A willow tree towered like a giant between heaven and earth, majestic and imposing.
Its trunk was rough and solemn, as if it bore the vicissitudes of endless ages. Every willow branch was crystal clear, as though carved from the purest jade, shimmering with a blue-green radiance like wave after wave rippling through a jade sea.
An immense aura of giants permeated the space around the colossal tree.
These auras were like ancient beasts slumbering. Though powerful and imposing, they did not disrupt the banquet. Instead, they seemed to become part of it, lending the grand feast an air of mystery and solemnity.
Immortal King Six Paths Reincarnation had the giant-level artifact, the Six Paths Reincarnation Disk, suspended above his head. His aura was so mighty it seemed capable of shaking heaven and earth.
The Immortal King's true form was boundless in size, matching the Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit's willow-tree form. Their auras collided, yet somehow maintained a delicate balance.
The Six Paths Reincarnation Disk, a giant-level artifact, slowly revolved above the Immortal King's head, as though it bore the secrets of the universe and the rhythm of time.
The faint golden light it gave off was gentle and mysterious, like the first rays of dawn spilling across the entire banquet grounds and filling everyone with a sense of peace and solemnity.
This golden light illuminated not only the Immortal Kings' faces but seemed to peer into their hearts as well, discerning the life and death, the samsara of all things in the world.
Every pattern on the Six Paths Reincarnation Disk looked ancient and profound, as if worn by the passage of time. Interwoven, the patterns formed a perfect design, filled with mystery and majesty.
These patterns were more than mere ornamentation. They were traces left behind by Immortal King Six Paths Reincarnation in his study of the Great Dao of Time.
Sheltered by the Immortal King's might, Su Li calmly watched the clash between the two giants.
His gaze was steady and profound, as if it could see through all illusion and reach the heart of truth.
The willow branches of the Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit's tree form trembled gently, soft and full of life, like a spring breeze brushing past.
The lush green branches swayed through the air, vibrant with life, as though recounting ancient legends and secrets. A voice, neither masculine nor feminine, rang out from the Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit's tree form. It was sonorous and solemn, full of majesty and mystery.
"Friend Samsara, I bear no ill will. I hurried back from the Boundary Sea and descended here during this grand gathering. It was truly a last resort."
The Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit's voice echoed through the air, as if it could pierce the barriers of time and reach the depths of Immortal King Six Paths Reincarnation's heart.
The helplessness in its voice was like a deep sigh, crossing the boundaries of time and space to touch Immortal King Six Paths Reincarnation's soul.
It was a helplessness that came from the depths of the universe, beyond the comprehension of ordinary beings.
Immortal King Six Paths Reincarnation furrowed his brow, his thoughts in turmoil.
For a giant to feel helpless, the matter must be no small thing. He
recalled the Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit's words: "I hurried back from the Boundary Sea and descended here. It was truly a last resort." Each word struck his heart like a heavy hammer.
The Boundary Sea lay at the edge of the universe, a forbidden land beyond the reach of all living beings.
The Boundary Sea had formed over countless eras and ages, as innumerable worlds shattered and became a sea of worlds. Every spray of a wave was a broken world.
Countless worlds had formed the Boundary Sea, where even Immortal Kings could easily encounter danger. Rumor also held that the secret to breaking through from kinghood and becoming an emperor lay there.
That was why so many Immortal Kings had rushed there, one after another. Some had found opportunities there; others had gone to escape pursuit by powerful enemies.
For the Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit to return from there was undoubtedly an earth-shaking event.
Moreover, the Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit had described its actions as a "last resort," which only made Immortal King Six Paths Reincarnation more curious and perplexed.
Immortal King Six Paths Reincarnation began to imagine what had happened in the Boundary Sea to leave even the Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit helpless. Was some unknown force pulling the strings in secret, or was an ancient prophecy about to come true?
An Immortal King's words were like heavenly music. Every word and every action embodied the highest will and power of heaven and earth, of the entire universe.
As one of the most powerful beings in the Primal Ancient Realm, every word spoken by the Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit was like a dazzling star illuminating the entire universe. It would never speak falsely.
As the Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit's helpless voice echoed through the void, Immortal King Wuzhong and the other Immortal Kings appeared beside Immortal King Six Paths Reincarnation.
They arrived like streaks of brilliant light tearing through the void, shaking the entire universe. All eyes turned to the Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit, eager to learn what had happened.
Immortal King Wuzhong's voice carried a note of urgency and concern. "Friend, what exactly happened? Why have you returned from the Boundary Sea, and why speak such helpless words?" His gaze showed the respect and trust he held for the Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit, along with his astonishment at the matter.
The other Immortal Kings also began asking questions. Their voices mingled in the void, forming an invisible force that seemed to try to pierce the haze enveloping the Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit.
"A glimpse of the future... the future of the Primal Ancient Realm..."
The Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit said nothing. Its thick, crystal-clear willow branch reached toward Su Li.
As he watched the branch stretch toward him, a flicker of surprise rose in Su Li's heart.
The branch was crystal clear and thick with strength, as though it held boundless vitality. It swayed gently, seeming to convey some mysterious message to him.
Su Li frowned slightly, astonished by the Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit's perceptiveness.
He knew that as the guardian of the Primal Ancient Realm, the Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit possessed six senses that surpassed those of giant-level Immortal Kings.
It could sense every change in heaven and earth and discern the course of the future. The reason the Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit had hurried back from the Boundary Sea was that it had used its own origin as a guide to see a glimpse of the future—the future of the Primal Ancient Realm!
Immortal King Six Paths Reincarnation watched the willow branch. It was like a crystal-clear dragon, winding its way toward his son, Su Li.
A nameless worry rose in his heart, as though he sensed that something terrible was about to happen. He knitted his brows and looked at Su Li, wanting to ask what was going on.
"Friend, why?" Immortal King Six Paths Reincarnation asked the Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit, his voice trembling slightly. His eyes betrayed his deep concern for Su Li.
"It's all right, Father." Su Li spoke, offering his father a dose of reassurance.
The Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit spoke then, its voice calm and deep, as if it had crossed endless stretches of time to strike directly at everyone's hearts.
"The future of the Ancient Realm is shrouded in darkness. The Ancient Realm will collapse, and countless billions of living beings will perish. Our fellow cultivators will fall on the battlefield, their bodies wrapped in their armor. Not a glimmer of hope or dawn can be seen in the future."
The Ancestral Sacrificial Spirit's words shocked and horrified everyone present. They could not imagine that the Ancient Realm, once prosperous and full of life, would fall into such darkness.
Before you continue