Great billows of dim-azure thunder exploded upon the light barrier, spraying forth magnificent, dazzling bolts of lightning.

The barrier remained unbroken.

Telega’s face darkened with irritation. "How can this be?"

On the other side, Batum, like a rabid hound, turned his body into a straight sword, continually stabbing at the light barrier above his head, crashing until his head was bloody.

Falonie, Yebole, and Lingmei were also nearby. Those black-armored guards of the Profound Heaven Clan looked up at the sky, their expressions extremely grim.

Having escaped the Profound Meaning Talisman Tower, the group, with unspoken understanding, did not separate but immediately regrouped. They were preparing to rush out of this Primordial Ruin and return to the Sea of Destruction.

The sheer power displayed by Ming Hao and the Divine Lord had left lingering fear in their hearts; after Gan Fu was devoured and his profound meanings dissolved by Shi Yan, all of them collapsed.

They finally realized that with their meager strength, seizing the Talisman Tower was nearly impossible. Lingmei and Batum were decisive and resolute individuals; upon seeing that success was unattainable, they immediately changed strategy.

They understood that as long as they could break through this light barrier and report the situation of this area back to their clan elders, those true peak powerhouses would undoubtedly come, regardless of the cost!

The legend of the Profound Meaning Talisman Tower was widespread among the Seven Clans, yet to this day, no single race had managed to fully obtain it.

For the sake of the Talisman Tower, even those at the Ancestor Realm would act without regard for anything else!

Because the Talisman Tower could nurture Primordial Source Talismans, and within those Source Talismans could be imprinted Ultimate Divine Abilities and the power of rules. In a sense, the Profound Meaning Talisman Tower was even more precious than a Primordial Divine Artifact!

"Once we escape this place and release the news, none of them will get away," Lingmei stated calmly.

The others nodded silently.

Batum surged with divine power, his body faintly translucent, and charged the light barrier once more, unleashing tremendous winds and waves with both hands to bombard the barrier.

The barrier remained stubbornly sealed.

Lingmei and Falonie’s expressions gradually turned severe. "This won't do if it continues like this. If we waste more time, and the opposition catches up, we will be in serious trouble," Lingmei remarked.

"Do you have a better suggestion?" Falonie frowned deeply.

"We will assign the task of piercing the light barrier to Batum, but we cannot afford to be idle either. I suspect they will surely track us down," Lingmei's delicate face was etched with cold resolve. "There will definitely be a bloody battle with them, and we must prepare early. Yes. Centered on this location, we must deploy every barrier, array, and restriction we possibly can."

Taking a deep breath, she added, "If avoiding the fight is impossible, then we must fight to the death. Those who prepare earlier often gain the initial advantage!"

Falonie nodded. "Exactly. I support your decision. Let's start immediately!"

"Batum. You continue searching for a way to break this place. We will begin our preparations," Lingmei called up to him, then immediately started directing. She commanded the guards of the Profound Heaven Clan, along with Telega, Yebole, and Falonie, to work together, laying down layer upon layer of restrictions and barriers centered on this spot.

Ripples of light waves, walls of crackling thunder, and shimmering lakes manifested within the ruins of this complex. Lingmei, Falonie, and the others moved about, their expressions solemn, all channeling their strength to place the numerous secret treasures and materials they held at various vital points.

...

"Over there!" In a patch of ruins, Ming Hao raised his hand and pointed in one direction. He said grimly, "They are setting up various defensive restrictions. It seems they intend to fight us to the death."

"Hmm, they probably realized escaping is hopeless and know they can't avoid this battle, so they’ve decided to risk everything to see if they can turn the tables on us," the Divine Lord said indifferently, his eyes mocking. "A nice thought, and their methods are not insignificant, but it is ultimately too naive."

Ming Hao and the Divine Lord had traversed the heavens and earth for tens of thousands of years; the blood on their hands was vaster than the ocean. They were true titans of destruction, possessing absolute dominance and supreme confidence. Take the Divine Lord, for example; even at the third stage of the Immortal Realm, he dared to fight the Ancestor Realm powerhouse Bloodlust. Although he benefited from Bloodlust being injured, his eventual victory was enough to prove how terrifying this individual was.

Ming Hao, the leader of the Soul Command lineage, had transformed into myriad forms tens of thousands of years ago, bringing the leaders of major star regions under his command, single-handedly causing the Soul Command lineage to flourish and secretly resist the God Clan. He himself was elusive, never once leaving a trace for the God Clan to grasp for ten thousand years, illustrating his profound cunning.

Audrey floated on the expansive Fierce Soul Lotus Platform, her gaze cold, her lips pursed in an expression of silent displeasure.

As her bright eyes turned, she occasionally glanced at Shi Yan and Mei Ji, causing her mouth to pout even more severely, as if her inner dissatisfaction was intensifying.

Shi Yan and Mei Ji walked side-by-side, whispering intimately, as if trying to strike some kind of bargain.

"Even with your personal strength, even if you possess the Profound Meaning Talisman Tower, it will be difficult to refine a brand-new Primordial Source Talisman because you won't find enough materials," Mei Ji’s face once again bloomed with a smile, becoming flirtatious again. "A single Primordial Source Talisman might require exhausting the top powerhouses of an entire Domain Realm. The resources you hold cannot accomplish this, but our Shadow Race can. You should seriously consider cooperating with the Shadow Race. What do you think?"

Mei Ji felt truly ecstatic at this moment.

She deeply understood the preciousness of the Talisman Tower. If Shi Yan could cooperate with the Shadow Race, allowing them to provide the materials to temper the Primordial Source Talisman, the Shadow Race would also reap immense benefits.

After all, Shi Yan originated from the Desolate Domain; he couldn't possibly sacrifice the countless living beings of the Desolate Domain to refine a Source Talisman. Only by relying on the vast power of the Seven Great Clans could this possibly be achieved.

Due to Lingmei's betrayal, Shi Yan would never continue to cooperate with the Profound Heaven Clan, regardless of any promises Tu Shiqi or Yanyun might have made previously. Excluding the Profound Heaven Clan, Shi Yan had already alienated the Dark Demon Race, Ancient Demon Race, Soul Race, and Devour Race. This left only the Shadow Race and the Bone Race as options...

Mei Ji hatched her schemes, unable to suppress her delighted smile. She believed that if her superiors knew she had successfully courted Shi Yan to the Shadow Race, bringing with her a complete Profound Meaning Talisman Tower, they would immediately cast Batum aside!

Compared to the Talisman Tower, Batum's value was insignificant, especially since Shi Yan had also perceived the Dark Energy and was a powerhouse steadily capable of reaching the Ancestor Realm...

This feeling of receiving a windfall made Mei Ji incredibly comfortable, and she couldn't help but secretly send a seductive smile.

Will the superiors use me as a bargaining chip, perhaps forcing me to become his woman? If so, what should I do? For the sake of the entire Shadow Race, I suppose I must agree?

Yes. It’s all for the race, not because I am personally attracted to him—that’s it!

Mei Ji thought to herself, suddenly feeling a lightness in her body. She subconsciously glanced at Shi Yan beside her, her own face flushing with a captivating blush, her beautiful eyes shimmering as if about to overflow with spring water.

"How cheap!" Not far away, Audrey observed with a cold face. Seeing Mei Ji's seductive, lovesick expression, she couldn't help but curl her lip and mutter softly.

"Oh? Does it bother you? My man and I are having a moment of romance. Why are you jealous?" Mei Ji was in a good mood. Seeing Audrey glaring and cursing, her bright eyes flickered, and she shot back a retort.

Since Shi Yan had claimed in front of Ming Hao and the Divine Lord that she was his woman just moments ago, using the title now seemed rather appropriate, right?

Mei Ji did not realize that as she spoke those words, she was secretly feeling a sense of triumph, as if she genuinely enjoyed the situation.

Audrey snorted coldly.

Shi Yan was surprised. He hadn't expected these two women to start bickering at such a time.

His eyes darted around, and he wisely chose to move away first, suddenly accelerating until he became a streak of firelight, rushing further ahead.

Ming Hao suddenly halted.

Ahead lay a stretch of rubble and ruins. Large stone blocks floated in the air like colossal raindrops, aligned in a line, cascading down like a curtain of rain.

Lingmei and her group were behind this curtain of falling stone, their expressions unnaturally calm, looking at the approaching pair with gravity.

Batum also stopped his charge against the light barrier. He was the first to step forward and speak. "When we descended, it was very easy and smooth, especially for me; I encountered almost no resistance. However, now that we wish to leave, we find insurmountable difficulty. I have exhausted all my means, yet I still cannot breach the light barrier above our heads."

He paused, then continued, "This battle can be avoided. I suggest everyone focus more energy on breaking through the light barrier. Once that barrier is broken, it will not be too late to decide the victor."

He had truly tried every method; if he hadn't found absolutely no solution, he wouldn't have stopped to conserve strength for a fight to the death.

Lingmei’s expression was composed, but a deep worry flickered in her eyes. "Mei Ji, Shi Yan, fighting each other is utterly pointless. If we can't break through here, no one gets out. Why is a slaughter necessary?"

"Just because you can't break it doesn't mean we can't, Lingmei. You previously mocked me, saying the women of my Shadow Race are inferior to you. I'd like to see if you are truly stronger than me! Previously, I was injured while you were at full strength. Now you are also injured; we can finally have a fair fight," Mei Ji said, her face blooming into a brilliant, carefree smile.

"You damned creature! What do you think you'll gain by helping them?" Batum sneered. "Once I break through to the Ancestor Realm, your Shadow Race will voluntarily deliver you to me. Then, I can play with you as I wish!"

"I doubt you'll get that chance," Shi Yan interjected calmly.

"Based on what?" Batum scoffed.

When Mei Ji spoke of her ability to break the barrier, he knew his earlier suggestion was futile; he couldn't persuade the other side.

He finally understood that this battle was unavoidable. In an instant, he hardened his resolve, casting aside all hesitation, preparing for a desperate struggle.

"You will pay a price if you intend to break through our defenses!" Lingmei gritted her teeth, her face cold. "Mei Ji, if you want to fight me, bring it on!"

"What price can you exact?" Shi Yan chuckled wryly.

A strange light flickered in his eyes, and the Profound Meaning Talisman Tower reappeared above his head, instantly growing immense, pressing down like a colossal mountain.

He did not know the secrets connecting the Talisman Tower and the light barrier, but he knew there was a close link between them. He was certain that beneath this barrier, the Talisman Tower would absolutely not be damaged by those so-called restrictions, barriers, and arrays!

Indeed, as the Profound Meaning Talisman Tower slowly descended, it touched the first ring of thunder. As the first crackling explosion roared, the light barrier overhead suddenly burst forth with blinding brilliance!

Rays of intense light descended, illuminating that restricted zone. As the Talisman Tower slowly sank, that area erupted in lightning and thunder, accompanied by earth-shattering explosions.

All the defensive measures set up by Lingmei and her group were utterly destroyed... Please vote for monthly tickets! (To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Laoniuniu... cast recommendation votes and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.) RQ

For more novels, visit storyread.net.