“Demon Slaying Divine Nail.”The words flashed through Darian Kaelthorn’s mind for a split second, almost like a system notification he didn’t remember signing up for. Strange. Cold. Not even fully understandable—like the world itself had briefly whispered into his thoughts.And then came the scream.The Sunken Blood Demon’s roar tore across the shattered sky, sharp enough to make the void itself tremble.Darian didn’t even blink. His eyes snapped straight to the Black-White Holy Master’s right hand.There it was.A single black nail.About the length of a finger.Plain. Old. Almost boring at first glance—like something dug out of an abandoned workshop and forgotten for centuries.But the moment Darian truly saw it… everything in his body reacted at once.His skin prickled.Hair standing on end.That deep, instinctive alarm you don’t think about—you just feel it.Danger.Not normal danger. Not even close.Something in his bones screamed at him to stay far away, like his very soul had

Everything—life and death, win and loss—it all came down to a single blink of an eye.The battle above Burial Heaven Mountain wasn’t even something most people could properly understand anymore. Every clash of force, every breath in that sky, carried enough power to wipe things out or turn fate around completely.The Fallen Blood Demon had planned it all like a patient hunter. From the very start, it had baited the Black-White Holy Master into using the Demon-Slaying Divine Nail. That was the trap. Once the nail was activated and the Holy Master exposed himself, the plan was simple—drain him dry, then finish him off in one clean strike.It was cruel. Careful. Almost perfect.Honestly, it should’ve worked.But it didn’t.Because the Black-White Holy Master had already seen through it.Worse for the demon… he didn’t even avoid it.He walked straight into the trap like it was nothing.Every move he made looked like he was falling for it, but in reality, he was setting up his own counter-

Darian Kaelthorn’s words landed in the air… and yeah, they didn’t exactly go unnoticed.The Black-White Holy Master’s calm expression shifted just a little. Not much, but enough to show he was surprised.He had already explained everything clearly. The blood-colored demonic qi wasn’t something you could just “handle” casually. Sure, there were ways to counter it, but those conditions were rare. Extremely rare. The kind of rare you don’t just bump into on a random day.And yet this young man was acting like it was no big deal.That alone naturally raised questions.The Holy Master’s eyes moved between Darian and the unconscious Aeris Valeblue. Her pale face, her weakened breathing, the way she lay so still… honestly, the whole scene had a strange, almost delicate feel to it.A thought slipped in without permission.Is this kid really confident… or just trying to look impressive in front of her?Darian noticed the doubt right away.He didn’t blame him. If roles were reversed, he’d proba

Yu Jiaoxue’s message wasn’t as simple as it sounded. There was something hidden in it—especially in the first part.“You saved her three times, but I only owe you one favor.”Ye Wuque’s expression tightened the moment he heard that.Three times?He frowned a little, thinking it over.“What does she mean… three times?”A faint confusion crept into his mind.The first one was obvious. Right now, he was personally healing her injuries. No doubt about that.But the second time… he had to think for a moment.Then it hit him.“Oh… right.”That memory came back clearly.When Kong had taken control of his body and forced him into that battle against the Fallen Blood Demon, he had pushed himself to the limit until the Black-White Saint Lord arrived. That situation had definitely saved her life,e too.So that was two.Then the third time was…The moment that thought formed, Ye Wuque’s whole body stiffened.A chill ran straight down his spine.There was only one possibility left.The Star Ocean.

After leaving the Eastern District disciples’ quarters and separating from the other eight companions who had come together from the Eastern Lands, Darian Kaelthorn naturally felt a sense of reluctance in his heart.But he did not turn back. Instead, his steps became even firmer.“Separation leads to reunion, departure leads to meeting again. There is no need for sorrow—move forward with all your strength. When I look back in the future, it will surely be a beautiful sight.”The morning breeze brushed across his face, and the dawn glow filled the sky. After understanding this, a faint smile slowly appeared on Darian Kaelthorn’s face, and he seemed to become more open and relaxed.About half an hour later, Darian Kaelthorn arrived beneath a quiet mountain peak. Looking up at the ancient and simple palace lying across the mountain and the plaque hanging above its gate that read “Battle Formation Palace,” a surge of heat and anticipation rose within him.Battle Formation Palace!From tod