"Elder Tang is indeed gone."
The old Wizard sighed and nodded.
"To think our Guardian Faction has lost an Eighth Level Sovereign God. It seems the situation has become extremely unfavorable for us!"
The Prison Master's expression was extremely grim as he spoke.
At the same time, within a certain world in a certain void of the Chaotic Void Sea, inside a desolate, primitive, dense forest, within a long-abandoned palace stood a broken, ancient altar.
Boom...
That ancient altar, long buried under thick layers of dust, suddenly erupted with dazzling light and a powerful aura of energy.
Then, a spatial rift opened above the altar. An aura, seemingly originating from beyond some distant void, emanated from this rift. Following that, a group of creatures with strange, unsettling auras filed out from the spatial rift one by one.
"We pay our respects to you, esteemed guests!"
As soon as this group of strangely-aured creatures emerged, illusionary figures began to appear one after another near the altar, each exuding a powerful aura of Soul Force energy. These illusionary figures all knelt down on the ground, appearing exceedingly reverent.
"You have been in the Chaotic Void Sea for such a long time. Have you managed to ascertain the current state of affairs here?"
A middle-aged man with a refined and scholarly appearance glanced at the kneeling illusionary figures and spoke with a calm tone. This man had been the first to step out of the spatial rift, with the other beings clustered around him, indicating his extraordinary status.
"Reporting, Esteemed Guest. We have essentially ascertained the current situation in the Chaotic Void Sea. Allow me to provide a detailed report."
One of the illusionary figures radiating powerful Soul Force energy knelt in place, glided forward a short distance, and then answered.
Subsequently, this illusionary figure recounted the general situation in each void of the Chaotic Void Sea in a clear voice.
"Just as expected. The Chaotic Void Sea has officially entered a state of chaos. More terrifying wars are certain to follow, sweeping across every void fragment of the sea. Heavy casualties and widespread suffering among living beings are unavoidable.
For our Soul Race, this is the perfect opportunity to return.
Recall, back in the day, our Soul Race lived peacefully within the Chaotic Void Sea and nearly became its ruler. Unexpectedly, we later became targets, attacked by so many major forces in unison that we ultimately had to withdraw from the Chaotic Void Sea.
That history is too painful for our Soul Race to recall; it is a monumental disgrace.
However, our chance for revenge has come. In this era of chaos, our Soul Race's return is perfectly timed for us to act amidst the confusion, fishing in troubled waters.
First, we can collect vast quantities of cultivation resources. Second, we can take the opportunity to reclaim the territories our Soul Race held in ancient times.
Let it descend into chaos. The worse, the better.
From this moment on, our Soul Race officially returns to the Chaotic Void Sea!"
After listening, that middle-aged man with the refined appearance revealed a smug smile as he spoke.
"Esteemed Guest, when will the main force of our Soul Race return?"
The illusionary figure that had spoken asked excitedly while kneeling.
"Soon. Next, we need to establish a base within the Chaotic Void Sea to serve as the foothold for our Soul Race's return. Then, our main force will formally return.
And the entire Chaotic Void Sea will tremble at the return of our Soul Race."
Having said this, the scholarly-looking middle-aged man couldn't help but burst into loud, arrogant laughter.
The other beings who had emerged from the spatial rift and followed behind him also joined in his triumphant laughter. Shrill, grating laughter echoed throughout the palace.
At this time, Ye Yunfei was still within the Phantom Tower, continuing to refine and absorb the Soul Bodies of the numerous Sovereign Gods he had suppressed and sealed.
Dozens of Soul Power Stars continuously entered the Soul Seas of one Sovereign God after another, forcibly devouring their Soul Bodies.
After devouring these Sovereign Gods' Soul Bodies, Ye Yunfei also acquired the majority of their memories simultaneously.
Especially after devouring the Eighth Level Sovereign God from the Guardian Faction earlier, Ye Yunfei now had a thorough understanding of the Guardian Faction's situation within the Fifth Void.
"The strongest top-tier experts of the Guardian Faction within this Fifth Void are Eighth Level Sovereign Gods,
including that Prison Master,"
Ye Yunfei mused to himself after thoroughly sorting through the Eighth Level Sovereign God's memories.
"That means, starting now, I can move about freely within this Fifth Void without fearing anyone."
A cold smile appeared on Ye Yunfei's face.
With his current strength, methods, and trump cards, even encountering an Eighth Level Sovereign God was nothing to be afraid of.
In the following period, Ye Yunfei continued devouring the Soul Bodies of those Sovereign Gods.
As the number of Sovereign God Soul Bodies he devoured increased, the level of his Soul Power energy and the quality of his Soul Body also grew stronger and stronger.
The quantity of Soul Body energy essence and Soul Force energy obtained from devouring such a large number of Sovereign God Soul Bodies was astonishing.
Finally, Ye Yunfei devoured the last of the over 260 Sovereign God Soul Bodies.
Boom...
The ocean of Soul Force energy in Ye Yunfei's Soul Sea reached an incredibly vast and terrifying level, with boundless, terrifying Soul Force energy churning wildly.
Simultaneously, the quality of Ye Yunfei's two Soul Bodies also clearly underwent a qualitative leap.
"My current Soul Power energy level has definitely surpassed that of most Eighth Level Sovereign Gods and should be approaching the level of a Ninth Level Sovereign God's Soul Power,"
Ye Yunfei assessed his Soul Body and Soul Power energy level with confidence.
Up to this point, Ye Yunfei had never encountered a Ninth Level Sovereign God, so he didn't know exactly how strong that level of Soul Power could be, making an accurate estimation impossible.
"It's time to upgrade the Soul Force Martial Arts I've cultivated as well."
After devouring the Soul Bodies of over two hundred Sovereign Gods, Ye Yunfei began upgrading each of the Soul Force Martial Arts he had previously practiced.
Ye Yunfei continued his secluded cultivation within the Phantom Tower.
Time flew by. No one knew exactly how long had passed.
"I can now manifest two hundred and fifty Soul Power weapons."
Ye Yunfei said softly.
Then, with a mere thought, two hundred and fifty Soul Power weapons materialized simultaneously in front of his head, each radiating powerful Soul Force energy.
Not only were there more Soul Power weapons than before, but each weapon was also more potent.
"Not only has the Soul Weapons Art improved, but the power of all my other Soul Force Martial Arts has also increased,"
Ye Yunfei revealed a satisfied smile.
"The Mind Reading Art I can now perform should be able to interfere with the thoughts and ideas of an Eighth Level Sovereign God."
Ye Yunfei then added.
"The nine divine beasts of the Nine Palaces Totem Wheel have also improved significantly in strength during this time."
Ye Yunfei's gaze turned to the nine divine beasts not far away, which were still devouring various attribute cultivation resources. Sensing the vast, surging energy pressure emanating from their colossal bodies, he couldn't help but comment.
All the resources these nine divine beasts were consuming now were at the Greater Sovereign God level, so the speed of their power improvement was truly astonishing.
"Also, my Blood Clan Clone's current strength is quite good now."
Ye Yunfei's gaze shifted to his Blood Clan Clone.
During this period, the Blood Clan Clone had refined the bloodline essence of over five hundred Sovereign Gods. Its strength had clearly taken a qualitative leap.
Although Ye Yunfei had given half of the five hundred or so Sovereign Gods he had suppressed and sealed to Huang Shang, what Huang Shang required was only their corpses and Soul Bodies. The bloodline essence of all those Sovereign Gods had been left for the Blood Clan Clone to refine and absorb.
"It seems my cultivation realm is also about to break through."
Just as Ye Yunfei was checking the state of his various capabilities, his heart stirred, and he sensed the opportunity for a breakthrough.
He then took a single step out of the Phantom Tower.
Above the small, formation-enclosed space, the sky was now covered with dark clouds. Thick, massive bolts of lightning began to emerge incessantly, writhing within the ominous, black clouds, exuding a terrifying aura of destructive lightning.
"It seems Young Master Ye is breaking through his realm."
By now, the high-level members of the Hunyuan Sect had all noticed the commotion. Seeing the dense tribulation clouds gathering above Ye Yunfei's secluded cultivation spot, they immediately knew a breakthrough was imminent.
"Young Master Ye is already a Second Level Sovereign God at such a young age. To think he's about to break through again.
Let's go, take a look."
Elder Song stood up and flashed, arriving nearby.
The other Eighth Level Sovereign God arrived simultaneously with Elder Song.
Following them, a large group of Seventh Level and Sixth-Level Sovereign Gods gathered to watch Ye Yunfei's Lightning Tribulation.
Shortly after, vast, rolling thunderbolts began to crash down from the sky, marking the official start of Ye Yunfei's Lightning Tribulation.
The towering Lei Ze appeared beside Ye Yunfei and began swallowing the thick lightning bolts falling from above in great mouthfuls. Ye Yunfei himself remained motionless, standing with his hands clasped behind his back, allowing dense barrages of massive thunderbolts to rain down upon his body unimpeded.
Ye Yunfei's physical body had long since integrated numerous Greater Sovereign God-level treasures. Furthermore, he had cultivated the Wandering Spirits Casting Body Art. The durability of his physique had already reached an unimaginable degree. He had no need to worry about lightning of this caliber causing any harm to his body.
Ye Yunfei even deliberately made provocative gestures, attracting all the lightning to strike his body, using it to temper his physique.
"The quality of Young Master Ye's physical body is simply breathtaking. The lightning poses no threat whatsoever; instead, he uses it as a resource to refine his body,"
Elder Song couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
"When others undergo the Lightning Tribulation, they fight against it with extreme caution. It seems Young Master Ye feels the power of the tribulation isn't strong enough, so he provokes it, making the lightning even fiercer.
Young Master Ye is truly a dragon among men, a phoenix among mortals. An old-timer like me feels ashamed of my inferiority,"
The other Hunyuan Sect Eighth Level Sovereign God standing beside Elder Song lamented.
"Hahaha...
They say heroes emerge from among the young. We old-timers have no choice but to accept it!"
Elder Song laughed heartily.
After enduring the tribulation, Ye Yunfei successfully broke through, becoming a Third Level Sovereign God.
Although Ye Yunfei's strength had long since far surpassed his cultivation realm, a breakthrough was still beneficial for him. After all, one's cultivation realm serves as the foundation for a being's strength.
"Young Master Ye, congratulations on your successful breakthrough!"
After Ye Yunfei's breakthrough was complete, Elder Song and the other Eighth Level Sovereign God were the first to speak their congratulations.
Then, all the Seventh Level Sovereign Gods present also offered their congratulations.
Not long after, the two Eighth Level Sovereign Gods and Ye Yunfei led the army to depart for the next battlefield.
In fact, within the Fifth Void, the war between the Hunyuan Sect and the Guardian Faction now had very few major battlefields remaining—only two main ones were left.
Of course, there were still numerous smaller-scale battlefields around.
The army soon arrived at one of these main battlefields.
On this battlefield, the forces of both sides were locked in a stalemate. Because both major powers heavily prioritized these strategically important, core battlefields, deploying massive numbers of powerful experts and troops, the scale was enormous. As a result, achieving victory in a short time was very difficult.