A sequence of water funnels, gathering in clusters like clouds, each vortex saturated with an aura of mortal peril; most explorers venturing into the Sea of Ruin dared not approach this area.

For no one knew where those colossal whirlpools ultimately led.

Once, individuals confident in their elevated cultivation levels attempted to uncover the secrets of these vortexes, adventuring deep into their centers, only to vanish without a trace, lost forever.

Even powerhouses who had reached the Domain Ancestor realm cautioned their subordinates and kin to strictly avoid any risk in this place.

Yet, today, another gathering of figures stood here, positioned at the edges of the vortices just as Mandis and Shiro’s group had done previously.

These were the formidable experts of the Five Clans!

They had assembled here upon receiving an invitation from Egar, each mobilizing their strength and bringing their clan’s masters to this location.

There was Napton of the Soul Clan, Ferrel and Beverly of the Ancient Demon Clan, Oliver of the Black Demon Clan, and Judy of the Profound Heaven Clan. Napton, Ferrel, and Oliver were all at the first tier of the Domain Ancestor realm, while Judy of the Profound Heaven Clan and Beverly of the Ancient Demon Clan held the second tier. Judy, much like the Grand Ancestor of Heaven Shaker in the Profound Heaven Clan, was an absolute authority whose word was law.

Beverly of the Ancient Demon Clan was hailed as one of the Ten Great Domain Ancestors, equal in stature to Egar, and was the mightiest of the Ancient Demon Clan!

Beside Beverly, Ferrel appeared restrained, moving with noticeable caution.

Here, three individuals stood at the second tier of the Domain Ancestor realm: Egar, Beverly, and Judy. At the first tier were Napton, Ferrel, and Efra. The remaining Undying realm experts numbered around a hundred, and those in the Primal God realm approached a thousand!

This formidable force belonged entirely to the five great races, and they were all gathered here because of the Domain Gate.

“Egar, how did you know the Domain Gate to the Desolate Domain was here, hidden inside one of these vortexes?” Beverly of the Ancient Demon Clan questioned, arriving with a cold, harsh gaze, pressing him without courtesy.

Beverly possessed a human torso and a serpentine lower body, her eyes a luminous emerald green that sent chills down one’s spine when she looked at someone. However, her physical form was exquisite; the curves of her upper body were spectacular, her bosom particularly exaggerated. The twin peaks embraced by delicate leather armor seemed ready to tear the leather apart.

Her oval face was beautiful and captivating, yet her perpetually solemn expression and icy demeanor conveyed a sense of contained menace, making her unapproachable.

Beside Beverly stood Judy of the Profound Heaven Clan, also female. Judy wore a vibrant robe embroidered with flowers, radiating an elegant and refined aura, a faint smile gracing her lips, making her appear only around thirty years old.

The couple Tu Shiqi and Yayun were by Judy’s side; Yayun even had to call Judy ‘Auntie,’ indicating a close relationship.

“Our Progenitor has returned and informed us of the Domain Gate’s location here,” Egar stated. He was alone this time, having brought no clansmen. The defeat in the Desolate Domain had severely wounded Shi, and his recovery demanded the full attention of the Devouring Clan, preventing them from dispatching too many experts.

It was for this reason that Egar had proactively contacted the Soul Clan, Profound Heaven Clan, Black Demon Clan, and Ancient Demon Clan, urging their experts to gather here.

“Whether that’s true or not, our Ancient Demon Clan will certainly not enter first. Egar, since you claim the Domain Gate is real, why don't you go in and test the waters?” Beverly sneered.

“At the Domain Gate entrance, Mandis and Shiro might be waiting. According to my Progenitor, they have also entered the Desolate Domain,” Egar cursed inwardly, though his outward demeanor remained calm as he briefly glanced at Beverly.

“Mandis! Shiro!” Beverly uttered sharply.

Judy, Napton, and the others all changed expression, their brows furrowed deeply.

Napton and Ferrel, in particular, were utterly horrified. They still remembered Mandis hunting them down, issuing a proclamation that she would kill anyone she met. Right now, the last people Napton and Ferrel wanted to see was Mandis. Had they known Mandis was in the Sea of Ruin, they might not have dared to return.

“What is there to fear?” Beverly huffed, casting a cold glare at Ferrel beside her. “Mandis is only a second-tier Domain Ancestor. If she dares harm you in front of me, do you think I would just stand by?”

Seeing her protection, Ferrel managed an awkward smile and shrank back without retort.

“Something’s wrong!” Napton suddenly cried out, looking up towards a specific direction, his eyes gradually turning grim. “Woxi is dead! Kanbei must have been killed too!”

He shared a soul link with Woxi, allowing them to communicate using soul power within a certain range when both activated it. At this moment, when Napton tried to contact Woxi, he suddenly discovered the soul tether connecting them had been severed unilaterally from Woxi’s end—Napton instantly recognized the severity of the situation.

“How is that possible?” Ferrel shook his head, his expression still relaxed. “Didn’t we hear that the Sea Shark Emperor was also in the Desolate Domain? How could Hu Jiao, Natu, and the others be no match for Woxi and Kanbei? They shouldn’t have met with any accident?”

“I can confirm Woxi is dead!” Napton roared out every word distinctly.

Ferrel’s expression drastically changed.

After a moment of hesitation, he respectfully requested Beverly’s permission, “May I quickly go check the situation?”

“Go,” Beverly agreed.

Ferrel departed in haste.

Egar and the others, who had been discussing how to approach the Domain Gate, paused their planning upon hearing the dreadful news, deciding to understand the situation first.

…

A massive clump of seaweed, thick and cloud-like, moved rapidly across the seabed of the Sea of Ruin. Some martial artists active on the seafloor caught sight of the moving seaweed and stared in astonishment.

A few individuals with profound cultivation levels extended their spiritual consciousness to sense the mysteries within the seaweed, murmuring in secret surprise.

A magnificent crystal palace resided deep within the seaweed. The crystal palace, carefully guarded by Hu Jiao and Natu, had been relocated to the seaweed patch. The seaweed was moving swiftly, racing toward the location of the Domain Gate leading to the Desolate Domain.

Shi Yan and the Sea Shark Emperor’s group were deeply intoxicated, entrusting the vital duty of watching the outside world to Mei Ji. Mei Ji maintained security around them while they indulged in feasting, drinking, and deep slumber, unaware of the worries outside.

The sea clan members, having lost kin and friends, although somewhat recovered after the recent bloody outbreak, still felt suppressed, their chests heavy. They needed an outlet for complete release, needing the oblivion of drunkenness to truly relax.

The Sea Shark Emperor understood this and used Shi Yan as the channel to satisfy his clan’s need for catharsis, allowing them to forget their sorrow and prepare to rally once they awoke.

Above the dense, cloud-like seaweed, Mei Ji floated like an enchantress, her eyes as deep as pools, casting out her soul consciousness to survey the surroundings.

The vital soul auras of various martial artists manifested in her mind. Most of these beings were of low cultivation, and Mei Ji paid them little mind.

Suddenly, an extremely powerful life fluctuation crashed into her awareness, making her grave for the first time.

That aura… also felt vaguely familiar, which made her even more cautious.

In the deep abyss of the seabed, a colossal figure resembling a dragon or a lizard slowly emerged. The shadow, like a massive mountain of flesh, began to contract as it drew nearer, seemingly shrinking from an elephant to an ant, gradually condensing into human form—it was the Dragon Lizard Progenitor!

Mei Ji’s expression shifted slightly. Watching the Dragon Lizard Progenitor slowly approaching from a distance, she closed her eyes to sense, and a sharp glint flashed in her eyes.

This time, it was not a clone of the Dragon Lizard Progenitor, but his true form!

The Dragon Lizard Progenitor had unexpectedly stepped into the Domain Ancestor realm today, matching Mei Ji’s own level. Since dragons and lizards were direct descendants of the primordial creature ‘Xi,’ his life magnetic field was far vaster, and the explosive power of his divine body was much more terrifying than that of ordinary races.

This meant that the current Dragon Lizard Progenitor’s strength would absolutely not be inferior to hers!

“Mei Ji, it’s actually you?” the Dragon Lizard Progenitor’s shout traveled across the distance; his expression was also serious as he gazed deeply toward the seaweed mass.

He had come upon the invitation of Judy of the Profound Heaven Clan from Dragon Lizard Star. Over the past century, inspired by Hantian and Judy, and supported by the resources channeled by the Profound Heaven Clan, the Dragon Lizard Progenitor had finally grasped the profound mysteries of dark energy and ascended to the Domain Ancestor realm, just like Mei Ji.

He was indebted to the Profound Heaven Clan.

Therefore, when Judy issued her invitation, he found it impossible to refuse. Having only recently broken through to the Domain Ancestor level, he was capable of condensing and shrinking his true form to appear in a normal human guise. Hence, he arrived in his true body.

Seeing Mei Ji suddenly, he was also startled. Stopping voluntarily while still some distance from the seaweed, he called out, “Why are you in the Sea of Ruin?”

“And you, why are you here?” Mei Ji countered without answering.

“Lady Judy of the Profound Heaven Clan asked me to come to the Sea of Ruin, saying that something major was happening here that might require the use of my strength. So, I came in my true form…” The Dragon Lizard Progenitor mused for a moment, then seemed to realize something. “Before I arrived, I heard news that Egar proactively contacted the experts of various clans, saying he had matters to discuss. This matter… it wouldn't involve you, would it?”

He looked deeply at the seaweed, then closed his eyes to sense, his expression changing, “Is Shi Yan inside?”

“He is.”

“I understand now.” The Dragon Lizard Progenitor offered a bitter smile. “It’s still about that previous incident. They are still coveting Shi Yan’s Profound Meaning Talisman Tower. They must still be coming for the Profound Meaning Talisman Tower. With Egar, Judy, and Beverly here, even that terrifying entity condensed from the power of the primordial creature from last time likely won't be able to protect Shi Yan. I advise you to leave immediately and stop lingering in the Sea of Ruin.”

Upon saying this, Mei Ji paused slightly, asking in surprise, “Whom are you ultimately helping?”

“Naturally, I must help the Profound Heaven Clan. Our Dragon Lizard Clan is now tethered to the Profound Heaven Clan. However… that brat Shi Yan once saved my life; without him, I would have been ambushed and killed by Singh long ago. I owe him a favor too,” the Dragon Lizard Progenitor sighed, waving his hand. “Let’s pretend we never met, and you can pretend I never came…”

With those words, the Dragon Lizard Progenitor prepared to leave the area.

“Dragon Lizard Progenitor, don’t you wish to know how ‘Xi’ met its demise?” At that very moment, Shi Yan’s voice drifted from within the seaweed, causing the Dragon Lizard Progenitor to halt abruptly.