After an indeterminate amount of time, the teleportation suddenly stopped.
Ye Yunfei focused his gaze and found himself standing upon an ancient Teleportation Altar. The altar was located within a palace whose walls were carved with various patterns and runes related to the Sword Dao civilization. Sensing the space outside the palace with his Soul Power energy, Ye Yunfei found it thoroughly imbued with Sword Dao energy and Sword Dao laws.
"As I thought, I've returned to the Sword Realm," Ye Yunfei murmured inwardly.
Having previously cultivated his sword arts within the Sword Realm, Ye Yunfei was very familiar with this world.
"Even in ancient times, only a handful knew of this Teleportation Altar. Remember to conceal your form and restrain your aura, slip out quietly when you leave later. Consider this a secret passage connecting our Sword Realm to the outside. Try not to let the traitors know of it," Sword Elder said to Ye Yunfei.
"Master, I understand," Ye Yunfei nodded.
Then, Ye Yunfei immediately concealed his form and restrained his aura. He even ceased using Soul Force energy to perceive the surroundings outside the palace, instead employing Heart Force energy.
Ye Yunfei discovered that the area surrounding this palace was a vast, dense forest. Towering giant trees, each resembling a great umbrella, meticulously covered the palace's location. Simultaneously, there were also some extremely ancient Formations surrounding the palace, further concealing it.
"Master, I'll arrange some Formations to hide this palace," Ye Yunfei said to Sword Elder after stepping out of the palace to survey the surroundings.
"Good. It would be helpful for you to fortify its defenses and concealment," Sword Elder replied immediately, knowing full well Ye Yunfei's high proficiency with Formations.
Ye Yunfei took out a large batch of formation flags and began setting up Formations around the palace. He first laid out a series of defensive Formations, followed by another batch of concealing Formations.
Hu Miao also contributed by setting up some illusion formations. With the combined efforts of Ye Yunfei and Hu Miao, the palace's concealment and defensive capabilities were greatly enhanced.
The palace was situated within a vast stretch of primeval jungle. This jungle existed within a Small World, and there were many such Small Worlds inside the Sword Realm, this being merely one among them. "This Small World was originally used by high-level figures of our Sword Realm for residence and seclusion in ancient times, but after the enemy invasion, it was breached too," Sword Elder lamented as Ye Yunfei emerged from the primeval jungle.
Ye Yunfei scanned the Small World and found it completely uninhabited and temporarily untrodden.
Following Sword Elder's guidance, Ye Yunfei located the Small World's entrance and exit. Stepping out, the Sword Realm lay before his eyes.
The Sword Realm was permeated with rich Sword Dao energy and Sword Dao laws. Its main body was an enormous continent, a landmass larger than several World Clusters combined. Above this continent orbited numerous celestial bodies; in fact, each star was also a world.
Gazing upon the desolate, ancient, and expansive continent, Ye Yunfei could imagine countless swordsmen of the past creating a glorious Sword Dao civilization upon it.
Yet, seeing the countless severed mountain ranges, dried riverbeds, and ruins strewn everywhere, Ye Yunfei was reminded of the devastating scene when this continent was ravaged.
*Hum...*
Standing on this vast land, the Sword Heart within Ye Yunfei's body suddenly began vibrating softly as if resonating with the continent. The omnipresent, dense sword energy in the surrounding space also involuntarily converged towards Ye Yunfei's location, swirling around him as if seeking familiarity or welcoming his return.
"You cultivate the orthodox Sword Dao heritage of the Sword Realm, sharing the same origin as the energy and laws of this continent. Hence, the energy and laws here naturally feel an affinity towards you," Sword Elder explained.
"That's indeed the case," Ye Yunfei nodded.
At that moment, Ye Yunfei's steps halted abruptly, his gaze fixing upon a particular spot on the land ahead.
That area was covered in various structures, most of which somewhat resembled sharp blades pointing skywards. Many of these sword-shaped buildings emanated swirling sword energy.
"Master, I remember there wasn't a single intact structure left on this land before. Why have so many complete buildings suddenly appeared there? And from the looks of it, they all seem newly constructed," Ye Yunfei asked, observing the architectural complex ahead.
"These are all newly erected buildings, and their architectural style imitates the ancient constructions of our Sword Realm," Sword Elder replied.
"This indicates there are already beings active within the Sword Realm, constructing buildings," Ye Yunfei said solemnly.
"Yes," Sword Elder affirmed.
"Who are you? Why have you appeared in the Sword Realm, and why are you peering about here?"
Suddenly, at that moment, two figures soared into the air from the distant complex, shouting stern demands.
Ye Yunfei's thoughts whirled. He immediately restrained his aura and altered his form. Having devoured so many beings' Soul Bodies, he now easily used a Soul Power star to simulate the Soul Body of a being he had previously consumed. This way, even if an acquaintance stood before him, they would find it difficult to recognize Ye Yunfei's true appearance.
The moment Ye Yunfei altered his features and aura, two figures, swift as lightning, charged over rapidly, both emanating sharp sword energy.
They were two men dressed in white. Upon arrival, they scrutinized Ye Yunfei with penetrating gazes and released their Soul Power energy to perceive him from head to toe.
"Could it be that you are also a swordsman? How did you enter the Sword Realm without an escort? Which void are you from?" one of the white-robed men asked in an interrogating tone.
Both men sensed the sword energy emanating from Ye Yunfei, their expressions easing slightly.
"And you? How did you get in here?" Ye Yunfei asked calmly and unhurriedly.
"We are inheritors of the Sword Realm. This is the Sword Realm; it's only natural for us to be here. Brat, what's your deal? You seem to know nothing?" The other white-robed man's expression darkened, his tone sharpening as he barked at Ye Yunfei.
"The Sword Realm is already in ruins. Why are you here?" Ye Yunfei asked indifferently.
"No need to get tangled up with this kid. He is indeed a swordsman, but his identity remains unconfirmed. Let's take him to see Elder Lu and have Elder Lu deal with it," one white-robed man said with evident impatience.
"Kid, come with us now to see Elder Lu. Elder Lu oversees welcoming inheritors of the Sword Realm who have returned to the Sword Realm from various void branches. No matter your reason for entering the Sword Realm, you must pass through Elder Lu's scrutiny," the man continued.
The two white-robed men sensed the Sword Dao aura emanating from Ye Yunfei and knew he was a swordsman. Therefore, they didn't trouble him immediately, planning to clarify his identity first.
"Very well, I'll follow you to see Elder Lu," Ye Yunfei nodded upon hearing this.
The Sword Dao energy aura radiating from the two white-robed men was indeed the orthodox Sword Realm aura, indicating they were likely genuine inheritors. Before discerning their true origins, Ye Yunfei didn't intend to make an enemy, as they might well be allies.
The two white-robed men soared into the air, flying toward the distant complex while locking Ye Yunfei in place with their Soul Power energy. Should Ye Yunfei make any suspicious move, they would immediately strike.
Ye Yunfei followed leisurely behind them, soon entering the new complex ahead and finally landing before a specific palace. Most of the buildings in this complex resembled longswords pointing skywards, a distinct characteristic.
"Another inheritor has returned?"
Just as the two men brought Ye Yunfei down before the palace gates, several men emitting sword energy from their bodies nearby turned their gazes over, one of them asking.
Ye Yunfei sensed them and found they all cultivated the Sword Realm's Sword Dao heritage.
"They are likely also heirs fostered by our Sword Realm over the years. The question is whether they are traitors. If they are, it would be a pity," Sword Elder whispered.