When Lin Yue returned with the Space Leaf, Pangu was still sitting quietly on the enormous golden-glowing rock. The Chaos Airflow around him seemed to be blocked by an invisible barrier; even the most violent currents automatically parted as they drew near. Lin Yue carefully approached, stopping a short distance from Pangu, afraid to disturb the Creation God's meditation. He slipped the Space Leaf into his inner pocket with care. It contained the Law of Space and was a gift from Great Immortal Yang Mei, as well as an important aid for his future cultivation.
After resting for a while, Lin Yue decided to continue exploring the area. He remembered Great Immortal Yang Mei mentioning that the Space Secret Realm lay to the southeast. Though he wasn't strong enough to venture there recklessly, becoming more familiar with the Chaos terrain could only help him prepare for the future. Following the method he'd figured out earlier—moving along the currents—he kept low and made his way slowly along the cracks between the rocks. The vortex in his dantian turned faintly, continuously absorbing the thin Chaos Energy around him and maintaining the faint layer of Golden Protection over his body.
Time felt especially hard to judge in the Chaos. Lin Yue estimated that he had walked for about half an hour when the gray mist around him suddenly thinned. A black rock, larger than the one where Pangu sat, appeared faintly ahead, standing alone in the Chaos like a small hill. What made his heart clench even more was the enormous shadow standing motionless beside it. It was at least three zhang tall, with shoulders a full two zhang wide. A heavy aura, utterly different from the Chaos Airflow, lingered around it. When the gray mist drew near the shadow, it seemed to meet its natural enemy and vanished without a sound.
"What is that?" Lin Yue's heart began to race. He stopped instinctively and slowly drew back behind a rock, peeking out with one eye. The shadow stood motionless, like a silent statue. All he could see was its broad back and the arms hanging at its sides. They were as thick as black trees in the Chaos, with clearly defined knuckles and a layer of fine, dark-golden scales that gleamed with a cold sheen in the faint light.
"Chaos Fierce Beast?" The moment the thought crossed his mind, Lin Yue's hair stood on end. He remembered the Earth-Splitting Lizard he'd encountered before. Though far smaller than this shadow, it could already spit poison and tear rocks apart. The aura of the shadow before him was more than ten times as terrifying as the lizard's. If it attacked, he probably wouldn't even have time to react.
He held his breath and tried to blend his aura with the surrounding Chaos Airflow, while quietly stirring the vortex in his dantian and concentrating the Golden Protection in front of him. It was the strongest defense he could manage at the moment. He knew it might be useless against such an overwhelming difference in strength, but it was better than nothing.
Just then, the shadow seemed to sense something and turned its head slightly. Lin Yue's heart nearly leaped out of his chest. He quickly pulled his head back and clamped a hand over his mouth, not daring to breathe loudly. He could feel an invisible pressure carried on the wind, as if a pair of icy eyes were scanning the area. Each time they swept past, his whole body tensed, and cold sweat soaked the back of his clothes.
It was about the time it took an incense stick to burn before the suffocating pressure finally began to fade. Lin Yue cautiously peered out and saw that the shadow had turned back, still standing beside the rock as if nothing had happened. He breathed a sigh of relief, though his back was already drenched in cold sweat. The shadow was far too powerful; it wasn't something he could afford to provoke. He had to get away as soon as possible.
He backed away slowly, stepping as lightly as a cat and afraid to make the slightest sound. When he had taken his tenth step, a faint crack came from beneath his foot. He had accidentally stepped on a loose stone, and the sound rang out clearly through the silent Chaos.
"Oh no!" Lin Yue's heart lurched. He was just about to run when he heard heavy footsteps behind him, one after another, each landing like a stomp on his heart. He didn't dare look back and could only sprint ahead as fast as he could. The vortex in his dantian spun wildly, and he pushed the Golden Protection to its limit. Even the Space Leaf in his pocket grew slightly warm, as if warning him of danger.
The footsteps drew closer and closer. Lin Yue could even feel the scorching heat behind him, as though a giant beast were bearing down on him. He gritted his teeth and summoned every bit of Chaos Energy he could, trying to run faster, but his legs felt as heavy as lead, and every step was a struggle.
Just then, a familiar golden light shot in from behind and to the side, instantly placing itself between Lin Yue and the shadow. The moment the light touched the ground, it formed a translucent barrier, completely blocking the shadow's aura. Lin Yue froze for a moment, then looked back. Pangu had appeared behind him at some point, still silent as ever, his right hand raised. The golden light in his palm was the source of the barrier.
"Senior Pangu!" Lin Yue was both startled and delighted. Most of his fear vanished at once. He ran to Pangu's side and looked at the shadow held back by the golden light. In a low voice, he asked, "Senior, wh-what kind of creature is that? Its aura is so powerful."
Pangu didn't answer immediately. He simply watched the shadow, his expression placid. After a moment, the shadow seemed to sense Pangu's strength and let out a low growl, but it didn't dare approach the golden light. In the end, it slowly retreated and disappeared into the gray mist.
Only after the shadow had vanished completely did Pangu withdraw the golden light and turn to Lin Yue. "An Ancient Chaos Beast. 'Zhenyue.'"
"Zhenyue?" Lin Yue silently committed the name to memory, gaining an even greater sense of just how dangerous the Chaos was. He looked at Pangu and said gratefully, "Thank you for saving me, Senior. If you hadn't stepped in just now, I would've..."
"It's nothing." Pangu cut him off and turned toward the enormous rock they'd left earlier. "Stay by my side. Don't wander far."
Lin Yue hurried after him, filled with relief. Thank goodness Senior Pangu was here; otherwise, he probably wouldn't have lasted three days in the Chaos. He made up his mind to stay close to his senior from then on and never again wander off to a dangerous place without permission. He also had to grow stronger as quickly as possible so he could protect himself and stop making his senior worry about him.
Back beside the enormous rock, Lin Yue found a spot near Pangu and sat down, beginning to calm the Chaos Energy that had been stirred by his fear. He touched the Space Leaf in his pocket. It was still warm, as if reminding him that the only way to survive in the Chaos was to keep growing stronger.
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