At the terminus of the Void Turbulence, a magnificent screen of multicolored light, like murmuring water, slowly unfurled before their eyes.

Deep within the firmament of the Divine Grace Continent, Shi Yan, Mandis, Xi Luo, and the others were gathered, their gazes fixed upon the luminous curtain, watching the ever-shifting spectacle of iridescent space. This was the Domain Gate, and passing through that screen would lead them into a subsidiary channel beneath the Sea of Annihilation, a route that could eventually lead to the main body of the Sea itself.

"Xi Luo and I have made the arrangements; the domain realm has been decided. It is called Cloud Mist. While it is not as vast and boundless as the Barren Domain, and the innate energy of heaven and earth naturally cannot compare, the Cloud Mist Domain Realm is still a rare and precious territory within my Phantom Race. It should suffice for martial artists to survive and cultivate."

Mandis smiled slightly, "The Cloud Mist Domain Realm is quite close to the territory of the Bone Race. You can travel between the two. Xi Luo and I can join forces to establish a passage here, linking this continent directly to the Domain Gate leading into Cloud Mist. However, this will take some time. We summoned you here precisely to confirm this arrangement."

Xi Luo looked deeply at him, his expression peculiar. "In these ten years, while your divine power hasn't accumulated, your aura has grown increasingly close to that of a Domain Ancestor. It seems you’ve discovered a unique method of comprehension?"

Shi Yan’s imposing presence settled into tranquility, his eyes serene. He replied softly, "I have made some progress."

"What is your decision?" Mandis prompted him for an answer.

"Done." Releasing his mental awareness, he probed the surroundings silently for a moment before nodding. "I appreciate the trouble you and Senior Xi Luo are taking to construct the passage here. I will enter the Sea of Annihilation first." He glanced at the Sea Shark Emperor. "The Sea Shark Emperor wishes to migrate his kin here to live. I will accompany him on this journey."

The Sea Shark Emperor and Shen Ren both felt a stir in their hearts, nodding secretly as they awaited Xi Luo and Mandis's confirmation.

"No problem. It will take some time to establish the passage anyway, so we can wait for you," Xi Luo stated.

Mandis also nodded in agreement.

"I'll go with you," Meiji said, her smile radiant. "I am quite familiar with the Sea of Annihilation. If any issues arise, I can offer you useful counsel. Over the years, I have monitored the situation in the Sea of Annihilation secretly through the Sound Stones of my clan. I believe I can be of assistance."

"What do you think?" Shi Yan asked the Sea Shark Emperor.

"If Lady Meiji is willing to exert herself, I naturally have nothing but gratitude. Thank you deeply!" the Sea Shark Emperor replied solemnly.

"Let's go."

Shi Yan then pierced through the Domain Gate, vanishing like a streak of starlight. The Sea Shark Emperor, Meiji, and Shen Ren followed immediately after, disappearing one by one within the gate’s vanishing point.

...

Beneath the waves of the Sea of Annihilation.

"The territory beneath the seabed seems to have shrunk considerably. Strange, has something changed?" The Sea Shark Emperor swam through the depths, his brow furrowing. "This area used to fall under my jurisdiction. I know the extent of the surrounding lands, but now, after swimming only a short distance, I've almost seen it all..."

"That year, Shi Yan fought a fierce battle beneath the waves. After that battle, the seabed domain of the Sea of Annihilation did indeed shrink in part." Meiji had been paying close attention to the situation in the Sea of Annihilation since she awoke. She had even instructed members of the Phantom Race to measure the depths carefully. She had the authority to speak on this matter. "The shockwaves from the power of a Domain Ancestor inflicted massive destruction upon the seabed; thus, the environment has changed."

Meiji, clad in a dark violet gown, resembled a magnificent, blooming purple flower—stunningly beautiful, alluring, and breathtakingly captivating. As soon as she left the Divine Grace Continent, she instantly reverted to her former enchanting self. Showing no reserve toward the Sea Shark Emperor or Shen Ren, her voluptuous, graceful figure clung to Shi Yan like a serpent.

In the presence of an elder like Mandis, she had felt constrained. Now that she had regained her true self and could express her emotions freely, she linked her arm through Shi Yan's, her cheeks flushing with an exquisite radiance. She smiled faintly, "I heard that your former subordinates have had a difficult time these years. The tribesmen of the Five Races frequently came down to the seabed to cause trouble. Since your departure, many forces hostile to you have also started actively provoking them..."

The Sea Shark Emperor and Shen Ren’s eyes dimmed, letting out a silent sigh. How could they not know?

The Sea Shark Emperor was not a Domain Ancestor powerhouse from the Five Races; he lacked formidable backing. Once he provoked serious trouble, he had to face it alone, and if he couldn't handle it, he could only temporarily retreat and avoid the conflict.

Once he left, his kin who depended on his strength to live securely beneath the seabed naturally became targets for others. It would be strange if their lives were pleasant and peaceful.

"Of course, I know they haven't had it easy. Before Shen Ren and I left, I warned them to voluntarily give up their original interests and move to the more remote zones," the Sea Shark Emperor admitted, his voice low. "If that weren't the case, why would I lead them into the Boundless Sea?"

"Once you reach the Second Heaven of the Domain Ancestor realm, you won't need to fear the Five Races' bullying. If the Five Races dare to cause trouble for a Second Heaven Domain Ancestor, they will have to consider the devastation your wrath could cause and be prepared to bear the cost!" Shen Ren stated coldly.

The Sea Shark Emperor offered a bitter smile. "...Breaking through to the Second Heaven of the Domain Ancestor realm—how easy is that?"

"Master will certainly succeed!" Shen Ren firmly believed.

Meiji smiled faintly, saying no more. However, judging by her expression, it was clear she wasn't optimistic about the Sea Shark Emperor's chances.

Advancing through the Domain Ancestor realm required not only deep comprehension of the realm but also massive accumulation of power and sufficient heavenly materials and earthly treasures for the breakthrough. The only reason she achieved the Domain Ancestor realm so quickly was because she was a member of the Phantom Race, and Mandis had provided her with resources accumulated over many years by the clan.

Yet, Meiji was fully aware of how immense the required power accumulation and materials for breaking through from the First Heaven to the Second Heaven were, even for the Phantom Race, one of the Seven Great Races. Sustained supply was incredibly difficult.

The Sea Shark Emperor cultivated alone, without a powerful backer, and without a naturally aligned domain realm to collect resources and provide him with a steady stream of elixirs and cultivation materials. His breakthrough to the Second Heaven of the Domain Ancestor realm would definitely not be simple.

This was why martial artists at his level, like Ferrier and Ricardo, despite feigning arrogance, eventually submitted to the dominion of the Five Races to secure their livelihoods.

Essentially, Ferrier and Ricardo understood that their own foundations were insufficient to help them break through to the Second Heaven of the Domain Ancestor realm quickly.

Only immense powers like the Seven Races, possessing the vast wealth generated by controlling dozens of domain realms, could offer them true assistance, providing a constant stream of cultivation materials.

"Sea Shark Emperor," Meiji mused for a moment before breaking into a smile, offering a sincere suggestion, "Have you ever considered joining one of the clans? Perhaps the Bone Race, or even our Phantom Race? If you joined the Phantom Race, our clan's cultivation resources could be prioritized for you, which would greatly benefit your breakthrough. Both Ferrier and Ricardo made that choice; you could too. At the very least, if you joined the Bone Race or the Phantom Race, the Five Races wouldn't dare to treat you poorly."

Upon hearing Meiji’s suggestion, Shen Ren suddenly lowered his head, saying nothing.

The Sea Shark Emperor’s expression remained unchanged. After a long silence, he shook his head coldly. "If I were willing, I would have joined the Seven Races long ago. But I still believe it is better to progress slower while maintaining true freedom. I appreciate your kind intentions, but I do not wish to work for you."

Meiji showed regret, letting out a faint sigh, and did not press the matter further.

Since the Sea Shark Emperor had made this decision, the Phantom Race and the Bone Race could not possibly help him resist the pressure from the Five Races. They would not actively jump in to extend aid when the Sea Shark Emperor was targeted by the Five Races.

The Sea Shark Emperor was not one of theirs; for them to intervene would be pure meddling, which served neither their interests nor the established rules.

Because of this topic, the atmosphere grew subdued, and no one felt the inclination to initiate further conversation.

The Sea Shark Emperor guided Shi Yan and Meiji onward beneath the seabed of the Sea of Annihilation. Along the way, they encountered many Sea of Annihilation martial artists adventuring underwater. Both Shi Yan and the Sea Shark Emperor took care to actively avoid them to prevent unnecessary trouble.

After all, Shi Yan and the Sea Shark Emperor were currently primary targets sought by the Five Races, especially Shi Yan, who was now considered a thorn in their side. They all sought to use him to acquire the Profound Truth Pagoda. Once his whereabouts were exposed, the experts of the Five Races would swarm toward him like flies.

After some time, the four traveled deeper into the remote parts of the seabed until they reached an area strewn with reefs.

Upon arrival, the Sea Shark Emperor’s face instantly darkened. His eyes flashed with a chilling, icy luster as his gaze swept across the jagged rocks.

Shi Yan glanced at him and sighed softly, "My condolences..."

Crack! Crack! Crack!

Reefs suddenly exploded. The coral structures were tinted dark red, and as they fractured, streaks of scarlet blood appeared from within. Corpses of sea race kinsmen were ejected from the rocks. Within one large reef, there might be ten or so bodies; their divine bodies were all split apart, piece by piece, suggesting they had endured torture before death.

Whoever killed them must have been interrogating them about the Sea Shark Emperor’s whereabouts!

The Sea Shark Emperor and Shen Ren’s imposing forms trembled, hatred burning fiercely in their eyes. The sheer intensity of the killing aura made even Shi Yan frown slightly, worried that the Sea Shark Emperor and Shen Ren would lose control and frantically seek out the enemy.

"This is just one stronghold. Let's check another location!" The Sea Shark Emperor gritted his teeth until his lips drew blood. He roared, like a beast on the verge of death. Those massive reefs and the shattered corpses were instantly transformed into waves of light that flowed into the core of his domain.

He led Shen Ren, Shi Yan, and Meiji to continue moving through the seabed.

They subsequently visited three other strongholds, and the results were uniformly the same: all his subordinate kinsmen had been massacred, leaving only horrifying corpses, with not a single living soul remaining.

Shi Yan watched the Sea Shark Emperor, seeing him and Shen Ren standing on the precipice of an erupting volcano. He knew the two were suppressing their rage, comprehending the sorrow and resentment burning within their hearts. He could empathize deeply.

The shattered corpses bore clear signs of brutal murder; the sight of severed heads and limbs flashed through his mind, and he inwardly blamed himself.

Their deaths carried an undeniable responsibility that fell upon him!

If the Sea Shark Emperor had not resisted Ferrier, Napoleon, and Ricardo because of him, there would not have been the joint targeting by the Five Races, nor the Sea Shark Emperor's forced retreat into the Sea of Annihilation and subsequent entry into the Barren Domain. If none of that had happened, these people would not have died.

"No matter who you are, I swear to you, I will stand with you and personally see the murderers slain!" Shi Yan solemnly declared... Sorry, this is only one chapter for today; I will continue tomorrow! RQ