The mysterious and eerie floating continent was a place of verdant mountains, clear waters, breathtaking scenery, and overwhelming spiritual energy.
A thick haze blanketed the sky above the entire continent — spiritual energy so dense that it had condensed into visible mist.
The clear spring flowing from a nearby mountain peak was sweet and pure, possessing immense nourishing properties. It seemed that this water was no ordinary spring, but spiritual liquid.
Nearly a hundred warriors from the Purple Star and Sword Alliance factions had been stranded here. After a fierce battle, warriors from both sides had each found their spots and sat down to meditate and recover.
Soon, they discovered with amazement that on this floating continent, their recovery speed was several times faster than usual. The spiritual energy here was simply too abundant. Every one of them was thrilled, believing that surviving such a calamity meant blessings would follow, and they eagerly drew in the ambient spiritual energy.
Only the bizarre, seven-colored sky filled them with unease and dread.
Seven-colored luminescence drifted through the sky — no sun, moon, or stars were visible. It was utterly unlike the places these warriors had come from, and the alien sight left them somewhat disoriented.
A day later, most warriors had recovered considerably. They had brought along plenty of spiritual pills and medicinal herbs, and with the aid of the dense spiritual energy in this place, minor injuries had basically healed.
Lü Guichen of Purple Star suddenly came over to the Sword Alliance's side. Under the hostile and wary gazes of the Sword Alliance warriors, he walked over to Yue Xi with a composed demeanor.
Sensing the footsteps, Yue Xi slowly opened her eyes. Only when he had drawn close did she speak: "What do you want?"
Lü Guichen gestured toward a nearby mountain peak and said meaningfully: "Aren't you curious about that elder's true identity?"
"So what if I am?" Yue Xi's expression was indifferent, showing little interest.
But how could she not be curious? She had been racking her brain all day, trying to figure out the old man's identity, but she couldn't piece anything together. She was certain Lü Guichen was pondering the same question — his visit now was proof enough.
"That pitch-black great banner the elder used must be no ordinary thing. But try as I might, I can't recall any Artifact used by a powerhouse in the last thousand years that resembles it. Do you have any insights?"
"I don't. I can't identify what that banner is either." Yue Xi shook her head.
"As I thought... Then how about the two of us team up to investigate?"
"Team up with you?" Yue Xi curled her lip in contempt. "Isn't that like negotiating with a tiger for its skin?"
"Don't put it that way." Lü Guichen was utterly unfazed. "Right now, both your Sword Alliance people and my Purple Star people are stranded here, and there happens to be a supremely powerful elder at this place. By all rights, we ought to pay him a visit."
"You think he'll see us?"
"I don't know, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. At the very least, we should try to gauge his temperament. That won't do your Sword Alliance people any harm." Lü Guichen urged.
Yue Xi furrowed her brows and fell into thought.
She knew Lü Guichen wasn't wrong, but deep down she still resisted the idea of joining forces with this enemy.
The current situation left her no choice but to accept. After a long pause, she finally gave a slight nod: "Fine. I'll go with you to visit that elder."
"Rest assured, I won't pull any tricks this time. You saw the elder's power — I wouldn't dare do anything foolish." Lü Guichen couldn't help but smile bitterly. A powerhouse of that level was comparable to a Star Lord. He knew that even ten of himself combined would be no match.
Yue Xi gave a few instructions to the Sword Alliance warriors, then rose gracefully and headed toward the old man's mountain peak alongside Lü Guichen.
Once the two had gone far enough, sisters He Zao and He Miao exchanged a glance and, without drawing attention, drifted toward Yang Kai.
What had happened yesterday left them feeling apologetic. They had been wanting to express their remorse to Yang Kai and reassure him to wait a few more days — once Yue Xi recovered, she would help remove the restriction inside his body.
But He Zao had keenly sensed that her master somewhat distrusted Yang Kai, so she hadn't interacted with him much in front of her, lest her master's misunderstanding of Yang Kai deepen.
Only now had she found the right opportunity.
But just as they set out, a warrior named Wei Wu suddenly blocked their path, smiling as he asked: "Where are you two junior sisters headed?"
He Zao's brow furrowed: "Just taking a walk."
Wei Wu smiled and offered: "I'll come along with you."
"No need!" He Zao's expression darkened, and she refused flatly.
Wei Wu shook his head: "Junior Sister, Master just told us not to act on our own, because no one knows what dangers might be hidden here. You two are Master's most treasured jewels — if something were to happen, who could bear the responsibility? Just let me accompany you as an escort. If something really does happen, I can at least buy you some time."
He struck a heroic pose, as though willing to sacrifice his head and spill his blood for the sisters — chest out, chin high, playing the part of a mature and dependable senior.
"Didn't that elder say yesterday that there's no danger here?" He Miao blinked her big eyes.