Jason Sutton let out a long sigh, once again lamenting Brian Sutton's lack of knowledge: "What you said is not wrong, but in that ancient era, things were far more complicated than anyone could imagine. Setting aside the crisis facing the human race—even though everyone wants to change this situation—the stubbornness of human nature is what it is, and the mutual slaughter among humans has blinded many. My master once said, wherever there are people, there will be conflict. If you become the disciple of a master, you can naturally receive their protection, and your safety will be more assured. Besides, sigh, since you come from another dimension, you must know how difficult the cultivation process is. Everyone encounters many bottlenecks, and if you shut yourself away and work alone, you might remain stuck for life. If you have a master, their experience can help you break through bottlenecks and reach a higher level. After all, humans are different from demon beasts; it's not as simple as the longer the time, the higher the cultivation."

"Speaking of factions, wouldn't the four great powers like the Demon Domain and Blade Domain be even better?"

A familiar worry appeared between Jason Sutton's brows, one that Brian Sutton recognized. After a moment of silence, he said angrily, "These four powers are all fighting for dominance over humanity, suppressing each other. The human population is already small; aside from those killed by demons, many die as collateral in their struggles. I dislike this kind of conflict, which is why I chose the path of freedom—how could I join any of the four?"

"Is there really no intervention? Aren't there some highly respected and powerful humans? Why don't they step in?"

"I don't know about that. In fact, that's something many people wonder about. As long as the most powerful human warriors step forward, I believe—whether it's the Snow Domain or the Demon Domain—no one would dare defy them. But this is how things are. Sometimes, I find it very strange too. Only recently have I started to form a vague idea."

"This situation is being tacitly allowed?" This was said by Brian Sutton.

Jason Sutton looked back at Brian Sutton in surprise, then said, "Actually, this idea has already gained a lot of support, which is why the four domains' Holy Lords act even more recklessly. Yes, this situation is probably being tacitly permitted. I suspect that 'they' want to use this method to push our race to grow stronger, hoping more people will emerge who can rival the main gods—only then can our situation change. Our human numbers are less than the demons, and less than the angels of Heaven. Since we can't win by numbers, we can only win by quality. Once someone steps into the 'Divine Domain,' any expert from the Divine Domain can easily deal with hundreds of thousands, even millions, of demon beasts."

"Who exactly are 'they'?"

"I don't know. No one knows. So far, only one person is known—George King." A look of heartfelt admiration, reverence, and longing appeared on Jason Sutton's face. "Sigh, it's a pity that George King already fell in the war between gods and demons in the North Sea. That was the greatest loss for our race. Every year, many people go to Xuanyuan Hill in the North Sea to pay their respects. Within a thousand miles of Xuanyuan Hill, all fighting is forbidden. Even the most powerful demon beasts dare not set foot there. The name George King resounds not only among humans—even the demons feel genuine respect and fear when they hear it."

After finishing, Jason Sutton fell into deep remembrance. Brian Sutton lowered his head; the two sat by the fire, each lost in thought. After a long while, Brian Sutton seemed to make a decision, softly muttering to himself, "I must step into the Divine Domain, no matter what the cost. If gods block me, I'll kill gods; if buddhas stand in my way, I'll kill buddhas."

Jason Sutton looked at him in surprise, then quickly lowered his head, pretending not to have heard, his gaze growing distant...

Chapter Eight: Hidden Valley

The night passed uneventfully. Occasionally, a few demon beasts came to harass them, but Jason Sutton easily drove them away with sound waves. As dawn broke in the east, Jason Sutton straightened his robe, stood up, glanced at Brian Sutton, then looked toward the horizon and said, "I'm planning to stay for a while at the home of my master's friend, the Demon-Slaying Hand. If you're willing, you can come with me."

"I'm not familiar with anything here, and I have nowhere else to go. I'll go with you—at least we'll be able to look out for each other on the road."

Jason Sutton smiled, then turned around, leapt off the cliff top, and streaked across the sky like a rainbow toward the east. Brian Sutton used his sword-riding technique to follow closely behind.

Three days later, Brian Sutton finally arrived with Jason Sutton at an enormous valley, shrouded in mist so thick that nothing could be seen clearly. When they were still some distance from the valley entrance, Jason Sutton signaled for Brian Sutton to land, and the group proceeded on foot toward the mouth of the valley. The opening was extremely narrow, and at the entrance, two large characters written in cinnabar read "Hidden Valley." Brian Sutton looked at Jason Sutton in confusion, but Jason Sutton didn't notice, walking straight ahead. At the entrance, he bowed deeply to two white-bearded old men lying on the ground, then picked up a rusty little knife from the ground and lightly sliced his index finger. Though the knife looked dull, it was actually very sharp, easily cutting Jason Sutton's finger. A drop of fresh blood dripped from the wound into a stone bowl fused with the rock below. The bowl was filled with crimson, and a layer of dark red-black substance had formed at the bottom.

When Jason Sutton cut his finger, the two white-bearded old men opened their eyes, seeming to glance at the stone bowl, nodded in satisfaction, and then looked at Brian Sutton.