Three years later, Ye Yunfei emerged from seclusion, stepping out of the Illusionary Shadow Tower.
His first destination was the council hall of the Alliance Army's outpost. "Young Master Ye, you've emerged!" Numerous high-ranking members of the Alliance Army remained stationed in the Seventh Void. Sensing Ye Yunfei's aura, they quickly gathered in the council hall.
"Young Master Ye, our Alliance Army is now the sole super-power within this Seventh Void, effectively the formal ruler of this realm," one of the Devil race Ancestors stepped forward to report. Of the three Ancestors from the Earth Devil race, two had returned to the Sixth Void, leaving one behind to help guard the Alliance Army's branch in the Seventh Void.
"Excellent. We need to establish more outposts in this void to better control it," Ye Yunfei stated.
"Moreover, the Guardian Faction will eventually return to the Seventh Void, so everyone must remain vigilant and monitor their movements at all times," Ye Yunfei added after a moment's thought.
"Rest assured, Young Master Ye. I will arrange it immediately. Starting now, we will establish more Alliance Army outposts throughout the Seventh Void," the Earth Devil race Ancestor hastily nodded in agreement.
"Young Master Ye, I have dispatched agents to the Fifth and Fourth Voids to gather intelligence. Some information has already begun to return," at that moment, Kong Lao hurried in from outside and reported.
"According to the information received so far, the Guardian Faction's presence in both the Fourth and Fifth Voids is strong, and both have Sovereign Gods overseeing them."
"Have you determined how many Sovereign Gods the Guardian Faction possesses in the Fourth and Fifth Voids?" Ye Yunfei inquired.
"Not yet. The overall power of the Fourth and Fifth Voids is formidable; it's highly likely they possess multiple Sovereign Gods," Kong Lao explained.
"Multiple Sovereign Gods..." Hearing this, Ye Yunfei's brow furrowed slightly. If it were just one or two, he felt confident in handling them. But if the number was significantly higher, venturing there would be far too risky.
"Kong Lao, continue deploying scouts for intelligence. Report to me immediately if any valuable information surfaces," Ye Yunfei instructed after some thought.
"Understood, Young Master Ye," Kong Lao replied before turning to leave. "I will go arrange for more spies to be sent to the Fourth and Fifth Voids."
"I should return to the Eighth Void to check on things," Ye Yunfei mused aloud.
He then departed the Alliance Army outpost and returned to the Eighth Void via a Teleportation Channel. The situation in the Eighth Void was tranquil. As Ye Yunfei traveled through it, he saw various factions, races, and world clusters diligently developing their strength, presenting a picture of flourishing prosperity—precisely what he hoped to see.
"The Eighth Void has endured many hardships in the past, but now it is finally entering a phase of proper development," Ye Yunfei nodded approvingly.
"However, the Guardian Faction will undoubtedly attempt to return to the Eighth Void," Hun Lao's voice sounded. "For the various void fragments of the Chaotic Void Sea to truly develop and grow strong, the Guardian Faction must be eradicated. Otherwise, they will inevitably come back to wreak havoc sooner or later."
"You are right, Hun Lao," Ye Yunfei agreed. "Only by destroying the Guardian Faction can lasting peace be achieved. Otherwise, the Eighth Void and the others will always remain under their shadow. Even temporary development would not be sustainable."
Upon returning to the Alliance Army headquarters, Ye Yunfei took out a large batch of cultivation resources and instructed the core leadership to distribute them as needed. He also issued an order: every member of the Alliance Army must cultivate relentlessly, striving to advance their realm and power as quickly as possible.
While Ye Yunfei was handling affairs at the headquarters, an elder suddenly approached from the distant void, effortlessly breaking through all defensive Formations before landing before him.
"Senior Kang!" Seeing this elder, Ye Yunfei was overjoyed. It was Kang Wan.
"Young Master Ye, come with me into the Colorless Abyss immediately. Two powerhouses inside wish to meet you," Kang Wan stated directly, without preamble.
"Senior, you want me to enter the Colorless Abyss? Two powerhouses wish to see me?" Ye Yunfei was taken aback but quickly responded.
"Yes. Don't worry, come with me now. I believe this may be a fortuitous encounter for you. The reason those two wish to meet you is because your recent performance has been exceptionally outstanding," Kang Wan added.
"Alright, Senior. I trust you. I'll enter the Colorless Abyss with you now," Ye Yunfei agreed without hesitation.
He naturally trusted Kang Wan and the other five elders. After giving instructions to the Alliance Army leadership, Ye Yunfei followed Kang Wan towards the location of the Colorless Abyss.
Soon, under Kang Wan's guidance, they arrived before a sea of crimson red. The entrance to the Colorless Abyss lay at its bottom. The void region containing the Colorless Abyss had long been guarded by Ye Yunfei's forces, with ordinary beings strictly forbidden from approaching. Given the extreme danger of the Abyss, any Eighth Void lifeform who strayed in would surely meet their end.
Kang Wan led Ye Yunfei directly into the depths of the red sea, arriving before a spatial portal. "Young Master Ye, let's go in. Don't be too nervous; you won't be in any danger," Kang Wan said, leading the way.
"There's no need for concern, Senior. I've actually been inside the Colorless Abyss before," Ye Yunfei said with a smile.
Following Kang Wan, Ye Yunfei stepped into the Colorless Abyss. It was a vast expanse blanketed by rolling gray mist, an endless sea of ominous, churning fog.
They traveled through the thick gray mist until a landmass came into view ahead, suspended in the space. Entirely shrouded in gray mist, the sight of this continent instantly reminded Ye Yunfei of his first experience within the Abyss. He had had dealings on this land before, but back then, he had been far weaker.
Continuing under Kang Wan's lead, they traversed the gray-mist-draped expanse. Ye Yunfei extended his Soul Power senses and was startled to discover that the range of his perception was drastically reduced within this strange space. In the outside worlds, his sensing range was easily a thousand times greater.
"This Colorless Abyss is truly terrifying. Even with our current level of Soul Power, entering here still subjects us to such severe interference," Hun Lao transmitted in surprise.
"Yes, this place is indeed rather fearsome," Ye Yunfei nodded in agreement.
After traveling an indeterminate distance, they descended upon a vast continent under Kang Wan's guidance and ascended a towering mountain. At its peak stood a pavilion. Inside, two elders sat, while five others stood. Seeing the five standing elders filled Ye Yunfei with both surprise and delight—they were the other five elders who traveled with Kang Wan: Ding Qianjie and the rest.
"Young Master Ye, we meet again," Ding Qianjie and the other five greeted him warmly as soon as he arrived.
"Please take a seat, Young Master Ye," one of the two seated elders immediately fixed his gaze on Ye Yunfei and spoke, gesturing towards a stone stool within the pavilion.
"Honored Seniors, I shall remain standing," Ye Yunfei replied, seeing that Ding Qianjie, Kang Wan, and the others were all standing. Given his junior status, sitting felt inappropriate.
"No need for such courtesy, Young Master Ye. You are our guest. Please, sit and speak," the other seated elder said.
"Take a seat, Young Master Ye. Excessive etiquette is unnecessary," Kang Wan chimed in.
"If that is the case, I shall respectfully comply with your wishes," Ye Yunfei said, bowing to everyone in the pavilion before seating himself on the stone stool.
"Young Master Ye, to think you have eliminated the Guardian Faction's presence in three voids in such a short time," one of the seated elders began, scrutinizing Ye Yunfei and sensing his energy aura while nodding repeatedly in approval, his gaze filled with appreciation. "Such a feat is beyond most old-timers, let alone a junior. True heroes emerge from the young. Truly remarkable!"
"You overpraise me, Senior," Ye Yunfei replied. "It was not by my efforts alone. Many Seniors lent their aid, and every member of the Alliance Army contributed. By myself, I could not have achieved this."
"Excellent. To achieve fame young yet retain such a steady, unflustered, humble, and persevering mindset... Young Master Ye, you are destined to reach far greater heights," hearing his words, both seated elders nodded repeatedly.
"Young Master Ye, while eliminating the Guardian Faction's three void branches has dealt them a blow," one elder said, "you must understand their overall strength is immense. Your war with the Guardian Faction has only just begun. You will face an even more powerful Guardian Faction and be drawn into more fearsome battles. You must be mentally prepared."
"Set your mind at ease, Senior," Ye Yunfei responded. "I am prepared. I have long been aware that the Guardian Faction's true power far exceeds what I've seen so far."
"Good," the elder nodded.