The territory of Tiangguang Prefecture was vast and boundless, with Space Cities or War God Forts stationed at its borders, guarding the frontier, where numerous powerhouses resided. At this time, within the War God Fort in the southeast, there was a vast expanse of night sky, studded with brilliant stars.

An artificial firmament enveloped the entirety of Tiangguang Prefecture, where seven-colored rainbows danced and shimmered across the night—a breathtaking spectacle. For the people of Tiangguang Prefecture, this exquisite night view was already a commonplace sight, nothing remarkable.

This War God Fort was a colossal space fortress, soaring to the heavens, encircled by numerous divine spacecraft whose searchlights swept far and wide, capable of capturing objects millions of kilometers away. This military fortress was heavily guarded, fully showcasing the might of the Bai family, who controlled this domain.

The Baijing spacecraft slowly swept past, entering through the security channel, and only after depositing a certain amount of True God Stones was the qualification to enter granted. Ye Chen was deeply shaken in his heart, never expecting the Bai family’s influence to be so immense.

Judging by this War God Fort alone, the number of divine powerhouses under their command was as numerous as ox hair—truly an unparalleled, supreme force! He recalled what Master Bai Ya had once said: the patriarch of the Bai family was notoriously passionate, once slaying a thousand God Emperor powerhouses in a fit of rage, washing the land in blood.

Such a figure, whose power shook the past and illuminated the present, was already among the foremost beings of the Ancient World. Who would have thought that the demure, beautiful girl from the insignificant White Lotus Divine State in the desolate borderlands was the daughter of such a person!

As Ye Chen’s thoughts drifted, the Baijing spacecraft had already completed its clearances and arrived in the Liuyu region of Tiangguang Prefecture. Following the established course, it flew toward the nearest space station, entered the ordinary spatial wormhole in Liuyu, and sped toward the center of Tiangguang Prefecture—the location of the Bai family headquarters!

Whoosh! As the Baijing spacecraft phased out of the spatial wormhole, Ye Chen immediately sensed the prosperity and grandeur of Tiangguang Prefecture.

At this spatial wormhole junction, the air was thick with powerful auras. Star cruisers, aircraft carriers, spacecraft, and battleships were suspended in dense clusters across the various docking points, resembling countless floating islands.

Beyond this space station, one could clearly see an Imperial Capital City in the distance. Its ancient metallic walls towered majestically, and the architectural style within blended unique elements: touches of traditional Chinese aesthetics interspersed with Western styles, all seamlessly integrated to create a profoundly satisfying visual effect.

“This is where the Bai family resides—Baicheng!” Bai Ya gazed at the distant Imperial City, a strange light flickering in his eyes, and murmured, “Baicheng covers an area exceeding ten million kilometers, boundless and magnificent, housing a population reaching trillions. It is prosperous and powerful, and the Bai family headquarters sits at the very heart of this city.” Ye Chen’s eyes lit up, filled with anticipation: Whoosh!

The Baijing spacecraft sped onward, and after a series of procedures along the designated route, it smoothly entered Baicheng. They found a space station in the outer city and phased into the inner layers, arriving at the core region of Baicheng.

“The Bai family headquarters is 3,000 kilometers ahead.” Bai Ya piloted the Baijing spacecraft, flashing past the distance in the blink of an eye. Ahead, they saw a monumental, towering mountain.

Immense! This mountain was indescribable, like a colossal bamboo shoot rooted in the earth, piercing the sky.

White clouds and mist swirled around its waist, reminiscent of a legendary immortal cultivation ground. The Baijing spacecraft before this majestic mountain was so small it was almost invisible, like a grain of sand.

Surrounding the mountain were numerous sharp, upright peaks, and many other mountains floated in mid-air, like clusters of floating islands, all shrouded in hazy clouds, lending an air that felt both real and illusory. On the perimeter of the mountains flowed a protective river.

This river spanned over a hundred kilometers, its waters surging ceaselessly. The river possessed an incredibly strong gravitational pull, making it impassable even for birds, causing observers to recoil instinctively.

“This is the Tiandu River, famed alongside the Yellow Springs River. Legend holds that the Tiandu River contains 10 billion Lei of gravity.

Only the most exceptional of the God Emperors might hope to cross it using their own strength. This river is saturated with mysterious rays that interfere with space and time; teleportation and spatial phasing are useless here—one can only rely on brute-force flight,” Bai Ya observed the vast, surging river through the spacecraft’s external viewer, contemplation flickering in his eyes.

Ten billion Lei of gravity! Ye Chen couldn't help but sigh internally.

In the Ancient World, ‘Lei’ was the universal unit of force, much like how in the spiritual civilization, Newton invented gravity, leading to the international unit of gravity being named after him. This ‘Lei,’ however, was the name of the very first person to invent the concept of gravity countless eons before in the Ancient World, following the first Great Saint War, when the heavens and earth were just beginning to form.

“What happens if we fall in?” Ye Chen inquired. Bai Ya chuckled lightly.

“If you fall in, you are dissolved by the river water—becoming the ‘Tiandu Water’ within. The Tiandu River is specifically for ferrying the souls of Saintly Kings.

If a soul body drifts across, it will not be affected by that gravitational pull.” “Souls are unaffected?” Ye Chen paused. “Even the souls of ordinary mortals possess mass, and under 10 billion Lei of gravity, that mass becomes terrifying.

How can they be unaffected?” “This simply speaks to the miraculous creation of nature,” Bai Ya smiled gently. “However, even for Spirit Embryo bodies attempting to cross, it is not a hundred percent safe.

One might encounter the Tiandu Stones at the bottom of the river, which devour souls! These Tiandu Stones are incarnations of ferocious demon gods, specifically designed to consume spirit bodies.” “There’s such a thing?” Ye Chen was astonished.

“Of course.” Bai Ya’s expression held a trace of nostalgia. “It is said that a tragic and beautiful story once unfolded in this Tiandu River.” “This dates back to an unknowable eon, long after the first Great Saint War ended and the world returned to primordial chaos.

After countless years of unfolding, life slowly emerged, evolving into humans and other beasts. The humans of that era had not yet awakened their six senses, yet they possessed innate spirit bodies and inexhaustible strength.” “Among these humans, a man fell in love with a girl.

Tragically, the girl died at the hands of a fierce beast. Overcome with grief, the man wished to see her once more.

Following the words of the tribal shaman, he traveled to White Spirit Mountain to seek an immortal. This ‘immortal’ was actually a Shura who cultivated by devouring the essence of the sun and moon.

Upon seeing the man’s innate unusual bones, the Shura tricked him, saying that if he willingly transformed into a Tiandu Stone, eternally suppressing the river, becoming its river spirit, he would eventually await the arrival of his beloved woman crossing the river.” “This Tiandu River is a river for ferrying the souls of Saintly Sages. If one possesses a kind heart, they will undergo reincarnation within the Liuyu region to seek the path to heaven.” “So, the man transformed into a Tiandu Stone, enduring the corrosion of the Tiandu Water, suffering torment, waiting for his beloved.

But after eons passed, she never arrived, because the woman he loved was merely a mortal. Although kind-hearted, she could only enter the Yellow Springs River, cross the Naihe Bridge, and experience the cycle of reincarnation.

The Tiandu River does not ferry mortals; it only ferries Sages!” “One day, the man realized his body was changing, his temperament turning violent and ferocious. He questioned the Shura, who, seeing him trapped, revealed his true form.

In reality, the Tiandu River was a natural spiritual treasure the Shura encountered, which he intended to refine for his own use, thus requiring a powerful river spirit to help suppress it.” “One day, before the Tiandu River was completely refined, the Shura was slain by an unknown fierce beast. From that moment on, the Tiandu River remained forever in this spot, never having moved throughout the eons.” Bai Ya spoke slowly, his expression filled with a touch of melancholy, as if the passage of time radiated from him.

Ye Chen frowned slightly. “By that logic, after so many years, the man in the Tiandu River should have been completely eroded by the Tiandu Water by now, right?” Bai Ya chuckled lightly.

“Setting aside that, I wouldn’t even stake my certainty on the truth of this story.” “Not certain?” Ye Chen looked at him. Bai Ya shrugged.

“This is what my father told me when I was young. Perhaps he made up a fairy tale on a whim.” Ye Chen was momentarily stunned.

“Your father?” “Why so surprised?” “You have a father?” “Nonsense! Did I crawl out of a rock?” Ye Chen glanced at him but didn't press further, looking ahead, pondering, “How will we cross this Tiandu River?” “This Tiandu River and this White Spirit Mountain are managed by the Bai family.

I will send a signal now for them to meet us.” Saying this, Bai Ya commanded the primary spirit system of the Baijing spacecraft. An electromagnetic wave signal was transmitted, and after a short while, a response was received: “Please wait, a moment.” Upon receiving the confirmation, Bai Ya guided the spacecraft to dock beside the Tiandu River, waiting quietly.

“Master, this Tiandu River blocks even instantaneous movement. How can the electromagnetic signal transmit out?

Shouldn't it sink down as well?” Ye Chen couldn't help but ask in confusion. “Naturally so.” Bai Ya smiled faintly.

“However, the Bai family’s capabilities are boundless. In an unknown area of this Tiandu River, they have installed an electromagnetic signal relay station capable of forwarding signals between the two sides, so transmission is possible.

In the past, many who wished to spy on the location of this signal tower installed detectors on their own transmissions, only to have them shredded by the anti-tracking mechanism of the relay station.” Ye Chen nodded slightly, looking up towards the imposing main peak, his eyes flashing faintly as he remained silent. After a moment, a gate suddenly opened from the domain portal on the opposite bank of the Tiandu River.

A white river of light shot out from within, floating across like a red carpet, entirely unaffected by the Tiandu River, settling steadily on the far bank. “Let’s go.” Bai Ya, clearly not new to this place, skillfully piloted the Baijing spacecraft onto this long river of white light energy.