The Illusory, Ethereal Future

In endless darkness, Liu Xiaoxiao's consciousness drifted without cease.

Suddenly, light appeared before Liu Xiaoxiao's eyes, and he regained consciousness.

He had returned to the place formed by Qiankun Asking Love Valley, standing before the Golden Vortex.

"The assessment has concluded." A familiar voice sounded. "Overall, I am barely satisfied. Perhaps 'passable' would be the right term. Although you met my expectations, unfortunately, you showed me nothing unexpected."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xiaoxiao immediately grew tense.

Whether Zhang Shiwen could be awakened was an exceedingly important matter to him.

"However, you did satisfy me in the end. I will give you appropriate hints and assistance, but I will not directly awaken her." The voice came from within the Golden Vortex.

Liu Xiaoxiao said nothing and waited quietly.

The Golden Vortex spoke again. "Do you know what time is?"

"Time is the unity of the past, present, and future. It is the measure of change in all things. Everything advances under the influence of time," Liu Xiaoxiao answered without hesitation.

"Do you know the relationship between the past, present, and future?"

"The past determines the present, and the present influences the future," Liu Xiaoxiao blurted out.

Immediately afterward, Liu Xiaoxiao recalled the scene he had once witnessed in the River of Time.

Countless pasts converged into a single future... That contradicted what he had just said.

Yet deep in his subconscious, he instinctively rejected that notion.

Everything done in the past had no effect on the present, while everything done in the present had one inevitable future... That was not a worldview he liked.

Liu Xiaoxiao felt somewhat uneasy. He waited for a long time, but the other party did not answer.

Then, the scene around him changed.

Countless vast Golden Rivers appeared beneath him, some crossing, some converging, and some