"I always feel that this Expeditionary Army from the Star Nation arrived far too suddenly. Our five star domains here are remote and not particularly rich in resources. Logically speaking, the Star Nation might not even be interested in them. Besides wanting to conquer our five star domains, could there be other reasons?"
Chu Ji suddenly frowned as he spoke.
"Venerable Baiyun, what do you think?"
Chu Ji looked towards Venerable Baiyun and asked.
"The Expeditionary Army from the Star Nation arrived suddenly, most likely in connection with a treasure," Venerable Baiyun stated after a moment of silence.
"What treasure?"
A flicker crossed Chu Ji's face.
"The Heavenly Dao Tower."
Venerable Baiyun said slowly.
"The Heavenly Dao Tower! So, that means there's been movement from it?"
Chu Ji was astonished.
"According to my divination, the Heavenly Dao Tower might have already manifested itself," Venerable Baiyun nodded.
"The Heavenly Dao Tower has manifested?! Is that true?"
Chu Ji was shocked.
"Things divined are not necessarily true. But the possibility is very high."
Venerable Baiyun nodded.
"Venerable Baiyun, your divination arts are unique. Your results are definitely not unfounded rumor. I truly never imagined the Heavenly Dao Tower, having been lost for so many years, would reappear. However, this also means our star region here is going to be plunged into complete chaos. I fear that not only will the Star Nation's Expeditionary Army come, but many other forces will also flock here to snatch the Heavenly Dao Tower."
Chu Ji said with a grave expression.
"Correct. According to the divination signs I deduced, our star region will usher in an age of turmoil."
Venerable Baiyun said softly.
"I hope the Profound Yellow Star Domain can survive in this chaos."
Chu Ji sighed.
"Do you want to obtain the Heavenly Dao Tower?"
Venerable Baiyun suddenly looked at Chu Ji and asked.
"Me? Of course I do. However, with my current strength, if I were to obtain the Heavenly Dao Tower, I fear I would not be able to protect it. On the contrary, I would bring endless calamities upon myself."
Chu Ji shook his head and smiled bitterly.
---
At this time, Ye Yunfei was sitting cross-legged in his camp tent, resting with his eyes closed.
"Master, do you think the Pang Clan of the Star Nation really captured your father?"
Hu Miao suddenly asked.
"I cannot confirm. However, currently, the Pang Clan of the Star Nation is the prime suspect. If it's not the Pang Clan of the Star Nation, then it must be some other great clan surnamed Pang within the Profound Yellow Star Domain, Ziwei Star Domain, Jiaosu Star Domain, Tianma Star Domain, or the Taiheng Star Domain—one of those five domains—that captured my father. I will investigate each one. There's no need to rush now. Since they didn't kill my father on the spot but captured him, their purpose is clearly to use him to threaten me. Therefore, my father should be safe for the time being."
Ye Yunfei said after thinking it over.
"No matter which Pang Clan dares to lay hands on my family, I will absolutely make them regret it!"
Ye Yunfei's tone turned icy, thick with killing intent.
"However, facing Star Bridge Realm experts now, my strength is still too weak. A bit lacking," Ye Yunfei muttered to himself.
Shortly before, having faced Star Bridge Realm experts multiple times, Ye Yunfei understood the gap between his current strength and theirs.
His current combat power was roughly equivalent to the Late Stage Imperial Realm. He still fell short when confronting Star Bridge Realm experts.
"The Wu Family, the Tongtian Sect!"
Ye Yunfei thought of that Elder Wu and the green-robed elder from the Tongtian Sect, his expression darkening.
Had it not been for Chu Ji's presence, those two likely would have attacked him on the spot. In fact, quite a few other Star Bridge Realm experts had also set their sights on Ye Yunfei—or more precisely, on the demigod herb they all believed he possessed! Despite Ye Yunfei not actually having a demigod herb, everyone had now become convinced of it.
"I must enhance my own power," Ye Yunfei murmured to himself, then entered the Phantom Shadow Pagoda.
---
"My Soul Power is currently around the level of the Late Stage Imperial Realm. My spiritual energy cultivation is at the Perfected Divine (Late) stage, and the strength of my spiritual energy is also roughly equivalent to Late Stage Imperial Realm. Physically, with the full completion of the Greenwood Emperor Body, I possess astonishing vitality and formidable recovery abilities. So, even a Star Bridge Realm expert would find it difficult to kill me. However, my current physical strength has started to lag behind my spiritual energy.
Enhancing the physical body becomes increasingly harder at the later stages. This is a flaw common to all body tempering techniques.
If I wish to continue cultivating the Heaven-Heavenly Demon Blood-Refining Body Art Tempering Art, I must obtain a large amount of high-grade blood essence. That is quite challenging."
Ye Yunfei mentally reviewed his various strengths one by one.
"In terms of martial techniques, I've actually cultivated quite a few. Heavenly Soul Sword, Nine Palaces Totem Wheel, Flying Sword Art, Art of Weapon Control, Five-Elements Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation, Borrowed Heaven Nine Burial Fist—these techniques all possess formidable power.
Unfortunately, with each one, I have yet to unleash its true potential.
'Biting off more than I could chew.'
For now, I should focus on these techniques and strive to elevate them further," Ye Yunfei thought to himself.
"First, I'll elevate the quality of my five spiritual swords—smelt them anew!"
Ye Yunfei waved his hand, and three Medium-Grade Innate Treasures appeared.
Previously, the five spiritual swords had already integrated several Low-Grade Innate Treasures.
Now, to further enhance their quality, he must smelt Medium-Grade Innate Treasures into them.
The Five-Elements Immortal-Slaying Sword Formation was a powerful sword technique and one of Ye Yunfei's main combat forces now, so he naturally cared deeply about the quality of the five spiritual swords.
"Three Medium-Grade Innate Treasures seem a bit insufficient. I need at least five to do this properly," Ye Yunfei mused, looking at the three Medium-Grade Innate Treasures before him.
"However, I can buy some!"
Ye Yunfei thought for a moment, then left the Phantom Shadow Pagoda, exiting his tent and arriving once more outside the palace.
---
"What are you doing here?"
As soon as Ye Yunfei reached the palace entrance, Xiao Hua appeared, blocking his path.
"I have business with Senior Chu Ji," Ye Yunfei said.
"Young Friend Ye, come in."
Before Xiao Hua could say anything more, Chu Ji's voice sounded from within the palace.
"Go ahead," Xiao Hua stepped aside.
Ye Yunfei entered the palace.
"Young Friend Ye, what can I do for you?"
Chu Ji was waiting inside, looking at Ye Yunfei.
"I'd like to purchase some Medium-Grade Innate Treasures. I don't know if Senior Chu Ji has any available, or if you could introduce me to some sellers," Ye Yunfei stated his purpose directly.
"Want to buy some Medium-Grade Innate Treasures? That's likely to be difficult. Medium-Grade Innate Treasures are priceless; acquiring them requires a shockingly astronomical price. However, Young Friend Ye, if you truly desire them, I can gift you one."
Chu Ji said, then waved his hand and took out a cyan longsword, sending it to float before Ye Yunfei.
It was indeed a Medium-Grade Innate Treasure.
"One isn't enough. I need at least two more. These pills should be sufficient to exchange for two Medium-Grade Innate Treasures."
Ye Yunfei shook his head, then waved his hand and took out more than a dozen jade bottles, which floated before Chu Ji.
"So many Ninth Grade Dao Pills!"
Staring at the jade bottles, Chu Ji was utterly shocked.