At the foot of Saint Light Mountain, which pierced straight into the clouds, numerous martial artists gathered, craning their necks to gaze at the peak, murmuring in admiration.

The first ray of sunlight appeared from behind Saint Light Mountain. As the light passed over the mountain, it seemed infinitely magnified; just a single ray, once it shot out from the direction of Saint Light Mountain, became intensely dazzling.

The sunlight appeared to refract through the body of Saint Light Mountain countless times, and for a moment, the entire mountain glittered brilliantly. Those at the base looking up at the summit felt as if the whole peak were draped in a layer of shimmering gold.

Under the sunlight, Saint Light Mountain looked as if it were plated in gold, utterly blindingly radiant.

When the fierce sun finally rose slowly and myriad beams of light shot forth, Saint Light Mountain transformed into a veritable Gold Mountain, so resplendent that it inspired a deep sense of awe in the hearts of all who looked upon it.

A majestic aura flowed out from the immense form of the mountain. Bathed in the sunlight, Saint Light Mountain truly resembled a divine peak.

At the summit, an extremely magnificent palace seemed to float amidst swirling white clouds. At first glance, it appeared dreamlike and illusory—such an immortal realm caused many at the mountain's base to gasp in wonder, calling out and imploring the elder figures accompanying them to allow them a visit to the peak of Saint Light Mountain.

At the foot of the mountain, by the entrance to a golden pathway, Li Fu and dozens of disciples from the Three Gods Sect stood guard, their expressions solemn and vigilant.

The entire Saint Light Mountain was enveloped in sunlight. Within its massive structure, a faint, terrifying aura that inspired dread subtly permeated the air. Disciples of the Three Gods Sect guarded all directions around the base, strictly forbidding anyone from entering rashly.

Li Fu maintained a small opening, and Shan Di bowed his head in silent waiting.

Before long, Wu Qin and Gu Xiao, two powerhouse leaders from the Boundless Sea, appeared quietly and walked toward Li Fu together.

The onlookers at the mountain's base were inwardly startled. Many had never seen the ruling figures of these two major powers. Witnessing their arrival, many were secretly shocked, whispering amongst themselves, stealing glances at Wu Qin and Gu Xiao, while also unable to resist glancing at Gu Linglong and Qu Yanqing with expressions of clear interest.

Wu Qin and Gu Xiao approached slowly. Upon reaching Li Fu, their expressions became detached. They each produced a golden invitation token and handed it to him.

Li Fu accepted the two tokens with profound humility, then slowly stepped aside, bowing to gesture for them to proceed up the mountain.

Wu Qin and Gu Xiao nodded slowly, advancing toward the mountain without haste. They were aware of the rules and did not fly; instead, their steps were light yet incredibly swift.

Naturally, Gu Linglong and Qu Yanqing intended to enter together, but Li Fu intercepted them. “My apologies, the situation is special this time. Each golden invitation token permits entry for only one person,” Li Fu said with a sheepish smile, gently blocking them and shaking his head.

“Ah, this is unusual.”

“Indeed. Not even an extra person is allowed in—how strict.”

“It seems this assembly holds significant weight. Those whose status isn't sufficient probably don’t qualify for entry.”

“Mm.”

“…”

The crowd buzzed with discussion, all gazing toward the summit with expressions full of yearning.

Amidst the murmuring crowd, Gu Linglong and Qu Yanqing’s expressions turned subtly grim. Yet, faced with Li Fu’s polite refusal, they could do nothing but watch the path ahead with frustration, forced to remain at the foot of the mountain.

The crowd parted way, and the clamor immediately subsided significantly.

Bathed in the gentle sunlight, the foot of the mountain felt pleasantly warm, naturally easing the spirits and broadening the minds of many.

However, at that moment, many felt a sudden chill slice through their very core.

A strange figure, entirely cloaked in black robes and wearing a hideous mask, walked silently from the distance. Trailing behind him were disciples of the Corpse God Sect, including Yin Hai, following with bowed heads, their expressions dull, their eyes vacant—like the walking dead, devoid of significant emotional fluctuation.

A chilling, sinister aura that instinctively made people tremble suddenly permeated the entire area the moment this group appeared.

The eyes of the Corpse God Sect Master leading them—those strange orbs—seemed to have flickering wisps of ghostly fire constantly dancing within. Wherever his gaze fell, the surrounding martial artists instinctively lowered their heads, not daring to meet his eyes.

Some even involuntarily retreated several steps, their minds thrown into disarray by fear.

The Corpse God Sect was the most mysterious and bizarre sect in the Boundless Sea. Constantly consorting with the dead, the master naturally carried an eerie, chilling presence that made others tremble.

As they advanced, the many martial artists willingly cleared their path, allowing them unimpeded passage.

Even Li Fu’s expression shifted slightly, his look turning somewhat displeased.

The ghostly fire in Qing Ming's eyes flickered. He cast a sinister look forward, and when he arrived beside Li Fu, he produced his golden invitation token and tossed it casually to him.

Li Fu accepted the token and made a gesture inviting him onward, but Qing Ming did not rush inside. He stood motionless at the entrance.

The crowd was puzzled, watching him with curiosity, wondering whom he was waiting for.

Before long, accompanied by Yi Tianmo and the other two, Shi Yan, frowning slightly, also arrived at the entrance.

Shi Yan’s appearance caused even more gasps among the crowd. Those young martial artists who had witnessed the battle between Shi Yan and Man Gu immediately began describing the sheer power of Shi Yan to their neighbors.

Even those who had not seen the fight firsthand had heard of Shi Yan’s prowess. Seeing him in person now, everyone displayed expressions of keen interest, looking at him with a touch of pleasant surprise.

Furthermore, many young and beautiful maidens, upon seeing Shi Yan’s majestic physique and his cold, rock-like aura, were secretly captivated. Their beautiful eyes shimmered with vitality, their hearts seemingly stirred by a strange, budding affection.

Gu Linglong and Qu Yanqing, standing near the entrance, frowned as they watched Shi Yan approach amidst the focus of countless gazes. They couldn't help but feel a degree of dejection.

Gu Linglong’s eyes filled with hatred; she bit her lip, pouted, and couldn't help but let out a cold snort.

Qu Yanqing sighed inwardly. Her gaze was complex as she watched Shi Yan, faint, curious light flickering in her eyes as she pondered who knows what thoughts.

Shi Yan arrived before Li Fu and glanced slightly in surprise at Qing Ming of the Corpse God Sect, offering a slight smile and a nod of greeting.

“Shall we ascend together?” Qing Ming invited softly, his voice indescribably sinister and strange, like the flickering tongue of a venomous snake, always unsettling to hear.

“Ah!”

Many couldn't help but exclaim, staring dumbly at Shi Yan, then at Qing Ming.

These people simply could not fathom why the leader of the Corpse God Sect would wait at the entrance for someone like Shi Yan, just a mere youngster. In their view, if Qing Ming was waiting for anyone, it should be a faction leader on the level of Wu Qin or Gu Xiao.

Though the crowd had covertly investigated the origins of the Shi family, Shi Yan was just a junior, not Yang Qingdi. Why would Qing Ming lower himself to wait for him to ascend together?

The group murmured amongst themselves, but none could unravel the mystery; their minds were filled with confusion.

“Very well.” Under the astonished gazes of the crowd, Shi Yan grinned, then promptly retrieved his golden invitation token from his Illusionary Void Ring, presenting it to Li Fu with a smile.

This act intensified the crowd’s astonishment, deepening their curiosity about how Shi Yan managed to possess a supreme invitation personally issued by Tang Yuannan.

“Young Master Yan, please enter.” Li Fu bowed deeply, his smile ingratiating, his words more effusive than they had been to anyone else. “Perhaps Young Master Yan is unaware of the Divine Sect’s rules. Let me inform you: there is a sky-prohibition barrier on this sacred mountain. Ascent must be done on foot, which Young Master Yan should note.”

Shi Yan smiled faintly and nodded lightly.

Then, to everyone’s surprise, he passed Qing Ming, stepping ahead of him, and walked directly toward the mountain summit.

The light points in Qing Ming’s eyes flickered slightly, betraying a hint of confusion. He paused at the entrance for a few seconds, then looked distantly at the trio of Yi Tianmo.

Yi Tianmo and the other two stood among the crowd. Many martial artists nearby instinctively steered clear of the chilling aura emanating from them; remarkably, no one lingered within a ten-meter radius of the three.

Under Qing Ming’s scrutiny, the three figures looked indifferent, then suddenly sat down, closing their eyes and entering a meditative state.

Qing Ming paused, his internal perplexity deepening. He shook his head lightly, then eyed Shi Yan’s retreating back with suspicion. After a moment of hesitation, he followed behind Shi Yan toward the peak of Saint Light Mountain.

Shi Yan’s steps were measured, his expression distant, advancing toward the summit one step at a time. His right arm felt as if it weighed ten thousand jun. With his vital essence unable to gather, it was as if he were shouldering a mountain; every step was difficult.

The abnormality of his right arm brought Shi Yan both surprise and vexation. The surprise stemmed from the shocking strength contained within it; the vexation arose because this mutated arm threw his entire body into extreme imbalance. The normal state of his other limbs, juxtaposed with the terrifying weight of that one arm, resulted in an unavoidable consequence.

With his arm hanging down to his right side, a muffled burst of sound accompanied every time his right foot struck the ground.

This was caused by the excessive weight of his arm. He had been careful since reaching the base of Saint Light Mountain, testing it repeatedly to avoid revealing more of the strangeness.

“Most peculiar,” Qing Ming’s voice drifted eerily from behind Shi Yan.

Frowning slightly, Shi Yan turned to look at him, catching the faint, eerie glow of ghostly fire in his eyes. He asked calmly, “Peculiar in what way?”

“You appear to be completely depleted of vital essence. I find it strange that not even a trace remains,” Qing Ming’s voice was chillingly hollow. “Even after exhausting one’s power in combat, one should be able to gather heaven and earth spiritual energy to re-condense some vital essence shortly after. Your physical condition is quite astonishing to me.”

“There is an issue with my Martial Soul; my vital essence struggles to regenerate. This problem may be very difficult to resolve,” Shi Yan replied with a cold, sharp laugh, his gaze burning as he looked at Qing Ming. “Are you satisfied with that answer?”

Qing Ming’s eyes flickered, and the ghostly fire within them danced with increasing rapidity, seeming as if it might fly out of his sockets at any moment.

“Be wary of him! The Heavenly Fire within his body is stirring quite actively. He might be contemplating murder!” A message from the Profound Ice Cold Flame suddenly transmitted from the Blood Pattern Ring.

Shi Yan remained impassive, his gaze gradually turning icy.