Chapter 135: The Master Returns
After fusing the fourth fragment, Ye Li found a hidden cave on a shattered star outside the Silent Star Abyss and began a months-long retreat. This retreat was not only to consolidate his cultivation, but also to integrate the insights gained from the Silent Star Abyss with his own learning.
Inside the cave, Ye Li sat cross-legged, surrounded by layers of formations, isolating the inner and outer worlds. Before her hovered the Mysterious Ice Sword, its blade brimming with three distinct energies: the icy blue of the extremely cold sword energy, the pale golden light of samsara, and the deep grey of the newly comprehended power of annihilation.
"Nirvana... Reincarnation..." Ye Li muttered to herself, her fingertips tapping the blade. The three powers began to slowly blend. This process was extremely difficult, and the slightest mistake could trigger a backlash. But Ye Li's control over the powers had reached a state of exquisite perfection, her mind completely immersed in the deduction of the sword's way.
As time passed, the three forces finally found their equilibrium. Like three dragons, icy blue, pale gold, and dark gray danced harmoniously across the sword. With a gleam in Ye Li's eyes, he swung his sword forward.
There was no earth-shattering roar, but wherever the sword passed, space seemed drained of all life, a scene of withering. Even time slowed to a crawl under the influence of this strike.
"This sword move is called 'Six Paths of Samsara Sword: Shura Path of Nirvana.'" Ye Li named this newly created sword move. This sword move not only contained the freezing power of extreme cold and the meaning of reincarnation, but also added the true meaning of the final annihilation, making it more terrifying than any previous move.
Next, she began perfecting the "Universe Traceless Step." Her profound understanding of time and space in the Shattered Galaxy gave her a whole new perspective on this movement technique.
No longer content with simple spatial travel, she began to attempt to incorporate temporal changes. After countless deductions and practices, she finally achieved a breakthrough.
With a thought, her figure vanished from the spot, reappearing a hundred feet away the next moment. This wasn't a simple teleportation; rather, she cleverly circumvented the passage of time during her movement. To outsiders, it seemed as if she hadn't moved at all, yet she had actually changed her position.
"Coming and going without a trace, leaving no trace in time and space." Ye Li nodded with satisfaction. Now, the "Universe Traceless Step" was truly worthy of the word "traceless".
During her retreat, she also found time to refine several magical weapons. Using materials collected in the Nirvana Abyss, she refined a "Nirvana Banner," which could release the power of Nirvana to corrode enemies; and she also used the core of a void ray to refine a "Void Seal," which could perform space jumps at critical moments.
When Ye Li emerged from her retreat, her demeanor had undergone a profound transformation. Her once-black hair had completely turned silver, but this didn't make her look old; instead, it gave her a detached air. Her eyes had become even deeper, as if they held the secrets of the universe.
Feeling the surging power within her, Ye Li knew it was time to return. She needed to use the Nether Pavilion to understand the changes in the spirit world over the past few years, and also to prepare for the search for the remaining fragments of the Samsara Mirror.
Through a specially crafted jade talisman, she contacted Lin Feng, who was far away in Zhongzhou. Lin Feng's excited voice came from the other end of the jade talisman: "Pavilion Master! You've finally come out of seclusion!"
"Thank you for your hard work over the years." Ye Li said gently, "Please make arrangements. I will meet you at Hidden Mist Villa."
"Yes! I'll prepare immediately!"
Hidden Mist Villa is located in the Misty Mountains at the border of Zhongzhou and the Western Regions. Shrouded in perpetual clouds and mist year-round, its terrain is dangerous and serves as one of the most important secret strongholds of the Youge. While superficially a home for a cultivator, the villa is in reality the core hub of the Youge.
When Ye Li arrived at Yinwu Villa on the Flowing Light Boat, Lin Feng and a group of core members of the Youge were already waiting in the square outside the villa. Seeing Ye Li step down from the Star Boat, everyone was shocked by her transformation.
Her long silver hair fluttered gently in the wind, and her black dress accentuated her snow-white skin. Most startling was the unfathomable aura that emanated from her, as if she were one with the world.
"Welcome back, Pavilion Master!" Led by Lin Feng, everyone saluted in unison, their voices filled with excitement and awe.
Ye Li glanced at everyone and nodded slightly: "Thank you all for your hard work over the years."
Surrounded by the crowd, she walked into the main hall of the villa. It was already well-decorated, with detailed maps of the various spiritual realms hanging on the wall, marking the locations of the various Youge strongholds.
After sitting down, Lin Feng began to report in detail on the development of Youge over the years.
"Pavilion Master, since you last left, the size of the You Pavilion has more than tripled." Lin Feng pointed to the map on the wall and said, "We now have branches in all seven regions of the Spirit Realm, with a core membership of 500 and peripheral members exceeding 10,000."
He singled out several key locations: "Tingtao Pavilion in Dongzhou has become the largest intelligence trading center in the region; we have people serving as deacons in the Vajra Temple in the Western Regions; and we also have spies in the Ten Thousand Demons Valley in the Southern Wasteland."
Ye Li listened carefully, nodding from time to time. Lin Feng's talent was indeed outstanding, and he managed Youge in an orderly manner.
"In terms of business, the 'Lixuan Chamber of Commerce' has now ranked among the top ten chambers of commerce in the Spirit World," Lin Feng continued. "Our specialties, such as the 'Ice Heart Pill' and the 'Mysterious Water Talisman', are in high demand in the market. Last year, the Chamber of Commerce's total revenue reached 30 million high-grade spirit stones."
Even more satisfying to Ye Li was Youge's achievements in talent development. Lin Feng specifically introduced several rising stars: "Qingfeng from the Alchemy Hall has already mastered the art of refining fifth-grade elixirs; Mingyue from the Talisman Hall's unique 'Mysterious Ice Talisman' won first prize at the Talisman Master Conference; and Yinsha from the Intelligence Hall has successfully infiltrated the middle levels of Tianji Tower."
Next, Lin Feng began to report the latest situation in the spiritual world, and his expression became solemn.
"Pavilion Master, the spirit world has been quite restless over the past few years." He pulled out a secret report. "First, the various ancient secret realms have been unusually opened. Three months ago, 'God Burial Mountain' suddenly opened, and all major factions sent personnel to explore. Two months ago, unusual movements occurred in the 'Sea of Samsara,' and it's rumored that an ancient legacy has appeared."
Ye Li thought thoughtfully: "It seems that the world will undergo great changes."
"What's even more worrying is the activities of the 'Dark Pupil' organization." Lin Feng pulled up several videos. "According to the intelligence we have, they've appeared in at least seven ancient ruins, seemingly searching for something. And..."
He paused, lowering his voice. "We suspect they're colluding with some hidden forces. The recent border conflict between the Western Buddhist Kingdom and the Southern Wilderness Demon Territory is likely their influence."
Ye Li looked at the black-robed figures in the video, a cold glint in her eyes. These lingering creatures were indeed still operating in the dark.
"Most importantly," Lin Feng's tone became more serious, "rumors about the 'Eclipse Realm' have begun to spread among the top forces. Although there is no solid evidence yet, many ancient families are secretly preparing, as if they are preparing for some kind of catastrophe."
After listening to the report, Ye Li was silent for a moment, then looked at Lin Feng: "Your cultivation has also improved a lot."
Lin Feng replied respectfully, "Thanks to Pavilion Master, I have already broken through to the early stage of the Divine Ability Realm."
Ye Li nodded with satisfaction, then stood up and walked to the center of the hall. Her eyes swept over every core member present, and her voice was clear and firm:
"Everyone, it's time for Youge to come out of the shadows."
This statement stunned everyone. Youge had always pursued a strategy of stealth development, but now suddenly moving out into the open was a huge shift.
Ye Li continued, "Youge now possesses considerable strength. Continuing to hide in the shadows will only limit our development. Furthermore, in the face of the impending changes, we need a larger stage and more resources."
She walked over to the map and pointed to several key locations. "In East Continent, we must control at least three major trade routes. In the Western Regions, we must establish our own power within the Buddhist Kingdom. In the Southern Wilds, we must establish a cooperative relationship with the demon tribe."
"Master, isn't this too risky?" an elder asked worriedly.
Ye Li smiled slightly: "Risks and opportunities coexist. Moreover..." She suddenly exuded a powerful aura, "The current Youge has this strength."
Everyone was shocked when they felt Ye Li's unfathomable cultivation.
"Pavilion Master, your cultivation..." Lin Feng couldn't help but ask.
"Late stage of the Divine Ability Realm." Ye Li replied calmly, "Only one step away from the Great Perfection."
A sound of gasps echoed through the hall. Late stage of the Divine Power Realm! This was already the pinnacle of cultivation in the Spirit World, and many of the leaders of major sects were no more than this.
With such strength as a backing, everyone has confidence in Ye Li's plan.
"Our goal isn't just to gather intelligence." Ye Li's voice echoed through the hall. "We want to become a force capable of influencing the spiritual world. To prepare for the impending 'Eclipse' catastrophe, and also to... protect everything we want to protect."
Her gaze became profound, as if she had penetrated time and space and saw the beautiful figure in seclusion in the Jiuxiao Palace.
"We will follow the Master's orders!" Everyone saluted excitedly. With a clear direction and a strong leader, Youge was bound to usher in new glory.
In the days that followed, Ye Li personally formulated a development plan for Youge. She divided Youge into two main lines: the open line, with the Lixuan Chamber of Commerce as the core, vigorously developed business and accumulated resources; the secret line, she continued to strengthen the intelligence network, focusing on monitoring the relevant movements of the Dark Eye Organization and the Eclipse World.
She also personally guided the core members in their cultivation, passing on some of her own experience in cultivation to them, especially in their understanding of the Dao of Time and Space, which benefited them greatly.
A month later, when Ye Li left Yinwu Villa again, Youge, a massive organization hidden in the shadows of the spirit world, had begun to quietly transform. In the near future, it would surely shock the entire spirit world with its brand new look.
Standing on the Flowing Light Boat, Ye Li looked back at the receding Hidden Mist Villa, her eyes gleaming with determination. The road ahead was still long, but she was ready. No matter how many difficulties and obstacles lay ahead, she would bravely move forward.
Because at the end of the road, there was someone waiting for her.
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