The weather had turned extremely foul within moments.
Blinding flashes of lightning streaked across the sky, resembling countless silver serpents weaving through the dense clouds. The vortex intensified, appearing as a dark abyss in the heavens, intent on swallowing everything within its grasp.
Moluo Jia's expression grew increasingly grim. "What in the world has happened? I haven't been here for years, and I never expected it to become like this. The sheer power of the changes these days…"
Even from a great distance, he could clearly feel the terrifying might of the heavens.
Not to mention Bai Yanshu, who was right in the midst of it all!
Had it suddenly transformed into this state, or had it always been like this? If it had been like this for a long time, it would imply that Bai Yanshu had been enduring such an environment for several years. What must he be like now…
A strong thought suddenly arose in Moluo Jia's mind: could Bai Yanshu truly be on the verge of obtaining the method for godhood?
"Let's go quickly and see what's going on!"
It wasn't just Moluo Jia; Shui Hanyi also desperately wanted to know what had happened to Bai Yanshu, who had been trapped in the Abyss of Life and Death for over four years.
The two, leading their subordinates, hurried forward. The further they progressed, the more astonished they became.
When Shui Hanyi and Moluo Jia finally reached the valley entrance, the mysterious spectacle left them dumbfounded.
Glistening, cold stone edges stood like pillars, reaching towards the sky, each with a unique and lifelike form. Some resembled galloping steeds, others leaped like azure dragons, and some appeared as soaring phoenixes, exuding a grand and ancient aura, as if they had existed for tens of thousands of years.
The valley seemed unfathomably deep and boundless. Its entrance was formed by two colossal peaks, shrouded in a faint white mist that swirled around the varied stone formations. Apart from the lightning and thunder overhead, faint, ethereal sounds could be heard from the depths, though they were indistinct.
Merely standing at the valley's mouth, both men felt an inexplicable pull, as if something within awaited them, like a fated choice or the arrival of destiny, filling them with anticipation.
"I distinctly remember this place not being like this four years ago," Moluo Jia remarked, his eyes wide with surprise, unable to discern the truth.
"Four years ago, this valley was a deadly trap, and we had even set up a poison formation to seal it completely. How can it be like this now… It's impossible! It must be something Bai Yanshu did!"
Shui Hanyi couldn't fathom it. The more he looked, the more shocked he became, increasingly suspecting that the valley's transformation was connected to Bai Yanshu.
Moluo Jia signaled with his eyes to enter and led the way inside with his men. Shui Hanyi hesitated for a moment, contemplating various possibilities, but ultimately, the allure of godhood was too strong to resist, and he followed.
A group of people gradually disappeared into the valley, leaving only the vast white mist.
Half an hour later, Duan Jinghong, guided by the spirit-tracking insects, also led his companions to the valley entrance.
"They've gone inside!"
He too was stunned by the scene within the valley, his excitement palpable.
Duan Jinghong felt an inexplicable sense that an opportunity lay before him, though he couldn't explain the origin of this feeling. It was as if a premonition, a divine intuition, was urging him not to miss it.
Madame Yaoguang and Shang Xie Zhuo walked forward slowly. Exchanging glances, they too felt a peculiar sensation.
However, neither of them spoke of it. Feelings could be either good fortune or a warning, and to voice them prematurely might lead to great embarrassment if they were mistaken.
"Could Sect Leader Bai be inside?" Shang Xie Zhuo speculated.
"Since Shui Hanyi and Moluo Jia have both entered, I suspect he is indeed here. However, after more than four years, no one can guess Bai Sect Leader's condition. We can only go in and see." Madame Yaoguang's usually indifferent expression finally showed a flicker of emotion, her beautiful eyes gleaming, making her appear even more vibrant and captivating.
Duan Jinghong addressed the others. "Since we've finally found it, let's hurry and go in. However, as this was the place where Bai Sect Leader was trapped, it's likely that Shui Hanyi and Moluo Jia set up traps. We can't all go in; we need to leave some people outside."
Shang Xie Zhuo nodded. "Island Master Duan's consideration is thorough. I also believe it's wise. Perhaps it would be best for us to go in, and let the younger generation remain outside. Should anything happen to us, all hope would not be lost."
This was practically him preparing for the worst.
Although exploring the valley might lead to an immense opportunity, even the secret to achieving godhood, it was, after all, the Abyss of Life and Death, the most dangerous place on the continent. Being fully prepared was always the right approach.
Madame Yaoguang did not object. Looking at Wen Daier, she said, "Daier, you and your three junior sisters will stay here. I will go in."
Wen Daier immediately objected. "No, Mother, this is too dangerous. I must go too."
"If you know it's dangerous, why do you insist on going?"
Madame Yaoguang glared at her, her tone resolute. "That's final. You will remain outside. If we do not return within three days, you will take everyone back and assume leadership of the Six Desires Sect."
Wen Daier stomped her foot petulantly, but Madame Yaoguang remained unmoved.
Shang Xie Zhuo then turned to Li Tianjue. "Young Master Li, how has your Qingxu Heaven arranged things? Will you be joining us?"
Li Tianjue nodded, his expression serious. "We will definitely go in. We came here to find our Master. Since the clue is right before us, no matter what Master's current condition may be, we must enter and see."
As soon as he finished speaking, Su Luo frowned slightly. "Eldest Senior Brother, I sense danger within."
She had already used the Divine Eye Mirror to scan, and it returned only four words: "Land of Falling Stars."
With no further explanation, it meant that even the Divine Eye Mirror could not fully ascertain the nature of this place. Based on these four words alone, she couldn't even guess their meaning.
"Danger is certain, but our Master is very likely inside. I must go."
Li Tianjue patted Su Luo's shoulder and said softly, "Luoluo, perhaps you, Fifth Junior Brother, and Xiao Guo should stay outside, while I, Tian Shu, Ji Xing, and Junior Brother Zhan Li go in…"
Before he could finish, Bai Qi interjected. "No, Eldest Senior Brother, I must go. I haven't seen Father for so many years. Now that he is so close, how can I possibly stay outside?"
Seeing Li Tianjue about to say more, Su Luo also spoke seriously. "We are all going, Eldest Senior Brother, please don't try to dissuade us. Having come all this way, we all wish to rescue Master as soon as possible. The more people, the greater the strength."
After a moment of silence, Li Tianjue finally nodded. "Very well, everyone goes together. Be careful."
As before, Duan Jinghong led the people from Penglai Island at the front. Shang Xie Zhuo had initially forbidden Shang Xie Shaoqing from entering, but upon hearing him and Wen Daier whispering that they would sneak in behind them, he reluctantly agreed.
Even Madame Yaoguang was unable to intervene, and everyone, without exception, entered the valley.
The group proceeded cautiously, observing everything around them as they advanced.
The stone peaks formed various shapes, and the group couldn't tell if they were natural or man-made. Shrouded in a thin mist, they appeared even more lifelike, as if they could awaken at any moment.
Looking at the spirit-tracking insects in the box, Duan Jinghong gradually quickened his pace, flying forward.
The disciples of Penglai Island, along with the others, followed behind him, taking to the air and soaring forward. After flying for an unknown duration, the spirit-tracking insects in Duan Jinghong's box suddenly burst open with a crack.
"Not good, the male insect is dead!"
Duan Jinghong stopped. He suspected they had been discovered by Shui Hanyi and his group.
"Father, what happened?"
Duan Shu stepped forward to inquire, his expression suddenly changing. He stared at Duan Jinghong, stammering in shock, "F-Father, your hair, how did it turn so white?"
It had been perfectly fine just moments ago, but now his father looked like he had aged by ten or twenty years. It was extremely strange.
However, Duan Jinghong also looked at Duan Shu with great astonishment. "Shu'er, you… you too…"
Duan Shu's appearance had also changed.
From a young man in his early twenties, he had transformed into a middle-aged man in his forties. Although his face was the same, he had clearly aged significantly, as if twenty years had silently passed over him.
At this point, everyone realized something was amiss!