Deep underground.
Gu Qingshan took out the Hand of Destruction and planted it in the ground beside him.
"Should we kill those Chaos Spirits, or keep going deeper, toward the 'Inconceivable Era'?" the Hand of Destruction asked.
"No. I've been fighting for too long. I'm a little tired," Gu Qingshan said.
"So you're going to rest for a while?" the Hand of Destruction asked.
"I've also had some insights in my cultivation. I need some time to sort them out," Gu Qingshan said.
"Leave it to me."
The Hand of Destruction made an okay gesture, then pointed all around.
The narrow passage quickly widened and transformed into a resplendent palace.
Rows of guards formed from the Darkness Sequence appeared, taking up positions all around.
"That's quite a show," Gu Qingshan said with a smile.
"Of course. On the Dark Continent, you're the king here," the Hand of Destruction replied.
Gu Qingshan gave a small nod and closed his eyes, seemingly sinking into meditation.
The World-Defining Divine Sword floated behind him, quietly waiting for him to wake again.
Everything fell silent.
The palace and the guards all vanished.
Gu Qingshan opened his eyes, stood up, and looked around.
He saw strange spires rising from the earth, one after another. The outside of each spire was etched with densely packed runes.
Looking closely, he saw the runes constantly flowing, shifting, and undergoing Restructuring.
The runes seemed alive, imbuing the spires with all kinds of special powers.
Gu Qingshan watched for several breaths, then asked, "What kind of spell is this?"
"Time Dream."
A voice sounded behind him.
Gu Qingshan turned and saw the young woman standing not far away.
"Xie Shuangyan... You're the real Time Mother?" he asked.
"That's right." She nodded.
"You've always avoided me. Why come see me now?"