Three silver-horned Divine Boats sailed abreast, moving slowly toward Gourd Island through the rain, martial artists standing rigidly on deck, their expressions grim.

Aboard one of the Divine Pills of the Silver Horns, Pan Zhe, Zhai Yanqing, and Gu Linglong stood together, speaking loudly with the warriors aboard the other two boats.

The new generation of young masters from the Boundless Sea had gathered here, summoned from every major sea domain to eradicate the seeds of the Yang family’s future.

“I truly never imagined the Yang family would hide in the Abyss Battlefield for sanctuary. If I’d known, we should have ambushed them at Gourd Island,” Pan Zhe frowned. “Once they enter the Abyss Battlefield, tracking them down will be much trickier; the situation there is quite complicated. Everyone, keep your eyes peeled.”

“The Yang family is finished; even if they hide in the Abyss Battlefield, it won’t change anything,” Zhai Yanqing said coolly. In the drizzling rain, a faint silver-white halo emanated from her graceful figure, warding off the moisture so not a single drop touched her.

“Undying Island is deserted. The Yang family really made a clean getaway this time,” Gu Linglong scoffed. “Rumor has it they split into three forces: one headed into the Underwater Wasteland City, another into the Abyss Battlefield, and the largest contingent went to the Fourth Demonic Domain. They truly have boundless audacity; knowing that the two Demon Emperors of the Demonic Domain plan to deal with them, yet they dare move their main force there. Both Bo Xun and Chi Yan have already issued statements that they will eliminate the Yang family's main force within the Demonic Domain.”

“Brother Pan Zhe, how much further to Gourd Island?” On another Divine Boat, Xie Kui called out, a faint, indifferent smile playing on his lips.

“Almost there, but… Yang Mu and the others likely entered the Abyss Battlefield one step ahead of us. It seems we will meet Yang Mu and the rest there,” Pan Zhe replied with a slight smile.

Beside Xie Kui stood a woman of ravishing beauty, possessing an air of ethereal transcendence. She was dressed in a vibrant emerald green gown, her skin like polished jade, suggesting immortal grace.

Cao Zhilan, the eldest daughter of the Cao family from the Tuota Sea Domain, a powerhouse at the Third Heaven Realm, ranked third on the Battle Rankings—the most awe-inspiring master among the new generation of the Boundless Sea.

“You clashed with Yang Mu and his group two days ago. What was their strength?” Cao Zhilan slightly raised her pearlescent neck, her soft voice like a spring breeze caressing their hearts. “You had three Nirvana Nest Realm warriors with you; how did you end up abandoning the boat?”

Xie Kui was also quite curious. “While Yang Mu is extremely troublesome, he can, at most, contend with one Nirvana Realm warrior. Your defeat is genuinely baffling.”

Pan Zhe, Zhai Yanqing, and Gu Linglong all looked rather displeased, showing slight awkwardness.

“We didn’t lose to Yang Mu this time,” Gu Linglong mumbled, gnashing her teeth with resentment. “It was another fellow who interfered, preventing us from keeping them.”

“Oh?” Cao Zhilan grew interested, her moon-like eyes sparkling, her lips curling upward slightly. “Who was it?”

Standing beside Cao Zhilan, Xie Kui listened to the beautiful tones of the woman beside him and gazed at her captivating face. In his heart, he couldn't help but compare her to Xia Xinyan, finding that in both beauty and temperament, Cao Zhilan was no less remarkable. They were both femme fatales of the highest caliber.

However, Cao Zhilan’s Battle Ranking seemed to enhance her aura, subtly adding a touch of divine radiance.

“Shi Yan!” Gu Linglong gritted her silver teeth, cold light flashing in her eyes. “Some brat who appeared from who knows where. His arrival cost our Gu family a massive loss. If it weren’t for him this time, we absolutely could have held back Yang Mu and the others and waited for you to destroy them together.”

“Shi Yan?” Cao Zhilan smiled faintly. “That name is very unfamiliar… Who is he? There shouldn't be such a master among the Yang family’s new generation.”

Xie Kui’s expression flickered. He looked toward He Qingman on the third Divine Boat and stated calmly, “Junior Sister, you know Shi Yan’s background best. I believe you can enlighten everyone.”

He Qingman was clad in fiery red armor, her face seductive, her figure alluring, with a unique, bewitching aura in her gaze. The young warriors on her Divine Boat had been secretly watching her, swallowing nervously. Several young talents who deemed themselves worthy of her attention were deliberately trying to court her favor, hoping to attract the beauty’s notice.

This time, the Heavenly Evil Grotto had completely broken ties with the Yang family. Upon learning that Yang Qingdi was trapped in the ‘Heavenly Demon God Sealing Array,’ the Master of the Heavenly Evil Grotto unilaterally tore up the alliance pact with the Yang family and leaked the news of the Yang family’s troop movements. When masters from other sea domains arrived, guided by experts from the Heavenly Evil Grotto, they assaulted Undying Island.

The Heavenly Evil Grotto had been suppressed by the Yang family in the Galuo Sea Domain for hundreds of years. Now that they finally had a chance to turn the tables, they naturally would not remain silent.

The Yang family controlled hundreds of resource-rich islands in the Galuo Sea Domain—the most precious territories in that region. The Heavenly Evil Grotto had long coveted those islands but dared not make a move due to the Yang family's might. Now, leveraging the power of other sea domains, the Heavenly Evil Grotto could openly claim those islands.

With this upheaval, Undying Island became a shared territory for various powers. The nine divine mountains of Undying Island had become the optimal cradle for cultivating the new generation of masters, while the islands previously controlled by the Yang family were divided among the Heavenly Evil Grotto and the other forces; the Heavenly Evil Grotto reaped the greatest benefit, acquiring the largest number of islands.

In contrast, the Xia family, another major power on Undying Island, remained silent throughout this change, offering neither aid to the Yang family nor participation in the conflict. Consequently, the Xia family received none of the spoils. With the acquisition of the Yang family’s islands, the Heavenly Evil Grotto’s strength surged, far surpassing that of the Xia family.

The morale of the Heavenly Evil Grotto soared. Since they had openly severed ties with the Yang family, they held nothing back. Upon hearing that the Yang family’s new generation, led by Yang Mu, had fled to the Abyss Battlefield, they unhesitatingly dispatched their new generation masters, including Xie Kui and He Qingman, in an attempt to extinguish the future fire of the Yang family.

“Junior Sister!” Seeing He Qingman remain silent, Xie Kui’s face darkened, and he sharply called out, reminding her to be mindful of the occasion.

Back on Black Stone Island, Xie Kui had already been displeased by He Qingman’s defense of Shi Yan. After they left, the senior brother and junior sister had argued several times over the matter of Shi Yan, severely affecting their relationship.

After the Yang family’s crisis erupted, He Qingman was not enthusiastic about opposing them. When the Heavenly Evil Grotto assigned her to the Firmament Sea Domain, she initially resisted, even refusing once, but was overruled by the Grotto Master.

Xie Kui knew that Shi Yan had saved He Qingman’s life in the mine shaft on Black Stone Island, and that Mo Duanhun had provided help to the He family. Therefore, He Qingman was reluctant to strike the Yang family while they were down.

But Xie Kui saw things differently. He already considered himself the future successor of the Heavenly Evil Grotto and was ambitious to secure the greatest benefits for it. Only by making the Heavenly Evil Grotto stronger could he suppress the Xia family and eventually win over Xia Xinyan.

“Shi Yan was not originally from the Boundless Sea—he came from a remote place. He has been in the Boundless Sea for a very short time and was identified by Yang Qingdi as a prodigy to be brought into the Yang family,” He Qingman confessed reluctantly under Xie Kui’s reprimand, revealing some of Shi Yan’s origins. “Shi Yan only has the cultivation of the Hundred Tribulations Second Heaven Realm, but… he possesses the strength to contend even with a Dignity Realm martial artist. This person carries many mysteries and cannot be judged by ordinary standards.”

Gu Linglong snorted. “This person is indeed somewhat unusual. With only a Hundred Tribulations Second Heaven Realm cultivation, he could withstand the full force of my attack. Moreover, a martial technique he practices is incredibly strange; he can set traps silently. Our heavy losses this time were precisely due to those traps he laid.”

“Shi Yan…” Cao Zhilan murmured, a soft smile gracing her lips as she nodded. She said gently, “From what you say, this fellow seems to be a genuinely interesting character. I hope he doesn't disappoint me in the Abyss Battlefield.”

The Xia Family, within a vast council hall.

Numerous leaders of the Xia family were assembled, masters standing tall. Xia Shenchuan sat in the upper seat, his expression grave.

Xia Xinyan sat elegantly below him, a slight frown on her face, listening silently to Xia Shenchuan’s words without commenting.

“Big Brother, the Yang family is finished. Why don’t we join forces with those other powers? If we just show our intent to deal with the Yang family, we can take over those islands. There are no formidable experts left on the territories and islands that belonged to the Yang family; we could claim what was originally theirs with ease,” Xia Shenmu complained.

Many Xia family experts agreed with his suggestion, nodding their assent.

“As long as Yang Qingdi is not dead, do not speak of the Yang family’s demise,” Xia Shenchuan snorted. “Yang Qingdi has dominated the Boundless Sea for years; his divine power shakes the heavens. Though he is temporarily constrained by the Heavenly Demon God Sealing Array, as long as he lives, the foundation of the Yang family remains. You all know Yang Qingdi’s character; if he ever returns to the Boundless Sea, based on his past conduct, none who participated in opposing the Yang family will escape unharmed.”

“The Heavenly Demon Emperor Chi Yan’s Heavenly Demon God Sealing Array can destroy God Realm powerhouses. Now, not only does Chi Yan guard that array, but Bo Xun is also holding vigil. With the two Demon Emperors joining forces, I refuse to believe Yang Qingdi can break free. His death is certain this time!” Xia Shenmu insisted urgently. “The Heavenly Evil Grotto has profited immensely, gaining two hundred islands. The Heavenly Evil Grotto was already stronger than us, and now their power has exploded. How will we maintain parity with them in the future?”

“Remain silent. This is Father’s instruction. Do you have an objection?” Xia Shenchuan asked impatiently.

At these words, Xia Shenmu froze. After a moment of silence, he slowly sat down, saying no more.

“Gong Yan, for this period, do not venture out,” Xia Shenchuan stated after a moment of deliberation to Xia Xinyan. “Since you broke through to the Dignity Second Heaven Realm, the proposals of marriage have increased. Those people want to use you to annex the Xia family, especially the Heavenly Evil Grotto, which is solely focused on dominating the Galuo Sea Domain. Xie Kui going to the Firmament Sea Domain this time might result in him killing Shi Yan; you should be prepared…”

“If anything happens to Shi Yan, I will kill Xie Kui,” Xia Xinyan replied flatly, her gaze indifferent. “Furthermore, I do not believe Xie Kui will succeed. Although he possesses the cultivation of the Dignity Second Heaven Realm, I still trust that Shi Yan can survive this calamity.”

The assembled Xia family members cried out in shock, thinking Xia Xinyan had perhaps lost her mind.

“Just watch. In the future, Shi Yan will stand above all ranked experts on the Battle Rankings; no one among the new generation will surpass him,” Xia Xinyan offered no explanation. She rose gracefully and walked coldly out of the council hall. “I am entering seclusion. Do not wake me until Shi Yan has returned from the Abyss Battlefield.”