424-431

Chapter 424: Dream Devourer

The crystal trembled for a moment and then came to a stop, with no further changes. Chen Fei tried to increase his elemental force, but aside from keeping the crystal trembling, the result remained the same.

Chen Fei's expression shifted slightly. The world's elemental energy nourishes all things, and elemental force is derived from refining this energy. Therefore, most things react to elemental force in some way.

Even those specialized mystical tools designed for peculiar uses, powered by elemental force, can still be influenced by it, although their practical effects may not be very good.

After some thought, Chen Fei decided to use his own mental power instead.

The crystal began to emit a faint light, and the frequency of its tremors wasn't strong, but a strange aura began to emanate from it.

Chen Fei watched with curiosity as this aura seemed somewhat similar to the illusion he had been dragged into earlier. Initially, he thought that the illusion was a manifestation of his own abilities.

Now it seemed that it might have a close connection to the crystal in his hand.

As Chen Fei's mental power continued to pour in, the crystal's response grew stronger. In a hazy state, Chen Fei saw birds, beasts, insects, and fish within the crystal.

They were vivid, exceptionally lively, as if these creatures were sealed within the crystal.

Chen Fei's curiosity deepened, but as the crystal reached a critical point, it still couldn't undergo any further changes. No matter how much mental power he invested, the result remained the same.

It was as if there was a barrier, blocking his way. No matter how great his mental power was, it passed through the holes in this "net," but it couldn't reveal the truth behind it.

Chen Fei withdrew his mental power, and the crystal, which had been floating, slowly descended into the palm of his hand.

"It responds to mental power, but it's still not quite there," Chen Fei muttered to himself.

Standing in place, Chen Fei pondered the situation. His Qianyuan Sword trembled and flew into the hand of his doppelganger nearby. With a tap of his right foot, the Dragon Elephant Formation's array instantly formed on the ground, providing protection for Chen Fei within.

When it came to mental power, the Strange Heart Realm was unavoidable.

At this moment, the area seemed relatively safe. There had been a few presence fluctuations in the distance earlier, but they appeared to have been frightened away by the electromagnetic cannon's power. Within several miles, there were no other cultivators in sight.

Chen Fei formed hand seals with both hands, and in the next moment, he slowly closed his eyes.

A cacophony of murmurs filled Chen Fei's ears, and when he opened his eyes, he found himself in a grayish world. He looked down at the palm of his hand, and sure enough, the crystal had been brought into this place.

Glancing around, Chen Fei deemed this location relatively safe. The closest presence was just a Tier-1 Evil.

Facing a Tier-1 Evil, Chen Fei had completely ignored it because creatures of this level held no value in his eyes.

As long as these Tier-1 Evils didn't provoke Chen Fei, he would choose to coexist peacefully with them.

Chen Fei began to channel his mental power into the crystal. As soon as he started, he felt the difference from the real world. This crystal was absorbing his mental power at a rate that increased by several times.

With a hazy glow, but in this grayish world of the Strange Heart Realm, it didn't appear out of place.

The aura emanating from the crystal began to grow thick, dreamlike, and in the end, the crystal no longer drew from Chen Fei's mental power but actively absorbed the power of the Strange Heart Realm.

The crystal, which had been no larger than a fingernail earlier, had now grown into a one-foot-sized grayish sphere. Through the mist on the surface of the sphere, various images could be seen constantly changing within.

Birds, beasts, insects, and fish were the most basic, but soon, Chen Fei saw scenes of Pingyin County and its people.

However, these images flashed by quickly, and scenes of other cities appeared. They all passed by in a flash, but they were all vivid, as if those cities were right there inside the sphere.

Slowly, the sphere stopped flashing images and returned to a state of chaos. At this point, the crystal no longer absorbed any energy and simply floated quietly.

Chen Fei stared at the sphere, not sensing any danger. After hesitating for a moment, he extended his right index finger and tapped it gently.

If something unexpected were to happen later, the Godslayer Sword would directly sever the contaminated portion. This would injure Chen Fei's mental power, but it could prevent further losses.

"Hum!"

As Chen Fei's finger touched the surface of the sphere, ripples spread across the entire sphere, and a bundle of information was transmitted into Chen Fei's consciousness.

Sensing the contents of the information, a hint of surprise flashed in Chen Fei's eyes. He then closed his eyes and began to fully receive this bundle of information.

It seemed like an eternity had passed, and the sphere had long since returned to being a crystal, resting in Chen Fei's hand. Slowly, he opened his eyes.

The Dream Devourer, a mythical creature said to be able to control and even devour dreamscapes.

Chen Fei had come across sporadic mentions of it in the records of the Primordial Sword Sect, but it had always been regarded as a myth. After all, this creature had not been seen for many years, not even by those in the Combined Aperture Tempering realm.

Due to its long absence, many people had come to see it as nothing more than a creature of imagination.

Chen Fei had thought the same until he received the bundle of information. Because this crystal was the remains of the Dream Devourer's body.

It had been obtained accidentally by a powerful individual, who had then used the Dream Devourer's body to create a technique for dragging people into dreams, leaving it within the crystal..

Chapter 425: Dream Devourer (2)

Dream Entry Technique!

This was the technique left in the crystal. However, what gave Chen Fei a headache was that this crystal was not complete. According to the information above, a complete crystal should consist of five pieces, but what Chen Fei held in his hand was only the first piece.

So, the Dream Entry Technique that Chen Fei had obtained was only a small part of it. When practicing it, if he were facing someone with weaker mental power or less pure mental power than his own, this Dream Entry Technique could still be used.

After all, this Dream Entry Technique was indeed a formidable mental technique. It could lead people into a dream world, making it difficult for others to detect any issues.

However, if someone's mental power was stronger than Chen Fei's, they would quickly discover its flaws. In that case, if the opponent followed the dream and directly attacked his Core Soul Origin, it could become a significant problem.

It was somewhat similar to what Chen Fei did to deal with the Evil in Pingyin

County.

Chen Fei shook his head with a bitter smile. This incomplete Dream Entry Technique was actually quite good. Moreover, this crystal could directly enhance the power of the dream world.

Wearing this crystal for an extended period allowed it to actively absorb the natural aura of the world, aiding in the growth of mental power.

Considering how fast the power of the Evil in Pingyin County was growing, the role of this crystal was probably significant.

But to say it was powerful, well, it was not much use against those stronger than oneself. It seemed to be not much different from the usual mental techniques, all of which could only be used to bully those weaker than oneself.

"It's not completely useless, it just depends on the context.

Chen Fei thought for a moment and decided that when he had time, he would practice this Dream Entry Technique. Perhaps it could come in handy in the future.

Chen Fei looked around, and since he had come all this way, he decided to kill a

Tier 2 Evil and then refine it into his own mental power.

At the same time, Chen Fei also wanted to see if he could get lucky and find a few pieces of Strange Heart Stones.

Recently, the Heart Refining Formation had been running, and the consumption of Strange Heart Stones was significant. Unfortunately, the appearance of these stones was quite irregular. Every time Chen Fei came to the Strange Heart Realm, he had to rely on luck to find a few pieces to ensure the Heart Refining Formation could be activated.

Using Star Gazing Art, the distant presence began to appear in Chen Fei's perception. After a moment, a slight smile appeared on Chen Fei's face as he sensed a Tier 2 Evil.

Chen Fei returned to reality first, cleared the spatial grid, and then reappeared in the Strange Heart Realm. His figure flickered as he ran towards the left.

In less than fifteen minutes, Chen Fei stood before a black mist. Within the black mist, the Tier 2 Evil sensed Chen Fei's arrival and stared at him with a cold gaze.

Chen Fei was about to step in and slay the Tier 2 Evil when he suddenly turned his head and looked back. There, he sensed a massive power fluctuation.

After coming to the Strange Heart Realm so many times, Chen Fei had never sensed such a fluctuation before.

It wasn't that this fluctuation was so strong that it was overwhelming, but rather that in the Strange Heart Realm, such fluctuations were almost unheard of.

Among Evils, there were instances of them devouring each other, but when they did, it was usually quiet, and even if they were a bit far apart, it might go unnoticed.

Therefore, this recent fluctuation was definitely not the result of Evils fighting each other. Instead, it indicated that a practitioner like Chen Fei was engaged in a battle with Evils.

Moreover, the one sensing the disturbance was at least at the third level or higher, which meant they were at the Combined Aperture Tempering realm or beyond to produce such a fluctuation.

"Which of the three is it?" Chen Fei wondered. However, he decided to charge into the black mist first and faced the Tier 2 Evil head-on, attacking it with a flurry of Godslayer Sword.

When Chen Fei chose Evils, in the vast majority of cases, he went for those in the early or middle stages of the second tier, rarely touching Evils in the late stages or higher. It wasn't because he couldn't defeat them, but rather because unexpected incidents could occur.

Tier 2 Evils in the early or middle stages might have slightly fewer origins, but they were easier to defeat. With the then slashes of the Godslayer Sword, he could resolve the battle on the spot, and unexpected incidents were rare.

If something did go wrong, he could just throw another ten slashes again, ensuring that nothing unexpected happened.

Inside the black mist, Chen Fei drew the origin of the Evil into the spatial grid. He then turned to look into the distance where the battle had not yet ended.

Chen Fei hesitated for a moment, activated the Star Gazing Art, and extended it towards that direction.

The Star Gazing Art was almost tailor-made for the Strange Heart Realm. As Chen Fei continued to invest his mental power, the range of the Star Gazing Art began to extend further and further.

When Chen Fei's mental power was depleted by about thirty percent, he finally saw the scene of the ongoing battle in the distance.

"Jian Jinsheng?"

Recognizing the figure and especially the aura emanating from him, Chen Fei immediately identified the person in the battle. It was Jian Jinsheng, a Combined Aperture Tempering realm powerhouse from the Divine Flame Sect.

At this moment, Jian Jinsheng was executing a sword technique, one sword following another, continuously severing the body of a distant Tier-3 Evil. Despite the constant regeneration of the Tier-3 Evil's body, its aura was clearly weakening.

Even though they were far apart, the aura of Jian Jinsheng's sword technique remained terrifyingly sharp, as if it could slice through the soul. Chen Fei glanced at it a few times and felt a sharp pain in his eyes.

Satisfied with his curiosity, Chen Fei intended to dispel the Star Gazing Art. After all, such surveillance was easily detectable by powerhouses like Jian Jinsheng, and they might counteract it.

■Wait a minute!"

Chen Fei was about to dispel the Star Gazing Art when suddenly his heart trembled. He looked at Jian Jinsheng more carefully. With just one glance, Chen Fei confirmed that he hadn't misperceived earlier.

Jian Jinsheng's mental strength was not at the early Combined Aperture Tempering realm; he had already reached the mid Combined Aperture Tempering realm.

Within the Strange Heart Realm, there were many Tier-3 Evils, and Chen Fei had observed them through the Star Gazing Art at various stages. Therefore, he easily noticed the anomaly in Jian Jinsheng's mental state.

The mid Combined Aperture Tempering realm mental strength was a significant advantage. Although it didn't necessarily represent a mid Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivation, it meant that Jian Jinsheng would face fewer obstacles when trying to break through to the mid Combined Aperture Tempering realm.

Even if Jian Jinsheng hadn't made the breakthrough yet, with the mid Combined Aperture Tempering realm mental strength combined with his early Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivation, battling opponents of the same stage wouldn't be as difficult as one might think.

"Immortal Cloud Sword Sect is in danger!

Tong Zhongqiu of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect was already nearing the end of his life, and his combat strength was continuously declining. If he encountered Jian Jinsheng, he might be forcibly killed.

Of course, Jian Jinsheng would also inevitably be injured, as they hadn't reached a crushing level of power.

If Tong Zhongqiu died, the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect would be directly disbanded. Would the other sects in the alliance before, including the Divine Flame Sect, seek retribution?

"Hmm?"

Suddenly, Jian Jinsheng's gaze shifted, looking towards the direction where Chen Fei was.

In the void of the Strange Heart Realm, it seemed that a sharp sword light was following the trajectory of the Star Gazing Art, slashing its way towards them.

Chen Fei's heart jumped, and he quickly formed hand seals, activating the Slaughter Spirit Technique to extinguish his own aura. Then, he disappeared directly within the Strange Heart Realm.

"Swish!"

A ripple passed through the void, and the black mist where Chen Fei had just been split silently in half. A fine sword mark appeared on the ground, seemingly bottomless.

Jian Jinsheng withdrew his gaze, not having sensed what had been observing him. His brows furrowed slightly. However, the Strange Heart Realm was inherently mystical, and there were many things that even Jian Jinsheng had blind spots for.

Back in Pingyin County, Chen Fei opened his eyes, exhaling a sigh of relief. Chen Fei absentmindedly formed hand seals, tossing the Evil origin into the Heart Refining Formation. In his mind, he kept thinking about what he needed to do next.

Plans couldn't keep up with the changes, and it seemed that no one had anticipated how quickly Jian Jinsheng's strength would grow.

The Immortal Cloud Sword Sect had no chance of victory anymore. The probability of Jian Jinsheng breaking through to the mid Combined Aperture Tempering realm in the future was too high. Even if the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect had two Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivators in the early stage, they wouldn't be able to defeat Jian Jinsheng.

At that point, despite the vastness of this dynasty, there would be no place for the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect to exist, and the same would apply to the Primordial Sword Sect as an alliance member.

Chen Fei reached out and absorbed the Evil origin within the Heart Refining Formation into his mental power. With everything in order, he headed straight for the Primordial Sword Sect.

This matter had to be reported back.

Both the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect and the Primordial Sword Sect needed to prepare for this situation. Otherwise, they faced the imminent danger of destruction..

Chapter 426: Overturning the Clouds

At breakneck speed, Chen Fei rushed back to the Primordial Sword Sect and immediately made his way to the main peak to find the sect leader, Qu Qingsheng.

Inside the grand hall, Feng Xiupu was discussing matters with Qu Qingsheng. Both of them sensed the commotion outside and turned to see Chen Fei.

"Master, Sect Leader!" Chen Fei approached and respectfully bowed to the two of them.

Feng Xiupu looked at Chen Fei, a smile appearing on his face, but soon he sensed something was amiss. Feng Xiupu examined Chen Fei carefully and finally realized what was wrong.

The aura Chen Fei was currently emanating wasn't that of an early-stage Aperture Tempering realm, nor was it even at the mid-stage, but rather at the advanced stage, just like Qu Qingsheng?

Feng Xiupu's eyes widened slowly, suspecting if he was experiencing some kind of illusion. When did his disciple become an advanced stage Aperture Tempering realm? Why didn't he know about it?

Chen Fei's combat prowess was extraordinary, far surpassing others at the same level. Feng Xiupu was well aware of this fact, especially after they had gone through that mysterious realm together, and Chen Fei had saved Feng Xiupu's life.

However, back then, Chen Fei was clearly only at the early-stage of The Aperture Tempering realm. How much time had passed since then, about a year? Feng Xiupu felt his mind in disarray, thrown off balance by Chen Fei's sudden revelation, leaving him bewildered.

Qu Qingsheng noticed the change in Feng Xiupu's expression and couldn't help but smile. Anyone who saw Chen Fei's cultivation level would likely have the same expression.

"Is the matter taken care of?" Qu Qingsheng asked softly.

Although Chen Fei had been away for quite some time on this occasion, Qu Qingsheng hadn't been worried about his safety. Being at the advanced stage of the Aperture Tempering realm and having already integrated the teachings of four sects before leaving, Chen Fei's strength was such that only if he offended peak the Aperture Tempering realm or even Combined Aperture Tempering realm experts would he be in danger. Otherwise, in this dynasty, he had enough freedom to move as he pleased.

"The Sword Return Tower has been annihilated," Chen Fei nodded.

"Good!" Qu Qingsheng's eyes lit up. While he had confidence in Chen Fei, hearing the exact news from his mouth was still uplifting.

The inheritance of their own sect being held by other sects was a great humiliation. Qu Qingsheng didn't have the ability to retrieve this technique, but now, one of his disciples had completed it.

"The Sword Return Tower?" Feng Xiupu, who had been listening on the side, felt a bit confused. However, he didn't ask for details at this moment; he could inquire further with Chen Fei later.

"Now that you're back, go and rest first," Qu Qingsheng said softly.

"There's one more thing I need to report," Chen Fei shook his head, his eyes fixed on Qu Qingsheng. He spoke in a serious tone, "While in the Strange Heart Realm, I saw Jian Jinsheng from the Divine Flame Sect."

"Strange Heart Realm? Jian Jinsheng?" Qu Qingsheng couldn't help but be taken aback.

In recent years, many had come to know the connection between the Divine Flame Sect's rise and the Strange Heart Realm. However, the Strange Heart Realm was vast, and Qu Qingsheng had not expected Chen Fei to encounter Jian Jinsheng inside it.

"From what I observed, it's likely that Jian Jinsheng's mental power has reached the mid-stage of the Combined Aperture Tempering realm!" Chen Fei said with a serious tone.

"The mid-stage of the Combined Aperture Tempering realm?" Qu Qingsheng's face changed drastically upon hearing Chen Fei's words, and the same was true for Feng Xiupu.

Currently, the Three Sects of Immortal Cloud City maintained a delicate balance. This apparent stability was actually quite fragile, and any significant change on one side would lead to the collapse of this delicate equilibrium.

While the mental power at the mid-stage of the Combined Aperture Tempering realm didn't necessarily represent a practitioner's overall cultivation level, the implications behind it were nearly the same. It was as if someone's executioner's blade was just inches away from the neck. If no countermeasures were taken, that blade would eventually fall.

"I'll pay a visit to the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect," Qu Qingsheng said.

He didn't doubt Chen Fei's words and knew that Chen Fei wouldn't joke about such a matter. Therefore, the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect needed to be informed about this development.

Qu Qingsheng disappeared within the grand hall, leaving Feng Xiupu feeling somewhat bewildered. Battles between practitioners at the Combined Aperture Tempering realm were beyond his reach. Despite the difference in just one realm, the reality was that the gap between them was immense.

Chen Fei handed over the cushion he had obtained from the Sword Return Tower to Feng Xiupu for his use.

For a practitioner at the advanced stage of the Aperture Tempering realm realm like Chen Fei, the effects of this cushion had considerably diminished. It was somewhat of a disappointment for him. However, for Feng Xiupu, who was currently at the early-stage of the Aperture Tempering realm, the cushion had a significant effect. In Chen Fei's eyes, Feng Xiupu's cultivation was a bit lacking. If he could use the cushion to boost his cultivation a bit, it would undoubtedly be the best outcome.

Chen Fei felt a deep sense of gratitude toward Feng Xiupu, who had once wholeheartedly supported him. If he had the opportunity, he would naturally do his utmost to repay that kindness.

A day later, Qu Qingsheng returned, and the news had already reached Tong Zhongqiu's ears. The entire leadership of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect was in shock.

Their initial reaction was disbelief. After all, it had been a relatively short time since Jian Jinsheng had broken through to the Combined Aperture Tempering realm. How could his mental power have reached the mid-stage so quickly?

However, this subconscious disbelief was soon suppressed. At this point, it wasn't a matter of belief but a question of verifying the truth. If the facts were indeed as reported, the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect had to make preparations.

The idea of nurturing a new practitioner to the Combined Aperture Tempering realm might no longer be feasible. It wasn't that two practitioners at the early-stage of the Combined Aperture Tempering realm couldn't have a chance to defeat Jian Jinsheng, but he could easily bide his time and avoid confrontation until his cultivation reached the mid-stage, at which point he would have a significant advantage..

Chapter 427: Overturning the Clouds (2)

Whether it's time or anything else, it's almost all leaning towards the Divine Flame Sect, rather than the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect.

Externally, the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect remains unchanged, showing no signs of anything unusual.

As a prominent force, they still maintain their composure. Even if their inner turmoil is rampant, externally, they certainly won't reveal any clues.

Three days later, Chi Shuqing arrived at the Primordial Sword Sect to find Chen Fei.

After more than a month apart, the twists and turns, ups and downs, back and forth, back and forth, repeated several times until Chi Shuqing conceded defeat, finally concluding this long-lasting period of cultivation.

Chen Fei wore a simple robe and stood in the courtyard, looking up at the bright moon in the sky.

Back when he was forced to flee from the Evils in Pingyin County, anyone with that kind of strength had already been slain by Chen Fei. In the Advanced Aperture Tempering realm, this strength was undeniable. However, facing the situation in the Immortal Cloud City, this strength seemed insufficient.

To change this situation, the only way was to reach the Combined Aperture Tempering realm. But the Combined Aperture Tempering realm was not so easily attainable.

Chen Fei shook his head slightly, thinking too much was of no avail. The only solution was to continue practicing tirelessly and elevate his cultivation to the next level.

The Immortal Cloud Sword Sect had not taken any other actions, as if nothing had ever happened.

Chen Fei began to focus on his cultivation, and for a consecutive month, he didn't go anywhere, dedicating almost all his time to training.

Thanks to the abundant resources available to him, Chen Fei's speed in opening up apertures was astonishing. In just a month, he had opened ten apertures, taking his total from ninety to one hundred.

While only seventy-two of these apertures were connected as a whole, and the remaining twenty-eight were isolated, the collective power they could harness remained immense.

Chi Shuqing's sense of this was particularly pronounced. Every time they practiced together, she felt like a boat adrift at sea amidst towering waves. She would lose consciousness without knowing when, and when he woke up, she would be weak and soaked from head to toe.

Due to the disparity in their cultivation levels, Chi Shuqing could only go with the flow during their joint cultivation sessions, unable to guide anything herself. She felt dazed and depended entirely on Chen Fei's guidance to complete the practice.

During this month, apart from reaching a total of one hundred apertures, Chen Fei's mental power cultivation showed no signs of stagnation.

While finding the Strange Heart Stone relied on luck, it wasn't too bad for Chen Fei, as he occasionally made discoveries.

Furthermore, the Tier-2 Evil was completely exposed under the Star Gazing Art. Thus, within a month, Chen Fei's mental power smoothly grew to one hundred and three apertures.

In this same month, Chen Fei had also perfected the Dream Entry Technique he had recently acquired.

On the crystal, only the first layer of the Dream Entry Technique was present, which had been simplified to resemble a visualization diagram.

Visualizing these diagrams was something Chen Fei was extremely skilled at. With the Thousand Threads Technique in motion, he immediately had around two hundred insights related to the Dream Entry Technique appearing in his mind.

As a result, in just a month, Chen Fei had perfected the first layer of this Dream Entry Technique. If he couldn't obtain other crystals in the future, this would mark the culmination of his journey with the Dream Entry Technique.

While Chen Fei was diligently practicing, the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect, after a month of silence, suddenly saw Tong Zhongqiu appearing at the Divine Flame Sect's mountain gate, engaging in a battle with Jian Jinsheng.

This skirmish, like their previous encounters, ended without a clear winner, with Tong Zhongqiu retreating.

It seemed that the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect had found a reason for this confrontation, making it somewhat of a formal engagement. This bout allowed Tong Zhongqiu to confirm Jian Jinsheng's current level of cultivation.

At the Yu Family Sect.

"As long as you're willing to intervene, we can negotiate the terms!" Tong Zhongqiu looked at Yu Shoucheng, speaking in a deep voice.

"Tong Brother, we discussed this matter before. The Yu Family is just passing through, and we won't get involved in the conflict between you and the Divine Flame Sect," Yu Shoucheng shook his head.

Tong Zhongqiu gazed at Yu Shoucheng and eventually sighed softly. He understood that no matter what conditions he offered, Yu Shoucheng wouldn't be swayed.

Tong Zhongqiu had known this result before coming, but he still wanted to give it a try, to attempt it for the sake of the entire Immortal Cloud Sword Sect.

Unfortunately, things didn't go as he had hoped.

"Tong Brother, did you discover anything when you returned from the Divine Flame Sect?" Yu Shoucheng was somewhat curious.

"In these past few years, Jian Jinsheng should have reached the Mid-Combined Aperture Tempering realm," Tong Zhongqiu looked at Yu Shoucheng and didn't conceal the information.

Yu Shoucheng's eyes widened. He had speculated that Jian Jinsheng could make further progress within twenty years, but now it seemed he had underestimated him.

To advance so quickly in the Combined Aperture Tempering realm was a testament to Jian Jinsheng's remarkable talent. In the Boundless Sea, he might be considered outstanding, but within this region, it seemed to have restricted his potential.

"Then, Tong Brother, do you have any other plans?" Yu Shoucheng whispered.

"I won't let the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect perish in my hands!" Tong Zhongqiu's voice was not loud, but the determination in his tone was unwavering.

Five days later, Tong Zhongqiu once again arrived at the Yu Family Sect's mountain gate.

"I wonder, Brother Yu, if you would be willing to lead us to the Boundless Sea. The Immortal Cloud Sword Sect is willing to form an alliance with the Yu Family for mutual assistance," Tong Zhongqiu looked at Yu Shoucheng, getting straight to the point.

This was the only lifeline that Tong Zhongqiu, or rather the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect, could think of in these five days – relocating the entire sect to the Boundless Sea. While it would mean sacrificing the Immortal Cloud Sect's mountain gate and the surrounding resources built up over the years, as long as the people were preserved, there might still be a chance for a comeback in the future.

Moreover, if they could bring the Yu Family along, the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect wouldn't be left in the dark once they arrived in the Boundless Sea.

The Yu Family undoubtedly had enemies in the Boundless Sea, or they wouldn't have fled here in the first place. But choosing the lesser of two evils, cooperating with the Yu Family would be most beneficial for the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect.

Yu Shoucheng's expression changed slightly, surprised by Tong Zhongqiu's resolute decision. When he realized that the situation was untenable, Tong Zhongqiu had chosen to abandon everything else and take the people to the Boundless Sea.

If the Yu Family could gain the support of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect in the Boundless Sea, many of their previous problems would be resolved, and they wouldn't have to continue staying in this place with thin spiritual energy.

Primordial Sword Sect.

Qu Qingsheng relayed the message: the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect, along with the Primordial Sword Sect and the Sunken Water Pavilion, were planning to head to the Boundless Sea, seeking more support in this unfamiliar environment.

In such a completely unfamiliar environment, even with the Yu Family as guides, having sufficient internal strength was the most reassuring thing.

The three sects began to operate vigorously, especially the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect. After being a dominant force for so many years, it was easy to say they could let go, but when they actually started to leave certain things behind, there was still intense pain.

The actions of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect couldn't be concealed from the Divine Flame Sect, considering the magnitude of their movements. The Immortal Cloud Sword Sect also had no intention of hiding it.

Currently, both sides were evenly matched, and the Divine Flame Sect still couldn't gain any advantages from the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect. What was even more critical was that this time, the Yu Family stood by the side of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect.

In terms of potential, the Yu Family would prefer to be on good terms with the Divine Flame Sect, especially since Jian Jinsheng was a hidden talent.

However, precisely because Jian Jinsheng was so promising, once he matured, the Yu Family would ultimately become subservient. In alliances, equality in strength was essential; otherwise, one party would inevitably be dominant.

Within Immortal Cloud City.

The entire city suddenly became desolate, as if overnight, the residents of Immortal Cloud City found themselves at a loss as to where to go.

Various rumors had been spreading like wildfire, with people unsure of their accuracy and significance. Even a few days ago, Immortal Cloud City experienced unrest, but it was quickly quelled.

"Are we going to the Boundless Sea together?" Chen Fei asked Chi Defeng and his wife.

The Primordial Sword Sect and Sunken Water Pavilion were certain to face repercussions from the Divine Flame Sect in the aftermath. However, the common people in Immortal Cloud City wouldn't have significant issues, as the Divine Flame Sect didn't need an empty city; it needed a vibrant one.

The only question remained: would it be renamed Divine Flame City in the future?

Chapter 428: Confidence

Upon hearing Chen Fei's question, Chi Defeng and Lan Yunzhi seemed somewhat hesitant.

In regards to their current life, Chi Defeng and Lan Yunzhi were actually quite content. Immortal Cloud City offered abundant resources, and purchasing anything was very convenient.

Moreover, Immortal Cloud City was exceptionally safe. While the phrase "lost property everywhere" might be an exaggeration, incidents of petty theft were relatively rare. This was especially true because people knew about Chi Defeng's relationship with Chen Fei, so most individuals were cautious about offending them.

Chi Defeng and Lan Yunzhi had even prepared themselves to spend their remaining years here.

Now, when faced with the choice to leave, they couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. This unease was mostly due to their uncertainty about the Boundless Sea and a hint of fear.

It wasn't just leaving their hometown; it was departing from this entire region and heading to a distant place.

If it weren't for the passage in the Mysterious City, the people of this dynasty might only know about the Boundless Sea from fragments in historical records.

One could imagine the vast distance that separated the two places, making the Boundless Sea seem so unfamiliar.

Chen Fei didn't rush them or provide excessive explanations because he, too, harbored uncertainties about the Boundless Sea. Apart from the Yu family, everyone else was in the dark.

This lack of clarity left Chen Fei to overcome the challenges on his own.

"Let's go together to the Boundless Sea!"

Several years of living in comfort had made Chi Defeng appear much more prosperous, but it hadn't smoothed out all of his character traits.

Chen Fei coming here, informing them, and being willing to take them to the Boundless Sea showed a genuine sense of kinship from the depths of his heart.

After the Divine Flame Sect took control of the surroundings of Immortal Cloud City, Chi Defeng and Lan Yunzhi, who belonged to no sect, might not have encountered any significant issues. However, it was also possible that they were falsely accused of having ties to the Primordial Sword Sect in the past.

Though Chi Defeng had tried to avoid conflicts with others in recent years, he still had some disagreements with people. It was Chen Fei's association that prevented others from acting against him. However, once Chen Fei left Immortal Cloud City, those who had grudges against Chi Defeng or simply found him disagreeable would seek revenge as expected.

Having spent many years in the lower levels of Pingyin County, Chi Defeng had a deep understanding of human nature. Sometimes, it was best not to test human nature, as it couldn't withstand any form of testing.

Upon hearing Chi Defeng's words, Lan Yunzhi didn't object. He was still the head of this household, and if Chi Defeng decided to go, then it meant the whole family would go together.

A faint smile crossed Chen Fei's face when he heard Chi Defeng's willingness to go. With Chi Defeng's willingness, Chen Fei didn't need to worry about any repercussions when the Divine Flame Sect took over this area.

After a moment, Chen Fei arrived in Si Yuanhai's courtyard.

"The Boundless Sea? If you're willing to take us, we naturally want to see that place."

Upon hearing Chen Fei's intention, Si Yuanhai didn't hesitate and readily agreed.

Si Yuanhai wasn't concerned about the possibility of them facing repercussions. After all, unlike Chi Defeng's relationship with Chen Fei, very few people knew about the connection between Chen Fei and Si Yuanhai's group.

Therefore, Si Yuanhai and his group had no affiliations with the Primordial Sword Sect.

Si Yuanhai's willingness to go to the Boundless Sea stemmed from one reason: he wanted his granddaughter, Si Yinan, to have a brighter future.

The Resisting Evil lineage was quite remarkable, but it primarily focused on practitioners below the Aperture Tempering realm. For martial artists at the Body Tempering realm, dealing with these mystical abilities could be quite challenging.

However, once martial artists reached the Aperture Tempering realm, the influence of the Resisting Evil lineage significantly diminished.

It was highly likely that the Boundless Sea held abundant resources, and correspondingly, various martial sects would be vying for dominance. Perhaps the future of the Resisting Evil lineage lay in the Boundless Sea.

Si Yinan stood gracefully by the side, a far cry from her mischievous self in her younger years. Growing up had transformed her into a refined young lady.

Chen Fei turned to look at Si Yinan, and she responded with a sweet smile.

After a quarter of an hour, Chen Fei left Si Yuanhai's residence and wandered around Immortal Cloud City.

Chen Fei didn't have many friends in Immortal Cloud City, and he had already informed them of his departure. As for Qin Jinglan of the Alchemist Alliance, there was no need for Chen Fei to worry. The Immortal Cloud Sword Sect intended to bring the entire Alchemist Alliance to the Boundless Sea, leaving no intention of letting the Divine Flame Sect have a foothold in this matter.

The Immortal Cloud Sword Sect spared no effort in taking everything and everyone they could with them. Even previously well-maintained and renewable resource points were no longer treated with caution; they were swiftly exploited to extract everything.

Especially the Tier -2 Secret Realm that the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect exclusively controlled, every inch of it had been thoroughly developed and utilized by the sect in the past.

However, due to the nature of this Tier -2 Secret Realm, it was impossible to take it with them. Therefore, the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect decided to aggressively extract everything they could, leaving nothing behind.

The sacred tree in the secret realm, in particular, was considered one of the most precious treasures of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect. Now, it had to be transplanted. This would inevitably damage the tree's spirituality, but the sect had no other choice.

They couldn't simply leave the sacred tree to the Divine Flame Sect, could they?

If the sacred tree couldn't be transplanted, the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect might even choose to destroy it rather than leave it for the Divine Flame Sect.

The Divine Flame Sect, on the other hand, was well aware of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect's intentions, but they couldn't stop them.

After all, these resource points were originally under the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect's control. Currently, the Divine Flame Sect only held an advantage in the Aperture Tempering realm.

In fact, below the Aperture Tempering realm, the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect held a greater advantage, making it impossible for the Divine Flame Sect to intervene.

It was regrettable that in the end, the true determinant of victory or defeat between these two dominant forces would be the top-tier combat capabilities, as no matter how many advantages one side had below that level, it couldn't play a decisive role.

Compared to the hectic activities of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect, the Primordial Sword Sect and the Sunken Water Pavilion appeared relatively relaxed. These two sects had their share of resources as well.

It took several days to gather all those resources.

Moreover, compared to the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect, which was closely monitored by the Divine Flame Sect, the Primordial Sword Sect and the Sunken Water Pavilion weren't even on the Divine Flame Sect's radar.

In the eyes of the Divine Flame Sect, the Primordial Sword Sect and the Sunken Water Pavilion were expendable entities.

The Primordial Sword Sect and the Sunken Water Pavilion were content with the Divine Flame Sect's attitude. If this attitude persisted, perhaps these two sects wouldn't need to go to the Boundless Sea at all.

However, human hearts were unpredictable, and the Primordial Sword Sect and the Sunken Water Pavilion couldn't risk the future of their sects on the fickle nature of the Divine Flame Sect.

Perhaps one moment they were peaceful, but the next moment, a tragic massacre could occur.

For many years, the Divine Flame Sect had given people the impression of unpredictability. Everything was done based on their own mood. The concept of playing by the rules didn't exist in the Divine Flame Sect.

In such circumstances, the Primordial Sword Sect and the Sunken Water Pavilion were definitely going to the Boundless Sea.

Although they had to abandon the mountain gate they had cultivated for many years, as long as the people remained, the sect would still exist, and the mountain gate could be rebuilt.

If the people were gone, all the years of cultivation at the mountain gate would be meaningless.

Moreover, Qu Qingsheng of the Primordial Sword Sect and Elder Zhou Zixun had a much weaker aversion to going to the Boundless Sea compared to others, and the reason for that lay with Chen Fei.

In the eyes of Qu Qingsheng and Zhou Zixun, as long as they provided Chen Fei with enough stable time for development, his future achievements would undoubtedly reach the Aperture Tempering realm.

Once Chen Fei became a formidable Aperture Tempering realm practitioner, returning to Immortal Cloud City in the future would be entirely possible.

As long as there was hope in one's heart, there would be confidence in facing an uncertain future. For Qu Qingsheng and Zhou Zixun, Chen Fei was the source of their confidence in the future of the Primordial Sword Sect.

Half a month passed in the blink of an eye, and the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect had already started getting ready.

In just half a month, they had neatly organized all their resources. The efficiency of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect was impressive, as they had unleashed unprecedented power after recognizing the threat posed by Jian Jinsheng.

Heading to the Boundless Sea earlier, settling down, and utilizing the situation there to prepare for the possible retaliation from Jian Jinsheng in the future was the prevailing philosophy of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect.

During this half-month period, Jian Jinsheng had made one appearance. However, he only glanced at the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect's mountain gate from a distance and didn't take any action.

His actions didn't hold much significance because, at the moment, Jian Jinsheng couldn't break through the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect's mountain gate.

What the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect was truly concerned about was the future Divine Flame Sect, not the currently inconsequential Jian Jinsheng.

"Boom!"

Beneath the Yu family's mountain gate, that newly-born Tier -2 Secret Realm was emitting deafening sounds. The entire secret realm seemed as if it was about to be forcibly torn apart.

A massive crowd appeared within the secret realm and then proceeded towards the location of the Half-Bottle Mountain.

Tong Zhongqiu and Yu Shoucheng, working together, forcefully expanded the Tier -2 Secret Realm, allowing so many people to pass through simultaneously.

This method of forcibly manipulating the secret realm would leave the newly-born Tier -2 Secret Realm riddled with holes, and it might eventually plummet in rank, becoming a first-tier secret realm.

However, at this moment, neither the Yu family nor the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect cared about this issue.

The Immortal Cloud Sword Sect had already abandoned one Tier -2 Secret Realm and even partially destroyed it. Destroying another Tier -2 Secret Realm now wouldn't make much of a difference to them.

As for the Yu family, they were returning to the Boundless Sea, and everything on the Immortal Cloud City side was not within their consideration.

Chen Fei stood at the tail end of the Primordial Sword Sect's group, his cultivation at the early stage of the Aperture Tempering realm. He was with his master, FengXiupu, to prevent any unexpected incidents.

Officially, Chen Fei had the lowest cultivation, but in reality, he was the strongest in the Primordial Sword Sect. Others were unaware of this fact, but Qu Qingsheng and Zhou Zixun knew.

It was natural to have Chen Fei safeguard the safety of the Primordial Sword Sect.

Chen Fei looked up at the peak of Half-Bottle Mountain, where the aura of the Mysterious City was faintly discernible.

Compared to the initial sense of dread that the Mysterious City had brought Chen Fei, he wasn't sure if it was due to his own improvement in cultivation or the presence of two Aperture Tempering realm practitioners, but this time, the feeling the Mysterious City gave Chen Fei was not as intense as it had been initially..

Chapter 429: Entering the Soul

"How's your progress in the Soaring Heaven Technique cultivation?" Feng Xiupu stood beside Chen Fei and suddenly whispered.

"I've generally reached the perfection level," Chen Fei looked at his master with some curiosity, wondering why Feng Xiupu brought this up out of nowhere.

"I have a question I'd like to test you on," Feng Xiupu cleared his throat and said.

Lately, using the meditation cushion Chen Fei had given him, FengXiupu's comprehension of the cultivation techniques had been progressing rapidly. It was akin to the foundational principles Chen Fei had instilled in him when he first began his training.

Being strong in combat wasn't the true measure of one's abilities; it was about being fast and enduring to live a long life.

Therefore, the inheritance specifically passed down by Feng Xiupu was the Soaring Heaven Technique, and he wanted to elevate it to its pinnacle. However, in recent days, Feng Xiupu had been troubled by several issues related to the Soaring Heaven Technique.

Originally, he had intended to ponder these issues for a few more days, but now Chen Fei was right beside him.

Advanced stage Aperture Tempering realm, every time Feng Xiupu thought about Chen Fei's current level of cultivation, he couldn't help but feel a peculiar sensation. It wasn't jealousy or anything of the sort; Feng Xiupu was not capable of harboring such emotions.

If his disciple surpassed him, FengXiupu's only feeling would be happiness. Feng Xiupu knew that with the talent Chen Fei had displayed, it was only a matter of time before he surpassed him.

What Feng Xiupu couldn't have foreseen was that this day would come so quickly and unexpectedly, without any time for preparation. It was precisely because of this lack of preparation that the sudden news felt somewhat awkward to Feng Xiupu.

Fortunately, in recent times, Feng Xiupu had gradually come to accept it, especially after using the meditation cushion given by Chen Fei. Feng Xiupu felt that, well, it was quite satisfying for his disciple to surpass him.

So, with Chen Fei by his side today and some spare time, Feng Xiupu decided to directly ask the questions he had about his own cultivation.

Of course, on the surface, Feng Xiupu framed it as a test for Chen Fei, to see if Chen Fei had become complacent in his martial arts due to rapid progress.

"Oh, please go ahead, Master," Chen Fei responded with a slight pause, then quickly grasped the situation. He couldn't help but find it amusing internally, but he didn't dare show it. Some face had to be saved for his master.

With questions and answers flowing between them, soon, everyone had gathered at the mountaintop of Half-Bottle Mountain.

The Mysterious City had already sensed something unusual. The majestic aura was trembling incessantly. However, before these auras could fully disperse, they were suppressed by the joint efforts of Tong Zhongqiu and Yu Shoucheng.

The Mysterious City was formidable. When Yu Shoucheng came from the Boundless Sea, he had to send people to scout the Mysterious City first before bringing the Yu family across.

But now, facing two Combined Aperture Tempering realm cultivators, the city's power was immediately suppressed.

Tong Zhongqiu and Yu Shoucheng had no intention of breaking the Mysterious City. It was too vast a city to break down quickly.

Their only goal was to force the Mysterious City to provide them with passage, allowing them to smoothly proceed to the Boundless Sea.

"Boom!"

The formidable aura of the Combined Aperture Tempering realm forcefully penetrated the Mysterious City, causing the city's chilling atmosphere to surge into the sky.

After a moment, the trembling city walls of the Mysterious City calmed down, and the city gates of the Mysterious City instantly swung wide open. A passage created entirely by the power of Tong Zhongqiu and Yu Shoucheng appeared before everyone.

"Enter!"

Tong Zhongqiu's voice echoed from within the Mysterious City. The people from the Yu family and the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect entered first, followed closely by the disciples of the Primordial Sword Sect and the Sunken Water Pavilion.

With orderly movements, the people quickly disappeared from Half-Bottle Mountain.

Chen Fei stood at the end of the line, crossing through the city gate and once again seeing the same street from his previous visit to the Mysterious City.

However, the street was devoid of any people at the moment. The doors of the shops were open, and the residents of the Mysterious City stood on the storefronts, casting cold glances at everyone who entered.

Chen Fei glanced up at the sky, where Tong Zhongqiu's figure floated.

This passage, created by the combined efforts of the two, traversed the entire Mysterious City. Only within this passage were they safe from the Mysterious City's power, as outside of it, the city's influence would easily cloud their senses.

Chi Defeng held his child, tightly gripping Lan Yunzhi's hand, and didn't dare to look around.

Even with the protection of the passage, Chi Defeng could still feel the chilling gazes of the city's residents. Those were not the eyes of living beings, but something entirely different.

It felt like walking on thin ice, sending shivers down Chi Defeng's spine.

Chi Defeng didn't allow his child to open their eyes, fearing that it might leave a psychological scar on the child. Or rather, without proper protection, leaving a psychological scar was almost inevitable.

On the other hand, Si Yuanhai and Si Yinan, being from the Resisting Evil lineage, looked at the strangeness within the Mysterious City with a hint of curiosity.

Their own strength largely depended on their ability to control the level of illusions forcefully.

The oddities within the Mysterious City were undeniably powerful, and their characteristics were peculiar. Si Yuanhai could sense this clearly. However, it was apparent that they couldn't currently control these anomalies.

The pace of the group's advance was quite fast. After all, the atmosphere within the Mysterious City was extremely chilling, prompting an instinctive desire to get away from it.

As Chen Fei looked at the shops on both sides of the street, his eyes slightly brightened when he saw a particular store up ahead.

He pondered for a moment, and his shadow, which had been trailing behind him, stepped out of the specially created passage and left it.

As soon as the shadow left the passage, a powerful force pressed down on its spiritual senses. This was a characteristic of the Mysterious City, attempting to cloud one's awareness forcefully.

However, the Chen Fei of today had grown his spiritual senses significantly compared to when he first entered the Mysterious City. It was impossible for the Mysterious City to cloud his perception.

Over the past half a month, Chen Fei had opened 103 acupoints. It couldn't go any higher because after refining the Primordial Sword Scripture from five different inheritances, the maximum number of acupoints he could open had reached 103.

Only when the Blade-Slaying Sword broke through to the Great Perfection level and was then fused into the Primordial Sword Scripture could Chen Fei's acupoints continue to improve.

While acupoints had their limits, there were no such concerns when it came to mental power.

Within the Illusion Realm, Chen Fei had been freely slaughtering Tier-2 Evils, benefiting from the origin of Evils. Now, his mental power had reached a position of 108 acupoints, which was the pinnacle of mental power in the Combined Aperture Tempering realm.

With mental power at this level, there was no further room for improvement unless he broke through to the Aperture Tempering realm.

Chen Fei's shadow paused for a moment but had no further issues. His figure flickered, and he arrived in front of a shop, then entered directly.

Feng Xiupu was standing beside Chen Fei and couldn't help but look at Chen Fei with curiosity, not knowing what Chen Fei intended to do when he saw his actions.

"There were some unfinished matters when I was in the Mysterious City," Chen Fei explained in a low voice.

Feng Xiupu nodded without pressing for more information. After all, this was just a clone, and whatever happened wouldn't affect Chen Fei.

That alone was sufficient.

Chen Fei's shadow entered the shop, and the shopkeeper was taken aback when he saw Chen Fei. It hadn't expected that at this moment, a human would appear in the shop.

Chen Fei leisurely walked up to a shelf, reached out, and directly took a piece of Tianhui Stone from the shelf, placing it in front of the shopkeeper.

"How much does this cost?" Chen Fei asked with a smile.

"Three thousand copper coins," the shopkeeper replied, looking at Chen Fei. He felt like he had seen Chen Fei somewhere before, but at this moment, Chen Fei exuded no aura whatsoever.

Identifying the unusual in the Mysterious City had always been based on a person's aura. Appearance was just a shell and held little significance.

Hearing the shopkeeper's words, a faint smile appeared on Chen Fei's face. The shopkeeper was still as deceptive as ever. When Chen Fei first visited this shop, the price for the same item was only two thousand copper coins.

Now, the price had significantly increased.

Chen Fei turned his head to glance at the other shelves. In the entire shop, the only genuine item was the Tianhui Stone in Chen Fei's hand. Everything else was fake.

Chen Fei couldn't discern this before, but with his improved cultivation, he could see through it all now.

"I'm missing one piece of Tianhui Stone, and I'll take it," Chen Fei turned to the shopkeeper and said with a soft smile.

Hearing that Chen Fei didn't even bother to haggle, the shopkeeper's friendly demeanor changed in an instant. Uncontrollable greed flashed in his eyes.

"This is the money, take it."

Chen Fei extended his palm, as if he were holding something, and handed it to the shopkeeper. The shopkeeper instinctively looked at Chen Fei's palm, then saw Chen Fei slowly open his hand.

A radiance seemed to burst forth in the shopkeeper's eyes as he realized that the brilliance came from the copper coins, which were too dazzling.

"Alright, alright!" The shopkeeper received the copper coins with a smile. He was about to speak when he noticed that Chen Fei had already turned and left.

The shopkeeper watched Chen Fei's departing figure, his expression turning cold. The Tianhui Stone was indeed genuine. Should he forcibly detain Chen Fei? However, the other party had already paid three thousand copper coins, and it might not be allowed by the Mysterious City's rules to forcibly detain him.

*Buzz!*

The entire shop suddenly vibrated. Chen Fei had left the shop, and the shopkeeper was caressing the copper coins in his hand. He suddenly felt that something was amiss with their texture.

The shopkeeper lowered his head in confusion, looking at the copper coins in his hand. The aura was correct, but for some reason, the more he looked at these copper coins, the stranger they seemed. A faint sense of alienation slowly crept over the coins.

The shopkeeper fumbled with the other copper coins, and gradually, they began to distort in his eyes, appearing dreamlike and surreal, a feeling of unreality suddenly welling up in his heart.

The next moment, the three thousand copper coins disappeared from the shopkeeper's hands.

The shopkeeper was stunned, staring blankly at his own hands.

"Roar!"

A loud roar suddenly erupted from the shopkeeper's mouth, and his friendly demeanor had long turned into a ferocious one.

Outside on the street, Chen Fei's clone had already returned to the main body. Chen Fei shook the Tianhui Stone in his hand, a smile playing on his face.

Back when he was in the Mysterious City, he had almost been scammed by the shopkeeper of this store. Just a few glances at the items, and they demanded payment. If his clone hadn't been in the shop at the time, Chen Fei would have had quite a hard time getting out of there.

Today, upon returning to the Mysterious City, Chen Fei decided to use the Dream Entry Technique to draw the shopkeeper into a dream.

Back then, the shopkeeper had heard the sound of so many copper coins. Chen Fei had indeed paid, and now he had simply taken back the stored goods..

Chapter 430: Thousand Feather Alliance

"Tianhui Stone?" Feng Xiupu looked at the spirit material in Chen Fei's hand, somewhat surprised.

This level of spirit material, when used for forging a spirit sword, could significantly improve the quality of the sword. In all the years Immortal Cloud City had existed, Tianhui Stones of this level had rarely appeared.

Feng Xiupu hadn't expected that such a valuable item existed within this Mysterious City. What was even more surprising was that in just a short moment, Chen Fei's doppelganger had obtained this high-grade spirit material.

Feng Xiupu glanced at the shops on both sides of the street but ultimately shook his head, choosing not to take any action.

Chen Fei's success here was undoubtedly due to his previous visit to this place. Feng Xiupu knew nothing about this place, and even if he sent his doppelganger on an adventure, he would likely come back empty-handed.

Feng Xiupu had long outgrown the impulsive urge to rush towards something just because others had obtained a valuable item.

The entire team moved through the city, almost dividing it into two halves. This was probably the largest influx of humans the city had ever seen, but it was also the most stifling experience.

Chen Fei followed at the tail end of the group, choosing not to use his doppelganger to take advantage of other shops.

Occasionally indulging in such activities was fine, but if he kept using his doppelganger to take advantage of opportunities, he might eventually attract unwanted attention from the city's inhabitants.

This Mysterious City was already on the verge of bursting, and Chen Fei's repeated risky actions might get him thrown out if something went wrong later.

The possibility was not very high, but Chen Fei didn't want to play such a dangerous game with his life.

There were plenty of spiritual materials in the world, and one's strength determined how much they could obtain.

If Chen Fei truly coveted the treasures within this Mysterious City, he could wait until his own strength improved significantly. Perhaps, by then, he would have the power to dominate the entire city without anyone daring to object.

The group was moving quickly, and the people at the front had already left the city gates. Chen Fei could see the sinister soldiers standing at both ends of the city gates, their icy gazes fixed on the passing figures. They remained motionless, but their chilling aura permeated the surroundings, almost freezing the entire city gate.

Facing these sinister soldiers, even someone like Si Yuanhai, a member of the Resisting Evil lineage, didn't spare them a second glance. The Defeng couple kept their heads down and hurried past the soldiers.

Feng Xiupu sensed the aura of the sinister soldiers from a distance and his expression grew serious.

Before, when Feng Xiupu had observed the peculiarities of the shops on both sides of the street, the impact had not been very clear. But now, as he saw these sinister soldiers, Feng Xiupu immediately realized the struggle for survival faced by the group when they were trapped inside the Mysterious City.

Feng Xiupu tried to put himself in their shoes and understood that they had no means of resistance against these sinister soldiers.

In such a situation, Chen Fei had somehow managed to escape the Mysterious City with two people in tow. Moreover, his condition at that time had seemed quite normal, and his aura even appeared stronger than before entering the city.

While others faced life-threatening situations in the Mysterious City, Chen Fei not only escaped unscathed but also increased his cultivation. Back then, Feng Xiupu had found it incredibly puzzling, and now, looking at the scene within the Mysterious City, it was far beyond anything that mere puzzlement could explain.

Chen Fei gave Feng Xiupu a curious look, wondering why his master was glancing at him so frequently.

With a hint of a smile, Feng Xiupu responded to Chen Fei's questioning gaze but offered no explanation.

Not receiving a direct response, Chen Fei continued to observe the entire Mysterious City, especially the sinister soldiers. He paid the closest attention to the chilling aura emanating from them.

When he was at the Initial Aperture Tempering realm, Chen Fei had been powerless against these sinister soldiers. They had been insurmountable obstacles for him, especially given their sheer numbers.

However, as he looked at these sinister soldiers now, Chen Fei realized that he should be able to easily defeat them. Despite their elusive nature and the various ways they attacked, based on what Chen Fei observed, these sinister soldiers were fundamentally weaker than the Tier-2 Evils in the Strange Heart Realm.

In fact, in terms of sheer madness at their core, the Tier-2 Evils in the Strange Heart Realm surpassed these sinister soldiers by far.

This only meant that as Chen Fei's own cultivation improved, many seemingly insurmountable entities from before now had numerous methods to be dealt with.

When you feel there's something you can't overcome, the biggest reason is that your own strength isn't sufficient yet, and you haven't reached that level.

Just like when Yu Zhongxin, sent by the Yu family explored the Mysterious City. Yu Zhongxin didn't encounter too many dangers within the city due to the difference in strength, which led to significant disparities in their experiences. Before the city gate, Chen Fei turned to look at the Mysterious City, especially the central area. According to the Star Gazing Art, that place belonged to the core of the Mysterious City. Whether it was his first visit to the city or this time passing through, Chen Fei hadn't had a chance to witness the scene there.

A mysterious emotion flickered in Chen Fei's eyes. Following in Feng Xiupu's footsteps, he stepped out of the city gate.

As the world spun around him, the chilling sensation that had surrounded him moments ago rapidly dissipated.

With the pinnacle-level mental state of the Aperture Tempering realm, Chen Fei quickly opened his eyes and found himself standing at the edge of a massive cliff. In front of him stretched an Boundless Sea.

"Rumble!"

The sound of colossal waves crashing filled the air, accompanied by the salty, fishy scent assaulting his nostrils.

While it had been a clear and sunny day in Immortal Cloud City, the weather here was gloomy, and the sea breeze was incredibly fierce, as if it could lift a person into the air.

But all of this was insignificant at the moment. Chen Fei stood there, and the first profound sensation that struck him was the essence of heaven and earth.

The essence of heaven and earth here was unexpectedly richer than in the Tier-2 Secret Realm. Not only was it richer, but Chen Fei also sensed a certain liveliness within the essence of heaven and earth.

It wasn't that the essence of heaven and earth in Immortal Cloud City was lifeless. If it were truly lifeless, it would be impossible for anyone to cultivate, let alone break through to the Aperture Tempering realm or even the Combined Aperture Tempering realm.

However, compared to Immortal Cloud City, the essence of heaven and earth here had an additional and inexplicable sense of liveliness.

It was somewhat reminiscent of the time when Chen Fei experienced the Elemental Tide in the Imperial City. There were certain similarities between the two experiences.

Under this kind of essence of heaven and earth, even ordinary people who were not martial practitioners would see a significant improvement in their physical qualities. For martial practitioners, the effect would be even more pronounced.

Martial practitioners in the Body Tempering realm could complete the body refinement stage in a shorter amount of time, and there was no need to worry about the stability of their foundation; it would undoubtedly be solid.

Moreover, thanks to the liveliness of the essence of heaven and earth, the difficulty of opening the first Aperture would decrease for those aspiring to advance from the Body Tempering realm to the Aperture Tempering realm.

Even for martial practitioners in the Aperture Tempering realm, their daily cultivation speed would greatly increase.

While Immortal Cloud City had originally been considered a place of rich elemental energy within the empire, compared to this place, it seemed to have transformed into a barren land.

Chen Fei sensed the change in the essence of heaven and earth, and naturally, the others did too.

Especially the members of the Yu family, their apertures were interacting with the essence of heaven and earth, and many of them displayed a hint of nostalgia on their faces.

Having lived in the Boundless Sea for so many years, Immortal Cloud City had felt somewhat confining to them. There was even a strange sense of restraint associated with it.

Now, returning to the Boundless Sea, there was a strange feeling of regaining something lost.

So, this is the Boundless Sea? The essence of heaven and earth is truly different here!" Tong Zhongqiu floated in mid-air, feeling the changes in the elemental energy, and his eyes were filled with astonishment. For those in the Combined Aperture Tempering realm, any slight change in the essence of heaven and earth could be clearly sensed.

However, the contrast between the elemental energy in the Boundless Sea and Immortal Cloud City was not a slight change but a profound transformation.

"This place is already considered remote. After this, Brother Tong, follow me to the Thousand Feather Alliance. The essence of heaven and earth there is truly something else," Yu Shoucheng said with a smile on his face. With the comparison to the Boundless Sea, Yu Shoucheng didn't have many thoughts about Immortal Cloud City.

Having experienced true prosperity, the Yu family didn't care much about the small Immortal Cloud City.

In Yu Shoucheng's heart, going to Immortal Cloud City was just a temporary choice for the Yu family. The roots of the Yu family were undoubtedly in the Boundless Sea. Only in the Boundless Sea could the Yu family continue to grow and thrive.

"In the days to come, I'll continue to trouble Brother Yu," Tong Zhongqiu said to Yu Shoucheng, bowing slightly to show his respect.

"Mutual assistance is what we're here for. Brother Tong, you're too polite," Yu Shoucheng waved his hand, wearing a smile.

Everyone began descending the cliff, each seeking shelter in caves to shield themselves from the wind and rain.

With this weather and these turbulent waves, it was clear that going out to sea was impossible. Even the martial practitioners in the Aperture Tempering realm would likely lose their way in such conditions, let alone those in the Body Tempering realm.

Only those in the Combined Aperture Tempering realm could ride the skies and be unafraid of these storms.

But there were only two Combined Aperture Tempering realm practitioners here, and it wasn't feasible to leave the rest of the people stranded on this island to fend for themselves.

According to the Yu family, the current weather would last for a maximum of three days, after which it would calm down, and they could proceed to the Thousand Feather Alliance.

"Boom!"

On the cliff, Tong Zhongqiu and Yu Shoucheng were working together to change the position of the Mysterious City's gate, effectively forcing open the passage leading to the Boundless Sea.

This kind of destruction wouldn't make the passage between Immortal Cloud City and the Boundless Sea disappear. In fact, even without this Mysterious City, the passage had already fully formed.

The passage couldn't be destroyed, but it could be temporarily prevented from opening.

Tong Zhongqiu and Yu Shoucheng's actions were aimed at delaying Jian Jinsheng's arrival for the time being.

It wouldn't take too long, perhaps just ten days to half a month, for the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect to firmly establish itself within the Thousand Feather Alliance. Jian Jinsheng's attempts to destroy the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect with his own strength wouldn't be that easy..

Chapter 431: Revealing One's Edge

"Thousand Feathers Alliance!" In the cave, Chen Fei muttered this name under his breath.

According to the information provided by the Yu family, the Thousand Feathers Alliance was the most powerful alliance in the nearby waters.

The alliance formed by several sects in Immortal Cloud City, when compared to the Thousand Feathers Alliance, was insignificant. In fact, there was no comparison at all.

Let alone anything else, the Thousand Feathers Alliance had over a thousand large and small forces within it. And any force that could be called significant invariably had a practitioner in the Advanced Aperture Tempering realm overseeing it.

In other words, within the Thousand Feathers Alliance alone, there were over a thousand in the Advanced Aperture Tempering realm. But this calculation actually underestimated the Alliance's strength significantly.

Because within the Thousand Feathers Alliance, there were many forces like the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect and the Yu family.

Yes, over in Immortal Cloud City, having a Combined Aperture Tempering realm practitioner qualified as a dominant force. However, within the Thousand Feathers Alliance, there were numerous forces with Combined Aperture Tempering realm practitioners.

The term "dominant force" no longer applied to Combined Aperture Tempering realm forces within the Alliance.

Inside the Thousand Feathers Alliance, the only ones worthy of being called a dominant force were the leader of the Alliance, the Mountain Sea Realm.

The Thousand Feathers Alliance had Mountain Sea Realm cultivators, and it was precisely because of this Combined Aperture Tempering realm presence that these over a thousand forces remained so tightly united.

Moreover, the Thousand Feathers Alliance didn't have just one Mountain Sea Realm. According to the Yu family, a new Mountain Sea Realm had emerged within the Thousand Feathers Alliance fifty years ago.

Today, the Thousand Feathers Alliance actually had two Mountain Sea Realm cultivators. These two Mountain Sea Realm experts jointly governed the Thousand Feathers Alliance, and the more than a thousand forces within the alliance followed their will.

The Yu family was one of the members of the Thousand Feathers Alliance, and the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect was also going to join the Thousand Feathers Alliance.

Entering the Thousand Feathers Alliance came with an additional responsibility and required complete obedience to the Alliance. However, in return, the Thousand Feathers Alliance provided protection.

Of course, the strength of the Thousand Feathers Alliance was such that it didn't force anyone to join. In the eyes of the Thousand Feathers Alliance, even forces with Combined Aperture Tempering realm practitioners were just another part of the whole.

It could be said that having one more or one less didn't matter at all to the Thousand Feathers Alliance.

But not joining the Thousand Feathers Alliance would bring a lot of inconvenience when dealing with matters within the Alliance. If you chose to live within the boundaries of the Thousand Feathers Alliance and yet refused to become a part of it, it was obvious that you were making things difficult for yourself.

There used to be forces that were stubborn like this because they didn't want to take on any obligations. However, such forces often disappeared gradually within a decade or so.

No one knew how they disappeared, and in the perilous Boundless Sea, any random danger could make you vanish without a trace.

"Do you want to continue following the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect?" In the cave, Qu Qingsheng glanced at Zhou Zixun and Chen Fei and spoke in a deep voice.

The Thousand Feathers Alliance was undoubtedly a natural choice for the Primordial Sword Sect. However, there was a crucial decision to make – whether to join as an independent entity or to follow the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect in a subordinate capacity.

The difference in nature between the two options was substantial. If they chose to join as subordinates, the Primordial Sword Sect would essentially vanish, becoming a branch of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect.

Following the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect had its advantages, including the fact that Tong Zhongqiu was still alive. Joining the Thousand Feathers Alliance would guarantee access to the Alliance's islands, resources, and safety.

While there were many Combined Aperture Tempering realm practitioners within the Thousand Feathers Alliance, it was not so common that the Primordial Sword Sect's status would be completely overlooked. They would still receive a certain level of respect.

However, Qu Qingsheng could accept leaving the mountain gate that he had managed for many years and starting anew in a different place. What he couldn't accept was the Primordial Sword Sect disappearing and becoming a mere branch of another sect.

In a relatively short time, probably less than twenty years, hardly anyone would remember the Primordial Sword Sect, not even the elderly members of the sect.

"We won't follow. Well join the Thousand Feathers Alliance independently!" Zhou Zixun declared with determination.

The thought of the Primordial Sword Sect disappearing was even more unbearable to Zhou Zixun than his own death. Throughout his life, aside from his pursuit of martial arts, his greatest wish was to see the Primordial Sword Sect continuously grow and prosper.

Now, being told that the Primordial Sword Sect was on the brink of vanishing, Zhou Zixun couldn't bear it.

"Joining the Thousand Feathers Alliance independently will be challenging at first," Qu Qingsheng whispered, looking at Chen Fei.

With three Advanced Aperture Tempering realm practitioners in their sect, Qu Qingsheng wanted to know Chen Fei's opinion. In fact, Chen Fei's current opinion might truly determine their next course of action.

"However difficult it may be, we can overcome it, right?" Chen Fei looked at Qu Qingsheng and Zhou Zixun, a hint of a smile on his face.

Not following the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect meant that the Primordial Sword Sect would be a relatively ordinary force within the entire Thousand Feathers Alliance. Even with three Advanced Aperture Tempering realm practitioners, they would still be relatively weak due to their newcomer status.

In many places, there was an inherent tendency towards exclusion, especially towards newcomers. This was almost instinctual and extended beyond exclusion to outright bullying of newcomers.

Between ordinary people, this was the case, and among martial practitioners, the exclusion and bullying would be even more direct and violent.

So, joining the Thousand Feathers Alliance independently was akin to choosing the most challenging path.

But what could they do?

As Chen Fei said, however difficult it might be, they could overcome it, couldn't they?

"Hahaha, right, what does it matter how difficult it is!" Zhou Zixun burst into hearty laughter when he heard Chen Fei's words. He vigorously patted Chen Fei's shoulder, his eyes filled with satisfaction.

"Good, then we'll join the Thousand Feathers Alliance independently. I'll explain it to the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect!" Qu Qingsheng's face also broke into a smile.

As long as the future of the Chen Fei sect firmly stood by their side, in Qu Qingsheng's view, there was no difficulty that could defeat them.

At the beginning, they proceeded with caution, but as long as Chen Fei grew, everything would change.

A hint of a smile appeared on Chen Fei's face as he turned to look outside the cave.

The raging wind whipped the rain around, but eventually, the rain would stop following the wind.

After two days of continuous storm, it gradually subsided.

The Yu family had unearthed the large ships they had hidden on the island years ago. Although these ships were meticulously constructed at the time, they had still suffered damage and wear over the years.

Fortunately, the core structures of these ships remained intact. After two days of repairs and the temporary construction of some additional vessels, everyone set sail once more.

This journey took nearly five days. Thankfully, the weather was not as turbulent as in the previous days. On the fifth day, another island appeared before them.

After a period of rest, procurement, and the acquisition of several larger vessels, the group set off once again in a grand manner.

Finally, on the ninth day, they arrived at the island that the Yu family had originally managed.

The Yu family had left some people behind in the Boundless Sea. Of course, the highest cultivation level among them was only in the early Aperture Tempering realm, serving as a backup. It turned out that they were needed so soon.

After a few years had passed, the Yu family's island had become quite desolate. However, with the arrival of this large group of people, the entire island quickly came to life again.

At this point, many islands were actually quite close to each other, and reaching the mountain gates of other factions no longer required days of sailing.

Even practitioners with Aperture Tempering realm-level agility could traverse multiple factions on the same day. Only martial artists in the Body Tempering realm had to rely on ships for inter-island travel.

Joining the Thousand Feathers Alliance didn't require them to travel all the way to the Alliance's headquarters. They could simply submit their application at the nearby Haiyan City.

Haiyan City was the largest city nearby and also the largest island, almost equivalent to a small piece of land.

After Qu Qingsheng explained their decision to the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect, there was some attempt to persuade them to stay, but there was no real insistence.

Both parties parted amicably. If the Primordial Sword Sect was willing to merge with the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect, the latter would naturally welcome it. If not, the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect wouldn't suffer significant losses.

Under the elemental energy of the Boundless Sea, the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect had confidence in giving birth to new Combined Aperture Tempering realm practitioners. As long as they could establish a seamless connection with the Combined Aperture Tempering realm, the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect could firmly establish itself within the Thousand Feathers Alliance.

Compared to the Primordial Sword Sect's Combined Aperture Tempering realm practitioners, they indeed seemed less significant.

Half a month later, on an island, a group of island residents watched with curiosity as construction activities unfolded in the distance.

Within the influence of the Thousand Feathers Alliance, many islands had inhabitants, but not all of them had factions stationed there. It depended on whether the island had corresponding cultivation resources in its vicinity.

The island chosen by the Primordial Sword Sect had scarce resources in its vicinity, which is why no other factions had stationed here previously.

At this moment, not only the Primordial Sword Sect but also the Sunken Water Pavilion was present on this island.

The Sunken Water Pavilion had ultimately chosen the same path as the Primordial Sword Sect, which was to independently join the Thousand Feathers Alliance. Clearly, the Sunken Water Pavilion also wanted to preserve its own sect's heritage rather than becoming a branch of the Immortal Cloud Sword Sect.

Following the Primordial Sword Sect was solely for mutual support during the initial, most challenging period. After all, the combined strength of the two sects, while not at the pinnacle of the Aperture Tempering realm, was enough to deter prying eyes.

Half a year passed in the blink of an eye, and the entire island was calm and peaceful. The Primordial Sword Sect and the Sunken Water Pavilion gradually adapted to the Boundless Sea. Perhaps due to the change in environment, both sects saw three individuals each breakthrough to the Aperture Tempering realm one after another.

"Congratulations, Senior Sister Zhang!" Chen Fei congratulated Zhang Fangqiong with a bow in the courtyard.

"Compared to Junior Brother Chen, I'm already quite far behind," Zhang Fangqiong looked at Chen Fei with a bright smile, her eyes carrying a hint of indescribable meaning.

Ten days later, Ge Hongjie attempted to break through but ultimately failed. Subsequently, multiple members from both sects tried, but they all ended in failure.

While it was true that breaking through had become somewhat easier in the Boundless Sea, it was still a challenging endeavor.

In the courtyard,

"Chi!"

An incredibly sharp sword aura circulated in Chen Fei's hand. This was the most razor-sharp sword elemental power Chen Fei had ever displayed.

The Blade-Slaying Sword, the sixth transmission, was finally perfected.

Over the next few days, after six months of stagnation, Chen Fei's apertures finally broke through once more, bringing the total number of apertures to one hundred and six..