Deep within the Stygian Abyss. A narrow streak of bloody light descended from the crimson void, piercing the sea of blood like a blade, its terminus fixed upon the single, sealed island of bone!

In that instant, the eight islands, each undulating with the energy fluctuations of Soul Command, Death, Corrosion, Darkness, Chaos, Destruction, Despair, and Corpse Power, seemed to shudder violently. Above them, the martial artists of various races looked up at the sky in shock, their faces etched with astonishment.

The central island of bone was once a notorious secret cultivation ground favored by the Bloodthirsty lineage. It was strictly forbidden for others to set foot there; even the former Eight Great Leaders required the explicit approval of the Bloodthirsty Master to enter.

That island, imbued with the essence of Devouring, was the heart of the blood sea, the forbidden sanctuary, the very core foundation of the Bloodthirsty sect. Since the Bloodthirsty Master’s soul perished and his physical body disintegrated into dust, that island had remained sealed.

The Eight Great Leaders had attempted to open it numerous times, through open challenge and subtle maneuvering, but not one had succeeded in accessing the place where the Bloodthirsty Master once undertook his harsh training. By this day, many inheritors of the Bloodthirsty lineage had come to believe that the island might never be unlocked again.

This thought resided deep within their souls, like an indelible brand, causing them to subconsciously accept it as truth. Yet, today, at this very moment, the forbidden zone sealed for ten thousand years was being pierced by a beam of blood-red light!

Every individual bearing the inheritance of the Eight Great Essences, every one who understood the arcane mysteries of the forbidden zone, was struck with terror, experiencing a premonition of world-altering doom. On the Soul Command Island, the kinsman of the Nether Emperor race stood up from his spot, his obsidian eyes radiating an icy, frigid sheen, and glared forward, his tone sharp and venomous: “He actually came willingly.

Hmph. Does he truly believe that by obtaining the Sovereign Lord’s inheritance, he can instantly become the new Sovereign Lord, towering above us Leaders?” Beside him stood numerous cultivators versed in the Soul Command Essence—members of the Dark Spirit, Shadowy Phantom, and Nether races.

They all deferred to him, bowing slightly. Those proficient in the Soul Command Essence possessed a subtle, profound understanding of soul principles, masters of manipulating spirits and twisting minds.

They carried a spectral aura, as if countless malevolent spirits and shades were bound within them. Their gazes were deeply eerie, appearing capable of penetrating the very hearts of others.

They looked toward the Nether Emperor clansman, silent and reserved, none daring to offer a verbal reply. “The Leaders have made arrangements.

This individual is unworthy to become the new Sovereign Lord,” the clansman swept his eyes around before coldly commanding, “You will go to the other islands and deliver the Leaders’ message.” Several warriors, who had also attained the Primordial God realm and cultivated the Soul Command Essence, nodded subtly. While their true forms remained on Soul Command Island, their souls transformed into streaks of shadowy light, winding their way out.

In an instant, they vanished. … Concurrently.

Frielitt and Xuanhe were urgently questioning Feiran and Liana about Shi Yan’s whereabouts, probing for every corner where Shi Yan might have lingered, desperate to locate him swiftly. The opening of the Blood Edict consumed enormous energy and resources from the Bloodthirsty lineage, and each activation signaled that a major event was imminent for them.

This time, the Blood Edict was mobilized primarily for Shi Yan, and his protracted absence was driving Xuanhe and Frielitt to the brink of murderous fury. “We do not know the Master’s whereabouts; we cannot track him.” “I have been in the Fiery Rain Star Domain for a long time and haven't seen the Master.” “Didn’t the Master go to the Great Wave Star?

He hasn’t returned.” “I don’t know either.” Kato, Benny, Feiran, Yang Qingdi, and the others all shook their heads, claiming ignorance. Xuanhe and Frielitt were boiling with resentment.

They had meticulously planned for years, all to ensure the smooth execution of this Blood Edict, which was intended to place Shi Yan upon the throne. At the crucial moment, Shi Yan vanished without warning into a rift between domains, completely disrupting their plans and driving them to the verge of spitting blood.

In their estimation, everything they had done was for the continuation of the Bloodthirsty legacy, yet it had clearly served only to elevate Shi Yan. They believed Shi Yan would naturally comply with their arrangements, accept the leadership role with their aid, unite the scattered forces of the Bloodthirsty lineage, and stand firm against the God Race.

Shi Yan’s sudden act of defiance left them deeply displeased and secretly infuriated. Suddenly, a streak of bloody light tore through the clouds and plunged downward, striking the forbidden island.

Xuanhe and Frielitt, consumed by rage over Shi Yan’s disappearance, had their eyes suddenly blaze with light. They simultaneously looked toward the island representing the Sovereign Lord, their faces alight with exhilaration.

Xuanhe and Frielitt exchanged a glance, grinned broadly, let out booming laughter, and swept up Yang Qingdi and the others, rocketing directly toward the island of devouring bone. … Shi Yan plunged like a crimson electric rainbow into the center of the island within the sea of blood, landing upon the piles of bleached bones.

The island was constructed entirely of stacked white bones. At a glance, it was nothing but countless skeletal remnants—no grass, no trees, no insects or birds.

There wasn’t even the conventional ambient energy of heaven and earth. This place was profoundly bizarre and peculiar.

Thick, bloody smoke enveloped the island’s periphery, blanketing the horizon, seemingly acting as a bloody shroud that sealed the land. As he descended, the Blood Pattern Ring projected a brilliant crimson ray that sliced through the blood-colored light barrier, allowing him to land safely.

Now, focusing his mind, he released a probing wave of divine power, and his expression immediately grew solemn. His divine power, at the first layer of the Primordial God realm, was far purer and more robust than that of ordinary individuals.

Yet, even with his space-essence imbued penetration technique, he could not tear through the blood shroud. This indicated that the barrier surrounding the island was exceptionally tough and unbreakable.

Perhaps only an absolute master at the Immortal realm possesses enough strength to blast through the barrier and charge inside, he thought subconsciously. Unfortunately, he had no idea that since the demise of the Bloodthirsty Master, the Eight Great Leaders had tried countless times, exhausting every effort to enter this place without a single success.

The ground where he now stood had not been trod upon by anyone for ten millennia. Even at this moment, Xuanhe and Frielitt were blocked outside the barrier of the crimson light screen.

They had rushed over filled with excitement and joy, believing they could finally step inside, only to be thwarted again by the barrier. They attempted to extend their souls and consciousness, aiming to actively contact Shi Yan.

Given their level of attainment, even their divine sense and spiritual thoughts could not penetrate the barrier. This layer, established by the Bloodthirsty Master long ago, was like an eternal boundary of the cosmos, capable of repelling all intrusions—whether power or spiritual intent—all were rejected outright.

Xuanhe and Frielitt, both at the Immortal realm, were powerless, barred from entry, left only to watch as the blood-red silhouette that was Shi Yan dissolved without a trace, completely absorbed into the Bloodthirsty forbidden zone. “This…” Xuanhe looked at Frielitt, next to whom were swirling masses of bloody clouds containing Yang Qingdi, Liana, and the others.

“We can’t enter, so we can’t contact that brat. What are we going to do?” “You couldn't enter even with the memory fragment from the Blood Pattern Ring.

This means one must fully merge with all the ring’s spirit memories to reside here. The Blood Pattern Ring is the key to opening the forbidden zone, and since he possesses it, he can enter freely,” Frielitt admitted helplessly.

“We couldn't enter before, and we can’t now. There’s nothing to be done but wait for him to emerge on his own.” “But the contention among the other lineage leaders is now inevitable.

Doesn't he know that? Could his rebellious streak intensify?

This kid cannot be judged by conventional standards. It’s troublesome,” Xuanhe said with a wry smile.

“Leave this matter to me. I will confer with him and ensure he willingly accepts the ascendancy,” Yang Qingdi interjected suddenly, speaking with complete composure.

“The fact that he came proactively means he has acknowledged reality; he is here for the Sovereign Lord position. You need not worry so much.” At these words, Xuanhe and Frielitt simultaneously turned their gazes onto Yang Qingdi, their eyes possessing a strange intensity, as if trying to see through every bone and meridian in his body.

After a long pause, a flicker of strange light appeared in the eyes of Xuanhe and Frielitt. They nodded slightly, unexpectedly agreeing with Yang Qingdi’s assessment.

Yang Qingdi’s current cultivation level wasn’t considered superb; logically, he shouldn’t have warranted the attention of Xuanhe and Frielitt. However, both Xuanhe and Frielitt knew that cultivators practicing the Despair Essence could never have their true strength measured by mere rank.

In Yang Qingdi, they perceived a searing sharpness, an edge capable of shattering the heavens! This sharpness held infinite might!

Only those at their level could see the essence of power clearly enough to discern its true measure. “Then we shall proceed with arranging the leaders’ contest first, while waiting for him to emerge on his own,” Frielitt nodded.

He pondered for a few seconds, then suddenly looked at Yang Qingdi. “On the Despair Island, there are dozens of cultivators practicing the Despair Essence.

Across the vast Star Sea, only a handful managed to coincidentally encounter a wisp of the Master’s despair intent and successfully grasp the Despair Essence. One of those individuals will become the new Despair Leader.

Do you… wish to try?” Xuanhe’s spirit jolted, and he too fixed his gaze on Yang Qingdi, his heart struck with awe. Their meticulous plans for years relied on Bang Teng and Torrey as their primary backups, intended to contend for the Corrosion and Darkness leaderships, respectively.

However, even if Bang Teng and Torrey succeeded, coupled with himself and Frielitt, they would only command half of the eight inheritances. They needed the support of at least one more leader to fully realize their scheme.

Yang Qingdi presented them with a glimmer of hope… The Despair Essence has always been exceptionally unique among the Eight Great Inheritances; it relies not on prior inheritance but solely on self-comprehension. Consequently, the current practitioners on Despair Island were not overwhelmingly powerful in cultivation.

The strongest among them was merely at the first layer of the Primordial God realm. Although Yang Qingdi was only at the first layer of the Void God realm, when cultivators shared the same foundational Essence, the deepest understanding of that Essence was paramount—especially for the Despair Essence.

Warriors who cultivated this Essence never lacked the ability to challenge those of higher ranks. In fact, this Essence was inherently linked to fighting above one's rank from the very beginning.

Many true world-shaking experts continuously challenged those superior to them from the moment they started learning. A Void God challenging a Primordial God might be wishful thinking in the other seven lineages, but for the Despair lineage...

success was actually possible. “Defeat the Primordial God realm warrior and claim the Despair Leadership?” Yang Qingdi’s eyes flared with sudden, fierce zeal.

A chilling, bloodthirsty excitement, seen only in the most fanatically obsessive individuals, surfaced on his face. His slender body trembled slightly, and an overwhelming surge of battle intent erupted from the deepest recesses of his spiritual altar.

Xuanhe and Frielitt’s eyes lit up. That extreme, almost demonic fervor for battle was something they had only witnessed in one person in their lives—the former Despair Leader, Senluo.

The sharpness of the aura Yang Qingdi currently displayed, that obsessive craving, even surpassed what Senluo had demonstrated in his prime! This individual was clearly born for the Despair Essence.

Even if he failed to seize the leadership this time, he was destined to become the true soul figure of the Despair Essence in the future! Xuanhe and Frielitt looked at Yang Qingdi, a profound realization dawning upon them, and a sudden surge of respect followed.

At this moment, they seemed to already visualize Yang Qingdi’s future triumphs as the Despair Leader, perhaps even surpassing Senluo. When they looked at him again, they tacitly began treating him as an equal.

This was the recognition of hero by hero. …(To be continued……RQ