"Speaking of which, weren't you always interested in the special spiritual herbs of our Dark Realm when you first entered? I've already issued an order: you are free to pluck any spiritual herbs you fancy within the Dark Realm, or take any dark-type treasures. In short, all the resources of our Dark Realm are open to you."
Lü Dandan thought for a moment, then added to Ye Yunfei.
"In that case, I won't stand on ceremony. I am indeed quite interested in dark-type spiritual herbs and treasures," Ye Yunfei nodded.
Following this, Lü Dandan turned and left to begin handling the affairs of the Dark Faction. Having just gained control of the Dark Heart, she now planned to fully integrate the fractured Dark Faction and rebuild it into a powerful force. This would require not only formidable strength but also a great deal of time, effort, and careful planning.
"Miss Lu's strength now far surpasses yours, so there's no need to worry about her. It might even be her protecting you from now on," Hun Lao chuckled as he spoke to Ye Yunfei.
"Her strength has indeed increased greatly after gaining control of the Dark Heart. Still, I'll stay in this Dark Realm for a while longer. If nothing else, I shouldn't miss out on these dark-type spiritual herbs and treasures," Ye Yunfei replied.
Next, Ye Yunfei began roaming throughout the Dark Realm in search of special dark-type spiritual herbs and dark-type treasures.
Lü Dandan had already issued orders to the members of the Dark Faction, prohibiting them from interfering with any of Ye Yunfei's actions within the Dark Realm or preventing him from taking any cultivation resources. Lü Dandan controlled the Dark Realm and had gained a large number of loyal followers. Now ascendent and unmatched within the Dark Faction, no one dared defy her orders. Therefore, Ye Yunfei moved about the Dark Realm freely and without question, no matter what he did.
Not long after, Ye Yunfei found a large batch of rare dark-type spiritual herbs within the Dark Realm and also obtained several dark-type treasures.
Of course, the Dark Realm now belonged entirely to Lü Dandan, and she still had the entire Dark Faction to support, so Ye Yunfei didn't get too greedy. He only took some herbs and treasures that interested him, and not many at that, ensuring it wouldn't impact the Dark Faction's foundation.
Ye Yunfei noticed that in such a short period of time, Lü Dandan had already organized the Dark Faction headquarters into a state of excellent order. The entire headquarters now had a vastly different atmosphere compared to before, much more befitting of a major faction's base of operations, with squad after squad of patrol teams moving back and forth on their rounds.
Previously, when Ye Yunfei had first entered the Dark Realm, the entire place had felt like it was in complete disarray.
"Miss Lu indeed possesses formidable management skills. The current Dark Faction has changed a great deal compared to before," Hun Lao couldn't help but remark.
"Indeed. In this short time, numerous formations and prohibitions have been added throughout the headquarters, with so many patrol teams enforcing strict defense. It makes the Dark Faction feel like it's becoming a unified whole," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Young Master Ye, the Queen has led her forces out. There are still several factions of our Dark Faction scattered abroad, and the Queen intends to bring all those scattered forces back under her command. Before she left, the Queen instructed me to relay her movements to you," a strong member of the Dark Faction suddenly appeared not far in front of Ye Yunfei and addressed him.
"Understood," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Miss Lu has now established herself. I believe no one within the Dark Faction can threaten her anymore. It's about time we left too," Ye Yunfei thought for a moment before speaking.
"No? Do you think those three former Sovereign Gods of the Dark Faction will willingly accept defeat? I suspect those three will definitely return to vie for power and status with Miss Lu," Hun Lao said.
"I'm aware of that. But now, Miss Lu's power has increased dramatically. Those three likely aren't her match anymore. What's more, many strong individuals within the Dark Faction have now pledged their allegiance to her. Even if those three old guys want to return and stir up trouble, I doubt they can do anything against her. After all, Miss Lu now has the entire Dark Faction behind her," Ye Yunfei said.
"Fair point," Hun Lao nodded.
"Next, I plan to thoroughly probe the strength of the Guardian Faction in this Third Void while conveniently gathering more Clones," Ye Yunfei thought for a moment before speaking.
"It probably won't be long before another war erupts between me and the Guardian Faction. I must prepare," Ye Yunfei added, then left the Dark Faction.
When Ye Yunfei walked out of the exit of the Dark Realm, a Clone of Lü Dandan suddenly appeared ahead, waiting for him.
"I know you'll inevitably go to war with the Guardian Faction in the future. When that time comes, I will stand by your side with the Dark Faction. But first, I need to spend some time fully integrating the faction and solidifying my control," Lü Dandan's Clone said to Ye Yunfei.
"Miss Lu, the overall strength of the Guardian Faction is formidable. If the Dark Faction joins in, it will be like stepping into the eye of the storm—extremely dangerous. Moreover, you've only just gained control of the faction. The Dark Faction previously went through a period of fragmentation and is likely still in a weakened state. So, for now, just focus on developing the Dark Faction properly. We can discuss other matters later," Ye Yunfei said with a smile, then bid farewell to Lü Dandan and turned to leave.
Knowing Ye Yunfei couldn't stay in the Dark Realm forever, Lü Dandan didn't try to persuade him to remain. She simply stood there, watching him depart.
"Today, I finally have the qualifications to stand beside you, to be mentioned in the same breath as you, and to fight shoulder-to-shoulder with you. I hope in the future, I won't fall behind, but always remain qualified to keep pace with your steps," Lü Dandan whispered softly.
Not long after, Ye Yunfei returned to the headquarters of the Guhai Sect. Sensing his aura, the higher-ups of the Guhai Sect all came out to welcome him.
During this period, Ye Yunfei had gifted many divine pills to the Guhai Sect, boosting the strength of every single high-ranking member. Every day during his absence, there had been someone in the Guhai Sect headquarters undergoing a heavenly tribulation.
Those key leaders of the Guhai Sect spent their days grinning from ear to ear, naturally feeling extremely grateful towards Ye Yunfei, as he had nearly tripled the sect's overall strength during this time. The sect's members were all elated and filled with vigor.
Now, with Ye Yunfei's return to headquarters, almost all of the Guhai Sect's higher-ups emerged upon hearing the news, forming lines to welcome him.
"This is the first force you've cultivated in the Third Void. It looks pretty good," Hun Lao said with a smile.