Yi Tianmo and the two others felt a sudden tremor run through their bodies, an icy chill spreading instantly to envelop the entire entrance leading up to the sacred mountain.

The surrounding crowd of watching martial artists flinched in shock, quickly making way, each keeping a safe distance from the trio of Yi Tianmo.

Under the horrified gaze of the onlookers, Yi Tianmo and his companions suddenly opened their eyes, their expressions as sharp and chilling as frost and snow. They stood up abruptly, intent on charging directly toward the entrance.

Li Fu, who was blocking the way, had his smile freeze on his face. He quickly forced a dry laugh and hurriedly stepped in to stop them: "Apologies, no invitation means no entry."

The three of Yi Tianmo remained silent, paying Li Fu no mind. Directly flouting the rules, they transformed into three streaks of electric light and shot forward in an instant.

Li Fu's face changed drastically. He tried to intercept them, only to find that the three were already gone without a trace. He frantically pulled out a sound-stone and rushed to transmit the news that Yi Tianmo and his group were ascending the mountain.

The surrounding spectators stared dumbfounded at the vanishing figures of the trio, then watched Li Fu anxiously sending his message. Suddenly, the crowd erupted into murmurs and discussions.

They had not expected Yi Tianmo and the others to actually violate the rules of the Three Gods Cult, daring to act so brazenly on another's territory.

For a moment, people began cursing under their breath, accusing the Yang family members of being excessively arrogant, even daring to break established order on someone else's ground.

Mid-mountain.

In a cave deep within the mountainside, Shi Yan remained composed, his gaze cold as ice fixed on Qing Ming, wary of any move he might make.

Qing Ming was somewhat at a loss, finding it taxing to resist the threat of the Nine Nether Soul-Devouring Flame. Helplessly, he roared at Tang Yuannan, demanding he intervene and stop the assault.

Tang Yuannan looked startled, gazing with a degree of surprise at Shi Yan, who had penetrated ten meters deep into the earth, noting the massive crater Shi Yan had created. After a moment of contemplation, he could only offer a wry smile. "Shi Yan, recall that Celestial Fire, or it will become difficult for us."

As he spoke, Tang Yuannan subtly glanced behind Qing Ming while sending a thought to Shi Yan: "The two from Yin-Yang Grotto-Heaven have arrived. That sect possesses a peculiar treasure that should be able to counteract your soul-devouring Celestial Fire. Don't take any risks."

Shi Yan’s heart tightened. He immediately poured his concentration into the Blood Vein Ring, then raised his left hand, aiming the ring toward the Nine Nether Soul-Devouring Flame.

The crystal within the Blood Vein Ring that imprisoned the Nine Nether Soul-Devouring Flame suddenly flared with brilliant light, emitting a powerful suction force that dragged the reluctant flame straight toward Shi Yan, re-imprisoning it within the Blood Vein Ring.

The strange crystal inside the Blood Vein Ring possessed a mysterious binding power over the Nine Nether Soul-Devouring Flame. Under that force, the flame was utterly incapable of resistance and was directly pulled inside.

Having accomplished all this, Shi Yan let out a low chuckle and looked up at Tang Yuannan. "No wonder, it was this Cult Master Qing Ming who came to probe the secrets of my body, accidentally triggering the Celestial Fire within my body, which resulted in this situation."

After the Nine Nether Soul-Devouring Flame vanished, Qing Ming also retracted the faint green glow hovering above his head. The countless green pinpricks in his eyes retreated deep into his pupils, no longer manifesting externally.

Hearing Shi Yan's explanation, a flash of fierce light crossed Qing Ming's eyes. He snorted coldly, saying nothing more.

Just then, two figures possessing elegant bearing walked side-by-side from the direction of the mountain foot. The man was handsome and dashing, radiating the unique charm of a mature man. The woman was graceful and enchanting, exuding a startling aura of seductive power. Any man who caught her glance would become restless and lose his composure. She was a woman in her prime, with a lush, captivating figure. Her exquisitely curved form was perfection, especially her full, heavy peaks that threatened to burst from her clothing. Her elegantly arched hips swayed with every slow step she took, creating a mesmerizing ripple that made one wish to drown in it and never wake up.

"So, the two Lords of Yin-Yang Grotto-Heaven have arrived. Heh heh, I wondered why two distinct soul energies were still hovering in the void." Tang Yuannan smiled casually, nodding toward the two Lords of Yin-Yang Grotto-Heaven. While speaking to them, he was implicitly explaining things to Shi Yan.

Shi Yan's heart stirred. He instantly realized that the souls of these two Lords from Yin-Yang Grotto-Heaven had intervened at the critical moment.

When he first arrived at the Endless Sea with Xia Xinyan, they had temporarily boarded a ship belonging to Yin-Yang Grotto-Heaven. That ship eventually took them directly to Burial Ground No. 93 of the Corpse God Cult. At that time, he had known that the Corpse God Cult and Yin-Yang Grotto-Heaven must have a close relationship.

Here on the mountainside, with Cult Master Qing Ming's soul suppressed by the trio of Yi Tianmo, he must have used some secret technique to summon these two nearby Lords of Yin-Yang Grotto-Heaven for assistance, allowing them to suppress Yi Tianmo’s trio and attack Shi Yan instead.

At the cave entrance, Shi Yan narrowed his eyes, looking at the Empress of Heaven and the Emperor of Earth from Yin-Yang Grotto-Heaven, his brow furrowed and his expression souring.

"The boy is truly arrogant," the Emperor of Earth drawled, walking slowly over. He shot a cold glance at Shi Yan and scoffed lightly. "Even Yang Qingdi back then was not as arrogant and self-important as you. People from the Yang family seem to grow more presumptuous with each generation. No wonder the Yang family was ultimately swept out of the Endless Sea by the united front."

The overwhelmingly seductive Empress of Heaven from Yin-Yang Grotto-Heaven smiled seductively, her eyes deep with meaning. She surveyed Shi Yan and spoke softly, "A newborn calf fears no tiger. It is good for the young to have spirit; I quite like it."

Her voice was soft and sweet, seemingly capable of reaching the very core of one's heart. Listening to her gentle words, Shi Yan felt a sense of comfort, as if bathing in a hot spring of a hundred flowers, his pores seemingly opening up all at once.

A chilling aura suddenly emanated from the Blood Vein Ring on his finger. This icy stream flowed slowly through his body, pulling him out of some form of nightmare.

Shi Yan’s mind snapped back to clarity. Looking at the charming and captivating Empress of Heaven again, a look of sheer alarm appeared in his eyes.

This woman had only uttered a couple of sentences, yet she had nearly seized control of his mind, leaving him muddle-headed and barely able to escape that strange state. Such terrifying mind-control techniques genuinely frightened Shi Yan, and his expression immediately shifted. He instantly established a connection with the Profound Ice Cold Flame, instructing it to constantly remind him.

The Empress of Heaven's eyes, as intoxicating as a beautiful dream, brightened slightly. She was inwardly surprised by the level of composure Shi Yan exhibited. In her estimation, a vigorous young man like Shi Yan should have been utterly defenseless against the magic of her words. She hadn't expected him to recover so quickly after just one exchange.

"Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!"

The sound of bodies piercing the void suddenly came from behind. In moments, the three figures of Yi Tianmo appeared right next to Shi Yan.

Upon arrival, Yi Tianmo descended into the massive pit and pulled Shi Yan out. Then, Yi Tianmo's gloomy eyes immediately fixed on Qing Ming.

Simultaneously, strands of ashen-white electric light began to leak from Yi Tianmo's eyes.

Zha Meng and Kaba wore equally hostile expressions, staring fiercely at Qing Ming, seemingly preparing to unleash their most potent soul attacks.

Qing Ming’s expression turned cold, but he instinctively took a step back, moving to stand alongside the Empress of Heaven and the Emperor of Earth from Yin-Yang Grotto-Heaven.

In an instant, the trio of Yi Tianmo faced off against Qing Ming, the Empress of Heaven, and the Emperor of Earth—a battle was imminent.

Tang Yuannan’s face changed. A flash of electric light zipped past as he positioned himself between the groups, frowning deeply. He said in a heavy voice, "Everyone, this is the territory of the Three Gods Cult!"

"Shi Yan, don't act rashly. You don't want a major conflict here, do you?" Tang Yuannan addressed Qing Ming’s faction, but secretly transmitted a soul message to Shi Yan: "The threat of the Demons is everywhere right now. This is not the time for internal conflict. If you truly intend to deal with them, you must wait until this matter passes."

"To the three of you, I believe the reason we have gathered is to discuss the grand plan against the Demons, correct?" Tang Yuannan said to Qing Ming and his two companions.

Shi Yan and the others remained silent, staring at each other with mutual hostility, seemingly unaffected by Qing Ming's words.

Just then,

Cao Zhilan and Man Gu of the Savage Cult approached, walking side-by-side. Although Man Gu looked somewhat pale, his spirit was relatively good. The injuries Shi Yan inflicted on him had recovered considerably with the aid of various medicinal elixirs provided by Cao Zhilan.

"What is going on?" Cao Zhilan asked upon arrival, looking with surprise at Shi Yan, then at Qing Ming, the Empress of Heaven, and the Emperor of Earth. Her brow furrowed slightly. "We haven't even encountered the Demons yet, and you are already planning to turn on each other?"

"Miss Cao, this boy struck first with vicious intent," Qing Ming pointed at Shi Yan, his voice cold and low. "This boy is ruthless. If the Empress of Heaven and the Emperor of Earth hadn't been nearby, I fear I would have suffered greatly by his hand. I suspect he has no intention of joining forces against the Demons at all."

Cao Zhilan looked surprised.

She regarded Shi Yan suspiciously, then glanced at Qing Ming, before suddenly stating, "Shi Yan's vital essence cannot be regenerated. Under such circumstances, how could he possibly injure you?"

She was genuinely curious. After leaving the manor, she had developed a sense of distance from Shi Yan. In her view, a Shi Yan whose vital essence could not be restored, even if he possessed some remaining mystery, would have limited future achievements. Yet, only a day later, here on the mountainside, Qing Ming claimed he was nearly felled by Shi Yan's poisonous attack. What was this situation?

Cao Zhilan was filled with doubt, a strange glint in her beautiful eyes, unsure if Qing Ming's words held any truth.

"We are leaving."

Shi Yan suddenly turned and walked straight down the mountain path, his expression utterly placid, as if the council meeting at the summit had suddenly become utterly boring to him.

Tang Yuannan’s face shifted slightly.

Qing Ming, the Empress of Heaven, and the Emperor of Earth looked bewildered, uncertain why Shi Yan was acting this way at such a juncture.

The trio of Yi Tianmo remained silent, following Shi Yan dutifully.

"Shi Yan," Tang Yuannan called out, his eyes complex, feeling a vague sense of unease.

"I have no interest in the situation of the Endless Sea. I have no foundation here anyway, so I have nothing to fear from the ravages of the Demons across the various seas," Shi Yan's voice was cold and unfeeling. "How many people die in these five sea regions has nothing to do with me, because there is nothing in the Endless Sea that I care to hold dear. You all can discuss your grand plan against the Demons at your leisure; I have no interest in accompanying you."

After a pause, Shi Yan suddenly turned, looking calmly at Qing Ming, the Empress of Heaven, and the Emperor of Earth. He said faintly, "I hope your Corpse God Cult and Yin-Yang Grotto-Heaven have great fortune, because besides facing the Demons, you might also have to face our attacks. I sincerely hope both factions can hold on."

Qing Ming, the Empress of Heaven, and the Emperor of Earth’s expressions changed drastically.