The spatial constraints in the fourth layer of Dingtian far exceeded those in the third. Niekong's speed through this realm had dropped significantly, now barely matching a low-tier Danlingshi cultivator.

His injuries from Lengye ShenZun's first self-explosion still lingered, further hampering his movement. Fortunately, he'd absorbed and refined thirty percent of the formidable divine energy obtained from Lengye ShenZun. With that energy, all wounds had healed completely. The remaining seventy percent was transferred to Taian, who ascended effortlessly into the eighth-level Lingshen realm after assimilating it.

"Too bad there's no other ninth-level Lingshen like Lengye." Niekong mused, brushing a stray hair from Taian's cheek where she lay curled against his chest. "If we could capture another one..."

Taian was different - even absorbing five ninth-level Lingshens wouldn't guarantee her ascension. But for this girl, it required only breaking through the limit of power contained within her body to spark an immediate qualitative leap.

The two words were still lingering in Taian's mind as Niekong chanted through his divine techniques and surged forward with renewed speed.

After what felt like an eternity,

"Found the entrance!" Taian abruptly pressed her cheek against Niekong's chest, her "Looking Back Flower" technique flickering delicately.

"No one else? Too bad..." The gourd spun its tiny eyes in all directions before a sharp knock to the head sent it scurrying back into Niekong's "Lingxi War Cloak."

"A stroke of luck," Niekong said, his lips twitching into an involuntary smile at the vortex ahead. In Layer One he'd been ambushed by Hai Long ShenZun; in Layer Two nearly surrounded by Miao Wei's ninth-level Lingshen and Starshen; in Layer Three blocked completely by Lengye... This fourth layer was comparatively peaceful - no enemies along the path, not even a guardian at this critical juncture.

By the time his consciousness caught up to his body, Niekong had already reached the vortex.

"Whoosh!"

His form lifted into the air only for an expression of alarm to flash across his face as he crossed the vortex threshold. "No good!"

The thought barely formed before a palm slammed into his spine. Raw divine energy erupted through his body like floodwaters breaking a dam - earth essence so pure it was practically unheard of.

"Pfft!"

Niekong couldn't hold back, spitting blood as he glimpsed Leshan ShenZun rising from the sands below with feline grace.

"Boom!"

A burst of prismatic light exploded from Niekong's core, shattering the magnetic grip of Leshan's palm against his back. The fat man blinked in confusion before disappearing into the vortex depths after his prey.

Landing heavily on his feet in the endless dunes, Niekong's face was pale as blood dripped from his lips.

"Brother!"

"Dunjian!"

Taian materialized in human form beside him while the gourd zipped anxiously around.

"Don't worry," Niekong waved weakly, wincing at the irony. "After surviving all those trials, I fall to the final gatekeeper. That Leshan ShenZun was incredibly stealthy - not even his presence registered until it was too late. If only Master's 'Prismatic Spirit Leaf' hadn't shaken off his palm..."

"Leshan is despicable!" Taian fumed, her brows furrowed with anger. "He swore interest in your chaotic energy was mere politeness before striking like a viper!"

"Absolutely," the gourd agreed through gritted teeth. "We'll reduce him to ash someday!"

"Cough..." Niekong's next attempt at speech turned into another bloody cough.

Leshan had used all his strength - though Niekong's body remained intact, his internal organs were riddled with micro-cracks. Fortunately the Qixing Warsoul cultivation technique protected them from complete annihilation... but this injury was still the worst he'd suffered in years.

"Brother, rest first," Taian said tearfully, "We're at Layer Five now - no need to rush."

"No time," Niekong gasped, activating his techniques. "That old fox took some of my blood through that ambush. We must reach Master's destination before he tracks us down using secret methods."

With Taian now an eighth-level Lingshen and the spatial constraints actually working in their favor by amplifying her teleportation speed, Niekong felt confident they could maintain sufficient movement despite his injuries.

"Ready to go!"

Taian nodded fiercely, dissolving into a crimson mist that carried both Niekong and the gourd skyward.

"Turn right first," Niekong instructed as he settled onto the swirling blood fog.

"Mm!"

While Taian navigated, Niekong closed his eyes and channeled the "Chaotic Techniques." His internal chaos trembled gently, releasing divine energy to mend his fractured organs while Xiangxiang's essence burst through with a delighted "Aya!" of approval.

Leshan could appear at any moment - Niekong had no time for hesitation.

This ambush had succeeded due both to Leshan's mastery of concealment and Niekong's own complacency when he saw the entrance was unguarded. If his chaotic techniques hadn't momentarily dulled, he would have sensed the threat immediately through either the Prismatic Spirit Leaf or Xiangxiang's Life Barrier.

And yet that rotund figure - seemingly benevolent as a noodle vendor - had read human psychology with terrifying precision to choose the perfect moment of vulnerability.