The Elder of the Three Gods Sect, a Celestial Realm master, merely summoned the sect’s innate Glazed Canopy, enveloping himself in circles of holy light to fend off external assaults.

This Holy Light Glazed Canopy was one of the Three Gods Sect's few Saint-tier secret techniques. It could merge with the Martial Soul within the body, fusing the power of the Martial Soul and vital essence to condense into a shimmering, multi-hued canopy. Even a full-force strike from a martial artist of the same level would struggle to shatter this Holy Light Glazed Canopy.

After deploying the Holy Light Glazed Canopy, the Elder accumulated power, preparing to counterattack Shi Yan and instantly suppress the arrogant youth's fervor.

Who would have thought that Shi Yan, having just entered the Nirvana Nest Realm, would unleash such terrifying cold power with a mere exertion? The chilling energy not only infiltrated the shield but froze the Holy Light Glazed Canopy along with it.

This sudden turn of events stunned everyone present. They stared at him, mouths agape and eyes wide, unable to believe what they were witnessing.

The biting cold intensified, and the Elder of the Three Gods Sect rapidly encased in ice. In moments, he transformed into a massive ice sculpture, completely sealed in profound ice, utterly immobilized.

Unlike him, Shi Yan, situated at the core of the profound ice, could move freely and even continuously increase the power within his body.

Once trapped in the ice sculpture, the Elder's entire body stiffened; even his bones and sinews were locked down. His power seemed frozen by the cold, unable to surge through his meridians as it pleased.

The canopy condensed from the Light of the Sun became an even larger crystal of ice, emitting a grating "kaka" sound. Not even a single ray of Solar Holy Light could pierce through it, let alone reach and injure Shi Yan.

Tang Yuannan also gasped in shock, his eyes flashing with an extraordinary light. In that instant, he finally believed the verified fact that Shi Yan had single-handedly repelled the Demon Lord Mo Qikai.

The terrifying energy Shi Yan erupted with in that moment was incredible even to Tang Yuannan himself. Such power utterly surpassed the level Shi Yan occupied; it was simply not the kind of strength a martial artist at that realm should possess.

Consequently, when the Celestial Realm Elder was encased in ice, Tang Yuannan was momentarily stunned, reacting no differently than the majority of the Three Gods Sect disciples.

“Kaka-kaka!” A bizarre sound emanated from the bones of the ice-bound Elder of the Three Gods Sect. Under that sound, a look of sheer terror surfaced in his eyes for the first time. His gaze shifted pleadingly toward Tang Yuannan.

Tang Yuannan’s expression jolted, and he snapped back to awareness. He urgently called out, “Shi Yan, stop!”

Shi Yan let out a cold laugh, fearlessly meeting Tang Yuannan’s gaze, and stated mildly, “He made the first move. Relying on his Celestial Realm cultivation, he thought he could teach this old fellow a lesson. My response was not slow.”

Tang Yuannan’s expression faltered, and he nodded with a wry smile before saying, “I believe he won't strike again. Give me face, and thaw the profound ice around him. If this continues for too long, it will greatly affect his cultivation. We meant no ill will toward you; where you can be lenient, be lenient. Let him go.”

As he spoke, Tang Yuannan began to walk toward the Elder, subtly condensing his Solar Power. If Shi Yan truly intended to kill him regardless of the cost, Tang Yuannan would have no choice but to exert his full strength to help the Elder break free from the profound ice.

Shi Yan’s expression remained cold; he did not answer immediately but instead fixed the Celestial Realm Elder trapped in the ice with a sharp, frigid gaze.

Under his scrutiny, the Elder of the Three Gods Sect’s eyes became frantic, stripped of their former malice, filled only with dread.

Shi Yan inwardly sneered, satisfied with the display. Only then did he slowly manifest another power—energy drawn from the Earth Core Fire. Carefully controlling the Earth Core Fire, he began to retract his chilling energy while gradually increasing the heat, gently melting the frozen profound ice.

His control was exquisitely precise and cautious. If the Earth Core Fire energy were applied too quickly, the Elder’s physical body might not withstand it, potentially burning him into a pool of blood. But if the thermal energy applied was too weak, it would fail to dissolve the profound ice’s cold force.

Seeing Shi Yan withdraw, Tang Yuannan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, quietly retracting the Solar Power he had gathered.

Shortly after, under the scorching heat of the Earth Core Fire, the Elder of the Three Gods Sect was finally freed from the profound ice blockade. He staggered backward, drenched in sweat, joining the several other Elders of the sect, all wearing looks of sheer terror, daring not to voice another dissenting opinion.

Those disciples of the Three Gods Sect who harbored grievances against Shi Yan suddenly quieted down after witnessing his tremendous power and near-manic actions. Their eyes flickered nervously; they dared not show hostility, leaving the resolution of the matter entirely to Tang Yuannan.

The disciples who had quietly surrounded Shi Yan slowly retreated, creating a distance between themselves and him.

Shi Yan’s performance made every disciple of the Three Gods Sect realize just how formidable he was. In this world where the strong reign supreme, once Shi Yan demonstrated his ability to casually erase anyone short of Tang Yuannan, no one dared to risk a direct confrontation.

Human nature is inherently fearful of those capable of destroying them; this is difficult to change. These individuals were discerning enough to read the situation… and they cherished their lives.

Watching the disciples of the Three Gods Sect retreat one by one, their faces etched with both shock and fear, unwilling to advance with malice again, Shi Yan felt a surge of satisfaction.

He became increasingly aware that the sheer strength of his own power was the ultimate guarantee for living life as he pleased in this world. Only by possessing power that transcended all rules could he act willfully in this crazy world, never needing to look to others, but making others look to him.

Although his current might was sustained by the Profound Ice Cold Flame, the Earth Core Fire, and the Holy Spirit God, the sensation of being temporarily this powerful was intoxicating, something he deeply relished.

At that very moment, he became even more convinced that the sole worthy pursuit, the goal for which he should strive his entire life, was elevating his realm and increasing his strength at the fastest possible pace.

Authority, status, cultivation resources—these were all external things. Once power reached a certain height, these would become easily attainable, available at any moment.

“Activate the Sun, Moon, and Star Pools!” Tang Yuannan suddenly roared after a moment of silence.

The expressions of several Elders of the Three Gods Sect shifted subtly. They hesitated, wishing to speak, but ultimately said nothing. Without asking further questions, they suddenly zipped away.

Shi Yan paused, then frowned, “I’ve said it already, I have absolutely no interest in becoming the Star God of the Three Gods Sect. Even if you activate the Sun, Moon, and Star Pools and allow me to grasp the mysteries of the Star Martial Soul, I will not fight and die for your Three Gods Sect or allow myself to be bound to you.”

The surrounding disciples of the Three Gods Sect heard this and felt implied anger, but this time, no one dared to show it.

Shi Yan’s previous actions had already made them acutely aware of his power. Though his words were the same, the reactions of the disciples showed a drastic, complete difference from before.

Before he revealed his immense strength, his arrogance was an excuse for them to target him; some actively gathered around, and a Celestial Realm Elder furiously struck out, wanting to teach him a lesson. But after he displayed his formidable power, although the underlying dissatisfaction remained, everyone dared not show the slightest sign of moving against him, freezing in place, afraid to act.

Shi Yan watched the disciples of the Three Gods Sect with cold eyes, laughing inwardly. He gained a profounder understanding of the difference in their attitudes toward him before and after.

Power!

Power was the eternal, unchanging truth! Only overwhelming, crushing power could alter everyone's demeanor!

“Forget it. If you truly are unwilling to become the sect’s Star God, I will not force you,” Tang Yuannan said after a period of silence, his expression complex. “But the Star God’s inheritance resides within you. If this inheritance is not awakened, the Star Martial Soul is just decoration. Since the previous Star God chose you, even for the sake of continuing his legacy, we should allow you to undergo the immersion in the Sun, Moon, and Star Pools, letting you comprehend the mysteries of the Star Martial Soul.”

“That…” Shi Yan was momentarily taken aback and looked at him oddly. He spoke without reservation, “Even if you do that, I will not fight and die for the Three Gods Sect, nor will I let myself be confined here because of you.”

“I understand,” Tang Yuannan nodded. “You can disregard the duties of the Three Gods Sect’s Star God. Your entering the Sun, Moon, and Star Pools now is purely for the continuation of the Star God’s legacy. I will not demand anything of you. You shouldn't object to this now, should you?”

Shi Yan was surprised.

The other disciples of the Three Gods Sect were also somewhat confused, but at this moment, despite their puzzlement, no one offered an opinion, sensing that Tang Yuannan’s approach might have a deeper meaning.

Tang Yuannan had been with the Three Gods Sect for many years, possessing immense prestige. It was due to his efforts that the declining sect had gradually grown strong, achieving its current status and influence in the Endless Sea.

Subconsciously, these disciples trusted Tang Yuannan’s judgment, believing he would not act without reason.

“If there are no demands, no constraints…” Shi Yan’s brow smoothed, and he said leisurely, “Then naturally, I don’t mind entering those Sun, Moon, and Star Pools. I am also extremely curious about the Star Martial Soul. I genuinely wish to know what I might gain once it is awakened.”

“Heh, you will know soon enough,” Tang Yuannan smiled, then suddenly shouted, “Break the restriction and summon the light of the sun, moon, and stars!”

Following Tang Yuannan’s sharp command, the strange luminous canopy above their heads suddenly underwent a transformation.

As if tearing through layers of thin film, the peculiar light screen above them grew thinner and clearer…

Billions of radiant beams, like currents of electricity, snaked across the light screen, weaving dazzling colors that made the canopy appear profoundly mysterious.

Shi Yan looked up at the sky and was horrified to realize that the canopy had somehow become a colossal mirror. Within that surface, countless stars materialized, along with a blazing sun and a crescent moon.