In the boundless forest, the trees blotted out the sky, allowing scarce sunlight to pierce through even at high noon.

The members of the Shadow Race and the Wing Clan rested beneath the canopy, appearing utterly unconcerned, speaking in pleasant tones while gazing upward.

Di Shan and Yu Rou, the two patriarchs of the Wing Clan, pulled Duo Mou of the Grey Wing Clan aside for a hushed conversation beneath an ancient tree.

Facing Di Shan and Yu Rou, Duo Mou clearly displayed a degree of apprehension, nodding meekly throughout, obeying every instruction from the two patriarchs without hesitation and answering respectfully.

Ka Ba and Ya Meng narrowed their eyes, exchanging words with Yi Tian Mo on the other side of Snow Dragon Island, seeking Shi Yan’s counsel through him.

Not long after, Ka Ba and Ya Meng received feedback. The two waved their hands, signaling the Shadow Race martial artists behind them to act.

Thirty powerful Shadow Race experts, all having reached the Heaven Rank, moved without a word, applying pressure to the seven human martial artists gathered in the center. A soul intrusion, fine as silk threads, instantly enveloped the seven central figures.

Waves of miraculous soul vibrations rippled through the air. Those seven human martial artists in the center felt hurricanes brewing in their minds amid these surges, causing them to crouch down, clutching their heads and uttering low roars, the light in their eyes steadily dimming.

“Miss!” one bald, burly man, small arrows dotted across his forehead, his eyes blazing crimson, roared toward Gu Linglong, who stood nearby, “Who exactly are these people?”

Gu Linglong sighed softly, facing the Heaven Rank experts from her own family, resignation coloring her tone. “Uncle Hua Meng, please don’t think of saving us, nor waste energy on a desperate fight—it will be useless.”

“Saintess?” An ancient crone, her face deeply wrinkled, leaning on a staff and resting against a large tree, her frame trembling precariously, looked toward Qu Yanqing from afar.

Under her gaze, Qu Yanqing also shook her head helplessly, signaling her not to resist.

The old woman’s body shook once more, and with a resigned sigh, she abruptly calmed down, ceasing her futile struggle.

Among the seven martial artists, apart from the bald Hua Meng with the small arrows on his head and Huang Nan, the elder woman from the Heavenly Pond Holy Land, the remaining five were all in the Nirvana Nest Realm, hailing entirely from the Heavenly Pond Holy Land and the Gu Family. They were en route to the Three Divine Sects to discuss forming an alliance against the Demon race.

Midway, they received word from the Three Divine Sects about trouble brewing on Snow Dragon Island, prompting them to come and offer assistance.

However, as soon as the seven arrived on the island, the old woman immediately sensed something unusual about this stretch of forest, perceiving the auras emanating from some of the lower-ranked members of the Shadow Race and Wing Clan, naturally compelling them to investigate.

The seven pushed through the hurried woods and finally saw the clansmen of the Shadow Race and Wing Clan. Before they could voice their astonishment, they spotted Gu Linglong and Qu Yanqing—Gu Linglong being the new generation's hope for the Gu Family, and Qu Yanqing the Saintess of the Heavenly Pond Holy Land, both the most dazzling figures in their respective factions.

Hua Meng and Huang Nan certainly recognized the two women, and upon realizing they were being restrained by the opposition, their fury erupted, leading them to attack immediately.

Unfortunately, despite Hua Meng and Huang Nan possessing Heaven Rank cultivation, and the five Nirvana Nest Realm martial artists accompanying them, they gained no advantage whatsoever against the formidable Shadow Race and Wing Clan.

Di Shan and Yu Rou couldn’t even be bothered to fight, not sparing the seven a glance, continuing their discussion with Duo Mou regarding the new patriarch of the Grey Wing Clan, delegating the task of dealing with Hua Meng’s group entirely to Ya Meng and Ka Ba.

Unaware of the origins of these individuals, Ka Ba and Ya Meng instantly sent soul messages to Yi Tian Mo, inquiring about Shi Yan’s wishes.

After receiving the reply, the two nodded casually. Hua Meng and Huang Nan became prisoners without any surprise.

“Must you be so merciless?” Gu Linglong gritted her teeth secretly, glaring at Ka Ba. “I told them not to resist; you don’t need to continue applying soul pressure, do you?”

The seven martial artists, including Hua Meng and Huang Nan, had ceased resistance, but the Heaven Rank experts of the Shadow Race had not received the command to stand down from Ka Ba and Ya Meng, continuing to subject the seven to terrifying soul pressure.

Within a ten-meter radius around the seven, waves of soul-shaking magnetic fields constantly surged. Within this field, Hua Meng and Huang Nan’s bodies trembled incessantly, while the five Nirvana Nest Realm martial artists were now bleeding from all seven orifices, a truly tragic sight.

The Shadow Race’s understanding of soul profound mysteries far surpassed that of human martial artists. Many Shadow Race members began cultivating all manner of sinister soul techniques as soon as their sea of consciousness formed. Their attacks primarily targeted the enemy's soul and sea of consciousness—attacks that were exceptionally terrifying, capable of easily obliterating the opponent's divine soul.

The miserable state of the five Nirvana Nest Realm martial artists indicated that their seas of consciousness were already damaged. If this continued, in a short time, their seas of consciousness would shatter, their cultivation ruined. If their primary soul was destroyed, they would perish completely, and no one could save them.

“Settle down,” Ka Ba snorted coldly, nodding toward the Heaven Rank clansmen. “Spare them for now. If anyone dares to step out of line, directly erase their primary soul.”

At these words, everyone, including Hua Meng and Huang Nan, turned pale, a flicker of dread crossing their eyes.

In the Boundless Sea, combat between martial artists typically centered on destroying the opponent's physical body—beating them to death being the main method of engagement, generally avoiding attacks specifically targeting the soul.

Soul warfare was far too perilous.

Even martial artists at the Nirvana or Heaven Rank rarely engaged in direct soul confrontation. This was because once a battle of souls began, it was difficult to halt, and a single misstep could plunge both sides into the terrible peril of soul annihilation.

A severely injured or even shattered body carried the hope of revival, but once the primary soul was extinguished, the mark of life was utterly erased, leaving no possibility of return.

Therefore, such large-scale soul battles were rare occurrences in the Boundless Sea.

Hua Meng and Huang Nan had been under soul suppression since their arrival.

From beginning to end, their seas of consciousness were being gnawed away by various soul skills. The Shadow Race had not launched a single physical attack. This anomaly filled Hua Meng and Huang Nan with terror; they had no idea who these Shadow Race members truly were.

“Don’t even think of escaping,” Ya Meng grinned wickedly. “With the soul attainments you seven possess, the mere thought of escape will not elude my perception. I warn you, the instant you make a move, I will instantly erase your souls, letting you know what true divine soul annihilation means.”

Hua Meng and Huang Nan looked horrified, daring not to move again, only staring with astonishment at Gu Linglong and Qu Yanqing, hoping to learn the origins of the Shadow Race from their mouths.

“Alas, it’s a long and complicated story,” Gu Linglong looked mournful, her small face etched with desolate sadness. “We haven’t encountered anything good since entering the Abyss Battlefield; we nearly all perished inside…”

Gu Linglong whispered her experiences to Hua Meng. Ka Ba and Ya Meng exchanged a glance but neither stopped her nor paid them much mind, instead conferring quietly about the situation with Yi Tian Mo.

The Kohler Family.

Shi Yan and Yi Tian Mo sat together, offering no explanations to Ian Duo. Ian, learning that Heaven Rank experts from the Heavenly Pond Holy Land and the Gu Family had arrived, was immersed in joy and continued with his tasks.

Three days later.

The martial artists from various factions on Snow Dragon Island were finally prepared; the ships were arranged, and the island’s common folk had been boarded.

All was ready, waiting only for the departure.

Ian and Wu Ke began secretly awaiting the sight of the martial artists from the Heavenly Pond Holy Land and the Gu Family, even sending scouts across the island, eager to leave Snow Dragon Island sooner.

For them, time was running short.

On Ya Meng and Ka Ba’s side, after receiving Yi Tian Mo’s soul messages, they remained hidden deep within the forest. They quietly set up soul restrictions, ensuring that the scouts sent from Snow Dragon Island to search for Hua Meng and Huang Nan returned empty-handed.

Ian and Wu Ke grew anxious, unsure what had transpired. They messaged the Three Divine Sects, who reported no findings either, merely advising them to continue waiting.

However, they had little time left.

Ultimately, Ian and Wu Ke approached Shi Yan again, begging him to arrange escort, hoping he could assist them.

“No problem,” Shi Yan agreed readily. “The journey from here to the Turbulent Wind Domain is only about ten days. Since you have everything arranged, I will have someone sent to the port to help you safely pass through the Turbulent Wind Domain.”

“Shi Yan, thank you,” Linda smiled sweetly, her beautiful eyes brimming with affection. “It’s nothing,” Shi Yan replied calmly. “You should leave now. When you reach the port, you will find someone waiting there. Hmm, surely there’s hardly anyone left on Snow Dragon Island now?”

“None, none left; everyone will depart,” Ian nodded repeatedly, thinking inwardly, who would dare stay? Did anyone dare to stay behind and fight the Demon race? “Linda, you go with them. I will remain on Snow Dragon Island for now, but don’t worry, I plan to take time to visit the Three Divine Sects. I will see you there,” Shi Yan reassured Linda.

Linda obediently agreed with a nod, then departed with Ian.

After Ian, Wu Ke, and the others had all disappeared toward the port where all the ships were gathered, Shi Yan nodded to Yi Tian Mo and instructed, “It’s time. Have them all come over. From this moment on, this Snow Dragon Island belongs to us.”

Half a day later.

Di Shan, Yu Rou, and the other members of the Shadow Race and Wing Clan emerged from the forest, appearing near the towns and villages surrounding the Kohler Family. The residences that once belonged to the three great families now served as the dwelling places for the Shadow Race and Wing Clan. After emerging from the Abandoned Land, they finally had a place to call their own.

“Tell them to bring the prisoners over,” Shi Yan stood on the rooftop of the three-story small building, quietly commanding Yi Tian Mo beside him.

Soon after, the seven martial artists from the Gu Family and the Heavenly Pond Holy Land, Hua Meng and Huang Nan among them, were escorted over by the Shadow Race experts.

Cao Zhilan, Qu Yanqing, Gu Linglong, He Qingman, and the others followed, all looking at Shi Yan with resentment, unable to fathom his intentions.

“Send messages to your respective leaders, inform them that people from the Yang Family of the Boundless Sea have returned.” Shi Yan grinned at Hua Meng and Huang Nan, gesturing toward Di Shan, Yi Tian Mo, and the others. “These are our Yang Family’s allies, hailing from the Abyss Battlefield. Tell your leaders that if they want you back, they should take the time to visit Snow Dragon Island.”