Ye Yunfei walked out of the cultivation chamber to find Jiang Yanran waiting for him outside.
Her crimson robes fluttered gently, her lithe figure faintly discernible beneath, the curves captivating.
She flicked a jade finger, sending a jade slip flying before Ye Yunfei.
"I've already asked an elder from my family to inscribe the specific location of the star where he obtained the Flame Crystal onto this jade slip. It even includes the detailed route from Xuanyuan Star to that star, clearly marked. However, my family elder said that star is filled with many dangerous demonic beasts, flames wreathed around their bodies, fearsome in combat power. You need at least early Primordial Soul Realm cultivation to have the strength to set foot on that star," Jiang Yanran explained.
"Thank you," Ye Yunfei said, stowing the jade slip away.
The Flame Crystal was immensely useful for cultivating the Vermilion Bird of his Nine Palaces Totem Wheel. Ye Yunfei would definitely find the time to make a trip to that star.
"Alright, I've done what I promised you. So, when will you accompany me to Shattered Valley?" Jiang Yanran asked expectantly.
"How long will going to Shattered Valley take?" Ye Yunfei inquired.
"Shattered Valley is within our Northern Wastelands Domain, so it's not far, of course. However, it's extremely dangerous inside. Once we enter, how long it'll take to get out is hard to say," Jiang Yanran replied.
"Then let's set off immediately," Ye Yunfei said after a moment's thought.
Ye Yunfei also wanted to see Shattered Valley for himself. It was filled with a large number of spatial rifts, perfect for cultivating spatial energy.
Spatial energy was a very esoteric and rare form of energy. Treasures and places containing spatial energy in the world were far too scarce—encountering one depended on luck.
"Excellent! I'm already prepared! But I must apply to the academy for permission first," Jiang Yanran said.
"Going to Shattered Valley requires the academy's approval?" Ye Yunfei was surprised.
"Naturally. Although Shattered Valley is a hazardous forbidden ground, it's filled with all kinds of treasures, opportunities, and fortune—essentially a natural treasury. Shattered Valley is jointly controlled by several major forces in our Northern Wastelands Domain. Only members of these major forces, using their identity tokens, may enter. All others are prohibited from trespassing without permission. Our Heavenly Dao Academy has long stipulated that anyone wishing to enter Shattered Valley must seek the academy's approval first," Jiang Yanran explained.
"I see," Ye Yunfei nodded.
This was actually quite normal. In various worlds, many secret realms, forbidden lands, and ancient ruins were controlled by major powers. Those weaker forces or solitary cultivators simply had no right to enter.
"Wait a moment. I'll go apply to the academy now. With my connections here, this is a trivial matter. I guarantee it'll be settled right away!" Jiang Yanran said.
She then soared into the air, leaving Ye Yunfei's cultivation peak.
Ye Yunfei waited on the peak. After roughly half an incense stick's worth of time, Jiang Yanran returned.
And she brought back five students with her—three men and two women, all at early Primordial Soul Realm strength!
One of the women was Ji Mengyao!
Ji Mengyao nodded and smiled at Ye Yunfei in greeting.
"Su Ye, they are all Elite Students from our academy. Shattered Valley is too dangerous. I brought them along—more hands mean more strength," Jiang Yanran explained to Ye Yunfei.
"No problem," Ye Yunfei nodded.
He had only agreed to accompany Jiang Yanran to Shattered Valley. Exactly what treasure she wanted to retrieve or how many people she brought along—Ye Yunfei didn't care to ask.
"So he's that Su Ye who's been causing such a stir in our academy recently? Only at the late Minor Mystic Pill Realm, far too weak! Truly, seeing him is far less impressive than hearing his reputation. Junior Sister Jiang, are you sure you want to bring this kid along? Can he really help us?" A young man with sword-like eyebrows and a broad forehead swept a cold, disdainful glance at Ye Yunfei, his tone scornful.
This man had an extremely sharp aura, his gaze lofty and brimming with pride. As an Elite Student and a Primordial Soul Realm expert, how could he possibly regard a mere Minor Mystic Pill Realm ant? Hence his thoroughly contemptuous tone.
Apart from Ji Mengyao, the gazes of the other three Elite Students held some measure of dismissal as well.
"Senior Brother Murong, although Su Ye's realm is a bit low, he is proficient in spatial energy. We'll need to rely on him in Shattered Valley. So please be polite to him," Jiang Yanran frowned.
"What? We have to rely on this kid..." Senior Brother Murong looked highly displeased.
"Senior Brother Murong, that's enough!" Jiang Yanran was getting a bit angry.
It hadn't been easy to convince Ye Yunfei. If she drove him away now, it would be troublesome.
"Fine. For Junior Sister Jiang's sake, I won't bother with you. However, I declare this upfront: Shattered Valley is fraught with perils. If any dangers arise later, I absolutely will not lift a finger to save you. You're on your own," Senior Brother Murong said, flicking his sleeves and refusing to look at Ye Yunfei again.
"Alright, let's depart," Jiang Yanran offered an apologetic smile to Ye Yunfei, then produced a skyship, addressing everyone.
Ye Yunfei's expression remained indifferent. He said nothing.
Then, everyone boarded the skyship.
The skyship trembled slightly, soared into the sky, and vanished into the distance moments later.
---
"Elder Ruan, Ye Yunfei has just left the academy! According to our intelligence, Ye Yunfei and six Elite Students plan to go to Shattered Valley together."
Soon, Ruan Shiguang, who was in closed-door seclusion healing his injuries, received this message.
"Shattered Valley? They're probably heading to the periphery for training. Notify the Liu Family immediately! Also, send someone to keep a close watch on Ye Yunfei!" Ruan Shiguang commanded.
Moments later.
Within a large mansion in Tian Dao City.
In a hall.
Dozens of powerful figures sat within, all Primordial Soul Realm experts!
"Everyone, good news! Ye Yunfei just left the Heavenly Dao Academy headquarters! He might be heading to Shattered Valley!" a black-robed elder announced loudly.
This black-robed elder was a Liu Family elder.
"This time, we cannot act rashly. We must plan carefully before moving! The most difficult thing about dealing with Ye Yunfei is that bizarre movement technique that allows him to vanish at any moment. So, we need to be patient. Choose the optimal location, wait for the perfect moment, then all of us strike together, seizing or killing him with lightning speed before he can react. We absolutely cannot give him another chance to escape," a tall member of the Ancient Demon Race, his body wreathed in demonic mist, stated.
"Correct! This time, we'll deal with him via sudden assault! That kid is far too slippery! If we confront him head-on, he can flee at any moment!" The other experts all nodded in agreement.
"Moreover, there's more good news. I've already made contact with the Tianyou Tomb. This time, the Tianyou Tomb will also dispatch assassins to deal with Ye Yunfei alongside us! The Tianyou Tomb's Tianxuan Continent branch was destroyed by Ye Yunfei. The Tianyou Tomb is not likely to let him off!" The tall Ancient Demon Race member sneered.
"Excellent! Tianyou Tomb assassins are also skilled in concealment techniques. Let's see for ourselves whether the Tianyou Tomb's movement arts are superior, or if Ye Yunfei's techniques are more formidable!" The other experts all chuckled.
"Good, let's depart," the Ancient Demon Race member said.
Thus, these dozens of Primordial Soul Realm experts quietly left Tian Dao City, heading for Shattered Valley.