Caught within the divine soul trap of the Tongtian Palace ambush, Tai Yin finally bore witness to Jiang Wang’s fourth Gate Divine Ability, a power unseen until now, distinct from the Threefold True Fire, Buzhou Wind, and Sword Immortal he already knew.

He grasped the meaning behind that indomitable crimson-gold light.

Yet, at that same moment, he also felt the unyielding killing intent emanating from Jiang Wang.

Just as Tai Yin had, from the outset, marked Jiang Wang as an opponent who must be eliminated, Jiang Wang, without a doubt, regarded him as an enemy in turn.

Jiang Wang, however, was even more ruthless, his aims far greater.

What Jiang Wang desired was not merely a victory in their mutual slaughter within the Mountain Sea Realm. Three percent of his divine soul origin was insufficient cause for Jiang Wang to expend such effort, to ignore a readily available Disaster Warrior King Beast, dragging his injured body into a fierce battle.

What that person craved was the complete eradication of Tai Yin from this world.

To strip Xia Country of one of its heavenly prides!

Furthermore, this notion wasn’t conceived upon the revelation of the fourth Gate Divine Ability; it had been present long before.

Choosing to have the Disaster Warrior King Beast slay Xiang Bei rather than focusing on the more threatening Tai Yin himself, was, in itself, a testament to this killing intent.

For even if a means to bypass the Mountain Sea Realm’s rules was truly found, Jiang Wang could not truly erase Xiang Bei.

Otherwise, the moment he exited the Mountain Sea Realm would be the very moment that person faced death alongside Xiang Bei.

And Tai Yin, a native of Xia Country, born of the Tai Clan, even if he truly vanished within the Mountain Sea Realm, none could speak for him.

The Tai Clan’s reach did not extend to Chu Country, much less to Qi Country.

Even the Xia Emperor paled in comparison to the Qi Heavenly Emperor.

His death was merely that—a death.

Like a wild flower withering, like dead leaves falling from a tree.

That was all.

Nothing more would happen…

The exposure of the fourth Gate Divine Ability merely solidified Jiang Wang’s resolve to erase him.

Tai Yin grasped this point with profound clarity.

In that instant, his heart churned with a hundred turns and a thousand thoughts, countless counter-strategies flashing before his mind’s eye.

But in the end, he merely snapped his head around—

This turn resulted in his neck rotating a full three circles, twisting his own head clean off!

There was no struggle, no attempt at resistance, no further effort.

Tai Yin chose suicide directly.

Jiang Wang once had a remarkable feat: facing a contemporary True Person, he had alive exhausted to death an Inner Mansion heavenly pride, rendering them unable to resurrect. That contemporary True Person had personally erected an altar nearby, yet remained utterly helpless.

Though the Fishing Sea Tower had gone to extreme lengths to conceal the matter, Xia Country had still gleaned information about it.

This left a profound impression on Tai Yin’s heart.

He did not know if, within the Mountain Sea Realm, Jiang Wang could truly transcend the rules to thoroughly kill him.

But he did not wish to test it.

He did not want to grant Jiang Wang the opportunity to try.

Especially did he not wish to gamble with his own life!

Tai Yin’s head spun several times in the air, his eyes’ divine light finally extinguishing, yet his lips curled in a grin, as if to say—

You can never truly erase me.

Jiang Wang confirmed that from the beginning of the battle, he had never revealed the idea of bypassing the Mountain Sea Realm’s rules to thoroughly erase Tai Yin.

Yet, Tai Yin seemed to have seen through it.

Not only that, but the trap set by that person in the Tongtian Palace had also once sent a chill down his spine.

Had it not been for the Red Heart Divine Ability’s inherent restraint over the All Heavens Ten Thousand Demons Chart, he truly might not have emerged favorably from that encounter.

This Tai Yin had delivered far too many “surprises.”

Any being capable of being labeled a country’s heavenly pride truly could not be underestimated.

One could well imagine that had Xiang Bei not been instantly slain by Three Forks, he would undoubtedly have revealed further hidden cards.

This battle today was entirely a brute-force solution to the situation.

There was truly nothing worth praising.

Watching Tai Yin’s corpse vanish before him, the killing intent he held for this individual settled in his heart, becoming even more resolute.

Twisting his own neck clean off.

How painful a thing that was, and how resolute a will was needed to execute it.

Jiang Wang had witnessed it.

An existence possessing talent, means, and unwavering will, who views him as an enemy, is truly unsettling.

But even if he still wished to act, these were matters to be addressed after leaving the Mountain Sea Realm.

With Xiang Bei and Tai Yin gone, the only information they likely carried away was intelligence regarding his Red Heart Divine Ability.

Jiang Wang pondered silently for a while, concluding that it was not a significant loss.

The Red Heart Divine Ability was impossible to keep entirely concealed.

In the future, he would use it more, explore it more, develop it further.

To completely hide it from others was impossible.

Exposure was merely a matter of time.

Just now, he had briefly entertained the thought of using the Wrong Path to prevent Tai Yin’s suicide, but he had no certainty of bypassing the Mountain Sea Realm’s rules to truly erase Tai Yin… thus, he had to give up.

If the Wrong Path were exposed, it would have been a loss far exceeding the gain.

As he reviewed the fight and tended to his wounds, he subconsciously glanced towards Three Forks.

Three Forks was tilting its head, seemingly pondering what culinary skill its cook had employed to make the opponent commit suicide in such a brutal manner.

Jiang Wang had initially planned to express his gratitude to this Disaster Warrior King, seizing this opportunity of shared adversity to properly strengthen their bond. Perhaps afterward, he could bring Three Forks along to chop down a Dou Zhao or two…

But upon seeing Three Forks, he changed his mind.

The hand covering his abdominal wound instantly relaxed and fell to his side.

His entire being, like a bird with a broken wing, plummeted headfirst.

He spoke no words, but everything was conveyed—

Save me!

I need rescuing!

I need more fire lotuses! Other heavenly materials and earthly treasures would also suffice!

Three Forks stared blankly at its cook performing a headstand, crashing headfirst into the lava pool, splashing molten rock… for a moment, it didn’t react.

How had the cook been injured so severely just now?

Then why had the other two-legged beast chosen to end its own life?

Though still bewildered, its claw instinctively reached out, pulling the cook, buried in the lava, free—in such a heavily injured state, being buried like that might truly lead to suffocation.

It took a few steps forward, leaning close to examine.

Looking at the cook’s tightly closed eyes and pale face as the lava receded.

Then glancing at the massive wound on his abdomen…

The fresh blood continued to flow, staining the surrounding lava crimson.

This scene was truly pitiful.

As a King of its generation, Three Forks naturally held no sympathetic emotions towards two-legged beasts.

A King’s heart was cold as ice, hard as iron!

But if the cook died, it would, after all, signify the disappearance of the Threefold True Fire feast…

Three Forks pondered for a moment, concluding that a “King’s heart” should perhaps be more farsighted at times.

Finally, it placed a claw on the cook’s abdominal wound, mobilizing its Disaster Warrior divine power to quickly repair the injury.

For the first time in a conscious state, Jiang Wang experienced the “treatment” of a Disaster Warrior King Beast.

The previous time, beaten into unconsciousness, he had been completely unaware of how his body recovered.

This time, he could clearly feel how Three Forks’ Disaster Warrior divine power skillfully stimulated the wound, activating his life force. And how gently it transformed into pure primal energy, supplementing his heavily injured body.

Within that gentle yet majestic Disaster Warrior divine power, the ominous power it contained was carefully isolated…

Jiang Wang actually greatly desired to analyze and even simulate that ominous power, yet he also knew that he absolutely could not bear it now, nor was it possible to simulate it successfully.

At most, he could only glean a bit of this Disaster Warrior King’s control over power—

A very ancient, yet very direct method of usage. Not refined in the least, but possessing a sense of returning to simplicity.

It provided him with quite some enlightenment.

Feeling the speed at which his abdominal wound was healing, Jiang Wang greatly wished for Three Forks to stop.

This minor injury could be resolved by simply consuming some heavenly materials and earthly treasures; why trouble the noble Disaster Warrior King to act personally?

But these words could not be spoken directly…

And even if he spoke them, Three Forks wouldn’t understand.

Understanding would be even worse.

He considered stimulating the injury himself but feared being discovered by Three Forks—this evil dog might have very deep thoughts, absolutely not easy to deceive.

After much deliberation, he ultimately lay there obediently…

Establishing trust was not easy, but being slapped to death was very simple.

He still chose not to take risks.

After the wound grew new flesh and quickly healed, the Disaster Warrior ceased transmitting divine power.

At this point, it had returned to its normal size, squatting beside Jiang Wang, appearing, at first glance, somewhat… well-behaved?

The surface of the lava lake continued to bubble slowly, the constant gurgling and occasional bursts sounding quite peaceful.

Three Forks tilted its head, extending a claw to poke Jiang Wang’s abdomen, seemingly wanting to check if the newly grown flesh was solid. To tend to the injured, its claw tips were retracted within its paw pads; the sensation of the paw pads touching his abdominal muscles was quite peculiar.

This moment of gentleness caused Jiang Wang to involuntarily lift his hand, wanting to rub the “dog’s head”—faced with Three Forks’ sudden vigilant gaze, his hand awkwardly traced an arc in the air and rubbed his own forehead.

His face was wreathed in a smile: “We are! Good friends! Haha!”

Three Forks let out a soft growl, raised its head, and strutted away proudly.

“Stingy dog, be careful where you’re walking, don’t fall and die!” Jiang Wang enthusiastically called out, waving his hand vigorously.

The Disaster Warriors surrounding the lava lake also let out a chorus of calls, their meaning unknown, perhaps cheering for the friendship between this one person and one Disaster Warrior King Beast.

Not long after, the Jia character numbered minor leader arrived, carrying a fire lotus.

Lord Jiang accepted it with mild dissatisfaction, casually flicked a flame, and sent the Jia character numbered minor leader away.

Then he lay down again, resting his head on the volcanic stone pillow, while carefully reviewing the battle with Xiang Bei and Tai Yin, and lazily eating the fire lotus.

Three Forks was a bit stingy, but having something was better than nothing.

Of course, during this bath, he did not forget to set up some minor warning measures.

Lava bath, fire element treasure.

Sea wind free, sky bright.

Another brilliant day!

Xiang Bei opened his eyes, seeing the familiar furnishings of the Xiang family’s grand residence.

He was stunned for a moment, only then accepting the reality of his departure.

He lightly touched his forehead, confirming his head was still attached. That slap from the Disaster Warrior King Beast truly lingered… endlessly memorable.

His divine soul was still lively and agile, devoid of the imagined pain.

Yet this obvious feeling of weakening surpassed all worldly pains.

Three percent of his divine soul origin, already severed…

Xiang Bei was acutely aware of the implications.

More unfortunate was that… he wasn’t the only one who knew.

Knock knock knock!

Following the knocking sound was the voice of the Xiang Clan’s chief family elder—

“Is it over?”

“It’s over.” Xiang Bei heard his own voice, so dry, so powerless. It startled even himself.

The door was then pushed open.

A square-faced old man entered.

He was tall and broad; in his youth, he was likely a fierce general.

He looked at Xiang Bei, said little, only taking out a jade bottle and placing it on the small square table beside Xiang Bei.

“This Soul Restoring Pill can mend your divine soul loss.”

Then he turned and walked out.

Not a word of disappointment, yet in every place, there was disappointment.

“Family elder!” Xiang Bei called out.

Xiang Yuanji, the current acting head and chief family elder of the Xiang family, paused his steps, awaiting his next words.

“I still need one more.” Xiang Bei said.

When that Disaster Warrior King Beast obeyed Jiang Wang’s summons and acted, the outcome of their surprise attack on the volcanic island was already sealed.

Tai Yin’s departure was only a matter of time.

Divine soul-related secret medicines were always extremely expensive, and often had a price but no market. In times of urgent need, one often had to pay more than double the price to secure them.

The cost of fully replenishing Tai Yin’s three percent divine soul origin… the current Tai Clan might not be willing to bear it.

So, even knowing that the Xiang family’s current situation was also unfavorable, Xiang Bei gritted his teeth and spoke.

Proud as he was, uttering these words was no easy feat.

“The Xiang family is no longer the Xiang family of the past.” Xiang Yuanji sighed, then said: “Only one.”

He said no more, simply leaving the room.

Xiang Bei remained silent.

His world-shaking halberd rested horizontally across his knees, and he sat alone on the mat.

No one knew what he was thinking at this moment.

A lonely lamp, a quiet room, wordless solitude.

He didn’t know how much time had passed when, without any power fluctuations, a pale-faced Tai Yin appeared on the nearby mat.

Maintaining his posture from before entering the Mountain Sea Realm.

As if nothing had happened.

Their journey in the Mountain Sea Realm had now ended; the Embracing Sand Jade Wall would only appear here after the Mountain Sea Realm closed.

Having lost three percent of his divine soul origin, Tai Yin’s weakness was difficult to conceal, yet he smiled and said: “I waited for a long time!”

Xiang Bei curled his lips: “I truly didn’t wait long.”

“Jiang Wang’s fourth Gate Divine Ability should be related to will divine abilities, at least possessing the ability to resist will invasion, which just happened to restrain your All Heavens Ten Thousand Demons Chart. He walked into the trap, but he broke the trap.

His fifth Gate Divine Ability should be related to foreseeing danger. My Hundred Soldiers Killing Array had clearly erased all movements, yet he escaped in the last moment of activation…

But this Gate Divine Ability of his is not as strong as the legendary Heartblood Omen.

If it were the Heartblood Omen Divine Ability, he should have had some inkling when we were planning the mountain-piercing shuttle, and wouldn’t have been struck by your halberd.

Given the current level of warning, if we had known in advance, a slight adjustment could have rendered him completely unable to react.

I believe his reluctance to reveal his fifth Gate Divine Ability, besides warning of danger, should also possess other abilities.”

Tai Yin analyzed thus far, then smiled and shook his head: “Saying these things now feels much like hindsight. Though I don’t want to admit it, I truly underestimated him… You were right, perhaps we shouldn’t have sought trouble with him.”

“The path was chosen by you and I together; success is shared, and failure, of course, is also shared. If I were truly so certain of my correctness, why would I accompany you on this adventure?”

Xiang Bei said to this point, then motioned towards the nearby small table with his chin: “There is a Soul Restoring Pill here, which can mend your missing divine soul origin.”

Tai Yin paused for a moment, then reluctantly said: “I said before coming that I would bear the risks myself. Moreover, this time it was primarily due to my misjudgment…”

Xiang Bei waved his hand, stopping his words: “Brother Tai, there is no need for further words; this is a responsibility I should bear.”

Tai Yin intended to be strong in front of his friend for once, but the already severed three percent of his divine soul origin was indeed a shadow covering his heart.

He tried to maintain composure, but how could he not think about it?

A treasure of the Soul Restoring Pill’s caliber, the Tai Clan might still be able to afford the price. But even he himself was unsure whether the Tai Clan would pay such a price for such a him who had repeatedly failed.

The Xiang Clan, the Xiang Clan was different after all.

As long as Xiang Bei was willing to speak, a Soul Restoring Pill would not be a problem…

Thinking this, the words that emerged were: “Then I shall accept it with shame.”

As the words fell, Tai Yin seemed to hear a sigh…

But he wasn’t certain whether the one sighing was himself.