On the second layer of the Heavenly Tomb, a figure clad in black armor sat cross-legged atop a massive boulder.
During this time, this armored figure, once an energy being in the Heavenly Tomb who had long forgotten the concept of time, was reacquainted with it. The confusion in his eyes had cleared significantly, as he seemed to be contemplating the meaning of existence.
"The time has come..."
At a certain moment, a bright glint appeared in his eyes, and a white jade token materialized in his hand. In the next instant, the token was crushed, and a wisp of soul energy vanished into the void.
Just after he shattered the jade token, a brilliant line connecting heaven and earth rapidly spread across the horizon.
"The energy storm of the Heavenly Tomb!"
As he watched the terrifying energy storm engulf the entire sky, the armored figure's eyes showed no fear. During the time he spent counting down the moments, he had thought about many things.
As someone who had been dead for a long time, he realized that there was no point in lingering any longer. The Heavenly Tomb, which had become a place where the strong devoured the weak, was no longer suitable for the dead to rest.
The Heavenly Tomb was originally meant to be a resting place for the deceased, but now, the energy beings within were consuming each other. The original peace was long gone.
"It should be completely destroyed..."
The armored figure stood up, not running away but instead facing the oncoming energy storm head-on.
At the same time, after the black-armored figure crushed the white jade token, Gu Fei, who was at the edge of the third layer of the Heavenly Tomb, sensed something and paused.
"Time sure flies!"
"It seems I need to return to the second layer!"
Gu Fei murmured to himself, then changed direction and headed toward the edge of the third layer. It wasn't long before he reached the crystal wall.
...
"Xun'er, thank goodness you're safe!"
At the entrance to the third layer of the Heavenly Tomb, Gu Qing Yang and Gu Yao were the first to escape to this location. Seeing that Xun'er had already arrived safely, Gu Qing Yang breathed a sigh of relief.
"Where's Brother Gu Fei?"
Gu Yao scanned the area around Xun'er, frowning as he asked.
"Yeah, wasn't Brother Gu Fei with you?" Gu Qing Yang also frowned.
Gu Fei was the most talented genius of the Gu Clan, and nothing could happen to him in the Heavenly Tomb.
"I don't know, but I suspect Brother Gu Fei has already entered the third layer!"
"However, the energy barrier at the entrance to the third layer has already solidified. I tried to break through it, but my speed was too slow!"
"Moreover, there are ancient devouring worms inside the crystal wall. The parts I managed to break through were gradually sealed up again by the energy they secreted, so I had no choice but to retreat!" Xun'er pointed to a pit on the crystal wall and explained slowly.
"Ancient devouring worms?"
Upon hearing this, both Gu Qingyang and Gu Yao frowned again. As members of the Gu Clan, they were well aware of these creatures.
Ancient devouring worms were small magical beasts that lived during ancient times. Although their bodies were tiny, they were countless in number and could devour anything. They would then continuously secrete pure energy, and the enormous crystal wall was created by these little creatures.
"What should we do?"
"If we don't enter the third layer, we'll all die here when the energy storm hits!"
Gu Yao and Gu Qing Yang were in a difficult position.
At this moment, Huo Zhi and Huo Xuan also arrived at the scene. Shortly after, eight more people from the Lei Clan, Yao Clan, Shi Clan, and Ling Clan arrived one after another.
"We can't worry about that. Even if there are ancient devouring worms inside, there's still a glimmer of hope. If we stay here, we're dead for sure!"
Gu Qing Yang made a decision, intending to blast through the energy crystal wall in front of them. As soon as he finished speaking, the Dou Qi within both Gu Qing Yang and Gu Yao surged like a flood, transforming into massive torrents that fiercely struck the solidified energy barrier in front of them.
Even though the barrier was incredibly tough, it began to crack under their fierce attacks, eventually shattering with a loud crash, revealing a small pit about half a meter wide and three to four meters high.
However, at this speed, it would take several days to break through the hundreds of meters thick crystal wall. Not to mention, the ancient devouring worms inside posed a significant threat.
"Where's Young Master Gu Fei? Why isn't he here?"
Although Huo Zhi didn't get along with Xun'er, she took the initiative to speak to her this time.
Sixteen people had entered the Heavenly Tomb, but only thirteen were gathered here now.
No one cared about the two members of the Hun Clan, but many were concerned about where Gu Fei was.
"Brother Gu Fei has already reached the third layer!"
Xun'er answered with certainty. She believed that with Gu Fei's strength, if he were still in the second layer, he would have arrived here long ago.
"As expected of Gu Fei, entering the third layer alone!"
Huo Zhi felt a sense of relief when she heard that Gu Fei had reached the third layer.
"Huo Xuan, get to work!"
"Lei Luo, Yao Xing Ji, Shi Lezhi, Ling… If you all keep watching, we'll all die here!"
The next moment, Huo Zhi joined the effort to break through the crystal wall and reminded the others from the Lei, Yao, Shi, and Ling Clans.
Among the two people from the Yao Clan, one was Yao Xing Ji, and the other was a young woman dressed provocatively. Upon seeing Huo Zhi's actions, she also joined in.
No one wanted to die here.
The group continued to work, and after ten minutes, they had advanced several dozen meters into the wall.
By this time, the pressure from the approaching energy storm was becoming more intense, and the sound of the storm's winds could be faintly heard.
"This isn't working. We don't have enough time, and our speed is too slow!"
Lei Luo, growing impatient, stopped his assault on the barrier and lamented, "If Brother Lei Dong was here, he would have smashed through this damned crystal wall by now!"
"Yes, Brother Lei Dong has already reached the two-star Dou Saint level... But alas, he's still in the Lightning Demon Pool for his trial!"
Another member of the Lei Clan also stopped and sighed.
"What's the point of saying that? Keep working, or we'll all die!"
Seeing this, Huo Zhi looked at the two Lei Clan members with disdain.
However, while the two members of the Lei Clan took a break, the others noticed that the crystal wall was slowly sealing itself again as white worms burrowed through it.
"How can this be?"
This discovery left everyone in despair.
What was even worse was that a large number of ancient devouring worms appeared, and they even started to consume the group's attacks.
"I think I sense the aura of a heavenly flame..."
Suddenly, Huo Zhi's brow glowed with a bright red light, giving her a particularly enchanting appearance.
"A heavenly flame?"
Huo Xuan paused and looked at Huo Zhi in surprise.
"This is… Gu Fei's aura!"
Huo Zhi stood still for a moment, carefully sensing the energy, and then suddenly looked toward the front-right of the tunnel, her beautiful eyes filled with anticipation.
The others followed her gaze.
In that direction, the previously impenetrable tunnel wall was melting away without resistance, and a dazzling flame illuminated everyone's faces.
Instinctively, everyone squinted.
Beyond the flame, Xun'er, Huo Zhi, and the others saw a familiar figure.