Time flew, and before they knew it, a year had passed within this world. Throughout this year, Ye Yunfei had been seated cross-legged in front of the Teleportation Altar, unmoving.
"This Teleportation Altar does indeed contain many precious, ancient Formation inheritances. This past year has yielded great harvests for me, and my Formation proficiency has increased by at least tenfold," Ye Yunfei suddenly spoke softly after a year, a hint of excitement in his expression due to his substantial gains.
"This Teleportation Altar must have been set up by a highly skilled Formation Master of ancient times," Hun Lao commented.
"Indeed. A Formation Master capable of setting up such a long-distance Teleportation Altar must have been extraordinarily powerful. Ordinary Formation Masters certainly wouldn't possess the skill," Ye Yunfei nodded in agreement.
"Master, you've studied here for a year. Can you set up such a long-distance Teleportation Altar now?" Hu Miao asked curiously.
"Creating such a long-distance Teleportation Altar requires not only extremely high-level Formation skills but also the acquisition of many precious Formation materials. Both are indispensable. My current Formation skill is probably still a little short. Moreover, I don't have the materials needed to construct such an altar, so I can't do it now," Ye Yunfei answered after a moment's thought.
"Master, I believe that with your talent and cultivation in Formations, you'll definitely be able to do it in the future," Hu Miao said.
"That's for sure. I will continue studying this long-distance Teleportation Altar. Furthermore, I'll consciously start looking for the materials required. In the future, I will undoubtedly be able to build one. By then, I'll be able to set up several of these long-distance teleportation formations within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds. It will make travel much more convenient for the people here," Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
"Master, I believe you can do it because you are someone who continuously creates miracles," Hu Miao nodded repeatedly.
"When did you start sucking up to me?" Ye Yunfei curled his lip.
"It's not sucking up; my Master is truly remarkable," Hu Miao insisted.
"What about this Teleportation Altar? We should destroy it. Otherwise, the Watchers from other voids might use it to return to this void," Hun Lao suggested.
"No, there's no need to destroy it. I'll just modify it. In its new form, it will only allow teleportation *out* from here. Teleportation *into* this location from the outside will be impossible. That way, those Watchers from the outer voids won't be able to access our void through this altar," Ye Yunfei explained.
"Oh? You can perform such a modification?" Hun Lao sounded pleasantly surprised.
"I'll give it a try," Ye Yunfei said.
He then took out a large batch of Formation Flags, which began rapidly orbiting the Teleportation Altar. From time to time, he would toss one of the flags in his hand, embedding it into a specific spot on the altar.
Rumble…
As more and more Formation Flags were inserted into the altar, it began to tremble and vibrate gently. Within, its internal structure started changing subtly.
Gradually, an increasing stream of Formation Flags were embedded onto the altar.
Roughly half an hour later, Ye Yunfei suddenly ceased his movements. All the Formation Flags he had taken out were used up, and the Teleportation Altar instantly regained its tranquility.
"From this moment on, this Teleportation Altar can only teleport people *from* this location *to the outside*. Teleportation from outside to here is now impossible. Furthermore, after my modifications, only I or someone I authorize will be able to use this altar in the future. Even if others find it, they won't be able to operate it," Ye Yunfei said with a smile after sensing the state of the altar. Having studied it for a year, he had gained a deep understanding of its structure, enabling him to perform these modifications.
"Only out, not in? That's perfect! This Teleportation Altar is essentially reserved for our exclusive use now," the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm exclaimed with delight.
Next, Ye Yunfei set up several dozen isolating and illusion Formations around the Teleportation Altar, concealing it thoroughly. He estimated that even a high-level Void God would have a hard time detecting it without meticulous sensing.
After finishing the Formations, Ye Yunfei left that world.
Some time later, Ye Yunfei began traveling through the void, observing everywhere.
A year had passed, and this void had fully entered an era of peaceful development. An atmosphere of serenity and harmony prevailed throughout.
Ye Yunfei ventured into some World Clusters and found them to be harmonious, with different forces coexisting amicably. Even when occasional conflicts arose, the parties involved mostly took the initiative to reconcile.
He also discovered that over the past year, the Alliance Army had established branch strongholds in many different World Clusters. Alliance Army members were active everywhere within the void. It could be said that the Alliance Army had developed into the most powerful super-faction within this void.
In this void, no one dared provoke the Alliance Army anymore, for everyone knew its supreme leader was Ye Yunfei—the ruthless individual who had slain ten Perfected Void Gods in the battle a year prior and unquestionably earned the title of this void's number one expert.
As for the Restorationists, the Fire Clan, the Flower Goddess Palace, and the Xiao Liang Guan, these forces were also thriving. Of course, they were in an alliance with the Alliance Army, mutually supporting each other.
Following Ye Yunfei's previous commands and style, even though the Alliance Army effectively ruled the void, it generally did not interfere with the development of other factions. More importantly, it strictly forbade the use of its power to bully others.
For the next year and several months, Ye Yunfei traveled throughout the void, entering almost all World Clusters and most of their worlds to observe. During this period, he also explored many of the void's renowned secret realms.
Ye Yunfei's current combat prowess allowed him to easily kill Perfected Void Gods, enabling him to enter most secret realms. In several of them, he gained considerable harvests, acquiring a large number of precious cultivation resources.
"The Danfeng Realm… this should be the place. They say this is the cultivation cave abode of a famous powerhouse from ancient times. After that powerhouse fell, he left behind this secret realm. It's been incredibly well-hidden all along, with almost nobody able to find it. To think we've found it now," the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm stood beside Ye Yunfei, gazing at a Spacetime Gate before them within a World Cluster called Danfeng, its voice filled with excitement.
"Let's go in and take a look. There should be plenty of good things inside," Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
However, at that moment, a figure suddenly materialized, standing within the Spacetime Gate, gazing at Ye Yunfei and the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm with calm eyes.
"If I'm not mistaken, you must be the renowned Ye Yunfei," the figure said. It was somewhat illusory, not a solid entity, and continuously flickered and wavered like ripples on water. Moreover, its surface was enveloped by a highly advanced law, making its true features difficult to discern.
"That's right. I am Ye Yunfei," Ye Yunfei replied, looking at this illusory, constantly undulating figure with surprise. He discovered that even his keen perception found it hard to sense this figure's true appearance.
"Young Master Ye indeed lives up to your reputation. You are merely a Primary Void God, yet your true combat power likely falls within the Perfected Void God level, perhaps even surpasses it. No wonder you are called the number one expert in this void," the illusory figure said with a calm gaze. "However, Young Master Ye, now you're constantly exploring the various secret realms in this void with your strength, barging in to hunt for treasures. Isn't such behavior somewhat tyrannical? If they are abandoned, ownerless secret realms, then of course it's fine. But have you considered that most secret realms have owners? The people living in seclusion there are usually low-key and have no desire for conflict. Your actions are essentially an unprovoked challenge at their doorstep. For example, would you welcome outsiders barging into the Colorless Abyss to explore and hunt for treasures?"
"Young Master Ye, please turn back. Our Danfeng Realm prefers to remain isolated and does not wish to be disturbed by outsiders," the figure added.
Upon hearing this, Ye Yunfei was momentarily stunned, then fixed his gaze on the figure, remaining silent.
"Young Master Ye, please turn back," the illusory figure repeated after a moment.
"Heavenly treasures are meant for those destined to find them. This Danfeng Realm is an ancient, abandoned secret realm. Why shouldn't we be allowed to explore and hunt for treasures? Clear the way and let us in, or don't blame us for being impolite!" the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm threatened.
"By all means, you are welcome to try," the figure said indifferently.
"Forget it, let's go," Ye Yunfei suddenly turned and left.
"We went through so much trouble to find this legendary secret realm. How can we just leave? In my opinion, we shouldn't fear that guy. We should just charge in. If he dares to stop us, we'll show him what we're made of. That guy is probably just a remnant soul left from ancient times. He can't stop us," the Golden-Horned Dragon Silkworm was very reluctant but was eventually pulled away by Ye Yunfei.
"That fellow is likely very powerful. Even I can't sense his true strength. It was right not to provoke him," Hun Lao suddenly spoke after they had moved far away from the Spacetime Gate.
"Indeed, that fellow is definitely formidable. Furthermore, I think he has a point. Since this secret realm has an owner, we shouldn't go out of our way to provoke him. Right now, this void needs tranquility. We'll stop exploring those secret realms. Continuing like this will only cause trouble sooner or later. Some realms harbor powerful beings left over from ancient times. Anger them, and we'd be inviting trouble," Ye Yunfei nodded and continued, reminded of the Colorless Abyss within the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, where many ancient power dwelled. Naturally, they didn't wish to be disturbed. The same principle likely applied to other secret realms in the void; many probably hid formidable beings.
From then on, Ye Yunfei ceased exploring other secret realms in the void.
"Let's return to the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds," Ye Yunfei thought to himself and began heading back in that direction.
"Listen well, all of you in this world. I'll give you ten days to prepare the cultivation resources according to the amount I stated earlier. In ten days, I'll come in person. If any faction in this world dares fail to deliver the required amount, you will face the consequences yourselves. Let me tell you, the Patriarch of our Wu Family is a high-ranking member of the Alliance Army! Offending our Wu Family is the same as offending the Alliance Army. Offend the Alliance Army, and your world is finished!"
Just as Ye Yunfei was traveling back towards the Three Thousand Major and Minor Worlds, he passed a World Cluster and suddenly overheard this voice. He paused, his gaze sweeping through the cluster until it landed on a particular world.
There, a proud, purple-robed young man stood with his hands clasped behind his back, speaking coldly. Behind him stood a sizable group of fierce-looking followers.
Opposite the young man stood a large crowd of people, their heads bowed, expressions respectful, yet with deeply buried anger and helplessness in their eyes.
Ye Yunfei's perception was extraordinarily sharp. As he passed the World Cluster, he had intended to scan its general state. His Soul Power instantly enveloped every world within the cluster, unintentionally picking up the words of the purple-robed youth.
"Wu Family Patriarch… a high-ranking member of the Alliance Army... Do we have such a person within the Alliance Army?" Ye Yunfei frowned slightly, trying to recall. He had little impression.
That was because Ye Yunfei had never been deeply involved in the Alliance Army's day-to-day affairs. Several core senior members handled them. Only crucial matters needing decision-making would be reported to Ye Yunfei by those core seniors for his final say.
"Young Master Wu, we would never dare offend the Wu Family, let alone the Alliance Army. However, the amount you requested is indeed substantial. Our world will likely find it difficult to gather it within such a short time. We ask for your leniency—please grant us more time. We will definitely strive to gather the required cultivation resources for you," an old man cautiously spoke up.
"How interesting. So now, someone has started waving the banner of the Alliance Army to do such things," Ye Yunfei's expression turned utterly grim. He let out a cold laugh and took a step forward, instantly entering the world.