I and countless versions of myself simultaneously travel through time.

Ye Yan looked down at Wen Qing, who was bound hand and foot. The ropes were tight, outlining a rather shameful curve. Han Li stood to the side, watching this scene with a complicated expression, his lips twitching slightly.

Over the past two weeks, he has come to a complete understanding of Ye Yan's temperament.

This person is eccentric, ruthless, and unscrupulous in achieving his goals. He is a demon who is both righteous and evil, completely different from those righteous cultivators who spout benevolence and morality.

Strangely, Ye Yan's Dao heart was alarmingly clear. He was decisive in killing, yet never indiscriminately slaughtered the innocent; his methods were ruthless, but he always had his own inviolable bottom line. This contradictory quality was something Han Li had never witnessed before in his nearly 100-year cultivation career.

However, this person's cultivation level is unfathomable, and he comes from a demonic sect. His actions are becoming increasingly outrageous, like a fog, making it impossible for anyone to understand his true intentions.

Wen Qing was tied to the ground, her clothes disheveled, her hair loose, and her beautiful eyes filled with fear and resentment.

She was extremely beautiful, with skin as white as jade, and a mature woman's charm in her eyes and brows. She exuded a wifely aura that made people want to take a second look.

She initially thought Ye Yan was merely a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator at the peak, and relying on the Star Palace's resources and her own strategies, she intended to "persuade" this rogue cultivator to submit to the Star Palace.

But when Ye Yan casually placed a restriction on her, leaving her no room to resist, she realized how wrong she had been.

The man before them was far stronger than a Nascent Soul cultivator.

Wen Qing could sense that Ye Yan's magical power was incredibly abundant; the powerful fluctuations of spiritual energy clearly exceeded the limits that a Nascent Soul cultivator could withstand. An absurd thought flashed through her mind: Deity Transformation?

impossible!

How could there possibly be Nascent Soul cultivators in the human realm?

Although she and her husband joined forces and their combat power was enough to briefly contend with a Nascent Soul cultivator, Ling Xiaofeng was firmly imprisoned in the Magnetic Divine Mountain because of his cultivation of the Magnetic Divine Light, making it impossible for him to move an inch.

But if he wasn't a Nascent Soul cultivator, how could he have subdued her, a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, in a single move?

Ye Yan is indeed exploiting a bug in the human world.

He was already capable of breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, and even reaching the late Nascent Soul stage was not a problem for him.

But he didn't do that, because he knew that Nascent Soul cultivators consumed their lifespan in the mortal realm.

After breaking through to the Nascent Soul stage, lifespan will not increase; instead, aging will accelerate due to the scarcity of spiritual energy and incomplete laws in the human realm.

This is not cultivation; this is slow suicide.

Therefore, he chose to keep his cultivation at the peak of the late Nascent Soul stage, while continuously accumulating, compressing, and purifying his magical power. Now, the depth of his magical power is comparable to that of the early Nascent Soul stage.

This is also why Wen Qing couldn't beat him.

It's not that Wen Qing is too weak, but that Ye Yan is too outrageous.

Players who use cheats are just scoundrels!

Ye Yan was too lazy to waste words with her, so he raised his hand and placed it on Wen Qingtian's skull to search his soul.

Battles between great cultivators are always like this; when cultivation levels are overwhelming, all schemes and magical treasures are just a joke.

In the original novel, Han Li could easily kill opponents of the same level in the late Nascent Soul stage, thanks to his many opportunities, rich combat experience, and endless tricks.

Ye Yan's current strength is no weaker than Han Li's at the same stage, and searching for the soul of a late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator is as easy as drinking water for him.

Wen Qing's consciousness contained many restrictions, which were planted by the Grand Elders of the Star Palace throughout the ages, in order to prevent outsiders from spying on the secrets of the Star Palace.

But these restrictions were as fragile as paper windows in front of Ye Yan. With a surge of his divine sense, the restrictions shattered one after another, and Wen Qing groaned, his face turning even paler.

"Yuanci Divine Mountain..." Ye Yan chuckled, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, "is destined for me."

He raised his hand and tore open space, directly taking Wen Qing into the void rift.

The next instant, the two appeared on the outskirts of the Primordial Magnetic Divine Mountain. This legendary divine mountain was entirely dark gold in color, radiating a rich primordial magnetic power, which slightly distorted the surrounding space.

The elders of the Star Palace were patrolling outside the mountain when they saw Ye Yan suddenly appear. Their expressions changed drastically, and they frantically communicated with each other in the air.

"What do we do? The Star Palace is doomed!"

"This person's strength is unfathomable; even Elder Wen was captured. Going up against him would be suicide!"

"Quickly inform the other Twin Saints!"

Ye Yan ignored the divine sense transmissions and carried Wen Qing directly into the Star Palace's treasure vault.

The treasure vault's gate was covered with layers upon layers of restrictions, numbering in the hundreds, but in front of him, it was nothing more than a matter of a single punch.

With a loud crash, the barrier shattered, and the treasure vault doors burst open.

Ye Yan walked in, and his eyes immediately lit up.

Spirit stones were piled up like mountains, with top-grade and supreme-grade spirit stones everywhere.

A dazzling array of rare spiritual herbs, demon beast cores, and refining materials were on display, along with several magical artifacts of the Heavenly Treasure level, which floated quietly in mid-air, emitting various colors of spiritual light.

The Star Palace has ruled the chaotic Star Sea for ten thousand years, and all the wealth it has accumulated is here.

"I'll gladly accept these." Ye Yan waved his hand and put all the treasures into his storage bag.

Wen Qing slumped to the ground, watching Ye Yan empty the Star Palace's savings accumulated over tens of thousands of years, her heart bleeding.

She couldn't understand why, in the ten thousand years of the Star Sea, there had never been a Nascent Soul stage monster, so why did such a monstrous talent as Ye Yan appear at this time?

How dare cultivators from the upper realms bully cultivators from the lower realms like this? Is there any justice left? This is utterly beastly behavior!

This isn't a battle of magic, it's a crazy fish-blasting frenzy! You should have just said you were a Nascent Soul cultivator, then who would dare to mess with you?

"You beast..." Wen Qing cursed inwardly, "A dignified cultivator bullying a weak woman like this, he's simply a beast!"

Ye Yan turned to look at her, a slight smile playing on his lips: "Young friend Wen, are you insulting me?"

The change in title from "Wen Daoyou" to "Wen Xiaoyou" reflects a significant difference in their social status.

Wen Qing's face turned pale, and he quickly shook his head: "No, no, senior is too righteous, junior dares not."

Ye Yan chuckled: "We've all been there, I've been bullied like this too."

Wen Qing remained silent.

How can this person be so shameless?

Ye Yan emptied the treasure vault, but did not leave in a hurry.

He took Wen Qing to a secret room inside the treasure vault and placed her on the bed.

Wen Qing's expression changed drastically. Just as she was about to speak, Ye Yan raised his hand and set up a soundproof barrier.

"Don't misunderstand," Ye Yan said calmly. "I just need to borrow your body to test a martial arts technique."

He created his own dual cultivation technique, inspired by the "self" in the Doupo world.

In the world of Doupo, dual cultivation can enhance the cultivation level of both parties and even allow one to seize the other's magical power.

Ye Yan transplanted the core concept of this cultivation technique to the mortal world, and combined it with his own five elements spiritual root characteristics to create a wicked cultivation technique that could both enhance cultivation and steal the spiritual power of the opponent.

Of course, this exercise has gender requirements; men will benefit, but women need to consider more factors.

Wen Qing went from anger to being forced, from being forced to helplessness, and from helplessness to wanting to accept but not wanting, all within a day.

She could feel her cultivation level breaking through little by little, though only by a tiny fraction, but the feeling was real. Meanwhile, Ye Yan's five elemental roots also underwent subtle changes during this process; the circulation of the five elements became smoother, as if activated by some kind of power.

Afterwards, Ye Yan dressed and appeared normal.

Wen Qing hugged the quilt, huddled in the corner of the bed, her face still flushed.

She hesitated for a long time before finally asking, "You... how did you acquire your five spiritual roots?"

Ye Yan turned to look at her and said seriously, "Fellow Daoist Wen, please have some self-respect. Our relationship is purely one of cultivation; your daughter is still outside."

Wen Qing waved her hand dismissively: "Daughter? It's no big deal. You can bring her along too."

Ye Yan was shocked.

This woman has an even thicker skin than him.

You're so sexy.

Wen Qing sighed and explained, "I also need to break through to the Nascent Soul stage and go to the Spirit Realm. The Star Palace is vast, but it can't hold me. My lifespan is running out, and if I don't break through soon, I'll just die of old age in the mortal realm. So... I'm capable of anything for cultivation."

Ye Yan nodded, indicating his understanding.

The path of cultivating immortality is inherently defying the heavens; for the sake of longevity, one can do anything.

He understood Wen Qing's thoughts.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Madam Wen." Ye Yan smiled slightly.

When the two left the treasure vault, Wen Qing had changed into clean clothes and her face had regained its usual composure.

Ye Yan pulled Wen Qing's husband, Ling Fengxiao, out of the Yuan Magnetic Divine Mountain, casually placed a restriction on him, and threw him into the artificial banner.

Ling Fengxiao didn't even have a chance to resist before he was refined into a banner spirit, kneeling respectfully in the space within the banner and addressing it as "Master."

Ye Yan spent another half a day refining the Yuan Magnetic Divine Mountain and storing it in the artificial banner.

The artificial banner is a spatial magic artifact with an extremely vast internal space. After the Yuan Magnetic Divine Mountain was absorbed into it, the power of the entire banner increased dramatically.

Ye Yan could sense that the power of the five elements within the banner was operating in an unprecedented way, which greatly benefited his cultivation.

A day later, the two Saints of Xinggong emerged from seclusion and announced that all sects had submitted to Xinggong.

The law enforcement elders within the Star Palace exchanged glances, none daring to speak.

They all knew that the true power holder was no longer the Star Palace Saints, but the young man sitting in the main seat.

Ye Yan simply put them all into the artificial banner and refined them one by one in an instant.

Within half a day, all the law enforcement elders had become his loyal servants.

Wen Qing stood aside, watching all of this, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

Is this the difference in strength?

She ruled the Star Palace for tens of thousands of years, relying on strategy, tactics, and the hearts of the people.

Ye Yan only needs a single banner to make everyone submit.

"Yu Ling, don't get agitated." Wen Qing pressed down on Ling Yu Ling's hand beside him and whispered to comfort her.

Ling Yuling bit her lip, her eyes red-rimmed, but she couldn't say a word.

Ye Yan emerged from the secret chamber, and Wen Qing immediately went to greet him, draping a brand-new Taoist robe over his shoulders: "It's getting cold; you should put on another layer."

Ye Yan sighed, "You've really put me in a difficult position."

He still put on that Taoist robe.

The Taoist robe was specially made by the Star Palace. It was woven from celestial silkworm silk and embroidered with star and sea patterns. As the spiritual energy flowed, starlight shimmered faintly.

Wearing this Taoist robe signifies that he is the new master of the Star Palace.

Wen Qing also presented the key to the protective array of Tianxing City with both hands.

Standing atop the highest point of Tianxing City, Ye Yan looked down upon the majestic sea city below and proclaimed in a loud voice, "Star Palace, it's time to unify the outer seas."

He took out his storage bag and distributed spirit stones and array materials to his subordinate law enforcement elders.

Although they were controlled and treated like servants, Ye Yan never mistreated his own people.

Spirit stones, pills, and array materials are plentiful. He also developed a "Cultivator Space," a virtual training ground where Star Palace disciples can enter to participate in monster dungeons, hone their combat skills, and prepare for battles in the outer seas.

A month later, the Star Palace issued a notice: those who join the Star Palace will be exempt from rent for their cave dwellings, enjoy spirit stone subsidies and elixir subsidies, and have monthly rest days.

The news caused an uproar throughout the entire Chaotic Star Sea.

Unaffiliated cultivators flocked to the area, and long queues formed as people signed up to join the Star Palace.

Qiyuan Island, an offshore position.

Ye Yan stepped into this sea area teeming with demonic beasts and headed straight for the territory of the Feather Clan.

He had only one goal for this trip: the Wind and Thunder Wings.

In the original story, the three demons, Feng hope, Xuan Gui, and Du Jiao, joined forces to force Han Li to refine the Wind and Thunder Wings.

Ye Yan was too lazy to wait for the plot to unfold, so he took matters into his own hands. He arrived at the Feather Clan's territory, and with a sweep of his divine sense, he discovered a vast space deep underground.

Inside the space, Feng hope was sitting on a stone chair, leisurely sipping spiritual tea.

Ye Yan instantly appeared in front of him, and with a wave of the artificial banner, the restriction fell.

Before Feng hope could even react, he was restrained by the restriction, his eyes changing from fear to awe: "Grandpa, you've come."

Ye Yan nodded: "Call your two brothers over too."

The next day, the venomous dragon and the black tortoise arrived together.

Two enormous demonic shadows were entrenched in the hall, not yet transformed, still retaining their ferocious beastly forms.

One was entirely blood-red, its scales gleaming with a sinister blue light; the other carried a heavy tortoise shell on its back, its aura as steady as a mountain.

Although they had not yet taken human form, the spiritual pressure emanating from both of them had already solidified, clearly indicating that they were already level eight demonic beasts, with cultivation levels comparable to human Nascent Soul stage cultivators.

Ye Yan sat upright in the main seat, his fingertips gently caressing the celadon teacup, a playful smile on his lips. His gaze swept back and forth between the two demons, as if he were looking at two rare treasures: "Not bad, excellent aptitude, abundant spiritual power, truly excellent talents for weapon refining. After taking down the younger ones, go and wipe out the older ones in one fell swoop, not bad."

Before the venomous dragon and the black tortoise could react to the meaning of this sudden evaluation, Ye Yan's sleeves suddenly twitched.

A pitch-black artificial banner unfurled out of thin air, its surface fluttering in the wind. Two eerie beams of light descended from the sky like shackles, instantly immobilizing the two level-eight demonic beasts.

Immediately afterwards, Ye Yan grabbed at the air with his large hand, and the two demons' enormous bodies were sucked into the banner like a stream of light. In an instant, their consciousness was erased and they were completely refined.

"Refine several pairs of Wind and Thunder Wings, just in case," Ye Yan instructed casually.

Inside the once empty hall, the three refined demonic beast puppets and the banner spirit nodded in unison, their movements perfectly synchronized. They then obediently retreated into the earth fire chamber and began refining magical artifacts day and night.

Ye Yan casually left the Extreme Yin Ancestor here as a supervisor, and then with a flash, he escaped from the island and returned directly to Tianxing City.

Inside the city, Han Li was at a crucial moment in his seclusion, with faint vortexes of spiritual energy surrounding him, as if he were attempting to break through to the mid-stage of Core Formation.

Ye Yan did not disturb them. He only lingered outside the cave for a short while before turning around and leaving to begin a new round of seclusion on his own.

His gaze turned to a more distant place, the southern sky.

Before the ancient teleportation array, Ye Yan took out the ancient Great Teleportation Token and carefully scanned the complex patterns of the array with his divine sense.

Although this ancient teleportation array can cross realms, it suffers from enormous losses and is extremely unstable.

What he needed to do was to completely transform it, expand the base, and reinforce the nodes, making it a thoroughfare that would allow him to travel freely between Tiannan and the Chaotic Star Sea.

This was a massive undertaking, not something that could be accomplished in a day, but for someone with a long lifespan and patience like him, it was not insurmountable.

Ye Yan sat cross-legged at the center of the formation, his eyes slightly closed, his vast divine sense penetrating every inch of the formation's structure.

With the full power of his Dao Ancestor's abilities, those obscure and difficult-to-understand array patterns were dissected in his mind one by one, becoming as clear as if he were looking at the patterns on his palm.

How so?

Practicing formations is like mathematics.

Without extraordinary wisdom, Ye Yan would not have been able to understand this teleportation array at all. However, he still needed to understand this teleportation array set up by the ancient cultivator, and he needed to find the right materials one by one.

Half a day later.

I have learned how to make it.

After a long while, he sighed softly, opened his eyes, and a trace of helplessness and self-mockery flashed in them: "Alas, all my extraordinary abilities now are due to my own hard work and sweat."