Several days later, outside Skysea City.
This was a primeval mountain range shrouded in dense fog all year round. Ancient trees towered overhead, and vines coiled around them like horned dragons.
Slippery moss covered most of the rocks, and the air was thick with the stale smell of decaying leaves and earth.
"Senior, did we... take a wrong turn?"
Ye Guyi picked her way through the mud, one foot sinking deeper than the other. The Angel Light Sword in her hand flickered in and out of sight as she warily hacked away the brambles blocking their path.
Her fine brows furrowed as she regarded the unhurried figure ahead with suspicion.
"There isn't even a ten-year soul beast in sight. This place is as barren as a mass grave. Are we really going to find some kind of opportunity here?"
In her mind, a treasure trove ought to be brimming with spiritual energy and bathed in dazzling rays of light.
"Long hair, short on sense."
Without even turning around, Gu Yuejin shot back at her. He stopped before a moss-covered rock face that looked utterly ordinary.
"True treasures know better than to flaunt their wealth. Only idiots who want everyone to know where they are make themselves shine like beacons and wait to be robbed."
Ye Guyi choked on her words, then muttered, "I never said it had to shine..."
"Master, there really is something strange here."
Huo Yuhao, who had kept Spiritual Detection active the whole time, stepped forward. His purple-gold Double Pupils gleamed with wisdom.
He pointed to a hollow in the rock face, his tone certain.
"The Soul Power flowing here is faint, but it follows an extremely complex looping pattern, like... some kind of profound sealing array."
"And this Aura seems somewhat similar to your Second Martial Soul, Master."
"Not bad. You've improved."
Gu Yuejin turned and gave Huo Yuhao an approving look, then glanced at Ye Guyi, who looked completely baffled.
"Take notes. This is what being a professional looks like."
Ye Guyi: "..."
This is so irritating, but I can't exactly argue with him.
"Yuhao, turn Spiritual Detection up to its highest frequency and focus it on this spot."
Gu Yuejin extended a slender finger and tapped the center of the rock face.
"Yes!"
Huo Yuhao narrowed his eyes. His boundless Spiritual Power bored into the rock face like a drill.
At the same time, Gu Yuejin opened his palm.
A Blue Silver Emperor, blue-gold in color, quietly appeared. Its tender leaves unfurled, releasing the Aura of an emperor that originated from the very depths of its bloodline.
"Open sesame."
Gu Yuejin murmured playfully. The Aura of the Blue Silver Emperor in his hand turned into an invisible ripple and slowly seeped into the rock face.
In an instant, a strange sight unfolded.
The lifeless rock face seemed to come alive, rippling with layers of emerald green.
Countless faint Soul Power markings appeared, perfectly blending into their surroundings. It was an ancient, exquisite Natural Concealment Barrier, now opening its gates in reverence at the call of the "Emperor."
A space passage shimmering with myriad colors slowly opened across the rock face, like a time-space tunnel leading to another world.
"Is... is this spatial technology? Or did it form naturally?"
Ye Guyi's eyes widened. She couldn't help reaching out to touch the flowing curtain of light, but a gentle force softly pushed her hand away.
Gu Yuejin straightened his collar and stepped through first.
"Come on. I'll show you a true Peach Blossom Spring."
The moment they passed through the tunnel, the world changed.
The cold, damp scent of the mountains vanished, replaced by a rich fragrance of life. Every breath seemed to cleanse the soul.
They had entered a vast, enclosed valley.
The valley was warm as spring, and the gentle light seemed to come not from the sun, but from the valley itself.
A sea of blue stretched before them.
It was made up of hundreds of millions of Blue Silver Grass plants!
But the Blue Silver Grass here was nothing like the common weeds found everywhere outside.
Each plant was translucent, as if carved from the finest blue crystal. Their broad, thick leaves shimmered with faint light along their veins.
A breeze passed over the millions upon millions of Blue Silver Grass plants, swaying them and stirring a pleasant rustling sound, like an orchestral piece celebrating life.
Tiny blue-gold specks rose from the leaves and danced through the air, creating a dreamlike scene of breathtaking beauty.
"Wow..."
Ye Guyi was completely entranced.
Her girlish excitement got the better of her. She instinctively reached out and caught a falling mote of light, her eyes filled with wonder.
"It's so beautiful... This place is like a fairyland!"
Huo Yuhao was also amazed, but he was more interested in the energy concentration here.
"Master, the life force here is incredible! One day of cultivation here must be worth ten days outside!"
"Of course."
Gu Yuejin stood with his hands behind his back, his gaze passing over the blue sea of flowers and settling on the very center of the valley.
There stood an unusually tall plant.
It towered ten meters high, its entire body a deep, rich blue, like a giant sapphire.
Most extraordinary of all, noble golden markings flowed across its broad leaves, like a crown engraved by the laws of heaven and earth.
It stood silently as all the Blue Silver Grass around it leaned toward it, as if the people of the land were bowing in worship.
A One Hundred Ninety Thousand Year Blue Silver Emperor!
The undisputed ruler of this realm!
The moment the three of them entered the valley, the harmonious symphony abruptly stopped.
"Honored guests, what brings you here?"
A gentle, ethereal woman's voice suddenly rang out in their Sea of Consciousness.
Her voice held the weathered weight of time, along with unmistakable wariness and majesty.
Boom—!
An immense divine sense, faint yet heavy as a mountain, instantly locked onto Gu Yuejin, who stood at the front.
Ye Guyi's face paled. Under the pressure of this presence, which neared that of a two-hundred-thousand-year Ferocious Beast, she felt like an ant stared down by a dragon. Even breathing became difficult.
"W-what incredible power!"
She instinctively tried to summon her Angel Martial Soul for protection, only to find her Soul Power completely suppressed.
"Don't move."
Gu Yuejin spoke calmly and casually sent out a wave of Soul Power, shielding Ye Guyi and Huo Yuhao behind him.
He raised his head and met the gaze of the enormous Blue Silver Emperor with his Golden Eyes. There wasn't a trace of fear in them—instead, his expression held the scrutiny of a superior.
Clearly, this One Hundred Ninety Thousand Year Emperor could sense the bloodline Aura within Gu Yuejin: of the same origin as hers, yet purer and more oppressive.
It was the natural suppression of a higher-ranked Emperor over a lower-ranked one.
And the disdain of the true lineage for a branch.
"'Honored guest' is too kind."
Gu Yuejin strolled forward a few steps, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. His clear voice carried throughout the valley.
"I am Gu Yuejin. I apologize for disturbing you today. I haven't come for anything else."
He paused, his tone turning playful.
"I'm here to present you with a... 'grand gift' that's more than enough to change your fate."
"A grand gift?"
Doubt entered the Blue Silver Emperor's voice, though wariness remained stronger. "Human, I can sense an Emperor's Aura on you, but that doesn't mean you can trespass on my territory as you please."
"If you've come to take my Soul Ring, then you've badly miscalculated."
As she spoke, the Blue Silver Grass around them began to grow at a frantic pace, turning into countless blue vine-spears aimed at the three of them.
"Tsk, you've got quite the temper."
Gu Yuejin shook his head, looking somewhat helpless.
"If you won't listen to reason, then I'll just have to..."
"Make you kneel and listen."
Before his words had even faded—
Buzzz—!!!
The Aura around Gu Yuejin shifted slightly.
He stopped concealing the Blue Silver Emperor bloodline that the system had strengthened. The thirty-thousand-year Blue Silver Emperor Soul Ring he had obtained from the system did not manifest, but its Aura poured forth without restraint.
In terms of total Soul Power, he was far weaker than this senior who had cultivated for one hundred ninety thousand years.
But in terms of bloodline quality...
This was Dimensional Strike, born of their shared origin!
This was the absolute dominion of the true Ancestor over its descendants!
A pure, overbearing, supreme Emperor's might—the kind that ruled over all living things—swept through the entire valley, with Gu Yuejin at its center.
Rustle, rustle, rustle—
The Blue Silver Grass vines that had been brandishing their tendrils, ready to attack, stiffened instantly before this Aura.
Then—
Under Ye Guyi and Huo Yuhao's stunned gazes—
Every single Blue Silver Grass plant in the valley trembled. Then...
They turned of their own accord to face Gu Yuejin, bowing in perfect unison.
Like subjects paying homage to their Emperor!
Even the ten-meter-tall Blue Silver Emperor's body trembled violently, its leaves giving a strained cry as its proud posture was forced to bow lower and lower.
Before you continue