With a strange, hexagonal luminescence, atop a colossal peak on Black Horn Star, streams of energy light shot forth, like crystalline currents, soaring toward those cultivating the Eight Great Evil Powers.

Blood Fiend, Benny, Cato, and those bearing blood-red marks on their foreheads were all seated cross-legged, as the crystalline energy lights surged into their forehead imprints, each manifesting in a distinct form.

Blood Fiend, being of the Undead Demon Race, absorbed the crystalline energy. It quickly transformed into robust vital energy, harmonizing seamlessly with the essence of life he had imprinted within his body. This caused his demonic blood to surge, enveloping him in a sheath of blood-colored membrane.

Within that sanguine flesh cocoon, Blood Fiend’s life fluctuations were terrifyingly intense, like a monstrous volcano on the verge of eruption.

Compared to him, the others appeared far more tranquil. Benny, a member of the Nether Race, felt the crystalline energy permeate him, resolving into wisps of somber gray thread that silently seeped into his altar. It was like a warm spring nourishing the structure, refining the essence of Destruction he cultivated within it to an even purer degree.

Cato cultivated the essence of Chaos. As the energy permeated his body, he became like a colossal force field disrupting the surrounding world. Ancient trees were uprooted, bizarre stones were violently flung outward, and even the fierce gales from beyond the heavens howled as if deranged, rushing toward him, only to be skillfully controlled, merely revolving around him.

The other numerous practitioners of the Bloodthirsty Essence exhibited various forms. Those cultivating the essence of Darkness completely vanished into the shadows, as if erased from existence within the light.

Those cultivating Corpse Force were perpetually wreathed in gray-white vapor, exuding an aura of chilling coldness around them.

Those cultivating other essences also displayed their own marvels, but within each, the surge of augmented energy was palpable.

Many of them belonged to the ranks of Xuanhe, Philete, or Minghao, dispatched to the Fire Rain Star Field to fight only by command. Their true allegiance lay only with Xuanhe, Philete, and Minghao, whom they regarded as their chief commanders, the true leaders of the Bloodthirsty faction.

...As for Shi Yan, he had never been given much consideration by them before, merely seen as a puppet supported by Xuanhe, Minghao, and Philete.

They even harbored a subtle disdain and scorn in their hearts.

However, at this very moment, a wave of profound relief washed over each of them—relief that they were the ones dispatched to the Fire Rain Star Field, and not someone else!

They felt fortunate to be alongside Shi Yan!

For the gift of power bestowed by Shi Yan was sufficient to augment decades, perhaps even a century, of arduous cultivation! The purity and density of the energy flooding their imprints made their spirits soar, driving them into ecstasy!

What astonished them most was how perfectly the energy seeping into their imprints integrated with the unique essence each of them cultivated.

It was as if that power had been tailor-made for every single one of them!

Now, they finally understood that even though Shi Yan's current realm was not as refined as that of Xuanhe, Philete, and Minghao, Shi Yan inherited the very essence of the Bloodthirsty Lord—the essence of Devouring, the core foundation of the Bloodthirsty lineage.

When Shi Yan eventually broke through to Immortality, he would inevitably replace the trio of Minghao, truly earning the recognition of everyone.

Because his essence surpassed that of all others; the essence of Devouring could forge the strength of his subordinates, allowing all of them to experience dramatic leaps in their cultivation!

Deep within their hearts, they were gradually acknowledging Shi Yan, an acknowledgment that would deepen as Shi Yan's realm grew stronger...

After an unknown period, Shi Yan was the first to awaken. He opened his eyes and immediately saw Xia Xinyan and Zi Yao directly before him, both pairs of beautiful eyes intensely focused upon him.

A warmth resonated in his heart, and he smiled, rising to his feet. "Where are the others?"

At this moment, Lin Xin, Yu Nan, Yu Shan, Feng Han, and the others were not in this area. Only a few martial guard attendants were stationed nearby, tasked with guarding the perimeter and preventing any unauthorized approach.

Besides himself and those cultivating the Eight Great Evil Powers, the only familiar faces were Xia Xinyan and Zi Yao. These two women seemed to have been guarding him constantly, waiting for him to wake.

"Your transmission of power took a bit longer this time. The others have subsequent matters to arrange and couldn't wait here indefinitely, so they’ve gone to attend to those tasks," Zi Yao replied, like a delicate, dew-kissed flower, smiling radiantly with sparkling eyes.

She had clearly trimmed her hair; her long locks fell smoothly, not a strand out of place near her temples. Her close-fitting purple gown revealed her fair, rounded shoulders, and at the swell of her ample, alluring bosom, a flash of snow-white peeked out, dazzling the eyes and threatening to ensnare the gaze.

She was inherently the most dazzling bloom in the Blazing Star Field, and even arriving in the Maya Star Field had diminished none of her captivating beauty. As her realm ascended, her allure became even more intoxicating, like a mellow, fine wine that tugged at the soul.

Beside her, Xia Xinyan was like a secluded orchid—ethereal and plainly elegant, her delicate melon-seed face perpetually calm, tranquil as still water.

Their temperaments were vastly different, yet both were equally heart-stirring and exquisitely beautiful.

They stood side-by-side now, their pretty faces both curved into smiles, causing Shi Yan’s slightly shaken spirit, just awakened, to feel a profound longing for peace and serenity.

He was suddenly struck with guilt, feeling he had let these women down. His entire life had been spent in ceaseless battle, striving for the ultimate peak of martial arts and his own breakthrough, leaving little leisure to simply rest and savor life, to fully unleash his emotions...

These two women before him were perhaps the closest to him in connection, yet the time they truly spent together was not extensive.

"Are we preparing to leave?" Xia Xinyan looked at him quietly, her voice soft, a trace of veiled melancholy showing in her eyes.

She knew the current situation in the Star Fields was delicate. Intense battles like the one in the Fire Rain Star Field were erupting in many regions. As the new Sovereign Lord of the Bloodthirsty faction, Shi Yan had scant time to pause.

She understood that the moment Shi Yan awoke, he would likely have to depart again for the outer territories, continuing the bloody fight. She could rationally comprehend this, but emotionally, dissatisfaction would brew—it was a woman’s innate nature, one she could not alter.

"Going again?" Zi Yao’s smile remained bright, though slightly forced. The light flickering in her beautiful eyes gently wavered, mirroring the helplessness and anxiety churning within her heart.

Watching these two peerless women, famous in any Star Field, a warm current suddenly flowed through his heart. He paused for a few seconds, then broke into a brilliant smile. "No rush. A little rest shouldn't matter. If we must go, we should wait until Blood Fiend, Benny, and Cato awaken."

The grayness in the women’s eyes was instantly swept away by a dazzling light. Joyful crimson flushed their cheeks, and they bit their full, red lips, nodding emphatically.

"Lord Sovereign, the Alliance Leader has instructed that if you awaken, you must honor us with a visit to the main alliance headquarters. The Leader wishes to gather all Fire Rain Star Field warriors to express their gratitude for your timely aid," requested a warrior from the Fire Rain Star Field, bowing deeply with utmost respect and humility.

Xia Xinyan and Zi Yao instantly revealed expressions of profound, disappointed helplessness.

Shi Yan frowned slightly, looking at the warrior, and spoke plainly, "No hurry."

His eyes held a playful glint, and he suddenly added, "I should show you some different scenery. Perhaps it will be beneficial for your comprehension of your cultivation realms."

The moment the words left his mouth, two fissures in the void abruptly split open at the feet of Xia Xinyan and Zi Yao.

Intense outer-realm light rays abruptly pierced through, turning the faces of the two women pale with fright. Before they could utter a cry of alarm, those outer-realm rays acted like viscous tentacles and directly dragged them into the rifts.

As the fissures sealed, the sounds of the women's startled cries finally echoed out, but by then, they were already deep within the chaotic currents of the outer domain, transported to an entirely different, strange land.

That attendant of the 'Divine Control Alliance,' possessing a cultivation base of the second heaven of the Void God Realm, watched the two women vanish into the spatial rifts with an expression of astonished confusion.

"My apologies. I promised them I would show them different scenery. Please relay my message to your Alliance Leader. And, inform Feng Han and Lin Xin as well—they are not under my command. Any decisions concerning them are theirs to make; I will not interfere with anything they decide," Shi Yan explained.

Feng Han, Lin Xin, Bass, Gutt, Yan Chi, Bing Jie, and the other leaders of the Maya Star Field forces had spared no effort in leading their legions to the Fire Rain Star Field to help resist the Divine Race.

For many years in the past, the Fire Rain Star Field and the Maya Star Field were sealed off, with no interchange or trade between the two.

For both Star Fields, reconnection and movement between them benefited the growth of both, as many cultivation materials available in the Fire Rain Star Field were not produced in the Maya Star Field, and conversely, many rare items possessed by the Maya Star Field were absent in the Fire Rain Star Field.

This recent alliance between the two domains had re-established friendship between their forces. Feng Han, Lin Xin, Yan Chi, Bing Jie, and the others were already discussing establishing trade and close cooperation with the powers of the Fire Rain Star Field, yet they remained uncertain about Shi Yan's stance.

He represented the Bloodthirsty faction, which commanded the mightiest and most mysterious force in the universe. If he were to interfere in the affairs of the Fire Rain Star Field, Feng Han and Lin Xin would find themselves moving against him. This was what they were unwilling to see.

By offering this stance, he removed the concerns of Feng Han, Lin Xin, and the others, allowing them to forge tighter bonds with the Fire Rain Star Field, ensuring mutual benefit for both domains.

"Understood. I will certainly deliver your message," the attendant replied, head lowered, filled with envy, murmuring his admiration internally.

As the new Sovereign Lord of the Bloodthirsty faction, Shi Yan treated him with great affability, showing no pretense. The beauty of Xia Xinyan and Zi Yao had already captivated him and many other warriors of the Fire Rain Star Field; seeing now that both women were connected to Shi Yan, the attendant could only sigh in wonder.

In his heart, only beings of Shi Yan’s caliber were worthy of Zi Yao and Xia Xinyan. He felt no jealousy, only envy and blessings, for Shi Yan’s arrival had snatched their Star Field back from the bloody maw of the Divine Race.

The attendant respectfully withdrew, his look of awe undiminished. Deep in his heart, he regarded Shi Yan as the future Lord of the Star River, and this brief exchange would become capital for him to boast about in the years to come.

Shi Yan merely smiled faintly, his thoughts shifting, transforming into a beam of void light, vanishing from his position and plunging directly into the chaotic turbulence of the outer void.