The illusory runes that once pulsed with spiritual dynamism upon the Spirit-Sealing Stele were now utterly lifeless, resembling nothing more than ordinary lines. At this moment, the stele seemed to have risen several meters taller than before. The green expanse surrounding it had transformed into tiered, concentric steps. Above the stele, two colossal gates, tens of meters high, shimmered with an ink-black luminescence that dimmed the surrounding world. Between the two doors, a gap, perhaps half a foot wide, had appeared, from which a hint of verdant life occasionally escaped. The outlines of distant mountain ranges could just be discerned. Ten meters or so outside the black gates, six figures were arrayed in a crescent formation, suspended in mid-air. These six individuals varied greatly in appearance: some were slender, others possessed fierce visages, some had menacing brows, and others appeared stout and honest. Around them swirled black mist, roared crimson flames, pulsed violet rays, or emanated a dense, earthy yellow aura. Two of the figures were women, past their prime but still retaining their allure—one was encircled by a faint, ethereal green wind, while the other’s body shimmered with a gentle, water-like azure light. Before each of them floated a vividly rendered scroll. Within these depicted scenes, black vapors churned, flames soared, lightning cracked, earth waves surged, hurricanes raged, and tides crashed. These six manifestations showcased the essences of Dark, Fire, Lightning, Earth, Wind, and Water, from which torrents of divine power continuously poured forth. They converged in the air to form a single massive flood, furiously battering the opposing pair of black gates.

"Boom! Boom! Boom..."

The reverberations sounded as if the heavens and the earth were tearing apart, echoing ceaselessly between the sky and the ground. Yet, the six figures remained utterly still, seated in the air as if meditating monks, paying no heed to the cacophony they had engineered. Encircling these six were ten other figures, tightly guarding them. Their gazes were fixed intently, and with considerable vigilance, upon the several dozen figures gathered around the stele. Subjected to their distrustful scrutiny, the clusters of people situated upon the steps occasionally glanced up at the black gates in the void, or exchanged a few hushed words. Faint murmurs occasionally arose near the Spirit-Sealing Stele.

"..."

"This is likely the final barrier. Once this obstacle is broken, the Medicine Spirit Illusion Realm will reveal its true face. Since it’s called the Medicine Spirit Illusion Realm, it must contain medicine spirits, without a doubt."

"I wonder what kind of herb has achieved sentience. Could it rival the five rare treasures: the Fire Tree Silver Flower, the Never-Night Sky, the Dragon-Anchoring Grass, the God-Devouring Flower, and the Fluttering Jade Butterfly Spring?"

"Tsk, tsk. What they are using is reportedly called the Spirit Intent Deification Chart, and the divine power it contains is indeed overwhelmingly abundant. To even acquire something like that explains why the Spirit God Hall can suppress major spiritual master sanctuaries like the Mara Holy Mountain, the Heaven and Earth Sect, and the Spirit Guard City, making it the foremost sect on the Heaven Spirit Continent."

"I heard that the Spirit Gods from the Spirit God Hall who left the continent in the past can descend through divine messengers. This Spirit Intent Deification Chart must surely be their creation."

"This illusion realm contains countless rare medicinal herbs, and reportedly, many artifacts from the Illusionary Spirit Era as well. Once the Spirit God Hall obtains this realm, their strength will surge again, leaving other sects with no hope of catching up. The Heaven Spirit Continent of the future will undoubtedly belong to the Spirit God Hall."

"No need for the future; the Heaven Spirit Continent already belongs to the Spirit God Hall now!"

"Heh heh, things aren't that simple. The Mara Holy Mountain, the Heaven and Earth Sect, the Spirit Guard City, the Ink Snow Sect, the Sand Diagram Royal Family, the Serpent Spirit Tribe... Many powerful entities from these major sects, noble families, and spirit races have arrived here. As formidable as the Spirit God Hall is, it will be difficult for them to contend against so many powerful forces. Getting hold of the Medicine Spirit Illusion Realm peacefully? That won't be easy. Do the Heaven Spirit Masters of these sects just sit around doing nothing?"

"..."

"Hey, what is that flying over there? It looks like a black eagle!"

A surprised voice suddenly broke the quiet, drawing the gaze of many nearby.

For days, no medicinal herbs had emerged from the Spirit-Sealing Swamp. Ordinary spiritual masters had either left or lingered at the edges of the swamp, gathering news from Lou Tian City. No one dared venture deep into the marsh anymore. Those gathered here were all Heaven Spirit powerhouses who had rushed over upon hearing the news. The appearance of a spirit beast caused some astonishment, and they secretly speculated which sect’s Heaven Spirit Master had arrived. To their surprise, the back of the black eagle was empty.

"Black Eagle?"

Upon hearing those words, Zhan Bang, who was serving as a guard, couldn't help but look up.

It was him, that vile beast!

The moment he saw the figure, Zhan Bang’s face contorted, feeling as if a venomous snake was constantly gnawing at his heart. Killing intent flared unmistakably in his eyes. He could recognize that black eagle even if it were reduced to ash. He hadn't expected it to return after escaping for so many days. Was it truly tired of living?

"Screech!"

The black eagle was immense and quickly arrived directly above the stele. As if spotting Zhan Bang, the giant eagle challenged him with a piercing shriek. A moment later, a long, dark mass detached from the eagle’s tail and plummeted straight toward Zhan Bang’s head. Following this came a mocking cry: "Zhan Bang, taste the delicacy Uncle sent you!"

"Vile beast!"

Zhan Bang’s face turned ashen. He swept his sleeve toward the sky. The dark mass was intercepted, flying obliquely for dozens of meters before exploding mid-air, carrying with it a faint, foul stench.

"Bird droppings?"

A burst of laughter erupted around the stele.

"..."

"It can speak human words and dared to come here; it must be a Ninth-Grade Spirit Beast."

"Judging by its appearance, it seems to have a deep feud with that friend from the Spirit God Hall. Giving him such a massive piece of bird dropping, haha..."

"I heard that a few days ago, the first two people from the Spirit God Hall who arrived here—one died, and the other fled. The one who escaped was him. And that black eagle was among their enemies back then!"

"I wonder who its master is, to have so easily slaughtered that Heaven Spirit Master from the Spirit God Hall. If the friend receiving the bird dropping hadn't taken the escape talisman artifact, he probably would have been turned to dust by now."

"..."

The Heaven Spirit powerhouses present had no need to spare Zhan Bang’s pride. Various comments rose and fell like waves, making Zhan Bang’s face burn red, his chest swelling with rage, wishing he could rush up and tear the black eagle to pieces. The other Heaven Spirit Masters of the Spirit God Hall also showed unconcealed fury. However, the breaking of that final barrier had reached a critical moment. With so many strong opponents watching like tigers, they dared not slacken in the slightest, nor dare they leave, lest those factions attempt surreptitious maneuvers. For now, they could only swallow their anger repeatedly. Since they did not move, the Heaven Spirit powerhouses surrounding the stele certainly wouldn't waste their time driving the beast away. Watching the spirit beast cause trouble for the Spirit God Hall personnel was, in itself, quite entertaining.

"Zhan Bang, Uncle is right here! Come chase me!"

The black eagle deliberately provoked from high in the sky, its voice sharp and grating. "Weren't you chasing me quite diligently a few days ago? Too bad you could only follow behind Uncle, eating dust. Now Uncle has delivered himself to your doorstep, and you’re hiding like a turtle. Perhaps I should send you another feast? Haha..."

"Youhuang, stop wasting time!"

Just then, a low, stern shout suddenly rang out.