Witnessing that dazzling streak of purple blade-light, both Zhuge Yi Shi and Zhuge Si Yu’s faces paled instantly; this person's power was absolutely far superior to theirs.

Faced with this brilliant strike, neither of them could dodge, much less resist. Zhuge Yi Shi gritted his teeth, steeling himself to release that thing, only to hear a familiar voice cry out, "Shi Xuan, don't..."

The very instant that voice fell, the blade-light capable of cleaving them both in half vanished without a trace. The figure casting it gradually resolved itself, revealing a little girl who looked no older than ten.

She had short, vibrant purple hair and large eyes, appearing incredibly cute—it was almost unbelievable that such a deadly flash of light had emanated from her just moments before.

Yet, Zhuge Yi Shi recognized the little girl at once. Wasn't this Hei Ming Shi Xuan, who used to accompany Ye Jing Yu? Why was she here? Could she be a demon?

Otherwise, how could someone so young possess such terrifying strength?

At this moment, a woman dressed in a white long gown stepped out from behind the little girl. Her large, expressive eyes confirmed her identity: who else but Luo Ling’er?

"Your Highness, what are you doing here?" Seeing Luo Ling’er emerge, Zhuge Yi Shi was taken aback.

"I came looking for you!" It was only because Luo Ling’er recognized Zhuge Yi Shi that Hei Ming Shi Xuan had halted her blade in time; otherwise, that single strike would have sliced Zhuge Yi Shi and Zhuge Si Yu clean in two.

"Looking for us?" Zhuge Yi Shi frowned. Why would they, of all people, require the personal attention of Princess Yong Le to seek them out?

Noticing the confusion clouding Zhuge Yi Shi’s expression, Luo Ling’er recounted the true events of the Dou Hun Battle and their subsequent journey to the Pan Bulasi Grasslands to find them. She explained that they became separated from the others while traversing the Tian Jue Forest, and after reaching the Pan Bulasi Great Grasslands, they encountered no familiar faces whatsoever. If it hadn't been for Hei Ming Shi Xuan's formidable power, the ferocity of the Taotie, and the sheer speed of the Ni Bo, she might have perished long ago. Even Bing Ming, who always stayed by her side, was now missing after covering their retreat.

Upon learning the grim reality of the Dou Hun Battle, Zhuge Yi Shi and Zhuge Si Yu were stunned into silence. If they hadn't known Luo Ling’er wasn't one for jokes, they would never have believed such facts. Even Du Gu Ba Chen and Xuan Jue had fallen one after another—what about the elders of the Zhuge family? What about Leng Yue Ying, Zhuge Si Yu’s own master?

There was no need for speculation; they both knew those people must be dead.

The two siblings simultaneously knelt down, bowing deeply three times toward the east, offering the most profound lament from the depths of their hearts.

"Mister Zhuge, do you have any idea where we are?" Only after Zhuge Yi Shi and Zhuge Si Yu stood up again did Luo Ling’er finally speak.

"I'm not sure. This place is extremely strange; our divine senses cannot penetrate it at all. Princess, do you have any clues?" Zhuge Yi Shi shook his head. He had intended to investigate the surroundings thoroughly, but instead, he had drawn the attack from Hei Ming Shi Xuan.

"This is hopeless. We've been wandering here for seven days and seven nights and still haven't found an exit!" Hearing that Zhuge Yi Shi was also lost, the anxiety on Luo Ling’er’s face intensified.

When they heard that Luo Ling’er and the others had been trapped there for seven days and nights, the worry on Zhuge Yi Shi and Zhuge Si Yu’s faces deepened. It wasn't a particularly vast area, yet wandering for so long was clear evidence of its sinister strangeness.

Just then, a piercing shriek echoed—a sound that seemed half human agony and half bestial wail. Everyone froze; in all their time wandering this place, this was the first time they had heard such a mournful cry.

"Little Sister Shi Xuan, do you know what that sound is?" With Bing Ming gone, Luo Ling’er felt rudderless; in this Demon Realm, even she was less familiar with things than Hei Ming Shi Xuan.

Hei Ming Shi Xuan gently shook her head, her childish voice replying, "I don't know either. I’ve never been here before!"

"Awoooo-wooo, Ya-ya..." At this moment, the Taotie, which had been curled up asleep on Luo Ling’er’s shoulder, suddenly snapped its eyes open, emitting vicious growls from its mouth. Not only it, but the Ni Bo, which had carried the two girls safely away from countless disasters, also began stamping its four hooves, as if sensing immense danger approaching.

With a swift swoosh, Little Tao Tao suddenly darted off Luo Ling’er’s shoulder. Immediately after, Ni Bo’s four hooves erupted in roaring flame, transforming into a black streak as it lunged forward.

Seeing the two spirit beasts move with such sudden urgency, Luo Ling’er looked on in surprise.

"Quick, let’s follow them and see!" Zhuge Yi Shi knew Little Tao Tao was extraordinary. Seeing their frantic haste, he realized something major must be happening. Rather than wandering aimlessly here, it was better to follow and discover the cause.

The others nodded in agreement, and the group followed the direction of the sound. Little Shi Xuan stayed closely tethered to Luo Ling’er’s side; she understood the importance of Luo Ling’er to her elder brother and would not let any harm befall her.

Following the sound through dense thickets, the party arrived at a colossal cavern that pulsed with a blood-red glow. The Taotie and Ni Bo were nowhere in sight. Worried for the beasts' safety, Luo Ling’er rushed inside without a backward glance, and the others naturally offered no objection, plunging in after her.

But the deeper they ventured, the thicker the crimson mist became. After walking for nearly two quarters of an hour, they emerged into an entirely different reality. This was a vast canyon. The sky was no longer a heavy purple but a clear blue canvas dotted with white clouds. Golden sunlight streamed down, inducing a dizzying sensation in those who hadn't seen the sun for so long—a feeling of joyful disorientation.

However, they quickly regained their senses. Their gazes were utterly arrested by what lay within the canyon.

The canyon was enormous, stretching beyond sight. In the center lay a massive lake, and at the heart of the lake sat an island the size of a football field. On this island stood an iron pillar, easily a thousand zhang high, requiring seven or eight men to encircle it. The pillar was inscribed with strange runes, and bound to it by chains was a golden dragon, stretching over a hundred zhang in length...

Yes, it was a true Celestial Dragon—antlered, serpent-bodied, with tiger claws and fish scales. The legendary Dragon, and undeniably a Five-Clawed Golden Dragon at that.