"Why Call Me Rustam?"

"This ice... it actually reaches a god-level intensity."

Star Dou Great Forest, Forbidden Zone, Silver Dragon Space.

The Silver Dragon King dispelled the cold energy from Chen Fan's body, while a piece of ice crystal remained between her palms.

It was a solid ice crystal condensed from the cold she had drawn out of Chen Fan, and its intensity left her quite astonished. "Even Di Tian would find this stuff troublesome if he touched it, yet you were actually able to suppress it directly."

"It's a pity, though, that your flames are just a bit lacking. If they reached the level of Ultimate Fire, you might have been able to attempt to melt it yourself. Of course, the process would be quite long—at least a month."

Chen Fan wiped the hot sweat from his face and let out a long, weary breath.

He did not respond to the Silver Dragon King's words, instead saying, "I want to go back and see my parents."

"Can you let me out?"

Hearing this, the Silver Dragon King paused slightly, then beamed with a smile. "No problem."

As she spoke, she flipped her palm, and a silver dragon scale appeared in her hand. She handed it to Chen Fan. "With this token, you can return to the Forbidden Zone at any time."

For the Silver Dragon King, what she needed was to obtain the rewards from the Teleportation Gate to rapidly heal the injuries on her body. Once the connection between the God Realm and Douluo Planet was severed, she intended to lead the soul beast clan to reclaim rule over the continent, then wait for an opportunity to strike at the God Realm and take back everything that originally belonged to the Dragon Race!

Naturally, she would not do something as petty as detaining Chen Fan.

"Thanks!"

Chen Fan exhaled, not refusing, and took the silver scale.

The Silver Dragon King waved her hand, and a rift suddenly tore open in the surrounding white-fog space. "This spatial passage leads directly to the Star Luo Empire."

"Go quickly and return quickly."

"A single day in this other world passes very fast."

"Alright!"

Chen Fan didn't waste any more words; he turned and stepped into the space.

In an instant, he felt the world spin and a sense of weightlessness wash over him, followed by a heavy landing.

It felt similar to entering a Teleportation Gate.

"Star Luo Empire..."

Chen Fan let out a breath, pulled out a map to get his bearings, and immediately identified the direction, heading off into the distance.

"I really didn't expect the Silver Dragon King to help me block Bibi Dong's assassination attempt."

"And besides..."

Chen Fan's mouth twitched. "Is this Silver Dragon King... a bit too unrestrained?"

He had reminded her several times, but the way the Silver Dragon King ignored him made it truly difficult for Chen Fan to look her in the eye.

Yet, not looking at her while speaking seemed disrespectful, which was...

"Forget it. With the Silver Dragon King's help, I don't have to worry about Bibi Dong's pursuit for the time being."

Thinking this, Chen Fan couldn't help but recall his previous encounter with La Signora.

"She was only in her first form, and it looked like she was still holding back... Thinking about it, perhaps only a Peerless Douluo with Yin-Yang Complementary Dual Spirit Cores could withstand her first-stage strength."

"But if she activates her second stage... I fear that flame is even stronger than Ultimate Fire, potentially reaching a level of power comparable to the Pyro Archon, one of the seven elemental gods!"

"After all!"

"In her second stage, she is the true Eighth Seat of the Fatui, the woman known as the Crimson Witch of Embers, La Signora!"

Of course, this was only Chen Fan's speculation; the specifics would have to wait until next time.

"But... why did she call me Rustam?"

Chen Fan couldn't figure it out, so he simply stopped thinking about it. "I just wonder how my parents and little sister are doing."

"My Lord, this human... what do you think..."

Star Dou Great Forest, Forbidden Zone.

After Chen Fan left, the Beast God Di Tian seemed to sense something. His heart stirred, and he couldn't help but ask.

"We shall discuss it later."

The Silver Dragon King's answer was ambiguous, leaving Di Tian confused. However, he dared not question her further and could only respond, "Yes!"

Compared to the situation in the other four camps, the Far North remained even more silent—a silence so profound it was deafening to both man and beast.

"Snow Empress, why don't I go and give it a try next time?"

The Ice Empress couldn't help but speak up. "Participating in this Rite of Descension and surviving for three days and three nights should be no problem."

"If I'm not mistaken, this should be the second nation... yes, it's that Liyue from before!"

"I think it should be fine."

Snow Empress glanced at her and shook her head. "Forget it—let A-Tai and Xiao Bai go and give it a try!"

If it weren't for the injuries on her body, the strength Snow Empress could currently exert was truly limited; otherwise, she would have wanted to try it herself.

Yet, it was precisely because of these injuries that she wanted to compete. After all, the damage caused by the failure of the Yin-Yang Complementary Dual Spirit Cores was extremely difficult to heal.

Since the reward from this Teleportation Gate could allow Di Tian to increase his cultivation, she figured it shouldn't be impossible for her either—

"Brother!"

The moment Chen Fan arrived at the farmland, he felt a familiar aura and figure rush straight into his arms.

Looking down, wasn't this a little one?

It was Chen Fan's younger sister, Chen Muxue.

Don't let her small, potato-like stature fool you; she was actually only one year younger than Chen Fan. It was just that due to dwarfism, she was less than 1.5 meters tall and barely weighed seventy pounds.

"Xiao Fan, you're back."

Seeing Chen Fan's face, which was slightly pale as if from the previous frost, Chen Yuan's expression froze. "You—are you injured?"

"It's nothing."

Chen Fan shook his head, set Chen Muxue down, and said, "Mom, Dad, Xiao Xue, this Star Luo Empire isn't very good either. Let's leave."

"Go where?"

Chen Fan was just about to say the Star Dou Great Forest when he heard Chen Yuan say earnestly, "Xiao Fan, don't talk about going to the Star Dou Great Forest."

"It's impossible for there to be human forces in the Star Dou Great Forest. I imagine it must be a Spirit Beast faction, right?"

Chen Fan was stunned and nodded instinctively. "Yes—"

"I have always believed that those who are not of our race must have different intentions."

"Spirit Beasts and Spirit Masters are irreconcilable enemies. They are letting you go there, and it is highly likely they are using you because of your abilities."

Chen Fan paused for a moment and asked, "Dad, are you thinking of returning to the Spirit Empire?"

"No."

Chen Yuan shook his head. "The feeling of living under someone else's roof is not pleasant."

Don't let the fact that he was previously a Cardinal fool you; that was a Cardinal within Spirit City.

To use a classic line, "A single brick thrown down could hit a whole crowd of Cardinals!"

"Let me think about it—"

Chen Fan certainly understood what Chen Yuan meant, but leaving the Spirit Empire before had been manageable enough; however, if they were to leave the Star Dou Great Forest—

And just at that moment!

The majestic voice of the Teleportation Gate resounded once again in the hearts of all living beings!

[The auspicious time has arrived!]

[Now initiating the second act, first stage of the group mission: "Participate in the Rite of Descension and survive safely for three days and three nights." The Teleportation Gate has been opened. Please have the contestants from each faction enter within one quarter of an hour. Failure to enter within one quarter of an hour will be considered a voluntary withdrawal, and the mission will be judged as a direct failure!]