For several days in a row, Ye Yunfei remained within the Phantom Tower, focusing on his cultivation, primarily trying to break through his realm to see if he could succeed.
He had vaguely sensed an opportunity for a breakthrough earlier, but up until now, the Divine Ascension Tribulation had still not arrived.
"It's possible my accumulation isn't sufficient yet, or perhaps I've been too impatient lately, causing a problem with my state of mind," Ye Yunfei thought to himself.
"Sometimes, the more urgently you push for a realm breakthrough, the slower it becomes. It's best to let it happen naturally. With my current condition, I'll be able to break through sooner or later." Gradually, Ye Yunfei's mood calmed down, and he stopped obsessing over whether he could break through.
The nine divine beasts of the Nine Palaces Totem Wheel had been released by Ye Yunfei and were standing nearby, devouring a massive amount of cultivation resources.
"The current strength of these nine divine beasts is probably enough to easily handle an Early Void God. Even if they encounter an Intermediate Void God, they could put up a decent fight. These nine beasts are practically equivalent to nine Void Gods," Ye Yunfei perceived their energy auras, feeling quite satisfied as he mused inwardly.
It had to be said that while cultivating the Nine Palaces Totem Wheel technique consumed an enormous amount of resources, its benefits were particularly outstanding. First, the cultivation method was simple. Second, its power was formidable.
Moreover, these nine divine beasts were like having nine extra clones for Ye Yunfei. Each beast cultivated a different energy attribute, offering many advantages. For example, Thunder Abyss cultivated lightning energy; encountering actual thunderbolts meant it could directly devour them, granting Ye Yunfei the ability to command thunder. Kun Peng, with its spatial abilities, gave Ye Yunfei extremely high talent in spatial energy. Therefore, Ye Yunfei was very pleased with the Nine Palaces Totem Wheel technique and had persistently cultivated it without any slacking off.
"My Soul Power energy has increased a lot again recently. The number of Deity-level puppets I can control simultaneously should have reached sixty or seventy now, right? This means I can control sixty to seventy Deity-level puppets in combat at the same time—a very decent force. When we attack the Guardian Faction's headquarters, these Deity-level puppets will be my main assault force." Ye Yunfei checked his Soul Power energy, feeling quite satisfied.
In the following days, Ye Yunfei continued his closed-door cultivation within the Phantom Tower, practicing multiple techniques and martial skills simultaneously. As time passed, his strength in all aspects continued to improve steadily.
One day, while in the midst of cultivation, Ye Yunfei suddenly received a voice transmission. He immediately rushed out of the Phantom Tower.
"Young Master Ye, the Reincarnation Palace's Grand Elder is looking for you. The old Wizard has also come. They are waiting for you in the council hall," said Old Master Kong, arriving before him just as Ye Yunfei emerged from the Phantom Tower.
"Alright, I'll go meet them at the council hall now," Ye Yunfei nodded, then stepped out. The stars shifted, and in an instant, he arrived at the council hall.
"Young Master Ye, it seems we have managed to contact Palace Lord Su," the Reincarnation Palace's Grand Elder immediately stepped forward as soon as he saw Ye Yunfei, speaking up.
"Really?" Ye Yunfei was instantly overjoyed upon hearing the Grand Elder's words.
"It's true, Young Master Ye. Not long ago, while I was conducting a worship ceremony at our Reincarnation Palace's ancestral grounds, I suddenly made contact with a clear consciousness claiming to be Palace Lord Su. Surprised and delighted, I immediately attempted to communicate with it. I soon confirmed that it was indeed Palace Lord Su. Palace Lord Su said she is no longer in our part of the Void, but in another, very distant part of the Void. She used a highly sophisticated secret art to establish a connection with the altar in our Reincarnation Palace ancestral grounds. Because Palace Lord Su often conducted various worship ceremonies at that altar in the past, she was very familiar with its temporal-spatial coordinates. She managed to lock onto it across the vast distance and establish contact. Palace Lord Su said that when she entered the Reincarnation Passageway that year, an incident occurred. She entered one of the Samsara Caves at the end of the passageway and ended up in another distant part of the Void. All these years, she had been trying to make contact with the altar in our ancestral grounds, succeeding only recently." The old Wizard spoke up.
"That's wonderful! Did Qing Luo say exactly which part of the Void she is in now?" Ye Yunfei grew even more excited upon hearing this.
This meant Su Qingluo was alive! Previously, it had all been deductions and speculations. Now it was different; they had truly established contact with her and obtained definite information.
"Young Master Ye, Palace Lord Su said the Void she is in is extremely far from ours, so the amount of information she can transmit is severely limited. Therefore, we cannot exchange too many details. Palace Lord Su asked me to tell you that she is fine and that one day in the future, she will return to find you. Also, Palace Lord Su asked me to bring you a sacred artifact passed down through the Reincarnation Palace. This sacred artifact was hidden within that Reincarnation Passageway all along; only Palace Lord Su and the Ancestral Master knew of its existence. She entrusted me to deliver it to you and also asked me to tell you that only after you become a Deity will you be qualified to use this artifact. It can protect the peace of a region." The old Wizard continued.
"Oh? Qing Luo entrusted you to bring me a sacred artifact of your Reincarnation Palace?" Ye Yunfei was momentarily stunned.
"Young Master Ye, the artifact is right here." The old Wizard nodded, then retrieved a white short sword and presented it to Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei noticed that a yellow talisman paper was pasted on the blade of this white short sword. Perceiving the sword, he was surprised to find he couldn't determine what grade of artifact it belonged to.
"That talisman is actually the legendary Treasure-Suppressing Talisman! It's said this talisman can conceal the energy aura of an artifact. Because some high-level, immensely powerful artifacts emit terrifying energy auras, and can even attack proactively when uncontrolled. Affixing a Treasure-Suppressing Talisman can hide the energy auras of such powerful artifacts, making them easier to store and keep," Hun Lao looked at the yellow talisman paper pasted on the white short sword, suddenly recognizing its origin and exclaimed in surprise.
"Oh? There exists such a talisman? No wonder I couldn't perceive this artifact's grade."
"Young Master Ye, Palace Lord Su said this artifact is a sacred legacy of our Reincarnation Palace, generally unusable by outsiders. However, Palace Lord Su transmitted a wisp of her Soul Power aura to me from across the Void. She told me to give this wisp of aura to you. After you refine it, you will be able to refine this artifact. Of course, the power of this artifact is exceptionally formidable. If one's strength is insufficient, even after refining it, using it would be very difficult. I believe Young Master Ye's current strength should be equivalent to the Deity level now, so mastering this artifact shouldn't be a problem." The old Wizard spoke again.
Ye Yunfei had slain so many Deities; news had long spread throughout the entire Void. Of course, this old Wizard of the Reincarnation Palace knew Ye Yunfei's current strength surpassed that of an ordinary Deity. The old Wizard pointed with his hand, sending a wisp of Soul Power aura floating before Ye Yunfei.
"It really is Qing Luo's Soul Power aura!" Ye Yunfei couldn't help but be overjoyed. He was, of course, very familiar with Su Qingluo's Soul Power aura.
Ye Yunfei immediately guided this wisp of Soul Power aura into his own Sea of Soul, then began refining it, finally merging it with his own Soul Power.
Presumably, due to the vast distance between them, the wisp of Soul Power aura Su Qingluo transmitted was very simple, containing no significant information and incapable of direct communication. It was purely just an aura.
"Qing Luo!" After refining Su Qingluo's wisp of Soul Power aura, Ye Yunfei suddenly glimpsed a faint, indistinct figure—Su Qingluo's figure—standing in an unfamiliar part of the Void, gazing into the distance, her sleeves fluttering in the wind.
"Qing Luo, it's been so long." Ye Yunfei stared fixedly at that figure, wanting to see it clearly, but found that no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't; a hazy layer of spatial laws remained between them. This was because of the immense spatial distance separating them.
"Young Master Ye, my communication with Palace Lord Su was brief and the information limited. However, Palace Lord Su specifically asked about your recent situation. I told her what you've been up to. Therefore, she specifically instructed me to bring you this artifact, saying it would be of great use to you." The old Wizard added.
"So that's how it is." Ye Yunfei felt deeply grateful.
"Old Wizard, what is Qing Luo's general situation now? Did she really not say exactly which part of the Void she is in?" Ye Yunfei asked. What he cared about most was still Su Qingluo's specific whereabouts.
"Young Master Ye, Palace Lord Su indeed did not tell me the specific location of the part of the Void she currently resides in. The exchange between my consciousness and hers was actually very hurried—just a moment's time. Due to the immense distance, only a brief exchange was possible; understanding too much was not feasible. However, please be at ease, Young Master Ye. I will continue trying to make contact with Palace Lord Su. Once there is new information, I will report it immediately." The old Wizard said.
"Very well. Thank you for your trouble. By the way, what about the Ancestral Master? Any news of him?" Ye Yunfei asked further.
"No, there has been no news of the Ancestral Master. According to what Palace Lord Su said, she also has no news of him. Although she entered the Reincarnation Cave at the end of the Reincarnation Passageway alongside the Ancestral Master that year, they became separated after entering the cave. Palace Lord Su suspects the Ancestral Master might have gone to a different part of the Void. Right now, she is also trying to find a way to contact him." The old Wizard shook his head and replied.
"I see." Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Alright, Young Master Ye, I have delivered the artifact. I plan to return now and attempt to see if I can contact Palace Lord Su again to inquire for more information. Palace Lord Su and the Ancestral Master have been missing for so long; our Reincarnation Palace still has many matters requiring their guidance." The old Wizard said.