The World Changes, Rules Altered

On the other side.

Based on their previous conflict with the Black Crow squad,

Luo Ya could deduce that their mission was likely different from her team's.

Having participated in multiple Heavenly Dao Space missions before,

they also had their own means of locating the mission target.

They leaped into the depths of a shadowy forest.

The five members of Squad 123 advanced cautiously, the sound of snapping twigs beneath their feet piercing the eerie silence.

Luo Ya walked in the middle of the formation, her fingers tightly gripping a faintly glowing detection compass, its needle trembling wildly, pointing deeper into the forest.

"Captain, the energy readings are getting stronger..."

She whispered a warning.

The silver-masked captain raised a hand, signaling the team to halt. His cold gaze swept their surroundings. "The mission target is close. Stay alert."

A red-haired youth conjured a flame in his palm, illuminating the crumbling stone steps ahead, entangled with vines.

At the end of the steps, the thick mist suddenly parted, revealing a sight that stole their breath.

A ruined modern city!

"This... how is this possible?!"

The team's mechanic widened his eyes, adjusting his glasses for a clearer look.

Before them stood collapsed skyscrapers, exposed steel beams, and shattered glass littering the ground.

The asphalt roads were cracked, with eerie fluorescent plants sprouting from the fissures.

A half-hanging billboard at the street corner bore faded text still barely legible:

["Those who believe in the Frost God shall attain eternal life."]

"The Frost God?"

"An ancient skeleton... in a place like this?"

The red-haired youth's throat went dry.

Imagine the surreal experience of stumbling upon a modern metropolis in what should be a primitive era.

After a moment of silence, the captain spoke in a low voice, "Move forward."

They proceeded along the abandoned main road.

Luo Ya's heartbeat quickened—the compass needle was practically leaping out of its dial.

As they turned a corner, the entire team froze.

Two ice sculptures stood at the center of a square.

The left statue was shattered, its head lying on the ground, leaving only half a torso that faintly resembled a man's silhouette.

The right statue, however, remained intact—a woman with cascading hair, sharp brows, and a cold gaze, her palm cradling an ice spear as she sat upon a throne, as if surveying all beneath her.

Even more chilling was the massive skeleton beneath the icy throne.

Its bones were pitch-black, veined with crimson patterns, exuding a terrifying pressure.

"That's... the mission target!"

The mechanic's voice trembled.

But Luo Ya was fixated on the intact ice sculpture, her pupils contracting violently.

Had she not recognized it before, she certainly did now.

It was unmistakable!

The figure carved in ice was... Su Muwan!

She could never mistake it—the eyes, the expression, even the faint, mocking smile at the corner of her lips—identical to the Domain Lord she had seen in the Netherfrost Divine Realm.

But what did this mean?

Had Su Muwan existed since the ancient era?

And what of the figure in the later Immortal-Demon War, suspected to be her...?

Luo Ya's mind reeled.

Most crucially, who was the shattered statue beside Su Muwan?

"Luo Ya?"

The captain noticed her unease.

"N-nothing..."

She forced herself to suppress her shock.

The captain frowned, about to speak, when a mechanical voice abruptly echoed in everyone's minds.

[Emergency mission triggered!]

[Mission objective: Survive the Great Thousand War. Time remaining—88 days!]

[Mission rank: SS-class!]

"What?!"

The red-haired youth exclaimed, "A continuous mission?! And we have to survive 88 days in this hellhole?!"

"This is insane! Any random cultivator could crush us like ants!"

The captain's face darkened beneath his mask.

The Heavenly Dao Space had never issued additional requirements mid-mission. What was happening?

"Enough. Retrieve the skeleton first!"

He barked the order, and the others nodded.

But in that instant—

The skeleton, which they had assumed lifeless—

suddenly... moved.

Crack—!

Under the stunned gazes of the team, the skeletal head slowly lifted, its hollow eyes gazing into the distance.

A hoarse voice emerged from its empty ribcage:

"I... sense it..."

"My King's presence..."

"My... King... I guarded the tribe... I... did it... Won't you... come see me...?"

As the words faded—

BOOM!

A surge of decay erupted from the skeleton's body.

Everyone froze, utterly baffled.

Then—

RUMBLE—!

The earth quaked. The sky tore like a curtain, golden light pouring through the fissures.

In the distance, mountains collapsed, and the entire pocket realm began to warp and merge.

"Spatial turbulence! Gather up!"

The captain reacted first, shouting urgently.

Luo Ya clutched the compass, her pupils flickering wildly.

What the hell was going on?

"My King"? Who was this skeleton's king?

Meanwhile, at the Netherfrost Divine Realm's headquarters—

Qin Luo was plating a fried spirit beast egg when he suddenly paused, looking out the window.

The sky had darkened without warning, clouds twisting into a vortex as a golden beam split the heavens.

"Luo Luo?"

Su Muwan rubbed her eyes as she approached. "What's happening? The spiritual energy feels... agitated."

Qin Luo didn't answer, his fingers weaving a spell. Fragmented images flashed before him—all shrouded in darkness.

Until a voice echoed:

[My King...]

Finally, a vision appeared—but only of a golden pillar piercing countless worlds.

"Battlefield convergence... pocket realms merging... This shouldn't be happening..."

He muttered, frowning. "This violates the initial rules."

"Unless..."

Qin Luo's brow furrowed deeper.

"Something occurred... forcing the Great Thousand War to alter its own laws?"

Though he still didn't fully grasp the nature of the Great Thousand War, he knew one thing—this place harbored a wisp of the Heavenly Dao's will.

For it to rewrite the rules... What could have caused it?

Was it... related to that voice?

Su Muwan tilted her head. "Huh?"

The tremors lasted a full fifteen minutes before subsiding.

Then—

The Heavenly Dao's voice resounded across the world:

[Final phase of the War of Faith begins!]

[All factions advance toward the central region. The ultimate victor shall receive the Heavenly Dao's blessing!]

[Additionally! The first to slay the Evil God shall gain extra divine favor!]

Everyone was stunned.

What kind of twist was this? This wasn't how it was supposed to go!