"That's correct, it's him."
Zhou Wanqing nodded.
"Truthfully, it was my fault for dragging those Dark Faction members into this. The Dark Queen of the Dark Faction saved me, yet my presence led to the deaths of some of the Dark Faction members stationed in Blazing Sun Valley. This fellow is named Sima Ziyang. Relying on his background from the Blade Realm, he acts without restraint, delighting in slaughter and killing indiscriminately!"
Zhou Wanqing explained to Ye Yunfei via Sound Transmission.
"So this guy really is from the Blade Realm!"
A flash of killing intent appeared in Ye Yunfei's eyes, and he was also somewhat surprised by Sima Ziyang's origins. He wondered if the Blade Realm Zhou Wanqing mentioned was the legendary Blade Realm from the tales.
"Both the Blade Realm and the Wanmu Ancestral Land are mysterious forces from ancient legends. Now, descendants from both have appeared at the same time. And many members of the Soul Race have also returned to the Primal Void Sea. What in the world is going on? Why are these mysterious forces from ancient legends all making a comeback now?"
Ye Yunfei mused, puzzled.
"The Blade Realm is rumored to be a holy land for blade cultivators, gathering the world's most top-tier blade masters and blade cultivation legacies. It's isolated from the world and rarely emerges. The Wanmu Ancestral Land is even more mysterious, being one of the origins of the laws of life's source energy. The Soul Race is a special race, also a notoriously evil major power from antiquity, and now members have returned as well. These ancient major forces appearing one after another indicates that certain ancient powers are beginning to stretch their influence back into this world. The winds are shifting, and a storm is gathering!"
Hun Lao's voice carried a trace of gravity.
On the battlefield, Ye Yunfei and Zhou Wanqing were currently fighting Sima Ziyang together.
Although Sima Ziyang's blade techniques were strong and domineering, under the combined assault of Ye Yunfei and Zhou Wanqing—two powerful opponents—he gradually began to fall into a disadvantageous position.
Back in Blazing Sun Valley, Zhou Wanqing had been severely wounded and imprisoned before Ye Yunfei rescued her. He had also given her a batch of highly effective healing pills. After convalescing during this time, her injuries were mostly healed. Most of the techniques she employed were wood-attributed arts and secret techniques, both their offensive and defensive power being formidable.
Seeing Zhou Wanqing actually join forces with Ye Yunfei to fight him, Sima Ziyang flew into a rage, roaring furiously and slashing wildly at Ye Yunfei with his blade.
But Zhou Wanqing's wood-attributed arts and techniques were inexhaustible and self-regenerating, greatly restricting his movements and attacks.
Ye Yunfei's various techniques and secret arts were also immensely powerful.
"One Thought Ice World!
Silent Frost Curse!"
Seizing an opportunity during the battle, when Sima Ziyang was temporarily bound by hundreds of thick, green vines conjured by Zhou Wanqing, Ye Yunfei swiftly cast two ice-attribute techniques in succession.
First, he created a small-scale ice realm to trap Sima Ziyang within, then employed the Silent Frost Curse to plunge the interior of this small ice realm into a state of near-eternal stillness and freezing.
Trapped within the icy confinement, rolling frigid air instantly invaded Sima Ziyang's body, numbing half his form.
"This bastard's methods are too numerous, they come one after another, difficult to guard against!"
Sima Ziyang was both furious and helpless. Yet, he finally understood that, with Ye Yunfei and Zhou Wanqing joining forces, he was simply no match for them.
"You... Fine!
Very well!
Brat, I'll remember you!
And Wanqing, you actually helped an outsider against me!"
Sima Ziyang's hair was dishevelled, his appearance wild and frenzied, his eyes brimming with venomous hatred.
"This isn't over!
You just wait, brat! My Blade Realm will never let you go!
That treasure blade in your possession, I'll claim it sooner or later!
And this Guhai Sect... they'd better be ready to bear my wrath!"
Sima Ziyang roared. Then, with a violent cough, he sprayed a mouthful of vital essence blood onto the treasured blade in his hand. The blade light erupted dramatically. With a single slash, he actually cleaved open the ice realm Ye Yunfei had constructed. Then, slashing wildly, he forcibly pushed back both Ye Yunfei and Zhou Wanqing. His figure then transformed into a fierce blade radiance that tore through the void and vanished into the distance in an instant.
His hate-filled roar echoed through the surrounding void as he fled.
"The Blade Realm truly is extraordinary."
Ye Yunfei watched Sima Ziyang's departing figure, lost in thought for a moment, then said softly.
Recalling the various powerful blade techniques Sima Ziyang had displayed earlier, Ye Yunfei couldn't help but sigh; this legendary Blade Realm truly lived up to its reputation.
"Miss Zhou, thank you for your assistance."
Ye Yunfei turned his gaze to Zhou Wanqing.
"Young Master Ye, you are too kind. This matter originated because of me. Sima Ziyang came targeting me, and it ended up implicating you and the Guhai Sect. I sincerely apologize. For the incident at Blazing Sun Valley, I already feel deep regret. I didn't expect him to track me down here as well."
Zhou Wanqing shook her head, her face showing a look of apology.
"There's no need for that. His coming after me wasn't because of you."
Ye Yunfei said.
"Young Master Ye, I should take my leave."
Zhou Wanqing said after a moment's thought.
"Miss Zhou, your injuries haven't fully healed. How about this: I'll refine some more healing pills for you. They should be useful."
Ye Yunfei sensed Zhou Wanqing's aura, then spoke.
"Young Master Ye, if I continue staying here, I might cause trouble for you. That Sima Ziyang is a terribly petty individual."
Zhou Wanqing hesitated, then spoke.
"Miss Zhou, don't worry. That fellow's strength is considerable, but I'm not afraid of him. Moreover, even if it weren't because of you, he would definitely come back for me regardless. Miss Zhou, it's best to treat your injuries promptly. Dragging it out won't be beneficial for your future cultivation."
Ye Yunfei replied.
Zhou Wanqing had just helped him against Sima Ziyang; given Ye Yunfei's character, he naturally would help her with her recovery.
"Alright then. I'll trouble you, Young Master Ye, to refine some more healing pills for me."
Zhou Wanqing also knew her injuries weren't fully healed. The last batch of healing pills Ye Yunfei had gifted her had proven remarkably effective after she took them. If she could receive more of his pills, she might fully recover. After an internal struggle, she decided to accept Ye Yunfei's kindness.
Ye Yunfei led Zhou Wanqing into the Guhai Sect's headquarters and began preparing pills tailored to her condition.
"Young Master Ye, these are some medicinal materials I carry with me. They are quite useful for me. Could you see if you can utilize these materials to refine some healing pills?"
Zhou Wanqing brought out a large batch of medicinal herbs and offered them to Ye Yunfei.
Ye Yunfei found that most of the herbs Zhou Wanqing produced contained wood-attributed energy and laws—indeed, they were suitable for the energy and laws she cultivated.
Ye Yunfei stored all the herbs away and began refining the pills.
Soon after, Ye Yunfei handed Zhou Wanqing a batch of refined pills.
"Young Master Ye, your pill-refining skills are truly remarkable. These pills will likely be very effective for me."
Zhou Wanqing sensed the Divine Pills Ye Yunfei gave her and immediately showed an expression of excitement.
Although she hadn't begun taking them yet, the aura emanating from these Divine Pills already made her feel comfortable all over.
Afterward, Zhou Wanqing entered a quiet chamber to begin taking the healing pills and recovering. Meanwhile, Ye Yunfei returned to his own cultivation chamber, entered the Phantom Tower, and began another period of closed-door cultivation.
The battle with Sima Ziyang had made Ye Yunfei understand that, although his current strength was quite formidable, the world held many powerful experts, especially those from the legendary major forces. Even a random member who walked out from such places possessed terrifyingly powerful strength.
Sima Ziyang certainly wasn't among the very strongest in the Blade Realm, yet he could contend with Ye Yunfei to that degree relying solely on his blade arts. If Ye Yunfei were to encounter the top-tier experts from the Blade Realm in the future, given his current strength, he would most likely be outmatched. Therefore, he had to seize the time and continue improving his power.
One could say the battle with Sima Ziyang had once again instilled in Ye Yunfei a pressing need to increase his strength.
A few days later, Ye Yunfei received a Sound Transmission from Zhou Wanqing.
"Young Master Ye, thank you for the Divine Pills you refined for me. My injuries are basically fully healed now."
Zhou Wanqing said excitedly.
Ye Yunfei emerged from the Phantom Tower and found Zhou Wanqing waiting outside his chamber.
Stepping out, he sensed Zhou Wanqing's condition and indeed found that her injuries were basically cured.
"Young Master Ye, I never imagined your pill-refining skills were so advanced."
Recalling the effects of Ye Yunfei's healing pills on her, Zhou Wanqing couldn't help but praise.
As she looked at this young man before her, she felt deep admiration. A Sovereign God-level Pill Refiner this young was extremely rare. Moreover, Ye Yunfei's combat strength was immensely high—even when compared to other young geniuses hailing from ancient major forces like themselves, he didn't fall short.
"Young Master Ye, you must be careful of Sima Ziyang. He is the grandson of a prominent figure in the Blade Realm. He was born with a violent and paranoid disposition. I met him at a gathering many years ago, and he's been pestering me incessantly ever since. This time, when I left the Wanmu Ancestral Land to travel, I never expected him to find out. He immediately chased me to the Third Void. That fellow is practically a scoundrel, utterly detestable! Also, his vengefulness is extremely intense. Anyone who offends him, even over minor conflicts or grievances, he will find ways to cause trouble for them."
Zhou Wanqing warned Ye Yunfei.
"Thank you for the reminder, Miss Zhou."
Ye Yunfei nodded.