While Dongbo Xueying and his companions were fleeing at high speed through the intricate cavern passages, deep within the mountain not far from them…
*Crack, crack, crack!*
One by one, the ice-covered sculptures began to shatter their frozen exteriors. Some were warriors clad in black armor, others were black-armored avian creatures, and some were armored beasts—all awakening from their slumber.
“It seems the Lakeheart Island has entered another ice age. Waking up to find ourselves frozen again—though it’s still better than the scorching periods, where the air twists and distorts unbearably,” mused a serpentine creature covered in black armor as it stirred awake. Two horns protruded from its head, and its golden eyes gleamed with amusement. “Ah, it seems the old-timers are still alive and kicking.”
*Whoosh.*
The black-armored serpent touched the cavern wall and instantly melted into it, vanishing without a trace.
Soon, in a relatively spacious chamber, black-armored warriors, avian beings, and beasts gathered.
“Hahaha! Old Blind One, long time no see! Your ugly mug still brings me joy!”
“Oh? Isn’t that Young Master Feiyu? Still as dashing as ever, I see!”
“Brother! You’re still alive! I was afraid that one day I’d wake up and you’d be gone!”
The black-armored beings exchanged cheerful greetings, their expressions brimming with relief.
Among them, a massive black-armored serpent coiled in the center boomed, “Most of our squad is still alive. That’s likely because very few outsiders venture into our territory.”
“I wish outsiders came more often. At least then we’d get to wake up more.”
“Too many outsiders, and we risk death.”
“Defeating us is one thing—killing us? Hmph, that’s far harder.”
“Haven’t you heard? Some areas of Lakeheart Island have been breached by *True God Sovereigns*. Many of our kind were reduced to dust in an instant. Before a Sovereign, there’s no time to even flee.”
“Even True God Sovereigns wouldn’t dare act recklessly in our master’s domain.”
As they conversed, one black-armored avian with violet eyes screeched, “Though we exist in this half-life, half-death state, we owe it all to our master! Without him, none of us—who failed to transcend and become great beings—would still be alive. By all rights, we should have perished long ago.”
“The master has indeed shown boundless grace to countless cultivators like us.”
“Failing to transcend and become True Gods was our own lack of insight. The master has already given us more than enough. But though we’ve awakened countless times on Lakeheart Island, it’s been an eternity since we last sensed his presence.”
The black-armored beings sighed, reminiscing about the past.
Yet even as they spoke, they were keenly aware of Dongbo Xueying and his three companions fleeing in the distance.
“No need to rush the attack. Let the intruders think this area is relatively safe. Once word spreads, more will come through here—and we’ll get to wake up more often. Eternal slumber is hardly comfortable,” rumbled a burly black-armored warrior.
“Three Four-Heaven Realm Gods and one who’s likely a Three-Heaven Realm God with an ultimate technique. They’re far too weak to warrant a serious hunt,” cawed a small black-armored bird flitting nearby. “Let them play around. The truly important areas are heavily guarded—with their strength, they’re just courting death.”
—
In the frigid cavern, a four-legged black-armored beast lunged with savage ferocity. Its mastery of laws and mysteries was crude, relying instead on sheer strength, speed, and the razor-sharpness of its claws.
*Hmph.*
Dongbo Xueying’s spear traced a dazzling arc through the air, conjuring visions of myriad phenomena—beautiful and resplendent, as if embodying the very essence of life itself.
**Secret Technique: “Life.”**
This strike encapsulated the beauty of the world—superficial in its allure, yet profound in its vitality. Like grass sprouting through cracks in stone, like a speck of green in a barren desert, like rain descending from the heavens—it was ever-changing, unpredictable, and impossible to fully articulate.
*Boom!*
The spear struck, vibrating with 320 distinct force variations in an instant. The four-legged beast staggered, crashing into the cavern wall and shattering layers of ice—yet it remained unharmed, roaring as it charged again.
“**Too weak! You can’t even scratch me!**” it bellowed, relentless in its pursuit.
Meanwhile, the Ruler of Fuqiong swung his massive black ruler. Though it appeared slow, it moved with deceptive speed, warping time and space as it struck. The beast failed to evade—or even block—as the ruler smashed into its skull with a resounding *thud*, sending it plowing into the ground.
Yet still, it rose unscathed.
“This creature’s grasp of laws is mediocre—barely at the Three-Heaven Realm God level,” Dongbo Xueying transmitted mentally. “Its techniques are cruder than mine. But its strength, speed, and defense are monstrous. It moves at 600,000 miles per second, its claws are sharper than Bloodforged Divine Weapons, and no attack we’ve tried has harmed it.”
“At least its low comprehension lets us suppress it,” Fuqiong replied.
*Wham!*
Emperor Qiu Yu suddenly kicked the beast square in the face, sending it tumbling into the cavern wall. It scrambled up, tail lashing, before letting out a final snarl and vanishing into the stone.
“Did it… give up?” Xueying exhaled slightly.
“It had no choice—we had it completely suppressed,” Qiu Yu said, rubbing his plump cheeks. “But don’t celebrate yet. That was just one of them, and it took all four of us to handle it. One-on-one? With its impervious defense, terrifying speed, and strength? Even you, Dongbo, would struggle.”
Xueying nodded grimly. Against an enemy that couldn’t be harmed, victory was near impossible.
“Dongbo, Nine-Sword Empress,” Qiu Yu transmitted gravely, “I must warn you—there are more of these black-armored beings nearby. Far stronger, far deadlier ones. Fuqiong and I… we’re not confident we can handle them. We’re willing to accompany you, but if you lack any trump cards, it’s best to turn back now.”
Xueying exchanged a glance with Yu Jingqiu before replying, “We press on. I’ll guide the way.”
*Guide the way*—toward the rumored True Divine Artifact.
Qiu Yu and Fuqiong exchanged a look. So, Dongbo *did* have some kind of treasure map.
“Let’s just hope we don’t all die before reaching it,” Qiu Yu muttered.
“If we die, it’s just a clone. Keep moving,” Fuqiong snapped.
“Oho, bold words! You take point, then,” Qiu Yu teased, leading the way.
—
Unbeknownst to them, a host of black-armored creatures lurked in the shadows, watching the pitifully weak group with cold amusement—in no hurry to strike.
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