A massive crater on the planet of Dragon Lizard, at its bottom, featured numerous exquisite palaces, complete with specialized islets and lakes tailored for the aquatic races, alongside unique areas for other species.

This was a gathering point for second-tier races, where visiting aliens would not have to endure the Dragon Lizard Clan's stone caverns, enjoying areas far more to their liking.

Walker, much like Duller, was one of the formidable experts under the Ancestor of the Dragon Lizard Clan, a being at the Second Heaven of the Immortal realm, and he managed this location.

He had been discussing crucial matters with Yuan Mo of the Water Tribe when a sudden unease struck him. He shot a look outside, his expression shifting slightly, and immediately withdrew from the Water Tribe palace.

Yuan Mo was the handsome water race man that Shi Yan and Audrey had encountered on their journey; at this moment, Yuan Mo also looked up, his expression grave.

Clusters of souls, like inky clouds, writhed beneath Singh’s feet—a mass of no less than ten million, exerting an almost unbearable pressure.

Singh descended slowly from above, accompanied by numerous Soul Race clansmen respectfully attending him. Among them were many beautiful young female souls, massaging his chest and kneading his feet like mournful phantoms, lending him an imposing air.

This vicinity housed several second-tier races. Upon witnessing Soul Race's Singh arrive with such arrogance, the faces of many martial artists changed, and even the sound of their conversations quieted down.

The Earth Ghost Tribe had originally been nearby, and the fact that Balago had departed in a rage was known to many.

Seeing Singh arrive abruptly, they assumed he was there for Balago, intending to extract information from him regarding the Soul Race's demand that the Earth Ghost Tribe search for the Tu Shiqi couple. Many were aware of this background, leading them to believe Singh was enraged by the Earth Ghost Tribe’s delay in providing news.

Yuan Mo, the person responsible for the Water Tribe delegation on this trip, had always been at odds with the Earth Ghost Tribe and knew a great deal of the hidden truths.

Watching Singh approach, a flicker of anxiety crossed his mind, fearing Singh might make some aggressive move that could bring trouble upon the Water Tribe.

Behind his palace, within a tranquil pavilion, a graceful figure suddenly materialized. It was a woman of generous curves, clad in a dark blue long robe, her long azure hair cascading down to her ample hips. Her face was partially obscured by a jade mask, which bore a slightly fierce expression, resembling a snarling fiend.

She moved without a sound, instantly taking her place beside Yuan Mo. A pair of deep, azure eyes lifted to regard Singh, and her voice, soft and pleasant, spoke, "Worry not. With me here, Singh wouldn't dare to cause trouble. Hmm, judging by his demeanor, he isn't here for you."

The vital signs emanating from her were vague, not intensely strong, and her aura felt ethereal and shifting, lending her an intangible quality.

Only Yuan Mo understood that the seemingly ferocious mask concealed her astonishing power, rendering her appearance utterly ordinary and unlikely to draw particular notice. Yet, Yuan Mo knew her identity and treated her words and movements with utmost respect, bowing deeply: "I feared Singh might discover your presence and invite unnecessary complications."

She chuckled softly. "Singh only holds a command position in the Soul Race. Even if he perceives my presence, it amounts to nothing significant. Furthermore, I came here only for the Immortal Elixir of the Dragon Lizard Ancestor, seeking an assurance for a junior's breakthrough." She paused. "Singh would not dare provoke me."

Hearing this, Yuan Mo finally relaxed, though he remained bowed, looking up towards Singh, wondering the reason for his sudden arrival.

"Walker, is it?" Singh’s voice, sinister and cold, suddenly echoed, reverberating throughout the entire deep pit.

He clearly had no intention of keeping his purpose veiled.

Walker, a martial artist of the Second Heaven of the Immortal realm—a deeply rooted expert within the Dragon Lizard Clan—heard Singh’s query and adopted a solemn expression. "That is correct."

"I won't waste words with you. Balago of the Earth Ghost Tribe’s soul lamp has extinguished; his soul has likely dissipated. I only wish to know who delivered the blow?" A cold glint flashed in Singh’s eyes, his voice like rumbling thunder wandering through the pit’s various palaces. "One must consider the master when striking a dog! Balago was a dog of my Soul Race; I intend to see who slew him!"

He made it overtly clear he was here to demand accountability, acting domineering and arrogant, radiating potent fluctuations.

Streaks of hazy soul shadows suddenly coalesced, transforming into ferocious, hideous specters as massive as mountains, floating behind him with bared fangs and brandished claws. A wave of soul-sense expanded outward, sweeping across the second-tier factions, seeking any high-level experts who might be the possible culprits.

Singh absolutely did not anticipate Balago being slain by Shi Yan, who was merely at the Primordial God realm. He assumed the killer was at least of an equal cultivation level and believed the murderer was lurking among the crowd, possibly even thinking the Tu Shiqi couple were manipulating things from the shadows, intending to ferret them out.

His actions clearly showed a disregard for the Dragon Lizard Clan, treating Walker as irrelevant.

"Balago is dead?" Walker feigned ignorance, his face blank with confusion, shaking his head. "I truly know nothing of this matter. I ask you to grant me some time; once I have investigated clearly, I will certainly provide an explanation."

He had already received word from Duller, preparing to handle this situation with delay tactics—to stall for as long as possible.

"Heh heh, I know this has something to do with the Heavenly Eye Clan. A mere third-tier race daring to attack the vassal race of my Soul Race! This Heavenly Eye Clan is likely destined for extermination!" Singh let out a sinister, chilling laugh. "I will investigate this area first, see if they are hiding here, and then sweep through every region one by one. I am not afraid of failing to find them."

As he spoke, his soul consciousness drifted out like a storm, raging across the area.

In the palace sectors of the numerous second-tier forces, soul hurricanes swept through, causing many altars to sway precariously, eliciting expressions of terror.

No one dared to speak out and reprimand him, as none were a match for the Soul Race, and they were familiar with Singh's methods. They could only endure it quietly.

Singh’s soul storm surged onward, flowing naturally into the Water Tribe's lake district, lingering around Yuan Mo's vicinity. However, after only an instant, a trace of confusion flickered across Singh's face. He hesitated for three seconds, then instantly bypassed Walker and arrived directly at the Water Tribe's location.

He looked towards the voluptuous woman with the mask, a hint of gravity appearing on his expression, and tentatively tested, "Are you perhaps...?"

The woman gave a soft laugh and stated plainly, "I am here for the Immortal Elixir held by the Dragon Lizard Ancestor. Hmm, there is one matter I must clarify." She looked at Yuan Mo of the Water Tribe with seriousness: "From now on, the Water Tribe falls under the protection of our Phantom Race. I suggest your Soul Race take note and prevent your dogs from biting indiscriminately!"

Singh’s expression changed, and he stared deeply at the woman for a few moments, frowning. "Is the death of Balago connected to you?"

"Do you think a character of that caliber merits me expending significant effort?" the woman scoffed coldly.

Singh considered this for a moment, then nodded. "I will speak to the Earth Ghost Ancestor and instruct them not to harass the Water Tribe henceforth. Our Soul Race and your Phantom Race have never had conflicts, and I would prefer not to instigate a war between our two races over the petty affair of the Earth Ghost Tribe and the Water Tribe."

With that, he lowered his arrogant stance, offered a slight bow, and immediately withdrew, moving toward the next sector.

As for Walker, Singh barely paid him any mind, clearly not taking the Dragon Lizard Clan seriously at all.

Yuan Mo had been quite tense. Seeing Singh proactively declare his intention to have the Earth Ghost Ancestor restrain the Earth Ghost Tribe, he felt a surge of secret excitement. He thought the Water Tribe’s decision had indeed been correct; with the Phantom Race as their backer, they would no longer need to tread cautiously around the Earth Ghost Tribe. He finally grasped the advantages of having powerful backing.

Thinking thus, he couldn't help but glance toward Walker of the Dragon Lizard Clan, sighing inwardly.

The Dragon Lizard Clan was also a second-tier force. Before the Lizard had vanished into the Ruin of Return, the Dragon Lizard Clan was the true hegemon of this region. Even when the Domain Ancestor powerhouses from the Seven Great Race Domains arrived, they treated the Dragon Lizard Clan with deference, commanding the awe of all surrounding forces and races.

Since the Lizard’s Ruin of Return, the second-generation Dragon Lizard Ancestor had been unable to break through to the Domain Ancestor realm, causing the Dragon Lizard Clan to gradually decline, to the point where even the Earth Ghost Tribe dared to act aggressively towards them.

Yuan Mo secretly mused that the Dragon Lizard Clan now might only find solid ground by aligning with one of the Seven Great Races; otherwise, their future days would become increasingly difficult.

"The Soul Race and the Profound Heaven Race are enemies, constantly engaging in battles large and small. This checkpoint definitely won't dare to offend me; you can rest assured," the woman stated calmly, a hint of veiled pride in her tone. In time, the Phantom Race would also be one of the Seven Great Races, their overall strength not inferior to the Soul Race.

This was the source of her confidence.

"There is one thing I believe I should inform you about. On our way here, we happened upon members of the Heavenly Eye Clan. Those Heavenly Eye clansmen were with a young couple; that couple is from the Barren Domain and seems... lost, hoping to find their way back using Singh's Ferocious Soul Dark Swan," Yuan Mo’s mind stirred, suddenly recalling the event. "I recall your race is also interested in the Barren Domain; perhaps this could be a point of entry?"

"Lost people from the Barren Domain?" The woman's eyes shone with a strange light, appearing quite intrigued. "This matter is a bit peculiar. The Dragon Lizard Clan seems to be protecting them. It's truly puzzling; it doesn't look like the friendship between Singh and the Dragon Lizard Ancestor is as solid as rumored."

Saying this, she began to entertain an idea. "You have a decent relationship with the Dragon Lizard Clan. Is there any way you can arrange a meeting for me with the Dragon Lizard Ancestor? You could reveal my identity; perhaps the Dragon Lizard Ancestor might find it interesting?"

"Very well, I will try," Yuan Mo said. He looked up toward Walker. "Brother Walker, please come down for a discussion."

...

At the bottom of the magma pool.

From the scorching magma pool came a terrifying roar, the lava churning and splashing violently in every direction, immensely frightening.

The couple, Tu Shiqi and Ya Yun, each deployed their profound arts, creating layers of barriers to seal off the area, preventing excessive commotion from alerting outsiders.

A clone of the Dragon Lizard Ancestor hovered above the magma surface, emitting terrifying fluctuations, constantly pulling something from the pool's depths.

After a long while, a massive chunk of scarlet flesh was violently thrown out of the magma pool. The block of meat was bloody, its muscles and tendons saturated with surging vitality. Affixed to one part of the bloody mass was the Soul Refining Cauldron, now only palm-sized, clinging to the flesh and connecting with the sinews like a blood-sucking leech.

The Dragon Lizard Ancestor's clone looked somewhat pale and coughed several times, suppressing his fury. "This Soul Refining Cauldron is stuck to my flesh. The moment it separates from me, Singh will sense it immediately. I had no choice but to slice off a piece of flesh; that way, he won't know what I've done."

"The Ancestor is truly extraordinary, to have the resolve to carve off such a large piece of flesh from himself. Singh is certainly going to suffer this time," Tu Shiqi praised.

He understood that for a creature like the Dragon Lizard Ancestor, the flesh within its body contained its strength. Severing such a large piece would inevitably damage the main body, and the pain would be excruciating.

To eliminate the threat of the Soul Refining Cauldron without Singh’s knowledge, this old monster had truly shown ruthless determination.

"Singh treated me this way; naturally, I must let him taste my might. Does he think I'm easily bullied? Damn it!" The Dragon Lizard Ancestor cursed, his rage blazing. "This time, I not only want Singh dead, but I also want to dispatch that fellow from the Earth Ghost Tribe. Relying on the Soul Race for backing, the Earth Ghost Tribe still dares to challenge me—they don't know what's good for them!"

"Our Profound Heaven Race will be your solid backing and will assist you fully!" Tu Shiqi chuckled wickedly.

...(To be continued)RQ