A blinding white spiritual light descended from the nine heavens, causing the churning blood clouds to stagnate for a heartbeat.

Wherever the light passed, the bloody mist retreated, paving a starlit avenue through the void.

“It’s the Holy Son!”

The disciples of the Divine Wood Sect shouted in unison, their voices vibrating against the massive bronze pillars.

At this cry, the other heaven’s favored turned their gazes, their expressions a complex mix of respect, disdain, and wariness.

Shen Xing descended slowly upon the spiritual light.

Silver patterns flowed across his ink-black brocade robe like a cascading galaxy, and the mutton-fat jade pendant at his waist bloomed with blinding brilliance.

The pale golden light at his left fingertips suddenly swelled, manifesting as a phantom golden dragon coiling around his body. Its roar shook the firmament.

“Is this… the Innate Dao Body?”

A cultivator murmured, unable to hide the awe in his voice.

Throughout the Ancient Ruins, only this future Immortal Venerable shone with such blinding intensity among the gathered prodigies.

Amidst the bloody sword light, Lin Lang’s fingers tightened around his hilt, leaving deep grooves in his palm.

“Innate Dao Body? Hah…”

He stared at Shen Xing’s dazzling light, the taste of blood rising in his throat.

The old fossils in his sect always compared him to Shen Xing. No matter how desperately he cultivated, he was treated as nothing more than a foil to this “Child of Destiny.”

But the path of the sword was one of defying the heavens.

Baleful energy surged in Lin Lang’s eyes. One day, he would personally shatter this so-called destiny.

Shen Xing stepped through the air, a faint Dao rhythm lingering around him. His gaze swept casually over the crowd.

When his eyes landed on Su Mei…

The Li Fire Sect Holy Maiden, who had been arrogant just moments before, shuddered as if struck by lightning. The Purple Netherfire Serpent on her wrist instantly curled into a ball, not daring to flick its tongue even an inch.

Su Mei instinctively took half a step back. The red lotus beneath her feet dimmed, her previous arrogance obliterated.

Her red lips parted, wanting to say something to save face, but her throat felt gripped by an invisible hand.

Usually sharp-tongued, she couldn’t squeeze out a single syllable.

Stiffly, she turned. Without even a polite parting word, she transformed into a flustered crimson streak and fled.

“Third Brother, did you gain anything from this trip?”

Shen Xing ignored her completely, his gaze landing on Shen Xian, who bore a resemblance to himself.

His voice was gentle as a spring breeze, yet carried an undeniable, heavy authority.

“Thank you for your concern, Eldest Brother. I found a few small opportunities,” Shen Xian replied, his expression calm as he cupped his hands.

Shen Xing nodded slightly, smiling warmly. “Good. But entering the Godfiend Battlefield requires double the caution.”

He raised a slender finger. A point of spiritual light bloomed, and a formation disk materialized before Shen Xian.

Complex Dao patterns flowed across its surface, radiating powerful energy fluctuations.

“This defensive formation disk is condensed from my lifelong study of formations. If you encounter a life-or-death crisis, crush it. It will surely keep you safe!”

His voice was tender, filled with brotherly concern.

Wei Zhaoli’s eyes flickered slightly.

“Condensed from my lifelong study”—the weight of those words was heavy. The Holy Son was truly willing to part with treasures.

Shen Xian, however, remained tranquil, his heart like still water.

“Many thanks, Eldest Brother.” He accepted the disk.

A life-saving trump card—only a fool would refuse it.

Shen Xing continued earnestly, “The location of the Void Essence Soul is fraught with danger. If I didn’t have urgent matters to attend to, I would absolutely travel with you.”

He produced a jade slip.

“But rest assured, Third Brother. Once you crush this jade slip, I will sense your location and rush to your aid with all my strength.”

“Furthermore, the clan has dispatched several Golden Core cultivators to protect you. They will ensure you obtain the Essence Soul.”

For the Void Essence Soul, the Shen Family had prepared ample manpower. In reality, they were the key to finding it.

Shen Xian was merely there for “experience.” When they reached the dangerous grounds, they wouldn’t let the future family head venture too deep.

“Understood,” Shen Xian nodded.

He didn’t care if Shen Xing could arrive in time. He wouldn’t need him regardless.

Shen Xing nodded with satisfaction. Before leaving, he admonished one last time, “Remember, no opportunity is worth more than your life.”

With that, he transformed into a streak of light and vanished, leaving only a faint scent of pine in the air.

Since he was heading to the battlefield, he naturally had to be the first to enter.

Not long after he left, the Shen Family’s Golden Core True Masters arrived.

“Young Master Third!”

A vigorous, powerful call rang out as eight streaks of light pierced the air.

The leader was an old man with a youthful face and white hair—Shen Zhimo, the Shen Family’s Tenth Elder.

Dressed in a blue-grey Daoist robe, an ancient inkstone hung at his waist. Though over four hundred years old, his eyes were bright and piercing. The aura of a late-stage Golden Core cultivator surrounded him, accompanied by the faint scent of ink—the mark of his unique Ink Rhyme Art.

“Tenth Elder.” Shen Xian cupped his hands, his gaze sweeping over the seven Golden Core cultivators behind the old man.

These were the family’s elites.

Shen Yanchi, master of formations. Elder Shen Qingluan, expert in talismans. And Master Shen Tiexin, the renowned artifact forger.

Each was advanced in years and possessed formidable strength.

Shen Zhimo stroked his white beard. He didn’t speak immediately, glancing instead at Wei Zhaoli.

Understanding the cue, she tactfully moved away.

Only then did Shen Zhimo raise his right hand to isolate the sound around them, revealing a kind smile. “Young Master Third, space within the battlefield is chaotic. Standard transmission talismans will fail. But this old man has a method.”

He produced eight black jade slips and distributed them.

“These rely on my life-bound Ink Rhyme. Once inside, we can sense each other. We will rendezvous at the periphery.”

Shen Xian took the jade slip. It was warm to the touch, pulsing with a unique spiritual wavelength.

The exact location of the Void Essence Soul was unknown; the family only had a general area. They had to enter the battlefield to find the site where that senior had fallen.

Shen Zhimo explained the usage of the slips in detail.

“The time has come.” He looked up at the sky, where the blood light grew intense. “Take care, Young Master Third. Remember, after entering, an invisible force will guide you. Rendezvous with us immediately.”

Boom—

The bloody scar in the sky tore open.

Ten massive bronze pillars erupted with blinding golden light. Hexagrams spun, and a blood-red light screen spanning heaven and earth slowly parted, revealing a distorted spatial vortex.

Anticipation lit up every face.

“The Godfiend Battlefield is open!”

Someone shouted, and countless cultivators transformed into streams of light, rushing the entrance.

The Li Fire Sect’s Blazing Heaven Banner snapped in the baleful wind as its disciples soared into the bloody curtain. Other sects followed close behind.

“Let’s go,” Shen Xian said calmly.

Wei Zhaoli’s pale hands formed a seal, her moon-white skirt fluttering like a butterfly in the gale.

The three of them transformed into streaks of light, charging toward the entrance.

But the moment they touched the blood-red screen—

Space twisted violently.

Shen Xian felt the world spin. When he opened his eyes, he was standing alone on a vast, crimson wasteland.

The entrance was gone.

There was only a sky weeping blood rain, and in the distance, the faint, staggering silhouettes of white-bone puppets.