"However, at this moment, those top-tier forces in the Central Continent are certain to be watching me very closely.
It's likely that as soon as I appear, experts from those top forces will undoubtedly rush over frantically to deal with me.
So, I'd better first raise Thousand Transformations to a higher stage before going out. Then, by changing my appearance and identity, it will be much more convenient." Ye Yunfei thought to himself.
Thus, Ye Yunfei remained inside the Phantom Tower to cultivate Thousand Transformations.
Thousand Transformations was a rather sophisticated art of disguise. It could not only change one's appearance and build but also alter one's soul aura.
The higher one's mastery of this secret art, the harder it was to see through the disguise.
Time flew.
In the blink of an eye, another half a year passed.
After half a year,
Ye Yunfei had pushed Thousand Transformations to a significantly higher level.
"Now, after I use Thousand Transformations to alter my appearance, even a Grotto-Heaven First Level, or even a Grotto-Heaven Second Level expert might not be able to recognize me," Ye Yunfei murmured to himself, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.
Then, Ye Yunfei stood up, ending this period of seclusion.
"Let's go see how those guys are doing with their cultivation." Ye Yunfei's figure flashed, arriving at the place where Wu Heishan and the others were cultivating.
"Boss! You're here!" Wu Heishan was the first to cry out joyfully.
Soon, Xiao Hui, Wen Zi, Dugu Huan, and Yuan Dayong also stopped their cultivation and came before Ye Yunfei.
Counting the time, these five had already been cultivating inside the Phantom Tower for four or five years.
As Ye Yunfei's gaze swept over them, he found that Wen Zi, Dugu Huan, and Xiao Hui had all reached Late-Stage Yuan Foundation Realm.
Wu Heishan was at Mid-Stage Yuan Foundation Realm.
Even Yuan Dayong had reached Early-Stage Yuan Foundation Realm.
Moreover, each of their spiritual power foundations was exceptionally solid.
"Hmm, it seems your strength has improved significantly," Ye Yunfei nodded in satisfaction.
"Haha, boss, you're right! Over the past few years, my cultivation realm has broken through repeatedly!
I'm now at Mid-Stage Yuan Foundation Realm!
Moreover, my Great Art of the Heavenly Stars has also improved tremendously.
Even if I face a Late-Stage Yuan Foundation Realm expert, I'm confident I can take them on!" Wu Heishan eagerly exclaimed, rushing to speak first.
Hong! Hong!...
Wu Heishan demonstrated a few moves of the Great Art of the Heavenly Stars. A vast, brilliant illusionary image of a starry river appeared behind him, and torrential stellar power descended from the heavens, enveloping his body.
For a moment, Wu Heishan radiated stellar light all over, appearing heroic, upright, and majestic, like a scion of the stars, incredibly divine.
"Now, this Wu Heishan can also be considered a gifted prodigy, right?!
Finally, I've emerged from the shadows!" After finishing his demonstration, Wu Heishan clasped his hands behind his back, threw his head back with exaggerated pride, and laughed loudly, looking immensely pleased with himself.
Ye Yunfei sent a flying kick and immediately sent Wu Heishan sprawling.
"You call this level of strength a gifted prodigy?
You're still far from it," Ye Yunfei said.
"Ahem...
Of course, I can't compare to you, boss," Wu Heishan clambered up, laughing awkwardly.
"Wen Zi, throw a punch for me to see," Ye Yunfei said, looking towards Wen Zi.
"Okay!" Wen Zi yelled loudly, like a little tiger, raising her fist and throwing a punch towards Ye Yunfei.
A golden mist materialized around her fist, then abruptly surged, erupting with dazzling golden light.
Hong...
Space trembled as a vast, torrential force from the punch bore down on Ye Yunfei.
"I told you to throw a punch, not necessarily at me," Ye Yunfei said, at a loss for words.
Ye Yunfei extended a hand and gently clenched it, blocking Wen Zi's fist.
From that single punch, Ye Yunfei estimated Wen Zi's strength could easily overwhelm any Yuan Foundation Realm martial artist. Even if she encountered an Early-Stage Mystic Liquid Realm expert, she could probably hold her own for a while!
It seemed that after cultivating the Six Armor Boundless Art Ye Yunfei had taught her, Wen Zi was gradually able to draw out the power of the Primordial Heaven Primordial Vast Qi.
Next,
Ye Yunfei's gaze fell upon Dugu Huan.
Understanding Ye Yunfei's meaning, Dugu Huan unsheathed his long blade, which was missing a small section at the tip.
Sha! Sha! Sha!...
Dugu Huan unleashed seventy saber strikes in one go, fast as lightning. The saber momentum stacked, each strike faster and more powerful than the last.
By the seventieth strike, a dazzling, rainbow-like blade light, trailing rolling saber qi with thunderous resonance, tore through space, its imposing might breathtaking.
"Hmm, very impressive," Ye Yunfei couldn't help but praise.
Thousand Extreme Saber was an extremely profound saber technique. Dugu Huan being able to cultivate it to the seventieth strike within a few years indicated genuine talent on the saber path.
Next, Xiao Hui also demonstrated the Phoenix Dance Through the Heavens Ye Yunfei had taught her.
A true phoenix illusion, bathed in blazing flames, rushed out from behind her, soaring across the heavens, its majestic pressure filling the sky.
In an instant, the space where she stood began to burn fiercely.
Then, Yuan Dayong displayed his Profound Earth Divine Art.
Illusions of earthen walls appeared around his body, thick and heavy as mountains, causing the surrounding space to sink perceptibly.
"Excellent.
Your progress over these few years has been substantial.
Alright, now follow me out," Ye Yunfei said.
Then, Ye Yunfei led Wu Heishan and the other four out of the Phantom Tower.
"Alright.
You can return now.
Make sure to cultivate diligently in the time to come as well." Ye Yunfei gave the five a final reminder, then let them return to their respective quarters.
Afterward,
Ye Yunfei sent out sound transmission to Xie Changkong, the six Guardian Elders, Dean Shangguan, Dean Zhou, and the other core leaders of the academy.
Soon,
these eight academy leaders arrived before Ye Yunfei.
"Dean Ye, the changes within our academy during this period have been tremendous!" Xie Changkong said the moment he saw Ye Yunfei, visibly excited.
He recounted to Ye Yunfei how, from the higher-ups to the ordinary students, everyone within the academy had been breaking through realms over this period.
"Right now, within our academy, there are sixteen experts at the Late-Stage Mystic Liquid Realm!
There are at least thirty-plus students who have newly broken through to the Mystic Liquid Realm!
Counting them all, we have at least eighty-plus experts at the Mystic Liquid Realm level within the academy!
This is unprecedented!" one of the Guardian Elders chimed in.
Every leader present became quite animated when this topic came up.
"That's good," Ye Yunfei smiled.
This situation was entirely within Ye Yunfei's expectations.
It would be strange if the effects of spiritual and treasure pills crafted by an Alchemy Sovereign himself weren't good.
"Dean Xie, I plan to leave the academy," Ye Yunfei suddenly announced.
"Leave the academy?
Dean Ye, where do you plan to go?
That would be very dangerous.
If those top forces in the Central Continent find out, I'm afraid they'll be all over you," Xie Changkong said.
"Indeed.
Dean Ye, given the current situation, you'd better not leave the academy," Dean Shangguan said.
The other leaders also voiced their advice.
Suddenly, Ye Yunfei vanished.
Then, a strange young man appeared before these leaders.
"This..."
For a moment, all of these leaders were shocked.
Though they knew deep down this young man should be Ye Yunfei,
his appearance and soul aura were vastly different.
"Everyone, rest assured. I have sufficient means to protect myself," Ye Yunfei smiled.
"A very sophisticated disguise art. Even I would have a hard time recognizing Dean Ye at first glance if I didn't look carefully," Xie Changkong couldn't help but sigh in admiration.
"Dean Ye, are you truly determined to go out?" asked one of the Guardian Elders.
"Yes," Ye Yunfei nodded.
"Then let's do this.
We'll announce to the outside world that Dean Ye will be in long-term seclusion to cultivate a profound technique.
Dean Ye, when you're outside, try to keep a low profile and absolutely must not reveal your true identity," Xie Changkong, seeing Ye Yunfei was determined to leave, stated firmly.
"Dean Ye, you must pay great attention to your safety.
The future of our Hudao Academy lies with you," another Guardian Elder said.
"Everyone, rest assured. I'll be fine," Ye Yunfei replied.