"Forget it, Kong Lao. I will not punish you. Just learn from this lesson in the future."
Ye Yunfei fell silent for a moment, then let out a soft sigh before speaking. As he did so, a flick of his sleeve exerted an invisible force that lifted the kneeling Kong Lao to his feet.
Even the second-in-command of the Restorer Faction had been a traitor. This was more than enough proof of just how terrifying the Guardian Faction's abilities to subvert and infiltrate were.
It wasn't strange at all that Kong Lao, with his level of strength, had failed to detect it. After all, even the Restorer Faction's supreme leader, an Advanced Void God, had been unable to timely uncover the Guardian Faction's infiltration of his own organization.
"Young Master Ye, I am deeply ashamed!
From this moment on, I plan to temporarily suspend my involvement in all Alliance Army matters and go into seclusion to cultivate. I need some time to quiet my mind, and I also wish to attempt a breakthrough to the Deity realm. I request your permission."
Kong Lao spoke, his voice filled with despair.
"Alright then. You are already a peak Demigod. It is a good thing to go into seclusion and attempt a breakthrough to the Deity realm."
Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Take these pills. They can assist in your breakthrough."
With a wave of his hand, Ye Yunfei sent over a dozen jade bottles to hover before Kong Lao.
Although the intelligence organization Kong Lao led had been rife with spies, Ye Yunfei knew Kong Lao was fiercely loyal to both the Alliance Army and himself, so he did not blame him.
"Thank you, Young Master Ye."
Kong Lao said gratefully.
That Ye Yunfei gifted him pills proved he hadn't given up on him because of the spy incident.
After receiving the pills, Kong Lao immediately turned and left to begin his closed-door cultivation for the breakthrough.
"Elder Xiao, make arrangements. Have someone temporarily take over Kong Lao's duties.
Also, Elder Xiao, you are also a peak Demigod. It's time for you to attempt a breakthrough to the Deity realm as well."
Ye Yunfei continued, then gave Xiao Ziming some pills.
"I understand, Young Master Ye."
Xiao Ziming replied immediately.
"Alright, everyone, return and make the most of your time cultivating. The Guardian Faction's army will be here before long. We must be prepared for battle."
Ye Yunfei's gaze swept over the other Alliance Army higher-ups present in the hall. He spoke slowly, then returned to the Mirage Tower to continue his closed-door cultivation.
As time passed, Ye Yunfei's overall strength continued to rise across all aspects, and his alchemy proficiency kept improving as well.
Ye Yunfei's several clones had remained inside the Mirage Tower, both studying alchemy techniques and refining pills without pause.
"After this period of non-stop pill refinement, I have probably used up about one-third of my medicinal reserves."
Ye Yunfei did a rough inventory and felt a pang of regret.
It had to be remembered, Ye Yunfei had acquired a truly vast quantity of medicinal ingredients back in the True Phoenix Divine Clan's tomb, enough to seem nearly inexhaustible. But recently, Ye Yunfei was supplying pill cultivation for the forces of several different factions. The continuous pill refinement consumed large amounts of ingredients almost every single moment, causing his stockpile to gradually shrink.
During this time, more than ten new Deities emerged in the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds—some from the Alliance Army, some from the Restorer Faction, some from the Fire Clan, some from the Flower Goddess Palace, and even some from factions that had only recently come to pledge allegiance.
"Young Master Ye, Kong Lao is about to undergo his tribulation to become a Deity!"
Suddenly, Ye Yunfei received a sound transmission from an Alliance Army higher-up.
"Good, I'll go out to see."
Ye Yunfei emerged from the Mirage Tower and indeed saw Kong Lao undergoing his tribulation.
"He should be fine. He'll likely succeed."
Hun Lao, sensing Kong Lao's energy aura, spoke up.
"Yes, his tribulation should be successful."
Ye Yunfei also sensed Kong Lao's state and nodded.
Sure enough, after enduring a series of lightning tribulations, Kong Lao successfully broke through and became a Deity.
Not long after, Xiao Ziming also began his tribulation to become a Deity, and successfully passed through it, becoming a Deity as well.
"This truly is a new age of Deities!
This stretch of void is giving birth to more and more Deities."
Hun Lao couldn't help but sigh in awe.
"But, I still haven't encountered my tribulation to become a Deity even now. Everyone else is becoming a Deity. I don't know when I'll be able to undergo my tribulation."
Watching one person after another around him go through their tribulation, Ye Yunfei let out a bitter chuckle.
"Your situation is more special. You can only wait patiently."
Hun Lao consoled him.
After watching Xiao Ziming's tribulation, Ye Yunfei returned to the Mirage Tower to continue his closed-door cultivation.
One day.
"Report! The Guardian Faction's army has arrived!"
Suddenly, a scout hurriedly returned to the Alliance Army headquarters, shouting in alarm.
Immediately, one Alliance Army higher-up after another rushed out from their cultivation sites, soaring into the air.
"Is the information accurate?"
Elder Xiao asked with a grim expression.
"Report, Elder Xiao. The information is accurate. The Guardian Faction's army has mobilized and is advancing towards our Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds.
Before setting out, the Guardian Faction declared their intent to completely annihilate our Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds and flatten the Colorless Abyss."
The scout quickly answered.
"What arrogant words."
Ye Yunfei arrived from afar, landing before the group, his voice icy.
"Pass down the order. Prepare to receive the enemy."
Ye Yunfei commanded in a clear, loud voice.
Following Ye Yunfei's order, all forces of the Alliance Army began to assemble and deploy defensive positions.
Soon after, on the void of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, Alliance Army forces set up one battle formation after another.
Subsequently, the Restorer Faction, the Fire Clan, the Flower Goddess Palace, and other factions also received the news. Their higher-ups immediately organized their forces to leave their encampments and appear within the void of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds.
Finally, the forces of the Alliance Army, the Restorer Faction, the Fire Clan, and the Flower Goddess Palace lined up side by side in the void of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, standing ready for battle.
At this time, in the distant void, a massive army of staggering scale was advancing in a mighty formation towards the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds.
Marching at the forefront of the army were seven figures radiating terrifying energy auras—seven Advanced Void Gods.
One of them was the former second-in-command of the Restorer Faction. Following these seven Advanced Void Gods was a huge group of Deities.
The number of these Deities exceeded eighty. Seven Advanced Void Gods leading over eighty Deities constituted an overwhelmingly terrifying force.
"Hahaha! Brother Jiang, Brother Ren, I never expected you two to bring so many Deities! Now we have enough strength to flatten the Colorless Abyss."
One of the Advanced Void Gods laughed heartily.
"Only a few dozen Deities, hardly anything remarkable considering the Guardian Faction's overall power.
This Eighth Void was originally the weakest of the eight void fragments in terms of overall strength. However, the Colorless Abyss had some renown back in ancient times. If we wish to attack it, we should of course make thorough preparations and not be too lax."
A tall, imposing middle-aged man clad in a pale-gold robe replied.
"The Colorless Abyss was a renowned forbidden ground in the Chaos Void Sea even in ancient times. It's quite likely there are still some antiquated relics hidden inside from those ancient times. We indeed should proceed with caution."
Another man of average appearance and somewhat portly build said.
"Brother Jiang, Brother Ren, you two can rest assured. At worst, the Colorless Abyss just has a few archaic remnants still clinging to life inside. Nothing to fear.
With the seven of us, plus so many Void Gods, I believe we can flatten the Colorless Abyss.
Moreover, Brother Jiang and Brother Ren even brought Divine Soldiers."
A white-haired elder chimed in.
Had Ye Yunfei been present, he would immediately recognize this white-haired elder—the Advanced Void God from the Guardian Faction who had attacked him before.
"Sirs, we will soon reach the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds."
At that moment, a scout rushed over from the distant void to report to the seven Advanced Void Gods.
"Excellent. Let's pick up the pace. First, annihilate the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, especially the Alliance Army and that brat Ye Yunfei. Then, we'll charge into the Colorless Abyss and flatten everything inside."
An Advanced Void God laughed coldly.
As they advanced, the Guardian Faction army emitted earth-shaking rumbles. A terrifying killing intent soared into the heavens, casting a pall over everything in the surroundings. The void all around trembled violently, shaking unsteadily, as if unable to bear the immense pressure.
"Too terrifying! The Guardian Faction's power is simply crushing in this stretch of void!"
Countless beings, watching the Guardian Faction army roll forward like a tide, cried out in terror.
"Heavens!
Over eighty Deities! That's too absurd!
How does the Guardian Faction have so many Deities?"
"The Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds are finished. The Restorers and Ye Yunfei are finished as well.
Because in our stretch of void, over eighty Deities can crush everything, destroy everything."
"I'm afraid after this battle, the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds and Ye Yunfei will become history.
From now on, our void will be completely ruled by the Guardian Faction. Hard days are ahead for us."
Gazing at the over eighty Deities marching at the head of the army, everyone grew even more terrified. They didn't dare speak openly, only using sound transmissions to quietly converse.
Everyone believed Ye Yunfei could not possibly resist such a fearsomely powerful Guardian Faction army.
Not to mention the rest, just those seven Advanced Void Gods were enough to crush all opposition.
At this time, within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, Ye Yunfei stood in the void, looking outward.
"The Guardian Faction truly has dispatched many powerful individuals."
Hun Lao suddenly spoke.
Although the Guardian Faction army had not yet arrived and was still a great distance away, Hun Lao's ability to perceive spatial conditions was extraordinary. Even across such vast distances, he could already sense the energy auras radiating from the distant Guardian Faction army.