The deafening roar echoed across the heavens and the earth, piercing the darkness. Thunder fell upon the shadowy world like blades and swords, illuminating the ancient city buried in mist for millennia. It was so desolate and empty, as if forgotten at the end of time.

Abandoned and solitary.

This was a relic of a lost civilization. The desolate city was surrounded by towering cliffs, with thousands of massive rocks carved into eerie human faces that gazed upwards at the sky, their expressions sorrowful.

Main roads stretched in all directions, lined with colossal statues.

Each statue was cloaked in sacrificial robes. Some knelt devoutly like believers, others writhed in agony on the ground, some spread their arms wide as if embracing the skies and the earth, while others hunched in pain, seemingly at their last breath.

Walking through here felt like witnessing the myriad faces of an ancient civilization.

Ancient and peculiar buildings were scattered in all directions, with the city's center hosting a giant altar.

At its heart stood a colossal statue, towering over the desolate city, receiving the reverence of all beings.

It did not have clearly carved facial features, its visage undefined. Its body was as majestic as a giant's, draped in a magnificent golden robe, with hands slightly open, palms holding two spheres that resembled magnetic stones.

A vast halo encircled its head.

It was distinctly from the past, yet seemed as though it belonged to the future.

"Eight years. This is the secret hidden deep within the Returning Burial Forest—a city of the Ancient God Clan. Just as you see it, it's from another world. A mysterious, desolate, and fragmented civilization."

Si Wei'an stood before the statue, his face gradually morphing into an exaggerated smile. His tone was soft and delighted: "To this day, no method exists to precisely determine the age of these ruins. We don't even know what materials these sculptures were carved from. The more mysterious something is, the more fascinating it becomes."

"From our studies, this is very likely from the Ancient Times. The Ancient God Clan built this statue to commemorate the birth of Qilin Venerable. They witnessed the demise of an entire planet and the birth of perfect life."

Mercenaries armed with firearms encircled the area.

Behind him stood eight identical burly men, all bald with shaved scars on their heads, clearly of monastic origin. Their faces bore expressions of Vajra wrath, exuding authority without needing anger.

"Sometimes I wonder, wouldn't it be great to bring this statue into the real world? Once I fully control You Ying Group and become the new king of the Dark World, I'll present this statue to the President."

Si Wei'an's smile grew wider: "On the day she's buried."

BOOM!

The intangible Qi Realm quaked violently.

"Ji Ye, stay calm!"

A young man in a gray suit lowered his voice in a commanding tone: "Don't lose control."

Ji Ye's face was cold and severe, his body drenched in blood. He crossed his arms and replied icily, "How am I supposed to stay calm? Ji Han, did you hear what he said earlier? He insulted Grandmother!"

They ranked among the top ten of the Omega Sequence, the Ji Family's twin stars.

Despite the enemy's provocation, the siblings maintained remarkable restraint.

Because beneath the Qi Realm controlled by them lay eighteen unconscious nano warriors and two unexpected Independent Awakened who had been transported into the Immortal Palace—all gravely injured.

If not for these people, the siblings would have charged out to fight to the death long ago.

"It's been three days since you've been trapped here. Haven't you given up yet? If you keep overdosing on Spiritual Secret Medicine, you'll lose control eventually. Or perhaps you're still holding out hope for rescue?"

Si Wei'an's gaze turned mocking as he chuckled: "In the Omega Sequence, one of you ranks fifth and the other sixth. It would be such a pity for you to lose control like this. Just tell me where the top three are hiding, and you can work for me instead of the decaying Ether Association."

He shook the remote control in his hand.

Around the edges of the Qi Realm, advanced electromagnetic mines flickered with red lights.

Once the Barrier shattered, the bombs would instantly pulverize everyone inside.

"That's possible."

Ji Han responded coldly: "But first, tell me who the traitor among us is."

Ji Ye added sarcastically: "Exactly, since we're already trapped here."

Even without the electromagnetic mines surrounding them, they dared not act rashly.

Because the You Ying Association's Master facing them was not only a Fifth Rank Star Lord but also had mastered several unique techniques from these Ancient God Clan ruins—tricky and formidable.

Especially those eight Vajra Arhats behind him, who were all Ancient Martial practitioners with specialized Combat Skills.

Together, their combined strength was overwhelming.

Si Wei'an's eyes flashed with a strange light at these words, and he turned away with his hands clasped behind him.

At this moment, a group of mercenaries escorted an elderly man in traditional Japanese attire to him: "Master."

Si Wei'an raised an eyebrow: "Mr. Jing Shang, you've arrived."

Jing Shangxiu appeared with two female bodyguards by his side, his expression visibly grim: "Something's gone wrong."

Si Wei'an frowned: "What happened?"

Jing Shangxiu's gaze turned dark: "Why did you awaken so many living corpses at once? The sentries you stationed outside have been nearly wiped out. If not for that, Third Master's men wouldn't have broken through, and now he's here, furious, demanding answers. Our plans are at serious risk!"