Yi Tianyun swiftly approached the main entrance of the Celestial Sinking Ruins. As he drew closer, he could feel a powerful aura up ahead.

BOOM!

A massive explosion rang out, as if a terrifying force had been gathered and unleashed in an instant. The sound echoed between heaven and earth, deafeningly loud, and the ground trembled slightly. The power behind it was clearly astonishing.

Yi Tianyun’s eyes narrowed, and he quickened his pace. The closer he got, the more he could feel that dreadful energy. ’It seems they’ve resorted to some unconventional methods to break into these Celestial Sinking Ruins.’

When he got close, he immediately saw large groups of people gathered at the entrance of the Celestial Sinking Ruins—and there were quite a lot of them.

’So many Spirit Pill Stage experts...’ Yi Tianyun frowned as he got a clear look at the situation. Eight Spirit Pill Stage experts stood before the main gate of the Celestial Sinking Ruins, once again gathering a terrifying amount of energy to bombard the stone door.

Their cultivation levels ranged from the second to the eighth level of the Spirit Pill Stage. The one with the highest cultivation was undoubtedly the Mansion Master of Cyan Profound Mansion.

The Mansion Master of Cyan Profound Mansion had even come in person. This was quite the reception; clearly, they had been thoroughly enraged.

Behind them were over thirty Core Formation Stage experts! The lowest level cultivators present were at the Spirit Refining Stage, and there were over a hundred of them!

A dozen or so Spirit Pill Stage experts, over thirty Core Formation Stage experts, and more than a hundred Spirit Refining Stage cultivators. This was a force that no sect in the entire Earth Realm Continent could currently muster. This was the might of Cyan Profound Mansion!

But most importantly, was it not a bit of an exaggeration to mobilize their entire force just for Merak Palace? It was like using a butcher’s cleaver to kill a chicken—complete overkill.

’Looks like this gate won’t last much longer...’ Yi Tianyun saw that the area around the gate was in a sorry state, but the gate itself was still holding firm.

He didn’t know how long the stone gate had held out, but to withstand the bombardment of so many Spirit Pill Stage experts was incredible. The inscriptions carved on it were still clearly visible, faintly glowing with a soft golden light. It had powerfully defended against so many terrifying attacks, forcing him to marvel at the prowess of the Profound Celestial Spirit King who had laid this Array.

But no matter how powerful it was, it couldn’t withstand a prolonged bombardment. So many Spirit Pill Stage experts were attacking in shifts, and after they were done, it would be the Core Formation Stage experts’ turn. They refused to believe that they couldn’t blast this gate down with such a relentless assault.

"Prepare for the next round of attacks!" a middle-aged man commanded, his gaze icy. He had the highest cultivation level present, having reached the eighth level of the Spirit Pill Stage. He was none other than the Mansion Master of Cyan Profound Mansion, Qing Tianxuan!

"I refuse to believe this gate can hold out for much longer!" Qing Tianxuan sneered. "You killed our elder and now you think you can just hide inside the Celestial Sinking Ruins and we can’t do anything to you? This is a perfect opportunity to strike a heavy blow against the forces of the Earth Realm Continent. We were originally constrained by the rules and didn’t dare to come here at will, but now... excellent. You’ve given us the perfect excuse!"

There was a set of rules in the Celestial Realm Continent that forbade them from invading the Earth Realm Continent at will. After all, the power gap between the two was too vast, so casual invasions were prohibited. Such actions could easily lead to widespread death and destruction, an outcome they claimed they did not wish to see.

However, they were allowed to send people over to turn one or two factions into their puppets, which achieved the same goal of control. In reality, this rule was just for show; it could be broken with the slightest excuse.

And that was precisely the case now. By claiming that Merak Palace had challenged the dignity of Cyan Profound Mansion and killed their elder, they had an excuse to come knocking on their door. They were also using this opportunity to deliver a heavy blow to the surrounding factions.

The other powers of the Celestial Realm Continent knew what Cyan Profound Mansion was up to, but they said nothing. As long as it didn’t involve them, they couldn’t care less.

Losing an elder was painful, but compared to gaining an excuse to freely invade and seize territory, that elder’s death was well worth the price.

RUMBLE...

Just then, the stone gate began to open slowly. Qing Tianxuan raised a hand, signaling for them to hold their attack. He squinted, his gaze coiling around the slowly opening gate like a venomous snake.

The stone gate had just opened a crack when several figures emerged from within.

"Aunt!" Yi Tianyun’s heart trembled when he saw the first person to walk out.

Shi Xueyun stepped out, a longsword in her hand. Her originally white robes were splattered with blood, and her face was terrifyingly pale. It was obvious she had just been through a major battle and had suffered significant injuries.

Seeing Shi Xueyun emerge from the stone gate with such a pale face made his heart ache. He never imagined that after all this time, the once radiant Shi Xueyun would be in such a state.

From the fluctuations in her aura, Yi Tianyun could clearly tell that she was extremely weak; she must have sustained heavy injuries. This filled him with rage, and he wished he could cut down this pack of bastards right then and there!

"So, you finally decided to come out of your shell? I was starting to think you’d hide in there forever!" Qing Tianxuan said in a low voice. "Palace Master Shi, you killed our elder. I can overlook that, but you must hand over the murderer. In addition, you must marry me. If you do, I can let the matter with Merak Palace slide! Of course, Merak Palace must also become a vassal sect of our Cyan Profound Mansion!"

Even now, he was still fixated on making Shi Xueyun marry him. His eyes were filled with possessiveness as he looked at her. He wanted to possess any talented female Cultivator he came across! That feeling of conquest was something he thoroughly enjoyed.

Shi Xueyun remained silent. After sweeping her gaze over the crowd, she said, "I will go with you if you spare Merak Palace."

"I already told you, you also need to hand over the murderer. Only then will the conditions be met!" Qing Tianxuan said coldly. "You are not in a position to negotiate with me. Did you really think you could rely on these pathetic ruins to block our attacks forever? We’ll break down this gate in a few days, and then you’ll all be at our mercy! At that point, it won’t be as simple as just becoming a vassal. You’d better think this through."

They had the absolute advantage; it would be foolish to negotiate. Negotiations only happen when both sides are evenly matched. Once that balance is broken, all conditions and rules are bullshit.

"In that case, we will fight to the death!" A cold glint flashed in Shi Xueyun’s beautiful eyes as she suddenly charged forward with her sword. Her aura surged, and the power of her Spirit Pill Stage cultivation erupted. A chilling air spread wherever she went, instantly Freezing a large area!

"Stay here and don’t move!" Shi Xueyun sent via voice transmission before she left.

"Palace Master, don’t go! They’re too strong!" the Second Elder cried out urgently.

There were so many experts up ahead. If Shi Xueyun charged in, she would be surrounded, and then escape would be truly impossible. But Shi Xueyun, a blur of white, charged forward, turning a deaf ear to his plea. Her expression was utterly frigid, and the surrounding temperature dropped noticeably from the frosty qi she released.

From a distance, a glint flashed in Yi Tianyun’s eyes. He was already prepared to mount a rescue!