In the southern reaches of the Yuanluo Sea Domain, the sky was a deep, somber blue, and the ocean was a faded sapphire, the two merging into one vast expanse of color.

Beneath clusters of stark white clouds, several dozen Azure-Blood Demon Bats ferried their contingent of Asura Blood Guards, slowly tracing a path toward Cloud-Mist Island.

Upon the backs of the Demon Bats, the Asura Blood Guards wore expressions of grim severity, their entire bearing steeped in a palpable aura of slaughter, as if they had just returned from some sanguinary battlefield.

At the head of the formation, perched on a sixth-level Azure-Blood Demon Bat, Mo Duanhun held his eyes half-lidded, appearing almost asleep.

Beside this particular Demon Bat soared a magnificent, snow-white Flying Lion. The creature possessed broad, elongated wings that crackled intermittently with visible bolts of lightning, lending its swift passage a faint, thunderous quality.

This was a Thunder-Wind Flying Lion, a sixth-level Magical Beast—swift as the wind, its wings bearing the destructive power of lightning. It was a formidable beast, bred and tamed within the Heavenly Evil Grotto-Heaven of the Galuo Sea Domain.

Seated upon the Thunder-Wind Flying Lion were two young women, both veiled. Their bright eyes, like cut jewels, were all that could be seen, set against the alabaster curve of their exposed necks, skin gleaming under the sunlight with the luster of fine porcelain.

“Sister Xinyan, why did you insist on coming?” He Qingman stretched languidly, her tone dripping with ease. “There’s nothing on Cloud-Mist Island but a pile of broken rocks. You don’t care for such things, so why are we wasting time here?”

“I never asked you to follow me…” Xia Xinyan pouted faintly. “You should have stayed put in the Heavenly Evil Grotto-Heaven, but you insisted on chasing after me wherever I go. I never begged you—you brought this upon yourself…”

He Qingman’s peach-blossom eyes narrowed slightly, radiating an intoxicating allure. “For the past three years, instead of returning to the Xia family early, you’ve been embroiled with the Yang family, constantly targeting the Gu and Dongfang families. Why? I’m terribly curious. I heard people saying it was all for the sake of a man…”

Fu Xinyan’s delicate eyebrows knitted together. “Who told you that?”

“That’s none of your business…” He Qingman’s beautiful eyes twinkled with amusement. Her long, elegant hair whipped about in the sea breeze, revealing a figure exquisitely curved beneath tight leather armor, exposing vast expanses of pale skin. She was fiercely attractive. “Sister Xinyan, is it true or not?”

“Even if you don’t tell me, I know who said it…” Xia Xinyan scoffed. “Was it your senior brother, Xie Kui? He’s trying to use you to pry information from me, isn’t he?”

“Sister Xinyan is so clever…” He Qingman squinted, offering no denial, and giggled. “My senior brother has been utterly devoted to you for years, constantly pursuing you, yet I never saw you react. This trip, to seek out a Pseudo Heavenly Gate, and now you won’t even give him the time of day. My brother is bewildered. After much probing, he heard you befriended some discarded boy from the Yang family in that remote place—a boy who is supposedly dead…”

“Who said he’s dead…” Fu Xinyan snorted coldly. “Even if he is dead! I would never accept Xie Kui!”

“Sister Xinyan, did you really have something going on with that fellow?” He Qingman gasped, genuine curiosity finally surfacing. “I was only testing you just now. Although my senior brother keeps saying it, I still find it unbelievable that you’d fancy someone at the First Heaven of the Hundred Tribulations Realm. I hear that fellow lived in that desolate place. You knew him for such a short time, how could you…”

He Qingman’s eyes widened in astonishment, and she sat up straighter, giving the matter her full attention.

A shadow suddenly flickered across the quiet lake of Xia Xinyan’s mind…

Under He Qingman’s gaze, Xia Xinyan’s brow was overlaid with a faint melancholy. Her clear, captivating eyes grew distant and hazy as she drifted into a private recollection, seemingly oblivious to those around her.

He Qingman watched Fu Xinyan secretly, filled with a burgeoning curiosity about the man who could hold the attention of this celestial beauty for so long. She wondered what methods he employed to make the favored daughter of the Fu family so unforgettable.

Her senior brother, Xie Kui, was exceptionally gifted in the Heavenly Evil Grotto-Heaven. Not only was he handsome, but his cultivation was unfathomably profound; he was the most promising seed master the Grotto-Heaven possessed for the future.

He Qingman knew the extent of her senior brother’s charm; within the Heavenly Evil Grotto-Heaven, countless junior sisters were infatuated with Xie Kui.

If such an outstanding man could not move Xia Xinyan, what merits did this fellow named Shi Yan possess? He had been dead for so long, yet she still clung to his memory!

“Alas, it’s a pity he’s already dead. Otherwise,” He Qingman sighed with a touch of regret after a long pause, shaking her head, muttering, “I truly wish I could meet him and see what’s so special about him…” “I really don’t believe he’s superior to my senior brother. My brother has reached the Second Heaven of the Status Realm now. No matter how hard that fellow worked, he couldn’t match my brother…”

Fu Xinyan frowned slightly and stated calmly, “His realm is indeed inferior to Xie Kui’s.”

“Of course, that’s natural. My brother is known as a cultivation maniac throughout the Galuo Sea Domain. Twenty-seven years old, Second Heaven of the Status Realm—at such a young age and this level of power, there are few in our entire Galuo Sea Domain who can compare,” He Qingman smiled, glancing sideways at Fu Xinyan. “Sister Xinyan, surely that fellow can’t compare to my senior brother, can he?”

“He cultivated from seventeen, reaching the First Heaven of the Hundred Tribulations Realm in one year, and possesses at least three Martial Souls…” Xia Xinyan spoke without looking at He Qingman, her voice cold. “In terms of talent and speed of cultivation, let alone the Galuo Sea Domain, no young genius in the entire Boundless Sea can surpass him…”

He Qingman was aghast.

After a pause, she cautiously glanced at Mo Duanhun not far away, secretly clicked her tongue, and muttered under her breath, “He really is monstrous! It’s fortunate that fellow is gone. Otherwise, with such a crazed powerhouse in the Yang family, they might have become even more reckless. Who knows what terrifying things they might have done.”

“He didn’t die,” Fu Xinyan scoffed coldly. “After learning news of him from me, the Yang Family Master expended three drops of Immortal Blood. He used a Great Divine Ability to deduce that he is still alive, and very much so! Furthermore, he pinpointed that three years from now, he should be appearing on Cloud-Mist Island. He should be on the island right now…”

“Spending three drops of Immortal Blood just to confirm if he’s alive? Yang Qingdi really does care about him!” He Qingman exclaimed, then nodded slowly. “That’s true. A maniac who jumped directly to the First Heaven of the Hundred Tribulations Realm after just over a year of cultivation—it’s no wonder the Yang family would pay such a heavy price…”

Xia Xinyan’s delicate brows furrowed, and she sighed. “However, the Yang Family Master said this expedition to Cloud-Mist Island is extremely dangerous; there might be unforeseen changes on the island. Qingman, I must go, but you shouldn’t have followed me. Now that I’ve explained the situation, you still have time to leave…”

“No, no, no!” He Qingman shook her head repeatedly, giggling sweetly. “You know I love danger. Since you say that fellow is on the island, I absolutely must see him. After hearing you say all that, I’m growing even more curious about him. I really want to see what it is about him that attracts you so much. Sister Xinyan, did he take liberties with you? Otherwise, why are you defending him so fiercely?” Xia Xinyan’s neck suddenly flushed scarlet, and she glared fiercely at He Qingman, snapping, “You insolent brat! If you dare talk nonsense again, believe it or not, I’ll toss you off!”

“Hey, hey, hey!” He Qingman shouted playfully. “You must remember, this Thunder-Wind Flying Lion is my mount. You’re being too harsh! I know, I must have hit a sore spot, haven’t I? Sister Xinyan, you actually let that detestable guy take advantage of you! Hmph, since I haven’t even touched you, if I ever meet him, I’ll definitely settle the score with him…”

“I can’t be bothered with you…” Xia Xinyan shook her head helplessly, seemingly aware of how difficult the girl was to handle.

“Seven more days until we reach Cloud-Mist Island…” Just then, Mo Duanhun ahead suddenly turned back, his voice devoid of emotion. “This journey is fraught with unknown perils. Though I have made preparations, I cannot guarantee absolute safety. You two had better realize there are mortal dangers involved. You should be more cautious from now on. Little girl Xia, you should still remember Old Xiao’s fate—don’t let someone ambush you midway without even noticing…”

As Mo Duanhun spoke, Xia Xinyan’s expression shifted immediately. “Understood…”

He Qingman stuck out her small tongue and made a face at Mo Duanhun, chuckling dismissively. She wasn't afraid, but she stopped pestering Xia Xinyan.

Yet, deep in her heart, she harbored intense curiosity and doubt about what kind of person Shi Yan was, that he could truly make Fu Xinyan hold him in such lasting memory.

Cloud-Mist Island.

On an ancient tree, Shi Yan was still negotiating with the Profound Ice Cold Flame.

“If we truly obtain the Soul Gathering Pearl, I should receive seventy percent of its soul essence, leaving thirty percent for you…” Shi Yan transmitted his thoughts. “I have a physical body, so I’m most vulnerable to being utterly annihilated if danger strikes. You are hiding inside the ring and face almost no real threat. Moreover, your life form is unique and almost impossible to erase. Since the danger I face is far greater, I should naturally receive the larger share.” “Kid! You are too greedy!” The Profound Ice Cold Flame shrieked inside the Blood-Patterned Ring. “What use is having a physical body? Without my guidance and power, the moment you approach the Soul Gathering Pearl, your soul will drift aimlessly, and you’ll be useless! If I hadn’t told you, you wouldn't even know what the Soul Gathering Pearl is!” “Enough nonsense. I demand seventy percent!”

“I deserve seventy percent!” The Profound Ice Cold Flame vented cold energy furiously within the Blood-Patterned Ring. “You can take a maximum of thirty percent! Otherwise, I won’t do anything at all. Then you can just wait to die…”

“Then I can turn back right now…” Shi Yan sneered. “After all, my interest in that Soul Gathering Pearl isn’t paramount. Once I reach the Nirvana Nest Realm, I can still form a Sea of Consciousness; there’s no need to rush.” “Don’t lie to me! Hahaha!” The Profound Ice Cold Flame laughed wickedly. “Your state of mind doesn’t lie. I know your true intentions—you will not give up the Soul Gathering Pearl! I know you desperately want it!” Shi Yan wryly smiled, surprised that the Profound Ice Cold Flame’s consciousness was so strange that it could truly see through his intent.

After a moment of silence, Shi Yan tried again: “Fine. I’ll concede a step. Sixty percent for me, leaving forty percent for you…”

“Your realm is too low; you cannot possibly withstand sixty percent of the Soul Gathering Pearl’s essence,” the Profound Ice Cold Flame mocked. “You will be shattered by the soul energy backlash, boy. Your greed will only harm yourself…”

“How about this…” Shi Yan suddenly chuckled. “I take whatever I can absorb, and whatever I can’t absorb belongs entirely to you. How about that?”

“Deal!” The Profound Ice Cold Flame immediately agreed. “I thought you intended to share the soul essence of the Soul Gathering Pearl with that woman named Fu Xinyan. I know you hold her image in your heart. Her realm is much higher than yours; she can handle far more soul energy!” “But if it’s just you, then fine! Take whatever you can absorb, and the rest is mine…”

“It’s a deal!”

“A deal…”

PS