First step: his heart pounded violently, as if it were about to leap out of his chest.
Second step: the void around him formed a vortex, spinning around him. Beyond the vortex, something seemed to be connected to it, yet remained unseen.
Third step: the vortex contracted sharply and instantly merged into his body.
Fourth step: his robes stirred without a breeze. Outside the ancient city, countless living beings felt a gentle wind brush their faces, yet no one could tell where it came from—not even Xia Shang, the strongest Zai Xia Realm powerhouse.
Fifth step: stars appeared beneath his feet, as if he were walking across the entire starry sky.
Sixth step: a faint glow emanated from his body, clear to see. Yet the living beings just a few steps away outside the city noticed nothing at all.
Seventh step: the entire ancient city seemed to circle above the starry sky. Only he stood tall above the stars, while countless stars pulsed with his heartbeat.
Eighth step: divine intent gathered in his eyes, and his body seemed to swallow the entire universe.
Ninth step: his heartbeat slowed, his presence abruptly vanished, and everything returned to normal.
Then he stepped out of the ancient city and looked up. The light was dazzling, yet gentle.
No one outside had known anything about the nine steps he had just taken inside the ancient city.
Lu Yin fanned himself lightly, like an ordinary person, seeming a little hot.
When Xia Shang and the others saw Lu Yin come out, they hurried to greet him.
"Master, you're out!" Tuo Lin said happily.
Lu Yin smiled. "Mm. How are things outside?"
"Everyone's helping you gather fragments of the Universe Framework, Master. We've already collected quite a lot."
Lu Tianhong respectfully added, "Even the other five