In another dimension, Yunxihua's ancient god main body stood motionless atop dark brown cracked earth.
It did not absorb qi.
It absorbed something more fundamental.
Earth's spiritual energy.
Life energy.
The ground beneath its feet slowly faded—not dying, but as if its energy was drawn out and then returned in a purer form.
The ancient god body did not sit, did not meditate like ordinary cultivators—it simply stood, and the world itself fed it.
Ancient god cultivation was indeed different.
Not perfecting the soul.
Not comprehending the Dao.
But strengthening the very existence of the body itself.
Realm after realm was crossed slowly:
Earth Realm → the body began to merge with the land.
Nature Realm → life energy flowed without end.
Heaven Realm → the pressure of the world no longer had any effect.
Now Yunxihua's ancient god body was already stable at the early Planet Realm, and it continued to advance.
Each increase did not erupt, did not draw attention.
Yet the surrounding world slowly adjusted itself. More importantly—the body resonated with Yunxihua.
On Mount Qingshui, Yunxihua, who was cultivating, suddenly opened her eyes.
Her injuries felt lighter.
Her origin qi flowed more calmly, more densely.
She immediately understood.
The bond was working.
Not fusion.
Not one-sided borrowing.
But sharing.
The ancient god body strengthened the physical body and foundation.
Yunxihua refined technique, consciousness, and control.
Two different paths.
One goal.
This was what was called dual cultivation.
If the ancient god body stepped into the next realm, Yunxihua's body would be pushed along with it.
If Yunxihua comprehended a new technique, the ancient god body would adjust its power structure accordingly.
In another dimension, the ancient god body opened its eyes.
It sensed the movement of the world.
In the main world, Yunxihua stood.
"I don't need to wait to become strong," she said softly.
"I only need to keep moving."
And far below—Death Valley began to show the first signs that something immense was approaching.
The black mist in Death Valley had never truly moved.
But on that day—the mist trembled.
Five thousand Soul Formation realm cultivators had taken their positions.
Defensive formations spread from cliff to cliff, sect banners fluttering without sound, each carrying a different aura yet interwoven neatly.
Xubailong stood on the front line.
His eyes were sharp, his sword still sheathed, but his killing intent had already merged with the formation.
Beside him, Xufangyu closed his eyes, maintaining the stability of the spiritual energy of thousands at once.
"Not a direct attack," he muttered.
"This is a test."
As if responding, the ground on the inner side of the valley cracked slowly.
Not because of qi pressure.
But because something…
was being drawn out.
In the distance, beyond a deeper layer of dimensions, the Holy Demon Sect Master smiled faintly.
"So you've tightened the guard here, Yunxihua," he said.
"That means this is the path you're most worried about."
He did not order an attack.
Not yet.
He wanted to see.
To see how far that alliance had developed.
To see how greatly the shadow of that ancient god influenced the world.
Meanwhile, on Mount Qingshui—Yunxihua closed her palm.
Primordial dragon energy spun, but this time it did not explode.
She suppressed it, purified it, and forced the energy to flow as thin as a thread.
When she opened her eyes, her palm released only a faint vibration.
Yet in another dimension—the ancient god body resonated as well.
The land for thousands of kilometers responded.
Yunxihua smiled faintly.
"Disrupting energy pathways… isn't a coincidence," she said inwardly.
"If I can disrupt demonic energy at the purification realm—" She clenched her fist.
"—then this battle is no longer decided by numbers."
In Death Valley, the crack stopped.
But everyone on guard knew—this was only the beginning. And above the world's fate, two existences named Yunxihua were stepping toward a point that could no longer be stopped.