Night fell.

The moon was bright, the stars sparse.

Yet, above Fuhai District, layers of golden light suffused the air.

A colossal, crimson-gold behemoth soared through the sky, looking down upon all of creation. The moment its pupils opened, it was day; when they closed, it was night.

Molten-gold light surged and poured out, as if the entire world had been illuminated.

Beneath the sea of clouds, countless Star Martial Artists bowed in reverence.

They knelt respectfully, basking in the blessings of the Dao’s rhythm, their fanatical worship of Qin Yang reaching its absolute peak!

The next moment.

BOOM!

With Fuhai District at its center, Qin Yang’s aura spread out in all directions, creating ripples like an ocean tide.

He sat cross-legged and motionless, breathing slowly.

But the True Dragon Dharma Aspect above his head grew more substantial, as if transforming into a true dragon.

With formidable scales and claws, it soared across the firmament.

But just then,

the dragon in the sky suddenly dove, hurtling toward Qin Yang. It opened its cavernous maw and, in a single gulp, swallowed him whole.

This terrifying sight immediately drew gasps of shock from the countless Star Martial Artists!

’A Dharma Aspect devouring someone?!’

’What is happening!’

But before they could even react,

RUMBLE!

The Golden Dragon that had swallowed Qin Yang manifested once more, transforming back into a figure that was part dragon and part man as it ascended into the night sky.

At this moment, Qin Yang was a true dragon roaming the world. His golden scales scraped against the misty clouds, stirring up terrifying ripples that shattered the sea of clouds.

Soaring on the clouds and mist, man and Aspect as one!

Late Stage of the Celestial Venerable Realm!

Success!

........

Meanwhile, under the blessings of the True Dragon Dharma Aspect.

Outside Fuhai District, the green belts and forests were suffused with a faint golden radiance. Every Star Martial Artist who had rushed over was seated cross-legged.

Wisps of golden threads seeped into their bodies.

Following the roars of the Golden Dragon in the sky, a sound like thunder echoed in their ears.

With every roar they heard, a change occurred within them. Their muscles and bones expanded and transformed, and Star Force gathered inside them like a swirling vortex.

A moment later.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Pillars of aura shot up into the sky one after another!

In an instant, the auras of the Innate Realm swept out, wave after wave, erupting with terrifying power that blew away the obstructing clouds and mist!

More and more Star Martial Artists stood up, immediately feeling the changes within their bodies.

Their muscles and bones were strengthened, their Star Force immense.

It was as if they had broken free from their mortal shackles.

"The Innate Realm! I’ve broken through to the Innate Realm!"

"So this is what it’s like! This is the Innate Realm!!"

"Amazing! It’s all thanks to the True Dragon Martial God!"

"Long live the Heaven-Blasting Gang!"

In the crowd, someone—it was unclear who started it—suddenly shouted, instantly setting off a reaction from everyone around.

Excited and grateful cries spread through the crowd.

"Thank you for your great benevolence, True Dragon Martial God!"

Tonight, all the Martial Artists in Jianghai took another step forward.

The entire city ascended to a higher Realm!

...

...

「A few days later.」

「Da Li Mountain Range.」

Beneath the Ten Directions Sealing Demon Array, a monstrous sea of blood churned, its bloody mist rising to frame the sprawling mountain range, making it look as if it had a gaping wound.

Blood-red clouds covered half the sky, like a forbidden zone on earth.

A figure streaked past the pine forests at the foot of the mountains, transforming into a crimson-gold stream of light. Along the way, thousands of Star Beasts scurried out of its path, as if fleeing an ancient, malevolent spirit.

A moment later, Qin Yang finally came to a halt before the Ten Directions Sealing Demon Array.

The moment he stopped, a thick wave of blood energy from within the Array rushed to meet him.

’He’s recovered this much?’

Seeing this, Qin Yang’s brow furrowed slightly.

Three years had passed, and without him there to draw his blood, the Beast God had also recovered a good deal of his strength.

At this moment, the blood mist within the Array had spread out, seemingly endless.

Just then,

a voice suddenly came from within the Array.

"Qin Yang?"

Within the Blood Sea Domain, the Beast God, who was sitting cross-legged, suddenly opened his eyes. As if sensing something, he looked up toward the sky above the Da Li Mountain Range.

He immediately saw Qin Yang hovering there.

"What the hell are you doing here, you bastard!?"

The Beast God hid warily in the blood mist, revealing only his eyes to watch Qin Yang, already fully prepared to respond. "My strength has now returned to its Peak. If you think you can draw my blood again, it won’t be so easy!"

"Tsk, listen to you."

Hearing this, Qin Yang just smiled, putting on a nonchalant, devil-may-care attitude.

"We’ve known each other for a few years, haven’t we? Can’t I just stop by to see you when I have a spare moment?"

"Bah! You, visiting me? A weasel visiting a chicken for New Year’s—you’re definitely up to no good!"

The Beast God spat angrily and couldn’t stop himself from cursing, "After I get out of here, I’ll definitely... you... Huh?"

He was just about to continue cursing.

But halfway through his sentence,

he suddenly raised an eyebrow with a gasp of surprise. After sensing Qin Yang’s aura, the mouth that had been about to resume its tirade fell silent.

He was shocked and uncertain.

’Am I mistaken?’

Right now, Qin Yang was like an Immortal, one with heaven and earth.

His divine light was restrained, without the slightest hint of his aura showing.

’Three years ago, I could still sense his aura and tell that he was at the Middle to Late Stage of the Celestial Venerable Realm.’

’But seeing him now, I can’t even discern a trace of his Realm!’

’I can’t see through him at all?!’

"Qin Yang, have you broken through to the Late Stage of the Celestial Venerable Realm?"

At this thought, the Beast God’s pupils quaked as he stared at Qin Yang in disbelief. "How is that possible?!"

’In just three short years, he’s actually reached the late stage?’

’Isn’t that way too fast?’

"Hehe, you’ve got a decent eye."

Qin Yang chuckled at his words and, with his hands behind his back, slowly descended to the ground, not bothering to hide it from him. "That’s right. I’m at the Late Stage of the Celestial Venerable Realm now.

And if I add my enhancement Secret Technique on top of that, it’s enough to contend with a Peak Celestial Venerable like you..."

"..."

The Beast God said no more, his heart filled with shock and uncertainty.

’To reach the Late Stage of the Celestial Venerable Realm in three years...’

’Isn’t that kind of talent just too monstrous?’

’If he keeps developing like this, reaching the Divine Venerable Realm would be a simple matter.’

’Wait... the Divine Venerable Realm?’

As he pondered, the Beast God suddenly thought of something. His eyes flickered, and looking at the floating Qin Yang, his tone suddenly became calm and even:

"Qin Yang, now that you are in the Celestial Venerable Realm, you must already be able to feel the shackles of this world...

Aren’t you curious about the opportunity to break through to the Divine Venerable Realm, and what that truly entails?"

As his voice fell,

silence fell between the two.

A light breeze drifted past, then vanished into the air.

The Beast God nervously watched Qin Yang for any emotional fluctuations, already planning his next words.

’Now that Qin Yang has reached the Late Stage of the Celestial Venerable Realm, he can already see the threshold of a higher Realm. My words are meant to stoke his desire to break through to the Divine Venerable Realm.’

’Once the plan succeeds, Qin Yang will become obsessed and take the initiative to open the Celestial Gate to the Upper Realm!’

’The Celestial Gate will swing open, and Immortals will descend upon the world.’

At the thought of that scene, the Beast God couldn’t help but clench his fists, his fingertips nearly digging into his palms as he grew agitated.

’As long as I can get him to open the Celestial Gate, not even this Sealing Demon Array will be able to hold me back!’

After a few moments of contemplation,

"Oh?"

A thought flickered through Qin Yang’s mind. A curious expression appeared on his face as he slowly looked toward the Beast God and said,

"So, you’re willing to talk now?"