Thirty years later.
Western Rong Continent, outside the Source-Qi Death Domain.
Song Wen rubbed a fingertip-sized blood-red crystal in his hand. His body flashed like a streak of light as he plunged into the boundless black mist ahead.
"Shadow Void, keep watch on the movements around us. Inform me immediately if anything unusual happens." Song Wen's voice rang out in his sea of consciousness.
"Yes, Master."
The moment Shadow Void finished speaking, Song Wen discovered that the surrounding source qi had become as viscous as a tangible curtain, pressing down upon him with crushing weight.
As far as the eye could see was murky gray-black. His senses were severely compressed to within a radius of barely half a kilometer, yet he had only ventured roughly a hundred miles into the Source-Qi Death Domain.
"The source qi here is indeed far denser than in that Source-Qi Death Domain on the Eastern Profound Continent." Song Wen muttered, slowing his flight.
He raised a hand and slapped the spirit beast pouch at his waist. The Nether Fox abruptly appeared.
Unlike Song Wen's caution, the Nether Fox was brimming with excitement. It followed behind Song Wen, its eyes constantly darting about in all directions.
"Master, there is a fourth-tier Void Demon two thousand miles ahead to the left."
After speaking, the Nether Fox fixed its pitch-black eyes directly on Song Wen.
Seeing that Song Wen ignored it and merely continued onward, the Nether Fox spoke again.
"Master, it has been so long since I last tasted a Void Demon. I'm so hungry. How about... I go eat it?" The Nether Fox's tone was ingratiating.
"There will be plenty of Void Demons for you to devour later. Why are you in such a hurry over a mere fourth-tier Void Demon? Behave yourself!" Song Wen flatly