The world before them bloomed with towering trees, vibrant blossoms, and lush emerald grass. The sheer purity of the scene left everyone breathless. Crisp, refreshing air lifted their spirits. White birds nested in the woods; colorful butterflies danced among petals—a breathtaking vision so surreal it felt like stepping into a dream.
“So… beautiful…” Hua Zhaoxue murmured, her voice dreamy and soft. Her eyes, along with the other three girls’, grew hazy as the whisper drifted gently through the paradise-like landscape.
Just as the group sank into the ethereal beauty, Tian You—standing at the very back—suddenly stiffened. She slowly turned toward the pushed-open stone gate, a faint glint flashing in her violet eyes.
Li Rui, too, had been mesmerized—until he snapped back. Hurrying forward, his gaze darted urgently across the scenery, scanning again and again.
His goal was clear: find a way to obtain Qi Energy. Yet after searching thoroughly, he found nothing—not a single method for males, no cultivation manuals, no weapons. Beyond the serene, almost illusory beauty, not a trace of power remained.
“Could this… truly be the ruins of an Eighth-Tier Battle Seer?” Bai Ziting suddenly pointed ahead, voice trembling with astonishment. “Look! What is that?!”
At her cry, Li Rui instantly perked up and rushed toward the spot. The others froze in surprise. After a beat, Li Yilin let out a soft sigh, her gaze lingering on his retreating back with quiet pity.
“Let’s hurry and follow Little Rui.”
They nodded and hurried after him.
“What… is this…” Li Yilin, seasoned and composed, stood utterly speechless.
Amid a sea of blossoms stood a roofless, wall-less palanquin, woven entirely from exotic herbs. Atop it grew a colossal flowering tree. Emerald vines coiled around its trunk, cradling a serene woman with closed eyes and a gentle smile. Vivid green tendrils wrapped her body softly. Her hands rested crossed over her chest, holding a bronze-hued longsword.
As they gazed, a breeze swept by, carrying a strange, sweet fragrance. One breath—and they sank deep into a dreamlike trance.
“Could this… be the late Eighth-Tier Battle Seer?!” Hua Zhaoxue asked, steadying her voice despite the ripple in her heart.
“…It seems the only possibility,” Li Yilin murmured, eyes fixed on the woman’s supple-looking skin. “Legends say surpassing the Eighth-Tier limit lets a Battle Seer commune with the essence of faith. They can imbue their Soulbound Artifact with soul, linking it to their life force. As long as the Artifact endures, the body remains unharmed. To see it… truly awe-inspiring.”
While they marveled, Li Rui—who’d stood frozen—suddenly bolted toward the palanquin.
“Little Rui?!” “Li Rui?!”
Li Yilin, Bai Ziting, and Li Yuanqian cried out in alarm. “Don’t go! If she was truly an Eighth-Tier Battle Seer, her Soulbound Artifact might not be dormant yet!”
Li Rui ignored them, steps quickening, eyes locked on the bronze sword with burning desire.
ROAR!!!!
The paradise shattered under an earth-shaking dragon’s roar. Li Rui froze. Li Yilin, Bai Ziting, and the others staggered, ears ringing from the blast.
The ground trembled violently. Bronze light erupted skyward in blazing columns. An ancient, crushing aura flooded the space.
“Little Rui!! MOVE!!!”
Li Yilin’s voice cracked. Li Rui jerked back just in time—the earth where he’d stood collapsed inward. A massive dragon silhouette burst forth.
A hundred feet long, its bronze-scaled body radiated solemn pressure. Claws and tail faintly gleamed. At that moment, the bronze sword in the woman’s hands shot forth as a slender beam—slamming into the dragon’s forehead.
Ding—
Lifeless eyes ignited with crimson pupils. Majestic. Unyielding.
“You have… overstepped your bounds.”
The dragon spoke—a deep, rugged voice humming with primordial might, sending chills straight to their bones.
