“It seems the rumors were true. The Chaos Lands have opened.”

“But apart from Ye Yu, no one else seems to have entered the abyss. It must be because they don’t have a treasure map.”

Mu Zhi’an stood on a mountain peak, his black and gold robe billowing in the wind, his hair slightly disheveled. His handsome face was pale.

In the past, he would have been the arrogant young master, the villain waiting to be defeated by the protagonist. But now, he had several powerful beauties at his beck and call, his own constitution enhanced multiple times. The Chosen Ones had their ‘old grandpa’ cheat; he had his older sisters…

He looked out at the vast borderlands: towering mountains, lush forests, and the unknown creatures lurking within. This was the edge of the world.

The Heaven-Asking Lock, a first-grade ancestral artifact, allowed him to travel through space without expending much spiritual energy, thanks to Ye Qingxin’s nurturing.

I wonder who created this abyss… Even a fifth-grade Nascent Soul cultivator is suppressed to the fifth-grade Core Formation… Like the Forbidden Zone, it was filled with a powerful curse that only dissipated upon leaving, forcing cultivators to suppress it while navigating its dangers and fending off other treasure seekers. However, the curse had no effect on him, thanks to the map fragment and… Feiying’s love.

“I’m going in, Senior Ye,” he said.

Many cultivators hesitated outside the Chaos Lands, wary of the demons and the curse. But Mu Zhi’an possessed the Demon Realm’s mark. He wouldn’t be attacked.

As he flew towards the abyss on his sword, a demon cultivator on a distant peak glanced at him, then looked away. He had seen many cultivators, both human and demon, perish from the curse. Mu Zhi’an was just another fool. Then, he did a double take, staring at Mu Zhi’an’s face. “Inform Vice Clan Leader Fang Long! That person he mentioned has arrived!”

A messenger immediately flew towards Fang Long’s palace.

The Demon-Devouring Rhinoceros clan guarded the borderlands. Their Vice Clan Leader had ordered them to report any sightings of Mu Zhi’an, whose name was known even in the Demon Realm, thanks to the Jade Empress’s declaration. Few would dare to offend a Dao Integration expert’s Dao Companion. Why is the Vice Clan Leader so interested in him…?

“The person you mentioned has entered the abyss, Clan Leader,” the messenger reported.

Fang Long’s eyes snapped open. “He actually came?” He smiled faintly. “Prepare yourselves. We’re going to the abyss.”

Although the Jade Empress was a deterrent, this was the Demon Realm.

A human cultivator trespassing here could be killed without consequence.

Of course, with the Jade Empress around, that would be unwise. Even the Demon Empress might not intervene. But if he could obtain something from Mu Zhi’an and present it to Her Majesty… According to Ye Yu, Mu Zhi’an possessed Heavenly Dao Energy. The Demon Empress had been collecting it.

This could earn him a promotion.

…

“This abyss is connected to the Heavenly Court. The spiritual energy here… it’s from the Heavenly Court,” Mu Zhi’an murmured in surprise, stepping out of a spatial rift and looking around.

The abyss contained a vast realm: mountains, rivers, lakes, and a dense, swirling spiritual energy, reminiscent of the immortal path. Some cultivators were already meditating, tempted by its potency.

“Be careful. The curse here is powerful, comparable to the Forbidden Zone’s. If you don’t suppress it, you’ll die,” Ye Qingxin’s voice echoed in his mind. Even within his Innate Celestial Furnace, she could sense the outside world.

“Thank you, Senior. But it doesn’t seem to affect me.”

She scanned his body with her Spiritual Sense. “Strange… How…?”

“It’s similar to the Forbidden Zone’s curse. I consumed Rebirth Water there, which must have granted me immunity,” he chuckled. Unlike the other cultivators, he didn’t need to suppress the curse. And… thanks to Ye Yu, the treasure-hunting rat, he knew where the ‘treasure’ was.

He closed his eyes, contacting the Void Nightmare, which was following Ye Yu.

He smiled faintly.

As expected of someone with great luck…

The other cultivators are either dead or lost, but he’s already found the core area… The Heavenly Dao’s favor…?

But this also meant Mu Zhi’an could follow the same path.

…

As he ventured deeper, the number of cultivators dwindled. Those he encountered were covered in the curse’s marks. The deeper he went, the stronger the curse became.

However, he encountered no danger, following the path cleared by Ye Yu.

He continued deeper into the abyss, and a thick, black mist appeared before him. Ye Yu’s luck is truly remarkable. Even after I’ve weakened it so many times… He had seen dangerous formations and traps along the way, but Ye Yu had somehow navigated them all.

As he entered the black mist, he felt a strange pull, something calling to him from the depths of the abyss.

…

Clang! Ye Yu, his eyes filled with determination, sliced through a puppet, grabbed an ancient key, and looked up at the massive bronze doors before him, panting.

“I’ve finally reached the heart of the abyss!” He exhaled, exhausted but elated. He had overcome countless obstacles: hordes of beasts, demonic cultivators, hostile humans, and the abyss’s traps.

The air was cold and damp, the black mist swirling ominously, the ground littered with bones.

He held the key to the bronze doors, the gateway to the inheritance.

“The immortal inheritance should be inside,” Yao Shan’s voice echoed in his mind, filled with relief. He hadn’t expected Ye Yu to make it this far.

“It’s a shame Mu Zhi’an isn’t here. I could finally get rid of him,” Ye Yu murmured.

“The inheritance likely belongs to an ancient Dao Integration expert. Once you obtain it, dealing with Mu Zhi’an will be child’s play,” Yao Shan said.

“You’re right, Master. The inheritance is my priority!” He walked towards the bronze doors, grateful for Yao Shan’s unwavering support, unlike Ye Qingxin, who seemed to favor an outsider. He inserted the key and looked up, a sharp glint in his eyes. “I’ll make my ancestor regret her choice!”

If she had followed me, I could have nourished her consciousness…

A rumbling sound echoed from behind the doors.

As a joyful smile spread across his face, the scene within the palace gradually came into view.

…

A faint, white light filled his vision.

Heavenly Dao Energy! His heart pounded with excitement. He already possessed a portion of it, but the energy here was incredibly dense. There are three portions here! He rushed into the palace, his footsteps echoing through the vast hall.

At the far end, he saw an ancient coffin, the source of the Heavenly Dao Energy.

“Be careful,” Yao Shan warned. “This place is dangerous.”

“I know,” Ye Yu replied, calming himself down and approaching the coffin cautiously, his Spiritual Sense scanning his surroundings. He reached out, his hand glowing with spiritual energy.

The coffin creaked open, the light within intensifying.

He looked inside, eager to claim the Heavenly Dao Energy, then his smile froze.

The coffin was empty, only the faintest traces of Heavenly Dao Energy remaining.

And a single drop of blood.

The blood radiated a terrifying aura, like staring into an abyss, making his heart tremble. He stumbled back, coughing up blood. He stared at the coffin in disbelief.

“How…?”

“Where’s the Heavenly Dao Energy…?” His eyes were filled with confusion and rage.

“Did someone take it before me? But how…? I should be the first…” he murmured. One could only possess one portion at a time. He had a treasure to store it, but others shouldn’t.

“Relax. Let me see,” Yao Shan said, taking control of his body and staring at the empty coffin. After a moment, his expression turned grim, a flicker of fear in his eyes. “There was a woman sealed within this coffin. She must have awakened and taken the energy.”

“A woman… took the Heavenly Dao Energy?” Ye Yu asked, stunned. “Do you know who she is?”

Yao Shan looked at the drop of blood, his eyes filled with fear. “I don’t know… But even at my peak, I’ve never sensed such… divinity from a single drop of blood. Touching it now would destroy me.”

Ye Yu’s face paled, a shiver running down his spine. Even Master is afraid… How powerful is she…? He had been cursing her for taking the energy, but now he felt a surge of relief. She’s not here…

“Someone else has entered the palace,” Yao Shan suddenly said.

“How?!” Ye Yu exclaimed. He had been incredibly lucky to reach this place so quickly.

“It seems we’re too late.”

A warm, gentle voice came from behind him.

“Mu Zhi’an…?” Ye Yu’s eyes widened in disbelief as he turned around. “How…?”

“You were following me?!” he accused, his eyes burning with rage.

“You’re mistaken, Brother Ye. I encountered some trouble along the way. It’s a coincidence,” Mu Zhi’an said with a gentle smile.

“You’re lying! You followed me!” Ye Yu glared at him, but forced himself to remain calm. This palace was strange. The coffin’s occupant might return. And he was weakened, no match for Mu Zhi’an.

“There are some misunderstandings between us, Brother Ye… But this isn’t the time. You don’t mind me searching for my own opportunity, do you?” Mu Zhi’an asked with a smile.

Ye Yu’s eyes flickered, but he didn’t answer. There was nothing here. The Heavenly Dao Energy was gone. And Mu Zhi’an might even trigger a trap…

Mu Zhi’an, seeing his silence, closed his eyes, focusing on the strange pull he had felt since entering the abyss, which was now even stronger.

He opened his eyes, his gaze fixed on the ancient coffin.

“Idiot,” Ye Yu sneered inwardly, watching as Mu Zhi’an approached the coffin. Even his master feared that drop of blood. He had been injured just by looking at it. And now, Mu Zhi’an was about to touch it… He stepped back, ready to flee if anything happened.

As Mu Zhi’an reached for the blood, a terrifying pressure erupted from it.

“Step back! Even I can’t protect you!” Ye Qingxin’s voice echoed urgently in his mind. She had seen many Dao Integration experts, even in the Heavenly Court, but this blood… It could belong to a Transcendence expert, or even an Immortal! The first cultivator, the Heavenly Emperor!

However, something strange happened.

Mu Zhi’an hesitated, about to retreat, but the drop of blood flew out of the coffin, transforming into a faint light and entering his Innate Celestial Furnace.

Silence.

Ye Yu, who had been waiting for Mu Zhi’an’s demise, stared at the scene, his heart pounding. The blood… he absorbed it…? Was that the inheritance…? I gave it to him…? Jealousy consumed him, his eyes burning with murderous intent.

Mu Zhi’an, snapping out of his daze, turned to Ye Yu and smiled. “Thank you, Brother Ye.” He didn’t know what the blood was, but it seemed to be connected to his Innate Celestial Furnace.

“No one will know if you die here,” Ye Yu said coldly, his gaze fixed on Mu Zhi’an. Although he wasn’t a match for him alone, he had Yao Shan. And Mu Zhi’an was alone here. This was his chance.

Mu Zhi’an feigned surprise, then his expression changed. “Brother Ye, I’ve been trying to reconcile with you, for your ancestor’s sake… and you want to kill me?! I even told Senior Ye I would befriend her descendants…”

His words, and the thought of him being with Ye Qingxin, fueled Ye Yu’s jealousy. She’s my ancestor…

“Descendants? That woman who favors an outsider… she’s not my ancestor!” Ye Yu snarled, his eyes burning with hatred.

“That’s too much, Brother Ye. She’s still your ancestor…”

“You know she’s not on my side! Stop pretending!”

Slap!

Ye Yu’s face burned as Mu Zhi’an suddenly appeared before him and slapped him. He stared at Mu Zhi’an in disbelief, then his eyes filled with rage.

“Ye Yu, I thought you were just immature, not malicious. It seems I was wrong.”

Ye Qingxin’s voice echoed through the hall, making Ye Yu’s heart tremble. “Ancestor?!” She’s here?! With him?! His mind reeled, then rage consumed him. If he had thought she was merely deceived before, now he knew she was actively helping Mu Zhi’an.

“No wonder… you found this place so quickly… She helped you, didn’t she?” he gritted his teeth, glaring at Mu Zhi’an’s innocent expression.

“You two… you’re disgusting…”

A woman in a red and black dress appeared silently in the hall, her beautiful red eyes cold and calm as she looked at Ye Yu.

“Interesting,” she said softly. “On our way here, young friend Mu spoke highly of you, even trying to reconcile with you for my sake. I wasn’t planning to interfere… And you?” She looked at him, her eyes filled with disappointment. Even on their way here, she hadn’t wanted to interfere. She had only acted after hearing his insulting words. She had done her best as his ancestor.

“You’re no longer a descendant of the Ye family. You don’t have to call me Ancestor anymore,” she said coldly.

Ye Yu, snapping out of his daze, roared, “You’ve never helped the Ye family! You’re siding with an outsider! You’re not my ancestor!” Why is everyone against me, helping Mu Zhi’an?!

He glared at Mu Zhi’an, who suddenly smiled.

“Even I can’t stand this, Brother Ye. Do you even know why Senior Ye descended?”

“She’s looking for a way for the entire Ye family to ascend to the Heavenly Court,” Mu Zhi’an said softly.

Ye Yu froze.

Clan ascension…?

He knew what that meant.

If she succeeded… it would be a legendary feat. And he… wouldn’t be a part of it.

He felt a sharp pain in his heart, his hatred for Mu Zhi’an intensifying.

“Let’s go,” Yao Shan said, appearing as a translucent figure.

But Ye Yu’s eyes were bloodshot. “He has to die!”

“Even with your ancestor, we’re only evenly matched,” Yao Shan said, shaking his head.

“What if… we add ourselves to the mix?” a gentle voice chuckled from behind them.

Ye Yu’s eyes lit up as he turned around.

Fang Long!

But he noticed that Fang Long hadn’t entered the palace, instead bowing respectfully. “He’s here, My Lady.”

Ye Yu followed his gaze and saw a beautiful woman in a luxurious dress standing at the entrance.

Fang Long was incredibly respectful towards her.

“The First Seat…?” Yao Shan murmured, surprised. The Demon Realm’s First Seat?!

Ye Yu’s eyes widened with delight. With her and Fang Long’s help, killing Mu Zhi’an would be easy!

“You even brought the First Seat?” Yao Shan chuckled, looking at Fang Long. With their combined strength, Mu Zhi’an was doomed.

“I mentioned the Heavenly Dao Energy within him. She agreed to help,” Fang Long said with a smile, glancing at Mu Zhi’an with a sneer. He had only planned to bring a few of his clansmen, but he had encountered the First Seat, who was usually by the Demon Empress’s side. He had been incredibly lucky.

Ye Qingxin narrowed her eyes, looking at the two newcomers.

“Ancestor, it’s not too late to change your mind. I won’t stop you,” Ye Yu said, his gaze fixed on Mu Zhi’an.

“You’re just a wisp of consciousness. This isn’t worth the risk. We won’t stop you if you leave,” Fang Long said, smiling. It would be easier if she left.

“Even Dao Integration experts don’t command me. And now, a mere junior…?” Ye Qingxin’s eyes turned cold. She had refused their offer.

“You’re not leaving?” Fang Long’s smile turned playful. If it weren’t for the First Seat, he would hesitate. Even a wisp of her consciousness was powerful. “Yao Shan, can you deal with her?”

Yao Shan looked at Ye Yu, letting him decide.

“It’s up to you, Master,” Ye Yu said coldly. He no longer cared about her.

Yao Shan frowned, glancing at him, then remained silent.

Fang Long, amused by the scene, turned to the First Seat, about to ask for her help, but she hadn’t entered the palace, her head bowed respectfully, as if waiting for something.

“First Seat…?” He suddenly had a bad feeling.

Mu Zhi’an sensed a familiar aura and looked towards the entrance.

“What a pleasant surprise,” a seductive voice echoed through the palace, making everyone’s heart skip a beat.

A pink, demonic aura filled the air as an alluring figure, her long legs accentuated by her high-heeled boots, approached.

“Your Majesty!” Fang Long exclaimed, his eyes filled with awe. The First Seat’s appearance had been within his expectations, but the Demon Empress… She came here personally, for a bit of Heavenly Dao Energy…?

“If Your Majesty would be so kind as to restrain the Ye family ancestor, we’ll deal with Mu Zhi’an,” he said, bowing respectfully.

The breathtakingly beautiful Demon Empress emerged from the demonic aura, her presence intoxicating.

She tilted her head slightly, looking at Fang Long with a puzzled expression.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay