The Star Chaser broke away from the protection of the Sky Patrol Immortal Boat and, like a lone vessel, sailed resolutely toward the Void Corridor at the edge of the star map, marked as an "absolute forbidden zone." The atmosphere on the bridge was so heavy it seemed ready to drip with water. Even Master of Qingwei Temple, who was usually so composed, bore an unshakable worry between his brows. The Void Corridor was a deathtrap where even ancient Dao Sovereigns had fallen—the end of the known laws of the universe and the beginning of unknown chaos.
Li Wuyang stood alone before the observation window, his back straight as a pine. In his palm, he tightly gripped the gray Jade Pendant Xuan Nü had given him. The lingering warmth and Annihilation Dao Rhyme upon it were the only warmth and anchor in his heart at this moment. Within his sea of consciousness, the crystal coffin had dimmed, and Xuan Nü's presence was as faint as a candle flame in the wind. Every time he sensed her, it felt as though an invisible hand had clenched his heart, causing him unbearable pain.
Xuan, wait for me... he murmured inwardly. His Chaos Dao Body began operating of its own accord, resisting the increasingly powerful erosion of nothingness as they drew nearer to the corridor. The surrounding starry sky had already begun to look "wrong." Starlight twisted and stretched like melting candles dripping wax, while space itself became viscous and fragile, as though it could shatter like glass at any moment.
"Captain, we're about to enter the corridor's outer Twisted Barrier! The starship's conventional power and navigation systems have begun to fail!" Yun Yi's voice carried a barely perceptible tremor as countless warning lights flashed madly across the console.
Li Wuyang turned and