"Yes, this is an ancient corpse that has been preserved for a very long time."
Ye Yunfei nodded as he spoke. Simultaneously, he swiftly threw four punches behind him, each strike sending one of the elders flying.
The four Jinhua Clan elders tumbled to the ground in the distance one after another. In a panic, they scrambled to their feet and checked their bodies, only to realize they weren't injured.
"That lad's strength is too terrifying. He merely threw a few casual punches, yet we couldn't even resist. Where did he come from?" one elder exclaimed fearfully.
"However, it seems he doesn't intend to harm us. Otherwise, those four punches wouldn't have just knocked us down—they could have killed or crippled us," another elder said.
"Strange, when did such a terrifying, unfamiliar youth appear in our void?" a third elder wondered.
"So, what do we do now? Fighting him is definitely out of the question. What does he want, breaking into our ancestor's temple?" The four elders stared at Ye Yunfei inside the temple, feeling somewhat helpless.
"Let's first find out his intentions," one elder suggested after a moment of thought.
Meanwhile, inside the temple, Ye Yunfei continued examining the Jinhua God's corpse.
"Senior, why don't you come out and meet me," Ye Yunfei suddenly spoke up.
"Young man, your perception is rather frightening. You can actually detect the presence of my Remnant Soul," an aged voice echoed from within the Jinhua God's corpse after a brief silence. Indeed, Ye Yunfei had already sensed a fragment of a lingering Soul Body within the corpse.
"Senior, are you truly the renowned Jinhua God of antiquity?" Ye Yunfei asked.
"Indeed, I am the Jinhua God of ancient times. Back then, I was a somewhat notable figure in the Chaotic Void Sea. However, after that terrible war, my Soul Body was shattered, leaving only this corpse to guard the clan's ancestral land and a wisp of remnant soul attached to it, surviving until now," the voice from the corpse explained.
"I see," Ye Yunfei nodded.
He understood the war the Jinhua God referred to was the brutal conflict that had fractured the Chaotic Void Sea in ancient times.
"So, Senior was also a victim of that ancient war," Ye Yunfei remarked.
"Indeed. Back then, our Chaotic Void was a realm with a highly developed cultivation civilization and considerable overall strength. Never did we imagine a traitor would collude with external forces to invade, completely destroying our Chaotic Void Sea. That war didn't just destroy our Jinhua Clan; many, many other factions and clans were annihilated. That's a past too painful to recall!" the voice sighed.
"Senior, that traitor colluded with beings from outside the void, not only destroying the Chaotic Void Sea back then but continuing to oppress and harm its inhabitants to this day. In fact, that ancient war never truly ended—it has continued to the present," Ye Yunfei stated.
"Young man, tell me about the current state of the Chaotic Void Sea. All these years, my Remnant Soul has been in seclusion, conserving its strength, and hasn't paid much attention to changes in the outside world," the voice requested.
"Very well, I'll explain the current situation of the Chaotic Void Sea," Ye Yunfei agreed.
He then detailed how the Chaotic Void Sea was shattered into eight fragments, the origins of the Guardian Faction, and how it oppressed the inhabitants across these eight void remnants.
"I understand now. You are correct. That battle from long ago truly hasn't ended. The current Guardian Faction is a continuation of that war," the voice acknowledged.
"Hmm, it's a shame I'm now only a Remnant Soul and cannot go out to deal with the Guardian Faction. Otherwise, I would personally eradicate them to settle this hatred in my heart," the voice added with frustration.
"Senior, your descendants in the Jinhua Clan have already produced four Deities, and more will likely emerge. If you truly wish to oppose the Guardian Faction, your descendants can act on your behalf," Ye Yunfei suggested after some thought.
"Young man, it seems your grudge against the Guardian Faction is not small either," the voice observed.
"To be honest with you, Senior, the Guardian Faction in the Eighth Void was recently destroyed by me not long ago. Of course, it wasn't my doing alone. Many like-minded individuals joined me to confront them. In the future, I will definitely leave this void fragment and venture into the others to deal with the Guardian Faction forces there," Ye Yunfei declared.
"So that's how it is. Well done, young man. This is how the younger generation of our Chaotic Void Sea should be. Very well, I will personally order my descendants to join you in opposing the Guardian Faction," the voice proclaimed.
"Then I thank you, Senior," Ye Yunfei said.
He knew the conflict with the Guardian Faction was far from over. Having another faction's support was undoubtedly a good thing.
"By the way, young man, your situation seems a bit special. You are merely at the half-step god realm, yet your combat power approaches that of a high-level void god. I also suspect you're experiencing some difficulty breaking through your current realm, am I right?" the voice suddenly asked.
"That's correct, Senior. I've been trying hard to reach the void god realm, but I have yet to welcome the divine tribulation," Ye Yunfei answered promptly.
"This situation occurred among some exceptionally monstrous talents in antiquity as well. Sometimes, being too monstrous can make breakthroughs a bit more difficult. However, if you calm your mind, cultivate diligently, and accumulate patiently, you will undoubtedly break through. I suggest you focus your attention on comprehending and cultivating laws. Perhaps that will aid your breakthrough," the voice advised.
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior. I have been comprehending and cultivating laws all this time," Ye Yunfei quickly replied. Strangely enough, the Jinhua God's suggestion mirrored the one given by Hun Lao.
"That's good. In the past, I primarily cultivated the Metal Law and have some insights. I shall now impart to you some of my comprehensions regarding the Metal Law," the voice offered.
Ye Yunfei felt a stream of Soul Power, carrying a body of information, enter his soul sea. It indeed contained various insights and experiences related to the Metal Law. The Jinhua God had been a renowned and powerful Deity in the Chaotic Void Sea, with his greatest achievements lying in the Metal Law. Most of the techniques and martial arts he cultivated were also based on this law. Therefore, his insights into this law were undoubtedly precious.
"Thank you, Senior, for this generous transmission of dharma. I am deeply grateful," Ye Yunfei said sincerely.
"Senior, I have here a batch of divine pills specifically used to elevate Soul Body energy, as well as numerous heavenly materials and earthly treasures that can preserve and nourish remnant souls. I gift them all to you now. I believe they will be useful to you," Ye Yunfei stated.
With a wave of his hand, he retrieved a large pile of treasures and sent them before the Jinhua God's corpse. The pile contained various divine pills for improving Soul Body quality and many natural treasures for nourishing remnant souls.
"Young man, these treasures will be of great use to me. Thank you," the Jinhua God's voice held a trace of excitement as he accepted all the treasures Ye Yunfei had presented.
"Senior, I shall take my leave," Ye Yunfei said respectfully.
This Jinhua God had been a mighty Deity in remote antiquity and had now imparted his Metal Law insights. Thus, Ye Yunfei held him in high esteem.
"Wait, young man," the Jinhua God called out.
"All four of you, come inside now!" The Jinhua God's voice echoed outside the temple.
At that moment, the four Jinhua Clan elders were standing outside, discussing how to deal with Ye Yunfei. Hearing their patriarch's voice, they were both shocked and delighted.
"It's the Patriarch! I heard his voice once before when he gave me an order. Though I haven't heard it since, my memory is sharp," one elder exclaimed excitedly.
"Since the Patriarch summons us, let us enter immediately," another said.
The four elders promptly rushed into the temple.
"Jinhua Clan descendants pay respects to the Ancestor!" they bowed respectfully towards the Jinhua God's corpse.
"Patriarch, this brash lad forcibly entered and disturbed your peace. We were useless and failed to stop him. Please punish him," one elder pointed at Ye Yunfei while addressing the corpse.
"You four shall not be rude to this young man, nor treat him as an outsider. I have orders for you. From now on, our Jinhua Clan shall follow this young man and jointly oppose the Guardian Faction," the voice from the corpse declared.
"What? Patriarch, you want our Jinhua Clan to follow this lad? But his identity and origins are unknown. His intentions for breaking into our Jinhua Clan's forbidden ground are also unclear," one of the elders couldn't help but exclaim, startled by the Jinhua God's words.
"Elders, my identity is not unknown. In fact, I am Ye Yunfei from the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds," Ye Yunfei said with a light laugh upon hearing the elder's comment. He immediately restored his original appearance and Soul Body aura.
"You really are Ye Yunfei of the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds!" The four Jinhua Clan elders, already familiar with Ye Yunfei's appearance and aura, recognized him instantly. They were aghast and took a step back in unison.
"A calamity! How did Ye Yunfei come to our Jinhua Clan headquarters? Did someone from our clan offend him? If so, that's a major problem!" After identifying him, the elders' faces turned deathly pale. Various legends about Ye Yunfei began flashing through their minds.
"Elders, there's no need to worry. I truly happened to pass by your Jinhua Clan and came to look around. I bear no ill intentions. Furthermore, Senior Jinhua God has graced me with a dharma transmission. You have nothing to fear," Ye Yunfei reassured them.
"Indeed, there is no need for concern. Treat Young Master Ye as one of our own. From now on, our Jinhua Clan will follow Young Master Ye in opposing the Guardian Faction. Is that understood?" the voice from the corpse commanded.
"Patriarch, we understand," the four elders replied in unison, realizing their patriarch had already reached an agreement with Ye Yunfei.
"All of you, leave now. I must enter seclusion to rest and recuperate," the Jinhua God's voice sounded again. He had just received the batch of treasures gifted by Ye Yunfei and intended to use them to improve the quality of his Remnant Soul.
Ye Yunfei and the four Jinhua Clan elders promptly withdrew from the temple.
"Elders, Senior Jinhua God has bestowed a great kindness upon me. Therefore, I intend to help improve your Jinhua Clan's overall strength. How about this: gather all your clan's peak half-step gods. I will refine a batch of special pills for them to aid their realm breakthroughs. This will likely allow your Jinhua Clan to produce more Deities," Ye Yunfei addressed the four elders.