Within the Dragon Fall Secret Realm, inside the Time Dragon King's pillar space.
The surroundings shimmered like shattered colored glass, and the faint glow of Sand of Time filled every inch of air.
Murong Huai stood atop a formation built from star patterns. His fingertips touched the fine grains drifting through the air, each speck reflecting a different fragment of time.
The Time Dragon King suddenly appeared. He looked at Murong Huai and spoke slowly:
"Little one, before you cultivate the power of time, I must first tell you that while it is powerful, it can harm both others and yourself.
"Back in the Divine Realm, before the great war broke out, I spent an immense amount of lifespan and divine power to predict the future. That was when I saw the Divine Beast Clan suffer a crushing defeat.
"Unfortunately, the Dragon God wouldn't heed my warning. He tried to change the outcome, but ultimately failed miserably. So, if you don't want to learn the path of time, I won't press the matter."
At his words, Murong Huai shook his head. His gaze was resolute as he replied:
"Senior Time Dragon King, if I'm going to learn it, I won't give up halfway."
"Good. In that case, let us begin!"
As he spoke, the Time Dragon King raised a hand. The surroundings shifted endlessly, and then countless grains of sand appeared, forming the reflection of a clock.
As its hands turned, the sound they made set Murong Huai's spirit trembling, striking his soul with a shock.
"Focus."
A deep voice, like the tolling of an ancient bell, pierced through the turbulent currents of spacetime. Murong Huai abruptly looked up. The void at the clock's center suddenly collapsed, transforming into the phantom of a colossal dragon clad in Galaxy Scale Armor.