revealing a pleasantly surprised expression.
"I've finally succeeded in preliminarily mastering the Sky-Piercing Divine Vine."
With a thought, a green divine vine immediately manifested behind him, surging skyward without end.
Lush, tender green leaves continuously sprouted all over the vine. In the blink of an eye, this single vine split into two, two into four, multiplying until—in just a few breaths' time—dozens of thick divine vines extended and writhed behind Ye Yunfei.
Moreover, these vines seemed to be in a constant state of growth, becoming thicker and longer, with countless leaves and branches sprouting from them.
A little while later, the space behind Ye Yunfei was completely occupied by a dense, interwoven mass of countless divine vines.
Viewed from afar, hundreds of thick vines and innumerable leaves clustered together formed a green wall, sealing off that patch of space.
"Excellent!" Ye Yunfei looked at the thick vines behind him, nodding with a smile.
These divine vines could be used in combat against enemies. Even if they were destroyed during a battle, they could regenerate endlessly.
"I have now mastered eight Great Dao Laws. If I were to execute the Heavenly Dao Palm now, its power should be significantly greater," Ye Yunfei thought to himself.
"My Lightning Tribulation is coming again!"
At this moment, Ye Yunfei suddenly sensed the imminent arrival of his tribulation and immediately exited the Phantom Tower.
Sure enough, dark clouds had already gathered in the skies above, with rolling peals of thunder.
Ye Yunfei promptly sat cross-legged mid-air and began executing various secret techniques to conceal his aura and achieve invisibility.
"This is already the sixth time evading the Lightning Tribulation," Ye Yunfei thought inwardly.
To cultivate into a Perfect Demigod at the Nine-Nine Return to True Immortal level, one had to successfully evade a total of nine Lightning Tribulations.
After roughly half a day, Ye Yunfei successfully passed this tribulation once again.
"Three left. Just three more tribulations, and I will become a Perfect Demigod at the Nine-Nine Return to True Immortal level. Then I can begin accumulating the foundation for my future God Ascension Tribulation," Ye Yunfei said, looking up at the slowly dissipating Lightning Tribulation in the sky.
"This round of secluded cultivation ends here."
Ye Yunfei put away the formation-sealed space and left the world where he had secluded himself for some time. Not long after, he returned to the headquarters of the Alliance Army.
"Young Master Ye, many events have transpired within the Chaotic Void Sea during this period," a large group of high-ranking Alliance Army members quickly gathered upon seeing Ye Yunfei finally show himself. Kong Lao stepped forward to speak.
Ye Yunfei invited everyone into the meeting hall to be seated.
"What has happened in the Chaotic Void Sea during this time? Kong Lao, please tell me," Ye Yunfei said to him.
"The most significant development during this period is that members of both the Heavenly God Hall and the Dark Faction have been swaggering around the Chaotic Void Sea, subjugating many World Clusters. It seems they harbor ambitions of dominating this Void Sea," Kong Lao reported.
"Oh? These two major powers have become so impatient already? Although both factions now have Deities, those Deities were severely injured. Shouldn't they be recuperating in seclusion at the moment? Are they that eager to dominate?" Ye Yunfei was somewhat surprised.
He had personally witnessed the two Deities of these factions being severely wounded and fleeing in disarray by the Heavenly God Coffin. Logically, they should be healing now. He hadn't expected members of these factions to be so restless, initiating their domination campaigns in the Chaotic Void Sea.
Of course, both powers now had Deities as their foundation, which gave them immense confidence. Even if those Deities were recuperating, the fact that they were deities was itself a formidable backing.
"Young Master Ye, during this time, many great families and forces within the Chaotic Void Sea have announced their allegiance to either the Dark Faction or the Heavenly God Hall, becoming subordinate powers of these two major forces," Kong Lao continued.
"Hmm, that's understandable. Seeking shelter under a great tree. These two powers have produced Deities, so other forces and families wanting to pledge allegiance is perfectly normal," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Young Master Ye, there is another piece of news related to you," Kong Lao said.
"Oh? Related to me? What news is that?" Ye Yunfei asked.
"A rumor is circulating throughout the Chaotic Void Sea, claiming that Young Master Ye you might have received treasures and inheritance bestowed by the master of the Heavenly God Coffin," Kong Lao stated.
"So that's it!" Ye Yunfei's eyes narrowed involuntarily upon hearing this.
He understood perfectly well that this rumor would bring him endless trouble.
The master of the Heavenly God Coffin was a Heavenly God! The treasures and inheritance bestowed by a Heavenly God would tempt not just ordinary beings—even Deities would be moved.
"Young Master Ye, members of both the Dark Faction and the Heavenly God Hall have made statements, demanding that you obediently deliver any treasures and inheritance obtained from the Heavenly God Coffin to their respective headquarters and offer them up. Otherwise, the Deities of these two forces will personally come to the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds to find you," Kong Lao informed.
"Demanding I deliver it to their headquarters? Quite the grandiose display they're putting on," Ye Yunfei responded with a cold laugh.
"Also, aside from these two major forces, many other powers and families seem to have set their sights on you, Young Master Ye. During this period, several high-level figures from great forces and families have secretly sent messengers to the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, conveying messages to our Alliance Army headquarters.
They say that if Young Master Ye is willing to share the treasures and inheritance from the Heavenly God Coffin, they will guarantee your safety," Kong Lao added.
"Oh? They are so capable they can guarantee my safety?" Ye Yunfei couldn't help but laugh incredulously.
"Young Master Ye, there is also talk throughout the entire Chaotic Void Sea that you are now targeted by two Deities and are undoubtedly doomed," Kong Lao said again, sounding rather worried.
"If they want to come to the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds to find me, let them come," Ye Yunfei said coldly.
He wasn't afraid of those two Deities coming here to find him. His greater concern was encountering them outside.
According to that elder's words, the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds possessed the resources to resist ordinary Deities. If that were truly the case, Ye Yunfei would actually welcome them coming here to look for him.
"Young Master Ye, regardless, you must still be careful. I've heard that within the Chaotic Void Sea, it's possible that not only these two major forces have Deities. Other great forces might have also produced Deities, or more may do so soon.
Many renowned divination masters in the Chaotic Void Sea have prophesied that more and more Deities will appear from now on. This is a glorious era, but also one of turmoil and chaos.
For many major powers in the Chaotic Void Sea, this is also an era of reshuffling the deck.
In short, more Deities will definitely emerge. You must proceed with utmost caution, Young Master Ye," Kong Lao advised him sincerely.
He knew Ye Yunfei had antagonized far too many powerful forces. If the Deities from those forces came seeking reckoning, it would be disastrous.
"Indeed, Young Master Ye, you'd better be careful," other high-ranking members of the Alliance Army also chimed in.
For them, Ye Yunfei was their greatest support and spiritual pillar. If something happened to him, they would lose their backbone and not know where to turn.
"Please rest assured, everyone. I will be careful," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Young Master Ye, some time ago, our Alliance Army personnel were beginning to venture outside the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds to expand.
However, recently, many major forces and families in the Chaotic Void Sea have been relentlessly targeting us.
Especially the Dark Faction and the Heavenly God Hall. As soon as they spot members of our Alliance Army, they pursue and capture them with full force.
Many of our people have been killed by these two forces during this period, resulting in significant losses. It seems they want to demonstrate their might to our Alliance Army," Kong Lao reported.
"I understand. To be precise, they are showing *me* their might.
Send out the order: members of our Alliance Army should avoid leaving the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds as much as possible," Ye Yunfei said with a nod.
"Young Master Ye, we have already issued that order.
Now, our people generally do not leave the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds lightly. If they must go out on a mission, they do so in disguise, concealing their identities and keeping a low profile," Kong Lao answered.
"Mm, very good," Ye Yunfei nodded in approval.
"Don't worry, everyone. I assure you that a day will come when our Alliance Army can move and act freely and openly throughout the Chaotic Void Sea. That day will definitely arrive," seeing that the Alliance Army high command seemed somewhat dispirited, Ye Yunfei immediately spoke up loudly to comfort them.
Truth be told, since its establishment, the Alliance Army had spent most of its time within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, with few opportunities to develop outside.
Its very founding destined it to be antagonistic toward the major powers of the Chaotic Void Sea. Now, with more and more forces producing Deities, it had become even harder for Alliance Army members to venture out.
"Unless you become a Deity yourself one day, the Alliance Army might never truly roam and develop freely in the Chaotic Void Sea," Hun Lao transmitted his thoughts to Ye Yunfei at that moment.
"Yes, based on the current situation, only by possessing Deity-level combat strength can I lead the Alliance Army out of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds," Ye Yunfei sighed in reply.
"Still, it's fortunate that as long as our people remain within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, they are guaranteed safety. In times of chaos like these, finding such a secure place is no easy feat," Hun Lao transmitted again.
"Indeed. As long as everyone stays here, they are safe. That gives me peace of mind," Ye Yunfei nodded.
Just then, Ye Yunfei's expression shifted, and he quickly took out a waist token from his person.
"Another mission from the Restorers?" Hun Lao asked.
"The message I received orders me to return to the Restorer's main headquarters immediately," Ye Yunfei replied.
"I'll go back there once," Ye Yunfei said after some thought. He gave instructions to the Alliance Army leaders, took out a flying ship, boarded it, and prepared to cross the void beyond the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds.
"Wait, where are you going? Back to the Restorer headquarters again?" At that moment, Xiaoyao Banshen suddenly spoke up to Ye Yunfei.
"Yes," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Then I won't accompany you. I prefer to remain in the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds to cultivate in peace, awaiting the arrival of my next Lightning Tribulation," Xiaoyao Banshen said.
"If you're willing, I can take you to the Restorer headquarters. You can cultivate there in seclusion. The energy and laws there should be of a higher level than in the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds," Ye Yunfei offered after some consideration.
"I'd rather not. For me now, the most important thing is to find an absolutely safe place, calm my mind, and patiently await the opportunity for my next God Ascension Tribulation.
My accumulation and experience should actually be sufficient, as I have already faced my God Ascension Tribulation once. What I lack now is simply the right opportunity.
I find the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds ideal. It's not only safe but was once a place teeming with Deities in ancient times.
I believe the current Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds must still retain profound resources. Perhaps my chances of successfully overcoming my tribulation here are even higher.
I refuse to believe a place that once abounded with Deities is anything ordinary," Xiaoyao Banshen said as he emerged from the Phantom Tower, gazing at the void of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds.
"Alright then... If you wish to stay, do as you please. You are right; your foundation is sufficient. You only need to wait patiently for the chance for your next God Ascension Tribulation.
Here, take these Divine Crystals as a gift. Stay here and cultivate in peace," Ye Yunfei said, taking out a batch of Divine Crystals and handing them to Xiaoyao Banshen.