As he spoke, Pan Hu’s tone turned icy. Seeing Nie Kong’s look of utter confusion, he continued, "Nie Kong, you must have seen those Nether Beasts when you arrived."

Nie Kong couldn't help but nod. In the years before, there had been no sign of Nether Beasts in the Nether Sea, yet they had suddenly appeared recently, and they were exceedingly strange. Aside from Zhan Xinzi, even a Ninth Tier expert like Zhan Baisong could not sense a Nether Beast standing right beside him.

"Deep within this Nether Sea, Grand Sovereign Dayan constructed an altar to connect the Ghost Domain with the Nether Sea. Those Nether Beasts originate from the Ghost Domain."

Pan Hu stated coldly, "Every Nether Beast that emerges from there has been tainted by Grand Sovereign Dayan's Origin Power! If they remain hidden, only a Ninth Tier Dark Spirit Master like Zhan Xinzi, who has comprehended the Origin and is but a half-step away from the Spirit God realm, can detect them."

Nie Kong inclined his head slightly, then asked with considerable confusion, "Why would Grand Sovereign Dayan allow the Nether Beasts of the Ghost Domain to enter the Nether Sea?"

"She does this, naturally, for this heart of mine!"

Pan Hu let out a mocking laugh. "Though my body has long solidified into condensed spiritual element, it has become an impenetrable barrier. If I were unwilling, even she could not seize my heart. Thus, she must resort to using these Nether Beasts."

"By nurturing the Nether Beasts in the Nether Sea, once their numbers reach a critical mass, she will very likely utilize the Origin Power within them to slaughter them all at once. The instant countless Nether Beasts perish simultaneously, an immense surge of resentment will be generated. My main body has not recovered, and that resentment will surely affect my sanity. At that point, my heart is highly likely to fall into her grasp."

"..."

Nie Kong listened quietly, harboring no significant doubt about Pan Hu’s words. That Grand Sovereign Dayan, in her pursuit of becoming a Grand Sovereign expert, had once sent a thread of spiritual thought into the Heavenly Spirit Continent to seek the Heart of the Wood Ancestor. Unfortunately, the Wood Ancestor was too powerful; despite being ambushed, he still sealed the Yin Ruins, severing that spiritual thought’s connection to Grand Sovereign Dayan’s main body. Now that she failed to obtain the Heart, Grand Sovereign Dayan has changed tactics, aiming to seize the heart of Pan Hu, an Ancient Star God. This is hardly surprising.

Pan Hu fixed his gaze on Nie Kong, his expression solemn. "One hundred Star Gods have perished in the Nether Earth. Based on what I can sense, fourteen others, like myself, have not completely died. Six have awakened their consciousness, and eight remain asleep—including myself, that makes fifteen. My heart is merely Grand Sovereign Dayan's initial target; the next will be the other living Star Gods. As long as she can absorb my heart and the consciousness of Chi Lian and the others, she can surely cross that final half-step and ascend to the Grand Sovereign realm!"

He paused, then snorted coldly, "How could I possibly let her succeed in such a matter?"

"Senior Pan Hu, what is your plan?"

Nie Kong asked calmly, yet his heart was greatly startled by Pan Hu’s preceding words. He hadn't realized that the Pan Xing and Chi Xing Clans possessed such formidable strength in the 'Grand Sovereign Spirit Realm.' One hundred Star Gods had fallen in the Nether Earth alone. If the Xian Xing Clan were added, their strength could increase by at least sixty percent. No wonder they were so confident when facing those invading Spirit Gods. It was only later that, for some unknown reason, the Xian Xing Clan chose betrayal, leading to the crushing defeat of the two major Star Clans.

Pan Hu narrowed his eyes, a cold glint flashing in his fiery red pupils. "That Grand Sovereign Dayan, despite all her calculations, overlooked one of the spiritual arts of my Pan Xing Clan. She released the Nether Beasts into the Nether Sea intending, one day, to disturb and influence my sanity to help her seize my heart. She was unaware that I have already discerned her general condition using the Origin Power within these very Nether Beasts and the secret technique of my Pan Xing Clan."

"She is currently in the Ghost Domain, but something is wrong—she is continuously weakening. In about half a year, her cultivation will reach its nadir. That will be my optimal moment to strike. Furthermore, before this, I have already relayed this situation to Chi Lian!"

"Otherwise, Zhan Xinzi would not have left the War God Mountain to come to the Nether Sea. When he entered the depths of the Fire Source, I secretly extracted a wisp of his spiritual thought. Now, Zhan Xinzi has entered the Ghost Domain via the altar. With him leading the way, I can easily ascertain the situation over there."

"..."

Pan Hu unfolded his elaborate plan, leaving Nie Kong utterly astonished. The old fellow possessed astonishing cunning, even scheming against that ancestor of the Zhan Clan. Nie Kong suspected that their own actions, and even the hidden Duling creature, were all part of Pan Hu's calculations! This Pan Hu truly wasn't as benevolent as he appeared. But this was normal; without a degree of calculation, how could he have become the patriarch of the Pan Xing Clan?

After a period of silence, Nie Kong couldn't help but ask, "Senior Pan Hu, didn't you say you only have your heart now and cannot leave the Nether Sea?"

"Nie Kong, this is precisely why I require your assistance!"

Pan Hu smiled faintly and said gently, "Your body has been tempered by the 'Heart Drum Battle Sound,' you possess Chi Lian's divine power, and you have cultivated the 'War God Star Seal.' Your Nether Star has transformed into our Star Clan’s 'Heavenly Star,' making it perfectly suited to bear my heart."

"Ah?"

Nie Kong didn't quite understand.

Pan Hu elaborated, "I will divide my heart into two. One part will remain here, and the other will enter your body. In about four months, the Super-Tier and High-Tier sects of the Nether Earth will dispatch disciples into the Ghost Domain to clear out the Nether Beasts. At that time, we will seize the opportunity to enter the Ghost Domain. Once we find Grand Sovereign Dayan, I will strike when she is weakest and kill her! It’s a pity your cultivation is too low; if you possessed Ninth Tier strength, we could enter the Ghost Domain directly through the altar, avoiding all this elaborate maneuvering."

This astonishing idea left Nie Kong deeply shocked. "Senior Pan Hu, you intend to affix your heart within my body?"

Pan Hu smiled and nodded. "Indeed!"

"..."

Nie Kong drew a sharp, cool breath. If Pan Hu were merely attaching his heart to his body, it wouldn't be a major issue. The terrifying prospect was that this heart might turn the tables, refuse to leave his body, and take over. At that point, Nie Kong might end up like Hua Mei, with two souls inhabiting one body, or worse—his own soul and consciousness could be entirely devoured by Pan Hu, resulting