The Life Vortex hung suspended over a crystalline lake, soaring toward the heavens, its effervescent waters splashing everywhere it sprayed. Within that vortex, souls were visible to the naked eye—dull gray and utterly devoid of self-awareness.

As the vortex spun, those ashen souls were ripped to shreds like tattered cloth, transforming into fine ribbons of pure soul energy that merged into the vortex. One by one, the souls vanished, and the vortex, once mist-like, began to clarify, slowly revealing its true form: the Life Vortex!

Standing in the distance, Ji Changkong’s lips curved into a strange smile. This so-called Life Vortex, it seemed, possessed not only the ability to sublimate life but was equally adept at erasing souls and extinguishing the breath of existence.

The crystalline lake where the Life Vortex resided was vast. Around its shores, many figures had already gathered. Experts from the Flame Demons and the Ice Clan were scattered in various corners, while the three great elders of the Blood Clan, alongside several other powerful Blood Clan members, were grouped in another direction, all looking solemn, as if silently awaiting something.

Further afield, scattered groups of the Three-Eyed Clan, Feather Clan, Wood Clan, and other miscellaneous races appeared. Some of these individuals bore numerous scars, others were missing limbs, yet some seemed vibrant and full of energy.

Many had been killed, and quite a few were severely or lightly injured, though a significant number had also gained tremendous benefit. Everyone had a strange tale from their journey to find the Life Vortex.

Ji Changkong, Xiao Han, and the Fire Phoenix party remained hidden within the dense thicket, in no hurry to reveal themselves. Zou Tao, Qiu Yun, Li Xing, and Tian Yue kept their heads lowered, concealing their entire bodies, terrified of being discovered.

Ji Changkong felt a lack of understanding, unsure why such caution was necessary, but he didn't press the issue. He simply stood with Xiao Han and the Fire Phoenix, peering at the Life Vortex through gaps between the banana leaves.

“How are we supposed to enter?” Ji Changkong asked Xiao Han beside him, his voice deep. “We are too far from the Life Vortex. Should we move closer?” This was his first time here, and he knew nothing; failing to ask now would surely lead to disadvantage later. “We can’t get too close.”

Xiao Han shook her head, her small, exquisite body crouching slightly, drawing herself into a ball, and looking up at Ji Changkong from his waist. “Before entering the Life Vortex, there will be an even more intense wave of slaughter. Getting close will only increase the danger. Besides, we aren’t the last to arrive; in a few more days, even more people will gather nearby.”

While Xiao Han spoke, Ji Changkong noticed faint, listless souls far in the distance being pulled, one after another, into the Life Vortex by its attraction. It seemed fierce battles were still raging in the areas beyond his soul sense.

“Why did you save me?” Tian Yue, standing gracefully near Ji Changkong, asked inadvertently. “You didn't need to take that risk.”

Ji Changkong didn't look at Tian Yue, pausing in thought before replying, “I hadn’t intended to save you initially. It was only because that Sak suddenly attacked and caught me off guard, dragging me next to you. By the time I reacted, I was surrounded entirely by Wood Clan members. I saved you merely hoping for a temporary ally to help me fight off the enemy...”

He spoke the truth. After Zou Tao, Xiao Han, and the others had given up, he had no intention of rescuing Tian Yue. It was only due to Sak's sneak attack that, to improve his own chances of survival, he pulled Tian Yue into the fray. At that moment, he wanted Tian Yue to help him deal with the Wood Clan. Everything stemmed purely from concerns for his own safety.

“You are very candid, unlike some who say one thing and do another,” Tian Yue nodded slightly. After a moment of hesitation, she whispered, “Be careful down there. If possible, don’t stray too far from me. If you encounter danger, I will certainly help you if I am able.”

“Oh, thank you then,” Ji Changkong laughed inwardly, thinking this woman wasn't bad, at least knowing gratitude, yet he didn't take her words too seriously, as he didn't believe Tian Yue could offer him much assistance.

The Fire Phoenix and Xiao Han, flanking Ji Changkong, naturally overheard Tian Yue’s words. Both frowned, thinking, That fellow is so mysterious, he didn't suffer even against the Wood Clan. What capability do you have to help him?

Huddled in the bushes, Ji Changkong, the Fire Phoenix, and Xiao Han remained perfectly still, silently waiting for the changes in the Life Vortex.

Two days passed swiftly. More figures emerged from various corners. Around the lake where the Life Vortex churned, in the thickets, the dense forest, and piles of rubble, fleeting shadows could occasionally be seen. Those of weaker power quietly concealed their tracks, wishing to remain undiscovered.

However, those with formidable strength, like the Blood Clan, Flame Demons, and Ice Clan, did not fear exposing themselves. They stood openly near the lake, whispering among themselves, covertly gathering power and preparing for the ensuing events.

From Xiao Han, Ji Changkong already knew that after accumulating sufficient souls, the Life Vortex required a refining process. Once it fully decomposed the absorbed souls into pure power, the vortex would activate the immense magnetic force within this Life Magnetic Field. Then, centered on the Life Vortex, a strange magnetic field would rapidly spread outward in all directions, manifesting various bizarre phenomena.

During this process, the diffusion of these peculiar magnetic fields would cause drastic changes in the minds of some individuals. A person who was originally kind and peaceful might become quick-tempered and violent under the influence of the fields, losing all rationality and recklessly attacking those beside them. Relatives and friends alike would become targets.

This was the Life Vortex's soul cleansing. Those who could withstand it could enter the vortex to face further perils. Those who failed would not only be barred from entry but would completely lose themselves, transforming into mindless killing machines.

This soul cleansing was profoundly strange; high cultivation levels did not guarantee immunity. According to Xiao Han, even Heaven Masters in the Ruyi Realm could potentially undergo severe personality shifts under this cleansing. And if many lost their composure during this trial, the overall strength of the corrupted would surpass that of the clear-headed.

In that case, this adventure would transform into a disaster! The lucid ones would become the hunted, slain one by one by those whose temperaments had warped. Then, those corrupted individuals would turn on each other, until ultimately, not a single living person remained.

When Xiao Han described this scenario, her expression became extremely grim, and panic flickered in her eyes, as if she had personally endured such a terrifying ordeal.

“It’s here!” A sharp cry rang out from among the Blood Clan group.

The next instant, everyone sensed the Life Vortex's rotation speed suddenly increase several dozen times. The vortex, which had been somewhat blurry, suddenly shimmered with brilliant light. From a distance, it appeared as if the Life Vortex had drained the entire lake.

Under the tremendous weight of the water, the Life Vortex did not slow down; instead, it spun even faster. Crystalline columns of water shot skyward, twisting amidst the seven-colored clouds above, resembling tornadoes piercing the firmament.

Amidst the spraying water, a massive magnetic force emanated from the lake. Everyone standing nearby could tangibly feel the influence of this magnetism.

A ring of pale blue light drifted out from within the Life Vortex, surging outward in all directions like a tide.

No one could escape. The pale blue ring instantly enveloped a hundred-mile radius and continued to spread outward. Anyone harboring desire for the Life Vortex could not evade it; all were encompassed by the pale blue halo, and a mysterious magnetism released from the light began influencing everyone in ways that were hard to detect.

The change was so swift, so sudden—it happened and concluded in an instant following that initial cry!

At this moment, everyone’s expression was one of dazed confusion, maintaining their original postures, faint blue motes of light emanating from their bodies. The blue light was particularly intense around their heads, as if their bodies, their souls, and everything about them was being altered by some strange power! No one could awaken at this moment!

Ji Changkong felt as if he had returned to childhood, to the desolate time when he was parentless. Back then, before he condensed his Yuan Power, he was the most slighted direct descendant in the Ji Clan. His grandfather’s expectations, the bullying from his brothers, the bitterness of his origins—all unutterable memories were squeezed from the depths of his soul and played out repeatedly.

Painful memories reiterated themselves again and again. His helpless cries echoed beneath Green Rock Mountain, drifting through the empty canyons, unheard and uncared for.

Repeated failures in condensing Yuan Power, the hidden disappointment in his Aunt Ji Wanyun’s eyes, being rejected when seeking a master—all the heartbreaking past events, he experienced them over and over, things deeply buried in his memory were exposed raw and bare... After an unknown amount of time,

Ji Changkong snapped awake, his gaze clearing. The first thing he heard was a sharp exclamation, coming from Tian Yue beside him. Tian Yue stepped back, watching Zou Tao with wary vigilance, shouting, “What are you doing?”

Zou Tao kept his head down, radiating an aura of extreme danger. With his hair disheveled, he shuffled step-by-step toward Tian Yue, his movements bizarre.

“Kill him!” Xiao Han’s Ice Prism Sword flashed, unleashing a puff of frosty mist that wavered unpredictably. “He has lost his composure. If you don’t kill him, he will kill you!”

Zou Tao looked up, his eyes numb, like a spiritless puppet under external control. All emotion was gone from his face. Simultaneously, the aura surrounding him began to change, growing dimmer and darker, and wisps of death energy even curled from his mouth.

“He’s finished. If you don’t want to die, don’t hesitate any longer,” Xiao Han urged. Tian Yue’s face grew frosty; it seemed she had finally made up her mind.

Ji Changkong stood up and looked out past the banana leaves toward the distance. He saw brutal, bloody battles unfolding near the lake. Many people with the same vacant look as Zou Tao had begun madly attacking those beside them, and many caught off guard were instantly slain. (To be continued, read on!) <> ..,