The sea water of Ershan Can, gazing toward the horizon, as if seen from ten thousand fathoms in the void, revealed scattered specks like broken stones dotting the golden ocean, where crowds of people moved about the islands like ants.

Amidst the clouds, Ji Changkong held the Fire Phoenix close, frowning. "This is the Golden Sea below?"

"Mhm. This is the Golden Sea, the largest ocean on Fire Prison Star. There are tens of thousands of islands scattered across the Golden Sea, with seven hundred suitable for Celestial Masters to cultivate. Celestial Masters are stationed on every single one. Because of this, Golden Sea Island has become one of humanity's Five Great Factions. Aren't a dozen or so major cities among the one hundred and eight metropolises on Fire Prison Star actually these very islands in the Golden Sea?" the Fire Phoenix explained.

She pushed against Ji Changkong's chest with both hands, creating a slight distance between them, just enough so she wasn't half-sprawled in his embrace. Yet, the subtle, fragrant scent emanating from her continuously drifted into Ji Changkong’s nostrils, frequently sending his mind into a state of wandering fantasy.

After escaping the encirclement led by Lei Tian and the others, it took him half a month of swift flight to bring the Fire Phoenix to Golden Sea Island. Along the way, the Fire Phoenix remained in a state of hazy, deep cultivation. When she cultivated, her body burned intensely, as if afflicted by a high fever; it seemed as though a volcano was erupting within the delicate frame of Xiao Yaotiao, which initially sent shivers of alarm through him.

If it weren't for the fact that her aura grew steadily stronger during this state, he truly would have believed the Fire Phoenix had fallen gravely ill. After half a month, the injuries within the Fire Phoenix’s body appeared significantly mended; vital essence began flowing through her meridians once more.

Throughout this journey, the Fire Phoenix was gently held by him. However, he never entertained any improper thoughts. The Fire Phoenix seemed to gradually trust him more; once her aura regained some strength, she actually allowed him to hold her, silently continuing to restore the power within her body.

"I can move now," the Fire Phoenix suddenly spoke.

"You're all right?" Ji Changkong asked, surprised.

"My injuries are certainly not fully healed, but I can move without serious issue. Temporarily, I still can't engage in a desperate fight, so you still need to protect me." The Fire Phoenix wore an expression of entitlement, as if it were Ji Changkong’s inherent responsibility to shield her.

Ji Changkong nodded lightly, letting go with a lingering reluctance. "Very well, you stay with me then. I'm not very familiar with this Golden Sea either. In which direction is Profound Ice Island?"

"You are truly going?"

"What do you think?"

The Fire Phoenix snorted, muttering under her breath, "To take such a huge risk for a mere Ice Slave—you are truly devoted!"

Ji Changkong paid her no mind.

Feeling bored, the Fire Phoenix frowned slightly, scrutinizing the boundless Golden Sea from above. "Be careful. The Golden Sea is certainly unstable lately. We shouldn't fly in the sky for a while, or we might be treated as hostile intruders. The folks on Golden Sea Island dislike seeing others soaring through the ocean void; they consider it disrespectful."

"Do as you say. As long as we can reach Profound Ice Island, that’s all that matters."

"Let's descend first, then hug the ocean surface as we fly. This way, we can avoid unnecessary trouble. Also, be careful. It would be best if you altered your appearance slightly. The Wood Clan and the Feather Clan have immense power. They will surely use every means possible to find you. Golden Sea Island is complex; there might be Wood or Feather Clan spies lurking about."

"Next time I encounter anyone from the Wood or Feather Clan, I will show them no mercy."

Ji Changkong let out a cold snort. He was genuinely enraged by those two clans, especially the Feather Clan members. He had even saved Xue He when he was in the Ninth Layer Pagoda, yet that old scoundrel Feiyun had repaid kindness with enmity—this completely infuriated him.

Previously, when fighting Fei Yun and Ke Jie, he had always been on the defensive. But after effortlessly emerging from Lei Tian’s trap last time, he suddenly realized the Heaven-Shaking Star River Art he had newly mastered was incredibly mystical, seemingly capable of manipulating the very flow of the star river. From that moment on, his confidence surged. He believed that if he were to face Fei Yun and Ke Jie again, drawing upon the power of the White Bone Skeleton, he might be able to slay both of them. He was not inherently soft-hearted; it was just that witnessing so many experts in the Dead Star Domain had made him hesitant. Once he cleared his mind and decided someone deserved death, he would harbor no mercy.

"Good, let's go," the Fire Phoenix nodded, seeming to agree completely with his decision, and softly added, "On Fire Prison Star, only when others fear you will they dare not cross you!"

"I understand."

Thunder God Mountain.

Duke Lei and Duke Dian sat broadly and authoritatively on the Lightning Throne, symbols of supreme authority. Duke Lei’s face was covered in a beard, his expression stern. Duke Dian had a sharp mouth and monkey-like cheeks, his demeanor gloomy, with malicious glints flickering in his eyes, as if perpetually plotting something.

Thunder God Mountain was one of the Five Great Factions of the human race on Fire Prison Star. Both Duke Lei and Duke Dian possessed the cultivation level of the Divine Connection Realm; normally, they would not appear unless Thunder God Mountain faced grave peril, as they frequently remained in seclusion.

Even when Thunder God Mountain was in trouble, usually only one of them—either Duke Lei or Duke Dian—would be seen. Their simultaneous appearance today indicated that something exceptionally momentous had occurred at Thunder God Mountain.

Before Duke Lei, Lei Ming knelt on the ground, his face etched with grievance.

Duke Dian frowned darkly, baring his teeth in apparent anger, his eyes flashing with fierce menace. At that moment, streaks of lightning split open the sky above Fire Prison Star, each bolt tens of thousands of meters long, resembling towering peaks.

"You must possess the Chaos Profound Meaning?" Duke Lei asked solemnly after a long silence.

Lei Tian nodded, earnestly stating, "Only the Chaos Profound Meaning could allow one to shatter the Heavenly Thunder Net we three jointly set up, and to do so so effortlessly! For those at the Ruyi Realm, only the Chaos Profound Meaning can achieve this!"

"Chaos Profound Meaning," Duke Lei murmured, his expression thoughtful. After a pause, he turned to Duke Dian and asked, "Could he be the descendant of some old master from the Chaos Realm?"

"If that were true, the boy would have announced it long ago. If he had, who on Fire Prison Star would dare touch him?" Duke Dian said grimly. His sharp fingers had dug deep into his own flesh without him noticing. He suddenly stood up, saying, "Elder Brother, if it truly is the Chaos Profound Meaning, it's worth the gamble!"

"Is it worth it?" Duke Lei hesitated, forcing a bitter smile. "Second Brother, if we are mistaken, do you know the consequences?"

Duke Dian's face shifted, and he sank back onto the seat with a sigh, dejectedly saying, "But it's the Chaos Profound Meaning! If we obtain it, perhaps, perhaps we could..."

"Yang Minghuo has arrived," Duke Lei frowned.

"He must be here to discuss this matter as well," Duke Dian’s spirit lifted.

Before long, a cluster of faint blue flames descended from the sky. This flame flickered like a sapphire-blue wick; with every pulse, the temperature on Thunder God Mountain rose by one hundred degrees. After a while, the faint blue flame flashed intensely, and a burst of light shot out, revealing a young man of handsome features.

The young man was barefoot, clad in coarse homespun, wearing a gentle smile, yet his eyes held an ancient quality, suggesting he had lived for countless ages.

"Duke Lei and Duke Dian are indeed both here," the young man chuckled, walking over to sit before the two Dukes. "Yang Minghuo, you old fellow has also emerged from seclusion? Your Yang family always has excellent intelligence; have you learned any news that might bring us joy?" Duke Dian asked impatiently.

Yang Minghuo smiled faintly and nodded. "Indeed, I have news to share with you."

Duke Lei waved his hand, and a clap of thunder exploded in the sky. A fissure cracked open in the void, swallowing the three of them like a gaping maw. In an instant, the trio vanished.

In a bizarre, five-colored, space-warped locale, the three sat cross-legged.

"Stop holding back the news; what is it?" Duke Dian pressed again.

"The Wood Clan and the Feather Clan are also searching for this boy; his name is Ji Changkong. Rumor has it he holds a page of the Chaos Fragment Map. The Wood and Feather Clans have already made their move. They likely won't care if he possesses some Chaos Profound Meaning. Furthermore, the three great demons under the Dragon Python King have also been mobilized, preparing to capture this boy alive and flay him." Yang Minghuo smiled faintly.

"The Chaos Fragment Map?" Duke Lei and Duke Dian gasped simultaneously, their faces filled with shock.

"How could he possess the Chaos Fragment Map?" Duke Dian rubbed his hands together, looking somewhat excited and urgent as he addressed Duke Lei. "Elder Brother, combined with the Chaos Profound Meaning, is it worth the risk?"

"I’m only worried he is connected to those old monsters," Duke Lei worried.

"No need to worry. This boy is said to have come from some unknown Solar Star Domain. Through sheer dumb luck, he entered the Ninth Layer Pagoda and obtained that Chaos Fragment Map. He should have no ties to those old monsters. So, what do you say? Our two families join forces and compete with the Wood and Feather Clans?" Yang Minghuo proposed.

"Elder Brother, you know what the Chaos Profound Meaning and the Chaos Fragment Map represent. If we succeed, we can ascend to heaven in one step, Brother!" Duke Dian urged eagerly.

"Ah, then let us gamble the fate of our two families and fight together!" Duke Lei finally agreed.

While the Yang family and Thunder God Mountain acted in secret, the Wood Clan and Feather Clan also mobilized. The Demon Clan’s Dragon Python King had also issued his command; his three subordinate demons led their host, appearing everywhere to search for news of Ji Changkong.

Suddenly, the name Ji Changkong became the focal point on Fire Prison Star. Many people didn't understand why, but they knew numerous major powers were hunting this young man, as if he had committed some truly heinous crime.

Profound Ice Island.

Two figures suddenly emerged onto a massive block of ice. They strode forward across the frigid landscape, their expressions vigilant, seemingly wary of everyone.

"Now you're famous; everyone is searching for you. I wonder if anyone will guess you'd come to Golden Sea Island."

"Who cares? We’ll deal with whatever comes our way. Once I find the person I’m looking for, I’ll leave immediately. Who can find me then?"

"I’m just afraid that if Xiao Han learns you are on Fire Prison Star, she might deduce you’d come to Profound Ice Island. If Xiao Han wants to play deadly games with you, she only needs to leak the news of your arrival, and you'll be waiting for death," the Fire Phoenix huffed.

"No way?" Ji Changkong’s face shifted.