Gu Yuena floated in the air as the seven-colored divine light gradually withdrew into her body.
Her skin became even more crystalline and translucent, as though it were made of light itself. Deep within those purple eyes, it seemed as though suns, moons, and stars were being born and extinguished.
Her figure appeared even more slender and graceful. Her silver dress clung to her exquisite body, and beneath the halo of light, her breathtaking jade legs gained an added touch of holiness and temptation.
No one dared look directly at her, yet no one could tear their eyes away.
Gu Yuena slowly opened her eyes. Feeling the divine power surging and roaring within her, she nodded in satisfaction.
With a wave of her hand, the golden cultivation technique scroll flew into her grasp.
A sweep of her Divine Sense imprinted the technique's entire contents into her mind.
She drifted gently to the ground, her gaze passing over Di Tian and the others kneeling before her. Her voice was majestic yet gentle.
"Rise."
"This Spirit Beast Heavenly Tribulation Life-Saving Method was bestowed by the Heavenly Dao and benefits our entire Soul Beast Clan."
"Today, I will impart this method to you all. Cultivate it diligently, and when you face tribulations in the future, your lives will no longer be in danger."
As she spoke, she flicked her finger, sending several golden motes flying from her fingertips and into the brows of Di Tian, Xiong Jun, Bi Ji, and every Fierce beast present.
"Thank you for your immense grace, Master!"
Feeling the profound cultivation technique that had appeared in their minds, Di Tian and the others were instantly overjoyed.
They bowed down again, their voices filled with endless gratitude and reverence.
Unable to wait any longer, they sat cross-legged and began comprehending this heaven-defying divine art.
At that moment, the petite and adorable Three-Eyed Golden Lion, the auspicious beast who had been standing nearby, stepped forward.
She looked up at Gu Yuena, wisdom and the radiance of fate gleaming in her golden eyes.
"Sister Na'er."
Her voice was crisp and pleasant.
"With the blessing of my fortune, everyone can comprehend and cultivate this technique more quickly."
"Combined with the technique itself..."
An unprecedented light flickered in the Three-Eyed Golden Lion's eyes.
"The fate of our Soul Beast Clan will undergo earth-shaking changes starting today!"
Di Tian, Xiong Jun, and the other Fierce beasts surrounded the golden Spirit Beast Heavenly Tribulation Life-Saving Method scroll.
Every one of them was beside themselves with joy, too excited to contain themselves.
"Heaven blesses our clan! Heaven blesses our clan!"
"With such a divine art, we no longer need fear the lightning tribulations of the nine heavens above!"
"Master's fortune reaches the heavens! She has brought an enormous turning point to our Soul Beast Clan!"
Cheers rose one after another, echoing over the entire Lake of Life. They were filled with the relief of having survived disaster and boundless hopes for the future.
Yet amid the jubilant atmosphere, that peerless silver figure appeared somewhat lonely.
Gu Yuena stood quietly by the lake. Her violet crystal eyes, capable of captivating all living beings—
—were not looking at her ecstatic clansmen, but toward the distant sky, carrying an unshakeable longing and sorrow.
The power of a newly advanced Half-step God King surged through her body like a great river.
Yet that immense power could not fill the emptiness in her heart.
She slowly raised her slender jade hand and gently took a pendant from her full chest, hidden beneath her silver gown.
The pendant hung from an ordinary red cord, while the charm itself was merely an unremarkable wooden carving.
It bore a simple auspicious cloud pattern, without even the slightest fluctuation of Soul Power.
Yet Gu Yuena treasured it dearly. Her delicate fingertips softly stroked the carved grain, her movements so gentle as though she feared disturbing something.
"Husband..."
Her red lips parted slightly, her voice barely above a whisper and choked with emotion.
"I miss you so much."
This pendant had been given to her by that man, Lu Ming.
He had personally put it on her during a warm, sunny afternoon.
He had told her it was a Peace Talisman from his hometown.
Though it looked ordinary, Gu Yuena had always worn it close to her body and had never taken it off.
Strangely enough, whenever she wore this pendant, she felt an inexplicable sense of peace.
A warm, gentle aura enveloped her entire body, as if she were being nourished by the purest force of life. Even her state of mind during cultivation became increasingly tranquil.
She had once believed that this seemingly ordinary pendant was far from simple.
Yet after examining it countless times, she had found no clue whatsoever.
I am now a Half-step God King and at the peak of Rank One Deity. A treasure that even I cannot see through could only be...
Unless it was an artifact of an exceedingly high grade, perhaps even a Super Divine Artifact surpassing the Silver Dragon Spear.
But the thought only flashed through her mind before she dismissed it herself.
"It is probably only made of a somewhat special material."
Gu Yuena sighed softly and returned the pendant to her chest. Feeling that familiar warmth, the loneliness in her eyes only deepened.
At the same time.
Heaven Dou City.
The prosperous streets were crowded with people and bustling traffic.
Inside an elegant private room in a teahouse by the street, a figure sat by the window, leisurely sipping fragrant tea.
The man wore spotless white robes. His handsome face was almost inhumanly perfect, and his transcendent bearing stood utterly apart from the clamor of the mortal world.
A snow-white kitten lay in his arms, lazily yawning with an air of indolent nobility.
It was Lu Ming, who had returned from the sea.
He raised his eyes toward the golden Sky Screen that had yet to completely fade from the heavens, a faint smile resting on his lips.
"The Silver Dragon Spear? Nana has made the ranking again, and the reward is rather good as well."
His tone was calm and gentle, as though he were discussing nothing more than an ordinary household matter.
The white cat in his arms stirred, and then a flash of light appeared.
She transformed into a peerless woman wearing a skirt of White Tiger fur, with a voluptuous figure that blended wildness and seduction.
She stood respectfully behind Lu Ming, though a trace of lingering astonishment remained in her amber eyes.
"Master, Master Gu Yuena's Silver Dragon Spear is a true Super Divine Artifact, yet it only ranks fourth on the Exotic Treasures Ranking. Aren't you... surprised at all?"
In her understanding, the spear forged from the Dragon God's spine was already the pinnacle of all weapons in the world.
Lu Ming gently set down his teacup, producing a crisp sound.
He nodded, his expression tranquil.
"This was all within my expectations."
Hearing that, White Tiger was even more shaken.
Even the rankings of the Heavenly Dao Golden Ranking had been within her master's expectations?
Just what unfathomable realm had her master reached?
At their side, Bai Xiuxiu was likewise unable to calm her thoughts.
Today, she wore a light-blue fitted dress that vividly accentuated her already curvaceous, devilish figure.
Her straight, slender jade legs, framed by the dress's high slit, became even more alluring, and her entire body exuded a mature, captivating charm.
She looked at Lu Ming's calm profile, her beautiful eyes sparkling with wonder.
Silver Dragon King Gu Yuena was once an existence she could only look up to.
Even that being's natal Super Divine Artifact ranked only fourth, while her master acted as though it were only natural.
The mystery and strength of this master once again reshaped everything she thought she knew.
Lu Ming paid no attention to the turmoil in the two women's hearts. He closed his eyes, and his immense Divine Sense instantly covered the entirety of Heaven Dou City.
He was searching for the aura of Ah Yin, the Blue Silver Emperor.
"Hm?"
The next moment, he slowly opened his eyes, one brow lifting almost imperceptibly.
"I never expected Ah Yin to be at the Ye Family?"
A trace of surprise entered his voice.
The Ye Family was the bloodline he had once left behind on Douluo Continent. He had always known that.
He simply had not expected Ah Yin, who should have been with Tang Hao, to be in the residence of his descendants at this moment.
Lu Ming stood and placed a soul coin on the table.
"Let us go take a look."
Outside the Ye Family Mansion.
Its towering gates displayed the ancient heritage and foundation of the family.
Yet at this moment, quite a few people had gathered around the mansion to watch. They pointed at the gates and whispered among themselves.
"Look, Clear Sky Douluo has gone to the Ye Family again!"
"How many times has this been now? I heard he is forcing the Ye Family to choose a side, demanding that they join Shrek in attacking Jialing Pass."
"It is more than just choosing a side. I also heard that Clear Sky Douluo wants the Ye Family to marry into the Clear Sky Sect, and he wants every eligible woman in the Ye Family to marry over there!"
"Hiss... Isn't that far too overbearing?"
"Do you think the Ye Family will agree?"
Within the crowd, an old man stroked his beard and shook his head.
"Difficult. The Ye Family has loved peace and treated others kindly for generations. Its members are skilled in healing arts and have saved countless lives, earning an excellent reputation in Heaven Dou City.
"The family head, Ye Qingxian, has always upheld the ancestral teachings. She likely will not easily involve herself in this war."
Lu Ming approached at an unhurried pace, taking all the discussion into his ears, his expression remaining calm and unruffled.
He walked straight toward the gates of the Ye Family Mansion.
"Stop! This is the Ye Family Mansion. Unauthorized people are not—"
Several Ye Family guards immediately stepped forward, intending to stop him.
Yet the moment they clearly saw Lu Ming's face, every remaining word caught in their throats.
The guards' eyes widened further and further. They nearly lost their grip on their spears, their faces filled with shock and disbelief.
He looked alike!
He looked far too alike!
The man's appearance was identical to the portrait of the Ancestor that had been worshipped in the Ye Family ancestral hall for ten thousand years!
No, compared with the Ancestor in the portrait, he possessed an added touch of spirit—a serenity that transcended time and the mortal world.
"An... Ancestor?!"
One young guard muttered instinctively, then immediately found the idea absurd and shook his head hard.
Hadn't the Old Ancestor already passed away in meditation?
How could that be...
Before you continue