At the heart of the Jueyin Valley, a vast galaxy pattern, drawn in the blood of the Sky Serpent, spread out.

At the center of the cosmic map, countless points of light converged, solidifying into a dazzling Heavenly Gate.

The many masters within the valley gazed upon the manifested Gate, yet none dared to be the first to enter.

Shi Yan stood composedly with Han Feng and Ku Long, covertly assessing the Heavenly Gate, a deep sense of satisfaction blooming within him.

He had not received a single one of the nine Demon Crystals originating from the Nine-Headed Sky Serpent, and watching them shatter one by one, gained by no one, brought him secret glee.

However, recalling the terrifying force that had snatched the crystals away even from Heaven Rank powerhouses like Chi Xiao and Bei Ming Shang, whisking them toward the heavens, left him profoundly astonished and increasingly cautious.

Zhua Qi gazed upward, his expression one of agony, muttering incessantly, "Father, Father..."

The shattered Level Eight Demon Crystal belonged to the Mud Mire Flood Dragon. A crystal from an Eighth-Level demonic beast could harbor a fragment of its soul; even if the physical body was utterly destroyed, as long as the crystal remained, the beast had a chance at rebirth.

Yet, the soul within the Mud Mire Flood Dragon's crystal was vacant, clearly having been refined by some secret art, transforming it into mere energy to supply power, devoid of independent thought.

The Mud Mire Flood Dragon's Level Eight Demon Crystal was evidently a crucial key to unlocking the Heavenly Gate.

Though Zhua Qi was ferocious and venomous, he held deep reverence and adoration for the Mud Mire Flood Dragon. Witnessing the severing of his father’s last hope for renewal, his anguish was immeasurable.

Bei Ming Shang, Chi Xiao, Zou Zihe, and others crept toward the Heavenly Gate, their steps guarded. As their feet touched the mysterious patterns surrounding the Gate, they were inwardly vigilant.

"Miss..." The two hulking men beside Xia Xinyan stared at the cryptic markings in the valley, appearing to hold back words.

These two seemed to know secrets pertaining to the mysterious design.

Xia Xinyan gently shook her head, a strange light flickering in her beautiful eyes, as she subtly glanced toward Shi Yan in the distance.

Shi Yan was also observing everyone, and his gaze caught Xia Xinyan’s silent inquiry. He paused for a moment, then gave her a slight nod.

A flash of complex emotion crossed Xia Xinyan's pupils as she slowly returned the nod, lost in her own thoughts.

"The Heavenly Gate is open. If you truly do not fear death, you may enter now." Xia Xinyan remained still. Seeing Chi Xiao and Bei Ming Shang reach the Gate entrance only to hesitate, she scoffed with cold mockery.

"I'll go!"

To everyone's surprise, Zhua Qi, still steeped in grief, suddenly roared, "I want to see what is inside!"

The words barely left his mouth when Zhua Qi’s figure shot out like lightning, charging into the Heavenly Gate like a moth to a flame, vanishing in a flash of brilliant white light.

Zhua Qi’s form rapidly disappeared within the Gate. The Gate merely warped slightly, producing no other change, maintaining its dazzling luminescence, as if awaiting another entrant.

"Brother Zou..." Bei Ming Shang looked at Zou Zihe, deliberating for a moment before asking, "What is your assessment?"

Zou Zihe shook his head. "We’ve come this far. If I return empty-handed, I will regret it for the rest of my life. To seek fortune and glory, one must always risk a little."

"Indeed." Bei Ming Shang nodded in agreement. After a brief hesitation, he addressed Bei Ming Ce: "Ce'er, you remain outside. Yin Kui and Jiu Shan, watch over Ce'er."

Pausing again, Bei Ming Shang turned to Mu Yudie and Di Yalan, frowning. "What are your thoughts?"

"I wish to go in and see," Mu Yudie stated. Though fully aware that the Heavenly Gate could harbor immense peril, she could not bear to miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

"Good, you may enter," Bei Ming Shang conceded. "Follow me." With that, Bei Ming Shang stepped into the Heavenly Gate right after Zhua Qi.

Mu Yudie and Di Yalan exchanged a look; their expressions were resolute as they followed Bei Ming Shang through the entrance.

"Mu Hui, let's go," Zou Zihe instructed the strangely youthful man, before he and the youth plunged into the Gate.

"Mr. Chi Xiao, what about you?" Xia Xinyan inquired calmly.

"Naturally, I must also enter," Chi Xiao smiled. He turned back to Zuo Shi and Shi Yan. "Xiao Shi, you stay outside; I'll just take a look inside."

"Master, I want to see too," Zuo Shi pouted, unwilling to be left behind.

"Your Master will assess the situation first. If it proves safe, I will certainly bring you in next time," Chi Xiao reprimanded with a stern face. He then addressed the Shi Yan trio: "What is the Shi family's decision? Will you also send someone to scout?"

"Young Master, let me go," Ku Long stood up, addressing Shi Yan.

"I will go!" Shi Yan’s expression was indifferent, as if ignorant of the dangers within the Heavenly Gate, and he spoke with a sharp voice.

He possessed an inherent fearlessness; he was drawn to challenging the unknown mysteries. His very reason for being here was tied to the Blue Cave exploration. This time, exploring the Heavenly Gate, he was unwilling to wait outside.

"Young Master, perhaps Ku Long should go," Han Feng urged anxiously.

"It’s fine, I'm going," Shi Yan shook his head, insisting. "I am intensely curious about what lies within the Heavenly Gate. If I don't go, I will regret it for the rest of my life!"

Without waiting for further pleas from Han Feng or Ku Long, he immediately charged toward the Gate.

"Young Master!"

Ku Long and Han Feng cried out simultaneously, their faces etched with alarm, and they rushed toward the Gate as well. By the time they reached the entrance, Shi Yan’s body had just vanished inside.

They exchanged a look, wasted no more time, and plunged into the Heavenly Gate together.

"Guard Xiao Shi well," Chi Xiao reminded Wu Yunlian and Chu Ping over his shoulder before he too soared forward, disappearing into the Gate.

Within a few short minutes, the numerous masters in the valley had all entered the Heavenly Gate—truly, people perish for wealth just as birds die for food.

In the Jueyin Valley, only Bei Ming Ce, Yin Kui, and Jiu Shan remained on one side; Zuo Shi, Chu Ping, and Wu Yunlian on the other; and finally, Xia Xinyan with her two tower-like escorts.

"Miss, this is a 'Pseudo Heavenly Gate'!" one of the hulking men whispered again.

"Mm," Xia Xinyan’s eyes shone with intense light as she gazed at the Gate, her expression unchanged.

By now, all the Heaven Rank powerhouses had entered the Gate. Xia Xinyan and her two companions stood at a distance from the other groups, so their low conversation could not be overheard.

"There won't be a true Divine Realm inside the Pseudo Heavenly Gate. This is merely a small space constructed by a Divine Realm expert. While it might not hold unimaginable resources, it should contain the relics of a Divine Realm expert. Miss, why aren't you going in? Perhaps... perhaps his Martial Soul inheritance is inside!" one of the giants urged.

"Don't you feel that an invisible hand is manipulating everything in the dark?" Xia Xinyan let out a low snort. "He arranged everything on the chessboard long ago; we are all just pawns in his calculation, still not escaped from his control. That old fellow has been dead for a thousand years, yet he still won't rest!"

"Miss, are you suggesting?"

"Shi Yan must have obtained the other half of the fragmented map belonging to the Shi family. That fragment and the Xuan Yin Art must be together! The Xuan Yin Art is merely a Mortal Grade martial skill, something only cultivators of lower cultivation would practice. That fellow chose Jueyin Valley as the location, forcing those who obtained the Xuan Yin Art to practice it to resist the valley's Yin energy. Once the Xuan Yin Art is mastered, it naturally consumes the surrounding Yin energy to form Yin Pearls, and once the Yin Pearls form, the target becomes obvious. If there truly is a 'Martial Soul Origin Seal' inside the Heavenly Gate, only those possessing the Yin Pearls can obtain it. Is there any need for us to go in?" Xia Xinyan said bitterly. "...That old wretch calculated everything thoroughly; he never intended to allow anyone to disrupt his plan. We came for nothing this time."

"If Shi Yan obtains the Martial Soul Origin Seal left by that man, he will certainly become one of the Divine Sons of the Three Divine Sects. If he ever reaches the Endless Sea, the people of the Three Divine Sects will treat him as a treasure! Miss, the Three Divine Sects hold immense power in the Endless Sea and are not on friendly terms with us. If he truly gains that man's Martial Soul Origin Seal, he will surely become a Star God of the Three Divine Sects in the future. We had better... had better eliminate him sooner rather than later!"

"I know what to do," Xia Xinyan replied coldly.

The two hulking men nodded and fell silent once more.

...

In a density of darkness that could not be dispersed, a cool, clear female voice echoed: "All of you enter the Heavenly Gate! Capture Mu Yudie and assist the Nether Lord in exploring the mysteries within the Heavenly Gate."

"Yes, Dark Mistress!"

A group of pale-faced Dark Nether Martial Practitioners knelt on one knee outside the darkness, their expressions blank.

"Go," the voice commanded again from within the darkness.

Dozens of Dark Nether warriors moved out, quickly entering Jueyin Valley from the outside. Without even glancing at the people within the valley, they walked directly into the Heavenly Gate.

"The Dark Nether people!" Bei Ming Ce hissed, his expression shifting slightly. "The Dark Nether were supposed to be guarding the outside. Why would they suddenly enter the Heavenly Gate?"

Yin Kui and Jiu Shan watched the stream of Dark Nether warriors enter, their eyes chilling.

"No! We have to go in too, otherwise, Grandfather alone won't be able to handle things inside." Bei Ming Ce deliberated for a moment, ignoring the objections of Yin Kui and Jiu Shan, and rushed toward the Heavenly Gate.

Seeing him go, Yin Kui and Jiu Shan dared not hesitate and followed him into the Gate.

...

: The book goes on sale tonight at midnight, and there will be an update then. I sincerely ask friends who enjoy this book to subscribe and support with monthly tickets when it releases. My deepest thanks!