"Could it be that the three factions have joined forces?" Ye Bufan had this thought, but the Demon Cult harbored deep hatred for the people of Sakura Island, making this possibility unlikely.
"Senior, have the people of Yin Fan and Sakura Island made any recent moves?" Ye Bufan asked again.
"The Yin Fan side has always acted discreetly, never making a sound no matter what they do," Song Mingqin replied. "Generally, other countries and regions don't pay much attention to Yin Fan."
Ye Bufan nodded. He had heard whispers about Yin Fan's Yoga techniques from Lin Xiaoyao before.
"Senior Song, it seems we need to spend some time thoroughly researching Yin Fan," Ye Bufan said. "The disappearance of the shackles is drawing nearer. Yin Fan, as an ancient civilization, possesses certain accumulations. However, the vast resources of Kyushu must be protected from any outsiders seeking to exploit them."
"I will make arrangements," Song Mingqin replied.
The two hung up. Ye Bufan still harbored an ominous premonition.
As soon as he finished speaking with Song Mingqin, Ye Qingyi called.
"Sister Ye, what a surprise to hear from you," Ye Bufan answered, smiling slightly.
"With the recent undercurrents of danger, I decided to call and check on my dear younger brother," Ye Qingyi's voice came from the other end. "Recently, external forces have been converging towards our Kyushu. You must be cautious during this time, little brother."
Ye Bufan smiled. "Thank you for the reminder, Sister. Nowadays, unless I face a master like you, it's quite difficult for anyone to defeat me."
"You broke through?" Hearing Ye Bufan's words, Ye Qingyi's tone became noticeably more relaxed.
"Just broke through," Ye Bufan said, puffing out his chest with pride.
"Your progress, little brother Ye, is truly beyond reach," Ye Qingyi chuckled. "It seems I worried unnecessarily. With your current strength, it's indeed difficult for anyone to get close to you."
Flattered by Ye Qingyi's praise, Ye Bufan sheepishly rubbed his nose.
"You need to pay close attention to the movements from Yin Fan recently," Ye Qingyi continued. "From time to time, experts from Sakura Island and Yin Fan have attempted to enter the underground city, but they were always blocked by its restrictions. I suspect they have other motives."
"Oh?" Ye Bufan had only heard about people from Sakura Island trying to breach the underground city before, never expecting Yin Fan to be involved as well.
"What do you know so far?" Ye Bufan inquired.
"The people from Sakura Island and Yin Fan believe Yu Xing is dead and the underground city is merely a facade, hoping to seize control of it," Ye Qingcheng's brief explanation laid bare the intentions of both Sakura Island and Yin Fan.
"Their simultaneous appearance suggests they are being orchestrated by someone behind the scenes," Ye Bufan observed.
"I went to Sakura Island recently and killed someone from the Yin Corpse Sect, retrieving quite a few treasures from them," Ye Qingyi mentioned.
Ye Bufan couldn't resist teasing. "Could it be that they found out about your actions and are now seeking revenge?"
"Naughty brother, even if you were discovered, I wouldn't be," Ye Qingyi retorted.
"Alright, I'll end this call for now. Since they believe Yu Xing is gone and want to take over the underground city, I should make them pay a price."
Ye Qingyi likely had other plans. After saying this, she hung up.
Two days later, Song Mingqin received news that Yin Fan had dispatched cultivators to Kyushu, hoping to engage in an exchange with the sects there.
"This timing is too coincidental," Ye Bufan breathed deeply.
"It's not over," Song Mingqin added. "It's not just Yin Fan; countries like the European Alliance and the United Kingdom have also sent cultivators, intending to visit Kyushu for an exchange."
Ye Bufan frowned and asked, "Were there any prior signs of this?"
Song Mingqin shook his head. "It seems they are well-prepared this time."
"It's fine. If they are prepared, we will make them retreat in defeat," Ye Bufan declared. "Did they say anything else?"
"They expressed a desire for an exchange between their younger generations and specifically requested your participation," Song Mingqin reported. "I have a feeling they are targeting you."
"Regardless of whether they are targeting me, if they intend to do anything detrimental to me now, they will have to pay a steep price," Ye Bufan said, taking a deep breath. He was quite confident in this regard.
Song Mingqin was silent for a moment, then suddenly raised his voice, hesitating, "Ye Bufan, you... you... you aren't...?"
"Yes," Ye Bufan confirmed to Song Mingqin. "However, I need Senior to keep this confidential for now. This way, I can see the true intentions of these foreign cultivators and give them a surprise."
Song Mingqin smiled and teased, "You call it a surprise, but it will be a shock for them."
After the call ended, the major sects began discussing where to host the foreign cultivators.
Initially, they considered a secluded cultivation world. However, to their surprise, the foreign cultivators who had arrived in Kyushu requested to hold the exchange within the underground city in Kyoto.
"It seems their intentions for this exchange are not as simple as they appear," Bai Zizhen narrowed his eyes. "We should discuss this matter thoroughly with the people of the underground city."
"There's no need for discussion," Ye Qingcheng's voice echoed as she entered the conference room while everyone was still pondering. She addressed the group, "My sister said that the underground city can be used as a venue for the exchange. Since they have ulterior motives, we need to invest a little to make them reveal their true colors."
"Since you sisters feel it's acceptable, we will agree," Bai Zizhen said. "However, outsiders are rarely allowed into the underground city. Allowing these foreigners in this time might..."
"My sister has already thought of a solution for this. She said that she hopes everyone can cooperate when the time comes," Ye Qingcheng explained.
"Since you have a plan, we will cooperate accordingly," Bai Zizhen agreed.
"Alright! I've delivered the message, so I'll be leaving now," Ye Qingcheng stated. "My sister said that this so-called exchange is actually a mutual test before the shackles disappear, and she hopes everyone will be prepared."
With that, Ye Qingcheng departed.