"I've restored my space source laws," Ye Kaishan said, rising to his feet. A faint shimmer of blue energy still radiated around him.
"Brother Ye, are you done?" Yang Bing asked, stepping toward him.
"Yes," he nodded. "My preparations are complete."
"Then we can finally leave this place!" Yang Mon exclaimed, his voice filled with excitement.
Not far away, Song Yan stood with her shoulders heaving. Her soul energy was nearly depleted, her body trembling from exhaustion. But upon hearing Ye Kaishan's voice, a wave of relief washed over her.
"Sister Xu," she said weakly, "our part is done. Let's go."
"Yes," Li Xu nodded. Together, the two women flew down to join Ye Kaishan.
Ye Kaishan caught Song Yan's arm as she stumbled slightly. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," she replied with a tired smile. "No serious injuries—just drained."
Above them, Lee Xiao and Lee Mo still hovered in the sky, watching with narrowed eyes.
"What are they doing?" Lee Xiao asked, confused. "Why are they regrouping now? They can't run anywhere. The closing time of the Ghost Territory is still far off."
"Are you really able to teleport us out of the Ghost Territory?" Wang Li asked, walking up to Ye Kaishan.
"Yes," he said with a steady breath. "Now that I've gathered enough spatial laws, I can take all of us out."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Yang Bing grinned. "Let's go—ouch! Sister Bing, what was that for?!"
"You should be more respectful when asking someone for help," she scolded. Then she turned to Ye Kaishan. "Sorry about that, Brother Ye."
Ye Kaishan smiled faintly. "It's fine."
Song Yan reached out and took his hand. "Let's go."
Ye Kaishan raised his hand. A tremendous surge of space laws erupted from his body. A deep, humming blue light enveloped them all—Wang Li, Li Xu, Yang Bing, Yang Mon, Luo Xuan—and the world around them began to distort.
From above, Lee Mo watched intently. "Hmm… looks like they're teleporting somewhere."
"What? They're teleporting?" Lee Xiao's expression hardened.
"Yes," Lee Mo said. "I saw it during our first battle—when we attacked, they disappeared in the same way. But this time… the magnitude of space energy is far greater. They must be going somewhere much farther."
"Then what are we waiting for?" Lee Xiao growled. "Let's follow them!"
She and Lee Mo dove toward the vortex of spatial light.
Just as Ye Kaishan's group vanished, the space around them collapsing in a flash of light, Lee Xiao and Lee Mo managed to slip into the lingering tear in space. The magnitude of energy was immense, but they forced their way in.
The Southern Region - Camp of the Three Clans, Outside the Dead Land
Outside the fortified camp, Elder Yang of the Yang Clan stood with arms crossed, visibly agitated. Beside her, Elder Luo of the Luo Clan shared the same uneasy air.
"Have you seen where that bastard Song Tu has gone?" Elder Yang asked, frowning. "Ever since I told him the news about the Ghost Territory, he's vanished."
Reports of soul links shattering had reached them—bonds between dao companions severed. At least five disciples from the Yang Clan had already perished.
"Have you informed your clan to send reinforcements?" Elder Luo asked.
"Yes. I've explained everything. They're sending two elders in the Creation Realm," Elder Yang said with a sigh. "But even at full speed, it'll take them a week to get here."
"I asked as well," Elder Luo replied. "But the only two Creation Realm elders in our clan are currently away."
"Then there's nothing we can do for now."
Suddenly, Elder Luo pointed to the sky. "Wait… someone's coming."
Elder Yang looked up. A solitary figure approached from the distance, descending swiftly on a flying treasure.
"Hmm… he looks familiar."
"Don't you think he resembles Song Tu?"
Elder Luo squinted. "Now that you mention it… the same cold eyes, that arrogant face—makes me want to punch him."
"But how could that be Song Tu? He looks no older than thirty."
The man landed smoothly before them, retrieving his flying treasure and placing it into his soul ring. "What are you staring at? I'm not giving you this," he said dryly.
"You really are Song Tu!" both elders exclaimed in unison.
"What are you talking about?" Song Tu asked, feigning confusion.
"Have you broken through to the Soul Star Realm?" Elder Yang asked.
"Yes. I've been away stabilizing my cultivation," Song Tu answered.
"But how did you become so youthful? Even at the Star Realm, this is…"
"Oh, I rarely bother explaining," Song Tu said with a smirk. "When I was weaker, I focused all my soul energy on cultivation, not on preserving my youth. Now that I've ascended, my energy circulation restored my appearance. I'm actually younger than both of you."
Elder Yang twitched. "(-_-*&%) Who are you calling old, you arrogant bastard?!"
"Calm down, calm down…" Elder Luo said, trying not to laugh.
After a moment, Elder Yang asked, "Have you informed your Song Family?"
"No."
"What? Why not?!"
"Haha… uh… I got excited after my breakthrough and forgot."
"Hmph. I didn't expect much from you," Elder Yang grumbled. "Since you've advanced, that means Song Mian is here too, isn't she?"
"Yes. She's not far. But she needs time to stabilize her realm."
Elder Yang frowned. "How did she get here so soon?"
"Well, after we parted, she felt something strange and followed from a distance. When you contacted me, I messaged her—she was already near the Holy Summit."
"I see. So why isn't she here now?"
"She's busy consolidating her breakthrough. I finished mine first, so I came to inform you in person."
"She reached the Late Soul Star Realm?" Elder Yang asked, eyes narrowing.
Before Song Tu could answer, space distorted again.
The elders drew their swords, energy flaring. Seven figures stepped out from the rift—worn, bloodied, but alive.
"We finally made it…" Luo Xuan said, almost collapsing.
Wang Li looked around. "This place… Is this the Southern Region?"
"I think so," Li Xu replied. "It looks familiar."
"Hah… we're out," Ye Kaishan said with a tired breath. The immense effort had clearly drained him.
"He's still in the Forging Realm," Song Yan thought, watching him. "To use that much space law at once—it's no wonder he's exhausted."
"Sister Bing, are we really out?" Yang Mon asked, disbelief on his face.
"What do you think?" Yang Bing grinned, gesturing to the camp ahead. "Can't you see the flags? We're out for real."
Elder Yang, Elder Luo, and Song Tu stood frozen, staring at the seven who had just appeared.
"What the hell is happening here?!" Elder Yang exclaimed.