No matter how hard those creatures struggled or how desperately they cried out, they could not avert the coming apocalypse; not a single one could break free.

Among them were many powerful beings, some having even reached the Immortal Realm!

After tens of thousands of years of being nurtured, those creatures cultivated step-by-step, discerning the power of heaven and earth, slowly accumulating strength. Just as they were about to break through to the Domain Ancestor level and spread their wings to soar, disaster suddenly struck!

Before this, they had already sensed it—a constant suppression upon their souls, a feeling that their cultivation realms had stalled.

In the unseen depths, it felt as if a colossal beast was silently watching them, tightly gripping their fates, refusing to allow them any escape!

They, along with Xuan He, Ming Hao, and the Divine Lord, were all peak existences. Unfortunately, their fate was even more tragic; within their respective domains, no disruptor like Shi Yan had emerged, so their end was sealed from the beginning.

The "Yuan's" current actions were strikingly similar to how the "Barren" annihilated the strong beings of the Barren Domain—accumulating power rapidly at the cost of extinguishing life!

Those fortunate enough to witness the "Yuan" swallowing the heavens and earth could clearly perceive that as each creature vanished into its maw, the aura of its main body, the power of its avatar soldiers, increased dramatically!

"Roar!"

Having devoured countless beings, the "Yuan" roared, charging toward the Dragon Lizard amidst crashing waves. The towering surge washed over, submerging the lava pool beside the giant lizard.

The "Yuan's" true form manifested ferociously. As its energy surged significantly, it shrieked, its massive, dragon-like jaws revealing fangs as sharp and formidable as rows of giant blades.

"Hiss!"

It bit down hard on the Dragon Lizard's tail and ripped it away with brutal force, severing the appendage.

Blood surged out like a torrent of crimson rivers. The "Yuan" gnashed its powerful jaws, grinding the lizard's tail into pulp, splattering gore and fragmented flesh from its bloody, terrifying mouth.

The Dragon Lizard screamed in agony, thrashing wildly in the ocean, its strength gradually failing.

"Truly delicious. The taste of Primal Blood. You humble races could never comprehend it."

The humanoid form of the soldier avatar revealed an expression of ecstasy. This divine body was also experiencing a rapid surge in power. He glanced at Rabbit of the Devourer Clan and declared, "You die first."

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

The crystalline droplet enveloping Rabbit detonated with world-shattering force. Under everyone's gaze, the inside of Rabbit's shimmering sphere turned hideously bloody. Rabbit's flesh ruptured in a horrific sight.

After devouring the beings nurtured on its back, the power of the "Yuan's" main body and its human avatar skyrocketed. Not only did it formally begin to gnaw on the Dragon Lizard Ancestor, but it also bared its fangs at Napton and his group.

Its power divided into three streams, yet it still held a comprehensive upper hand, demonstrating a ferocity, tyranny, and might that shook the heavens and earth.

Shi Yan struggled desperately to restrain the soul and power of "Hui," tightening the chains forged from the Fallen Star River around "Hui's" main head. Observing the stalemate between Zi Yao and "Hui," and listening to the "Yuan's" violent and brutal methods, his heart was consumed by anxiety.

He could no longer afford to let go!

If he released his grip now, Zi Yao's soul would instantly dissipate, and "Hui" would awaken to engage in a brutal battle with the "Yuan." Worse still, "Hui" might turn on him first.

If he maintained his hold, the current stalemate would continue. He had painstakingly lured the Napton group here, believing they could pose a threat to the "Yuan" and alleviate his pressure.

Alas, he had underestimated the terror of the "Yuan." The true fangs of the "Yuan" displayed before him were so terrifyingly awe-inspiring that they left him deeply shocked. Such world-destroying power—he had not witnessed it in either "Hui" or "Shi."

In the Primal Era war, the "Yuan" seemingly did not participate, thus preserving its strength and avoiding injury. Through the generations of devouring lifeforms within the domain ancestors, its power had grown steadily. After hundreds of millions of years, the current "Yuan" had become an almost unbeatable, monstrous existence in this era.

It was hard to imagine what living powerhouse in the current world could possibly contend with the "Yuan's" savage might.

Mandis? Hiero? Dracula?

Setting aside the fact that none of the three were present, even if they were here, could they overpower the "Yuan" and halt its cruel slaughter?

Honestly, Shi Yan was not optimistic. At this moment, the "Yuan" was too fiercely tyrannical!

Thoughts raced through his mind as he desperately sought a method to break this deadlock, thinking until he felt dizzy. Just as he was about to give up, a heavy pressure emanated from the depths of his sub-soul's heart.

That pressure came from the "Barren"—the War God of the Primal Era! A terrifying existence capable of suppressing both "Hui" and "Shi!"

That was it! Precisely him!

A spark of insight exploded in his mind like lightning. He suddenly realized that the "Barren" might be the only possibility to break this deadlock!

He carried two parts of the "Barren's" soul. If he perished, those two fragments belonging to the "Barren" would be acquired by the "Yuan," causing the "Yuan's" soul to swell and its power to increase dramatically. This was absolutely not what the "Barren" desired!

All along, he could feel the "Barren's" presence, and the "Barren" constantly emitted soul signals, searching across star systems for him.

He had repeatedly severed contact with the "Barren" and carefully concealed himself, terrified of being located by the "Barren" too soon.

He understood that as the "Barren's" power continued to grow, sooner or later the "Barren" would pinpoint his location and come hunting.

That was why he had been striving to enhance his strength recently; killing Ferrer was only the first step. Everything was preparation to deal with the "Barren's" threat!

At this moment, he, who had always resisted the "Barren" and kept himself hidden, reached out to communicate with the "Barren" actively for the first time!

The Soul Pond in his sea of consciousness suddenly rippled, and pure soul energy connected via the sub-soul's will. Gradually, the soul in the pond seemed to pierce through infinite space, reaching the Barren Domain!

A thread of soul power pierced through the Domain Gate of the Barren Domain, traveling directly to the depths of that realm!

The "Barren," whose consciousness enveloped the entire Barren Domain, sensed this approaching soul consciousness immediately, grasped it tightly, and established a psychic link with Shi Yan...

The Soul Pond in Shi Yan's sea of consciousness suddenly transformed into a mirror, illuminating a massive star far away in the Barren Domain. Deep within that continent, a terrifying giant dragon lay coiled; its scales were golden-yellow, stretching like continuous mountain ranges toward the edge of the land.

At the location of the dragon's head, the humanoid form of Gui Liao gradually materialized, his expression stern and his eyes ancient. He appeared within the mirror reflecting in Shi Yan's Soul Pond.

"Quite unexpected. You hid for so long, yet today you choose to contact me." Gui Liao's cold voice crossed countless domains and traversed immense spatial distances, actually echoing within his sea of consciousness.

"I'll be brief. One of the Primal beings, the 'Yuan,' is here..."

Shi Yan wasted no words, describing the situation in the fastest and most concise manner possible, then stated: "If I perish, both my physical body and soul will be devoured by the 'Yuan.' I know that among the Primal beings, power can be absorbed by gnawing flesh and consuming blood. You do not want the part of your soul within me to be gained by that 'Yuan,' do you?"

"'Yuan?' That insidious, despicable coward! He used to detour just to avoid me. He didn't even dare participate in that war. I never expected him to be acting so arrogantly in this era. It seems there are no true powerhouses in this age, otherwise, such a base and shameless character wouldn't dare cause chaos everywhere?"

Gui Liao sneered, bitterly recounting the "Yuan's" ignoble past during the Primal Era, clearly holding it in contempt.

"The times have changed. After that great war, the Primal Era ended. Many of you died or were severely injured; only he escaped unscathed. Furthermore, he consumed the Primal Blood of the 'Li,' and after hundreds of millions of years of accumulated power, he has become incomparably strong."

Shi Yan's tone grew urgent, his soul consciousness roaring, "I don't have much time. If you don't want to lose your soul, you better tell me how to contend with it!"

"Your soul, your flesh, your Profound Principles—everything! It all belongs to me. No one but me shall touch you!" Gui Liao erupted in a furious roar, "As long as you withdraw the Profound Principle Pagoda and cease suppressing 'Hui,' 'Hui' can awaken and break free. With the combined strength of you and 'Hui,' you might be able to fight the 'Yuan.' Why seek my intervention?"

"If I could abandon Zi Yao, I would have done so long ago; I naturally wouldn't seek you out," Shi Yan sneered.

"Womanly benevolence!" Gui Liao snorted, then pondered for a moment before suddenly asking, "What do you need?"

"A way to resist the 'Yuan!'"

"That means power!"

"Can you give me power?"

"My soul and your sub-soul were originally one. I can temporarily lend you a portion of my power for this battle. Afterward, I will reclaim the power that is not yours."

"Then what are you waiting for?"

"Why should I help you?"

"If you don't help me, your soul will be devoured by the 'Yuan?'"

"I will slay that 'Yuan' too, and reintegrate the soul that belongs to me. The 'Yuan' was a minor character before; how could it possibly be my match!"

"Then there's nothing to discuss?"

"You must promise me one thing?"

"What is it?"

"When that Solon finds you, transmit his appearance and aura to me. This person has provoked me repeatedly and lingered around my domain borders several times. I need to know his soul imprint!"

"He will find me?"

"Inevitably!"

"Fine, I promise you!"

Shi Yan agreed instantly. As soon as his words fell, abundant energy spanning the void surged forth from the Soul Pond in his sea of consciousness!

That energy, shaped like a giant dragon, pierced out of the Soul Pond and hovered above his vast sea of consciousness.

A terrifying power, several times stronger than his own, erupted immediately. This power bore the imprint of the "Barren's" soul will, yet it could be operated and controlled by his sub-soul. In an instant, a frantic aura burst from him, one that seemed capable of shattering domains and engulfing the Void Sea itself.

His ferocious Primal body actually swelled once more!

On the surface of that massive body, a tattoo of a giant dragon manifested, spreading across his chest, arms, neck, and abdomen. At a glance, it seemed as if a formidable dragon was coiled around him!

...RQ