Within the depths of Dragon Lizard Star. An immense lava pool seethed, its fiercely burning fluid churning like a colossal, incandescent heart.

Around the pool, countless stones glowed a searing red, while many meteorites had melted into liquid slag. From the depths of the lava pool came a crunching sound, as if some terrifying, monstrous beast were feeding in the mire.

Meteorites, following the channels of the surrounding massive caverns, tumbled into the pool. Among them was one insignificant speck amidst the molten debris.

Yet, unknown to all, a Primal Divine Artifact lay concealed within that very meteorite. At that moment, it slid along the cavern passage with the others, plunging into the heart-like lava pool, splashing up fire-water as hot as molten iron.

No one noticed that the Three-Legged Great Cauldron inside the meteorite suddenly shrank a billion-fold the instant it hit the lava, becoming a tiny pinpoint of light. After an indeterminate time, the cascade of meteorites ceased.

From a nearby stone opening, five members of the Dragon Lizard clan, each at the Second Heaven of the Immortal realm, emerged. They stood respectfully around the lava pool, bowing their heads slightly as they called out for their Ancestor to appear.

Shortly thereafter, the fiery liquid on the surface of the pool began to boil violently, and a figure materialized, stepping out from the lava. He looked almost identical to most Dragon Lizard clansmen, save for skin the color of reddish stone, crisscrossed with crystalline textures.

This was clearly not his true form, merely an avatar condensed from power and spirit; his true body remained submerged deep within the lava pool, anchored at the very core of Dragon Lizard Star. “Ancestor,” the five mighty Dragon Lizard clansmen greeted him in unison with profound reverence.

The Dragon Lizard’s hair and beard were thick and an unusual shade of red. His rock-like musculature pulsed with explosive tension.

Even this clone contained formidable strength. He surveyed the five clansmen, his voice booming like thunder: “You all came together—has someone arrived?” “Ancestor, Commander Xinge of the Soul Clan is here,” one of the Dragon Lizard clansmen replied deferentially.

“Xinge is here this early?” The Dragon Lizard’s eyes dimmed as he pondered. “My main body has just finished feeding.

I require time to digest. Xinge’s visit is likely about the same old request: an alliance between us and the Soul Clan.” “Ancestor, an alliance with the Soul Clan seems to offer us no disadvantage,” the clansman whispered.

“No disadvantage?” The Dragon Lizard snorted. “Do you imagine the Soul Clan is easy to deal with?

Once allied, our clan becomes tethered to them, subject to their command—we would lose all semblance of freedom. Xinge seeks an alliance because he covets the Immortal Pills, and more importantly, the method for refining them.

It’s a pity…” “Ancestor, you stand at the peak of the Immortal realm, a mere step from becoming a Domain Ancestor. Yet, without grasping Dark Energy, you cannot become a true Domain Ancestor.

Because you have delayed declaring your stance, might the Soul Clan become hostile toward us?” another asked. The Dragon Lizard’s expression grew grave.

“While my main body has been dormant these years, I have not ceased meditating upon Dark Energy. I feel I am still missing that final spark, but I shouldn't be too far from that threshold.

Once I break through to Domain Ancestor, I will no longer need to heed the Soul Clan’s attitude.” He paused, then continued, “The Immortal Pills left by our forefathers number only three. I hope these three pills can secure some mysteries concerning Dark Energy.

Issue an order: any scrolls, memories, secret treasures, or techniques related to comprehending Dark Energy must be prioritized for exchange for the Immortal Pills.” The five Dragon Lizard clansmen nodded simultaneously, their expressions respectful. They understood that for a second-tier power to ascend to the first tier, it was intrinsically linked to possessing a Domain Ancestor.

Only when a clan boasted a Domain Ancestor could it truly establish a bedrock foothold amidst the vast Starry Sea. “Xinge’s arrival being this early is slightly irregular.

Besides him, have any members of other super-races arrived?” the Dragon Lizard inquired. “Not yet, Ancestor,” they reported, shaking their heads.

“Very well. Once I finish digesting, I can extend my soul’s awareness across the entirety of Dragon Lizard Star.

Then, every move made on this celestial body will be as clear as if held in my hand. For now, keep a sharp lookout.

Spread the word: those who know the secrets of Dark Energy can seek an audience with me directly, with priority exchange for Immortal Pills.” He commanded. The five Immortal Second Heaven warriors bowed respectfully and then withdrew one by one.

When everyone had departed, he frowned, looking toward the lava pool with a perplexed expression, muttering, “I distinctly sensed a faint fluctuation of spirit just now, but searching carefully revealed nothing. Strange, could my senses have erred?” Given the Dragon Lizard’s profound cultivation, he had keenly perceived the moment the Primal Divine Artifact contracted and sank into his main body’s core.

However, because the Three-Legged Great Cauldron had shrunk to a mere point, its aura blended entirely into the depths of the meteorite, preventing him from grasping the crucial element. ...

In a valley on Dragon Lizard Star. This valley differed vastly from the one where Shi Yan and his group were situated.

This entire valley had been exquisitely fashioned, featuring numerous palaces beneath. A cohort of Soul Clan members, clad in loose black robes that revealed only their pale faces, hovered and glided, never touching the ground.

They resided in the palaces below, not the crude stone caves nearby. The entire valley was occupied solely by the Soul Clan; no other alien races were present.

They had claimed this territory, and the Dragon Lizards made sure no one else disturbed them. Evidently, as one of the Seven Great Races of the Star Sea, their status afforded them treatment far beyond that of Shi Yan’s group.

Inside a lavish palace within the valley, a grim elder, entirely enveloped in black robes, floated above masses of souls. These souls bore the likenesses of various races, as well as numerous alien beasts—tens of thousands packed densely, forming a veritable mountain of spirits.

He sat atop this Spirit Mountain, coldly observing a clansman kneeling on the ground. “What did the Dragon Lizard clan say?” “Commander, the person in charge stated that the Dragon Lizard Ancestor has not finished feeding and requested you wait.

He promised to meet you personally in some time,” the Soul Clan clansman reported. “Hmph!” Xinge’s expression turned sinister.

“The Dragon Lizard intends to continue stalling, hoping to drag things out until the day he breaks through to Domain Ancestor. How laughable!

The Domain Ancestor realm isn’t achieved so easily. If he could break through through sheer personal effort, he would have done so long ago.

The three Immortal Pills are likely an attempt to barter for leverage to reach Domain Ancestor, but it's wishful thinking. While the Immortal Pills are precious, they are vastly inferior to the mysteries of Dark Energy.” “Commander, if he refuses to commit this time, what is our course of action?” the clansman inquired.

Xinge’s demeanor was icy as he stated coldly, “This time, it won't be so easy. The higher-ups have lost patience.

If he still refuses to comply, we naturally have ways to deal with him!” He waved his hand, narrowing his eyes slightly. “Enough.

Leave me. I require quiet.” The Soul Clan clansman respectfully retreated, vanishing instantly as if dissolving into ether.

Xinge pondered for a moment, shifting his consciousness. From the Spirit Mountain beneath him, a wisp of ethereal soul emerged—long, slender, and gaunt, its form flickering uncertainly like the wick of a candle about to extinguish.

The phantom immediately opened its mouth and inhaled the surrounding souls. Its vague outline rapidly solidified, becoming dense and firm, like dark clouds.

A serpentine flame, like liquid fire, suddenly flew from Xinge’s lips, searing the phantom with a hiss. The recently solidified spirit cried out in agony, struggling within the flame, shrieking piercingly as if its very core was being scorched by karmic fire, and its form quickly dimmed again.

“Minghong, are you still unwilling to speak?” Xinge sneered. “Where is the entrance to the Desolate Domain?

If you honestly tell me, I can guarantee your spirit will be released from my grasp and given a proper destination.” The phantom grew hazy, like dissipating cotton wool. Its illusory face turned toward Xinge, its voice weak.

“Don’t even think about it. Even if my soul imprint vanishes entirely, I will never reveal the entrance to the Desolate Domain to you.

If it weren't for my unique profound mysteries, you would have refined me long ago, using your unique soul-binding techniques to strip my memories. But you know well that if I lose consciousness, my soul will spontaneously disintegrate; you will gain nothing.” “Why resist, Minghong?

I know the Soul Clan’s policies. If I tell you the entrance to the Desolate Domain, our entire realm—billions upon billions of living beings—will become your soul power; not a single one would survive.

Heh heh, I am beyond hope anyway. Destroy my soul if you wish, but don’t dream of learning the Desolate Domain’s entrance!” “Dying won't be so easy for you!” Xinge roared with malice.

The flame intensified fiercely, and Minghong’s weakened spirit rapidly disintegrated again. He screamed in pain, enduring the inhuman torture.

“Minghong, just wait! I will find the entrance to the Desolate Domain!

I will make you watch, watch as our Soul Clan refines the Desolate, shattering every living being in that domain! I want you to witness the irresistibility of our race firsthand!” Xinge shrieked madly, his aura surging.

“You had better find it before the Desolate fully awakens and integrates. Otherwise, a fully recovered Desolate will bring ruin upon your Soul Clan.

I, too, wish to see who prevails in the end—your Soul Clan or the Desolate,” Minghong retorted even through his screams. He seemed to know Xinge wouldn't completely annihilate his soul.

“Do you imagine that a heavily injured and fragmented Primal Being recovers easily? Heh heh, rest assured, recovery will not be simple or swift for him.

I will prove it to you: even without your guidance, our Soul Clan will seize the Desolate Domain and refine the Desolate!” He paused, then added, “If I can refine it, I can bypass the need for comprehension and directly master Dark Energy, allowing me to break through to the Domain Ancestor realm and become a new Domain Ancestor for our race! Minghong, just watch closely; I will enter the Domain Ancestor realm faster than anyone else!” With a cold snort, he continued, “The misguided Dragon Lizard thinks breaking through to Domain Ancestor is simple.

We have Domain Ancestors among us, yet I have been stalled for years. Him aspiring to Domain Ancestor is pure delusion!”