The eyes of several people were fixed intensely on the center of the Plaza, yet the situation was developing in a direction entirely contrary to their expectations. The sky grew brighter, and the two figures standing opposite each other gradually became clearer.

Several minutes later, their faces were even discernible.

This situation left Kou Xilai and the others filled with deep suspicion.

Others might not have noticed, but those few who knew the identity of the Dark Night Divine Venerable were acutely aware that the Dark Night Divine Venerable and Nie Kong were clashing within the "Dream Shadow Space." Especially the five High Gods descended from the "Grand Venerable Spirit Realm," who understood the strangeness of this technique even better.

The Dream Shadow Space was formed entirely from condensed soul power.

It could be said that within the Dream Shadow Space, the Dark Night Divine Venerable was the supreme sovereign, capable of granting or taking life from any soul trapped within. Even the other Divine Venerables from the "Grand Venerable Spirit Realm" were somewhat apprehensive of the Dark Night Divine Venerable’s method.

Although the soul power the Dark Night Divine Venerable could currently mobilize was negligible compared to his main body, it should have been more than sufficient to trap and kill a Celestial Spirit Master. Yet, judging by the current state of affairs, the Dark Night Divine Venerable’s "Dream Shadow Space" seemed to be gradually collapsing.

What exactly happened inside the Dream Shadow Space?

Just as the Plaza outside became increasingly illuminated, the nothingness within the Dream Shadow Space also grew clearer. After the "Coiling Dragon Soul Transformation Array" resumed operation, the Dark Night Divine Venerable completely abandoned futile resistance, allowing the dark aura to be absorbed by the massive Spiritual God Acupoint.

At this moment, the two pillars of light connecting the Scarlet Star Battle Body and the heart-image had nearly doubled in thickness, resembling two colossal dragons coiling in the void.

"Nie Kong, you have won this time," the Dark Night Divine Venerable's voice sounded again, faint as a thread, seemingly ready to dissipate at any moment, yet his tone was remarkably calm, as if he were facing someone who hadn't just ruined millennia of his efforts and absorbed his soul power.

"As expected."

The Dark Night Divine Venerable could no longer stir up any waves now. Nie Kong’s tone was quite relaxed, though he felt deeply grateful to Hua Pianxian. Fortunately, he had received her reminder before the sect founding ceremony and then found this "Coiling Dragon Soul Transformation Array" in Pan Hu’s memory.

Otherwise, who would have been the victor today remained uncertain.

"Don't celebrate too soon. I am growing increasingly interested in you. Perhaps it won't be long before we meet again. Your soul and origin power, I must have them!" As the Dark Night Divine Venerable finished speaking, he actually let out a meaningful laugh.

"Oh?" Nie Kong couldn't help but smile. "What? You plan to use the Spirit God Hall's Emissaries to descend again?"

"Emissaries?"

The Dark Night Divine Venerable let out a soft scoff.

"I understand now."

A thought flashed through Nie Kong’s mind, and he vaguely grasped something. "It is said that above the Celestial Spirit Continent, there is a 'Boundary Gate.' This 'Boundary Gate' connects to the 'Grand Venerable Spirit Realm.' After passing the Triple Spirit Tribulation, the 'Boundary Gate' manifests, allowing newly advanced Spirit Gods to cross it into the Grand Venerable Spirit Realm. However, this 'Boundary Gate' can only be entered, not exited. Descending via Emissaries is the limit of what you can achieve. Are you planning for your main body to forcefully cross the Boundary Gate and come directly to this Celestial Spirit Continent to claim my soul?"

"Knowing about the Boundary Gate, it seems the old tree in Yin Xu told you quite a bit. During the Spirit God War ten thousand years ago, which affected the Illusory Spirit Continent, to avoid a recurrence, 'Grand Venerable Chongxu' exerted great divine power and created that 'Boundary Gate.' As it stands now, even he cannot forcibly traverse the 'Boundary Gate' with his main body. But if the Five Divine Venerables gather, they can suppress the power of the 'Boundary Gate,' allowing avatars possessing Spirit God power to cross."

The illusory figure of the Dark Night Divine Venerable manifested in the air, a slight smile creeping onto his nearly transparent face. "Nie Kong, my avatar will be coming for you soon."

Nie Kong's heart skipped a beat, but he responded calmly, "The Five Divine Venerables gathering? Are you dreaming? The other four Divine Venerables are your equals; why would they comply with your wishes?"

"Speaking of which, I must thank you. If I hadn't learned from you that the Star God who perished back then was not truly dead, I might truly have been unable to deal with you."

The Dark Night Divine Venerable laughed heartily, his figure fading slightly more. "But things are different now. Upon hearing this news, they will surely join forces with me. If the Grand Venerable also learns of this, he might even take action personally. Then it won't be about suppressing the Boundary Gate's power, but opening the 'Boundary Gate.' By then, perhaps it won't be my avatar coming for you, but my main body coming in person!"

Nie Kong’s mind raced, and he suddenly spoke, "Dark Night Divine Venerable, I forgot to tell you something. In your altar, I used that soul orb to condense the soul power of all the sacrifices. If one were to invite the Yin Xu Wood Ancestor to inject all that soul power into the Boundary Gate, I wonder what the effect would be?"

"What, you—"

A look of shock and rage flashed across the Dark Night Divine Venerable's face, but before he could finish his sentence, his figure completely dissipated, the last trace of dark aura absorbed by Nie Kong's Spiritual God Acupoint.

In an instant, the surrounding void shattered inch by inch.

Nie Kong willed the "Coiling Dragon Soul Transformation Array" to stop operating, and the three figures reformed into a single complete soul. A few seconds later, the "Dream Shadow Space," unsupported by the Dark Night Divine Venerable, completely vanished, and Nie Kong’s soul and mind simultaneously sank back into his body.

"............."

"Ouch, my head is so heavy. How did I fall asleep just now?"

"That was a really comfortable nap."

"Right, who won between Lord Nie Kong and that Kou Zhang?"

"............."

The world was clear and serene. The Spirit Masters on both sides of the Plaza who were affected by the "Dream Shadow Space" stirred as if waking from a dream, muttering in wonder or turning their heads in confusion...

Amidst the ruins, Nie Kong and the black-robed man opposite him opened their eyes sequentially.

However, the black-robed man was no longer the Dark Night Divine Venerable from the "Grand Venerable Spirit Realm," but the Spirit God Hall Emissary, "Kou Zhang."

Blinking somewhat dazedly, when Kou Zhang's gaze focused on Nie Kong, he instantly snapped awake, cried out in horror, and turned to flee.

Seeing this, Nie Kong's lips curled slightly.

Kou Zhang himself only possessed the cultivation of a low-grade Spirit Controller, and Nie Kong had no interest in him. His gaze followed Kou Zhang's retreating figure toward the strong experts of the Spirit God Hall.

Kou Zhang only calmed down when he reached Lu Rong. Seeing this scene, the others, who had just been dozing, were even more bewildered.

Glancing past Kou Zhang’s still terrified face, Nie Kong looked at Kou Xilai and smiled broadly, "Hall Master Kou, your friend from the Spirit God Hall is being very disrespectful. He ran before even fighting. I suggest Hall Master Kou step up personally for some pointers and conclude this Heaven and Earth Arena match."

"Disgraceful!"

Kou Xilai finally came back to his senses. He glared fiercely at Kou Zhang, his face dark, and said in a deep voice, "No need! Nie Kong, your 'Heaven and Earth Arena' has concluded quite perfectly. I hope your sect founding ceremony also concludes smoothly. Let's go!" Suppressing the suffocating frustration and rage in his chest, Kou Xilai strode toward the exit passage as soon as he finished speaking.