The warriors of the Yang family streamed into the teleportation array, vanishing in a dazzling burst of light.

Surrounding the array were thousands of martial artists, their cultivation levels varied, yet every single one exuded high spirits. No shadow of dejection crossed their faces; their expressions were resolute, seemingly filled with confidence about the future.

Yang Lao and Mo Duanhun watched Shi Yan from beside the teleportation array, their eyes holding profound meaning.

Pointing at himself, Shi Yan looked utterly surprised. "It involves me?"

"Within the Abyssal Battlefield, there lie numerous secret treasures from powerful ancient warriors, along with rare heavenly materials and earthly treasures." Mo Duanhun nodded. "Many powerhouses from the Endless Sea have ventured into the Abyssal Battlefield; numerous individuals entered and never returned, disappearing within its depths. Among them was a man named Tie Long, an exceptionally formidable Saint-rank Artifact Refiner. A thousand years ago, Tie Long’s refining skills were renowned throughout the Endless Sea; every exotic treasure he forged was priceless."

"He died in the Abyssal Battlefield?" Shi Yan frowned.

"We don't know if he perished there," Yang Lao interjected. "However, ever since he entered, he has never reappeared in the Endless Sea. This man was an artifact refiner of incredible talent. The most famous secret treasure he crafted was the 'Flowing Cloud Sky-Shattering Prism'—a Saint-level artifact capable of shattering any spatial barrier, tearing through all restrictions and formations. With the 'Flowing Cloud Sky-Shattering Prism,' Tie Long could bypass the Heavenly Gate and effortlessly enter any realm, moving freely between the Netherworld, the Demon Domain, and our realm without being trapped by any formation, restriction, or barrier."

"Are you saying that with the 'Flowing Cloud Sky-Shattering Prism,' I can bring Great-Grandpa out of the 'Heavenly Demon God-Sealing Array'?" Shi Yan finally understood.

"If the legend of the 'Flowing Cloud Sky-Shattering Prism' is true," Mo Duanhun confirmed, "it indeed possesses that extraordinary ability."

"No way?" Yang Mu, unaware of the situation, exclaimed in surprise. "If that secret treasure is truly so miraculous, why couldn't Tie Long escape the Abyssal Battlefield? Didn't they say the Abyssal Battlefield is riddled with restrictions and barriers? Wouldn't that treasure allow him to walk through the place unimpeded?"

"It is rumored that the reason Tie Long perished in the Abyssal Battlefield was his encounter with a Heavenly Fire. He attempted to subdue the fire but was counter-struck, leading to his demise," Mo Duanhun mused before continuing, "Although Tie Long was a Saint-rank Artifact Refiner, his own cultivation was only at the Heaven-Position Third Heaven. Forcibly attempting to subdue a Heavenly Fire was beyond his endurance."

"So what does that have to do with Little Yanzi?" Yang Mu asked again.

Shi Yan was also puzzled, echoing, "Right, what does it have to do with me?"

"Heavenly Fires can sense one another," Mo Duanhun explained. "When two Heavenly Fires are within the same range, they can detect the other’s presence. Heavenly Fires are mysterious beings; some can coexist, while others will immediately clash or even devour one another upon proximity. If Shi Yan goes to the Abyssal Battlefield, perhaps he can use the Profound Ice Cold Flame to sense the location of that Heavenly Fire, potentially giving him a chance to obtain Tie Long's lost secret treasure, the 'Flowing Cloud Sky-Shattering Prism.'"

"I understand," Shi Yan replied with a smile, nodding. "On this trip to the Abyssal Battlefield, I will communicate with the Profound Ice Cold Flame and make finding Tie Long's 'Flowing Cloud Sky-Shattering Prism' my primary objective."

"Yes—but be careful, and don't push yourself. Once you sense the location of that Heavenly Fire, let Yang Mu and the others go search for the 'Flowing Cloud Sky-Shattering Prism.' If that Heavenly Fire senses the Profound Ice Cold Flame on you, it might target you for attack. Do you understand?" Mo Duanhun cautioned.

"Understood, I know what to do."

"Alright, wait here for a couple of days until Yang Ke and Yang Xue arrive. Then you can all depart together."

Three days later, Yang Ke, Yang Xue, and Li Feng'er returned together from the outside world to Undying Island.

Both Yang Ke and Yang Xue were direct descendants of the Yang family, both at the Earthly-Position Second Heaven realm. Li Feng'er was at the Earthly-Position First Heaven realm, the daughter of Li Mu, one of the Three Asura Kings, and a rising star in the Yang family.

"Yang Mu, Yang Ke, Yang Xue, Li Feng'er, and Shi Yan—you five will lead teams. I will assign ten Earthly-Position warriors to each of you. You will enter the Abyssal Battlefield together, and you must remain inside for exactly three years. You are forbidden from leaving the Abyssal Battlefield during that time," Yang Lao commanded solemnly once everyone had gathered.

Shi Yan nodded along with Yang Mu and the others.

"Shi Yan only has the Hundred Tribulation realm cultivation, and he lacks experience. Wouldn't it be inappropriate to let him lead a squad?" Li Feng'er frowned, looking at Shi Yan curiously. "Are you sure you’ll be fine?"

Li Feng'er was the only daughter of Asura King Li Mu, cultivating at the Earthly-Position First Heaven realm. In the Yang family, she enjoyed the best cultivation resources, just like Yang Mu and the others. She was beautiful and bright, and having fought countless battles for the Yang family over the years, she was deeply valued and considered Undying Island her true home.

Li Mu always took her along on his raids and skirmishes as one of the Three Asura Kings. Though young, her hands were already stained with blood; she possessed extremely rich combat experience and had encountered every harsh scenario. She had even been to the Abyssal Battlefield herself and knew its dangers well. She worried that the ten warriors following Shi Yan would quickly perish inside due to his misjudgments, not that she was deliberately targeting Shi Yan.

"That’s true…" Yang Xue nodded. "Little Yan, are you confident you can manage ten people well?"

Yang Xue was nominally Shi Yan’s elder sister, the daughter of Yang Shen. This was her first time meeting Shi Yan, and she didn't know him well, but she doubted that Shi Yan, at only the Hundred Tribulation realm, could properly manage ten Earthly-Position realm cultivators. Especially since Shi Yan had always been in remote areas, she suspected he lacked the experience to command others and feared he would fail, costing the lives of ten valuable Earthly-Position warriors of the clan. Earthly-Position realm warriors were considered quite precious, even within the Yang family. The warriors assigned this time were hand-picked by Yang Lao, each possessing extraordinary potential to reach the Nirvana Nest realm in the future. Looking out for the family's interests, she didn't think letting Shi Yan lead was a good idea.

"Let's try it," Shi Yan smiled faintly. "I admit my inexperience, so once we are in the Abyssal Battlefield, I will try my best not to separate from you all."

"The situation in the Abyssal Battlefield is quite peculiar," Li Feng'er shook her head, explaining, "There are some restrictions that no one can detect. Even if we stay together, one person might inadvertently trigger a restriction that instantly separates us, isolating each of us. In that situation, if your squad runs into trouble, we won't be able to give you correct advice."

"Uh…" Shi Yan looked toward Yang Lao.

"No matter," Yang Lao smiled and addressed a forty-something warrior at the Earthly-Position Second Heaven realm. "Jiang Huquan, you will accompany Shi Yan. I trust that with your guidance, there won't be too much going wrong."

Jiang Huquan nodded with a smile and said to Shi Yan, "Young Master Yan, rest assured, I will stick by you the entire time."

Upon Yang Lao naming Jiang Huquan, Li Feng'er, Yang Xue, and the others visibly relaxed, smiling and saying no more.

"With Uncle Jiang here, everything should be fine, haha! Uncle Jiang is Elder An's favored disciple," Yang Mu chirped.

Shao An was a distinguished guest of the Yang family, at the Heaven-Position First Heaven realm, highly skilled in formations and barriers, adept at setting up all manner of restrictions. Since Jiang Huquan was his apprentice, he must be extremely proficient in these matters as well.

Seeing Yang Lao place Jiang Huquan with his group, Shi Yan gradually understood the arrangement. It seemed that while he was nominally in charge, Jiang Huquan would be the key decision-maker when critical moments arose. These ten Earthly-Position warriors were assigned to him not so much for him to lead, but rather to protect him.

"Demonic Beasts cannot enter the Abyssal Battlefield. Remember, once you reach the Azure Sea Domain, near the Heavenly Gate, arrange your beasts first. Nearby, the Heavenly Demon Mountain Range is overrun with ferocious beasts; it is said there are Eighth-Rank demonic beasts stationed there. You can place your beasts in the Heavenly Demon Mountain Range…" Yang Lao began relaying final details.

Shi Yan listened quietly.

An hour later, Yang Lao concluded, "Alright, enter the teleportation array now. Bring your demonic beasts along too. I will transport you to the Azure Sea Domain. The teleportation array there is only twenty thousand miles from the Heavenly Gate leading to the Abyssal Battlefield. At your beasts' speed, you can reach it in three days."

Shi Yan patted Gui Liao and stood obediently in the teleportation array.

Gui Liao let out a low growl, its fierce eyes sweeping across the Twin-Headed Flood Dragons belonging to Yang Mu and the others within the formation. The Twin-Headed Flood Dragons belonging to Yang Mu, Yang Ke, and Yang Xue, as well as Li Feng'er's Azure Blood Demonic Bat, all actively moved aside when Gui Liao entered. Gui Liao was ten meters long, while the Flood Dragons and the Demonic Bat were only five or six meters long. Not only was Gui Liao larger, but the fierce aura radiating from it was also stronger. Despite all being Sixth-Rank demonic beasts, Gui Liao clearly held the upper hand over the Twin-Headed Flood Dragons and the Azure Blood Demonic Bat.

"Be careful of people from the Penglai Holy Land," Yang Lao gave one last instruction before activating the array. "The Martial Soul Hall ignores the conflicts of the Endless Sea and did not intervene against our Yang family this time, but the Penglai Holy Land did make a move. Although our teleportation array in the Azure Sea Domain is hidden, the appearance of so many of you will undoubtedly alert the Penglai Holy Land personnel. So, be cautious before you pass through the Heavenly Gate."

"Got it!" Yang Mu laughed heartily. "It’s better if they know. If they know, experts from other factions will certainly know too. I believe that to wipe out our group, those people won't remain idle. I expect we will certainly encounter pursuers within the Abyssal Battlefield—hehe, that’s excellent."

"Hmph," Yang Ke sneered. "I heard that seven of the younger generation who came to our Galu Sea Domain are on the 'Battle Rankings.' I hope they chase us into the Abyssal Battlefield."

"Battle Rankings?" Shi Yan looked stunned.

"It is a ranking board for the combat strength of the younger generation masters in the Endless Sea. There are eighteen people on the Battle Rankings; every one is an outstanding young expert in the Endless Sea. Those who make the list will become future leaders of the Endless Sea," Li Feng'er explained.

"How many people from our Yang family are on the list?" Shi Yan asked.

"Yang Mu, Yang Zhou, and Yang Ke are all on the Battle Rankings," Li Feng'er replied, pouting slightly and glancing at Yang Ke. "However, Yang Ke is at the very bottom, ranked eighteenth on the Battle Rankings, hehe."

Shi Yan’s expression sobered.