As the two approached the immense energy barrier, an unusually powerful energy pressure began to radiate outward from within... "Such a strong energy pressure. To pass through this barrier, one would need substantial strength—otherwise, they'd likely be crushed into powder outright," Xiang Yin said, pausing his form just outside the barrier, his hands gently passing through it as he felt the intense pressure, expressing mild astonishment. "Indeed, generally speaking, anyone with less than five-star Domain Sovereign rank is unable to enter." Xun'er smiled slightly. "The second layer's energy body, even at its weakest, possesses nearly five-star Domain Sovereign strength. Anyone falling short of that level would perish even if they managed to enter." "Simply gaining access to the entrance of the second layer requires five-star Domain Sovereign strength. Then, to reach the third layer's barrier—wouldn't one need at least seven-star, or even eight-star strength?" Xiang Yin furrowed his brow. "That's about right." Xun lightly smiled,掩着嘴说道, "Though this energy pressure is strong, with Brother Xiao Yan's strength, I believe it shouldn't pose any serious issues..." "Let's discuss the third-level entrance once we arrive," Xiao Yan shook his head, gazing at the holographic screen before him, then extended his palm and smiled at Xun. "Come on, let's go in." "Yes," Xun nodded gently, placing her jade hand into Xiao Yan's, allowing him to guide her slowly into the vast holographic screen. As their steps gradually immersed them within the screen, golden and purple-brown flames began to rise gently from within their bodies, effectively countering and neutralizing the powerful pressure emanating from the screen. This energy barrier stretched roughly several hundred zhang in distance, and it took Xiāo Yīn and his companion nearly ten minutes to walk through it before they began to sense the energy pressure gradually easing. "We're almost out," Xiāo Yīn said, his eyes slightly narrowed as he gazed at the energy barrier beyond. A deep breath of relief escaped him as he quickened his pace and then pulled Xūn'er through the thick veil. "Phew—" As they stepped out of the barrier, the enveloping energy pressure instantly vanished. Just as Xiāo Yīn felt his tension ease, Xūn'er's slightly hurried voice rang out beside him, "Watch out!" The moment the words reached his ears, a chill ran through him. Silver glimmers danced beneath his feet, his body trembled, and a fleeting silhouette materialized in place. "Boom!" As the silhouette formed, several sharp, violent energy surges shot forth like lightning, instantly tearing it to shreds. At a distance of over ten meters beyond the lingering shadows, Xiao Yan's figure reappeared once more, frowning slightly as he surveyed his surroundings. There, roughly ten energy forms floated mid-air, their hollow, detached gazes fixed firmly upon him. "Energy forms... and ten of them, each at the level of Five-Star Domain Sovereigns." Gazing at these powerful energy forms, Xiao Yan's brow furrowed even further. Ten Five-Star Domain Sovereigns gathered together—such an array he had never witnessed during his time in the First Layer. Now, just as he had entered the Second Layer, he was being attacked by such a formidable force. "There's a lingering scent of blood—someone deliberately brought them here." Xun'er flashed into position beside Xiao Yan, her brows furrowed as she observed the energy forms. "Definitely the Huncrag," Xiao Yan narrowed his eyes. Only someone who had been severely wounded earlier—those two from Huncrag—could have orchestrated such a move. "Can you sense their presence?" Xiao Yan locked his gaze on the ten energy forms surrounding him and asked, "No. These two are as cunning as foxes—likely they slipped away while drawing these energy forms toward them." Xun'er shook her head and said, "We should deal with them now; otherwise, the bloodshed here will attract even more energy forms." "Agreed. We must act swiftly—otherwise, things will change for the worse." Xiao Yan nodded seriously. Indeed, the second layer proved perilous. These ten energy forms, each of five-star Domain Sovereign strength, would have forced even ordinary six-star Domain Sovereigns to retreat at a distance. Fortunately, with the combined strength of himself and Xun'er, overcoming them was far from difficult. "Hmm..." Xun'er nodded gently, then twisted her body slightly, her form vanishing in a most unusual manner. As her form disappeared, Xiao Yan stomped the ground with his foot and surged forward with lightning speed toward the other side... "Follow them—we can't leave these two behind…" Xiao Yan smiled slightly, but the smile was unusually cold. These two weren't only ambushing them—they had also set an ambush here. Xiao Yan wouldn't let these actions go unnoticed. "Since you want to play, then I'll play with you until the very end!" "The second layer is much smaller in scope than the first. If everything goes smoothly, we should reach the entrance to the third layer within less than a month." Xun said softly. "Let's go. Divide these energy cores—each of us takes half. Absorb them along the way." Xiao Yan nodded, then moved swiftly, his form blurring as he surged forward. Behind him, Xun nodded and quickly followed. … In the distance, beyond the reach of Xiao Yan and Xun's sight, two figures streaking through the air suddenly halted. They turned their heads, gazing back toward the faraway rear. "They've also reached the second layer—the energy beings have been eliminated as well..." The now one-armed Huan Li spoke in a low, steady tone. Though his complexion remained pale, his breath had stabilized somewhat. With so many energy beings present, they were ideal for healing. "Head to the third layer first. Don't worry about them now. Focus on recovering your injuries. Otherwise, we won't be able to hold our own against them. Moreover, judging by the timeline, the others should be approaching the second layer soon. If we allow Xiao Yan and Gu Qingyang to join us, we'll be completely outmatched...” Huan Cai furrowed his brow, speaking with a cold tone. "Also, arriving at the third layer earlier benefits our strategy. Once all of them gather, we can strike them down together. After all, everyone knows how perilous the Heavenly Tomb is. If all of them perish here, no one will have any complaints..." Huan Cai's face hardened with a touch of ruthless determination. "Agreed." "Hun Li nodded, a cold, determined smile curling at the corners of his mouth. This time, instead of stealing the chickens, he'd ended up losing his arm—this debt, with his nature, was certainly not going to go unpaid." "Come on," Hun Li scoffed, sweeping his sleeve. Black mist surged forth from within, rushing into the surrounding energy vapors, while his form swiftly moved forward, Hun Li following close behind. ... "Thud! Thud!" With a composed expression, Xiao Yan waved his hands through the space around him, a surge of hot wind sweeping out, shattering the souls hidden within the energy mist. "Such a bothersome thing…" gazing at these energy forms charging and swarming toward them, Xu'er also furrowed her brows. Though their appearance was quite similar to that of energy bodies, these were under the control of Houni's Cliff. Normally, they remained hidden within the black mist; once they approached, they would surge forth and explode. Though not particularly powerful, the constant barrage was endlessly frustrating, and over the past week alone, Xiao Yan and his companion had endured over a hundred such attacks. "Houni's condition should be improving quite nicely now…" After dispatching the final energy form, Xiao Yan gently turned his neck and said, his tone calm. Observing their pursuit over the past several days, although Houni and his companion had been somewhat pressed, scattered energy imprints they had encountered occasionally indicated that Houni's injuries were healing rapidly. "What have we gathered during this period?" "There are thirty-eight five-star energy cores, twenty-five six-star, six seven-star, and one eight-star... "Xun'er mused. "Although we've been relentlessly pursuing the two from Houni's peak these days, they haven't forgotten their primary goal of cultivation. Every energy body they encounter along the way transforms into an energy core and comes into their hands. Even recently, they were fortunate enough to encounter an energy body of eight-star Battle Sovereign rank. To subdue that one, Xiao Yan and Xun'er had to expend considerable time and effort. Such energy bodies already possess a certain level of intelligence, making them far more challenging than ordinary ones. "Unfortunately, we haven't come across any nine-star Battle Sovereign energy bodies. With your current strength, I'd say these energy cores—up to eight-star—would be the most useful to you." "Xiao Yan sighed with a touch of regret, saying that most of these energy cores had been absorbed by him, while Xun'er had only taken a small portion. Although he knew these energy cores weren't particularly beneficial to Xun'er at this stage, he understood that she was deliberately making excuses to give them to him.