The Heavenly Tomb had once again opened.
Its location lay deep within the Ancient Saint Mountains, a region long forbidden to the public and fiercely protected by the ancient clans. Unless the Heavenly Tomb itself reawakened, no one—not even those of noble blood—was allowed to set foot in this place.
As dawn broke, Ye Feng led a group of figures through the misty mountain path.
"Xiao Yixian, Qingluan, Yafei, Xiao Yu, Qinglin, and the big and small Amethyst Winged Lion Kings," Ye Feng addressed the group calmly. "You'll enter the Heavenly Tomb shortly. Stay inside and cultivate as long as you like."
Little Medical Fairy, standing nearby, gave him a curious glance. "Ye Feng, I'm not from the Eight Ancient Clans. Will it be a problem?"
Ye Feng smiled faintly. "It's just a tomb. Those who enter don't have to be from the ancient clans."
"I heard only sixteen people are allowed to enter the Heavenly Tomb at once," someone added.
Ye Feng's tone turned firm. "If I say you can enter, then you can. If I say no, then not even the heavens can let you in."
His words were domineering—steady and absolute.
Ye Feng's expression shifted slightly. "There will be danger in the tomb this time. If you form a team, with your strength, most threats won't faze you. But just in case..." He raised a hand, and seven glowing jade slips floated through the air, landing gently in front of Xiao Yixian, Qingluan, Yafei, Xiao Yu, Qinglin, and the two lion kings.
"Crush this if you're in danger," Ye Feng instructed. "It contains my soul imprint. The moment it's broken, I'll sense your location and come for you immediately."
Little Medical Fairy gripped her jade slip and could already feel Ye Feng's soul aura embedded within. She looked up. "What about you? Aren't you going in?"
Ye Feng shook his head. "I already explained everything last night. There's no need for me to enter."
His eyes fell on Xiao Yu. Her fingers were tightly clenched, and her breathing slightly tense.
"Are you nervous?" he asked softly.
"I'm worried..." Xiao Yu murmured, her voice barely audible. "What if my ancestor doesn't think I'm worthy?"
She looked down, unsure of herself.
Her talent had always lagged behind the others. She feared that Xiao Xuan—the ancestor who once carried the legacy of the Xiao Clan—would not deem her worthy of inheriting the Doudi bloodline.
Ye Feng stepped forward and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "You need to have more faith in yourself. Remove the word 'not' from your heart. Even if he disapproves, it doesn't matter. He's out of time, and more importantly—he has no other choice."
Xiao Yu hesitated, then asked, "What about Xiao Yan?"
She glanced at the youth standing silently nearby.
Ye Feng also looked at Xiao Yan, his eyes narrowing.
He had already instructed Gu Yuan to stop Xiao Yan from coming to the Heavenly Tomb, yet here he was. Had Gu Yuan ignored his request?
As that thought crossed his mind, Gu Yuan's voice suddenly echoed in Ye Feng's mind.
"Ye Feng, Xun'er's divine bloodline caused an uproar within the Elders' Council. I had no choice."
Ye Feng turned to look at Gu Xun'er, who now stood beside Xiao Yan.
In the original timeline, the Gu Clan elders had planned to seize both entry slots reserved for the Xiao Clan. But Gu Xun'er had intervened, ensuring that Xiao Yan retained his qualification. It seemed history had not changed.
But this time, the Soul Clan had not yet made their move. The opening of the tomb marked the beginning. Emperor Hun Tian had already begun his search for the eight pieces of Tuoshe Ancient Jade.
Ye Feng's lips curled into a sly grin.
If Hun Tian finally collected all the fragments, only to discover that the Xiao Clan's piece had already been destroyed by Ye Feng long ago… would he be so furious that he coughed blood?
Just then—
Buzz—!
The earth trembled. A powerful ancient aura swept across the sky, crashing down like a wave. Everyone, except for Ye Feng, instinctively lowered their heads under the pressure, awe rooted in the very depths of their souls.
"The Heavenly Tomb... is opening!" Gu Xun'er said softly.
Boom!
Her words had barely faded when the sky cracked open with a thunderous roar. A colossal rift, nearly a thousand feet wide, spread across the heavens. In its center, silver light condensed into a space gate a hundred feet tall, from which surged the breath of ancient wilderness.
"The gate has opened," an elder announced. "As you all know, each clan is allowed two slots. No more. It's time to enter."
One after another, members of the Thunder Clan, Soul Clan, Flame Clan, Medicine Clan, and Stone Clan stepped through the gate. The Ancient Clan followed soon after.
"Brother Xiao Yan, let's go," Xun'er said.
"Alright."
Xiao Yan made to step forward—but just as he did, a spatial force enveloped him, halting him in place.
"Who?!"
"...Me."
Ye Feng appeared in front of him, expression calm.
"You again," Xiao Yan muttered, grinding his teeth.
"Yes. Do you want to fight me?"
Xiao Yan clenched his fists. He was boiling with rage, but there was no outlet.
He had planned to use the devouring flames within the tomb to skyrocket his cultivation. But Ye Feng had sealed him off using spatial power.
"Why are you targeting me again?!" Xiao Yan demanded.
Ye Feng's eyes were steady. "I promised Xiao Yu I'd help her get a chance. The treasures left by Xiao Xuan—only she can inherit them."
"You—!"
Xiao Yan was furious. He turned to Xun'er for support.
Gu Xun'er looked at Ye Feng, a flicker of warning in her voice. "This is the territory of the Ancient Clan, Ye Feng."
"If you want to fight me, try it." Ye Feng's voice was low and unshaken, his presence overwhelming.
Xun'er turned to the Gu Clan elders.
One of them stepped forward and spoke calmly, "Miss, the clan leader has given instructions—do everything possible to cooperate with our friend Ye Feng."
"Father…!" Gu Xun'er bit her lip in frustration. Gu Yuan's order left her no room to act.
But deep inside, she understood. Ye Feng's strength was overwhelming. The Ancient Clan couldn't afford to offend him, especially with the threat of the Soul Clan looming. Befriending Ye Feng might be their only path forward.
Ye Feng turned back to the others. "Let's go—Xiao Yixian, Qingluan, Yafei, Xiao Yu, Qinglin, big and small Amethyst Winged Lion Kings. Go in together, or risk being separated."
With a nod, the group rose into the air, heading straight for the entrance of the Heavenly Tomb.
Among them, Xiao Yu's cultivation was the lowest—only at the level of Dou Zong. But Ye Feng knew she was destined to gain the most from this journey.
As Yafei and the two lion kings stepped through the gate, a sudden flash of light erupted from within the tomb's threshold—and forcibly bounced the others back.
"What?" Xiao Yixian exclaimed in shock.
Ye Feng narrowed his eyes. "Soul of the Heavenly Tomb… I was planning to let you linger a little longer. But since you dare to block my people, I'll refine you right here and now."
"The... Soul of the Heavenly Tomb?" Mang Tianchi of the Thunder Clan was taken aback.
"What's he talking about? There's a soul inside the tomb?"
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