The Lord of Hell's Gate felt this power and couldn't help but tremble. A mere ripple from this force radiated a chilling devastation capable of shattering heaven and earth. His kneeling body shook violently, his mind convinced this day marked the end of the world - a gray abyss consuming all hope.

Shwoosh!

The moment this energy rippled outward, a figure shot through the distant sky like an enraged rocket. Airwaves surged past him as he streaked forward at terrifying speed. When approaching Hell's Gate Mountain, he suddenly stopped mid-air, standing rigidly upright like a spear planted in place - his expression unchanged from what seemed natural.

The gathered onlookers turned pale with shock.

Seven or eight beautiful women near the white-robed youth gasped silently, their pretty faces stricken with disbelief. They stared as an imposing figure strode in through the entrance. His bronze-hued muscles gleamed like ice-carved sculptures, radiating cold authority and ruthless dominance. A maelstrom of icy aura swept into the hall, making everyone's cheeks blanch and backs sweat - it felt less human than a savage beast emerging from the shadows.

Every face in the hall turned pale except one.

The white-robed youth's eyes brightened before curling into a smile. He flicked his fingers, and an ornate wine cup floated across the table toward the muscular figure. An invisible hand carried it smoothly without spilling a single drop of red wine.

The imposing man caught the cup mid-air, tilted back his head to drain its contents, then launched the empty vessel back before striding forward with a grin: "Fine vintage! I doubt you could find this level of quality in such places. But after all these years... your taste has clearly deteriorated - how could you possibly be satisfied with such vulgar beauties?"

The seven or eight women near the white-robed youth heard those words for the second time, their ears burning. These were usually pampered socialites whose company was booked by wealthy elites at millions in fees. Now they were dismissed as "vulgar beauties" before these two men.

Their hearts burned with silent fury, but not a word escaped their lips.

The muscular man approached, pushed aside one of the women and settled down casually: "Just you?"

The white-robed youth poured him another cup effortlessly: "You're the second to arrive. How's that kid after all these years?"

The imposing figure glanced sidelong with knowing eyes: "Two centuries have transformed you dramatically."

"Pure luck," the white-robed youth raised his cup with a wry smile, though its edges were tinged with melancholy.

"Indeed," the muscular man mused. One had to reach his level of power to truly comprehend how much was encompassed in those two words: "To your health!" Their cups clinked together.

The vast hall fell silent except for the kneeling figures of Hell's Gate elders, commanders and their lord - normally powerful figures throughout this region now reduced to trembling servants. Only the soft clinking of cups and occasional sighs punctuated the heavy silence.

Jade Water City.

Chaos erupted through its streets as alarm klaxons blared. Servants scrambled in panic after news spread from the city magistrate's mansion: their lord was dead!

The death had been utterly silent.

After all, how could someone penetrate this fortress of defense systems and security forces? Yet here stood a mystery beyond imagination.

Emergency orders sealed every space corridor. All incoming/outgoing spacecraft were forced to hover for inspection - even wealthy tycoons attempting special favors through connections found their requests summarily rejected.

The magistrate's death was no minor matter; everyone present became suspects! One need not raw power to kill - poison, disguise or sabotage could achieve the same end.

So every passenger in every spacecraft underwent meticulous searches.

This expansive area was now an exclusion zone. Dozens of patrol ships patrolled above like a silent army formation. Searchlights scanned the skies for any attempt to evade detection with invisibility tech.

Suddenly, blinding white light erupted from the sealed space corridor - a searing solar flare that startled all present.

From this radiant glow emerged four figures:

A tall youth in black robes with flowing raven hair and ice-cold eyes. His face held an expressionless serenity until his gaze met the figure at his side, when warmth thawed within those frozen depths.

Beside him stood a slender woman with ivory skin like polished jade. Her long dark hair cascaded behind her as she moved with angelic grace in flowing white robes that billowed like clouds around her body. Stillness radiated from her presence - a thousand-year snow lotus blooming amidst mountains, pure and transcendent.

Every onlooker was rendered breathless.

Behind them stood an energetic young man with vibrant eyes and broad shoulders exuding stability, flanked by an age-defying beauty in her late teens whose delicate features carried an unexpected maturity. To the witnesses, she seemed a living masterpiece of nature's creation.

The massive space corridor field fell into sudden silence.

Ye Chen lifted his gaze through the air mist, suddenly sensing something to the northeast. A smile curved his lips as he turned: "They're there. Let's go."

"Understood," replied Zhuge Fan and Yue Ling before they vanished without trace.

To the stunned spectators, it was like witnessing a mirage.

In Hell's Gate,

Massive palace-like structures loomed ahead as figures materialized mid-air then descended.

Zhuge Fan, who had remained close to Ye Chen, suddenly sensed two familiar energies within. His emotions surged - centuries of longing condensed into this single reunion. The memory of their last meeting replayed in his mind like an ancient scroll now becoming reality.

His nose stung and eyes blurred as he rasped: "Brother Bai Long! Brother Yue Heng!"

The white-robed youth and muscular man exchanged glances before standing to greet him with smiles. Yue Heng chuckled: "You're always appearing the moment we speak of you - maybe just change your name to 'Cao Ni Ma'?"

Bai Long shot his companion a sidelong glance, then examined Zhuge Fan closely: "Fascinating transformation! Your aura rivals even my own. Truly remarkable!"

Zhuge Fan's turbulent emotions slightly calmed as he rolled his eyes at Yue Heng before turning his head: "I'll ignore your nonsense this time. Guess who else I brought?"

"Claire?" asked Yue Heng in surprise.

"Or their daughter?" added Bai Long with a smirk.

Zhuge Fan scoffed, then called out through the palace doors: "Brother Ye Chen! You may enter now."

At these words, both men stiffened - their blood boiled as they turned toward the entrance.

All sound receded into silence.

Time itself seemed to slow.

Golden light spilled through the doorway. Figures emerged in brilliance, but all eyes fixed on the leading silhouette: that familiar yet ghostly outline, tall and resolute frame, soft smile etching memories long buried.

Time rewound.

Blood surged back up their spines like molten lava. Bai Long's voice cracked: "Ye... Ye Chen?"

Ye Chen stepped forward through his vision of old friends. Though outward calm masked his storming heart, his trembling hands betrayed him beneath his sleeves. His pace quickened imperceptibly as he approached.

"It truly is me!" Ye Chen rapped a fist on Yue Heng's chest with a grin.

Bai Long stared in stunned silence before suddenly lunging forward to embrace him tightly. When they separated, he gripped both shoulders firmly, finally exclaiming: "You're alive? I knew it! Your survival power rivals even the indestructible cockroach - how could you possibly perish so easily? I always knew, I always knew!"