Location: Void Emperor's Gate – Hidden Valley
The air inside the valley had become heavy.
The Void Emperor's Gate glowed with ancient power as the guardian slowly stepped out of the archway.
Its body was made entirely of swirling void energy.
Dark flames drifted around it like fragments of broken space.
Its hollow eyes stared directly at Fenglan and Meiyue.
"Only those worthy may step into the Emperor's domain."
"Defeat the guardian… or leave."
A powerful pressure spread across the valley.
Even Qin Xiaoxiao felt her breathing become slightly difficult.
She frowned.
"This thing is strong."
But Qin Huaian remained calm.
He stood quietly with his hands behind his back, observing.
Fenglan glanced at him.
"Father… you're not going to help?"
Huaian shook his head slightly.
"This trial belongs to you."
Meiyue understood immediately.
"So we pass… or we fail."
Huaian nodded.
"Exactly."
The First Clash
The guardian suddenly moved.
Its speed was terrifying.
BOOM.
It appeared in front of Fenglan instantly and struck with a massive Void blade.
Fenglan reacted quickly.
Void glyphs exploded around him as he activated his cultivation.
Realm Three – Lunar Echo Vein!
He blocked the attack, but the impact still pushed him several meters backward.
Meiyue immediately counterattacked.
Silver Void energy surged around her body.
Lunar Void Art – Crescent Severing Wave!
A curved beam of silver energy shot toward the guardian.
But the guardian simply raised its hand.
The attack shattered instantly.
Xiaoxiao watched carefully from the side.
"Their opponent is stronger than them."
Huaian replied calmly.
"That is the point."
Awakening the Fourth Realm
The guardian attacked again.
This time it split into three identical shadows.
Fenglan cursed.
"Great… now there's three of them."
The shadows rushed toward the twins simultaneously.
Meiyue closed her eyes briefly.
She remembered the teachings from the Void Mirror Archive.
The fourth realm…
Spiraling Rift Conduction
Her aura suddenly changed.
Void energy began rotating around her body like a small vortex.
She raised her hand.
"Fenglan… now!"
Fenglan understood immediately.
He jumped forward and unleashed dozens of Void glyphs.
The moment the guardian shadows approached—
Meiyue activated the vortex.
The space around them twisted.
The guardian's attacks bent unnaturally.
One of the shadows was pulled directly into the vortex.
CRACK.
The shadow shattered instantly.
Fenglan grinned.
"Nice!"
The Guardian Evolves
But the victory lasted only a moment.
The remaining shadows merged back into the main guardian.
Its aura suddenly increased.
The ancient voice echoed again.
"Trial… incomplete."
The guardian raised both hands.
The sky above the valley darkened.
Void lightning began forming in the clouds.
Even Xiaoxiao's expression changed.
"That attack might seriously injure them."
Huaian finally looked up at the sky.
His eyes remained calm.
"Let us see how far they can go."
Meanwhile – The Butcher Arrives
At the entrance of the valley…
A lone figure stepped onto the rocky ground.
Shaw Huangdi.
His sharp eyes looked toward the glowing gate and the battle happening in the distance.
He could already feel Huaian's presence there.
His grin widened slowly.
"Perfect."
He leaned against a nearby rock casually.
"I'll watch for now."
"Let the children play."
His killing intent quietly spread across the valley.
But Huaian had already sensed him.
Without turning around, Huaian spoke softly.
"You came."
Huangdi laughed loudly from afar.
"Of course."
"How could I miss the chance to kill you?"