Upon this vast, still and solemn land, the air is now filled with a thunderous roar. An energy storm surging from afar spreads across the heavens, collapsing space wherever it reaches—dark and overwhelming, truly terrifying. "What is that?" Xiang Yin follows Xun'er closely, feeling the immense pressure emanating from the distance behind him, his expression growing serious. "The energy storm of Tian Mu is a natural disaster of this region. Its power is extraordinarily formidable—even a Supreme Sovereign-tier warrior would be crushed if caught within. Many of the earlier warriors from the several clans who entered Tian Mu met their end due to this storm, particularly those who were less fortunate, often being swept away by it." "Xun lightly said, "We never expected to be so unlucky this time—encountering something like this. Usually, energy storms only occur once every several years..." "Anyway, let's just get moving. The reach of this energy storm is incredibly vast—it seems to cover the entire second floor. Therefore, we must enter the third floor to escape it." Xun spoke firmly. "Hmm." Xiao Yan nodded slightly, turning his gaze toward the distant rear, where two figures had arrived in a hasty, disheveled manner—precisely the two from Houni's cliff. Yet at this moment, Xiao Yan had no intention of paying them any further attention. "Hmm? Are there others?" As Xiao Yan's eyes swept toward the rear, he suddenly noticed a series of dark figures rushing forward with lightning speed, one after another, gradually joining the group. Everyone glanced at them and were momentarily stunned. "Hehe, I didn't expect Brother Xiao Yan to have arrived so quickly—he's already here..." The two figures present, one male and one female, were none other than Huo Xuan of the Yan Clan and the red-clad woman with a veil covering her face. As Huo Xuan's gaze fell upon Xiao Yan ahead, a look of delight spread across his face, and he quickened his pace, laughing heartily. Hearing the sound, Xiao Yan smiled slightly and bowed respectfully to Huo Xuan and the woman. "Huo Xuan, you're not slow at all," he said. Huo Xuan smiled and swiftly caught up with Xiao Yan and his companion, glancing at him. Both of them paused momentarily. "Xiao Yan has advanced, hasn't he?" "He's just lucky," Xiao Yan replied with a gentle smile. Seeing that Xiao Yan didn't deny it, Huo Xuan and the red-clad woman exchanged glances, each reading astonishment in the other's eyes. Having only been in the Heavenly Tomb for half a year, it was unexpected that Xiao Yan had already advanced—such speed was truly remarkable. "It seems the two from the Hún clan are trailing behind us?" Huo Xuan glanced back, smiling. "We've been tied up for a full month, but unfortunately, the energy storm has spoiled our plans." Xiao Yan chuckled lightly. Upon hearing this, Huo Xuan's eyebrows lifted slightly, his heart stirred with a sense of surprise. He knew well what Xiao Yan's casual remark truly meant—Hún Cliffs and Hún Lì were both eight-star Domain Masters of exceptional strength. Together, they could challenge even nine-star Domain Masters. Yet, here they were, struggling to gain any advantage against Xiao Yan and Xun'er. "The energy storm has swept across the entire second tier of the sky dome. To avoid it, we must enter the third tier. We're not far from the third tier now—just a bit more effort should allow us to reach it before the storm arrives." Huo Xuan smiled gently. "In the meantime, we might be able to support each other. How does that sound, Xiao Yan?" "Perfect." Xiao Yan smiled as well. Fire Xuan had shown his good intentions, and he could hardly refuse—especially now, when having an additional ally would significantly increase their chances of survival. After reaching an agreement, both of them exchanged smiles. Meanwhile, Xun'er and the red-robed woman remained silent, occasionally glancing at each other and merely nodding before shifting their gaze. Once the arrangements were finalized, the four of them drew closer, scanning the surroundings with cautious eyes, then moved swiftly and swiftly toward the front. "Didn't expect the members of the Yan clan to have ended up joining Xiao Yan's group..." At the back, Houn Cliffs, his expression gloomy, watched as Fire Xuan and his companions gathered closely with Xiao Yan and his companion. His face grew colder as he realized their combat strength now fell behind that of Xiao Yan's group. Should more allies join Xiao Yan's side, it would soon be their turn to face difficulties. "Hmph. Let you all bask in your pride a little longer—by the time we reach the third level, not one of you will make it out!" A fierce intensity flashed in the peaks of the Soul Cliff's eyes, and his speed surged once more. Together with the Soul Li, he transformed into two blurred shadows, swiftly racing toward the entrance of the third level. "Fully fleeing, Xun suddenly glanced toward the distant horizon and spoke. Hearing her words, Xiao Yan and Huo Xuan both felt a surge of joy. They carefully sensed the air and indeed detected a familiar energy pressure gradually spreading out in the distance. "Come on, speed up!" As the entrance came into view, Xiao Yan laughed heartily. With a wave of his hand, his speed suddenly surged, reaching the intensity of a meteor streaking across the sky. In just a few flashes, he vanished from sight on the heavens. When Xiao Yan and his companions spotted the entrance to the third level, those behind, including Hun Cliffs and others, also became aware. Everyone instantly felt a renewed sense of energy. Their previously weary spirits now sparkled with renewed vigor, and they pushed themselves to their utmost, sprinting furiously ahead. At a distance, a vast energy curtain poured down from the horizon, finally settling vertically upon the ground, like an immense celestial wall. Before this energy curtain, four figures sat cross-legged. After a moment, one of them raised his head, gazing toward the distant horizon, and spoke softly, "They've all arrived, and with them—there's also the energy storm." "Indeed." Hearing this, a man in silver robes and a sturdy man both exhaled in quiet sighs. The former then shook his head, saying, "Guzhen, you're far too composed. That's no ordinary energy storm—should it sweep us up, hardly anyone here would survive." "Ah, it's not that I'm calm," Guzhen smiled gently. "It's simply that being anxious wouldn't help. And with Qingyang, the Commander of the Northern Division, here, the worst-case scenario should not materialize." "You're quite something…" Hearing his words, the young man in the blue robe, who had been quietly closed-eyed, couldn't help but smile and open his eyes, gazing toward the distant horizon. "The energy barrier here has already solidified into a tangible form—our only option is to force a passage through it. But this kind of engineering effort isn't something our four of us can accomplish on our own. Even if we arrive first, we'll still have to wait for others to join us." "You're concerned that the energy expenditure will be too great, and that we won't be able to handle the third level once we arrive, aren't you?" Gu Zhen shook his head and smiled. The blue-robed man chuckled, neither disputing nor insisting, and slowly rose to his feet, his gaze fixed on the distant sky. "Xun'er and the others have arrived already." "Crack!" Just as he finished speaking, several streaks of light emerged from the edge of the sky, then flickered into place within moments, appearing before the group of four seated on the ground, all of whom were momentarily stunned. "Gu Qingyang? These people really are moving quickly," Fire Xuan said, after a "Brother Guan, why aren't you going in? The energy storm is about to arrive." Xun'er also descended slowly from the air, her brows slightly furrowed as she spoke. "The light barrier has solidified—strong breakthrough is required. I'm waiting for them..." Guan Qingyang smiled gently, his gaze briefly sweeping over Xiao Yan, a peculiar expression passing through his eyes before shifting to Xun'er. "You're alright?" "I'm fine. Just been tangled up with two members of the Spirit Clan for a month now." Xun'er shook her head. "How dare those two attack you?" Upon hearing this, the man in the dark blue robe furrowed his brows. Though Guan Zhen, who had remained calm throughout, slightly raised his head, a touch of coldness in his eyes. Yet it was the man in the silver robe who finally spoke. "They haven't gotten off to a good start either," Xun'er smiled slightly, turning her head to see a series of streaks of light rushing toward them, eventually solidifying into figures standing on the open space. The figures were precisely those who had entered the Heavenly Tomb alongside them the day before—though now they appeared clearly disheveled. Li Huan and Yun Qi, however, lingered at the very end, clearly concerned about whether Xiao Yan and the others would make their move at this moment. "Now isn't the time to engage them—we don't have the time," Xiao Yan said softly, observing the expression on the young man in blue robes. The man in blue robes did not ignore Xiao Yan's words; he clearly understood that the immediate priority was to break through the energy barrier and proceed into the third layer. "Everyone, I'm sure you all know what's going on now. But this energy veil leading to the third level has solidified—we must forcibly break it to enter, and that's no task achievable by a single person alone. Therefore, if you wish to survive, you must unite and break it together. Otherwise, when the storm comes, all of you will be swept away." The man in blue robes took a step forward, glanced around the room, and spoke calmly. Hearing his words, everyone's expressions shifted slightly, and after a moment of thoughtful silence, they slowly nodded. Those who had reached this point were no ordinary people—they clearly understood that the only path before them was to enter the third level. For without that step, there would be no survival at all.