Faloni, who cultivated the profound mysteries of the soul, possessed an inherent sharpness of tactile perception; she claimed she felt nothing unusual, prompting a look of disdain from Yebor and Telega.

—They clearly placed more faith in Faloni’s judgment.

Shi Yan offered no explanation. He put a small distance between himself and the trio, anticipating potential conflict, moving cautiously while subtly adjusting his position. He decided against saying anything until the newcomers arrived. It was only by probing with his spatial divine sense that he detected the anomaly; while Faloni’s soul mysticism was quite marvelous, it fell short when sensing things over vast distances.

“How should this fellow be dealt with?” Telega roared out.

The clansmen who had accompanied him had suffered grievous losses; only he and Faloni remained alive. His mood was foul, and he sought someone upon whom to vent his frustration.

“Do whatever you like; I have no objection. Hmm, if you have the capability to slay him and refine his soul, then that is certainly your fortune,” Yebor shrugged, his eyes cold, secretly hoping Telega would strike first to test Shi Yan’s true capabilities.

“I already tried,” Telega scoffed.

Yebor paused, then burst into laughter: “So, you already crossed swords with him earlier but couldn't determine a victor?”

Telega’s expression soured.

“Telega, return to the surface and explain the situation here. I will stand guard. Once the clan experts arrive, we will proceed accordingly,” Faloni suddenly stated.

“Why shouldn't you return to the surface?” Telega grumbled.

“That’s also possible,” Faloni grinned in a harsh, wild cackle, utterly devoid of feminine softness, sounding like a coarse brute. “If you aren't afraid of being disposed of by Yebor, I can return. Leaving you here.”

“How could I be?” Yebor touched his nose, feigning innocence.

Telega’s expression shifted; he suddenly remembered Yebor was present and that his cultivation realm—Immortal Triple Heaven—was a notch above his own. He decisively abandoned his insistence on staying. “I find this brat irritating. Before I leave, I intend to kill him!”

“Suit yourself,” Faloni said carelessly.

However, the moment the words left her lips, her expression snapped, and she cried out, “Wait! Something’s wrong!”

A flicker of alarm crossed her eyes first. She stared blankly at Shi Yan. “Someone really is coming…”

Her declaration sent a ripple of apprehension through Telega and Yebor, causing them to glance at Shi Yan with a degree of astonishment.

After such a long separation, he could perceive the approach of others. And he had done so more accurately than Faloni. This feat alone marked him as extraordinary. Telega, who had been intending to attack, immediately shelved the thought, furrowing his brow deeply, making no move.

Ten minutes later.

A group of six approached silently, clad in exquisite armor that shimmered with an ethereal halo, like phantoms emerging from the water.

The leading woman’s armor was intricate and dense, detailed with lines of gold, bright yellow, and fiery orange, forming patterns of suns, blossoms, and flames. The armor covered her long, straight legs, accentuated her full chest, and exposed her shoulders, a strip of flat abdomen, and the upper half of her thighs, presenting a figure of searing allure.

Behind her, five men wore armor as black as ink, their auras steady and cold, their eyes blazing with divine light.

Shi Yan merely glanced once before his expression stirred. He murmured softly, “The Profound Heaven Clan…”

The foremost woman of the Profound Heaven Clan was dressed provocatively, appearing to be in her early thirties. Her facial contours were exquisitely soft, and her eyes held a shifting luster.

Peak Immortal!

With just one look, Shi Yan instantly discerned the woman’s true cultivation level, becoming secretly cautious.

“Lingmei!” When the newcomer emerged, a surprised glint flashed in Faloni’s eyes. She scoffed, “I didn’t expect the Profound Heaven Clan to arrive, and you yourself have come. It seems you are truly keen on the Primordial Ruins.”

“Faloni, Yebor, Telega…”

The Profound Heaven woman, addressed as Lingmei, inclined her head lightly toward the trio, naming them with an air of casualness, unhurried and slow. “Why are there only so few of you?”

The faces of the three instantly darkened in silence.

“Naturally, there were more than just a few of us originally. Unfortunately, they all died half an hour before you arrived. Look, right over there by that green water bubble,” Shi Yan interjected abruptly, pointing casually with a detached tone.

“Shut up!” Faloni and Telega roared in unison.

Shi Yan smiled faintly. “With your realm and power, you are still short of making me shut up. If the true powerhouse from your clan were here, I would not only keep silent, but I would also retreat far away.”

The Profound Heaven woman, despite her fiery attire, carried an air as calm as still water. A peculiar smile played on her lips as she observed Shi Yan with interest. Suddenly, her eyes lit up, and her expression turned grave. “Is your name Shi Yan?”

“Eh?” Shi Yan expressed surprise. “Did Tu Shiqi and Yanyun mention me to you?”

“It really is you!” Lingmei laughed genuinely. “Those two senior figures from the clan are currently heading toward the Sea of Annihilation. They already sent me word, telling me about you and suggesting you might come to the Sea of Annihilation. I never expected you to arrive so quickly.”

Lingmei’s demeanor became serious. She introduced herself proactively: “I am Lingmei, the person in charge of the Profound Heaven Clan in the Sea of Annihilation. If you encounter any trouble here, please do not hesitate to find me. I will certainly do everything in my power to assist you.”

Faloni, Yebor, and Telega listened to Lingmei’s words, their faces draining of color in horror. When they looked at Shi Yan again, their expressions were utterly bizarre.

“Do we need to trouble your Profound Heaven Clan?” Just then, a charming and seductive voice drifted from a distance, followed by a flash of icy light as Meiji suddenly manifested.

Dressed in a luxurious gown, Meiji’s skin was like snow, her face alluring, and her voice soft enough to penetrate the soul. The Phantom Shadow Clan truly lived up to its reputation as the natural enchantress. The moment she appeared, she eclipsed Lingmei. The mature, seductive aura she exuded made Yebor and Telega’s eyes burn with feverish heat, almost causing their blood to surge.

Meiji stationed herself immediately beside Shi Yan after appearing. She spoke with a feigned reproach, “Why did you come out? Even if there was something, you should have notified me first. Didn’t you know someone sold your location?” With that, she turned a cold eye toward Yebor, her tone laced with sarcasm. “Oh, you’re here too? You constantly mentioned owing me a favor, and then you turned around and sold me out. Yebor, you have quite the skill, don’t you?”

Yebor looked slightly embarrassed and bowed. “The Soul Devourers and Spirit Clans offered an incredibly high price. You know what business I’m in; I couldn't resist for a moment. That… so I let it slip.”

Meiji chuckled softly and waved her hand elegantly. “I don’t blame you, but from now on, don’t expect to get any information from me. The camaraderie between us ends today.”

“Shi Yan, what is your relationship with her?”

Lingmei of the Profound Heaven Clan looked stunned and perplexed. When she received the message from Tu Shiqi, he had specifically instructed her to protect Shi Yan at all costs, even if it meant becoming enemies with the Phantom Shadow Clan to ensure his safety. Tu Shiqi had also mentioned that Meiji was relentlessly pursuing Shi Yan, attempting to refine him to achieve a breakthrough to the Domain Ancestor realm. Lingmei had been keeping a discreet watch, and upon seeing Shi Yan surface in the depths, she was both startled and delighted, resolving to protect him. But Meiji’s immediate display of intimacy confused Lingmei, making her suddenly doubt whether Tu Shiqi’s assessment had been wrong.

“I…” Shi Yan began to explain.

At that very moment, a rich, fragrant body suddenly pressed close. Under the fiery gaze of Telega and Yebor, Meiji wrapped her slender arm tightly around him, deliberately leaning half her body in, her seductive face radiating wanton charm as she coquettishly giggled, “Why, the closest relationship possible, of course.”

Shi Yan was startled. His gaze shifted strangely between the boldly inviting Meiji and the frowning Lingmei opposite him. A sudden enlightenment struck him, and he began to faintly grasp the situation.

Meiji and Lingmei were rivals!

These two women were the respective leaders of the Phantom Shadow Clan and the Profound Heaven Clan in the Sea of Annihilation. Over long periods of conflict, these two must have battled endlessly. Lingmei, having heard Tu Shiqi’s urgent message to ally with Shi Yan and having already voiced her support, had clearly overheard Meiji’s presence in secret. Perhaps Meiji hadn't intended to reveal herself so soon, but Lingmei’s stance forced her hand, compelling an early appearance to deliberately compete with Lingmei by latching onto Shi Yan for a quick advantage.

A flurry of thoughts flashed through Shi Yan’s mind in an instant. He suddenly laughed casually and, without ceremony, pulled Meiji roughly into his embrace. He felt Meiji’s voluptuous body stiffen momentarily, yet he chuckled inwardly while maintaining a solemn expression, playing along with Meiji’s words: “She is my woman.”

The declaration sounded like a thunderclap!

Not only was Lingmei frozen, but Faloni, Telega, and Yebor were all stupefied, staring at Shi Yan as if he were some grotesque monster, their eyes filled with utter disbelief.

Was this true? Everyone knew that Batuum, deep within the Sea of Annihilation, had long since decreed that Meiji was destined to be his woman, forbidding any man from harboring improper thoughts, lest Batuum pursue them to the ends of the earth. Even the higher echelons of the Phantom Shadow Clan had tacitly agreed to this arrangement, awaiting Meiji’s eventual surrender when Batuum truly ascended to the Domain Ancestor realm, at which point he would proclaim this union to all clans. Now, a mere youth who had just entered the Immortal realm was brazenly embracing Meiji and claiming her as his woman—was the world about to turn upside down?

Meiji’s expression visibly faltered for a split second before she regained her composure, flashing a radiant smile. “Yes, this is my man, Meiji’s true man!” Damn this brat! You actively sought death! Taking advantage of me like this! Just wait until Batuum tears you limb from limb! Feeling the coarse rubbing of Shi Yan’s large hand against her lower back and buttocks, Meiji stood rigidly, silently gnashing her teeth and cursing Shi Yan venomously.

“Meiji, are you joking?” Lingmei asked, astonished. “Everyone knows about your matter with Batuum. Doing this not only puts Shi Yan in grave danger, but you will also find it hard to escape the consequences. Are you absolutely certain?” She then turned to Shi Yan, her tone serious. “You must not know about her affair with Batuum. Batuum possesses dark energy, is at the Peak Immortal realm, and is only one step away from the Domain Ancestor realm. This man is vengeful and extremely vicious. If he learns of what happened today, your situation… will become incredibly difficult!”

Shi Yan twitched the corner of his mouth, remaining calm and composed, saying no more. He had already prepared: once he found Audrey and confirmed the direction of the Domain Gate, he would return to the Desolate Domain. Who knew when he would next visit the Void Sea Realm? Even if he did come, it would not be with his current level of power. So, what did he have to fear from Batuum?

……(To be continued)RQ