‘Seeking revenge on Aoyue Demon King?
Do you even know that each of the three Demon Kings of the Ancient Demon Race is a great expert of the Soul Formation Realm?
No offense, but at your current strength, Aoyue Demon King could kill you with just a cough.’
Da Di Daozhang said.
‘A mere Soul Formation Realm is nothing special.’
Ye Yunfei gave a faint smile.
He was confident that with his cultivation speed, it wouldn’t be long before he could slay Soul Formation Realm experts.
‘Soul Formation Realm is nothing special?’
Da Di Daozhang stared wide-eyed at Ye Yunfei, as if looking at a monster.
‘Where are we going now?’
Not wanting to dwell on this with Da Di Daozhang, Ye Yunfei changed the subject.
‘To the Xuanhuang Star, of course!
Although the Xuanhuang Star Domain has many stars and continents, the Xuanhuang Star is its core.
The spiritual energy on the Xuanhuang Star is dense, its laws are perfect—it’s the most suitable star for cultivation in the entire Xuanhuang Star Domain.
Most major sects and clans in the Xuanhuang Star Domain have their headquarters on Xuanhuang Star.
I used to be the Holy Son of a sect in the Northern Wastes Domain of Xuanhuang Star.
For now, let’s return to my sect and get settled first.’
Da Di Daozhang explained.
‘When do we enter the Divine Fall Land then?’
Ye Yunfei asked.
‘Can’t rush that.
I estimate it will take another six months for the Divine Fall Land to open.
Besides, to enter the Divine Fall Land, one must join a major faction and obtain the corresponding qualifications. Only then is it possible to enter.’
Da Di Daozhang said.
‘Hmm?’
Ye Yunfei frowned.
‘Don’t worry, I’ve already planned it out.
First, we need to enter the Heavenly Dao Academy.
As long as you become an elite disciple of the Heavenly Dao Academy, you will qualify to enter the Divine Fall Land.’
Da Di Daozhang replied.
‘Heavenly Dao Academy?
So that means I have to rely on my own strength to earn the qualifications to enter the Divine Fall Land?
That’s not what you said before.
You said you had a way to help me obtain the qualifications to enter.’
Ye Yunfei fixed a sharp gaze on Da Di Daozhang as he asked.
‘Cough... Don’t worry.
With your strength, you will definitely secure the qualifications.
Moreover, I think even if it weren’t for the Divine Fall Land, you would still be interested in seeing the Heavenly Dao Academy.
Because Hu Dao Shangren came from the Heavenly Dao Academy.
He was an elite disciple of the Heavenly Dao Academy in his day.’
Da Di Daozhang said.
‘Hu Dao Shangren came from the Heavenly Dao Academy?’
This revelation genuinely surprised Ye Yunfei.
‘Indeed.
Hu Dao Shangren truly was an elite disciple of the Heavenly Dao Academy. It’s said he was highly valued by the Academy’s higher-ups and was a focus of their cultivation.
Later, for some reason, he entered Tianxuan Continent and became its number one figure, leading the continent’s martial artists to successfully repel the invasion of the Ancient Demon Race army.’
Da Di Daozhang explained.
‘Then what about Hu Dao Shangren? Is he dead, or alive?’
Ye Yunfei inquired.
Back then, after leading Tianxuan Continent’s martial artists to defeat the Ancient Demon Race invasion, Hu Dao Shangren founded Hudao Academy.
After that, he had disappeared without a trace.
All he left behind in the Guardian Monument was a sliver of soul power.
Whether Hu Dao Shangren was dead or alive, even the higher-ups of Hudao Academy did not know.
‘How would I know?’
Da Di Daozhang shook his head.
‘Could Hu Dao Shangren have returned to the Heavenly Dao Academy?’
Ye Yunfei murmured to himself.
‘That’s a question the Ancient Demon Race also considered.
The Ancient Demon Race repeatedly sent people to the Heavenly Dao Academy demanding they hand over Hu Dao Shangren.
However, the dean of the Heavenly Dao Academy is also a Soul Formation Realm expert. The Ancient Demon Race could do nothing to the Academy.’
Da Di Daozhang added.
‘In that case, I truly should go and see the Heavenly Dao Academy.’
Ye Yunfei nodded.
Since Hu Dao Shangren was the founder of Hudao Academy and a meritorious figure for Tianxuan Continent, Ye Yunfei also wanted to find out whether he was alive or dead.
‘There are two ways to join the Heavenly Dao Academy.
The first is that every ten years, the Academy openly recruits disciples. Those who pass the corresponding assessments can join.
The second is that since the Heavenly Dao Academy is a martial arts academy belonging to the Northern Wastes Domain, the major sects of that domain can, at any time, recommend their elite disciples to join the Academy.
I am the Holy Son of the Houtu Sect in the Pastoral Province of the Northern Wastes. My master is the Supreme Elder of the Houtu Sect.
I will ask my master to recommend the two of us to take part in the Academy’s assessment.
I’m confident that with our strength, we will definitely be able to enter.’
Da Di Daozhang explained his plan.
‘Alright then.’
Ye Yunfei nodded.
At this moment, the airship was flying steadily through the boundless sea of stars.
It was a large vessel with a very stable structure, as traveling through the cosmic void came with various dangers like spatial storms, void lightning, and even some astral beasts.
Ever since his rebirth, Ye Yunfei had remained within Tianxuan Continent. This was his first time venturing into the starry cosmos.
Ye Yunfei understood that at his current strength, he was incapable of traversing the stars on his own.
Only by reaching the Soul Formation Realm could one begin to enter the cosmos, relying on their own power to cross the starry void!
Just at that moment...
A piece of news rapidly spread across the Xuanhuang Star Domain:
The Ye Yunfei from Tianxuan Continent had emerged from the continent and arrived in the Xuanhuang Star Domain!
As soon as this news broke, it caused a minor sensation.
Some time ago, over five thousand Grotto-Heaven Realm experts had entered Tianxuan Continent, only to all die there without a single one returning!
This incident had long been known throughout the Xuanhuang Star Domain.
Everyone knew it was a young fellow from Tianxuan Continent named Ye Yunfei who had killed those five thousand-plus Grotto-Heaven experts.
Now, this Ye Yunfei had come to the Xuanhuang Star Domain!
For a time, many people were discussing this matter.
Especially the families and sects of the five thousand slain Grotto-Heaven experts were seething with fury.
‘Find Ye Yunfei!
Seek revenge!’
Many clans and sects immediately took action, sending out forces to track down Ye Yunfei’s whereabouts.
‘Send people to find Ye Yunfei immediately and retrieve our Tianji Sect’s treasure, the Sky-Shading Cover!’
A Tianji Sect elder issued the command.
‘This Ye Yunfei dares to kill my subordinates from the Wu Clan. That is a capital offense.’
At the Wu Clan’s headquarters, Young Master Wu said indifferently.
‘Understood, Young Master Wu.
I will immediately send people to investigate Ye Yunfei’s whereabouts.’
A black-robed elder with an imposing aura respectfully replied.
Similar scenes played out within many major sects and clans.
Soon, forces across the entire Xuanhuang Star Domain were searching for traces of Ye Yunfei.
One day later.
‘We’ve reached the Xuanhuang Star!’
Da Di Daozhang suddenly perked up and exclaimed.
Ahead, suspended at the center of this stretch of the universe, was an immense, resplendent star.
Powerful, palpable vital energy pervaded the star, swirling around it like cascading waterfalls of mist.
Formless laws silently vibrated, even coalescing into visible forms—dragons and phoenixes.
‘Indeed, it’s a decent cultivation star.’
Ye Yunfei nodded appreciatively.
The airship began a swift descent, penetrating layers of terrifying cosmic gale layers.
Moments later.
The vessel finally entered the star itself, arriving in the skies above the vast land.
‘This is Pastoral Province in the Northern Wastes Domain. The Houtu Sect’s headquarters is nearby.’
Da Di Daozhang said as he steered the airship toward a certain direction.
Below lay a prosperous land of mountains, rivers, plains, and cities.
Half a day passed.
Finally, the airship landed before a mountain range.
‘Home at last!’
Exclaimed Da Di Daozhang, stepping out of the airship and taking a deep, emotional breath.
He then led Ye Yunfei toward a tall, grand mountain gate.
Upon the gate were carved three large characters: Houtu Sect.
‘Halt!
This is the Houtu Sect’s inner territory. Outsiders are not permitted entry!’
Over a dozen disciples guarding the mountain gate shouted, barring Ye Yunfei and Da Di Daozhang’s path.
‘You dare block your Holy Son?’
Da Di Daozhang waved his hand, sending a golden medallion flying forth.
‘What?
The Holy Son?
But... Our Houtu Sect’s Holy Son is Ouyang Shenzi…’
The dozen-plus gatekeeping disciples all wore confused expressions. They could see the Holy Son medallion before them seemed genuine.
Yet, the Houtu Sect’s Holy Son was clearly Ouyang Shenzi.
One of the disciples discreetly took out a message jade slip and sent a communication.
‘Move aside immediately!
Or don’t blame me for being impolite!’
Da Di Daozhang coldly ordered.
‘Who dares make a scene before our Houtu Sect’s mountain gate?!’
Suddenly, a man in white robes strode out from within, shouting.
A group of disciples followed closely at his side.
‘Ouyang Feng.’
Da Di Daozhang looked at the white-robed man, his eyes narrowing.
‘Well?
Isn’t this Holy Son Du Fan?
You’ve been missing for centuries. I thought you’d died out there.’
Ouyang Feng sneered.
‘Hmph!
Ouyang Feng, of course you’d wish me dead outside so I couldn’t compete with you.’
Da Di Daozhang snorted coldly.
‘Enough. Get out of the way and don’t block your Holy Son’s path.’
Da Di Daozhang said, stepping forward to walk inside the gate.
‘Since you are the sect’s Holy Son, you may enter.
However, this lad’s origins are unclear. He cannot enter.’
Ouyang Feng pointed at Ye Yunfei and said.
‘Ouyang Feng, I am a Holy Son. Bringing a friend back with me—how dare you interfere!
Let’s go inside!’
Enraged, Da Di Daozhang led Ye Yunfei past the gate.
‘This person’s origins are unclear. I suspect his motives for entering our Houtu Sect are impure. Arrest him and hand him over to the Enforcement Hall for interrogation!’
Ouyang Feng waved his hand and coldly commanded.
Immediately, the disciples flanking Ouyang Feng moved forward to surround Ye Yunfei.