Two months later.
In the Eastern Sea, on an unnamed deserted island.
Jagged rocks rose in all manner of savage shapes.
Billowing black smoke filled the island, foul air running rampant, shrouding the clear sky around it so completely that even the howling sea winds could not entirely disperse it.
This was a small volcanic island, where spiritual energy remained turbulent all year round and the Five Qi were in disorder.
On the island, never mind birds or beasts-
even vegetation was scarce.
It was far from human habitation, desolate in the extreme...
Just then, a thunderclap suddenly erupted from deep within the deserted island. It rumbled with the force of collapsing mountains and sinking earth, setting lightning flashing and smoke surging!
After a moment of silence.
Within a few breaths, another thunderclap abruptly rang out, shaking everything within and without, immense in its might!
The thunder sounded intermittently.
Only after four hours did a long cry suddenly ring out.
Then a bolt of purple lightning shot skyward from a deep ravine, heavy with power. In an instant, it smashed through layer upon layer of rock, battering a corner out of the black smoke and foul air that filled the sky!
A vast opening appeared overhead, and daylight poured thunderously onto the island.
In an instant, golden light shone everywhere, cloaking it in robes of rosy clouds!
Then a streak of sword light also flew from the ravine and rose above the clouds. Its cold radiance withdrew, slowly revealing Chen Heng within.
He looked into the distance and saw a blazing sun already riding high above the green peaks.
The azure sea stretched boundlessly, mighty billows surging, snowy waves racing, water and clouds piled in countless layers. It truly was a realm where recluses could escape humanity, a land where