A Flourishing Age, Shi Yin's Departure!

The Thunder Leopard Clan was just a minor incident.

Changfeng swept across the sky, tearing open the layers of the heavens.

Beyond the vast network of thunderbolts spanning the Lightning Mountain Sacred Mountain, gazing westward into the distance, the land unfolds like a long, dark scroll.

Traveling hundreds of millions of miles westward, the once cramped and narrow Divine Firmament Plain has long since changed its appearance.

Since the battle in the Dao Realm came to an end, a large amount of unclaimed land has been vacated on the borders of the clans. As a result, many mixed blood branches in the surrounding area have been relocated to the Western Region Wilderness. The vast spiritual land that has been freed up has also been incorporated into the Giant Bear Territory.

Today, the Divine Firmament Plain stretches for 60 million li from north to south, surrounded by mountains and blessed with abundant natural resources.

High in the sky, two figures stood side by side, treading through the air.

Shi Yin, dressed in a white robe, the hem of which fluttered fiercely in the gale, exuded a faint yet Extreme Cold aura.

The burly bear demon beside him was Shi Pan.

Shi Pan was two zhang tall, with a robust frame and a body covered in a simple, earthy brown fur. He wore a suit of armor covered with heavy rock patterns, and his movements were as steady as a mountain.

Having just finished dealing with the resettlement of the Thunder Leopard Clan, he left Lightning Mountain with Shi Yin and set foot on this clan's land.

"Back then, our ancestor led us away from the Boundless Lake and settled us here. Who could have imagined that we would have such a world today?"

Looking down at the boundless fertile land and countless sacred mountains below, Shi Pan's rugged face revealed a heartfelt sigh.

Below, on the land, countless herds of beasts surged like black waves, running wildly among the lush water plants.

Many strange and wild beasts, some with horns as hard as steel, others with wings sprouting from their ribs.

At the foot of the distant spiritual peaks, demon caves of varying sizes lay side by side, their clusters intertwined, the roars of bears echoing endlessly, drawing thunder that soared into the Yunxiao.

On the edges of some newly discovered ley lines and thunder pools, one can see groups of powerful Demon Cultivator roaring and fighting, vying for ownership of these precious cultivation sites.

The law of the jungle prevails; the strong prey on the weak.

Within the Giant Bear Clan, bloodshed among the lower ranks is never forbidden. As long as it doesn't harm the very foundation of the clan, such clashes only make the life force of this plain grow wilder and more exuberant.

"The cycle of Heavenly Dao is inevitable; it's simply the natural order of things."

Shi Yin remained calm, his icy blue eyes reflecting the magnificent landscape. "For the past few hundred years, I have been nothing more than a guest elder who has just entered the Spirit Transformation; now, I have slain a Nascent Spirit Transformation, retreated from the Extreme Realm, refined the Nether Lightning, and been granted a fiefdom spanning tens of millions of miles."

"Without the blood our ancestor shed in the Dao Realm, these little demons wouldn't have this comfortable haven."

"Our ancestor's methods have never been something we can fathom."

Shi Pan grinned, his expression filled with fervor and admiration.

The two bears slowed their escape, descending slowly from the clouds like ordinary old demons on patrol, and landed on the edge of a solitary, towering cliff.

A gentle breeze rustled through the trees, and several hardy pine trees grew on the cliffside, their needles a vibrant, verdant green.

Shi Pan took out a jar of spirit wine that had been sealed for a hundred years, broke the mud seal, and the rich aroma of the wine mixed with pure yang energy instantly spread out.

He tilted his head back and took a big gulp, his throat bobbing as he let out a satisfying exhale, then casually handed the wine jar over.

Shi Yin took the wine jar, but only took a small sip. The cold air entered his throat, and the strong liquor instantly turned into a scalding line of fire that fell into his stomach. It was then quietly neutralized by the powerful Mysterious Ice Law Power within his body.

"The wine is good, but it's a bit too strong," Shi Yin said casually.

Shi Pan laughed heartily, sat down on the ground, rested his hands on his knees, and gazed at the rolling sea of clouds in the sky. "You cultivate ice, I cultivate earth, so naturally we can't share the same interests. However, seeing the current flourishing state of our Lightning Bear Line, I feel very pleased."

"Although the Lightning Bear Line is thriving, you and I both know that we cannot rest easy now."

"To the outside world, the Giant Bear Clan is a royal family, a powerful clan with Dao Venerable presiding over them, and in charge of the Barbarian Bone Dao."

"Within this domain, conflicts and disputes are not uncommon among the Giant Bear Race."

"The Lightning Bear Line has the weakest foundation. It relied on the assistance of the Mountain Bear Lineage to gradually grow to its current state, and only today can the Lightning Bear Line truly become independent."

"Even the eight major branches have their own interests and calculations; how much more so is the situation within our Lightning Bear Line, which is far from being as peaceful as it appears."

Shi Yin put away the wine jar, turned to look at his old brother beside him, his gaze deep and unfathomable. "Young Master Shi Xiao is far away fighting in the Dao Realm Dao Realm, and now he is spreading his lineage and multiplying his bloodline there."

"Although the Second Young Shi Lei is exceptionally talented, he is a bit too impulsive and still somewhat inexperienced in managing the overall situation of Lightning Mountain; as for the Mistress Shan Li, her focus is entirely on the Dao Realm, on that enclave in Li Bear Plains..."

"Our ancestor has gone into seclusion for cultivation; once he enters this deep retreat, who knows how many cycles of sixty years will pass in the clan."

Shi Pan's smile faded, and he looked at him with some confusion. "Third brother, you rarely concern yourself with these trivial matters. Why are you suddenly bringing them up today?"

Atop the cliff, the Changfeng howled.

Shi Yin remained silent for a moment, his fingers clenching slightly beneath his robes. After a long while, he slowly uttered a sentence:

"Big brother, I'm leaving."

Those few simple words, however, struck Shi Pan like a thunderclap from a clear sky!

Shi Pan's pupils suddenly contracted, and he abruptly stood up, his earthy yellow Demon Essence surging involuntarily.

"Go? Where are you going?!"

Shi Pan's breathing quickened as he stared intently at Shi Yin: "The Divine Firmament Plain is currently in dire need of manpower, and the Lightning Mountain Sacred Mountain is flourishing even more!"

"You've already reached the Nascent Soul Great Perfection stage, just one step away from the Spirit Transformation stage. After the Ancestor emerges from seclusion, he will do everything in his power to help you forge your Immortal Foundation! Why are you leaving?!"

Faced with his old brother's agitated questioning, Shi Yin's expression remained unchanged, only a complex emotion flickered in his icy blue eyes.

"It's not about betraying the Lineage, but rather... returning to one's roots."

Shi Yin raised his head, gazing at the vast, distant northern horizon, his voice soft and melancholic:

"The Giant Bear Clan has eight main branches: the Barbarian Bone, Mountain Bear, Azure Bear, and Lightning Bear, each occupying a region. But deep within the eternal tundra in the far north of the ancestral court, there is another branch called the Snow Bear."

"The main branch of the snow bear..."

Shi Pan was taken aback, and secrets about the clan's higher-ups came to mind.

"Good."

Shi Yin, with a solemn expression, continued, "The Giant Bear Clan excels in the Earth Dao and the Dao of the Physical Body. Among the eight main lineages, only the Snow Bear Lineage specializes in the Ice Dao."

"However, in the last ten thousand years, the descendants of the Snow Bear Lineage have dwindled and their bloodline has dried up. The Snow Bear Ancestor, who now resides in the Northern River Ice Palace, has lived for over eight thousand years and his lifespan is nearing its end."

"That ancestor has yet to produce a descendant who can inherit the mantle of a Nascent Spirit Transformation."

A sudden realization dawned on Shi Pan, as if he understood something, and his voice trembled. "Could it be...?"

"Three months ago, the Spirit Transformation Envoy of the Snow Bear Lineage personally carried the ancestral decree to the ancestral court, the Barbarian Bone Sacred Mountain, and met with the Dao Venerable E Gu."

Shi Yin's eyes were calm as he revealed the secret buried deep in his heart:

"The Snow Bear Lineage has taken a liking to my innate bloodline. They intend to formally incorporate me into the Snow Bear main lineage under the witness of the eight major lineages, designating me as their next successor."

"All the secret cultivation realms and the rare, Extreme Cold treasures accumulated over tens of thousands of years in the Northern River Ice Palace are fully open to me."

"Once I cross that chasm and fully establish my Immortal Foundation, that will be the day I enter the Spirit Transformation stage, and I will become the next lineage master of the Snow Bear Lineage!"

Boom!

Shi Pan felt a buzzing sound in his mind.

The master of one of the eight major meridians!

What does that mean? It means that he is a true pillar of the clan, on par with the Ancestor Shanyue and the Cang Wuji Ancestor!

Among the powerful royal families of the Beast Realm, only the lineage lord can have a special seat before the Dao Venerable.

He can rule over a territory and decide the life and death of millions of Demon Race!

If it were an ordinary Demon Cultivator, upon hearing of such an extraordinary fortuitous opportunity to ascend to the heavens in one step, they would probably be overjoyed.

But on Shi Yin's face, there was no trace of smugness or ecstasy, only an almost cruel calmness and a trace of guilt.

"Ancestor... does Ancestor Shi Jian know about this matter?"

Shi Pan's voice was dry and hoarse.

"The patriarch already knew this before he went into seclusion."

Shi Yin turned to look at Shi Pan: "The ancestor only left me with one sentence."

"The great way is to go alone, each in its proper place."