At the swirling vortex entrance to the third layer of the "Primal Heaven Grotto," two colossal, snow-white pillars stood tall, mirroring those on the level below.

Lord of the Pill Heaven stood motionless before the left pillar, facing the desert. A tiny, serpentine form of a fire dragon circled his body, continuously radiating searing heat.

Seated before the jade pillar on the right were two elders of the Constellation Clan.

Before each of them floated nine Star Seals, slowly pulsing with a dazzling golden gleam, as if they were gathering power. These Star Seals were materialized from the "Celestial Stars"; the Star Clan cultivators of the Supreme Spirit Realm cultivate the Nine Great Celestial Stars, from which the Nether Stars of the Dark Spirit Masters of the Underworld Soil originated.

Time ticked by, and four powerful auras drew ever nearer.

"Nie Kong is here!"

The two Ninth-Rank Spirit Gods suddenly sprang to their feet. Their Celestial Star Mandates expanded several times over, and the golden light they emitted became so brilliant it was painful to behold.

Lord of the Pill Heaven suddenly spoke, his voice ringing out, "Pan Lie, Pan Heng, Nie Kong is mine! Don't even think about fighting me for him!"

"Pill Heaven, you can't put it like that. I, too, have a great interest in Nie Kong's Chaos Divine Power."

This voice belonged to the black-robed elder among the two Ninth-Rank Star Gods. As soon as the words left his mouth, he turned to his companion. "Pan Heng, aren't you also eager to witness that Chaos Divine Power?"

Pan Heng chuckled darkly. "Indeed. Chaos Divine Power is one of the most fundamental forces in existence. It’s said anyone can refine it. I’ve long wanted to try my hand at it."

Saying this, Pan Heng grew eager. "In my estimation, whoever obtains it, keeps it."

"Hmph!"

The pupils of Lord of the Pill Heaven constricted, and a scar on his cheek twitched minutely. "Very well. We’ll just wait here. Whoever he strikes first, he belongs to that person. How about that?"

"Agreed!"

Pan Lie and Pan Heng exchanged a glance, nodded, and burst into uproarious laughter.

Their laughter had barely subsided when a small, yellow figure flashed across the distant sky, hurtling toward the entrance. The terrifying aura emanating unrestrainedly from this person whipped the yellow sands into a frenzy wherever they passed; from afar, it looked like a gigantic dragon skimming across the desert surface.

It was indeed Nie Kong!

"Whoosh!"

Lord of the Pill Heaven suddenly shot forward. Flames roared around him, dragging a crimson afterimage across the void. His speed was like a meteor's, covering hundreds of meters in an instant.

"Pill Heaven, you cunning old fox!"

Pan Lie was momentarily stunned, then cursed in exasperation before he and Pan Heng gave chase.

The distance between the three pursuers and Nie Kong rapidly closed. Moments later, three more figures materialized several thousand meters behind Nie Kong: it was Lord of the Dark Night, Lord of the Ziwei, and Pan Lin, a Ninth-Rank Star God from the Constellation Clan.

Six supreme powerhouses were pressing their attack, blocking the path ahead and chasing from behind!

"Whoosh!"

However, when he was less than a thousand meters from Lord of the Pill Heaven, Nie Kong suddenly veered left, seemingly attempting to bypass him. Pan Lie and Pan Heng, lagging just slightly behind Lord of the Pill Heaven, were overjoyed. Their figures lunged outward, unleashing their nine Celestial Stars, shrouded in dazzling golden light, toward Nie Kong.

Nie Kong shifted direction again, continuing his rapid dash to the left.

"Nie Kong, you cannot escape!" Lord of the Dark Night closed the distance once more, sneering as black mist billowed forth, engulfing the area.

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Lord of the Ziwei and Pan Lin launched their attacks almost simultaneously: a massive cyan blade and nine golden Star Seals swept toward Nie Kong from the left and right, respectively.

By this time, Lord of the Pill Heaven had blocked Nie Kong's retreat, while Pan Lie and Pan Heng had once again cut off his forward path.

"This Nie Kong is mine!"

Seeing this, Pan Lie and Pan Heng grew frantic, their nine Celestial Star Seals rotating simultaneously.

"Everyone, stop fighting amongst yourselves!" Lord of the Pill Heaven’s Fire Dragon manifestation followed close behind, its jaws wide, looking as if it intended to swallow heaven and earth whole.

"Boom! Boom!?"

The cyan giant blade, the black mist, the fire dragon, and the twenty-seven Celestial Star Seals descended in sequence. An utterly terrifying aura instantly permeated the space spanning several thousand meters.

The power unleashed by the simultaneous attack of three Ninth-Rank Spirit Gods and three Ninth-Rank Star Gods—six supreme powerhouses—was enough to shatter creation. Before Nie Kong could even let out a muffled cry, his figure was annihilated and completely engulfed. Various streams of force surged wildly, instantly tearing his body to shreds.

At the center of the interwoven currents, a massive crater, one hundred meters deep, had appeared, and the surrounding desert was ripped open by deep fissures.

The black mist coalesced into the form of Lord of the Dark Night, who floated to the edge of the giant pit.

"Nie Kong, you are finally dead! So what if you became the disciple of the Seven-Colored Supreme? In the end, you are utterly destroyed! Hahahaha..."

Staring intently at the scene of utter devastation, Lord of the Dark Night laughed aloud, utterly elated. The suffocating frustration that had built up in his chest over the past year had finally dissipated completely.

Lord of the Pill Heaven and Pan Lie paid no mind to the actions of Lord of the Dark Night; their eyes were rapidly scanning the entire area.

Moments later, confusion flickered in their gazes.

"Something's wrong!"

Suddenly, Lord of the Ziwei frowned delicately. "Nie Kong cultivated the 'Crimson Star Battle Body' of the Crimson Star Clan, and he just refined the greater portion of the Sea Dragon's divine power, greatly increasing his strength. Even if he were killed, his physical body shouldn't have shattered like that. Furthermore, the resistance we met when we attacked was negligible."

Pan Lin paused, confused. "Lord of the Ziwei, what are you suggesting?"

"This is just an avatar of Nie Kong!"

Lord of the Ziwei cried out, her beautiful eyes flashing sideways. She saw a yellow figure suddenly step out of the void several thousand meters away, shooting toward the vortex entrance.

"I'm truly sorry to have made everyone work so hard for nothing. See you on the third layer of the Grotto, everyone!" "No, it's better if we never see you again!"

Just before the figure plunged deep into the vortex, the person suddenly turned back, shouting with a wicked grin—it was precisely Nie Kong, the one they had been desperate to eliminate.

"So the one we killed was indeed an avatar!"

"Chase him!"

"Don't let him escape!"

"..."

Lord of the Pill Heaven and Pan Lie simultaneously spotted the yellow figure. They were then spurred by his words to the point of spitting blood, and they all roared in unison, charging toward the vortex.

In two or three seconds, figures plunged into the vortex entrance, following closely behind Nie Kong.

Lord of the Dark Night stood frozen by the edge of the crater, his laughter long since cut short. The wild ecstasy in his eyes had vanished, replaced by towering, incandescent rage.

"Damned bastard!"

Lord of the Dark Night roared, and in a few flashes, he traversed the thousands of meters, following Lord of the Ziwei into the third layer of the "Primal Heaven Grotto."

After a quick scan, Lord of the Dark Night instantly froze again.

A few seconds passed, and Lord of the Dark Night seemed to snap out of a trance, letting out two strange, almost hysterical laughs.

This initial laugh quickly escalated until it became uncontrollable. Lord of the Dark Night's cackle grew louder and louder, causing the very desert beneath his feet to ripple.

After a long while, the laughter finally subsided with great effort.

"Good! Good! Good!"

Lord of the Dark Night repeated the word "Good" three times, a look of malicious intent flashing in his eyes. "I never expected this! Fate has favored this Lord so much as to deliver me right here. Nie Kong, this is truly destiny trying to wipe you out. This time, this Lord will sit right here and see how you plan to escape!"

Before Lord of the Dark Night stood two immense jade pillars piercing the heavens.

Between the pillars swirled a rapidly spinning vortex.

This, unbelievably, was the entrance to the fourth layer of the Grotto!