Yi Feng gazed intently, his eyes shimmering with a rare glimmer of hope.

At the same time, he noticed something peculiar, his face betraying a trace of suspicion.

"This doesn't make sense."

"The 'Gate of the Starry Sky'—just by its name, it should be a wide gate, shouldn’t it? From this distance, it looks like nothing more than a thin line. Could it be because we’re too far away?"

His question caught Qing Yin Xianyun’s attention.

As the flying vessel advanced, Qing Yin Xianyun’s voice carried a hint of confusion.

"It seems the Gate of the Starry Sky has been closed. The demonic tribes also appear to be hiding, with few signs of their presence."

"This is indeed quite strange!"

"However, regardless of the reason, our mission is to destroy this gate. We cannot allow the demonic tribes to use it to summon more of their forces!"

Her resolute words were filled with fighting spirit.

The flying vessel sped along the Path of White Bones before coming to a halt mid-air.

After a solemn glance at the endless bone-strewn road, the three of them descended one after another. Yi Feng, brimming with anticipation, leaped off the vessel and quickly caught up with the three extraterrestrial beings.

Standing a hundred zhang away from the bone-laden path, the eerie crimson flowers sent chills down their spines. The end of the path was shrouded in dark clouds, obscuring any movement and hiding the true form of the Gate of the Starry Sky.

An unsettling coldness permeated the surroundings.

The sky seemed to be tinged with a faint blood-red hue, swirling in intricate patterns, while a pungent scent of blood lingered in the air.

The old man stroked his beard with a grave expression, glancing upward before turning to offer counsel.

"My lord, it appears the demonic tribes have laid some kind of formation here. We must proceed with caution!"

Qing Yin Xianyun nodded slightly and issued a firm command.

"Indeed. We shall enter the formation together—stay vigilant."

Sensing the gravity of the situation, Yi Feng, though unfazed due to his death-seeking intentions, figured it would be best for him to take the lead.

Without hesitation, he quietly suggested to the young woman,

"Perhaps I should walk ahead."

Qing Yin Xianyun’s eyes softened with gratitude, her face radiating confidence.

"Thank you for your kindness, Senior."

"But for this mission, we do not require your intervention. Though your cultivation is profound, we are no ordinary practitioners either. We have come prepared—destroying the demonic gate will not be difficult."

As her gentle voice faded, a radiant light gathered in her palm.

A dazzlingly resplendent sword materialized—its slender blade gleaming with cold brilliance, its hilt adorned with countless gemstones, an utterly breathtaking sight!

Yi Feng’s eyes lit up as he watched her confidently raise the sword before her.

"Senior, this is a Celestial Weapon. Breaking the demonic formation and annihilating the Gate of the Starry Sky—it all depends on this blade!"

Yi Feng blinked in bewilderment, not fully grasping its significance but nodding along.

"Ah, impressive."

Hearing his praise, Qing Yin Xianyun’s confidence grew, her clear eyes twinkling like stars.

"The demonic formation is no trifling matter, and the Gate of the Starry Sky is no ordinary artifact. Sacred weapons would be insufficient, which is why we brought this Celestial Weapon—a tier above even the mightiest of holy arms."

"Though wielding it demands immense energy, we will spare no cost if it means destroying this demonic gate."

Her faith in the Celestial Weapon was absolute, her gaze brimming with reverence.

"Senior, your cultivation must be nearing the Celestial Tier, correct?"

Yi Feng scratched his nose awkwardly, offering no reply.

He had no idea what his cultivation level was. Logically, he was stronger than these three, but the specifics? He truly didn’t know.

Seeing his ambiguous smile, Qing Yin Xianyun dared not press further.

With graceful steps, she advanced, the Celestial Weapon held high with unwavering confidence.

"Senior, though your power is undeniable, even you would struggle to dismantle the demonic formation and the Gate of the Starry Sky without a Celestial Weapon. Since this is our mission, we shall handle it."

"Very well."

Seeing no reason to argue, Yi Feng acquiesced.

Qing Yin Xianyun nodded and led the other two forward.

Though their exchange had been hushed, the old man and the young man had caught every word.

The reverence in Qing Yin Xianyun’s tone, the rare deference in her speech, and her repeated use of "Senior" left the two wide-eyed, questioning their very existence.

After walking some distance, their curiosity could no longer be contained.

"My lord!"

"That… that man’s cultivation seems shallow. Why do you hold him in such esteem? How did he suddenly become a 'Senior'?"

Qing Yin Xianyun halted, casting a cold glance their way.

"Do you recall the sky-obscuring giant toad?"

The mere memory of that terrifying creature sent shivers down their spines. What did that monstrosity have to do with Yi Feng?

Puzzled, they exchanged glances.

"That… was Senior Yi Feng’s pet."

!!!

The young man’s face drained of color!

The old man, usually composed, nearly stumbled!

That sky-obscuring toad—an entity so fearsome it hunted demonic tribes with ease, a being they wouldn’t dare face—was Yi Feng’s pet?!

How was that possible…

As they stood frozen, Qing Yin Xianyun’s icy voice continued in their minds.

"When Senior Yi Feng stood guard, it was not as peaceful as it seemed. Countless demonic tribes attacked—far more than we encountered."

"Each time, he slaughtered them all—single-handedly."

"I witnessed it myself. He cut through them as if they were nothing."

BOOM!!!

Her words exploded in their minds like thunder.

The two stood paralyzed, their minds blank, their bodies numb.

Heavens above…

They had never imagined the truth would be like this.

The most unassuming among them, the one who seemed the weakest, was actually a terrifyingly powerful expert—with a sky-obscuring toad as his pet?!

Their hearts pounded as past interactions flashed before their eyes.

Locking gazes, horror dawned upon them.

They were doomed…

They had treated Senior Yi Feng as a mere youth, even spoken disrespectfully to him. This was truly the end!

The young warrior’s throat went dry, not daring to utter a word.

The old man stared at his own hand, recalling how he had casually patted Yi Feng’s shoulder. His legs trembled, his entire body shaking.

Damn it all…

He had unwittingly courted death a thousand times over!

What were they to do now?

Rooted in place like statues, their faces twisted in despair.

Then, from behind, a puzzled voice rang out—like the crack of divine lightning.

"Huh? Why have you stopped?"

Summoning their courage, they slowly turned.

Yi Feng was approaching, his steps unhurried.

The moment their eyes met, their bodies stiffened, a primal dread surging through them.

They stood frozen, as if struck by lightning—utterly petrified.