Shi Yan sat solemnly at the center of the hall, his eyes gleaming, fixed unmovingly on the two jade boxes and one jade bottle before him.

Seven dark yellow, ancient tomes were lined up neatly behind the jade boxes.

Yu Rou and Di Shan stood to his left and right, silent and composed.

Zha Meng, Ka Ba, and Yi Tian Mo stared at the seven dark yellow books with expressions of slight anguish, appearing hesitant to part with these ancestral texts of the Yin Mei Clan, yet resigned to their fate.

In an open room to the left side of the stone hall, Cao Zhilan, Gu Linglong, and Qu Yanqing sat with downcast faces, watching the scene inside the main hall with unease.

“The White Jade Spirit Fruit should be taken directly. Immediately after consumption, you must calm your mind and focus your spirit, refining the extraordinary energy within the fruit to temper your soul. The method is very simple: just guide the energy into your mind. The energy from the fruit will unblock the meridians of your brain domain, making your soul exceptionally **, and also possessing the power to calm the mind…”

“If one entire White Jade Spirit Fruit’s energy can be absorbed and gathered within the mind, it will be immensely beneficial for stabilizing your state of mind and refining your soul. It can make your soul’s perception incredibly **, thereby enhancing the strength and coverage of your divine sense…”

Yu Rou explained the method of consumption and the efficacy of the White Jade Spirit Fruit in a solemn yet soft voice.

“This Black Kui Lotus is even simpler. A single petal of the Black Kui Lotus will release much vital fluid. You simply smear that fluid onto your body, allowing your pores to absorb it. The liquid of the Black Kui Lotus will penetrate your skin, gradually forming a lotus tattoo on your chest. This lotus tattoo can increase your speed of condensing heaven and earth spiritual energy by about five times, and this effect will last for five years.”

“As long as that black lotus tattoo remains, whenever you enter a state of breathless cultivation, the surrounding heaven and earth spiritual energy will gather into that black lotus tattoo at five times the normal speed, be refined and transformed through it, and gradually flow into your essence light cluster, greatly boosting your cultivation speed.”

Di Shan narrowed his eyes, his black wings folded, a slight twitch at the corner of his mouth, betraying his own lingering sting of loss.

“Heavenly Spring Condensation Dew is a treasure of the Gray Wing Clan, and its use is also very straightforward.” Um, if you are injured, or if your essence is severely depleted, just a single drop of Heavenly Spring Condensation Dew will instantly replenish your essence and allow your injuries to heal rapidly. You won’t need this for now.” When the time comes to break the barrier, if your power is too depleted, you can use the Heavenly Spring Condensation Dew to recover, granting you more strength to achieve the objective.”

Yu Rou offered a slight smile. “Di Shan expended considerable effort to persuade Duolong to hand over a bottle of Heavenly Spring Condensation Dew, nearly coming to blows with him. You must not disappoint us.”

Shi Yan sat there like a slab of bedrock, his facial lines resolute and calm. “Rest assured, with these three items from you, if I still cannot break that barrier, I will submit to your disposal.”

Di Shan nodded, then turned his gaze to Ka Ba, Zha Meng, and Yi Tian Mo, his tone cool. “What about you?” Ka Ba started, pointing to the ancient books on the ground, offering a wry smile. “The items are all laid out there.”

“Can he read it?” Di Shan frowned. “This is such ancient script. If the three of you don't offer some guidance, do you expect him to understand the meaning?”

“Uh…” Ka Ba scratched his head, helpless. “Fine, I can take responsibility for instructing this brat.”

“No!”

Zha Meng and Yi Tian Mo objected in unison.

These seven tomes did not entirely belong to Ka Ba. Five of them came from Zha Meng and Yi Tian Mo; they were the secret lore of their respective clans. If Ka Ba were to learn the contents of those five books, wouldn't he then have complete mastery over their clans' soul secret techniques?

A strange smile played on Shi Yan’s lips. Under the watchful eyes of the peak powerhouses of these two clans, he unhurriedly stacked the seven tomes before him, casually pulled one out, glanced at it for a moment, and then said dismissively, “There’s no need for your guidance. I recognize these ancient characters.”

The expressions of the five changed instantly, replaced by astonishment.

“Shi Yan, what did you say?” Yu Rou shook her head, clearly skeptical. “Don’t try to be brave; this is hardly the time for boasts. These ancient characters come from our ancestors, dating back tens of thousands of years. How could you possibly know them?”

“Seven Gods Control?” Shi Yan pointed to the tome in his hand and asked Ka Ba, “Is this the word?”

A strange light flashed across Ka Ba’s eyes. His expression became exceedingly odd, but he nodded gently. “Yes, these are the three characters for ‘Seven Gods Control.’ You truly recognize them.” At this moment, the leaders of the five alien races looked at Shi Yan with utter surprise, puzzled as to how he could recognize this ancient writing, their minds filled with doubt.

“Alright, the items have been delivered, so I can begin my cultivation now.” Shi Yan calmly reached out and touched the treasures and ancient books before him. His Illusory Void Ring flickered a few times, and the items vanished one by one. “Well, if there’s nothing else, I request that you do not disturb me.”

Shi Yan looked up at the five.

“Good. Cultivate diligently. I will remain nearby and watch. If you encounter any issues, you can call me directly.” The matriarch of the White Wing Clan smiled sweetly. After a moment’s thought, her beautiful eyes glanced towards the three women—Cao Zhilan and the others—and she added, “If those three girls aren’t enough, I will make other arrangements. You can be assured on this matter…”

“Duolong captured a human girl, named He Qingman. I’ve already negotiated with Duolong, and that girl will be sent over soon,” Di Shan suddenly recalled something. “That girl seems quite beautiful too. She’s meant to stabilize your emotions as well. You don’t need to worry about matters concerning women.”

“He Qingman?”

Shi Yan’s expression shifted slightly. He turned his eyes, then spoke after a moment’s thought: “The women I require are most effective when they are virgins. If they are not, the effect will be significantly weaker.”

“Oh?” Di Shan was momentarily stunned, then turned to Yu Rou. “It seems we need to put more pressure on Duolong.”

“I imagine Duolong will be reasonable,” Yu Rou smiled faintly, casting a meaningful glance at Shi Yan before murmuring something softly and then nodding with slight helplessness. “Very well, let’s speak with Duolong again.”

“Um, I appreciate the trouble.” Shi Yan’s expression brightened, and he stated with perfect seriousness, “Human women are the most suitable for me. I might not be able to handle the beauties of your two clans. Therefore, I hope that woman named He Qingman can be delivered to me intact. I believe four women as assurance should be sufficient.”

“You damned brat…” Yu Rou shook her head, resigned. “Fine. For the future of our two clans, we will deliver that girl to you perfectly intact.” “Ahem, that is excellent.” Shi Yan maintained his composure, then grew slightly impatient. “Um, I need to seize this time to cultivate now. If none of you have anything else to add, please…”

“Let’s go.”

Di Shan immediately turned, the wings on his back fluttered, and his figure blurred, gradually vanishing.

Ka Ba, Zha Meng, and Yi Tian Mo gave Shi Yan a deep look, said no more, and also departed.

Yu Rou lingered at the rear. After the figures of the four disappeared, she said to Shi Yan, “Brat, fend for yourself. If you cannot help our two clans break the barrier, no one can protect you…”

“Thank you!” Shi Yan looked into Yu Rou’s eyes, sincere gratitude in his voice.

“Don't thank me; I am also thinking of the future of our two clans.” Yu Rou was momentarily taken aback, her beautiful eyes shifting, a faint smile touching the corner of her mouth before she turned gracefully and departed.

In the stone hall, only Shi Yan remained seated, frowning in deep thought.

Cao Zhilan and the other two women watched in secret for a while, then quietly emerged from the stone chamber, maintaining a cautious distance from Shi Yan. They looked at him with complex expressions, wanting to say something but unable to find the right words.

“You three be quiet and well-behaved. This isn't the outside world. Out there, you might be considered figures of status, but here, you are nothing,” Shi Yan stated sternly, his back to the three women. “Don’t disturb me. Stay put; female slaves must have the awareness of female slaves.”

“Female slaves?” Qu Yanqing’s delicate face changed, her beautiful eyes icy cold, her killing intent surging as she stared at Shi Yan’s back, her chest trembling violently. “You, what did you say?”

Gu Linglong clenched her jaw, baring her teeth like a little tiger, wishing she could pounce and tear Shi Yan to shreds.

“I said, the three of you are merely my female slaves. I’ll touch you whenever I want!” Shi Yan turned his head, sweeping a cold, mocking glance over the three women. “If you cannot grasp the situation, I don't mind ‘educating’ you a little first.”

“You!” Gu Linglong and Qu Yanqing’s pretty faces turned pale, trembling with suppressed fury, ready to fight Shi Yan to the death.

Only Cao Zhilan did not show anger, but a deep sadness settled in her heart. She sighed and stepped forward to counsel Gu Linglong and Qu Yanqing. “It’s useless. Facing this heartless scoundrel, just accept your fate. Don’t make things harder for yourselves.”

Gu Linglong and Qu Yanqing bit their lips but dared not truly rush forward or use violence against Shi Yan.

Because they knew that provoking Shi Yan at this moment would yield them no advantage whatsoever.

In the past few days, every time they displeased Shi Yan, certain intimate parts of their bodies would be violated by him.

During this period while waiting for the treasures of the two great alien clans, Shi Yan had been meditating with his eyes closed, seemingly sorting through some insights on cultivation. Every time they argued with him, the outcome for them was tragic—always ending with the price of bodily violation.

In these few days, except for Cao Zhilan who remained compliant and unharmed, Gu Linglong and Qu Yanqing had nearly every sensitive part of their bodies touched by Shi Yan.

The two women were mortified to the point of death, yet whenever thoughts of suicide surfaced, they would be struck by splitting headaches, their bodies immobilized—incapable even of ending their own lives.

After this happened two or three times, the two women gradually settled down, daring not to incite Shi Yan’s anger too much. The moment they sensed Shi Yan’s mood was sour, they immediately became meek.

“I am going to cultivate,” Shi Yan muttered, his voice low. “Keep your voices down; don’t disturb me.”

Shi Yan stood up, spared the timid and uneasy three women a brief glance, and headed directly into a vast stone chamber on the right side of the hall, sealing the stone door behind him before beginning his silent meditation.