Shi Yan and Yu Rou returned together, and after their conversation, a subtle shift occurred in the dynamic between them.

It was difficult to define precisely, but Shi Yan knew their relationship was no longer purely one of mutual utilization.

Upon entering the city, Shi Yan proceeded directly to the ancient structure where Yi Tianmo resided, stating plainly that he wished to speak with Yi Cui Bi for a few years.

In the dimly lit grand hall, Yi Tianmo was issuing instructions to Yi Gu Bi. Upon learning of Shi Yan's request, Yi Tianmo appeared quite surprised. After a moment's hesitation, he instructed Yi Cui Bi, "Go see him. That young man is the hope of both our clans; we must try our best to satisfy any request that aids his cultivation."

"Understood." Yi Cui Bi nodded.

Soon, Yi Cui Bi emerged from the hall and approached Shi Yan, her expression aloof. "What is it?"

Ever since Shi Yan had requested Cao Zhilan and the other two women from the Yin Mei Clan to serve as outlets for his desires, he had become synonymous with lechery within the entire Yin Mei Tribe. Consequently, even Yi Cui Bi, who had previously been relatively polite to him, now held him in low regard.

Shi Yan was aware of how others perceived him but paid it no mind, nor did he fault Yi Cui Bi for her change in attitude.

"I have ninety-three demonic crystals of Yin Beasts here," Shi Yan said composedly, producing a grey parcel from his Phantom Space Ring. He tossed it casually toward Yi Cui Bi, smiling faintly. "These demonic crystals are of decent grade. I know they are exceptionally useful for your Yin Mei Clan's cultivation—they are prime supplementary materials for your practice."

Yi Cui Bi paused, a flicker of surprise crossing her features. "Why are you giving me so many Yin Beast demonic crystals?"

"I need you to do me a favor."

"For what? These Yin Beast demonic crystals—I want you to trade them with Zha Ji for those still-living human male martial artists. I need them for a purpose."

"Male martial artists?"

Yi Cui Bi’s delicate face contorted in a strange expression. She scrutinized Shi Yan’s face intently with her cold eyes for a moment, then suddenly asked, "You have an interest in men too?"

Yu Rou, the chieftain of the Bai Yi Clan, also felt a slight tremor run through her delicate body, looking toward Shi Yan in disbelief.

She hadn't been clear on Shi Yan's intentions throughout their journey together. She hadn't realized that his slaughtering of Yin Beasts to obtain demonic crystals was intended to exchange for the lives of those human male martial artists.

Recalling Shi Yan's previous request for Cao Zhilan and the two other women, Yu Rou couldn't help but misinterpret his motives as well. Her expression darkened slightly, and she stated gravely, "Shi Yan, you have that kind of preference too?"

"Uh..." Shi Yan froze, quickly attempting to explain, "You women think too complicatedly. I want those people... only for cultivation practice, not for what you are imagining."

"When you requested those women before, you also claimed it was for cultivation," Yi Cui Bi retorted, her tone laced with contempt. "I never expected your appetite to be so vast—you leave nothing untouched. I truly underestimated you."

"Shi Yan, you..." Yu Rou’s eyes held a measure of disgust. She instinctively moved several meters away from him, appearing hesitant to speak further.

"Damn it, it's really not what you think," Shi Yan replied with a wry smile. "I need them for another use. Could you all please maintain a bit more purity in your thoughts?"

"Why don't you ask Zha Ji yourself?" Yi Cui Bi frowned, seemingly momentarily convinced by Shi Yan's explanation. "With these demonic crystals, Zha Ji should be quite willing to trade with you."

"That kid holds deep resentment toward me; I fear he won't be so reasonable," Shi Yan said with a slight smile. Turning back to Yi Cui Bi, he added, "Then I must trouble you."

Having spoken, he offered no further words, simply turning and heading toward the ancient structure temporarily allocated to him.

Yi Cui Bi stood stunned, filled with confusion, clutching the bag of demonic crystals as she entered the structure.

She had only taken ten steps when Yi Tianmo suddenly appeared before her, inquiring, "Cui Bi, what did that young man want with you?" Yi Cui Bi briefly explained the situation.

After listening, Yi Tianmo fell into deep contemplation, tiny specks of strange light flickering in his eyes. After a short while, Yi Tianmo’s eyes brightened, and he suddenly murmured, "Could it be..."

"What?" Yi Cui Bi asked curiously. "Father, do you know what he intends to do?"

"Nothing for now. Go and trade with Zha Ji for him. In a while, I will know exactly what he is planning." Yi Tianmo frowned, yet he was considerably astonished, vaguely guessing at something.

Impossible. In such a short time, could that fellow truly grasp the essence of the soul mystery of our Yin Mei Clan? Can he really understand the technique for using Soul Seeds?

"What do you want those men for?" Yu Rou asked, completely perplexed. "Do you want to enhance your experience at this stage by fighting them? That shouldn't be necessary; we only asked you to break those barriers; there's no need for you to engage in direct combat. What exactly are you trying to do?"

"It's something similar to what I told you," Shi Yan replied with a smile, yet he didn't elaborate much. Only as he neared the entrance to his building did he wave a hand dismissively. "You attend to your own affairs; I need to think about some things."

Yu Rou's eyebrows knitted slightly. Though filled with doubt, she didn't press further. After a moment's thought, she changed direction and soon arrived at the summit of an ancient structure not far from Shi Yan.

There, Di Shan sat motionless, like a stone statue.

"That fellow went outside the city?" Upon seeing Yu Rou arrive, Di Shan slowly opened his eyes, showing a slight surprise.

"Yes, he went outside the city, slew some Yin Beasts, and obtained nearly a hundred demonic crystals. He wants to exchange them for the human martial artists Zha Ji is holding captive..." Yu Rou explained. "I don't know what he intends to do either. His methods are quite strange; it seems he has his own plan."

"Whatever he intends to do, as long as he knows his goal, that is enough," Di Shan remained unperturbed. After pondering for a moment, he continued, "You followed him, watching him slay Yin Beasts. Did you notice a significant increase in his power?"

"Very significant!" Yu Rou's expression turned solemn and earnest. "In half a month, his understanding of power and the realm has reached a new level! I believe that with a little more time, he can indeed breach the barriers over there. This guy's potential is simply immeasurable; given time, he will undoubtedly become the new generation's powerhouse among humans!"

Di Shan was taken aback, pausing before saying with a peculiar look, "Yu Rou, is that fellow truly as formidable as you claim?"

"Just watch. I think when the time comes, you will have an entirely new perspective on him. In the future, he might very well become the hope for our two clans!" Yu Rou uttered sharply, then paused thoughtfully. "I don't know why, but I always feel this young man is hiding other secrets. I feel he is exceptionally complex, perhaps..."

"Perhaps what?" Di Shan demanded sharply.

"Perhaps within his body, there is something even more miraculous than the Immortal Bloodline," Yu Rou whispered softly.

"What?" Di Shan bolted upright, his expression one of extreme shock. "Why would you say that?"

"I vaguely sense that his Immortal Bloodline seems to be suppressed by some kind of power. Within his lineage, there appears to be another force—a force that seems even more tyrannical and terrifying than the Immortal Blood, yet it is concealed exceptionally well. I can sense it intermittently, and then it vanishes. That power seems capable of evading even me..." Yu Rou took a deep breath, her eyes blazing.

Di Shan was dumbfounded.

After a long silence, he finally murmured, "...Could his arrival truly be the will of Heaven? If his body contains a power even stronger than the legacy of the Immortal God King, I think we shouldn't hesitate any longer! Let's observe a little longer; I suspect we will have our answer soon enough."

"Yes, I believe his arrival will be the starting point for a new period of glory for our two clans."

In the spacious stone hall, the moment Shi Yan returned, Cao Zhilan, Gu Linglong, Zhai Yanqing, and He Qingman all poked their heads out from adjacent stone chambers. The four breathtaking gazes settled upon Shi Yan at once, giving him a feeling of being overwhelmed by sudden favor.

"Shi Yan, where did you go?" Gu Linglong, the most impatient, immediately inquired.

"None of your business," Shi Yan sneered, sitting down right there in the hall, adopting an air of unwillingness to engage with her.

Gu Linglong choked back her frustration but knew she couldn't pressure Shi Yan. She could only stand there, pouting sullenly, careful not to provoke him too much.

"Shi Yan, are you truly confident?" He Qingman asked, a trace of worry in her tone, her expression downcast. "If you can't handle that barrier, I fear none of us will leave this place alive."

"I can only say that I will do my utmost," Shi Yan replied slowly, closing his eyes. Thereafter, regardless of what they asked, he remained utterly silent on the matter.

The four women could only glare helplessly.

Half a day later.

Led by Yi Cui Bi and Yi Feng, many martial artists from Yi Tianmo's contingent slowly approached, dragging an enormous cage.

Inside the cage were thirty-five martial artists from the Endless Sea, including Pan Zhe.

Pan Zhe looked dejected, his spirit utterly exhausted, having wasted away until only skin and bones remained—his condition appeared utterly miserable.

The other martial artists were likewise extremely frail, looking as if they hadn't eaten properly lately. Coupled with the restriction of their internal power, their plight was truly pitiable.

When Pan Zhe saw Shi Yan, a faint gleam returned to his dim eyes, followed by a gentle shake of his head and a soft sigh.

"Shi Yan, I have brought the people you requested. Only these thirty-five living ones remain. Fortunately, you asked early; otherwise, a few more days, and these thirty-five would likely have all perished."

Yi Cui Bi nodded to the Yin Mei martial artists, signaling them to move the cage containing Pan Zhe and his group into the main hall. She then explained, "Zha Ji has been particularly fanatical lately, seeming intent on refining them all to death in one go; he had already begun the process. Had the value of those demonic crystals not far outweighed the lives of these men, they would undoubtedly be dead."

Cao Zhilan, Gu Linglong, and Zhai Yanqing's eyes suddenly lit up.

"Shi Yan, it was you. You are the one who found them?" Zhai Yanqing asked, slightly surprised. After a moment’s pause, her expression softened, and she said quietly, "You scoundrel, you don't seem completely devoid of conscience after all; you have moments of mercy."

The imprisoned martial artists, hearing Yi Cui Bi's words, couldn't help but look towards Shi Yan, expressions of gratitude welling up in their eyes.

Shi Yan, however, remained unmoved, his expression cold. But inwardly, he scoffed repeatedly, thinking how these fellows would react if they knew what he intended to do with them.

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