Shi Yan, like a phantom, darted through the woods, moving stealthily toward a specific direction.

His figure flashed through the trees with extreme speed, not following a straight line but rather moving in long, unpredictable arcs, yet maintaining astonishing velocity.

Recently, he had been experimenting with combining the Yi Dian Bian (Lightning Flash Transformation) and Xing Yao (Starlight Gleam), happily discovering that the two techniques could be merged, elevating his speed once more, while simultaneously making his trajectory far more erratic and difficult to trace.

The Yi Dian Bian relies on straight-line bursts propelled by instantaneous expenditures of essence (jing yuan), whereas Xing Yao subtly aligns with the orbital patterns of the stars, causing constant shifts in direction. During combat, this Xing Yao provides a significant advantage, obscuring one’s offensive movements and position, but using it for simple travel felt somewhat wasteful.

After integrating the two, as he moved, he used his essence as propulsion, adhering partly to the principles of Xing Yao's flight pattern. As he streaked forward, his movements often traced elegant curves, an approach that was surprisingly energy-efficient yet still incredibly fast, and within a single breath, he could switch this momentum into the pure Xing Yao technique.

This meant that if he encountered an enemy mid-journey, he could instantly convert his travel momentum into the prelude to an attack, leveraging the unpredictable nature of Xing Yao to shatter the opponent with a single blow.

News that the combined forces of the various powers in the Yuan Luo Sea Region were intent on destroying him had already spread across the Endless Sea, reaching every martial artist belonging to those allied factions.

While he was inquiring about the whereabouts of the Xia family members, he had naturally learned of the movements of those other powers. Following the bifurcation of the three strange life forms within his body, he could no longer rely on their combined strength to maintain the combat prowess comparable to that of a Divine Realm martial artist.

In this circumstance, he acted with common sense. Since the bodily metamorphosis was complete, he did not press his luck by lingering. Instead, he left the Yuan Luo Sea Region and came searching for Xia Xinyan.

Along the way, he remained constantly vigilant, actively avoiding the aura of any martial artist whose cultivation realm was profound, lest he expose his tracks and be discovered by those factions that sought his death.

Through the woods, he moved like a ghost, like ethereal smoke, gradually arriving deep within the forest.

Towering ancient trees formed a dense canopy overhead. Although the spiritual energy in this section of the forest was not particularly rich, the vegetation thrived, and occasionally, low-grade demonic beasts would appear—none worthy of his attention.

Suddenly, his body froze atop an ancient tree. He concealed himself within the dense foliage, gazing coldly ahead, silently waiting for something.

Not long after, a figure appeared quietly, cautiously scanning his surroundings before his eyes suddenly brightened, locking onto Shi Yan’s hiding spot.

“Friend, where do you hail from?” Zhou Yu took a deep breath, preparing internally, condensing his essence, which surged turbulently through the meridians in his arms.

“Shashah!”

Parting the thick leaves, Shi Yan’s head emerged. He frowned and looked down at Zhou Yu, a Celestial Realm venerate of the Xia family, “Are you one of the Xia family?”

“A rhetorical question,” Zhou Yu scoffed. Brilliant purple light erupted from both his palms. This light resembled smoke, hazy and drifting, like toxic miasma rising from a swamp, suddenly enveloping Shi Yan.

Within the purple misty light, countless flecks of cyan collided, spitting out startling sparks of energy. This caused the range of the purple mist to expand continuously, emanating a tenacious, binding force that subtly attempted to ensnare Shi Yan within a fifty-meter radius.

Shi Yan’s expression remained unmoved. A strange light flashed in his eyes, and instantly, the flesh of his body turned purplish-red.

A stern, violent aura suddenly erupted from within him. Lines of highly refined crystalline light shot out from his fingertips, resembling myriad crystal swords that tore the enveloping purple mist into shreds.

Zhou Yu’s eyes widened, and he was secretly startled, instinctively preparing to strike again.

This person possessed only the cultivation of the Nirvana Cocoon Realm (Nie Chao Jing), yet he had shattered the net of restraint Zhou Yu had cast. The power and aura displayed were far beyond that of an ordinary Nirvana Cocoon Realm martial artist.

Despite being in the Nirvana Cocoon Realm, he imposed the pressure typically felt from a Celestial Realm martial artist of the same rank upon Zhou Yu. This immediately caused him to discard his initial condescension, preparing to fight with full force, determined to slay this stranger whose intentions were unknown.

“I am Shi Yan.”

Just as Zhou Yu was preparing a killing blow, the youth atop the tree suddenly called out in a stern voice, his expression grave.

Zhou Yu, whose hands were rapidly condensing power, had his eyes suddenly brighten. He immediately halted his offensive, a look of joy replacing his tension, and exclaimed, “Are you Young Master Yan?”

Nodding, Shi Yan carefully observed the shift in Zhou Yu’s expression. Only after confirming the sincerity in his eyes did he relax. He sprang down from the tree, landing before Zhou Yu, and stated calmly, “I want to know where your young mistress is.”

“I don’t know either,” Zhou Yu suddenly sighed with a wry smile. “A while ago, while we were en route to Snow Dragon Island, we received a message from the young mistress instructing us to immediately cease our journey to Snow Dragon Island and leave the Yuan Luo Sea Region. Upon receiving her directive, we withdrew at once. Since then, the young mistress has sent no further communication; we don't know her current location.”

Shi Yan’s face suddenly darkened.

“Young Master Yan, regarding the rumors about the Family Head... are they true?” Zhou Yu’s eyes suddenly showed deep sorrow.

Rumors concerning Xia Shenchuan’s death at the hands of Chi Yan had already circulated from the Yuan Luo Sea Region. Zhou Yu had been unwilling to believe them, suspecting they might be tricks played by the Gu family or the Dongfang family to sow discord within the Xia family. Now, seeing Shi Yan, Zhou Yu could no longer suppress his doubt and finally asked.

“The rumors are true,” Shi Yan replied, his gaze shadowed, nodding. “He was right before me, his soul utterly annihilated by that Chi Yan…”

Zhou Yu’s eyes immediately reddened. He ground his teeth fiercely, his face contorted into a vicious snarl, yet he remained silent.

“How are you all doing?” Shi Yan asked after a moment of silence.

“The Xia family has split into two factions. One part, led by collateral relatives like Xia Ruixing, chose to submit to the Holy Spirit Sect of the Black Water Sea Region and the Spirit Treasure Cave Heaven upon hearing the news of the Family Head’s demise. Our faction remained low-key in the nearby sea areas, waiting for the young mistress to find us. However, the young mistress has not come, and we are deeply worried she might have met with trouble…” Zhou Yu said mournfully.

“Your young mistress will be fine. Perhaps she will return to look for you soon,” Shi Yan mused for a moment, then said to Zhou Yu, “Do not mention that I have been here to anyone. All the forces in the Endless Sea currently wish to kill me. You must be careful. If your young mistress sends another message, remember to tell her... that I am still alive.”

Zhou Yu was startled, pausing before speaking, “…Young Master Yan.”

“Yes, that’s settled. Take care of yourselves. Your Xia family will not remain silent forever. I believe it won’t be long before the Xia family rises again.” Shi Yan did not elaborate on Xia Qinghou’s situation, fearing that giving Zhou Yu too much hope might lead to disappointment if Xia Qinghou could not recover through the use of the Ling Xu Elixir.

Having finished speaking, without waiting for Zhou Yu to ask more questions, Shi Yan waved his hand and departed, neat and decisive, leaving no lingering attachments.

Zhou Yu watched him vanish with a dazed expression. His feelings were complex. This was the first time he had met Shi Yan, yet he realized that Shi Yan indeed possessed the foundation for his arrogance, being a descendant highly praised by Emperor Yang Qingdi.

“Zhou Yu, who was just here?”

A figure flashed by as Xia Shenmou suddenly flew over from the mountain range behind them, his face grim. “Was it Ruixing and the others again, trying to persuade you? If they chose to leave, they should leave; why try to convince us to submit to the Holy Spirit Sect and the Spirit Treasure Cave Heaven alongside them? Truly despicable! When our Xia family was dominant, the Holy Spirit Sect and the Spirit Treasure Cave Heaven were always suppressed by us. For these family traitors to yield to them—it is utterly shameless! If the Elder Brother knew, he would surely die of anger!”

“…The Family Head is gone,” Zhou Yu whispered, his eyes red. “He just confirmed the news. The Family Head was killed by Chi Yan, his soul utterly destroyed.”

Shenmou’s body shuddered violently, as if struck by a heavy blow. He staggered back, utterly lost, muttering, “Impossible, impossible, this isn’t true... it isn't true.”

“The one who was just here was Shi Yan,” Zhou Yu sighed inwardly. “He is indeed the strongest of the Yang family lineage, already possessing the cultivation of the second heaven of the Nirvana Nest Realm (Nie Chao Er Chong Tian), and his true combat power far exceeds his designated realm.”

“It seems the rumors are true,” another Xia family venerate emerged, holding a letter. Upon arrival, his expression was shocked. “Our informants have sent the latest news. It says Shi Yan, alone in the Yuan Luo Sea Region, single-handedly slaughtered several hundred martial artists! These included warriors from various Endless Sea factions, as well as demons! What is most unbelievable is that the report claims he actually severed one arm of the Demon Lord Mo Qikai! And severely wounded the Master of the Corpse God Sect, Qing Ming! And the Heavenly Queen Fan Xiangyun of the Yin-Yang Grotto Heaven!”

“What?!”

Shenmou and Zhou Yu trembled simultaneously, crying out in shock and delight.

On a small, light boat.

Shi Yan sat upright, his expression detached, steering clear of bustling sea areas as he headed eastward.

Under the illumination of the brilliant starlight, he quietly contemplated the mysteries of his Star Soul. He used the Star Soul to absorb the starlight permeating the heavens, sinking his consciousness into the Star Soul, perceiving the orbital paths within and experiencing the ultimate principles governing stellar motion in the cosmos.

Tiny motes of starlight, invisible to ordinary people, descended one by one, sprinkling upon him, serving as nourishment for his Star Soul.

The bitter lesson learned at Sun Island made him realize that only a supreme, all-surpassing power would allow one to act wantonly in this world. Only a realm of cultivation that transcended all obstacles could ensure that all events unfolded according to his will.

He never wished to see those he cared about transformed into lifeless corpses again. The deaths of Xiao Hanyi, Linda, and Xia Shenchuan had ignited a surging desire within him to become truly powerful.

Everything he had done since leaving Sun Island was dedicated to enhancing his own strength.

Whether hunting demons, Endless Sea martial artists, or releasing violent desires by [artistic interpretation of the requested content for exploration of human drive]—it was all done to grow stronger as quickly as possible.

Every day, every night, every hour, every moment, he was thinking—mulling over the intricacies of various martial skills, absorbing the essence of different powers, striving to comprehend and feel their depths.

He never relaxed.

He was like a man possessed.