A pair of fiendishly evil eyes, Gui Liao, suddenly froze as he materialized from the stone cave, exclaiming in shock, "Master!"

Interrupted during a deep cultivation session, he felt an impossibly powerful fluctuation outside the cave and roared in fury, preparing to dispel the seal and severely punish the presumptuous disturber, only to be stunned by the appearance of Shi Yan, who had been absent for so long.

For some time recently, every moment of his cultivation felt like being trapped in an unreal dream. Subtly, some force, some voice, seemed to be guiding him, urging him towards the apex of power.

He had once received the most ancient inheritance of the Demon Race from the Tian Yao Mountain Range...

Back then, within those mountain ranges shaped like colossal hands, beams of strange light had bathed his body and mind, imprinting upon him countless profound techniques. His bloodline, bones, and cells had all undergone marvelous transformations before he was suddenly transported to the Shadow Ghost Prison.

He had struggled to survive in the Shadow Ghost Prison for years, battling the Shadow Ghosts, causing his strength and realm to advance by leaps and bounds, deepening his understanding of that Demon Race inheritance.

He grew stronger every single day.

Yet, never had the growth of his power been so swift as it had been recently!

These past few days, it was as if he were favored by an unseen deity. Once he began cultivating, his power condensed dozens of times over, gathering Heaven and Earth spiritual energy, and his comprehension of power became remarkably profound.

He didn't know what was happening, but he knew he had to seize this period, maximizing his strength. Thus, he cultivated day and night, refusing all other activities, even ignoring several summons from Gu Te.

This entire area had long been placed under his strict prohibition; no one was allowed near.

Therefore, the moment Shi Yan’s aura surfaced, he felt surprised in his wondrous state, immediately followed by burning rage.

"What realm are you in now?" Shi Yan's face was etched with shock; he remained stunned for a long while before finally inquiring.

He, too, was deeply shaken.

He never expected that the being whose bloodline manifested in his mind—more pure and peculiar than even that of Zuo Shi—would turn out to be Gui Liao!

It was entirely beyond his expectation.

He suddenly recalled Gui Liao’s origin...

Gui Liao was a hybrid of a Seventh Level Underworld Ghost from the Netherworld and a Fanged Dragon from the Demon Domain. The Underworld Ghost was a Nether Beast, and the Fanged Dragon was a Demonic Beast. Strictly speaking, both were classified under the Demon Race, though Nether Beasts and Demonic Beasts differed slightly from ordinary demonic beasts. Nether Beasts cultivated by inhaling nether energy, Demonic Beasts by inhaling demonic energy, while the true Demon Race inhaled Heaven and Earth spiritual energy.

Since the Nether Beast Underworld Ghost and the Demonic Beast Fanged Dragon both belonged to the Demon Race lineage, Gui Liao, as their hybrid, was naturally also of the Demon Race. But why was his bloodline superior to Zuo Shi's?

Zuo Shi possessed the bloodline of the Sacred Beast Xuanwu!

Shi Yan frowned deeply, contemplating for a long time, then suddenly jolted.

Mutation!

Bloodline mutation had always been the most mysterious domain, an enigma that no one could unravel the intricacies of, regardless of race.

Conventionally, offspring resulting from two ordinary races tended to be ordinary. However, exceptions existed; sometimes, the union of two common races produced exceptionally powerful entities, known as bloodline mutations—an inexplicable, unfathomable riddle in the cosmos.

Gui Liao’s mutation, perhaps... was far from simple.

Because the Underworld Ghost was the supreme Nether Beast of the Nether Domain, and the Fanged Dragon was the overlord among Demonic Beasts, their hybrid—who had also accepted the ancient inheritance of the Tian Yao Race—underwent changes whose profound subtleties perhaps no one in this world could fully explain.

But Shi Yan was certain of one thing: Gui Liao must have gained immense benefit from the changes occurring on the Divine Grace Continent!

Gui Liao’s immediate response confirmed his judgment: "Based on the Demon Race power classification, I should be at the High Rank of the Twelfth Level, equivalent to the Third Heaven of the Void God realm in other races."

Shi Yan was horrified.

"Have you noticed anything unusual recently? Concerning your cultivation?" he asked intently.

"Yes! Cultivation has become effortless. Enhancing my power faces no resistance whatsoever. I notice changes every day as the inheritance from the Tian Yao Mountain Range... gradually merges with my soul and flesh. I just know I am getting stronger and stronger, but I don't know why," Gui Liao replied.

Shi Yan nodded silently.

His guess wasn't far off. The Underworld Ghost and the Fanged Dragon were likely Demon Races dwelling in the crevices of the Divine Grace Continent. Perhaps these two creatures inherently possessed the pure bloodline of the Tian Yao Race. Through Gui Liao’s hybrid fusion, this bloodline... seemed even more perfect than the bloodline of the Sacred Beast Xuanwu!

What did this imply?

Shi Yan’s heart suddenly leaped with excitement!

If events continued to evolve this way, if he subtly guided the process... could Gui Liao, possessing the most perfect Tian Yao bloodline, become the Sovereign of the Tian Yao Race?

He trembled with realization.

"Excellent! Continue cultivating! Cultivate diligently!" Taking a deep breath, Shi Yan decisively stated, "Do not concern yourself with the battle on the Blood Demon Star. I am here, and nothing will happen to this place. In a few days, I will introduce you to some people; they might require a few drops of your blood, which will benefit you."

Gui Liao was almost entirely obedient to him and simply nodded.

Shi Yan immediately ceased speaking. With a shift in profound meaning (Ao Yi), he vanished once more from the valley garrisoned by the Tyrannosaurus Rex Clan, appearing instantly in the Demon God Hall.

"Where were you just now?" Blood Demon asked in surprise.

"Meeting friends," Shi Yan replied with a relaxed demeanor. "With Bei Luo's latent threat gone, the God Race can only launch a frontal assault. We will slowly wear them down. In a few more days... they won't be able to cause trouble."

The Blood Demon and the others knew that the starship fleets summoned by Shi Yan from various star domains were currently maneuvering covertly, cautiously surrounding the God Race forces, aiming to swallow the Ascott family and the Fernandez family in one swoop. Hearing Shi Yan say this, they finally relaxed.

"Your confidantes have awakened from their cultivation and are inside the hall..." The Blood Demon gave a knowing look at the doorway, a strange smile on his face.

Shi Yan felt a touch of awkwardness. He had sensed those familiar fluctuations the moment he arrived. Without dawdling further with the Blood Demon, he shook his head and proceeded toward an elegant side room in the inner hall. Inside, Xia Xinyan, Zi Yao, and Feng Rao sat gracefully, eating crystalline fruits and conversing with smiles.

The moment he appeared, three pairs of soul-capturing, beautiful eyes focused on him simultaneously, and three smiling faces blossomed like flowers.

"Finally decided to return?" Zi Yao’s bright eyes held a trace of playful anger as she teased with a smile. "Oh? Just you? Didn't bring any beauties back with you? How unusual."

Xia Xinyan pursed her lips into a light smile. "We were just speculating how many wildflowers you might have picked up this time. It's quite surprising."

Feng Rao, with her sensual figure and charming face, merely laughed softly without answering.

Shi Yan rubbed the bridge of his nose, casually pulled up a stool, sat down, and with an empty grasp, plucked fruits from the plates of the three women. He lightly tapped the table and laughed loudly, "Listen to me recount the secrets of the Ancient Continent truthfully. You all better serve me well, or don't blame me if my telling isn't exciting enough."

The three women giggled incessantly, each throwing him a look that was a mixture of feigned reproach and flirtatious affection.

They were unaware of the existence of reinforcements and were actually under immense pressure in their hearts. They deeply understood how difficult Shi Yan’s return must have been, and they simply wanted to see him and know that he was safe and sound.