Xiaohou Aotian lay down for a few minutes, then turned over and sat up, opening the refrigerator in the living room and pulling out a high-sugar beverage, drinking it heartily, gulp after gulp. After finishing a 600-milliliter bottle, he gave a satisfied belch, feeling dopamine surging rapidly, his mind now energized and joyful, dispelling the fatigue and pressure from the S-tier dungeon. He would never enter another dungeon this year—Metastatic Tianzun had wept and pleaded, even kneeling down, begging me to stay away from the dungeons! Xiaohou Aotian vowed this to himself in his heart. After successfully completing the Shu Mountain Nan Yuan, he had developed a psychological aversion to challenging dungeons, yet his pride and determination as the protagonist led him to decisively choose to tackle the family dungeons solo. Regretting his earlier decision! He accurately tossed the empty bottle into the trash can several meters away. Then, from beside his computer desk, he pushed a speaker several feet tall, aimed it at the window, and pressed the power button. A thunderous roar erupted from the speaker: "I, Xiaohou Aotian, have awakened!" "I, "Out of the gate..." Summer Hou picked up his phone, dialing the number of Yuan Shǐ Tian Zun, amidst the noise that had spread throughout the Summer Hou family villa complex. Zhang Yuanqing had just meant to offer a few encouraging words when he suddenly recalled that the Mage of Eyes was a passionate, even radical, evil profession—naturally inclined toward pessimism. Encouragement would likely fall on deaf ears. Should this sense of gloom deepen and accumulate, Zhang Yuanqing might seize the brief lull between the Half-Deity’s entry into the instance and launch a sweeping purge of the world. At the Mage of Eyes’ current level of influence, should things escalate, several Sovereigns of the Lawful faction would surely perish, and even a few peak Sovereigns might meet their end. He needed to first soothe the Mage’s mood. Zhang Yuanqing poured a glass of wine for him and spoke of Fu Qingyang and Xiahou Aotian’s recent developments, deliberately using phrases like “great goals” and “companions on the journey.” With the support of the Illusionist’s abilities, he gently channeled the prevailing sense of pessimism and gloom. At that moment, his phone on the glass table rang—caller was Xiahou Aotian. The protagonist had returned? Zhang Yuanqing felt a surge of energy and quickly answered the call. Honestly, since he learned from Xiahou’s War-themed raid instances are typically time-consuming, and it's not uncommon for participants to drift off and lose contact during the journey—White Tiger's troops have experienced this before. Once, a senior elder fought through countless battles across the instance for half a year, only to return and write his raid guide in classical Chinese. Unexpectedly, the protagonist returned precisely on schedule. As soon as the connection was established, a sharp noise filled the speaker: "I, Xiahou Aotian, have emerged!" "The half-month period has ended. Primordial Heavenly Sovereign, I return to the mortal realm to assist you in achieving the title of Sun Sovereign, to establish an unparalleled legacy and create a magnificent, enduring achievement." Xiahou Aotian's tone radiated confident pride. "From now on, don't just claim yourself as a raid genius—should you wish to boast, please add me to the list." What a feat it is to solo clear an S-tier raid! It's equivalent to scoring a perfect mark on a civil service examination. It was precisely through clearing S-tier raids that Primordial Heavenly Sovereign rose to fame, becoming a celebrated star known throughout the world. Xiahou Aotian feels he can stand shoulder to shoulder with Yuanshizhen as one of the two outstanding Order champions! Zhang Yuanqing asked curiously, "You've reached Level Eight?" "This isn't important," Xiahou Aotian replied. "What matters is that I cleared the S-tier dungeon alone." Unlike Yuanshizhen, who treats A-tier dungeons as his base for advancement, Xiahou has always focused on B-tier, even C-tier dungeons. Only after accumulating substantial experience and sufficient equipment resources did he finally decide to attempt the S-tier dungeons. Currently, his experience level stands at 86%. To reach Level Eight, he still needs to complete one more A-tier dungeon. "Oh, you haven't reached Level Eight yet—though I have!" "This isn't important," Xiahou Aotian's voice carried a hint of grit. "What matters is that I cleared the S-tier dungeon alone." "Mo Eye also cleared the S-tier dungeon alone and has now reached Level Nine." "...” Suddenly, Xiahou Aotian felt a strong urge to enter the dungeon again, unable to bear this sense of injustice. "Get ready," Zhang Yuanqing said. "We'll enter the The King of the Mystic Eye lounged lazily against the sofa, saying softly, "Beating that arrogant Xiahou Aotian seems to be a shared entertainment activity among your guild." Zhang Yuanqing shrugged. "There's also the constant mockery of Red Chicken Brother, watching him mock the Fire Master's humiliation, and calling that the highlight of the three great joys." He picked up a piece of ham, chewed it thoughtfully, and said, "Though I've already lost my qualification to compete and am likely to never meet the Sun Sovereign, I've put in so much effort that I don't want to give up. I'll keep going until the Sun Sovereign is born." With that, he gave the King of the Mystic Eye a wave and vanished into the study. Zhang Yuanqing took out the Jade Pure Bottle and asked, "Shall we refine them all together, or one by one?" The handsome Xiahou Aotian raised his chin, "My alchemy is as seamless as my military strategy—more the better." "Indeed, truly impressive. You're the true pillar of the fallen, and I'm just the background figure. You, Xiahou Aotian, are the real star. By the way, what's your success rate?" Zhang Yuanqing clapped his hands heartily. Xiahou Aotian sneered, "When you need me, call me the star. When you don't, keep showcasing your superiority. Yuanshǐ Tianzun, you're even more treacherous than Yang Guozhong." Zhang Yuanqing pretended not to hear, removed the wooden stopper from the Jade Pure Bottle, and poured out three sleeping figures in black robes. Their appearances were elderly, middle-aged, and young, representing "Everlasting Mountains and Rivers," "Surgeon," and "Shaman-Witch," respectively. The three lay peacefully, breathing evenly. Xiahou Aotian studied them carefully and said, "Their minds are calm, their vital energies balanced— "He pointed with the strength of a sword, gently raising it," "Rise!" The lid of the Three-Step Alchemical Furnace shot skyward. Xiu Hou Ao Tian skillfully guided several auxiliary herbs, launching them into the inner chamber, then sent the three Day-Wandering Deities inside. During the process, the garments of the three deities automatically tore, leaving them bare. "Clang!" The lid settled down, fitting perfectly. Xiu Hou Ao Tian spread his palm, summoning a flame with a white base, black middle, and crimson outer layer, and flung it toward the furnace. The Three-True Flame danced and swayed, settling firmly at the furnace's base. Then, he stepped forward, extending a spell that spiraled clockwise beneath the furnace, causing the Three-True Flame to blaze vigorously. Stimulated by the intense heat, the three Day-Wandering Deities in the chamber instantly awoke, struggling fiercely against the furnace, striving to escape. "Thud! Thud! Thud!" The forceful impacts against the furnace wall sent the lid trembling, as if boiling steam were trying to lift it. Each time, golden light radiated from the furnace body and the ground, forming a seal that stabilized the vessel. Zhang Yuanqing, concerned about safety, leapt into the air, landing on one foot atop the furnace lid. From then on, the lid remained undisturbed. Zhang Yuanqing lowered his gaze, a gentle smile playing at the corners of his mouth: "The means by which one acquires power know no distinction between right and wrong; it is only the ones who wield power who are judged on their virtue, morality, and justice. You three, what lofty, pedantic notions of righteousness do you have when speaking to a mere idealist like me? Didn't you meet me yesterday?" The outbursts of anger from the three momentarily stilled. The Yuanshishen was as passionate and uncompromising as the Magus—so much so that he chose to sacrifice himself along with a group of unrelated individuals, even at the height of his mastery. Xia Hou Aotian tirelessly activated the array, spinning it faster and faster in a clockwise motion, the Samai True Fire surging vigorously, the flames rising so high they nearly enveloped half the dharma furnace. The shoes and pants of Zhang Yuanqing on the furnace roof were instantly consumed by the flames, his skin suffering intense burns, forcing him to summon the Liyang War God to withstand the searing heat. Time passed swiftly; the angry voices within the chamber gradually faded, until they were no longer audible. Half an hour Xiahou Aotian quickly extinguished the Samai Zhenhuo, waiting for the golden spiritual scroll array's light to rise and fall, purifying the mental contamination within the pills. He beamed with satisfaction: "It's successful!" For a scholar, achieving either a perfected cauldron or a refined artifact was deeply fulfilling. Zhang Yuanqing had been eager all along and had already kicked off the furnace lid, revealing a layer of dark-red, mud-like impurities settling in the chamber. Three deep golden-red blood pills, each the size of an egg, were half-submerged within the impurities. A rich flow of spiritual energy radiated out, brimming with powerful vitality and the essence of the Sun God. Zhang Yuanqing carefully removed the small wooden box used to store the pills and gently placed each one into it. After completing the preparation, Xiahou Aotian paused and cautiously asked: "The old man who's destined to eventually step down as head of the family has already mentioned that half-gods have all entered the Sun's realm—so intense are the battles that even the rulers of the Moon and the Stars are being crushed, their brains splattered?" He had just finished calling the Prime Immortal when his uncle had arrived unexpectedly Xia Hou Ao Tian had spent a long time chatting with the head of his family before finally reaching out to Yuan Shi Tian Zun. Zhang Yuanqing rolled his eyes. "You've gone out of your way to add a whole string of titles to Xia Hou's head—have you even asked his opinion?" After airing his grievances, he sighed with a touch of humor. "My rank hasn't even been established yet, and they've already started the peak-tier tournament." Xia Hou Ao Tian neither felt particularly proud nor used the opportunity to mock him—he simply stood quietly. "Isn't that great?" he suddenly shrugged. "Now I won't have to go on quest runs anymore. I can finally take some well-deserved breaks, study alchemy, and prepare for my own retreat. If the world hasn't been destroyed by then, that'll be perfect. If it has, I'll step into the protagonist mode—quietly upgrading through the apocalypse and making a difference." He waved a hand and stepped out of the guild quest. Zhang Yuanqing didn't leave the "Mo Sect Mechanism City." After a few seconds of thought, he opened his inventory and began setting up the summoning ritual. He needed to summon three Mountain Maidens to find out more If the Lady of San Dao has already entered the Sun's realm, he will return to the real world and personally seek advice from each of the Supreme Masters at the peak, asking whether they have any means of entering the Sun's realm. Only when all the Supreme Masters in the real world give negative responses will he abandon the effort. Soon, waves of golden light ripple through the sky of Mo Sect's administrative city, and the three Ladies of San Dao, their robes fluttering like feathers, descend upon the realm, stepping upon the golden light. Zhang Yuanqing immediately prostrates himself, bowing deeply: "Respected Master, above!" The Lady of San Dao observes him, her beautiful eyes expressing clear and unreserved satisfaction and admiration: "Your cultivation pace exceeds my expectations. From now on, you need not perform such a grand bow; with your standing, you may serve me directly." Zhang Yuanqing persists, bowing again: "One day as a teacher, a lifetime as a mother. I shall always remain humble." Seeing the Lady of San Dao smile gently, Zhang Yuanqing immediately asks: "I have heard that the strongest beings at the Human Immortal level have gathered in the Sun's realm, with the Yin and the Stars vying against the The Lady of San Dao Mountain, with her pale face, expressed a touch of resignation: "At first, the Sun Realm strictly barred any strong beings below the level of Human Immortals or non-Night-Wanderer deities from entering. Later, a streak of purple light pierced through the spiritual realm, breaking the seal of the Sun Realm. Now, Human Immortals are flooding in... I am well aware of my limitations—my ability to compete in the Human Immortal struggles is far from sufficient." Indeed, though the old master had reached the peak of dominion, he was certain to perish against Human Immortals, let alone in a great clash among them. Zhang Yuanqing, visibly unconvinced, asked, "Master, is there any way to open the Sun Realm? With your mastery over the fundamental processes of creation, you could certainly conduct hit-and-run operations, blending in and seizing opportunities." The Lady of San Dao Mountain shook her head in regret: "It seems the Sun Realm has undergone changes—the seal has grown increasingly solid. Before the emergence of the Sun's sovereign, no one from the outside world would ever be able to enter again." Though Zhang Yuanqing had anticipated this, he still felt a wave of disappointment upon hearing it The Lady of San Dao Mountain said, "This is very similar to the Mortal Poison Master I encountered last time in the first major zone's quest." With that, Zhang Yunqing understood. The Magi had moved! It was the Magi deity who had broken the seal of the Sun's quest, allowing a semi-deity from the Chaotic faction to enter, while the Lawful semi-deities took the opportunity to follow suit. Thus, the deities themselves were opening the quests. The Magi's rank surpasses that of a semi-deity—such figures simply do not exist in the real world, nor in the spiritual realm. Zhang Yuanqing shook his head again, feeling once more disappointed. "What plans does my master have next?" Zhang Yuanqing asked. The Lady of San Dao Mountain replied, "Once the Sovereign of the Sun is born, I will leave the spiritual realm and return to the mortal world, personally settling the karmic debts with my master and upholding the path of righteousness." "My master's virtue!" Zhang Yuanqing bowed deeply.