The massive coffin, under Li Mo's exertion empowered by his miniature world's strength, finally began to shift.

Though the movement was slow, $2t was undeniably, inch by inch, being pried open.

Yun Mengxian was still in a daze. After being sealed here for so many years, even if she had two brains, she wouldn’t have guessed that this young pair—one not native to the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, $2nd the other, who already carried traces of her essence—

would...

succumb to mortal desires!

"Once upon a time, even an Eighth Realm expert would bow before me. Do you think you can make me slumber again?!"

The boiling turbulence in the Sky Phoenix Domain grew more violent, as if something within was forcibly reshaping its form.

Countless pitch-black hands pierced through the light, stretching outward as if to break free.

This wasn’t Yun Mengxian overcoming her shackles—

it was more like a prisoner in a cage, desperately reaching through the bars.

Those ink-black hands suddenly elongated, surging toward Li Mo, who was still shifting the coffin, as if to drag him into the abyss.

But a cold, elegant figure wreathed in phoenix feathers stepped between them.

"The power of the masses has twisted you into this."

Ying Bing sighed softly.

The divine sword Moon’s Hidden Yin materialized in her grasp, its shimmering edge veiling her frost-like beauty, casting her into the shadows of moonlight.

Without warning, a severed hand fell, cleanly sliced.

But more followed, surging endlessly.

She moved like a specter through time’s shadows—swift as a fleeting glimmer, yet poised and serene.

Swish—swish—swish—

One after another, the grotesque hands were severed, crumbling into ash as they struck the crystal palace floor.

Boom—

A deafening impact suddenly shook the entire palace.

Above, the figure of ‘Qin Yuzhi’ twisted in agitation.

It was the sound of the coffin hitting the ground.

Inside lay a figure whose face was identical to the one hovering midair.

"She’s still breathing."

Li Mo checked her pulse.

Some powerful figures sealed themselves in coffins of special materials, slumbering until the grand era arrived.

So Qin Yuzhi’s body seemed merely asleep.

His Heaven’s Mandate Eye scanned her:

[Name: Qin Yuzhi]

[Age: 35 (6,640)]

[Bone Structure: Dream Ephemeral Bone]

[Realm: Early Profound Dominion (Formerly Half-Step Transcendence)]

[Fate: Gold]

[Evaluation: The last Dreamcaller Sect Leader of the Yun Meng Hall. After sensing Yun Mengxian’s awakening within her, she oversaw the construction of the Yun Meng Palace, intending to let her soul escape into the Sky Phoenix Domain. But Yun Mengxian’s consciousness awoke prematurely, triggering a struggle.

In the conflict, the Sky Phoenix Domain was split in two.

Half was sealed away by Qin Yuzhi, who burned her own ‘Dream Path’ to forge a prison for Yun Mengxian’s consciousness, while her body was entombed in the coffin as a seal.]

[Recent Activity: Dreaming of playing mahjong.]

"Li Mo, wake her!" Ying Bing’s voice rang clear.

Reality was the end of dreams.

Yun Mengxian had not yet fully replaced Qin Yuzhi.

"Wake up!"

Li Mo grabbed her collar and shook her violently.

Her brain might as well have been stirred into paste, but the Dreamcaller Ancestor remained dead to the world.

Slap—slap—!

The crisp sound of palm meeting cheek echoed.

Tian Miao: "..."

Bro, you’re really hitting her.

Desperate times called for desperate measures.

If the "Little Hammer Tyrant" later bragged about slapping the ancestor of the Dreamcaller Sect, no one could argue.

Qin Yuzhi’s cheeks flushed red, even swelling slightly, yet she still didn’t stir.

"Hmm?"

Li Mo’s gaze caught a small square object in the corner of the coffin—a red "zhong" character painted on it.

Mahjong tile?

Quick-witted as ever, Li Mo leaned in and whispered:

"Sect Leader, your Eighteen Arhats... you’re about to win."

"..."

Qin Yuzhi’s eyelids twitched. The corners of her lips curled.

"But sorry—robbed win!" Li Mo bellowed.

"!"

Qin Yuzhi jolted upright like a corpse resurrected, her body snapping up in shock.

Her eyes flew open—first fear, then confusion.

"No... no...!"

"My Eighteen Arhats!"

The moment she awoke, $2he floating ‘Qin Yuzhi’ above began to dissipate.

The Sky Phoenix Domain froze mid-boil, its distortions halting.

But before vanishing completely, ‘Qin Yuzhi’ locked eyes with Ying Bing—the icy goddess wielding Moon’s Hidden Yin under the moonlight.

Then she glanced at Li Mo and suddenly laughed:

"Hahaha... The woman who once declared ‘Heaven and Earth are merciless, the Dao is fickle’—if she wakes to find herself swayed by mortal desires... how delicious will her expression be?"

"Among the Nine Heavens, she alone could withstand the other eight."

"She will wake one day."

Li Mo shot to his feet, dread coiling in his gut.

What is Yun Mengxian planning?!

The next instant—

‘Qin Yuzhi’ forced the entire Sky Phoenix Domain to collapse downward before vanishing!

The dazzling celestial phenomena surged into Ying Bing’s brow.

Her divine markings—the radiant lunar sigils—blazed to life.

Waves of sacred light rippled outward.

Ying Bing stood as the world’s axis, transcendent and untouchable, like the sole divinity under heaven.

...

Outside the palace, $2he rolling celestial phenomena set the crystal palace aglow, shining like a newborn sun.

The entire underground realm trembled.

"What’s happening?"

The Dreamcaller Sect and the Great Yu Dynasty forces, already tense, now watched with bated breath.

Though hostilities simmered, neither side had yet escalated to all-out war.

Whatever lay within the crystal palace—inheritance or treasure—remained unseen. Until the variables were clear, reckless bloodshed was unwise.

"Has the palace’s relic chosen its master?"

Tan Zhuyin clenched his fists so hard blood dripped between his fingers.

He had sacrificed so much—

even acknowledging an uncle-in-law.

And now, another reaped the rewards?

"Ah, if only Elder Brother Immortal were here..." Luo Yexian sighed for the umpteenth time.

Opposite them, $2he gray-haired elder addressed by Jiang Yu as Imperial Uncle narrowed his eyes.

"This radiance... it shares roots with the Heavenly Metropolis Realm..."

As a master of the Thunder Tribulation Path, $2e could shatter the crystal palace by force—but feared damaging what lay inside.

"Imperial Uncle, who do you think obtained the inheritance?" Jiang Yu asked, hands clasped behind his back, his scholar’s robes fluttering.

"The girl’s odds are higher."

The elder chuckled.

"Your Highness’ inner world is peerless under heaven. If this truly is the missing fragment of the Heavenly Metropolis Realm..."

"Whoever took it—they stay."

...

Meanwhile, $2nside the crystal palace, $2i Mo stared blankly at the figure before him—Ying Bing, the living embodiment of the "Goddess of Gu She", so flawless it made mortals feel unworthy.

A notification echoed in his ears:

Congratulations, Host. You have successfully invested in 'Ying Bing,' enabling him to claim half of the Sky Phoenix Domain.

A pending investment return awaits your collection.