The contingent, a mere seven or eight hundred li in distance, took a grueling stretch of several hours to traverse. Even cultivators at the Qi Condensation stage would never have proceeded at such a sluggish pace. However, this alliance was forged of disparate ambitions, and with two unknown Nascent Soul cultivators lurking ahead, caution was paramount. Even an encounter with a formidable demonic beast would precipitate an undesirable conflict. Thus, everyone proceeded step by measured step, suppressing their auras. They crossed mountains and forded rivers in absolute silence.

Lei Dong and the Saintess, possessing lower cultivation levels, were especially meticulous, striving to reveal not the slightest trace of their presence.

Upon reaching the base of the sheer precipice, the group looked down into a vast gorge, a chasm so deep it seemed a massive, sharp blade had split a mountain in two. The cliff faces were polished smooth as glass, utterly barren of life. Desolation and bleakness pervaded the scene. Giant boulders and shards of rock littered the canyon floor. Yet, nestled amidst the chaotic rubble, the corner of an ancient architectural ruin barely peeked out. These were all accomplished cultivators; their gazes were sharp, and even from a distance, they discerned the unique style of that fragment, radiating an aura of antiquity and grandeur.

It appeared as though a sudden, inexplicable geological shift had sculpted this bizarre landscape.

“Truly, the world changes drastically,” murmured the Saintess, who had remained silent until then, her eyes showing a mix of profound feeling and awe. “The entrance to the Divine Temple has appeared here. It seems if an earthquake hadn't shattered the gate open, it might have remained forever lost to history.”

Hearing her heartfelt exclamation, Lei Dong felt a stir in his heart. He surmised that this so-called Divine Temple must be exceedingly old. Places of great antiquity often held little practical value, but for one rumored to contain a Soul Tree, the prospect became infinitely fascinating. Unsurprisingly, White Bone Demon Lord also understood the implication; his breathing grew noticeably quicker, and a flash of avarice crossed his eyes.

The Soul Tree was counted among the rarest marvels of heaven and earth, born from the essence of the world’s spiritual energy. Even in the desolate ancient times, it was considered an exceptional celestial treasure. A Soul Tree cultivated for merely ten thousand years was already a prized artifact, suitable as the legacy of a major sect. But if a Soul Tree had surpassed the hundred-thousand-year mark, even a single leaf would be an object of immense value. Moreover, where a Soul Fruit grew, what other celestial treasures might not also be present?

“Brother Lei, this humble elder only seeks treasures that can extend my lifespan,” White Bone Demon Lord composed himself and transmitted his voice. “I want none of the other spoils. I ask for your goodwill, and consider me deeply indebted to you.”

Lei Dong paused in thought, then sent a solemn reply: “Demon Lord, rest assured. If this Lei can obtain them, you will certainly receive your share.” Yet, in his heart, he knew with chilling clarity: if he emerged from that temple and dared meet White Bone Demon Lord face-to-face again, he would undoubtedly be inviting his own death.

White Bone Demon Lord was intensely vexed. Against anyone else, he would have certainly placed restrictive curses upon them, leaving them no choice but to seek his favor. But Lei Dong—White Bone Demon Lord was not confident he could subdue him. Still, as long as he could keep an eye on the temple entrance, he wasn't overly concerned about Lei Dong vanishing into thin air.

However, he dared not impose mutual restrictions on Lei Dong, for the reputation of the Nine Nether Soul Devourer was not to be taken lightly.

“Seer, coax them out,” the Saintess commanded.

Seer Kukas’s expression sharpened. He summoned a crystal-clear orb, manipulated it with a technique, and projected a beam of white light upward. It seemed an invisible wave of light began to spread outward. Two images flickered onto the surface of the orb: one showed two foreigners with single horns sprouting from their heads; the second depicted a figure shrouded in black mist, their face obscured, accompanied by a young man.

“Come out. Our strengths are evenly matched; further hiding is pointless,” Kukas murmured into the crystal ball.

Inevitably, two subdued streaks of light descended, hovering low above the cliff face. They positioned themselves several dozen zhang away from the main group, locking gazes coldly. The elder of the horned race swept his eyes over the assembly and sneered, “As expected, we couldn't hide it from you, Kukas, the worthy Inheritor-Seer of the Barbarians. But you and the Zhao people have always been mortal enemies; why the cooperation this time? Surely, your clan can produce more than a mere Nascent Soul Elder?” Elder Tian Luo of the Unicorne race was deeply frustrated. He had initially thought his faction was the only lucky one to find this relic entrance and was examining whether Nascent Soul cultivators could enter while there was still time. Yet, so soon, the Barbarian Seer had arrived.

“Hmph,” Kukas shot them a look tinged with hostility. “Your Unicorne race truly has a keen sense. Regarding hatred, our Guardian Clan and your Unicorne race are the true adversaries.” Kukas had lived nearly a thousand years; throughout his existence, countless friends, family, and subordinates had perished at the hands of the Unicorne race. It could be said that the enmity between the two tribes was deep enough to be called a blood feud.

“Enough chatter. Since only Foundation Establishment cultivators are permitted entry,” White Bone Demon Lord stated coolly, hands clasped behind his back, “let them go in quickly. The rest of us old folks will stand guard outside.” White Bone Demon Lord was supremely confident in Lei Dong; one could scour the entirety of Zhao State and find few Foundation Establishment cultivators who could escape his grasp.

The others voiced no objection to this plan. The group flew into the gorge, arriving directly at the exposed corner of the ruins.

From the thousand-foot height of the cliff, it hadn't been so apparent, but underground, the sheer magnitude of the ruins became palpable. Even this small revealed section hinted at the vastness of the entire structure. Those stone pillars, having withstood countless ages, merely looked aged; they still stood tall and straight with minimal damage. The visible segment alone stretched over a hundred zhang high.

“Brother Lei, I hope you are a sensible man,” White Bone Demon Lord’s sinister voice reached Lei Dong’s ears.

Lei Dong chuckled inwardly. It seemed this White Bone Demon Lord truly was at a loss regarding him, otherwise he wouldn't resort to repeated voice transmissions. Yet, his heart remained intensely vigilant. The moment anything felt amiss, he would ascend and use his Asura Wings to bolt immediately. Treasures were excellent, but one needed to survive to enjoy them.

Wasting no more words, the four young cultivators entered the hall through a fissure. The other Nascent Soul cultivators took up positions on the surrounding cliffs, guarding the four. The four entered sequentially, certain that no one would dare launch an attack outside the Divine Temple while the Nascent Soul experts were watching keenly.

The moment he stepped inside, Lei Dong was enveloped in absolute darkness. He paid it no mind, conjuring a high-grade spirit stone and infusing it with true essence. The stone burst forth with a brilliant, pure white light, illuminating the surrounding tens of zhang as if it were daylight. The Saintess and the two Unicorne youths also summoned their own sources of light.

The four remained wary, maintaining a considerable distance from one another.

But just then, the entire hall suddenly brightened. Countless star-like phosphorescent specks appeared overhead, filling every corner of the vast chamber with a soft, mysterious, and dazzling glow.

Ancient ruins were truly extraordinary.

Lei Dong felt a pang of admiration for such technique, wondering how a restriction formation dating back millennia could still operate flawlessly. The people of that age possessed abilities bordering on the divine. Simultaneously, deep within the hall, a mass of swirling light, resembling a miniature vortex of stars, slowly rotated. Lei Dong recognized the object; it was clearly a teleportation entrance. It was evident that the true core of the Divine Temple was not located beneath this mountain range, but likely existed in a separately carved dimension, similar to the Heart Devil Palace Lei Dong had visited previously.

Such masterful techniques were beyond the capability of current cultivators. Legend held that only the great powers within ancient sects, mobilizing the strength of the entire organization, could forcefully carve out independent spaces within the fabric of the world. Naturally, sects capable of such world-shattering feats were never of second or third-rate status.

“Ming Wu Xie,” the Young Master transmitted coldly, “I hadn't expected Elder Shadow to bring you along when he was secretly following.”

The Unicorne youth named Ming Wu Xie, with a grim and composed expression, sent back: “Young Master, now is not the time for petty rivalry. Neither the Barbarian Saintess nor that Zhao State human are simple individuals. I implore you to prioritize the clan’s greater interests. If you desire a contest, I will gladly indulge you fully upon our return to the clan.”

“Hmph.” The Young Master was clearly not foolish. After shooting a cold glance at Lei Dong, he transmitted his ill-intentioned thoughts: “I am the Young Master of the Unicorne race. When the time comes, we will find an opportunity to eliminate that Zhao State brat first. As for the Saintess, hehe.”

As the two were exchanging private messages, Lei Dong and the Saintess slowly edged closer, communicating through voice transmission as well. Evidently, they were preparing to execute their prior agreement: find an opportunity to eliminate these two Unicorne youths before anything else.

Since there was no existing camaraderie among them, the four wasted no words. They flew directly toward the swirling vortex, preparing to enter individually.

“This Divine Temple is the ancient sacred ground of our Guardian Clan, specifically established as a trial site for the most outstanding disciples among the younger generation,” the Saintess transmitted to Lei Dong. “Only those who pass the trial earn the right to meet the Emissary. To prevent mass assassination attempts, this teleportation array will randomly scatter individuals to various locations. Here are Positioning Beads; we each take one, and we can sense each other’s presence within a thousand li to rendezvous as soon as possible.”

Lei Dong gripped the bead, smooth and warm like jade, and was the third to leap into the vortex. As his head swam slightly, he found himself transported to a desolate wilderness. However, what made his pupils constrict instantly was a colossal, armored behemoth, looking like a beast from the Primeval Era, bristling with tusks and razor-sharp claws, its body easily dozens of zhang wide, bringing a massive foot down upon him with crushing force.