A hundred years later, a massive Metal Lifeform over a thousand meters long sped across the sky above the Star Fog Sea.
The Mist Sea region was prone to Fog Sea Riots, so most Metal Lifeforms were small and slow. They always moved with great caution, but this one charged straight through as if it didn't care about the Mist Sea at all.
This was a specially made Metal Lifeform featuring four colors. Its entire body was a pale gold, with intricate patterns of water blue, crimson, pale green, and earthy yellow carved along its sides. Through the work of a master magic-circle designer, the patterns formed a seamless image of the Azure Dragon, White Tiger, Vermilion Bird, and Black Tortoise.
Inside the Metal Lifeform, dozens of figures had gathered in a hall. Five imposing figures stood at the front, while more than twenty others in red robes stood below them.
The five people in the middle stood out the most, seeming somewhat out of place among the others.
At the far left stood a middle-aged man with brown hair and a stern face. His short hair stood up like steel needles, and an earthy yellow glow enveloped his body.
Kenuofei'er Hall was an Asura who cultivated the Laws of the Earth, an honorary elder of the Azure Dragon Clan, and one of the Azure Dragon Sovereign's envoys.
Second from the left stood a white-haired man whose white robes gave him a somewhat aloof air.
Patridge was an Asura who cultivated the Rules of Fate, an honorary elder of the White Tiger Clan, and one of the White Tiger Sovereign's envoys. He was also the strongest soul expert in the Four Divine Beasts Clan.
On the right stood a red-haired, burly man clad in archaic crimson armor and a gloomy young man with black hair and black robes.
The burly redhead was named Hansen. He was an honorary elder of the Black Tortoise Clan, one of the Black Tortoise Sovereign's envoys, and an Asura who cultivated the Profound Mysteries of Fire.
The black-haired young man was named Felix. He was an honorary elder of the Black Tortoise Clan, another of the Black Tortoise Sovereign's envoys, and an Asura who cultivated the Profound Mysteries of Darkness.
The person in the middle was a woman with silver hair. A faint crescent moon marked her forehead, and the life aura of the elves radiated from her.
Caroline was an honorary elder of the Vermilion Bird Clan, an envoy of the Vermilion Bird Sovereign, and an Asura who cultivated the Life Law.
The four men and one woman stood in the middle. Unlike the Four Divine Beasts Clan elders behind them, who were seething with rage, the five of them appeared utterly calm.
Though the Four Divine Beasts Clan had influence across the various planes, most of its Asura-level experts lived in the Skyrite Mountains. Whenever someone "offended" the clan, they could immediately gather their forces to hunt that person down.
"Big brother, according to the reports from our clansmen, that Ninisha is currently in the Star Fog Sea. We should be able to find her soon."
Among the figures at the front, Gaia, her hair a mass of green, spoke in a low voice.
"Oh? It seems Ninisha doesn't take us seriously. She's still in Hell!"
Gaislesen gently stroked the ring in his hand, his voice icy.
"Hmph! Since she's still in Hell, she'd better be prepared to die there!"
Gus, the White Tiger Clan Chief, snorted. He was displeased with Ninisha's actions. In his view, if Ninisha had any sense, she would have come to accept her death herself. By continuing to wander around Hell at her leisure, she was showing contempt for the Four Divine Beasts Clan.
After Gaislesen and the others spoke, the elders behind them began whispering among themselves. Their words were full of resentment and murderous intent toward Ninisha, as if she had committed some heinous crime.
The people in the middle paid no attention to the discussion. They simply stood in silence, exchanged glances, and said nothing.
Although Kenuofei and the others were elders in name, the Four Divine Beasts Clan never truly regarded them as its own. Some of the Seven-Star Fiend elders even treated them like servants.
Not all Sovereign Envoys were treated alike. Some Sovereigns had kind dispositions; after granting their envoys Sovereign Artifacts, they would also give them some Sovereign's Might, and rarely assigned them tasks.
The Four Divine Beasts Sovereigns, however, were clearly not among them. After receiving their Sovereign Artifacts, their envoys were given their first task: to serve as honorary elders of the Four Divine Beasts Clan.
The clan had plenty of Sovereign's Might, and its Seven-Star Fiend elders had no shortage of it. But the eight honorary elders at the Asura level could only receive it from the clan chief after completing their tasks.
Although none of them dared to say anything openly about the Sovereigns' arrangement, it was only natural that they felt some resentment.
As for the Four Divine Beasts Clan's so-called glory, they had never cared for it.
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
"Rumble—"
At the heart of the Star Fog Sea, golden mist billowed. For a thousand miles around, the Mist Sea surged with terrifying energy, golden light continuously spreading outward.
Metal Lifeforms passing through were all destroyed by the Mist Sea, as if the Star Fog Sea had erupted in an unprecedented, terrifying riot.
Faintly, a hazy purple figure could be seen moving within the Mist Sea.
"Not enough. Again!"
Ninisha's purple hair streamed behind her, and golden light shimmered in her eyes. Waves of lightning surrounded her as a terrifying field of thunder spread wildly.
Beyond the field of thunder, a green-haired woman watched from afar, standing quietly in midair. "To think she can cultivate this way. Ninisha's talent really is enviable."
A layer of icy armor made of crystal covered her body.
After leaving the Zijing Continent, Dili and her companion hadn't left Hell. Instead, they had come straight to the Star Fog Sea.
Ninisha knew very well that running away could only keep her safe for a time; it wasn't a long-term solution. After thinking it over, she decided to take a risk: she would continue cultivating in the Star Fog Sea, using the power of the thunder sea to try to reach Paragon.
As long as she reached Paragon, all her problems would naturally be solved. Besides, Ninisha didn't want to be hunted like a stray dog. Wouldn't that be letting down the Sovereign's trust?
"Star Thunder—Break!"
The long spear in Ninisha's hand radiated a violent aura. The golden mist swirled around her like currents of electricity, forming enormous vortices that gradually condensed into a million-meter-wide abyssal maw.
At last, a look of elation appeared on Ninisha's face. She had finally found the last clue to fusion and understood the overall direction for fusing the Profound Mysteries of the Laws of Thunder.
Ninisha was confident that, given another twenty years, she could truly enter the legendary realm of the Paragon High-God. By then, the Four Divine Beasts Clan would be no threat to her.
"Just you wait, Four Divine Beasts Clan!"
Violet currents of electricity flickered in Ninisha's eyes. She slowly put away her spear, and the divine power around her gradually faded.
As Ninisha stopped moving, the golden mist around her slowly receded. Everything fell quiet again, as if nothing had happened.