Well of Origin

Ning Xiaochuan's voice echoed through the underground city as Sacred Source Power spread like a tide, illuminating every dark corner. The controlled residents turned their heads mechanically, red light flickering in their eyes, but showed no other reaction.

Han Li stood at the edge of the Well of Origin, his Black Crystal armor gleaming eerily beneath the Sacred Source light. He slowly turned around. The black hole in his right eye seemed capable of devouring all light, while the red glow in his left eye became even more piercing.

"Ning Xiaochuan..." His voice no longer carried a human tone, but an echo mingled with some inhuman existence. "I knew you would come."

The Golden Masked Man immediately stepped in front of Han Li, his black sword pointed at Ning Xiaochuan. "You're courting death!"

Ignoring the Golden Masked Man, Ning Xiaochuan fixed his gaze on Han Li. "Release those innocent people. I'm your target."

Han Li let out a strange laugh. The Black Crystal in his chest suddenly shot out a beam of red light, striking a stone pillar beside the well platform. Mu Qing doubled over in agony as the chains tightened, cutting into her flesh.

"Not entirely." Han Li grinned viciously. "I need her Mysterious Ice Source Qi to neutralize the energy in the well."

Ning Xiaochuan noticed several streaks of ice blue mixed within the black-red energy erupting from the Well of Origin—Mu Qing's power was being forcibly extracted!

"Stop!" Ning Xiaochuan roared, hurling a spear formed from Sacred Source Power at Han Li.

The Golden Masked Man swung his sword to block it, but Ning Xiaochuan had been prepared this time. The spear abruptly changed direction midair, bypassing the black sword and striking for Han Li's face!

"A petty trick." Han Li neither dodged nor moved, allowing the spear to fly toward him. Just before it hit, a black barrier suddenly appeared before him. The spear vanished into it like mud sinking into the sea.

"Do you see?" Han Li spread his arms smugly. "This is the power bestowed by the Master!"

Ning Xiaochuan was secretly alarmed. Han Li was far stronger than he had been at Tianyuan Sect, and that dark energy seemed to restrain Sacred Source Power.

"What exactly do you want?" He deliberately stalled for time, creating an opportunity for Su Linger and the Sacred Spirit Dragon.

Han Li walked toward the well platform and stroked its edge. "After the Primal Dragon fell, its power scattered across five worlds. The Sacred Source Land and the Open Source Continent each possess a portion, while the rest..."

He suddenly thrust his hand into the well. Black-red energy crawled up his arm like blood. "...is hidden in this well!"

The energy in the well suddenly surged, forming a massive vortex. At its center, the outline of a door could vaguely be seen—the Primal Gate!

"That's impossible!" Ning Xiaochuan said in shock. "The Primal Gate should be in the Sacred Source Land!"

Han Li burst into wild laughter. "What your Sacred Origin Tribe guards is merely the gate's shell! The true gate is everywhere, so long as there is enough energy and the right key!"

He pointed at the controlled residents of Qingyun City. "Their despair, fear, pain... they are the finest catalyst!"

Only then did Ning Xiaochuan understand. Han Li had controlled the residents not only to prevent resistance, but also to gather their negative emotions as energy to open the Primal Gate!

"Madman!" Ning Xiaochuan shouted furiously. "Do you know what will happen if you release the Void Master?"

"Of course I do." Han Li's voice suddenly became unnaturally calm. "All things return as one, returning to void. That is the ultimate truth of the universe."

The Golden Masked Man suddenly attacked, his black sword thrusting forward like a venomous snake! Ning Xiaochuan dodged hastily, but his shoulder was still slashed. Corrosive intense pain immediately erupted from the wound.

"Stop struggling." The Golden Masked Man sneered. "Your Sacred Source Power will be suppressed here."

It was true. Ning Xiaochuan felt the energy within him moving sluggishly, as though the entire underground city were rejecting him. The black-red energy radiating from the Well of Origin was even more like a living thing, constantly eroding the source qi protecting his body.

Just as the battle turned against them, a commotion suddenly erupted behind the well platform—Su Linger and the Sacred Spirit Dragon had successfully slipped over to Mu Qing and were undoing her chains!

"Stop them!" Han Li barked.

The Golden Masked Man immediately turned and lunged at them, but how could Ning Xiaochuan let him succeed? Sacred Source Power erupted at full force, and a streak of golden light blocked his path!

"Your opponent is me!"

The two clashed fiercely. The black sword collided endlessly with golden light, and the shockwaves shook dust from the underground city. Ning Xiaochuan gradually adapted to the suppressive environment and began to counterattack. He discovered that although the Golden Masked Man was powerful, his techniques were simplistic, as though he lacked real combat experience.

"You're not a Soul Hunter Envoy," Ning Xiaochuan suddenly said. "Who are you?"

The Golden Masked Man's movements paused almost imperceptibly. "That isn't important."

"It is." Seizing the opening, Ning Xiaochuan chopped at his opponent's wrist with the edge of his hand. "Because a real Soul Hunter Envoy wouldn't make such a basic mistake!"

The black sword flew from his hand. The Golden Masked Man grunted and staggered back. Ning Xiaochuan pressed the attack, turning Sacred Source Power into chains that wrapped around the man's legs.

Just as he was about to succeed, Han Li suddenly appeared before the Golden Masked Man and caught the chains one-handed. "Useless trash."

With a savage tug, he pulled Ning Xiaochuan forward several stumbling steps. Han Li's other hand plunged directly into the Golden Masked Man's chest and tore out a beating black heart!

"M-Master?" The Golden Masked Man lowered his head in disbelief, staring at the hollow in his chest.

"You are merely a vessel." Han Li said coldly. "Now it is time for you to serve your purpose."

He threw the heart into the Well of Origin, and the energy in the well instantly boiled! The Golden Masked Man's body crumbled like a sandcastle, turning into black sand that was sucked into the well. The outline of the Primal Gate became clearer, nearly solidifying!

"Still not enough..." Han Li turned toward the controlled residents. "I need more nourishment..."

He formed seals with both hands. The residents suddenly convulsed in unison, the red glow in their chests intensifying as strands of Life Energy were forcibly drawn out and gathered into the well!

"No!" Ning Xiaochuan's eyes widened in fury. He turned Sacred Source Power into a light screen, trying to block it, but he was too late. Dozens of residents had already collapsed, their faces ashen like the dead.

The vortex in the well spun rapidly, and the outline of the Primal Gate finally emerged in full—it was an ancient stone door covered in runes Ning Xiaochuan had never seen before. Black mist seeped from the crack between its doors like a living thing, vaguely forming the shape of a massive hand!

"Hahaha!" Han Li laughed wildly. "The Master is about to descend!"

Ning Xiaochuan realized in despair that, with his current strength, he could not stop any of this.

At that critical moment, an Ice Blue Sword Qi suddenly shot in from the side and struck Han Li squarely in the back!

"Argh!" Han Li cried out in pain and staggered several steps. When he turned around, Su Linger had already rescued Mu Qing, and the two were attacking together!

The Sacred Spirit Dragon also swooped down, its west wing spread wide as Dragon Breath poured forth like a waterfall! Han Li hastily defended himself, the Black Crystal in his chest releasing thick black mist to resist the attack.

"Ning Xiaochuan!" Su Linger shouted. "There's a mechanism on the well platform! Master Xuanyu mentioned it in his notes!"

Ning Xiaochuan immediately understood. While Han Li was occupied, he rushed toward the well platform. Sure enough, a circle of tiny runes was carved along the inner edge of the well, nearly identical to the patterns on the Dragon Soul Jade!

Without hesitation, he took out the Dragon Soul Jade and pressed it against the runes. The instant the jade touched the well platform, the entire underground city shook violently, and the energy flow of the Well of Origin suddenly reversed!

"No!" Han Li turned around in horror. "How did you know..."

The vortex in the well began spinning in reverse. The Primal Gate shook violently, and the black mist hand stretching out from it was forcibly dragged back inside! The Black Crystal in Han Li's chest also became unstable, cracks spreading across its surface.

"Damn it!" Han Li raged. Black Qi surged across his entire body, transforming into dozens of spikes that shot at everyone!

Su Linger and Mu Qing joined forces to raise an Ice Wall, but the spikes were overwhelmingly powerful, shattering it in an instant! The Sacred Spirit Dragon hurriedly breathed out Dragon Breath to intercept them, but it could block only some of them.

Just as the spikes were about to strike, inspiration suddenly came to Ning Xiaochuan. He pressed the Dragon Soul Jade to his chest. "Primal Covenant!"

This time, he connected not only with Su Linger and the Sacred Spirit Dragon, but also with the Well of Origin through the Dragon Soul Jade! Empowered by the well water, the strength of all three of them surged, forming a perfect energy cycle!

Sacred Source Judgment!

Golden light erupted like the sun, and every black spike dissolved within its radiance. Han Li let out a scream as the Black Crystal in his chest shattered completely. He flew backward like a kite with its string cut and slammed heavily into the edge of the well platform.

The Primal Gate began to collapse, and the black mist was purified by the well water. The controlled residents fell one after another, the red light in their chests extinguishing, though it was unclear whether they were alive or dead.

Panting heavily, Ning Xiaochuan walked toward the barely living Han Li. "It's over."

Yet Han Li revealed an eerie smile. "No... it's only just beginning..."

With his last ounce of strength, he suddenly lunged toward the well platform and threw the remaining Black Crystal into the well. "With my blood... I sacrifice myself to the Master!"

The crystal entered the well, and the previously calm energy boiled again! Even more terrifyingly, Han Li's body began to melt, turning into Black Blood that flowed into the well as the final offering!

"This is bad!" Mu Qing cried out. "He's forcibly sustaining the passage!"

Although the vortex in the well had shrunk, it had not completely vanished. The Primal Gate was blurry, but it still remained. Worse still, a deep voice came from within the gate:

"Son of Sacred Source... I will remember you..."

The voice acted directly upon the soul. Ning Xiaochuan felt a wave of dizziness and nearly fell to his knees. Su Linger and Mu Qing fared even worse, blood seeping from their ears and noses. Only the Sacred Spirit Dragon seemed unaffected, anxiously circling the three of them.

When the voice faded, the well water calmed, and the Primal Gate disappeared from sight. Yet Ning Xiaochuan knew that the Void Master had noticed this world. Its next invasion was only a matter of time.

"We won... for now," he said wearily.

Su Linger helped Mu Qing up. "Senior Brother Lei is still in the passage. He's badly injured."

Ning Xiaochuan nodded. Just as he was about to go save him, the Well of Origin suddenly shot out a beam of golden light that pierced the ceiling! To everyone's astonishment, the ceiling became transparent, revealing the sky outside—

Two moons hung high above, one silver-white and the other blood-red, nearly touching. Between them, the phantom image of a third moon could faintly be seen!

"Three Moons Shining Together..." Mu Qing's voice trembled. "The apocalyptic omen recorded in the Ancient Tome..."

Ning Xiaochuan suddenly understood. "It isn't two bloodstained moons... it's three moons! What Han Li opened was only the prelude!"

The Sacred Spirit Dragon suddenly let out a "Goo Chu" and flew toward the well platform. Ning Xiaochuan followed, discovering that the well water had become so clear that the bottom was visible. Resting quietly there was a white scale—the Primal Dragon's Inverse Scales!

"This is..."

Just as he reached out, the scale suddenly floated up on its own and landed in his palm. A warm energy flowed through his arm and into his body, resonating with the Dragon Soul Jade on his chest and producing a gentle glow.

A message entered his mind directly: "Find the Five Inverse Scales and reforge the Primal Crown. Only then can you stand against the void."

When the light faded, Ning Xiaochuan regained his senses and found the others watching him with concern.

"What happened?" Su Linger asked. "You stood there without moving for several minutes."

"Several minutes?" Ning Xiaochuan said in surprise. "It felt like only a few seconds to me..."

He looked at the Inverse Scales in his hand. They had already fused with the Dragon Soul Jade, and new patterns had appeared on the jade's surface.

"We need to return to the Sacred Source Land immediately." He put away the Dragon Soul Jade. "The Void Master is more dangerous than we imagined, and this is our only hope."

Mu Qing nodded. "You go first. Lei Lie and I will follow afterward."

Ning Xiaochuan was worried. "But your injuries..."

"We won't die." Lei Lie's voice came from the entrance to the passage. He supported himself against the rock wall, his face pale but his gaze resolute. "There are still Tianyuan Sect disciples who can care for us."

Su Linger examined their injuries. "At least let us escort you back."

In the end, they decided that Ning Xiaochuan would return to the Sacred Source Land first to report, while Su Linger and the Sacred Spirit Dragon escorted Lei Lie. Mu Qing would follow after returning to Tianyuan Sect.

Before they parted, Mu Qing gave Ning Xiaochuan a jade slip. "This contains the history of Qingyun City. It may be useful to you."

Ning Xiaochuan solemnly accepted it and cast one final glance at the Well of Origin. The water surface had returned to calm, as though nothing had happened. Yet he knew that the secrets hidden within this well might concern the fate of the entire world.

The Sacred Spirit Dragon shrank down and landed on his shoulder. Ning Xiaochuan gently stroked Little One's scales. "Let's go home."

The Teleportation Array lit up. When he opened his eyes again, he was beneath the sky of the Sacred Source Land. Star Radiance and the elders had been waiting for a long time. When they saw Ning Xiaochuan return alone, their expressions changed.

"Your Highness! Where are the others?"

Ning Xiaochuan briefly explained the situation. When he mentioned Three Moons Shining Together and the Primal Dragon's Inverse Scales, Star Radiance's expression became extraordinarily complicated.

"So it is true..." the old man murmured. "The legend is real..."

"What legend?" Ning Xiaochuan pressed.

Rather than answering directly, Star Radiance gestured for everyone to move to the temporary council hall. "This concerns the Sacred Origin Tribe's deepest secret, passed down orally only among the High Priests of each generation."

Inside the crude but heavily guarded council hall, Star Radiance told an entirely different story of creation—

The Primal Dragon had not been born naturally. It had been created by an even more ancient existence as a weapon against the Void Master. It traveled through the various worlds, gathering the purest energy, and eventually forged the Five Inverse Scales and the Primal Crown.

"But in a great war, the Primal Crown shattered." Star Radiance's voice was low. "Although the Void Master was sealed, the Primal Dragon was gravely wounded and fell as well. The Five Inverse Scales scattered across different worlds, while the crown's fragments..."

"Became Primal Fragments?" Ning Xiaochuan guessed.

Star Radiance nodded. "Exactly. The Five Primal Fragments you collected are actually the five parts of the crown."

Ning Xiaochuan recalled the message from the crystal. "So reforging the Primal Crown requires the Five Inverse Scales and the Five Primal Fragments?"

"In theory, yes." Star Radiance looked deeply troubled. "But no one knows the exact method. And..."

He hesitated. "According to the secret scriptures, the reforging process requires a sacrifice."

"What sacrifice?"

"The Crown Bearer's life." Star Radiance looked straight into Ning Xiaochuan's eyes. "That is why the Primal Dragon died back then."

The council hall fell silent. Ning Xiaochuan gently stroked the Dragon Soul Jade, sensing the newly added Inverse Scales energy within it, and suddenly understood his fate.

"It's worth it," he finally said. "If this is the only way to stop the Void Master."

Star Radiance seemed about to say something, but in the end, he only sighed deeply. "There is still time. It will take one month for the three moons to fully shine together. Before then, we must find the other Inverse Scales."

Just then, a guard rushed in anxiously. "Report! An abnormal energy fluctuation has been detected at the northern border!"

Ning Xiaochuan and Star Radiance immediately rushed to the observation platform. Sure enough, a thin crack had appeared in the northern sky, with black mist faintly seeping out—the direction of Shadow Valley!

"The portal is undergoing self-repair..." Ning Xiaochuan's heart tightened. "The World Devourers are about to return!"

Star Radiance immediately ordered the northern defenses strengthened and sent someone to notify Su Linger to return as quickly as possible.

Ning Xiaochuan stared at the crack and clenched the Dragon Soul Jade. Time was running out, and the enemy they would have to face might be hundreds or thousands of times more terrifying than the World Devourers...