Meanwhile, on the other side, Sima Lingyun also received the news from Tokyo at the earliest possible moment. A hint of doubt flashed across his face. Logically speaking, the Shankou Family is the force placed in the open by the Heavenly God. This time, Lu Tianxing eliminated the Shankou Family, yet the Heavenly God never showed up, leading to doubts about the intrigue and conspiracy within.

After a moment of contemplation, Sima Lingyun couldn’t figure out why the Heavenly God didn’t take action this time. He could only slowly exhale a breath of murky air and murmur to himself: "Judge, although you succeeded in annihilating the Shankou Family this time, you’ve stirred up endless calamities for yourself. America’s Superman Team, Holy Mountain, and the Church will surely not let you go once they learn of your actions."

While speaking, Sima Lingyun slowly stood up from the sofa, his gaze fixed on the scenery outside the window: "Last time, thanks to the force of your Netherworld Mercenary Corps, the Yanhuang Group was able to expel those black sheep. It seems necessary for me to return a favor this time, to help you with something, to disrupt certain people’s attention."

Then, Sima Lingyun took out his phone and dialed a number.

...

Meanwhile, while everyone was shaken by the storm Lu Tianxing stirred up in Tokyo, in Northwest Hubei’s remote Shennongjia.

It was already late autumn, and the scenery of Shennongjia could be described as dreamlike, vibrant and fiery red, dazzling golden yellow, crystal-clear pale green, each color intertwined and blended, turning the entire Shennongjia into a colorful land.

Shennongjia, as one of China’s most famous world heritage sites, has always been shrouded in mythology. There are numerous legends regarding the origin of Shennongjia. It is said that in ancient times, Emperor Shennong led his people to a high mountain to taste herbs. Realizing the mountain was steep and forested, he concluded there must be miraculous medicines hidden here, and rejoiced exceedingly.

He first taught people to "build houses with wood, to avoid danger"; then taught them to "put up wooden ladders to assist climbing" and harvested 400 kinds of good medicine, composing "Shennong’s Materia Medica." To report back to the Heavenly Emperor, he "built a wooden altar and rode a crane to the heavens."

Descendants cherished their ancestor’s benevolence and named this high mountain Shennongjia.

Although no one knows if this myth is true or false, one thing is indisputable—Shennongjia is indeed very dangerous, with countless places where no one has ever set foot, filled with endless peril.

At this moment, deep within Shennongjia’s primordial forest, stood a man clad in a black robe, fluttering despite no breeze. He wore a golden mask on his face, making it impossible to see his features, but his gaze was utterly captivating.

His eyes were narrow, devoid of any emotional fluctuation, exuding an extremely cold stare—a stare unlike Bai Zhiqing’s former proud coldness, but one of complete indifference, as if nothing in the world was worth his attention.

The man stood there quietly, gazing into the distance, but his whole body created a special aura around him. Even the leaves swirling in the breeze couldn’t approach him. When they approached within a few meters of his body, they seemed to be cut by something, instantly disintegrating into debris, carried far away.

Suddenly, the rustling sound of footsteps on leaves came from not far away.

This man seemed completely oblivious to the sound, remaining utterly still.

Moments later, a man dressed in tight black attire appeared before him, hesitating not at all, dropping to one knee in a posture akin to a servant greeting his master: "Young Master, we’ve just received a message from Japan. Third Young Master of Lu Family went to Tokyo and eliminated the Shankou Family. Previously, Shankou Ikoh communicated through a special contact method to seek our help, but due to your instructions, we ignored him. Yet just now, news came from Japan—the Shankou Family has been destroyed."

Shankou Ikoh once sought aid from him and was addressed as Young Master, obviously revealing the identity of the man in the golden mask—he is none other than the Heavenly God, repeatedly targeting Lu Tianxing.

If Lu Tianxing were here, he would undoubtedly be shocked. He went to great lengths, venturing into Japan at great risk, intending to force the Heavenly God to reveal himself, yet here the Heavenly God appeared in Shennongjia, leading to suspicions about his intentions.

"Third Young Master of Lu Family destroyed the Shankou Family?"

The Heavenly God, whose features were obscured by a golden mask, slowly turned around, his tone lacking any emotional fluctuation, "I’m aware of this matter. The Shankou Family was destroyed; let them be. It’s unnecessary to pay too much attention to them. Your primary task is to seize the time to locate the position of the Qi Refiner’s Grave, understand?"

The Heavenly God’s voice was indifferent, slightly mechanical, making it impossible to discern anything from it, neither his age nor even his gender.

"Yes, Young Master."

The man in black nodded slightly, said nothing more, bowed to the Heavenly God, and then turned to leave.

"Young Master, does this Qi Refiner’s Grave truly contain powers for immortality and wealth rivaling a nation?" Just after the black-clad man departed, an old man, like a withered log, silently appeared beside the Heavenly God, slowly murmuring.

His voice was extremely hoarse, evoking a sinister wind-like sensation, listening to it made one’s spine tingle with cold.

"Immortality?"

Upon hearing this, the Heavenly God’s expression subtly shifted, replying softly, "Elder Huang, have you ever heard of the Creation Source Technique?"

"Creation Source Technique?"

Hearing the Heavenly God, the old man furrowed his brow slightly, pondering aloud, "Young Master, are you referring to the cultivation technique once practiced by Nie Kuangren?"

"That’s correct!"

The Heavenly God slowly responded, "Do you know where the Creation Source Technique originated from?"

The old man hesitated briefly before speaking, "Young Master, your implication is that the Creation Source Technique originates in this Qi Refiner’s Grave?"

"Correct."

The Heavenly God nodded, saying, "But more importantly, this Qi Refiner’s Grave is located within Shennongjia."

"Young Master, but we don’t possess the complete Four Symbols Ring, and the remaining two rings might very well be in the hands of Third Young Master of Lu Family."

The elder hesitated, speaking again, "Without the Four Symbols Ring, we cannot pinpoint the grave’s exact location. Searching blindly is akin to finding a needle in a haystack."