"We are all confined here, never to leave for eternity." Clan Leader Leopard said coldly, "Why should I care about outside? Surviving comes first."

"I won’t fight with you anymore today, returning now."

At this, Clan Leader Leopard spoke no more, leading the Demon Pseudo-Gods back to their domain.

Clan Leader Ye also said nothing further, only glancing in the direction where Qin An left as he walked, his eyes flickering with strange lights.

...

Outside the Forbidden Land of Extreme Heat.

As Qin An and the others stepped out, the scorching heat immediately vanished.

Qin An turned back, about to speak, but Liu Xuanming was the first to cup his fists.

"Mr. Qin, today’s battle was truly eye-opening. I, Liu, have witnessed Mr. Qin’s unparalleled prowess and will never forget it. I thank you for your rescue today, and if there’s a chance in the future to drink together, I shall repay this kindness."

The others also cupped their hands to Qin An, expressing their gratitude and deep appreciation.

Qin An shook his head and said, "No need for thanks; we were allies on this mission, so there’s no need to be so formal. Alright, since everyone is fine, I’ll be leaving first."

The achievements acquired from this mission were plentiful, and they belonged exclusively to the Forbidden Land Envoy, even more than the Mountain Patrol Commander’s merits.

Therefore, Qin An felt that he wouldn’t have to leave again for a long time after returning, preferring to practice the expertise of the Butcher and the Blacksmith, then advance his Blade Skill and Fist Skill to the initial comprehension of the Element Transformation Realm.

By then, his Power of Attack wouldn’t be hindered.

Everyone knew Qin An’s indifferent nature and said no more, quietly watching him leave before retreating silently.

Soon, the area outside the Forbidden Land of Extreme Heat once again fell into silence, as if no one had ever been there.

...

At this moment, amidst the ruins of the Ancient Battlefield, slaughter was everywhere.

Both human cultivators and Demon Pseudo-Gods searched for their fortunes within the ruins of the Ancient Battlefield.

In a sea area within the Ancient Battlefield ruins, a woman in a colorful long dress sat on a throne, shaking a wine glass in her hand.

The glass held crimson blood, which she drank with her head tilted back, letting it drip down her pale chin to the ground.

Below, Yu Tian knelt on the ground, trembling all over, not daring to speak.

After drinking the blood in the glass, the woman smashed it forcefully, hitting Yu Tian’s face and knocking him to the ground.

Yet Yu Tian quickly crawled up, prostrating silently.

His eyes showed growing terror at a speed visible to the naked eye.

"It’s this little demon’s fault, miscalculating the opponent’s treasure and failing to kill them in one stroke. Please punish me, Sect Leader."

Yu Caiyi said indifferently, "So you mean I should take your life, or tie you to that fish platform and let your scales fall off one by one."

"Then cut open your belly to let your innards be eaten by the little demons beneath me."

With every word from Yu Caiyi, Yu Tian knelt on the ground, trembling unceasingly.

The terror in his eyes kept expanding.

He prostrated on the ground, saying, "Please, Alliance Hierarch, give me a swift end! Messing up this task, I deserve no burial place."

Yu Caiyi sneered, "Were it not for the opening of the Jinluan Holy Hall being imminent and needing manpower, I would have hung your head outside this palace, showing the other demons of the Rainbow Fish Sect what happens when tasks go unfinished."

Yu Tian shivered, not daring to say more.

Yu Caiyi moved her long legs, coming close to Yu Tian, sneering, "Put aside matters regarding Qin An for now. His head can remain on his neck, but I will take it eventually. What you should be thinking now is how to redeem yourself at the Jinluan Holy Hall."

"If the merits you earn are sufficient, I can spare your life. If not, you will still die."

Upon hearing this, Yu Tian banged his head hard on the ground: "Thank you, Sect Leader, for sparing my life. This little demon will fight fearlessly in the Jinluan Holy Hall, striving to earn massive merit to offset this crime."

"Stand up." Yu Caiyi returned to the throne, crossing her legs, her fair skin dazzling under the light.

"The demons of Cang Yuan want to collaborate with us, to annihilate other forces within these Ancient Battlefield ruins together, which is a good thing."

"Later, as an envoy, go to Cang Yuan and find the leading demon there, and say that our Rainbow Fish Sect is willing to ally with them."

Yu Tian quickly raised his head: "This little demon obeys."

He said no more, turned, and left the place.

Soon, the palace fell silent.

Yu Caiyi continued drinking blood from her cup, seemingly casting all aside.

At this moment, a shadowy figure suddenly appeared within the palace.

After emerging, the shadow coalesced into a woman in luxurious clothing.

The woman’s appearance was striking, seemingly indifferent to everything, but she fixedly stared at Yu Caiyi.

Yu Caiyi set the cup down, sneering, "You so-called traitors dare to meet me still."

The woman shook her head, "Being of the same kind, what harm is there in meeting?"

"Spending everything to see me, projecting from the Forbidden Area to here, surely cost you dearly?" Yu Caiyi remarked flatly.

The woman kept shaking her head, "The price doesn’t matter; as long as the payout is worth the cost."

Yu Caiyi fell silent.

The woman continued, "This world will ultimately be destroyed. Can it truly be maintained by those who know the truth: the Daqian Kingdom, and those knowledgeable demon Pseudo-Gods and human cultivators?"

"So allying with us benefits you more."

After pondering briefly, Yu Caiyi closed her fingers slightly, crushing the cup into fragments, "Tell me what you plan to do."

The woman smiled slightly, "Simple. You aim to plot against the Jinluan Holy Hall this time, so proceed with that. Afterward, come to my Blasting Sea Forbidden Area with your aquatic followers, and try to break a gap in the Forbidden Area."

"If possible, we might seize this chance to realize our plan."

Yu Caiyi sank into silence.

The woman waited patiently.

She awaited Yu Caiyi’s answer without urgency.

Moments later, Yu Caiyi scattered the blood in her palm, her eyes becoming chillingly cold.

"Alright, I agree to this. I’ve long been fed up with the humans in this world, including that Emperor in the capital. It’s time for him to step down from the throne, and for everything to be destroyed."

The woman laughed heartily, "With such realization, it’s for the best. Rest assured, when this world becomes ruins, your Rainbow Fish Sect will survive and revive this world’s prosperity."

"By then, this world will no longer be dominated by humans, but by you Pseudo-God demons."

Having said this, the woman seemed unwilling to wait for Yu Caiyi’s response, turning into a swirl of shadows and disappearing.

Yu Caiyi watched where the woman vanished, her eyes flashing with complexity, but that complexity quickly returned to calm.

...

Time passed, and in the blink of an eye, several months had gone by.

During this period, the Celestial Cloud Path operated as usual.

Once again, Qin An became the center of attention.

This time, his so-called routine baffled everyone.

Discussions were rampant.

But Qin An was reveling in the development of his proficiency.

Though incredibly tedious, to him, this tedium was an extreme pleasure.

Currently, Qin An is in the blacksmith shop, intently hammering on the anvil.

As Qin An’s hammering continued, the proficiency before his eyes fluctuated like smoke.

With the final hammer blow, Qin An tossed the crafted weapon aside.

Next to him was already a mound of weapons, piled like a small mountain.

Qin An exhaled deeply, his eyes glinting with sharpness.

"Finally succeeded!"