The Ancient Relic City stood firm within a valley hemmed in by barren, rocky mountains. Unlike the dilapidated Border City, this metropolis was constructed from formidable black granite, its towering spires adorned with multicolored spiritual lamps. It was the epicenter of the antique trade—a place where priceless treasures and human lives were exchanged for equally low prices. Huo Tian Xian, Xue Er, and Huo Li Yu entered the city gates under the shroud of heavy cloaks. Li Yu still appeared frail, but the Nine Heavens Dew had successfully checked the demonic toxin, preventing it from spreading further toward her heart. Master Mo had parted ways with them at the gates to scour the black markets for information regarding the Scroll of Destiny Reversal. "This place smells of greed and dust," Xue Er whispered. She felt conspicuous in the deep blue silk gown Tian Xian had purchased for her in a small town earlier. Her white hair was now tucked beneath a hood to avoid drawing unwanted eyes

The Central Empire’s airship streaked through the clouds, unleashing spiritual cannons that reduced the remains of the Shadow Treasure Pavilion to dust. However, Huo Tian Xian and his group had already vanished deep into the Forbidden Mist Forest—a vast expanse shrouded in a dense white fog capable of misleading the senses of even the most powerful cultivators. "These trees... they’re moving," Huo Li Yu whispered, her voice trembling. She gripped her dagger tightly, her eyes wary as she watched the gargantuan trees that loomed like slumbering giants. "This is no ordinary forest," Master Mo interjected, tapping his wooden staff against the ground to sense the energy vibrations. "This is a natural array constructed by the world itself. This mist is concentrated earthly chi. One wrong step, and we will be trapped within an illusion forever." Tian Xian led the way. His twin blades were sheathed, yet his eyes, now carrying a sharp icy blue glint, continuously swept the surroundings. His

The ominous violet mists of the Forbidden Forest were gradually replaced by the soothing, fragrant scent of medicinal herbs. After a grueling three-day journey from the frozen North, Huo Tian Xian’s group finally entered the Valley of a Thousand Physicians. Tucked away behind a natural shield of verdant mountains in the Southern territories, this valley was a sanctuary where the wars and ambitions of sects seemed forbidden by the laws of nature itself.Tian Xian walked with a heavy limp, his weight leaning heavily on Xue Er’s shoulder. Every step left a trail of unstable energy; the residual shockwaves from the clash between his Ice Dragon essence and the Demonic Energy he had forced during his fight against Han Bing had ravaged his meridian pathways."Patience, Xian. We are here," Xue Er whispered softly. She wiped the cold sweat from his brow with her silk handkerchief.Huo Li Yu walked on his other side, clutching a vial of calming medicine given by Master Mo to dampen the turbulen

Their footsteps echoed along the stone corridor, where the walls were lined with natural fluorite crystals. The subterranean air was surreal—one side of the passage felt searingly hot, like volcanic steam, while the other was frozen so deeply it emitted a thick ice mist. This was the Frost-Phoenix Tomb, the final resting place of the Huo Clan ancestors who had successfully achieved the harmony of the dual elements. "Xian, look at these walls," Huo Li Yu said, pointing toward a series of murals that became clearer as they ventured deeper. Tian Xian stopped. The paintings depicted the Huo Clan’s golden age, but one panel made his blood run cold. It showed a man in crimson armor—their father—standing in the middle of an encirclement. However, the betrayers were not outsiders; they wore the uniforms of the clan’s own inner servants. "Betrayal from within..." Tian Xian hissed, his eyes flashing a dangerous red. "So, the White Shadow Gate’s raid that night only succeeded because someone

After their grueling escape from the tomb's ruins, Huo Tian Xian’s group chose to bypass the main road leading to the bastion. Master Mo guided them toward a hidden valley fed by the Crystal River, a sanctuary far removed from the Imperial patrol routes. Here, the oppressive black bamboo gave way to lush gandarusa trees and soft, rolling meadows.That night, there were no clashing blades or surging energy blasts. There was only the soothing murmur of the river and the rhythmic chirp of crickets hidden in the brush.Tian Xian sat upon a large boulder by the riverbank, wiping dried bloodstains from his bracers with a damp cloth. His eyes, usually sharp and vigilant, appeared slightly hollow, reflecting a deep spiritual exhaustion."Rest, Xian. Your sword isn't going anywhere," the soft voice of Huo Li Yu broke her brother’s reverie.His sister approached carrying a bowl of forest mushroom soup, still sending up plumes of fragrant steam. Li Yu looked refreshed; the green Phoenix mark on