There was a pervasive sun. No moon, only glittering stars, studded like diamonds across the chilling, dim, silent, and somber expanse, where monstrous, demonic-looking flora dominated the landscape as far as the eye could see.

Ancient trees bore branches tipped with claws; the venom dripping from their leaves ate small holes into the ashen earth. Serpentine ancient vines swayed violently in the biting, frigid wind, their coiling bodies cracking sharply in the air, causing the very atmosphere to rupture with their sound.

A type of weed, barely a meter tall and sharp as blades, moved rapidly across the ground. This dense thicket of grass, wherever it passed, caused ancient trees to collapse with resounding crashes. The fallen trunks were instantly segmented by the strange grass, its juices seemingly serving as nourishment for the monstrous vegetation.

In the murky heavens, bat-like demons bristling with grotesque spikes emitted piercing screeches, vanishing into the far distance in a single flash.

Throughout this entire realm, primal energy was desperately scarce. Without the sustenance of world essence, it was baffling how these bizarre plants and those demons could have evolved to such terrifying degrees.

With his feet planted firmly on the ground, Ji Changkong tilted his head back, absorbing the natural spectacle of the continent into his vision, and then released his consciousness, extending it outward, attempting to locate any intelligent life form with whom he might inquire about his situation.

Behind him, lightning flashed and thunder roared, spitting out strands of bizarre light that exploded outwards like ten thousand simultaneous fireworks, painting the sky behind him in a dazzling spectacle of crimson, purple, and vermilion—a display of multi-colored splendor that was breathtakingly beautiful.

Bursts of thunderous light shot forth, slamming into the ground of this world and blasting out fathomless chasms. The power of collapsing space pulverized the nearby vicinity, causing the spatial turbulence that should have existed to rapidly vanish.

Staring blankly at the spatial turbulence field collapsing behind him, Ji Changkong felt a surge of relief; had he been slower in his escape, he would surely have been torn to shreds by the imploding torrent.

Finally, the spatial turbulence field within this world completely collapsed, and the sky gradually reverted to its original state, ceasing the bombardment of various energies onto the continent.

Maintaining constant vigilance, Ji Changkong, who had been accidentally yanked into the Dao of Ascension and unwittingly dropped into this world, dared not exhibit the slightest carelessness, fearing that a master of the Nine Palaces Heaven Realm might suddenly materialize beside him.

However, after waiting for a considerable time, he let his soul drift into the distance, sensing meticulously for a long duration, yet still detecting nothing unusual.

What was going on? Had the masters of the Demon Caves of the Fiend Continent not gathered here after all?

That didn't make sense. According to what You Lan had explained, she and the masters of the Demon Caves had long struck a secret accord. Since You Lan had come to establish herself within the spatial turbulence of the Five Elements Continent, masters from the Fiend Continent should surely be lying in wait near the entrance of this continent’s spatial turbulence zone.

Could it be that when the space violently collapsed just now, the masters from the Fiend Continent were inadvertently caught within it and annihilated by the terrifying force of the implosion?

But when he entered, he had already heightened his spiritual defenses and sensed no trace of any Fiend Continent master's aura. What was happening?

After sensing carefully and ensuring no Fiend Continent masters were nearby, he did not feel relieved; instead, a growing tension gripped him, unsure of the true circumstances.

After lingering here for some time, when he realized the collapsed spatial turbulence zone had vanished, his heart suddenly sank heavily.

Even with the spatial turbulence zone present, it was difficult to return to the Five Elements Continent, but without it, he was utterly deprived of any means of returning home.

On an unfamiliar continent, knowing no one and understanding nothing of the situation—this feeling was unequivocally awful.

He didn't rush to leave. He stayed put, silently observing the shattered space, clinging to the hope that the vanished spatial turbulence zone would reform, hoping that from that broken expanse, a familiar figure might emerge.

Even Heavenly Martial King would suffice. At least Heavenly Martial King should have had some contact with the experts of the Fiend Continent. Perhaps he could reveal the method for returning to the Five Elements Continent.

Alas, after waiting for an immeasurable span, the vanished spatial turbulence zone performed no miracle, nor did Heavenly Martial King appear.

He looked up at the sky, gazing at the unfamiliar heavens and the twinkling, distant stars, when Ji Changkong suddenly noticed a peculiar phenomenon.

The sky was dotted with countless stars, yet he was utterly unfamiliar with the celestial arrangement. Logically speaking, continents belonging to the same Solar Star Domain, even if their star maps differed, should exhibit broadly similar stellar configurations. Suddenly, Ji Changkong noticed another strange occurrence: there was no moon here!

By all rights, in such a star-dusted night sky, a bright, clear full moon ought to have appeared. Furthermore, he had been here for what felt like seven or eight hours; this duration should have seen night give way to day, with the sun ascending into the sky.

Nothing. No change whatsoever! Since arriving on this continent, the stars in the night sky remained the same; the moon had not shown itself, the darkness had not lifted, nor had the sun revealed itself.

What was going on?

A shock rippled through his mind. Ji Changkong forcibly quieted his heart and sat down on the spot, using his divine sense to perceive the essence of the sun's rotation and the power of the Big Dipper.

He sprang to his feet abruptly, his face etched with horror, staring up at the expanse of stars. He suddenly...

He could feel absolutely nothing!

Be it the sun or the moon, or even the stars of the Big Dipper, his divine soul could not perceive their presence. Logically, as long as he was within the Solar Star Domain, no matter which celestial body he stood upon, even if his soul could not sense the Big Dipper, he should be able to feel the location of the sun and moon.

This was because his soul had been tempered by the pure essence of the sun and moon. Being anywhere within the Solar Star Domain, regardless of day or night, he had no reason not to sense them.

The Demon Cave was one of the eight supreme powers of the Solar Star Domain, and the Fiend Continent was naturally part of the same domain. This was confirmed by the fact that the entity named Ti Ru needed to cultivate his soul within the Solar Star Domain. If this were the Fiend Continent, he should not fail to sense the sun’s aura!

Thinking this through, he suddenly realized his initial judgment might have been flawed. This place might truly not be the Fiend Continent!

What was more, this place might not even be within the Solar Star Domain!

Only on a continent outside the Solar Star Domain, separated by vast distance, could his divine soul fail to detect the auras of the sun and moon. Only under these conditions would there be no distinction between day and night.

This place must be perpetually night!

Heavens! How had he been transported here?

He froze, stunned. At first, he had worried about how to get from the Fiend Continent back to the Five Elements Continent—a feat he already considered a monumental challenge. Now that he realized he was outside the Solar Star Domain entirely, he was utterly dumbfounded.

How could he ever return?

A splitting headache consumed him. Staring out at this strange world, so unlike what he had imagined, he was momentarily at a complete loss.

Stop thinking about that problem!

Shaking his head, he forced himself to stop dwelling on the agonizing issue. Gazing at the star-filled expanse of the eternal night, Ji Changkong took deep breaths, repeatedly adjusting his state of mind, striving to regain the usual calm serenity of his everyday self through the profound mysteries of the Tai Xu Secret Record.

Soon, he slowly managed to stabilize, temporarily casting aside the burden in his heart. He no longer entertained fantasies about the spatial turbulence zone reappearing, nor did he expect Heavenly Martial King to materialize and instruct him on the path home.

This place was outside the Solar Star Domain. Even Heavenly Martial King would be helpless here. He could rely on no one.

Telling himself this firmly, Ji Changkong did not linger further. Instead, he unleashed his divine sense, preparing to head toward the direction where the demons seemed to congregate.

The immediate priority was to find an intelligent, high-level being with whom he could communicate. Only by discerning where he was and what this place was could he first establish a footing in this world, and only then would he have a chance to escape this bizarre realm and return to his homeland.

... He suddenly realized he couldn't fly anymore. Unable to sense the aura of the Big Dipper, unable to perceive the existence of the sun and moon, his divine soul could not establish that strange connection with their power. Here, he could not borrow their strength. He had even lost the most fundamental ability: flight.

A sharp jolt went through him. Ji Changkong immediately began investigating the powers he could still utilize. In this unfamiliar world, facing unknown perils, losing his strength would place him at a severe disadvantage. Only possessing sufficient power could ensure his survival and help him find the path back.

The essence blood of the Four Holy Beasts was fused with his body. Although the Four Holy Beasts did not exist here, it did not impede his ability to wield their power. The power of the Five Elements—Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth—was the fundamental basis of all things. As long as it was a material world, these five foundational powers existed. His strength in this aspect remained unaffected.

The power of the divine soul transcended the material forces of the heavens and earth; this, too, remained unaffected. The primal energy contained within his body had become part of his being and was also unimpeded.

Sensing carefully, he discovered that aside from being unable to sense the auras of the sun, moon, and Big Dipper, and thus unable to use their power to fly, his strength had not suffered any significant degradation.

As a master of the Nine Palaces Heaven Realm, the vast reserves of energy within him remained intact, and the secret arts he had cultivated diligently over many years were not restricted here.

Only when he confirmed he hadn't become weaker did he secretly breathe a sigh of relief.

If he couldn't fly, he wouldn't fly. He walked on foot through the deadly, demonic flora, releasing his potent aura. Any unwary plant that crossed his path was instantly cleaved into dust by his Dragon Radiance Longblade.

Thus, though his pace was slow, he moved steadily toward the region that appeared to be the gathering place of demons, following the direction where the winged monsters flew.