"I understand, Senior."
Ye Yunfei quickly replied.
"Young man, keep working hard. Your potential is quite good. We might have a chance to meet again in the future."
That voice rang out once more within Ye Yunfei's soul sea.
"Senior, are you going to leave the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds?"
Hearing the meaning behind those words, Ye Yunfei sensed something amiss. He paused for a moment before asking.
If this powerful being who had helped him in secret were to remain within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, meeting him would be very easy. There would be no need to say something like "a chance to meet again."
"Indeed. I am indeed about to leave this expanse of void.
Originally, I have always been in secluded cultivation and was just recently roused awake.
It so happens I also recall some matters that require my attention. Therefore, I am preparing to depart."
That voice answered.
"Senior, will you ever return?"
Ye Yunfei asked further.
If such a powerhouse were to reside within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, this World Cluster would be incomparably safe.
"The future is hard to say. The chances of returning are quite slim, because I do not belong here in the first place.
Young man, that you and I have met can be considered a stroke of fate.
Alright, I am leaving now."
That voice stated.
Then, Ye Yunfei vaguely perceived a faint, elusive aura appearing in the location of the Colorless Abyss, flickering past in an instant.
Ye Yunfei understood that, most likely, that strong individual had emerged from the Colorless Abyss and had already left. He couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret.
Such a powerhouse, had he chosen to remain in the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, would have been the greatest hidden asset of this World Cluster.
"So that Senior doesn't belong to the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. I presume he came here for some accidental reason, went into secluded cultivation here, and now that his retreat is complete, he is leaving."
Ye Yunfei inwardly mused.
"Young Master Ye, what are you thinking about?
You still haven't answered our question."
At this moment, the six elders of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds were still gathered around Ye Yunfei.
"Was it some powerful being secretly helping you? Is that why you suddenly possessed such formidable combat strength?"
One of the elders cautiously probed.
"All of you Seniors, there was indeed a reason behind my sudden surge in strength just now. However, this reason is something I cannot conveniently disclose. Please forgive me, Seniors."
Ye Yunfei replied.
Even though that powerful one had quietly departed, Ye Yunfei had already promised to keep it a secret, so of course he wouldn't speak of it.
"Can't disclose it?"
All six elders were momentarily stunned upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words.
"What's there to hide?
We're not outsiders."
One of the elders spoke impatiently.
"Ah!
I get it! It must be that existence demanding confidentiality from you, forbidding you to tell us what just happened. Isn't that right?"
Another elder asked Ye Yunfei.
Upon hearing this elder's question, the other five suddenly understood.
"Indeed. That existence has always been very low-key. Throughout, he refused to accept our requests for an audience, even refused to communicate with us, and didn't want us to know of his presence. Therefore, even if he did lend a hand to Young Master Ye, he wouldn't want us to know about it."
One of the elders said.
"Respected Seniors, please understand. I truly cannot say."
Looking at the six elders before him, Ye Yunfei forced himself to persist.
Ye Yunfei knew these six elders were ancient Deities from the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds who were still protecting this World Cluster to this day, so he held them in high respect. But since he had promised that secretive powerhouse, he felt he must keep silent.
"Very well, then. We won't ask what exactly happened just now. We understand."
Upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, the six elders felt even more certain. It had definitely been that existence secretly helping Ye Yunfei, and he had demanded secrecy.
"Young Master Ye, rest assured. Since that existence required confidentiality, we will not press further."
All six elders smiled as they spoke.
"Regardless, you performed exceptionally well in that battle just now. The combat will, experience, and skills you displayed are not much inferior to us old fellows. You possess immense potential!"
All six elders showered Ye Yunfei with praise.
"The energy I possessed earlier was only temporary. How could it compare to the six of you Seniors? You all overpraise me."
Ye Yunfei said modestly.
"You needn't compare yourself to us six old fellows. We have lived for such a long time; strictly speaking, we are already dead. The future belongs to youths like you."
One of the elders said.
"All six of them possess combat strength at the Deity level. Truly unexpected. The Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds actually hides six Deities,"
Hun Lao transmitted his voice to Ye Yunfei.
"Yes. It's truly shocking.
All along, in outsiders' eyes, the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds was a remote and backward place. Yet, it actually conceals six Deity-level powerhouses. Judging by this, the strength of our Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds is not inferior to any other power or World Cluster in this sea of void."
Ye Yunfei transmitted back.
"Why don't we find a place, brew some tea, and continue chatting slowly.
After being driven off, those guys won't dare to come back for a while."
At this moment, one elder suggested.
This elder was precisely the one who had previously gifted the Nine-Yang Ancient Scripture to Ye Yunfei. Last time, he had invited Ye Yunfei for tea, serving tea leaves that a heavenly deity from ancient times had collected.
"Have tea?
That's wonderful! Old Kang, I haven't tasted that tea of yours in ages. Hurry up and brew a few pots for us."
The other five elders immediately beamed with delight upon hearing this.
"Don't worry. With Young Master Ye here, the tea leaves I bring out definitely won't be inferior. Consider this your benefit from Young Master Ye's presence. After all, we old folks shouldn't be too stingy with the younger generation."
That elder said with a smile.
Then he personally led the way, entering an ordinary world within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds and descending upon the peak of a tall mountain.
The mountain's summit had a flat clearing with a pavilion. This pavilion was enveloped by an intangible great formation.
Ye Yunfei was surprised to discover that this formation was a Deity-level one, making it extremely difficult to perceive the situation inside from the outside.
Led by that elder, everyone stepped into the pavilion. Instantly, the scene within underwent a radical change.
The interior of this pavilion turned out to be a Small World. The formation outside rigorously concealed its entrance, manifesting the pavilion illusion that misled people into believing only a pavilion existed at this spot.
Upon entering the Small World, the elder invited everyone to a magnificent, golden palace hall where they sat. Then, two young attendants brought out freshly steeped tea and began serving.
As the host, that elder warmly invited everyone to savor the tea leaves he had collected. Ye Yunfei had sampled them previously; they were leaves collected by a Deity Lord, so their preciousness was self-evident.
After some conversation, Ye Yunfei learned the names of these six elders: Ding Qianjie, Kang Wan, Han Yuanqing, Du Dawei, Tong Hao, and Hong Xingui.
Among them, Kang Wan was the elder Ye Yunfei knew earliest.
Kang Wan had once told Ye Yunfei he was a lingering obsession left behind by an ancient powerhouse. Ye Yunfei had attempted to sense his body multiple times but could perceive nothing.
Kang Wan's physique was enveloped in a mysterious and profound natural law; Ye Yunfei's Soul Power couldn't penetrate at all.
"Young Master Ye, unless I am mistaken, your physical body has undergone a tremendous transformation and upgrade, becoming equivalent to a Divine Body, hasn't it?"
Kang Wan suddenly asked Ye Yunfei.
The other five elders also looked at Ye Yunfei, sensing his physique. Then, expressions of astonishment appeared on their faces.
Because they could feel that Ye Yunfei's current body contained boundless, inexhaustible power, already reaching the level of a Deity.
"Yes, Senior Kang. My current physical strength should indeed be on par with the Deity level.
My physique can be considered a Divine Body now."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Hahaha! Young Master Ye, splendid! That means you have actually achieved divinity through your physical body! Relying solely on your physique, you can now contend against preliminary Void Gods.
Achieving divinity through physique is a truly remarkable feat. In combat, it often grants greater initiative, allowing you to unleash greater fighting power.
Moreover, divinity through physique can be deceptive. Those opponents all think you are merely a Perfected Demigod. During battle, they can easily become careless, and a momentary slip could prove fatal."
Tong Hao laughed heartily.
"Young Master Ye, you seem to have cultivated some extremely advanced physical martial skills. Unless I'm mistaken, what you practice should be the legacy left behind by the Great Strength Demon God, shouldn't it?"
Han Yuanqing spoke up.
"Senior Han, you are correct. I have indeed cultivated the physical legacy of the Great Strength Demon God."
Ye Yunfei nodded, frankly admitting it.
"Unimaginable. The Great Strength Demon God, who once suppressed the entire chaotic sea of void—his legacy has actually been inherited by you.
You are now the inheritor of the Great Strength Demon God. I look forward to one day seeing you, relying on your physical strength alone, suppress this entire void sea.
Continue refining your physique. Strive to recapture the brilliance of the Great Strength Demon God one day."
Ding Qianjie said with a smile.
"Young Master Ye, although you now possess a Divine Body, you must remain cautious when traveling through this void hereafter. Be vigilant against the Guardian Faction.
The Guardian Faction's overall strength is formidable, with deep reserves. Never underestimate them.
That Wu Tao is definitely not the strongest Deity within the Guardian Faction. Should the true top powerhouses of the Guardian Faction take action, we six old men would be no match at all."
Kang Wan suddenly spoke to Ye Yunfei with earnest gravity.
"Senior Kang, rest assured. I will be careful."
Upon hearing Kang Wan's words, Ye Yunfei felt his heart grow heavy.
The Guardian Faction's strength was indeed formidable; with his current capabilities, confronting them was impossible.
"Nevertheless, the day will come when I possess sufficient power to face the Guardian Faction head-on."
Ye Yunfei clenched his fists, inwardly affirming.
"Correct, Young Master Ye. Kang Wan is originally not from our fragment of the void. Yet, he managed to enter our void fragment from outside, which indicates the Guardian Faction possesses passageways allowing entry and exit from this void fragment. Hence, whenever needed, the Guardian Faction can mobilize countless powerhouses from the outside world.
If you wish to protect the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, to protect this void, you must become even stronger."
Hong Xingui spoke slowly.
Mentioning the Guardian Faction immediately turned the six elders' expressions grave, for they deeply understood how terrifying the Guardian Faction's true hidden strength was.
"Respected Seniors, be at ease. I will certainly strive hard in cultivation, working to become stronger."
Ye Yunfei nodded vigorously.
"Young Master Ye, we trust that with your talent and dedication, you will inevitably become a powerhouse dominating an entire region of the chaotic void sea one day."
Ding Qianjie nodded approvingly.
"By the way, Seniors, I have a question."
Looking at the six kindly elders before him, Ye Yunfei spoke up.
"Young Master Ye, feel free to ask. If it's something we can answer, we naturally will."
Kang Wan said.
"Seniors, did you all emerge from the Colorless Abyss?
Just how many powerhouses remain within the Colorless Abyss?"
Ye Yunfei posed his question.
This was what he most wished to know.
"So that's the question. Young Master Ye, allow me to answer.
The five of us are free to enter and leave the Colorless Abyss. However, we prefer leading reclusive lives within the various ordinary worlds of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. Of course, occasionally we also reside within the Colorless Abyss for periods of time.
As for precisely how many powerhouses remain within the Colorless Abyss... I'm afraid we five old men cannot answer that. Even we do not know how many powerhouses are in the Colorless Abyss.
What we do know is that, without a doubt, there exist beings within the Colorless Abyss far more powerful than us five. Just like the existence who aided you secretly.
We five old fellows have been planning recently to find an opportune time to enter and pay a visit to that existence, to properly witness his venerable grace. Who would have thought he actually intervened this time to help the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds overcome this crisis. That makes us even more determined to formally express our gratitude to him face-to-face."
Hearing Ye Yunfei's query, Kang Wan smiled slightly before slowly replying.
"Planning to find a time to pay a visit to that existence?"
Upon hearing Kang Wan's words, Ye Yunfei couldn't help but pause.
Ye Yunfei naturally understood the "existence" Kang Wan referred to was that powerful one who had recently secretly assisted him in elevating his physique quality, loaned him high-grade divine power, and helped him repel the enemy.
However, that powerful individual had already departed from the Colorless Abyss. If these six elders entered the Colorless Abyss, they absolutely would not get to meet him.
"Six Seniors, there's no need for you to pay a visit."
Ye Yunfei thought for a moment before speaking obliquely.
"What do you mean?
Did that existence instruct you to convey his unwillingness to meet us six?"
Upon hearing Ye Yunfei's words, one of the elders immediately spoke up.
"No, it's not that."
Ye Yunfei shook his head.
"Then what does it mean?"
All six elders looked puzzled, their questioning gazes fixed on Ye Yunfei.
"Young Master Ye, could it be... the existence we wish to pay homage to has already left the Colorless Abyss?"
Suddenly, Du Dawei seemed to think of something and asked.
"There truly might be that possibility!"
Upon hearing Du Dawei's words, the other five elders' faces changed slightly.
These five all possessed strength at the Deity level and were personally experienced, seasoned experts adept at deduction. Long ago, they had divined that the lofty existence they always wished to meet would inevitably leave one day. Now, seeing Ye Yunfei's expression, they quickly understood the reason.
"Six Seniors, there's really no need for you to go visit."
Ye Yunfei reiterated.
"So, that existence really has already departed..."
At this juncture, all six elders grasped the situation, their faces showing disappointment.
"All along, I yearned for the chance to formally pay respects to that existence, but never had the opportunity. Now he has already left, making chances even slimmer in the future."
Ding Qianjie sighed.
"Let it be. Mainly, it's because we six old fellows were too impatient. We inadvertently offended that existence previously. Since that time, he started finding us six old fossils bothersome and didn't wish to see us. This is mostly our fault."
Tong Hao said with a sigh.
"So it seems. These six elders indeed had prior contact with that secretly helpful powerhouse, but due to inadvertently offending him, he simply refused to show himself or meet them."
Hearing the six elders' words, Ye Yunfei quickly deduced this much.
"Young Master Ye, given your current strength, it's best not to delve too deeply into matters concerning the Colorless Abyss.
The waters of the Colorless Abyss are unfathomably deep; even we six old fellows have to steer clear sometimes."
Kang Wan spoke to Ye Yunfei, his expression quite serious.
"I understand, Senior Kang."
Ye Yunfei promptly nodded.
"To have all six of these Deities behaving with such caution... It seems the Colorless Abyss must indeed conceal other powerhouses."
Hun Lao transmitted to Ye Yunfei.
"True. And I consider this a good thing. The powerhouses within the Colorless Abyss are essentially hidden assets for the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds."
Ye Yunfei nodded in agreement.
"Young Master Ye, although you now possess a Divine Body, you must still intensify your cultivation and strive to undergo your divine tribulation earlier, to truly breakthrough into deityhood.
Because not achieving divinity will severely limit your development."
Kang Wan further advised Ye Yunfei.
"Senior, don't worry. I will surely exert myself in cultivation, working towards undertaking the divine tribulation soon and becoming a Deity."
Ye Yunfei nodded firmly.
"Young Master Ye, this is our first meeting with you, the five of us old fellows. Why don't we each present you with a welcoming gift, as a token of us older generation nurturing the younger ones."
Ding Qianjie addressed Ye Yunfei. Then, he retrieved a spatial ring and handed it over before Ye Yunfei.
The other four elders also each took out a spatial ring and presented them to Ye Yunfei.