If anyone could look down upon Desolate Void Ridge from high above, they would see that the entire ridge was spinning like a top, a colossal funnel shape radiating outward from some central point, its terrifying suction force pulling at every living being within its bounds.
Countless birds and beasts were dragged into the great swirling vortex at the funnel's heart, vanishing in the blink of an eye. Even more creatures—along with warriors who had entered the ridge to gather resources—simply detonated into mists of blood, leaving not even bones behind.
Those fortunate warriors who had been lingering near the outer rim had a stroke of luck, managing to escape the catastrophe. But when they looked back, every single one of them was pale-faced, hearts still trembling with lingering fear.
Many had no idea what was going on, but others recognized this phenomenon as the legendary Desolate Void Grand Vortex. News spread from one person to ten, from ten to a hundred, and before long everyone had heard. While they marveled at the terrifying might of nature's Grand Dao, a surge of eager anticipation also filled their hearts.
Because after every Desolate Void Grand Vortex, the entire ridge would be reshaped anew. Heavenly treasures that had once been buried deep within Desolate Void Ridge would shift along with the changing terrain, flowing outward toward the periphery.
In other words, once the upheaval settled, a great number of heavenly treasures would appear along the outer edges. How could they not be excited?
"I think I saw the City Lord entering the depths of Desolate Void Ridge earlier. Not sure if my eyes were playing tricks on me."
"No, I saw it too. The City Lord was moving in great haste, as if chasing someone."
"The City Lord is in trouble now. I wonder if he'll make it back safely."
"Doesn't look good. The depths of Desolate Void Ridge were already extraordinarily dangerous—even an Emperor Realm expert venturing deep in might not return unscathed. And now with this Grand Vortex on top of that? His odds aren't looking good at all!"
Crowds of warriors gathered at a distant vantage point beyond the ridge's outer perimeter, buzzing with speculation. If Pang Guang truly perished within Desolate Void Ridge this time, the power structure of Gao City would be reshuffled entirely. For many, that was welcome news. Some rejoiced while others despaired—their emotions were endlessly complicated.
Meanwhile, deep within Desolate Void Ridge, Yang Kai shielded Liu Xianyun as they struggled to endure the horrifying suction pulling from the center. Every article of clothing on Yang Kai's body had been shredded into tatters. His skin was cracked and split, blood covering him from head to toe—a wretched sight.
The suction force from the depths behaved in some inexplicable manner. The more one resisted it, the more terrifying it became. The mounting pressure bore down on Yang Kai, making each passing moment harder than the last.
Were it not for his exceptional physical constitution, he would have already burst apart like so many other creatures.
"Senior Brother, forget about me. Save yourself!" Liu Xianyun was resisting too, but with Yang Kai shielding her, her situation was comparatively better than his. Seeing him in such a state, guilt and anguish flooded her heart, knowing she was dragging him down.
Even as she spoke, she pushed off with her toes, attempting to move away from Yang Kai.
Yang Kai's hand shot back and seized her wrist. He shook his head slowly, his voice low and firm: "Don't worry. I'll tell you when I truly can't hold on any longer."
In this life-and-death crisis, he still refused to abandon her. Warmth flooded through Liu Xianyun's heart, and she was moved beyond words. Sharing prosperity was easy; sharing hardship was the true test. It was in times of tribulation that a person's heart was most clearly revealed.
Liu Xianyun felt that having met Yang Kai in the Star Boundary was the greatest fortune of her entire life.
Without any visible sign, she quietly ceased her resistance. A sorrowful smile appeared on her face as she said, "Senior Brother, take care of yourself from now on!"
"What are you doing?!" Yang Kai's expression changed sharply. Sensing her intent, he immediately barked, "Don't give up—I still have another way out."
Liu Xianyun shook her head slowly, letting herself be dragged by that terrifying force.
Yang Kai was in a panic. He understood that Liu Xianyun had made up her mind not to be a burden any longer. He was on the verge of tossing her into the Small Sealed World without caring about the consequences, when Liu Xianyun suddenly wore a strange expression, her face shifting to something utterly bewildered.
The next instant, she cried out: "Senior Brother, stop resisting! If you stop resisting, there's absolutely no danger at all!"
Hearing this, Yang Kai perked up. He looked closely and saw that Liu Xianyun was indeed completely unharmed. Realizing she wasn't lying, he immediately released his own power, letting that horrifying suction wash over him freely.
The force that had been crushing him and dealing terrible damage to his body vanished in an instant.
Just as Liu Xianyun had said, the force was perfectly harmless if you didn't fight it. The more you resisted, the worse it became.
But under normal circumstances, who wouldn't resist? Anyone would fight with everything they had to escape—and the moment they did, they were as good as dead.
Once Yang Kai abandoned his resistance, the powerful suction pulled both him and Liu Xianyun rapidly toward the center of Desolate Void Ridge. The surging force made him feel like a lone skiff tossed upon raging storm waves, in danger of capsizing at any moment.
"Senior Brother, look!" Liu Xianyun clung tightly to his arm, utterly indifferent to the way her full chest was pressed and deformed against it. Suddenly she let out a sharp gasp.
Yang Kai turned to look, and his expression darkened. He could see that in the direction the suction was pulling from, a massive, pitch-black funnel loomed before his eyes. Near the funnel, the earth churned and writhed. Countless birds and beasts were being sucked into it, their fates unknown.
He wanted to send out his divine sense to probe the interior, but the moment his sense left his body it was shredded apart. A sharp pain lanced through his skull, and he didn't dare try again.
Liu Xianyun grew ever more tense, her delicate body trembling like a quail without shelter in the dead of winter. She had no idea whether she would live or die once she was pulled into that vortex. She had only arrived in the Star Boundary a few years ago—she certainly wasn't ready to die like this.