"This is the 'Void Bridge' formed by 'Ancient Void Matter'!" Seeing Ye Chen's look of astonishment, Bai Ya smiled faintly. "This 'Ancient Void Matter' is extracted from the Ancient Realm Peak; it exists beyond the laws of the universe and possesses no weight. Even if the gravity of the Heaven Ferry River were 10 billion layers, it wouldn't be affected in the slightest."

Ancient Void Matter? Ye Chen started, and in his mind flashed the Demon God Palace, and the many Ancient Dark Matters permeating the micro-black hole in that inheritance assessment ground.

"Wan Renxiong once said that Ancient Dark Matter can improve a person's physique and enhance human genes. This Ancient Void Matter seems to be something similar."

Ye Chen pondered without speaking.

Bai Ya, thinking he was confused, chuckled, "This Ancient Void Matter is uncommon. It is added to standard Dao Artifact-level starships to reduce their weight. You must know that typical Dao Artifact starships can ascend and contract, their internal core being a miniature universe with immeasurable weight. Without the addition of this Ancient Void Matter, the energy consumption would be an astronomical figure, unaffordable for anyone."

"Furthermore, only ships equipped with this Ancient Void Matter can execute long-distance jumps like 'Cosmic Teleportation.' Otherwise, relying solely on the ship's own energy, it would be extremely difficult to sustain such a long channel, nor could it be stabilized."

Bai Ya was imbuing Ye Chen with this common knowledge among the high echelons of the Ancient World. After speaking, he gazed at the long white energy bridge beneath the ship and couldn't help but sigh, "Only the Bai family would be so extravagant as to construct an Ancient Void Bridge out of Ancient Void Matter. This is truly unique in the entire Ancient World."

Ye Chen nodded slightly, his brow slowly furrowing as he remained silent.

Before long, the White Crystal Starship traversed the Ancient Void Bridge to the opposite bank of the Heaven Ferry River. Here stood a metal citadel, its walls studded with numerous cannon ports and mounting points for various super-heavy weaponry, radiating an aura of strict vigilance, solemnity, and tranquility.

The White Crystal Starship anchored before the city gate. The hatch opened, and Ye Chen, along with Venerable Bai Ya, stepped out together. Bai Ya clenched his hand, and the hundreds of kilometers-wide White Crystal Starship instantly shrank tens of millions of times, condensing into the size of a palm, which he then stored in his personal spatial containment.

The moment his feet touched the ground here, Ye Chen felt an incredibly dense, cold, and piercing malevolent aura—like a ferocious beast immersed for eons in a sea of blood—that churned his stomach. If not for his formidable state of mind, he would have been almost paralyzed by this oppressive energy.

Just then, a figure emerged from beneath the city gate. Tall and powerfully built, handsome and dashing, he wore a long white robe embroidered with a white lotus on the cuffs, exuding an air of gentle refinement, his smile warm as a spring breeze.

"You must be Elder Bai Ya of the Yan God Hall, from the Yan God Empire?" the white-robed man asked with a slight smile. "Elder Han has stepped out to gather herbs and will take some time to return. You two may accompany me to the Welcoming Cove to rest and wait a few days."

Bai Ya chuckled faintly. "Very well."

The white-robed man smiled faintly, casting a subtle glance at Ye Chen. A flicker of light crossed the depths of his eyes before he resumed his pleasant smile and led the way into the city gate.

Behind the gate lay a winding mountain path paved with bluestone. Along its edges grew sparse, forlorn grasses, and scattered autumnal leaves, crushed to dust beneath countless footsteps.

At this moment, led by the white-robed man, Ye Chen ascended the path. Breathing in the fragrance of mountain flora, every pore on his body seemed to open, and his tendons and bones felt a coolness spread through them.

Venerable Bai Ya strolled along the mountain path with a faint smile, observing the surrounding maple leaves and vegetation, a hint of nostalgia in his eyes.

Soon, they reached the end of the path, which opened onto a small plaza. Here, numerous monks in white robes were sweeping fallen leaves.

"This way, please." The white-robed man gestured, leading Ye Chen and the Venerable to the side of the plaza. A smaller path branched off, winding uphill, flanked on both sides by vibrant crimson maple leaves blooming across the landscape like an ocean of fire.

Atop this path stood a cluster of buildings constructed in a simple wooden style, layered and partially veiled in white mist, lending an ancient, unpretentious, and unassuming feel, distinctly different from the reception areas of other sects or families.

Ordinarily, the places where major powers hosted guests were adorned with opulent luxury, meant to display grandeur and elicit awe. Yet, this complex was decidedly ancient and worn, appearing starkly underwhelming compared to the luxurious structures elsewhere.

Venerable Bai Ya, however, smiled slightly and followed the white-robed man inside. He transmitted a voice message to Ye Chen in a low tone, "You are fortunate this time. This is a Divine Emperor-level guest chamber. This wood is Epoch Divine Wood, precious and difficult to acquire; it's rarely available on the open market. But the Bai family is immensely wealthy, using this Epoch Divine Wood to construct an entire complex. Beings below the Divine Emperor level who cultivate here will have their lifespans extended and their bones and tendons cleansed just by breathing in the wood essence emanating from the Divine Wood."

Ye Chen was momentarily stunned and couldn't help but gaze in wonder at the wooden planks beneath his feet, never imagining that this seemingly ordinary wood was actually Epoch Divine Wood!

Although he didn't know what Epoch Divine Wood was, hearing Venerable Bai Ya say it, it was clearly something extraordinary.

The white-robed man led the master and disciple into one of the structures—a courtyard featuring a small pond, a few pine and cypress trees, and lush grass growing between scattered stones.

"This is the place." The white-robed man turned back and smiled. "Please wait here for a few days; Elder Han will return shortly."

"Mm." Venerable Bai Ya nodded slightly.

"This junior takes his leave. Should you require anything, please summon me at any time." The white-robed man cupped his hands in deference and bowed out.

After the man departed, Venerable Bai Ya's eyes swept over the small pond, a slight curve on his lips. He transmitted to Ye Chen, "The stones in this courtyard are Heaven Mending Stones, originating from the hands of Empress Nuwa of the Spiritual Civilization. They possess extraordinary hardness and are top-tier materials for forging Divine Weapons. Those two pine and cypress trees are actually transformations of two Nine-Cycle Trees. Ingesting just one leaf of a Nine-Cycle Tree can extend one's lifespan by one cycle!"

"If this Nine-Cycle Tree were Divine Emperor grade, a single leaf could extend a Divine Emperor's lifespan by one cycle! That would be an immense gain. However, this particular Nine-Cycle Tree is only Pseudo-Divine grade. If you consume one leaf, it can still enhance your lifespan by 100,000 years."

Ye Chen couldn't help but glance at the few pine and cypress trees with astonishment, his eyes immediately blazing with excitement.

Venerable Bai Ya seemed to sense his thoughts and smiled, "Don't pluck too many. According to Bai family rules, each guest is permitted to take only two leaves. Go and take two; do not take more. This courtyard is monitored by satellite sensors; do not tamper with anything."

Ye Chen quickly nodded and hurried to the Nine-Cycle Tree. He reached out and plucked two emerald-green leaves. The leaves shimmered with green light, uniformly verdant, their textures clear, exuding a unique, unforgettable fragrance.

Ye Chen did not consume them immediately but tucked them into his robe and returned to Venerable Bai Ya.

Venerable Bai Ya smiled faintly, gazing at the clear pool beside them. "The water in this pool is Heavenly Spring Water. It can cleanse bones and tendons, rendering the body immune to all poisons, effective for any being below the Divine Emperor level. However, this is for observation only; you cannot touch it."

Ye Chen looked at the small pool and sighed regretfully.

Venerable Bai Ya's tone shifted, his smile suddenly taking on a hint of slyness, "However, if you were to accidentally fall in, that would be fine."

Ye Chen's eyes lit up, and an idea rapidly formed in his mind. He glanced at the wooden structures surrounding the courtyard and asked, "Can one or two pieces of the Epoch Divine Wood on this house be dismantled?"

"Of course not!" Venerable Bai Ya rolled his eyes in exasperation. "If every visitor took a few pieces, these houses would have been gone long ago."

Ye Chen coughed lightly and said no more.

Before long, night descended. The sky was inky black, and a cool breeze swept through the courtyard. A brilliant, pristine moon hung in the heavens, surrounded by twinkling stars, casting their light upon the courtyard.

The night was as cold as water.

Ye Chen sat up on the bed, feeling supremely comfortable sleeping on the Epoch Divine Wood mattress. It felt as if a stream of energy was flowing from his back into his body, filling his limbs. Under the influence of this energy, his entire skeleton and sinews became crystalline and translucent, glowing jade-green, truly bone of jade and heart of iron.

Seated on the bed, Ye Chen stared at the white frost of the moonlight projected onto the room through the textured window screen. His thoughts surged like a tide in his chest, finally coalescing into a single face...

Bai Yijun!

Ye Chen clenched the bedding tightly in his fist, lowered his head, and gazed at the small world before him. After a long silence, he slowly released the bedding, threw off the covers, stood up, slipped on his shoes, draped his outer garment over his shoulders, and walked to the room door, reaching out to pull it open.

Screeech!

The door panel emitted a grating sound. Soft moonlight streamed in from outside, instantly enveloping the man standing in the darkness.

He kept his head lowered and slowly stepped out, standing on the covered walkway. The gentle moonlight shone upon him, casting a long black shadow behind him.

The night was so deep.

He stood silent for a moment, then followed the corridor to the small pool nearby, peering into the water, which reflected a round, perfect moon, flawless and bright.

The surface of the pool was still, undisturbed by even a ripple, save for the gentle, cool breeze stroking the man and the small pool alike.

Reflected in this pool was the man's face—a handsome countenance, chiseled like a blade, with a high-bridged nose. Yet, somehow, traces of weathering etched by time now marred it, and his deep eyes held a layer of vicissitude.

Ye Chen stood there silently.

This night was utterly soundless.

After a long, long while, Ye Chen slowly turned, gazing up at the bright moon in the sky, lost in thought for a moment. He then shook his head briskly, readjusted his clothes, walked back into the room, and closed the door with a soft creak.

Inside the house, the silence was even more profound.

Ye Chen stood silently by the door for a moment before slowly moving to the bedside, slipping off his shoes, and climbing back into the covers to lie down.

The next morning.

Ye Chen woke up very early, deliberately creating a momentary lapse, and with a plop, he fell into the clear little pool, struggling momentarily as if he couldn't swim, before slowly paddling toward the bank.