They stepped into the white crystal ship, which surged toward the ancient void bridge. Ye Chen stood within the vessel, his heart hollow as if something vital had vanished from his soul.

He turned abruptly, gazing through the window at the receding mountain range. Among the mist-veiled peaks, one colossal monolith towered like an arrogant god's phallic spire piercing heaven and earth.

Perhaps crossing into that realm would let him see her again?

Ye Chen's fist tightened until his knuckles cracked, his nails biting deep into his palm as icy resolve burned in his eyes.

Swoosh!

The white crystal ship shot through the sky, shrinking to a pinpoint before vanishing.

Only this ancient monolith remained - its eternal majesty untouched by eons of storm and time. It stood solemnly, exuding an aura that forced reverence.

Inside the spatial rift channel's abyssal darkness, the vessel cut through like a warship. In the lavish lounge, Master Baiya sat upright on a plush sofa, pouring himself "Drunk Immortal," a ruby-red nectar swirling in his glass. He glanced at Ye Chen who remained motionless by the viewport.

"Young man, we're far from your homeland now," he remarked.

Ye Chen stood like carved stone, staring silently at the fading starscape behind them.

Sipping his wine, Master Baiya continued, "I'll advise you to reconsider. The Bai family is one of the Nine Ancient Clans - their secrets run deeper than oceans. Miss Bai Yijun, third daughter of that lineage, occupies a position so exalted... Even with your current status in the Elite Geniuses Hall and potential for Immortal-level power..."

The old man's voice softened as he set down his glass, "She'll require a groom who outshines thousands of prodigies from ancient realms. Your strength is still insufficient."

Ye Chen clenched his fists but said nothing.

"Abandon it," Master Baiya urged. "Those vying for her hand will all possess at least 100,000 resonance power. Only the absolute best among them will claim victory..."

"I understand, Master!" Ye Chen suddenly interrupted.

The elder arched a brow. "You've decided?"

Ye Chen spun around with blazing eyes. "I shall fight!"

Master Baiya's expression stilled for several seconds before he slowly placed his glass down. "I'll take you to seek medical treatment."

"I will not waver," Ye Chen declared, breath deepening as if speaking directly to himself. "A life without true struggle leaves an eternal regret. I refuse such a fate... Whether victorious or defeated, I must see her!"

After long deliberation, Master Baiya sighed. "I'll accompany you next time. Inform me when ready."

"Thank you, Master!" Ye Chen's eyes brightened before the elder added, "Strive diligently. If any martial arts concepts puzzle you..."

The white crystal ship retraced its course through three days of travel from the Light Empire to Flame Emperor Realm. During this period, Master Baiya instructed Ye Chen extensively in combat techniques - particularly revealing deeper layers of the "Blinding Heaven" skill and refining the Yan Secret Technique's seventh-level sigil etching process (now requiring only 10,000 instead of 15,000 symbols).

Returning to Flame Emperor Realm, Master Baiya departed after assigning tasks while Ye Chen rented a suite in an imperial capital hotel using his Genius Medal. After securing the room with a detection radar and shrinking himself into the God Palace's interior...

"Master!" Purple Fragrance greeted him from the central control area, her violet-cloaked form darting toward him like a celestial sprite.

"I need spacecraft fragments or high-grade materials from storage," Ye Chen requested.

"Why?" She tilted her head curiously.

"Just retrieve them." He patted her shoulder.

Minutes later, Purple Fragrance returned with an emerald ring containing countless metallic debris - shattered warships, mechanical arms, and glimmering armor plates stacked mountain-high. Among these were eight peak Immortal-level vessels marked by violent puncture wounds in their command centers...

Unpacking the God Palace's storage area revealed two ruined ships designated for smelting via Xiao Jiu Ding. As Master Baiya attempted courtship with Purple Fragrance, Ye Chen concentrated on fusing materials while the Nine Gods emitted a low hum as molten energy coursed through his hands...