Underlying Currents

The moment he came out, word of his return spread immediately.

"Master, Demon Flame King has come out."

"He's been in seclusion for three thousand years. He's probably heading to the Inheritance Land this time."

When Yan Ning appeared at the entrance to the Inheritance Land, the eyes of the entire Redbud Island turned toward him.

"Demon Flame King is finally here!"

"He hasn't shown his face in three thousand years. I wonder how much he's changed."

"Quick, notify the clan at once!"

Countless Alien Race inheritors secretly sent messages, while powerful figures from every clan lying low on Redbud Island watched the scene closely.

Yan Ning remained calm. He glanced around, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly.

"Are you all waiting to see me?"

He ignored the prying eyes and strode straight into the Inheritance Land.

The other Alien Races then began another long wait.

One day, two days, three days...

One year, two years, three years...

Ninety years later.

Outside the Inheritance Land, the powerful figures from the various clans were growing impatient.

"What's going on? Inheritances usually take only a few days at most. How can he have stayed in there this long?"

"Did something go wrong?"

"Impossible! The Inheritance Land never has problems!"

As everyone debated, space at the exit of the Inheritance Land rippled.

"He's coming out!"

Everyone fixed their eyes on the fountain.

But Yan Ning, whom they expected to see, did not appear.

"Hm? Where is he?"

"Why hasn't he come out?"

While everyone was puzzled, someone suddenly cried out, "Look at the Glory Ranking! Demon Flame King's name is gone!"

"What?!"

They hurriedly checked and indeed found that Yan Ning's name had vanished from the list of Triple Inheritors.

"This... How is this possible?!"

"Did he die?"

As everyone reeled in shock, someone tremblingly pointed to another ranking—the Fourth-Level Inheritor Ranking!

There, a brand-new name stood out: Mo Yan.

"Hiss—"

Redbud Island fell into utter silence.

All the Alien Race powerhouses stared wide-eyed, their faces filled with disbelief.

"He... He actually advanced straight to the Fourth Layer?!"

"Doesn't that mean he's completely comprehended the Third Beast God Inheritance?!"

"Three thousand years... He only spent three thousand years in seclusion, and went from just entering the Third Layer to reaching its peak?!"

At that moment, every Alien Race powerhouse who had been secretly watching felt a chill.

They finally realized just how terrifying this human's talent was!

Inside the Zerg Virtual Universe.

Amid endless clouds and mist.

On a beautiful floating island.

Zerg Mother Queens were playing and frolicking.

Every one of them was breathtakingly beautiful, so lovely that a single glance made one want to lavish them with endless care.

Just then.

A man dressed in dark red armor appeared.

"Wu Long pays his respects to the Universe Master."

The instant he appeared, the man bowed and respectfully addressed the figure above.

"Venerable Wulong, it's been a long time."

The voice was crisp, with a faint hint of seduction.

Venerable Wulong maintained his respectful posture, his gaze lowered.

"Wu Long, you know why I summoned you."

Venerable Wulong nodded slightly, his voice steady. "I understand."

He raised his head, a glint flashing in his eyes.

"The Universe Master wants me to assassinate Demon Flame King. I have three advantages in carrying out the assassination."

"First, I specialize in soul attacks and the Soul Enslavement Secret Art. Demon Flame King's divine body is enormous, and only a soul attack can completely destroy him."

"Second, my Beast God Path has reached its end, and I plan to switch paths from here on. Even if my identity is exposed, the losses will remain manageable."

"Third, I have a clone. Even if the mission fails, I won't truly die."

A soft laugh came from the clouds.

"Good."

The voice carried approval.

"You really are the best candidate."

"Demon Flame King's talent is far too terrifying. If we let him grow, he'll become a major threat to our clan."

"And you offer the highest chance of success at the lowest cost."

Venerable Wulong's gaze sharpened as he waited for what came next.

"For this mission, the clan will cover all your losses."

"If the assassination succeeds..."

The voice paused, then continued in a tempting tone, "The clan will reward you with an additional Treasure!"

Venerable Wulong's pupils contracted sharply, and his breathing quickened for an instant.

A Treasure!

Even among Universe Venerables, few owned a Treasure!

He immediately dropped to one knee, his voice resolute.

"I will not fail the clan!"

"Demon Flame King... is as good as dead!"

The stunning figure in the clouds appeared and disappeared, the corners of her lips curling into a dangerous smile.

"Go..."

"Make the Human Race lose a future Universe Overlord!"

Mechanical Clan territory, Core Temple.

Countless streams of data intertwined in the void, forming a hall built from pure energy.

At its center, a figure made entirely of purple-gold metal floated motionlessly.

"Demon Flame King has advanced to the Fourth Layer of the Inheritance."

The Mechanical Clan Universe Master's electronic voice echoed through the hall.

"Calculations show that if he is allowed to grow, there is an 87.6% probability that he will become a new Universe Overlord of the Human Race."

Below, data streams flickered wildly in the eyes of several Mechanical Clan Venerables.

"Execute the assassination plan," he said coldly.

"Roar—!"

Amid a heaven-shaking howl, the projection of Sky Wolf Lord descended into the virtual space.

"Demon Flame King must die!"

Its ferocious fangs glinted coldly.

"Notify Shadow Wolf Venerable. Kill Demon Flame King at any cost! The humans absolutely cannot produce another Sky Erosion Palace Master!"

Redbud Island, Yan Ning's residence.

"Phew..."

Yan Ning sat cross-legged in the cultivation room as the crimson-gold flames around him slowly subsided.

On closer inspection, countless invisible silver threads could be seen within the flames.

He had already left the Inheritance Land and returned to his residence.

"The Fourth Inheritance really is profound."

He opened his eyes. Countless Flame Worlds seemed to rise and fall within his pupils.

Elsewhere.

Venerable Wulong's consciousness also returned to his true body.

He slowly opened his eyes, a cold glint flashing in them.

He had already begun planning how to kill Yan Ning.

If he was going to kill him, the sooner the better.

If Yan Ning continued cultivating in peace, it would only become harder and harder to kill him in the future.

"Lure him off the island?"

He shook his head and dismissed the idea.

"This Demon Flame King is a complete homebody. He hasn't set foot beyond Redbud Island in more than three thousand years."

"The Human Race must have warned him already."

Tapping the void with his finger, Venerable Wulong quickly analyzed various assassination plans.

"A frontal assault? No. I can't get into his residence, and the power of the Five-Colored Aurora Lake is beyond what I can withstand. I'd probably be killed before I could kill him."

"Poison? Hidden weapons? Those methods are useless against a divine body a million kilometers in size. Besides, he can revive."

Suddenly, his eyes flashed.

"There's only one way."