"The place where the first Emperor Qian fell?"

Xu Yang’s eyes widened in shock.

The first Emperor Qian was a top-tier Celestial Human Realm powerhouse who could even be besieged by a group of Celestial Humans. The place where he fell...

Come to think of it, he was technically Xu Yang’s ancestor in name.

"He’s been dead for so long, and Celestial Humans in the Spirit Realm have never ceased to appear, plus there are still so many experts. Could there really be anything valuable left at his place of demise?" Xu Yang was genuinely puzzled.

Stone Jade said, "Back then, after he fell, many Celestial Human experts thoroughly searched the place, and it seems they took plenty of good stuff. Afterward, there were waves of Divine Sovereign lords that went there too."

"However, that region eventually turned into a terrifying forbidden zone. Every time the Spirit River surges, faint energies spill into that place, and with the accumulation over time, it’s quite astonishing!"

"Inside, there are plenty of dangerous areas, exotic beasts, and Spiritual Objects. With the fall of a top-tier Celestial Human, and possibly some enormous secret hidden within, it’s beyond our imagination."

"Afterwards, all the major factions tacitly refrained from paying it too much attention and simply let it become an area for trial and adventure within the Spirit Realm!"

Stone Jade hinted deeply, "I think you should go take a look. Maybe you’ll find something worthwhile!"

Xu Yang’s heart stirred.

If that’s the case, then he absolutely must check it out.

Seeing Xu Yang obviously tempted, Stone Jade stood up and said, "I’ll go find a map."

Xu Yang nodded slightly.

Half an hour later.

With the complete map of the Spirit Realm in hand, Xu Yang was ready to leave.

No time to waste!

While Deng Tianfang hasn’t returned yet and the news hasn’t spread, better to slip away first.

Originally, Shi Haoting wanted to go with Xu Yang to train and explore.

Now, given the situation, he could only give up.

At the entrance of the War King Family’s secret realm.

Xu Yang turned, cupped his hands, and said courteously, "No need to see me off any further."

With that, he stepped into the air and transformed into a ray of rainbow light, swiftly disappearing.

"Father, do you really think there’s anything left at that place?" Stone Jade slowly withdrew her gaze and looked at Stone Peak with a mix of awe and doubt.

The idea of the first Emperor Qian’s place of demise wasn’t hers.

It was Stone Peak who brought it up and had her relay it to Xu Yang!

Stone Peak said in a quiet voice, "Even though back then a lot of Celestial Human Realm experts scoured it from top to bottom, not much of real value was left; but someone like the first Emperor Qian, I just have a feeling things aren’t that simple!"

"No harm in giving it a try. If there really is some gain, recruiting that kid isn’t just about getting more slots to enter the Ancient Immortal Fallen Continent."

Stone Peak’s final words were rich in meaning.

Stone Jade fell into deep thought.

Shi Hu couldn’t figure it out, nor did he bother to, and muttered, "You two chat, I’m heading out too. Can’t afford to fall too far behind."

Seeing this, Stone Jade shook her head helplessly.

Stone Peak laughed, "Having that kid around seems good for Shi Hu too; let him go."

...

In the void, a streak of light twisted space at blinding speed, darting off in a specific direction.

It was Cyan Flame Boat, which Shi Hu had lost to Xu Yang.

Outside, even most True Monarchs wouldn’t notice it if they didn’t get close.

And if someone did spot it, with Cyan Flame Boat’s blazing speed, it could shake off a True Monarch’s pursuit in the blink of an eye!

It could truly be called a Divine Artifact.

Inside Cyan Flame Boat.

Xu Yang sat cross-legged, his figure and features already altered. He appeared to be in his thirties, burly and broad-shouldered, with a faint but potent aura of bloodthirst and evil swirling around him—carrying an unmistakable "don’t mess with me" air.

"Xiao Ming’s strength is unfathomable. With just his True Monarch Middle Realm cultivation, I might not even be his match right now."

"Hope the first Emperor Qian’s ruins still hold something for me."

Xu Yang sighed inwardly.

But then the thought struck him: Would Can Sutian also send people to probe the place of Emperor Qian’s fall?

Xu Yang furrowed his brow, but quickly relaxed and shook his head with a wry laugh.

So what if they go?

What’s it got to do with me?

Just treat them as strangers.

With this disguise, unless it’s discovered by a Divine Sovereign, no one under True Monarch would be able to see through it.

After pondering for a bit.

Xu Yang closed his eyes and began cultivating.

Even with Cyan Flame Boat’s speed, it would still take nearly half a month to reach the place where the first Emperor Qian fell.

That region was simply known as the Ruins.

Four days later.

Xu Yang suddenly jolted, snapping his eyes open.

"My avatar took a hit... something must have happened."

He clearly sensed his faraway avatar had been injured.

"Shit!"

Thinking of Ning Wuyang and Jian Chuan, Xu Yang’s expression changed; he narrowed his eyes and focused his mind, quietly sensing.

Yet all he felt was a formless force enveloping, blocking him from probing through the avatar!

Xu Yang’s face grew darker still.

Truth be told, he wouldn’t be too broken up to lose an avatar at this point.

But Ning Wuyang and Jian Chuan...

At this thought, Xu Yang didn’t hesitate—he turned Cyan Flame Boat around!

The Ruins would have to wait a while.

First thing now is to head for Ten Thousand Swords Island!

Cyan Flame Boat erupted at full speed, and Xu Yang didn’t care about burning up his stockpile of top-grade Spirit Crystals.

With a hundred thousand top-grade Spirit Crystals, Cyan Flame Boat should last for quite a while.

Seven days later.

At the northeastern edge of the Spirit Realm lay a vast ocean, surging and majestic, enough to awe the heart.

In the void, as space twisted, a small cyan boat emerged out of thin air.

Swoosh!

Xu Yang stepped out of Cyan Flame Boat, waved his sleeve to put it away, and sharply scanned his surroundings.

This was the Star Dome Sea.

At night, the void would fill with lights like stars, reflecting the Spirit River’s origin in a unique way—hence the name.

Ten Thousand Swords Island sat right on Star Dome Sea, and was one of the leading powers in these waters.

Of course, there were no truly top-tier factions here.

Mainly second-rate and third-rate forces gathered.

"My avatar is almost totally cut off—unless it’s walked into some special place..."

Xu Yang’s expression grew grim, then he sped towards Ten Thousand Swords Island at full throttle.

In less than half an hour.

A huge island came into view, its edges ringed by several small islands like stars circling the moon.

This was Ten Thousand Swords Island!

Drifting in the void, Xu Yang spotted right away the island’s emblematic "Sword Tower" building—towering, with a sharp, sword-like aura radiating forth.

Just as he was about to descend, he suddenly glanced off to the distance.

"Eh? Who’s that? So unfamiliar, definitely not from Ten Thousand Swords Island."

"Hey, which faction are you from?"

From the void strode a middle-aged man, sizing up Xu Yang as he walked over.

"And who are you?" Xu Yang narrowed his eyes and replied coldly.

"Damn it, I’m the one asking you!"

The man’s gaze grew frosty, and with a murderous chill, he snarled, "A mere True Monarch Initial Realm dares talk back to me?"

Bang!

The man didn’t bother with words—his temper flared and he attacked, revealing the cultivation of a True Monarch Middle Realm, closing the distance in an instant.

The raging energy distorted the Periphery Void Space, sending out waves of violent power and thunderous noise!

Unflinching, Xu Yang waited—at the very instant the middle-aged man got close, he opened his mouth slowly and spat thunder: "Lock!"

Buzz!

A trace of spiritual power flashed through the void and vanished.

The middle-aged man was struck as if by lightning—suddenly frozen three meters before Xu Yang.

The torrential aura around him seemed to be sealed in ice, locked in place!

The man’s eyes bulged in shock as he struggled desperately, but found even his spiritual mark suppressed—horror dawned on him!

"This weak?"

Xu Yang arched an eyebrow in genuine surprise—he was a True Monarch Middle Realm at least, but was even weaker than Shi Hu?