"Let's go." The martial artist atop the Azure Blood Demon Bat roared, stamping hard on the creature's back.

Like an arrow shot forward, the Azure Blood Demon Bat surged ahead, and the Asura Blood Guards behind him, their faces dramatically altered, spurred their own creatures onward, flying desperately toward the Shi family's direction.

Shi Yan looked aghast. "What's going on?"

"The Three God Cult and us are hostile. From that Divine Stone, I sensed a terrifying aura. Whoever is awakened within it must be a major figure in the Three God Cult. The moment they see an Azure Blood Demon Bat, they’ll know we belong to the Yang family. With Lord Xiao absent, we can’t guarantee Young Master Yan will remain unharmed!"

The Yang family martial artist beside Shi Yan was grave, displaying an unprecedented level of alertness.

The Three God Cult, again!

Shi Yan frowned, a fresh layer of apprehension settling over his feelings toward the powers in the Boundless Sea.

Though he deeply wished to witness whatever was unfolding at the Divine Stone Plaza, the man's explanation made Shi Yan aware of the immense danger. He could only follow the Azure Blood Demon Bat as it retreated, yet he kept turning back, his gaze fixed on the direction of the plaza.

Suddenly, a world-shattering surge of moonlight brilliance erupted from the Divine Stone Plaza.

Amidst a colossal explosion, a mysterious woman in plain white martial attire materialized above the plaza, akin to a goddess descending.

Even from a great distance, Shi Yan could discern that the woman seemed to have gathered the essence of heaven and earth's moonlight; she was ethereally beautiful, breathtaking like the Moon Goddess herself—with skin like snow and bones like ice, embodying the spiritual energy of the cosmos.

The mysterious woman hovered in the void, seemingly bewildered. After pausing for a moment above the plaza, she transformed into a stream of moonlit radiance and shot abruptly toward the east.

"A Heaven Rank expert!"

The martial artist beside Shi Yan was terrified, his expression etched with lingering fear. "Thank the heavens we left quickly. If she had fixed her eyes on us... we'd likely all be slaughtered."

"More formidable than Uncle Xiao?" Shi Yan exclaimed, startled.

"I... I don't know, but her aura is certainly not inferior to Lord Xiao's," the martial artist pondered for a moment before continuing, "The Three God Cult's Sun, Moon, and Star Gods—they master the core mysteries and divine abilities of the Cult, possessing countless secret arts and even Saint-level martial techniques. At the same level of cultivation... even Lord Xiao might struggle against her."

Shi Yan's face shifted.

"Hoo... whoosh..."

An Azure Blood Demon Bat rapidly approached from behind, with Xia Xinyan seated atop it.

Xia Xinyan’s eyes glinted with surprise. As she drew closer, she called out sharply, "Shi Yan, what did you just do?"

"I didn't do anything," Shi Yan frowned. "When I approached the direction of the Divine Stone Plaza, the Star Martial Soul within my body suddenly condensed into a Star Barrier. That barrier flew out of me uncontrollably and landed on the Divine Stone. After that, the stone glowed blindingly and seemed to crack open. That woman probably emerged from the stone."

"This Divine Stone has allegedly existed for a thousand years?" Xia Xinyan asked, her gaze filled with astonishment.

Shi Yan nodded. "Indeed. As far as I know, this meteorite descended from the heavens before Skyfall City even existed. The city’s name derives from this stone. Do you know anything about it?"

"Let's discuss it after we see Lord Xiao." Xia Xinyan took a sharp breath, as if recalling some dreadful memory.

Seeing her reluctance to elaborate immediately, Shi Yan did not press further, though profound questions swirled in his mind.

The Azure Blood Demon Bat flew swiftly, soon landing within the Shi family courtyard.

Xiao Hanyi, Shi Jian, and the others had not yet returned. After arriving, Shi Yan waited in the vast central square for Xiao Hanyi’s return.

As dawn broke, Xiao Hanyi, Shi Jian, Zuo Xu, and their group slowly flew back from the direction of the Bei Ming family.

Every member of the group bore the grim aura of battle, yet their eyes held excitement; it seemed their visit to the Bei Ming residence had been quite bloody.

"Huh!"

Upon arrival, Xiao Hanyi merely glanced at Shi Yan from a distance before crying out in shock. "Young Master Yan, you, you..."

Under Xiao Hanyi's gaze, Shi Yan slowly nodded. "Perhaps the medicinal power of the Immortal Creation Pill has been fully released. I inadvertently advanced another step."

Shi Jian froze, staring at Shi Yan in disbelief, then shouted joyfully, "Good heavens, boy! You, you’ve broken through to the Hundred Tribulations Realm?"

"Yes."

"How is that possible?" Zuo Xu’s expression was utterly bizarre. He repeatedly shook his head, his eyes shining with an unusual light as he scrutinized Shi Yan, unable to truly accept it.

"Hahahaha! Hahahaha!"

Xiao Hanyi threw his head back and laughed aloud. "I truly never expected this! Haha! Seventeen years old! The Hundred Tribulations Realm! Even within the Yang family, such talent is rarely found! Haha, Young Master Yan, I can now confirm it—once we return to the Yang family, the Patriarch will treat you as a supreme treasure!"

Hearing Xiao Hanyi say this, the smile vanished from Shi Jian's face. He drooped his head, sighing ceaselessly.

With Shi Yan's astonishing talent, if he remained with the Shi family, the clan could not only act with impunity in the Merchant Alliance but might one day even rise above the royal houses of the Blazing Fire Empire and the Divine Protection Empire!

Seventeen years old, the Hundred Tribulations Realm! Even Bei Ming Ce could not reach this height!

The thought of Shi Yan leaving the Shi family for the Yang family across the Sea of Limitless Waters made Shi Jian's heart constrict. Knowing he couldn't prevent it only intensified his anguish.

"Lord Xiao, regarding what happened at the Divine Stone Plaza..." The martial artist who had accompanied Shi Yan looked solemn and quickly recounted their encounter.

Xiao Hanyi's expression changed, his ferocious face filled with astonishment.

After a long pause, Xiao Hanyi turned to Xia Xinyan and said gravely, "Girl, Xia, what are your thoughts?"

"A thousand years ago, the Sun, Moon, and Star Gods of the Three God Cult, along with many high-ranking members, journeyed to the Seventh Netherworld. In the battle against King Abyssal, only the Sun God returned. The Star God and Moon God vanished thereafter, never reappearing in the Boundless Sea. The Star God, Ouyang Zhi, left behind a Pseudo Heavenly Gate in the Swamp of Dead Silence, passing on the Martial Soul Origin Seal. But the Moon God, Ouyang Xia Hua, remains missing. Could that woman from the meteorite possibly be..."

"Impossible!" Xiao Hanyi shook his head, interrupting Xia Xinyan's speculation. "Moon God Ouyang Xia Hua was a Divine Rank expert. Even if she sealed herself for a thousand years, a Divine Rank expert's divine consciousness and aura would never diminish like that! Based on your description, that mysterious woman is only around the Heaven Rank. She absolutely cannot be Ouyang Xia Hua!"

"I heard that Moon God Ouyang Xia Hua had a remarkably talented daughter, named Ouyang Luoshuang. She also went to the Seventh Netherworld back then. However, Ouyang Luoshuang was only twenty-one and at the Hundred Tribulations Realm cultivation back then. Could that mysterious woman be her?"

"Ouyang Luoshuang?"

Xiao Hanyi paused, then suddenly exclaimed, "That is highly likely! She already possessed Hundred Tribulations Realm cultivation a thousand years ago. The Moon God must have been severely wounded in the Seventh Netherworld, which is why she fled back with her daughter, collecting the meteorite to form a natural barrier to seal Ouyang Luoshuang within. If it is indeed her, the Three God Cult’s strength is about to surge tremendously."

"Why?" Shi Yan asked, confused.

"The Three God Cult's Blazing Sun Martial Soul, Silver Moon Martial Soul, and Star Martial Soul can continuously absorb the energy of the Sun, Moon, and Stars. The more energy absorbed, the faster and more terrifyingly these three Martial Souls evolve. Within the Cult, generally, older practitioners possess higher-ranked Martial Souls because greater age implies more accumulated energy from the celestial bodies, leading naturally to Martial Soul evolution."

Xia Xinyan took a deep breath. "If that mysterious woman is Ouyang Luoshuang, she must have absorbed a millennium of moonlight. I wonder what stage her Silver Moon Martial Soul has evolved to. Ouyang Luoshuang was one of the Divine Sons of the Three God Cult. After being sealed for a thousand years, absorbing a millennium of moonlight, her Silver Moon Martial Soul has likely reached an unimaginable level..."

"The Three God Cult suffered devastating losses in that battle a thousand years ago. Although the Sun God returned alive, he perished three centuries later. However, he spent those three centuries cultivating a new generation Sun God. But the Moon God and Star God vanished. In recent years, the Cult has produced many Divine Sons, yet none have replaced the Star God or Moon God. But even so, a Three God Cult with only a Sun God remains one of the strongest forces in the Boundless Sea. Ouyang Luoshuang, having absorbed a thousand years of moonlight and now returned, is bound to become the strongest Moon God in history! The Cult's power will inevitably surge this time," Xiao Hanyi sighed deeply as well.

Shi Yan remained silent, listening to the conversation between Xiao Hanyi and Xia Xinyan, growing increasingly curious about the mysterious Three God Cult.

"Shi Yan possesses the Star God's Star Martial Soul. If... if he could enter the Three God Cult and learn the Cult's profound divine abilities for utilizing Martial Souls, he would have the greatest potential to become the next Star God," Xia Xinyan mused, then suddenly fixed her gaze on Shi Yan. "The Star God holds a unique position within the Cult. If the Cult remains ignorant of Shi Yan's identity and imparts all its Martial Soul divine techniques to him, then..."

Xiao Hanyi's eyes lit up, and he nodded silently. "Yes, this decision ultimately rests with the Patriarch. Having Young Master Yan go to the Three God Cult to learn their techniques is exceedingly dangerous."

"Young Master Shi, Shi Yan belongs to your Yang family; the final decision rests with the Yang family. I am merely offering a suggestion," Xia Xinyan stated calmly.

"Patriarch Shi, I had intended to stay a few more days, but the situation has changed; we must return to the Boundless Sea sooner. Fortunately, we have killed everyone who needed killing in the Ling, Mo, and Bei Ming families; I believe you are capable of handling the remaining affairs."

Xiao Hanyi pondered for a moment, then retrieved two scroll cases from his robes, handing them to Shi Jian. "Here are two Spirit-grade martial skills; I hope they prove helpful. This also contains the means to contact the Yang family. If you encounter troubles you cannot resolve in the future, pass the message to Kuro of the Misty Pavilion; Kuro will relay the news to the Yang family."

Shi Jian was both surprised and overjoyed, holding the items Xiao Hanyi offered, unsure how to respond.

"Young Master Yan, we must depart soon," Xiao Hanyi said, looking at Shi Yan.

"I need to see my father," Shi Yan replied, nodding, and silently left.

Half an hour later, Shi Yan bid farewell to the Shi family members one by one and boarded Xiao Hanyi's Azure Blood Demon Bat.

As the first rays of sunlight appeared, Shi Yan urged the Azure Blood Demon Bat onward, flying toward the Boundless Sea in the east, bathed in the dawn light.