The game starts with escaping from the famine and flipping the table

Guixu.

Chaos surged.

For billions of years, the ceaseless flow of black water, carrying shards of foam like shattered stars, surges and roars in the sunless abyss. This is the rift in the spacetime of Qingyuan Star, and also the ultimate place where Qingyuan Star sealed the Demon Lord.

Ten thousand years ago, the ancient gods used their own blood essence as a guide, supplemented by the roots of the World Tree, the reverse scales of the dragon race, and the soul fire of the spirit race, to suppress the Demon Lord who wanted to devour the stars in a bronze coffin at the core of the Ruins. The Zhou Tian Star Array engraved on the coffin was connected to the power of the Ruins tide, becoming a double shackle that imprisoned the Demon Lord.

However, time is merciless. The sealing power gradually weakened under the erosion of time and the constant collision with the Demon Lord's true form. In particular, during the tidal reversal period that occurs once every 100,000 years, the magnetic field of the Ruins of Return becomes disordered, and the sealing power drops to its lowest point.

At the very moment the laws of heaven and earth loosened, a wisp of almost transparent black energy shot out like a ghost from the cracks in the bronze coffin—it was the remnant soul of the Demon Lord who had forcibly torn apart the seal and escaped after expending ninety percent of his primordial spirit.

This wisp of remnant soul was so weak that it seemed as if a gust of tide could blow it away, yet it carried the Demon Lord's resentment and obsession for billions of years.

As soon as it left the bronze coffin, it transformed into a dark ray of light and disappeared into the turbulent black waters deep within the Ruins of Return. Wherever it passed, the once silent dead waters suddenly boiled, and countless slumbering ancient sea creature skeletons abruptly awoke, their eye sockets igniting with eerie green flames.

Using its own resentment as a catalyst and the chaotic energy of the Guixu as nourishment, the remnant soul of the Demon Lord relentlessly controlled most of the sea creatures in the Guixu region over a period of 100,000 years. From the enormous deep-sea giant Kun to the elusive Netherworld Ghost Shark, all became its puppets.

Its purpose is extremely clear: to continuously erode the tidal power of the Ruins and destroy the Zhou Tian Star Array outside the bronze coffin.

Whenever the tide rises and falls, the controlled sea creatures will frantically attack the core of the seal, using their flesh and blood to smash through the protective barrier outside the array eye. Meanwhile, the remnant soul of the Demon Lord takes the opportunity to absorb the demonic energy dissipating from the seal, gradually strengthening itself, attempting to completely break free from its restraints during the next tidal reversal.

The disturbances in Guixu have not only ravaged the beautiful Guixu beyond recognition, but have also begun to slowly infiltrate the East China Sea.

The sea goddess wore a deep blue palace dress, the hem of which was embroidered with surging waves and twinkling stars. Her brows were furrowed, and she held a crystal-clear sea pearl in her palm, which clearly reflected the scene of black mist spreading deep in the Ruins of Return.

"The Guixu seal has developed three cracks. The remnant soul of the Demon Lord is manipulating the sea creatures to attack the core of the array day and night. If this continues, the bronze coffin will completely collapse within a hundred years."

The sea god's voice was deep and solemn. The scene in the sea pearl suddenly changed. At the core of the Ruins, the runes on the bronze coffin were dim and several black cracks were spreading. Countless sea creatures rushed towards the coffin like a tide, but were blasted into ashes by the remaining sealing power. However, the successors continued to rush forward one after another, fearless of death.

The Whale King was enormous, its body standing like a small mountain, each breath accompanied by the roar of the ocean waves. Hearing the Sea God's words, the Whale King directly stated what it knew: "We have guarded the East Sea for ten thousand years and have some knowledge of the terrain of the Ruins of Return. To reach the core area, we must pass through four perilous places: the Nine-Bend Black Water Formation, the Netherworld Bone Forest, the Mirage Illusion, and the Tidal Turbulence. Each of these places has been laid with deadly traps by the remnant soul of the Demon Lord."

As he spoke, the Whale King opened his mouth and spat out a whale pearl. The whale pearl exploded in the air and transformed into a three-dimensional map of the Ruins of Return. Four blood-red marks were particularly eye-catching on the map. "This is a route map that my ancestors obtained with their lives. It can avoid some of the killing formations, but the traps in the core area can only be overcome by force."

The Mirage King's beautiful face showed a thoughtful expression, his brows slightly furrowed, and the faint mist surrounding him changed into countless illusions depending on his mood.

The Sea Serpent King, now in human form, was covered in scales, its eyes like icy pools, and several venomous sea serpents with fangs capable of tearing through space were coiled around its waist. At this moment, these venomous sea serpents flicked their tongues, seemingly awaiting only the Sea Serpent King's command to attack…

The agile Shark King also transformed into human form, his skin turning a bronze color. However, upon hearing the words of the Sea God and the Whale King, his hands, which had been in human form, suddenly transformed back into sharp shark fins in a fit of excitement, exuding a ferocious aura.

"Leave the defense and attack matters to us." Two aged voices rang out at the same time, and Xuan Yuan, the patriarch of the Deep Sea Dragon Turtle Clan, and Cang Yuan, the patriarch of the Xuan'ao Clan, slowly stepped out.

Xuan Yuan was clad in heavy tortoise shell, the armor bearing the marks of time, each scale shimmering with a dark golden luster, and he held a heavy black iron shield in his hand.

Cang Yuan held an ancient scroll, the "Eternal Tide Scripture," and a faint tidal power surrounded him. Behind him floated a set of shimmering armor, the legendary Tide-Gilded Armor. "This armor can draw upon the power of the Void Tide for defense. Even an attack from a Mahayana cultivator can withstand it for a while. When attacking, we can join forces to activate the tidal power to temporarily suppress and seal the nearby demonic energy."

The dragon, Long Yunmang, with his slender body, transformed into a young man dressed in a green scale robe. He bowed and said, "The Spirit Clan and my Dragon Clan have a long-standing alliance. I have already contacted the Spirit Clan Chief, Ling Xi, through the Dragon Domain Communication Stone. They will meet us at the outer edge of the seal after the tidal turbulence. However, the Spirit Clan has been holding out for 100,000 years, and the losses have been enormous. Now, we have less than five Mahayana cultivators available. The other Mahayana-stage Spirit Clan members are all suppressing the sealing array's core."

All eyes turned to the four figures beside them, where some of the most powerful Mahayana cultivators on Qingyuan Star stood:

Su Xiaoya was dressed in a light green dress and looked no more than sixteen or seventeen years old. However, her brows and eyes carried a composure that did not match her age. A faint spacetime power swirled in her palms. When her fingertips swept across the void, they could leave a tiny spacetime rift. No one would have thought that this seemingly delicate girl had already comprehended the true meaning of the Great Dao of Spacetime and the Great Dao of Cause and Effect.

Beside him stood Yu Shuheng, dressed in a blue robe, radiating a rich vitality. Behind him, the phantom of the World Tree faintly appeared, its branches and leaves swaying, capable of purifying all evil spirits.

Bai Yiyi, the chief of the Nine-Tailed Fox Clan of Qingqiu, still looks like an old man with white hair, white beard and white hair. However, his nine fluffy fox tails sway gently behind him, and his bright eyes can see through all the illusions of the world, which makes Bai Yiyi even more wise.

Emperor Yuwen Yu was dressed in bright yellow armor, exuding an aura of majesty. He was surrounded by the power of human destiny, and the Emperor Sword in his hand hummed faintly, containing the will to suppress all things.

"Please be patient, everyone. We have already deduced the cause and effect of this operation." Su Xiaoya spoke, her voice clear yet carrying an undeniable power. "Although the Demon Lord's remnant soul is strong, its foundation is not stable, and the Ruins of Return restricts its power. At present, it can only rely on the sea tribe and traps to wear us down."

"Our plan is as follows: the Sea Kings will clear the way, using their familiarity with the Ruins to break through the terrain traps; Senior Xuan Yuan and Senior Cang Yuan will oversee the central command, activating the Tide-Gilded Armor to defend against demonic energy erosion;"

"Fellow Daoist Long Yunmang, continue to maintain contact with the Spirit Clan to ensure a smooth rendezvous; Yu Shuheng, Bai Yiyi, Yu Wenzhangyu, and I will each deal with the core killing moves of the four perilous places, proceeding step by step, aiming directly at the core of the seal."

Yu Wenzhangyu added, "These are all warriors at the Mahayana stage. Every battle could cause the collapse of the Guixu space. Everyone must remember that the primary goal is to break the trap and reunite with the Spirit Clan. It is not necessary to fight to the death with the Sea Clan controlled by the Demon Lord. Preserving our strength to deal with the remnant soul of the Demon Lord is the key."

Bai Yiyi chuckled softly, her fox-like eyes sparkling: "Don't worry, when it comes to seeing through illusions and finding opportunities for survival, my Qingqiu clan has never lost."

Yu Shuheng nodded, "I can use the power of the World Tree to purify the demonic energy and heal and detoxify you all."

Everyone performed their duties in an orderly manner, making the final preparations.

The sea monsters imprinted the whale pearl map into their souls. Xuan Yuan and Cang Yuan joined forces to activate the "Eternal Tide Undying Codex," bringing the power of the Tide Gilded Armor to its peak. Long Yunmang reinforced the protection of the communication stone to prevent interference from the Demon Lord's remnant soul. Su Xiaoya used the power of time and space to leave marks on everyone so that they could help each other in times of crisis.

Three days later.

The entrance to Guixu.

The black water, as dark as ink, churned and surged towards the sky, forming a massive vortex. At the center of the vortex lay the passage leading to the depths of the Ruins of Return. The air was thick with the stench of blood and demonic energy, enough to make one want to vomit. The Sea God, wielding his trident, stepped into the vortex first: "Let's go!"

The group transformed into streaks of light and plunged into the black water vortex. The sea behind them quickly returned to calm, as if no one had ever set foot in this forbidden land.

The moment they entered the Ruins of Return, everyone felt an immense pressure bearing down on them. The black water contained chaotic power, constantly eroding the cultivators' protective spiritual light.

Cang Yuan raised his hand and waved it. The Tide-Gilded Armor transformed into thousands of light spots, enveloping everyone and forming a light blue protective shield. When the chaotic power touched the shield, it immediately receded like a tide.

"The first challenge is the Nine-Bend Black Water Formation," the Whale King said in a deep voice. "This formation uses the Guixu Black Water as its guide, with nine bends and eighteen turns. Each bend has hidden reefs and currents, and there are also Netherworld Sharks controlled by the Demon Lord lurking there. Their teeth can shatter the protective spiritual light of a Mahayana cultivator."

As soon as he finished speaking, the black water in front of them suddenly surged, transforming into a water wall tens of feet high, which crashed down on the group.

Within the wall of water, countless dark figures darted about; these were the Netherworld Sharks, their eyes gleaming with an eerie green light, and their mouths emitting sharp hisses.

"Sea Serpent King, Sea Shark King, follow me to break the formation!" With a command from the Sea God Ao Qin, his trident swept out, and golden divine power transformed into a giant wave that collided with the oncoming water wall. With a deafening roar, the water wall shattered, and countless streams of black water splashed out.

The venomous sea serpent at the Sea Serpent King's waist instantly swelled, transforming into dozens of giant pythons as thick as water buckets. They coiled around the Ghost Shark, their fangs piercing its body. The dark green venom spread rapidly, and the Ghost Sharks let out shrill screams as their bodies gradually stiffened and sank into the black water.

The Sea Shark King transformed into a blur, its shark fins tearing through the air. With each swing, it severed the bodies of several Kisame sharks, staining large swaths of black water with blood.

The Whale King took a deep breath, and its divine power erupted, transforming into a huge whale roar. Under the shockwave, the reefs hidden deep in the black water shattered, and the terrain of the Nine-Bend Black Water Formation was forcibly altered.

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Su Xiaoya used the power of spacetime at her fingertips to create a straight passage ahead: "Hurry up, this formation will repair itself!"

The group followed closely behind, speeding along the space-time tunnel. The black water behind them kept closing in, and the previously destroyed reefs and undercurrents re-coalesced. If they were a step later, they would be completely trapped in the formation.

After breaking through the Nine-Bend Black Water Formation, the scene ahead suddenly changed.

Looking into the distance, one could see a vast, boundless plain covered with towering skeletons, densely packed like a forest. No one knew to what race these skeletons belonged to.

Its bones are jet black, as if they have been corrupted by darkness, and the surface is covered with strange runes, which seem to be mysterious marks left by the ancient sea creature skeletons that were refined by the remnant soul of the Demon Lord.

Amidst the skeletons, black mist swirled like a thick fog, and countless skulls floated in the air like ghosts, emitting mournful wails. This was the second level, the Netherworld Bone Forest.

"These skeletons have been corroded by demonic energy, making them as hard as rocks, impervious to swords and spears, and capable of piecing themselves back together, making them extremely difficult to deal with."

The Mirage King frowned and said worriedly, "What's even more troublesome is that the black energy in the Bone Forest is like a demonic barrier that can erode the souls of cultivators and trap them in endless illusions."

As soon as the words were spoken, the bones on the ground suddenly began to shake violently. Countless bones spliced ​​together as if by magic, instantly transforming into gigantic skeleton warriors wielding bone knives and swords, charging towards the group like hungry tigers pouncing on their prey.

The skull in the air spewed out billowing black mist, which spread like a plague. The scene before everyone's eyes began to distort. Some saw their deepest fears of the past, while others saw the horrific apocalypse after the Demon Lord broke free of his seal.

"Those who lose their composure, retreat immediately to the core of the protective shield!"

With a shout, Bai Yiyi unfurled her nine fox tails like a peacock spreading its tail feathers, and golden foxfire blazed from the tips of her tails, resembling a dazzling golden sun. The foxfire contained a powerful purifying force, which dispelled the surrounding black mist like a spring breeze sweeping away fallen leaves.

"My foxfire can temporarily suppress the illusion, but it cannot completely eradicate it. We must find the core of the bone forest's formation as soon as possible."

"The core of the formation is hidden in the area where the bones are most densely packed!"

The moment Bai Yi finished speaking, Yu Wenzhang Yu revealed his discovery, almost as if they were speaking in unison.

Yuwen Yu held the Human Emperor Sword, and the power of his destiny surged around him like a volcanic eruption, forming a dazzling golden light screen. Any skeleton warrior that touched the light screen would instantly turn into dust like melting snow.

He moved like a whirlwind, rushing towards the depths of the bone forest. The Emperor's Sword flashed like lightning, unleashing countless sharp and unparalleled golden sword energies. Wherever it passed, the skeleton warriors along the way were slaughtered like chickens and dogs.

Su Xiaoya and Yu Shuheng walked side by side. Su Xiaoya used her spacetime power to freeze the surging skeleton warriors as if freezing a thousand miles, while Yu Shuheng activated the power of the World Tree. Green vines sprouted from the ground like dragons emerging from the sea, tightly wrapping around the skeleton warriors' bones. The life force on the vines flowed like a clear spring, continuously purifying the demonic energy in the bones. The purified skeletons lost their power and collapsed to the ground like a building about to fall.

Holding a black iron shield, Xuan Yuan stood like a mountain in front of everyone. The skeleton warriors' bone knives and swords slashed at the shield like a storm, making a loud clanging sound. The dark golden scales on the shield shimmered, dissolving all the attack power like hot water melting snow.

Cang Yuan held the "Eternal Tide Codex" in his hand, chanting incantations. The power of the tides transformed into surging torrents of water, which swept away the black mist in the bone forest like a stampede of ten thousand horses, clearing a safe passage for everyone.

"Found it!" Yu Wenzhangyu's voice rang out. Deep within the Bone Forest, atop a high platform built from thousands of bones, floated a black skull bead, resembling the heart of the Netherworld Bone Forest.

The Skull Bead continuously emitted black energy, like threads controlling a puppet, manipulating the skeleton warriors throughout the Bone Forest.

"I'll go!" The Sea Shark King transformed into a streak of light, rushing towards the high platform like an arrow released from a bow, its shark fins striking the Skull Bead with the force of a thunderbolt.

However, the Skull Bead suddenly unleashed a barrier as black as ink, and the Sea Shark King's attack was bounced back as if it had been thrown into the sea, causing him to stagger backward as if struck by a heavy blow.

Just as the Sea Shark King was frustrated, Su Xiaoya's eyes lit up, and she used her spacetime power to instantly arrive on the high platform.

She formed a hand seal, and a spatial rift suddenly appeared beside the skull bead, attempting to devour it.

However, the skull bead released a powerful suction force, attempting to pull the spacetime rift in the opposite direction.

Upon seeing this, Yu Shuheng hurriedly activated the power of the World Tree, and countless vines wrapped around the Skull Bead like swimming dragons, weakening its suction force.

Bai Yiyi was not to be outdone, her nine fox tails spewing out golden foxfire that scorched the protective barrier of the skull bead.

Just as the three forces were locked in a stalemate, Yuwen Zhangyu shouted loudly, and the Human Emperor Sword, infused with the power of human destiny, transformed into a golden rainbow, fiercely slashing towards the Skull Bead.

In an instant, the black barrier shattered, and the skull bead's light dimmed.

Pressing their advantage, the group combined their forces to completely destroy the Skull Bead. As the Skull Bead shattered, the skeleton warriors of the Netherworld Bone Forest fell to the ground, and the black aura gradually dissipated.

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief and continued towards the next level, the Mirage Realm.