Xuandu looked at Azure Mystery, his voice calm.
"With this bead, I can take you into the Chaos Depths."
"I can help you find that Spirit Vein and comprehend the fragments of laws deep within that mystic realm."
"I can let you truly take that step."
"Instead of continuing to stand guard over this floating continent, staring blankly at those mountains."
As his voice fell, the void sank into dead silence.
Azure Mystery looked at the Chaos Bead, at the endlessly circulating Chaos Restrictions, at the ancient primordial source settled within the bead.
For countless yuan epochs, he had been searching for something.
Something that could allow him to break through.
But the Spirit Vein was sealed, and he could not enter the core of the mystic realm.
He had tried countless times, all ending in failure.
Yet now, someone stood before him, holding the Chaos Bead.
Azure Mystery remained silent for a long time.
Long enough for the Innate Dao Patterns on the black mountains atop the floating continent to circulate through an entire cycle.
Long enough for the light in those dark azure eyes to flicker an unknown number of times.
Then he spoke, his voice low.
"You just said that as long as I acknowledge you as my master."
"You will help me break through."
"Is that your condition?"
Xuandu looked at him.
"This is a deal."
"You become my disciple, and I open the way."
"After you break through, you will still guard your Northern Border."
"You will simply gain the identity of having a master."
"That is all."
Azure Mystery looked at him and fell silent.
For countless yuan epochs, he had never lowered his head to anyone.
But now, That Green Clad Figure stood there, holding the Chaos Bead, with the enemy he had